THIS ISSUE

Oakbank Area School Oakbank Area School

NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER 1 February 20181 February 2018 VOL: 35 FOLIO: 01VOL: 35 FOLIO: 01

Principal’s Report Page 2 2018 Information Page 3 International Visitors Page 4 Host Families Urgently Needed Page 4 Primary News Page 5 Music Tutors Page 6 Sporting Clubs Page 6

Oakbank Area School would like to congratulate our recently

graduated Year 12 student Isaac Tinèy for receiving the 2018 Australia Day Young Citizen

of the Year Award!

Mrs Bev Bonython, Mr Robert Brooksby, Adelaide Hills Council Mayor Bill Spragg, Isaac Tinèy, Mrs Janine Tinèy, Mr Ian Tinèy and Mr Tom Frossinakis at the Australia Day Awards recently held in Stirling.

We would also like to congratulate Isaac for the distinction of being awarded the Academic

Excellence Award (Dux of Year 12) for 2017.

Well done Isaac!

www.facebook.com/oakbankas

DIARY DATES

Tues 13 Feb Student ID Photos

Thurs 15 Feb 5.45PM R to 6 Acquaintance Night

Mon 26 Feb Student Free Day

Tues 27 Feb 9am R - 6 Assembly 12.45pm Crows Visit Mon 5 Mar R to 6 Swimming Lessons (all week)

Mon 12 Mar Adelaide Cup PUBLIC HOLIDAY Thur 15 Mar 9.30 Principal’s Tour Tues 20 Mar R to 12 SPORTS DAY Mon 26 Mar Year 10 Work Experience (all week)

Tuesday 27 March 6.30pm OPEN NIGHT

Fri 30 Mar Good Friday PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Mon 2 April Easter Monday PUBLIC HOLIDAY

PRINCIPAL’S REPORTPRINCIPAL’S REPORT

WELCOME TO 2018

Welcome to the 2018 school year. It is

already shaping up to be a very busy

and exciting year at Oakbank.

I hope the festive season was enjoyable

and relaxing for you and your family. We

have grown since last year in both the

Primary and Secondary schools and I

extend a special welcome to the families

of our new students.

I’m sure that the teachers and students

will make you feel very welcome.

NEW STAFF

We have been lucky to have a number of

staff re-appointed to the school after

farewelling them last year. Sarah Hill,

Alexis Mardell and Clarissa Whiting have

returned.

They have been joined by:

Julia Bartram - Year 2/3 class

Kerensa Greenfield - Science, Maths and

Agriculture

Ashlee Pix- English, Research Project &

Home Economics.

I’m sure that everyone will make these

staff members feel welcome. As with all

staff, please don’t hesitate to contact

them if you have concerns about your

child.

Another new appointment to the school is

Marlies Van Gameren as the new

Canteen Manager.

Marlies was only appointed last Monday

but you will see the comprehensive Term

1 menu that she will be offering as an

attachment to this newsletter.

Marlies has significant experience in

catering and the retail food industry and

we look forward to her development of

the canteen and it being open five days

a week.

EARLY DISMISSAL ON

WEDNESDAYS

Parents are reminded that all students will

be dismissed at 2.25pm on Wednesdays

for 2018.

All students travelling on any Adelaide

Metro bus will need to stay in the

Resource Centre on Wednesday

afternoons until the bus arrives at 3.20pm.

To fulfil our duty of care responsibilities,

regarding our students, they will be

supervised by teaching staff whilst in the

Resource Centre.

2017 YEAR 12 RESULTS

2016 was a very successful year for our

Year 12’s. 90% of our Year 12’s passed

their South Australian Certificate of

Education.

The average ATAR was a healthy 64.3

with 84% of our students in the top 50% of

the State.

Congratulations to Isaac Tinèy who is

the 2017 Dux of Oakbank Area School

with an outstanding ATAR of 97.75.

We have invited Isaac back to an

assembly this year so that he can be

presented as Dux and address the

students. He is an inspiration in his

dedication to his studies.

THE START OF 2018

The start of the year has progressed very

smoothly with most students settled and

straight into their classes.

The Year 8 Camp is going well and I saw

some very tired but happy students

bonding with each other to form

relationships that will extend beyond their

time at school.

