A message from Margie     

What a wonderful community! 

We celebrated World Teachers' Day this week, and in addition to our SSO staff treating us like heroes (see the photo above of some of us in our 'Hero Capes'), we were so surprised to have brownies delivered from the Parents and Friends, flowers from Imagine Uraidla and a box of goodies from the local churches.  We feel so lucky to be part of such a thoughtful, generous and kind community! 

 

I also feel so fortunate to be working along side such a talented group of teachers at our school. They all work so hard to ensure each child is making the most of their learning oportunities, and show extraordinary care and individual support for their students. I know you join me in thanking our teachers for all of their efforts.  Heroes indeed! 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️

Staffing

We would like to welcome Cheryl Pollard who started last week as our new Pastoral Care Worker. She has a range of expertise in counselling and supporting children, and is currently working across the Adelaide Hills. Cheryl will be here Mondays and Fridays working closely with our students. See the School News section for an introduction letter from Cheryl. 

 

We would also like to welcome Sam Seekamp, Katherine Chase and India Wadlow working as SSOs in classes with students this term. 

Flexible

This term our focus is being flexible. I've had to learn to be flexible this week, coming back from Canada straight into the busyness of Term 4 and battling jetlag! 😋 As staff we recognise the importance of flexibility, since things often happen in a school day that you might not expect, and you have to learn think on your feet. We want our students to develop this skill too! 

 

When having discussions with students they had many different ideas on what they thought flexible meant: 

  • Henry R - It means you can bend things like straws. 
  • Finn - bending.
  • Maggie - you can be flexible in sport.
  • Grace - doing sports. Like in netball you need to jump high and reach. 
  • Amelia - it means if you're thinking about and changing your ideas and stretching your body. 
  • Harvey N - I think flexible means you can do lots of stuff and you don't have to always do what other people are doing.
  • Olivia - I think flexible means you aren't always stubborn and can change your mind. You don't always persist with your wants but do what interests others as well. 
  • Ashton Gey- making other plans if something doesn't work for you so you can change it. 
  • Tilly - flexible means you are happy to change your plans and you're not stubborn with your plans and personality. 
  • Jake - to do something that you don't really want to do. Do something else when plans are changed. 
  • Ellie S-O - it's being able to change schedules or if you are going to do something changing your mind to make it better. To be able to stop and think and change your thoughts and the things that you say. 
  • Ben S- to be open-minded. If something gets cancelled be able to manage emotions when things change and go with it. 

This term each Monday students will be taught the different ways we sometimes need to be flexible. Often students think of being flexible as bending or moving in different ways. Lots of students think it's about changing your mind or doing a different activity instead of the one that was planned or you want to. The other focus for the term will be about flexible thinking. What do you do when you are stuck and have tried something over and over again. We have all been in that situation but know that those who are able to change their ideas and strategies often have a greater ability to problem solve and adapt to challenging learning or situations. 

 

We look forward to showcasing some of our learning throughout the term. Don't forget to ask your child how they were flexible today. 

Uraidla Show 

We are all excited about the upcoming Uraidla Show – Adelaide Hills next weekend. Every student will have artwork entered into competition displayed in the school gym, and many of our students will also be performing on the big truck stage in the morning. Please note that students are welcome to wear casual clothes for these performances. 

  

Here are the approximate times students will be performing.  **They will need to meet their teacher (or me) at the side of the stage 10 minutes before their performance time. **

 

10 am- Junior Primary choir (All Reception and Year 1 students) 

10:15 am - Year 2/3 choir (All Year 2 and 3 students)

10:30 am - Festival of Music Choir (All Year 5 and some 6 students)

10:45 am - School Band 

 

Cara's rock band and percussion ensemble will be performing following our school groups.  Cara is asking her performing students to please meet her at 9:30 at the front of the school to organise instruments.   

 

The Parents and Friends will also be running a stall with candle-dipping, and we are still after volunteers to help out on the stall for an hour. Please return the forms sent on SeeSaw or ring or text Kate on 0400 277 343 to let her know by Monday if you are able to help out. Thank you so much! 

 

In addition to all of this, there are many opportunities to be involved! Have you thought about entering into one of the many competitions at the Uraidla Show? It is always exciting to see the wide range of exhibits and Show entries by our students and their families. There are show booklets up at the front office along with registration forms. You can also access these from Uraidla Showgrounds. You never know, you might even win a prize! 🙂🥇🥈🥉

School Closure Day 

Just a reminder that following the Show we have a School Closure day on Monday November 7th. OSHC is open for the day. 

Planning for 2025 

We are busily planning for 2025, and will soon be considering placing students into their new classes. 

 

We are almost at capacity and at this stage we will have 7 very full classes next year: 

Reception

Reception/1

Year 1/2

Year 2/3

Year 3/4

Year 4/5

Year 5/6

 

We place students according to their learning needs, and also aim to place each student with a friend. If you have any information you think would help us in this process, please let me know by next Friday, November 1 by email margie.sarre187@schools.sa.edu.au with the subject heading "Class placement 2024".  

 

While we cannot guarantee that all requests will be met, we ask that you trust that we will do our very best to make the best decision for your child. I’m sure you will understand that we are not able to take requests for particular teachers; luckily all of our teachers are brilliant and are able to provide a high-quality differentiated learning program for the students’ diverse needs and abilities! 

 

Due to the ‘domino effect’ of last-minute changes, we will be unable to take any requests or move students to different classes once they have been set, so please do take this opportunity now to let me know any issues you would like to bring to my attention. 

 

Thank you and have a wonderful fortnight! 🙂

Margie