14 March 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPALS REPORT

Hello Swan Reach,

What an amazing community turn out at the Ski for Life event last Friday. The organisation of the Griffith families and ‘Walkers-On-Water’ team, alongside the school staff and students was sensational. The Ski for Life speaker, Ben - who is blind - shared his struggle with coming to terms with his disability and the anguish it caused him. His humour was well received but his message that at times we all suffer periods of distress can place us in a position of mental ill-health. He encouraged 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 have taken another step 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.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Mr Troy and Mrs Holly Cowland on the birth of their boy, Kove Jack Cowland. He was born on the 9th March at 5pm, weighing 6 pounds and 46.5cm in length. Mother, child and father are faring well and due home soon.

WELCOME

We cordially and warmly welcome Jirayu Sucharittakul, who is Mr Tun’s nephew. He is starting this week in year 4, with the 2-5 class and also Angelina Honeyman who is in the Year 8-9 class.

3 WAY CONFERENCES

SRAS looks to build on the success of last year’s conferences. Parents, Carers and students are strongly encouraged and invited to book in for these conferences in week 8 (Monday 18th Mar 3.20pm – 8.00pm, Tuesday 19th Mar 2.40pm-8.00pm & Wednesday 20th Mar 3.20pm-8.00pm). The format will be the same as previous years, providing you with the opportunity to meet with a core team 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 19th March at 2:20pm to allow for parents and carers to access earlier time slots
• Buses will depart at 2:30pm on Tuesday
• 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.

SWIMMING POOL

The liner in the pool continues to deteriorate. Therefore it is now closed to allow for it to be drained, assessed and repaired.

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

Our annual athletics carnival is fast approaching. We invite you to join us again on Friday 15th March to support your child(ren) and their teams on a fun and competitive day. The weather appears to be our friend this year with the current forecast of 29 degrees - almost ideal. Join us at 9:00am for warm ups run by house captains and the first events will begin at 9:10am.

There are 3 new events this year to promote participation across the school. We are introducing the Fireman’s Relay (involves water!), Tug-O-War and a Dodgeball Tournament including a staff team. Parents and Carers are encouraged to form a team too.

Mr Cowland will also be involved with the ‘Greatest Shave’ during the lunch break.

Please note there is no catering on the day, families will need to bring a packed lunch and drinks, or alternatively lunches will be available for Sports Day from the General Store as per usual but orders and money will need to be in the front office no later than 9.00am

The proceeding Upper South East (USE) athletics will be held at Kieth Area School. Not ideal for our SRAS squad who will combine with Meningie (team Swaningie) but provides the oppportunity for our best athletes to compete at the next level. More details to follow about the USE day on 26th March 2019.

John Robertson
Principal

EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

ELC news

Our main theme in the Early Learning Centre for Term 1 is ‘Me and My Family’ The children have been doing many craft activities making themselves out of paper plates, cardboard, nature materials and playdough. They have talked about their families and made an ‘Identity Web’ and painted a family portrait. We read the Dr Seuss book, “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” and the children decorated balloons and described what they would like to do when they are bigger.’ These activities help children to build a confident self-identity, and to feel connected and contribute to their world.

Mrs Trish Horstmann

Inside the Classroom

This week I stopped to have a look into Miss G’s Work Studies class. They were busy with the administrative side of Black Swan Racing (SRAS’s Pedal Prix team). Students were working in groups to develop a sponsorship letter, a proposal to use Instagram as a marketing tool and a student led presentation about joining Black Swan Racing.

Troy Cowland
Deputy Principal

Parents & Friends

Sports Day on Friday

Please come along and cheer on your children.

Parents and Friends are sorry to say we will not be catering for the sports day this year.

Please understand that we cannot commit to catering for events with just a few of us saying we will help beforehand. Thank you to the parents that have been willing to join us and we look forward to the rest of the year and planning what we can do.

Liz Haby President/ Secretary Ph. 0409675886 Liz Harris Ph 0420200731

P & F AGM

Hi Parents and Friends of Swan Reach Area School.We are calling another AGM!! Please come along and support our school. Tuesday 2nd of April at 9:30 am in the library.Light morning tea provided to keep us going.

Contact Liz Haby President/Secretary Ph. 0409 675 886
Liz Woodgate Treasurer Ph 0420 200 731

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 26 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

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 the 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 time 10am-12pm. All children birth-school age are welcome for indoor and outdoor play. Please wear sunsmart clothing, bring a hat, 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 - 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.

Kids Club

3:15 – 4:30pm Friday 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).