Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

Our school recognised the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence today.  Students have been involved in activities in their classes to promote kindness and tolerance and understand what bullying is.  We culminated the week with a free dress day that raised $1018 for the student council.  They will be supporting their chosen charity - The Starlight Foundation - across the 2021 school year.  Congratulations to everyone for your participation across the week.  

With just nine school days remaining for the term, it is certain to be busy.  We have Year 1 on excursion, Year 5 on excursion and Year 6 attending camp.  

Student leaders do milkshakes

Earlier this week, Mrs Artz and I had the pleasure of taking our student leaders to meet with their counterparts from Pimpama State School.  The conversation over mildshakes covered all the important topics - the leadership structures at schools, brothers and sisters and movies.  While the students were meeting, we met with Mr Marx and Mrs Langford from Pimpama and discussed plans on strengthening our already important relationships and opportunities for our students.  Thank you to the staff at One Little Tree Cafe for hosting us.  The cafe is owned and operated by one of our Coomera Rivers families.  

Our P&C for 2021

I would like to officially welcome the 2021 P&C executive committee.  Elected this week at the AGM was:

• President:  Corina Profke
• Vice-President:  Bridgette Raschke
• Secretary:  Gemma Del Re
• Treasurer:  Vacant

School disco postponed

The rain that was forecast didn't eventuate but the decision to postpone the disco was still the right one.  We tried to make the decision early enough to allow families to alter their plans but late enough to see what would happen.  Forecasts were consistent that the rain would arrive and that would have spelled disaster for the event.  As I explained, using the hall means that COVID restrictions apply and consequently, parents couldn't attend.

To be successful, the students need to love their disco experience and the parents need to enjoy their children's reactions.  Thank you to everyone who has been understanding.  

Our behaviour

It is vital that we model the values and behaviours that we expect our children to attain.  And from time to time, I think we let our kids down.  This includes me.  It is important for our children that we respectfully say, write and use non-verbal communication and show kindness to others.

I was looking at the school 'Bullying No Way!' mural today when I came across this quote - written by a student in Year 5.  The wisdom and maturity of the words stopped me in my tracks and filled me with both hope and confidence.  I do not know who wrote it but I wished it was me.

Choose the safer option

Please try not to walk through the staff car park.  I understand that the shortcut will save 100m of walking (or riding), but it adds considerable danger as well because people are walking on the roadway.  It is far safer to use the path and crossings.  Please know that all students are not to enter the staff car park unless they are accessing a car with their parents.  

REMINDER: Please complete the surveys

Last week, all families received two automated emails with access details and links to surveys that must be completed for your children. Only parents or carers for which we have recorded in our school system that students reside will have received these emails and links. Please note that only one parent or carer needs to complete the surveys.

Survey 1:   Online Services Consent Form (estimated completion time - 5 minutes)

The purpose of the Online Services Consent Form is to inform you about the third party online services used in our school and how student information, including personal information and works, may be recorded, used, disclosed, and published to the services. We will only allow the following information to be accessed by these provides:

• Student's first name
• Class name
• Teacher's name
• Access codes provided through the app (eg a Mathletics password)

If the app provider requires more than this we will not use the app.

Survey 2:

Digital Devices User Agreement and Anti-Bullying Agreement (estimated completion time 5 minutes)

The purpose of the Digital Devices User Agreement and Anti-Bullying Agreement is to acknowledge that you have read and agree to the Coomera Rivers State School Digital Devices User Agreement and Anti-Bullying Agreement which can be found in our Student Code of Conduct, and that you have discussed both with your child.

Thank you in advance for completing these two surveys.

Are your children's details up to date?

Have you changed your street address, email address or contact numbers in the past 12 months? Have there been any changes to your family circumstances that the school needs to be aware of?  Please contact the school or visit QParents to update your records.

Kind regards

Vic