Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

We have had another wonderful week at school this week.  Our kids will be happy that the last of the assessments have been completed, and their teachers have commenced preparing report cards.  We still have three full weeks to go before the 2023 school year is complete. Next week's issue of the 'Celebration's Newsletter' will be massive.

Practice makes perfect / Hot at school / Young leaders

We practiced our evacuation drill again this week.  Our response time was excellent with everyone being accounted for quickly.

It has been very hot these past couple of days - summer is here again.  We have a startegy for managing in periods of excessive heat that includes cool classrooms with air-con (Thanks again P&C), staying out of the sun where possible, and drinking lots of water.  Schools are not able to close when it gets hot, we just need to manage and keep everyone safe and well.  

We announced our 2024 Heads of School and Heads of Student Council this week.  We will introduce and congratulate Landon, Olivia, Avei and Hayden in the next issue of the newsletter.

The opposite of bullying

Teaching students about kindness and character is central to what we do at school each day.   This doesn't mean that conflict and bullying don't happen.  They do and we respond to every case that we are aware of.  Our focus is on helping children build a resilience and emotional strength while teaching those who are aggressive or bully, a more appropriate way to interact.  

I need all parents to remember that we will respond to every report every time.  But we will only call it bullying if it is.  Like all schools, we use the national definition of bullying, found on the Bullying No Way website.    Please note the last sentence.  

The most common from of bullying at school is hurtful teasing (remember that it needs to meet the definition). 

Facebook shaming is bullying

I find it amazing that those who post and reply on Facebook, joining a bashing of a school about bullying, are doing precisely what they claim to stand against.  These people are bullies.  The use of Facebook for this purpose is despicable and cowardly. 

Bullying behaviours are not the unique domain of the public schooling sector.  I have spent time in catholic, private and state schools and can attest that there is no difference.   So I wonder why schools in the catholic or private sectors never seem to receive the abhorrent treatment that the state schools endure.  

I implore all adults to model the character and kindness they want children to learn.   

Looking towards 2024

We are under way with our preparations for the 2024 school year.    

Leaving us:  If your children are not returning to Coomera Rivers in 2024 (not the current Year 6 students), please email Kylie Finch at kfinc0@eq.edu.au to let us record this.  

Joining us:  We are still taking Prep enrolments for 2024 so if you are looking to enrol for 2024 please email Kylie Finch at kfinc0@eq.edu.au

Kind regards

Vic