Quorn Area School eNewsletter

Principal’s Report

As the 2024 school year draws to a close, I would like to thank the community for their continued support and patience during another year of site development and the continued impact of staffing shortages. Despite these challenges, we have continued to develop and deliver richly engaging learning programs that grow our young people into lifelong learners. The second phase of the primary block upgrade is scheduled for early 2025. This building work will coincide with the playground development, providing a wealth of opportunities for our learners to explore and develop essential physical skills.

The End of Year Presentation on 28 November was a phenomenally well-supported event where we celebrated individual achievements, personal growth and sporting endeavours. The tours before the ceremony provided a fantastic opportunity for caregivers and community members to see the site improvements firsthand and the exceptional and diverse achievements of learners displayed around the site. Monique Griffiths planned and led the event, and her vision was well supported by the school staff, who created an event we can all be proud of.

As this is our last newsletter of the year, I would like to thank the staff who will begin a new chapter in 2025 for their service to the school. Nancy Norris is retiring after over twenty years of service to the community, and we wish her and her family the best on the next stage of her journey. After six years of outstanding service, Kate Neu has secured a permanent position closer to her family, and we wish her all the best in her new home and school in Adelaide. Victoria Alexander is relocating to Melbourne, and Michelle Densley will take leave before returning to her base school. We thank them for their service and contribution to our improvement journey during their time at our school and wish them well in the journey ahead. The departure of staff always presents an opportunity to welcome new thinking and skills to our community. In 2025, we will be fully staffed for the first time in over three years, creating new opportunities for our learners. In addition to reducing class sizes in English and Mathematics, we are fortunate to have added new specialists who will provide new opportunities in the Arts, Spanish, and English. Our new staff's skills, combined with our remaining staff's professionalism and commitment, leave us well-positioned to offer a more fabulous array of engaging learning in 2025.

Finally, I wish our learners and their families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Andrew Gilsenan-Reed

Encouraging Digital Learning: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) in 2025

As we look forward to the new academic year, we are excited to continue our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiative for years 7-12 in 2025. Integrating personal learning devices, such as laptops, into our educational environment will enhance the learning experience, foster digital literacy, and prepare our students for the future.

Why BYOD?

Personalised Learning:Learners can customise their devices to suit their learning styles and needs.
Increased Engagement:Interactive and multimedia resources can make learning more engaging and enjoyable.
Skill Development:Using personal devices helps students develop essential digital skills crucial in today's world.

Supporting All Learners

We understand that not all families can afford a personal learning device. Rest assured, our school is committed to ensuring every learner can access the necessary technology. We will provide support and resources for those who need assistance.

Getting Started – Please refer to our website, Quorn Area School, for

Device Recommendations:
Safety and Security, &
Technical Support

We are excited about BYOD's opportunities and look forward to seeing our secondary learners thrive in a digitally enriched learning environment. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Holiday Notice

Please note that the school grounds are out of bounds during the school holidays. We ask the community to be vigilant and report suspicious behaviour to the police to help keep our school safe.

School Holidays

Aboriginal Community Educator

Primary Report

News from the 1/2 Class

HASS: Quorn Heritage Walk Excursion

Last Tuesday, we embarked on the Quorn Heritage Walk, guided by Miss Neu with Steph and Chloe. Our first stop was First Street, where we explored the town’s early settlement and unchanged stone buildings, giving us a glimpse into Quorn’s peaceful past.

Next, we visited the Quorn Railway Station, once a bustling hub during the railway boom, now a quieter, historical landmark. We then explored the new bush walk trails, a modern addition contrasting the town's heritage. The trails provide a chance to connect with Quorn’s natural beauty, with native plants, birds, and stunning landscapes.

The excursion was a fantastic opportunity to witness how Quorn balances its rich history with its sustainable future.

Thank you to Ms Reed and Victoria for letting Steph and Chloe join us! We’re so glad to have them with us!

Numeracy: Exploring Patterns and Symmetry

In numeracy this term, our learners have been exploring skip counting by 2s, 3s, 5s, and 10s. Using Numicon shapes and number rods, we built numbers and practised counting aloud, making learning both hands-on and interactive. These activities helped us better understand number patterns and improve our counting skills in a fun and engaging way.

We explored the concept of symmetry. Using a half portrait of our faces, we drew the other side symmetrically, paying close attention to details like eyes, ears, and the shape of our faces. This activity helped us understand the balance and harmony that symmetry creates while also encouraging creativity and careful observation.

It’s been an exciting term, blending maths with art in a hands-on way!

Health: Best Parts of Me + The World Kindness Day

This term, our class is all about seeing ourselves in a positive light! We read the book "The Best Part of Me" by Wendy Ewald, which helped us think about what we love about ourselves.

We talked about a part of our body that we’re thankful for, a part we like, or even a part we sometimes feel unsure about but want to love more. It’s all about celebrating who we are!

The World Kindness Day

On November 14th, we celebrated World Kindness Day with a special group meeting to reflect on why kindness is so important. During our discussion, we explored different ways to be kind to one another, both in big and small actions. The students shared their thoughts on how kindness can make our school a warmer, more welcoming place.

To put our ideas into action, we received a kindness slip and performed a simple act of kindness. Whether offering a compliment, helping a friend, or simply listening, we all made our school community a little brighter.

It was a heartwarming day filled with thoughtful conversations and positive gestures, reminding us that kindness makes a difference!

This term in Digital & Technology (D&T), we've been focusing on improving our typing skills in the computing room. Using the TypingClub website, we've been practising proper finger placement on the home row and completing fun typing games to help boost our speed and accuracy.

It was a bit tricky at first—especially trying not to look down at the keyboard! But with each practice session, we’re getting better and more confident. We can already see improvements in our typing technique. Some students initially had trouble logging into the computers, but everyone persevered and soon got the hang of it.

With more practice, we're all excited to see how much faster and more accurate we can become!

Mrs Ko
Year ½ Class Teacher

Foundation Class News

Over the last few weeks, we have welcomed our Transition Learners to QAS. They have been working with the current Foundations in preparation for school next year. Please welcome Safwah, Darcie, Ollie, Henry and Colt to QAS.

It’s been a wonderful year of learning and growth in the Foundation class. Last week, we hosted the Primary Assembly to showcase what we have been learning about.

In Numeracy this term, we have been learning about our numbers to 100, including numeral formation and place value. We used our bodies to re-create numbers. Can you guess the number?

Last Friday, we celebrated the success of the Year 6 cohort, which is now transitioning to high school with a Graduation and BBQ. It was a fantastic evening. Thank you to Miss B for making it happen and to everyone who helped. Congratulations to all our Year 6 learners! We are so proud of all your achievements and can’t wait to see you continue to grow.

Have a happy and safe holiday!
Kate Neu

Secondary Report

Year 6-10 Students Enjoy Aquatics Week

This week, our Year 6-10 students had an incredible time participating in various aquatic activities. They embraced the challenges and joys of sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing, making the most of the beautiful weather and the opportunity to learn new skills.

The students showed great enthusiasm and teamwork, supporting each other through each activity. Everyone had a fantastic time, whether it was mastering the art of balancing on a windsurf board, navigating the waters in a kayak, or catching the wind in their sails.

We are proud of their efforts and their positive spirit throughout the week. A big thank you to the instructors and staff who made this experience possible. We look forward to more exciting adventures in the future!