Where has this term gone?

We are now at the end of Week 9 with only a week to go until the holidays! We have an exciting Week 10 with our Reception to Year 5 students involved in Swimming Week.

Although we are nearing the holidays and there is a lot of excitement about that, it is very important to maintain routines and regularity in your homes and outside school, as we ensure we do at school. We know that students can become wobbly and lose focus when they lose routines which can result in adverse behaviour choices. We still have a lot of important learning to take place at school next week and wish to finish the term off successfully together before a well-deserved break. Your support at home is very important to helping our success at school!

Swimming - Week 10

All students from R-5 will participate in the Water Safety Education Programme arranged this term. The lessons are a part of the school’s Health & Physical Education curriculum and are supported through funding from Department for Education. They aim to give children an opportunity to develop confidence in and around water, enjoy water activities, introduce swimming strokes and teach water safety.

Group times are as follows:

Reception and Year 5 09:30am – 10:30am

Years 1 and 2 10:30am – 11:30am

Year 3 and 4 11.30am - 12.30pm

This year with a change in the Department Guidelines regarding supervision ratios for students and adults on Local Walks, we are no longer requiring parents to support with walking students safely to and from the pool.

We do not wish to discourage parent involvement as per previous years. If you still wish to help and support your child/ren's class in walking over and back from the pool, please make contact with your child's class teacher to arrange.

Autism Inclusion Teacher Conference

This week I attended the AIT conference with teachers and leaders from across our state. Unmasking Autism Authenticity – Agency – Altogether was the focus of guest speakers, workshops and discussions.

These discussions, again, highlighted how our autistic, neurodiverse learners bring a range of unique perspectives, skills, and talents to the classroom. Embracing these differences rather than trying to fit everyone into a one-size-fits-all model can significantly enhance engagement and success.

Executive Functioning (EF) skills are a set of cognitive processes (working memory, self-control, cognitive flexibility, planning, organisation, time management, metacognition, persistence, attention and initiation) that are essential for managing oneself and resources to achieve goals. These skills are crucial for organizing, planning, and executing tasks. Autistic learners (and other learners too) can experience a higher level of difficulty with EF skills. Regular auditing of classroom spaces and inclusive practices are fundamental to ensuring we create supportive environments, where learner skills are authenticated, and EF skills are championed.

Our Term 4, Pupil Free Day will give our staff the opportunity to reflect and discuss; highlighting already successful strategies/practices and developing further actions for improvement, continually refining the way we work to support all our learners.

Student safety and locking up possessions

Last week, a student reported to our school leadership that a man they did not know appeared to be following them while they were on their way to school. We take student safety very seriously and we contacted the police. We have provided wellbeing support to the student. Following this, you might like to talk with your child about staying safe on their way to and from school. This could include making it clear to your child who within your circle of family and friends is trusted to do the school drop-off and pick-up. If students are feeling vulnerable the advice is to go back to school or to a place of business, or to contact a trusted adult.

We also strongly encourage students to ensure their bikes and scooters are safely locked up when they arrive at school. Sadly, this week thieves were in operation at our school and took a student's bike from school. We encourage all students and families to carefully secure all possessions.

School holiday programs and activities

Below is a couple of activities that may be of interest to families who are looking for things to do in our local area these school holidays. Take a look!

https://www.marion.sa.gov.au/things-to-do/school-holiday-guide

Mural update

Our mural is taking shape and moving ahead nicely with Emmarita. It is looking bright, colourful and is a wonderful showcase of our connection to culture, land and country.

Emmarita is now at the stage where all of our students and staff will place their own little personal 'touch' in the form of a handprint on the mural. This will take place during the sunshine next Monday. Thanks a lot, Emmarita, it's looking fantastic!

Last day reminders / first day back and happy holidays

A reminder, we have an Early Dismissal at 2:05pm on the last day of the Term, next Friday 27th September 2024. This will be a casual day so please bring along a gold coin donation. All donations received will go to The Smith Family Charity. As a result of our early finish our Assembly will be held at 1:40pm.

The first day back of Term 4 for students is Tuesday 15th October 2024 as Monday is a Pupil Free Day.

Finally, we wish all students and families a happy and safe holiday break and look forward to seeing you all in Term 4.

Many thanks

Regards,

The Leadership Team

Guy Walmsley and Georgina Sprigg

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