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Dripstone Middle School Newsletter Term 1 Week 10 2021

Principal Robyn Thorpe

Dear parents and carers

Thank you to all parents and carers who attended parent teacher interviews this week. These provide an important opportunity to discuss your child's progress with their teachers. The focus is always on the progress your child is making in their learning rather than what grade they are achieving at. Parent teacher interviews are two way and allow you to share information with teachers that you feel is important. If you were unable to book an appointment, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher at any time to discuss their progress either via email or by phoning the front office.

Year 6 Transition Program

Dripstone Middle School runs a unique transition program for Year 6 students from our feeder primary schools called ‘Young Achiever Day’. As a Community of Achievers, we invite 65 Year 6 students to Dripstone for one day each term to participate in engaging, real life learning through collaborative problem solving. Students meet and work with students from different primary schools to build relationships with potential peers for 2022, build relationships with Dripstone teachers and become familiar the wide variety of exciting and hands- on learning spaces. All students had a great first Young Achiever Day last Thursday.

COMPASS online school management tool

Currently our main form of communication is via School Stream and this will continue for Term 2. Over the year we will be moving to a new online school management tool called Compass. Currently it is used to record your child’s attendance, behaviours (positive and negative) and any wellbeing concerns. In the future we will be able to use more of the functions of Compass to communicate with students and parents. This will include:

  • view student timetable and school calendar
  • view up-to-date attendance information
  • enter details of upcoming absences or explain past absences or late arrivals
  • view your child’s school report
  • make bookings for Parent Teacher Interviews
  • view a newsfeed of school announcements, alerts and updates
  • communicate by email with teachers

Attendance

Every day matters at Dripstone Middle School. Students who miss on average one day per week, equals 10 days per term, 40 days per year, or 8 weeks of learning per year. If your child is absent from school for any reason please contact Mr Laqui or the front office; or use School Stream.

Sick at school

Please encourage your child to go to the front office if they are feeling unwell. Staff in the front office are trained in first aid and will contact parents and carers to notify them if their child is unwell. Students should not contact parents/cares directly via their own personal phones. Please encourage your child to go to the front office if they are unwell. Thank you for your support.

NAPLAN Term 2

The National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will take place next term from Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 May for all Year 7 and 9 students. Tests are conducted online and adjust to how students answer questions making the test either easier or harder. This provides for a more accurate assessment of where your child is at in their learning.

We ask that parents and carers ensure that students are present on these days and arrive to school on time, well-rested and nourished. If your child will be absent during this period please contact Dr Kundu. Catch up tests will occur during the week of 17th May for students who were absent. Please see the attached information in regards to NAPLAN.

ANZAC Day Commemorative Service

Friday 23 April

This year we will commemorate ANZAC Day on Friday 23rd April at 9.45-10.30am. All students will attend a special ANZAC Day Commemoration Service in the gymnasium. The Minister of Education Mrs Moss will be in attendance with Defence personnel. Parents are welcome to join us on this occasion to remember those who have fought and died in conflict.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR DRIPSTONE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BE INVOLVED

We are currently putting the finishing touches on planning our Anzac Day Assembly next Term and are looking for individuals or families in the Dripstone community to be a part of our commemorations.

We are encouraging families to contact us to be involved in a range of ways. If you or someone close to you:

  • Served in a conflict (any time or location eg World War 2, Vietnam, Iraq, etc) or
  • Is currently or has served their country (any country, not just Australia) or
  • Has a story to share, or
  • Would like to share how you or your family commemorates ANZAC Day

Please consider contacting our commemorative team. Miss Charleen Conroy charleen.conroy@education.nt.gov.au

If you are a defence member and would be interested in giving a commemorative address, please contact us straight away. charleen.conroy@education.nt.gov.au

School Break

This Friday is the last day of Term 1. Monday 12th to Friday 16th April. School resumes again on Monday 19th April for all students.

Dripstone School Ambassadors

NT Learning Commission

Recently our school ambassadors met with students from other schools to discuss their outlooks for the 2021 school year with the NT Learning Commission. They participated in brainstorming sessions and used images to represent their ideas. The students also explained their journey so far to other schools.

Debating Round 4

Round 4 saw both Dripstone teams face off against each other. This round was extra strenuous for the students as it was their first round of impromptu debates, which meant they were given the topic on arrival and allowed one hour to prepare. Despite the time constraints and extra pressure, both teams did an exceptional job in preparing and delivering their debates to a high standard.

In what was a hotly contested debate, Dripstone Team 1 came out the victors, winning by a single point. The adjudicator garnered high praise for both teams in their ability to incorporate arguments of a highly analytical nature as well as their mature manner of speaking.

Both teams did Dripstone very proud and it was a joy to watch.

Netball Gala Day Photos

Year 8 Art

Clay Sgraffito Task

Sgraffito is a technique used in painting, pottery and glass. Year 8 Art students were tasked to design a concept and then develop hand building techniques using different tools into a work of art utilising Sgraffito.

Kayla created this beautiful oil burner from clay.

STARS Basketball Tournament

Our Dripstone Stars girls basketball team competed in a tournament recently at Marrara Indoor Stadium. They played against other Stars teams from across the Top End. The aim of the day was to have healthy, fun competition and work together as a team.

They played 7 games and were undefeated in their first 6.

Clontarf Year 7 Indoor Soccer

Recently Year 7 students from the Dripstone Clontarf Academy participated in an indoor soccer tournament against other local academies. The boys displayed some exceptional skills as well as teamwork and mateship.

Events In Our Community

When shopping at Rebel Sport, be sure to mention Dripstone Middle School. Your purchase will help raise money for sporting equipment at Dripstone.