3 August 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Welcome to our new newsletter, website and phone app. Thank you to all those who have made this possible. I would like to especially thank Miss Carcuro for all the extra time she has put into making this communication work. There are many new features that can be accessed through this technology including time-tables, calendars and special messages. Over the coming weeks these features will be explained so the whole school community can benefit.

We had six student teachers placed at our school in Week 1 from the Adelaide University. They were very impressed by our students and teachers. Most of their placement was based in the secondary section of the school, with a few visits to our primary classes.

Student teachers from Adelaide University completing one week teaching placement

Next week we are having a Student Free Day on Monday the 08/08/16. The purpose of the day is to continue the Kids Matters, Mind Matters training for staff. We will also be looking at effective pedagogies to use in the classroom.

Welcome to our new exchange student Lisa Rasmussen from Denmark, I know our community will make sure she will have an extremely rewarding exchange. Lisa has been placed in the Year 11 class.

It’s All Good,
Roy Winther
Principal

Secondary Report

Welcome back to another busy term. I hope that everybody had a relaxing and enjoyable break and are ready to get back into the swing of things.

Year 10 and 11 subject counselling will begin during Term 3 and there will a South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) information evening held on Tuesday the 9th of August in the Year 10 room from 7-9pm. This information evening will be very relevant for parents of students intending to complete Years 10-12 in 2017. We strongly suggest you attend the session to gain an understanding of what the secondary schooling program will look like for your children. We will cover some very important information regarding subject selection and general SACE details in depth on this night. Any underlying questions that you may have, can be answered or clarified.

On Monday the 1st of August, our Year 11 students travelled to Booleroo to participate in the Road Assistance Program (RAP). QAS are involved in this program each year.

Semester 1 reports were handed out at the end of Term 2. Well done to all students on their endeavours throughout the semester and some students were acknowledged with ‘Academic Achievement’ certificates at the assembly. I would like to apologise to the students who were missed in this process and have since been awarded a certificate. I would like to clarify the criteria for achieving an ‘Academic Award’. The following criteria determines eligible recipients:

2 x A’s, the rest B’s OR 4 x A’s , the rest B’s or C’s – No D’s

We would also like to introduce a focus of ‘Academic Improvement’ for this semester. This means that students who have made significant improvement in their studies will receive acknowledgement. For example; a student who has moved from receiving some C’s to some B’s etc. or B’s to A’s. Criteria has yet to be determined.

A reminder – Students are NOT permitted to leave the school grounds at lunch time without a lunch pass. The school is responsible for student safety and if we are unaware of their whereabouts, then there could potentially become a problem. This also applies during lesson times for senior secondary students who have ‘study lessons’. If you would like to study at home, we need written permission from parents/guardians.

Morning extended Care Group this term has a focus on ‘Fitness’. Some classes are continuing with the reading program as well as introducing fitness in to the morning schedule. Some classes have been running laps of the oval and participating in general fitness circuits etc. We are looking forward to seeing some cross-age interactions this term amongst the secondary and primary students who will be participating in fitness activities together.

Sarah Bury

Primary Report

This term we welcome a new family to Quorn and our primary school. Ella, Cassanne, Rivah and Timmy have joined us from Leigh Creek Area School.

Year 2/3/4 Gardening Report

We have been working in the garden on Fridays in the lesson after recess with Mrs Taylor. Over the past few weeks, we have planted broccoli, cabbages and spring onions. These are growing well in the planter boxes and surviving being attacked by insects. We have made white butterflies and placed them on stakes around the garden to deter the white cabbage moths that lay eggs on the leaves. These eggs hatch into caterpillars that eat the leaves. Cabbage white moths are territorial, so by adding our own plastic moths we are hoping to minimize their damage. We have also made a homemade insecticide using vegetable oil and detergent. This is commonly used amongst gardeners to treat against harmful insects. We will be learning about fruit tree pruning in the next few weeks and would love to have interested parents join us for the lessons. Mari Ikiua-Brooks and Sharon Taylor

Counsellor Report

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Government, Catholic and Independent schools across Australia will again be participating in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). Our involvement in this process is crucial, as it will provide valuable information about supports required for a broad group of students in our schools. The NCCD will enable National and State governments to better target support and resources in schools, this in turn will help our school access the support for all students with additional needs.

The NCCD is not limited to students with diagnosed disabilities. It uses a very broad definition of disability, taken from the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, which includes a range of health issues and learning difficulties where schools implement strategies to support students in participating effectively in their learning.

The Data Collection will take place in August. No personal or identifying information about any student will be included, however, if you decide you do not wish information about your child to be included in the NCCD, you are asked to contact Miss Carcuro to discuss your concerns. More information about the NCCD is available at:

100% Attendance Voucher

Congratulations to all the students who achieved 100% attendance during Term 2. On top of receiving an award for their dedication to school, these students are also in the running for a $25 gift card from either Saltbush Surf, iTunes, Scholastic or Sports Power.

• Ethan Baker was the recipient of Term 3 gift card – congratulations.

Ethan Baker received the $25.00 voucher for 100% attendance in Term 2

Child Protection Curriculum

You may have noticed on the back of your child’s report cover, a summary of the CPC program being taught in your child’s classroom. This program will continue in Terms 3 & 4 in conjunction with the SHinE (Sexual Health in Education) program. The SHinE program has been designed to enable students to develop the skills to establish respectful, positive relationships and feel comfortable to access services. We encourage parents/caregivers to seek further clarification if required by contacting the school.

