Dernancourt School Newsletter

At Dernancourt School we are very proud of the diversity of cultural backgrounds represented in our school community. As a school, we are committed to ensuring an inclusive and connected community for all.

This term week Ms Ingrid our EALD teacher, along with BSSOs Maruthi have been building our knowledge and understanding of Diwali. Classes have been learning about the festival and have been busily and creatively decorating our school with colorful floor art known as rangoli - a distinct symbol of Diwali. Rangoli are usually made with flour, dyed rice, and flowers that are shaped into various designs, with the main purpose being to feed birds and other animals, it is said that this floor art also welcomes Lakshmi into people’s homes. Our Rangoli were created with chalk on the asphalt as well as some creative adaptations for display around our school.

We have learnt some new facts including that Diwali is the most important religious festival celebrated by followers of Hinduism. It is also called Divali, Deepavali or Deepawali and is commonly referred to as the Festival of Lights.

The Festival of Lights celebrates the Hindu New Year. It is a celebration of the victory of light over darkness and the triumph of good over evil. Originally Diwali was celebrated as a harvest festival in India, but today Diwali is celebrated as the Festival of Light by Hindus all over the world. This festival is celebrated with sparklers, firecrackers and fireworks being held in many places. 

 At Diwali it is tradition to decorate and illuminate the homes, visit the local temple for prayers and share meals with families and friends. 

Staff were also treated with a special morning tea of small gifts and sweets, including many traditional Diwali foods including the delicious syrupy gulab jamun balls.

Next week we are looking forward to 44 of our 2023 Receptions joining us for the first of their three transition visits. I am sure it doesn't feel that long ago that you were the parent nervously handing your 4-year-old over to the new adventures of school. Transition families will be meeting on the front lawn on Friday mornings weeks 3-6, please join us as we welcome new and returning familes. 

As written above, we currently have 44 receptions joining us next year, over the coming weeks we will be using this number alongside our current enrolment numbers to begin constructing our 2023 classes. The enrolment numbers in each year level determines how many teachers we have. If your child is not returning to Dernancourt in 2023, we ask that you please complete the eform on skoolbag as soon as possible and he/she will not be included in our numbers or placed in a 2023 class. Families of year 6 students moving onto secondary school do not need to do this. 

The completed eforms are emailed directly to leadership and help us to ensure that we have accurate and up to date information in writing. The eforms also ensure that when schools contact us to discuss your child, we are prepared for the conversation and able to help set your child up for success at their new school.

Early in 2023 all student files are handed on to the site your child will be continuing their learning journey with.

On behalf of the Dernancourt School Community I would like to extend a warm thank you to Assunta for her work, along with Shannon, as our Term 3 leadership team. 

It was pleasing to see the planning that was discussed during hand over continue through Term 3.

I wish Assunta well as she returns to her role as Deputy Principal at East Torrens Primary.

We are a little nervous at the end of last term, and during the holidays with all the rain making our oval a little muddy and unsafe. We have been happy to see the return of some sunshine which has allowed us to mow th lawn. Fingers crossed for a few more sunny days so that we can use the oval on our new sports day date Monday 14th November 2022.   

Our Sports Day Committee have been working together to plan 2 events. Plan A - Sports Day on the oval/ yards as originally planned and Plan B in the event of more rain and a soggy oval, we will work from a modified program that will allow event to be held in other parts of the school. 

The program will be published electronically (Skoolbag and seesaw) during week 4.

We look forward to having you as part of this celebration.

To help us to create a fun and supportive event along with sunscreen we encourage our learners to wear their team colours on Sports Day. 

Parsons = Red   Short = Yellow

Ind = Blue   Packer = Green

- T-shirts (preferably sun safe with collar)

- Shorts / skorts/ leggings etc.

-socks

-your usual comfortable sports shoes, as per PE lessons.

-hats must be worn - our school bucket hats are reversible especially for Sports Day. Please order online or see Michelle at the uniform shop if a new hat is needed.

Families are also encouraged to dress as supporters and wear team colours. 

We are looking forward to having community at this event and invite you to join us for the entire day! Sausage sizzle lunch has already been already arranged via pre orders, and our BBQ Crew booked! We are also looking to book a coffee van for adults to use.

If you have any further queries, please contact or speak to class teachers. 

The Canteen has introduced some new items for this term including homemade chicken and vegetable triangles for $4.50, a fish burger with lettuce, tomato and tartare sauce for $5.50 and beef pasta is back on the menu. Special lunches are held regularly. The special "burger day" was very popular last term.

A special lunch of teriyaki chicken wings with fried rice was held today. Here is some of the comments from the students.

Mikayla P4 - I loved it. It was great.

Cooper P12 - It was tasty and good.

Jace P7 - I think it was really, really nice.

The Canteen has decided to hold another burger special on Tuesday 1st November, 2022. Orders close on Monday 31st October. Get your orders in via QKR app before 9:15am on Monday 31st October. Another special is going to be held on Thursday 3rd November. Beef Bolognaise pasta or Creamy Carbonara Pasta will be available for $4.50. Orders must be placed via QKR app before 9:15am on Wednesday 2nd November.

Sports Day Orders - The sausage sizzle orders for Sports Day have reopened. Place your orders for sausages, vegetable patties, glee drinks and jellies via the QKR app.  Orders close 9th November.