It is hard to believe that we are almost at the midpoint of the school year. I hope everyone is keeping well and avoiding the winter cold and flu viruses that are alive and well in a school environment.

Staffing Update

Thank you to Alex Elliot for his excellent work over the last 12 weeks, replacing Hiro Yamamoto while on leave. We welcome Hiro back next week and will continue to see Alex here at Coro as a regular TRT over the next couple of terms.

Congratulations to Eve Hooper, who is expecting the birth of her second child later this year. Hallie Stewardson will move to a full-time teaching role within the class while Eve is on leave from the end of this term for the remainder of 2024.

Student and Staff Illness – COVID-19 – TRTs

We are now well into winter, which has brought with it many of the typical season ailments including COVID-19. The requirements for students and staff members who test positive for COVID-19 have been updated to align with current SA Health advice. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should not attend school until their acute symptoms have cleared, which is usually 5 to 7 days.

Parents and carers can access COVID safe measures and requirements on the Education website.

This time of year often sees staff and their family members falling ill, necessitating sick or carer’s leave. Teachers might also be away for professional development or extracurricular activities, requiring relief teachers to cover their classes. We endeavour to employ temporary relief teachers (TRTs) who are familiar to us, however, this is often challenging due to the chronic shortage of TRTs in the Adelaide region.

Finance Update – $200 discount on M and S Discount for 2025

As part of the 2024-25 State Budget, eligible families with school-aged children will receive a $200 discount per child on their public school’s materials and services charge for 2025. This is double the discount provided for 2022, 2023 and 2024. Please refer to the attached letter

Student Free Day - Literacy

Our second Student Free Day was held on Friday 7^th June and focused on Morphology. This training day supported our Literacy focus, touching base with our phonology work and delving deeper into morphology.

Morphology is the study of words and their parts. Morphemes, like prefixes, suffixes, and base words, are defined as the smallest meaningful units of meaning. Morphemes are important for phonics in both reading and spelling, as well as in vocabulary and comprehension

Linda Clune led staff through:

• A Q & A about Phonicsand how staff were tracking with the Phonology program
• What is Morphology?
  • The Three Layers of Language
  • Prefixes
  • Suffixing Rules
• Contents of a Playberry Morphology Lesson
• Demonstrated an Interactive Morphology Lesson
• Extension activities – beyond the PL Lesson

Staff had a great day, learned a lot, and gained many ‘take ways’ to use with their students.

eSafety – How to stay safe online

The eSafety Commissioner (eSafety) educates Australians about online safety risks and help is available to remove harmful content such as cyberbullying of children and young people, adult cyber abuse, image-based abuse and illegal and restricted content. Learn more about how eSafety helps Australians be safer online at eSafety.gov.au.

Support for families

Parents and carers, technology can impact your child’s wellbeing and safety. eSafety is here to help your family thrive online.

At eSafety you can find:

• Guidance on parental controls for your family. Learn how to block, filter, monitor and limit your child’s online activity
• Advice on keeping kids and young people safe online 
• Free webinars for expert tips on supporting your family’s online safety
• Assistance in investigating reports of serious online harm and removal of this content.

Reconciliation Week: Reflecting and Taking Action Together

Reconciliation Week holds a special significance for our school community, uniting us in meaningful steps towards fostering stronger relationships between First Nations peoples and all Australians. Whether through our lessons, events, or daily actions that celebrate and respect First Nations cultures, our school remains dedicated to acknowledging and supporting reconciliation.

This year's theme, "Now, More Than Ever," emphasises the ongoing commitment required for reconciliation. It serves as a reminder that reconciliation is an ongoing journey, not confined to the past.

Exciting T-Shirt Design Competition for Reconciliation Week

Students across the school poured their creativity into the Reconciliation Week T-Shirt Design Competition. We received numerous exceptional entries, each showcasing remarkable talent and thoughtfulness. Congratulations to the winners from each class, whose unique designs were printed on their very own t-shirts!

