Port Augusta West Primary School Term 1 week 3
Principal's Report
Welcome back to the 2025 school year. Term one is a very busy term with many events on the calendar to look forward to. We are excited to engage our students with various learning and extra curricula opportunities which build on the success gained from last year.
I would like to introduce the new teachers this year. Welcome to Miss Tomney who will be teaching in the reception class. We also welcome Miss Aird who is teaching HASS and Health to all our classes this year. Students are already making them feel welcome and they appear to be slotting into the PAWPS team well.
It is wonderful to see all new reception students settling in positively over the first three weeks, as well as our eleven new students who have started the year successfully at PAWPS. Thanks to the families who came along to support our first PAWPS Big Breakfast for 2025, it was a lovely way to welcome our new families. Parents/carers were welcome to meet the teacher in their classrooms and see the wonderful learning that is already occurring in our rooms.
It is exciting to see the new uniform. It looks fantastic. You can now find the link to the online uniform portal on a tile within our schoolzine app. Just take note of the order and delivery dates as these are regularly updated. We are also very pleased with the new school signage around the school. Our signs feature the new school logo, which all students, staff and the community were a part of creating. The signs confirm our school values of respect, resilience and responsibility, whilst reinforcing school identity and culture.
A reminder that bucket hats are to be worn all year round. We have new bucket hats available in the front office which you can purchase for $13 each. Lunch orders are still available via the spriggy for schools app. Please ensure that you order before 9am daily and that you update your child’s classroom from last year if necessary.
As per the uniform policy, crocs are not permitted to be worn to school unless there is medical reason which is given.
If you have had any changes in circumstances, eg. address, emergency contacts etc. - please update these with Narelle in the front office.
Children’s University registrations are now open. Please scan the barcode below to register by the end of week 6. You can then pay your $5 to the front office once registered. We are looking forward to welcoming some new CU members this year. Please see Jane Mount or Sarah Bury of you would like more information.
A new year means a fresh start for all of us. It is an opportunity to set new goals, build relationships, and strive to be the best version of yourself. I encourage all our students to take advantage of the opportunities this year and step out of your comfort zone. We will continue to build on our school values of respect, resilience and relationships.
Have a wonderful year!
Sarah Bury
Every Child ~ Every Classroom ~ Every Day
Welcome Miss Amber Tomney
Welcome Miss Courtney Aird
New School Signage
PAWPS Big Breakfast
On February the 4th, staff and students, along with their families celebrated our first Big Breakfast. Families were invited into classrooms to meet the teacher and to see all of the learning that is happening in the classrooms. Thank you to our community for the amazing turn out!
Deputy Principal
Hi all,
SRC We are excited to announce the Student Representative Council (SRC) initiatives for 2025 at Port Augusta West Primary School. The SRC plays a vital role in fostering leadership, responsibility, and community spirit among our students. This year, we have a range of exciting projects and activities planned to enhance the school experience for everyone.
Key Initiatives for 2025:
- Environmental Awareness: The SRC will lead efforts to promote sustainability within our school community. This includes organising recycling awareness, planting trees, and implementing strategies on reducing waste. Our goal is to create a greener and more environmentally conscious school.
- Wellbeing and Inclusion Programs: We are committed to ensuring that every student feels valued and included. The SRC will introduce peer support groups and organise events that celebrate diversity. These programs aim to build a supportive and inclusive school environment.
- Community Engagement Projects: Strengthening ties with our local community is a priority. The SRC will coordinate volunteer opportunities and community service projects, encouraging students to give back and make a positive impact.
- Student Voice and Leadership Development: Empowering students to have a say in school decisions is crucial. The SRC will facilitate regular forums where students can express their ideas and concerns. Additionally, leadership workshops will be offered to our older school leaders to equip students with the skills needed to lead effectively.
We believe that these initiatives will not only enhance the educational experience but also contribute to the personal growth of our students. We encourage all students to get involved and make the most of these opportunities. We look forward to a successful and inspiring year ahead with the SRC leading the way.
NAPLAN NAPLAN, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, is an essential part of our educational landscape. Conducted annually for students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9, NAPLAN assesses skills in reading, writing, language conventions, and numeracy. Why Do We Do NAPLAN? NAPLAN provides a snapshot of student achievement, helping to identify strengths and areas for improvement. It allows educators to tailor teaching strategies to meet the needs of all students, ensuring they receive the support necessary to succeed. How Are the Results Used? The results offer valuable insights for teachers, schools, and policymakers. They help track student progress over time, inform curriculum development, and guide resource allocation. For parents, NAPLAN results provide an understanding of their child's performance relative to national standards. Ultimately, NAPLAN is a tool to enhance educational outcomes, supporting our commitment to delivering high-quality education for every student.
This year, our focus is on ensuring students feel confident and prepared. Teachers are integrating practice activities into their lessons, and we encourage parents to support their children by discussing the importance of NAPLAN in a positive and encouraging manner.
Jack Menzies
My First day of Reception
Welcome to our Reception students who have all eagerly started their school journey in 2025. Below are Arlo, Jackson, Riliegh, Callie, Hannah, Jye, Cooper, Isobel, Eshaal, Scarlett, Oaklee, Henry, Jackobie, Marypatris, Naifah, Cohen, Ezekiel, Zaykese. Samar & Madi absent
Welcome to our new students
Welcome to our new students joining us here at PAWPS, above are Asher, Zayan, Ahmad, Charlie, Aria, Zac, Alannah, Holly, Harleigh, Zakariah, & Eshaal.
Sammy D Foundation
Our year 5/6 students participated in the Sammy D Foundation workshop during week 2. Our students were very engaged with the program and demonstrated a high level of maturity.
Below is the vision from the Sammy D Foundation:
Our PURPOSE is to end violence by connecting and empowering young people.
Our ASPIRATION is for all young people to live their best life free from violence.
Classroom Chatter from 1A
In Visual Arts, the Year 5/6 class have been designing their own Minecraft selfies. They used grid paper as blocks to create pixels of themselves. They first started drawing the eyes, then the rest of the face and head. They worked their way down to the neck and the rest of their bodies.
Mr. Nicholls along with Mr. Menzies and their trusty sidekicks, SSOs Simone & Belinda, welcome the year 5/6 students to 1A, "Nicholls Monster University" we are hoping to shape them into outstanding Scholars for 2025. Every door opens leading our "Monsters" to greater experiences in 2025! We anticipate many great adventures throughout the year ahead.
Classroom Chatter from 3C
Learn Through Doing Maths
In the past few weeks students have been learning about numbers to 30 using lots of hands-on activities with dice and number discs. Students worked as a whole class, small group and then individually to put numbers into the correct order using a variety of strategies and equipment. Students had to explain why their number went in a particular place and then make sure the order was correct. There was a lot of thinking, mathematical reasoning, questioning and teamwork displayed.
Mrs. Maloney
