Hello Swan Reach,

What a busy fortnight of learning activities and opportunities facilitated by staff at SRAS, as we draw close to the end of term, including: Pedal Prix 24-hour event, R-2 Planetarium Excursion, Japanese Hiragana Excursion, Secondary Subject Counselling, SRC Casual Dress Day and 3-6 Yookamarra dioramas that are on display in the front office.

We look forward to celebrating students’ successes with the community at the SRC assembly this Friday @ 1:25pm in the outdoor learning area. There will be music performances along with highlights from another busy and rewarding term of teaching and learning.

SRAS wishes all families a blessed and safe holiday period and thank you for your ongoing support. A reminder that it is an early dismissal on Friday @ 2:10pm following the assembly with buses departing at 2:15pm.

Kind regards

Mr John Robertson

Principal

STAFFING

SRAS is excited to announce Mr Greg Griffiths’ appointment to permanency after more than 20 years of teaching at SRAS and neighbouring sites. It is wonderful recognition and reward for all his efforts, skills and abilities, and care and commitment to providing top-service educational opportunities for our students. Well done and congratulations!

SRAS temporarily farewells Mr Chris and Mrs Mary Ann Humphris, who will be leaving us in term 4. In their short time with us to-date, they have provided excellent support to SRAS and our students and are extremely keen to re-engage next year. Wishing them the very best as they take this short break from our community and looking forward to having you back with us in 2022.

SRAS warmly welcomes, Mrs Bianca Haby to our SSO team. Bianca will begin her role in classroom support, starting next term.

NAPLAN RESULTS

NAPLAN reports went home several weeks ago. It was extremely positive and highly affirming of our teaching and learning to see good progress despite COVID-19’s best efforts to interfere. The tables below showing class averages, demonstrates that there was a significant reduction (50%) in testing areas that didn’t meet SEA (Standard of Educational Advantage).

YEAR 1 PHONICS SCREENING

The department’s Phonics Screening is used as an indicator of students’ ability to decode real and nonsense words. The graph below shows our increasing achievements in this vital area of learning and is just reward for the teaching and interventions happening to address this site improvement goal. Whilst the class average for year 1s of 22.2 is under the SEA (Standard of Educational Advantage) of 28, it is a growth of 1.6 from the 2021 year 1s’ average. Of significance, is the growth displayed by the year 2s, who gained an average of 11 points from their year 1 average – from 20.6 to 31.6. Even more promising are the results from our current receptions who, on average, are well on the way to towards reaching SEA for next year.

For more information about your child’s individual data, thank you for arranging a time with their teachers or leadership.

INVITATION TO ‘THE RAIN MAKER’ PLAY

SRAS invites parents and carers to join our students (year 3-12s) and students (years 3-6) from Cambrai PS and Blanchetown PS to view a live play titled, ‘The Rain Maker’ on the first day of term 4, Monday 17th Oct, at 1:30pm, in the gymnasium. SRAS continues to collaborate with Mid Murray Our Town (MMOT) to bring exciting wellbeing opportunities to our community. Below is an outline of the 50 minute live play that is being adapted to ensure our younger students can join in.

“The RAIN MAKER is an important arts and health production for youth suicide prevention and youth mental health care. “ Produced by Centre Stage Scripts, THE RAIN MAKER is a multi- platform performance arts project that addresses the crippling rate of depression and suicide impacting youth in regional Australia. Studies show that farming communities in Australia experience mental health problems at twice the rate of the general population. However ‘rural stoicism' and fear of stigma are common barriers to sufferers seeking appropriate mental health care. (Hoolahan 2002) Nominated as a RAI Lightbulb Moments Finalist 2018, THE RAIN MAKER is designed to educate youth audiences around a range of issues relating to youth mental health care.

These include encouraging audiences to:

• be proactive and mindful of their mental health care
• seek professional help when needed
• access early intervention mental health services such as RAMHP, Headspace, Lifeline and Beyond Blue
• talk to friends, family and colleagues about their feelings of vulnerability, grief and loss
• accept that life can be difficult, but in time will improve
• not accept bullying, discrimination or harassment
• break down the stigma associated with mental illness
• support family and friends in their mental health journey

Set in a football club, The RAIN MAKER depicts the struggles of two young players and their coach. Star footballer Damian Jackson is destined for a future in AFL but events are threatening to derail his dream. His step father is an abusive drunk and when his mother receives a cancer diagnosis Damian assumes the role of carer to his mother and younger siblings. Damian’s dreams of playing AFL evaporate along with any relationship he might have with Lark. Meanwhile his friend Howie is the target of bullying. As a male dancer living in a small country town, it’s taking its toll. Joining the football club helps, but it's only when Howie seeks counselling that he recovers his self-esteem, mental health and identity. Coach Wikileaks is there to support and mentor the players, but he too is preoccupied with an imminent threat. The club haven’t made finals in the past three years and the committee are threatening to replace him with AFL great Bernard Merriton.

THE RAIN MAKER employs comedy, drama, music and dance to engage youth audiences. Each performance is followed by a Q&A where audience members are invited to question actors and discuss the various themes portrayed in the play.

The themes include:

• inclusion
• positive masculinity
• positive relationships and human connection
• connection with mentors and positive role models
• anti-bullying
• healthy use of social media
• gender equality