CSDE Weekly eNewsletter, Week 1, 21 April 2023

CSDE School Values

Mission: Supporting every student to reach their highest potential

Principal's Pen

As we begin Term 2 of the school year, the hope is that all of our families had a relaxing and enjoyable break and are now refreshed to continue on this  journey of education, growth, and development.

At the core of our teaching practices is our committment to support every student to reach their highest potential and to ensure that all decision making is guided by a student first lens.  Once again we will be focussing on our values of positive relationships, respect, integrity, accountability, and resilience. We believe that these values play a significant role in shaping a child's character and abilities. It is our goal to instill these values in every student who passes through our doors.

Positive relationships are key to building a successful educational community. Our teachers work tirelessly to build connections with their students. They seek to understand each child's strengths and weaknesses, and tailor their teaching practices to ensure that every student is given the best opportunity to succeed. By building positive relationships, our teachers create a safe and supportive learning environment that fosters student engagement and learning.

I would like to congratulate the following students for being awarded Positive Relationship Value Awards for Term One.

• John Lamb
• Harrison Lawrence
• Talon Leeman
• Alexander Pedersen

Respect is another core value that we uphold. We believe that it is important to respect one another regardless of differences in culture, beliefs, or opinions. Our students are encouraged to show respect to their teachers, peers, and other members of the school community. By instilling respect, we create a culture of acceptance, understanding, and inclusivity.

Integrity is a vital component of our teaching practices and an essential quality that every student and staff member should possess. Our teachers strive to model integrity in their actions and words, and encourage students to do the same. We believe that by teaching integrity, we prepare our students to become ethical and responsible citizens.

Accountability is another value that we promote and encourage. Our students are taught to take responsibility for their actions and decisions. We believe that accountability is essential in helping students develop into responsible adults. Our teachers work with students to set realistic goals and hold them accountable for their progress.

Finally, resilience is a value that is deeply embedded in our teaching practices. We believe that it is essential to teach our students how to persevere through challenges and setbacks. Our teachers help students develop the resilience they need to succeed in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, as we begin this new term, we would like to remind all families that we are committed to creating a positive learning environment that upholds these values and that as a school we will continue to work together with the school community to ensure an inclusive and supportive educational setting is provided for all. We look forward to working with all students and families to ensure a successful and fulfilling Term Two.

Value Award - Positive Relationships

CSDE would like to officially recognise the efforts of four students who have pursued and modelled the school value; Positive Relationships. These students have been active participants on the CSDE Secondary Student Council Working Group. 

They have worked tirelessly, committing to ensure that the council has run smoothly and effectively with a student first approach. Together they continue to work to make our school a more inclusive and welcoming place and bringing together students from diverse backgrounds to work towards common goals.

Their efforts make a positive difference in the school community and are an inspiration to their peers.

These students have dedicated their own time to online meetings before the school day, they have reviewed external documentation as well as drafted models, provided thoughtful student-forward advice and feedback through a multitude of emails and have all either agreed to the direct appointments to the Council or are going to run for their Year Level Rep positions.

These students are:

• John Lamb
• Harrison Lawrence
• Talon Leeman
• Alexander Pedersen

  
  

CapSDE online ANZAC Day Ceremony - Whole School Cohort

All students and staff are expected to attend the Whole School ANZAC Day Ceremony that will be held on Wednesday 24th April at 2:30pm.

This will be held via QLearn in the Whole School Cohort.

Primary School Captains (Owen Lindley, Libby McDonald, Hayley McIntyre, & Declan Meikle) will be presenting.

ANZAC Day - Rockhampton & Emerald

Capricornia School of Distance Education would like to invite you to join with us as we remember those that paid the ultimate sacrifice this ANZAC Day, 25th April.

If you would like to show your appreciation and attend any of the events, please indicate your intention in the form. 

We would love to see as many CSDE students attend as possible.

See below information letters to parents with details of each event.

