General Information

South Australian Term Dates

Attendance

We believe that good attendance at school supports future success. Please contact the school as soon as possible when your child is absent from school so that teachers can be informed. We ask that students arrive at school after 8.30am and prior to 8.50am so they don’t interrupt learning time. Students are not allowed on site before the 8.30 bell unless booked into Out of School Hours Care.  Students who arrive after 8.50am must collect a late card from the Front Office before heading to class.  If you know you will be away for extended periods or even a few days during term please obtain an Exemption Form from the front office.  This could include family medical, family holidays or cultural reasons to name a few. If you visit the doctor with a sick child it is also beneficial to request a sickness certificate.

Emergency Contacts

At times it is important for the school to contact parents/ caregivers or other nominated emergency contacts. Please complete the emergency contact form and return it to school as soon as possible.  It is also important to let us know of any changes to this information as it occurs, especially changes to
telephone numbers eg mobiles.

Health

If your child requires specific medical support please inform the school as soon as possible. Department guidelines require a Health Support Plan to be developed in consultation with the child’s medical practitioner before medication can be used at school. Designated staff will supervise children taking this prescribed medication.

Social Media

Facebook

We encourage parents to join our closed group on Facebook to keep up to date with new  information, photos of special events and classroom activities.  Search PAWPS5700 on Facebook to find us.

School Stream

The school also invites parents to install School Stream.  To get the School Stream app go to the iTunes Store (iPhone/iPad) or Google Play (Android), search for School Stream and download the app to your phone. Make sure you allow push notifications to get the most of the app. When School Stream has finished installing, open the app, search for and select Port Augusta West Primary School.  The passcode is 1881.

Lunch orders

Lunch is from 10.40am to 11.20am. Lunch orders are currently processed by Willsden Primary School, Tuesday—Friday .  Orders can be placed in the class boxes. There is no canteen available at school during recess or lunchtimes. Our school follows the Right Bite healthy eating guidelines

Library

All students are encouraged to borrow frequently from our school library.  Students are encouraged to participate in the Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Newsletters

Newsletters are published regularly, usually on Thursday.

Assemblies

Student assemblies are generally held each fortnight, even weeks, on a Friday at 2.30pm  in the  Hall. We welcome you to come along to enjoy the fun and see the wonderful learning that is happening at school.

Instrumental Music

Instrumental music tuition (by outside providers) is available for years 5-7. For more details please contact the front office.

Swimming/Aquatics

Swimming classes are usually conducted in term 4 for our school but, may be changed to term 1 in the future.

An aquatics program is offered to Yr 6/7 students, usually in Term 1. Details will be sent home during the year.

Student Support

Children with special needs are catered for through individual learning plans. Assessment and support is provided by Guidance Officers and other specialised personnel if required. Our school has a Special Class which is accessed by students in years 3-7 from across Port Augusta. It is specifically for students identified with a learning disability that requires a Special Class  education.

School Banking

Forms to open new accounts are available from the school for Commonwealth and Beyond Bank. A representative from these banks also come to our school on a weekly basis to process any student banking.

Uniform/Dress Code

Children are expected to wear the school uniform as per the Uniform Policy. 

A Uniform Shop is operated by our Parent Club for the purchase of school uniforms.  It is currently open after school on Tuesdays.   The Uniform Shop is usually open for a day in week 0.

A prepaid, order envelope system also operates via the Front Office.  Simply collect an envelope, write your order in the grid provided, enclose your payment and hand in at the front office.  A Parent Club representative will collate your order and return it to the office for collection or, arrange for it to be delivered to your child’s classroom.

Hats

All children are expected to wear a broad-brimmed, bucket or legionnaire style hat when outside  in accordance with our Sun Smart Policy both at playtime and for outside class activities

School Bell Times

No students except Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) participants to be on grounds after this bell.

Please Note:  Children are not allowed on the school grounds before the 8:30am bell unless booked into OSHC