WALK TO SCHOOL DAY - Ardrossan Area School

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ARDROSSAN AREA SCHOOL | Newsletter | Wednesday 19th May 2021

Principal’s news

I am truly grateful to live and work in such a supportive community. This week is National Volunteer Week and at Ardrossan Area School we are fortunate to have many people who volunteer their time and skills to support our students. Some of our volunteers are able to come in on a weekly basis whilst others on a more casual basis. Regardless, we truly value everyone’s contribution to our school. Thank you in particular to our Community Mentors, Governing Council members, JP reading helpers, Julie from Story Dogs, Clive who mentors some of our Senior Secondary students in SACE subjects, Brad who has volunteered over many years and everyone who has supported the development of the new Aquaponics facility, including Craig and Ron Beech. Thank you to each and every one of our volunteers. You will find information about our Aquaponics facility in Cherie Beech’s article in this newsletter, however, I would like to personally thank Cherie for her work in this area. Cherie has contributed significant time and effort into the planning and development of this facility which provides so many opportunities for our students. It was a milestone event when the fish arrived last Friday and Cherie, again, spent a lot of time on Friday and over the weekend ensuring the fish were settling into their new environment. Cherie brings considerable knowledge and expertise to our school from her background as a Marine Biologist. She is also very passionate about supporting students and our school to achieve the best possible outcomes. I look forward to the continued success of our Aquaponics program and the opportunities it provides for real life learning and links to industry and beyond. We are currently finalising plans for our Student Free Day which will be held on Tuesday 15th June (the day after the Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday). As part of the program I am looking forward to sharing with staff my learning from the Thought Leadership Gathering which I attended in Sydney. The conference had a strong focus on relationships and building networks to improve learning opportunities for our students. It was also great to be able to share some of our programs with the other conference delegates. We received positive feedback and interest on our Inquiry learning across our school, from the JP Investigations through to the Stage 2 Business Innovation and on our connections with our local community through programs including the ‘Paint a Pole Project’ with the Tiddy Widdy Beach Progress Association. Whilst I was unable to participate due to a Partnership meeting, it was great to see so many students and families involved in the Walk Safely to School Day. Thank you to students, families and staff who supported the day by walking to school and/or preparing the pancake breakfast. In particular, thank you to Kim Black for her overall organisation of the day. I look forward to seeing our families and friends at the Whole School Assembly this Friday which will be hosted by our Year 6 class.

Kind regards, Margaret

Margaret Roads

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Deputy Principal NAPLAN testing is continuing this week with the testing window closing on Friday 21st May. Students in years 3 & 5 have completed NAPLAN testing and years 7 & 9 students have one test remaining on Thursday. Students in year 3, 5, 7 and 9 who have been absent on a testing day will be given the opportunity to sit the ‘catch up’ test on Friday morning. Today we had students from year 6 to 12 undertake the ThinkUKnow Program presented by South Australia Police. Brevet Sergeant Steve Moulds (Ardrossan Police) and Constable Ashlee Bowman

(Yorke Mid North Crime Prevention) delivered the session to our students in three age appropriate sessions. ThinkUKnow Australia is an evidence-based education program that is delivered nationally to educate young people on how to ensure their online safety. It incorporates up-to-date research, real case studies and examples from reports made to the Australian Federal Police, and encourages help seeking behaviour by educating students on where to access appropriate support. As part of this presentation, the officers presenting this program also spoke to students about cyber bullying. I would like to thank Brevet Sergeant Steve Moulds and Constable Ashlee Bowman for taking the time to work with our students. With many thanks, Amy East.

Innovation and Wellbeing Leader

The fish have arrived! After a long wait and significant preparations, we are now custodians of 100 Silver Perch fingerlings. These fish are integral to our aquaponics facility here at AAS. The fish arrived in Adelaide from a hatchery in Melbourne on Friday and were introduced into our tanks later in the afternoon. The fish are slowly settling in and are swimming and feeding

well. Fish will provide vital nutrients to our plants which are situated in four outdoor grow beds. Currently, we have a range of plants growing in our 12m hot house, including eggplant, tomatoes, strawberries, lettuces, peas, basil, coriander and capsicums. Students are investigating plant growth in different mediums (floating foam and clay ball beds). This project was initially made possible with the support from the Australian Government’s Local Schools Community Fund (nearly $18,000). AAS has also contributed significantly towards the project and the establishment of the aquaponics could not have been possible without support and guidance from volunteers and key experts. A special mention to Simec Mining who have also supported us to achieve our goals. A dynamic and engaging indoor and outdoor learning space has been created; setting the foundation for new curriculum offerings. Students have been involved in the creation of this intensive system from the outset. I have been especially proud of the efforts and achievements of students in Stage 1 Integrated Learning, Stage 1 and Stage 2 Community Studies. They have developed a range of skills and knowledge that can be easily transferred and applied in Industry settings. Students are also in the midst of designing school tours of the facility. The goal is to provide students and community members with the opportunity to learn more about aquaponics at AAS and to explore the intricacies of the system; including aspects relating to water quality testing.

