2015-august-issue-7 - Coolum State High School

Havana Road East, Coolum Beach Qld 4573 Phone: 07 5471 5333 Fax: 07 5471 5300
Email: admin@coolumshs.eq.edu.au Web: www.coolumshs.eq.edu.au
CRICOS Provider Number 00608A
ISSUE 7 - August 2015
From the Principal
On August 4 we welcomed a Japanese study tour group, Hatsushiba Hashimoto High School, for half a day. This is
an annual event which enriches the culture at Coolum State High School. Many thanks to the buddies, Ms Shine and
Mr Samson who spent the short time with the students and teacher.
If we had a look
across the school,
past and present, we
would find that many
of our students would
still be in touch with
International students
or Study Tour
students from all over
the world. This opens
many doors for travel,
thus experiencing
incredible moments in
other countries and
immersing oneself in
different cultures.
Congratulations to Isabella Nichols who has been competing in El Salovadore. Everyone at Coolum State High
School is cheering for you!
Congratulations also to Indi Bryant and Ebony Shortall who competed at the World Cup State Titles in Cheerleading
in late July. They received first place in Level 4 Cheer, which is a combination of tumble/gymnastic skills, jumps,
dance and performance routine. The girls now head to the Asia Pacific Cup at the Gold Coast in September. The
girls were eight points ahead of their second place competitors!
“It is what teachers think, what teachers do, and what teachers are, at the level of the classroom that ultimately
shapes the kind of learning that young people get.” (Andy Hargreaves & Michael Fullan). Teaching and Learning is
the Business of Coolum State High School, and we are always seeking best practice to inform our methods of
instruction, planning, reflection and review so that we are ahead of the game! We are in a new era and consolidated
21st century skills (critical thinking/problem solving, creativity, curiosity and collaborative approaches) demand
collaboration between the teachers, students and parents and wider community. For Collaborative Inquiry to reflect
deep learning, students need time to work on relevant and authentic tasks that demand critical thinking and problem
solving.
Coolum State High School’s Strategic Plan 2015 – 2018 reflects our Collaborative Inquiry. “We are committed to
enacting quality teaching and learning through the knowledge, understanding and belief about the explicit science
and artistic passion of sound pedagogical practices. We are committed to building caring and respectful relationships
with each other and our community so that excellence flourishes for all” (Strategic Plan 2015 -2018).
We look forward to working through our Semester 2 journey with you, our fantastic students and very professional
staff!
Dr Robyn Burton-Ree
Acting Principal
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Wed 12 Aug - Subject Expo for Years 8, 9 and 10
Thu 13 Aug - QCS Practice
Fri 14 Aug - Flight Centre Training (Tourism students)
- Ekka Excursion (Home Economics students)
Mon 17 Aug - P&C Meeting 6.30pm Administration Office (all
parents encouraged and welcome to attend)
Tue 18 Aug - Senior Music Assessment Evening
Wed 19 Aug - Australia Zoo Excursion (Tourism and International
students)
Thu 20 Aug - QCS Practice
Thu 20 and Fri 21 Aug - SET Plan Interviews (Year 10 students)
Tue 25 Aug - Year 10 Art Workshop
Wed 26 Aug - Year 8 into 9 2016 and Year 9 into 10 2016 Subject
Selection Session 3.15pm – 5.30pm
Fri 28 Aug - Year 11 Biology Field Excursion
‘Like’…..
Coolum State High School
on Facebook for up to date
information and events
Junior Secondary News
Terry Proctor, Deputy Principal - Junior Secondary
Attendance
Attendance at Coolum State High School is everyone’s responsibility. This involves students, parents and staff
working together to ensure the attendance of students is very high. High attendance is best achieved when there is
a safe, supportive, engaging and challenging learning environment for students.
As a school we expect that all students will attend school every day, except in circumstances of illness or family
emergency. When students are not at school, it is an expectation that parents make contact with the school to
explain the reason for the absence. This can be done by contacting the absence hotline on 5471 5360.
There is an abundance of research that shows a clear correlation between attendance and academic achievement.
It is clear that students who attend more regularly are likely to have better academic results than those who do not.
We believe that every day counts, and therefore students should be at school every day.
Our school target is that students have 95% attendance or better – this equates to no more than a maximum of one
day absent every four weeks. We have been very close to this target this year prior to it dropping during the cooler
months when there is more sickness around.
