30 May 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Hello Swan Reach,

With the You Can Do It (YCDI) focus on ‘Getting Along,’ it is pleasing to hear staff and students engaging in learning and actions that raise respect for others. Many classes are engaging in anonymous ‘acts of kindness’ toward others. It is important to be able to think first of the other person as this is the foundation for getting along. YCDI education promotes healthy thinking that increases positive actions and raises successful outcomes. Several groups of younger and older students have taken responsibility to keep our environment clean by voluntarily picking up rubbish during their break times.

STUDENT SAFETY

To further increase safety for all students at SRAS the following strategies have been applied:

• gates leading to the extended orange orchard are now padlocked
• the playground near the library is for K-5 students only and playground near the tennis courts is for year 6-12 students only
• staff & GC will be reviewing and updating the Behaviour Policy
• an extra teacher on duty at lunch breaks
• Child Protection Curriculum topics being taught

FAMILY CONTACT DETAILS

In an increasingly technological world, SRAS is increasing its engagement with modern electronic systems to communicate with families. Some classes already utilise ‘See Saw’ and ‘Classroom Dojo’ to share learning activities. Recently SRAS introduced the phone app so families can access newsletters, notices and report student absences. SRAS also opened an official Face Book to share events and news. Our new web page is now developed and looks great. It has a number of reports, policies and information for families to view. The webpage is also another means to access our newsletters. Inside this newsletter is a quick questionnaire for you to provide your preferred email address, so we include all families once we change to electronic form only. Thank you for returning your details ASAP.

HOME SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

Communication between home and school is most valuable when information flows both ways. SRAS does its utmost to keep families informed about school matters, events, early closures, etc. If there are concerns that information is not reaching home, call the office for assistance. At times, forms and newsletters are left in communication folders, school bags and student lockers, so make it a routine to check for these on a regular basis. Providing your email details (see item above), updating contact details and phone numbers are key ways to ensure you receive communication in a timely manner.

GOVERNING COUNCIL NEWS

Building on the new members from last year’s council, 2019 has also seen a jump in new parents involved. With fresh faces, come fresh ideas and new motivation to make things great. As part of connecting with families the GC members have decided to become a specific contact point for families.

THE ROLE OF GOVERNING COUNCIL

• involve the local community
• with the principal; and staff, review, develop and approve local policies
• with the principal set the broad direction and vision of the site
• monitor and review the site improvement plan

Kindly remember GC is not a grievance forum and grievances need to follow the processes that are available on the school’s website.

As such, if you have any questions or ideas for school improvement you would like discussed by council, your nominated councillor can be a point of contact to facilitate this. This may lead to advice, inclusion of items into our meeting agenda or direction to relevant information.

Of course, if you have friendships with a council member, who is not your nominated one, you can ask them questions.

We want to ensure that all families have a contact point as, with more new community members, students travelling from surrounding areas and with such a high percentage of students arriving by bus, the contact time with the school is can be very low for some parents. They may not know many people in the school community.

Governing Council members have committed themselves to contacting their families, whether through a phone call, face to face chat or introduction at the next school event. We look forward to future positive communications with you.

Members of Governing Council

Julie’s Column

Last month I shared an article written by Psychologists Bill Hallam and Dr Craig Olsson about feelings and helping children to understand theirs. I have a series of books by Trace Moroney which are aimed at children but the back page has some great thoughts for parents (written by the above Psychologists).

These are the notes in the book “When I’m Feeling HAPPY”

“Happiness comes from healthy self-esteem. Happy children have a great capacity for spontaneous laughter, play and enjoyment of the smallest things – from autumn leaves, dandelion clocks and caterpillars to imaginative games. Plenty of one-on-one time with at least one caring adult helps children feel valuable and become affectionate, outgoing and considerate of other people’s feelings. Happy children have the self-trust needed to cope with difficulties, and in turn, become free from needless insecurities and more open to life and all its possibilities.” Enjoy spending time with your children. It’s so great for their self-esteem and wellbeing. “Each of these FEELINGS books has been carefully designed to help children better understand their feelings, and in doing so, gain greater autonomy (freedom) over their lives. Talking about feelings teaches children that it is normal to feel sad, or angry, or scared at times. With greater tolerance of painful feelings, children become free to enjoy their world, to feel secure in their abilities and to be happy.” I will share more notes for each of the books in future newsletters.

Julie Maxwell
Pastoral Care Worker

IN THE CLASSROOM

This week I stopped to have a look into Mr Coleman’s Year 10 Science class. They were partaking in a practical activity to determine whether common household compounds form ions, this was achieved using electrical conduction. Studies show that students learn best when learning is active, when they are engaged in hands-on classroom activities.

Year 10 Science

Troy Cowland
Deputy Principal

CAREERS EXPO

On the 10th of May, our Personal Learning Plan (PLP) class attended the Careers Expo at the Adelaide Showgrounds. There were multiple schools across South Australia that went to the event. We arrived there at 10am, and split into groups to check out the different career options.

The task for the day was asking people questions about how to get a job and what qualifications we need to register for the jobs. We all grouped back up for lunch to discuss our questions and conversations we had with different people. Then we decided to stay together and walk around the expo as a class. Miss G challenged the girls to ask questions and to get right out of our comfort zone.

