Mid Term Reflections

As we reflect on our accomplishments this term, I would like to remember the significance of ANZAC Day, and those students and families that attended the dawn services in the holidays. Anzac Day is a time when we honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served our nation. Their legacy reminds us of the values of resilience and dedication, which are essential in our own journeys.

This term we have been exploring the concept that small habits can lead to significant outcomes. By making one percent improvements over time, we can enhance our overall performance. It is essential to set goals that are realistic and attainable to foster continuous growth. I am delighted to learn that our year level team has been sharing this valuable idea with our students during assemblies. This principle has been eloquently described by James Clear in his popular book, "Atomic Habits." Clear's insights emphasize the power of making gradual changes to bring about lasting transformation. By understanding and implementing these principles, we can pave the way for continuous improvement and success in various aspects of our lives.

Whole School Events

We have had very positive feedback from attending families at our recent Achievement Assembly held earlier in the term, performances, presentations and awards were all well received.

We also had fabulous feedback from families responding to Careers Expo and Parent Conversations. Thank you to everyone for supporting this work, all staff, students, governing council volunteers and families contributed to this evening in so many ways. Your collective efforts culminated into an exceptional night: BBQ, learning conversations, friendly atmosphere and informative expo. Taste of Underdale has grown from 70 primary school students in 2023 to 350 this year. It has been an absolute pleasure to connect with students from across our community through this fabulous now two-week event.

Thank you to Cameron, who represented the Governing Council at the recent Volunteer Week event at the Ministers invitation, in the Adelaide City Centre. All our Governing Counsellors received a plant as a thank you for Volunteer Week.

Learning in Focus

Our Site Learning Plan (SLP) has a strong focus on Effective Learning, developing Metacognition, Self-Regulation and Curiosity skills.  During our recent professional learning day, we used resources from the Department of Education to dive into the Learning Pit, understand the importance of productive struggle and develop strategies for creating dialogic talk in the classroom. 

We know that dialogic talk practices within classrooms support student opportunities for oral language development. This means teachers create an environment where students can be collectively accountable to discuss and learn together. 

Learning can look very different in a future focused classroom, and I am particularly proud of the innovative ways in which our teaching staff are creating hands on learning opportunities for students in collaboration with one another. When partnering with industry leaders such as Google, Bunnings, or the MTA, students can see how their curriculum connects to real-world applications. This collaboration offers valuable insights into the relevance and practicality of what they are learning in school. By working with these industry partners, students can gain a deeper understanding of how various subjects such as math, science, arts and technology are used in the professional world. This hands-on experience helps students appreciate the importance of their education and how it can be applied in future careers. It also allows them to explore different career paths and develop essential skills that are sought after in the workforce. Overall, this interdisciplinary approach with industry partnerships enriches students' learning experiences and prepares them for success in the world of work.

Science Expo

Underdale hosted a Science Expo for the first time last week, inviting judges from industry as well as staff and students. Year 8 students completed research on topics including Biomimicry around Animal Camouflage; Fractals in Nature; Footprints that tell a story. They presented a hand-drawn science poster in a co-curricular activity developed between arts and science.

Year 9 students developed, designed, implemented and analysed data from an investigation from one of the following categories: Greener Future, Kitchen Chemistry, Consumer Science. The Expo featured all the student work, the highest graded will be entered into the Oliphant Science Awards, a statewide competition.

Uniform Reminders

As we transition into the winter season, it's important to discuss the uniform policy with students and families. For those opting to wear shorts or pants, it's necessary to have the new grey shorts or pants ordered by Term 3. The uniform pants with the school logo serve a dual purpose: they aid in easy identification of students and promote a sense of unity within the community. This ensures a consistent and cohesive appearance among students, fostering a positive school environment. If you have any questions or need assistance with ordering the uniform items, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for your cooperation in upholding our uniform standards.

Digital Presence

We are currently working with the department on a Digital Maturity Assessment, which will provide us with detail around the professional learning and resources, both human and physical, we need as a site now and into the future. We have launched a new website and a digital newsletter, which has the potential for more interaction. We know that for some families it is easier to use language translation software when our newsletter is digitised.

We appreciate your continued support. We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Arts Night. These events offer a wonderful opportunity to explore and celebrate the world of science and art. We look forward to seeing you there!