Principals Report
Well here we are at the end of Term 4, the year seems like it has been one big rush on reflection as we have experienced the ramifications of COVID-19, especially in terms 2 and 3 when our staff and student numbers at school were impacted. This term however has been an extremely busy one, as we have moved forward to the end of the year. Enjoy the articles by our teaching staff summarising their terms and the experiences of their classes.
It seems like we have had a jam-packed term full of a variety of events:
- In Week 2 of the term, we had two camps for all our students. Our Foundation to Year 4 students travelled to Rawnsley Park and Wilpena for their camp. In the same week our Year 5 to 11 students travelled to Thuruna, with Sharon Bates, Amanda Hilder and Esther Eager, enjoying a gourmet meal on the Thursday night.
- Over Weeks 3 to 7 our latest enrolments from the Kindy experienced their transition program, visiting the Foundation to Year 2 class and steadily building up their experience into a full day of class time with Penny McCulloch and other teachers and support staff.
- SAPSASA Cricket – in early November, Angus, Harry and Lachlan, with Will as a reserve travelled to Adelaide as part of the Regional SAPSASA Cricket team which won Division 4, being undefeated all week.
- On November 11th our school attended the Hawker War Memorial for the Remembrance Day Ceremony, which was coordinated and presented by our Year 5 – 11 students, under the direction of their teacher Sharon Bates.
- On November 14th and 15th the school had two Pupil Free Days where staff were able to engage in planning for 2023 and get inserviced in the latest version of the Australian Curriculum. The day provided a great opportunity for the school to prepare for 2023.
- On November 22nd and 23rd, we ran our Sporting Schools Golf Program for students in all classes who received direction on various levels on learning to play the game through to how to get even better! Our students got a lot out of the experience, learning the finer points of a challenging sport.
- On Monday November 28th, Hawker hosted an event for the International Day for People with a Disability, organised by Mission Australia, and supported by the Flinders Ranges Council and Interact into Work Australia. Many thanks to Rebecca Neilson from Mission Australia who helped coordinate the event, and Eric Brown, Ian Carpenter and Mopsy Daniels who provided expert barbecue skills to feed the crowd. The event was well attended by our community and some important contacts to support were made for people living in Hawker.
- Our Super 8s Cricketers travelled to Stirling North on December 2nd, taking on students from the Port Augusta region, in a combined Hawker / Quorn team. The team performed impressively, with all players experiencing the opportunity to open the batting, wicket keep and share the leadership of the team. An undefeated performance saw the players take away the title in style. Thanks to Amanda Hilder who took on the responsibility of being the teacher for the day, and also to Allen McInnis for umpiring and Sharon McInnis who scored for the team.
- Also last Friday our SRC ran a hugely successful car wash fundraiser. In warm conditions the students stayed hydrated to wash cars of various shapes, a mini bus and the school bus, raising $630 on the day. Well done to SRC teacher Kim Adele on her efforts, and Stef Teague and Mopsy Daniels for their support and coordination of the students on the day.
So that’s a busy term! Now for the final phase, with our Presentation Night happening on Tuesday December 13th. The theme will be ‘Cultures Around the World’, with each class performing a piece reflecting on a particular culture. The stage has been recently improved with new lights installed so the night will have added spectacle. On the last day of term and the year we will have our Splash Day at the pool, where students will have the chance to participate in some games and just relax in the lead up to the end of the year. After this students will come back to the school for a short lunch and final assembly with awards to give out before going home for Christmas.
A big thankyou to all our staff for their efforts this term. We are farewelling our SWAN teacher Kim Adele, along with Michael Meslin. We are hopeful that Malcolm Thompson, who has had a rough trot this year will be able to return to our staff next year. I want to take this opportunity to thank our staff, students, parents and general community for their support this term, and indeed this year. Have a Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing all our students and parents in the new year.