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- PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
- THE RESILIENCE PROJECT
- COMMUNICATION
- STUDENT LEADERSHIP
- PARENT VISITORS ON SITE
- COMPUTER ALLOCATIONS
- BUSHFIRE PROCEDURES ON CATASTROPHIC DAYS
- GOVERNING COUNCIL (GC) AGM
- MOBILE PHONE POLICY
- NAPLAN INFORMATION
- MATERIALS AND SERVICES INFORMATION
- SRAS SWIMMING CARNIVAL
- PARENTS AND FRIENDS NEWS
- YEAR 12
- SCHOOL LUNCHES
- SCHOOL UNIFORM
- SWAN REACH PLAYGROUP
- COMMUNITY LIBRARY NEWS
- NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
- SRAS WEBSITE
- COMMUNITY NOTICES
- CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2022
Hello Swan Reach,
It was wonderful to see and hear an exciting buzz from the students at assembly held last Monday morning. It was also nice to have new reception students, Elisha, Mason, Bethani, Lacie and Ava, join us for their first ‘official’ schooling week at SRAS. 2023 presents an ongoing opportunity and challenge, for SRAS staff to further implement and embed the department’s ambitious plan, to ensure ‘growth for every learner in every class’. Whilst ALL areas of ALL subjects are important, SRAS is confident in our specific and highly focussed goals of improving students’:
- Oral Language – If we incorporate strategies for sustained shared thinking alongside and with children, then we will extend children’s ability to share their ideas and knowledge, and listen and build on the ideas of peers during play (preschool)
- Reading - If we explicitly teach phonemic awareness and a systematic synthetic phonics instructional routine as part of the teaching of the Big 6, we will increase student achievement in Reading (R-2)
- Numeracy – If we explicitly teach and assess number within the context of the Big Ideas in Number and the Australian Curriculum, then we will increase student achievement in Numeracy (years 3-6)
- Writing – If we implement the Teaching & Learning Cycle to provide scaffolding and explicit instruction, and embed it across all subject areas, then we will increase student achievement in writing (years 7-12)
We look forward to regularly communicating with our community about teaching and learning cycles because what we are targeting isn’t a secret. Our Site Improvement Plan (SIP) and Preschool Quality Improvement Plan (PQIP), adequately detail our plan and strategies for the 4 goals listed above. Once finalised, a copy of the updated SIP and PQIP will be available on our website.
WELCOME
We warmly welcome our preschool children and their families. We are excited to have 10 in the preschool this year and their energy and dynamics are wonderful. New students to SRAS this term are; Emily, Shaun and Matthew, who join our primary classes. A big welcome to them and their family and wishing you the very best of learning at SRAS.
We also welcome new staff members, Mr Ashley Rolls and Mrs Lucinda McKenzie, to the secondary sub-school and Mrs Bonnie Harmer, who is teaching the 5/6 class.
We are most glad to welcome back Mrs Mary Ann Humphris, who is returning from leave and also Ella, who re-joins our year 10 cohort.
Mr John Robertson
Principal
THE RESILIENCE PROJECT (TRP)
In response to the ongoing effects of the flooding on property, personal wellbeing and mental health, Mid Murray Our Town (MMOT) has received additional funding to assist the wellbeing needs of our community. In partnership with SRAS, MMOT is engaging The Resilience Project (TRP), through a LIVE WEBINAR to boost community moral and resilience.The timing of the webinar will complement the school’s implementation of TRP, starting with students in term 1 and then with families and the preschool in term 2. TRP is the new and re-energising WeMatter program to build resilience and wellbeing. The Webinar is scheduled for Friday June 16th at 6:30 pm in the gymnasium. A free BBQ sizzle is planned at 5:30pm. More information to follow closer to this event.
Term 1, returns to its pre-covid ‘busyness’, with swimming, athletics returning along with new timetables and new routines. The need for on-going and positive communication, between school and home, and visa-versa, will enable the best positive start for ALL. Thank you for making time to keep in contact with staff and share information that is affecting, or may affect your child’s education. There are a number of ways to communicate with teachers:
- Phone
- Messaging – Daymap, SeeSaw or SMS
- Diaries
- Meetings
Communication folders and diaries are also an effective and easy mode. Taking a minute to check diaries and communication folders is a quick way to keep in touch - even with older students. Let’s remain connected through timely communication, as your child(ren) and our students deserve our ongoing collaboration. Circumstances such as address, telephone numbers and students’ needs often change over the holidays. If so, thank you for updating details with our office staff.