Archie RL, Falani RGN, Mimi RM, Evie 1C, Clancy 1P, Madden 1T, Charlie 2GT, Quinn 2T, Sahishnu 3/4B, Alby 3/4L, Piper 3/4M, Aria 3/4SH, Elise 5B, Asher 5T, Evy, 6BB, Lila 6J

Sea of Hands

During Reconciliation Week, our students contributed to creating the Sea of Hands, a powerful symbol of unity and reconciliation in Australia. This vibrant display saw students adding their own colourful handprints, forming designs representing both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. The Sea of Hands not only visually captivated but also symbolised our commitment to understanding, respecting, and acknowledging First Nations cultures and histories. Mitcham Council also installed Sea of Hands displays at Mitcham Memorial Library, Blackwood Library, Mitcham Community Centre, Civic Centre, Mitcham Cultural Village and Pasadena Community Centre, further amplifying the message of unity within the community.

The Junior Choir and Blackwood Reconciliation Group Reconciliation Walk

Community members joined hundreds of others at the Blackwood Reconciliation Group Reconciliation Walk on National Sorry Day, where powerful reflections from Colebrook family members highlighted the importance of acknowledging and honouring the experiences of the Stolen Generations. The event was further enriched by a smoking ceremony, a Welcome to Country by Susan Roberts, a performance by Dusty Feet Mob and music from Tony Minniecon and Ellie Lovegrove, showcasing the diverse and rich cultures of First Nations peoples.

Special thanks are extended to Mrs. Stutterd for her dedication in supporting the junior choir to perform "I am Australian" in Kaurna, English, and Auslan. We also extend our gratitude to the families of choir members for their support in ensuring their children could attend, contributing to the success of this significant occasion and reaffirming our commitment to reconciliation and unity.

OSHC Welcomed Kaurna Elder Uncle Tamaru

Our OSHC program had the honour of welcoming emerging Kaurna Elder Uncle Tamaru, who shared his rich knowledge of culture, language, and the importance of reconciliation with our children. Uncle Tamaru captivated students with an interactive and informative discussion, emphasising the significance of continuing to respect First Nations cultures. His visit was a valuable and inspiring experience for everyone involved.

Lemon Myrtle Butter Biscuits

Our Healthy Living leaders crafted delightful Lemon Myrtle Butter Biscuits, each beautifully decorated with Aboriginal symbols. These special treats were available for purchase through the canteen, and were not only a tasty delight but also a meaningful way for our students to learn about and try bush foods. 

Celebrating First Nations Stories in the Library

Our teacher librarian, Michelle O'Connell, curated an engaging and meaningful display of picture books featuring stories of First Nations people. This special collection offered students the opportunity to explore and appreciate the rich narratives, cultures, and histories of First Nations communities, encouraging learning and understanding through beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully written stories.

Reconciliation in the South

First Nations students connected with their community and culture at the Reconciliation in the South event held at Noarlunga Centre. The event featured an array of performances, including those by local kindergartens, primary schools, a DJ, and choir. A highlight for students was viewing the short films featured in this year's Nunga Screen, a festival celebrating First Nations culture, stories, and languages through film. One standout film was "Gurungatch & Mirrigan," a visually captivating portrayal of the Gundungurra creation story, depicting the epic battle between the Serpent Gurangatch and the Quoll Mirrigan. Students can view this film at home: https://studiogilay.com/work/gurungatch-mirrigan/

Kunyi’s Story

Our staff attended a community screening of "Three Names, One Woman - Kunyi's Story” hosted by Mitcham Council at Tiwu Kumangka (Blackwood Library and Community Centre). The film tells the incredible journey of Kunyi June Anne McInerney, a survivor of the Stolen Generations. Kunyi's story resonated deeply with attendees, prompting an insightful Q&A session led by Di Grigg from Blackwood Reconciliation Group. The film is available to view online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7kdR75sn7I

Celebrating Mabo Day and Learning about Eddie Koiki Mabo

On Mabo Day, our students enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to learn about Eddie Koiki Mabo and his significant contribution to Australian history. Eddie Mabo was a Torres Strait Islander whose landmark legal case led to the recognition of land rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, overturning the doctrine of terra nullius. His efforts have had a profound impact on the legal and cultural landscape of Australia, making him a pivotal figure in the fight for Indigenous land rights and justice.