It was great to see their enthusiasm and

participation in the programs offered.

SCHOOL COUNCIL - AGM

The School Council Annual General

Meeting will take place on Monday 5

March at 7:00pm in the Resource Centre.

Please consider attending and showing

your support for those who give their time

to ensure the school has appropriate

governance.

SHOW TEAM

Exhibiting at the Royal Adelaide Show is

one of the highlights of the year for our

students.

The OAS Show Team had good success

last year and I hope that we can build on

this.

I’m seeking volunteers from our

community to create a group that will

help attract sponsors, develop our

uniform, provide equipment and

generally support our show team in 2018.

If you have an interest in this area and

some spare time please contact the front

office.

Good Luck for 2018.

Bruce Oerman Principal

2018 INFORMATION2018 INFORMATION

Canteen Volunteers & New Canteen Menu In 2018 we are welcoming a new Canteen Manager, Marlies Van Gameren, and

are unveiling an updated canteen menu with daily specials and a wider range of

healthy options.

We are also introducing the use of an ordering app to make the process of

ordering lunches easier for students and their families.

To support us to provide the best service possible we are seeking volunteers to

work in the canteen on a rostered basis. This could be parents, grandparents or

other interested family members. Please collect a form from the Front Office if you

are interested in becoming a 2018 canteen volunteer.

The new menu has been devised and sent out to families with this newsletter -

please note the daily specials will commence in week 3.

Carpark Parents/caregivers, PLEASE abide by the following carpark rules :

NO RIGHT HAND TURN is permitted when exiting the carpark at school pickup

time. Instead, please turn LEFT and then turn around at the CFS station or

further up the road. This ensures that everyone can exit the carpark quickly.

Please abide by the 5 kmp speed limit AT ALL TIMES.

Please DO NOT park in front of the disabled parking space as this space is used

on a daily basis.

Please DO NOT smoke in the carpark as it is illegal to smoke on any

Government site.

Communication & OAS Facebook page One of our primary focuses is to increase the amount of communications between

home and school so that everyone feels informed.

A small part of this process in reaching parents/caregivers is through the OAS

Facebook page where images and information about events are regularly posted.

This can also be a great way for grandparents and members of our community to

stay in touch with what is happening at the school. The Facebook details are on

the front page of each newsletter.

Hats A reminder that reception to Year 6 students are required to wear a hat when

outside at Recess and lunchtime - as part of our Sun Safe school policy. No Hat =

No Play.

We have a number of bucket hats or caps available for purchase at the Front

Office for $12 each.

Materials & Services Fees The 2018 Materials and Services Invoices for your child/children were sent home at

the beginning of the week with all students.

If you would like to organise a payment plan to pay off your school fees over a

period of time, please contact either Nyleta or Bron on 8398 7200 to obtain a Direct

Debit Form and commence this process.

Student Absences If your child will be absent from school, please text the Oakbank Area School SMS

Absence Text Message System 0428 937 348 (text messages only).

Please start all messages with OAS and include the child’s name, year level/class,

date and a brief reason for your child’s absence.

School Card Applications Applications for 2018 School Card are available from the Front Office.

Please note that eligible parents are required to complete an application for

School Card assistance each year.

Oakbank Area School together with the International Education Services Branch are

excited to be hosting a group of students from Thailand in 2018.

A total of 8 students (middle school) and 1 teacher will be involved in our mainstream

classrooms from the 19 March through to 13 April 2018 (last four weeks of Term 1).

The school is looking for Host Families to accommodate the students during their stay.

If you are interested, please contact John Higginson (Manager - International Student

Program) on 0419 587 444 to obtain further information.

Host Families Urgently

Wanted For International Students

Visiting OAS!

We are urgently seeking Host Families for our international students and ask that

interested families contact me on 8398 7200 or mobile 0419 587 444 to register your

interest and obtain further information.

Please note that a DCSI clearance is required in order to host an international student.

Please contact John Higginson if you require assistance in obtaining this clearance.

Home Stay Program Why not join the Homestay Program for overseas students studying at Oakbank Area

School?

Host a Homestay Student for Far Reaching Benefits If you have a spare room in your home and can host one of our overseas students, pre-

pare to go on a journey that has far reaching benefits. Because while you are providing

a safe, enriching and encouraging environment for your student, they will open up a

whole new world to you. There are varying periods of homestay (2 weeks, 1 month to 1

year).

