Principals Report
Completion of the COLA Project
We are delighted to announce the successful completion of the Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) project. Finished last Friday, the construction was completed on time and largely within the budget supplied through our Schools Upgrade Fund Grant with a likelihood of little or no contingencies in our expenditure. The crew's departure between recess and lunch allowed our students to immediately enjoy the new facility. Additionally, the recent rain has already started flowing into our new rainwater tank, providing a sustainable resource in future for the school.
Cue Learning Visit Pupil Free Day
On May 12th and 13th, we welcomed Sharon and Phil Callen from Cue Learning. The focus of our Pupil Free Day on May 12th was on enhancing writing skills through the introduction of a new assessment tool, the Writing Traits Rubric, designed by Sharon Callen for year levels F-10. This tool, aligned with the Australian Curriculum, is more time-efficient than our previous LEAP Levels tool. Staff engaged in mini lessons covering writing traits such as crafting ideas, text forms and features, vocabulary, grammar, and spelling and punctuation. These traits are part of the ACARA writing progressions, and the lessons focused on the writing process: planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. On the Tuesday Sharon and Phil stayed at Hawker Area School to visit all our classes and offer further insights into teaching literacy.
Student Well-being Survey
Our commitment to student well-being continues with the recent well-being and engagement survey conducted by the department for Year 4 to 12 students. Additionally, we conduct bi-weekly short well-being surveys for all students, asking about their happiness, trusted adults at school, and friendships. This approach helps us track student well-being and identify any concerns, ensuring a supportive environment for all.
Academic Reports
Toward the end of term two we have been preparing academic reports using the EMS developed template. Reports will include written comments for all secondary subjects and primary home group, English, Maths, as well as student goals. Grades will be allocated for all subjects from Years 1 to 12. At the end of the year, all primary subjects will have written comments. Reports will be distributed via EMS, with printed copies available upon request by parents. This can be done by simply making contact with our front office.
Local Delivery Programme
The Far North Partnership's local delivery programme has commenced, involving Coober Pedy Aboriginal School and Hawker Area School in it’s first steps this year. Last week, Sharon Lam, Paul Haywood, and Jimmy Morgan visited Coober Pedy for curriculum and learning activities. This semester, students are studying General Maths and English at Stage 1 through a hybrid delivery model, receiving three direct lessons and two online lessons weekly. The impact of this program becomes evident in the fact that normally subjects such as these are only available through Open Access College, so not only do our students get a high level of curriculum delivery but receive the opportunity to make contact and develop friendships with other students in the Far North. We are proud of the progress and achievements this term and look forward to continuing our efforts in providing quality education and support for our students.