Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

The first of the summer storms arrived this week and signalled the start of the storm season.   Luckily the more dangerous parts of these storm cells travelled north of us so we missed the hail and damaging winds.  We were lucky this time, but the safety of our families and our community can be put at risk very quickly.  While we cannot control the weather, we can plan for safety - just in case.

It is time to prepare

It is really important that you take time to prepare for potential natural disasters as they seem to me to be occurring more frequently.  Preparation now will help you keep your family safe.  Click here to Get Ready.

Story time 

We are excited to invite parents and children to our Morning Storytime Sessions in the newly refurbished iCentre. Come along and explore the bright, fresh space while enjoying a range of wonderful books together. It’s a great way to start the day with some quality reading time, and a perfect opportunity to discover all the exciting new changes in the iCentre. We look forward to seeing you there!    

     

     

   

Book Week Special Guest Readers

During Book Week, special guest readers will be reading a book outside the iCentre for any students who would like to come along and listen. All students are encouraged to attend! Our Guest Readers are featured below.

     

Book Fair & dress up day is next week

We are celebrating Book Week with our Book Fair and dress up day from 14-18 October.  Dress up day is Friday 18 October and is always an annual highlight.  Be sure to check out the Book Fair as well.

 

    

• Finnegan Way will be temporarily closed at night in both directions between Foxwell Road and Tyrol Road from Sunday 13 October 2024 for up to 2 weeks. These night closures will operate from Sunday to Thursday 8:00pm to 5:00am. A detour will be in place local roads. Jotown Drive will remain open for local traffic only. Motorists are advised to slow down and follow detour signage. Finnegan Way will be open during the day.

• Changed traffic conditions can be expected on Shipper Drive, Coomera between Foxwell Road and Waterway Drive from Monday 16 October 2024, 7:00pm to 5:00am, for 1 to 2 nights.

• Single lane/shoulder closures, reduced speed limits and stop/ holds should be expected during these times. Traffic control will be in place to direct motorists and pedestrians.

Access to residential properties and businesses will be maintained at all times.

Parking at school

Please make sure that you park your car in designated parking spaces only.  Our neighbours become very upset when their driveways are blocked by school traffic.  Please be respectful of this at all times. 

Gaming warning

We do not promote gaming at school.  In fact, we strongly discourage screen time outside of learning, but understand and completely respect that this is the perogative of parents.  

I hear a lot about a game called Fortnite being played for entertainment at home.  I believe that Fortnite’s annual Fortnightmares update is due to be released to recognise Halloween and is advertised to include seasonal skins (characters) that players can purchase or win.  I believe that these will include characters from movies that contain extremely graphic and violent content.  This may be something that parents may wish to check for their children.  

Kind regards

Vic

Congratulations to the following learners.

Awards Gallery

Leadership Duty Commitment

 Awards Gallery

Celebrations of Learning

Year 3

This week in Year 3, we had a wonderful time making paper boats, an activity originating in the Japanese art of origami. As the students folded the paper, they engaged in mindfulness, concentrating on each step of the process. 

We then incorporated the boats into a meditation exercise. Lying down with the boats resting on our bellies, we focused on our breath. The gentle rocking of the boats mirrored the rise and fall of the water supporting them. As the students watched the boats move, they deepened their meditation practice. Upon reflection, many students shared that they felt a profound sense of calm after the session. 

3M Environmental News

Well done to 3M who won the Can Challenge last term, collecting close to 1000 cans and bottles! Last week they received their prize of a greenhouse to grow plants for our school garden. They also had the opportunity to plant some vegetables and spruce up our garden.

Year 4

This fortnight, Year Fours began our novel study of Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda. Even after just four chapters, students are captivated by the quest adventure. We are focusing on reading fluency, identifying key events, summarizing, and analysing the imagery and figurative language in the text. Students have also created character illustrations for our learning wall, which features a map of Rin. After each chapter, they move the characters on the map to reflect the unfolding events in the story. 

This term, Year Four students co-constructed their learning goals for Term Four with their teacher, focusing on key areas such as reading, mathematics, writing, and behaviour. Together, we discussed and set clear objectives to guide their progress throughout the term. 

In mathematics, we’ve been exploring chance and probability. Students engaged in games with varying levels of probability and discussed which players had the greatest chance of winning. This hands-on approach is helping them grasp these concepts while making math both fun and meaningful. 

