Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

Week 8 has been a shorter week - for students at least - but no less action packed.  Highlighting this week was the Coomera Cup sports matches against Coomera Springs, our free dress day and my contribution to the senior band's performance of Ghostbusters where I played the sleigh bells.  The kids thought I was just a natural however, I am not sure that the bells actually added any musical value to the performance.  

Coronavirus update

Coomera Rivers remains COVID-free.  However, the latest community outbreak has increased my awareness and concern.  We have many plans, either on the drawing board or ready to go, should the circumstances surrounding the virus change.  I feel that we are well-prepared for most contingencies.  It could be that we:

• May need to further tighten parent access to the school
• Restrict parent access completely or
• Temporarily close the school if an outbreak impacts our staff or students.

None of these is desirable but, should the circumstances require it, we will employ what is necessary.

If we need to tighten or completely restrict parent access

• We will contact all families via SMS, email, newsletter and Facebook to inform our families of any changes and provide as much time as possible for alternate arrangements to be made.

If we need to close the school temporarily

(I do not expect this to happen but just in case)

• If the Minister instructs us to temporarily close, we will contact families via SMS, email and Facebook with the direction.  Parents will be required to collect their children from the school if the direction is given during school hours.  Unfortunately, we will not be able to rely on buses, after-school care and walking or riding home.

Please make sure that your current mobile number and email address is held at the school.  

• OSHC will be affected if the school closes and will be forced to temporarily close for the same duration as well.

School events

We are still working towards our musical, Time to Shine music concert, sports days, our Annual Awards Assembly and Year 6 Graduation.  They will be different to previous years and we will do all we can manage to include opportunities for families to view the events. 

Excursions

We are planning for some excursions and have completed a few already.  There are very strict guidelines and protocols to comply with, including all venues having approved COVID Safe Industry Plans and our school needing to undertake detailed risk assessments.  Every excursion is different and unfortunately, not all of our original plans from earlier in the year can be realised.  

On-site health and safety measures

• Stay home if sick

Under the Queensland Chief Health Officer directive, any student or member of staff who is unwell must not attend school and should remain at home. Parents will be required to collect their child from school if they become unwell.  I understand that this can be very inconvenient but these are different times in which we live.

• Maintain social distancing 

Do this always.  I know that our usual bubbles are much smaller but we simply must increase our social distancing practices if we are to stay healthy.  Staff and parents are asked to do this.

• Wash hands

We continue to expect that children will use sanitiser or wash their hands:

• • • After going to the bathroom
    • Before eating
    • Entering a new classroom or inside space 
    • When their teacher directs them

Teacher Aide Week

This week was the official Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week. This is an opportunity to acknowledge the important role of our teacher aides, whose hard work and dedication make a difference to students, teachers and our school community. The awesome group of teacher aides at Coomera Rivers contribute positively to our school each and every day. 

Pokemon Clubs

Our Pokemon Club runs each lunch break in the cafe shed area are the players are highly engaged.  There are boys and girls of different ages just loving Pokemon.  They follow the rules and expectations and thoroughly enjoy sharing their time with similar minded students.

We also have Bey Blade and Yu-Gi-Oh Clubs as well.        

Sports Fun Day program (Term 4)

We will be holding the sports fun days next term.  The program is outlined below but a more detailed plan will be provided prior to the event. 

Unfortunately, parents will not be able to attend so we will coordinate a live stream of particular events onto Facebook should you like to catch a glimpse of the action.  The streaming will be conducted by staff and will show students enjoying the friendly competition.  Please contact Kylie Finch by email or phone if you do NOT want your child included in the streaming, otherwise we will assume you have provided your consent.  

Program:

• Wednesday 7 October - Prep and Year 1
• Thursday 8 October - Year 2 and Year 3
• Friday 9 October - Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6

The winning house will hold the trophy until the next event later in the year.  The champion house for the year will be engraved onto the trophy.  We will be providing ribbons and stickers but this is not an age-championship so medallions are not awarded.  The age champions in Years 4,5 and 6 will be determined at a separate event in Week 10.  We call this event out Athletics Trials as we also select a school team to represent at the district carnival.

There will be heaps of bonus points available so please check the newsletter and Facebook for how parents can earn points too.

Our 2021 planning starts now

We are about to start our planning for the 2021 school year.  I wonder how different it will be to this year that has left everyone with an enforced mindset on life and lifestyle.  Whatever happens, I know that Coomera Rivers will be flourishing with helping our children to be good at learning and good at life.

If you are leaving our school, please email Kylie Finch so that we can make the necessary arrangements for transfers.

This will make placements available to new families so if you know anyone interested in joining our community, please encourage them to make an application to Kylie via the email link above.

I hope all of our dads and grandads have a lovely Father's Day on Sunday.

Kind regards
Vic