PRINCIPALS REPORT

What a term! So many challenges but together we have collaborated and succeeded with most of them. A massive thanks to Parents and Carers, as you are your children’s primary educators and have the toughest job in the world – parenting. SRAS also extends a big thank you to our volunteers, bus drivers, governing councillors, local businesses (Swan Reach Store, Op Shop, businesses involved with year 10s work experiences) and associations (Swan Reach Progress, Kids Club and Mid Murray Our Town), for your support and contributions to making positive differences for SRAS children and youth. A final thank you, to the energetic and committed staff at SRAS, who continue to provide their very best teaching, supporting and care for our children and students.

SRAS RESPECTFUL COMMUNICATION EXPECTATIONS – SCHOOL & HOME

Attached to this newsletter is a letter that provides an overview to remind community about clear communication expectations and boundaries between staff and community members. Respect is one of our core values and SRAS expects staff to extend their respect in how they communicate and behave with students and parents / carers and visa versa. While most of the information is logical and followed by the majority of the community, it is good practice to share expectations publicly.

PARENTS AND CARERS ON-SITE

SRAS enjoys and welcomes parents / carers and extended family visiting and sharing in their children’s learning. Most of our whole-school events such as sports days, swimming carnival, assemblies and presentation evening do not require families to sign in and out. At all other times, such as the recent successful year 2-4 International Food and year 7-9 $20 BOSS events, SRAS requires families to sign in and out at the front office. It is a necessity for our WHS requirements, especially in case of emergency. Thank you in advance, for following this mandatory protocol.

To assist making sign in and out easier, for smaller events, SRAS will provide a separate sign in and out sheet for parents and carers to access at the event.

FAREWELL

SRAS community will miss the long-term committed and commendable service of Mrs Dorothee Moellers, who is resigning after 30 plus years of nurturing our occasional care and preschoolers, and preparing them for their school years. Her vast experience and high expertise are made even more significant through her care, understanding and high regard for all children. SRAS extends its sincere congratulations and thanks to Dorothee and wish her and husband, Alfons, the very best for their future.

Next term, we’ll be without our finance officer, Mrs Vanessa Hancock, as she takes long service leave to travel the warmer parts of Australia. Wishing her the best and a wonderful relaxing break from school. Thankfully, Mrs Louise Haby will address essential site finance needs in Vanessa’s absence.

SEMESTER 2 CLASS STRUCTURES

Thank you to the families who have provided constructive feedback regarding our need to address the size and complexities of the 2-4 class. Your concerns are valid and understood, and shared by staff too, who brought forward many of the same concerns before sharing with community. The risks of not addressing the complexities now, before semester 2 starts, and the overall benefit for students, are greater than having highly probable forced changes during semester 2. Therefore, SRAS will proceed with the proposed class structures seen in the table. There are some exceptional individual circumstances we are negotiating but SRAS is confident these structures are the best for students’ learning, for semester 2 and beyond, into 2025.

Kind regards,

Mr John Robertson
Principal

THE RESILIENCE PROJECT (TRP)

CONNECTED PARENTING

The Connected Parenting (Webinar) is scheduled for Monday, 22 July 2024 06:30PM. For a preview of the content and the presenter click on the link below.

https://youtu.be/1S-qOX7_L9Y?feature=shared

SCHOOL HOLIDAY GEMs
We love helping families connect, feel happier and build resilience - which is why we're so proud of our Family Wellbeing Resources available on our online shop! While our resources won't spontaneously dance around the table, our GEM Conversation Cards, Family Journals and Kids Activity books will help you bring Gratitude, Empathy & Mindfulness (GEM) home these school holidays!

Oooorrrr, if you're looking for something to do straight away, check some of our free, printable kids activities.