8 March 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Over the past two weeks, we have contacted caregivers from some classes to inform them that their child is a classroom contact. This situation is likely to be an ongoing issue, and we ask that all caregivers continue to monitor and advise the school of any positive tests. To avoid overwhelming caregivers with notifications, we are using email to notify you if your child is a classroom contact. To assist us in this task, we ask all caregivers to ensure the school has their most recent email address. As a result of this development, we have changed our calendar. Our first change is to reschedule the AGM to March 24. The meeting will be online, and we encourage those interested in attending to contact the school directly to make the arrangements necessary to ensure the session is successful. The meeting will focus on our achievements in 2021 and the plans for further improvement. Many thanks to those caregivers who have already been nominated for positions on the Governing Council in 2022. Nominations will close on March 18, and we encourage all caregivers to become active voices in the education of our young people.

The feedback I have received concerning our proposed information evenings is that whilst they are valued by our community, the online option was not the preferred choice. Therefore we have agreed to explore further ways to offer this event in an outdoor setting at the site. This change will allow caregivers and teachers to engage in active dialogue to support learning and meet the diverse needs of our learners. The new dates are as follows:

Wednesday, March 23 - Primary School (F-Y6)
Wednesday, March 16 - Senior School (Y7-12)

Finally, I would like to thank the community for their continued support during these challenging times and their understanding as we adapt to keep our community safe.

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

Parents & Friends

Secondary Report

News on Past Student

Primary Report

Foundation Class

We have hit the ground running this term in Room 1. The Foundation learners are settling into routines and school life. Here is a small snapshot of some of the things we have covered so far.

Room 1 Numeracy

This term in Numeracy, Room 1 learners have been learning to count small collections, order Numicon shapes from 1-10, recognise and make repeating patterns as well as ordering objects by height.

We went on a walk around our school to see if we could find different patterns and found that some are repeating patterns and some aren’t. We then explored making repeating patterns ourselves using 2 colours, 3 colours and changing the number of objects such as 1 red and then 2 green.

This week we explored ordering items. We were able to order classroom objects, our drink bottles and ourselves in order using our Collaborative Cam skills and Inquiring Ivy skills.

Foundation Art

In Art we have been looking at different element of Visual art. We first looked at lines and how they can show our feelings. Then we also looked at mixing colours which was messy and fun! We learnt that primary colours are used to make secondary colours. We then looked at warm and cool colours and patterns. We made Animal Art to show our understanding of colours, lines and patterns. We were inspired by Bronwyn Bancroft’s’ art in her picture book.

Foundation Spanish

In Spanish we have been learning some greetings. We now know how to Hola (hello), me llamo (my name is), and adios (goodbye). We have made a video introducing ourselves to QAS.

Resources for Home

Each week, we will be sending home the sounds that we have covered and some numeracy activities which relate to the class topic. These are additional resources to support and complement your child’s learning. They can be great conversation starters about their learning and an opportunity for your child to share their knowledge and understanding.

Thank you,
Miss Neu

Mr B’s 5/6 Class

The Year 5/6 class have been developing their understanding of angles, we’re really enjoyed solving the puzzles that Mr. B has drawn for us in the COLA. We’ve also had been examining using different strategies to solve math equations with fractions such as the Bridging Strategy.

We’ve been enjoying the Future Education kit, particularly the Virtual Reality headsets learning how to pilot the drone. We're looking forward to programming it to carry out an organized flight path.

Pentanque has been so much fun! We’re getting better and better at it. The desire to grow new movement skills is a focus that we want to become a part of who we are going into the future.

General School News

Wellbeing and Engagement Collection Survey

Dear Parent/Guardian

Re: Wellbeing and Engagement Collection survey

Our students have been invited to take part in the Wellbeing and Engagement Collection survey. The survey will be open in Weeks 8 to 10 of Term 1 (Monday 21 March to Friday 8 April 2022).

Purpose of the survey

Young people’s wellbeing is an important part of how they learn at school. The survey seeks students’ views about their wellbeing and their engagement with school. Students in years 4 to 12 across the state will be invited to participate and the information collected will help the education system and broader community to support young people’s health and wellbeing.

What is the survey about?

The survey asks students about their social and emotional wellbeing, school relationships and engagement and learning in school, physical health and wellbeing, and after school activities.

How will students complete the survey?

Teachers will arrange for students to do the survey during class time. They will be asked if they would like to participate and are free to withdraw at any time. If you do not want your child to participate, please contact the school as soon as possible after receiving this letter.

Will students’ information be kept confidential?

Students’ personal information and identity will remain anonymous. Survey responses are confidential and no one (including school staff) can use the results to identify individual students. Participating schools with fewer than 5 students undertaking the survey will not receive a report of results, to protect the confidentiality of students.

What will happen if a student is distressed during or after the survey?

The survey includes some questions on topics such as student happiness and bullying.

Teachers will inform students that:

• if they find the survey uncomfortable or distressing, they should leave the survey immediately
• it is not compulsory to take part in the survey as a whole, and
• students can skip individual survey questions if they wish.

Students who would like to speak to an adult about any concerns they may have will be supported to do so.

Where can I get more information? More information on the Wellbeing and Engagement Collection can be found from the link below (search: wec) or can be collected from the school. For questions or concerns, or to view the questions, please email Education.WECSA@sa.gov.au

Sincerely
Sarah Bury

The Smith Family

Our student2student program works by matching students who need to improve their reading, with peer buddies who help and encourage them with their reading. Peer support is central to the program’s success. Evidence indicates that one of the best ways to support students who have reading difficulties is for the help to come from others near their own age.

If your child is in years 3 to 8, struggling with reading, and wanting additional support to improve, then they might be eligible for the student2student program. The student would be matched up with a trained buddy, who would read with them for 20 minutes, 2-3 times per week, over 18 weeks (outside of school hours).

In 2019, a detailed analysis of data for 1462 student2student participants was carried out. Students, buddies and parents were also asked to complete surveys about their experience of the program.

• 97% of students improved their reading
• 84% of students agreed they read more having completed the program
• 84% of students agreed the program helped them feel more confident with schoolwork
• 93% of parents reported children felt better about themselves
• 96% of parents reported their child’s reading has improved.

Please see information below

Contact Sarah Bury at the school if you would like to register.

Quorn School Community Library

The Community Library borrowing system has been upgraded and patrons will now receive digital notifications of overdue items. Please have a look around your home for any overdue items and return them to the library as soon as possible.

Miscellaneous Items

Quorn Netball Club Registrations

Registrations for the upcoming season are due by the 30th March. Please click on the link below and follow the steps.

Junior Training begins Wednesday 16th March at 5.00pm
Senior Training begins Wednesday 9th March at 6.30pm

BMW Football Registrations