28 February 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPALS REPORT

Hello Swan Reach,

Thank you to the community members and staff who attended last week’s acquaintance night. Making time to attend such events can be difficult and SRAS would appreciate your feedback if another time or day would be better for your family – for example, an acquaintance breakfast or lunch. The evening proceeded well and the feedback about the newly painted learning spaces was extremely positive. Staff and Governing Council collaborations will continue to improve and upgrade facilities and grounds at SRAS in 2019.

VOLUNTEERING AT SRAS

SRAS is more effective with a successful volunteer network. Thanks for taking the time to think of how you can assist at SRAS and communicate this with SRAS. Alternatively, call us to find out any areas where SRAS needs volunteers. There is a reduction in the need for Criminal History Screening checks to take place before undertaking most volunteer work in a school. We encourage any new (and existing) families to contact the school to register interest. Our WeMatter motto for building positive school communities is, ‘Every Face Has a Place.’ Your time, presence and help are certainly encouraged.

SEEKING EMPLOYMENT AT SRAS

At times, we have expressions of interest from community members seeking employment opportunities at SRAS. Whilst there are department policies and procedures in place for the recruitment and selection of staff that SRAS needs to adhere to, the following points can assist any future inquiries:

• Volunteer – a great opportunity to experience aspects of the school, to build trusting and effective relationships with staff and students. There is a new volunteer policy that guides this type of engagement with schools. To find out more, visit the department’s volunteer webpage (see link below) for information; obtain a brochure from the front office or arrange to discuss your interest with the principal.
• Student Support Officer (SSO) – recruitment of SSOs is guided by the ‘recruitment and selection of ancillary staff policy.’ If interested, contact the school and speak to the principal. You can also leave a resume. ALL SSOs must have a current Police Check; be registered on the Employable Ancillary Register (requires gaining an Education number first); Report Abuse and Neglect Training and have an authority to work in schools.
• Other positions such as Pool Operator and Cleaner occur now and then, and it is best to share a resume with referees to the school.

GOVERNING COUNCIL (GC)

The 2019 AGM and first GC meeting were held last Monday after the BBQ tea at acquaintance night. We warmly welcome new councillors; Mrs Mardi Le Brun; Mrs Shona Haby and Mr Troy Haby to the team. The council still has a parent vacancy and a community member vacancy to fill – if interested contact SRAS on 85702053.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

The Department for Education is inviting parents and carers of children and young people with disability to attend a number of events this year. These events provide families with an opportunity to be engaged in discussions and workshops, hear from keynote speakers about the services, policies and support available for children and students with disability, regardless of their setting. There is a brochure, ‘Disability Policy and Programs – parent Forum,’ included with this edition for your information.

ATTENDANCE

It is one of our continuing priorities to address issues of attendance amongst students. We understand that this may be due to unavoidable reasons, including illness or family holidays that cannot be taken at any other time of the year.

However, irrespective of the cause, research shows that students who are absent for more than 10 days per year are disadvantaged both educationally and socially. We have a growing number of children in this category. Parents and Carers of children in this category need to be aware that such time out of school will have some detrimental effect on his/her education.

Some of the effects experienced by these students may include:

• Gaps in knowledge and understanding resulting in missing basic concepts.
• Lack of continuity and familiarity resulting in them feeling less secure within the school environment.
• The loss of opportunities for play activities which improve social/emotional and cognitive development.
• Missing out on learning important basics such as class rules and behaviour norms.
• Belief that punctuality and attendance are not important.
• Inability to maintain friendships resulting in isolation, bullying or teasing.
• Loss of self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Increased likelihood of leaving school early.

You can keep track of the number of absent days by calling the office or checking out the record your child/ren’s report. If concerned, contact staff at school who are happy to assist in this matter.

John Robertson
Principal

Upper South East Swimming

Swan Reach Area School participated in the annual Upper South East swimming carnival at Coonalpyn in week 4 but with a slight twist. We were combined with schools from Karoonda and Tintinara to form a super squad to match rivalling schools around the area. We competed against Lameroo, Coomandook/Coonalpyn, Meningie, Mannum and Keith The three Griffiths girls; Briannah, Narelle and Olivia, along with Cora O’Shaughnessey were the select few, based on combined times from respective school carnivals, to take part in the day with each of the girls representing the school with pride. Our zone, now known as ‘Karara Reach,’ were fortunate enough to bring home a vast array of awards including Sub-Junior, Junior and Intermediate age group winners. Our zone also took home the Handicap Shield and came fourth in the overall standings (a tremendous effort considering we had very little students to select from across the three schools). The day ended with a sight at the amazing Coonalpyn silos which wrapped up a very successful day for our zone and SRAS in general.

