6 February 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Welcome back to all of our students as we look forward to a new year of learning. We are excited by the changes we have introduced this year to develop improved learning outcomes for our students. These changes include:

• The refurbishment of the high school learning spaces and the installation of LED Interactive screens.
• A restructured high school timetable with smaller targeted classes in the key areas of Mathematics and English.
• The introduction of a three lesson day in our senior school aimed at increasing the time spent actively engaged with learning.
• A restructured primary school with focused support aimed at building firm foundation for future success in learning.
• The rollout of improved learning spaces in our primary area aimed at providing access to the latest technology in a stimulating environment.

To the families and caregivers of our new students I would like to extend a warm welcome. All of our teachers and SSOs are looking forward to working collaboratively with you to build upon what is taught and expected at home. We sincerely hope that your child’s time at Quorn Area School is happy, fulfilling and rich in learning.

In regards to staffing we are delighted to welcome four new teachers who we believe will contribute significantly to improved learning outcomes for our young people. They are:

Faruk Pathan
Megan Novillos
Tegan Miller
Matt Buckingham

The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy we introduced in 2017 is now fully operational. It has impacted significantly upon the learning opportunities we have introduced for all of our high school students including online learning and electronic textbooks. If you do have a child in Y7-12 and you have questions regarding BYOD please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Finally I would like to remind all families that we have restructured our leadership team to ensure that the needs of all students are fully met. If you do have any concerns about your child’s learning or wellbeing that you cannot resolve with the class/care group teacher please contact the relevant leader to request additional support. The leaders are:

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

Senior School Report

Welcome back to all members of our school community including, both new and returning staff. There is quite a bit of excitement throughout our Senior School with our Year 12’s this year aiming to achieve very high results. Students are looking to enrol at University to study subjects such as medicine and education in 2019. We have the dedicated staff who will work hard to help students achieve their goals.

This year I have taken the role as the Coordinator for Years 9-12. If you have any questions about the SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education) or your child in these areas, please don’t hesitate contacting me (matt.griffiths310@schools.sa.edu.au).

Sarah, Monique and the sports committee have been busy organising the Swimming Carnival, I am looking forward to seeing the continued rivalry and success of our two house teams, Kanyaka & Yarrah, on Monday 12th February. Congratulations to our new House Captains and don’t forget that all teams score additional points for each swimmer they have in the pool, so come along and support your team.

I look forward to working with everyone throughout this year to ensure our students achieve the highest quality education that they deserve. Once again if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Matt Griffiths
Senior School Coordinator

Middle School Report

Welcome back to all Middle School staff and students for 2018. Students have settled in to their learning with enthusiasm and positivity. Term One proves to be a very busy and rewarding time with many extra curricula events on the calendar.

A warm welcome to the following teachers who join the Middle School structure for 2018; Mr Buckingham Yr 5/6, Ms Novillos 7-10 HASS and Mr Pathan 7-12 Maths. Students are busily working on learning tasks and are looking forward to the year ahead with the Middle School cohort.

My new role is Middle School Coordinator (Curriculum Innovation). I will be supporting teachers in the delivery of the curriculum in order to improve student learning. With the implementation of DAY MAP, we will be focusing on tracking students with their learning and ensuring that data is kept up to date and shared with relevant teachers, students and families. If you have concerns re your child, the first port of contact is your child’s Care Group teacher. If you have further concerns, please contact me at the school or email sarah.bury988@schools.sa.edu.au.

A focus for QAS for 2018 is the implementation of ‘visible learning’. This program involves implementing practices that work best to accelerate student learning and also encourages students to be more involved in their education. More information will be provided in upcoming newsletters which will give families ideas on how to help promote this way of learning at home. Some language your child will begin to show awareness of will include:

WALT - We are learning to……..
WILF- What I’m looking for?
TIB – This is because……
WAGOLL- What a good one looks like……

I am pleased to be back at QAS and am looking forward to working with the staff, students and families to ensure the growth of individual student learning is constantly monitored and reviewed to allow for success for all.

Sarah Bury
Middle School Coordinator

Swimming Carnival

SWIMMING CARNIVAL POSTPONED
(due to extreme heat)

New Date: MONDAY 12th FEBRUARY

We are looking forward to the annual QAS Swimming Carnival and are implementing a new event and recording system this year.

All students are encouraged to swim in events in order to maximise student participation.

The carnival will commence at 11am and continue through until approximately 3:30pm. On commencement of the presentation, families are invited to join new and existing teachers for an informal BBQ. Come along and have a chat with your child’s teachers and enjoy something to eat. We look forward to seeing you all there.

ALL students are required to be at school at 8:45am (as usual) and will meet together in their corresponding teams. The House Captains will record the attendance and they have some creative and fun activities for students to participate in. All students will leave the school and walk over to the pool in their teams to begin at 11am.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR PARENT HELPERS TO ASSIST WITH THE SETTING UP OF SHADES, TABLES AND CHAIRS ETC. FROM 8:30AM AT THE POOL ON MONDAY.

Students in years F-2 will participate in a number of exciting swimming events beginning at 11am. House Captains will support the F-2 students with their events and once completed the carnival will begin at 11:30am. The F-2 students will have a short break and then participate in some exciting water relay events on the lawn. Activities will continue for the remainder of the day for these students and they will be dismissed from the pool. If the F-2 students need to leave before the end of the day, parents can arrange for this; please make your child’s teacher aware of this.

The Swimming Pool canteen will be available throughout the day for students to purchase lunch and drinks. We do encourage students to place their lunch orders at the beginning of the day in order to minimise wait times as per the same process we currently have. Please note no lunch orders will be placed at IGA on this day.

After presentations the pool will be open for free time and this is a great opportunity to meet and greet with our new and existing staff. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Please pay attention to the school app (Schoolzine) for updates regarding any changes.

Congratulations to our new House Captains

Students will be picked to represent QAS in the MNSEC Swimming Carnival, which will be held in Booleroo on Tuesday the 20th of February.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE QAS SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Sarah Bury

Primary School Report

Welcome back to Term 1 for 2018 and a special welcome to the new families who have joined us this year, especially in the Primary Block. It is set to be another busy year of learning and improvement, with some exciting changes along the way.

This year we also welcome Tegan Miller to the R-4 team, she visited late last year during the Reception Ready Program. She is a great asset to the school and I look forward to seeing what she has in store for the 2018 Reception Class.

For those who may not know me I am Monique Carcuro and am the Primary Coordinator (Reception – Four). My role this year is to support the Primary cohort in their teaching and learning. To continue on from last year, an element of my job is called Impact Coach, this role gives me the opportunity to create and oversee effective assessments for teaching and learning in the primary years. It is also about effective feedback to the students and teachers to ensure teachers are making the greatest impact they can. This process generates data and it’s my role to gather, collate and examine the evidence, to ensure what is happening in the classroom is making a positive difference.

‘What We Have Learnt So Far...’

Foundation Students

Grade One & Two

Grade Three & Four

Resources – Information for Parents

Learning Potential App

Packed with tips and ideas for you to become 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 Tuesday

Toasties are back in Week 3 on a different day! Place your order at the front office and come down to the Canteen at lunch. We are also selling ice blocks.

Parents & Friends, Thank you Rebecca

This year we farewell Rebecca Lyman who was Quorn Area Schools Parents & Friends President. Rebecca contributed to and led many initiatives both within the school and wider community. Thank you for all you did and your commitment to Quorn Area School

Parents and Friends first meeting for 2018 will be held this Friday 9th February at 4.15pm in the Library. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Aspiring to Inspire

Monique Carcuro
Primary School Coordinator

Miscellaneous Reports