Year Level
Year 7
Year 9
Year 11
Attendance to Date
93.1%
88.6%
90.4%
Yearly
Year 8
Year 10
Year 12
Attendance to Date
92.2%
90.6%
92.4%
As you can see we look forward to it improving back towards 95% as winter passes.
Academic Reporting Results
Following our Semester 1 Report Cards, it is important that we reflect on the performance of our students and plan
for even further improvement. As a school, we have a target that at least 90% of all Achievement results are As, Bs,
or Cs.
In Semester 1, we achieved 87.7% as a school – with the Year 12s leading the way on 92% (closely followed by
Year 7s).
Our reporting data also shows that 95.1% of Behaviour results and 90.6% of Effort results are satisfactory or better.
We have spoken to students about the importance of now setting goals for improvement – with a focus on the
specific actions which need to occur to achieve these goals.
Science Department
Paul Olsen, HOD Science
Term 3 is moving right along and by the time you have read this newsletter, parent teacher interviews have come
and gone. One of the most efficient ways of improving educational outcomes is by encouraging your sons and
daughters to seek help from their teachers during class time, lunchtimes or after school (see second last paragraph).
During week 3 through to week 5, the Year 9 science
students will be investigating the Emu Mountain National
Park during our studies of ecosystems.
On Wednesday, myself and Ms Goodacre (enjoy your
leave….) went on an excursion to the Royal Brisbane
Hospital, Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR)
to listen to some of the leading medical scientists in
Australia and the world, including Professor Suhrbier,
discussing vaccinations and the real statistics. Dr John
Miles discussed his research into an innovative medical
move to utilise animal toxins to improve cancer and pain
treatments (eg by diluting cone shell toxin, it can be used as
a pain blocker 100 times more effective than morphine). A
big thanks to Simone Cross and Dr Liam St Pierre
(education coordinators).
In the afternoon we went to the University of Queensland’s,
Integrated Pathology Learning Centre (IPLC) set up to
educate medical students on understanding diseases. Students were given a second year task to better understand
skin cancer, in particular identifying melanomas. Thanks to Dr Julie Ayre’s and Neville Zell. Finally, well done to the
Year 12 biology students for their excellent behaviour and also Ms Goodacre for all her organisation and for driving
the bus.
All students (senior and junior) are able to access extra tuition in science by attending tutorials in the library on a
Wednesday afternoon or for junior science, in S1, also on a Wednesday afternoon.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at school on 54715333 or by email at
polse3@eq.edu.au.
Traineeship Sign-on at McDonalds
Lois Staier, Schoolbased Apprenticeship and Traineeship Liaison Officer
Year 10 student, Reuben
Johnston, recently signed a
Training Contract to begin a
Certificate II in Retail with
McDonalds Coolum. Restaurant
Manager, Jamie Meadows, and the
McDonalds team, have long been
strong supporters of Coolum State
High School through school based
traineeships.
Debating Expo
Colette Webber, Debating Coach
Recently, our senior debating team competed in the Chancellor’s Challenge Debating Tournament, coming up
against Good Shepherd Lutheran College to debate the topic ‘Community service should be a compulsory part of the
school curriculum’. Although the team didn’t win the debate, it was very close and Aidan Radak, Chelsea Crofts and
Dureyce Moore all spoke exceptionally well on the night.
Congratulations on a top effort from these three debaters, and a big thank you to Yasmine Sellwood who volunteered
her time to be chairperson for the debate.
Rewriting History
Sally Vellar, HOD Social Sciences
Coolum State High School
students excelled in the
Nambour and District Historical
Museum Student Writing
Competition taking out 1st, 2nd
and 3rd prizes in both the Year 8
and Year 10 sections.
This year the competition was in
remembrance of the Battle of
Lone Pine and students were
asked to write a diary entry from
the perspective of a nurse
serving their country during this battle. Students listened to a speech by Mrs Mary Murray, a former AIF nurse who
served during WW2. First prize winners Riley Korableff (Year 10) and Grace Hoyes (Year 8) read their entries to the
assembled guests before receiving their prize.
Congratulations to Year 10 students Riley Korableff (1st) Rhianna Quarry (2nd) Callum Noel (3rd) and Year 8
students Grace Hoyes (1st) Maria Harrison (2nd) and Bailey Ghent (3rd).
