Filter Content
- PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
- EARLY LEARNING CENTRE NEWS
- MENTAL HEALTH
- PEDAL PRIX - BLACK SWAN RACING
- CAMBRAI SPORTS DAY
- JULIE'S COLUMN
- STUDENT BELONGINGS
- SRAS WEBSITE
- NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
- SWAN REACH PLAYGROUP & PARENT-CHILD MOTHER GOOSE
- SCHOOL UNIFORM
- AUSKICK
- COMMUNITY LIBRARY NEWS
- COMING EVENTS 2022
- COMMUNITY NOTICES
Hello Swan Reach,
It is incredible to know that we are more than half way through the term already. After 15 weeks of COVID-related disruptions, nearly all students are back into regular schooling routines. Routines are so important for ALL learners, young and old. Routines are an important way to establish norms, set expectations, and otherwise build positive relationships in the classroom environment (and the workplace).
Classroom routines help students feel more at ease with the daily activities of the classroom and give them a sense of knowing what to expect when they walk in the door each morning. Routines also provide a structure that can aid in keeping children on task throughout the day.
Furthermore, a routine helps to simplify a complex environment and inform students exactly what to expect, what is expected of them, and what is acceptable behaviour. Routines allow students to quickly accomplish day-to-day tasks that are required of both the teacher and students. Routines also help to create smoother transitions between activities and therefore allow fewer opportunities for disruptions to occur.
In addition, when students are expected to complete routine tasks, they have the opportunity to learn greater responsibility and more self-management. Routines that require interaction between teacher and student (or among students) also serve to positively reinforce interpersonal communication and social skills and are one way for teachers to judge the quantity and quality of students’ skills in these areas. Finally, student-performed routines free the teacher to focus on more effective instruction and on the unexpected events that come up throughout the school day.
Mr John Robertson
Principal
MATERIAL & SERVICES CHARGES DISCOUNT / REBATE
The Minister and Premier announced the $100 discount initiative, which provides a $100 rebate or discount to eligible parents, caregivers and independent students that have paid their Materials and Services Charge. The $100 discount will apply for each of the 2022 and 2023 school years.
Parents are eligible for the discount or rebate where they have paid or are responsible to pay their child’s Materials and Services Charge.
For those families who have already paid their 2022 Materials and Services Charge, parents can request a refund, or can request for the rebate to be applied to other outstanding prior year Materials and Services Charges or against other charges such as for excursions and school camps. In this circumstance, we will be asking parents to contact the school. For those families who have not yet paid their 2022 Materials and Services Charge, the school will deduct the $100 discount from the amount owing.
The letter from the Premier and Education Minister is attached to this newsletter for your information.
STUDENT FREE DAY (SFD)
A reminder that this Friday, 10th June, is a SFD. Secondary teachers will engage in professional learning, focussing on improving students’ writing outcomes. They are combining in this pursuit with Waikerie HS teachers at Waikerie. Primary staff and classroom SSO will engage in Phonics Instruction and aligning our SSO intervention programs with it and classroom phonics routines.
Last Friday, the Early Learning Centre held its first open afternoon for the year. Preschool parents were invited in for an informal afternoon to participate in activities with their children, and to see what they have been learning so far this year.
Earlier in the week, the children participated in National Stimulus Storytime. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by Australians, is read simultaneously by libraries, schools, homes and children’s facilities all over the country and the world. Over 2,186,347 people (not to mention the others that watched it on you tube on another day) participated!
This year the story was “Family Tree”, read by its author, Josh Pyke, who was accompanied by the illustrator, Rhonojoy Ghosh. After listening to the story, we painted the branches of a tree and then collected leaves from the ELC yard. On the leaves we wrote ‘family’ words, like the feelings we have when we are with our family and things we like to do with our family. Everyone also had a special leaf with dots to show how many people are in our families. During our open afternoon, parents collected more leaves with their child and we added more words to our tree. It is now on display on our wall. Our open afternoon will become a regular event, held each term before the week 5 assembly.
