Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

Living with the potential threat of Coronavirus spreading through our community faster than our health system can manage, has been our collective focus this week.  Slowing the spread is now every Australian's serious responsibility.

So what is our school focused on?  Naturally we have enforced the government restrictions and acted protectively.  We have taught great hygiene practices and improved our social distancing.  

But I am proudest of the character, empathy and appreciation that our school students, staff and families have been demonstrating.  

Prep M and Prep A have written a beautiful thank you card, with chocolates included, for the nurses at the Gold Coast Hospital.

          
3B have written thoughtful and touching thank you cards to nurses and doctors. Their wide smiles show how proud they are to be brightening someone else's day.

4C, 4K & 4M also wrote to elderly residents who might be feeling lonely this week. It is certainly heart warming to know our students are thinking of others.

Student free days next week

The Minister has announced on Thursday that school effectively finished for many students today (Friday 27 March) and their Easter vacation begins.  The Minister went further to instruct that schools are to remain physically OPEN next week (for children of working parents) but there is no instruction provided. Staff will be involved in:

• Supervision of students whose parents are both working away from home
• Planning and preparation for next term’s on-line programs

Can my children come to school next week?

So long as they are well, your children can attend school if both parents are working away from home and working during school hours. The department and government is expecting students to stay home where a parent or carer is at home.   

Enrol your children for student free day

If you meet the necessary criteria (see above) and your children will be attending school, please complete the simple survey to register your child's attendance by Saturday evening.   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S65G5KV

School routines next week

• School bell times remain the same (8:25am start to 2:30pm finish)
• Students need to wear their school uniform each day

Before & after school care next week

Our Coomera Rivers OSHC will operate its normal before and after school care programs. Please contact Kat to discuss more details. Vacation care will commence from Monday April 6.

School cafe next week

The school cafe is open for those students who need to attend next Monday & Tuesday only. Orders are still made through Flexischools. It will close for Easter vacation after school on Tuesday.

On-line learning programs

We will be 100% on-line from Day 1 Term 2 (April 20).  

Our school will move to on-line programs for all students next term (April 20 @ 8:30am). This means that it won't matter if students are at home or at school, they will be working from the one program. Teachers will be setting, and then need to check and mark student work. There will not be a great deal of assessment to be completed.

      
Our on-line programs (called Home Programs)

Our home programs will become active for all students by Monday 20 April at 8:30am. These will be explained when they are sent home. Children will need their iPad and iTunesU to access the work. All students will be required to complete their school work and teachers will be checking in on students by phone, email or if we can, even Skype or Zoom.

It is expected that all children will complete their home program work and submit it to their teacher. Young children will need their parent's help.  This is not a long holiday for children.

Busy work for now: Click here if you are looking for more work for your children.  Please contact the school office if you do not have access to on-line learning.

Stay well and look after each other

Kind regards

Vic

Students who are enrolled in the Instrumental Music program at Coomera Rivers will now find a new Seesaw class when they next log in. This is so students who have been learning at home can still submit assessment videos and have them marked. Please check it out!

Gratitude & Positivity

We know things are tough for everyone at the moment, so we decided to take the opportunity to focus on the positives in our lives. This week we asked the children what they are grateful for and we were truly surprised by the responses we received from children. We received responses such as “I am grateful that I have a decent house so when schools shut down I have lots of things I can do at home”, “I am grateful that we have hospitals so when I become sick I can go there to stay healthy and even for other people to stay safe” and “I am grateful for schools not being shut down”.

This week we have focused on keeping the environment positive as we know children are feeling the stress of recent events too. We’re making sure every day we talk to children about being positive and the happy things in their lives. The children have participated in a range of activities that have focused on postivity and gratitude. Some groups did activities which focused on telling their friends positive things whilst other groups wrote down the things that they think are positive in their lives at the moment.

The practice of gratitude can help us during the tougher times, turning our thoughts of despair into thoughts of happiness. When we work together and encourage each other to view our worst situations with a grateful eye, we become stronger, more resilient, healthier and happier people.

Hot cross buns will be delivered this week

We will advertise the distribution day and process early next week.  You simply need to drop by the Kiss n Go, collect your order and enjoy.  

It has been necessary to postpone the Year 6 camp to Emu Gully due to the current health restrictions in place.  We are still trying to organise an opportunity for our Year 6 students to attend a camp later in the year but this will take some time.  In the meantime, we would like families to get a camp refund as I am sure every cent will make a difference.  Please complete the request form and return it to the school office.  It will take a week or so to process.