Coomera Rivers State School eNewsletter

From the Principal

Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

I am very proud of our school community and grateful to be a small part of it. Watching the children at cross country as they cheered, participated, challenged themselves, and most of all, smiled, was extremely satisfying to see. Like you, I am very proud of them. And then to see everyone, as a school community, acknowledge the significance of ANZAC Day through a solemn and considerate attitude just reinforced my level of pride.

Thank you also to the staff, P&C, students and families who supported these events at our school across the past fortnight. Well done!

COVID and schools update

We continue to have many staff and students affected by the COVID virus. Please monitor your family's health and continue to keep children at home if the are ill.

As you may be aware, Queensland Health have updated the requirements for anyone who is deemed a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19. Please note, when determining whether someone is a close contact, schools and early childhood services are not considered a household, or household-like accommodation or care facility.

New requirements for close contacts

From 6:00pm on Thursday 28 April 2022, close contacts who do not have COVID-19 symptoms no longer need to quarantine. Students who are close contacts must notify their school that they are a close contact.

For 7 days after becoming a close contact, students over the age of 12 must wear a face mask while outside of their home, including at school, and when outdoors if unable to physically distance. Queensland Health also recommends that children under the age of 12 wear a face mask when it is safe to do so.

It is recommended that students undertake a rapid antigen test (RAT) on the first day they leave home, and every second day (e.g. days 2, 4, and 6) until they are no longer a close contact.

Close contacts who develop COVID-19 symptoms must not attend school and should isolate until their symptoms resolve.

Rapid antigen tests (RATs)

Schools are not providing RATs to staff or students who are close contacts. You will need to source and administer your own tests. However, our school is continuing to provide RATs to staff and students who develop COVID-19 symptoms while at school.

If you or your child tests positive to COVID-19

Queensland Health requirements for people who test positive to COVID-19 remain unchanged. You must follow the Queensland Health guidelines outlined in the first steps to take if you have COVID-19.

Face masks

As a gentle reminder, masks continue to be required in certain settings for anyone aged 12 years or older, such as when travelling on public transport. They are also recommended whenever you can't physically distance.
Anyone who chooses to wear a mask at school will be supported to do so.

I will continue to keep you informed of any changes to our response to COVID-19.

Chicken pox

We also have a few cases on chicken pox making its way through the school so please keep a watchful eye out for symptoms. Click here for more information.

Winter uniforms

Make sure you are ready for the cooler weather which is closing in by ordering your school jumpers and tracksuits NOW. Remember that the jumper is worn with the formal uniform and the tracksuit is worn with the sports uniform. The items are not interchangeable.

NAPLAN Online (Years 3 and 5)

Following a successful practice of NAPLAN testing in the last week of Term 1, we are ready for the 2022 NAPLAN testing, scheduled to occur from Tuesday 10 May (the testing schedule, and relevant information, has been sent to Year 3 and 5 parents via email).

In the practice testing, our students proved they have strong character, grit, determination and resilience to tackle this variation to regular learning. Well done! These practice sessions were an excellent opportunity for our students to experience the style of questions in the NAPLAN online testing so they will know what to expect in the upcoming tests.

We understand that some students were absent for the practice testing and we have encouraged their parents, and all Year 3 and 5 parents, to have their child open the NAP iPad app and select 'Demonstration Tests' to access additional short practice tests for each area.

NAPLAN is a nationwide measure through which parents, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the broader community can determine whether or not young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community.

NAPLAN tests are one aspect of each school’s assessment and reporting process and do not replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about each student’s performance. Each teacher will have the best insight into their students’ educational progress. NAPLAN results do not measure overall school quality.

Click here for more information on NAPLAN testing.

ANZAC Day at school

We use the last school day before April 25 to commemorate ANZAC Day. We will have classes learn about the story of the ANZACs and why this day is important in Australia's heritage. They will also prepare class wreaths for the service. This year was another service that was beautifully organised and run. The student leaders did an amazing job of taking us through the service program and the level of respect shown by all children, either attending or viewing the service, was excellent.