Coombabah State School
Coombabah State School is a P-6 state primary school located in Coombabah, Queensland, Australia. It serves the suburbs of Hope Island, Paradise Point, Hollywell, Runaway Bay and Coombabah. The school, which was established in 1981, had 706 students as of May 2014.[1]
Coombabah State School | |
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Location | |
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Information | |
Type | State primary school |
Motto | Strive To Achieve |
Established | 1981 |
Principal | Murray Gleadhill |
Enrolment | ~700 |
Campus | Oxley Drive |
Website | Official site |
History
The school was built in 1981 to service the growing population in the area north of Biggera Waters. Classes began at the start of 1981 and were held at Biggera Waters Primary School until the present facilities were constructed. A few months later, Coombabah State relocated to the current school grounds. Coombabah State School was officially opened by Ivan Gibbs on 14 November 1981.[2]
Truancy has been identified as a problem for Gold Coast schools with typically 150 students at Coombabah State being absent each day in August 2009.[3]
Faculty
The current principal of Coombabah State School is Murray Gleadhill. Oast principals include Dennis Howard 1981-1989, Robin Ramsbotham 1990-1995, Dianne Rankin 1996-2004 and John Hockings 2005 to 20013.
Approximately 12% of the general component of the school budget was allocated to professional development in 2005. From 2005 staff have had individual development plans to help address their in-service needs.
Features of the curriculum
- Instrumental music program and a number of performing groups including Band, String Orchestra, Beginner's Strings, and Junior and Senior Choirs.[4] At the 2005 Gold Coast Eisteddfod each of the groups that the school entered were placed, winning four places and a highly commended.[5]
- Japanese culture and language studies in years 6-7.[6]
- Advanced Learning Technology program including use of the Internet. The school was an early innovator in the use of classroom computers, including Logo and laptops.[7]
- The school has two time capsules.
- Integrated studies, comprising society and environment, science, technology, and the arts are taught in all classes throughout the school and are structured around real life learning.[8]
Demographics
The families of the students come from a wide socio-economic range. Almost 65% of parents are in trades, labouring work and home duties. The parents in professions account for approximately 9%.
Sports
Controversy was caused in October 2008 when the school was criticised by Queensland Sports Minister Judy Spence for banning year 7 students from playing football, of all codes, during lunch-time, because it was regarded as "too rough".
Notable alumni
- Scott Sattler, Rugby league player and manager.[9]
References
Notes
- Archived 29 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Coombabah State Primary School, accessed 27 June 2015
- "History of Our School" Archived 2008-01-30 at the Wayback Machine, Coombabah State School, accessed 23 December 2007
- "Round up those truants", Robyn Wuth, Gold Coast News, 29 August 2009.
- "Curriculum: Specialist Programs: Music". Coombabah State School. Archived from the original on 28 August 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2007.
- "All win a place this time", Gold Coast Sun, 7 September 2005
- "Curriculum" Archived 2008-01-18 at the Wayback Machine, Coombabah State School, accessed 23 December 2007
- "Girls and Technology – Overcoming Myths and Malpractice", Gary S. Stager at Pepperdine University, May 2002
- "Curriculum: KLAs: Integrated studies". Coombabah State School. Archived from the original on 28 August 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2007.
- Jones, Katrina. "Footy hero heads back to school Scott Sattler tells Coombabah students the ball's in their court", The Gold Coast Bulletin, May 19, 2005. Accessed December 22, 2007.