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2023 Term 3 Week 2 Newsletter

Principal's Message

Hello Everyone,

Welcome back to Term 3! I hope you all had a wonderful break and are ready to embrace the new challenges and opportunities of term 3!

We are thrilled to welcome back some familiar faces to our school community. A warm welcome to returning staff members Hamish Robb (3/4R), Sharron Allwood (Early Childhood), and Sharna Knight (Admin Office). Your dedication and experience are invaluable, and we are delighted to have you with us once again.

Additionally, I extend a heartfelt welcome to our new staff members, Amanda Avila (Primary Teacher), Sinead Walsh (Primary Science Term 3), and Sarah Kilner (Senior Teacher). We are very much looking forward to the fresh perspectives and expertise that each of you will bring to our team.

Exciting news! Our school family has grown with the addition of some feathered and furry friends. The chickens that hatched in preschool last term are now big enough to live at school! Our chickens, Coconut, Ranger, Nugget, Elsa, Marshmallow and Lollipop have a chicken coop assembled under the Beauty Tree near Early Childhood and run free in our Preschool yard throughout the day. And of course, as many of you have heard - a welcome to our adorable school puppy, Tucker. These delightful additions will not only provide unique learning experiences for our students but also promote a sense of responsibility and compassion.

A big thank you to all students, staff, and parents who participated in our Pyjama Day and contributed to the cause. Together, we raised an impressive $230 for the Pyjama Foundation, supporting their vital work in improving the lives of children in foster care.

This term we conducted both fire drills and lockdown drills. These practice drills play a crucial role in maintaining a secure learning environment and ensuring everyone is well-prepared in case of emergencies.

This Tuesday (1^st August) is Alyangula Area School’s Student Led Conferences. Unlike Parent-Teacher interviews that were held in Term 1, Student Led Conferences are led by the student from start to finish. Your child has chosen work samples that they have completed and will be able to share and explain what they are achieving, what they find challenging, and what they need to succeed. Ensuring the conferences are driven by the students is an effective measure to involve yourself in your students learning and build their confidence and agency. Teachers will be present in the classrooms, however the Student Led Conference is between you and your child, so it is important that you bring your student with you! Should you wish to have a one on one discussion or meeting with your child’s teacher, there will be an opportunity on the evening to indicate that you would a follow up discussion with the teacher at an alternate time. Classrooms will be open for Student Led Conferences to take place between 5:30pm and 7pm, and due to the fluid nature of the conferences, there are no designated times for families.
To support families, activities will be run in Multi-purpose Room to entertain siblings so that parents and families can have some uninterrupted focus with each child in their classrooms. A sausage sizzle will also be cooking on the Down Ball Courts to take the hassle out of cooking and to raise funds for new Maths Resources.

In Week 4 of this term, we will be undergoing a School Review. This process offers an opportunity for us to assess our strengths, identify areas for improvement, and have the Department set goals and recommendations for continued growth. Your feedback and engagement in this process are essential, if anyone would be willing and able to volunteer half an hour of their time for a phone call or conversation with the reviewers on Tuesday 8^th or Wednesday 9^th August., please let us know and we will include you on our schedule.

Please take note of the upcoming public holidays. On Friday, 28th July, we observe the Darwin Show public holiday, and on Monday, 7th August, we will be closed for the Picnic Day holiday. We hope you all enjoy these well-deserved breaks.

We have a very busy term ahead, with a number or school and community events scheduled. Please refer to our school calendar, and follow our school Facebook page and SeeSaw messages to keep up to date on all things Alyangula!

Wishing you all a fun, successful and awesome Term 3!

Warm regards,

Mel Dougherty