30 March 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

We have completed Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) for Science and ACER General Capabilities Test (AGAT) during this term. We introduced these new tests in our Senior school last year, and we will be rolling them out in our Primary school next term. The tests provide further information to teachers on their curriculum delivery by highlighting strengths and weaknesses in learner knowledge. Teachers will share this data with learners during the early stages of next term.

Term One reports are available to download this week, and following a week of reflection, we will be adding the grades to these reports on 6 April. These ‘long’ reports provide:

• Comments and detailed information on your child’s progress.
• Performance outcomes based on national standards.
• Information on where to next in each subject area.

Please take the time to go through the report with your child and discuss their progress and future goals. Teachers have also indicated whether attendance at the forthcoming three-way interviews is essential to discuss ways to support growth in learning. If you have any concerns about the report, please do not hesitate to contact the teacher directly or the head of school to discuss the issue.

Finally, as this is our last newsletter of Term One, I would like to wish all of our families a safe Easter break and an enjoyable school holiday when it arrives on 9 April. We look forward to seeing you all on 27 April for the next chapter of our learning journey.

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

General School Notices

Early Dismissal for Easter

Students will be dismissed at 2.05pm this coming Thursday in
readiness for the Easter weekend.

Primary Assembly

End of Term Assembly

School Photos – New Date

School Photos will be held on Thursday 29th April. Student envelopes will be sent home next week and will need to be returned on the day of photos.

School Prefects

Last Friday we organised events to recognise National Day of Action against Violence & Bullying as well as National Ride to School Day. We were very pleased with the number of students who participated in the organised activities. It was great to see everyone showing their support for ‘No Bullying’ by wearing orange/red clothing and odd socks. The activities organised for the F-6 grades were based around bullying and the effects it can have on others. All students engaged in the activities and gave thoughtful responses.

We were happily surprised by the number of students that participated in Ride to School Day and especially those that decorated their bikes. It was really difficult to choose winners as everyone did a great job. Congratulations to Ellie Bury, Maya Kramer, Callan Finlay, Flynn Saxton and Eddie Skull who were lucky enough to receive a milkshake voucher for their efforts. Thanks to the Year 11/12’s and teachers/SSO’s for their support on the day and especially Mark, it was very much appreciated – the RESPECT photo turned out perfect!

Don’t forget this Thursday is House Colour and Cupcake Day! Wear your House colours and bring a gold coin donation for a cupcake (donated by the Parents and Friends committee). Individual classes will be participating in a House team activity where points will be recorded for Yarrah and Kanyaka.

Cheers - Maya, Jayde and Ethan, 2021 Prefects.

MNSEC Formal

This year’s formal for Year 11 & 12 students will be held in Orroroo Friday 14th May. More details to follow early in Term 2.

Secondary Report

MNSEC Athletics

On the 16th of March, a small force of 25 students from QAS visited Jamestown for the annual MNSEC athletics day. Despite our small numbers in comparison to some of the larger schools I’m proud to say our young people gave each event their best effort. While we may have placed 6th overall, many of our competitors placed in their events. Namely: William Bennett who came first in the U15 boys long jump with a distance of 4.66m; Mhatika Wilton came first in the U16 girl’s shotput with a distance of 7.94m; and Emily Eckert who came first in Open girls Javelin with a throw of 20.6m. Congratulations to all students for their amazing effort. Finally, I would like to give a huge thank you to our amazing parents who every year come and support our young people by providing transport and extra supervision throughout the day, we would not be able to make these events happen without you.

Brad Forkert
Event Supervisor

Year 7/8 Science with Sambi

The Year 7/8 Class have been using microscopes looking at things living and non-living

Primary Report

MAPPEN Activities with Mrs Reed during Term 1

Foundation Class

Foundation students built models of themselves. They also learnt about First Aid, knowing when it is appropriate and how to make a Triple Zero call.

Year 1/2 Class

The Year 1/2 class has been learning about our Learner Dispositions, below is a video of the class learning about Perserverance Pete

The Year 1/2 class also reviewed services in our local community and built models of some of these services. We had a police station, a shop, swimming pool to name a few.

