Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

I am very proud of our school community and grateful to be a small part of it.  Watching the children at cross country as they cheered, participated, challenged themselves, and most of all, smiled, was extremely satisfying to see.  Like you, I am very proud of them.  And then to see everyone, as a school community, acknowledge the significance of ANZAC Day through a solemn and considerate attitude just reinforced my level of pride.  

Thank you also to the staff, P&C, students and families who supported these events at our school across the past fortnight.  Well done!

COVID and schools update

We continue to have many staff and students affected by the COVID virus.  Please monitor your family's health and continue to keep children at home if the are ill.  

As you may be aware, Queensland Health have updated the requirements for anyone who is deemed a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19.  Please note, when determining whether someone is a close contact, schools and early childhood services are not considered a household, or household-like accommodation or care facility.

New requirements for close contacts

From 6:00pm on Thursday 28 April 2022, close contacts who do not have COVID-19 symptoms no longer need to quarantine.  Students who are close contacts must notify their school that they are a close contact.

For 7 days after becoming a close contact, students over the age of 12 must wear a face mask while outside of their home, including at school, and when outdoors if unable to physically distance. Queensland Health also recommends that children under the age of 12 wear a face mask when it is safe to do so.

It is recommended that students undertake a rapid antigen test (RAT) on the first day they leave home, and every second day (e.g. days 2, 4, and 6) until they are no longer a close contact.

Close contacts who develop COVID-19 symptoms must not attend school and should isolate until their symptoms resolve.

Rapid antigen tests (RATs)

Schools are not providing RATs to staff or students who are close contacts. You will need to source and administer your own tests. However, our school is continuing to provide RATs to staff and students who develop COVID-19 symptoms while at school.
       

If you or your child tests positive to COVID-19

Queensland Health requirements for people who test positive to COVID-19 remain unchanged. You must follow the Queensland Health guidelines outlined in the first steps to take if you have COVID-19.

Face masks

As a gentle reminder, masks continue to be required in certain settings for anyone aged 12 years or older, such as when travelling on public transport. They are also recommended whenever you can't physically distance.
Anyone who chooses to wear a mask at school will be supported to do so.

I will continue to keep you informed of any changes to our response to COVID-19.

Chicken pox

We also have a few cases on chicken pox making its way through the school so please keep a watchful eye out for symptoms.  Click here for more information.

Winter uniforms

Make sure you are ready for the cooler weather which is closing in by ordering your school jumpers and tracksuits NOW.  Remember that the jumper is worn with the formal uniform and the tracksuit is worn with the sports uniform. The items are not interchangeable.  

NAPLAN Online (Years 3 and 5)

Following a successful practice of NAPLAN testing in the last week of Term 1, we are ready for the 2022 NAPLAN testing, scheduled to occur from Tuesday 10 May (the testing schedule, and relevant information, has been sent to Year 3 and 5 parents via email).

In the practice testing, our students proved they have strong character, grit, determination and resilience to tackle this variation to regular learning. Well done! These practice sessions were an excellent opportunity for our students to experience the style of questions in the NAPLAN online testing so they will know what to expect in the upcoming tests.

We understand that some students were absent for the practice testing and we have encouraged their parents, and all Year 3 and 5 parents, to have their child open the NAP iPad app and select 'Demonstration Tests' to access additional short practice tests for each area.

NAPLAN is a nationwide measure through which parents, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the broader community can determine whether or not young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community.

NAPLAN tests are one aspect of each school’s assessment and reporting process and do not replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about each student’s performance. Each teacher will have the best insight into their students’ educational progress.  NAPLAN results do not measure overall school quality.

Click here for more information on NAPLAN testing.

ANZAC Day at school

We use the last school day before April 25 to commemorate ANZAC Day.  We will have classes learn about the story of the ANZACs and why this day is important in Australia's heritage.  They will also prepare class wreaths for the service.  This year was another service that was beautifully organised and run.  The student leaders did an amazing job of taking us through the service program and the level of respect shown by all children, either attending or viewing the service, was excellent.  

Dental Van arrives

The dental van arrives at school on 11 May and will begin to treat students soon afterwards.  

Mother's Day

Prep will be celebrating Mother's Day next Friday morning with a long list of fun activities to share.

Year 1 will also be celebrating their mums with a picnic on Friday afternoon.  

Enjoy your long weekend

Kind regards

Vic

What a fantastic start to learning this term!

Prep

Prep gallery

Year 1

Year 1 gallery

Year 2

Year 2 gallery

Year 2 swimming

The Year 2 swimming program began this week.  I think there was just as much excitement travelling on the bus as there was in the pool. 

Year 3

Year 3 gallery

Year 3 celebrate difference

This week 3WH were lucky enough to learn about celebrations from our wonderful parents. Muhammed’s mum Kylie taught us all about Ramadan and Tyne’s mum and grandma taught us about their families special heart day celebration. They celebrate the day that Tyne had lifesaving open heart surgery. Tyne’s mum even taught us some sign language. It is so meaningful learning about different celebrations from those who actually celebrate them. We are very lucky to have such a diverse community to draw knowledge from.

