Hawker Area School Staff

Hawker Area School and its staff are committed to providing quality learning experiences in a safe environment and giving students every opportunity to achieve their personal best. We also encourage students to reach their full educational potential whilst shaping their own positive school culture and equipping them to make positive contributions in the wider community.

Hawker Area School recognises that all teachers are vital sources of support and, together with families, are the foundation to the success of all students. The core subjects offered at the school are English, Mathematics, Science, HASS (Humanities and Social Sciences), Art, Health and Physical Education.

Our staff keeps abreast of best practice in teaching through ongoing professional development to not only effectively deliver curriculum but also engage and inspire students.

Absent - Julieanne Ashenden, Rachel Sinkinson-McInnis.

Hawker Area School Staff


Principal - Mr Daren O'Neill	Business Manager - Mr Howard Yam	Wellbeing Leader / Science / Maths School Teacher - Ms Sharon Lam

Foundation - Yr 2 School Teacher - Mrs Amanda Hilder	Yr 3 - Yr 6 School Teacher - Mr Daniel Spick	Middle / Senior School Teacher - Ms Annette Hill

Arts Teacher - Mrs Emily Fels	Design and Technology School Teacher - Mr Travis McDonald	Health and Physical Education Teacher - Mrs Hayley Brown

Special EducationTeacher - Mrs Sarah Bull	Teacher Librarian - Mrs Polly Smart	ACEO Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer - Ms Karmela Coulthard

ACEO Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer / School Service Officer - MS Anna Oakey	School Pastoral Care Worker - Mrs Robyn MsInnic	Community Library Assistant - Mrs Leonie McKenzie

Front Office Administration / Finance Officer - Ms Jodi Swan	Front Office Administration - Ms Mija Reynolds	Govt Serv Emp - Mr Derek Cooper

School Services Officer - Mr John Connelly	School Services Officer - Ms Kaila Mason	School Services Officer - Mrs Lisa O,Neill

School Services Officer - Miss Annie Polkinghorne	School Services Officer - Mr Peter Russell	School Services Officer - Mr Malcolm Thompson

School Services Officer - Mr Jarvo Thornton

Student Leadership

'SMaSH' - Hawker Area School Student Representative Council.

(Students Meeting at School at Hawker)

Our SMaSH committee meets twice a term. The meetings are designed to review information from classes including suggestions for school activities, policy changes and fundraising. This structure of student leadership within the school will assist students to further develop their leadership skills, voice their opinions, share their concerns and promote school spirit.

This is also the forum for general students’ grievances to be discussed.

Each year the SMASH Committee raises hundreds of dollars for various charities by taking part in selling merchandise and organising casual days at the school.

Student Representative Council 2023

Latest News

SRC Crazy Hair/Clothes/Socks Day

18 Sep 2025

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

On the last day of Term 3, the SRC invites students to have fun and wear crazy hair, socks and/or clothes to school. Between L3 and L4 there will be whole school games including dodgeball, kick the can, cops and robbers, t-ball, and soccer. To conclude, students can enjoy a Zooper Dooper supplied on behalf of the SRC at no cost, as a way of marking the end of term and bringing on the happy holiday vibe ?

Regards,
Annette Hill (SRC Teacher 2025)

Cancelled NDIS September Drop-in

17 Sep 2025

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

Due to unforseen circumstances, The NDIS Drop-in for this Thursday 18th September has been cancelled.

Apologies for any inconvenience.

Regards,
Daren O'Neill
Principal
daren.oneill253@schools.sa.edu.au

September 16 Newsletter

16 Sep 2025

Click here to view the September 16 Schoolzine eNewsletter!

Change of Date for Presentation Assembly

16 Sep 2025

We are excited to announce that this term’s Presentation Assembly will be held on Thursday of Week 10, rather than on the last day of the term.

Our school assemblies are a special highlight for students, providing them with the opportunity to showcase their learning and achievements to their peers, families, and the broader school community.

To maximise participation, we have brought the assembly forward to the Thursday of Week 10. We understand that in Week 10, many families often travel for scheduled appointments, particularly due to our geographical isolation. By moving the date, we aim to ensure that as many students and families as possible are able to be part of this significant event.

We look forward to sharing this memorable occasion with you and celebrating the remarkable achievements of our students.

