23 May 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Quorn Area School is adopting a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program from Term Three 2017 for all students in Years 7-12. BYOD is an established program whereby students bring a familiar personal device to school to use as their primary technological learning tool. We have opted to limit the devices to laptop computers as we believe that these offer the best outcomes in regards to meeting the demands of our curriculum, ensuring students are workforce ready, and supporting learning beyond the classroom. Digital learning has been an integral part of our curriculum for over a decade and the use of these technological learning tools has grown both inside and outside the classroom. The driving force behind this change is, as always, student learning. Like their peers across Australia our students should have the opportunity to access digital technology and incorporate the advantage of this into their learning. Please be assured that teachers will continue to focus on the curriculum and balance their pedagogical skills to best utilise this technology in an educationally purposeful way. Whilst the benefits of BYOD are well-documented, we are aware that this represents a significant change and information sessions we will be held in the coming weeks with our first being held on Wednesday 7th June at 6pm. Our BYOD policy has already been uploaded onto the website along with supporting documentation. Our primary aims in adopting this approach to learning are:

• To improve learning outcomes for all students
• To improve access to the curriculum and increase personalised instruction
• To increase engagement through interactive learning
• To build capacity, improve communication and develop organisational skills

We are in the process of adding a portal to our website that caregivers can access to connect directly with an educational IT supplier. This will offer caregivers the opportunity to purchase a laptop that meets the schools requirements without the need to shop around. The supplier will also arrange delivery and provide details of interest free payment plans.

If you do have any questions regarding the BYOD policy please do not hesitate to contact me. Finally please be assured that during the transition stage we will ensure that no student is disadvantaged as we are aware of the differing circumstances of families.

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

Secondary Report

The secondary part of the school does not look like slowing down. This week we have our Year 10 students departing on Careers Trip to Adelaide accompanied by Miss Carcuro and Mr McDonald. Mr Unger is taking students to the SAASTA Camp in Adelaide during Week 5. Thank you to those teachers who are supporting these students on trips that most students keep as a highlight for the rest of their schooling.

Matt Griffiths
Deputy Principal

Counsellor Report

Toastie Thursday

Toasties are back again; place your order at the front office and come down to the Canteen at lunch. We are selling hot chocolate as well this term for $2.00 also.

Subject Report

Sports

On Thursday of Week 3, eight of our students who have modelled our school values on a consistent basis travelled to Jamestown Community School to take part in the AFL 9’s carnival against the other MNSEC schools. Our 8/9 girls travelled down with only 6 players and were lucky enough to gain 4 extras from Jamestown to allow us to participate in the day. Overall the girls did not lose a game and won the carnival undefeated in their division. Luke Finlay joined Orroroo Area School due to our lack of numbers, where his team was also undefeated and won the boys side of the draw. Thank you to Cameron Finlay who umpired the girls, as he was unable to participate due to injury. Also thanks to Mrs Lehmann for helping supervise the students on this day. A big thanks to Orroroo and Jamestown schools for allowing us combine our teams, without your support our students would have missed out on this wonderful opportunity.

A reminder that MNSEC Netball is next week, I will have notes out to students on Tuesday.

On Sunday 18th June there is a girl’s football carnival being held in Snowtown for interested footballers in the Under 14 and Under 17 age groups. If this is something your child is interested in, please contact Matt Griffiths for further information and have your child nominated. This is a good opportunity for budding female footballers in a growing sport.

Evonne Goolagong Foundation

On Friday 12th May, Jenny Crisp and Aileen Shannon took three students to Port Augusta for the Evonne Goolagong Foundation-Tennis Come and Try day. Kirsty, Georgia and Timothy all participated in various groups to learn about tennis. Using the sport of tennis, the Dream, Believe, Learn, Achieve initiative promotes and helps provide better health and education for young indigenous Australians.

Library

QUORN BOOK CLUB

Next meeting is Wednesday 21st June, 7pm at 3 Hannigan Street, North Quorn. Please bring a plate to share - coffee supplied. For details phone Sam on 0456 129 870 - all welcome. Copies of the book are available from the library. ‘The Lowland’ by Jhumpa Lahiri

FLINDERS FLICKS

Thanks to the wonderful people at Flinders Flicks (the Film Club of the Flinders Ranges), the library now has a ‘Flinders Flicks’ collection - a selection of DVD’s of movies they have previously screened.

LIBRARY WEBSITE

Tech Studies

Miscellaneous Reports

Staff Car Park

Parents and caregivers are once again asked not to drive into the staff car park or park across the road from the staff entrance to drop their children off at school. This is a dangerous exercise and one that causes concern to staff re safety of children. We have a designated car park across the road from the school using the traffic lights, another one down near the gym and also on Stokes Road. Students are not to enter or leave school grounds from the staff car park.

Science Opportunities – Flinders University

June 19 & 20, July 5 & 6 – Year 10 Taster Days

Aimed at inspiring Year 10 students with an interest in science to continue study in Year 11 and beyond, this half day on campus will include two interactive workshops and a Q and A session with current tertiary students. Please contact us to book in your students. Note that a $5 per student fee applies for this event, which will be invoiced as you register.

July 11 – 13 – IT Boot Camp

In this free 3-day holiday event for year 10 – 12 students, students will design their own fully functional game using Unreal Engine, a game engine used by industry professionals. No prior experience necessary, students just need enthusiasm and a drive to learn. For more information and to register, please visit our event page.

If you have any questions about this or any of our other events, please feel free to contact us at stem@flinders.edu.au or 7221 8661.

Orroroo Market

Sunday 28th May 9am to 12.30pm, Blacksmith's Chatter, 7 First Street Orroroo
Wide range of quality Self-designed, Hand crafted, Home-grown and Home-made products. All Welcome. Something for everyone. No entry fee.
Featuring "A Fairy Garden Workshop & Demonstration" by Bev from Belalie Flowers
Workshop commences at 9am. $35 per person includes basic materials.
Bookings essential. Limited places available. Ages 8 and over.
Phone Bev 0400 110 473 at Belalie Flowers for bookings & further information

Door Prize drawn at 11.45am
Long Lazy Sunday Breakfast available all morning.