8 September 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Schools have changed significantly over the past decade to meet both legislated changes and the opportunities offered by a technological revolution. We have introduced new ways of teaching, assessing and engaging learners to meet the demands of our everchanging world. However, despite these changes, reading remains the primary determiner of engagement, academic success and wellbeing during the teenage years and beyond. Unfortunately, enjoyment of reading tends to decline from the age of eight, and research shows that less than a third of eighteen years olds have read a book for pleasure in the last year.

While the achievements of our learners have been impressive in recent years, we still believe that tackling the issue of reading for pleasure remains a whole school priority. Success in this area will not only improve our results further but also significantly improve the wellbeing of our learners. To achieve this goal, we have been busy ensuring that both teachers and learners from Year Two to Year Ten know their Lexile reading level. We have also begun the process of adding Lexile labels to books in our library. These labels will support both learners and teachers to select books that offer the right balance between interest and challenge. In addition to matching the learner to a book, we can also assign online quizzes that test comprehension upon the completion of a book.

Your child's teacher can provide further details regarding Lexile levels, including login details for Scholastic Learning Zone. In the coming weeks, learners will be assigned books from the library based on both their interests and Lexile level.

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

Secondary Report

The Arts

The Year 7/8 Art students presented their stop motion animation last week and sought some feedback from their peers and younger learners in the school. Claymation is a stop motion animation technique created by connecting a sequence of individually photographed frames with clay constructed objects. The objects are moved in small increments across the many frames, creating the illusion that they are moving independently when the frames are strung together.

Examples of popular Claymation projects include the award winning films Coralline, Kubo and the Two Strings, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, and the Wallace and Gromit films.

This term the Year 9 cohort have been learning the pinch pot method, modelling 3d features, score and slip technique, and other ceramics basics, while creating their own functional nose teapot inspired by Funk Artist Clayton Bailey!

Based on the initial design brief and community survey results, the final stobie pole designs are complete. Year 11 student Maya Omonte-Kramer will now hand the painted designs over to the Council to display in a suitable location around town. Thank you to everyone who supported the design process.

SSSA Volleyball

Our senior girls competed in the SSSA Volleyball finals held at The Lights Community and Sports Centre last Wednesday. The girls were exposed to some very experience teams in Reynella East and Seaview High but to their credit held their nerve pushing both teams to high scoring sets in both matches. Their third game was against Thomas Moore College, a team that we had lost to previously in our 2019 campaign. Twelve months on and we turned the tables and were successful winning 2 sets to 1. Tayla, Kaitlyn, Shalaynee, Tiarna, Jayde, Emily and Maya should be very proud of their efforts. Thanks to Matt Griffiths for his coaching and support along the way, also thanks to the parents who travelled to support the girls on the day.

Primary Report

Miss Tomney’s 2/3/4 Class

The Year 2/3/4 Class have been super busy undertaking a range of activities. Here is some of the learning that has been happening in the classroom.

Literacy

We have been learning lots in Literacy this term. Students have been completing a range of different text focuses and completing activities that relate. Students are learning about playscripts, they have been acting the script out and extending a scene of the play.

Numeracy

In Numeracy, we have been learning about multiplication and division. Learners completed a range of activities that allowed them to show their working out in many of the ways we learnt about. Students had the opportunity to showcase their learning to the class. This provided a lot of discussion, students learnt that there are many ways to solve a pronlem and we can all learn from each other. We have now started learning about fractions. Students have been identifying different ways that objects can be divided evenly.

Learning Pit

Students are becoming aware that good learners go into the ‘pit’ as it allows their knowledge to be questioned and extended. We have had many discussions on the different strategies that can be used when they are stuck on a question or if they are unsure what to do. Students have created their own learning pit, which is on display in the classroom. Learners will be able to refer to their displays to see what strategies they can use to get out of the ‘pit’.

Art

In the Arts, we have been focusing on music. We have been learning how can change a part of a song and improvise to create a beat and stay in tune.

SAPSASA Athletics

On Tuesday the 1st of September, 15 students from years 4-7 were selected from their results at our Sports Day to compete in the SAPSASA Athletics carnival which was held at Stirling North Primary School. I was extremely impressed with all competing students in respects to their enthusiasm and the way in which they conducted themselves on the day. Each student participated in three events and some were also involved in a relay. There were some amazing individual results throughout the day, and all students competed to the best of their ability.

I would like to thank Sarah Holtham and Sarah Kruger who provided transport on the day. Thanks also to Denise Wilton and Sarah Kruger who assisted on the discus event throughout the day. We cannot offer these opportunities for our students without the support of our parents and community members.

I am yet to receive individual results. These will be published in the next newsletter.

Below are the overall results from the day. As you can see, we had a very small number of competitors compared to some of the bigger schools. A very impressive result to finish third in the handicap shield. The handicap shield represents the results on the day, together with the number of students enrolled at each school in years 4-7. Well done to these students.

A fabulous effort! You certainly did QAS proud.

