The end of the school year always rushes up to meet us like a gazelle fleeing a hungry leopard's mighty burst of speed!  It's busy, a bit chaotic and is over before we know it.  This whole term has felt a bit like that, none the less we have survived, created memories and achieved a lot.  

 

The 3-6 Science class has had one big assignment this term that was designed to bring out some independent planning skills and self management of their own learning.  They had to choose a science study topic from a specified list, pose a minimum of three questions seeking new knowledge, research the answers to these questions then plan an experiment relative to their subject.  Together we gathered all of the materials and supplies needed, carried out the experiments and then wrote up an explanation.  Finally the students were required to teach someone else about what they had learnt.  

I've had a great year teaching  science to the 3-6 class this year, and I hope they continue to be curious and seek out new knowledge and new learning throughout their lives.

The  F-2 class has been busy finishing their billy carts, experimenting with decomposing carrots, settling the garden into Summer mode and learning to write narratives.  We have been studying Julia Donaldson's picture books each week, and for me, I've discovered a new gem of a book that I will teach with more exclusively in the future.  For those of you with younger children, have a good look at Stick Man.  It is such a terrific tale of plans going awry, adjusting to circumstances outside your control and never giving up.  Julia Donaldson is pure amazing, and the animation based on her picture book is worth the viewing time. 

 

The Billy carts are now complete, and in week 9 we will be giving them a good run at our Whole School Community Picnic.  I would like to thank each of the high school students and Travis McDonald our Tech. teacher, for putting so much time in with the youngest students so this project could produce such a wonderful outcome.  I'm hoping the F-2 students take these fond memories into adulthood...and the new learning and skills too of course.  

In Science we have been looking at the rate of decomposing carrots within different environments.  We've put pieces of carrot in jars then chosen 6 different environments to leave them for 6 weeks.  We have observed them over that time, taken photos of them to record changes, and questioned why different environments allow different decomposition rates and processes.  We've looked at dehydration, rehydration, mould, talked about the need for a control example and have come to understand that environmental factors have a lot of influence on decomposition.  We have also continued with the school garden but mainly in an eating the produce and maintenance way.  The students have become incredibly independent in addressing the needs of the garden, and as the season turns to fiery Summer we are looking at removing dead and spent plants, mulching and making sure the watering system is in place and working well.  

It has been a pleasure teaching the F-2 class as the home group teacher for the second semester this year.  I am looking forward to getting ahead of the game before 2025 begins, as I return as the full time F-2 class teacher.  Life is always ups and downs but my wishes for your families over the Summer break are to have good times together, read books, learn something new and enjoy Mother Nature in the challenging hot season.  Merry Christmas to All.     

     

Physical Education

In PE this term we had a go at learning how to play volleyball. The F-2 and 3-6 students hadn’t played volleyball before so it was a tricky start but they soon got the hang of the basics. The F-2 class went on to play some minor games focusing on team work and fundamental movement skills such as running, skipping and jumping. The year 3-6 class played team games such as soccer and capture the flag while the 7-10 class mostly focused on basketball with the occasional soccer game thrown in.

In week 8 we had Jon Harmer from water polo SA travel up from Adelaide to run some water polo sessions with all students. On day one it rained, of course, but that didn’t put anyone off! Everyone was too excited! The weather on day 2 was far more appropriate. Over the next couple of days we will have a Basketball coach travelling up to run sessions with all students. We were able to book these coaches through sporting schools which has been a fantastic program for our school to be a part of over the years.

In semester 2 Instrumental Music added a new element! Students in Years 3 & 4 began learning to play the recorder, as an introduction to learning music.

Some students remembered skills from previous lessons, and it wasn't long before a few notes had them playing along to Hot Cross Buns. Eye of the Tiger and We Will Rock You!  it was fun to brush the dust off my recorder and join in with the students to help them. In their last lesson the IM students demonstrated the instruments they have been learning so that the recorder students could be inspired to choose an instrument to learn in 2025 if they wish to continue. Trombone, trumpet, saxophone and clarinet are available.

 

The Instrumental students have continued learning new notes and rhythms and started looking at Christmas songs. The highlight was the trip to Booleroo Centre for the Sounds of the Southern Flinders workshop and Concert in October. Our students were part of an orchestra of around 80 students who worked with 7 members of the Adelaide Youth Orchestra and were led by their teacher, Kate Mawson, as conductor on the day.  They bravely overcame their nerves and joined in the making of amazing sounds. After the workshop the orchestra performed their pieces to a large audience of  Booleroo students, with some parents and community members. The AYO members played several pieces as well to the delight of all listening. Well done to all!

 

Many thanks to Kate who has been an amazing teacher and shown that online music teaching can be done very successfully. I have enjoyed working with Kate and learnt a lot from her and also enjoyed the opportunity to accompany the students and share their musical journey. 

Lisa O'Neill

SSO

Time has flown by, and we’ve reached the end of another fantastic school year!

This week, our SRC student leaders stepped out into the community to spread festive cheer. They wrote Christmas cards and personally delivered them to members of the Hawker community. Both staff and students embraced the holiday spirit, dressing up for the occasion. Together, we visited the local hospital and businesses, sharing warm wishes and smiles. It was wonderful to see our students engage with community members, confidently saying “Merry Christmas” and spreading joy everywhere they went.

The collaboration between our Year 1 to Year 11 student leaders this year has been truly inspiring. They’ve worked hard to achieve so much, and their efforts have made a positive impact on our school and community.

Looking ahead, I am excited to start my new role as Wellbeing and Inclusion Leader, as well as teaching Mathematics and Science.

Wishing all our families a joyful Christmas and a relaxing summer holiday. See you in 2025!

Teacher Librarian: Polly Smart; CLA: Leonie McKenzie

 

South Australia’s School Community Libraries, established in 1975, are unique in Australia, if not the world. They have proven a remarkable success in providing a public library service in rural and remote communities with a population of less than 5,000 people. There are more than 40 School Community Libraries across the State, and they form an intrinsic component of the South Australian Public Library Network. South Australia’s School Community Libraries are excellent examples of state and local government working together with local communities to maximise the use of resources, and to offer a quality service to every South Australian, regardless of location.

Hawker Area School is proud to host a School Community Library. It provides a unique opportunity for connection between children and adults in a place of safety, surrounded by a caring and participating community. Our library is vibrant centre for discovery, learning and sharing. With a background in both teaching and community learning programmes, I am excited to be taking over from Alisa in the role of Teacher Librarian at Hawker Area School and Community Library.

This term we have supported awareness of events and dates including Halloween, Remembrance Day and Coast Care Week. Leonie has created excellent displays in the library, and we have shared lots of resources with students to not only celebrate, but enrich their understanding of these events.

Returning and borrowing books and resources can be done throughout the day but there are also dedicated times each week when children (including toddlers and children from the kindy), come to the library to explore and discover all kinds of interesting things. Topics this term have included birds, feathers, butterflies, moths and caterpillars, fish and sea creatures.