Dernancourt School Newsletter

Thank you to the families who have informed us via our Skoolbag app that their child is not continuing their learning at Dernancourt in 2023. This information plays an important part in our class construction and placement processes.  We also use the names provided via our Skoolbag app to construct our "leaving students" power-point shown at our final assembly. 

Based on the information we have, we anticipate that we will have 311 learners with us in 2023. This will be 12 mainstream classes. After collecting friendship preferences from our learners, staff have invested a great deal of time, thought and consideration into 2023 class placement, changes and adjustments are now unable to be accommodated.

In 2023 we will have four R/1 classes, a Year 2 class, one 2/3 class, a Year 3, 3/4, a Year 4 and three 5/6 classes. We will also continue to have two Special Classes R-2 and 3-6. 

We are currently working with the Department for Education HR to ensure that we have the correct student to teacher ratios and continue to provide high quality teaching and learning programs. Not all of our contract positions have been confirmed yet. We hope that we can share teacher names soon.

This semester our 2/3 PLC have participated in 5 days of face-to-face training "Thinking Maths" at Orbis. Orbis, based at DfEs Education Development Centre, delivers exemplary professional learning for South Australian educators. 

The Thinking Maths learning has helped the PLC to build their pedagogical content knowledge and enhance their ability to design mathematics learning that engages children and expands their confidence to apply their mathematical knowledge in their learning. This program has supported the PLC to develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts using highly effective research-informed practices.

We look forward to watching you all continue to grow your professional practice and that of your colleagues as you share your learning to improve the education of all Dernancourt learners.

Congratulations Scott Barabas (P3), Rosemarie Crompton (P4), Georgina Watkins (P10) and Amelia Travis (P2).

Dear Parents and Families,

Earlier this term you would have received communication regarding Dernancourt School’s laptop program. As part of their learning, our students are utilising a range of technologies regularly.

We believe that if your child is in Years 4-6, they will benefit greatly through the purchase of a laptop to support their learning at Dernancourt School. Next year will be the third year of our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program and this provides our students with similar technology opportunities offered in other schools within our portfolio and the Department for Education.

Dernancourt School has provided access to an online ordering portal on the school’s website.

https://dernancourt.orderportal.com.au/Welcome?ofid=1765&eid=63489

If you wish to purchase your device through the school, the portal is a convenient option. However, there are other options to consider, such as JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks and Harvey Norman. You may also decide to purchase a suitable pre-owned or refurbished device.

A Windows laptop is the preferred choice, but we can also accommodate Apple MacBooks. However, Chromebooks are not supported on our network. As a guide, the following specifications are recommended:

CPU: Minimum Intel i3/AMD Ryzen 3

Memory: Minimum 4GB

Storage: Minimum 128GB SSD

Purchasing a laptop is often a considerable expense, but one that will suit your child’s needs for the remainder of primary school and into high school. This early notice is intended to give parents/caregivers a chance to budget for the purchase of a device.

There is no need to purchase any software for your child’s device, as they will have student access to the Office 365 suite of applications and the Dernancourt School Wi-Fi network.

We ask you to consider the benefits of your child/children having their own laptop to aid their learning in the classroom and at home.

Kind regards,

Dernancourt School

On Tuesday 13th December, Year 6s celebrated their life and times at our school. This was a special night as it marks the end of primary education and that in 2023 they all head off to face the new and exciting challenges of secondary school.  

The night was celebrated at BSocial with staff Year 6s and their families all in attendance. Graduation Ceremony and invitations were planned by the Graduation Committee which was made up of staff and students. They coordinated an event that was reflective of the group graduating this year, it was a great celebration. 

Our Garden Club volunteers in Week 6 were Amelie J5, Jett J6, Sujan P12 and Hiro P10. Apart from weeding, watering and learning to identify plants, students helped apply a thick layer of decorative bark to the soil surfaces in the garden to retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. The garden beds are looking very healthy with the Spring weather we have been enjoying.

In 2022, Dernancourt fielded a Kanga cricket team (term 1) and a junior cricket team (term 1 and 4, B grade, North East School district).  The junior competition is a 20/20 format played Saturday mornings at various schools.  It is a friendly competition with teams often helping each other out if short of players.  In term 4, the weather was unseasonably wet, with more matches than usual rained out.  Despite this, our core group of players was very consistent and has improved greatly over the last 2 seasons.  Strong running between wickets, increased bowling accuracy and backing up of the wicket saw the junior team undefeated in term 4.  Thank you to all the parents (Melanie, Margot, James and Chris) and Mr Ryall who have helped with coaching, scoring and umpiring over the year.  Thanks to Mr Ryall for sourcing new cricket equipment from the Gear Up Grant for Dernancourt.

VACATION CARE

• Thank you to all the families that have already booked Vacation Care for December and January. All bookings received so far have been confirmed. 

• To check your booked days, please access the Spike Child Care App via the link on your invoice or the following link (Login using the account holder's email and pin): https://demo.spike.economicoutlook.net/clients/

 Please remember the ''Priority of Access'' conditions below.

DUE DATE (Priority of Access)

• Priority of access remains for children who do not have an available guardian due to working/studying reasons until Friday 9th of December. 

• Limited places may remain after this date but you must contact OSHC directly.

• Children with an available guardian (not working or studying) may be asked to relinquish their place if we are at capacity. If so, they will be contacted by Monday the 12th by email and text.

Booking Methods

• Bookings can be made via the E-form found in the ''About'' section of Skoolbag App until 6pm Friday the 9th of December. 

• Hardcopies are available at the OSHC desk.

We remind you that overdue fees must be settled prior to attending.

All new families must enrol at the service before booking.

Regards

Tom Kibble

Dernancourt OSHC

Phone: 8369 2723

Mobile: 0401 149 495