A message from Margie
Aldinga Camp
I was so lucky to attend the second camp of the year at Camp Aldinga, this time for all Year 2-5 students. Once again the focus was on First Nations culture and language. Highlights included baking whole fish inside clay and sharing each delicious fish with a small group, discovering 'bush tucker' items in the nearby Aldinga scrub, exploring the beach, Aboriginal storytelling and art activities, and learning indigenous language and songs.
We were really proud of how our students managed their fears of the unknown - being away from home, sleeping in strange beds and trying new foods. Actually this was challenging for the adults too! :-) I always love the experience of getting to know students better during camp, and I enjoyed watching them embrace all of the new learning. The camp staff praised our students for their positive attitude and respect for staff and one another.
We would like to thank Kelly Charlton for planning and organising the camp and also the other staff who attended (Emily, Jo, Lizzie, Zac and Stephen). A HUGE thank you to our attending parents Simon Vince, Sam Fatchen and Ian Bourne for giving up their time for the students.
Special events back at school during camp week
While we were away on camp, the Receptions and Year 1 students had a wonderful time participating in some special activities of their own, some with the help of the Senior Students. There was a Sturt Football Club footie clinic, papier mache making, a Teddy Bears' Picnic and a Mini-Olympics. By all accounts, a fabulous time was had by all.
NAPLAN
Today students in Years 3, 5 and 7 were given their NAPLAN results to take home to parents. Please take some time to unpack your child's results and discuss them with them. Were they surprised by any results? Why or why not? We have been working with students on being resilient and self-aware and we think it's important that they understand their assessment results so they can celebrate their successes and plan what they need to work on in the future. If you have any questions about the NAPLAN results please feel free to ask your child's teacher or get in touch with me via email margie.sarre187@schools.sa.edu.au
Start of the day
I'd like to remind everyone once again about how important it is for children to be on time for the start of the day. If you have slipped into an occasional late arrival, please take time over the holidays to consider what you can do as a family to ensure students are here between 8:30 and 8:40am every day, to allow them time to take their bag to their locker, unpack, and then have a few minutes of play with their friends before getting settled for a big day of learning. When students are late they miss all of the most important information about the day ahead, which can make them anxious and unprepared. In addition to this, the learning of the whole class is disrupted every time a child arrives late. If you are having difficulty because your child is reluctant to get ready on time, please let me know and I will work with you and your child on a plan for mornings. Thank you!
Please also remember if your child does arrive late for any reason, it is really important that they sign in at the office and collect a late pass to take to their class teacher. We need to record exactly who is and isn't at school at the front office, for everyone's safety.
Disco mania!
What an amazing time we all had last night at our school disco. I've run out of time for this edition but I'll include some photos in week 2 edition next term. Thank you to the Parents and Friends and especially to Amanda Preskett for all of her hard work in organising the disco for our students, and for the P and F members who supervised. It ROCKED!
Kiwanis Terrific Kids
Each term we award 2 students with the Kiwanis Terrific Kids award, for students who are
Thoughtful
Enthusiastic
Respectful
Responsible
Inclusive
Friendly
Inquisitive
Capable
Congratulations to our Terrific kids for this term, Dylan Vince and Nina Mohor. We think you are terrific kids!
Music Showcase Thursday October 21 6:30pm
We have now rescheduled our Music Showcase for Thursday October 21 at 6:30 pm. This will be an opportunity for one adult from each family to attend and watch / listen to our Festival of Music Choir, band, percussion ensemble and some individual performers impress us with their musical skills.
Please note that we would like all students in these groups to attend if at all possible, so please mark the date in your calendars! I will send a note home with details in Week 1.
I wish you all a wonderful school holiday break together. I'm off to Streaky Bay and Coffin Bay with my family and a pile of good books. See you back here in 2 weeks!
Margie