Mrs Trish Horstmann
These stats emphasise the importance of mental health within our school and wider community. There are times when problems seem overwhelming. If you’re feeling like this, one of the best things you can do is talk to someone. Finding someone to support you can help you take control of your problems and feel better. At SRAS our WeMatter initiative looks to build the narrative toward Mental Health using a promotion and prevention model. Too often mental ill-health and crisis dominates the conversation and narrative, and is the 'price' of not having unashamed conversations about mental health - resilience and coping. Follow the link below to view ways in which you or your children can access a variety of support.
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/young-people/support-and-services
When we think of health, we tend to prioritise physical well-being at the expense of mental health. Instead, we should tackle mental health the same way we tackle physical health - with an eye towards preventing disease by addressing the foundational forces that cause us to be sick or well.
Mr Troy Cowland
Deputy Principal
PEDAL PRIX - BLACK SWAN RACING
Our first race was at The Bend on the 14th of May, where the track is 3.4 km. This event was a 6-hour race, and we came 66th out of 150 teams. The whole team did a fantastic job, especially for a small school like ours. We can improve our position by brushing up on our changeovers and getting some of our older students to step up. Our new riders, Tommy, Jade and Luke, did a pretty good job in their first race. No doubt their nerves were out of this world. I want to thank our sponsors for supporting the Black Swan racing team. I also want to thank the Year 7/8 class for making us lunch and SRAS staff who came on the trip to help out. We are now preparing for our second race at The Bend on the 6th of August. Training involves time trials for ten minutes, laps of the oval to get fit, laps in the bikes to gain race experience and ten minutes on the stationary bike. Our Pedal Prix dinner is on the 17th of June at the Nildottie Hall. Money raised from the dinner will go towards paying for new team jumpers. The dinner provides us with an opportunity to talk about Pedal Prix experiences and showcase our bike.
Jacob Hodge
The Interschool Sports Day (Primary) will be held at Cambrai on 21st June, 2022. Please find canteen details below.
Mrs Yuka Endersby
Hi SRAS School Community,
Recently I was shown a great little book titled “Wilma Jean the Worry Machine”. It is a book for children to help them overcome their worries and fears – especially for those who worry excessively. In the book there is “A note to parents and educators” that is worth sharing. In fact, I wish that I had known some of this when my children were younger.
Anxiety is a subjective sense of worry, apprehension and/or fear. It is considered to be the number one health problem in America. Although everyone feels anxious from time to time, approximately 10 percent of children have excessive fears and worries that can keep them from enjoying life.* Although quite common, anxiety disorders in children are often misdiagnosed or overlooked. It is normal for everyone to feel fear, worry and apprehension from time to time, but when these feelings prevent a person from doing what he/she wants and/or needs to do, anxiety becomes a disability.
Here are a few tips for dealing with an anxious child:
- Genuinely accept your child’s concerns.
- Listen to your child’s perceptions and gently correct misinformation.
- Patiently encourage your child to approach a feared situation one step at a time until it becomes familiar and manageable.
- Always try to get your child to events on time, or early – being late can elevate levels of anxiety.
- Continually set equal expectations for all kids, anxious or not. Expecting a child to be anxious will only encourage anxiety.
- Role-play strategies – how to react in certain situations. Explore both best case scenarios and worst case scenarios using realistic evidence.
- Build your child’s personal strengths.
- Help your child organise their school materials for the next day the night before.
- Allow and encourage your child to do things on their own.
- Allow extra time on tests and/or allow students to take tests away from the other students.
- If a child is going to be singled out for a classroom activity, let that child know a day in advance so that they can feel more prepared.
- Designate a “safe person” at school that understands your child’s worries and concerns.
- Try not to pass your own fears onto your child.
- Work together as a team (family members, teachers, child, day-care providers, etc.)
- Set consequences – don’t confuse anxiety with other types of inappropriate behaviour. Set limits and consequences so that you don’t allow anxiety to enable your child.
- Have reasonable expectations.
