YAS Newsletter Term 1 Week 10 2024

Farewell from Principal Bell

Hi everyone

As I write my last newsletter to you all, my heart is full with a myriad of emotions. After being entrusted to lead our school for twelve remarkable years, the time has come for me to say goodbye and embark on a new chapter.

My learning journey, rich with growth, challenges, and triumphs, has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my professional life. From the very first day, your support, and collaboration have been the bedrock upon which we've built a learning environment where our children have been able to connect, belong and grow with pride. Together, we've weathered storms and celebrated numerous milestones, always with the best interests and future of our students at the forefront of our collective efforts. Your involvement and dedication have been instrumental in creating a supportive atmosphere that extends well beyond the classroom, for which I am eternally grateful.

I will always cherish the memories we've created together and remain a steadfast supporter of Yankalilla Area School and our community. I look forward to hearing about the school's achievements and the wonderful accomplishments of our students, whom I have had the privilege to know and serve.

In closing, I extend my heartfelt thanks for the opportunity to be a part of your lives and your children's educational journey. It has been an honour and a privilege. Let’s embrace this transition with optimism and a shared commitment to the ongoing teaching and learning of our young people. I am excited to see where the journey takes us all next, knowing that our paths may cross again in Life’s Journey.

With my deepest gratitude and warmest regards

Christine Bell

Principal

Connecting international students to Yankalilla Area School through Word of Music Wednesday.

At Yankalilla AS we are working to make connections, be it through the power of music and dance, with our WOM (World of Music) Wednesday, or by sharing learning experiences with international visitors.

Recently, we hosted the international students from Hallet Cove School. 

The Hallet Cove students shared information about their home countries, taught us some phrases of their home language, as well as the experiences of being exchange students.  YAS students were fantastic listeners and asked some really interesting questions.

Our wonderful YAS hosts, Lilly, Chloe and Christine managed to get our speakers to their correct destinations and pointed out highlights in the yard.  At the farm, Year 10 and 11 Ag experts explained the learning that happens down on the farm and in the aquaculture shed. 

Sharyn Braithwaite talked to groups of Hallet Cove students about her role caring for kangaroo joeys and the joey cuddles were a highlight for many students.

Finally, the visit was capped off with a BBQ cooked expertly by Graham Alexander and his helpers.  Our visitors enjoyed a variety of Australian favourites, including lamb chops and kangaroo. Yum!

Thank you to everyone for their support of this program, we are hoping to have another visit in the near future and are currently working on a "Making connections" mural to be displayed in our yard, which will further cement our cross-site relationship.

YAS students welcome our International Students Guests

Year 11 Child Studies Students Create Hairdressing Salon Experience for Reception Students

A few weeks ago, a group of Year 11 Child Studies students set up the hairdressing dressing salon at YAS for the Reception students. This experience assisted the Year 11 students with completing the SACE requirements of Child Studies and development in children. The Reception students had the opportunity to brush and style mannequins, and also have their own hair styled. All of the Reception students had a glorious time engaging and socialising with the Year 11s. It was an enjoyable experience for all!

Wild and Wacky Hair Adventures for Students"

Attendance Messages

Our admin staff have implemented a new system that allows us to send SMS text messages to families notifying them of an unexplained absence for their child. These texts are based on home group attendance. Please ensure that if your child arrives at school after 9am you sign them in at the front office to ensure that the correct codes are applied to their attendance for the day. If you receive a text from the school, you can also respond to the message explaining the absence.

From Wendy Lindsay - Pastoral Care Worker

Hi there,
How did you spend your Easter? Did you eat hot cross buns and (overpriced) chocolate eggs or enjoy lunch with family and friends? Perhaps you made the most of the spectacular weather and headed to the beach? Maybe your family tradition is to pack up and going camping. Whatever we each did, the four-day long weekend is something we Aussies look forward to each year.
My Easter started last Wednesday when, together with Mike and Gayle from the local churches, we hosted the annual Easter presentation ‘Dave the Easter Donkey’ to over 80 primary students. The students, all with parent consent to attend, were wonderful participants. There was storytelling, pin the tail on the donkey game, we danced to ‘Boss of the Cross’ (Colin Buchanan) and each student then left with an activity sheet and of course, a mini chocolate egg. The students were so well behaved and enthusiastic as we looked at the first Easter and the message of the cross. This message of hope that as Christian’s, we acknowledge particularly at Easter, never gets old.
Thank you to the many families that allowed your children to attend this year’s Easter presentation.  By joining in, this provides the children with the opportunity to hear the meaning behind the long weekend.

Blessings, Wendy Lindsay (PCW)

Dave the Donkey - Easter Message Snapshots

Easter Bunny Visits YAS