Port Augusta West Primary School Term 3 week 6
Principal's Report
BULLYING NO WAY – WEEK OF ACTION
During Week 4, we successfully acknowledged and engaged in the 2025 Bullying No Way week. On Monday, 11th August, our students participated in a variety of engaging activities focused on anti-bullying, building resilience, self-esteem, and team building. Students were organised into groups consisting of students from Reception, all the way through to Year 6. This provided great opportunities for students across year levels to collaborate and build positive peer relationships. We also organised some enjoyable lunchtime activities for the students, a big hit being the making of friendship bracelets. We were honoured to have Mayor Linley Shine officially open our new ‘buddy bench’ and have seen students utilising this space very positively.
Throughout the week, each class was introduced to our new ‘Bullying and Harassment’ policy, ensuring that all students are aware of the procedures to follow. The new policy is available on our website.
At Port Augusta West PS, we are committed to ensuring that every student feels safe, valued, and respected every day. We provide clear behaviour expectations and school values, implement whole-school anti-bullying programs, and foster peer support and buddy systems, along with maintaining open communication with students and families.
BIG BREAKFAST
We are delighted to share that our recent big breakfast was a success, with a fantastic turnout despite the ongoing rain. The morning was filled with warmth and community spirit as families gathered to enjoy breakfast together - pancakes seemed to be a hit with the students. We were thrilled to see so many families supporting the event, reinforcing the strong sense of community at Port Augusta West Primary School.
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that our next breakfast will be held in Term 4. This event will serve as a wonderful opportunity to welcome our new receptions during their first transition visit. We look forward to seeing you there and continuing to build our vibrant school community.
Jack Menzies
Anti bullying Week
Big Breakfast
Deputy Principal
Happy Support Staff Appreciation Week
Every year we celebrate our School Services Officers, the official SSO week is normally celebrated during week 5 however, with Book Week also celebrated during this time we like to have a special week dedicated to our amazing Support Staff. We celebrated our SSO’s through the theme – Our very own Superheroes!
Every class completed a ‘Superhero’ booklet with their favourite sayings from each SSO, these were presented at the Assembly on Monday. Followed by a ‘Super Feast’ morning tea on Tuesday and ‘Super Speedy Games’ on Thursday when the whole school competed in a range of fun games against our SSO’s.
A huge thank you for the care, kindness, fun, commitment, compassion and professionalism you bring to our site every day. Your support makes a difference in the lives of our students, staff and families. Our site could not function without these amazing and dedicated individuals showing up every day to fulfil their roles including, the many jobs they take on behind the scenes to ensure our school community runs smoothly.
Alex Maloney
Assembly Awards
Term 3, Week 6 Assembly awards. Congratulations to Zayan, Charlie, Indy, Prudence, Jai, Haniya, Jackson, Isobel, Emersyn, Zahin, Asher, Liara these students all received awards at assembly for demonstrating Respect, Resilience and Responsibility in class or out in the playground.
Classroom Chatter from 2A
It has been a busy and exciting start to the term in Room 2A!
The students have settled in well and are already showing lots of enthusiasm for their learning and for being back together in the classroom. This term, the class is lucky to have both Mrs. Keeler and Miss Rigden in the room each day. The students have told us how much they enjoy having two teachers to help them, and it has made our classroom a really supportive and positive place to learn.
We also recently celebrated Bullying. No Way! Week with the whole school. Room 2A took part in a range of activities that focused on kindness, respect, and looking after one another. The students enjoyed working with other classes, and the attached photo shows one of the activities they joined in. It has been a wonderful start to the term, and we are excited to see all the great things the students in Room 2A will continue to achieve.
Tiarna Rigden
Classroom Chatter from 3A
I can’t believe it’s already Week 6 – the year is truly flying by! It has been a busy and exciting term so far, filled with fun events, creative learning, and lots of happy moments in our classroom.
Literacy In Literacy, we’ve been developing our oral language skills, encouraging students to express their opinions and share their thoughts confidently. We’ve also been introducing the concept of persuasive language, exploring how to use our words to share ideas and convince others. Alongside this, students have been learning how to create sentences and read simple words, building a strong foundation for early reading and writing.
