…..Engaged and resilient students learning in a safe and inclusive environment…..

This week I am going to recognise the effort and compliment our students who have put their name forward to be a part of our school musical. This bi-annual event is something that is unique to our school as it is a musical that can involve the whole student population if they choose to attend and be a part of it. Our musical links with our arts curriculum and the dance component that children are taught is then transferred into the musical.

Students are required to participate in rehearsals, learn their lines, attend lunchtime sessions and learn how to perform up on a stage in order to entertain others. This takes a considerable degree of commitment as rehearsals have been spread over this term as well as next term.

For the first time the musical has been written by one of our talented teachers – Mrs Kincaid and it celebrates what school is like for a student at Coombabah.

We have a number of teachers assisting with different aspects of the production and I would personally like to thank them for all the extra time they are giving to help make this another successful event for our school.

If you haven’t already please keep week 9 in term 3 free and watch out for when tickets are released.

Parent/carer communication expectations

Recently, Education Queensland and the State Government released a clear set of expectations for parents when communicating with schools.

Connect with us 

There are a number of ways you can connect with us to stay up to date about your child’s education and your school community:

• contact school admin on 55013888 or admin@coombabahss.eq.edu.au for general inquiries
• contact front office staff to organise a meeting with teachers or staff
• subscribe to our school newsletter and communication channels.

Keeping you updated 

We value open and respectful communication with parents and carers, to support student learning. 

We will:

• keep you up to date about your child’s learning and engagement
• offer parent/carer-teacher interviews twice per year
• participate in pre-organised meetings for complex or sensitive issues
• provide school updates and opportunities for feedback.

Get in touch 

Strong parent and school partnerships are key to support your child to achieve their best. 

Let us know if:

• your child will be absent
• you are concerned about your child’s learning, safety or wellbeing
• there are changes to your child’s medical information or family circumstances
• you need to make or change a school appointment.

Communication process/tips 

Our school community thrives when staff, parents/carers and students can share good news, talk about issues and have respectful conversations.

These tips support strong parent/carer partnerships in our school:

• contact school admin for general inquiries
• follow school process to request meetings with teachers and staff
• use polite language in all messages.

Find out more about communication in Queensland state schools: https://education.qld.gov.au/parents-and-carers/positive-school-culture

Parking

A number of parents still need reminding about parking and doing so safely around the school. Please ensure you look around before you park and if it is a driveway, disabled zone or marked with a yellow line then you should not be parked there. This is for students safety that we are most concerned about and we do not want to see this compromised.

Trading/sharing at school

Trading cards are not permitted at school. If you want your child to participate in this activity then it needs to be something that is done at home- not at school. Inevitably when this is done at school students accuse others of stealing their cards or not trading fairly and it is left up to teachers to try and sort out.

The same applies for lunches and we discourage students to share lunches as they are not aware of other students intolerances or allegies. Please remind your child to eat their own lunch.

Volunteers

This week is recognised as Volunteer recognition week. We have an outstanding number of volunteers who give generously of their time to support your students and our teachers throughout the week.

Without their support our school would not be a community focussed as we are and our students would miss out on much needed and valuable extra support.

To all our volunteers I would like to say a big thanks for the efforts and commitment you put in each week for our school. You regularly turn up for classroom activities and events and our students genuinely appreciate having an association and relationship with you.

Our volunteers on the P&C are also a much needed and valued group of current and past parents, grandparents and community members. As we have mentioned in many previous newsletters our small but active P&C does an amazing job in our school and their fundraising is exceptional. Each year they run our Colour Run, mothers and fathers day stalls, school discos, easter hampers and numerous other events.

When many schools are struggling to keep a P&C operating ours is thriving and doing an amazing job in supporting our school. Well done to all our volunteers.

Chiba Park

The council will be doing work in Chiba Park for the next 4-5 weeks. Please be careful when traversing and using the park as there is returfing and digging next to the footpaths through the park.

The Four Things Your Children Need From You to Be Successful in School – Justin Coulson

(Note: even if you don’t read the whole article please read the final paragraph)

Malala Yousafzai is a girl who has profoundly affected millions of people around the world. You may have heard of her. Last year Malala was shot in the head in a failed assassination attempt by the Taliban in Pakistan. She was only 15.

Malala was shot because she stood up for her right, as a female, to have an education.

Malala’s story is tragic, and inspiring. As I have watched Malala’s story unfold on a global platform during the past 12 months, I have wondered whether Australian children would value their education as highly as did Malala.

My research has uncovered four family processes we can adopt to create an environment that will contribute to our children’s academic commitment and success. For parents who are committed to making their home a place where their children can succeed academically, this research is for you.

Beliefs and Expectations

Research tells us that when parents have goals and expectations about education for their children, their children are likely to live up to them. This requires:

• encouragement
• teaching children to build on their successes and learn from their failures
• an optimistic perspective with a focus on being able to do hard things
• having courage to tackle big goals
• a belief in ‘can’ (versus can’t)
• recognition that adversity is normal and gives us an opportunity to learn.

In short, parents who teach their children that challenge is good, and encourage them to adopt a positive, confident approach to education (exams, projects, etc), promote beliefs and expectations that contribute to their children’s academic success. Those children are more likely to work hard, believe that they can ‘do it’, and have a sense of purpose attached to their education – or a ‘why’.