Wooden Surfboard Day
Ben Scanlon, Manual Arts Teacher
The 7th Annual Wooden Surfboard Day
was recently held at Currumbin Alley,
Gold Coast. Manual Arts teacher, Ben
Scanlon visited the exhibition, taking
with him his own, and two other
boards, which had been made in 2014
during an extra curricular activity into
alternative manufacturing methods.
One of the boards had been made by
Sam Austin, currently in Year 11 and
received many compliments about its
design, construction and functionality.
Coolum High students win World Cup State Titles!
Kirsty McPherson, Media Liaison Officer
Two Year 9 Coolum State High School students have tumbled
and somersaulted their way to the Asia Pacific Cup after
winning the World Cup State Titles for cheerleading.
Indi Bryant and Ebony Shortall took out the Level 4
Cheerleading title with their dazzling performance of
gymnastic skills, spectacular jumps and dance routine,
finishing a huge eight points ahead of their second place
competitors.
They now head to the Asia Pacific Grand International on the
Gold Coast in September, regarded as the most exciting and
highly anticipated cheerleading and dance event in Australia.
“I’m really excited to go to the next level to compete. I’m
looking forward to the whole competition. I just love
competing,” said 14 year old Ebony.
The girls will have to get used to competing. They have also
just been selected to compete in the Duel in the Desert dance
and cheerleading competition in America next year.
But they know for the moment, they have to keep focused for their first challenge on the Gold Coast.
Teams from all over Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region are selected to attend the Asia Pacific Cup and
compete for the chance to be named Grand Champions in either dance or cheerleading. All teams then have the
opportunity to win bids to international events including the IASF Cheer & Dance Worlds.
Instrumental Music News
Sharelle Guest, Instrumental Music Teacher
On Monday 3 August, our school band ‘Fusion,
was treated to a visit from visiting tutor Dan
Quigley. Dan is Head of School at Jazz Music
Institute in Brisbane and has performed
trumpet alongside Dale Barlow, James
Morrison, Grace Knight and Anthony Warlow to
name but a few. He has also performed in
New York and Japan and in major festivals and
venues such as the Queensland Music
Festival, Noosa Jazz Festival, Valley Jazz
Festival, Brisbane Festival, Brisbane
Powerhouse, Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane
Jazz Club, Speilgeltent, Paris Cat (Melbourne),
Sydney Opera House and many corporate
functions.
Mr Quigley performs regularly in his hometown of Brisbane, with his own group which has developed a reputation for
performing classic jazz. Our students enjoyed an extended rehearsal by Dan who described the group as “a great
sounding band with a lot of potential”.
Instrumental Music Teacher Sharelle Guest is planning more visits from professional musicians and music teachers
to work with our band as we continue to improve our skills and develop our ensemble playing.
QUOTA Public Speaking Success
Ian Gilmore, HOD English/Public Speaking Coordinator
Two Coolum State High School students helped raise
awareness of aid projects in developing countries while
competing in the QUOTA Youth Ambassador public
speaking contest at Coolum/Peregian RSL on Thursday, 30
July.
Alicia Winter spoke with passion about a women’s
education facility in Manilla and Keely Sweetman raised
awareness of women’s health issues in rural India. The
girls were awarded prizes of $300 and $100 respectively,
which will be donated by QUOTA to those projects. Alicia
and Keely, both in Year 11, researched details about their
chosen “Hand-In-Hand” aid projects and outlined the
positive changes that are occurring because of QUOTA’s
active involvement.
Keely described the opportunity to present her findings to QUOTA members as rewarding. “It was a valuable
experience and I’m glad that we were able to assist people in need.
All four finalists received a certificate, medallion and cash donation made in their name to their chosen aid project.
Year 12 students who achieved excellent results for Behaviour and Effort on their Semester 1
Report Card were invited to celebrate their success. They were joined by their Student Managers
and the Acting Deputy Principal for Senior School and had an enjoyable night of gourmet pizza and
good company. Thanks to Zachary's Pizza at Peregian for hosting our event.
QAMT Maths Competition
Therese Price, Mathematics Teacher
Eight diligent Year 7 and 8 Mathematic students
travelled to Noosa District State High School yesterday
to compete in the QAMT Maths Competition. It was
quite a novelty as most of the students had never
competed in such an event before.
We started off with a bang and went straight to the top
of the leader board, but as the sessions progressed,
we unfortunately finished out of the placings.
