20 June 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Partnership between school and home is essential if our young people are to fulfil their potential. Whilst effective communication is the foundation of this partnership the changing ways in which we communicate can cause confusion. As a school we have been reviewing our communication with caregivers and identifying areas for improvement as we move towards a new learner management system. Whilst this new system will provide caregivers with information relating to assessment tasks, attendance and achievement we are aware that the general enquiry is often the first and most important point of contact. Therefore we have included the email addresses of all current teachers in this edition of the newsletter as the first step towards improving our communication with caregivers.

For most enquiries your child’s teacher/care group teacher would be your contact point and be happy to assist. Whilst some enquiries can be dealt with during drop-off or collection we are aware that this can be a busy time for all concerned and more complex issues often require additional time for discussion and resolution. If you believe this is the case we would recommend a note in the diary/email to the teacher. The teacher will then contact you to discuss the enquiry or organise an interview at a mutually convenient time. Interviews can also be arranged by calling the front office and asking the receptionist to arrange to arrange a suitable time.

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

Secondary Report

The end of Week 8 brings about the end of the academic semester for our students (half way through the schooling term). This will bring a few changes for our Middle School students who will transfer into new subjects. We have made some changes to the structure of our maths classes in the Middle School. This will provide teachers with greater access to their students and allow them to be challenged and excel. We have also introduced a new program called ‘Khan Academy’ across our secondary school to help students with their development in Mathematics. If you would like more information on this program and how you can access it as a parent from home, please contact the school.

Our Year 10 students will begin a SACE Stage One subject called ‘Research Practices’ in Semester 2. This will provide students with the necessary skills to be even more successful with their studies in Year 11 and 12. Finally our Year 11 students will begin their Research Project in the new semester, this subject is a compulsory part of their SACE and will provide the students with a great stepping stone and head start to their Year 12 studies.

If you have any questions about any of the changes happening at the change of semester, please make contact with me and arrange a time to meet.

Matt Griffiths
Deputy Principal

Counsellor Report

Subject Report

Library

SAASTA

During Week 5 Kara and Kosmo travelled to Adelaide to participate in the 2017 Aboriginal Power Cup. During two days at Alberton Oval they played 6 games of 9 a-side AFL with their team members from Port Pirie, Gladstone and Whyalla; visited the Careers Expo and learnt a dance to perform at Adelaide Oval before the Power-Hawks game. On Thursday Kara and Kosmo dressed up for the SAASTA Awards Ceremony in the Magarey Room at Adelaide Oval before performing the Cultural Dance with 400 SAASTA students on Adelaide Oval. The Carnival along with the work in their SAASTA booklets goes towards the SACE subject Integrated learning.

Tech Studies

Students have been busy finishing projects before the end of Semester 1

Sport

Congratulations to Lachlan Finlay who represented the Northern Zone in SAPSASA Football last week. It was really good to see him work hard at school and home so he was able to make the trip to Adelaide. Well done Lachie.

Also congratulations to Karl Finlay who has made the South Australian Under 16 State football team. Karl and his family have been very busy this footy season, travelling down to Adelaide for trainings and games. It is a credit to Karl for all the hard work, sacrifice and commitment he has made at this young age to be selected in this elite squad of teenage boys. He has worked extremely hard to keep up to date with his school work and continues to work at the IGA and Austral with the little free time he has left. Karl flies to Perth this weekend to play in the first State game. Well done Karl, this really is an amazing achievement and you have the full support of the school community.

On the June long weekend Grace Smith, Meggan Finlay, Tayla Finlay and Jayde Finlay travelled to Adelaide to take part in the annual Netball Country Championships held at ETSA Park. The girls really enjoyed testing their skills and competitiveness against other girls from around the state. This is another fantastic achievement by Quorn Area School students.

Congratulations to Meggan Finlay who took part in the girls Northern Areas Football Association competion held in Snowtown on Sunday 18th June. Meggan (age 15) played in the Under 17’s and was judged the best player for the day. Well done Meggan, hopefully QAS can get their first AFLW player moving through the ranks.

Finally thank you to all the parents that support their children in these extra-curricular activities (not just the ones mentioned above). Your support and help is something that all these students are very grateful for even if they don’t say it to you themselves. We have a very strong and supportive school community and it’s something that we should all be very proud of.

Matt Griffiths
HPE Coordinator

Parents and Friends

Parents and Friends are looking for helpers this Sunday to assist with catering at the Pichi Richi Marathon. Please contact the school if you are able to help with the selling of soft drinks or the serving of Yiros’.

Miscellaneous Reports