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Upcoming Events: Monday 4th February

4:30 p.m. DMC

Tuesday 12th February Welcome Night

Term 1 Home Planner and

Canteen Menu were sent home on the first day of school.

We are starting the year with 564 students. Students and families new to Moonta Area School this year include: Norton Lyons, Tom and William van Reit, Elliot Frearson, Dylan Scott, Maddison Kerr, Jade Robertson, Hamza, Kainat and Umar Ayaz, Josh Connor, Michael Eden, Ellie Dwight, Shylee and Tamika Farr, Kai Flannigan, Chelsea and Jack Moore, Mitch Nelson, Maddy Oliver, Ayzln Panizza-Shepherd, Kane Pearson, Tayszha Penhall, Chezarae Talent, Haidee Turner (Talent), April and Zora Wilson, Aidan McWaters, Tyler, Katlyn and Marcus Moore, Phoenix Sieben, Laura Swearse, Emma-Lee Chamberlain, and Ziyu Yang. We welcome all these students and their families to Moonta Area School.

Welcome to the beginning of the 2013 school year. My name is Kirsty Amos and I have been appointed as Principal of Moonta Area School for the next 5 years. While my appointment officially started last week I have been working with school staff since late last year and have been very impressed with the quality of information, systems and commitment of all staff to achieve excellent outcomes for all in their care. My educational experience includes Middle Schooling, Behaviour and Wellbeing in various settings across the South East and High School Principal.

We welcome the following new

reception students to our school:

Ashton Boswell, Bianca Luciano, Brodie Spaeth,

Claire Ferguson, Dakota Edwards, Eliza Lawrence,

Jayla White, Kaiden Warmington,

Lilah McKenzie, Mia Riddle,

Monique McGinley, Peta Polgreen,

Peyton Bagshaw, Pia Millman, and

Rori Spaeth.

My latest position was as Principal of Penola High School where we focussed on Literacy Learning and striving for personal excellence in all that we involved ourselves. Previous to this I was the Inclusion and Wellbeing Manager at the District Office of Education, based in Mount Gambier. The responsibilities of this position included things such as support for teaching staff across the district, training and development for educational leaders, crisis management, policy development, and support for students and their families when they were dealing with difficult life events. This term I intend to use the following personal values to guide my work in leading the school. Commitment Collaboration Communication Commitment means an absolute dedication to achieving the best possible learning outcomes for each and every student at Moonta Area School. A commitment to nurturing, supporting and appropriately challenging, so that each individual will thrive at our school. Collaboration A priority for Term One will be to listen, observe and talk to people in order to celebrate our many strengths and identify areas for growth. I hope to speak with as many parents and carers as possible to gain an insight into your thoughts and ideas for further progress. Communication I am keen to meet and work with as many people connected with the school as possible. I will let people know of opportunities as they arise. As for last year, there will be a fortnightly Newsletter and I encourage you to make an appointment by calling the school if you need to talk to any staff member. In our push to look after our environment we would like to encourage those people with an email account to receive this electronically. If you would like to take advantage of this service please let your child’s class teacher know. Please look out for the newsletter as it will contain practical information but also stories of success achieved by members of the school community. The 2013 School year started formally for staff last week and people have busily been preparing engaging learning activities for students. This involved some meetings as a whole staff and some individual planning time.

Thank you to all people who have welcomed me so warmly into the Moonta Area School Community. I look forward to working with this community closely over the next five years! Sincerely, Kirsty Amos

The 2012 Year 12 results were very pleasing with the majority of the students achieving results that matched their potential. A positive attitude, excellent work ethic and good time management and organisation saw some students achieve above their expectations and it was nice to see them justly rewarded for their hard work.

