Port Augusta West Primary School Term 1 week 9
Principal's Report
As we wrap up another busy term filled with various activities, we reflect on the achievements of the term. There have been some great learning opportunities for our students this term and it has been pleasing to witness the growth of our new reception students who all appear to be settling into school life.
We were thrilled to see such a strong turnout for our recent parent/teacher interviews. Your engagement in your child’s education plays a crucial role in their success, and we appreciate the ongoing support. Open communication between home and school ensures that we can work together to support each child’s progress. If you were unable to attend, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher for a conversation. Thanks to Paul Kalfas who facilitated the Parent Information Session last week with a focus on Oral Language. Next term he will run a workshop for families which will focus on the R-2 phonics program – Read, Write, Inc.
Harmony Week was a huge success, with all classes getting involved in various activities. I take this opportunity to thank the Harmony Day Committee for arranging the engaging activities. A highlight was certainly the multi-cultural lunch, which was absolutely extravagant. Thanks to our amazing parents, staff and community who contributed to the lunch. We are very fortunate for the large amount of support we received to make the lunch so very special. The multi-cultural excursion was successful, and our students thoroughly enjoyed the activities provided for them.
On Tuesday the 18th of March we welcomed the Chief Executive of the Department for Education Martin Westwell to our school. Martin was greeted by myself and our Yr 5/6 SRC leaders. Ruby and Aadi shared the activities that had been occurring so far for Harmony Week and invited Martin into their class to take part in the STEM activity that Mr. Nicholls was delivering. It was wonderful to see our students share the learning intentions and the success criteria for this particular lesson with Martin. I spent the afternoon chatting with Martin to share all the successes from 2024, and our directions for 2025 with the Public Education Strategy. Thanks to Martin for taking the time to come in and see all of the wonderful things that are happening in our classrooms.
As this is the last newsletter for the term, I wish you all a restful and enjoyable break. We look forward to welcoming you back next term for more learning, growth and success.
Sarah Bury
Every Child ~ Every Classroom ~ Every Day
Professor Martin Westwell
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 certificates for their efforts during the week 9 Assembly.
Kayella, Aaron, Jacob, Isaac S, Isaac F, Baylie, Daisy, Rileigh, Henry, Ezekiel, Izna, Olive & Oscar.
Oral Language/Phonological Awareness Information Session
Paul Kalfas presented an Oral Language/Phonological Awareness Information Session to our JP parents last week. Below is the presentation which was shared. Feel free to contact Paul if you were unable to attend the session and you would like some more information.
Next term there will be an information session on our phonics program Read, Write, Inc. We look forward to continually providing information about the various programs which are being implemented at PAWPS. Positive Behaviour for Learning and Learning through Doing will be on the agenda for later in the year.
Children's University
We are thrilled to announce that PAWPS has just broken the record of the largest cohort of students registered in the Children’s University Program for the Port Augusta region. Our number of students registered is a whopping 48, which is over a third of our school enrolment. As a school, we are very excited to support our students with the program and there are various plans we are working on to contribute towards this.
On Tuesday this week, we welcomed Richard Parker from the Children’s University to induct our members in a short assembly. It was great to hear Richard’s enthusiasm and love for the CU program and we are well prepared for activities for the year ahead. Richard facilitated a workshop in the library where parents and students were able to come along and see how the passports and the online portal works.
Please keep an eye out, as we are in the process of setting up a See Saw group which will allow for ease of communication. Watch this space!
Your CU staff members for 2025 are Jane Mount, Courtney Aird and Sarah Bury. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have at any stage.
Classroom Chatter from 2B
Math’s, we have learned how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide this term using column form and long form. We have also started our new topic, fractions which most of us have found quite difficult but now we found it easier.
Art, we have enjoyed doing manga art with Mr. I, we learnt a little about the history of Manga Art, before picking out an anime that we liked and from there we started our draft copy and then completing our final copy. We had to use colour pencils and texta for outlining.
In Literacy, we have been working on our vowel sounds and double consonant words, we continue to write our cold write stories and big write stories every fortnight, making sure we use the prompts like connectors, wow words and using a range of punctuations to improve our writing. We have also been working on our punctuation and grammar.