We went in many army vehicles to understand how they work and what it feels like to be in one. Jade sat on the anti-aircraft missile launcher, the whole launcher cost half million dollars, one missile cost $1,500. Overall the day was a great opportunity to work out what we wanted for a career, we all were really keen for Hungry Jacks.

Year 10 PLP Class

PARENTS & FRIENDS NEWS

Parents and Friends is busy behind the scenes at the moment but will be out and about in the next few weeks. We look forward to your support.

Diary Dates Term 2

Friday 31st May - Biggest Morning Tea-Week 5 - in the library
Thursday 6th June Week 6 - MND Day Slushies and Cupcakes for sale by P&F
Friday 5th July-Week 10- P&F General meeting 11am - Please bring a plate to share for light lunch followed by end of term school assembly.

Mardi Le Brun
P&F Secretary

DOORWAYS2CONSTRUCTION

This term the Doorways2Construction students have been busy carrying out building and renovations around the school. They have cut out and fitted a wooden frame and door in the Music room for easy access to the outdoor learning area. Also the D2C team has made and fitted a metal door and frame to the storage shed in the Gym. This project has involved constructing a stud wall to separate the sports storage and make a space for the cleaning equipment. The students have gained confidence in operating specialised tools including nail gun, grinder, friction cutter and MIG welder. While these tasks can be challenging for the students, it incorporates all of our school values: Persistence, Organisation, Confidence, Resilience and Getting Along. Great work, D2C team.

Greg Griffiths
D2C Instructor

FRESH FRUIT FRIDAY

The Agriculture students are offering to pick and pack fresh fruit for each school family to take home for the weekends. This will start next Thursday 6th June (as Friday is a student Free Day) and if weather and time permits a bag of fruit will be packed every second Friday from thereon while available. Research shows that most students do not have their daily intake of fruit so our aim is to promote healthy eating.

Greg Griffiths
Ag Teacher

MND BIG FREEZE at Swan Reach Area School

What is Motor Neurone Disease (MND)?

Nerve cells (neurones) control the muscles that enable us to move, speak, breathe and swallow. Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is the name given to a group of diseases in which these neurones fail to work normally. Muscles then gradually weaken and waste, as neurones degenerate and die.

MOCK ACCIDENT

On Friday of week 3 the year 10 and 11 students travelled to Faith Lutheran College in Tanunda to attend a live ‘mock accident’. This event provided students with the opportunity to witness first-hand the potential impact of making poor decisions when travelling on the road. The mock accident involved two adolescent actors who had just been involved in a car crash. The young male driver had been drinking that afternoon. The young female passenger chose to get in his car with her 2-year old child. Unfortunately, the young child was thrown from the vehicle upon impact with a tree and sadly passed at the scene. From this point, local CFS, Ambulance and Police arrived. The scene carried out for over 30 minutes, with a senior ambulance officer running students through each of the steps carried out by the emergency service personnel. Despite knowing that the events were staged, there were many hard-hitting messages for students to face throughout.

I would like to congratulate our students on their mature and respectful behavior throughout this event. This can be a confronting experience, but certainly well worth the key message for our students to make safe and responsible decisions when travelling in a car. I would also especially like to thank Mrs Trena Williamson for her support on this day and for transporting us all safely to and from the event.

Jayden Coleman
Homegroup Teacher

SAPSASA ATHLETICS

Students from Swan Reach Area School competed in SAPSASA athletics on Monday 20th May at Santos Stadium in Adelaide. Congratulations to Shana, Narelle and Jacob who competed in various events on the day. Shana–High Jump and 9th place in the 13 year old relay, Jacob-5th place in the 11 year old boys Discus and Narelle-9th place in the 13 year old girls long jump. The students also had a chance to catch up with former student, Noah on the day.

SILENT AUCTION

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

Due Date for the next Newsletter is 10:00am, Tuesday 11th June 2019. Please note that as from this term the newsletter will be 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. Check out the details below to subscribe and get all the latest news from the school. Please note we have recorded those families that are already receiving the newsletter via SZApp and website, however to ensure we have the correct details please return the included form.

Playgroup

Swan Reach Playgroup at SRAS Early Learning Centre. Tuesdays during term time 10am-12pm. All children birth to school age are welcome for indoor and outdoor play. Please wear sun-smart clothing, bring a hat, water bottle 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 2 dates – beginning May 2, and Weeks 3,5,7,9 thereafter.

Coming Events

Community Notice Board

Kids Club

3:15pm-4:30pm FRIDAY 14th and 28th June 2019, at the Swan Reach Lutheran Hall. For Reception to Year 6 students. Cost $1. Enquiries Phone Taryn 0427 702 377 or Kristy 0438 857 721.

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea

Parents and Friends will be hosting Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea on Friday May 31st @ 10 am in the library. All community and school members are invited to come along. Please bring a plate of food to share. There will also be an opportunity to meet the P@F members and enjoy a chat and a cuppa, while supporting a great cause.

Swan Reach Christian Women’s Group

Invite you to our Bible Society Luncheon, 11am, Tuesday 11th June 2019, at the Swan Reach Lutheran Hall. Fundraising Project “Literacy for Women in Pakistan” (Donation appreciated). Come and try some food from Pakistan. All Welcome.