SWAN REACH AREA SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

19 September 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Hello Swan Reach,

What a magnificent fortnight of learning activities and opportunities facilitated by staff at SRAS including: Bush Kindy Eddie Woo Excursion, 8/9 Camp, 2-5 Zoo Snooze, Secondary Subject Counselling, Japanese Excursion, 8/9 Community Day, Hiragana Competition, Create-a-Playground and Pedal Prix.

Such positive experiences for our students is sometimes underestimated and at times, over-looked. Our school community is alive and buzzing with educational and life-long-learning activities that develop our students’ development and growth. SRAS is committed to promoting the plethora of opportunities to enhance the life-skills of its students and continue to being, effective and beneficial collaborators with all stakeholders in our community.

Recently SRAS advertised in the River Newspaper through the ‘Meet Your Principal’ forum. Below is the extract form this article, responding to two key questions parents and carers need to know about SRAS.

Why should parents / carers choose Swan Reach Area School for their children?

Swan Reach Area School (SRAS) embraces ‘Wellbeing-for-Learning’ as the foundation for children’s overall development and success in academic, physical, mental and social growth. This is highly evident in our WeMatter initiative that actively promotes wellbeing for all. We believe in enrolling the family and have strong community links. With our recent amalgamation, SRAS capably facilitates learning from preschool to secondary, including Playgroup, Parent Mother Goose program and Occasional Care.

What makes Swan Reach Area School the ideal learning environment for students?

Our highly committed and enthusiastic staff foster enriched learning environments and collaborated programs that support all students. Our classes are small and every child collaborates on their Individual Learning Plan with targeted learning goals that also monitors growth and celebrates achievements. We are innovative and respond to community and students’ needs, boasting an amazing array of extra curricula activities, subject choices and student pathways.

MOVIE NIGHT @ SRAS

It is exciting to announce that SRAS will be hosting a family movie event next term to celebrate Children’s Week. We are collaborating with Mid Murray Family Connections and supported by AC Care Murraylands to provide our community and surrounding communities with a free, fun, family fiesta. For more details see the poster inside this newsletter.

2020 COMMUNICATION

SRAS staff are engaged in planning for 2020 – it may seem early but is necessary so SRAS can provide the best structures, subject offerings and staff to cater for children’s needs. SRAS highly appreciates your communication in regard to any family decisions that may impact on your child(ren) at SRAS in 2020. We highly appreciate your insight and this can be done via diary, note to teacher or office, telephone call, text of verbally.

Mr John Robertson
Principal

Early Learning Centre News

There has been some exciting events happening in the Kindergarten class over the last couple of weeks. On Tuesday, 3rd September, we put on a special Father’s Day Pizza Night for our Dads, Grandpas and other special father figures in our pre-schooler’s lives. What a great night everyone had, making and eating pizza together, painting pictures and doing woodwork, puzzles and lego, and of course the ‘Father’s Day Photo Booth.’ The children loved showing off their kindy and the ‘work’ they have done to their Dads and Grandpas. Last Friday we had our first Bush Kindy session at Reedy Creek (Mannum Waterfalls). What an amazing day! The children (and staff) had a day of connecting with nature, managing their own risks and eally experienced a sense of freedom without too many restrictions. It was great to see everyone problem solve, investigate, collaborate and discover while being aware of their personal safety. We had the best ‘bush kindy’ expert, Mim, the director from Tinyeri Kindergarten in Murray Bridge, act as our guide for the day. We were so lucky and thankful to have had the expertise of Mim for the day, who has been taking her kindy students to the waterfalls for years. Mim’s enthusiasm for her ‘special place’ definitely rubbed off on us all, and we hope to make it a regular outing on our kindergarten calendar in future.

Mrs Trish Horstmann
Kindy Teacher

Year 8/9 Japanese Excursion

As a part of the new unit in Japanese, the8/9 class visited Himeji Garden, Central market and Hotaru (Japanese Restaurant) on Tuesday 3rd of September. This unit of learning is also a moderation unit with Mannum Community College. We had decided to join their excursion and share the experience together. All the students who participated tried using chopsticks and the food that they had ordered in the restaurant. I hope they had a great day and that this experience will enhance their Japanese learning. Special thanks to Mannum Community College and Mrs Tanya Dohnt for organising the trip and letting us joining in their excursion.

Japanese Teacher
Yuka Endersby

Hiragana Competition

Each year we have been participating in the Hiragana Competition in Barossa. Four of the best students from our primary classes use their knowledge of Hiragana symbols to compete with 9 other schools. This year, Shana, Narelle, Jacob and Jackson were selected to be representatives for our school. It would’ve been a nerve racking experience for them but also it was a great opportunity for them to challenge their skills. We came 8th out of 10 schools so we did well and I am very proud of them. Also in this competition, there was a “Nengajo Competition”. Each school brought 3 best designs of the New Year’s Day card for 2020. Students from 9 other schools voted to determine the best out of three for each school. Our schools submitted 3 wonderful designs that were chosen from Year 2-7 work. Please come around one day to have a look at our wonderful designs in the Japanese room. I will keep this displayed until the beginning of next term.

