Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Hello Swan Reach,

Thank you for your commitment and support at last week’s SRC, Motor Neuron Disease (MND) fundraiser. It was a lovely celebration and a uniting event for students, families and staff. Well done to the nominees who submitted themselves to the ‘BIG FREEZE’ and all who planned, organised and participated. In spite of recent weather turning on its own ‘big freeze’ with low temperatures proceeding the event, it was kind to us on the day with sunshine adding to the warmth generated by the hearts of all.

To reiterate words shared at the event, “Bravo… Bravo… to the Kluge family and Mia for uniting us in a cause so close to your hearts. Bravo Mia… for sticking with your dream… for persisting with it and making it a reality. Bravo… for creating an opportunity for us to participate and share in something that matters to you – to your family and friends – and we too. Your integrity to stay true to what really matters is inspirational… and you’ve brought enormous respect to the MND ‘Beast’ as Neil Daniher describes it. Bravo…. Bravo everyone for your part, big and small, for assisting to make this a successful adventure.”

It is timely for our community to reflect and reach out to those who have gone, going and will go through tough times. A word of encouragement, an act of kindness, a phone call or visit are just some little ways we can show our support and empathy towards our neighbours - We(all)Matter.

SCHOOL SUPPORT

SRAS is able to assist with inquiries regarding local and district support services who may help you, your family, your child(ren) or a friend in need. SRAS has actively sought and connected with Health and Welfare agencies to provide extra care, information and services. Some of the services engaging with our community travel to Swan Reach which is an enormous benefit for busy families with transport difficulties. The following list shows the main, non-departmental providers:

• Child Adolescent and Mental Health Services – Murray Bridge (counselling)
• CentaCare – Murray Bridge (counselling)
• Anglican Community Care – Communities for Children Murraylands (activities and events)
• Mid Murray Support Services - Communities for Children, Mannum Hub (Seasons for Growth, Bringing up Great Kids, Parenting under Pressure, Drumbeat)
• Mid Murray Family Connections – Mid Murray Mums (Face Book, sharing concerns, information and ideas)

We invite you to contact us for more information on the above and other support services listed in the handout with this newsletter.

SEMESTER 1 REPORTS

Reports will be sent home soon, providing you with your child(ren)’s academic grades, as well as their social, behavioural and life-long learning competencies. The A-E grading, under the Australian Curriculum guidelines, differs from the A-E grading many parents and carers experienced. Although SRAS has outlined these differences before, it is timely to share again the A-E grading system and their word equivalents.

For the older generation a ‘C’ grade was viewed as passing but sub-standard. For the new generation, receiving a ‘C’ grade means that they are ‘AT STANDARD’ and performing soundly against the Australian Curriculum Achievement Standards. Therefore a ‘D’ or ‘E’ grade shows the students is ‘BELOW STANDARD’ and a grade of ‘B’ or ‘A’ means the student is demonstrating evidence of learning ‘ABOVE STANDARD.’

The word equivalents outlined below are also on the front or back of your child(ren)’s report:

A – Excellent
B – Good
C – Satisfactory
D – Partial
E – Minimal

All teachers have invested an enormous amount of time in professional learning and collaboration with teachers from Riverland sites to moderate assessment tasks. The purpose of moderation is to assist teachers to obtain consistency and accuracy in judging units of work, ‘at, above or below’ standard, to assign A-E grades based on demonstrated evidence – ie what the student shows.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Mrs Trish Horstmann on her temporary appointment as Early Years and Primary Leader. The appointment will be for the first 6 weeks of term 3, as Mr Troy Cowland will take on the Acting Principal role while Mr John Robertson is on long service leave.

Mr John Robertson
Principal

EARLY LEARNING CENTRE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS

The ELC enjoyed a wonderful day out in the Barossa Valley on the 24th May. The Pre-School and R-1 classes invited the Playgroup parents and children to a production of Mem Fox’s “Possum Magic”. It was magical! We had lunch and a play at the Tanunda playground before getting back on the bus to come home. It was a lovely day out.

Before going to the “Possum Magic’ play, we read the book many times (and a few times after). We made possums out of paper plates, made our own vegemite sandwiches and lamingtons, made invisible paintings and looked at the map of Australia to see all the places Grandma Poss and Hush went.

We have read other books about Australian animals by Mem Fox and also Aboriginal dreaming stories like ‘How the Birds Got Their Colours,’ ‘When the Snake Bites the Sun,’ and ‘The Echidna and the Shade Tree.’ We made echidnas with clay and paintings of echidnas whose spikes were decorated in the traditional aboriginal colours of red, black and yellow. We also had a guest ‘artist’! Heidi’s brother Svenn from the 2-5 class came over to show the children how to draw and paint parrots. They all had a go and did a beautiful job. We now have a Wombat Stew table where children can act out the book, and have Australian animal puppets in our puppet show area.

Mrs Trish Horstmann
Pre School Teacher

IN THE CLASSROOM

This week I stopped to have a look into Mr Griffiths’ 8-10 Design and Technology class. There was an array of different individual projects taking place: Harley and Whyatte - Coffee Table, Lochlan – Chopping Board, Kai and Briannah – Serviette Holders, Dalton and Ryan – Pedal Prix Bike and Chelsea – Chess Board.

Mr Griffiths uses a Word Wall as a way of improving comprehension for his students. This gives the students a place to go when struggling with subject specific terminology in their folio assignments. “Literacy is everyone’s business”.

Mr Troy Cowland
Deputy Principal

PEDAL PRIX DINNER

On Friday 21 June the Swan Reach Area School Pedal Prix team will be serving up dinner at Nildottie Hall. Thanks to the Nildottie Progress Association for giving us the opportunity to raise funds to help with the maintenance and ongoing costs of running the bike. It would be great to see all Pedal Prix team members and Parents and Carers in attendance. Students are asked to wear their Pedal Prix Shirts and also supply a small item for the raffle. Find all the details below, bookings are essential, so don’t miss out.

Mr Greg Griffiths
Pedal Prix Teacher

MND BIG FREEZE at Swan Reach Area School

What an amazing event the (MND) Motor Neurone Disease Big Freeze turned out to be! Staff, students and community members came together to help raise funds for research and find a cure for MND. Mr Griffiths and Mr Carter and the Pedal Prix team cooked a sausage sizzle, the Ag students sold fruit and tomatoes, and Parents and Carers sold “blue” cakes, slices and slushies, with all profits going to MND South Australia. Mia Kluge was inspirational as she spoke to the crowd about her personal connection to the disease. The highlight of the event was the Ice Bucket Challenge! Auctioneer, Mardi Le Brun had the bidders on their toes as they vied for the opportunity to tip a bucket of freezing cold ice water over the volunteers. These included Mr Steven Hennessey (Mid Murray Councillor), Mr Clinton Griffiths (Parent), Mr Jayden Coleman (Teacher) and Mia Kluge in honour of her Dad. Needless to say the bidding was fierce and over $1500 was raised through the auction alone. The support and generosity of the school and community was overwhelming. There were lots of cash donations and the purchase of Big Freeze beanies which were sold out prior to the event raising approximately $2,400 for MND-SA. Congratulations to everyone involved in the event which not only raised awareness of the disease, but paid a fitting tribute to Mr Brenton Kluge and his family.

Miss Rohie Griffiths
Teacher

SILENT AUCTION

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

Due Date for the next Newsletter is 10:00am, Tuesday 25th 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.

Swan Reach Hotel Social Club

Karaoke Night. 6th July 2019, 7:30pm, come along and join the fun.