Regards,
Daren O'Neill
Principal
daren.oneill253@schools.sa.edu.au

Student-Teacher-Parent Conferences

09 Sep 2025

Dear Parent & Caregivers,

On Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th of September the school will be holding its Parent Student Teacher Conferences. These conferences will be an opportunity for Parents and Students to get feedback from their teachers (in all subject areas Primary and Secondary) on their progress so far this year. These conferences represent an opportunity for our staff to communicate to Parents and Students on student progress in the second semester, they have replaced our term three written reports and progress checks which have been used for this purpose in recent years. Student participation in these conferences is an integral requirement for the interviews to be as effective as possible. This gives our teachers the opportunity to talk with both parents and students about progress and to also show evidence of student work. I encourage all parents to take the opportunity to book conferences with all teachers when the Session Keeper portal opens up on Wednesday 10th September at 9am for bookings. Timeslots will run for 15 minutes and run from 3.30pm until 6pm each night.

The meetings will provide the following:

A chance for parents and students to get an idea of how students are progressing so far, in terms of a possible AC grade at the moment. However, this would be simply a statement about progress at this point of the semester and should not be taken as a prediction.

Discussion and sharing of student work, areas for further improvement, possible tasks and activities that can also be done at home.

The opportunity for parents, students and teachers to ask questions. The school and home environments are part of a student's learning and this is an opportunity to get some clarity here.

Once bookings are made on Session Keeper teachers will be aware of these. If it is not possible to fit an interview in, teachers can also be available at other times by appointment through the front office or their school email.

Booking Interviews

After 9am on Wednesday 10th September, parents will be able to go to the Session Keeper Portal and book interviews with relevant staff members by clicking on or typing in the following link https://hawkeras.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/8. This will take you to the interview booking window where you can put book an interview providing the day, time and student and parent details.

We look forward to seeing our parents and students participating at the interviews next week.

Regards,
Daren O'Neill
Principal
daren.oneill253@schools.sa.edu.au

What's on This Week @ HAS (Week 8)

08 Sep 2025

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

#Pupil Free Day Monday 8th September

#Breakfast Club Tuesday 9th September

#HAS SRC Carwash @ School Tuesday 9th September (Phone the office to book your car in 8648 4003)

#Homework Club Thursday 11th September

Regards,
Daren O'Neill
Principal
daren.oneill253@schools.sa.edu.au

Pupil Free Day This Monday

05 Sep 2025

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A reminder that Hawker Area School will be having a Pupil Free Day this Monday 8th September.

We will see all our students return on Tuesday.

Regards,
Daren O'Neill
Principal
daren.oneill253@schools.sa.edu.au

HAS Sports Day Volunteers

01 Sep 2025

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

With Sports Day coming up on Friday we will be looking for volunteers, particularly with our field events of Javelin, Shot Put, Discus, Hight Jump (2 running) and Long Jump. Leigh Creek will be able to help with some supervision but if any parents or adults think that help can be supplied that would be appreciated. This could come in two forms:

#Following around an age group and helping

#Stationed at one of the above events

If you are attending on Friday and think you could help out that would be great. A phone call to the front office on 86484003 to make the offer would help us with getting these jobs organised.

Regards,
Daren O'Neill
Principal
daren.oneill253@schools.sa.edu.au

SRC Car Wash

01 Sep 2025

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

SRC Carwash – Time for a spring car clean!

On Tuesday 9th of September (Week 8) the SRC is holding a carwash to raise funds. The carwash will take place from 11am to 2pm. All SRC members will be involved in helping on the day and the secondary students may also be required to assist.

SRC members from the F-2 age group will only be required to help from 11am to 12noon and it is recommended that they bring a change of clothes, in case they get wet. All students need to wear hats in order to participate. The school will supply sunscreen. As a reward for their efforts and hard work, hot chips at lunch, and an ice block at the end will be supplied!

We really hope this fundraiser will be a great success and invite you to swing by the HAS front office (in person) to book in a timeslot for a carwash. It is $15 for a small car and $25 for a larger 4 x wheel drive. Please note the car wash does not include interiors. Pay on the day and enjoy driving away in a gleaming, clean car! We ask that you leave your keys with us, in case an adult needs to move your car.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me through the school. Thank you.

Kind regards,

Annette Hill - SRC Teacher

Week 7 School Events

29 Aug 2025

Dear parents and caregivers,

There are lots of events happening at school next week.
Wednesday 3rd: Whole School Lunch by Secondary Class.
Pizza or Sausage Roll $5.
Thursday 4th: Whole School Wellbeing Day.
Cupcakes .50c each.
Friday 5th: HAS Sports Day. Menu attached.
Tuesday 2nd and Thursday 4th: Breakfast Club.

Regards,
Daren O'Neill
Principal
daren.oneill253@schools.sa.edu.au