The dux of our school was Blake Pedler with an ATAR score of 91.55. Bonus points pushed Blake’s ATAR over 99 which opened doors to almost any university course he wished to apply for. Blake achieved an A in all of his subjects – English, PE,

Research Project, Hospitality and Workplace Practices – an excellent effort in anyone’s language and we congratulate him for both his results and the way in which we went about his study. The pass rate for 2012 was 100% with every student attempting to complete their SACE doing so. Other students to achieve success included Alice Ackland with A’s for English and Information Processing and Publishing (IPP); Lucy Ackland with A’s for English, IPP and Research Project; Alice Raunic with A’s for English, Research project and Workplace Practices; Georgia Roach with A’s for English and Research Project; and Jacinta McPeake and Aisha Cooper, both with an A for Workplace Practices. Congratulations class of 2012. We wish you well for the future.

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Phil Ward Role this year: Teacher. Last Schools: Kadina Memorial High School, Moonta Area School (I’m baaaaccckkk!). Years Teaching: Approximately 35 years. Special Interests: Involved with Moonta Hockey Club. Anyone interested in a game give Phil a call at the school. What you are looking forward to this year in regard to teaching: Moonta Area School is a great school to be in!

Wayne Slattery Role this year: Year 7 Home group Teacher. Maths, Health, Geography and History teacher. Last Schools: This is my first school and I’m very excited to be teaching here. Years Teaching: First year. Special Interests: Football, cricket, basketball, music and outdoors. What you are looking forward to this year in regard to teaching: Building a strong rapport with students, parents and teachers within MAS and the greater community.

Bryce Ingham Role this year: R-6 Heath and Physical Education Teacher Last Schools: Andamooka Primary School. Years Teaching: 2.5 years. Special Interests: Health and fitness, basketball, football, water skiing, wakeboarding – anything active! Was also a lieutenant at the Andamooka CFS Brigade. What you are looking forward to this year in regard to teaching: Meeting and working with all the students. Seeing them set and achieve targeted health and fitness goals and hopefully having a positive influence on their lifestyles.

Moonta Area School wishes to thank Joan for her 36 years of commitment as she announces her retirement from Term Time Swimming. Her passion for teaching has seen her dedicate years to ensuring local children are taught water safety. Her gentle approach has seen the most timid child develop their skills. Joan also had the ability to recognise stronger students and was able to extend and challenge them during their lessons. Teaching swimming isn’t always an easy task especially if the weather isn’t kind or the sea lice are biting, but Joan was there everyday with a smile and enthusiasm that was infectious.

Throughout her career Joan has taught many local students and more recently their children. Joan has been a mentor to young trainee teachers and has willingly passed on her wealth of experience. It will be sad for the community to lose such a dedicated teacher. We will miss her knowledge as she moves on to the next chapter of her life and finally hanging up that white towelling hat.

Thank you Joan

Computers For Sale The school has some older computers for sale – All come with a Basic Windows XP operating system and free AVG antivirus.

$50 – 80 GB HDD, 2GB RAM, 17” Monitor – Mix n Match of Brands

$60 – 80 GB HDD, 2GB RAM, 17” Monitor – Complete set of the same brand

First in, best dressed. Limited stock.

Computers will be available as of Friday 1st February at 8:30 a.m.

from IT-EAST.

The following proposals will be discussed at the meeting to be held on Monday 4th February: Proposal One: Stage 1 + 2 OED Camp Dates Camp / Date: Year 10 Water-skiing – Tuesday 19th – Friday 22nd February, Week 4. Year 11 Windsurfing – Tuesday 2nd – Friday 5th April, Week 10. Year 10 Bushwalking – Tuesday 11th – Friday 14th June, Term 2, Week 7. Year 11 Bushwalking – Tuesday 25th – Friday 28th June, Term 2, Week 9. Year 11 Self-Reliant Expedition – Tuesday 27th – Friday 30th August, Term 3, Week 6. Proposer: K Daddow / B Schmidt Proposal Two: 2012 Junior School Captains participate in Student Voice Executive selection panel Proposal: 2 student reports (Junior School Captains if not nominating) and 1 past Student Voice Executive member participate in the selection panel and recommendations for Student Voice Executive committee. Date: Tuesday 12th February, Week 3. Proposer: J McCauley / B Schmidt Proposal Three: 3 Student Voice Executive members to participate in School Captain Interviews Proposal: Students are parts of Interview process and discussion for selecting / recommending School Captains. Date: Thursday 14th February, Week 3. Proposer: J McCauley / B Schmidt