Who can be a Homestay Host? Homestay hosts come be single, married, have a large family or be retired empty

nesters.

You’ll be supported all the way While you are responsible for your student, you will receive professional support every

step of your journey. You will be given a comprehensive briefing session by the

International Education Service (IES) as well as access to their helpful literature, website

and 24 hour phone support line. The Homestay family community will warmly welcome

you and gladly share advice and invites to their activities. You will also receive a weekly

allowance.

Prepare for a new world of discovery With an international student in your home, you can take the opportunity to learn a

different language or simply discover a new country, cuisine and way of life. By showing

your homestay student around the Adelaide Hills, you will also probably learn things

about your local area you never knew. More importantly, you will have the opportunity

to develop a life long friendship.

If you are ready to take on an exciting new world, please contact our Manager

International Program - John Higginson on 8398 7208 or 0419 587 444 or email:

John.Higginson570@schools.sa.edu.au

John Higginson Manager International Program

INTERNATIONAL VISITORSINTERNATIONAL VISITORS

Starting School Starting school is an exciting time of change for children and families. There are

many things you can do to prepare for these changes. Helping children to feel

confident and positive about school will give them a good start.

There is a lot for children to get used to when they start school. Some will adapt

more easily than others.

Parents can help children to build confidence and optimism by encouraging a

habit of positive thinking. Asking children to tell you about the good things that

happen each day helps develop this healthy habit.

Working with your school It is important for parents and teachers to work together and communicate well.

Children do best at school when their parents and teachers work together to

support them. It can help if you:

Let the teacher know if there is something happening at home that may be

affecting your child

Let them know about any health problems your child may have

Read all the school notices and reply as soon as possible

Get involved in school activities eg listening to children’s reading if you can

Talk to your child about what they are learning at school

Encourage your child to share their interest and experiences with their teacher

The first few weeks As your child settles in to school:

They may be tired at the end of the day. Don’t plan too many after-school

activities; make sure they have time to rest and for free play

They may be ‘starving’ after school. Take a healthy snack when you pick them

up. Try giving them an early dinner as they may be too tired to eat later

They may want to tell you all about their day as soon as they see you. Be

available to listen. Some children may want to relax first though

Encourage them to talk about the good things that happen at school

Make reading with them part of your daily routine. Bedtime stories are a great

way to end the day.

Some children wet their pants at school, which can embarrass them. Reassure

them that it often happens and is nothing to worry about. Encourage them to tell

the teacher if they have an accident and please pack a spare change of clothes

in their bag.

If your child is stressed Children can show stress by being tearful, not wanting to go to school or having

tummy aches or headaches.

Parents can help by encouraging them to talk about what’s worrying them, letting

them know that you are confident they can manage and asking them what they

think would help them.

If the worries continue, please talk to their teacher about the best way to help

them. (information taken from the Parenting SA guide No. 48)

PRIMARY AQUAINTANCE NIGHT

Thursday, 15 February, 2018 5:45pm to 7:30pm

5:45pm - BYO picnic tea on the lawn / Classrooms open

6:15pm - Family Scavenger Hunt Challenge

6:45pm - Teacher presentations (in each classroom) to give you all of the

information you need to set your child up for success this year

7:00pm - Information session on our new canteen app

7:15pm - Teacher presentations (repeat of the 6:45pm session)

Tracey Ward, Primary Coordinator

PRIMARY NEWSPRIMARY NEWS

MUSIC TUITION & SPORTING NOTICES MUSIC TUITION & SPORTING NOTICES

Piano Lessons ½ Hour Lessons available

during school hours.

For more info, contact Andrew Eckert

on 0410 112 658.

Onkaparinga Calisthenics Club

We pride ourselves on using age-appropriate music and choreography.

Parents – no sewing skills required.

Come and try for free! Tuesday February 6 and

Tuesday February 13, 4:30-5:30

Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall Ph 0424 440 201 or find us on

Facebook & web onkaparingacalisthenics.wordpress.com

Guitar Tutor

Affordable lessons held here at

Oakbank Area School on Mondays.

Phone Mac Petrie on 0403 539 724

for further information.