Phone: 8852 1233 Fax: 8852 1024 Email: dl.0767.info@schools.sa.edu.au Web: ww.yorketownareaschool.sa.edu.au

Diary Dates

December 13th Last day of term, 2.05pm

dismissal

Reports Home R-11

January LIBRARY HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES (as follows)

6th Movie Day – Madagascar

13th Circus Fun –

20th Circus – Griffini Show

Circus – Workshop

28th TERM 1 Starts

February 12th “Meet & Greet”

Junior School Tours

17th Governing Council AGM

March 6th YAS Sports Day

10th STUDENT FREE DAY

April 9th Student Leaders Induction

Ceremony - 1.30pm

Last Day Term 1

Reports home (7-12)

Growing Minds, Shaping Hearts, Changing Lives Issue 12 12th December

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Presentation Night Speech

Schools are about many things but at the centre of

schools is learning. Last term the Learning Expo showed

you the what, and the how of our teaching and

learning. Presentation Night is the celebration of the

success of our teaching and learning – and we are

proud of the many successes our students and staff

have had. We have worked together to improve

student achievement and this was recognized in our

external review in May this year where the review

panel stated:

“Improving student academic learning is clearly

identified as the school’s core business. A focus on

learning now drives and unites the school.”

This is a result of our focus on:

Consistent approach to the teaching of reading

and comprehension in the junior school using

the Literacy Pro program to measure

improvement.

Consistent approach to the teaching of

comprehension in the middle school using

reciprocal teaching and other comprehension

strategies.

Focusing of the conceptual understanding of

mathematics using the Big Idea in Number and

problem solving strategies.

Expanding students’ perspectives through new

experiences and subjects.

We are starting to see results – we achieved the

highest performance score for NAPLAN in the SYP area

schools and were identified in the top 10 SA schools for

NAPLAN growth.

We have also encouraged students to be more

involved in their learning and school. Students led their

learning conferences in Term 2 and we are increasing

student access to achievement data to help them set

goals for learning.

Students are also increasing their input to the newsletter (with Shane’s sizzling sub headings), the

school magazine, and leading activities – for example the Royal Flying Doctor paper plane

competition and the running of a “Bear Hunt” for the junior school in Book Week. Students are

also engaging in the community with Problem Based Learning projects, representation on the

Great Southern Ark Reference Groups, learning about biodiversity surveying and workplace

learning.

Two students have gone into immediate paid work from this:

Emma Goldsmith completed her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and is now

employed at the Yorketown Community Children’s Centre

Sarah Haylock completed her Certificate III in Educational Support and is working at YAS.

Student work is being used for school documentation, congratulations to Isobel Meyer on her

winning photo for the cover of the student journal for 2020 and congratulations to Harper

Davison for her winning design for the new Yorketown Community Library logo. Both students

receive $100 towards their schooling costs for their work.

In the sporting arena, our surf team dominated once again taking out the Open Boys, U16 Boys

and Tag Team (our team is currently in Margaret River competing in the National Junior Surfing

Titles). The SYP Girls Hockey team dominated scoring 24 goals in eight games with NO goals

scored against them. Hugo achieved Gold (Discus), Silver (Shot-put) and Bronze in the Javelin at

the INAS games in Brisbane.

Students successfully showed chickens under the mentoring of Malcolm Watters and steers as

part of the Integrated Learning subject. Students participated in the Tournament of the Minds at

Flinders University, CSIRO Virtual Work Experience (space, IT and agriculture) and Debbie

Schwartz took the SYP Band to Port Pirie to perform with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Alex

Flynn facilitated students to exhibit and sell work at the Edithburgh Art Show and unveiled the

second mural in the community library entrance “Australian Icons” which celebrated our own

Mike Parker. While we didn’t win this year, the Year 9’s produced outstanding entries for the

ANZAC Prize and we celebrated Science Week with a visit from Skywatch.

Students have had the opportunity to view the world from different perspectives by engaging in

“Generations of Change” a workshop developing understanding of racism and from being

involved in Safe Harbour, an opportunity for students to hear first-hand information on the

refugee experience and observing Remembrance Day with their community. Lisa Hendry spread

our student’s messages of peace to schools along the Camino Frances in Spain. A group of Year

9/10 students walked over 100km on the Operation Flinders exercise helping them to understand

that while we are different, we can all work together.

On the facilities front, we have freshened up the secondary classrooms, created a STEM space

and the refurbishment of the Junior School is as good as complete with more work to come in

2020 for the yard spaces.