Proposal Four: R-12 Induction Assembly Date: Wednesday 27th February, Week 5 at 8:45 a.m. for 9 a.m. start. Proposer: J McCauley / B Schmidt Proposal Five: 4 Student Voice Executive Reps to help/work with R-6 Action Group Reps on Training Day Proposal: Student Voice Executive reports to work with small groups of students with getting to know you activities team building and co-operation games and having an opportunity to develop leadership skills. Requirements from home: Water bottle, recess. Date: Friday 1st March, Week 5. Proposer: J McCauley / B Schmidt Proposal Six: R-6 Action Group Training Day (half day) Proposal: R-6 Action Group reps participate in getting to know you activities, what is leadership activities, roles of student voice, goals for Term 1/2 2013 and team building. Finish with a celebration lunch, (lunch provided). Requirements from home: Water bottle, recess. Date: Friday 1st March, Week 5. Proposer: J McCauley / B Schmidt Proposal Seven: Clean Up Australia Day Proposal: Participate in the School’s Clean Up Australia Day programme, as in previous years, school grounds and local area. This is the day after Sports Day. Date: Friday 8th March, Week 6. Proposer: M Hancock / D Richardson

It’s on again this year. When – Tuesdays (see dates below) 10:30 am for newborn – 1 year 11:15 am for 1 year old – 3 year olds Why? It’s Free Enjoy stories & singing Meet new families Develop language skills with your children from newborn to 4 years Tuesdays on the following dates: 5th February, 12th February, 19th February, 26th February, 5th March, 12th March, 19th March, 28th March (dress in Easter theme), 2nd April

ALL PARENTS:

In the event of a Catastrophic Forecast for Yorke Peninsula, our school will close. All families will receive a text message informing them of the closure.

I need to remind you all that; The decision to close is NOT ours. We are told to close as we have been categorized as an R2 site in terms of potential danger. ALL R1 and R2 sites in SA MUST close when a catastrophic forecast is given. Other schools in a catastrophic area remain open BUT no buses can run.

Please contact me at school if you need further information, 08 88 252 088.

Bruce Schmidt Assistant Principal

2013 BUSHFIRE SEASON INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES MOONTA AREA SCHOOL has a ‘high risk’ bushfire rating. This means on days of a forecast catastrophic fire danger rating, our school will be closed. School buses and taxis will not operate within the Fire Ban District.

BUSHFIRE EMERGENCY CONTACTS School number: 08 88 252 088 Please note that this number may be engaged during an emergency situation and you may not be able to get through immediately. Regional Office, Bushfire Coordinator: Joann Weckert 08 88 412 002

FOR MORE INFORMATION DECD Emergency and Crisis Management Website Department for Education and Child Development www.crisis.sa.edu.au SA Country Fire Service (CFS) Website www.cfs.org.au CFS Bushfire Information Line 1300 362 361 During days of forecast catastrophic fire danger ratings or an actual bushfire, the Parent Bushfire Information Hotline will be activated. PARENT BUSHFIRE INFORMATION HOTLINE Ph: 1800 000 279

PLEASE NOTE: Keep an eye on the school website

www.moontaas.sa.edu.au

Watch your text messages

Bushfire season can be an anxious time for children and families. Our schools and preschools in high risk bushfire areas have emergency plans, called Bushfire Action Plans, to keep everybody as safe as possible in the event of a bushfire. By being prepared, and acting now, you will help our schools and preschools to be bushfire ready and keep our children as safe as possible. Thank you for your support.

