Did you know that your child’s best learning time is at the start of the school day? What sort of start is your child getting each day? Just a little bit late may not seem too serious, but even if

For learners to maximise their opportunity to learn each lesson, each day, they must be present and engaged for the entire school day. At Foxwell SSC, we have carefully structured our learning design plans and routines to ensure that students can learn based on the most current and evidenced research. However, none of these intentions or measures are effective if students are not arriving to school on time and remaining in class for the duration of the school day. 

We acknowledge that there are times when arriving late or departing early is due to extenuating circumstances and, typically, the parent/carer has contacted the College to request that the absence is approved. For example, the student needs to attend a specialist appointment for which there was no available time outside of school hours or is travelling to a college-approved activity. However, from our data, we know that most often, late arrivals to school are occurring for no valid reason. For example, students often provide the excuse of “slept in” or “couldn’t find my uniform/hat/iPad/shoes”. These excuses reflect other issues, such as a lack of organisation, and are generally not approved reasons for arriving late. As per the Foxwell SSC Student Code of Conduct (see excerpt from p 64 below), parents/carers are required to contact the College, either via a note or email or phone call, to explain the late arrival. Not only does this allow for an approval to occur, it also ensures that the student’s safety has not been compromised as the parent/carer is aware that their child was not at school. For example, the parent has brought their child to school late after an appointment and has provided a note of explanation (approved and safe) in comparison to the child presenting to the office as late, without a note (unapproved and potentially unsafe as the student could have detoured on the way to school).

Please remember your children’s safety and access to learning to achieve personal success are key priorities for our community. By ensuring that your child is at school for every minute of every day, you are supporting them and us in meeting these priorities. If you are concerned that your child is experiencing issues which are impacting their attendance, please contact the Head of Year so that we can work together in supporting your child and family.

Tips for Parents, Carers and Students to Support Being at School for Every Minute, Every Day:

From the Foxwell SSC Student Code of Conduct:

Gold Coast Public Health Unit is providing free vaccinations for all Year 7 students as part of Queensland Health’s annual School Immunisation Program. All Year 7 students are being offered free vaccinations as recommended on the National Immunisation Program to protect against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Year 7 students will be offered human papillomavirus (HPV) and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination.

The Public Health Act 2005 authorises school principals to disclose student and parent information to Gold Coast Health, the school immunisation provider, so it can follow up with the parents/legal guardians of students who do not return a consent form.

If you do not submit an immunisation form, you may be contacted by the Gold Coast Public Health immunisation team to check that you have been offered the opportunity for your child to participate in the free program.

On the 23rd March, 2021, you should have received an email from admin.immunisegc@health.qld.gov.au. If you haven’t received this email you can email the above address, phone 1800 940750 or collect a paper consent pack from the College Administration Office. You will need to complete a consent form even if you do not wish to have your child vaccinated.

Please read the information included carefully, and complete and submit the online consent form to advise if you do or do not wish your child to be vaccinated at school. Alternatively, there are a small number of paper consent packs available from the College Administration Office. These will need to be returned to the school.

The immunisations will be conducted by a team of experienced registered immunisation program nurses. Parents/legal guardian/authorised persons are encouraged to ensure their children have breakfast on the morning of vaccination.

For more information about diseases, vaccines or the School Immunisation Program, visit https://www.goldcoast.health.qld.gov.au/our-services/immunisation or phone 1800 940 750.

Gold Coast Swimming Championships

Another amazing sporting achievement for one of our Sporting Minds students over the weekend!

Montana Atkinson competed in 8 events over 2 days at the Gold Coast Championships and took away 1 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze medals.

Montana also had the opportunity to compete against Australian Paralympic swimmer Madeleine McTernan and met 2 times Olympic swimmer, James Roberts.

This was an excellent performance by Montana as she moves into the final stages of her training before competing at the Queensland School Sport Swimming State Championships next week. 

An excellent performance by Jacob Inglis at the Championships has seen him also head to the Queensland School Sport Swimming State Championships next week.

KDV Sports Junior Clay Championships 

The Junior Clay Championships were held at KDV over the past 2 weekends. Well done to Scarlett Smeltz, one of our Sporting Minds students in Year 7, for taking out the 12/U Doubles with her partner; another great achievement for one of our Foxwell students.

Queensland Athletics Championships at QSAC

Over the past weekend, two Sporting Minds students from Foxwell SSC competed at the Queensland Athletics Championships. Ashton Lowe competed for the first time and had an amazing run in the U14 200m final, placing 5th with a personal best of 28.81s.

Bailey Teasel competed in the U14 3 kilometre race walk. Bailey came away with 1^st place, enabling him to qualify for nationals to be held in Sydney during the school holidays.

Well done to both athletes on their achievements.

Australian Secondary Schools Sailing Championships

Good luck to our Year 7 Sporting Minds student Addison Newlan.

Addison has nominated for the School Sailing Championships which are being held during the upcoming school holidays.

Foxwell is proud of you and wishes you all the best.

Extra-curricular AFL

Extra-curricular AFL will be commencing in Week 10 of this term and continuing throughout Term 2.

This program is open to all interested students (prior experience is not necessary) and will take place on a Monday afternoon from 3:30-4:30pm at school.

We are proud that this extra-curricular program can be offered free of cost, courtesy of our ongoing relationship with the Gold Coast Suns. 

Please see Mr Taylor in the staffroom for a letter if you are interested in participating.

Broadwater Sport Trials

UPCOMING TRIALS:

Nominations Due Week 10 Tuesday 30th March

SP​​​​​​​ORT	AGE	GENDER
Soccer	10-12 years	Boy and Girl

Nominations Due TERM 2 Week 1 Tuesday 20th April

SPORT	AGE	GENDER
Rugby Union	14&15 years	Boy
Touch Football	10-12 years	Boy and Girl

Students interested in trialling for Broadwater District representation need to see Mr Taylor in the staffroom at lunchtimes or email their interest to trial to stayl328@eq.edu.au  

Finally, if your child has achieved in their chosen sport/s outside of school activities, could you please let me know so that we can celebrate your child’s success. My email is stayl328@eq.edu.au

Thank you, Mr Taylor 

Any students interested in learning a new instrument or who have experience and would like to join band, please come and see Mrs McLennan in the Staff Centre.

We have a range of fantastic instruments to choose from such as trumpets, alto saxophones, bass guitars and clarinets.

Any level of experience is fine – we just looking for students who are passionate about music.

If you would like further information please email Mrs McLennan: cmcle209@eq.edu.au