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Another amazing community turn out at the Ski for Life event last Friday. Thank you Mr Clinton Griffiths for providing extra entertainment by winning and wearing the pink tutu. Well done to our SRC who raised and donated funds to the ‘Walkers-On-the-Water’ team and also to our School Captains on making their first community public speech. Many thanks to our staff who organised, supervised and assisted to make the event for all our students, preschool to year 12.
The Ski for Life speaker, Ben , once again spoke well about how mental ill-health can, and does afflict any of us. He consistently encourages all that when experiencing such difficulties, it is more important than ever to talk to a trusted person about it.
The Ski for Life priority, to raise awareness and understanding of mental health issues, closely aligns with SRAS’s WeMatter focus. Through events like this, we continue to take further steps in building our positive school community. This helps children (and adults) feel that the school and community is a safe place where needs can be met. Research shows that when children and families are connected to school and community that children (and adults) are less likely to develop mental health problems and succeed better at school and in the community.
Furthermore, positive school communities create opportunities for children, families and staff to feel included. They build bridges to help everyone benefit. Well done SRAS and local communities on a successful joint venture.
Coming soon will be the media release from Mid Murray Our Town (MMOT), whose team submission won $100,000 to raise mental health in the Mid Murray Council area, with a focus on Swan Reach Community. The decision to focus on Swan Reach rather than the whole Mid Murray Area was made after careful consideration by the MMOT team; taking aboard feedback from the Fay Fuller Foundation that our community has activated members (such as Ski-for-Life), and to concentrate on a smaller region as a blue print for the future. SRAS will ensure a copy of the release is included with our next newsletter.
SPORTS DAY
Congratulations to all students for their participation in this year's Athletics Day. Well done, and thank you to Mr Coleman who did an excellent job in organising the event which was fun and inclusive for all.
DAYMAP
SRAS apologises that Daymap won’t be accessible to our community until the start of term 2. We are highly frustrated with the slow and inadequate ICT support we are receiving, as most of the faults can only be rectified by them. Mr Troy Cowland is highly persistent and is outsourcing what support he can to an expert in another Area School. We are beginning to open access to students, so hopefully by the start of term 2 they’ll be able to assist families at home. We are also looking at organising a support sessions for families ASAP after term 2 begins. Thank you for your patience.
3 WAY CONFERENCE
Parents, Carers and students are strongly encouraged and invited to book in for these conferences in week 8 (Monday 15th Mar, Tuesday 16th Mar & Wednesday 17th Mar). The format will be the same providing you with the opportunity to meet with a core team (where possible) of your child(ren)’s teachers and SSOs to set relevant learning goals using the Individual Learning Plan(ILP) template. Data about your child(ren)’s achievement against national and state standards will be viewed on the ILP form and Education Dashboard application on the smart board.
NOTE WELL:
- The school will close early on Tuesday the 16th March at 2:20pm to allow for parents and carers to access earlier time slots
- Buses will depart at 2:30pm
- Conferences will begin at 2:40pm
- Early Learning Centre (ELC) conferences will be offered on preschool days over the course of this term. Mrs Trish Horstmann will organise these separately.
TEACHER PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
This week SRAS has staff engaging in two major professional learning workshops:
- The Berry Street Education Model is a progressive training program that enables teachers to increase engagement with challenging students and successfully improve all students’ self-regulation, growth, and academic achievement.
- Sheena Cameron’s reading comprehension strategies. This workshop takes this research and turns it into classroom practice. It is based on Sheena’s experience of teaching strategies in a real classroom. It answers questions such as, ‘Are the strategies hierarchical? How long should I spend teaching each strategy? and ‘Do I teach them to the whole class or in groups?
Professor John Hattie places significant emphasis on the importance of evidence-based professional learning for teachers. Both of the programs above are highly endorsed by the Department for Education and will be crucial learning for staff to further embed wellbeing for learning through the Berry Street program and further skills and knowledge to continue embedding our Literacy Site Improvement Goal to improve students’ reading achievements.
Professor Helen Timperley supports this understanding and advocates that:
“Teachers who are engaged in cycles of effective professional learning take greater responsibility for the learning of all students; they do not dismiss learning difficulties as an inevitable consequence of the home or community environment. As they take more responsibility, and as they discover that their new professional knowledge and practice are having a positive impact on their students, they begin to feel more effective as teachers.” Teacher professional learning and development (page 9). https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.524.3566&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Our recent positive School Review is testiment to the impact of effective teacher training by SRAS staff in the past 4 years that have improved Literacy and Numeracy outcomes for our learners – evidenced by our PAT data.
