13 September 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Working collaboratively to ensure growth for every learner in every classroom every day, enabling them to shape a better future locally and globally.

Last year we updated our Vision Statement to reflect our achievement and growth whilst highlighting our school's current and future objectives. Despite the challenges of recent times, we have continued to make significant progress toward reaching this goal, and we will continue to reflect and adapt as new situations and opportunities arise. Interestingly, the obstacle that currently blocks our path is one that schools worldwide have struggled with for generations: attendance. It is widely recognised that the educational outcomes and future life chances of children and young people can be significantly impacted by periods of absence. Therefore, we want to encourage parents to ensure their child attends school daily.

At Quorn Area School, we fully appreciate that there may be occasions when a learner's attendance may be affected due to exceptional circumstances. In these cases, support and advice will always be available from the school, and we are committed to working with caregivers to find solutions that support engagement with learning. In addition to the knowledge we have onsite, we can also help families connect to other agencies that may be better positioned to support their family's unique needs. Punctuality also plays a significant part in learners' ability to engage with learning and their peers. We often quote that ten minutes late each day adds up to thirty-three hours of lost learning over the year. However, this only tells part of the story, as the disruptions to the teaching environment can significantly impact their classmates' learning.

Congratulations to Sarah Bury on her reappointment to our leadership team in 2023. We look forward to her continued support, and I am confident our learners will continue to benefit from her commitment to our vision statement.

Work will commence on upgrades to our computer network during the upcoming vacation. The work includes updating all cabling to the latest fibre optic standard and improving wireless connectivity across the sight. I ask that all site visitors adhere to the cordons and safety notices during this time and help keep our site safe.

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

School Disco

Secondary Report

Year 7/8 Science

In the Year 7/8 Science class, learners have been learning about energy concepts, energy transformation, and energy conservation law. Learners performed simple demonstrations to see energy transformations. They had a quick chance to look at how energy is converted from one form to another. They also started to appreciate the law of conservation of energy as this is counter-intuitive for learners to grasp in the beginning.

Year 9/10 Mathematics

Learners in Year 9/10 Mathematics class are learning about Trigonometry. They have used the concepts of Trigonometry to model a real-life scenario. Their task was to measure the height of inaccessible objects such as trees, poles, tall buildings, mountains etc. Learners collaboratively construct clinometers that they have used to measure the angle of elevation. They worked in pairs to use the clinometer to measure the angle of elevation. They went out of the class to find tall objects, such as a tree in the schoolyard, so that they could put their mathematical theories to test. They collected all the measurements required to use for the measurements of the height of the tall object. They enjoyed this mathematical inquiry and modelling task while doing it. Learners are now in the process of writing a mathematical report to communicate their findings.

Primary Report

Book Week

On Thursday the 25th of August, we celebrated Dreaming with Open Eyes. It was a very successful event, with many learners dressing up as their favourite book characters. After the parade, learners had the opportunity to share stories with their peers and families. Thank you to Andrew and Miss Novillos for helping to set up and pack up the event. Also, a big thank you to the families for supporting the event.

Year 5/6 News

The Year 5/6 class have just finished a unit of work on data collection in Digital Technology and found some answers to some questions we generated using safety protocols. We used that data to create some graphs to make it easier for others to understand more quickly.

We also want to strengthen our command of drone piloting skills, so we’re working through the practice drills that are built into the TELLO EDU app on our iPads.

In Art, we’ve been expanding our use of geometric shapes and their cultural impact in societies around the world. The limits around how these shapes can be used in design is largely only limited by our imaginations and creativity.

Matthew Buckingham
Year 5/6 Class Teacher

SAPSASA Athletics

On 26th August, Noah, Sam, Bronte, Camron, Lucas, Lily-Mae, Ebonie, Shelby, Amilia and Lani went to Stirling North Primary School to compete in the Districts Athletics Sports Carnival. All learners competed exceptionally well, put lots of effort in with their events and came away with a range of ribbons. I was very proud that they all used their initiative to go to their own events with time to spare.

I want to congratulate Noah, Sam and Camron on being invited to compete in the Adelaide Carnival. Noah and Sam have been selected for Discus and Camron for High Jump.

I would also like to thank Hanna, Sarah Kruger, Tanya Finlay and Kyley McCarthy for their assistance throughout the day.

Please check out the photos that were captured throughout the day.

Thanks, Miss Tomney

Miscellaneous Items

On Thursday the 8th of September, Will Schulz from the SANFL visited QAS to facilitate some AFL group sessions for our learners. The sessions were predominately in age groups and the students could learn and develop their handballing, kicking and marking skills. It was great to see so many enthusiastic students, and they were quizzed on their AFL knowledge. Some lucky individuals even managed to win a prize for their answers and participation. It is great to be able to offer these opportunities to all of our learners.

Hot Dog Day

School Performance – Mickster the Trickster

After sell-out shows at the Adelaide Fringe over the past six years and performances at over a thousand venues worldwide, SA's own Michael Wilkop, aka 'Mickster the Trickster', is coming to the Flinders Ranges. He will do a special performance at Quorn Area School on Monday afternoon 26 September. This free show has been made possible because of grant funding provided to The Flinders Ranges Council through the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR).

Scholarships

STEM Scholarships

Scholarships up to the value of $10,000 are available to support high school students from underrepresented groups (low socioeconomic status, girls and Aboriginal learners) in the study of the following STEM subjects at SACE Stage 1 and 2 level:

• Chemistry
• Digital Technologies
• Physics
• Mathematical Methods
• Specialist Mathematics

The fund covers the cost of tutors, laptops, excursions or any other strategy that directly supports the student to achieve in their chosen STEM subjects and pathways.

Further information, including eligibility and how to apply, are available STEM scholarships for high school students under-represented in science and mathematics (education.sa.gov.au)

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 21 OCTOBER 2022

C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship

C.A.S. Hawker Scholarships are one of Australia's most generous privately funded scholarships available to undergraduate students. Each residential scholarship is valued at up to $60,000 over three years. The scholarships are open to all Australian students. Most have been awarded to students entering their first year of university studies.

The 2023 C.A.S. Hawker Scholarships open on Monday, 5th December and close on Friday, 6th January 2023.

Community Notices

Quorn Show

Have you considered entering anything into the Quorn Show? Attached is the section for children’s entries as well as the entire show booklet

DON’T WAIT UNTIL YOU’RE STUFFED!