25 January 2024

ACTING PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE | Mr Scott Thompson

Hello Currimundi Community

Welcome back to a new year. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed having the kids at home for the last 6 weeks. If you missed Monday’s parade, be sure to have a look at it on our Currimundi State School Facebook page. Hats off to our teaching staff who put on quite a show to welcome our kids back with a bang. 

We have had a very smooth start to the year with all students settling into their new classes with lots of laughter drifting from classrooms. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our new families both in Prep and throughout our school and hope you enjoy your time at Currimundi. I would also like to welcome to our new and returning staff, Lorrin Barham Prep Green, Emma Dawson 3E, Lyndi Harrip school Psychologist, Rachel Viner Instrumental Music Band and Annie van Dalen Surf Central.  They are welcome additions to our team and all bring various levels of experience to their roles. They are all super enthusiastic and have fit in so well with our Curra Team.

This year at CSS our 2024, Priorities is are focused on maximising student progress and building an expert teaching team. To do this we will be focusing on our class learning walls, using high impact teaching strategies, embedding a Currimundi vision statement for inclusion and differentiation and lastly ensuring that data is used to lift student wellbeing, engagement and performance. Our A-E data for English and Math was amazing last year. We finished the year with 94% of our students from P-6 gaining a C or higher in English and 92% gaining a C or higher in Math. This year we will be aiming to build on that with a focus on improving our A-B data with 50% of our P-2 kids gaining B or higher and 52% of our 3-6 students doing the same.

Can you please lock Tuesday 13 Feb into your calendars.  As part of our Parent Partnerships Program from 3:00pm we will be hosting a Meet The Teacher afternoon. It will be run a little differently than previous years, with a more informal approach. More information will follow closer to the date.

Our enrolments for 2024 have been very exciting. We have 623 students enrolled now, which builds on last year’s numbers. Thank you for your support and sharing positive stories about our school. We really do have a great school culture and I thank you for being a big part of it.

The car park I know it is a source of frustration but we need your help to keep it flowing and safe. With new enrolments, the car park is as busy as ever.  The first 10 minutes after the bell is hectic, and during this time, your patience is required. Please show care and patience towards our children and each other when entering and leaving the carpark. We are in the process of adding some additional temporary staff parking near the office which hopefully will relieve some pressure in the other parking spaces.  Your care is very much appreciated.

As the school year kicks off it is vitally important, we have your child here when the bell goes. During this time teachers set the tone and give instructions for the day. By being here for that you set your child up for success. I love getting out around our Curra kids and having a chat, it was so nice to hear about their holidays and how excited they were to be back at school.  I was blown away while walking around at lunchtime observing the fantastic lunches some of our children eat. What our kids put into their bodies makes such a difference to their ability to learn and settle. We do notice the difference between those who eat healthy and those that do not. I applaud you on your support in this area. Remember:  We are what we eat!

Have a great weekend, stay dry!
Thanks for your support.  We have a magic school.

Cheers

Deputy Principal | Prep – Yr 02 | Mrs Tina Houtsma

Welcome to 2024. I hope you had a lovely break over the holidays!

I was unfortunate to have some corrugated iron sheeting fall on me in the first week of the holidays resulting in a fractured ankle, dislocated and broken arm/wrist. After a few surgeries and a bone graft, I am now on the mend. I have returned but for now just 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday & Fridays).

Greetings to all returning families of Currimundi State School! I hope your holiday break was filled with joy, and that your children are rejuvenated and eager to embark on another year of enriching academic and social experiences.  Thank you too, to parents/carers for sending them back to school looking smart and in correct uniform.

I would like to take this opportunity to offer a very warm welcome to our new families and the enthusiastic Preps beginning their educational journey with us. Your children have made an amazing start to their time at Currimundi State School – they have come in smiling and positive and have been a credit to you. Thank you for the part that you have played in preparing them to start school. We look forward to working with you all. I extend my best wishes for a fulfilling experience at Currimundi State School.

