6 March 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

On Wednesday 28th of February we held our Governing Council AGM which was well supported by our community. This annual event allows us to celebrate the successes of the previous year and set an agenda for the year ahead as we seek to secure quality learning outcomes for all students. The 2017 Annual Report to the School Community will shortly be uploaded onto our website and we welcome feedback on the journey the school is undertaking. I would also like to thank those members of our community who have volunteered to serve on our Governing Council and contribute so much to its current and future success.

The extra-curricula and co-curricula opportunities offered by QAS have long been an enviable feature of the school. These enhanced learning opportunities rely heavily upon the commitment of staff and volunteers and I would like to thank all those concerned for their continued commitment. The recent swimming carnival and success at MNSEC swimming have created lasting memories for many students, as well as a reminder of the importance of participation and resilience.

I am pleased to inform all families of an update on our homepage. The portal tile now includes links to a number of online resources that students and families can access from home. These include links to senior school textbooks, online readers for primary students (Oxford Owl) and the Khan Academy for middle/senior school students. As we find new online resources to support students on their learning journey we will continue to update the portal so please take the time to explore these valuable resources.

Finally, I would like to remind all high school students that Mr Pathan is running a Maths/Science club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:10pm – 4:00pm in the library. Any student looking to receive additional support with these vital areas of the curriculum is welcome to attend.

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

Middle School Coordinator

SPORTSDAY POSTPONED DUE TO PREDICTED HOT WEATHER
New Date - WEDNESDAY 14th MARCH

SPORTS DAY is next Wednesday 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.

We would like to have a recorder and a measurer for each field event. Staff will be assigned to an event and we are asking parents assistance with this role. It would include you following your child/s group around to the events so you will not miss them performing, Eg – follow around from long jump, shot put, discus whilst measuring jumps and throws.

The Year 7/8 Health and Physical Education class have been designing, planning and implementing modified field events for our JP students. This has allowed the JP students the opportunity to participate and learn new skills that closely relate to the field events being held at our annual sports day. The JP students will be following these modified events on sports day; have a look at the program that is attached for times of these scheduled events.

I am extremely proud of the way that the Yr 7/8 students conducted themselves when working with the younger students last Friday. It is so fantastic to see the peer mentoring

Middle School Art

Primary Post

During the last fortnight we have had a mix of learning, mentoring and coaching. During Week 4 we had David Fairlie from RAA Street Smart visit the primary classes. David spoke to the students about the importance of road safety, using interactive activities such as the ‘Road Map’ and ‘Stop, Look. Listen, Think’. The students also engaged in activities that highlighted the importance of ‘Visibility’ on the road.

The Importance of Reading

Research has found that reading storybooks to children is one of the most important activities for developing the knowledge required for eventual success in reading (i.e., language and literacy, numeracy and cognition).

If you haven’t already accessed the Oxford Owl online bookshelf, please see the link below. You can access it from the Quorn Area School Website under ‘Portals’ also. Each student in the Primary School has their own login and has been sent home in their communication books.

Aspiring to Inspire

Monique Carcuro
Primary School Coordinator

Subject Report

Library

ADVANCE NOTICE - The Scholastic Book Fair will be held in the Library during Week 8 beginning on 19th March. Reasonably priced books from the extensive Scholastic range – proceeds benefit the School/Community Library. Cash sales only.

Sports

Quorn win MNSEC Swimming!!

Congratulations to all of our students who were involved in the win at Booleroo Swimming Pool on Tuesday of 20th February. It really was an amazing effort by all our students to win the carnival by 4 points in a nail biting finish. The most pleasing part of this carnival was that ALL of our students put their hand up to swim events and did their best regardless of what position they finished. It was one of the proudest victories that I have been involved in.

We had some fantastic individual performances also on the night with Aiden Hately-Bell and Jayde Finlay finishing 3rd in the Champion Male & Female Swimmer Awards respectively. Abraham Tuckwell won the Male Champion Swimmer award and also broke the 100m Freestyle record even though he swam it twice due some technical difficulties with the timing. In his second attempt at the record Abraham was joined in the water by an ex-student to give him a spur on, and with every person at the pool cheering for him broke the record.

Once again congratulations to all the students who made the effort to swim in Booleroo; it really was an amazing achievement for our school. Thanks to the parents and support crew that helped transport, time and cheer so loud when we needed it. If we as a school can take the same attitude to the MNSEC Athletics carnival anything is achievable.

