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Looking Ahead: Plans for 2026
We are currently planning for 2026, with class structures set to follow this year’s model: SWAN class, Foundation to Year 2, Year 3–6, and the Secondary class. NIT (Non-Instructional Time) lessons will continue to offer Visual Art, Design and Technology, and Kitchen Garden. We are also in the process of finalising class teacher appointments.
A Distinguished Visit to Start the Term
Week One began on a high note with a special visit from Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, along with Mr Rod Bunten. Despite some initial scheduling changes, they visited on the second day of term. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, with Her Excellency introducing herself and engaging enthusiastically with our students. A whole-site tour allowed all classes and staff to meet our guests, who then joined us for a 20-minute discussion. Her Excellency shared leadership experiences and fielded thoughtful questions from students, resulting in a highly productive and inspiring session. The visit concluded with group photos under the COLA and the presentation of thank-you gifts.
Alternate Delivery Curriculum for Senior School
Our innovative Alternate Delivery Curriculum model for Senior School subjects will continue in 2026 across the Far North Partnership. This approach provides a more personalised experience than traditional Open Access, with teachers conducting three online lessons and two 'flipped lessons' each week via Microsoft Teams. In 2025, SACE Stage One English and General Maths were delivered in this manner, expanding academic options for students in smaller schools. We will also maintain offerings through the Port Augusta Technical College.
Semester Two Reporting
School reports this semester will once again be managed through our Education Management System (EMS). Over the coming weeks, I will be working with our EMS Academic Reporting contacts to prepare templates. All reports will include written comments and A–E grades, available both in print and online via the EMS Community Portal. Home Group, English, and Maths will feature the most detailed comments. Staff will begin editing and writing reports around Week 6, with reports distributed in Week 9.
2025 Presentation Night
Our annual Presentation Night will take place on Tuesday of Week 9 (9 December) at the Institute. The secondary class will take a leading role in organising and managing the event this year, including scripting the program, creating PowerPoint presentations, running photographic farewells, and assisting with primary students’ performances. The secondary students will focus on production and management, rather than performing, giving them valuable experience in leadership and event coordination.
Transition to the Frog Portal
In 2026, we will transition from Schoolzine to the department-providing Frog Portal as our main communication tool for the school community. This new platform will be used for newsletters, event information, excursion details, and more, accompanied by a department-managed school website. The Frog Portal will also enable a more secure communication channel for the Governing Council. This change will deliver cost savings and streamline communication alongside our EMS.
Staff Development and School Improvement Focus
Our Pupil Free Day on 20 October was dedicated to Professional Learning and School Improvement. The morning focused on establishing a comprehensive, whole-school approach to self-regulation: consistent language, supportive environments, regulation tools, whole-class activities, and teaching essential regulation skills. Setting up classroom regulation spaces and developing visual tools to help students understand and communicate their energy levels were significant themes. The afternoon session concentrated on key actions for our School Improvement Plan, with a major focus on Wellbeing.
Key Dates – Term 4
31 October: Day for Daniel
5 November: IMS Day at Booleroo and Secondary English class trip to
Leigh Creek
6 November: Children’s University Graduation Ceremony
8 December: Presentation Night Practice at the Institute
9 December: Presentation Night
11 December: Splash Day and last day of term
We look forward to finishing the year strongly and thank our staff, students, and families for their ongoing commitment and enthusiasm.
Daren O'Neill
Principal
Daniel Spick
Teacher
Looking back on a very busy year that started with me being a new teacher to Hawker Area school. I had come over from two years at Port Augusta Special school. I remembered Daren from my days at Jamestown Community School where Daren was also working back around 2003. I was very excited to be part of the staff at this school.
Term 1
Term one began with Peter being the main SSO assisting in the SWAN room and Jarvo on Fridays. He was able to show me the ropes and help me settle into being the Teacher in the SWAN room.
The SWAN room began the year with three students. Ruby, Khloe and Logan. It was to be a new thing for them to have Ruby join the class after working Solo with Anna the previous year.
Ruby settled in very well and enjoyed doing lots of music with Sarah and Peter who lent us his violin and keyboard for a while.
We had been granted $2000 for a grant application that I put in last November from the Music Strategy group and we purchased some fruit shakers and 24 Chromatic Tone Chimes. I was interviewed on Radio ABC to talk about how we would use the new equipment we purchased with the grant money.
Early in Term one we had a week of swimming lessons and all three students really enjoyed the experience of being in the water and building up their confidence. Especially Ruby who was a little difficult to get out of the pool when the it was time to get dressed and return to school. What a wonderful way to cool off in the hot summer sun!
In week 4 we had the Hyper Gym people come up and they were here for two days. All three students had a try on their equipment on both days. They enjoyed exploring the various pieces of soft equipment that they provided for the students and listening, sometimes, to their professional advice on how to get the most out of the day.
In week 8 Ruby and Khloe joined the 3-12 students in Adelaide for the school camp with assistance from their parents who took them down and stayed with them at the accommodation. Peter drove the bus to help transport students to various events over the week. I know they all had a fantastic time and what an amazing experience for all concerned.
I stayed back in the SWAN room with Logan and Malcolm was my SSO for the week.
We did a few different activities and celebrated Harmony Day on the Friday wearing Orange, making jewelry and coloring in our Harmony card and eating different food that was orange…
In week 9 we went on an excursion to the Port Augusta Special school where we had the opportunity to meet staff and students and have a play time in their new playground. Peter stayed back to do his PE lessons and Mija kindly offered to drive the bus with Malcolm being our SSO help too.
It felt like a long drive but all of the students enjoyed being out and about. We stopped at Quorn to buy snacks on the way home and a good day was had by all.