The start of a school year is always very exciting and there is always a happy positive vibe. This is why it is my favourite time of the school year - nothing quite compares! I am so privileged to be a leader of our lovely little school by the beach and always wear my badge with immense pride.

It has been wonderful to welcome all of our children back into school this week. They have come back into school with such a positive attitude and appear really happy to be back into school – seeing their friends again and settling back into school routines.

Our staff had a quick 20 minutes during one of the Staff Professional Planning Days to plan a surprise welcome back message on Monday’s parade, even our new Preps made it down after their busy first day. Now while it wasn’t polished, the students enjoyed every minute, their loud cheers drowned out the music!

Our Preps in the News

A photographer from the Sunshine Coast Daily will be visiting our school on Monday 29 January to take photos of our Prep classes. Please let your child’s teacher know if you do not wish them to participate in the photo shoot.

A pictorial memento of Sunshine Coast Prep students, including our Currimundi Prep Classes will be published in the Sunshine Coast Daily late March.

Prep Hearing and Vision Screening Initiative

We're excited to offer our Prep students' parents and carers the chance to have their children's hearing and vision and hearing checked during Term 1.

Queensland Health will conduct complimentary vision screenings at the school over two days, starting Tuesday 13 February 2024.

For a quick overview, watch the “What is Prep Vision Screening?” video (1 min 50 secs) from Children's Health Queensland.

Additionally, Hear and Say will conduct hearing screenings for our Preps on Thursday 29 February 2024.

Both vision and hearing screening online consent forms and information have been emailed to all Prep families. If you can please fill it out promptly upon receipt to ensure your child's participation.

Please contact the office or talk to your teachers if you have not received.

Safety Around the School

The safety of our children is paramount. We ask all parents and carers to model exemplary behaviour in and around our school, particularly near parking areas. Please discuss and reinforce the following safety guidelines and rules with your children.

Kind Regard

Deputy Principal | Yr 03-06 | Mrs Amanda Brewer

Welcome back to the 2024 Year!

Our 3-6 sector have had a very successful and exciting beginning to the year. Monday’s heatwave was challenging however the students were amazing at keeping their cool. Monday afternoon saw a very short whole school parade, with the teachers and staff participating in some “cool” dancing with a surprise flash mob. If you have not already, have a look on the school Facebook page. On Wednesday afternoon we also had some surprise visitors from the Brisbane Lions training team. They had a great Q and A session with the kids and signed some autographs for us. There is an opportunity for you to meet them Friday 26 Jan 2024 at Maroochydore.

Senior Parades

Senior Parades are on Odd weeks, with the next being on Monday 5 February at 2pm. All parents and carers are welcome. There will be seating provided for you at the back of the hall.

Student Leadership 2024

Our student council met for the first time this year. We certainly have an eager bunch of leaders who are ready to make a difference in their final year of school. Student Investiture for year 6 will be held on Friday 16 February, from 9am until 9:45am. Parents and Carers are welcome to attend this formal event. More details will be emailed home in the coming days along with our first Year 6 Incursion for all students, our Stanley River Leadership Day on Feb 21^st at school. Permission and invoice will follow.

Student Leadership 2024

Our student council met for the first time this year. We certainly have an eager bunch of leaders who are ready to make a difference in their final year of school. Student Investiture for year 6 will be held on Friday 16 February, from 9am until 9:45am. Parents and Carers are welcome to attend this formal event. More details will be emailed home in the coming days along with our first Year 6 Incursion for all students, our Stanley River Leadership Day on Feb 21^st at school. Permission and invoice will follow.

Taking Pride in our school

There will be a reminder and focus on correct school uniform for the first few weeks. Please have a look at our “Dress Code” document to familiarise yourself and support us to  have students in full school uniform each day.

At this time of the year I always look forward to getting to know the Year 3 students better as they join my 3-6 sector and learn about new play areas, experiences and parades.