In honour of Mabo Day, students in the junior primary engaged in learning the Taba Naba dance, a traditional Torres Strait Islander dance that celebrates the culture and heritage of the Torres Strait Islands. This activity not only provided a fun and interactive way for students to connect with First Nations cultures but also highlighted the importance of Eddie Mabo's legacy and the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.

We are the SRC executives, Molly, Georgia, Eli and Beau. We hold meetings every third Friday, where two representatives from each class can share thoughts, opinions and questions. On Fridays, when we don’t have SRC meetings, we discuss issues brought up in them. We try our best to solve the problems with Mrs. Todd, who helps run the meetings and leads us to conclusions.

Every term we go on excursions to extend our leadership skills and qualities. We meet with other schools and form new friendships, as well as gather ideas to improve our school. We went on an excursion to a GRIP meeting at the Entertainment Centre. They taught us the skills we need as a school leader and showed us we need to make sacrifices to help our school community grow.

The year 2 students had an exciting visit from the Sciworld planetarium this week as part of their "Out of this world" unit of inquiry into space.

Quinn – I learnt that Saturn’s rings were made out of ice and rock. I liked when the moon was coming close to us because it felt we were actually going to touch it.

Lucy – I learnt that one of the constellations was called Orion and the red dot was the place where the scorpion bit him. I liked when it was all moving around, and it went close to us and it felt like it was going to fall on us.

Saoirse - We learnt that there is only one star in our solar system, which is the sun. It is made of burning gasses.

Levi - We saw a constellation of a scorpion and the person who got stung by the scorpion was called Orion. 

Ella – I learnt that the moon is called Kakirra in the Kaurna language and I liked learning about all the planets.

Ethan - One thing I learned about the solar system is that Mars has iron in it. I think the most interesting planet is Jupiter because it has 53 moons. I am still wondering how long it would take you to get to the end of the universe. 

Lexie - I think the most interesting planet is Mars because it looks like it’s a hot colour but it’s cold. I am still wondering who was the first woman on the moon. One thing I learned about the solar system is that they put a robot on Mars. I would like to know more about Jupiter.

Rebecca - I think the most interesting planet is Uranus because it spins on its side like a ball. I would like to know more about Neptune. I am still wondering why the planets are different colours. I was surprised to learn that there’s an inner solar system and an outer solar system. I am still wondering how big the sun is. I am still wondering how many moons Uranus has.

During Term 2, the Year 5/6 students learnt about Japanese culture and language with Mr Elliott (Japanese teacher). One of Japan’s most famous cultural attractions are Japanese stalls. These Japanese stalls can be found at local Japanese festivals such as Tanabata (七夕) and Setsuban (節分).  Their unit of inquiry was to make connections between cultural practices and values and language use, such as formulaic expressions, and consider how these affect intercultural communication.

During their study, students learned how to conduct a conversation, in Japanese, between a customer and a shopkeeper, as well as understanding the elements of a Japanese stall. Students also had to research information about the cultural significance of their stall and understand the values associated with Japan’s cultural society.

Additionally, students created their own Japanese stalls for their peers to experience. This was held on June 19^th, 2024. They had many different stalls, each with its own unique Japanese banner and elements. 

