ANGASTON PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Dear Families

This email marks the end of term 3 (well almost) ready for a term 4 filled with camps, excursions, report writing, gradation, school concert etc. Term 4 also means preparation for the 2023 school year in terms of staffing, class structure, site improvement plans and  much more.

Preparation for 2023

In preparation for the 2023 school year, we will soon begin allocating students to new classes therefore it is important we have accurate numbers for students continuing at Angaston Primary School. If you are NOT returning to the school next year (not including year  6  students moving onto high school) please contact the front office ASAP. We have a number of enrolment enquiries at the moment so any additional information from current families will support us to identify exactly how many students will be returning and therefore how many classes we will need.

 Early next term class teachers and leadership will begin student class placements for 2023. If there is anything you would like us to consider when placing your child, please email me at the school on dl.0242.info@schools.sa.edu.au or phone 85642215.

Transition – Preschool to School

Congratulations to Nicole Garrett who has won the Director position at the Angaston Kindy for the next five years. We look forward to continuing our work with Nicole and her team, and particularly next term when we welcome our transitioning families during their visits to the school in preparation for Reception in 2023.

 Teaching and Learning

This term we continued our Teaching and Learning Cycle work in Writing as well as having a focus on Numeracy Teaching Sprints in relation to maths problem solving. This was an area identified from school data requiring some attention. As well Teacher Clarity in terms of Learning Intentions, Success Criteria and Feedback continued to underpin classroom practice across all curriculum areas.

 On our Pupil Free Day recently Rachel Kennedy, Numicon Consultant from SkyRocket Maths presented a four-hour workshop on Numicon Maths. Numicon is a multisensory approach that supports students to move from concrete to abstract thinking using manipulatives, communication, generalising and exploring relationships etc. It is one of many worthwhile strategies used to support the big ideas in number. We already use Numicon in the junior primary, but the middle and upper primary are keen to further their training and use the strategies in their classrooms. We will be liaising with Rachel to build our student and teacher Numicon resources, as well as access further training in 2023.

Performance Data

By now families with students in year 3 and 5 will have received NAPLAN results for 2022. Despite COVID and irregular attendance our overall school performance is positive. More details to come next term. Students’ year 1-6 have completed PAT Reading and Numeracy. Both NAPLAN and PAT data will be analysed in some detail to inform site improvement priorities for next year as well as support for individual student’s next term.

 Phonics Screen Check

Results are in for the Year 1 Phonics Screen Check. 86% of students reached the expected benchmark of 28/40. 36 students participated in the screen check with 29 students scoring between 35 and 40. Two scored between 28 and 30. Five students scored less than 28. Plans are in place to support the students who are still not at benchmark. Overall, a fantastic result reflective of our quality Junior Primary teachers and support staff.  

Kickstart – breakfast program.

The Breakfast Club is now open on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers.

Swimming Lessons – Public Holiday

The public holiday to mark the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II  impacted on swimming lessons. We are currently consulting with The Rex swimming coordinator and Greenock Creek Charters to organise our missed day. Families will be informed as soon as a date (if possible) is confirmed.

 Whole School Assembly

Congratulations to the following students who received Encouragement Awards at the week 7 and 8 whole school assembly:

 Looking forward to Sports Day on Thursday where families are welcome to attend. Fingers crossed for fine weather.

“Success is best when it’s shared.” Howard Schultz

 Lynda Fitzpatrick-Brown

MATERIALS AND SERVICES CHARGES 2023

A copy of the proposed Materials and Services Charges for 2023 is included in this Newsletter. The Prescribed amount which is the legally recoverable amount set out in Regulation 81 of the Education and Children’s Services Regulations is $269, the proposed charge is $319, which includes a voluntary (non-legally recoverable) payment of $50. The 2023 Materials and Services Charges will be discussed and approved at our next Governing Council meeting, Tuesday 1st November 2022 at 7:00pm at Angaston Primary School. If you would like to be a part of this discussion or have any concerns about our charges, please attend this meeting.

Alternatively, if you are unable to attend this meeting, you can express your views in writing to the Chairperson of the Governing Council prior to the meeting.

 Room On Wednesday of week 7, we welcomed Stefani Traeger from the Barossa German Langauge Association. Frau Traeger spoke to upper primary students about her experiences in Germany, in particular visiting Berlin before the fall of the Berlin Wall. This linked into our current learning on Tag der deutschen Einheit (Day of Germany Unity), which is held every year on the 3rd October. Upper primary students have been working on posters which describe this day – why it is significant and how it is celebrated. Middle primary students have been researching particular aspects of Germany – language, well-known people, school and Christmas for example. Our junior primary students have created their own mini booklets containing key words associated with the Day of German Unity. We are looking forward to celebrating German Day at school on Friday of week 9. SLC Mentors have been busy preparing fun recess and lunch activities, and we hope to see students in German colours and/or traditional dress.

Alles Gute,

Frau Shields    

Well done to our Year 5/6 Angaston PS Boys and Girls Basketball Teams who on Friday 9th September participated in the District Basketball Carnival against all the Barossa schools at the Rex in Tanunda. Both teams represented our school extremely well and put in fantastic performances along with a great learning experience for many and great memories with friends. A big thanks to Frau Shields and Nathan Kubisch for coaching both teams. A big thanks to parents for helping out in the basketball carnival also, much appreciated.

On Tuesday 13th September a big group of our Year 3/4 students participated in the district Hot Shots Tennis Carnival. It was a brilliant day where the students had a ball and learnt so much. It’s a great pathway for our younger students to develop their tennis skills with modified rules. Well done to all involved, everyone at Angaston PS are extremely proud of your efforts.