8 March 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

“I am pleased to advise that ACARA (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority) has identified your school as having demonstrated substantially above average gain in NAPLAN results.”

The above quote is from correspondence that the school received from the CEO of ACARA last week. This information will be released to the media on the morning of 8th March 2017 and I am delighted to share this information with the Quorn community. This is a fantastic achievement and one that all schools throughout Australia would be honoured to share with their community on the day when schools receive their ‘report card’. Adding value is the ultimate goal of schools as we aim to support all students to fulfil their potential. To receive recognition for this achievement, from our own regulatory authority, is testimony to the quality student focused learning programs that Quorn Area School offers. Whilst we are delighted with this news we are also aware of the improvements that can be made to further enhance the learning opportunities at our site. From next week, our website will include details of the Standard of Education Achievement (SEA) set by DECD to inform all caregivers of the expectations of achievement at each year level. In addition to this we will also be publishing aspirational targets for reading in our primary years to raise expectations and provide firm foundations on which to build success.

Quorn Areas School has a long and proud tradition of creating and supporting opportunities for all students beyond the classroom. In recent weeks, our swimmers have taken centre stage at both a regional and state level and I would like to thank all those staff members and community volunteers who have supported them to test themselves at the highest levels. Particular thanks go to our Deputy Principal Matt Griffiths for both his organisational skills and his willingness to go that extra mile to support the dreams of our young people.

Finally, I would encourage you to logon to the ‘My School’ website and talk to your child about their contribution to our collective achievements and their future expectations. Having a growth mindset has been highlighted as the single most important factor in improving outcomes. Believing in our young people and fostering that sense of belief in themselves is the key to enduring success.

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

Education Act reform – Have your say

The draft Education and Children’s Services Bill 2016 has been released by the government for public comment. The Bill recognises the important contribution that parents make to children’s education and development. Attendance provisions have also been strengthened. To find out more about the changes and provide feedback, visit the YourSAy website by Friday 10 March 2017.

Secondary Report

It’s Week 6 already! The school has been flat out with numerous events taking place that provide all our students with the opportunity to be involved in many extra curricula activities. We have had two visits from the Adelaide Crows in Week 4 & 5 which the students thoroughly enjoyed. It was great to see so many of them out on the oval kicking the football and having conversations last Tuesday with Andy Otten, Matt Crouch and Reilly O’Brien.

Just a reminder to all our parents to not use the staff car park when dropping students off or picking them up, it is a safety issue that we all need to be vigilant on. Students are also reminded that the car park is not an entrance for you to walk through, please use the designated school crossing or the entrance at the gym. Furthermore, if you are dropping lunch or recess off to your child please do so through the front office as students are not permitted out of the school area without notifying us first. Parents are also not to enter the grounds without first signing in through the front office. QAS Staff will be monitoring all these issues closely to ensure our student’s safety is not compromised.

Finally, congratulations to all our students who participated at the MNSEC Swimming Carnival, finishing in second place was a fantastic effort. From this carnival we have had the following students selected to compete at the SSSSA Swimming competition at Marion in Adelaide. Congratulations to the following students; Gemma Taylor, Shay Geldard, Abraham Tuckwell, Tom Millington, Tayla Finlay, Jayde Finlay, Aiden Hatley-Bell and Chloe Hilder. It is an amazing effort and I am sure you will represent Q.A.S and the region well.

Counsellor Report

Learning Potential App

Packed with tips and ideas for you to get involved in your child’s learning, the Learning Potential app helps you to make the most of the time you spend with your child.

Personalise the app for your family’s needs. Type in your child’s or children’s name and age and receive articles and videos that are relevant to their age group.

This free app has been developed by the Department of Education and Training in consultation with Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority.

Toastie Thursday

Toasties are back again, place your order at the front office and come down to the Canteen at lunch. We are selling ice blocks and jelly for $1.00 also.

Aspiring to Inspire

Monique Carcuro
School Counsellor

Subject Report

Library

Scholastic Book Fair is on during Week 7 in the library – All proceeds benefit the school - cash sales only.

HOLDS AT THE LIBRARY – As a public library member you have access to most of the items held in South Australian Public Libraries. Placing a hold is easy and can be done by accessing the internet address (see below) at home or using the Wi-Fi in the library. We are also happy to place holds for you. Please be aware that popular and recently released items can have a wait list on them. When items arrive the system will notify you (either via text or email) and then you have ten days to pick it up. If you do not get messages when items are waiting for you come and see us and we can add your mobile number or email address into the system. Remember to check your spam box as the message may end up in it. Mr Unger will deliver any student books to their classroom.

