Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

This week was headlined by Under 8s day, inter-school sport and the junior school awards assembly.  

Scooters

The school has received a number of phone calls from parents and community members about dangerous scooter riders on their way home from school.  In fact, the ratio of complaints (scooters to bikes) is 10:1.  Children do not have any road sense at all and leaving them to negotiate their way home on two tiny wheels is bound to result in problems.  Many students are not expected to wear a helmet when riding a scooter either.  It will only take one head knock and the rest of their lives might be drastically altered.

Bikes tend to be far safer in both protective equipment and safety.  The school does not encourage scooter riding.  

Representing our school

We will soon have school teams representing Coomera Rivers at the Pride Cup, hosted by Pimpama State Secondary College.  As I have previously outlined, conduct at school and on & off the field or court at sport is vital for continued selection in our teams.  Our team uniform is the only apparel that students can wear and it needs to be complete.  We demonstarte our sporting ethos of Fun - Fitness - Friendship in every game we play and our respect extends to all players and referees.  

It is the player's responsibility to wear the correct team uniform.  Any players who are not in correct and complete uniform on the day, will not be able to attend, and hire fees and transport fees will be forfeited.

Under 8s Day

The theme for this year's Under 8s was Play- You, Me and Our Communities, and our community event Friday morning was certainly a celebration of all these things. Mums, dads, grandmas and grandpas and other special family friends all got to join in the fun with a myriad of activities such as crown and kite making, bubble blowing, chalk drawing and loads more. The local police and fire brigade also stopped by and were once again a crowd favourite. Year 1 and Year 2 also delighted their audience with a dance display. We hope everyone had as much fun as we had!

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Reconciliation week begins on the May 27 and ends on June 3. These dates are significant to First Nations’ history and peoples for the following reasons:

• 27 May: On this day, Australia’s most successful referendum saw more than 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise them in the Census.
• 3 June 1992: On this day, the Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision, the culmination of Eddie Koiki Mabo’s challenge to the legal fiction of ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no one) and leading to the legal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands. This decision paved the way for Native Title.

To show respect and work towards reconciliation, all of our students and classes will be involved in lessons and activities.  The theme for Reconciliation Week 2023 is Be a Voice for Generations.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

     

Feeding the dolphins

What a fantastic day our EcoMarines had at Tangalooma!

They started the day travelling by coach and ferry. They had to walk around the ferry and find our partner school who had the same animal as us (glider). The girls were very excited when they spotted the island in the distance, Evelyn even spotted a dophin already in the water.

We teamed up with another school and had the challenge of creating a sandcastle in the animal of a glider!  Ms Landers was very impressed with how they collaborated with their new friends to create a sandcastle.

Pizza and chips went down a treat for lunch. Then the students participated in a scavenger hunt around the island and learned about food waste and coral protection.

The girls then worked together to think of initiatives that our school can undertake this year to tackle our environmental issues. They look forward to pitching their ideas to the school Exec team. 

They then enjoyed lasagne for dinner followed by a presentation about the dolphins that visit Tangalooma. And after dinner, they lined up to feed them! They fed a dolphin called Comet who is 4 years old. He was very cute and enjoyed our smelly fish!

Before school waiting areas

P&C Day

Respiratory Illnesses

The Gold Coast Public Health Unit (GCPHU) would like to send a timely reminder to advise that respiratory illnesses, particularly influenza, continue to circulate through the community.  There is currently a lot at school.

Respiratory illnesses can be highly contagious and easily spread from person-to-person.  Symptoms of respiratory illness include runny nose, sneezing, cough, shortness of breath, fever, and chills. Some people may develop severe disease, particularly infants, and may require hospitalisation.

It is common for people with respiratory illnesses to undergo rapid antigen testing (RAT) for COVID-19. If the RAT is negative, a person may still have an infectious respiratory disease that can be passed on to others. Please stay at home if unwell.

Please consider doing these things to keep you and your family safe:

1. Make sure your family is fully up to date with all their vaccinations, including influenza and COVID-19, where appropriate.
2. Sick children and staff should remain away from the school environment until symptoms have resolved. We recommend following the Time Out guidelines.
3. Continue good hygiene measures, including hand washing, sneeze/cough etiquette and wearing of masks as required.
4. See a health professional if you have concerns regarding your child’s health.