Term 3 has started with a number of important events on the College calendar – Grandparents’ Day and Funfest.

Grandparents’ Day

Once again, we were blessed to have had so many of our grandparents share an amazing morning tea provided by our Hospitality Department, a concert showcasing some of the individual and group talent including our primary choirs and then visits to the classroom. Grandparents’ Day is so important to our students as they love showing what they have done in class and simply enjoying having their special guests become a part of their educational journey. The feedback from our grandparents is so encouraging and many expressed how much they enjoyed the day.

We are very aware that we have outgrown the church as a venue and are making some exciting plans for our 2017 Grandparents’ Day which will allow more space for our ever increasing number of guests.

Funfest

Funfest was a great success and wouldn’t have been possible without all of you. Every class stall I visited was so impressive and it was very obvious how much work had been done by so many families.

The performances were a real credit to all concerned and I know that without your parental support bringing the students to events like Funfest, the performances would not be as successful as they are. Band, choir or dance performances are impacted greatly if one performer is absent, so thank you so much for going the extra mile and allowing your children to be a part of these groups.

Concerns with Children – other than your own

From time to time there may be an issue between children at school and parents sometimes feel that they can sort it out by speaking to the other child involved. Schools are very clear on matters like this. Parents must report any issue like this to the teacher and let the school handle the problem. Under no circumstances can parents become involved in disagreements between their child and another child. This is the responsibility of the class teacher and he/she will investigate and take the appropriate action if warranted.

Cyber Safety

Dr Robi Sonderegger, a well-known speaker on this subject will be presenting an evening on Cyber Safety on Tuesday 9 August at Coolum Christian College. Parents often share that they feel unprepared to help their children navigate this new world of computers – particularly in their homes. I can assure you that you will not regret taking the time to attend this evening on Cyber Safety. You will be empowered to make decisions for your family in regards to internet safety. For more information, please click here.

Class Lists

Class Lists for 2017 will be prepared very early in Term 4. At the end of Term 3 we will give all students the opportunity to write down THREE of their friends – ONE of whom will be in the same class as them next year. We can only promise ONE as determining class lists for the following year is a very complicated process and teachers in year levels spend many hours discussing the combination of students for each group as they move into the next year. We feel it is important for students to have a friend in their new class, but because of the complexity of the process, we ask for 3 names to consider so there is some flexibility. It is important that they begin considering these names well before the end of the term and that they choose students they trust in the long run to continue to be their friend.

A letter will be emailed within the next two weeks to fully explain the process. This will be a very important email and the subject line will be “CLASS LISTS FOR 2017” so please keep an eye out for it and read it carefully.

Parent/Teacher Meetings

In the last week of Term 3 we will be having Parent/Teacher meetings and Student Led conferences for Semester 2. We have decided to trial these in the library for Semester 2 and will make a decision regarding the preferred venue for 2017.

Cheryl Bryers, Head of Primary