LIBRARY WEBSITE:

Choir

Our QAS choir met for their very first school practise last Friday. We have students from each of the year levels from four to seven involved this year. We are also fortunate to have an interested student from Year 11. Their names are listed below.

Year 4: Molly, Hannah, Madison, Cheyanne
Year 5: Richard, Max, Jahrome, Ella, Renae, Geri, Michaela, Kayla
Year 6: Brodie, Riven, Emily T, Emily M, Alisha, Lara, Mackenzie, Brooke
Year 7: Jayden, Sasha, Kathleen, Kate
Year 8: Ethan, Aaron, Ryan
Year 11: Jaquarra

This year we are hoping to have both Soprano and Alto singers in our choir. Most Year 4 to 6 students will be learning the Soprano parts, while the Year 7 and 11 students will be trained to sing the Alto sections. It is exciting to see how this trial works out as it is the first time we have attempted such a challenge. We are fortunate though to have two choir instructors, Mrs Sharon Taylor and Miss Vennessa James, which will enable the choir to learn their parts separately before practising as one.

Vennessa James

Sport

It has been a busy couple of weeks at school with our Swimming Carnival, MNSEC Swimming and SSSSA Swimming in Marion and the Adelaide Crows visit all taking place. CONGRATULATIONS to all MNSEC Swimmers who gave their absolute best at the carnival. I speak on behalf of the school community, we are all very proud of each and every one of you for the efforts you gave last Tuesday night to fill all the events. To finish 2nd overall by only 9 points was a fantastic effort and something you should all be very proud of!!

Congratulations to Abraham Tuckwell who won Champion Swimmer Award and broke the 50m Backstroke record and also Tom Millington who come 3rd in the Champion Swimmer. We as a school also came 2nd in the Handicap shield and won the Under 15’s Pennant. Well done to all those involved in not only swimming on the night but also transporting, organising and timing.

SPORTS DAY is this Thursday (9th March) and students are preparing for another great day. We will be lucky enough to be joined by some students from Hawker Area School to provide them with the opportunity to be involved in the event also. The Sports Committee is working on scheduling some new things into the timetable which will create more of a team atmosphere once again. If you (parent/caregiver) are able to help out at our Sports Day in any way please contact me at the school or come and see me on the morning of sports day, we will certainly use the assistance.

It is great to have the continued support of all people in the school community and also the flexibility of all our wonderful staff to fit all of these events in their already busy schedules, I thank all of you.

House Captain Shirt Design

Behind the scenes we have been working with the House Captains to design our new House Captain shirts. We may also introduce these shirts for all students to purchase and then to be worn for PE lessons. We think they look great and can’t wait to see them on display.

Matt Griffiths
HPE Coordinator

MNSEC Swimming Results 2017

Champion Swimmer Award

2017 MNSEC Swimming

VIEW GALLERY

2017 MNSEC Swimming

Click images to enlarge

Adelaide Crows Community Visit

Growing with Gratitude Crows visit

VIEW GALLERY

Growing with Gratitude Crows visit

Click images to enlarge

Adelaide Crows Players Visit

Crows Player Visit

VIEW GALLERY

Crows Player Visit

Click images to enlarge

Pastoral Care Worker

Apps that may assist

Most parents will relate well to the following scenario……..

It’s been a busy week (or should I say month), the to-do list is mounting (along with the bills); emotionally you’re feeling on hold (much a Centrelink phone call). Your brain feels on overload. AND YET the next tirade of mental extraction is about to commence. What do I do with my child’s questions about homework (or that they are avoiding it all together) or my child’s eating habits (or lack of) or maybe even worrying if they are up to the level they need to be for a successful future.

This new APP could be just the helping hand you need to organize and destress.

Cheers,
Sharon Taylor PCW

Miscellaneous Reports

Governing Council Members 2017

The Governing Council Annual General Meeting was extremely well attended on Wednesday 15th February. The following personnel were elected onto the 2017 Governing Council: Mark Tuckwell (Chairperson), Andrew Gilsenan-Reed (Principal), Aileen Shannon, Jane Egerton-Warburton, Hollie Hancock, Bart Brooks, Karina Eckert, Nicole Downing, Heidi Roberts, Rebecca Lyman, Kurt Tschirner, Monique Carcuro and Matt Griffiths.

If you have any questions or concerns relating to the governance of Quorn Area School please contact any of our representatives above.

Student Exchange Opportunities