12 April 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

As this is our last newsletter of the term, I would like to express my appreciation to all of the staff for their commitment to learning during our ninth consecutive ‘uniquely challenging' term. I would also like to express my gratitude to the caregivers who continued to work closely with us to minimise this pandemic's impact and prioritised learning for their children.

In term two, Matt Griffiths has secured a one-term promoted position at Roxby Downs Area School. We wish him all the best as he begins the next chapter of his leadership development, and I am confident the experience will be richly rewarding for both parties. We will also be farewelling Rohie Griffiths at the end of this term as she begins her delayed travelling adventure, and we thank her for the creative thinking she has brought to our site over this term. We are still in the process of restructuring following these changes, but we are confident that we can adapt with minimal impact on our learning programs.

Work will be commencing shortly on our long-awaited upgrade to the Stokes Road entrance, and a shade structure will be installed over the sandpit. This work will potentially impact access to these areas, and we ask all caregivers to adhere to any temporary restrictions. We also seek your support in reinforcing the message that building sites are not playgrounds.

Term one reports, complete with grades and learning goals, are now available. These 'long' reports provide:

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

As always, we encourage you to take the time to read the report with your child and discuss their progress. The inclusion of individual goals has also created an opportunity to discuss their progress towards their identified goals. Three-way interviews are scheduled for term three. Therefore we encourage all caregivers to raise any concerns or queries directly with the class teacher or head of school. Contact can be made through Daymap, email, or phoning reception.

Finally, as this is our last newsletter of term one, I wish our families a safe Easter break and an enjoyable school holiday when it arrives on the 14th of April. We look forward to seeing you all on the 2nd of May for the next chapter of our learning journey.

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

Whole School News

We have successfully received a School Road Safety Grant worth $4400 to purchase a portable speed radar that will be placed at any point around our school perimeter, allowing drivers to reflect on the speeds they are travelling at within our school zones. We hope this is the first step in improving road safety around our school.

We will see a significant upgrade to our gymnasium during the school holidays. The floor is being resurfaced, new lines will be marked, and we will be upgrading all the posts and nets. We look forward to sharing this space with you all shortly.

NDA Bullying and Violence/Harmony Day

On Monday, the 28th of March, the school Prefects planned and hosted a special day commemorating the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. Students dressed in either orange or red to acknowledge the day. The day started with students meeting outside the Railway Station at 8:30 am, then walking to the school with the aid of both teachers and Prefects. Once the students arrived at school, they were met with a table of pancakes cooked fresh by the office staff. During the first break, choc chip muffins were served to all students under the cave. During the second lesson period, the Prefects facilitated various activities for the students to help raise awareness of bullying and violence. These activities included watching a video about anti-bullying, colouring-in sheets about kindness, completing word searches, and painting pavers to be displayed in our school garden.

Thanks to all who participated and made the day enjoyable.

2022 Prefects.

Secondary Report

Reports

Hopefully, you have had a chance to read your child's Term 1 Report on Daymap. Our teachers have spent time and effort completing an accurate report on your child's progress this year. Please take the time to read and discuss these reports with your child. If any questions arise, don't hesitate to contact the school to discuss them with the teachers.

Our Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews will be held in Week 2 of Term 3. Please keep an eye out for these on Daymap. A message will also be sent on Schoolzine advising you when bookings can be made.

Opportunity

You may have already heard through the Quorn grapevine that I have recently accepted a 10-week contract at Roxby Downs Area School as Deputy Principal. I am looking forward to the opportunity of expanding my leadership knowledge and experience. This is an area of growth for me, and I believe it will make me a better leader when I return in Term 3. I have already spoken with the students, and I am grateful for their understanding and support for me on this journey. If you have any questions or queries my email address is still the same matt.griffiths310@schools.sa.edu.au.

Stage 1 & 2 Food and Hospitality Dinner

On Tuesday, April 5th, our year 11/12 Food and Hospitality class prepared and held a dinner inspired by the local businesses of Quorn. We chose to abbreviate this to ‘QBID’. We formally invited the owners of the local eateries to our dinner, along with two of our family members/friends.

In the weeks leading up to the event, we all needed to work collaboratively and creatively to plan and prepare for the night. The planning stage included creating an action plan that described the steps required to host the dinner successfully. The students had to record several steps in their planning; the budget for the night, who was going to attend the dinner, and which meals would be prepared and served. During the days leading up to the ‘QBID’ dinner, the class sat down and planned the finer details of the night to ensure that an inviting and welcoming ambience was established. The three-course menu was inspired by each menu from the local businesses, including The Transcontinental Hotel, The Austral Hotel, The Quandong Café, Teas on the Terrace, and the Quorn Takeaway. A slideshow was included throughout the evening, which showcased the history of each establishment and the history of the school building that was being used to host the dinner. We chose a purple colour theme, and we all presented in our black and white Food and Hospitality attire.

