As the end of week four fast approaches staff and students alike have been busy delving into various learning situations.
Pupil Free Day – Friday 19th August (tomorrow)
The Governing Council have supported our Pupil Free Day, tomorrow Friday, the 19th August. Staff will be involved in two different workshops; the Primary staff will travel to Laura to be part of a Mid North Maths Expo workshop, while our Secondary staff will be on-site working on school priorities.
School Closure – 9th September
The Governing Councillors have supported the proposed ‘School Closure Day’ for the Friday 9th September (week 7). This is an annual day granted by DECS for a day of significance. The day corresponds with the last Friday of the Adelaide Show, which we believe suits the needs of students and families.
Knockout Netball Competition – Year 8/9 Girls
The Orroroo Area School Year 8/9 girl’s knockout netball team travelled to Adelaideon Monday to compete in the State Finals of competition. The girls got to the semi-final stage; finishing 4th overall, after a playoff between the 3rd and 4th teams. A big thanks to Julianne O’Dea for coaching, Nola Finlay for her assistance in transporting the students and offering their help on the day with any role. We also had a few spectators travel to support the girls.
Leadership Meetings
The next fortnight the leadership team and I have been / will be involved in several meetings/conferences from MNSEC Leaders meeting at Orroroo this week, to a Geography conference interstate, to our Yorke and Mid North Regional meeting at Port Pirie next week. These opportunities provide an avenue to only enhance our learning of initiatives, programmes, curriculum requirements and issues which may impact on our school.
It also provides great networking capabilities to find out what other schools are doing at their sites eg. programmes, initiatives or managing curriculum. Ultimately the meetings keep Orroroo Area School informed and able to draw from a multitude of networks to provide the best possible opportunities for students and staff alike.
Parent Opinion Survey
With respect to aspects of our school, parents, again this year have been randomly selected by DECS Data Management to complete an Opinion Survey. If you have been selected you will already have received information about the on-line survey. If however you do not wish to do the survey online, please contact the Front Office for a hard copy and a reply paid envelope. Thanking you for your cooperation in this matter.
East of the Ranges choir
On Tuesday night students in the East of the Ranges choir travelled to Port Pirie to perform at the Keith Michell Theatre. Once again our students, along with the other members of the choir performed exceptionally well.
Congratulations to the following East of the Ranges choir members;
Nathaniel Bishop, Cooper Dignan, Mollie Duffy, Lucas Fielding, Dylan Lock, Jack Rowe, Paul Scott, Olivia Sheehan, Chas Van Eck-Ackland, Jacob Wittwer, Jack Ashe, Corey Finlay, Cassie Woolford, Kade Ackland, Jane Bishop, Mack Bowman, Georgia Foulis, Emily Froling, Isaac Jesser, Nicole Lock, Brooke Reddaway, Courtney Rowe, Kylie Richards, Amelia Duffy Lydia Hobbs and Lead Ashe. I’m sure they thoroughly enjoyed to opportunity to perform.
On behalf of the school and choir representatives our sincere thanks must also go to Mrs Sue Ackland and her fantastic efforts in supporting and teaching the students associated with the East of the Ranges Choir. Well done Mrs Ackland, you should be proud of your efforts and those of the student’s !
2011 National Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award (S.A. Finals)
Tomorrow night the South Australian State Final of the 2011 National Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award will take place inAdelaide, where Isaac Gibb will be representingOrrorooAreaSchool.
I’m sure you join with me in congratulating Isaac in making it to the final and sincerely wish him all the very best. Each student will present a 5 minute prepared speech on a topic based on Legacy values, then they had impromptu speeches (2 minutes) based on the theme a specific theme, as well as a brief interview.
Legacy information: Legacy is an Australian voluntary organisation dedicated to the welfare of the dependants of veterans who have died on operational service or subsequently. It includes members of today’s defence forces who lose their lives as a result of their service. Australiawide there is over 115,000 widows and other dependants. Legacy’s income is not Government-based and it must rely on the generosity of the community to fund its services of caring and support. The Badge appeal is just one event occurring soon.
Asbestos Removal
OrrorooAreaSchoolhas been given ‘Official notice’ that the removal of some extra asbestos panels in the Home Economics building will occur this Saturday.
The date specified is Saturday 20th August, 2011
As is the nature when handling and removing asbestos materials, no students, staff member or community member is to be on the Orroroo Area School site as this process occurs. The anticipated time frame however is only a few hours.
Regards
Paul Pitkin
~ Respect Responsibility Excellence Tolerance Honesty ~
CRICOS NAME: Department of Education and Children's Services t/a South Australian Government Schools