September 2025
Principal's Report
Upper Primary Refurbishment Update
We are excited to share that our building refurbishment is progressing well. The project is on schedule, with recent works including classroom upgrades, layout, flooring, painting, and significantly improved learning spaces. These improvements will provide our learners with brighter, more modern spaces to learn and play. We thank our school community for their patience and support while work is underway.
We look forward to sharing the finished results with you and celebrating the new facilities once the project is complete in early term four.
New Learner Report Format
This year, we have been working hard to develop a new report that reflects our school-wide learning approach. We are aiming to introduce the new format for the term four reports. The updated layout is designed to give families clearer information about learning progress, strengths, and areas for growth linked to the curriculum and our site learning plan targets of Oracy, Approaches to Learning, and Enquiry/Collaboration. Reports will also include next steps to help support each child's learning journey.
Our goal is to make reports more informative and easier to read, while celebrating the effort and achievements of our learners. Therefore, the reports we provide this term will be in grade-only format to allow teachers time to adjust and be ready to launch the new format.
Sports Day
On behalf of the staff and community, I thank Chad Ko for his leadership of the Sports Day in August. Taking responsibility for such a public event after decades of unbroken staffing at the school was a big ask. The day was a great success, with learners showing teamwork, effort, and lots of smiles! A big thank you to our staff and parent volunteers who helped on the day, and everyone who came along to cheer. Your support made the day extra special for our students. Also, we would like to thank those staff, volunteers, and caregivers who provided much-valued feedback.
NAPLAN 2025
We are so proud of our learners' progress in this year's NAPLAN results. Beyond the numbers, the growth reflects the hard work of our learners, the dedication of our teachers, and the support of families at home.
Seeing so many young people building confidence as learners, improving their skills, and celebrating their achievements is wonderful. Congratulations to all our learners for their effort and perseverance — we are very proud of you!
Surplus Equipment Tender
The school has identified several surplus items, including machinery, scaffolding, etc., that are surplus to our current requirements.
These items will be made available through a tender process aligning with our standard guidelines. Community members interested in purchasing surplus equipment will be invited to submit an expression of interest, and we ask that you share the information with your networks.
We will publish details about available items, tender conditions, and submission procedures in a special newsletter next week and add information to our school website.
We thank our community for supporting sustainable practices by giving this equipment a new home.
State Theatre Company
On Tuesday the 5th of August, the State Theatre Company came to Quorn Area School and presented a drama workshop for the year 7 – 10 students. Andrew, Brittany and Grace talked to students about their jobs and the various post-school options available to those who are interested in the dramatic arts. They then ran a range of drama warm-ups and games for students, including movement activities and freeze-frames or tableaus. It was great to see the majority of students participate actively in the workshop and learn some new skills. We would like to say a big thank you to the State Theatre Company for including us in their country tour and for presenting such an engaging and interesting workshop.
Miss Evans.
Whyalla Excursion - Looking for Alibrandi
On Wednesday, the 3rd of September, our Year 9–12 students travelled to Whyalla to experience the stage production of Looking for Alibrandi. This much-loved Australian story, adapted from Melina Marchetta’s award-winning novel, follows Josie Alibrandi as she navigates family expectations, cultural identity, friendships, and the challenges of growing up.
The play gave our students a chance to see themes of identity, belonging, and resilience brought to life on stage. Students enjoyed the opportunity to experience a live theatre production and compare it to the film version.
Excursions like this help our students connect classroom learning with real-world experiences, while also encouraging a love of literature and the arts. We would like to say a big thank you to Ms Munchenberg and Ms Evans who organised the day, and to our students for representing our school with such enthusiasm.
Learner comments:
Mia – I enjoyed seeing the actors break the fourth wall and directly address the audience on the multiple occasions.
Elise – The play was really good and I enjoyed seeing the actors represent the characters accurately.
Bronte – I liked that everyone played their role perfectly. I liked the different types of colours of the spot light and I liked how they perfectly timed the spot lights onto the character throughout the play. I didn’t like when Josie on the stage in just her underwear several times throughout the play. I didn’t really like when we had to sit down for two hours because it was kind of uncomfortable and sometimes the music was kind of too loud for my ear drums.
