Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

Welcome back to all of our existing students and families to what we hope will be a different year to that of 2020.  I would also like to extend a warm welcome to our new students and families.  

Much has been happening since school closed for the vacation - and in some cases - not happening.  Nonetheless, we are underway with what is certain to be a very successful 2021 school year where we are Good at learning - Good at life.

In the first week

Prep and Year 1

Year 2 and Year 3

Year 4

Year 5 and Year 6

Book packs

I am disappointed that the service that was promised to our families has not been able to be met. A large number of our families have been affected and book packs have not been received as promised. I am not privy to any details as to what has caused the delay this year and any communication we receive is passed on to our families.

I recognise and share the parent frustration with this as book packs preparation is part and parcel of starting the school year and to be packing the stationery with your children and taking it into school is a special moment.

This matter has nothing to do with the P&C or the school except that both groups were part of the selection process. The public sector is expected to conduct all business with transparency. This means that all business arrangements require a tender process. A selection panel of P&C and school representatives then select the best offer to our school. They compare offers to match service promises, price and ease of ordering. A contract is then set for a three (sometimes four) year period. Kookaburra recently won this tender process.

Some families have questioned why the school promoted Kookaburra this year, given the delays of the 2020 orders. The answer to that is simple - we were contractually obligated.  While I agree with parent opinion that the book pack delivery delays are very significant, I also recognise that the company has provided a strong business service to the school in other areas over many years.  

A new tender for 2022 - 2024 is due to be advertised at some point this year. And once again, a fully transparent process will be followed and families will be informed later in the year, once a decision on the tender has been made.

If you would like to offer ideas - other than those listed on Facebook sites as I completely understand the general consensus of the posts - please email them to me and I will pass them onto the P&C to be tabled with general business at our first meeting this year.  

Student Code of Conduct

Last year, all schools were required to create a new Student Code of Conduct policy. Consequently, we invested many hours in its development to ensure that the policy reflected the Department requirements. Families, staff, our P&C and School Council were all provided opportunity for input and in December last year, the policy received its final endorsement.

There are some really important changes to legislation that might impact on some students and families, particularly in the area of bullying and cyber-bullying - either at school or outside school. Essentially both situations are required to be managed by the school and school consequences may be applied where it is appropriate to do so. Where once there was a grey area between school and what happens outside the school day, this is no longer the case.

Essentially it comes down to respectful use of social media outside of the school by students. This will require increased levels of supervision on devices at home in some circumstances.

Please click here for the link to the policy.  

Homework

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback to me in the survey late last year regarding homework. What I learned was that a wide opinion existed on the importance placed on homework by our families. This ranged from doing none to ensuring that homework was part of the afternoon routine. I need more information on which to build a policy for our school so that homework this year is effective for families and teachers alike.

I will be sending home a survey with teachers in Week 3 this term regarding what you would like for homework. Once we have this information, a team of parents and staff will work with me to develop the policy.

The school is not setting homework for the first 5 weeks of the year. This might extend should it become necessary. Please note that despite there being no written homework in this period, READING AT HOME WILL CONTINUE EACH NIGHT. I anticipate that home reading for the early years and library borrowing will commence as soon as possible.

Day 8

With just the first three days of the school year completed, I can already see that we will need to complete a restructure in some areas of the school. However, I cannot begin to create a finalised 2021 class plan until after Day 8.

When our revised structure has been decided, we will contact families before we make any changes. Please know that we aim to keep any changes to an absolute minimum.

COVID and our NEW normal

Kind regards

Vic

Our 2021 Heads of School, Si'u and Maia, and Head of Student Council, Angel-Rose, eagerly performed their first official duty this week. All three leaders proudly stood beside me, greeting families and students as they entered the school gates.  These badged leaders are keen to have a presence in the school and have already embraced their positions with enthusiasm.  The student leadership process continues for many senior students across the next 2 weeks and we look forward to welcoming our next group of badged leaders by Week 4.

Introducing Si'u

Hi, my name is Si'u and I'm honoured to be the 2021 Head of School. I'm looking forward to representing and making a change at CRSS.  I've been at Coomera Rivers for almost 7 years and my favourite thing about this school is the importance placed on manners. Outside of school I enjoy playing footy. Finally, I'd like to wish everyone good luck in 2021.   Remember to always respect everyone.  If you see me in school, come and say 'Hi!' ~ Si'u Pulepule

Introducing Maia

Hi my name is Maia and I’m honoured to be the 2021 Head of School. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone. I have been at Coomera Rivers since prep and my favourite thing about this school is the amount of opportunities we get to grow as a learner. Outside of school I enjoy playing sports and spending time with my family. My advice to all my fellow peers is to embrace every opportunity and be the best you can be. ~ Maia Godsmark

Introducing Angel-Rose

Hi my name is Angel and I’m excited to be the 2021 Head of Student Council. I’m looking forward to helping our school out and making lots of new friends. I have been at Coomera Rivers since Year 4 and my favourite thing about this school is all the wonderful students and teachers that I get to be with. Outside of school I enjoy watching my favourite shows on Netflix, playing games, going to the park and spending time with my family. I wish everyone a wonderful year and remember with hard work and determination you can be anything. ~ Angel-Rose Whare

Congratulations to these students who have received an Excellence Award from their teacher in the very first week of school.  Well done!

For the first week back at school, Year 2 students have been learning about what it means to 'Be Kind'. Each day, students in each Year 2 class shared examples of their peers being kind throughout the school day. A student from each class was recognised with a 'Kindness Award' and a prize for 'Being Kind'. Through kindness, our students can be happy at school, both in and out of the classroom, putting them in a great frame of mind for learning.

Wednesday award winners

Thursday award winners

Friday award winners

Before school running club starts in Week 2.  Parents are welcome to join us too!  (Walking is also a great way to start the day)

We are excited to again offer the opportunity to our Year 5 & 6 students to be part of the Coomera Rivers Esports Team in 2021.

We have registered to again participate in The Fuse Cup, which has been very successful with many other state and private schools joining in the new national competition. The Fuse Cup competition provides students with a face to face, safe, competitive & challenging esports opportunity while also promoting Digital Wellbeing, Inclusion and Values.  Click here to see more about The Fuse Cup

The Coomera Rivers Team will practise one afternoon each week with additional practise during a lunchtime (optional). The team will collectively select a smaller team of 4 to represent Coomera Rivers at each of the 3 Gold Coast finals, one each term. A state and national final will be held in Term 4 if we are lucky enough to make it!

The program will again be run as an extracurricular activity after school with a cost of $15 per term.

Beginning Thursday Week 2 (February 4th) 2:30-3:30 pm

There is still time to register for your child to participate.

After school chess club is back for 2021 and starts in Week 3.  Club is open to all students (Prep to Year 6) with to all levels of experience.  Unfortunately, we can only accept 45 students into the club, so please register your interest early.

   
Details at a glance

Day:  Wednesdays (Starts Week 3)

Time:  2:30 - 3:30pm

Room:  School staff room

Cost: $1 per week.  The school will invoice families each semester, once the club commences.

Additional costs:  We will attend tournaments most terms.  We will advertise these when details are made available.  

Going home:  Parents will need to collect students from the staff room OR if your child is walking or riding home, you will need to inform Mrs McMurtie when you register.  Students who attend OSHC on Wednesday afternoons will be escorted over to the hall by the chess coaches after chess club.

How to register your child:  Please email Mrs McMurtrie to register your child.  Click here to email.