On the last day of school Peter, Jarvo, myself and the SWAN students went for another small local excursion. We took the school bus to the local shops and students used money to purchase an ice cream. We took our ice-creams to the local park and had a little Picnic and play before heading back to school.
During term one we had a very busy time and I heard a little whisper that we were to be getting a new student in Term 2. More on this exciting news soon.
Term 2
Term two rolled in after a lovely holiday break where I went to Adelaide with my daughter to visit her Nanna and celebrate hers and Nannas birthdays with a lovely meal at Café Primo TTP, also a visit with my husband to Broken Hill to visit my son, his partner and our two grandchildren.
Term Two saw a new student Dan arrive in our class. He stayed for some of the term and was starting to settle in very well after a couple of weeks. Dan was with us until the end of week 5.
Going back a little to the lead up to Mother’s Day, the students did a little activity and had their photo taken to give a gift to their mothers.
Week 3 and we had a walk to school day on the Friday with students meeting at the Park and walking together back to school. Staff enjoyed the opportunity to purchase a take away coffee from Flinders Food and mostly our students walked very well. Logan was not impressed when we arrived at school because he wanted to walk some more!
Week 5 came around very quickly with Do it for Dolly Day on the Tuesday where we all dressed up in Blue and made a donation.
In week 8 Peter and Sarah went to Whyalla for a Positive Partnerships training course. We packed up the school car on the Tuesday afternoon and headed over to Whyalla to book into the very nice motel the school organized for us. We attended two days of training which was fantastic and met lots of people who work in a similar area to us. We ate more than we should and came back Thursday afternoon full of good ideas and feeling very positive about our work in the SWAN class.
In week 9 the SWAN class had an excursion to the Port Augusta Special school. We had Mija drive the school bus and Malcolm came along as SSO support. We separated by year level and attended some of the school day with the other students. We had time to socialize and make new friends at lunch time and then we got back into the school bus for a ride home with all our freshly cooked chicken nuggets.
What a whirlwind term and soon it will be holiday time.
Term 3
In term 3 we saw the return of Dan who came back to the SWAN room in week 3. We were all very happy to see him again and he has settled into the school routine very well, being our most chatty member of class.
In week 2 we celebrated NADOC and Khloe and Ruby joined in with the activities provided by some of our parents and local community. Thank you so much for your time, the students really enjoyed themselves.
Also, in week 3 was school photo day on the Monday and some lovely photos came of this experience. I was very proud that they were able to feel comfortable having their photo taken. We have had lots of practice with this over the year. Miss Sarah loves to take photos of her students working or having fun.
In week 5 we had book week with opportunities for students to dress up and a parade around the school to show off our costumes. Well done every one.
In week 6 there was Open Day with opportunities to mingle and look around the classrooms.
Week 7 was a busy week with Wellbeing Day where our students had plenty of opportunities to try new activities over the course of the day.
Also, in week 7 we had Sports Day. Thank you to those parents and family to helped out so that students who wanted to take part were able to.
In week 9 we did our last trip for the year to the Port Augusta Special school. We travelled in the school bus driven by Mija, we had Amy, Jarvo, Malcolm, and myself accompany students for the day. We had the chance to join one of the classes and to have playtime at lunchtime with their students and staff. A fun day for all.
A busy and fun term that flew by so quickly and then it was time for another beautiful holiday.
Term 4
This term we have lots of fun activities organized for Halloween on Friday the 31st of October. Feel free to dress up on the day and bring along something to share in the way of Halloween treats.
We are planning a small local excursion later in the term to buy ice creams and go to the park for a picnic.
We are practicing for presentation night and will need to dress in something white or light blue to match our presentation.
I hope you enjoy the photos.
Sarah Bull
SWAN Teacher
Other things to note:
Thank you to Javo who increased his time as SSO to help out in the SWAN room on Wednesdays as well as his Friday and at other times when a staff member was away. Also, to Malcolm who worked in the SWAN room on camp week and replaced Peter early in term 2. Also, to Anna who came with her expertise when I had NIT release and time for AIT role.
Also, for our outside professional help with Karen and Sophie who work tirelessly to help us help our students to achieve their personal best.
Mathematics and Science
We continued to connect Mathematics with everyday experiences. Recently, our focus has been on how the concept of Measurement applies to Engineering. During our lessons, students discovered that triangles are an exceptionally strong shape because they transfer force efficiently. When a force is applied to one corner of a triangle, that force is distributed down each side, making the triangle a popular choice in many structures.
A real-world example discussed in class is the Truss Bridge, which relies on triangular shapes for strength and stability. To explore this concept further, students had the opportunity to build their own structures using playing cards, aiming to construct houses of cards predominantly with triangles. The highlight of the activity was Jimmy’s impressive achievement—building a 7-storey tower, the tallest in the class!
These practical activities not only develop mathematical understanding but also inspire creativity and problem-solving skills in our students.
As part of our Alternate Delivery Program, our Stage 1 General Mathematics class travelled to Port Augusta Technical College, Arid Land Botanic Garden and Port Augusta Secondary School for a joint learning experience with students and staff from Coober Pedy Area School last term. Two of our students — Jimmy Morgan and Paul Haywood — joined the visit. It was a great opportunity to learn alongside peers from other sites, compare approaches to problem-solving, and see how maths connects to real pathways in training and further study.
Wellbeing & Children’s University
Last month, we were delighted to see our school’s Wellbeing Day featured on the front page of the Transcontinental. This recognition highlights the importance we place on supporting student wellbeing at Hawker Area School.
We are also looking forward to celebrating our students’ achievements in the Children’s University program. Our annual graduation ceremony is scheduled for next Thursday, where participating students will be recognised for their commitment to learning beyond the classroom. We are proud of our Children’s University graduates and look forward to acknowledging their dedication to curiosity, discovery and lifelong learning.
