It has been an interesting week since our last newsletter !!!
Twilight Swimming Carnival – Orroroo
As they say second time lucky !!! Which I guess was the case for our annual Swimming Carnival. The planned Twilight Swimming carnival had to be postponed after only a hand full of events on the Thursday evening. The reason being a huge storm had begun rolling in from the north, with multiple lightning strikes, thunder and rain. With the safety and well-being of our students, as well as staff and all spectators paramount, the decision was an easy one !
Take 2 ! The swimming carnival was re-scheduled for Monday, and was to be conducted during the day. The skies were clear and the day ideal, with all swimmers and both teams, getting into the spirit of the day. A numbers of outstanding individual and team efforts occurred during the day, as well as some extremely enthusiastic ‘NEW’ team war-cries and supporting.
Overall it was a fantastic day, with the preparation and organisation (take 2) exceptional, the positive sporting attitudes and support a credit to both competitors and spectators.
I would like to express my thanks and acknowledge Mr Matt Dignan, for his efforts, in preparing the day, program and general organisations, as well as the staff and parents for their assistance in preparation and running of the day; assisting with various roles eg. time keeping, marshalling, refereeing, runners, scorers, on the BBQ or supporting our swimmers. In addition I would like to thank the Orroroo Swimming club for their efforts in adding to the successful day.
In the end Thorpe were the overall winners, with Cameron Wilson named Primary Swimmer of the day, while Georgie Custance won on a count back to Georgina Wilson for Seondary swimmer of the day. There was a number of other individual winners and results (record breakers), which will appear in the Swimming Carnival Report.
MNSEC Swimming Carnival
Tuesday evening the selected Orroroo swimmers (Year 6 – 12), travelled across to Booleroo Centre for the annual MNSEC swimming carnival. The weather was again ideal, with teams from Gladstone, Jamestown, Peterborough, Quorn and Booleroo Centre also competing.
Our students once again demonstrated great endeavour and committed, with some outstanding individual and team efforts. Their behaviour and support for one another was impeccable ! Our results for the evening were 4th in the Handicap Shield and 3rd on the Overall Shield, which I believe is an improvement from 2009. We were fortunate enough to have Georgina Wilson come 3rd in the Overall Female Champion Swimmer of the Carnival, while our Under 14 girls team, won a pennant for their achievements during the night.
Overall another great performance by our Orroroo students, thanks again to Mr Matt Dignan, staff and parents who came along to assist or support our team. As well as acknowledging the efforts by Booleroo Centre and Swimming pool committee, plus the MNSEC Swimming committee for hosting and running a terrific annual event.
Welcome new students
Over the past week or so, Orroroo has had a number of new students arrive, with Madison Qualmann (Reception), Logna Herschausen (Year 1), Montanah Greagen (Year 5) and Shie-Anne Greagen (Year 6) and Inga Middelschulte (Year 11 – Exchange student from Germany). I’m sure they will enjoy the challenges and opportunities provided by our school.
Parent Information Night
On Wednesday night we conducted our Parent Information Night for students in Reception – Year 10. Each class or year level had a specified time for parents to come and listen, which allowed for parents and teachers to meet and discuss the teaching program, behaviour expectations and activities and events that will happen in Term 1 and throughout the year.
I must add that the night was extremely well supported by parents, which I know staff and our Leadership team really appreciate.
MGM trial
What is MGM ???
As I informed parents and caregivers late last year, Orroroo Area School had investigated and subsequently purchased MGM Software Systems. This was in line with our efforts to continuously improve our communication efforts between school and home, (using the MGM Software Systems) which allows our school (Administrators / teachers) to reach entire communities; or just their class, year level or parent support groups easily and securely from any location; either from within the school or externally in just minutes.
It could apply for Attendance improvement or management, Bushfire warning eg. Catastrophic rating reached, Parent service – reminders, camp arrival or targeted meetings. The technology is able to organise the appropriate communication, either via SMS or changing text into an automated voice message.
How does the technology work ?
Basically the school has contact phone numbers; either mobile or landline and contact names. This information is entered into the program, which then allows the school to type a message, for example:
Dear Jane, the estimated arrival of the Year 11 camp from Broken Hill is now 8:30pm. Or
Dear Jane, a Catastrophic Level has been issued for tomorrow the 2nd February; therefore Orroroo Area School will be closed and no school buses will run.
This message or messages can be sent by text to your mobile or changed into a voice automated message and delivered to your landline and you can receive it personally or on your answering machine.
NOTE: You are able to reply to the message, confirming you have received it at the school’s inbox on the software.
The software would also mean being able to reassign valuable staff to more time efficient tasks, negating the need to contact every family, staff member or external operator.
NOTE: Another avenue to obtain information about Bushfire ratings are the CFS (www.cfs.sa.gov.au) or Bureau of Meteorology (www.bom.gov.au) websites (after 4:00pm), listening to the ABC or local radio news broadcasts or even watch Channel 4, 10 or the ABC news at night.
Yesterday was our first official trial, in sending out a Reminder notice about the Parent Information Night to all parents/ caregivers.
In speaking with many parents at the Parent Information Night the trial was very successful and the response by parents / caregivers was extremely positive. We will continue monitor and use this form of technology to further enhance our communications between school and home in the future.
Volunteers – positive response
Volunteers support Orroroo AS in a range of ways, but of course we are happy to have others offer their time. New volunteers are offered induction and training before being taking up a role. We currently have volunteers who work in the canteen, others who support sporting events or listening to reading.
The response to this offer has been really positive and I thank those able to assist in volunteering their time. We are still keen for other offers of support in any curriculum area or school area which you may think appropriate.
Regards
Paul Pitkin
CRICOS NAME: Department of Education and Children's Services t/a South Australian Government Schools