Learner Engagement and Wellbeing

The Smith Family

We are extremely pleased to announce that we have signed a partnership with the Smith Family. The Smith Family is an independent children's charity helping disadvantaged Australian children to get the most out of their education, so they can create better futures for themselves.

There are scholarships available for 2021 and beyond, which will assist families enrolled at Quorn Area School with direct school related expenses each year.

I have attached a flyer with more information. If you believe that your family fits the criteria, please contact Sarah Bury at the school. She will be able to guide you through the referral process. The flyer states that children need to be in Foundation-Year 7, however if your child is in Year 8 this year, there will be an exception.

Any questions regarding the Smith Family and the referral process – please contact Sarah Bury.

Parent Engagement Survey

We are encouraging all parents to complete the Department for Education Parent Engagement Survey this week.

Your feedback will help us understand the things we're doing well, where we can improve, and what's really important to you as a parent.

Please note that the Department for Education is coordinating this survey centrally. All responses will be confidential and only collated feedback will be provided back to the school.

Father’s Day Stall

Thanks to the students for their support of the Father’s Day stall last week. We hope that all dads/grandads had a wonderful day on Sunday and enjoyed their hand selected gifts from the stall. Thanks to the secondary students who assisted with wrapping and the handling of the money.

Subject Report

Homework Club

Commonwealth Bank Financial Literacy Workshops

On Monday the 31st of August, the years 7-10 students participated in an online financial literacy workshop.

Start Smart is an award-winning financial education program offered to school aged students across Australia to help them prepare for their future. Conducted by world-class facilitators, the interactive, educational workshops are designed to motivate and inspire students and give them the confidence and skills to make smart decisions about money.

Start Smart reaches over 550,000 students each year. Since it was founded in 2007, over 3 million students have participated in Start Smart, making it the largest program of its kind in the world.

On Monday the 31st of August, the years 7-10 students participated in an online financial literacy workshop.

The year 7/8 workshop explores the foundations of financial decision making. Through a series of activities designed to stimulate thinking and have students reflect on their current spending habits, Smart Choices encourages discussion around the influences and factors that shape financial choices. The workshop helps students to question their purchases and understand the wider implications of their decisions.

Several concepts are covered including:

• financial responsibilities
• emotional motives affecting financial decisions
• influences on spending
• the difference between needs and wants

The year 9/10 workshop uses real-life scenarios, this hands-on workshop highlights the vital information students need to make their first job count. By exploring a variety of topics associated with earning money – such as getting your first job, rates of pay, taxation and workplace rights and responsibilities – students are equipped with the tools that allow them to both maximise their income and enjoy their work. These sometimes difficult concepts are brought to life in a way that excites and engages students through scenarios that relate directly to their own experiences.

Several concepts are covered including:

• your first job
• employee rights and responsibilities
• award wages
• tax thresholds
• tax file number and lodging tax returns
• checking your pay slip

There are some fantastic resources for parents and students on their website. You will find these on the link below.

OSHC – Happy Haven

October Vacation Care

QAS Community Library

Time is Up: Reading has concluded on the 4th September for the 2020 Challenge.

NOTICE: Parents/caregivers please ensure to complete the reading records and submit it to your child’s classroom teacher ASAP. Schools need to have entered all student data before 18th September in order to count your child’s participation.

Book Week

SAVE THE DATE

Term 4 Week 2
Tuesday, 20th October – Friday, 23rd October
at Quorn School & Community Library

Theme: Curious Creatures, Wild Minds

Each year across Australia, the CBCA brings children and books together celebrating CBCA Book Week. During this time schools, libraries, booksellers, authors, illustrators and children celebrate Australian children's literature and you will often see children's book character parades and talented librarians creating amazing displays.

Scholastic Book Fair

SAVE THE DATE
(same week as Book Week)
Term 4 Week 2
Tuesday, 20th October – Friday, 23rd October
at Quorn School & Community Library

Remember, every purchase made earns learning and literacy resources for our school. Payment options are stated in the letter sent to you.

Reading for pleasure unlocks the power of information and imagination! It helps children discover who they are…

Our Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books, which our learners want to read right into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Every year, friends and families come together to promote reading books and lifelong learning at our Book Fair.

*Payment options:

Cash or Card (EFTPOS) available

Online Payment also available here:

• Be sure to choose Book Fairs payments NOT Book Club.
• Make sure to record your receipt number.
• Fill in the payment receipt number details in the back of the Book Fair Brochure and bring this to your librarian.

Miscellaneous Reports

School Yearbook

We are now taking orders for the 2020 School Yearbook. The cost of the magazine is $30 – an email can be sent to michelle.baker315@schools.sa.edu.au to place your order and your money can be deposited into the school bank account, alternatively you can call into the Finance Office to order and pay for your Yearbook.

Rowan Ramsey School Community Award

Nominations are now open to a staff, parent or community member who has ‘gone the extra mile’ dedicating and volunteering their time and skills to Quorn Area School.

If you would like to nominate a deserving person please forward your submissions to dl.0793.admin@schools.sa.edu.au.

The worthy recipient will be formally recognised at our end of year presentation assembly on Monday 30th November 2020.

Port Augusta City Council – Upcoming Events for Children