BEFORE THE BUSHFIRE SEASON Bushfire Action Plans set out the actions our schools and preschools will take to, prepare for the bushfire season and, if necessary, protect your children in a bushfire situation. We work with emergency services authorities (Country Fire Service and SA Police) to ensure that we are well prepared and in the best possible position to protect your child’s safety during a bushfire. Our schools and preschools in high risk areas must: Complete a Bushfire Safety Audit and checklist. Prepare buildings and grounds including clearing gutters,

and removing vegetation Update their Bushfire Action Plan and inform families of

changes. Practice bushfire safety drills. Ensure power-fail telephone handsets and battery

powered radios are in working order. Ask parents and carers to update their emergency contact

details.

HOW YOU CAN HELP We ask parents and carers to: Read all bushfire information provided. Talk to your children about what will happen if a bushfire

occurs when they are at school or preschool. Make sure your emergency contact details are up-to-date

with our school or preschool.

FORECAST CATASTROPHIC FIRE DANGER RATING Catastrophic fire danger rating days are days when the weather conditions mean a fire is more likely to start and be more difficult to control. When a catastrophic fire danger rating is forecast for the following day by the Bureau of Meteorology, all ‘high risk’ schools and preschools in the declared Fire Ban District will be closed. School buses and taxis services will not operate within the Fire Ban District

Parents and carers will need to make alternative arrangements for their children on these days. Schools and preschools will make every attempt to contact parents and carers to inform them that their school or preschool will be closed. Please make sure your emergency contact details are updated before the bushfire season starts.

APPROACHING BUSHFIRE If our school or preschool is open and a bushfire is approaching, the safety of children is our highest priority. The South Australian Police (SAPOL) and the Country Fire Service (CFS) will take charge if a bushfire is approaching. They recommend that in such an event, everybody should remain at their school or preschool unless instructed to do otherwise. Principals and preschool directors must comply with SAPOL and CFS instructions. If the police have not advised the school or preschool to evacuate then everyone will remain inside a designated building (Bushfire refuge) and emergency procedures will be activated. These will include:

1. Moving everybody inside, closing windows, doors, and turning off the air-conditioning.

2. Filling available containers with water. 3. If it is safe to do so and time permits turning on all

sprinklers and irrigation systems. 4. Remaining inside and activating fire drill procedures

with the children until the main fire-front passes. 5. Listening to local ABC Radio Station for bushfire up

dates and information. 6. If possible, communicating to parents that students

are moving into the Bushfire refuge.

We hope that we will never have to enact our fire drill procedures. However we are working with our school and preschool communities to be bushfire ready in the event of a bushfire emergency and trust that parents and carers will add their support.

Term 1 Home Planner –

Change of Time

MAS Sports Day – Late start on Friday

School starts at 10:50 a.m.

Home group followed by lesson 3.

PLEASE PLEASE can you support us by NOT parking in the library car park AT ALL. There are numerous parents who continue to ignore our requests re parking.

There should be NO PARENTS entering the car park from Blanche Terrace in the mornings or afternoons to drop off or pick up students. Similarly there is no access past the big “Dunes shed” off Verran Terrace. Both of these rules exist to make these areas SAFE for ALL students. If you have any questions regarding this please see me at school. Bruce Schmidt

Road Crossing Monitors – Term 1: Week 2: Nikki O’Brien,

Michaela Spaeth,Mataya Pollard Week 3: Flynn Cockshell,

Ryan Shields, Sam Barrett

1. All children feel nervous about the new school year, whether -- they are starting a new school or returning to the same school but at a new level. Be positive and optimistic about the new year but also be sensitive to your child’s genuine fears. Bullying, lack of friends, low grades, and lack of confidence are among the factors that contribute to nerves or even outright resistance. Seek help if your child seems truly scared about going to school.

2. Make sure your child has the acceptable clothes or the right, uniform. Children hate being the odd one out. Try to outfit your child in the same clothes their peer group is wearing. The middle years can be made much easier if students are equipped with the right clothing, shoes and school bag. Don’t mock your child’s choices even if you think the fashion is ridiculous or you value non conformity. Fitting in is very important to young people and will help them start school feeling happier.

3. If your child is very shy, suggest they might be able to look out for another shy student and help them settle in. This will give your child the confidence that you believe they are socially competent.