Mathematics Our focus in Maths has been on recognising numbers, reading number names, and creating different quantities. We’ve been learning about the many ways we can make a number like 10, using hands-on materials and number stories to support understanding. It’s been wonderful to see the students become more confident with numbers each day!
Book Week Book Week was a huge success! The children all looked fantastic in their costumes, and it was so lovely to see their favourite book characters come to life in our classroom. Thank you to all the families for your effort and enthusiasm—it made the day extra special.
Looking forward to another great term ahead!
Amber Tomney
Wonderverse
On Thursday 14th August 2B and Unit 1 went on an excursion to Whyalla for the Wonderverse Light Show. This show was about a journey through a universe of light. It was really an amazing experience going through this journey of light and having a hands-on experience with the different types of lights and lighting.
from Hanyia
Anti Bullying Week
Anti-Bullying Escape Room a Huge Success
Our middle and upper primary students recently took on an exciting Anti-Bullying Escape Room challenge, and it was a resounding success! Almost 70 children took part, working in teams to solve five puzzles within 20 minutes — one of which revealed the code to “escape.”
The activity proved to be very popular, encouraging problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience, while also reinforcing the important message of standing up against bullying. The students’ enthusiasm and energy made this a memorable experience for all involved.
Students' thoughts:
I think that you should do the Escape room next year because I really enjoyed it this year with my teammate. Ella Year 4.
I like that it had a lot if activities and also liked that it had that purple sheet we had to do. Amara Year 4
It was quite fun and I hope it happens again, though challenging we still made it! Emma & Harleigh Unit 1
The escape room was very fun and I would like to do it again then at the end of the break you get a smartie box or a chocolate frog. Lacey & Amarlie Unit 1
Would you like to have a go at this challenge?
Book week
Book Week 2025 "Book an Adventure".
We've had a great week celebrating with activities in the library, book week fair, book week parade and finishing with a book swap on Friday. The book week fair was well supported, there was a good selection of books, posters and stationery to look at and purchase. Your support over the week saw our Library receive a commission of over $300 worth of resources. We also had some amazing costumes, with a record number of winners!
Thanks to everyone who participated. Keep on reading!
Congratulations to our winning "best costumes."
Children's University News
The Gowning
On Wednesday 27th, Richard, Children’s University Co-ordinator from Whyalla, brought the gowns and caps to try on for Graduation on December 8th. It was an exciting moment for the children as they got a glimpse of the future they were working towards.
Invitations to graduate will go out in Week 3 of Term 4, so students have about another ten weeks to complete their hours. Students who are in their first year will need 30 hours to graduate. I will collect all passports before the end of the term and go through them with each one as a personal check in. Just a reminder that activities need to have some evidence, whether a written reflection, photo, drawing or other souvenir or even just a conversation with one of the Co-ordinators.
All kinds of activities can also be accessed on the portal, and of course, trips and special events in the community or even special cultural events and learning all count. Premiers Reading Challenge is finishing very soon, but students who complete this challenge receive another 12 hours. Sports, dance or other ongoing club activities receive 10 hours, and a general reflection is available on the portal. I can also print these out if it is easier for students to access.
The best thing about being a CU Co-ordinator is talking to the students and hearing about all the different interests and activities that they participate in and how enthusiastic they are about what they are discovering. I love it!
Here are Scarlett and Annika at the Gowning today, trying on their caps and gowns, preparing for the Children's University Graduation on December 8th!
Jane Mount
SAPSASA
SAPSASA Athletics Carnival
Last week, a group of Year 3–6 students represented our school at the SAPSASA Athletics Carnival held at Stirling North Primary School. Students competed against schools from around the district in a variety of track and field events. We are very proud of the way our team tried their best all day, showed determination, and displayed excellent sportsmanship. Some students achieved great results, placing first, second or third in their events. Overall, our school finished in 3rd place – a fantastic achievement!
Well done to all students who participated, and thank you to the parents, teachers, and SSOs for your support on the day.
Scott Nicholls
Parents and Friends
Miscellaneous
