Newsletter 21 - Term 4 - Week 10 - 2022

From The Principal

Week 10, Term 4. Welcome to the very last newsletter for 2023. How exciting!

Last week we trialled our first ‘Step Up Day’ at AAS, whereby all students had the opportunity to spend the day in their tentative 2023 classes and meet their 2023 teachers. This was a  great opportunity to front load our students  and provide a smoother transition into the following year of schooling. All reports indicate the time spent in classes was valuable and worthwhile, and we have some very excited students who are pumped for their classes for next year! Please note that there have been some minor changes to class lists since Step Up Day, and final class lists will be posted on the window of the Admin Office from 25^th January, 2023.

On Tuesday, student semester reports were distributed to families. Please take the time to share your child’s report and achievements with them. Next year we will be moving to a new reporting structure, where parents will be informed of their child’s progress throughout the year, rather than a summative report that is provided at the end of each semester. More details to follow next year!

Also in the reporting envelope, the Alyangula Area School Fee Structure for 2023 was included for students who are returning in 2023 - as well as the Office Admin open hours for uniform, payments and general business. This information is attached to this newsletter for reference.

This week we celebrated our Preschoolers graduating Preschool. Special thanks to Ms Nina and Ms Katrina for the super cute graduation ceremony. The care, love and learning that these wonderful educators have provided our preschoolers this year was epitomised by a well organised and thoughtful graduation. Congratulations to our preschoolers, we can’t wait to have you in Transition (big school) next year!

As I briefly mentioned at assembly today, from Day 1, Term 1 2023 all NT Government schools will implement a ban on the use of mobile phones and smart watches for students from the time they arrive at school until the end of the school day - including recess and lunch breaks. This ban is as per a Ministerial order that will come into effect next year. For more information, parents and families can access the policy on the Department of Education https://education.nt.gov.au/policies/school-operations/student-mobile-phones-in-government-schools which include the following key details:

• students in preschool to Year 6 will not be permitted to have their mobile phone in their possession during the school day
• students in Years 7 to 12 who chose to bring mobile phones to school must have them ‘off and away all day’ (switched off, not accessed, seen, or heard at any time during school hours) and securely stored.

As a school, we have ordered secure phone storage that will be housed at the school admin office. Further information regarding our school policy will be provided in the new year.

As the year has come to an end, it is also time to say farewell to some members of our school community. To all the students who are leaving AAS and heading off to their next schooling adventure, we wish you all the very best. I hope that the time that you have spent at Alyangula Area School has put you in good stead to achieve success in your future endeavours. It has been a pleasure teaching you in our classes and we are confident that you will all achieve whatever you put your mind to. With every student that is moving on, we also farewell their families – so to our families, we would like to thank you for the support you have provided your child and the school. I would like to make special mention to the Hujbert Family, Dornan Family, Ahovelo Family and Toose Family who have all contributed SO much to the school through volunteering and fundraising efforts over the years. On behalf of our whole school community THANK YOU, your time and efforts have been so valued and have appreciated everything that you do!

I would also like to thank our outgoing staff – Ms Madi Gadd, Mr Jake Lonergan, Ms Bonnie Boness, Mr Tom Elliot and Ms Armanda Ahovelo. I am grateful for dedication to our students and the difference you have made in their lives and experiences, and wish you all the very best on your next chapter.

As I close the final newsletter article for 2023, I would like to pay mention to all of the stakeholders across Groote Eylandt that each play a strategic role in supporting our school and enabling our students – who we sometimes forget, are attending a school that is in a remote locality – a valuable, meaningful and engaging curriculum. So thank you to South32, GEMCO, Bushfit Mob, GEBIPCAC, CWA, Fairway19, Alyangula Holf Club, Footprints on Groote, ALC,  Connected Beginnings... thank you!

Have a safe and happy new year everyone. We can’t wait to see you all back at school on Tuesday 31 January, 2023. Merry Christmas!

Mel Dougherty
Principal

Congratulations to School Leaders for 2023!!

Award Winners

2023 School Fees

Please find information below that outlines the annual Fee Structure for 2023.

Individual Student Contributions

Individual Student Contributions is a voluntary, yet necessary payment that contributes to the annual costs of providing our students with contemporary and engaging school-based programs, infrastructure, localised and well-maintained equipment. This can include, but is not limited to:

• Excursions / Incursions
• Sporting Programs
• ICT equipment (student iPads, student laptops)
• Digital subscriptions
• Outdoor play spaces
• School furniture

The Individual Student Contribution can be made in person at the Administration Office or online through our new portal (available in 2023). Payment is calculated as $2.50 per student, per school week. Payment can be made via the following options:

• Annually – one off payment of $100 per student
• Semesterly – two payments (term 1 and term 3) of $50 per student
• Termly – four payments (one payment per term) of $25 per student.

Student Book Pack and Student Curriculum Resources

Student Book Pack and Student Curriculum Resources is a compulsory payment for every student. At the beginning of the school year students will be provided with book packs and stationery that will be replenished throughout the year as needed. Book packs and stationery have been specifically designed to suit the needs of each year level from Preschool through to Distance Education, to ensure that students have the appropriate materials to support them in their learning.

Student Curriculum Resources provide materials and resources to ensure opportunities are provided to our students to engage in hands on learning experiences. This can include, but is not limited to:  

• Cooking
• Technologies
• STEM
• Electives
• Art and craft
• Performing Art
• Sports equipment
• Science

Both the Student Book Packs and Student Curriculum Resource payments can be covered through the Northern Territory Back to School Payment Scheme. More information about the Back to School Payment Scheme can be found overleaf.

2023 Back to School Payment Scheme

What is the Back to School Payment Scheme?

Every student who is enrolled in a Northern Territory School is eligible for the Back to School Payment Scheme. The Back to School Payment Scheme provides financial assistance to the parents and guardians of children from Preschool through Year 12, to receive educational items in term one of each school year.

What is covered in the Back to School Payment Scheme?
You are entitled to receive $150 of educational goods and services for each child enrolled in a NT school or preschool.

• If your child is in transition to year 12, you will receive the entitlement in term one each year. The entitlement must be used by the end of term one.
• If your child is in preschool, the entitlement is available throughout the year, but is only valid to the end of the first term in which they first enrol.

How do you claim?

For 2023, you can claim your entitlement from the Admin Office at the school. The Back to School Payment Scheme can be applied to cover the costs of Student Book Packs and Student Curriculum Resources. Parents/Guardians must attend the Admin Office to sign a document to receive the Back to School Payment. Please see the office open hours to organise your visit. Families who have not claimed the Back to School Payment by Friday 31 March, 2023 will be invoiced for the student book pack and student curriculum resources ($150 per student).

Admin Office Hours 2023

School Photos

3 boxes of School Photos have arrived!!!

We are still waiting on 2 boxes to arrive, once they have arrived we will send the photos home with the students. 

Please see a list of special photographs taken on the day. These can ve viewed and ordered online by following the link below and using the Online Order Code 22S5059VT51A

• Year 6
• Year 6 Fun
• Seniors
• Seniors Fun
• Student Representative Council
• School Captains
• School Leaders
• School Leaders Fun
• House Captains
• House Captains Fun
• Whole School
• Year 4/5H Fun

Insight

Upcoming School Events!

Community News!