If you are unable to travel to Rockhampton or Emerald to participate in activities, we would still love for you to represent CSDE at events in your local area and send through photos of your CSDE students in their school uniform. 

New and Improved Szapp - Faster, smarter and more reliable

There is a new version of SZapp available for Android and IOS Devices. Please ensure that you have updated to this version to assure you receive communications from the school.

If you are using an Android Device, you will need to uninstall the old app and install the new version.

IOS Devices (iPhones) will be able to update without requiring a re-install.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we are confident that the improvements in the new version will make it worth it.

An online guide on how to install and register/login to SZapp is available on the Schoolzine Website here:

Click here to view the Installation Instructions

Please note that CSDE has the added security of a passcode. You will be required to enter 3613 when asked. 

If you experience any difficulties with completing this process, please reach out to Schoolzine using support@schoolzine.com. To assist with your query, they ask that you provide a description of the issue you are facing, the email address you are using when facing this issue and a screenshot of the issue.

Improvements

We know how important it is to have a communication tool that works reliably, and we have made sure that SZapp now meets the highest standards of reliability.

Additionally, the new version provides improved speed and performance, which means you can now access your school's communication channels and updates faster than ever before. We have also made sure that SZapp is now more compatible with a wide range of devices.

Finally, we have added even more security protocols to SZapp. Your data and personal information are now even more protected, giving you peace of mind when using SZapp.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Primary Parent Teacher Interviews will be held in Week Four 8th  - 12th May

The link for these bookings will be available next week.

Secondary Parent Teacher Interviews Tuesday 2nd May - Friday 5th May

Capricornia School of Distance Education would like to offer parents the opportunity to discuss their child’s educational performance with their child’s teacher(s).

Schoolzine Booking Instructions below

1. Click on the ‘Parent Teacher Interview Tile in the Szapp or
2. CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR BOOKING
3. Have your phone available at the interview time, as the teacher will be calling you via phone.

 The link for parent instructions - CLICK HERE FOR PARENT INSTRUCTIONS

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school on 4931 4800.

Purpose:

Parent-teacher interviews give you the opportunity to:

• learn more about your child’s academic, emotional and social development
• meet and get to know your child’s teacher
• help you understand more about your child
• discuss how you can support your child in the classroom
• build a relationship with the teacher as a partner in learning

If the hours in which you as a Home Tutor are supervising your student are not suitable, or if there are no more available booking spots left for your preferred time, please contact your child’s teacher via email to organise an alternative time.

The ‘Staff Contact Lists’ are available in the Primary, Secondary and Whole School Cohorts in QLearn. (Look for the button below)

What's been happening in Primary?...

Prep Vision Screening - Rockhampton

Rockhampton Campus commencing on Tuesday 14^th May 2023.

Visit by Registered Nurse for Free Prep Vision Screening

Good vision is important for a child’s educational, physical and social development. Vision screening checks for common eye conditions that may impact your child’s ability to see and therefore impact their learning and development.

A Registered Nurse will be visiting the school on/between 14^th May 2024 (CSDE Rocky campus) . to conduct vision screening for children in their prep year. Your child does not need a Medicare card in order to participate in screening.  If you wish to have your prep child participate in this free vision screening program, please complete a consent form by 10th May 2024.   Online or paper consent forms are available and will be distributed to you. Parents do not need to be present for screening, however if you would like to be, please contact the school to arrange this.

If your child’s vision is screened, you will be advised of the results in writing. If a vision concern is found, you will receive a phone call from the nurse to discuss referral to an eye health professional for further assessment. If a vision concern is identified and your child requires glasses, eligible health care card holders may be assisted with free basic glasses through the Spectacle Supply Scheme.

Participation in vision screening is not compulsory. If you do not wish for your child to participate in screening, please complete the consent form and indicate that you wish to decline screening.

If you have any questions, please contact the Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program on 1800 687 372.

Scholastic Book Club - Issue 1 Out Now!