Year 4

Year 4 gallery

Year 4 have been very busy

We have been designing arcade games that were great fun and meeting children's author, Barbara Gruener.  She discussed the messages behind one of her books, Mr Quigley's keys, which focuses on kindness and empathy.  Click here to find out more about her and her wonderful story.

Year 5

Year 5 gallery

Year 5 collaboration at work

This is a very difficult life skill to master but these Year 5M students appear to have it nailed.

Year 6

Year 6 gallery

Year 6 Digital Excursion

Over the last couple of weeks, the year 6 students were lucky enough to be involved in digital excursions to the Museum of Australian Democracy otherwise known as Old Parliament House in Canberra. Neil, our guide, taught us all about the freedom and rights of Aboriginal Australians and how their lives changed because of some significant people such as Neville Bonner. We learned about the changes that occurred in our history post federation as well as the parliamentary changes.

School cross country

Last Wednesday, Coomera Rivers held the 2022 Cross Country Carnival.  It was an electrifying event and the weather was fantastic (which rarely happens for a Coomera Rivers carnival).  We were really impressed with everyone's attitude and great spirits throughout the day.  We managed to keep tightly to the program of events, and managed to get all our races and presentations in just before the 2:30pm bell.

I want to thank all of the P&C, teachers, students, ground staff and parents for their help and support throughout the day. A special shout out to our Heads of House, who came in early to assist with the day's set-up.

Overall house results

Race results (Boys / Girls)

New record race times were set by:

• Jimmy
• Harlan
• Zara
• Zane
• Mylah
• Maya
• Rocca

Cross-Country Gallery

AFL practice match

It was a muddy affair for our school AFL teams on Tuesday as they went to Livingstone Christian College to play in two practice matches against Livingstone Christian College and Ormeau State School. Both teams represented CRSS with pride and showed a great understanding of our sporting ethos - Fun, Fitness, and Friendship.

The boys' team fought hard in their two games playing without an interchange. As the day progressed the boys did not tire, instead they showed a great level of determination and confidence and competed right to the very end of both games.

The girls’ team showed their dominance from the very first ball up of the first game right to the final whistle of the their last game. Each one of the girls played their role and it was a great display of skills especially in challenging conditions.

Our next competition is the ALFQ Schools Cup on June 14. Both teams will continue to train Tuesday afternoons from 2:30-3:40pm.

Representative sport respresentatives

• Congratulations to Seantayne and Paysin who were selected for the South Coast Touch team.
• Congratulations to Seantayne, Tyrell, and Paysin who were selected for the Broadwater Union team.

State sport results

Amy participated in the Queensland Junior table tennis Championship from April 3-6 in Brisbane.  She won:

• A gold medal in under-11 singles
• A silver medal in the under-13 singles event
• A gold medal in the under 11 doubles
• A gold medal in the under 13 doubles
• A gold medal in the team event

In total, she won medals in each event in which she competed, and was selected to the participate at the National Championships in July on the Sunshine Coast.  Amy is ranked Number 1 in Queensland's Under-13 rankings.  

Upcoming Trials

Tuesday May 3rd: Boys and girls soccer 10-12 years

On Wednesday at before school care (BSC) arts and craft, the children created a beautiful poster with individual friendship flowers. The aim of this activity was to encourage children to brainstorm ideas about what words they associate with friendship. For example: hugs, kindness, respect, fun, etc. Charlotte B inspired the idea to make the flowers 3D by folding up the petals, the poster became crowded with uniquely shaped and coloured flowers each containing a word they associate with friendship. Similar to a previous arts and crafts activity, we discussed what it means to be a good friend. Through this particular activity, students are enhancing their fine motor skills by cutting, gluing and colouring. They’re also demonstrating creativity through the process of creating their individual flowers.

We love to put a focus on building relationships with other's at OSHC and finding out what our children value in their friendships.

Get your Sport House colours ready!

With Sport Fun Days scheduled for the last week of Term 2, now is time to start thinking about those house colour accessories!

Our sports house shirts are made of a breathable fabric, have a collar for sun protection, school logo and, most importantly, your house colour and name!
Orders of these shirts will open via Flexischools today and, to allow production of the shirts in time for Cross Country, orders need to close on Wednesday 18 May at 4pm.

We have included below the size chart to assist with sizing for your orders. This chart is also accessible from the Flexischools site when ordering.

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

Happy Families premium account available to our families

Our P&C has invested in the emotional support for our entire community this year and has engaged Dr Justin Coulson to share his expertise with us. 

You may have seen Dr Coulson on television. He talks regularly about parenting, education and psychology issues for The TODAY Show, The Project, Studio 10, Mornings, The Daily Edition and Parental Guidance.

Families have FREE access to his Happy Families website. The P&C has paid the 12-month account membership for all of our families. You are welcome to access it when you wish.

The link to access your FREE Happy Families account can be found here.  Further details can also be found in the flyer below.   If you have any questions, please contact the P&C.