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Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues
Welcome back to what is sure to be another year filled with learning and opportunity for our children. I sincerely hope that the impact of the storms and weather across the past few weeks has become a memory for you and that everything has returned to normal - as much as possible.
The very hot weather to start the week was a challenge but we all managed remarkably well. Now we just wait to see how the weather predictions pan out across the weekend.
This term is a 10 week term. I will send home a newsletter each Friday evening.
- Odd weeks: Reminders and school calendar.
- Even weeks: Celebrations newsletter where we focus on student achievement and successes. The issue will be filled with photos of award winners and classroom learning activities.
We will hold a student awards assembly each week on the following rotation.
- Odd weeks: Prep to Year 2
- Even weeks: Years 3-6
Parents are most welcome to attend.
We are here for learning
Our school purpose is clear - we are here for learning. We are constantly driven to create students who are Good at learning - Good at life. To achieve this, we have particular focuses each year. This year's focuses are:
- Educational achievement in reading: Improve and monitor student learning outcomes in reading.
- Engagement and well-being: Sharpen our focus on student behaviour, well-being and general competencies.
- Culture and inclusion: Improve our capacity to provide successful inclusive practices for all students.
New and returning staff for 2024
We have quite a few new staff this year as well as some staff returning from leave. I am excited to introduce the following staff members:
- Narelle Shore (Teacher Year 1)
- Brooke Dawson (Teacher Year 2)
- Renee Van der Zee (Teacher Year 5)
- Alex Spedding (Teacher Year 5)
- Alex Collis (Teacher Year 6)
- Renee Forman (Teacher Year 6)
- Jemma Findlay (HPE and Arts specialist teacher)
- Sharon Graham (Teacher Aide)
- Nicholas Donnelly (Band teacher)
- Fimka Hampson (Strings teacher)
2024 Sport
Mrs Duffy, Ms Findlay and Mr Burrows are all teaming forces to build a fantastic sports program this year. Representing the school in sport this year is a little different. We are looking to minimise paperwork (permissions, registrations and payments) so we are asking families to nominate the children now for potential sport involvement for the year. Families will be invoiced for uniform hire straight away, based on the nominations. Transport costs are separate and will be invoiced before the event once we can obtain quotes. If the event requires private transport then there will be no fee. Any unspent money where students might miss selection or opt out later, will be reimbursed to families towards the end of the school year.
IMPORTANT DEADLINE: Send the nomination from back to the school before the deadline (Friday 2 February)
Please contact the school if you have any questions.
Performing Arts in 2024
Mrs Ellison is excited to return in 2024 as our Arts teacher with some big plans afoot in the visual and performing arts spaces.
Strings & band: Whilst we said our goodbyes to Adam Owens and Emma Blyth at the end of last year, we are now delighted to welcome Fimla Hampson and Nicholas Donnelly who will be continuing our strings and band programs for 2024. They will make contact with families and students shortly to introduce themselves and detail lesson and rehearsal times.
Choir and Dance: The choir and dance troupe will also go ahead this year as we prepare for various performances such as Busking at the Cafe, Mid Year showcase, Eisteddfods and our end of year Time to Shine Concert.
Debating: Opportunities for students who have the gift of the gab will thrive in our inter-house debating and public speaking competitions.
School musical: We are also very excited to announce that students in Years 4, 5 and 6 will have the chance to audition for our school musical, The Jungle Book by Disney. More information about this will come home as the term goes on.
Questions: Please email Alana Ellison if you’d like to chat further about any of the Performing Arts opportunities in 2024.
Cafe volunteers needed
Our school needs your help. These are wonderful opportunities to get to meet other parents and staff at school and get an insight into how things run. No experience is necessary and you don't have to be a great chef to help out. There are a long list of jobs involving packing and organising and food preparation. You only need do what you are comfortable with.
To ensure we can maintain the delicious and on time operation of our cafe, we need you. Please contact the P&C if you can help.
Have a lovely weekend
Vic
Volunteers are an amazing and valued asset to Coomera Rivers. They help us in classrooms, on excursions, in the library and in Crusaders Cafe. In 2025 we need your help more than ever before.
As you may know, by law, you must complete an annual induction and registration process. This is a simple process and ensures that we meet all regulatory requirements in the way of mandatory training required by the Department of Education.
- on an excursion
- in the classroom
- in Crusaders Cafe
- at school events or
- in any other capacity within the school community