Inside the Classroom

This week I stopped to have a look into some of Mr Jesser’s Instrumental Music classes. It was amazing to see the engagement and persistence of the students as they attempted to learn these new and complex skills. I look forward to seeing the how these skills develop as the year progresses.

Troy Cowland
Deputy Principal

Calculators in School

As part of learning Maths in the Secondary School, students are encouraged to use a calculator in connection with many tasks. As part of the Prime School Plus Programme, our School is using the Casio Scientific Calculator (Model fx-82AU Plus II) as illustrated here. The cost of this calculator is $25. We currently have a number of these units in stock at SRAS. If your child already owns and uses another model and finds it effective, there is no need to purchase this particular model. That said, in terms of teaching and learning it is certainly more convenient for staff and students alike when all parties are working with the same tools. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.

Mr. Tun

Canteen

The canteen is now being outsourced to the Swan Reach General Store and lunches are available on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. There are no lunch orders available on Wednesday. Food orders and money have to be into the Front Office by 10.00am.

Contact Details Update

Please contact the front office if you have recently updated or changed contact/personal details.

Newsletter Information

The Newsletter deadline for all articles is 10am, on the Tuesday before the newsletter is due. This runs the odd week of each term. Due Date for the next Newsletter is 12 March 2019. 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. Check out the details below to subscribe and get all the latest news from the school

Student Representative Council (SRC) NEWS

Ski for life

Next Wednesday, 6th of March, the SRC will be making hot dogs for lunch to fundraise for the Ski for Life foundation. Order slips will be sent home on Thursday with the Newsletter.

The Ski for Life charity involves a ski relay from Murray Bridge to Renmark in an effort to raise awareness and promote mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention. The school will be travelling down to the Len White reserve next Friday, 8th of March, to share lunch with all members and groups supporting this great cause. For more information, check out the following website:

Lunch time music

Lunch time music is back by popular demand! The SRC students have organised a roster (located on the library wall pin-up board) to allow students to play music every Wednesday and Friday during lunch.

Crazy Hair Day

This year the SRC has chosen to hold the famous CRAZY HAIR DAY on our annual sports day. Red and blue hair spray will be offered from an SRC tent for only $2 per person. All proceeds raised from this event will be donated towards Mr. Troy Cowland’s World’s Greatest Shave held on the same day during the lunch break. Mr. Cowland is shaving his head to help raise money for blood cancer. Donations to support this cause can still be made at the front office up until this day.

Playgroup

Swan Reach Playgroup at SRAS Early Learning Centre. Tuesdays during term 10am-12pm

All children birth-school age welcome for indoor and outdoor play. Please bring wear hat and sunsmart clothing, and bring waterbottle and fruit/veg to share for healthy snack time. $2 per session, per family. Contact Kristy Castle 0438857721

P-CMG

Parent-Child Mother Goose at SRAS Early Learning Centre. From 10am selected Thursdays during term (usually fortnightly). PCMG is a chance to get out of the house for babies and toddlers and their carers. Bond with your children and have fun using the power of songs, rhymes and stories. Trained facilitators Kristy and Claire lead a relaxed session for parents and children with a play and coffee n chat after. Sessions are free and there is no booking involved! Contact Kristy Castle 0438857721

Term 1 dates - February 14th, 28th; March 4th; April 4th, 11th (Weeks 3,5,7,10 and 11)

World’s Greatest Shave

Coming Events

Community Notice Board

Purnong District Hall Trash and Treasure

Easter Saturday, 8:30am start. Egg and Bacon Breakfast. Sausage Sizzle Lunch. Licensed Bar. Sellers $40 stall, set up from 7am. Contact Sue: 0457 357 333 to book a site. Tables inside available.

Ski for Life

This year we have a local team “Walkers on the Water” participating in the Ski for Life relay from Murray Bridge to Renmark, 8-10 March. The event promotes mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention. Team members include Clinton, Hayley, Briannah, Narelle and Olivia Griffiths, Cameron Horstmann, Craig Fromm, and Craig, Nicole, Karli and Thomas Roberts. To help raise funds for this cause the “Walkers on the Water” team are selling raffle tickets (with a great range of prizes) available at the school for $5 each.

Kids Club

3:15 – 4:30pm Friday 8th & 29th March at the Swan Reach Lutheran Hall. For Reception to Year 6 students. Cost $1.00. Enquiries: Phone Taryn 0427 702 377 or Kristy 0438 857 721.

Exhibition Gallery

Come and visit an exhibition of “Barreloak Products” and “Gumvale Pottery” in the Gallery at the Swan Reach Women’s Rest Rooms. Victoria St, SWAN REACH. Open 10am – 3pm. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday (until the end of April).