4. Show enthusiasm for your child’s new teachers rather than harking back to last year’s teachers. Always speak positively about teachers. If there are problems, speak directly to the school rather than your child.

5. Children benefit when both parents take an interest in school. Boys especially value the involvement of their fathers

6. Encourage your child to make new friends by making them welcome in your home and allowing sensible use of the telephone and emails. Try not to be over-anxious if your children don’t make friends quickly. Let them take their own time. However, do encourage them to become involved in sports, clubs and other activities both at school and out of school.

7. Try to arrange for an adult to be at home when your children arrive after school. Unsupervised children of any age are more prone to getting into trouble. They can also feel lonely or even scared at home alone. It’s a good time to have a chat and discuss the day. If you cannot arrange for someone to be in your home, perhaps your child could go to someone else’s house where there is a caring adult at home.

8. Try to keep the pressure off in the first stressful weeks but do talk about goals for the year, even with young children. Having achievable goals gives a sense of purpose. Goals can include getting books read, joining a team, learning a new skill or a musical instrument, or getting better grades in a subject. Encourage them, give them positive feedback, be their cheerleader and have confidence in them to do their best for a successful year.

Tuesday 12th February, Week 3.

Welcome Night for Parents/Caregivers of students from Reception to Year 12.

A free Sausage sizzle from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. All families are encouraged to attend.

A detailed flyer will be sent home shortly.

Moonta Area School

Canteen Menu Term 1, 2013

The canteen menu aims to provide healthy and nutritious food and drinks

consistent with the “DECD Right Bite” healthy eating guide for schools and pre-

schools and the Australian dietary Guidelines for children and adolescents.

Where possible the canteen uses reduced fat and salt ingredients such as

reduced fat cheeses and ice-creams and low fat products.

Healthy everyday food choices

Food labelled with a Fit in or are close to the green section of the right bite food and drink spectrum Choose plenty of Select carefully food choices Items without symbol are still nutritious and lower in saturated fat, but contain slightly more salt, sugar (natural or added), or less fibre then the recommended and so fit into the AMBER section of the right bite food and drink spectrum…. Items without a label= select CAREFULLY!!!!

Hot Foods Pizza Snack

Hawaiian, bacon & cheese $1.80

Chicken Burger

Roll, lettuce, tomato, cheese, mayo and a chicken fillet $4.50

Cheese burger

Beef patty, melted cheese, tomato sauce $3.50

Tender Chicken wrap $4.20

Half tender wrap with cheese and mayo $2.50

Chicken salad clam Fresh roast chicken, mixed salad & dressing in a foam clam $4.50

Fish finger salad clam Oven baked fish fingers, mixed salad & tar tare sauce $4.00 Fish fingers .60c each

Goulans .60c each

Chicken nuggets .60c each

Chicken dino snacks .60c each

Hot Dog $3.20 With sauce $3.40 With cheese and sauce $3.60

Mini chicken dino snack wrap $1.50

Mini tender wrap $2.50

Good Eating Mrs Mac Pie $3.20

Good Eating Mrs Mac Sausage Roll $2.20

Mrs Mac Pasties $3.20

Good Eating Cocktail Pie $1.20

Chicken n Corn Sausage Rolls $2.20

Hot Foods

Chicken In the garden

Fresh roast chicken, tomato, pineapple, lettuce, carrot sticks $3.00

Rooster booster

Tortilla wrap, lettuce, mayo, roast chicken $3.00

Rock slide

4 chicken balls lettuce ,cheese, carrot and mayo in a clam shell $3.50

Ray of sunshine 1/2 a damper roll, ham, pineapple, cheese $3.00

Chicken delights Tortilla wrap, lettuce, tomato, cheese, mayo and a chicken fillet $4.00

Little Jack Horner Cheese sticks, carrot sticks cucumber sticks and a yogurt dip $3.00

