Port Augusta West Term 3 week 3
Principal's Report
Welcome to what proves to be another busy and rewarding term. The calendar is full of learning opportunities, extra and co-curricular activities as well as events to celebrate and encourage inclusiveness.
We welcome our new mid-year transition students to Port Augusta West Primary School. Pictured below is Isobel Smyth, Jye Khan, Hannah Jeromin, Jackson Horner, Scarlett Haynes, Oaklee Foulis and Naifah Quratul-ayn have all settled into their new class and appear to be transitioning to the school routines well. We also extend a warm welcome to new students Armaan and Aaliyah Rahiman and Dean Stuart who have joined our school this term.
Kate George and Tiarna Rigden are the new reception teachers for this semester and we also welcome Densey Finlay who is undertaking her final university placement through the University of South Australia in Mrs Maloney and Mr Kalfas’ yr. 1/2 class. Ms Finlay will be here from weeks 3 – 8 this term. Briah Higgins will be completing her teaching placement in Mrs Keeler and Mr Menzies class for one week this term and one week during term 3. Ms Higgins is completing her degree through the Curtin University. I am confident that the experience and knowledge provided from the teachers working with Ms Finlay and Ms Higgins, will contribute to their future successful careers in teaching. We wish them all the best with their practicum placements at PAWPS.
PHONICS SCREENING CHECK
Our Yr. 1 students will participate in the phonics screening check during weeks 3 to 6 of this term. The phonics screening check is a short assessment that tells teachers how year 1 students are progressing in phonics. Phonics is the relationship between letters and sounds. It is vital in learning to read. Teachers analyse the results and, if necessary, plan for any additional support students might need.
NAPLAN
NAPLAN reports were sent home last week. The way NAPLAN results are reported has changed. Each student’s NAPLAN report will show how they are tracking against 4 levels of achievement, known as the proficiency standards. These proficiency standards are:
-Exceeding
-Strong
-Developing
-Needs additional support
If a student’s results are in the ‘strong’ or ‘exceeding’ category, it means they have demonstrated proficiency. If a student’s results show they have not achieved proficiency, they will either be in the ‘developing’ or ‘needs additional support’ category. It’s important to remember that NAPLAN results reflect a specific point in time. They’re designed to help identify areas for students, classes and schools to focus on. They provide a great opportunity for parents and careers to also speak with teachers about how students can be supported to be their best.
Our teachers are currently reviewing the results as part of our in-school processes. If you would like to discuss your child's results, please don't hesitate to contact the class teacher.
POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING POLICY
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is a whole-school framework that promotes positive behaviour across a school and helps schools develop safe and supportive learning environments. At Port Augusta West Primary School, we ensure all students are explicitly taught the expected behaviours and establish clear and consistent boundaries. Staff take a proactive and preventative approach to ensure all students receive the appropriate level of support to help them to be successful at school. During term 2, staff reviewed the school’s behavior management policy and updated the policy to reflect the school direction of PBL. The updated policy was shared with Governing Council and approved. Some of the major changes include the introduction of a restorative and early intervention approach as opposed to the traditional punitive approach. Each class has had the opportunity to break down the new PBL policy within their classrooms and have visual representations of a flowchart in their learning spaces. Lunchtime activities have been introduced as a means of early intervention and keeping students engaged during play times. I wish to thank the Student Representative Council for planning and facilitating these activities. Below is a copy of the updated Positive Behaviour for Learning Policy as well as the visual flowchart which is displayed in each class. Consequently, the school will place more emphasis on developing positive strategies to ensure safe and caring behaviour. We will use Restorative Practices to support student behaviour development. Linked with this will be Social Skills Programs across the school that will ensure common knowledge, beliefs and skills for the students to manage their own behaviour.
CHILDREN’S UNIVERSITY CAMP
I would like to thank Dr Luca Prisciandaro and Richard Parker from the Children’s University for the amazing opportunity for 30 of our students to participate in the Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Zoo camp which was held in the last week of term 2. We were extremely lucky to be fully funded for the entire camp. The students had the most wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed the camp. They were exposed to a number of learning experiences which they will remember for a lifetime. You will read more in detail throughout this newsletter edition. I would personally like to thank the parents and the staff who attended the camp and supported the students for this experience. Thanks to Deanna Johnstone, Ellen Ettridge, Amy-Lee Taylor, Amanda Parkinson, Shaun Honan, Jack Menzies, Setio Shanahan, Simone Schupelius and Kaye Nowak. This opportunity would not have been possible without you. Thank you.
100 DAYS OF SCHOOL
Our reception students celebrated 100 days of school late last term. They had the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities which represented the number 100. It was a day of hands-on and fun activities which makes learning so memorable. The children were excited to celebrate the 100th day of school by participating in hands-on activities and games. From videos to challenges, the activities had the kids moving and having fun. Thanks to Mrs Cornhill for making the day so entertaining! Please enjoy a video of the day via the link below.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
The public education parent survey is now open. Feedback will help our school understand what we’re doing well, where we can improve, what is most important to you as a parent or carer. You’ll receive a link via email to access your school survey, which is open now and closes on the 8th of September (week 7, term 3).
Sarah Bury
‘Every Child – Every Classroom – Every Day’
Deputy Principal's Report
Our School Representative Council (SRC) recently participated in a meaningful environmental initiative as part of National Tree Day - The Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens’ annual tree planting event dedicated to nurturing Australia’s natural landscapes (Sponsored by Planet Ark and Northpoint Toyota). With spades and gloves, students had the opportunity to plant a large number and range of native plants in the Boardwalk Carpark, at the garden lookout. As they planted trees and learned about their role in the ecosystem, they also gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of environmental conservation. Students also had the opportunity to taste the native flavoured ice-cream provided at the Arid Lands Café.