Well done, Sarina, Caylan, Cameron, Jarvis, Lotti, Cooper, Jackson and Kalin for representing your school with
enthusiasm and pride.
A Colourful Display for Peace
Coolum State High
School students and
teachers participated
in folding more than
1000 origami cranes
last week coinciding
th
with the 70 anniversary of the bombing of
Hiroshima.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to
fold a crane or two and remember….
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat
it.’ George Santayana, Philosopher and Poet.
Year 10 Art
Danielle Siegert, Art Teacher
Year 10 Art students have begun a challenging project to create large insect sculptures this term. To inspire the
students, we recently visited the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) for a day and sought interesting sculptural artworks
to investigate how they were made and what they were made from.
The students have also participated in a workshop lead by visiting artist Richard Newport. The students learned
joining and cutting techniques using basic tools like pop rivets, screwdrivers, saws, tin cutters and hammers.
Students had a variety of recycled materials to use in combination with wire, tin foil and mesh. There were some
interesting experimentations with the materials, which was supported by a team of artists and art teachers, including
Jules and Richard.
We are working hard to create these artworks for the upcoming Laneway exhibition at CoolArt, Coolum Beach,
curated by Coolum State High School art teacher, John Fuller.
We are looking for any recyclable materials which can withstand the elements. Please feel free to drop them off at
the Administration Office for Lynda Kryger.
Coolum High students set the challenge for Kokoda!
Kristy McPherson, Media Liaison Officer
Coolum State High School students from grades 11 and 12 have successfully completed their first test towards their
dream to walk the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea by completing the Stan Bisset Cup as part of the Kokoda
Youth Foundation’s ‘Kokoda Challenge’.
The Stan Bisset Cup, named in honour of decorated Kokoda Veteran Stan Bisset MC OAM MID who passed away in
2010, is a 96 km course - the actual distance of the Kokoda trail. The trek started in Mudgeeraba and followed
selected fire trails and paths through Austinville, Springbrook, Numinbah Valley, Beechmont and Clagiraba to reach
the finish line in the Nerang Velodrome.
“A few students came to me a couple of months ago
with the dream to walk the Kokoda Track. I suggested
they first try the Stan Bisset Cup and if they completed
that successfully, we’d talk about the real Kokoda. It
looks like I will now be having that conversation,” said
Sally Vellar, Head of Department Humanities and Social
Science.
The team consisted of four students and a teacher, with
a 39 hour time limit to complete the course in honour of
the 39th Militia, the first Australian troops to step foot on
the Kokoda Track.
“We finished the course in just over 32 hours,” said Year
11 student, Lincoln Parsons. “It just kept going and
going, and with no sleep it made it really hard.”
“Just completing the Cup was a great challenge and a good opportunity to have a hands-on learning experience that
tested the student’s mental and physical toughness,” said Ms Vellar.
All four students plan to apply to the Military Defence Academy when they finish school, but with only 300 students
chosen each year, they’re hoping completing the Kokoda Trail will help them.
“The leadership, teamwork and mateship it will take to complete the course will help us gain experience and
hopefully an advantage over other students applying,” said student, Riley Lourigan.
Another team from the high school completed the shorter 48km Jim Stillman Cup course, which started at in
Numinbah Valley and travelled through Beechmont and Clagiraba to reach the finish line in the Nerang Velodrome.
The shorter course had a 34 hour time limit for completion.
Jim Stillman is also a Kokoda Veteran who attended the event to spur on and encourage the participants.
Collectively, the two teams have already raised over $1500 for the cause, with all money raised used to help other
teenagers who benefit from support and encouragement provided through the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program.
Sun Shines on School Athletics Day
Mike Aronsten, Sports Coordinator
The 2015 Super Heroes Athletics Day was a colourful and very successful event helped by a perfect day and
enthusiastic support from all students. This year marked the introduction of the Year 7 students into the age mix with
the creation of new benchmarks for this age group going into future years. House spirit was one of the highlights of
the meet with the four colours predominant at all event venues. Warringa triumphed in the points tally with 1385,
followed by Yuroka on 1076, Binyama on 934 and Carcoola on 890.
The Coolum Gift this year was won by Angus Deviney and Gemma Hauck.
New records were established in Boys 14 years 100 metres (Reef O’Dwyer 11.87secs), Boys 15 years 100 metres
(Jack Meakin 11.07secs), Boys Open 200 metres (Ben Penglase 24.34secs), Boys 14 years Triple Jump (Reef
O’Dwyer 11.86m), Girls 15 years Triple Jump (Ariana Toby 10.8m).