Under the sea Tortilla wrap, fish fingers. Sour cream, lettuce, cheese $3.00

Birds nest Lettuce, grated cheese, carrot, cucumber and 2 boiled eggs $3.00

Drinks Oak 300ml – Chocolate / Strawberry $2.00

Adams ale spring water $1.50

UHT flavoured milk 250ml Big M $2.00

Farmers Union 375ml (Chocolate or Strawberry) $2.60

Fruit juices Orange, Apple or Blackcurrant Orchy 500ml – $3.00 Orchy 250ml –$1.80 Orchy 200ml –$1.40

Ice Creams Triangles $1.00 Juices .60c each Swings $1.20

Moosies $1.20 Quiches .50c each

Gelista –$2.50 Choc / Vanilla Bean

Slushies Extra Large $3.00 Large $2.00 Small $1.00

Jelly Made all naturally. No Artificial colours $1.20

Weekly specials… Monday:

Dinos in the forest

Clam shell, lettuce, cucumber, carrot, cheese and 3 dino snacks $3.50

Tuesday:

Quiche (Bacon, Cheese, Spinach) and salad

with 300ml chocolate or strawberry Oak $5.00

Wednesday

Nachos and a 200ml Orchy juice $5.00 Hot dog and a 200ml Orchy juice $5.00

Thursday is a combo day:

Hamburger with a Orchy 200ml $5.00 Chicken burger with a Orchy 200ml $5.00

Cheese burger with a Orchy 200ml $4.50

Friday:

Chicken tenders with wedges or salad,

served with sour cream and chilli sauce $5.00 Fried rice and a strawberry or chocolate oak $4.50

Sandwiches/Rolls Sandwich Roll/Wrap Vegemite $2.00 Roast chicken $3.20 $4.00 Salad $3.00 $4.00 Egg salad $3.50 $4.00 Chicken and salad $3.50 $4.00 Savoury salad $3.20 $3.20 Ham or cheese savoury salad $3.50 $4.00 Toasted sandwiches extra .20c

Salads Small Large

Fruit salad $2.00 $3.00 Chicken salad $3.00 $4.00 Egg Salad $3.00 $4.00 Quiche / Salad $3.50 $5.00

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1 28/01

Public Holiday – Australia Day

29/01

30/01

31/01

01/02

2 04/02 4.30 DMC

05/02

06/02 Student Voice

Executive applications due

07/02

08/02

3 11/02

12/02 SVE Executive

Selection Panel

13/02

14/02 School Captain

Interviews 3.20 Canteen

Committee

15/02

4 18/02 Year 3-9 Port Power

visit 4.30 DMC

19/02

20/02

21/02 3.20 Finance

Committee

22/02

5 25/02

26/02

27/02 R-12 Induction

Assembly

28/02 Javelin

01/03 Javelin

6 04/03 4.30 DMC

600m/800m

05/03 1500/JP Long Run

06/03 7.30 Governing

Council AGM

07/03 MOONTA

SPORTS DAY

08/03 10.50 Late Start

after Sports Day

7 11/03

Public Holiday – Adelaide Cup

12/03

13/03

14/03

15/03

8 18/03 4.30 DMC

19/03 School Photos

20/03 Interschool Sports

Day

21/03

22/03

9 25/03

26/03

27/03

28/03 3.15 Canteen

Committee

29/03

Public Holiday – Good Friday

10 01/04

Public Holiday – Easter Monday

02/04

03/04 7.30 Governing

Council

04/04

05/04 R-12 Assembly

11 08/04 Mile End Athletics 4.30 DMC

09/04

10/04

11/04

12/04 2.00 Holidays

start

2013 2014 2015

Term 1 29 Jan – 12 Apr 28 Jan – 11 Apr 27 Jan – 10 Apr

Term 2 29 Apr – 5 Jul 28 Apr – 4 Jul 27 Apr – 3 Jul

Term 3 22 Jul – 27 Sep 21 Jul – 26 Sep 20 Jul – 25 Sep

Term 4 14 Oct – 13 Dec 13 Oct – 12 Dec 12 Oct – 11 Dec