Parent engagement has been fantastic through the active Governing Council, Parents & Friends

and Grounds Group. The canteen has become a bit of a center for these groups while they cook

and prepare lunches. It has been great to see the canteen become profitable. I would like to

congratulate the school captains who have shown commitment to their role throughout the

year. Congratulations to all of our award winners, but congratulations to all of our YAS students –

we have seen all of you grow and improve over the year and we are proud of each and every

one of you.

So all in all a great year with many successes to celebrate. In September I spoke to you about

changing the conversation. YAS is a vibrant learning community - don’t let those who are not

involved in our school tell the story – it is our story to tell, our successes to share, so tell it loudly

and celebrate our achievements.

Fiona Haselgrove

JUNIOR SCHOOL PROGRESS The Junior School is at practical completion and will be set up for students to return to their new

classes day 1 next year. The furniture will be assembled over the holidays and teachers are well

underway in moving their resources back into the building. It looks fantastic and we will welcome

anyone in for a tour on Wednesday 12th February prior to the Meet & Greet.

PRESENTATION NIGHT AWARDS Some parents have questioned why we do not notify award winners prior to the evening.

Presentation Night is a celebration to share the success of all of our students. We enjoy the

performances and the final opportunity to farewell our year 12 students and wish them well.

Keeping the awards under wraps provides anticipation and surprise – two wonderful emotions.

The evening is not just about awards and we work on the assumption that all students and

families will attend.

SRC – NEW ELECTION TIMELINE We have reviewed the SRC election timeline. The start of the year is very busy and the process is

quite rushed.

Week 1 Election of 2020 House Captains so they can organise their teams, practices

and entries for Sports Day Friday 6th March, week 6.

Week 7 Nominations for Junior School and Middle School Captains.

Week 8 Nominee speeches and elections for School Captains Friday 20th March.

Week 9 Nominations for SRC representatives, election Friday 27th March.

Week 10 Student Leaders planning day Friday 3rd April (TBC).

Week 11 Thursday 9th April 1:15 – 2pm – Student Leaders Induction. Families invited to

attend.

Last day of term, 2pm dismissal.

This allows students to get to know new students (particularly year 8’s) and discuss what good

leadership involves and prepare for elections. The nature of term 1 is that most student leadership

is around sport. The student planning day will prepare for Term 2,3 and 4. SRC representatives

could carry over into term 1 the following year until elections.

CONGRATULATIONS To Kristan Every – who has won the principal position at Currumulka Primary School. Kristan has

fulfilled a number of roles at YAS including FLO, Special Education, HASS, English and Junior

School Coordinator. She has also run the ANZAC prize helping students prepare excellent

submissions including a winning entry. It is great she is staying in the Southern Yorke Partnership.

Beth Walsh will lead the Junior School for term 1 and 2 until Erin Rose returns from maternity leave.

Elouise Fehring will lead the secondary school Year 7-12. \

OTHER STAFFING NEWS Class teachers for 2020:

R/2 Stacey Bishop 7/8A Leigh Rothe 10 Cassandra French

3/4 Margie Secker 7/8B Stephen Talbot 11 Alex Flynn

5/6 Al Murdock/

Bronwyn Jeffrey

9 Daniel Hutchings 12 Tom Buckerfield

Congratulations to Tarni Reeves who has won a position at Peterborough High School and

Shavorn Marshman who has won a position at Stansbury Primary School. At this stage we have

not found a Design & Technology teacher and will be investigating other options. Year 11/12

students who selected Design & Technology will be re-counselled at the beginning of the year.

FURNITURE We have a lot of surplus furniture including student desks and chairs. We are offering junior school

students a desk and chair if they would like to set up a work space at home. There is a range of

other furniture and towards the end of term we will be putting furniture under the shelter outside

Design & Technology and anyone is welcome to help themselves.

BYOD - 2020 Secondary – all senior students (10, 11, 12) should be bringing their own device. Students can

connect to our internet and drives. Students also get free Office 365 for up to five personal

devices. If you are looking at purchasing devices check battery life and look for 8 hours. We do

allow charges to be used but they must be electrically tested at school.

We have some older devices available to students to borrow from the library for lessons.

Middle School – we are encouraging Middle School students to BYOD. There are class laptop

trolleys but there are many advantages of using your own device. School laptops will be phased

out.

Junior School – has laptop trolleys and iPads. Students do not require their own device.

PARENT OPINION

Please share your opinions with us at the link below:

https://www.schoolsurvey.edu.au/s/agceCtvX

REMINDER - SUSTAINABILITY From the start of 2020 you will only receive a paper copy of the newsletter if you request it. We

will ask families to update email details to ensure you are getting a copy. The newsletter will

continue to be uploaded to the website.

