Principal's news
Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues
The 2022 school year has concluded, and once again, we have earned and enjoyed terrific success at Coomera Rivers. My personal headline events and achievements this year (in no particular order) include:
- Kokoda challenge winners
- Wakakirri (National winners Mrs Blyth)
- eSports (National champions in Year 5)
- Inter-school sport competitions
- Debating
- The colour splatacular
- The vast range of extra-curricular opportunities in the face of teacher shortages and
- Receiving Apple Distinguished Schools recognition … again
It is with a touch of sadness that we bid farewell to some staff today as they move to new schools and challenges. The list of staff leaving includes:
| Year level / Area | Staff member | In appreciation |
| Year 1 | Mrs Benton | Joined Coomera Rivers in 2015. Worked as a class teacher and specialist teacher. Transferring to Varsity College for 2023. |
| Miss White | Joined Coomera Rivers this year in Year 1. Moving to Edens landing State School next year. | |
| Miss Frey | Joined Coomera Rivers this year in Year 1. Moving to Guardian Angels next year. | |
| Year 2 | Miss McIntosh | Joined Coomera Rivers in 2014. Travelled and worked overseas for 12 months then returned to us. Transfer to Yugambeh State School next year. |
| Year 3 | Mrs Marsh | Joined Coomera Rivers in mid-2021 on Year 2 and then Year 3 this year. Best wishes for next year. |
| Year 4 | Mrs Caswell | Foundation staff member. Appointed to Coomera Rivers in 2010. Taught and led in a range of roles at our school. Transferring to Berrinbah East State School next year. |
| Miss Duffy | Joined Coomera Rivers in mid 2022 in Year 4. Moving to Upper Coomera State College next year. | |
| Year 5 | Mrs Wynne | Joined Coomera Rivers in 2013. Spent 12 months away helping another school before returning to us. Will be travelling outback Australia then transferring to Windaroo State School in 2024. |
| Miss Bevan | Joined Coomera Rivers in 2022. Has plans to travel the world in 2023, beginning in New Zealand. | |
| Year 6 | Mrs Wager | Joined Coomera Rivers in 2012. Was selected to join the staff at AB Paterson College to work in Year 5 from 2023. |
| Music | Mrs Blyth | Joined Coomera Rivers in 2017 in classroom music. Transferring to Instrumental Music full time from 2023. |
| Mrs Zander | Joined Coomera Rivers in 2012 as music teacher. Transferring to Indooroopilly State School from 2023 - no more daily commutes from Brisbane. | |
| HPE | Mrs Arthur | Joined Coomera Rivers in late-2021. Good luck next year - especially with her golf. |
| Various | Mrs Irwin | Joined Coomera Rivers in 2022 and has filled a number of roles for us. Good luck next year. |
| Head of Department | Mrs Young | Joined Coomera Rivers in 2014 as a classroom teacher. Became a Head of Department - Curriculum and has been part of the leadership team for the past three years. Will be transferring to the Queensland Hospital School to start in 2023. |
| Deputy Principal | Ms Artz | Joined Coomera Rivers in July 2012. Has been Deputy Principal in all sectors of the school. She is our public speaking and debating Head Coach. Transferring to Pimpama State Primary College to begin in 2023. |
| Teacher Aides | Mr Rankin, Mr Rumble, Mr Morris, Ms Woodbridge, Mrs Del Re, Miss Towell | Thank you to these teacher aides for their wonderful contributions this year. |
| Facilities | Ms Wright | Thank you for being our COVID cleaner in 2021/22. |
| Mrs Perry | Joined Coomera Rivers in 2011. Has moved to Gatton area in 2019 - and loves the lifestyle there. |
Year 6 Graduation Dinner
Our Year 6 students and staff celebrated their graduation year and enjoyed a night out at Sharks where they dressed up and had a dinner and dance. Thank you to the staff for organising what is a huge event and to all of the mums and dads who made it a special event for their children.
School leaders for 2023
At Coomera Rivers, leadership means service to others. We live by the quote from Bishop Dale Bronner when he said, 'If serving is below you, then leadership is beyond you.' To be a great leader, one must first value service to others. Placing the needs of others first is central to the beliefs of the greatest leaders in history. And this is what we aim to emulate at our school.
Following a very rigorous selection process again this year, I would like to formally announce the first group of student leaders for 2023. Congratulations to:
| Role | Leader | Leader |
| Head of School | Frankie Gallagher | Connor Beck |
| Head of Student Council | Lana Pearce | Alana Boyd |
New families afternoon
Thank you to our P&C and Prep teachers for welcoming new families to the school this week. Despite being very hot, we enjoyed some refreshments are were able to mingle and meet families new to our community.
Apple Distinguished Schools
I am once again pleased to announce that Coomera Rivers has been recognised as an Apple Distinguished School (2022–2025) for our innovation, leadership, and educational excellence.
At Coomera Rivers, we use technology to inspire creativity, collaboration and critical thinking in learning, teaching and the school environment, and have documented results of academic accomplishment.
I would like to thank Mrs Hadfield for recently accepting our award on my behalf. She was a great choice to do this as she epitomises our use of technology in creative and compelling ways.
Alliance schools debating competition
The finals of the local state and independent schools debating competition were held in Week 9. Coomera Rivers was represented in the Year 5 and 6 sections. Our team won the Year 5 competition and although we argued hard in the Year 6 competition, we were unfurtunately unsuccessful. I was so very proud of all of the students and staff involved in what is a very difficult set of skills to show.
Congratulations to Ms Artz who coordinated all eight schools (22 teams in total). This was an enormously challenging task. Thank you also to Griffith University and Toastmasters for their continued support with this competition as well.
Seesaw for school
At Coomera Rivers we use Seesaw for School, which means your child's work stays connected from the very beginning until the end of primary school. If you are wanting to access your child's work from throughout the year you can use the Journal Tab in the Seesaw App with all current and past classes.
If you are leaving Coomera Rivers or would just like an off-line copy of their digital portfolio, please click HERE and please follow the steps.
When classes are created for 2023, you will automatically have access to your child's new journals without needing to sign up. If your children are starting Prep or are new to our school, your child's teacher will get in contact with you early next year on how to best connect to their journal.
Have a safe Christmas vacation.
Merry Christmas
Vic
