Assembly

It was a great end to term one with our end-of-term assembly showcasing many examples of student work after a great term one. In this newsletter I have included a selection of photos from the assembly for viewing.

COLA Update

After the planning and success of gaining the Schools Upgrade Grant through the Federal and State Governments the construction of our Covered Outdoor Learning Area commences on Monday May 12th. The COLA will be a great addition to the school, providing a facility for students in breaks and in lessons such as HPE and other learning activities. For a long time the school has needed a structure to provide protection for students from the effects of UV, high temperatures and wet weather, the COLA will provide this, with a solid shelter over the full hardcourt basketball and netball court at the school. The timeline for construction is as follows:

· Over May 12th to 16th:

• Temporary Fencing goes up
• Concrete cutting and removal in prep for footings
• Stormwater Trenching
• Tank and Stormwater prep
• Delivery of materials in this week.

· May 19th to 23rd

• Footings installation, concrete and hold down bolts first up
• Concrete curing

· May 26th to June 12th

• Installation of structure
• Tank delivered and placed
• Stormwater connected
• Concrete reinstated around posts

Pupil Free Day

Monday was our Pupil Free Day with Cue Learning continuing their work with staff Literacy. The focus for the day was on writing. The impact of these days has been significant on teaching and learning practices at the school as evidenced by the sharing of some of the work at last terms assembly. Sharon and Phil from Cue Learning were also at school the following day working with teachers and students at the school.

EMS Community Portal and Frog

Invitations again went out to parents to activate their accounts on the Community Portal. So far 18 parents have taken up and activated their accounts with another 34 to get on board.

• Once accessing the portal, parents will be able to report on absences, planned absences, update account information etc.
• They will also be able to access the Frog Portal which is being developed at the moment. Parents can access the portal in particular by mobile phone, the community portal displays well on these.
• Once bookmarked in a Google subscription the site is easily accessible on desktops, laptops, tablets and mobile phones.
• A Frog Poral App is still being developed but once again the Frog Site can be bookmarked and works best in Google Chrome on mobile phones.

Reports this term will be written and go out to parents through the EMS so that parents can have ready access to them through the site. In response to some parent questions on this the reports can be printed also as pdf files.

Annual Report

The school’s Annual Report has been viewed and approved by Governing Council. From here it will be posted on our school website and also the My School website.

Dates coming up this term:

· May 12th – Pupil Free Day with staff working with Cue Learning.

· May 12th to June 12th – COLA construction.

· May 13th – Cue Learning at the school working with staff.

· May 16th – Walk to School Day. Watch this space please for further updates, May 16th is the official date by it may still be another more suitable date for staff and students.

· May 27th – ‘Do it for Dolly’ day, SRC fundraiser.

· May 28th – Secondary class Career Roadshow Excursion to Port Augusta.

· June 2nd – Whole School Closure Day on the Hawker Races weekend.

· June 9th – Monday public holiday and long weekend.

As always I can be contacted at the school through our Front Office on 86484003 or by my email at daren.oneill253@schools.sa.edu.au