Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

We are about one full week into lock down, and for Queensland, the news around the local COVID infection appears to be promising with low transmission rates and high testing numbers.  We all want this to be under control as soon as possible.  We do not yet know what to expect for next week - returning to school or continuing in lock down - so we are planning for both scenarios.  I will contact families across the weekend, once the announcement is made by the government.

Remote learning at home

I am just so impressed with and appreciative of all of our families who are leading remote learning at home.  We completely recognise the magnitude of the job you have been given and applaud the courage and perseverance you show each day as you chip away at each day's school work, before you undertake your own daily work.  Well done!

Remote learning at school

This week, our attendance AT school looked like:

• Monday - 108
• Tuesday - 98
• Wednesday - 117
• Thursday - 114
• Friday - 118

All students this week have been using the remote learning programs designed by our teachers.  It is the very same program at home and at school.  The students at school have been grouped into small groups that we have called pods.  These pods are predominantly family groups and are all multi-age and named by the children.  

The following reflection is from Mrs Ellison (one of our Year 6 teachers) about her group, the Dino Nuggies.  

This week has really opened my eyes to the beauty of multi-age learning. It has reminded me of high schools where they have tutor groups or homerooms with students from Years 7-12 meeting daily.

There's been lots of lovely moments between older and younger students that you just can't see in a regular classroom setup.  Also it's been incredible to see how self paced our programs are and how much independence they allow our students. They're really not doing too much different to what they'd be doing in their regular classrooms and their learning has continued because of how we all leverage digitally.

Some stand out moments for me in my world this week:

• We wrote a checklist on the board with the students' must do tasks for our pod. We quickly realised some kids couldn't write on the board so one of the older students verbally asked what the younger ones had to do and then I scribed. Kids went up during the sessions to cross/add things as they went.
• We played handball during breaks. The preps 'lived' in the ace square and played alongside whoever else was in ace. The prep students got to bounce the ball to serve to the other kids. There was the unanimous and unspoken agreement that if the preppie accidentally broke a rule or bounced the ball wrong, we still cheered them on.
• A Year 6 student took a prep student for a nature walk to collect materials for the prep maths task. They sat on the floor to create a picture graph together. Photo attached.
• We adjusted the learning space! We lowered the Year 6 desks and got pillows to prop our Preppies up. River's legs still swing wildly though
• A video link wasn't working on one of the student's iPads so we all listened to the a story for their English task air-played from my laptop on the TV. Everyone was learning completely different concepts at their own pace, but wanted to listen and enjoy the story in the background together.
• A Prep directed drawing lesson turned into a whole pod challenge with Year 4 and Year 6 students joining in too.
• It turns out EVERYONE loves mobilo blocks!
• Who knows what we're in for from here! I miss my Year 6s but this has been a pleasant change of pace for me.

Salma from Prep O is the only girl in the Dino Nuggies pod, so today Mrs Ellison promised to wear pants, so they could do a handstand routine together. Very impressive!  Check out their photo in the gallery above.

Students attending next week

If we are still in lock down next week, please register your child's attendance (click here) by Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm.  This will provide us a small planning opportunity.  Even if your child attended this week, please complete the attendance list again.

Our cafe is re-opening

The cafe is re-opening from Monday for morning tea and lunches for staff and students attending school.  Please use flexi-schools for orders.

Keep well, stay home and spare a thought for those most affected by this pandemic.  

Vic

We are thinking of all our families in lockdown this week – we have been missing lots of our OSHC friends!

This week we have enjoyed lots of child led play, along with lots of children vs educator games of handball and ping pong. We have also loved having so much space in the hall to kick a footy around.

During this time, we have noticed just how helpful all our children can be – there has been no shortage of offers from children to help with all our jobs, including cleaning in the kitchen and serving fruit.

There has been lots of leftover food each afternoon, which as always, has been donated to support families in need in our local community.

Today we also say our goodbyes to Miss Rae, who has done an amazing job preparing our OSHC meals over the last two years. We wish Miss Rae all the best in the future!

Visit Flexischools to view our range of Father’s Day (and Grandfather’s Day) presents and to place your order.

To see images of the gifts available, please click on the 'view product list here' tab in Flexischools (Image below shows were to access this link from in Flexischools.)

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 Friday 27 August at 4:00pm if not sold out prior.

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

If you have any questions, please email the P&C.

Orders now open

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 School24 with orders closing on Friday 23 August 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 2024 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.

2021 Year Book Sponsor.

Do you own or know of a local business that would be interested in advertising in our 2021 Year Book?

Year Book advertising opportunities are now available.

You can secure your business advertising in our 2021 Year Book for as little as $50!

Advertisers can choose (from the available class pages at the time of payment) which page or pages they would like their advertisement to appear on.

This sponsorship opportunity closes on Tuesday 5 October.

Advertising spots are limited so be quick to reserve your spot!

For more information, please email us at pandc@coomerariversss.eq.edu.au