Principals Report
After a busy term dealing in the first half with the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 situation the school is finally starting to return to normal operation after we saw some more relaxing of the ways in which schools can conduct their business. However, some things also remained the same. A quick summary would be as follows:
What remains the same
- Adults still need to physically distance, maintaining a minimum social distance of 1.5 metres.
- The update stated that it was not appropriate or practical for children to maintain physical distancing requirements in classrooms or corridors.
- Following on from the above points parents and carers must continue to physical distance, including at school pick up and drop off. In this case it means that parents and carers at Hawker can drop children off in school grounds but not enter classrooms.
- Staff, students, and all members of the school community should continue to stay home if they are unwell.
What will be changing from Monday June 29th?
- School assemblies are allowed.
- Camps and excursions can recommence.
- All school and interschool sports events and carnivals. This means that the school can now look forward to planning our school sports day, which can include the participation of Leigh Creek and Marree. In this case however the use of changerooms is not permitted.
- Choirs, bands, and other performing art activities can now occur.
- Playgroups can now restart.
All the activities listed above will be subject to regulations, such as the physical distancing.
Our SRC has been elected and has had it’s first meeting. Congratulations to the following students who now take on the responsibility of representing their fellow students:
- Archie Morgan and Nicole Oakey from the Foundation to Year 2 class.
- William DuBois and Harry McAuley from the Year 3 to 5 class.
- Jack Allen, Tayla McInnis and Stella Stanwix from the Year 6 to 12 class.
Absent from photo - Stella
At our first meeting the students discussed various projects around the school and the representatives were going to take this discussion back to their classes, along with some discussion for our students on any charities they would like to consider supporting.
In week 8 we finally had our visit from Footsteps which had been cancelled from Term One. Students got a whole day of activity on the Monday, with activities based around the Foundation to Year 5 students and the Year 6 to 12 students. On Thursday and Friday the Footsteps teacher returned and ran activities to the same groups on Thursday, while on Friday in lessons one and two students got to share their dance activities so that all our students could get an appreciation of the learning of the other students. The level of engagement for our students was very high as shown by their willingness to take on complicated dance steps and routines and enjoy the challenge.
Footsteps Gallery
Our progress with the SWIFT program (Schools with internet fibre technology) continues. Over this term we have had visits from service providers who have laid the groundwork including fibre optic cables and preparation for hardware to be installed. At the beginning of next term, the school will receive the next installation of network infrastructure to take us one step closer to a super-fast internet service right through the school.
In this newsletter you will find reports by all our teachers summarising the interesting terms that they have had, it has certainly been a challenge. But it has also been a challenge that has brought with it opportunities as we have taken up the chance to use various technologies and particularly Microsoft Teams in the classroom. At the end of the term students will also take home their reports from the first semester. Primary students in Foundation to Year 5 will take home reports with written comments for each subject, while Secondary students in Year 6 to 12 will take home reports that include a written homegroup teacher comment. All reports will include effort grades and semester grades for the Australian Curriculum Learning Areas.
I would like to wish everyone an enjoyable holiday, that is fun and healthy for all. We have got through the year so far, but it is important for us all to maintain the safe practices that we have followed so far. If parents wish to contact me I am available at the school on 864484003 or through my email address of daren.oneill253@schools.sa.edu.au See you all in Term 3.