Settlers Farm Campus R-7 Term 2, Week 4, Thursday 21st May, 2015

DATES TO REMEMBER 22/5 YEARS 6-7 ASSEMBLY 25/5 ANN BAKER PARENT

NIGHT 1/6 YEARS 3-5 ASSEMBLY 2/6 FOOTSTEPS 3/6, 4/6 REC—YEARS 3 FOOTBALL CLINIC INSIDE THIS ISSUE PRINCIPALS REPORT THE BENEFITS OF LEARNING SIGN LANGUAGE ATTENDANCE MUSIC AND DANCE WITH ALISON NOBES DRAMA WITH TERRENCE HIGGS VISUAL ARTS WITH MARY-JANE UNIFORM UPDATE PARAFIELD GARDENS HIGH SCHOOL MORNING TEA NATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL DAY FITMAXX HEALTH

BIG THANKYOU RECONCILIATION WEEK INSERTS HOT TOPICS AT GOVERNING COUNCIL

Dear Families,

Staffing update Phil Green, who was teaching Auslan last term, has decided to terminate his contract due to family needs. We are currently looking for his replacement. Language teachers appear to be in ‘scare supply’ currently due to the new curriculum requirements. We are also exploring the option of having an external provider, with a teacher, facilitate the program. I will keep you informed of this outcome.

Scott Whelan (teacher in E01), has also needed to take leave until the end of this term for health reasons. This was a very difficult decision for Scott, as he was determined not to let the students down. We have been very lucky to have found another high caliber teacher to fulfill this contract until the end of this term. We welcome Penny Chan to E01.

Newsletter online In the last newsletter; I reported the timeline for changing from hard copy to electronic copies of the newsletter. This information will be repeated into next week’s newsletter as well. The final hardcopy will be produced for the week 6 version of the newsletter. We have had only one request in writing at this stage for a hard copy. Thank you to those parents who have begun to register for the email copy. This is proving to be a popular option. In case you missed this information last week here it is again:

This term we are moving towards our newsletter being online or by email. Hard copies will only be provided on written request. If you are content with reading our newsletter online you will need to go to www.settlersr7.sa.edu.au (our website) and then to the ‘parents’ link where our newsletters are saved. We will send out an SMS to families to inform them that the next newsletter has been saved to this page. If you wish to receive the newsletter via email then you will need to register to the email address below. Your email address will not be visible to other community members. A hardcopy of this newsletter will not be sent home after week 6’s version unless we have received written notification from you.

Over the next few weeks in our newsletter we will also be doing feature articles about curriculum. This week’s is about other languages and why they are such an important part of the curriculum. I hope that you find these informative. If there is something you would like to know more about at the school please email the link below and we will try and accommodate your request.

Governing Council email If you have concerns, questions or would like to know more about what happens at Settlers we would be happy to hear from you. As this is everyone’s business we suggest you email the Governing Council: 1851-govcouncil@lists.schools.sa.edu.au Our Governing Councillors are keen to be more in touch with our community and are endeavouring to inform you about what happens at their meetings twice per term: Based on when meetings are held, these updates are most likely to be in week 4 and 10 newsletters.

Kind regards, Tanya

Phone: 82806866 Fax: 82806403 email: 1851_admin@schools.sa.edu.au

Principal email: tanya.oshinsky301@schools.sa.edu.au

Tanya Oshinsky

Principal

Jo Sayers

Dep. Principal Students with

Special Needs

Colin Schulz Assistant

Principal

Sam

Papadopoulos and

Jason Saxby Senior Leaders

Maureen

Williams

School Counsellor

Paula

Mulholland

Kindergarten Director

Jan Hutchison

Director OSHC

How to subscribe to the newsletter mailing list for parents Send an email to the following email address: listserv@lists.schools.sa.edu.au

The subject and body of the email should be blank apart from adding the following text exactly as written to the body of the email: subscribe SFC_PARENTDL

After approximately 5 minutes you should receive an email with instructions to confirm your address by clicking on the link contained within the email.