SCHOOL CAPTAINS, HOUSE CAPTAINS & SRC
Congratulations to Jazzy and Kai on their appointment as School Captains for 2023. They’ll be well-supported by our proxy captains, Charlie and Lucy. We look forward to their leadership over the year and input into improving SRAS for ALL students.
Jazzy and Kai will be co-presidents and leading the SRC team who are; Jacob Hodge, Tehya Fawdry, Maliyah Haby, Lily Durant and Ahna Lowe.
House captains for 2023 are: Kangaroos – Jacob and Jazzy | Eagles – Kai & Tehya Student leader induction will be held at our assembly on Friday, 10th Feb, 9:15am, in the gymnasium preceding the swimming carnival.
The Swan Reach Area School Leader's induction ceremony will be held on Friday 10th February in the gym at 9:15am, prior to the Swimming Carnival.
We believe it is important for parents to feel comfortable when an on-site need arises. When this occurs it is important that all are aware of the restrictions of free movement around the school. This does not relate to parents who are simply dropping off or picking up their children at the beginning or end of the school day. Parents who wish/need to visit their child(ren) during the learning day or meet with staff without prior organisation must check in at the Front Office first. DfE site safety policy mandates that we know who is on site, at all times during the day, in case of an emergency and to keep ALL children safe.
SRAS is fortunate to be able to provide 1:1 computer use for each student to use responsibly. As part of this scheme they will sign a computer use agreement Thanks for going through the agreement with your child(ren) to help them understand their responsibilities. While computers are a necessity for 21st Century learning, they are a privilege and not a right. A reminder for all parents and students to keep in mind Cyber Safety and the key message to adhere to when using Internet and computers - to be respectful and responsible users.
BUSHFIRE PROCEDURES ON CATASTROPHIC DAYS
On days where a Catastrophic Fire Danger rating is forecasted:
- All school bus routes travelling through any affected Fire Ban District(s) will be cancelled
- School will still be open and lessons will run as normal
- If the Fire Ban rating changes to ‘Catastrophic’ during the day, school buses will operate as normal, unless advised otherwise by authorised Emergency Services personnel
If a bushfire is reported in the area during the day:
- Affected bus runs will not to leave the school until the roads are declared safe by emergency services authorities
- Parents will be notified and students will be supervised at school, until buses can run, or until parents are able to collect their children
You are cordially invited to our GC AGM on Mon 20th Feb at SRAS, in the library, at 6:30pm. There are positions needing to be filled or re-filled. Being on GC is an important and great way to support your child and our school. Nomination forms for SRAS GC membership are available with this newsletter or from the front office. There are 2 options to nominate:
- self-nominate to be a GC member
- nominate a peer to be a GC member
The following tenures need to be filled:
- 4 x 1-year tenures
- 2 x 2 year tenures
All office bearer positions – Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary – are open to nomination and voting processes at the first meeting conducted immediately after the AGM.
The Department for Education (DfE) has updated the mobile phone policy. It means students must keep mobile phones and other personal devices (such as smartwatches) off and away for the whole school day. Students will only be able to use personal devices during school hours if they receive an approved exemption from their school. This applies to all government primary and high schools. The mobile phone policy was updated in 2022 to ensure we help promote:
safe environments with reduced negative impacts of inappropriate use of devices at school, such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and critical incidents that involve mobile phones
- classroom environments where teachers can teach and students can learn free from distractions caused by personal use of devices
- use of breaks as quality time away from screens, encouraging physical activity and play and meaningful face-to-face connections with peers.
- The department worked with key stakeholder groups to refine the details of the policy, including exemptions for agreed positive uses of mobile phones and other personal devices
SRAS has adopted and implemented the new policy and collaborate with community through GC to ratify it and updating our SRAS Mobile Phone and Device Policy.
NAPLAN in 2023 will occur in term 1, instead of term 2. The NAPLAN privacy notice is included with this newsletter for your information.
