Port Augusta West Primary School Term 3 week 9
Principal's Report
As we reach the end of another busy and rewarding term, we are pleased to reflect on our collective achievements and highlights as a school. Thank you to Parent Club who are planning the end of term disco next week, and I know that the students are very much looking forward to celebrating the end of another busy and successful term.
I would like to take the time to thank Jack Menzies who was acting principal in my recent absence. He has capably led the school during the past 4 weeks, and I am deeply appreciative of his positive impact. Thanks also to Paul Kalfas and Alex Maloney for their leadership; their commitment and guidance have been invaluable, with teachers and classes all continuing without interruptions.
Earlier this week on Tuesday afternoon, we had our Open Night. This saw our school share some valuable work with our families which has been happening across the classrooms over the past two terms. Connecting the Curriculum has been introduced in classrooms which allows students to be part of the learning design and become empowered to improve their engagement and learning outcomes. Connecting the Curriculum will allow teachers to foster connections to real-world problems by linking classroom learning to the community. Our classes have been working on ways to ensure that our various cultures are all feeling connected to PAWPS. It was wonderful to see the array of investigations on display and how each class has been incorporating a range of curriculum areas within their learning.
Moving forward into 2026 and beyond, Connecting the Curriculum will become a focus in our classrooms, and we can’t wait to see our students taking more control of their learning by designing tasks which lead to a deep sense of ownership and engagement. Learning will be linked to local businesses and organisations, cultural sites, and community problems, allowing our students to apply their knowledge and foster career awareness. This collaborative learning approach is in line with our site improvement plan and will build on learner agency, community engagement and collaborative learning. It is an exciting time to be in our classrooms, and I am looking forward to seeing the increased student outcomes in the coming years.
All staff will be undertaking ‘Restorative Practices’ training at our next Student Free Day on Friday the 7th of November. This is also part of our site learning plan and ties in nicely with our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) initiative. Restorative Practices are a set of strategies focused on building, maintaining and repairing relationships by addressing harm and conflict through communication and dialogue.
A reminder that broad brimmed hats are required all year round. We have some students who are not bringing hats to school and therefore will be asked to sit under the shade until they bring a hat to protect them from the sun’s harmful rays. Hats are available to purchase from the front office.
To support our working families, yard duty will commence at 8:15am each morning, in line with Breakfast Club. We ask that students are not on site before 8:15am as there is no supervision of your children.
Term 4 will be a very busy term with several events on the calendar. We will share the event calendar with you early in term 4. Wishing all our families a restful and enjoyable break and we look forward to seeing you all back for an exciting term 4.
Sarah Bury
Every Child ~ Every Classroom ~ Every Day
Connecting the Curriculum-Open Night Display
Assembly Awards
Our week 9 Assembly awards, we congratulate the pictured students below who have in some way demonstrated Respect, Resilience and positive Relationships in their classrooms and in the yard.
Blake, John Paul, Oscar, Lexy, Charli, Baylie, Murray, Aisha, Lelianna, Lake, Callie, Vicky, Alfie, Arya, Arlo.
Congratulations to Indy and Sophie on winning the 'Yearbook' competition. They were both very excited that they had designed the winning entry for the 2025 Yearbook, their last year in primary school. The students' designs were collected and SRC voted to select the winner.
Watch this space for more information regarding the '2025 Yearbook'.
Miss Aird
Classroom Chatter room 2 A
On Wednesday 10/09/2025, Room A had our class sleepover!
After school the children went home for a quick break, had a shower, and packed their gear. At 5:30pm they arrived at school with their families, unpacked their things, and waited for everyone to arrive. Once everyone was ready, we headed to the gym for some games.
First, we played limbo, musical chairs, and musical statues. Everyone was cheering and laughing - it was so much fun! Then they played celebrity heads, which had everyone guessing and giggling. After all the fun games, we ate delicious pizza for dinner.
Back in the classroom we piled into Room 2A to watch ‘The Tales of Despereaux’ while enjoying ice-cream for dessert. Some children crept off to bed early, while others watched more of the movie before it was lights out. In the morning, the children woke up at 6:30am, got ready for school, and worked together to pack their belongings, and get the tables back into position.
It was such an exciting night, and everyone had a great time! A big thank you to Andrea, Mr. Menzies, Mr. Nicholls, and Kiesha for helping out on the night.
Tiarna Rigden and Nat Keeler
Classroom Chatter from 2B
On Wednesday September the 3rd at 6:20am our teacher called the roll then it was all aboard the bus for the ride to Adelaide for the Royal Adelaide Show. The bus ride was a little bit squishy, and it was pretty quiet because most were tired from having to get up early.
We had a quick stop in Lochiel for a stretch and a toilet break, then it was another hour and a bit before arriving at the Adelaide Showgrounds.
We got to go on the rides and had a quick lunch break. The rest of the day was shopping for showbags and more rides. Most of the students had a dagwood dog and a chip on a stick for lunch. Some had dumplings and sushi, also a lot had fairy floss. We enjoyed and had so much fun, thank you to the adults who came along and supervised us.
By Ella Payne
SAPSASA Athletics
The SPASASA in Adelaide was fun, although some of the equipment was worn out and not the best. The competitors from the other districts were nice and I made some friends there. I got 1st place in discus and 3rd in both shotput and high jump. It was exciting to be on the podium for my last year there and if I could, I would go again.
Ayble
On Monday, 22nd September I went to State Country Athletics Championships held at SANTOS Stadium, it is very big. I came 1st in discus, and my relay team came 2nd, in my team was Harlo, Annabelle and Zara. I had a great time and there were lots of people there. I had a great time.
Shakita
Children's University
Getting ready to Graduate!
It’s time for us to start collating our students’ hours, collecting them from the portal and passport, and adding any other evidence of learning students bring us from their different activities.
This is a time-consuming process, so we would like everyone to bring in their passport on Thursday whether it has been filled in or not. We will need to keep these at least overnight so we can get started on preparing the spreadsheet for the University. If you want them back because you have planned a few holiday activities, we should be able to get them back to you if you really need them.
We have a little more leeway in the regions than in Adelaide – although the University likes us to have our spreadsheets in by the end of Week 1 next term, we can be a bit more flexible and probably extend that time for another fortnight for students who are keen to finish, or who only have a few more hours to go. Invitations to graduate will go out around Week 3. Do not despair, if your child is keen to complete their hours but needs some guidance, come and talk to us to see how we can help.
Students who have been waiting for the winter sports season to wrap up before writing their 10-hour reflections should be ready to start those now. I have arranged paper copies of those reflections for students who prefer to do theirs that way rather than online. Don’t forget, 10 hours also count for ongoing dance, music lessons, language lessons, community volunteering or cadets, swimming lessons, art or drama involvement, ongoing cultural activities or chess. The generic reflection on the portal on the 10-hour activities page can be used for any activity that doesn’t have a specific reflection.
Finally, students who have earned the award but who will not be able to attend the Graduation Ceremony will be awarded in absentia. Their award will be collected for them by the school until they can receive it.
Jane Mount
Family & Friends
REMINDER DISCO THIS THUIRSDAY