Family Closeness

It is well-established that children who are stressed, anxious, or sad struggle to learn effectively. Similarly, children dealing with fear, anger, or resentment don’t take much in. Research shows that when we provide a warm, caring, collaborative, respectful climate in the home, our children feel secure and confident – and their learning and academic outcomes improve.

Furthermore, families who focus on fairness and share decision-making seem to have children who thrive educationally. This may be because of the clear communication, empathy, and shared feelings these processes promote.

Family Organisation

Children learn best when they are secure. Beyond warmth and closeness, there is little that promotes feelings of security as much as predictability. Researchers have found that families where there are clear expectations and leadership shown by parents are families where children perform better academically.

Specifically, parents should:

• Be on the same page in relation to goals, objectives, discipline practises, and expectations for their children’s academic (and life) performance
• Promote discipline with clear and realistic guidelines and boundaries for their children (which helps them regulate themselves in the classroom)
• Maintain routine
• Make sure the children have regular responsibilities
• Build a supportive network with family and friends (for parents and children)

Family Learning Focus

Finally, we give our children the best chance at academic success when we develop family routines that support our children’s scholastic achievement. We do this by:

1. Monitoring our children’s academic activities, projects, exams, and reports
2. Promoting enriching learning activities like reading, and extra-curricular activities
3. Having regular conversations with the children about how school is going and how they’re tracking in relation to long-term goals
4. Doing school work together
5. Being excited and positive about their progress and development

Education is the key to social mobility. It is how those who are less privileged can rise above the financial circumstances they were born into. As Australians, we are fortunate to live in a country where education is a right.

In spite of this, too many of our children are not getting the education they should. Research shows that we, as parents, make a significant contribution to the educational successes our children experience by the way we guide our families. By making education a focus and priority, keeping our family close and functioning, providing an environment that is conducive to learning, and setting appropriate limits for our children in all areas of their lives, we give them the best shot at an education that can take them where they most want to go.

Playgroup Highlight: The Power of Play

It’s been wonderful to see mums, dads, and grandparents making the most of the opportunity to spend quality time with their children and grandchildren at our playgroup. Whether it’s building with blocks, painting, or sharing story time, the moments shared are truly special.

Did you know?
Parents or caregivers who play alongside their children are supporting their child’s:

• Language development
  • Emotional regulation
  • Attention span

Just 10 minutes of shared play can make a big difference in a child’s development. It’s not about doing more — it’s about being present and connected.

We would like to thank Fruit on Grice at Paradise Point for donating a beautiful selection of fresh fruit every week for the children to enjoy during story time.

 

Parenting Resources

Parenting is not an easy job. In our community and online there is a range of parenting options to help support if you need help or pointers for how to navigate the challenges that come with every family. See below for free or low cost community options to suit your family:

Circle of Security

The Circle of Security program is an early intervention, relationship-based parenting approach designed to strengthen the bond between caregivers and children. It helps parents understand and respond to their child’s emotional needs by teaching them to recognize and support secure attachment behaviours.

Benevolent Society:

Coolangatta, Oxenford and Labrador Early Years Centre has regular parenting and play groups available for children aged 0-8. They are advertised on the Gold Coast Benevolent Society Facebook page regularly. To find out what your nearest centre offers you can message them on Facebook or call on (07) 5644 9100

https://www.facebook.com/northgoldcoasteyc

Oxenford and Coomera Community Youth Centre - The Meeting Place

The Meeting Place offers regular parenting programs including Circle of Security for free or low-cost. See their current Programs at:

https://programs.youthcentre.org.au/timetables862025

Studio Village

Studio Village offers regular parenting programs including Circle of Security for free or low-cost. See their current Programs at:

https://www.raq.org.au/courses/circle-security-parenting-training

Other Programs

Griffith University

Griffith University at Southport offers free or low-cost parenting programs, including Circle of Security for children aged 0-6.

https://www.griffith.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/1318610/FIP-Brochure.pdf

Parenting Made Easier (Tuning Into Kids) Online

The Meeting Place at the Oxenford/Coomera Community Youth Centre offers a 4 session, self-paced and free online parenting course. Aimed at deepening your understanding of childhood behaviours and arm you with effective strategies to nurture emotional resilience, respect, cooperation and responsibility in our young ones.

https://programs.youthcentre.org.au/tmppme248854

Triple P Online

Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) is a parenting support system designed to promote positive relationships, develop new skills, and manage children’s behaviour effectively. It offers a tiered system of interventions, from light-touch advice to intensive support, tailored to the needs of each family. Aimed at children under 12. It has several options including:

• Stepping Stones (parenting support for children with additional needs)
• Fear-less (support for children with anxiety)
• Teen Triple P
• Baby Triple P
• Family Transitions

https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/qld-en/parenting-courses/triple-p-online-under-12/

Want to learn how to build wealth through property?

Coombabah State School parents are invited to a special, adults-only evening on Tuesday, 10th June at 6:30pm, to discover the fundamentals of property investing.

Enjoy free champagne and canapés while our expert team share simple, practical strategies to help you get started or grow your investment portfolio—no experience needed!

This is a relaxed and informative session exclusively for our school community.

Spaces are limited—register now to secure your spot! https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/investing-made-simple-coombabah-state-school-tickets-1372059329389?aff=oddtdtcreator