Watch this space! Kind regards, Cherie

Cherie Beech

Amy East

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Merit Cards – Week 2, Term 2

Reception/Year 1 Hunter Halford-Webster - for always participating and listening during Phonemic Awareness Sessions. Aiesha Murray - for increased participation during learning experiences. Year 1/2 Ava Carty - for demonstrating independent learning habits during English lessons. Noah Thompson - for being organised and enthusiastic to spell all of his Tricky words correctly. Isabelle Treloar - for demonstrating excellent effort during journal writing.

Year 3/4 Katee Myers – for improved effort with spelling and writing tasks. Cody Thompson – for demonstrating willingness to apply teacher feedback to his exposition writing. Zach Colliver – for carefully researching posed questions during inquiry.

Year 4/5 Abby Elsworthy - for consistently demonstrating excellent effort to complete tasks with care and accuracy. Jackson Velardi - for enthusiastically participating in reading sessions and as a result, is demonstrating good growth. Jayde Hayles - for confidently sharing her prior knowledge and understanding of environmental issues affecting the sustainability of our cities.

Year 6 Jack Kolberg - for showing dedication towards Science learning through his detailed eco house model. Lily Colliver - for being self-motivated and providing positive feedback to others about their learning.

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Highlights Walk to School Day

From the Sports Desk Welcome back to Term 2, and already a busy first 3 weeks!

Congratulations once again to all the athletes that represented the school at interschool competitions in term 1. Well done to the following students who participated with the YP Zone team at SA Athletics Stadium in Adelaide; Nicole Whittaker, Jake Clifford, Serenity Gorden, Isabelle Teakle and Elsa Yunia-Owen. Nicole managed to win her U15 Javelin Event which was a terrific effort against strong competition.

In week 1, Carly Whittaker participated in the SYP SAPSASA Cross Country Event. She finished 6th in the U10 age bracket and has been selected in the SYP Zone team to compete at Oakbank in June. Well done Carly!

Week 2 saw four Year 8/9 boys and nine Year 8/9 girls travel to Maitland to participate in the annual 9 a side football carnival. The boys joined with Central Yorke students to make a team and the girls participated against Kadina, Moonta, Maitland Lutheran and Minlaton. All students showed great sportsmanship throughout the day. From this event, the Year 8/9 boys football squad was selected. Congratulations to Jake Clifford, Wes Perrie and Matthew Jackson who were chosen to play in Port Pirie in a few weeks’ time.

Congratulations to Shayla Brind and Tia Black who have been selected in the Year 6 SYP SAPSASA Netball team which will compete in Adelaide during Week 6. Good Luck

This week Tyson Crowell, Lachlan Dayman and Nathan Rowe link up with the Central Yorke Football Academy to compete against Maitland Lutheran School, the boys were invited by Coach Luke Trenorden, good luck!

Some upcoming events include the Year 8/9 netball carnival to be held at Maitland in week 6, more information will be distributed soon.

It is great to see many students being active at recess and lunch times. Keep an eye out for more sports news over the next few weeks!

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National Volunteer Week National Volunteer Week (NVW) is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteers. From Monday 17th to Sunday 23rd May 2021, NVW will celebrate the significant contribution of Australia’s almost six million volunteers. Each year these volunteers dedicate over 600 million hours to help others.

AAS thank all of our wonderful volunteers for their valuable contributions to our school.

Food & Hospitality On Monday the Stage 1 Food and Hospitality students provided some of our staff with a healthy lunch. The lunch consisted of chicken salad, date and almond bliss balls and a mango smoothie.

National Simultaneous Storytime National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 21st successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

Year 1/2 Garden update Year 1/2 garden bed radishes are finally ripe for picking. It has been a challenge to try and work out which vegetables will be the biggest as only the smallest bit appears above the surface. Students have been keen to taste the varieties.

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Where are they now? 'Where are they now?' Mitchell Lodge Class of 2019

What year did you finish at AAS? I finished my schooling in 2019.

What and where are you currently studying? I am studying Exercise and Sport Science/Food and Nutrition at University of SA, City East Campus.

Did you always plan this pathway? I always had many career pathways in mind throughout my schooling and I found it difficult to choose the right one for me.

Where has your study taken you and where are you currently working? In 2020, I decided to take a gap year, therefore this will be my first time studying at UNI SA. At some stage during my studies, I aim to use my previous work experience to seek part time employment at a nearby retail store. What are your career plans after completing University? I will aim to use both of my degrees to improve the health, and optimise the performance of athletes and exercisers in the sports industry. A comment reflecting on your time at AAS? Throughout my 13 years of schooling at AAS, I learnt many life skills and made plenty of friends along the way. I also became more confident in my own academical abilities, which encouraged me to enter this career pathway.

Community News

2021 Calendar Dates May 17th – 21st National Volunteer

Week

May 21st Whole school assembly. Hosted by Year 6 -2:40pm

May 26th Flinders University visit

June 2nd Shark Tank at Yorketown Area School

June 9th Newsletter publication

June 10th SAPSASA Cross Country at Oakbank

June 11th R-6 school assembly. Hosted by R/1 2:40pm

WALK TO SCHOOL DAY - Ardrossan Area School

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