9 November 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

On Friday, our Year 12 learners began the study leave period preceding the Stage 2 SACE examinations. Whilst small in number, this group have been outstanding roles models for our future leaders. Their commitment to raising awareness and supporting numerous good causes has added a new dimension to our school, which is a better place due to their contribution. We wish them the best with their examinations, and we are confident that their diligence will be richly rewarded in the coming weeks and years.

We are reaching the final planning stages in terms of both staffing and timetable structure for 2022. Based on the continued growth in learner achievement we have secured this year across all assessments, we have committed to the following:

• Maintaining two Foundation classes for Literacy and Numeracy to ensure the best possible start.
• Introducing an additional Numeracy class in the Primary sector to allow greater flexibility in supporting learners requiring further intervention or extension.
• Maintaining targeted year level classes for English and Mathematics across the Y7-Y10 range.

I am also pleased to confirm the appointment of Kate Neu as a permanent teacher at Quorn Area School in 2022. Since she arrived in 2019, Kate has impressed with her professionalism and creativity in providing improved outcomes for all learners in her classes, and we are confident that she will continue to make a significant contribution to our improvement journey.

In late 2020 we shared with our community the news that we were entering into a partnership with The Smith Family to maximise the support available to our families. Much of this work goes unseen by our community, but we know the significant impact this has had on a number of our families. In addition to the direct financial support of learners, they are also actively supporting our enhanced careers program. The Work Inspiration program our Year 8-10’s are involved in this week is led and funded by The Smith Family, and it follows their support of learners to attend specialised careers events in Adelaide. If you would like to know more about The Smith Family and the support it offers families, please get in touch with Sarah Bury.

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

School Yearbook

LAST CHANCE -We are now taking orders for the 2021 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.

Secondary Report

Our Year 12’s are NEARLY finished. This week marks the final step in their education journey at Quorn Area School with their final exams taking place over the next two weeks in the Council Chambers. Exams are generally a very stressful time for students (and teachers) so please be kind to our Year 12s during this period. I wish our learners all the best in their upcoming exams and the schedule is as follows:

Monday 1st November
Math Methods @ 9am (130 minutes)

Wednesday 3rd November
General Mathematics @ 1:30pm (130 minutes)

Friday 5th November
Biology @ 9am (130 minutes)

Wednesday 10th November
Psychology @ 9am (130 minutes)

Thursday 11th November
Physics @ 9am (130 minutes)

Thursday 11th November
Nutrition @ 1:30pm (130 minutes)

Year 12 – Post Exams

It is always a sad day for me when we must farewell our Year 12’s from our site. As teachers in a small school, we develop amazing friendships with our learners as we see them 5 days a week for 40 weeks of the year for multiple years. This year’s cohort are no different and they will be sorely missed by not just by the teachers but the whole school community. The last two events that we are hosting to officially farewell our Year 12’s are on the following days:

Monday 15th November – Leaver's Assembly. During this 15 minute school assembly we farewell our learners from the site and give the other students one last chance to say goodbye.

Friday 19th November – Graduation Dinner. During this dinner we celebrate the success of our learners with their close family members and reminisce of the good times.

Transition

On Monday of Week 7 we begin our transition process throughout the Secondary School. This is where our current students from Year 6 to 11 move into their year levels in preparation for 2022. The learners will begin all their subjects and the work that they complete will accumulate for their 2022 Term 1 reports. This has been a very successful process in the last 3 years especially for our SACE learners who have taken advantage of this opportunity to complete a major assessment task. If you have any questions about this process, please contact Matt Griffiths.

Year 6-11 Camp to Illawonga

We are looking forward to week 6 when our secondary students get to attend the camp at Illawonga. We are currently collecting the last of the consent forms and a packing list will be sent out soon. As the camp approaches please speak to our finance officer Michelle Baker regarding payment options. Get excited for some knee boarding, kayaking, cave exploring and much more!

Growing Careers Project

QAS in Partnership with The Smith Family

We are excited to announce that Quorn Area School has been lucky enough to become a Project Partner School with the Growing Career Project.

• Each year, our school will select from a range of careers programs and activities offered by The Smith Family to be delivered to students in specific year levels.
• Programs and activities will be run over consecutive years, to ensure students participate in multiple careers programs and activities across the project lifecycle.
• There will be multiple participations in careers programs and activities over the next 4 years.

What is Work Inspiration?

Work Inspiration is an employer-led initiative that provides young people with opportunities to experience the world of work firsthand in a meaningful and inspiring way. Work Inspiration incorporates three career development activities or ‘Insights’ that allow students to explore career journeys, connect with the employer they’re visiting, and meet and talk to a range of staff.

Insight Activity One: ‘All About Me’
Insight Activity Two: ‘Behind the Scenes’
Insight Activity Three: ‘Careers Happen’

On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, our Yr 8-10 learners will participate in the very first session which is called the ‘Work Inspiration Program’. Through our recent partnership with The Smith Family and the Growing Careers Project, the sessions have all been funded, therefore there is no cost involved to our families.

The first session on Tuesday will see the students participating in some activities hosted by the Flinders Ranges Council. They will learn about possible opportunities in apprenticeships, traineeships and employment within various Council areas. They will undertake an ‘All about me’ session hosted by Paula Osborn from the Flinders Ranges Council.

The second session will be hosted here at QAS and facilitated by Alison Hoare Director to Nursing and Midwifery - Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network, Port Augusta Hospital. Students will learn about the employment opportunities within the FUNLHN and complete hands on activities focused on Speed Careering and Career Boards. They will gain knowledge on Cert 111, Traineeships and Diplomas etc.

On Wednesday, our learners will be transported to Max Cranes in Port Augusta where they will undertake an Insight Activity: ’Careers Happen’ They will hear about Max Academy, opportunities for employment & career streams ie; Business & Admin, Electrical, Crane Operations etc etc.

The second session will be back on site at QAS and hosted by Mandy Jordan from the Training Access Centre in Port Augusta.

Transport, morning tea and lunch will al be provided at no cost to our families.

For more information regarding ‘The Growing Careers Project’ – please contact Sarah Bury at the school.

I have attached an information flyer below for your interest.

Sarah Bury
Engagement Coordinator

Building and Construction Certificate

Students in Year 10 and 11 are working towards completing a week of work placement from 8th to the 12th November in an industry setting linked to the Building and Construction Certificate I program, run by Quorn Area School with support from one of our key supporters of the Trade Training Centre, Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society. Students will meet at the Quorn workshops each morning for a team meeting and will be working on construction projects during the week with a final goal of completing units related to using construction tools and equipment and moving construction materials. Students will be expected to demonstrate skills in other units covered, using calculations, reading plans and technical drawings, working with safety systems, work place communication, working in teams.

Travis McDonald

Happy Haven – OSHC

Opening Hours

We are Hiring

Student Free Day – Friday 12th of November

Miscellaneous Reports

Volunteer Information

Volunteers including people on a Governing Council must update their Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education and Care (RRHAN-EC ) training by 31 December 2021.

Volunteers who work with children (under 18 years) are mandated notifiers and are now required to update their training every 3 years.

Traineeship Opportunity