It has been a really busy term that seems like it has passed by incredibly quickly as a list of events has come and by for staff, students and parents. There will be some continuation of project work next term which I will also be mentioning in this message.

Construction work has continued this term and is starting to take shape in our hardcourt area. In early September almost 150 cubic metres of concrete was laid over two days and as Murphy’s law goes we also experienced some cool and wet weather throughout the process. Once the cement has cured work will then progress onto lining and equipping the courts. The result will be lines for basketball, netball and tennis, along with poles for basketball and netball at each end, which will be rotated to change the goals and the name of the game. Tennis equipment will also be available, with holes put in the court to accommodate this. The four-square courts down near the lunch shed will be also re-lined under the shade and also by the Junior Primary shade structure. The result will be an area where most sports can be played, with our SRC sponsored portable Netball and Basketball goals also able to be utilised. The surface laid is to department for education standards to address any slip, trip and fall issues. We are looking at the courts being finished by the start of term four.

During our holidays our administration block will be closed down as the DAP (Disability Access Provision) Project for our toilets commences. This will result in a new toilet for our disabled students to use at the school. This will be an impressive addition to our school with the final toilet being planned to meet the needs of our disabled students, as well as staff and members of the community at present and in the future. Work will be starting soon after school finishes on Friday September 29th, on areas where asbestos is not present. From Monday October 2nd to Thursday October 5th the removal of asbestos from this area of the Administration Block will occur. The school will be closed over this period due this asbestos removal, which will involve work on the walls around the boys and girls toilets, the staff toilet bounding the Plant Room and the wall between the library and the plant room, where the compactus is located. Also as a result of this the library will also be closed for the duration of the holidays.

We journeyed over to Quorn Area School for their sports day this term on August 25th with a good turnout of students attending. Our students performed well across all year levels, with Jackson Byrne and Vai Uran performing well in the high jump. Our Sports Day was held on September 15th, with Marree and Leigh Creek coming down for the day. Some Leigh Creek athletes stayed at Hawker Area School overnight and the Marree students also camped out locally to be ready for the day. It was a positive day of sports, with students encouraging each other and giving the events a good go. It is worth mentioning the medal winners here:

· Under 9 Girls: Reeva Reynolds (Leigh Creek)

· Under 9 Boys: Rowan Bevan

· Under 11 Girls: (joint winners) Nicole Oakey, Esme Teague

· Under 11 Boys: Archie Morgan

· Under 13 Girls: Lakaysha Ed-Wayehill (Marree)

· Under 13 Boys: Vai Uran

· Under 15 Girls: Nulla Faulkner (Leigh Creek)

· Under 15 Boys: Jaiy Hately

· Open: Landon Khan (Marree)

· Team Spirit: Joel Wallis

In the House event scores were very close with Heysen bouncing back to win after a few years of Arkaba victories. Scores were:

Heysen 15.0667 Arkaba 14.3529.

The schools event was also close with Hawker coming in first with Marree second and Leigh Creek third.

This term we have seen the departure of a number of students. Earlier in term three we saw the departure of the Broderick family – Skye, Logan and Noah, who are continuing their working journey around South Australia. Jackson Byrne returned to Adelaide and is completing his Year 12 studies there. Today at our assembly we also farewelled Fin and Rowan Bevan who are moving to Streaky Bay, we wish them all the best in their new adventures.

The school will have three Pupil Free Days next term:

· Monday November 13th – For planning for 2024, class configurations, data analysis, workplace agreements, whole school days.

· Tuesday November 14th – Positive Behaviour for Learning training delivered by Jan Love.

· Friday December 1st – EMS Portal Preparation Professional Learning, staff to plan the design and introduction of the various FROG portals that will be put into use next year.

These days have been approved by both Governing Council and the Education Director for the Far North.

A reminder that school reports will go out next term in week 6 to students and parents. This will be an earlier than usual report summarising second semester performance by our students.

I would like to wish all our staff, students and their families a great and relaxing holidays. We look forward to the start of term on Monday October 16th. Enjoy the photos of the term included, a good opportunity to see what our students have been up to this term.