Ardtornish Newsletter

Term 1 Week 5 - 28th February 2025
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No 3

In this issue

  • From the Principal - Unlocking Creativity: Our ‘February Film Challenge”
  • Canteen Roster
  • Help needed on Sports Day
  • Update Contact Details
  • Sports Day Cake Stall
  • Children’s Underwear Donations
  • Principal’s Award
  • Star of the Yard
  • Sports Day Information 
Diary Dates
March
2nd – Pedal Prix
3rd – SAPSASA Swimming Carnival
4th – Dance Till You Drop
6th – Sports Day
10th- PUBLIC HOLIDAY
11th -Year 6 Pool Day, Dance Till
          You Drop
12th- NAPLAN Starts
14th -Assembly 2.10pm , Dance
          Till You Drop
17th – NAPLAN – all week
18th –Festival Choir to MHS,
          Dance TIl You Drop
24th –PUPIL FREE DAY
Road Crossing
Monitors

Wed 26th Feb – Tue 4th Mar
Selios P, Xavier M, Chase P
 
Wed 5th Mar – Tue 11th Mar
Annabella R, Ahlia J, Cassidy C
 
Wed 12th Mar – Tue 18th Mar
Arrym K, Lilly I, Olive H-Z
 
Please arrive by 8.25am

Unlocking Creativity: Our ‘February Film Challenge’
Why Multimedia Skills Matter for Kids

In today’s digital world, children consume vast amounts of multimedia—videos, animations, and interactive content. But what if they could go beyond passive consumption and become creators themselves? To encourage this, Mr. Hansen is inviting students to participate in our school's first-ever ‘Filmmaking Challenge.’ This competition supports students by providing basic training in moviemaking, allowing them to storyboard, film, and edit their own stories using iPads and the iMovie app.
The competition challenges students to take on the roles of filmmaker, director, and editor, working from a storyboarded idea—either original or provided as a guide. To ensure regular lessons are not disrupted, filming is expected to take place during recess or lunch breaks. Once a storyboard is approved by Mr. Hansen, the director and filmer will be provided with an iPad and a designated location where they can collaborate with willing actors to bring their story to life.
Students are also encouraged to shoot films at home. When doing so, they are welcome to enlist parents, friends, and siblings in their creations. However, only movies filmed by students will be eligible for the competition, as the focus is on celebrating directorial and filmmaking skills rather than acting performances.
Over the past few weeks, six films have already been submitted and can be viewed on our school website. https://ardtornish.weebly.com/student-films.html  (copy and paste this address in your browser).
Educational Benefits of Learning Multimedia Skills
  1. Enhanced Communication - Creating a short film requires students to express their ideas visually and verbally. They must consider how to structure a story, use appropriate language, and convey messages effectively. These are essential communication skills.
  2. Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving - Filmmaking is a dynamic process that challenges students to think critically and problem-solve as they decide how to frame shots, edit scenes for coherence, and troubleshoot poor lighting or background noise.
  3. Collaboration & Teamwork - Successful filmmaking requires teamwork. Students work together to write scripts, assign roles, and film scenes. They learn to listen to others' ideas, compromise, and contribute to a shared vision. These are crucial life skills.
  4. Digital Literacy - In an era dominated by digital communication, knowing how to create multimedia content is as important as reading and writing. By using iMovie and iPads, students gain valuable hands-on experience.
  5. Boosting Confidence & Self-Expression - When children see their ideas come to life on screen, they gain confidence in their abilities. Filmmaking encourages self-expression and allows students to share their unique perspectives with an audience.
  6. Integration Across Subjects
    Multimedia creation blends multiple disciplines—writing (script development), art (storyboarding), technology (editing software), and even mathematics (timing and sequencing). This interdisciplinary approach makes learning more engaging and meaningful.
Encouraging children to become multimedia creators rather than just consumers empowers them with skills they can use throughout their lives. By participating in this filmmaking competition, students are developing creativity, communication, and digital literacy—all while having fun. We can’t wait to see who our first “Film-making Award” winner will be in Week 7 of this term.
Help needed for Sports Day BBQ & Cake Stall
 We are looking for some help from parent/grandparent volunteers who could help serve at the cake stall and cook the bbq  Thursday 6th March.
 
