Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

I hope that everyone made the most of the long weekend last week and managed to have some quality time relaxing at home.  On the whole, the weather was another illustration of how wonderful our climate is.  I am sure that those from southern states are very envious of us.

Important messages this week include:

Early collection ends

The early collection procedure (2:00pm) finished today.  We will re-introduce it should the pandemic conditions require it.  

Please note that the same restrictions to the school remain in place so only Prep and parents with a gate pass can enter the school.  Only students and staff are allowed inside classrooms.

Student photos are stunning

Congratulations to Mrs Hadfield's Year 6 photography group.  The quality of their photographs is outstanding.  In photography club, they learn tips and tricks to get the most out of their iPad camera and then utilise some filters.  The results are incredible.  Check them out here. 

Air-conditioning works have commenced

The program to air-condition the remainder of our classrooms has started and I expect all rooms to be completed by the start of Term 4.  This is a great thing for our school.  

Early arrival

Parents need to give reasonable consideration to the time their children arrive at school.  Anywhere between 8:00-8:15am is ideal.  Arrival, sometimes before 7:00am, is not appropriate.  Please contact our OSHC for before school care if this applies to your child.  Children are not supervised until 8:00am and I am quite certain that no-one would consider students at play times without playground supervision to be satisfactory.  

Language at school

Quite simply, swearing or offensive language is never appropriate at our school.  If your child does this, you can expect some serious consequences to follow.  Please discuss appropriate language at school with your children and make your expectations clear to them.

On-line supervision

Please remember to supervise your children's on-line activity, especially messaging.  When everything is smooth, children have no problems managing their interactions.  But should something or someone cause some conflict, they will quickly be in over their heads and it is simple for laws to be broken.

Changes at our OSHC

Our OSHC foundation Director, Katharine Reay, has made the hard decision to leave Coomera Rivers OSHC in search of a new interstate adventure.  She has been part of the Coomera Rivers OSHC since we opened in January 2019 and prior to that she was the coordinator for the PCYC ran OSHC facility onsite from 2011.

We sincerely thank Katharine for her commitment to our school community during her time with us and wish her all the very best in her future endeavours.

Katharine’s departure does mean our Service has a vacancy for a Service Director.  If you, or someone you know, would be interested in this role, please refer to the job advertisement details later in this newsletter.

     

Chicken Pox is about

We have one confirmed case of chicken pox at school.  If you are concerned for your child, please consult your doctor.  If your child develops a 'confirmed' case of chicken pox, please inform the school.  

Blue card laws change very soon

Please check the latest changes to Blue Card requirements as they apply to volunteers and people who work with or around children.  

Coming events

Term 3

• Week 7 - The Great Debate ~ CRSS vs Pimpama State Secondary College - August 27
• Week 8 - Year 2 Excursion - Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary - August 31 & September 1
• Week 8 - Coomera Cup - August 31
• Week 9 - The Ace Project (Selected students) September 8 & 9
• Week 9 - Prep Excursion - Seaworld - September 8, 9 & 11

Term 4

• Week 2 - Year 4 Excursion - Runaway Bay Sport and Leadership Centre
• Week 3 & 4 - Year 3 Excursion - Ngutana-Lui Cultural Centre - October 19 & 26
• Week 5 - Year 5 Excursion - Gold Rush - November 2 and 3
• Week 8 & 9 - Prep Learn to Swim - Rackley Pimpama - November 23 to December 4
• Week 10 - Year 6 Wet N Wild Fun Day - December 11

* Please note that all activities are dependant upon social conditions at that time.   

Have a lovely weekend

Kind regards

Vic

Promotion #2

Diamond level students epitomise the qualities to which we want all children to aspire. These are the children who represent the school with pride, focus on their learning, ensure that their conduct is impeccable, maintain their service to others and have other regard their leadership at school with admiration and their social interactions are highly respectful. 

Congratulations to the following students on demonstrating this high level of character to their teachers.  The best part is that there are still many more students who are quickly closing in on this level as well!

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Congratulations to the following students on earning their Excellence Award this week.

Prep and Year 1

Year 2 and Year 3

Year 4

Year 5 and Year 6

Prep K considers their impact on the oceans

Deep Learning for our younger students is in action. Prep K have been learning about sea animals and in science, they are exploring the effects of pollution to sea life. They went out into the Prep play area and collected all of the rubbish they could find so it didn’t end up in the ocean. The preps were so proud of their achievements, though shocked of how much rubbish was in a small area. They are working towards making small changes to have a much larger impact.

Such a simple activity but a wonderful example of how aspects of Deep Learning can be embedded into the Prep setting. This activity represents learning partnership between the students and our community and it also enables them to demonstrate great character.

Day 10 learning

Day 10 continued in Week 4 and today for our Year 6 students. A massive team effort is required every fortnight to bring these experiences to life for our students. It is great to see that the students are building genuine connections with various students and staff around the school.