I think both staff and students were grateful for a shorter week, and having three days to recharge before returning next week.

We look forward to working with you this year and seeing you all at upcoming school events.

Regards

CURRICULUM NEWS | MRS JODIE FINDLAY

School Calendar 2024

Plan your 2024 with the new school calendar and school planner (featuring the weeks of term). Visit the Education website’s calendar page to download or iCalendar to add dates to your device.  2024 School Calendar

Tips for Settling Back in To School

A big welcome to all of our new and returning families to our wonderful school by the beach. Our teachers have spent many hours in preparation to make it a great start for all students and families.

1. Talk with your kids about adopting a growth mindset: Kids need to hear that their abilities are not 'fixed' at birth, and that there is always room to improve.

2. Model kind behaviour and manners: If we model kindness in our own interactions, this can go a long way towards showing children how to treat others and how we want to be treated. This could mean practising emotional first aid, helping your child's teacher to create a more inclusive classroom and modelling inclusive behaviour outside of school, or simply focusing on saying 'please' and 'thank you' at the appropriate times

3. Get creative: Start a daily learning 'ritual' at home. It might be before school, after school or at night, before bed. Ideas:

• reading books together in a special chair or in bed
• googling something together that you both want to know more about, or finding a book at the library to share on a topic that interests your child - let them have 3-5 minutes to tell you all about it while you just listen or cook dinner or in the car
• practising something they need to work on in their learning as you drive or walk to school e.g. times tables, counting games like counting to 100 but leaving out all the numbers that have a 9 in them
• having a special snack together for afternoon tea before they do their homework and asking your child to tell you one thing they learned about that day while you chat or having dinner together at the table when you can, and creating space for the kids to talk about their day without the TV on.

4. Build healthy habits: Children learn best when their physical and emotional needs are met.

5. Love unconditionally: Want to raise an amazing adult? This is how.

Reading Eggs, Mathseeds & Mathletics

We are excited to announce that your child will have access to ABC Reading Eggs at school – the fun and effective program that teaches children how to read! You will receive a letter/information from your teacher that contains your child’s Login Name and Password about how to use ABC Reading Eggs. ABC Reading Eggs is designed to get your child motivated and excited about reading. Your child will be able to access the program in class and at home. The attached reading eggs parent’s/carer’s brochure details all the features and benefits of ABC Reading Eggs and how it can teach your child to read. Mathseeds was created specifically for the needs of early maths learners in Years Prep - 01 and is included with your Reading Eggs program.

Reading Eggs Help your Child to Read

Mathletics is the comprehensive online mathematics learning tool that brings joy to learning in years 02 – 06.

NAPLAN in Mid-March 2024

NAPLAN 2024 will be held in Term One.

Schools will schedule the tests as soon as possible within the testing window, prioritising the first week.

More information to follow this term. Further information can be found here:

Kind Regards
Jodie Findlay

Classes say HELLO

Prep Red is loving their start to the year with so much fun learning.

1C is having a great start to 2024.  So many smiling faces!

SUPER SURFERS

Look out for your parade dates via QParents/Events & the following Schedule:

SPORTS NEWS

Surf Life Saving

Year 03 and 04 Surf Life Saving Program commences Friday 9 February. Information will be sent home soon. Please refer to Timetable.

Coastal District School Sport Trials

 Meetings are being held to gage interest for the following sports. (students turning 12 years and under)

• AFL Boys
• AFL Girls
• Basketball Boys
• Basketball Girls
• Touch Boys

Students can only be nominated by the school to attend Coastal District Trials.

Surfing Excellence and Development

Groups will commence in the next couple of weeks.

If your child has not participated in the program and would like to, please go to the website to submit an expression of interest.

STUDENT RESOURCE SCHEME/BOOKLIST

Our Student Resource Scheme and Booklist have been combined to facilitate families with not having to rush around & purchase all school items for their students.  This system was agreed & approved by the Currimundi State School P&C Association.