The subscription request will then be approved by the school and the parent will receive a confirmation email once approved.

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The Benefits of Learning Sign Language

Auslan is the sign language of the Australian Deaf Community. The language evolved from sign languages brought to Australia during the 19th century. Auslan was recognised by the Australian government as a “community language other than English” from 1987. Like all other languages, it could be said that there are different ‘dialects’ as there are different sign languages used around the world that have been influenced over time by their cultures. Even in Australia the ‘dialect’ differs slightly. Despite these differences, communication between Auslan users poses little difficulty.

Like many other languages, communicating in Auslan is the reverse of how we speak in English e.g. instead of saying “the red ball” a person would sign ‘ball red’. Finger spelling is also used to represent the letters of the written alphabet and is reused as part of the natural sign system. In Australia finger spelling is done with two hands. Finger spelling is mostly used for proper nouns, names and other words that may not have a widely used sign. It can also be used for emphasis or clarification.

A number of Indigenous Australian sign languages also exist, unrelated to Auslan, such as Warlpiri Sign Language. In the USA, American Sign Language is the third most commonly used language. So why learn a language? First of all, learning a language other than English in Australian schools is a mandated part of the curriculum. In the Australian Curriculum it states:

The ability to communicate in a different language, building intercultural capability and understanding the role of language and culture in human communication.

Broadens students’ horizons to include personal, social and employment opportunities that an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world presents.

Extends ability to communicate in a variety of ways and to extend literacy repertoires.

Develops understanding of, and respect for, diversity and difference, and openness to different perspectives and experiences.

Develops understanding of how values and cultures shape world view and extends the learner’s understanding of themselves, their own heritage, values, culture and identity.

Increased communication between deaf and hearing communities, helping to maintain and share the cultural and linguistic heritage of deaf and hearing Australians.

Additional language acquired while the child is young enhances their communication skills through life! So why learn Sign Language’? Research has proven that sign language can be used to improve hearing children’s:

English vocabulary – use of language for different purposes and interests.

Reading ability – a visual language that stimulates the visual-spatial part of the brain that we also use to learn to read.

Spelling proficiency – children are more readily able to translate letters and words into the written language.

Kinaesthetic memory connection for acquiring new skills and developing small muscles necessary for writing.

Self-esteem & self-confidence – engagement and achievement.

Increased interest in books and literacy skills – reading the 3 dimensional language of sign develops visual skills for reading printed language and success leads to enjoyment.

Stimulate brain development – spoken language uses only the left hemisphere of the brain while sign language uses both

hemispheres.

Increased memory retention – learning sign language is visual, verbal and kinaesthetic all at the same time which engages students with different learning styles.

Sign language engages children in joyful, engaged and focussed learning! Settlers is a very multicultural community. How do you decide on which language you will include into the curriculum? Investigating local high schools did not provide us with any clear direction as there was a great deal of variation amongst our feeder schools. When it came time to decide on which language we would include it was a clear choice from staff, students and the governing council that we choose Auslan. Settlers’ has always prided itself on its knowledge, understanding and support of students with special needs. Over time, we have had deaf and hearing impaired students and their families, non-verbal students and selective mute students. Our trial in 2014 confirmed students’ engagement and enjoyment in learning sign language. Settlers continues to offer ‘Mother tongue’ programs for our larger community groups. Bilingualism of any languages (whether signed or spoken) is a great booster for brains. It enriches and enhances your cognitive processes: higher abstract and creative thinking, better problem solving, greater cognitive flexibility, better listening skills, greater academic achievement, and more! It also promotes cultural awareness, literacy and other intellectual benefits as indicated above.

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MUSIC AND DANCE WITH ALISON NOBES

Hello, my name is Alison Nobes and I am the Music/Dance teacher at Settlers Farm. This is my second year of teaching here at Settlers. I have always had a passion for music, enjoying it since primary school. I was part of a concert band and a rock band through my high schooling years and also had the opportunity to be a part of a community musical, Grease, where I was the lead.