In Science, we have been learning about plants and their ability to adapt in different places and climates. We were given tasks to complete and most of us chose to use power points for presentation.
Harmony week, for harmony week we all came together in the gym to enjoy a yummy feast that the whole school had prepared for this day, throughout the week we had been doing some fun activities like making maracas for the multicultural festival that we all had enjoyed.
Lylah and Evelyn
Classroom Chatter from 2C
2C Learning Pathways
2C have had a very different start to the year, with our 3 Year 6 students graduating last year, and 2 brand new Receptions starting in Term 1. We now have 6 students from Reception to Year 6. All the students have settled in very well together in the shared space.
One of our favourite lessons is studying water in integrated Technology and Science. We identified differences and similarities between salt water and fresh water, and asked the question “Why is the sea salt water but rivers, lakes and rain fresh water?” We studied the water cycle and discovered the answer! We also looked at the problem of water distribution with the question “How can people get safe, clean, fresh water in their homes?” The students did a case study on a Sudanese girl who could not always go to school because she had to walk down a mountain and carry 40Litres of muddy water back to her family twice a day. They researched the problem, brainstormed several solutions, and finally decided a metal roof on the mud huts with gutters and rainwater tanks to hold water was the best answer. Take a look at the model the students built. We tested the model with water from a watering can and it really works!
Students have also enjoyed Harmony Day activities, especially the walk to Gladstone Square, and are preparing for World Autism Awareness Day in Week 10. Still a lot to look forward to, even though the end of Term 1 is upon us and holidays are almost here!
Miss Mount
Health & Drama
Term 1 Drama:
Students in room 2C have been working on their performance ‘The United Guardians’ for this term. We have attached the flyer to invite all friends and family to come witness the hard work and determination of the class!
3A students have been designing their backdrop for their play ‘Fixing the Rainbow’. The class will be voting on the background of their choice which we will paint and use on the day. We are yet to set a time and date for this performance but check out the student’s hard work!
Term 1 Health:
Students in room 3D have been learning about how to build resilience. Students spent some time identifying positive and negative coping strategies for when they feel overwhelmed.
Room 3C have been focusing on their identity, what makes them who they are. They have been designing soccer balls and telling me all their favourite activities to do at home and school.
Term 1 HASS:
Students in Rooms 1A and 2B have had a focus on Australian history this term. They have learnt about the for and against arguments of federation and wrote letters from the perspective of Australia’s first fleet prisoners.
Harmony Week Celebrations
Tuesday 18th - Mrs. Keeler's class hosted our special assembly acknowledging the many different cultures at our school many students joined in dancing," the Greek Zorba Dance". During first break, Students challenged staff in a game of netball. The players all showed some amazing skills.
Wednesday 19th - The whole school enjoyed tasting Multicultural food for lunch. Students along with their families donated food for our lunch celebration.
Thursday 20th - Art activities were held in the library; students were encouraged to attend, and many amazing master pieces were created. At second break Mrs. Keeler umpired the competitive soccer games that were held on the oval.
Friday 21st - The students from 1A, 2B, 2C & 3D walked to Gladstone Square to participate in the Multicultural Festival, students all enjoyed the many activities and tried some amazing food. Our whole school art activity is a work in progress and will be displayed on completion.
Staff and Students all wore something Orange for Harmony Day.
Multicultural whole school shared lunch.
Multicultural Festival at Gladstone Square.
Family & Friends
SAPSASA
On Thursday, both PAWPS girls and boys participated in SAPSASA basketball. Both teams played strong all day, demonstrating skill, teamwork, and good sportsmanship. The boys coached by Mr. Nicholls, won most of their games but lost in the Div 1 final to SNPS in a well-contested match.
Meanwhile the girls, coached by Simone also played hard displaying great defence, improved on their passing throughout the day and showed good teamwork. They won some but also lost some. They made it to the Div 2 grand final and even though they did not win, they at least had fun and tried their best.
Thanks, and Regards
Scott Nicholls
Miscellaneous
