Dernancourt School R-7 Newsletter

We are already half way through the 2021 school year. It is amazing how quickly we have arrived here.

It is at this time of the year that we stop and notice how far each of our learners have come. As part of our Leadership roles, Anita & I have read the written reports of all 370 of our learners between us. We have appreciated the opportunity to read the story of each individual journey.  We hope that families enjoy reading how hard each learner is working and the commitment to learning and growing as much as we did. 

Site Upgrades

During the upcoming holidays work will begin on our interior painting project. Painting will begin in the double storey building next week and will progress through all buildings in the school into Term 3. We have planned with the painters to minimize disruption to learning spaces, but some classes may need to share rooms for a short period. We will notify families, if this has any impact on drop off and collection points. 

These works will impact on our administration area during the holidays so there may be days where the office is unattended. Please call prior to coming in if you need to visit the school for any reason during the holidays. We anticipate that all painting work will be complete by week 5. 

COVID 19

As you would be aware, Australia is again in an uncertain position with outbreaks and lock downs around our country.  

If the COVID 19 situation reaches South Australia over the holidays and there are changes we will contact you using our Skoolbag app which is available via push notifications, email and our website.

Please ensure that you keep us up to date with any changes to your address and contact details to remain on our contact list. 

Happy Holidays

We wish everyone a happy, safe and relaxing break. We hope that you are able to spend some time with your child and look forward to welcoming you all back on Monday 19th July.

Mid-Year Reports will be sent home with learners this afternoon, Friday July 2nd. We hope that you are able to spend some time together with your child, reading the report and celebrating their 2021 learning achievements and plan ways to support them to achieve their semester 2 goals.

Next term we will be offering optional interviews.  Discussions will be available with class teachers or our specialist teachers (Japanese, Science & Performing Arts).

Details will be in sent out on Wednesday 21st July on how to book a discussion timeslot during week 2. 

On Wednesday 21st July (Week 1, Term 3) our phones will be part of a system wide upgraded. Telstra IP have advised us that as a result of this work our current phone system will be down from 2:00pm on that day.

Please use Skoolbag or email if you need to contact us that afternoon.

Improved phone lines should resume by 5:00pm.

On behalf of our school community I  would like to thank Pam Williams for her many years of service to our school. 

Pam has a long partnership with Dernancourt, her 3 children all attended here and Pam was an active parent volunteer, member of our Governing Council and Grounds Committee. She has worked as a TRT and had a number of short terms  contracts before applying for and winning a permanent position in 2013. Pam has created loads of memories with our youngest learners and their families, shared and created memories with staff past and present and most importantly touched the heart of many people with her warmth and acceptance. Thank you doesn't seem enough!

Pam's is looking forward to sleep ins, spending time in her garden and renovating her home. She assures us that she will stay in touch and visit regularly.

We know that Pam will find joy in her retirement and we wish her all the best as she continues on her journey.

Thank You Pam!

As a staff we came together with some invited guests to celebrate Pam's teaching  career. 

Special thanks to Adam and Jodie for coordinating this event and ensuring that we were able to congratulate Pam on a career across Northern Territory and South Australia.  We were able to share stories, laugh and shed some tears together. We all feel lucky to have been able to share a part in her teaching story, and even luckier to now be able to call her a friend rather than colleague.

While we will miss Pam, we know that she has earned this break.

On Monday 28th June,  J3 celebrated their time with Pam and Natasha, farewelling them with a Teddy Bear's Picnic. They have  also been busy making and creating gifts for their teachers to take with them. Natasha will remain on staff and will continue to see and connect with J3 learners

Next term J3 will welcome Izzy as their teacher. Izzy has been visiting and is excited to be a part of the J3 learning journey. Izzy is planning a Family Connections event  with J3 families early next term.

A big thank you to our crossing monitors - 

WEEK 1  - Zara (P12), Kelsey (P10), Jessie (P8)

WEEK 2 - Ruby (P12), Eniko (P8), Zoey (P10)

WEEK 3 - Sihang (P5), Jasmine (P12), Elisha (P4)

We appreciate you keeping our school community safe. 

 The students of Dernancourt School R-7 proudly wear our school uniform, which helps build and maintain school spirit, pride and a sense of identity and belonging. We ask that you take the opportunity over the next two weeks to ensure that your child has the appropriate uniform.

Please check that your child has navy blue track pants / leggings/ shorts/ skorts. Denim, black or logo bottoms are not permitted. Tops must be navy with optional logo. These can be long or short sleeve. Hoods are a choking hazard and not to be worn.

Only 2021 commemorative tops or regular DSR-7 jumpers are to be worn by Year 6 and 7 students.