28 August 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

On behalf of our learners I would like to thank all of the staff who planned and supported the activities for Book Week 2018. ‘Find Your Treasure’ was a theme that truly fired the imagination of our leaners and we will seek to build upon this to foster a love of reading for pleasure. Next week we will be continuing our focus on literacy when we host teachers and leaders from across our region to undertake professional learning around writing methodology.

‘Big Write’ has proven to be an exciting and effective way of encouraging learners to think about four key areas for developing both their spoken and written language. Learners take part in a variety of oral and written activities and games throughout the week to develop their Vocabulary, Connectives, Openers and Punctuation (VCOP) skills. We will be introducing this methodology across the primary and middle school and if you require further information please follow the link below:

Last week Matt Griffiths was asked to support a school in one of our neighbouring partnerships and he has agreed to undertake the role of principal as a temporary measure. We are delighted that Matt’s leadership skills have been recognised and we know the school will benefit greatly from his reflective and dedicated approach. We have secured the capable services of Rohie Griffiths to cover in his absence and Matt has ensured that all of his lessons are available on Daymap.

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

Visible Learning

Below are our final six Learner Dispositions which are currently being introduced in our classrooms. During week 5, we focused on the character ‘Collaborative Cam’. Students have been exposed to a number of discussions around COLLABORATION throughout their everyday lessons and care group. The focus Learner Disposition for Week 6 is ‘Inquiring Ivy‘. The Learner Disposition posters will be displayed alongside our Site Improvement Plan and will be visible to students in all learning spaces.

MNSEC Formal

Last Friday night QAS students dressed to impress at the MNSEC Winter Wonderland Formal. This year Peterborough High School hosted the event. The students had a great time dancing to some old classics, the Nutbush never disappoints. Thank you to those teachers who travelled with the students to supervise.

Middle School Subject Reports

Woodhouse

In the coming weeks students from year 5 to year 9 will be travelling down to the picturesque Adelaide hills for a camp at Woodhouse Activity Centre. While on camp students have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of outdoor activities. Students will take on the famous Challenge Hill obstacle course where they will crawl, climb and jump their way through its many trials. The course is aimed at promoting teamwork, as well as, mental and physical resilience. Students will also have the opportunity to play a round or two of Disc golf at Adelaide’s premier Disc Golf course. All the staff are excited to take the kids along on this awesome experience. I just hope the students are looking forward to it as much as the teachers! If you have not returned your camp notes please do so as soon as possible, as the weeks are quickly disappearing. If you have any queries contact Brad Forkert at the school.

Year 8 English Report:

In year 8 English this term we have been focussing on persuasive writing. Students have been working on constructing clear and persuasive arguments using a wide range of techniques. So far, students have created their own topics, such as, ‘Why students should be able to ride their motorbikes to school’. But, this week they will be concluding this unit with a debate on whether the viral game Fortnite should be banned. I think we’re all interested to see who wins!

Brad Forkert

Primary School Report

2018 Book Week

Each year across Australia, the Children’s Book Council of Australia brings children and books together celebrating CBCA Book Week. This provides schools with a great opportunity to focus on the value of books and acknowledge different authors, illustrators and types of literature.

The students went all out this year creating amazing costumes relating to their favourite book.

Students worked collaboratively in mixed age groups across the Primary enjoying a range of different activities based on different books. Check out some of the action below.

Positive Parenting Program

It was great to have Carol Toole from the department deliver a seminar on the Positive Parenting model. Those who attended were given information and strategies as to how best manage challenging behaviours that all students present with at one time or another throughout life. We look forward to having her back early next year.

Picture Plates

Please deliver these back to the Finance Office as soon as possible so they can be sent away for production.

Aspiring to Inspire
Monique Carcuro
Primary School Coordinator

Library

Miscellaneous Reports

QAS Gymkhana

Morning Coffee

Drop in and grab a coffee at our next catch up between 8:30 – 9:00

Just a reminder about the Parents & Friends FACEBOOK page, if you are not already a member, please do so in order to keep up to date with the different initiatives that the group is organizing this year.