TROY ASCOTT – COOLUM STATE HIGH SCHOOL
22nd May, 2024
A GOOD education is just so important, don’t you think? There has been so much research done into the benefits of a good education and, really, is there anything more important that we can do than to become as well educated as we possibly can?
Education opens doors; it allows us to see the world through a range of different lenses; we can learn a foreign language or to code a computer; we can learn architecture and engineering and how to build great things; we can learn about our history and why things are the way they are; we can learn about politics, philosophy and religion; or we can just do some Maths. We know that, when we look at it through a large-scale lens, education makes us wealthier and healthier. We know that it is not the type of education that matters, but the number of years in education that matters.
In Coolum, what’s so important is that we can access a great education in our community. Education is important to everyone and no one more so than the young people around us each day. A good education should be for everyone – one that inspires and challenges and meets students where they’re at. An education that leads to open doors of opportunity and educates students to access the post-school destinations that are available to them.
At Coolum High, we work each day to provide a great education. It’s a big challenge, and it isn’t always easy, but we do keep striving and we have so many graduates now that we’re so proud of. Some of them even come back and teach in the school and it’s like they’ve never left. Most of all, we believe that education makes a difference and forms the cornerstone of people’s futures. That’s why it’s so important that we all stay behind our kids and keep supporting them in every way possible. After all, they are the future!
8th May, 2024
SURELY, one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the gift of music. Music really is the essence of life and to be able to make music must be very special.
Every great school I’ve seen has a great music program. A great music program seems to sit at the heart of a great school. Perhaps it provides the rhythms and the beats and the sounds for the school and sets a tone that others follow.
Coolum State High has an amazing music program – one that, these days, spans a wide range of styles and offers an opportunity for anyone who wants it. From the massive and impressive wind symphony to the growing and effervescent strings program, that has now coalesced into a full symphony orchestra, we have the most impressive classical music program.
Our students also excel in popular music, vocal ensembles, rock music and a wide variety of other styles. Our latest building, Gagal Gira, is purpose-built for music with four full-sized music classrooms, six rehearsal studios and an instrument storage area. It has to be one of Queensland’s most impressive spaces built solely to hot-house the musical talents of high school students.
When you add our growing and impressive dance program to the mix, Coolum High has become an artistic powerhouse. There is no doubt that music sets the tone for a school and that Coolum High’s music program sets us apart. Wait until you hear them – I know you’ll be impressed!
31st January, 2024
Well, we are off and racing at Coolum State High School. This year, for the first time in our history, we have crossed over 1500 students as we continue to show steady growth within a difficult market for students on the Sunshine Coast as our demographics have changed very quickly. This means that we have more talented students in our school than ever before!
I am impressed by all our students and, within that, I am especially impressed by this year’s school captains – Chilli Lloyd and Bronte Strahan. While last year Chilli was captain of the victorious Coolum Colts Under 16 rugby league team, Bronte was making her mark as a highly accomplished and very talented dancer. Added to this, both Chilli and Bronte are very capable students academically, epitomising what it means to be a well-rounded, thoughtful and ambitious student of Coolum State High.
Followers of our Facebook page would know that Jessnee Ng, who received Queensland’s perfect ATAR score of 99.95, has subsequently received the ‘Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship’ at the University of Queensland. Meanwhile, Dane Zilian who achieved a remarkable ATAR score of 99.75, has received multiple scholarships, including the University of Queensland ‘Excellence Scholarship,’ to the value of $42 000. Students like Jessnee and Dane are powerful role models for this year’s students as they strive to reach their personal best.
Coolum State High School’s student leaders have named this as ‘The Year to Shine.’ With powerful role models, ultra-impressive brand-new buildings and facilities, a strong co-curricular program and award-winning teachers I have no doubt that this will be a year to shine for all of our students. This begins with our swimming carnival to be held this Friday. Everything is in motion as we begin what will be a great 2024!