Japanese Teacher
Mrs Yuka Endersby

Secondary Science

Last week the year 8/9 and 10 science classes used their practical skills to develop their understanding of relevant biological concepts. The year 8/9 class used microscopes to study the structure of different cells; specifically using onion skin cells in this practical. The year 10 science class made their own models of a double-helix DNA structure using toothpicks, liquorice, lolly snakes and gummy bears. They later replicated their DNA ‘ladder’, using a colour code to accurately copy the different base pairings and components of their DNA structure. Thank you to Mrs. Williamson for preparing all of the materials and equipment for our different practical activities.

Mr Jayden Coleman
Secondary Science Teacher

24 Hour Pedal Prix

This weekend the 24 hour pedal prix will be held at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Racing begins on Saturday 12 noon and winds up on Sunday at 12 noon. We are located in Pit 130, which is the same as last year. The students are looking forward to racing and have been practising hard for the event. Come along and check out over 200 pedal prix bikes participating in an action packed and spectacular event. There is an entry fee of $15 for spectators.

Mr Greg Griffiths
Pedal Prix Teacher

Growing with Gratitude

WHEEL TO WALK

SRAS WEBSITE

The Swan Reach Area School website has now been released, here you can find all the school information including the newsletter, forms and polices. Please visit at the link below and check out our new look website.

PARENTS & FRIENDS NEWS

Thank you to everyone that supported the lunch day in Week 6. What a great idea to combine with the Book Week parade and SRC Father’s Day stall. Well done to everyone involved. We have a meeting this Friday and will be planning for next term and the future. Keep an eye out for a Community Movie Night next term.

Mardi Le Brun
Secretary

COMMUNITY LIBRARY INFORMATION

Holiday Library Hours

Public Library Services Information

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

Due Date for the next Newsletter is 10:00am, Tuesday 15 October 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.

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

In term 4 sessions will be held fortnightly on Tuesdays in Odd weeks of term term

(Weeks 1, 3, 5 & 7 ... nothing in the last week) instead of Thursdays. Still at ELC, still starting at 10am. There is still 1 session left of Term 3 - Thursday 26th September (Week 10) I have attached a bit of a poster/calendar with the updated info. 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

Coming Events

Community Notice Board

Kids Club

3:15pm-4:30pm FRIDAY 20th September, 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.

Movie Night

Movie Night 25th October 2019 - Friday Week 2, Term 4. A FREE "We Matter" community event for families, to celebrate National Children's Week (19-27th October 2019). Co-hosted by SRAS and Mid Murray Family Connections at the Swan Reach Area School Gym and Oval. Activities on the oval from 4pm all afternoon/evening and 2 family movies showing in the gym. The Lego Movie 2 @ 4:30pm and The Princess Bride @ 7pm. Activities include - Kindergym for toddlers/preschoolers, craft tables, giant grass games, OPAL smoothie bike, Fun for Youth Van activities and more. Free sausage sizzle tea for all, snacks and drinks also available. Bring blankets/ cushions/ bean bags for comfy movie viewing. Door Prize for one lucky moviegoer.

Budgies for Sale

$8 each, all colours. Phone 8562 5034. Can deliver to Swan Reach.

Please help us to Light the Night at Nildottie. ‘Light the Night’ The Leukaemia Foundation’s beautiful evening lantern walk, where Australians come together and transform the darkness into a sea of glowing light to beat blood cancer. The Murray Mallee Auto Club will be hosting this very special blood cancer support event on Saturday 12th October at the Nildottie Soldiers Memorial Hall. Starting at 6pm for a sausage sizzle. Supported by the Nildottie Progress association. Tea & coffee + Bar facilities will be available, (please no BYO). When you register for Light the Night, you receive your special lantern to carry as darkness falls. Lanterns are raised high in a moving ceremony to pay tribute to those facing their own blood cancer journey and to remember loved ones lost, creating a glowing sea of support. Together, the crowd then carries their lanterns along a reflective walk to ‘Light the Night’. Each coloured lantern carries a special meaning: Gold to remember loved ones lost to blood cancer, White for those diagnosed themselves and Blue to show community support for all those affected. The night will take your breath away. It’s an empowering, beautiful and supportive event that brings family and friends together with a united goal; to fund research that will help beat blood cancer. What is Leukaemia? Leukaemia is the general name given to a group of cancers that develop in the bone marrow. Leukaemia can also be either myeloid or lymphocytic. The terms myeloid and lymphocytic refer to the types of cells in which the leukaemia first started. Leukaemia originates in developing blood cells that have undergone a malignant change. This means that they multiply in an uncontrolled way and do not mature properly, leaving them unable to function as they should. Both adults and children can develop leukaemia but certain types are more common in different age groups. The Murray Mallee Auto Club members have all been touched by the results of this destructive disease with the loss of one of our loved and respected members who recently lost his battle with leukaemia and has passed away. You are invited to support this community event by purchasing a lantern and joining us on Saturday night, the 12th October at Nildottie. To register your support & order a lantern please Contact Tony or Sonya on 08 85701068 mob 0428641416. Come along and join us and lets ‘Light the Night’ to beat blood cancer.

Come to the Party-

With Scentsy, Alli’s Creations-Jewellery, Tupperware and Melaleuca “The Wellness Company”. Saturday 5th October, 10am-1pm. In the Gallery at the Swan Reach Women’s Rest Rooms, Victoria St, Swan Reach.

Joyful Noise – Girls Night Out

Old Barn – Open Mic

Women of the River

Games 2U