PAT READING
2018 - Year 3-10 at SEA = 74% 37 out of 50 students
2019 - Year 3-10 at SEA = 82.9% 34 out of 41 students
2020 - Year 3-10 at SEA = 90% 28 out of 31 students
PAT MATHS
2018 - Year 3-10 at SEA = 64% 32 out of 50 students
2019 - Year 3-10 at SEA = 60.9% 25 out of 41 students
2020 - Year 3-10 at SEA = 70.6% 24 out of 34 students
Mr John Robertson
Principal
In response to community discussion, we introduced Term Overviews of student learning in Term 3 in 2020. This has been meet with positive feedback. Unfortunately, due to the planned synchronisation with Daymap, and the complications associated with the ‘Go Live’ date to parents, we have not achieved consistency across the site. This will be rectified at the beginning on Term 2. 3-way conferences (Week 8) are a great way to meet with teachers to discuss students’ learning. Families are always welcome and encouraged to contact the school, via phone call/text/email, to discuss any matters relating to students’ learning or to organise a face-to-face meeting time if more suitable.
Mr Troy Cowland
Deputy Principal
The 2021 Sports Day was simply an incredible day for our school! Our students, staff, parents/carers and wider community are amazing! Last Thursday, those lucky enough to attend, witnessed one of our greatest displays of participation, sportsmanship and teamwork. To all who were involved, big or small, I would like to personally thank you for contributing to this great whole-school event!
Now, time to look back at some of the incredible achievements and triumphs on this amazing day for our students.
I would like to firstly credit all of our students who participated in the combined 3000m/1000m event, held on Tuesday, 2nd March. All together, we had close to 80% of the school students competing in the combined event! That is outstanding!
Once again, the bungee run event was a huge success! All students had the opportunity to participate in this exciting event, with plenty of fun had by all of those who attempted the enduring bungee challenge. Thanks also to all of the parents and staff who had a crack at this event; you provided some awesome entertainment for everyone at our lunch break.
As witnessed in the action-packed finish to the day, students competed in a number of fun and exciting team games, including the baton relay, tunnel ball, cross pass, firemen’s relay and tug of war to name a few. These events provided all students with the opportunity to participate and be a part of a team. Parents were even able to get in on the action of the tug of war, competing against the staff. So I hear, the parents may have just won this event, although I’m not used to saying this…
Overall, a big congratulations to the Mallee Kangaroos on winning the SRAS Sports Day for 2021. Also, congratulations to the individual trophy winners who are listed below.
I would like to thank the efforts of many important people who volunteered their time to help make this day both possible and successful. There are simply not enough staff members to be able to run all of the different activities that are held on this day. I send out a huge thank you to the following people who volunteered to help marshal: Troy Haby, Helen Crisp, David and Renae Hodge, Ben O’Shaughnessy, Sarah Bolt, Richard Harper and Janet Lebrun. I would also like to thank Jeremy Baldwin, who came out to help us in preparation for his teaching placement at SRAS in early Term 2. Thank you also to anyone else who helped out at particular events in need throughout the day.
Once again, I sincerely thank the incredible work done by our Parents & Friends team to provide lunch. They are simply amazing! I look forward to working with you all again next year.
I save the last thank you for all of the staff who helped me with preparation, set up and pack up of this event. I would like to especially thank the efforts of our groundsman, Phil Carter. We are SO lucky to have you at SRAS and we simply couldn’t hold this event without you!
Finally, I would like to congratulate the students who get selected to participate in the Upper South East athletics day, to be held at Karoonda on Tuesday, 23rd March. The SRAS secondary students will combine with Meningie Area School for this event, held from 9:00am-2:30pm. More information will go out to selected students/families shortly. Our selected primary students will compete in the Murray Mallee SAPSASA team, at a separate event held in term 3. More information to come on this closer to the date.
Individual Trophy Winners
|
Winner |
Runner-up |
Open 3000m Girls |
Cora O’Shaughnessy |
Jasmine Challenor |
Open 3000m Boys |
Dalton Gribble |
Ryan Wiebrecht |
Open 1500m Girls |
Cora O’Shaughnessy |
Maliyah Haby |
Open 1500m Boys |
Dalton Gribble |
Kai Gribble |
|
|
|
Mini Sub Junior Girls |
Rylee Dabinet |
Halle Dabinet |
Mini Sub Junior Boys |
Rylee Thorpe |
James Brown |
Sub Junior Girls |
Lily Durant |
Charlee Bolt |
Sub Junior Boys |
Isaac O’Shaughnessy |
Markus Geary |
Junior Girls |
Maliyah Haby |
Jade Durant |
Junior Boys |
Tommy Trezise-Donald |
Benjamin Loechel |
Intermediate Girls |
Ella Johnson |
Cora O’Shaughnessy |
Intermediate Boys |
Jacob Hodge |
Naite Gribble |
Senior Girls |
Jasmine Challenor |
Olivia Hayford |
Seniors Boys |
Dalton Gribble |
Ryan Weibrecht |
Thanks all,
Mr Jayden Coleman
Sports Coordinator
SRAS Sports Day – From the Captains
The SRAS Sports Day was a huge success on Thursday last week! We would like to acknowledge and thank all staff members and parents for helping the day run smoothly and for helping out with marshalling events where they were needed. We’d like to thank the parents and friends for organising a wonderful lunch in the canteen for everyone. We’d especially like to thank Mr Carter for taking the time out of his day to help prepare the shelters and marking the oval for each event. SRAS Sports day wouldn’t be a success without Mr Carter’s hard work.