All QParents families, current & future families will have the online updated version to complete & submit.  Families not on QParents will have a hardcopy sent via your student’s classroom to complete and return to the office by Thursday 23 November 2023. 

For those families who have GRANTED consent via the Participation Agreement form, invoices will be generated shortly after.

For payment plans, please contact the office via admin@currimundiss.eq.edu.au. All payment amounts will be accepted on a payment plan.

Regards
Stacey Hyder
Business Manager

QParents and Payments

Our preferred method of payment is online via the secure BPoint Portal. All other payments will need to be made via Eftpos. If you are registered with QParents you can access your school generated invoices and pay via BPpoint at any time. Watch this video for an overview of the payments screen and making online payments in QParents.

At our school, many parents/carers have registered for the QParents program.  Here are just some things that you can access at your own convenience.

• update your contacts/addresses
• enter absences for your child, current, future, early pick ups, early departures & update unexplained
• access Report Cards past & present
• check your finance & make full & part payments
• notify you of any upcoming events & excursion/incursions

Once you receive the invitation code, you can follow through to register via the link below.  It is suggested to register via the website using google chrome as the engine.

Contact the office via our office group email admin@ss.eq.edu.au or telephone 07 5436 6888 for your family’s reference numbers, assistance with 1^st time registration, payments etc.  We are here to help.

DATES TO REMEMBER

2024 School Calendar is now Available for you to organize your coming year.

NB: you can add your future absences via QParents.

Now for all of our exciting events coming up.

These events can also be found on QParents/Events to assist families with reminders.

RESOURCE CENTRE NEWS | MR DARREN FULCHER & MRS MAREE FRENCH

Digital Library – Education Queensland-Sora App

All Currimundi State School students access to a digital library which contains over 75,000 eBooks and audiobooks.

The e-library can be accessed by visiting the Sora website, or downloading the free Sora app on a mobile device, then searching for the school 'Education Queensland' and logging in using their MIS ID.

Happy reading!

Library Information

Do you have any questions regarding the library? 

You might find the answers in our Library User Guide.

Click on the link below.

Happy reading!

Mr Darren Fulcher – Library Coordinator
Mrs Maree French - Library Teacher Aide

PAYMENT DUE DATES

P&C NEWS Including Fundraising, Tuckshop & Uniform Updates

P&C NEWS

Currimundi Umbrellas

Pre order our incredible Currimundi State School Umbrellas!!
How awesome will it be to see our Currimundi community using these out and about!

The umbrella price is $23.00.
However, if you buy 2 or more, they are $20.00 each. 

We also offer optional labelling for $2.50 per umbrella.
The label is a Dymo label and we will use their family name. 

Orders via Munchmonitor, limited stock available so people should get in quick.
Once umbrellas arrive we will have them ready to collect via uniform shop.  

P&C Membership

If you can’t make it to our meetings but want to be involved,

Scan the QR code for quick access to a P&C Membership Application | Get involved1

OR

Visit our online membership form or email us at pandc@ss.eq.edu.au
To stay up to date with everything the P&C is currently involved in and upcoming events please follow the

P&C Fundraising News | We Thank you!

Welcome to Currimundi State School P&C fundraising 2024! 

We are looking forward to a year of bringing our community together, fun and excitement! and of course helping to raise money to assist our beautiful little school by the beach!

If you are interested in getting involved in fundraising this year whether it be helping to learn to run/plan events or volunteering at our various fundraisers throughout the year then please DO NOT hesitate to reach out to me (Bec).

Email fundraising@currimundiss.eq.edu.au or come along to our meetings.

The next meeting is Wednesday 31 January 2024 3:00pm in the Staffroom in the Administration Building.

Make sure you are following the P&C Facebook page to stay up to date with everything P&C related. 

First up this year will be our “Fill the Pantry” tuckshop appeal, so keep a look out for that in the coming weeks. 

