SWAN REACH AREA SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

28 November 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Hello Swan Reach,

Congratulations to our all our families and parent /carer groups for supporting our students. Your desire for the best education and wellbeing for your child(ren) is highly evident and demonstrated in the way you regularly communicate their needs with SRAS, especially in times of adversity. The home and school partnership is a vital one to maximise education opportunities. We are on the same team and want the very best for our students and child(ren).

SRAS acknowledges and thanks our parent groups who give a bit extra support – Governing Council, Parents & Friends and Volunteers. Our governing council members regularly devote their time to attend and engage meaningfully at meetings twice each term. Their ideas and contributions to SRAS directions are welcomed and valued. The council was highly proactive and invested in their governance of SRAS this year – Thank you. Parents and Friends have put in an enormous amount of background work to reform and re-energise this long standing committee. Their care to support SRAS through special lunches, re-development of the Parent Handbook and funding toward end of year awards is highly appreciated. The final group are our volunteers who listen to reading (at home and school) , drive students to access VET education and sporting events, donate items and attend school functions – thank you, it is wonderful to have your ongoing support.

SITE IMPROVEMENT PRIORITIES

Staff collaboratively and rigorously engaged at the recent Site Improvement Planning day, by undertaking deep analysis of data sets, to assess the impact of key teaching practices on our learning priorities. We then prioritised key strategies and actions that we’ll endeavour to embed into teaching and learning and student success in 2020 and beyond. Our 3 goals for 2020 remain the same:

Goal 1 – improve students’ reading comprehension achievements R-12
Goal 2 – Improve students’ problem solving achievements 4-10
Goal 3 – Improve oral language and vocabulary development in years K-3

When the final plan is ready for operational by the beginning of 2020, a copy of the plan will be accessible on our webpage. SRAS encourages all families to review the plan and ask clarifying questions to have a good understanding of our key teaching and learning priorities. It is important to note that SRAS doesn’t solely teach these priorities – we will continue to cover all learning areas and curriculum content.

PRINCIPAL TOURS

It was pleasing to have parents and carers attend the principal’s tours. Those attending were able to visit nearly every inch of the site and observe teaching and learning in real time. Opportunities to speak with students and staff were a bonus feature of the tours. The success of the tours coinciding with whole-school transition means that we’ll schedule these events annually.

RESILIENCE

Psychologist, Andrew Fuller, describes resilience as 'the happy knack of being able to bungee jump through the pitfalls of life - to rise above adversity and obstacles.' There is a lot of research and evidence done on the factors that build one’s resilience and factors that negatively impact on it. It seems there is a pattern (not always) that many, who have experienced lots of adversities and obstacles, somehow, are better able to cope – are more resilient. Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression can have significant impact on one’s resilience. The good news is that both are treatable and in most cases recovery is expected. With this week’s edition is an article on anxiety and the importance to be able to recognise its symptoms and some coping strategies. Needless to say that experiences of ongoing anxiety need to be referred to medical professionals. Next week’s article will share facts and strategies about depression. If you would like more information about any mental health concerns, talk to staff, who will assist you with resources and organisations or connect you with a member who can.

Mr John Robertson
Principal

CHRISTMAS CARD COMPETITION

Congratulations to Maliyah Haby, who was the winner of the Murray Mallee region and overall winner of Tony Pasin’s Federal Member for Barker, Christmas card competition. Mr Pasin visited the school last Thursday and presented Maliyah with her prize; a wooden box of Derwent pencils.

SCHOOL MAGAZINE

This year the school magazine highlights the school curriculum activities and events. Please contact the front office to place an order. Each magazine costs $20, which is payable to the school.

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 https://swanrchas.sa.edu.au and check out our new look website.

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

Due Date for the next Newsletter is 10:00am, Tuesday 3rd December 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.

Self Esteem Course

This year the Year 10-12 students will participate in the Self Esteem Course beginning with Senior First Aid on Monday 2nd December and engaging activities will follow on 3rd-6th December, 2019. The Presentation Dinner will be held on 6th December at the Nildottie Hall beginning 6:30pm.

Mr Jayden Coleman

Self Esteem Course Coordinator

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

(Weeks 1, 3, 5 & 7... nothing in the last week) instead of Thursdays. Still at ELC, still starting at 10am. 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

BSR Redbacks – Meet the Coach Day

Carols on the Bus

Swan Reach Kid’s Club, “Carols on the Bus”, from 6pm Friday 29th November. We will be singing as we travel around Swan Reach. (Lolly or coin donation, gratefully accepted). Can all singers meet at the church at 5:30pm. Bring a water bottle. Any questions, please phone Taryn 0427 702 377.

Christmas pageant Display

River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve

Old Barn Open Mic