23 August 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

On behalf of our learners, I would like to thank Kate Neu for her leadership of Book Week 2022. I am looking forward to seeing how our learners interpret this year's theme of 'Dreaming with eyes wide open…..' and caregivers looking for inspiration may wish to click on the following link:

We know that fostering a love of reading is essential in developing enquiring minds. I have written many times about the importance of allocating twenty minutes daily to reading and how this simple act can significantly impact growth and achievement throughout a child's life. In addition to these measurable achievements, reading is also closely linked to increased empathy, improved relationships with others and improvements in general wellbeing. Events in recent years mean we are now more aware of the value of connecting with others and the importance of managing our wellbeing and supporting others. Quorn Area School will remain focused on encouraging our learners to maintain the reading journey both now and in the future. During this time, we will continue to seek caregivers' support in maintaining a link to reading so that all of our community can "Dream with eyes wide open...' well beyond the primary years.

Last week our Year 9-12 learners were themselves encouraged to dream as they visited several workplaces in our region as part of The Smith Family's Growing Careers Project. I wish to thank Sarah Bury for her leadership of the excursions and the staff who gave their time to make the two days possible. Please follow the link below for further information:

Finally, I would like to thank all of the people who contributed to the success of our recent Sports Day. The learners' engagement was outstanding, and the photographs included in this newsletter will only tell part of the story. The day was months in the making, so many people contributed their time to make the event special. Special thanks go to Sarah Bury for coordinating the event and bringing our community together to support and celebrate our learners.

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

Parent Survey

You’re invited to complete the 2022 annual parent survey, which is now open.

The survey takes less than 10 minutes and will help us understand:

• what we’re doing well
• where we can improve
• what’s important to you.

It has been coordinated centrally so that added administration workload isn't placed on the school.

Your answers will not identify you or your child. Only collated feedback will be provided to our school.

Information collected will inform school improvement planning and activities at the school.

The survey closes 5pm Sunday 28 August.

Secondary Report

Work Inspiration Program

The Growing Careers Project will offer over 76,000 places for students to participate in multiple career programs across their secondary school journey. These could encompass anything from a short career-focused activity to several weeks of one-on-one mentoring via an online platform – or spending a few days in a workplace.

The Smith Family will follow student participation across the four years of the project, to understand how they’re progressing in their education. We’ll look at what’s resonating with the students from a careers perspective and what more we can do to support their career pathways when they leave school.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday our learners in Years 9-12 were lucky enough to participate in the Work Inspiration Program. QAS are very fortunate to have a partnership with The Smith Family Growing Careers Project. On Tuesday we visited Uniting Care Wesley and the Port Augusta City Council. Learners were given the opportunity to find out about career pathways, traineeships, and apprenticeships and participate in activities that allowed them to discover their own strengths and learning styles and relate to specific careers. Students participated in a speed interviewing activity where they were encouraged to ask questions to people who work in different fields at UCW and the PACC. Some of these included:

Working in the Infrastructure Department, Ryan Mitchell Swim Centre, Arid Lands Nursery, Arid Lands Café, Working at a Childcare Centre, as well as Traineeships / Volunteering + Art Gallery. The students asked some very insightful questions and were able to gain invaluable information and knowledge.

On Wednesday, we travelled over to SANTOS in Port Bonython. This allowed us to investigate various careers at the Refinery Plant. Some of these careers included Site Managing.

On Wednesday we went to Santos in Port Bonython (Whyalla) as part of the careers investigation. While we were there we toured the site and had an introduction to the business operations and how the company manufactures LPG, Light Naptha, Heavy Naptha (both used in the production of plastic products), and Crude Oil for export. Butane was also made for local use and export. We saw the pipeline from the Moomba gas field and where it came into the site. We were lucky enough to have the manager of the site talk to us about the process and showed us how the crude oil was converted into products for export and for local use in Australia. We also looked at the process for storage of the products while waiting for export and how the gas must be kept under -48 degrees centigrade to stop it from expanding. As a group, we had the opportunity to travel around the work site and look at the process and tour the wharf (2.4km long) where we could see the loading cranes that attach to the ship being loaded. One ship when fully loaded could be valued at approximately $44M dollars and may take over three days to load. We also saw the unloading facility for the fuel that comes to South Australia. It was a good opportunity to visit a workplace as part of our future career studies.

By Renae

We would like to thank The Smith Family, in particular, Kate Dickenson and McLay Martin who pulled the program together so successfully. QAS students received morning tea and lunch as well as the transport to the sessions free of charge which we are very grateful for. It is fantastic that we can provide these amazing career opportunities for our secondary learners. We have other activities planned for next term and again in to the 2023/24 school years.

Australian Defence Force Recruitment Visit

Recently our Year 9-12 learners attended a recruitment session from the Australia Defence Force Recruitment team. We welcomed four people from various departments of the ADF. Students were lucky enough to ask questions, watch videos and seek clarification of the various roles within the ADF. The session covered:

• Roles available in the ADF
• Subjects that students will need to pass
• Options for sponsored degrees
• Short-term gap year opportunities
• Salaries, benefits and lifestyle

For any further information you can access the link below:

Sports Day Mentoring/After School Training

I would like to acknowledge the work and efforts of my secondary PE learners. As part of the curriculum, they were required to work in a small group to plan and deliver a mentoring session for our F-2 and 3-6 classes. I was very impressed with the standard of mentoring and the research and preparation that was involved. It was very clear on Sports Day that our primary learners were trying to put in to practise all the skills that they had been working on. Congratulations to these students for a very successful mentoring program that spanned over three weeks.