We look forward to your continued support in 2024!

Cheers
Bec - P&C Fundraising Officer 

VOLUNTEERS | WE NEED YOU!

Come into our (air conditioned) friendly atmosphere and give us a hand getting the Curra kids fed.  It's super easy, with no training required.

There's morning shifts 8.45am-11.15am.

• food prep
• pack food into class boxes
• serve ice blocks, etc, from the window at 1st break.

There's a label shift anytime from 8.15am Monday - Thursday only half hour.  Fridays 1 hour.

• Stick the labels onto our brown Tuckshop bags.  

Even just 1 shift a term is a great help!

It’s a really fun environment to be in, meet new people and share in your school community

WAVE BREAK TUCKSHOP | FOOD NEWS

We have streamlined the Wavebreak Tuckshop menu to make it manageable on the days we don't have enough people power. 

We have a wide range of options for our Curra kids to choose from! 

Follow the Currimundi State School P&C Facebook page to find out how you can help. 

Here is some easy to follow tips for registering for Munch Monitor

WAVE BREAK UNIFORM NEWS

Uniform Shop Hours will now be back to normal - Monday and Wednesday afternoon 2:00pm – 3:00pm.  Online orders will be dropped into teacher’s pigeon holes during these times.

If you have any questions at all we are more than happy to meet for a chat simply email currimundi.ss.tuckshop@gmail.com or phone 07 5436 6828.

Big smiles,
Kate, Alice & Keirra

YMCA OSHC NEWS

Vacation care was jam packed these holidays with 4 weeks filled with fun activities! From Aussie World to the Kawana cinemas, and even to Kids World Adventure Park – or Chipmunks as the kids say its better known, we were not short of smiling faces. Before our little 2 weeks break over Christmas, we got to enjoy so many new experiences! We made ukuleles for island day where the staff prepared extra special smoothies, created a child-friendly sip and paint day completed with the most delicious charcuterie board, we pretended we were ninjas’ competing through the toughest of courses and had a Christmas Celebration. In the new year the children impressed staff with their advanced chess knowledge and the staff even shocked the children on Japan day when we hand-made sushi for afternoon tea – don’t get me wrong though, it was a definite challenge! To beat the rising heat that has seemed to catch up to us, we had a summer splash day where we got to play so many water-based games finishing with a massive slip and slide across the oval. Overall, it was a wonderful school holiday.

YMCA mission - To provide opportunities for children to grow in body, mind and spirit- underpinned by our values Honesty, Caring, Respect and Responsibility.

Sandra Parker | OSHC Coordinator
M 0436 618 872
E acm@ymcabrisbane.org
W http//www.ymcachildcare.org.au/oshc

DENTAL VAN

The closest facilities outside of School Dental Vans is the Dental Service on Caloundra State Schools site.

You may google Caloundra School Dental Service to book an appointment which will give you the closest location for you to attend.

You can book an appointment online. This is a service via www.healthdirect.gov.au  See the image below when you click on the Caloundra School Dental Service link above.

COMMUNITY NEWS

XSPORTS Registration for Term 1, 2024

Find A Frog

Click here for more information

Recruiting AIR FORCE Cadets

223 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets are recruiting NOW for 2024 Cadet intake.

If you’re turning 13yrs to 16yrs in 2024, you’re invited to join us, to see if the Australian Air Force Cadets is for you.

If you’re interested in joining the Team, please register your “expression of interest” on the following link:
223 Squadron - Caloundra | Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC)

Air Force Cadets are a youth development organisation aimed at developing:

• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Field knowledge
• Aviation
• Drill & Ceremonial
• Plus so much more

223 Squadron operates from the aviation precinct in Caloundra… with purpose-built facilities at 21 Pathfinder Drive, Caloundra.  Parade Nights are held every Monday (during school terms), from 6pm to 9pm.

If you have any queries, reach out via email on:
223SQN@airforcecadets.gov.au