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Ardtornish NewsletterTerm 3 Week 3 - 8th August 2025
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No 13
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In this issue
Diary Dates
August 8th - School Disco 13th - NRL Flag Tag State Carnival 18th - Book Week 21st - Sports Portfolio 7pm 22nd- Book Week Assembly 9.30am 22nd- SAPSASA Netball Carnival 27th - Zones of Regulation Parents Session, Finance Meeting 3.30pm September 2nd - Canteen Meeting 2.15pm 3rd - Grounds Meeting 4.30pm, FACE Committee 5.30pm 5th – SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY 8th - Farm Barn Excursion Receptions, Governing Council Meeting 7pm 10th- Kildare Transition 12th- SAPSASA Tennis Carnival 15th- PUPIL FREE DAY Road Crossing
Monitors Wed 13th Aug – Tue 19th Aug Alice G, Allegra F, Pippen H Wed 20th Aug – Tue 26th Aug Grace B, Matisse F, Amellia H Wed 27th Aug – Tue 2nd Sep Toby D, Aaron S, Billy H Please arrive by 8.25am |
Empowering Students to Solve Problems
Bullying No Way Week runs from Monday, August 11th to Friday, August 15th, with the theme
“Be bold. Be kind. Speak up” Bullying is everyone’s responsibility. It takes a community to be brave and address bullying behaviours, both within and beyond the school gate. Students can be bold, kind, and take a stand to support others who are being bullied, while parents and teachers are there to help children and young people learn how to behave in positive ways. In our community and in our school, we want a place where everyone belongs, a place that celebrates everyone, and where bullying is never accepted. The term bullying can be overused. Children may describe a one-off incident, such as someone kicking their ball away, as “bullying,” but while such unkind behaviour is annoying, it is not technically bullying. Bullying has a specific definition: it is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power through repeated behaviour towards another person, with the intent to cause harm. This can include repeated verbal, physical, and/or social behaviour that causes physical, social, or psychological harm. Violence is the intentional use of physical force - actual or threatened towards another person, with the intent to cause psychological or physical harm. At Ardtornish Primary School, we grow connections by explicitly teaching our school values--Be Kind, Show Respect, Aim High, Bounce Back and embedding them into our classroom practice. We reinforce these values through the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) approach, which promotes positive behaviour and helps create safe, supportive learning environments. 
Students are also taught to solve problems using our four-step “How to Handle a Problem” process:
When teaching students how to respond to bullying or other problematic behaviour, we emphasise the importance of continually reporting the problem until it stops. We encourage students to try solving problems themselves, but when they cannot, we remind them to report concerns promptly to the yard duty teacher or their classroom teacher. Recently, one of our Year 6 students told me, “One of the best things about Ardtornish is how kind everyone is, and when you are hurt or have a problem, someone is always there to help.” As a staff member and the school’s Student Wellbeing Leader, hearing that this is how our students feel makes me so happy as it shows that we are creating a supportive community and students notice it. Some of the supports we guide our students to are: Trusted Adults – at school and at home Kidshelpline – 1800 55 1800 https://kidshelpline.com.au/ eSafety - https://www.esafety.gov.au/ The Carly Ryan Foundation - https://www.carlyryanfoundation.com/ Mrs Natalie Hall Student Wellbeing Leader, Autism Inclusion Teacher, and Year 6 Classroom Teacher |
Canteen ROSTERTuesday 12th Estelle, Lyla
Wednesday 13th Erin R Thursday 14th Jess C Friday 15th Chris G Tuesday 19th Harper, Rylee Wednesday 20th Erin R Thursday 21st Deneice P, Tui M Friday 22nd Carol H-L 
On Friday, August 1, we celebrated Principal Appreciation Day – a special time to recognise and thank two of the most dedicated leaders in our school community: Mr Mark Hansen and Deb Pryor.