Year 3/4 Class

The 3/4 class were challenged to build a free standing tower. It proved more challenging than they expected.

The 3/4 class also spent time earlier this term reviewing the Learner Engagement Policy.

The class learnt about the relevance of stories in teaching children lessons.

Levi sharing a story about something that has happened that taught someone a valuable lesson.

Shelby sharing a story about something that happened that taught everyone a valuable lesson.

Ella sharing her story that taught her Mum a lesson!

Flynn gets a little emotional as he recalls a valuable lesson in gratefulness.

The Year 3/4 class have been learning about the early settlement in Australia of convicts. They have been replicating some artefacts. Here Hugo models the latest style in balls and chains! Replicated by Levi and Hugo

Governing Council

QAS Governing Council was formed after an AGM in March.

Members include Andrea Tschirner – Chairperson, Annelise Perry – Secretary, Hollie Hancock – Treasurer, Karen-Ann Buckingham, Cameron Saxton, Kyley McCarthy, Sharlynn McCarthy, Renata Hackett, Mark Tuckwell, Katrine Scott, Sarah Bury, Andrew Gilsenan-Reed, Ken Anderson & Maggie Kamin

Meetings are open to all community members - Governing Council and the school leadership are committed to ensuring that all families and members of the school community feel welcome and able to attend Governing Council meetings. Future meetings will be held in the late afternoon to suit younger families and will have a qualified staff member available for parents and carers needing support with child care. We are also happy to provide a Zoom log-in for Council members who are working away from Quorn, or have sick children and can’t be at a meeting in-person.

School closure dates for the remainder of the year have been approved.

Resourcing school excursions - QAS students have recently been participating in school sporting events in the mid north region and in Adelaide. As these events are run as school activities, Departmental policy requires students to be supervised by school staff. In larger groups this is not an issue, but can be difficult to resource and justify with small numbers of students on an excursion. Governing Council is hoping to work with other schools in the Mid-north region and discuss resourcing solutions for future events. We’d like to hear from parents and families on their ideas about how we can continue to provide opportunities for our students in the future given these challenges.

Finance - The School has undergone a recent financial audit, with some funds surplus from under-spending on large projects last year due to Covid restrictions causing contractor hold-ups. A draft budget will be presented to the Council in Term 2. Thanks to Michelle Baker for all her hard work in preparing financial records for auditing. This year will also see the review of the schools’ equipment assets and how they are being used. Focus will be given to equipment purchased relating to trade training.

Next meeting – Week 3, Thursday 13th May. Meeting at 5pm for a meet and greet cuppa and ‘walk through’ the proposed Stokes entrance upgrades before 5:30pm meeting start. All community members welcome.

Andrea Tschirner
Chairperson

Happy Haven OSHC

April Vacation Care

Quorn School Community Library

Storytime

Everyone Welcome, tomorrow Wednesday March 31st with an Easter Theme

Storytime is a free service suitable for pre-school children aged 2 to 5.

National Simultaneous Storytime

SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday 19 May 2021 at 11:00am

This year NSS takes place on Wednesday 19 May 2021 at 11:00am from the International Space Station and we would love it if you could join us by sharing Give Me Some Space written and illustrated by Philip Bunting. Everyone can join NSS, it doesn't matter whether you are at home, a school, or a library.

Parents and Friends

Easter Raffle

Thanks to everyone for their contribution for the Easter Raffle, please return your tickets if you haven’t already done so. Prizes will be drawn on Thursday.

Miscellaneous Reports

Music Lessons with John O’Dea

There is once again a possibility for students to have private guitar or drum lessons at Quorn Area School with John O’Dea beginning early next term. This will only be possible if we have enough students interested. Lessons are $25 each. If you would like to register your child's interest please contact the school and leave your details with Tricia, 8648 6101.

Happy Families

A great resource for families, includes a Podcast with over 200 episodes

Northern Festival Centre – What’s on in April

Port Augusta Colts Football League