Noah – I liked how the show changed several things compared to the movie.
Remiel – It was nice to see a diverse cast.
Ebonie – I got to spend the whole day out of school and with Miss Evans, so that was nice.
Codey – The play was okay and very intense at times but sitting down for two hours was uncomfortable.
Sam – At the play on Wednesday, I really liked the seats in the theatre because they were very comfortable.
Katelyn – I liked the fact that there were a diverse cast and a lot of inclusion and the way that they produced the play was over all really good.
Primary School
Foundation – HASS, Science and Design and Technology
In HASS, learners have been exploring their identity by sharing activities they enjoy and building their confidence to try new or challenging things. They have also been practising thinking skills, like using different types of thinking (yellow and black hat thinking) to understand problems in new ways. They also enjoyed activities like laughter yoga and finding humour. In addition, learners have been immersed in sustainability, reflecting on ways to care for and look after different places within their community.
In Science and Design and Technology, learners have explored their environment through discovery walks around the school grounds. They have been investigating how materials can be used differently, such as designing something that might help an animal. Learners have also started making predictions in simple experiments and practising thinking habits, such as remaining open to continuous learning and responding with wonder and awe.
Literacy 4
In Literacy, learners have been building their reading, writing, spelling, and speaking skills through Big Write, VCOP, and daily spelling activities. They have planned, drafted, and published imaginative stories/poems and informative texts, while also learning how to edit and improve their work using Breakdown Buddies and peer feedback. Through Big Talk lessons, learners have grown more confident in sharing their ideas aloud and developing important speaking and listening skills. This focus is helping them become creative, expressive, and confident communicators.
Numeracy 4
In Numeracy, learners use the Numicon program to strengthen their number knowledge and problem-solving skills. They have also been exploring how addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are connected and have practised different strategies to solve larger problems. They especially enjoyed creating and exploring symmetrical patterns, noticing how shapes and designs can be the same on both sides. Working with hands-on materials and in teams/pairs has helped learners confidently explain their ideas.
Year 1/2 - Health
In Health, learners have been exploring their right to feel safe and how to stay safe in different situations. They have been learning to recognise safe and unsafe environments, notice early warning signs, and practise strategies for seeking help. Through guided discussions, stories, role-play, and reflection, learners have been developing an understanding of personal space, body boundaries, and respectful behaviour. They also identify trusted adults and networks they can turn to when they need support.
Interstate excursion 2026
Quorn Area School is currently exploring the idea of a camp to Canberra in 2026 for our year 6 – 10 students. At this stage, we are considering the possibility of a camp that would give students the opportunity to visit significant national sites such as Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, Questacon, the Australian Institute of Sports and more. This experience would support learning across Civics and Citizenship, History, and Science, while also helping students develop independence and teamwork. We invited you to come along to an Information Evening, which will be held on:
Date: Monday, October 20, 2025 – week two, term four
Time: 6 pm
Location: Quorn Area School – Upper primary block
During the session, we will share:
- A proposed itinerary
- Estimated costs
- Travel and accommodation options
- Fundraising ideas
- Opportunities for parent involvement
This meeting is a chance for you to ask questions, share thoughts, and help us decide whether to move forward with planning the camp, and a chance for us to gauge the level of interest in such a trip. We would also like to form a fundraising committee to support lowering the overall cost of a camp.
This will also offer caregivers the opportunity to see our new Y7 teaching space, as our current Y6 learners will be the first group to transition to a straight Y7 group. We believe this will offer them additional support and an enhanced opportunity to thrive as they embark on the high school journey.
We hope to see you there!
Curriculum Development - Rollerblading
We are excited to announce that QAS is rolling out a brand-new rollerblading program! We have purchased a set of rollerblades (sizes US 4–13) along with protective gear, giving learners (and staff!) the chance to try something new and stay active. Secondary P.E. rollerblading is already underway, and lunchtime come & try sessions will kick off from next Monday, September 15th. See you there!
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