Tree Planting Day
Assistant Principal's Report
Hello All,
This term the Port Augusta City Council has partnered with the Benevolent Society and have graciously provided Port Augusta West Primary some funding to start up an afterschool learning program for selected students which we are calling the “Let’s Go Learning” program. Students had their first lesson this Wednesday and will continue having lessons every Wednesday for the remainder of the school year. We had selected a small number of students who meet a criteria to participate in these lessons. In Term 3 the lessons will be focused on Numeracy skills and in Term 4 the lessons will focus on Literacy skills. We would like to thank the Port Augusta City Council for supporting our school community with this amazing opportunity.
Kind Regards,
Paul Kalfas
Assembly Awards
Our assembly times allow us to acknowledge our students based on the three values of our Positive Behaviour for Learning Program. These values include Respect, Resilience and Relationships.
Congratulations to the students who were awarded for their efforts during the week 9 assembly.
Book Week
Children's University Spotlight
Spotlight on Children’s University: Adelaide Camp
In Week 10 of Term 2, Children’s University offered our school a unique opportunity – a 2 day, fully funded school camp in Adelaide, touring Adelaide University and camping overnight at both Adelaide and Monarto zoos. These experiences would not readily be available to our regional school and we are extremely grateful to Children’s University for the support and encouragement they have shown our young people.
Isaac Franks
One of the highlights for me was seeing the rocks and fossils at the University. That was interesting because I had just learnt about them at school, and I was surprised to see them there. I took lots of photos to show the rest of the class back at school.
I learned about how animals communicate. We could hear the lions communicating when they were separated for their breakfasts in Adelaide Zoo, but later we could hear the lions roaring at night. It was the first time I ever heard a lion roaring in real life. I also just loved the meerkats at Monarto Zoo.
I want to learn more about the University, and I’d like to go back there. It’s actually pretty cool.
Jackson Bunder
Well, the fossils and rocks at the University were cool, but what impressed me was how they discovered all the fossils at the Tate Museum. It is something that I’d like to do, maybe one day in the future.
The Night Walk was just amazing. We did one at Adelaide Zoo and one at Monarto Zoo. At Adelaide we could see the coloured lights from the Illuminate festival shining through the trees. It was cool. I’m really interested in the science behind it and I’d like to know more about how they did it.
I would definitely recommend Children’s University. I really liked this trip and will never forget it.
Kaye
This camp was full of positive messages and inspiration! These were just some of the amazing highlights!
We got to try:
- Night walks using our night vision and navigating our way back to camp on our own,
- toasting marshmallows over a bonfire,
- building forts,
- being a keeper at Monarto zoo picking up the bison pooh!
- speaking to an archivist and a curator about what they do in their jobs at the University,
- exploring the University and touring the majestic library and learning about its history.
I feel very grateful that our school was given this wonderful opportunity and for the students to learn more about themselves as they faced new challenges and experiences. It sent a very positive message to all our young people about all the different kinds of possibilities that could exist for them in their hopes and dreams for the future.
Next Children’s University meeting:
Friday, Week 3, First Break in the Library.
Adelaide Zoo
Adelaide Uni
Monarto Safari Park
Hot Shots Tennis
A pearler of a winter's day in Port Augusta which saw all the local schools come together battling out in the Hot Shots Carnival. This maybe the beginning for a future Barty or Rafter to come out of our region as a flurry of tennis balls, back hand and forehand shots were part of the spectacle, lighting up the Port Augusta Tennis Courts.
I was proud of our school who conducted themselves outstandingly, an enthusiastic cohort who engaged positively over the two days of tennis. I was impressed with our site as we were one of few schools who all wore hats and very compliant when asked to top up on sunscreen without hesitation. I also witnessed exceptional sportsmanship, effort and encouragement from our students. I saw our positive behavior focus in action as our students demonstrated Respect - equipment, opponents, staff and peers, Relationships- teamwork and following instructions and Resilience - Never giving up, having a go and overcoming some nerves throughout the event. They day was very well organised by Bradley Pool and his team from Tennis Australia which encouraged participation and to have fun.
I wish to thank all our awesome staff from administration, SSO's and teachers who attended the event over the two days. We as a school site, will continue to develop our tennis skills over the next two weeks, with the middle and upper primary classes participating in a round -robin format in our PE lessons. I left the carnival with a strong sense of optimism that tennis is becoming a sport that could really take off in this region. It is a great game to keep physically active, fit and make new friends.
To all you students, thanks for all your efforts and I am proud of you all.
Mr Shanahan.
NAIDOC Week
Our school celebrated NAIDOC week during the last week of term 2. This year’s theme chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee, is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud.
The theme honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The students learnt about Aboriginal symbols and the meaning of them. Each symbol tells a story, and all the students were asked to draw and create a story using all the different symbols which they had learnt about. Students then painted their stories on boomerangs
Each student was given the opportunity to create a t-shirt design which incorporated Aboriginal symbols. The purpose was to narrow the design down to approx. 5 designs, which will be the focus for updating our new SAPSASA shirts. We are excited to see the final product and witness our new shirts on display hopefully in 2025.
Some students worked with Kaylah to come up with a design for a lovely metal mural. The students planned the design they wanted on the mural and Kaylah was able to draw it on the mural. Over the course of the week, each class painted the mural, and all the students felt very proud of the finished product.
During NAIDOC week Jayceon, Murray, Bella, Shakita and Kaylah learnt ‘The Eagle Dance’ and performed the dance in front of the whole school at the assemby this week.
On Friday the whole school had a BBQ to finish off the celebrations of NAIDOC WEEK.
Miscellaneous