Last week we saw some Year 3 boys come out to the shed building experience and the Year 6 boys were teaching them how to use a drill. While some of our Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students benefited from having some students in their classrooms helping with learning as Assistant Teachers in training. These all highlight activities which promote positive character and citizenship attributes. Here are some highlights from last week.

Mathletics masters for Week 6

And

There has been some awesome work completed in maths in Year 1 and I very much enjoyed the poetry recitation performance in Year 2 this week.  And yes!  That would be my shiny head in one of the photos. 

Did you know that fire can turn bubbles into water?  This was just one of our discoveries during the science show, which was the absolute highlight of everyone’s day!  We were amazed that balloons can support the weight of fifteen people, and at the explosive chemical reaction of the elephant toothpaste.  The Shock Sister made all of the teacher’s hair stand on end…especially Mr Frost’s.  The show came to a tasty end by using hydrogen gas to make us all ice cream within minutes!  We loved having the St Stephen’s students showing us how much fun science can be.

Annabelle and Lucas 4K

Year 2 and Year 3 participated in the annual swimming program this week.  The students were deeply engaged and loved this learning experience.  Thank you sincerely to all of the school staff who supported this program and kept everyone safe.

Cinderella and Rockerfella Update

This week our dancers joined our after school rehearsals. They showed the cast what they had been working on and in turn, the cast showed them how their dance fits the narrative.  It was super exciting to watch!

Our New Craft

Don’t get us wrong, we loved our international map craft that decorated the hallway of OSHC, but we decided it was time for a change.  We have come up with a beautiful idea that will surely cheer up anyone who walks by!  Our rainbows, sunflowers and blue-sky craft will surely make your day a little brighter!  The children have been very excited to craft their own rainbows and sunflowers to help decorate our hallway.  A lot of hard work has gone into these creations and with the helping hand of Miss Abby and Miss Rae, we have been able to redesign our craft wall into an extravagant, elegant and heart-warming masterpiece that will definitely catch the eye of those who wander by.  This wall is our representation of all the friendship that have been formed at OSHC between the children, and also between Educators.

Outside School Hours Care

OSHC Director

The Coomera Rivers State School P&C Association is seeking a full-time OSHC Director to be responsible for the day-to-day operations of their Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) service.

The Director will have the opportunity to lead quality education and care in a growing and dynamic service. The P&C are seeking someone with sound organisational and management ability, ideally with robust experience in a school age care environment. This is an excellent opportunity for an OSHC professional who has a passion for quality and the ability to work autonomously.

Applicants must be dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment for school age children. The ideal candidate will oversee the design and implementation of engaging programs that encourage and support positive outcomes for all children aligned to ‘My Time, Our Place’ Framework for School Age Care.

Click here to go to the advertisement.

OSHC Senior Educator

We also have a new position in our OSHC team for a OSHC Senior Educator. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in this role, please refer to the below link for more details and how to apply.

Click here to go to the advertisement.

The 2020 Year Book is under construction now and, as with previous years, it is going to be a fantastic reflection of a year full of wonderful activities and memories for students to keep for years to come.
2020 Year Book orders are now available to order on Flexischools and the deadline to order is 4pm Friday 23 October. We will only be ordering from the printer the required copies from orders received so please be sure not to be miss this deadline!
If you do require a deadline extension, you MUST email the P&C before the deadline to request one.
* Please note - Year 6 students receive a complimentary copy of the Year Book at graduation (* Conditions apply)

Bookings are open now

Vacation Care bookings are open to ALL families of schools and limited vacancies are still available. Our current availability is:

• Monday 21 September - 16
• Tuesday 22 September - 19
• Wednesday 23 September - 10
• Thursday 24 September - 11
• Friday 25 September - 12
• Monday 28 September - 18
• Tuesday 29 September - 10
• Wednesday 30 September - 6
• Thursday 1 October - 13
• Friday 2 October - 13

There is no minimum number of days that you need to attend - just book for the days you need.

Price includes breakfast and afternoon tea.

All children require the following items every day of Vacation care:

• Morning tea
• lunch
• water bottle
• closed in shoes
• brimmed hat (no caps)
• Sun safe clothing (no singlets or stroppy dresses)

The details of the upcoming program are attached. The program colour code is:

Green = Excursions
Orange = Incursions
White - In Service days

Important Vacation Care booking dates:

• Wednesday 9 September 2020 Excursion t-shirt orders close
  – after this date your choice of shirt size will be limited to stock we have on hand.
• Sunday 13 September 2020 Last day to make changes to booking requests
• Monday 14 September 2020 Service begins processing booking requests and sending confirmation emails

For bookings or further enquiries please contact us:
Phone: 5596 8377
Mobile: 0455 968 377
Email: croshc@coomerariversss.eq.edu.au

Friday 4 September 2020 is a student free day and our OSHC service are taking bookings for a Superhero Student Free Day Adventure!