Book Club provides families with an affordable and convenient way to access the best in Australian and international children's literature. As well as bridging the important class-to-home reading gap, Book Club also benefits Australian schools—for every Book Club order placed, Scholastic gives back 15% of the order spend to schools to spend on valuable educational resources via its Scholastic Rewards program.

Year 3 Essential English Home Tutor Session - Monday 8th May, 2:05pm

Primary Emerald

Teach Like A Champion Home Tutor Workshop - Emerald

CSDE Emerald is very excited to announce that we will be offering the Teach Like a Champion program to our Home Tutors during Term 2 Mini-school. 

Thursday 18^th May – 8:30 - 2:15pm

All attendees MUST rsvp, by Wednesday 26 April. 

CLICK HERE TO RSVP YOUR REGISTRATION TO THIS WORKSHOP

Only those that RSVP will be able to attend as there are pre-requisites that must be completed before the workshop. All information has also been emailed to all families.

ICPA Sports Camp Information

Registrations will open next term during Week 2 on Monday 24 April at 6:00am and close on Sunday 7 May at 10:00pm or sooner if the maximum number of registrations have been received. If families have any queries they can email clermonticpasportscamp@gmail.com

Secondary Scoop

Premier's Coding Challenge

Hello to all former and current Premier’s Coding Challenge entrants,

Welcome back to school for Term 2. I hope you all had a fun Easter break.

Did you know that the 2023 Premier’s Coding Challenge has started?

Over the past 6 years more than 1000 students have entered the Challenge and $60000 worth of coding and robotics kits have been won. In 2023 our theme is digital innovation. Students in Years 3 to 10 can create an app, game or website to create change in their local community or beyond.

To find out more information please visit the Premier’s Coding Challenge website.
If you have any questions, please contact coding.competition@qed.qld.gov.au.

Kind regards

Premier's Coding Challenge Team

White Card Construction Course

On Monday 15^th May, students in Years 10, 11 & 12 are invited to White Card Construction training as part of the our Term 2 Mini-school program.

The aims of the course are:

1. Study unit of competency CPCWHS1001 which covers identifying and orally reporting common construction hazards, understanding basic risk control measures, and identifying procedures for responding to potential incidents and emergencies. It also covers correctly selecting and fitting common personal protective equipment (PPE) used for construction work.
2. For students to achieve the White Card qualification which is a requirement for anyone who wants to work in the construction industry. Once the course has been completed and you are deemed competent you will be provided with the Statement of Attainment and issued your Construction ‘White Card’.

Activity details:

• Monday 15^th May
• 30am – 2.30pm
• SDS Training – Cnr Johnson & McLaughlin Street, Parkhurst, Rockhampton 4700
• Private transport to venue
• Numbers are limited
• RSVP by Friday 28^th April

Equipment required for this activity

School uniform to be worn, sunscreen, hat, packed morning tea and lunch with coolers, water bottle and writing stationary.

For further information about the excursion, please contact Jodie Benfer, HoD Senior Schooling & VET on 4931 4839 / jbenf8@eq.edu.au

Capricorn Mega Careers Expo 2023

On Thursday 18^th May, students in Years 10, 11 & 12 are invited to attend the Capricorn MEGA Careers Expo as part of the our Term 2 Mini-school program. This event is free for all our students and students will be transported via bus to and from Conference on North to the University Campus.

The aims of the course are:

1. Provide opportunities for students to engage with a range of industry organisations and
2. Explore future training and career opportunities
3. Discuss pathway opportunities with industry and tertiary education institutions

Please ensure that you have completed and returned the permission form with your RSVP via the link below. RSVP is essential to inform numbers for the size of the bus required.

Guidance 'Go-2'

Bullying. No way! 

Bullying prevention can start in the early childhood years through the helpful guidance of parents and educators.  

You don’t need to use the word ‘bullying’ to begin to teach young children a wide range of skills that will prevent bullying.  