As leaders, it was great to see all students participating in majority of their events and some participating in events to gain points for their team. It was awesome to see so many people dress up in their team colours and truly embrace their team spirit. Both teams battled it out throughout the day for points, with the Kangaroos edging in front. However, the Eagles just couldn’t quite catch up. Congratulations to the Mallee Kangaroos for your third consecutive win for the SRAS Sports Day! Well done!
House Captains
Mallee Kangaroos - Naomi Cameron & Lochlan Hodge
and Murray Eagles - Olivia Hayford & Dalton Gribble
The agriculture students have been busy learning how to operate machinery, and the Doorways2Construction team try out the shades after making repairs in time for sports day.
On Friday March 4th, 2021 the 'Ski for Life' relay teams stopped at Swan Reach for lunch. Staff and students were able to watch twenty eight boats and crew make their way into Len White Reserve, including our local team 'Walkers on the Water'. Well done to all staff and students that helped pack and unpack chairs and tables, cook the bbq and the SRC members who sold the 'Gratitude Jars'. The 'Fun for Youth' van was also on site and the students were able to participate in a variety of activities including Sumo wrestling and giant chess. Ben Pettingill, who is blind, and an ambassador for 'Ski for Life', spoke to the students about the importance of looking after each other and building resilience when times get tough. The School Captains, Olivia Hayford and Dalton Gribble presented the 'Walkers on the Water' team $150 which was raised through selling the 'Gratitude Jars'.
Miss Rohie Griffiths
Teacher
ROAD CREW REFLECTION
Greg and I were honoured to be part of the 'Walkers on the Water' team last weekend. The event builds comraderie and friendship, and focuses on mental health, well being and suicide prevention. The committee has a mammoth task of organising almost 300 people and twenty eight boats where logistics, catering and safety are of prime importance. This year the team consisted of 19 members with two boats participating in the relay. Members included; Clinton, Hayley, Briannah, Narelle and Olivia Griffiths; Mardi Le Brun and Richie Hartley; Ben, Samantha and Joshua Poole; Craig, Sam and Blake Krollig; Taylor Poole and Cameron Horstmann; Joel Webster and Nick Haby. The relay began at Murray Bridge on Thursday afternoon and finished at Renmark on Sunday evening. Greg and I were part of the 'road crew' ensuring that everything was packed up and transported to the next stop as we made our way up the river. We also got to go in the boat and watch the skiiers as they worked on achieving their personal goals, and making the distance. We stopped at several towns along the way, with each community supporting the cause and sharing their stories. Throughout the weekend we experienced emotional highs and lows and were in awe of the whole event. We congratulate the 'Walkers on the Water' team and make a special mention to Cameron Horstmann and Briannah Griffiths for skiing the whole 456kms and their team mates as they supported them along the way. We are also very fortunate that our students get to experience this amazing event and the significance of the message that is being communicated to us all; look after yourself, look after your mates and take care of each other; We Matter.
Mrs Leanne Griffiths
Due date for the next Newsletter is 10:00am, Wednesday 24th March. 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.
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.
10-11-12 March | Staff Training Days |
15-16-17 March | 3-way Conferences |
16 March | 3 way conferences, early dismissal, 2:20pm. |
22 March | Governing Council 5:30pm |
23 March | USE Athletics at Karoonda Area School |
26 March | SAPSASA Swimming |
2 April | Good Friday |
5 April | Easter Monday |
7 April | SSSSA Athletics |
9 April | End of Term 1, early dismissal 2:10pm |
18 April | 2021 Swan Reach Classic Car and Motorbike Run |
23 May | 8-hour Pedal Prix - The Bend, Tailem Bend |
July 31 | 12-hour Pedal Prix - The Bend, Tailem Bend |
11-12 September | 2x6-hour Pedal Prix - Murray Bridge |
KIDS CLUB
3.15pm-4.30pm. FRIDAY 19th March at the Swan Reach Lutheran Hall, for Reception to Year 7 children. Cost is $1 each. For more information please contact Taryn 0427 702 377 or Kristy 0438 857 721.
SACWA NILDOTTIE and DISTRICTS BRANCH - 2021 CALENDAR DATES
EXHIBITION
An exhibition of paintings by Tanuna artist:Marco Angelo is now on display in the Gallery at the Swan Reach Women's Rest Rooms (Victoria St). There is also pottery by various artists until the end of April. Opening times 10am-1pm; Monday, Wednesday & Saturday, and when a volunteer is available.
BIBLE STUDY
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.
PURNONG TRASH & TREASURE
The 2021 SWAN REACH CLASSIC CAR & MOTORBIKE RUN TO THE REACH will be held at Len White Reserve on Sunday 18th April, 10am-3pm.