Year 5 Global Innovator Day

Year 5 students participated in the annual Global Innovator Days for their HASS unit. The students had to think as entrepreneurs and work in groups to tackle a community issue. They worked together to develop a problem statement and brainstormed ideas for solutions. The students have chosen their final solution, which they will continue to collaborate on for the next 5 weeks to be ready for the Global Innovator Trade Show happening in Week 7. We look forward to seeing their final projects come together at this exciting event.

Year 6

Year 6 students have been learning about juxtapositions through Art. What is a juxtaposition you may ask? They are two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.

Coomera Cup Sport Event

Selected Year 5 & 6 students recently participated in the Coomera Cup competition with Coomera Springs SS. Our students represented Coomera Rivers with pride in Touch, Netball, Soccer, Rugby League and Basketball. Thank you to the coaches for giving up your time to work to prepare your teams.

Weekly Leadership Duties (Years 5-6)

Leadership is much more than a badge, it is about Service, Action and Respect. All students in Year 5 and 6 are invited to take on leadership duties, working with staff and students across the school. Year 5 and 6 students practice being active role models in our school and develop valuable leadership skills. This program takes place all year round. Students who complete:

• 10 leadership duties are acknowledged at Assembly, with a certificate, and also on their semester report card.
• 20 duties are acknowledged at Assembly with a certificate, and also on their semester report card, as well as rewarded with an iLead@Coomera Rivers State School leadership pen.
• 30 duties are acknowledged at Assembly with a certificate, and also on their semester report card, as well as rewarded with a slushie or hot chocolate, of their choice, from our Cafe.
• 40 duties are acknowledged at Assembly with a certificate, and also on their semester report card, as well as awarded a leadership trophy at the End of Year Awards Assembly.

We are pleased that we have a growing number of students in Year 5 and 6 who have now completed 30, and even 40 duties in total!

GEM (Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness)

Join the GEM Club at Coomera Rivers

Discover the joy of Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness at the GEM Club, one of the exciting morning clubs at Coomera Rivers. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 8:00, students gather in the SWAG room to participate in activities inspired by The Resilience Project's GEM pillars. Here’s a glimpse of some fun activities from previous weeks:

• Paint by Numbers
• Paper Towel & Texta Patterns
• Diamond Art
• Gratitude Notes/Letters
• DIY Fidget Tools
• Mindfulness activities (yoga, meditation, breathing techniques)

GEM Club has something for everyone. We hope to see you on Tuesday and Thursday mornings!

14-23 October

Some magical changes have taken place in our iCentre during the last holidays and all will be unveiled when we open our annual book fair.  We will be open on Monday 14 October for Book Fair from 7:30am to 3pm.  Our last day for selling will be Wednesday 23 October as this gives us time to pack up and finalize all the required Scholastic documents. Students will also have a chance to view our books with their classes and make some wishlists.

Purchases can be made by card, cash or online.  

If ordering online – Parents pay the purchase amount for the items they want. The receipt number must be taken to Ms Katie at the Book Fair so items can be ordered online. Items cannot be ordered online at home – only via the fair itself.  
If paying by cash – students may bring in small amounts of cash to make purchases (they can buy books and stationery from the fair with cash. Parents are advised to only send small amounts of money with students if they are responsible enough to look after this. Younger students should be accompanied by a parent to complete cash purchases.   

Our dress up day will be held on Friday the 18th October with prizes once again being offered for the best costumes across the school. 

Please contact Ms Katie in the iCentre if you have any questions.

in some extra-curricular opportunities at school this term

Coomera Rivers is committed to offering our students as many additional opportunities as we can.  Below is a list of the activities on offer this term.  Some are privately provided opportunities held at school but most are run by our school staff.  Most activities are free or very reasonably priced.  Please contact the co-ordinator for more information if you are interested in your child participating.

As you will see, the older the students are, the greater the number of opportunities that exist for them.  This is due to department regulations around competitive sport and other aspects of school.

Thank you sincerely to the staff teams who provide their time and expertise for the students.  I am very grateful for their generous contributions.

Monday

   
Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

• Expression of Interest submitted ✔️
• Enrolment Officer has made contact for enrolment interview ✔️
• Booked 2/12/24 into your family diary for Year 6 into Year 7 transition day at FSSC ✔️

If you don't have an enrolment interview yet, please call (07)5555 3333.