WHOLE SCHOOL

PRESENTATION NIGHT

Major Award Winners

SENIOR SCHOOL STUDENT OF THE YEAR – Tori Haywood

CALTEX AWARD

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT OF THE YEAR – Tate Gutsche

FRASER ELLIS MEDAL

JUNIOR SCHOOL STUDENT OF THE YEAR – Ruby Barlow

YEAR 12 ACADEMIC AWARD – Sarah Haylock

SENIOR SCHOOL SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR – Hugo Taheny

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR – Corey Taylor

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR – Bailey Warren

YEAR 10 ADF LONG TAN AWARD – Sally Page

YEAR 12 ADF LONG TAN AWARD – Makayla Emery

MUSIC AWARD – Christie Starr

AGRICULTURE AWARD – Kaelah Hendry

ART AWARD – Tori Haywood

SUCCESS AWARD – Sapphira Sparnon

ROWAN RAMSAY COMMUNITY AWARD – Tarina Warren

Tarina Warren

Rowan Ramsay

Community Award

Winner

Outgoing School

Captains

Incoming School

Captains

Junior School Award Winners Year 7 – 11 Award Winners

Students of the Year Sportspersons of the Year 12

Academic

Award

Agriculture

Award ADF Long Tan Award

Winners

Music Award Dayenara

Memorial Art

Award

WE SINCERELY THANK THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR GENEROUS

DONATIONS TOWARDS STUDENT AWARDS:

Lions Club of Stansbury Dalrymple - Student of the Year Award Vouchers

Yorketown Progress Association - Year 12 Academic Award

SYP Surf & Sport - Junior Sportsperson of the Year Award

- Middle Sportsperson of the Year Award

- Senior Sportsperson of the Year Award

Mrs Meg Bilney - Music Award

C & J Page, Stumpy Springs - Agriculture Award

Mr Fraser Ellis MP - Medallion for Middle School Student

of the Year

Caltex Australia Ltd - Medallion for Senior School Student

of the Year

Rowan Ramsey - Community Award

Australian Defence Force - Long Tan Awards

Angela & Warren Murdock - Art Award

Yorketown Area School - Junior School Awards

Parents & Friends

SPONSORS Pioneer Printing

YP Agriservices

Hart Brothers

Yorketown Foodland

Aitchison Plumbing

Yorke Café

Edithburgh Hotel

M.J. Murdock Motors

District Council of Yorke Peninsula

Charles Street Hair & Beauty

Tape Electrical

Yorketown Newsagency

Warooka Progress

Yorketown Garden Nursery

Warooka Progress

John Webb & Associates

P&F RAFFLE WINNERS

1st Prize No. 4 Corey deRoos 2 nights in a Sea View Cabin for 2 adults donated by

Edithburgh Caravan Park, $30 meal voucher donated by the

Edithburgh Hotel, glass and wine basket

2nd Prize No. 437 Steven Spratt 2x 60 minute massage voucher donated by The

Meridian Rooms and a Body Shop basket.

3rd Prize No. 150 Alex Flynn 5 class yoga pass donated by Soul Blossom Yoga, plant

and pot donated byYorketown Garden Nursery, 12 Christmas

cupcakes donated by Chantel's Bakin' Good Time

4th Prize No. 5 Michelle Hobbs $60 Marion Bay Hotel/Motel voucher and wine

donated by The Yorke Hotel

5th Prize No. 135 Lynn Starr $50 voucher from Bish's Fresh Fish, glass and wine basket

6th Prize No. 153 Sally Page $50 voucher from Mobile Auto Glass and Tinting

Services

MIDDLE SCHOOL

7/8 AQUATICS

On the 5th of December the year 7/8‘s had an aquatics day at Port Vincent. On the day we had

three water activities to try; knee boarding, kayaking and wind surfing. For most people these

were new water sports to try.

Isobel said “I really enjoyed the energy and the speed of the knee boarding. The wind in my face

was very exhilarating.”

Tori agreed and said “overall the whole day was very exciting, but kayaking was my personal

favourite. While I was kayaking I was trying not to capsize, luckily I stayed afloat. Jason Wood,

however, capsized trying to retrieve his ore when he had let go of it.”

When Jason capsized the instructors showed us how to escape and help someone who had

been capsized. We were taught the 5 W’s; who, what, when, where, why.

The aquatics day was a great opportunity for students to push themselves out of their comfort

zone, and participate in activities that they had not tried before. They were able to learn new

skills, and understand the importance of water safety.

The day was a blast and I would encourage students who are participating in the future

Aquatics Day to join in and just enjoy yourself while you are there.

By Tori Savage and Isobel Meyer