FROM THE PRINCIPAL AND DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

I have enjoyed the privilege of witnessing the great work of our students over the last few weeks. There is much happening in learning and teaching at the school. There have been many rich opportunities offered to our students in support of our learning programs.

The Year 11/12 students went to Adelaide for their camp on Thursday, 11 May and Friday, 12 May. The group started with the TreeClimb experience which provides a unique opportunity for users to be immersed in nature while the interactive education elements highlight the importance of conservation and the environment. A series of Zip-line, swings, and obstacle challenges that the students really enjoyed very much.

On Friday the students went to the Adelaide showgrounds and visited the Career Expo where they had the opportunity to:

• Talk with over 130 Training Organisations & Employers
• Gain Free Career Advice
• Experience the Free Career Seminars
• Learn how to write a Winning Resume
• Enjoy the Try a Trade Interactive Zones
• Discover Defence & Space Industry Jobs
• Find your Ideal Role at the Australian Defence Force Display

Cross Country

We were so proud of everyone who ran, jogged or walked during the recent Cross-Country carnival. Thank you to Rob Obrien and Tim Harrison for their assistance during the day.

Congratulations to the following students:

• 8-year-old girls: Maddie 6^th and Indi 8^th
• 8-year-old boys: Harry 3^rd
• 10-year-old girls: Bethany 5^th and Georgia 9^th
• 10-year-old boys: George 7^th

The following four students made the SAPSASA Cross Country finals: Maddy, Harry, George and Bethany. We wish them every success competing at the finals.

The National Simultaneous Storytime took place on Wednesday, 24 May. The story this year was called The Speedy Sloth. The students from Reception till Year 7 were involved and the Kindy students visited us as well. Thank you to our guest reader Jane Gill.

Attendance – Why everyday counts

We are now in our fourth week of Term 2. Did you know that being away from school one day per fortnight equals 1.5 years of school missed over 13 years of schooling? Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education… Missing school puts them behind. There are no safe days to miss school.

Did You Know?

• School is better when you attend. Your friends and your teachers notice that you’re away and wonder if you are OK.

Why is regular attendance important?

• Right now, being at school is the most important thing you need for your future.
• School helps you build good habits for later in life.

You might think that school is just about Maths and English, but you are also learning skills to work with other people and how to solve problems. If you are having trouble getting your child/ren to school every day, please pop in to see your child’s Homegroup Teacher. We would love to support and work together with you to get your child/ren back on track and attending every day.

There is a need to be constantly reminded about attendance. Attendance at the school is compulsory. If you know in advance your child/ren are going to be absent you must notify the school by either of the following methods: 

• Email to the school Admin0749.info@schools.sa.edu.au
• Or call 8766 2084. 

Any unexplained absences need to be resolved ASAP and families will be expected to provide a reason for their child’s absence. 

The Wellbeing and Engagement Collection Survey (WEC) will be done at the school. The purpose of the survey is to learn about young people’s wellbeing and how they learn at school. The survey seeks students’ views about their wellbeing and their engagement with school. Students in years 4 to 12 across the State will be invited to participate and the information collected will help the education system and broader community to support young people’s health and wellbeing.

Resilience is a word often used these days in much educational language and discussion. It seems to be the “in” word commentators use to demonstrate they are aware of its importance. But it would be interesting, if many of them, actually know what it means to be resilient. The most common description of it, is being able to bounce back from adversity, but what skills do students need to possess to be able to bounce back. Studies have shown that there are seven key skills, which are essential to develop in both students and ourselves, to be resilient. They are: 

• Optimism and hope for the future – thinking positively when striving to achieve goals – develop through goal setting and growth mindset. 
• Regulating emotions – controlling the intensity and duration of feelings – develop through wellbeing fitness challenges.  
• Impulse control – resisting the urge to react on feelings – develop through mindfulness activities. 
• Flexibility of thinking – changing thinking from different situations – develop through habits of mind and thinking tools. 
• Empathy – accepting the needs and feelings of others – develop through acts of kindness. 
• Self-belief – valuing yourself and your top strengths – develop though actioning character strengths. 
• Building social-connectedness – having a sense of belonging – develop through active positive responding. 

Autumn is such a beautiful time of the year. The colours on the trees, the leaves falling softly, the cooler mornings and early evening sunsets seem a perfect contrast to the busy-ness of the first quarter of the year. I found this beautiful image and quote and invite you to take a moment to pause and reflect on the beauty around us as we look forward to the rest of Term and all it has to offer. 

Louis de Jager