We are incredibly lucky at Ardtornish Primary School to have Mr Hansen as our long-standing Principal and Deb, our supportive and caring Deputy Principal. Together, they work hard every single day to ensure our school runs smoothly, all while encouraging students to live by our school values: Be Kind, Aim High, Show Respect, and Bounce Back. Mr Hansen is passionate about learning and is always ready to support both staff and students in literacy, maths, and all areas of the curriculum. He’s constantly researching the most effective teaching methods to help our students learn in the best possible way. His enthusiasm for learning is contagious, and many students love sharing their learning with him. One of his standout contributions has been inspiring a love of movie making at our school, where students plan, film, and edit movies to educate and entertain. Deb is always there for students, staff, and families. Her gentle and thoughtful approach makes a real difference and is deeply appreciated by everyone. Whether it's helping students navigate a challenge or supporting a family behind the scenes, Deb is committed to making sure no one is left without the support they need. It’s not unusual to see Deb at school after hours, researching ways to provide even more help to those in our community. She truly leaves no stone unturned when it comes to student and staff wellbeing. We appreciate Mr Hansen and Deb every day at Ardtornish Primary School, but we wanted to make a special acknowledgement on this day to say how much we truly value all they do. Our school is better because of you. We appreciate you, Mr Hansen and Deb! 
‘Get off that Device”
Parenting SA has developed two online training modules that provide tips and tricks for parents. These are short, interactive activities that provide new ways of tackling common parenting struggles. Below we are featuring the 'Get off that device!!!' scenario. https://parenting.sa.gov.au/parent-information-and-support/scenarios 
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2026 Enrolments
We are looking at predicted student numbers for next year. Accurate enrolment details are needed so we can determine numbers for our classes. Therefore, if your family is considering moving, or you know of someone moving into our area it is important that you let us know as soon as possible. If you have a younger sibling to start next year or middle of next year and you haven't completed an expression of interest form yet, please come in and speak to the front office staff. 
Overdue notices have been sent out to parents to help keep student borrowing up to date. These reminders are a helpful way for families to track which books are still outstanding and ensure they are returned promptly.
Returning overdue items allows students to continue borrowing new books and keeps our library collection circulating fairly for all. We appreciate your support in helping students develop responsible borrowing habits and a love of reading. 
NAPLAN Reports
NAPLAN Reports for Year's 3 & 5 have arrived and can be collected from the front office by a parent or carer. If you would like your child to bring it home you can send a text message to the school mobile 0447467152, giving permission for your child to take it home. Medication in Schools
Department for Education policy on Administering Medication in schools is: * All medication that needs to be administered in school is required to be accompanied with a completed Medication Authority form, which is to be filled out by the Doctor. * Medication must be within the expiry date of the product and delivered in the original container; with the label from the pharmacy, that has the child’s name on it. * If self - administering, a completed Medication Authority form still needs to be completed by the Doctor. * All medical plans need to be updated every year. 
School Canteen News!
Our winter warmer combo – tomato soup, cheesy garlic bread & pizza bites was a sell out this week for only $2.50! Don’t miss out next time. Recess Specials change daily to weekly. They are always $2.50. 
Be Prepared to Join Scouts!
Come and Try – 3 visits for FREE Northridge Para Vista Scout Group Kentish Green, Warren Road, Para Vista Joeys (5-8 Yr’s old) – Tuesday Nights – 6.00pm – 7.00pm Contact: Gary Powell (Group Leader) – 0481 354 800 Email: [email protected] www.sa.scouts.com.au |
Last week, room 19 took part in a fantastic series of swimming safety lessons, and what a week it was! The students showed great enthusiasm as they built their water confidence and learnt vital skills to stay safe in and around the water.
Throughout the program, we explored a wide range of water safety techniques. The students practised survival skills, developed strong swimming techniques, and even learned how to assist others in emergency situations. There was a strong focus on endurance and fitness too, helping everyone to build strength and stamina in the pool. The dance swim was a clear favourite by all towards the end of the week, as a reward for all of their focus and determination.
It was impressive to see how quickly the students gained confidence, worked together, and supported one another during the lessons. These important life skills will help keep our young swimmers safer and more capable in the water – now and in the future.
Well done to everyone for their effort, resilience, and positive attitude during the week!
Throughout the program, we explored a wide range of water safety techniques. The students practised survival skills, developed strong swimming techniques, and even learned how to assist others in emergency situations. There was a strong focus on endurance and fitness too, helping everyone to build strength and stamina in the pool. The dance swim was a clear favourite by all towards the end of the week, as a reward for all of their focus and determination.
It was impressive to see how quickly the students gained confidence, worked together, and supported one another during the lessons. These important life skills will help keep our young swimmers safer and more capable in the water – now and in the future.
Well done to everyone for their effort, resilience, and positive attitude during the week!