*Helping Your Anxious Child 2nd edition, Rapee et. Al Newharbinger Publications 2008
Reference “Wilma Jean the Worry Machine” by Julia Cook. Published by National Center for Youth Issues, July 2018
Mrs Julie Maxwell
Pastoral Care Worker
REMINDER TO PARENTS/CARERS: Please make sure that ALL your children's belongings (clothes, lunch boxes, drink bottles, etc.) are CLEARLY LABELLED with your child's name. Labelled property can be easily returned to its owner. Thank you.
The Swan Reach Area School website is where you can find all the school information including the newsletter, forms and policies. Please visit https://swanrchas.schoolzineplus.com
Due date for the next Newsletter is 10:00am, Wednesday, 22nd June, 2022. The newsletter is distributed via the SZApp and school website. Printed copies are still available upon request.
Articles can be emailed to dl.0423.info@schools.sa.edu.au clearly marked in the subject box as Newsletter, faxed to 8570 2325 or delivered to the library/front office. Due to the way the Newsletter is now being set up, not all photos are included in the print copy, however there are several photo galleries included online and via the SZApp. Apple devices: open the App store and search and download SZapp, on Android devices open the Play store and search and download SZappa; select the Asia Pacific region and search for Swan Reach Area School. Follow the prompts to register using an email address and create a password to access the online newsletter. Contact the school should you require any assistance.
The Swan Reach Area School apparel store is now live. This means you can now order school shirts without having to go through the school. For more information contact Tracey in the front office.
Here is the direct link: https://www.printcity.net.au/product-category/swan-reach-area-school/
Auskick is inclusive for everyone and this term the Year 11 & 12 Sport Studies class have been running sessions with our students in R-6 classes. The sessions take place at 2:15pm every Friday afternoon during Term 2 (see the photos below). If you haven’t already, there is still time to register your child/ren using their government Sports Voucher. Fill out the attached form and return to the school.
OPENING HOURS
The library now has a mobile phone for communication. Please let me know if you would like to be included on the message list to receive notifications, holiday and opening hours etc.
The number is: 0460 366 067
'BEING DIGITAL INNOVATION'
being digital is a program to help promote the digital assistance and learning that SA’s public libraries offer to adult South Australians.
The being digital webpage provides a useful portal for those less experienced with technology and digital to start learning the basics. The content featured is provided by partners including Be Connected and the eSafety Commisioner. We encourage you to further browse the courses offered by these partners on their websites to continue your digital learning journey. being digital is jointly funded by State Government and Local Government. We’re making it easy for you to develop your skills and confidence to connect with today’s digital world. Learn more about our being digital program. Need additional assistance? Contact your local library.
The webpage which has learning content by topic and links to related digital literacy programs at libraries is at http://www.libraries.sa.gov.au/beingdigital
COVID-19 DIGITAL PASSPORTS
Can't access your digital passport or load on your phone? The Community Library can scan your paperwork and reduce to credit card size for your wallet or purse. No charge.
10 JUNE | Student Free Day |
13 JUNE | Public Holiday (Queen's Birthday) |
17 JUNE | Pedal Prix Dinner @ Nildottie Hall |
20 JUNE | Governing Council (Finance 5:30) Meeting 6pm |
21 JUNE | Primary Interschool Sports Day @ Cambrai |
8 JULY | Last day of Term 2 (Early finish). School assembly. |
25 JULY | Term 3 begins |
6 AUGUST | Pedal Prix Race @ The Bend (8 Hour) |
8 AUGUST | Governing Council Meeting 6pm |
25-26 SEPTEMBER | Pedal Prix Race @ The Bend (24 Hour) |
PLEASE NOTE COVID RESTRICTIONS WILL APPLY TO ALL
COMMUNITY EVENTS UNLESS ADVISED OTHERWISE.
Swan Reach Christian Women's Group invite you to join them for Bible study and fellowship each month. 11am, second Tuesday of the Month at the Swan Reach Lutheran Church Hall. BYO lunch. For more information please phone Taryn 0427 702 377 or Josie 0419 708 224. All welcome.