Student free day bookings are open to ALL families of schools. You do NOT have to attend the before and / or after school service to be able to attend student free day care. Enrolments for the upcoming student free day are very welcome from all of our Coomera Rivers families.

Please be aware that there are limited spaces so reserve your spot today!

For bookings or further enquiries please contact us:
Phone: 5596 8377
Mobile: 0455 968 377
Email: croshc@coomerariversss.eq.edu.au

We are currently gathering feedback via an on-line survey in relation to our Cafe.
The survey is an annual feedback mechanism for the school.
Your suggestions make a difference so please complete the survey before it closes on Friday 6 August at 4pm.

The link to complete the 2021 Cafe Survey can be found here.

Here are 10 sage advice tips on soothing worries about the current situation.

1. Take it seriously. Be present and available when your child talks about death. Put down your phone. Stop unloading the dishwasher. Behave as if your child’s thoughts or worries on this topic matter to you.
2. Be calm and reassuring. They need you to be the adult here, the strong person in charge who will keep them safe. For younger children particularly, offer (but don’t insist) on physical comfort – allow them to set the terms.
3. Control what you can control –Talk about and involve your children in planning and preparedness at your home, and take this opportunity to set new routines include some chores. This could be about hand hygiene, coughing etiquette, not touching your face, an elbow tap instead of handshake (there are some really funny videos online and it will be a fun activity to practice). Choose one reputable website to get your information from (such as the Department of Health) and resist temptation to look at more sensational sources.
4. Focus on the positive – during threatening situations, it takes longer for children’s bodies’ stress response to “turn off.” But reassurance from parents can go a long way toward calming them. Let your kids know that even though there’s still much to learn about COVID-19, it’s up to the adults to figure it out, and they don’t need to worry. Talk about all the things people are doing together to help each other and stay healthy.
5. Ensure a healthy balance. Like adults, kids are healthier in body and mind when they have a reasonably predictable schedule of meals, playtime, learning time, chores, outdoor time, and the rest. Turn off the news at 6pm. Monitor Youtube access as this could be a place where your child searches for information independently and these results will be unfiltered and could be inappropriate for the age of your child and therefore unhelpful.
6. Model an attitude of gratitude. Support your child in appreciating what’s good in their life. They will focus less on their fears as they find the pleasure in helping others, focusing on the well-being of others. Gratitude has many benefits, including increased well-being, sleep, energy, optimism, relationships & empathy. Practice Gratitude by creating a Gratitude Jar [write on a post-it & place in jar share whenever necessary]; as a family go on a gratitude walk to observe the things you see as you walk around your neighbourhood; reflect on your day at the dinner table with the family.
7. Institute a daily 'talk about it' session. Set aside a special ten minute 'Worry Session' every day to discuss your child’s concerns. Ask them to talk to you about what they’re worrying about – it may not be about Covid. Be present, available, and reassuring. If you are available to your child during this time, it will pay dividends for you as they will be more likely to discuss their bigger issues with you during adolescence.
8. Set up a support circle – set up a circle of support of responsible adults who they could also speak to especially located in environments outside of home.
9. Read good children’s books about bravery and how to manage. These include
   1. 1. Invisible String;
      2. The Girl who Lost Her Smile;
      3. Sheila Rae the Brave;
      4. Courage;
      5. Tomorrow I’ll be Brave;
      6. Willy the Wimp and lots more.
10. Consult a professional. If the worries get too big, and you're not able to soothe your child, it's time to talk to a professional. You may need help dealing with your child’s anxieties.

(From Kath Sly – Guidance Officer)

We have had to take our Father’s Day Stall online this year.

Visit Flexischools to view our range of Father’s Day (and Grandfather’s Day) presents and place your order.  Our stock is limited so get in quick to make sure you secure your awesome gifts.

Orders will be sent home within a week of being placed.

Orders close on Tuesday 21 August at 4:00pm if not sold out prior.

This year, for every purchase made, families will receive a free raffle ticket in our Father’s Day Raffle.  

For further details, please contact the P&C.

Each year we offer our graduating class the chance to purchase a signature bear as a memento of their time at Coomera Rivers.

The signature bears are available to order now via Flexischools with orders closing on Wednesday 2 September at 4pm. If you do require a deadline extension you MUST email the P&C prior to the deadline to request one.

Once the deadline has past, orders will then be arranged and personalised (with class of 2020 school logo) and will arrive in time to be distributed to class late in Term 4 with students offered the opportunity to have their bears signed by their peers and teachers before bringing them home.

If you require more information please email the P&C.

We would like to offer our Prep students the chance to create their own little masterpiece as a souvenir of their first year at school and time in Prep.

While saved artwork on paper can tear and fade, children’s art that is turned into any one of the products listed below can be enjoyed for many years.  And what a great Christmas gift they would make!

The items below are available to purchase now through Flexischools:

Please find below the important dates in relation to this opportunity:

If you do require a deadline extension you MUST email the P&C prior to the deadline to request one.