On the big day and the day before, learners spent the day in the kitchen preparing the meals that could be created beforehand and setting up the room next door, ready for the guests to arrive that evening. Overall, the night was a success, with only a few minor mishaps. When asked for feedback, the guests enthusiastically stated that they would attend the dinner again provided by the students, only wishing to change a few details. We were happy with the outcome of the feed and will spend our lesson time this week evaluating our group’s performance and our individual performances. We are required to comment on the links made between the evening and our completed action plan and what worked well, and how we could improve if we were to do it again.

Written by the Yr 11/12 Food and Hospitality Students

Year 7/8 Science

Practical activities in our study of Mixtures and Separation techniques were completed during term 1. Through these activities, learners had opportunities to learn the concepts of evaporation, crystallisation, chromatography, and cold pressing. Through these activities, learners had opportunities to understand the concepts of evaporation, crystallisation, chromatography, and cold pressing.

Year 9/10 Science

In years 9 and 10, science learners have endeavoured to perform some chemistry practicals. Investigating the flame tests and extracting copper from a simulated copper ore were the most exciting ones. Learners could connect what they learned in class and real-world applications of chemistry concepts.

Design and Technology

Students in years 9 and 10 have returned to the Design and Technology workshop environment ready to complete the practical learning tasks required for the first online learning and research investigation into the different types of timber joints as are necessary for building furniture. Students are focused on developing new skills in measuring and marking out, setting up equipment, and using machinery to safely manufacture widening joints, carcase construction, and timber framing joints ready for future project construction involving timber materials. Timber joints and how materials can be fastened together develop knowledge and understanding of the processes and systems used in construction and assist in preparing students for joining materials in engineering using the different types of welding equipment.

Students in years 11 and 12 are currently working on investigating the materials available for project construction. Learners have researched the different types of timber-based materials and developed simple tests for trying to work out the best materials for their projects later in the year. Students have investigated the strength of the materials, types of finish that can be used, whether moisture affects the materials in colour and strength, and how the materials available to us are manufactured and their working qualities. Students developing skills in engineering are testing the machines and developing skills and knowledge on the techniques used for welding and setting the equipment for the materials used.

Travis McDonald
Design & Technology

Primary Report

End of Term Primary News

It is hard to believe that we have come to the end of what has proved to be a very challenging yet rewarding term. The first two weeks of the term saw our Foundation learners begin their journey at QAS. It has been incredible to see the growth in all of our newest learners and the routines established to ensure that they can reach their full potential. It was also a time of uncertainty for our yr 3-6 classes where they attempted and successfully completed two weeks of online learning with their teachers and the assistance of families. This time certainly proved challenging for all stakeholders. However, the new skills and experiences that prevailed will undoubtedly benefit all in the future. We had young learners navigating Microsoft Teams, partaking in video lessons, completing set tasks and uploading work to platforms, and taking photos as evidence. Overall, this was an impressive outcome and one that I will undoubtedly remember for the remainder of my teaching career. I want to acknowledge the work of our primary teachers with the very high quality of online learning that was offered to ensure that our learners continued with a meaningful and connected curriculum linked to the Australian Curriculum. Thanks to the families who supported the process; we could not have done it without you.

Some highlights from term one have included the consistent literacy block focusing on Read, Write, Inc and Literacy and Language programs. Learners are on track and making visible growth in these areas. Big Write has been a large part of our literacy block, and learners are up levelling their skills in self and peer assessment and marking against the criterion scale. Teachers have also been busy moderating the Cold Write pieces to ensure that the levels distributed match the evidence provided. Learner goals are visible in primary classrooms and are updated accordingly. Numicon is one of the focus programs used during the numeracy blocks, and learners are also making steady progress. Many students have been engaging in the oval lap running in the mornings with Mrs Reed as part of the health curriculum in MAPPEN. Exercising regularly is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve concentration, motivation, memory, and mood. The Yr 5/6 class have enjoyed partaking in lawn bowls, and we would like to thank the Quorn Bowling Club and their volunteers for offering to assist and teach us the rules and skills of the game. Thanks to the prefects for sharing some valuable sessions to acknowledge Harmony and NDA against bullying and violence. Congratulations to Noah and Ebonie, who have been selected to represent the district in SAPSASA Swimming in Adelaide early next term. Sam, Noah and Lucas are also attending tryouts for the district SAPSASA football team. We wish all these students the best of luck with their sporting endeavours. Thanks to the parent volunteers for providing Toastie Tuesday and Hot Dog Day this term; it is most appreciated.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Easter and a relaxing break. See you all back for another busy term of learning.

Sarah Bury
Primary School Coordinator

News from Mrs Reed’s class

Literacy

Mrs Reed’s literacy group has been learning about narrative texts. We created our narrative own characters. See our designs below.

Mappen

The Year 5/6 class have spent the term investigating ethics and the value of honesty, respect and loyalty. They considered the influence that media and other people have on them and the impact that being a fan of someone or something has on their identity.

As a final assessment task, learners needed to create an Identity Kit. The following videos are instead of holding an ‘Expo’ at school. Enjoy.

Parents & Friends

The raffle will be drawn tomorrow, Wednesday 13th of April. Good Luck