MATERIALS AND SERVICES INFORMATION
Families will receive a $100 discount from the government to assist Material and services payment. The process this year is less complex and will automatically be deduced by the school. The attached letter from the Minister provides more details.
The 2023 SRAS swimming carnival will be held this Friday, 10th February. After unfortunately missing out on our 2022 swimming carnival due to COVID, I’m thrilled we get to dive back into the pool this year for what should be great day of fun, participation and competitive spirit! More so, we’ve been gifted with a beautiful, hot summers day for swimming, with the forecast sitting around the mid 30’s.
The swimming carnival will be formally opened with our school leader’s induction at 9:15am in the school gymnasium. Please join us as we congratulate these students.
The carnival will officially kick off at approximately 9:45am. Students, staff and parents/carers will have the opportunity to cool off and gain participation points during a 15-minute interval from approximately 11:00 – 11:15am. Each participant will gain 1 participation point for each lap completed in this time-slot.
As usual, the mini sub junior events will be a huge hit! This year, the mini’s program will run in its own timeslot from approximately 12:30-1:15pm. If parents wish to bring in their child/ren for this event, please arrive by 12:00pm to join us for our 30-minute lunch break. Our amazing Parents & Friends team will be cooking a BBQ if you wish to purchase your lunch on the day. Sausage sizzle $2.50, Zooper Doopers 50c, and Fruit Boxes $1.00.
Of course, the reigning champions (the staff) will be looking to go back-to-back-to-back-to-back in the staff vs parents vs students relay to conclude the day. Bring it on! I look forward to seeing everyone out in a sea of red and blue colours on Friday!
Go Murray Eagles and Mallee Kangaroos
Mr Jayden Coleman
Sports Coordinator
Parents and Friends are all set for the Swimming Carnival on Friday. A sausage sizzle, fruit boxes and ice blocks will be available to purchase during the lunchtime break. If you are interested in getting involved with Parents and Friends this year pop into the canteen on Friday and say hi. Good luck to everyone and we hope the teachers have been training as hard as the parents!
Price List for Friday
Sausage Sizzle $2.50
Zooper Dooper Ice Block 50c
Fruit Box $1.00
Cheers,
Mardi Le Brun
Secretary Parents and Friends.
This year we welcome 4 students into their final year of schooling. Lucy, Kyla, Charlie and Kai will get out of this year what they are prepared to put into it. It is important to start the year of in a positive light and get the right learning structures and routines in place both at school and at home.
The beginning of year 12 has a different feel for every student. Most students can be categorised into 4 areas:
The grand planners – Those who know absolutely what they want to do.
The re-generators – Those who are pressured into doing what their parents feel they should.
The clueless crowd - Those that haven’t got a clue what they want to do and feel bad about it.
The moratorium mob – Those who haven’t got a clue what they want to do and feel fine about it.
Everyone is unique, what one person decides to do at the age of 17 may take another ten years to decide. There are essentially five main options to consider:
- Start Uni or TAFE
- Do a traineeship or apprenticeship
- Get a job
- Take a year off
- Return to school
In this day and age the average person will change careers 5-7 times. The only mantra that holds true is that you can get exactly where you want to be if you’re willing to work hard enough. Good luck.
Mr Troy Cowland
Deputy Principal
Please find following school lunch menu and prices which are supplied by the Swan Reach General Store. We thank them for this service to the school.
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 the front office. Please allow at least 2 weeks for production and postage if required. Orders can be collected from Print City in Murray Bridge when advised.
Here is the direct link: https://www.printcity.net.au/product-category/swan-reach-area-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
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.
LIBRARY MOBILE APP
Due date for the next Newsletter is 10:00am, Wednesday February 22, 2023. 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 website is where you can find all the school information including the newsletter, forms and policies. Please visit https://swanrchas.sa.edu.au.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
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.
10 February |
Leadership Induction in the gym, 9:15 am |
20 February | Annual General Meeting & Governing Council Meeting. |
28 February | NAPLAN practice. |
13 March | Public Holiday, Adelaide Cup. |
15-17 March | NAPLAN. |
20 March | Governing Council/Finance Meeting. |
7 April | Public Holiday, Good Friday. |
10 April | Public Holiday, Easter Monday. |
14 April | End of term. |
1 May | Term 2 Starts. |