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Newsletter 9 - Term 2 - Week 6 - 2022

From the Principal

The last fortnight has been very busy at Alyangula Area School with the students having the opportunity to participate in several activities and events, and a range of visitors attending our school to deliver extra curricula activities. Alongside our daily programs, we have also had VET courses commence for our older students, footy programs for our Preschoolers, a snake visit in 2/3, turtle education in Years 4+ and a choir workshop for our Senior Choir!

During Weeks 4 and 5 students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 completed four online NAPLAN tests - Writing, Reading, Language Conventions and Numeracy. We held our breath and crossed our fingers for the rain to stay away to ensure that the internet would hold up, and apart from some very minor connection disruptions, the testing period was completed with very minimal disruptions. I want to take the opportunity to congratulate the students for their participation, their effort and 'can-do' attitudes. Well done to you all. A thanks to our staff also, who assisted in the coordination and ensured that students were prepared and provided with a calm and positive testing environment.

I would also like to make mention to our Student Representative Council, who ran their very first special lunch last Friday. The SRC served up 115 student lunches! Our special lunch raised just over $800. A phenomenal effort SRC! We are calling out to our school community to contribute ideas as to how the school should spend the funds from our fundraising events. Please complete our form by clicking THIS LINK - the form will close 10am Tuesday 14th June, 2022.

Thank you to our parents who continue to show their support by attending school events such as our assemblies, fundraising events and classroom volunteers. Our students enjoy showcasing our learning, being involved in community events, and creating a harmonious atmosphere, which would not be possible without your help and support!

Today marks the beginning of Reconciliation Week, a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. This year, the National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme, “Be Brave. Make Change.” which is a challenge to all Australians to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians. We began our celebrations of Reconciliation Week with a special Assembly this morning, where we heard our guest speakers talk to us about what Reconciliation means to them as Indigenous people of Australia and watched a performance of 'Yimenda' by our Senior Choir. Our assembly concluded with a smoking ceremony on the grassed area where our school community, staff, and students walked through. Smoking ceremony is an ancient and contemporary custom among some Aboriginal Australians that involves smouldering native plants to produce smoke. This herbal smoke is believed to have both spiritual and physical cleansing properties, as well as the ability to ward off bad spirits. In line with the focus of “Be Brave. Make Change.” we challenge everyone to make change beginning with brave actions in their daily lives – where we live, work, play and socialise. Throughout the week there are many planned activities that our students will partake in as part of our commitment to Reconciliation. There are also several activities and events that are held throughout Groote Eyelandt to celebrate, to share, to make change.

Teachers are currently in the process of reviewing the learning progress of our students to write reports that will be sent home to families on Wednesday in Week 10, the 22nd of June. If you have any questions or concerns about how your child is progressing, we encourage you to make a time to have a discussion with your child's classroom teacher.

Finally, congratulations to all our award winners this week. It is so wonderful to see our students striving to achieve each day. Well done.

Have a great weekend, and in the spirit of Reconciliation -"Be Brave. Make Change!"

Award Winners

Congratulations to our award winners for weeks 5 and 6.

Alyangula Area School Athletics Carnival

Permission forms were distributed to students this week for the Inter-House athletics carnival which will be held on Thursday June 16. Please sign and return these forms to your child's classroom teacher at your earliest convenience.

Atheletics Day run down:

8:00am to 12:40pm

Transition – Year 1 classes will compete in a series of fun field events down in the Junior School area from 8:15am until lunch.

Years 2 - 12 will compete on the school oval in the traditional field events of long jump, high jump, discus, and shotput. A vortex throw and obstacle relay will round out the field events.

Students will be dismissed from school at the commencement of lunch break at 12:40pm. Please note that there will be no staff supervision of students during the afternoon.

4:00pm

Students will then be required to re-assemble at the Alyangula Town Oval for their sprint and relay events. A detailed information letter and excursion consent form will be sent home closer to the date.

A BBQ and snacks will be sold on the night by the school's Fundraising Committee.

2/3 Snake Visit

The 2/3 students were lucky to get a very special visit from Tickles the Children’s Python. Lachlan and Rachel shared some interesting facts and information about snakes. We learnt about snakes’ senses, diet, and behaviour. They also reminded us about being safe if confronted by a snake and who to call on Groote Eylandt for emergency services. Thank you to Lachlan and Rachel Barnett for a very enjoyable and informative visit.