Emotional literacy is the ability to understand, express and manage individual emotions as well as the ability to understand and respond to the emotions of others. These skills are a central part of a child’s social development and provide a foundation for positive personal

Learn with Allen - The Allen Adventure 

The Allen Adventure is a comprehensive suite of resources designed to foster emotional literacy, prosocial behaviours, and respectful relationships between children. 

The Allen Adventure app tells the story of Allen, a young alien visiting Earth where he learns that getting along with others isn't always easy. 
 

Through the interactive and engaging app, young children learn social and emotional skills, how to make friends and get along with others. The free app is available on all Apple and Android   devices including mobile phones. 

The supporting early childhood to Year 2 resources, available below, also offer extension activities for The Allen Adventure. 

To help young children start their safe online journey, the Allen learns about technology poster (PDF, 274KB) introduces 5 rules about sharing devices (MP4, 8.3MB), appropriate device usage and safe online behaviour. Print and display the poster in your classroom or home. 

Cultural Snapshot

Acknowledgement of Country for CSDE Rockhampton Campus

One of our school-based enrolment students here at CSDE, asked for an acknowledgement of country to be included in their lessons, so that prompted the creation of this file. 

It contains the wording that was settled on for CSDE Rockhampton Campus to use, after discussions with Darumbal Enterprises earlier this year.  The words are set on a background photo of Rockhampton that Nathan White local artist, has generously agreed to allow us to use for this purpose.  

Keep your eyes open, you might see if popping up in your lessons.   

Community Announcements and Opportunities...

Emerald Campus CQU Careers Expo

Fire Safety knowledge that could save a life

Sports Person of the year award 2023

CSDE annually acknowledges the sporting achievements of a Primary and Secondary Student, who has excelled throughout the year at the end of year awards.

The presentation of the Sports Person of the Year Award goes to the student who has accumulated the most amount of points throughout the year in their various sporting achievements. 

Parents are asked to advise the school throughout the year of the sporting achievements by completing this online form. Scores are based on events, the level of the event (district, regional, state, national etc) and the students placing within those events. You will need to complete the form for each individual acheivement. Do not place all acheivements on the one form.

At the end of the year, points are collated, and the winner announced.

Information to note: 
* School sports are what counts for CSDE Sportsperson of the year.  Students are recognised for their achievement in other non-school fields; however, these achievements are not part of the accumulation of points towards the CSDE Sportsperson of the year. 

* You should list the highest level that your student has represented in that sport, noting that the points are only entered if the student represented, and not if they were selected and did not attend. 

*  Unfortunately, camp-drafting, is not a recognised school sport and so would not apply for Sportsperson of the year.

Soil Week Australia

Soil Week Australia is running its very successful Healthy Soil Competition again in 2023. We have two categories for students.

Register Here 

Primary School students–  The topic is “Wonderful Worms” 

Entries can be in any digital format. This might mean producing a video, making a magazine, drawing a picture, recording a speech, writing a play, painting a mural, designing a video game, writing a book review, or painting a mural. You just need to be able to send it to us, (or a link to it) in an email.

Students and schools can submit an individual student entry, a group entry or a class entry.

Homeschool students are encouraged to submit entries

Prizes are

Individual or small group  Best entry – Prep to G2  $100 voucher

Individual or small group Best entry-  G3 to G6  $100 voucher

School group or class Best entry prep to G2 $500 voucher

School group or class Best entry  G3 to G6 $500 voucher

PLUS many vouchers for $100 and $50 for excellent and innovative entries.

There are over $7000 of prizes to be distributed.

In 2022 Soil Week Australia gave out over $ 7000 in prizes to schools and students across Australia. (See below)

Register for the competition here

Once you have registered, please download a Competition Information Sheet for Primary students – below

Competition Information Sheet for Primary Students

Please note the entries must be submitted Friday 15th September 2023

We welcome your feedback