21 September 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

INQUIRING REFLECTIVE ADAPABLE COLLABORATIVE OWNERSHIP PERSEVERING

Despite the concerns about NAPLAN earlier in the year, the nationwide results offer much to celebrate. The results are testimony to the resilience of learners, teachers and families during this prolonged period of upheaval and uncertainty. Our learners again bettered the achievements of previous years, demonstrating growth across all year levels. Our growth comes from quality teaching, supportive families, and the commitment of our learners to the above dispositions. This year, the results not only bettered our previous results but were the best results of a state school in our region. While to have cause to celebrate, we also understand that the primary purpose of the NAPLAN tests is as a diagnostic tool to assist teachers and schools in understanding areas for better improvement. This process has already begun as we seek to ensure growth for every learner in our school. The release of the NAPLAN coincides with the publication of our Term Three reports. Caregivers wishing to discuss their child’s results can contact staff directly to arrange an online or face to face meeting.

Last week I attended Quorn Kindergarten to meet the caregivers of our 2022 Foundation classes. We are already looking forward to the visits of this future cohort, and I want to thank Maggie Kamin for the work they have already completed and the work still to come. In many respects, the transition of our newest cohort mirrors that of our oldest. Our Year Twelve learners are already moving into the exam revision stage as they transition to post-school options. Our Year Eleven learners also face the pressure of completing compulsory subjects to ensure a smooth transition to the following year. Matt Griffiths and his team will continue to work hard to support our senior learners during this time, and we encourage all caregivers to get in touch if they have concerns or require further information.

Finally, I would like to wish all of our families a safe holiday. We look forward to seeing you all in Term Four for the next chapter of our learning journey.

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

Sports Day

Third Time Lucky - Thursday 23rd September

HOUSE KEEPING

Students in Years 2-12 are asked to meet in their designated House classroom at 8:45am SHARP for a team roll call. F/1 students will meet in their usual base classrooms at 8:45am. All students will make their way down to the oval at 8:55am.

During the day, students will be competing in their age group events and must stay in their groups for breaks and lunch with their allocated teacher. We kindly ask that families don’t remove their child/ren from their breaks and interrupt their ability to stay together as a group.

TIMING/MEASURING OF EVENTS

We are still looking for some more parents to volunteer for jobs to ensure that the day runs smoothly. Please see Sarah Bury if you can be of assistance.

JP PROGRAM AND WHOLE SCHOOL PROGRAM

Please find attached the two programs for the day.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

Take your time to ensure that you familiarise yourselves with our Covid-19 protocols prior to the day to ensure that the event is safe and successful.

P+F CANTEEN

Please support our Parents and Friends Committee who will be kindly offering a BBQ as well as some chips, lollies and drinks to purchase. The BBQ will be available between 11am & 1pm.

Governing Council

The Council met in Week 9 and were pleased to be presented with the recent results of NAPLAN testing. NAPLAN is an annual assessment carried out in all Australian schools for Years 3,5,7 & 9 students. The assessments monitor students learning progress against Australian Curriculum standards. Quorn Area School has shown growth and improvement across many areas of the testing. The work that has been put into numeracy and literacy programs across the school levels is showing results.

Planned works and site improvements at the school have been slow to reach completion due to constraints finding and sourcing suppliers and materials. Further planning and budgeting hopes to see works get underway in the next 6 months; this includes replacement of decking and ramp into the Science Lab.

It was pleasing to hear the results of a student survey initiated by the school captains, and discussion about the addition of a long-sleeved shirt to the school uniform was supported. Unfortunately, Sports Day had to be cancelled at short notice. We acknowledge the disappointment this may have caused many families who rearranged work rosters or care arrangements to be able to attend or volunteer at the day.

A student show-case event is being planned later in Term 4 and it is hoped this will enable families and members of the school community to see the work and share in the progress and achievements of the students. More details of the event will be available in Term 4. The Pichi Richi Trade Training program is scheduled for next term for Secondary students. A small committee has been formed to see the continuation and improvement of the program into the future; this group will meet in Week 3 next term.

Due to the small size of the school, running a canteen is not a viable exercise and filling lunch orders with external providers is now the only option to offer lunch options to QAS students. The school lunch order system has been under review and work has been progressed to find a system to be able to offer healthy food choices and reduce the amount of staff time required to fill orders. After months of negotiation and feedback from families, QAS will trial an order system with Quorn Takeaway in Term 4. The new system will offer healthy food choices as well as hot food options, and will remove the need for school staff to pick up and drop off orders in work time. Lunch orders will only be available to students on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Toastie Tuesday will offer toasted sandwich option on Tuesdays but Mondays will require families to provide lunch for students. A new menu and price list will be available soon.

The Council also discussed events in the past that have helped to foster the school community culture and engage families with student learning. A re-think of events like the Food & Fun Fair, school socials and dances and a Year 6 graduation is being discussed and considered for the future. We would value your input.

The Governing Council will next meet at the school staff room at 5:30, Thurs 28th of October.

Andrea Tschirner
Chairperson, Governing Council

Primary Report

Miss Neu’s Year 1/2 Class

This term we have been busy engaging in our Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds theme. We have been busy looking at maps of Quorn and other places to identify landmarks and map features. We have also been creating maps and practicing giving and following directions. To wrap up out topic, we are applying our map knowledge and measurement skills to create worlds in Minecraft. We are working towards recording the measurements and location of different buildings and creating detailed descriptions of our worlds.

We have also been learning about different dances from different periods in time. We have learned the Charleston, Hand Jive and Running Man as well as sharing dances that we see today. Learners are busily creating their own dances which have an ‘old, new and other’ dance moves to go with our theme.

In Numeracy, we have also been looking at how to measure area using informal units. We learnt that we need to use the same unit of measurement so we can compare accurately.

Subject Report

Pastoral Care Worker

I would like to introduce myself to you, I am Sharon Hooper, and currently hold the position of Pastoral Care Worker at the Quorn Area School.

The Pastoral Care Worker position is here to help your child with their overall wellbeing.

To assist sort through thoughts, emotions and behaviour that may see your child not wanting to go to school, having trouble with being in class, acting out of the norm.

The Pastoral Care Worker can also be that neutral person to spend time with and listen to what is going on for them in the moment.

The position is not a Teacher, not a School Staffer, not Religious Based, but an Independent Position that is to give that extra support to your child's journey through school.

My background is in, Stress Management, Youth Work and my approach comes from a strength-based practice promoting positive solutions for students, staff and families.

I look forward to helping all students shine and reach their fullest potential.

Sharon Hooper - Pastoral Care Worker

Parents and Friends

QAS Students, parents and staff cleaning up the school oval and surrounding areas ready for Sports Day!

Thank you to all the mums (Renata Hackett, Annelise Perry, Sarah Kruger, Mel McCallum, Kat Scott and Sylvia Jadrych), all the students (Evie and Lily Hackett, Will, Eddie and Charlie Skull and Ava Perry, Noah and Maya Kruger, Odin and Ayla McCallum, Ashleigh Scott, Georgia Shannon, Levi Hatch, Jemma Fisher, Lucas Werth, Callan, Wayde and Dominic Finlay) and staff (Shay Geldard) that helped clean up the school oval and surrounding areas yesterday after school. House points were given to all participants. Well done to Yarrah who received a total of 40 points and Kanyaka who received a total of 40 points.

Thank you to the QAS Parents and Friends Committee for organising the event and congratulations to all of the students, parents and staff listed above for taking such pride in our school.