I was pleased with the attendance at the after-school Sports Day training. It is great that so many students are looking at improving and practising their techniques for various events. I am sure that we will continue with this in years to come. Thanks to the staff and Prefects who made themselves available to support our learners with the after school trainings.

Primary Report

Book Week

You’re Invited to attend the
QAS Book Week
Parade
2022!

Our Book Week celebrations are
Thursday the 25th of August.

We encourage everyone to dress up as their favourite book character or the Book Week theme.

Please join us in the Gym for a 9am start on Thursday for our Book Week Parade in celebration.

Mime-o-Rama Performance

On Wednesday last week, the Primary school had a visit from performer Dennis Clare who introduced learners to the art of Mime through his engaging performance. Learners were given an insight into how characters are created and ideas can be portrayed through acting and props. Some of our learners also had a chance to join Dennis on stage as part of the act, taking on roles of giant slinkies, long-armed characters and a mimed tug-of-war competition. The learners were also impressed by Dennis’s skills in balancing objects on his nose and chin. Overall, it was a fantastic show and enjoyed by all.

SAPSASA Netball/Football

On Friday the 5th of August our Year 4-6’s competed in the District SAPSASA Netball and Football Carnivals. The event was held at the Central Oval complex in Port Augusta. QAS combined with Hawker Area School, and it was an excellent day of competition for everyone involved. It was great to be able to finally head off-site for some sports competition. Our competitors were a pleasure to take and tried their very best all day. There was lots of encouragement and teamwork on display throughout the day and I want to congratulate them all on their positive representation of our school. Well done!

Thank you to Damien Kruger who took on the role of coaching the boys in the football competition. The boys had some excellent wins and finished fourth in their pool. I would also like to congratulate the students from Port Augusta Secondary School and Caritas College who assisted with umpiring throughout the day, they all did an amazing job.

Aileen Shannon helped to umpire the netball throughout the day and was also given the top job of umpiring the grand final at the end of the day. Our netballers had a great day out, some wins and some losses throughout the day. Thanks also to all the parents/family members who assisted with transporting their children. We are unable to offer these opportunities without this support. We really do appreciate it. Well done to Simon Robinson (SAPASA Convener) who organised the logistics of the day and made it such a successful day.

SAPSASA Athletics

We are currently looking at our Sports Day results and will pick a team of athletes to represent our school at the annual District Athletics Carnival this Friday. The event is held at the Stirling North Primary School. There is also an opportunity to be selected for the SAPSAPSA Athletics carnival held in Adelaide later this term, based on performance. Please keep your eye out for permission notes which will be sent home today. Students born in 2010, 2011 and 2012 are eligible for selection. As per school policy, attendance needs to be above 80% to be eligible. Selection is also based on adhering to our Learner Engagement Policy and acknowledging our school values.

Student Highlight

Evie Hackett recently wrote a poem titled ‘At the end of the school day’. Evie is a Year 3 student at Quorn Area School, so I’m sure you can all appreciate the quality of this piece of writing.

Evie 16/8/22

At the end of the school day

The clock getting bored of time
The bell rang…. out came the children as loud as lions
Packing and panting out of their delicate school line
Out they run, out they come
Running, racing and roaming about really...oh really
All of a sudden, they come to a stop
What is it, what is it? They all ask in shock
They stare at it closely it looked as if it would jump up and talk
So, they put the Echidna under some shade as shady as a shadow of rain
It opens its eyes and stares into one of the girl’s big brown eyes
A few of the children ran away like scaredy cats
So, the other children ‘Shush’ed them
But they were too late
The Echidna took every step exactly eight centimetres
It ran away with more speed than everyone but the girl it stared at
As she left, she heard this sound as quiet as a mouse
The echidna stepped out of the bushes like a performer
The girl’s name was Avery Ackrache an actor or author she wants to do
The echidna was holding a letter it said her name

BY: Evie Hackett

Sports Day

Sports Day proved to be a success last Friday. I was very nervous about the amount of rain the evening before, however, it turned out to be a lovely day. Well done to all our competitors on the day. It was great to see so many students attempting all the events on offer. There were some excellent individual results throughout the day, however it is all about participation and that is what contributes to the tally at the end of the day.

I would like to thank Kyley McCarthy and Katrine Scott on their efforts in the canteen, along with their band of helpers they provided a variety of food for us to enjoy. No doubt it is very difficult to send out all the lunches in a short period of time.

This year saw some changes to the program, which we believe worked well. Thanks to the staff members who spent the day with their allocated groups and facilitated these events. The novelty events seemed to add a bit of fun to the day, and they were enjoyed by all. It was also great to be able to have the recess and lunch breaks all at the same time. Special thanks to Mick Penglase from The Smith Family who came along and volunteered his time. Mark Tuckwell also gave up his day to support our Sports Day. I would also like to thank everyone who assisted with the groups, by measuring, recording, and timing throughout the day. Your contributions are very much appreciated, and Sports Day cannot go ahead without you all.

It was great to have the support of Headspace on the day. Students were making connections and utilising the information and novelties provided.

If you have any feedback regarding Sports Day 2022, please feel free to contact Sarah Bury at the school. We encourage any feedback and look forward to continuing to make the day successful in years to come.

JP Sports Day

Last Friday, the F-2 learners participated in the Junior Primary Sports Day. Everyone had a lot of fun and had the chance to continue to develop their skills in modified events alongside some novelty events. The high jump was a particular favourite.

Thank you to the staff and the high school for their support in running mentoring sessions leading up to the day. Also, a big thank you to parents/families for their support on the day.

Community Notices

Inclusive Sporting