2015 Age Champions
Under 12 Jarvis Pattison and Nirvana Le Roux
Under 13 Calder Shanks and Daisy Mannetje
Under 14 Christian Townsend/Reef O’Dwer and Kirra Foxwell
Under 15 Callum Noel and Kelsey Hayes
Under 16 Riley Lourigan and Sydney Hobson
Open
Tom Yarwood and Gemma Hauck
The top three finishers in each event have been invited to represent the school at the forthcoming District Athletics
Carnival to be held 17 and 18 August.
Year 7 Interschool Sport Kicks Off
Last Thursday, our Year 7 sports teams travelled to St Teresa’s for the first round of their 2015 Interschool
Competition. Four sports were played - Volleyball Girls had a 2-1 win and the Boys went down 1-2. In the soccer
games, our Boys won 1-0 and so did the Girls 2-0. Touch saw the Boys draw 5-5 and the Girls lose 1-4. In
Basketball, Boys drew 29-29 whilst the girls went down in the last quarter 31-48. This week we travel to Burnside
High.
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)
Our school is participating in the collection of nationally consistent data on school students with disability. The Nationally Consistent
Collection of Data on school students with disability is a joint State and Federal Government initiative.
The data collection is an annual national count of the number of students provided with educational adjustments as a result of their disability
as defined broadly under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA).
This data collection will provide Australian schools, parents, education authorities and community with information about the number of
students with disability, where they are located and the adjustments they receive. Better data will help the Government plan students with
disability.
The data collection will have no direct impact on your child and they will not be involved in a testing process.
Personal details such as student names or other identifying information will not be provided to local or federal education authorities. All
information is protected by privacy laws which regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. Information about the
Australian Government’s Privacy Policy can be found at this site: http://education.gov.au/condensed-privacy-policy
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data is not compulsory. If you do not want your child to be counted in the data collection you must
notify the school. A decision to exclude your child will not affect support they currently receive.
Further information about the data collection can be found on the Australian Government Department of Education website:
http://education.gov.au/nationally-consistent-collection-data-school-students-disability
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the school for further information.
Should you wish to contact your child’s Student Manager, please call the Administration Office on 5471 5333 or by
email below ….
Year 7
7B1, 7B2
7C1, 7C2, 7Y1
7W1, 7W2
Year 8
8C1, 8C2
8B1, 8W1, 8Y1
Year 9
9Y1, 9Y2
9C1, 9W1
9B1, 9B2
Year 10
10W1, 10W2
10C1, 10Y1
10B1, 10B2
Year 11
11C1, 11B1
11W1, 11W2
11Y1, 11Y2
Year 12
12B1, 12B2
12C1, 12C2
12W1, 12Y1
Therese Price
Emma Clarke
Claire McAllister
tpric20@eq.edu.au
eclar78@eq.edu.au
cmcal45@eq.edu.au
Linda Pilkington
Tracy Ford
lpilk2@eq.edu.au
tford42@eq.edu.au
Carla Edgar
Paul Olsen
Michelle Hewison
cedga2@eq.edu.au
polse3@eq.edu.au
mhewi10@eq.edu.au
Courtney Goodacre
Dean Whitson
Chris Money
cgood106@eq.edu.au
dwhit142@eq.edu.au
cmone3@eq.edu.au
Danielle Siegert
Sally Vellar
Dave Williams
dsieg2@eq.edu.au
svell13@eq.edu.au
dwill160@eq.edu.au
Kath Weston
Ian Gilmore
Glenn Blair
kwest69@eq.edu.au
igilm1@eq.edu.au
glbai6@eq.edu.au
Ph 54713777
Mon - Sat 9.00am -5.00pm
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Sign on Day - Sunshine Beach Nippers
Sign-on and pool swim at Noosa Aquatic Centre on Sat 5 September 2015
New Nippers must provide Birth Certificate, Medicare Card, Parent’s Blue Card (if they have one), credit card/cash for
payment. Please bring with you togs, goggles and a towel.
After completion of the pool swim there is an online sign-on process.
First day of Nippers is Sunday 27 September at 7:45am
For more details email lifesaving@sunshinebeachslsc.com.au or phone
Sunshine Beach Surf Club 5447 5491