Newsletter 11 - Term 2 - Week 10 - 2022

From the Principal

Welcome to our final Newsletter for semester 1. It is incredible to think that the first half of the year has already passed – and what a busy 1^st half it has been!!!!!

Our last couple of weeks have seen so much activity – in the classrooms, in the sporting arenas and in the community.

Firstly, our school combined some Dept of Education grant money that had been provided by the with the 3 other Archipelago schools. This enabled us to fund the employment of professional soccer and tennis coaches during the last 3 weeks. The students appear to have thoroughly enjoyed their sessions and I know the coaches were very complimentary about the organization, behaviour, and skills that the students demonstrated throughout the program. I have no doubt that similar sessions will be planned in the future.

One of the wonderful highlights of the last fortnight was our annual School Athletics carnival. It was an amazing atmosphere in which the students tried their hardest in every event and displayed the highest level of sportsmanship. Whilst there was certainly a strong spirit of competition, it was great to see the congratulations passed on to competitors from both teams. The cheering, led by our House Captains, further encouraged the athletes, and the large number of families and friends who joined us at the Town Oval added to a really positive community feeling. I would like to thank Mr Molnar and Mrs Allwood who were the key organizers of the respective age events, all of our other staff and volunteers who assisted with the large number of field and track events and our food and drinks sellers. Thanks to everyone who came and supported the event, congratulations to all students and, of course, congratulations to the Scorpions Team for their big win over the Redbacks.

Next term, we shall be commencing an afternoon preschool group. In readiness for this, our preschool staff held an orientation program for the new students and their families this week. It was great to see the enthusiasm of the students and their eagerness to come to preschool as the start of their schooling experience.

Whilst focusing on the preschool, on Wednesday morning, our current students thoroughly enjoyed their lesson with a Yoga instructor. The students were very attentive, well-behaved, and carefully attempted all of the different movements and exercises. 

On Wednesday, all students should have received their end-of-semester school reports. I know that teachers ensured that they had the necessary evidence to support the different ratings for each student and I hope that families found them to be useful and easy to understand. Of course, if you have any queries at all, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher after the holiday break.

Earlier this week, some of our older students participated in a Barista VET course in our commercial kitchen. The training was delivered by Charles Darwin University and the staff who had the opportunity to sample some of the brews were very impressed. We are hopeful that the students will now be able to practise their new skills by setting up a regular serving window (for families, staff, and visitors to purchase coffees and toasties) from the kitchen at the times of our fortnightly assemblies.

During the previous week, another group of students completed a Construction VET course at the school. The students valued another highly practical and motivating course which concluded in the trade Training Centre at Angurugu School.

Our Senior Choir has been offered a wonderful opportunity to participate in the well-known BEAT Festival in Darwin in September. The Festival draws together students from schools throughout the NT and performs to packed audiences over two nights. Led by Ms Peta Bartley, the choir will continue with their training and receive a visit from an NT School of Music staff member after the break. Miss Peta and the choir students (and their siblings) have worked hard to raise some much-needed funds to put towards the cost of the trip. Their car wash was very profitable last weekend and raised almost $800. We have also received some generous donations from community organisations. I know it will be a wonderful experience for everyone.

The relocation of a couple of families has led to a vacant School Captain position and a Redbacks House Captain position. I would like to congratulate Suphatcha Promsu on her elevation to the School Captain role and Amelie Randall to the Redbacks House Captain role. Both of the students are highly respected within our school community. I am confident that they will uphold the values of our school and prove to be outstanding role models for our students.

It is with mixed emotions that I need to confirm that my role as acting Principal at Alyangula Area School has come to an end. After my initial 3-week appointment to the school, I was asked if I could return for term two. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to everyone who has helped me to become familiar with the priorities, opportunities, routines, and expectations of the school. I have thoroughly enjoyed my work at the school, and I hope that I have contributed satisfactorily to the ongoing improvement of such a wonderful learning environment. I know that, by identifying and small number of people, I risk omitting others. However, I must give special thanks to Miss Mel, our Assistant Principal. I believe that Mel and I have worked well as a team and I have truly appreciated her knowledge of the school, her positive outlook when things have been a bit tough and her willingness to take on any extra challenges when they arise. Thanks Mel!

Everything about Alyangula Area School is so positive – the kids, families, School Council members, staff, the grounds and so much more. I have been privileged to have had the opportunity to be part of your school and I wish everyone all the very best for the future.

Finally, and most importantly, I am pleased to let all families know that Miss Mel will step into the role as acting Principal for semester two. We are in the process of recruiting staff members to backfill Miss Mel’s position and, along with Miss Georgia (our Senior Teacher), and all other staff, the school will be in “great hands”.

Stay well, stay safe and have a great holiday!!!!

Mr Bert

Athletics 2022

Last Thursday saw another hotly contested between the Redbacks and Scorpions as they battled each other in athletics. Redbacks were hoping to get the double after winning the swimming carnival in Term 1 and the Scorpions were equally as determined to extend their sequence on the athletics shield.

The field events were held on the school oval and in the Junior Primary area, and there was a great deal of excitement and lots of fun being enjoyed by the kids as they went through their events. The town oval provided a beautiful backdrop for the track events and another glorious golden Groote sunset combined with the evening lighting was particularly amazing.

The kids worked their way through sprints and relay races with the pre-school races being a real highlight.

At the end of the evening, it was once again, the Scorpions team who got to cheer loudest as they were announced the 2022 winners. Congratulations to the Scorpions, but it was a tremendous effort from all the kids who gave their very best, epitomising the spirit of sport, fair play and giving it their best efforts regardless of whether they came first or last.

A big thank you goes out to the parents who volunteered to assist the teachers with running events. Your support is invaluable and makes for a better day for the kids.

The next major sport event will be the Colour Fun Run which will be held on the town oval on August 5. An information letter and excursion consent form will be sent out closer to the date.

Peter Molnar

Farewell - Holly & Morganne

From the Front Office

Miss Kyleigh is currently on leave, please be patient during this time as Olivia is running the office on her own. 

If you are interested in a temporary administration position, please email Mel at mel.dougherty@education.nt.gov.au

Award Winners

REMINDER - TERM 3, WEEK 1

Preschool Yoga



Senior Choir - Car Wash

Miss Peta and the choir students (and their parents & siblings) have worked hard to raise some much-needed funds to put towards the cost of the trip. Their car wash was very profitable last weekend and raised almost $800. We have also received some generous donations from community organisations.