I am loving being able to show the students new instruments through my weekly segment of ‘Instrument of the Week’. All of the classes really like being able to hear and see different instruments up close and even get the opportunity to play some of them.

The focus of this term is being able to play different instruments and learn some new songs to sing as well. Dance begins next term and I can’t wait to start learning and teaching new dance styles with the students.

DRAMA WITH TERRENCE HIGGS

Hi! My name is Terence Higgs and I am the Drama Teacher here at Settlers. I have always enjoyed performing and I have been acting on/off since I was very young, even from when I was in Primary School. I’ve been in high school and community productions during my life and I’m still involved in my church drama club, which I really enjoy. I am often putting on different accents in the yard for the students, and being a bit of a character (often many different characters!), so, yes, you could say I am a big ‘ham’! (actor-speak for someone who loves to perform). I bring this passion, fun and enjoyment to my role here at Settlers and I love to see students learn confidence, voice projection, characterization, teamwork and stage presence, all through the medium of Drama.

VISUAL ARTS with MARY-JANE The Visual Arts programme aims to develop student’s creativity, critical thinking, aesthetic knowledge and understanding

about arts practices, through making, painting, drawing, design and responding to artworks. Learning in and through Visual

Arts involves the development of understanding and knowledge with a direct relationship to other subjects i.e. English,

Geography, History, Mathematics and Science.

We have been looking at the

detailed work of Frederick

Hunderwesser. He uses

spirals, straight lines, curved

lines, stripes and shapes which

repeat themselves.

Jasmin, a Reception

from I03.

Star, a Reception

from I03.

Tayla, a Year 1

from D02.

Nalisa, a Year 1

from I04 shows

her work before

and after adding

the detail.

This year at Settlers Farm Campus we are focussing on improving our processes around attendance and responding to absences and lateness. We will be looking to reduce our unexplained absence rates and may also make contact with parents/caregivers regarding prolonged or repeated absences over a term. We are aware that sometimes student absences are unavoidable, however students who are regularly late or absent are at risk of alienation from education that can lead to decreased options for further pathways. We are hoping to support families so that their children can regularly and successfully be a part of our school community. Regular and timely attendance at school helps set foundations on how to build strong friendships, keeps student learning at the same pace as their peers and most importantly, it impacts on a range of choices that will be available later in life. We will continue to updated you regarding our progress and welcome any feedback. A

tten

dan

ce

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FITMAXX HEALTH "FitMaxx health and fitness would like to invite you to our adult group sessions that are now currently training at your school hall Wednesdays and Friday nights. Sign up and get 1 week FREE trial. Contact Chris on 0401523424 or cstephenspt@hotmail.com."

$20.00

$11.00

$35.00 $30.50 Please note our new prices. $26.00

$26.00

$37.00 $47.00

Due to the increase of costs from our uniform suppliers our uniform prices must go up.

PARAFIELD GARDENS HIGH SCHOOL

PARTNERSHIP SCHOOL

MORNING TEA

Wednesday the 24th of June, 2015

At Settlers Farm Campus - Staffroom

9:00 - 10:30am

TOPICS: The PGHS Journey and Open Forum

Mike George, Head of Middle School

If you can attend, please RSVP to Cherie Eadie at PGHS on

8258 9855 by Friday the 19th of June.

* Respect * Achievement * Determination *

. National Walk to School Day is on Friday 22nd May 2015.

A BIG THANK YOU to Michael (Miss Ann’s

brother) for giving Mary-Jane his meal worm farm.

Us chickens LUUUUUVVVVVVV THEM!!

Reconciliation Week

We will be celebrating Reconciliation week at Settlers Farm Campus on Wednesday 10th June. Please come and join us to celebrate the many cultures within our school. Celebrations will begin at 9:15 with a whole school assembly, followed by various activities throughout the day.