Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

Families will have received an email from me on Thursday evening (sent through class teachers) about the restructure of classes following Day 8 of school.  Essentially we will have a new class structure to begin Week 5 of school.  This gives us 5 days to make the necessary decisions. 

Week 3 targets

• Families informed of changes for the year level and given opportunity to be involved.
• Deputies begin to create class lists

Week 4 targets

• Class lists created
• All students receive a paper letter on Wednesday to take home, indicating any class changes
• Move to new class spaces on Friday afternoon with new teacher (where possible)

Week 5 targets

• Start Monday morning with the new class structure
• Parents to change Flexischools information (where required)

What this means for the remainder of Term 1

• Parent teacher interviews will be advertised in Week 5 for most classes
• Teachers of new classes will be provided an option to postpone interviews until later in the term.
• We will be ready for school photos later this term

Student well-being

• We will keep a watchful eye on students, particularly those who may feel anxious about these changes.  If you are concerned about your child's reaction to any part of this process, please contact the school immediately.

School review is coming

Later this month, Coomera Rivers will be undertaking a full school review.  The dates for the review are 23 - 26 February.  Every Queensland state school is reviewed by the Education Improvement Branch (EIB) at least once every four years.

These reviews play an important part in how the department supports school improvement. They provide schools with independent feedback, tailored to their context and needs.  As Principal, I will use the review findings to work with our school community and Assistant Regional Director to develop clear actions to move the school forward.

Review process

Reviews are conducted by experienced educators trained in the use of the National School Improvement Tool, a nationally-recognised framework for reviewing teaching and learning practices.

Our review team will consists of four reviewers.  They will look closely at our performance data and speak with a wide range of staff, students, parents and community members to get an accurate picture of the school.  Unlike many other review systems, schools aren’t ranked or given a performance rating. Instead, the school is given a comprehensive report for consideration.

The report details key findings and recommended improvement strategies to maximise student outcomes. I will share this information with our staff and community to help shape the school’s strategic direction.

Parent and community participation

Feedback from parents and the community is an important part of school reviews, with everyone encouraged to have their say.

To register your interest in participating in a review, please contact me at school or or email the Education Improvement Branch.  

More information

For more information about school reviews, please:

• Visit the School Reviews website
• Contact the EIB on (07) 3035 2217 
• Email the EIB at eibmb@qed.qld.gov.au

iPad supervision parent education session

How to use Screen Time

Following on from Safer Internet Day, we have invited Linda Pitt from Apple Education Australia, to teach families how to use Screen Time.  Screen Time can help parents keep children safe and well online. Screen Time can be found in Settings on an iPad and iPhone. 

Those who attend the session will learn how to turn on Screen Time, view your report and set limits for how much time your child spends on their device, apps, websites and more.

Registrations will open soon. There is no cost to families for the app or the session.

Date:  Tuesday 23 February

Time:  1:30 - 2:30pm

Kind regards

Vic

Congratulations to the following students on receiving the Excellence Award this week.          

Prep to Year 2

Year 3 to 6

Prep explorers

Prep O have been reading We’re Going On A Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen.  They were so intrigued with the story that they decided to create their very own hunt.  They had a look through real binoculars to find the bear - Everything was sooooo big.  They then made their very own binoculars, and prepared to take their parents on the Bear Hunt.

And after wading through long wavy grass and squelchy sticky mud, they found the cave and got such a fright when we saw the bear.  They ran back to the class and hid under the tables.  They have decided that they are not going on a bear hunt anymore!

Year 3 just love science

The Year 3 classes were treated to a science show like no other this week - put on just for them by their teachers.  The staff channelled their inner-Einstein to create a wonderful learning event for thier students.  Great work teachers!

Year 6 create explosions

6AL are learning about natural disasters in science.  And this week, they were demonstrating how the build-up of pressure can cause an explosion.

Players ready!

After school chess club started this week.  Every spot in the club is filled with very eager young players.  We have boys and girls, all ages and all levels of experience.  We can only cater for this wide range of players as a result of our wonderful coaches - Mrs Hardwick, Mr Burrows and Mr Ingram.  They do a remarkable job each week.

iPad safety lessons in the junior school

Year 1 and 2 have been learning how to take care of their iPads, how to use them sensibly and how to be safe online. They have three badges to pass to earn their iPad licence.

Character defining

Congratulations to the students in 5W who showed courage, grit and tenacity to have a go at applying for leadership positions.  We know that it is quite ok to try but not succeed but it is not ok to NOT try at all.  Well done to all the students in the senior school for their courage.

And meanwhile, in the playground

Year 1 students were having fun using their new play equipment today.

Ari from 1D: "Thank you Miss Waide for our new play equipment. We are having so much fun!"
Matthew (1S): "Thank you Miss Waide. I love the new balls.”
Himani & Charlotte (1S): “We love the bean bags.”

Starting from next week the iCentre will be running a small Book Fair for students and families in Prep to Year 2.

• In Week 4 students will visit the Fair during their normal iCentre library time to browse and fill out wish-lists, these will then be taken home to parents. Parents can purchase items online through the scholastic website - http://www.scholastic.com.au\payment]www.scholastic.com.au\payment, once this is done the students return the wish list to the iCentre completed with the Scholastic receipt number and amount paid on the back. Students can then buy products to the value paid. This way there is no problems with students bringing money to school and running the risk of it being misplaced. 
• In Week 5 parents have the opportunity to come in themselves and shop personally with or without their child. 
• Books and assorted Stationary will be available throughout Week 5 with the Fair being open from 7.30am-3pm Monday to Thursday and 7:30-9:30 Friday. Cash and card purchasing options are available.

Orders will be packed on a daily basis and delivered to classrooms, any parents wanting orders for birthdays or special days can collect orders from the iCentre. 

Families will soon receive the opportunity to provide their views on homework.  We conducted a survey last year but the number of returns was not large enough for good decisions to be made.  Another survey opportunity will be sent out by your child's teacher.  The survey will take about 3 minutes.  I encourage you to have a say in how we use homework at Coomera Rivers.  

Teachers will not be setting any written homework for students until the policy is ready however:

• Reading should always be a regular activity regardless of the policy and
• Older students may still have some home tasks and assignments to complete.

Broadwater district swimming carnival

Good luck to Zahra, Cooper, Mylah, Roxy, Harriett, Remmy and Amity who will be representing Coomera Rivers at the Broadwater District Swimming Carnival next Wednesday.

Broadwater district basketball trials

Any students who play basketball for a club and are interested in trialling for the Broadwater District Basketball teams, Boys or Girls (11-12Y), we will hold a school trial on 16th Feb, Tuesday Wk 4. Bring appropriate gear to change in to if need be.

League Stars program

The NRL are running a before school program based around fun, fitness and skill development each Wednesday morning from 7.15am till 8.15am.  It is non-contact and designed for all age groups and ability levels.  The program starts next Wednesday 17 February. For more information or to register, click here.  

Cricket program

An after school Junior Blaster Cricket program is going to be held at school on Thursday afternoons. The target age group is 5-8 year olds. The program starts next Thursday 18 February. For more information or to register, click here. 

Check out the SiBa Soccer program at Coomera Rivers.