5 May 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Welcome back to a rather unusual Term 2. It’s certainly not what we envisaged last term, but thankfully had planned for.

For the next two weeks we will be welcoming our learners back into classrooms while also supporting those learning from home.

Learning will continue to be provided online, and with those attending school, the transition to delivering content in classrooms is resuming.

It has been no easy feat for all those involved, especially our parents and carers who were asked to support their child from home. However, the transition was rather seamless for our learners and that is thanks to you our very patient and considerate QAS community!

I would like to thank those parents who contacted the school to inform us know of any issues they were having, this in turn supported many others who were having the same issues. With your help and with regular communication, we were able to fix glitches we didn’t know existed, set up email accounts that were not yet activated and update Daymap features to assist both teachers and learners, all of which has taught us something new and made us grow as individuals and as a profession.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff here at QAS. Throughout all the chaos, their continued professionalism and innovation every day was great to see. They rose to the expectations placed on them from the Department and also from our site.

There’s no rule book for running schools during a pandemic – but I think as a school community we are doing extremely well. Thank you for experiencing this unknown journey with us and hopefully we are on the road to normality, although I like this new normal.

For now however, a few friendly reminders for Term 2:

• Unfortunately we are still trying to minimise visitors and parents on site.
• Parent/ Teacher interviews via phone are happening this week and next (Week 2&3) book via the Daymap portal or call the school to make an appointment.
• Call the school (each Monday) if your children are learning remotely, and
• Music has recommenced, please return your instruments as soon as possible.

We will have a few new faces on site this term. I would like to congratulate Denise Wilton, who has been appointed to the Aboriginal Education Worker (AEW) role at our school for Term 2. Also welcome to Kate Retelsdorf, who will be taking over as our Instrumental Music teacher while Sasha is on leave.

This year, there will be many things to reflect on that have been different to previous years; in particular the change of traditions. One story our Prefects can talk about for years to come will be the participation in a virtual Anzac Day service that was cleverly created by our local council. Thank you for the opportunity to still be involved in such an important celebration.

Finally, the weather has never been kind to us when planning ‘anything cricket nets’, however we were able to assemble one net box on the weekend (strict social distancing of course), with thanks to Hank & Hollie Hancock. It’s been a slow process as time sure does slip away, but completion is in sight.

Aspire to Inspire
Monique Griffiths

Primary Report

Miss Neu’s Learners

We have had a great start back at school this term. Thank you to everyone who returned their packs back to the classroom. It’s greatly appreciated.

We have hit the ground running in our learning. In our Numeracy lessons we have been looking at Addition. One of the tasks we had was to go shopping. We had $20 to spend at Miss Neu’s Toy Shop and we could buy up to 4 items. Learners used various strategies to figure out how much they had spent to ensure they didn’t go over $20.

In Digital Technology, we explored how to stay safe in online environments. We discovered that just like in our physical world, we need to take steps online to protect ourselves. We have made some posters to teach others how to stay safe too.

We will also be reinstating our library visits on Thursday afternoons, starting in Week 4. While the library will still be closed to the public, classes will be allowed back in to return and borrow books. This is great news and we can get back to completing our Premiers Reading Challenge for 2020. If your child read any Premiers Challenge books during the holidays, please write them in your child’s communication book so they can be transferred to their challenge form.

Kate Neu
Year 1/2 Class Teacher

Learner Engagement and Wellbeing

Mothers Day Stall

Parents and Friends

Sustainability in our School

We have now received our stock of 4myearth wraps and sandwich pockets which you can purchase through the front office. Using them in your lunchbox is a great way to keep our school waste free. Come in and have a look at the different designs we have for the following products:

Curry Club

We are continuing with our sales of curry blends during Term 2. Come in and purchase yours today – it’s the perfect time of the year to be enjoying the warmth of a curry.

Subject News

Visual Arts – Survey

I couldn’t be more grateful for all the support I have received for my stobie pole designs. If you have not already voted please make sure you click on the link provided to complete the survey.

Thanks,
Maya Omonte-Kramer
Yr 11 Visual Arts Survey