Kids Matters

As you may be aware our school is participating in an initiative called KidsMatter Primary to further improve the mental health and wellbeing of students at our school.

We are currently in the process of collating student surveys, which will provide a summary of results that will be used by the school to assist with school planning. These results may also be used to inform the national development of the KidsMatter initiative.

Mind Matters

Mind Matters

During the up and coming Student Free Day, our secondary teachers will be spending time working through the Mind Matter modules. These modules will provide teachers with practical advice and guidance so that they can support students who may be struggling with mental health difficulties in a timely and appropriate way. Promotion, prevention and early intervention are central beliefs of the MindMatters’ approach.

Positive Behaviour Awards

We feel it is important to recognize those students who are doing the right thing in a positive manner. At Quorn Area School we use a sticker system that specifies the positive behaviour.

Once students receive a sticker, it is recorded on a slip of paper and placed in the blue box (in the front office), to go in the draw to win a prize at the fortnightly assembly held in the library.

Congratulations to Mackenzie Chapman who won a Milkshake Voucher from Emily’s Bistro for ‘Showing Leadership’ when working with younger students during a Peer Leaders lesson.

Mackenzie Chapman received an Emily’s Bistro Milkshake Voucher for ‘showing leadership’ during a Peer Leaders lesson in Term 2.

Smiling Minds

We are excited to inform you that Quorn Area School will be implementing the Smiling Mind Education Program in the Primary Years this term.

As a brief introduction, Smiling Mind is modern meditation for young people. It is a unique, Australian web and App-based program, designed by renowned psychologists to help bring balance to young lives. It is a not-for-profit initiative based on a process that provides a sense of calm, clarity and contentment.

We have chosen to implement the Smiling Mind Education Program as it complements learning and wellbeing:

• As a pre-emptive and proactive tool to enhance mental health and wellbeing
• To arm participants with the skills to better manage stress and resilience
• To improve attention and focus
• To increase empathy and awareness of negative emotional states
• To encourage participants to feel calm, clear and content
• To improve academic and learning outcomes via improved focus

Smiling Mind has a unique vision to see Mindfulness Meditation on the Australian Curriculum by 2020, which Quorn Area School is proud to support.

For more information on Smiling Mind and their range of Mindfulness Meditation programs, please visit their website:

We strongly recommend downloading the FREE App (currently only available on iOS) or creating your own account via the website to support your child’s mindfulness practice at home. Smiling Mind can be used to increase focus and attention before study, to calm the mind before bed, or any time in-between!

Kind Regards,
Monique Carcuro

Parents and Friends

Term 2 was another busy term for Parents and Friends of the Quorn Area School, with some great developments happening in the junior primary school playground. Thanks to all the families who helped out during the last working bee, painting projects and upgrade of the garden beds around the swings was carried out, it looks great! Stay posted on the next working bee, we would love all the help we you can give.

Quorn hosted another successful Pichi Richi marathon last month, and the QAS P&F were invited to use the event as a fundraiser for the school. P&F volunteers ran a soup stall, and shared a serving space with the Quorn Kindy (it was great to work together!). We also ran another deliciously famous “QAS produce hamper”, which was won by Aaron from Port Augusta.

Congratulations to all the QAS students who competed in the marathon. It was great to see so many younger students in the 1km fun run.

Thanks to all the school families who cooked soup, donated goods for the hamper, bought tickets and served in the kitchen. The school raised $400 selling soup, these funds will be used to continue upgrading and improving the school playground area, and funding senior student projects.

Coming Events

Quorn Show, Sunday 25 September

Volunteers needed to man the gate – hourly roster from 8:00am until 2:00pm.

Parents and Friends helping out at the Pichi Richi Marathon.

Miscellaneous Reports

Term 2 Class Awards

Katrina Stuart, Axel Rowney, Geri Tschirner, Ella Maison, Javier Grivell, Austin Clancy, Isaac Finlay, Ethan Baker, Kirsty Stuart, Tiarna Rigden, Tom Millington, Chyann Barnden, Philip Taylor, Shay Geldard, Julian McCarthy, Marty Paynter, Konnor Hughes.

Semester 1 Academic Achievement Awards

Riley Crisp, Maia Tschirner, Elsa Lyman, Matilda Brooks, Mia Crisp, Javier Grivell, Max Agnew, Kayla Daly, Geri Tschirner, Ella Maison, Emily Taylor, Joel Finlay, Jayde Finlay, Zoe Maloney, Tayla Finlay, Maya Omonte-Kramer, Leilani Ikiua, Annie Maloney, Karl Finlay, Kate Ozolins, Richard Lyman, Brooke Maison, Abraham Tuckwell, Grace Smith, Gemma Taylor and Tori Kaesler.

ROWAN RAMSEY SCHOOL COMMUNITY AWARD

Each year, the Member for Grey, Mr Rowan Ramsay MP, presents a School Community Award.

Accordingly, we are currently seeking nominations of individuals (students/staff/community members) who have provided outstanding support to our school. If there is a person in your mind who fits this criteria, please forward their name and a supporting paragraph (8-10 lines) to Sarah Bury, Sarah.Bury988@schools.sa.edu.au by Friday 26th August.

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