We would like to introduce you to Mrs Bianca Cowell who will be teaching a Year 4 class in 2020. Some information from Mrs Cowell is here:

I grew up in South Africa where I completed my initial education degree before moving to Malawi, where I taught at an international school for 12 years. During my time there, I also completed my post graduate degree in Inclusive Education and worked as an educational support teacher. This rewarding experience gave me the opportunity to work with children with varied needs and abilities while providing an inclusive classroom environment.

I moved to Australia 3 years ago with my husband, Asa, and our two children, Skyla, and Riley. As parents to a 12 year old and a 10 year old, most of our spare time is spent running around to dancing classes and competitions, and basketball and cricket matches! We have also enjoyed exploring Adelaide and surrounds and absolutely love our new home.

Over the past 3 years, I have spent time relief teaching in a few schools in the area. I have also undertaken various short-term contracts teaching across the range of the primary school. I strongly believe that my role as a teacher involves supporting students in both their academic and personal growth. I encourage students to challenge themselves, take risks and embrace failures as opportunities for learning. I am so looking forward to working with my Year 4 students next year and becoming more involved in the Flagstaff Hill R-7 school community!

We would like to introduce you to Mrs Rebecca Harrison who will be teaching a Year 6 class during Terms 1 and 2 in 2020.

Here is some information from Mrs Harrison:

I grew up in Brighton Adelaide and attended Brighton Primary and Brighton Secondary School. After completing school, I worked in Preschools for several years with my Early Years Diploma. I moved to Melbourne in 1999 and studied a four year Bachelor in Education at The University of Melbourne. After four years of study I returned to Adelaide and have gained employment in excellent schools both in public and private. I have developed a strong educational pedagogical practice. I am passionate about students asking questions, seeking challenges and using their metacognitive skills. I have participated in Numeracy projects and am a book making trainer for teachers. I am especially passionate about teaching art, history, science, technology and geography.

I have many hobbies such as walking my dog, hip hop dancing and painting. I enjoy holidays away with my family.

I have previously worked as a relief teacher at Flagstaff Hill Primary School five years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to returning in a full-time capacity in 2020.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and have a wonderful holiday. I will meet you all in the New Year.

Please follow the link on the following document to indicate if you son/daughter is interested in playing a Sapsasa sport in 2020.

Please bear in mind that most Sapsasa opportunities are for Year 6/7 students, but some (Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics are open to students 10 years or older)

[embeddoc url=”https://flagstaffhillr7school.edublogs.org/files/2019/12/Sapsasa-Opportunities-for-2020.docx” download=”all” viewer=”google” ]

We would like to introduce you to Miss Emily-Rose Turci who will be working in a Year 4 class next year.

Here is some information from Miss Turci:

I grew up living in Port Pirie, SA, moving to Adelaide to study at Flinders University to pursue my passion for teaching. I graduated in 2018 with my Bachelors degree, and have had the opportunity working as an SSO, volunteering at schools and sporting events, being an OSHC leader and teaching overseas.

Living in a sporting community, I have grown to love of all types of sport, playing hockey and netball. I also enjoy travelling, music and being outdoors.

I had been fortunate enough to have my final practicum as a pre-service teacher at Flagstaff in 2018, and since then have loved my time relief teaching at Flagstaff and surrounding areas.

I always aspire to continually challenge and encourage myself to continue to learn and develop as a teacher. I endeavour to support and encourage students, building strong relationships for students to feel confident and safe in their learning environment.

I am so excited to be teaching at Flagstaff in 2020, as a Year 4 teacher. I wish you all a safe and happy holidays!

We would like to introduce you to Miss Ally Bennett who will be teaching Year 5 next year at Flagstaff Hill R-7 School. Here is some information from Ally:

I have held a variety of teaching and student support roles at Flagstaff Hill since my final practicum in 2015 and I enjoy working in the school community. I’m looking forward to continuing my teaching journey by moving into Year 5. I find building relationships with children and their families and creating engaging learning opportunities for my students to be the most rewarding part of being a teacher.

I grew up in a big family and spent many summer holidays at the beach with my cousins. In my spare time I enjoy bouldering, Pilates, spending time with family and friends, and walking my dog, Archie. I love long road trips, indoor plants, and jigsaw puzzles.

I’m looking forward to what the new year will bring and can’t wait to hear about what my students get up to in the holidays!

Dear Parents/Carers

Whilst we have always differentiated for children with dyslexia in the classroom setting, we are looking at implementing an intervention program specifically for these students in 2020.

We have dyslexia diagnosis reports for a number of students but I wanted to ask if any parents have a diagnosis for their child which they have not yet brought to the attention of the school so that we can ensure they are considered for the intervention program.

Please email tammy.riley641@schools.sa.edu.au to provide any relevant information.

Tammy Riley
Deputy Principal

Staffing Update

• With two weeks remaining to end the school year, we are aiming to finalise our staffing allocation for 2020, in liaison with the department’s central staffing team. We very much hope to secure all of our preferred contract teachers however we are currently in a holding pattern as the staffing team finalise their end of year placement processes.
• As mentioned previously, there will be changes to our teaching staff list for 2020, with: new teacher appointments, teachers leaving / appointed to other sites and teachers increasing / decreasing their fraction of time. There will also be a number of teachers working in a part-time capacity where classes will be shared.

Class Structures / Student Placement Update

• As previously advised, we will have 25 straight year level classes in 2020 based on our projected enrolment numbers. This is an increase of 1 class from 2019.
• With this class structure in place, we are in the latter stages of placing students in classes for 2020 having received input from teachers, students and parents.
• As communicated previously and also discussed at length during the Parent Information Sessions, placing students in classes is a complex and time-consuming process.
• It is important to note that we will not be in a position to move students. Moving a student from one class to another inevitably changes the environment of multiple class groupings and for this reason, we will not be in a position to move students.
• We respectfully ask that parents / caregivers do not approach current teachers regarding class placements.
• Students will visit their new classroom, meet their 2020 teacher (if possible) and find out who their class mates will be on Monday 9th December. A letter will come home with students that day advising parents of these details.

Last day of 2019

• The last day of school is Friday 13th December and we finish 1 hour early, as per other terms, at 2:10pm

Jane Waltham
Principal

Flagstaff Hill R-7 School

Governing Council AGM
Wednesday 4^th December 2019
6:30pm
School Staff Room

All are welcome to hear an overview of the 2019 School Year & encouraged to think about joining!

Most of our current Governing Council Members only have 2 years remaining at the School so we urgently need some Parents from the younger Year Levels to join!

Governing Council meets twice a Term, in weeks 4 & 8, on a Wednesday night at 6:30pm.

Members then nominate to be on just one of the following Sub Committees:

• Parents & Friends

• Canteen

• After-Hours Sports

• Out of Hours School Care (OHSC)

 

Governing Council provides you with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the workings of the school & to be involved in discussions and the decision-making process of certain issues within our School.

Volunteering within Governing Council offers opportunities for new experiences and learning.  It also gives you the chance to build meaningful friendships with like-minded people & sets a great example for your kids to see that you are willing to give back where you can.

We always aim to keep meetings as short as possible & they are quite light hearted but still very productive!

Being on this committee is voluntary. Volunteering offers opportunities for new experiences and learning, It also gives you the chance to build meaningful (and often long lasting) friendships with like minded people. It sets a great example for your kids to see that you are willing to give back where you can.If you have any questions regarding Governing Council, please feel free to contact me via email at fhpsgoverningcouncil@gmail.com.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Narelle Hodgson
Governing Council Chairperson