‘We made our target aiming stall and learnt how to adapt to accommodate other kids. We learnt how to make a stall and prepare it. We also learnt how to talk to the kids in Japanese and how to greet them. I also enjoyed working with my friends and having fun.’ Ethan – 5T

‘I learnt how to say new things in Japanese and learnt about traditional stalls from Japan. Before, I didn’t know much about Japanese culture, but now I do. I enjoyed watching all the year 2s go up and enjoy the festival. I would love to do this task again because it was fun, and I learnt a lot of new things’ Sienna – 5B

‘I learnt about the Japanese summer festivals and what happens during it. I also learnt about the relationships between the Yen and Australian Dollars. I enjoyed making and selling stuff at the stalls. I also really enjoyed creating a Cherry Tree for my project.’ Isla & Corby – 6BB

Mrs Todd is excited… Very excited to share that she’s won three grants to bring back biodiversity!

You’ve all noticed we’ve had an inclusive and universal ramp installed during the end of 2023 and our resident native animals left, due to the removal of trees and shrubbery.  We would love to create a safe habitat for them to return.

All students will be involved, from animal surveys, to learning about indigenous plants and local flora, to creating nesting boxes and illustrating signs to teach others about what lives at our school. 

The Youth Environmental Leadership Program (YELP) and the The Environment and Tirkanthi leaders have started some planting already. 

The plan is to create a habitat for all creatures to feel safe.

Keep an eye on this space!

Sarah Todd

Science Teacher

This week, SAPSASA held a football carnival as the opening to the knockout football competition. Coro entered a boys team and a girls team.

The girls played 4 games, drawing two and losing two. They had a great day and played with good spirit but have now been eliminated from the competition.

The boys played 5 games, winning three and drawing two.

The scores were:

Coro (2) v Edwardstown (2)

Coro (5) v Colonel Light Gardens (2)

Coro (2) v Unley (1)

Coro (3) v Mitcham (1)

Coro (1) v Concordia (1)

These results ensure that the boys progress to the next round, where we will play against three other schools. The winner of that round will go through to the finals.

Well done Lily and Jett, who represented Southern Heights at the State Athletics carnival. Although neither of them managed to place, they both ran well and enjoyed the experience.

SAPSASA BOYS DISTRICT NETBALL

Sapsasa recently held trials for their SAPSASA Central Metro Boys Netball team. This team is chosen from schools across two districts. Congratulations to Logan, Evan, Oliver, Hudson, and Archer for being selected. They will be playing in the State Carnival at Netball SA Stadium later this month and we wish them all the best.

SAPSASA BOYS STATE NETBALL

Congratulations to Hudson and Archer, who have been selected to play for South Australia in the upcoming national competition, held in Victoria. An amazing achievement for these boys, who only just started learning the game last year in PE.

SAPSASA GIRLS DISTRICT NETBALL

Congratulations to Allana and Imogen for being selected for the SAPSASA Southern Heights Girls Netball team. They will be representing our district in the State Carnival at Netball SA Stadium later this month and we hope they do very well.

SAPSASA KNOCKOUT BOYS NETBALL

Last week, our boys played in another round of knockout netball. Unfortunately, they were beaten by Stella Maris and have now been eliminated from the competition. The boys played exceptionally well throughout the competition and should be very proud of their efforts.

Has anyone been to the Nilpena Ediacara National Park?

Mrs Todd has won a scholarship to attend the Flinders Ranges with eight other teachers from SA.  With the mindset of understanding geological timescale and First Nations perspectives. within the Flinders Rangers.

I’m looking forward to working with scientists in the field and bringing home some knowledge and artifacts to share with the students!

Sarah Todd

Science Teacher

Recently, on a sunny Sunday morning, Murphy and her new friend Willow (along with Jenny Tucker, Carey Greenslade and Jenni Forder) took part in the RSPCA's Million Paws Walk. Murphy and Willow kept a good pace through the beautiful Adelaide Botanic Gardens, and they enjoyed meeting many other furry, four-legged friends. They also jointly raised over $600 for the RSPCA. Top job doggos!!!