Matt Griffiths

Year 3/4 Mid Term Report

In HASS we have been learning about symbolism and celebrations. On Tuesday 13th of Feb it was Shrove Tuesday. Our class made pancakes and discussed why people celebrate the day.

• Elias says : ‘It is a time when people eat or use up all their foods that go off like eggs and milk’
• ‘It is the 6 weeks before Easter and the beginning of a time called Lent’ says Sarah
• ‘People fast during Lent. That means there are certain foods they cannot eat.’ says Ethan

Shrove Tuesday is the celebration and today pancakes are used as the symbolic representation of the feast that occurred many years ago.

Jaiy mixing our pancake ingredients.

Digital Technology with Mr Pilz we have been designing and making, using our brand new 3D printer.

We made keyrings.

Literacy - We have been very busy in the mornings during Literacy time. We work in groups and do many activities designed to improve reading, comprehension, vocabulary and grammar.

Numeracy - During our Numeracy Block each day we learn a lot about numbers. We measure, count, calculate and use Numicon Shapes.

Sarah and Shakaila experimenting and exploring using Numicon Shapes.

Senga Reed
3/4 Class Teacher

South Australian Cricket Association Clinic

Last Tuesday the Foundation – Yr 8 students participated in a cricket clinic run by SACA. Students enjoyed the range of skills/drills they were involved in and demonstrated a positive attitude throughout the sessions. Below are some photos of the students in action.

Monday Morning Coffee

The first morning coffee parents group caught up for a chat and it was great to see interactions between new parents. Amazing ideas were generated during the 45min discussion and I cannot wait to hear what ideas others have.

If you would like to hear more or become involved in QAS, drop in and grab a coffee between 8:30 and 9:00 on Monday 9th April. Alternatively if you would like to share any great ideas we would love to hear from you.

It’s not all cake sales.

We Need You

One of the best things you can do to help your child be a confident and enthusiastic learner is to show and tell your child that you believe learning is important and that you believe in your child.

Being part of your child’s school community is one way of showing them that you value their education. Not all parents are able to volunteer at school – and that’s okay. The helping children and young people learn information sheets suggest other ways to support your child’s learning. Grandparents, aunties, uncles and other important people in your child’s life can come along to school events, and even participating in a couple of activities each year can mean a lot.

We are looking for active, fun loving, mums, dads, carers and relatives to join us to continue to provide our children with a safe, challenging, inspiring and fun school environment.

• Can you spare 15minutes to listen to a child? We have some amazing readers.

• Do you know how to garden? We have lots of plant beds overgrown with weeds.

• Have a hidden talent you would like to teach? We have lots of children ready to learn.

Volunteer Training 2018

Miscellaneous Reports

2018 ICAS Testing

Quorn Area School is once again offering students the opportunity to participate in the UNSW ICAS Assessments in 2018. If your child would like to participate in any of the subjects being offered, please contact Michelle in the Finance Office before the 21st March. Further information on the testing can be found by clicking on the link provided.

Food Safety Course

Elevated Work Platform Training

EWP Training at Quorn Area School is planned for the week leading up to Easter the 27th-28th of March and is only open to people over the age of 18 years.

The course will be run over two days with theory and practical assessments delivered by TafeSA on the Trailerable Boom Lift and the Scissor Lift (up to 11 meters). There is a maximum of 8 positions only (TafeSA guidelines) with a fee. People interested should contact the school and provide their Name, USI Number and TafeSA ID number to Michelle Baker. Further information will be forwarded as it becomes available.

Travis McDonald
Pichi Richi Trade Training Centre

School Exemption Form

If you are taking your child out of school for more than three days, an exemption is required from the Principal; forms can be collected from the front office.

Lost Property

There are many school jumpers in the front office unclaimed and not named. If your child is missing a jumper please come and check out the sizes we have. If clothing doesn’t have a name on it, it will be given away to others.

Governing Council 2018

The Annual General Meeting of Governing Council was held on Wednesday 28th February. Governing Councillors are: Aileen Shannon, Hollie Hancock, Cameron Saxton, Bart Brooks, Karina Eckert, Heidi Roberts (Secretary), Adrian Maloney (Deputy Chairperson), Mark Tuckwell (Chairperson) and Andrew Gilsenan- Reed (Principal), Maggie Kamin, QAS Staff Reps to be advised