 If you could spare anytime, even 1 hour that would be greatly appreciated. Please put your name down at the front office if you are able to volunteer.
​ATTENDANCE
Thursday March 6th is an official school day and children will be expected to attend school unless, of course, they are unwell.
 
ARRIVAL
• Sports Day leaders, SRC Executives and senior students may arrive from  7.30am to help with setting up. They must report to teachers on the oval in
this case.
• School yard supervision begins at 8.35am.All students must be in the     
courtyard prior to this if they are not actively helping.
• We request all children arrive at school prior to the second bell at 8.50am 
• At 8.50am all students must be in class for administrative tasks. 
• We ask that parents wait outside the room during this time to assist us in settling the children. 
• Class teachers will take the children to the Primary Courts and assemble  them by 9.00am for Welcome, Warm-up & Team Chants led by the Sports    Day Leaders.
 
CLASS ORGANISATION
Please do not return library books or home reading books, do not bring chromebooks on Sports Day.
 
TEAM COLOURS
If possible please ensure your child is wearing house team colours.
CLOTHING
Children must wear their hats and suitable shoes while they are outside.  Please make sure children have sunscreen applied before they come to school.  Please name removable clothing.   (Tank tops are not appropriate.)
 
BEHAVIOUR
Sometimes changes in routine and excitement can have a negative effect on some children’s behaviour.  Please give us your full support in reminding the children that our normal classroom and school agreements still apply on Sports Day.  It is most important that children and parents/spectators follow all instructions given by staff members.
 
CLASSROOMS
Please note: For security reasons the classrooms will be locked at the beginning of assembly and will only be unlocked when the teacher returns to the classroom during breaks or at the end of the day. Drink bottles should be NAMED and placed in a class crate to move around with the class during the day. Primary children should bring it out for afternoon Sprints.
 
WEATHER
If wet or extremely hot weather is predicted for the day, Sports Day will be postponed.  A decision will be made prior if there is to be a change and you will be notified by a note home with your child as well as posts on Skoolbag.  If Sports Day is postponed a “normal” school day will apply.  The backup Sports Day will be advertised via Skoolbag and a notice home.
 
Please help everyone have a fun and successful day by being supportive and cheering respectfully!

Canteen ROSTER

Tuesday 4th                              Annabella, Cassiidy
Wednesday 5th                        Deb M
Thursday 6th                            SPORTS DAY Sharon D, Tui M,
                                                 Jess C, Kristen V, Deneise P
Friday 7th                                 Chris G
                       
Tuesday 11th                           Maleah
Wednesday 12th                      Anna M
Thursday 13th                          Deneice P, Tui M
Friday 14th                               Bridget R
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Donations
We are looking for donations of little girls and boys underwear. If you have any you would be able to donate to the front office it would be greatly appreciated.

Sports Day Program - 2025

8:50              Students assemble in classrooms for
                     administration tasks.
9:00              Whole school welcome, Housekeeping and
                     Team Chants in team groups on the Primary
                     Courts.
9:20              Proceed to events with teachers.
9:20              Events begin.

Adjusted Recess break.
Junior Primary Supervised Eating time 11.10 - 11.30.
Recess Break (yard duty - teacher Roster) 11:10 - 11.30.
All Sports equipment is out of bounds - Foods available to purchase as advertised.
 
11:30            Students meet at next activity.
                     Reapply sunscreen.
11:40            Tabloid events continue.
1:00              Tabloid events conclude. 
          
Teachers/classes return equipment to the back sport shed – pre-ordered food delivered.
Return to classroom and teachers supervise eating.
Canteen Open ( CASH ONLY) – hot food available NO LUNCH ORDERS TODAY.

1:10 - 1:40      Lunch Playtime
1:40                Junior primary back to class if not signed
                       out. Primary students reapply sunscreen
                       and assemble in house groups along
                       Sprint Track. Stay in house group unless
                       running.
2:00                1. Sprint Championships in year of birth
​                       groups, youngest to oldest.
                       2. Super Relay Race.
                       3. Caber Toss and Battle-axe throw.
                       4. Staff V Parents - Rope Pull.
2:50               Trophy Presentation.
2:55               Return to Class - Year 6 and any able
                      helpers pack up.
3:00               Dismissal by class teacher.
 
All Years 3 to 6 students should remain at school until 3.00pm
Foundation to Year 2 students, may be taken home by their parent/Carer once their activities are finished. Supervision will be available for all students until 3.00pm.
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