20 November 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

On the 16th November we bid farewell to the Class of 2018 who marked the end of their school career with a graduation dinner at Pichi Richi Park. It was truly heartening to see the number of family members and friends who attended the event to celebrate the success of our 2018 leavers. On behalf of those in attendance I would like to express my thanks to Matt Griffiths for his management of the event. Last week we also celebrated the achievements of our learners in the area of performing arts with the second Quorn Area School Showcase. The event highlighted not only the artistic talents of individuals but also of group achievement secured through collaboration and perseverance. The evening was very well supported by our community and the displays around the hall also showcased the achievement of many learners across a number of curriculum areas. On behalf of those who attended and performed in the event I would like to express thanks to Monique Carcuro for driving this exciting development in our school. Thanks also go out to staff and caregivers who also contributed significantly to the success of the evening.

Our most recent Professional Learning Day on the 9th November was focused on the importance of feedback to learners about their learning. One of the main talking points of the day for all of the schools involved was the issue of praise and its impact on learners. Research essentially identifies the two different types of praise as:

Person praise – “Aren’t you a clever girl?” This type of praise may make learners feel they must continually prove to themselves that they are worthwhile and this can make them vulnerable to failure.
Process praise – “I can see you worked really hard at this task.” This type of praise makes learners believe they can develop their intelligence and focus on doing that.

This research challenges many established beliefs and links well to the learner dispositions we developed earlier this year. This is an area that will remain a focus of our school over the coming year as we seek to support all learners on their learning journey.

Finally, we are currently planning our classes and timetables for 2019 and we will forward information to caregivers about classes, teachers, and classrooms for 2019 once they have been finalised in week eight of this term.

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

Secondary Report

Year 12 Graduation

Our Year 12 students celebrated their graduation with an assembly here at the school last Friday. Students were recognised for their efforts throughout their schooling and especially in the last few months to ensure all tasks and assignments were completed. Family and friends attended the assembly along with fellow students of QAS. The graduating class were presented with certificates and gifts from our Foundation students, a tradition that has developed over the years.

Following the assembly family and friends accompanied students with a graduation dinner held at Pichi Richi Park. Further presentations were made and a video of the student’s time here at Quorn Area School was viewed, it was a lovely way to conclude their time here.

2018 SACE results will be available to students on the 18th December, an anxious wait remains for those students looking to further study.

Middle School Report

Year 8 English

This term learners have been working on constructing pieces of informative writing, focussing on the topic of “how human beings are shaping the earth”. Students have investigated the environmental issue of waste, how it is effecting the environment and how we can reduce our waste here at school. In week four, year 8 students conducted some research to see what we throw away here at Quorn Area School. They discovered that most of the waste that we throw away is non-recyclable soft plastic wrappers. Students are now working on writing articles the best of which will appear in our final Newsletter for the year.

Year 7/8 Geography

This term, learners in the year 7/8 Geography class have been looking at water and its role as a resource. Learners have investigated everyday products and how water is used in their production, For example: Did you know that 12,075 litres of water is used to make your smart phone? Learners have investigated various water catchment areas in Australia’s Murray Darling Basin and used geographical skills to compare their catchment areas to others. Learners are now focussing on water scarcity particularly how cities like London and Tokyo are predicted to suffer a water crisis, similar to the water shortage experienced in Cape Town earlier this year.

Brad Forkert
English/Geography

SAPSASA Tennis & Cricket

Mackenzie Chapman is competing in the Northern District SAPSASA Tennis Carnival in Adelaide this week. We look forward to publishing her results in our next newsletter.

Isaac Finlay and Joel Finlay are also competing in the Northern District SAPSASA Carnival. Both boys were selected in the cricket team and we look forward to hearing about their week in Adelaide.

Congratulations to these three students, we thank their parents for their commitment to make sure they were available for selection and able to participate in the week long carnival.

Primary Report

First Day of Transition

On the 7th November students from the Quorn Kindergarten participated in the 2018 Firm Foundation Program. This program has been designed to assist students in transitioning to school from their prior-to-school setting. The focus for this visit was the garden and students participated in a small garden project that promotes skills in caretaking on a day-to-day basis. Thank you to our garden specialist Sharon Taylor for facilitating the visit.

Out of School Hours Care

I am excited to announce that Happy Haven will be providing a before school, after school and holiday program for students in Quorn. Happy Haven have a belief that children need a safe, warm, secure and stimulating environment where quality care is provided. The program director visited our site today to begin discussions relating to necessary requirements for implementation in 2019.

It is exciting that our students will be given the opportunity to further grow and develop as confident individuals by exploring their world through stimulating and challenging activities provided by the OSHC service.

Parents & Friends

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.

Showcase of Talent

On the 15th December the Junior Primary students displayed an abundance of talent on stage at the annual QAS Showcase. From finely tuned recorder songs and rhythmic drumming to energetic dance routines, it was great to see so many students work up the courage to take the stage; some for the first time ever.

I would like to thank everyone who supported the night, parents of those performing and also Heidi Roberts and Hollie Hancock for running the canteen. Most of all thank you to the students, without you the night wouldn’t be possible.

Aspiring to Inspire

Monique Carcuro
Primary School Coordinator

Miscellaneous Reports

Busy Bee

Do you have a spare hour or two?

Quorn Area School are holding a Busy Bee on Saturday 1st December from 9:00-11:00am

We are seeking volunteers to attach coloured wood palings to the Junior Primary playground. Please contact Monique or Sharon at the school Ph 86486101 so we can efficiently task manage your precious time and vision to help.

Winchester Foundation Scholarship Program