2008 ROXBY DOWNS AREA SCHOOL:
Primary School

We provide a challenging and supportive program of subject and extra curricula activities which focus on developig student potential.

Curriculum

Curriculum is balanced across the eight areas of study:

Mathematics
English
The Arts
Design and Technology
Science
Society and Environment
L.O.T.E. (Indonesian)
Health and Physical Education

Support Programs

Stretch:
The Stretch Program is for Year 2-6 students who experience some difficulties in Literacy. They work in small groups for 3 lessons each week to develop their skills.

SMILE:
For some children, socially acceptable behaviours are not automatically learnt. However, they can be taught! This is where the S.M.I.L.E. program comes in (S.M.I.L.E. stands for Smiling Makes It a Little Easier) with the idea being that children with well-developed social skills are generally happier!

Celebrating Success

Year R-6 Assemblies are held fortnightly where we celebrate our successes. All parents and caregivers are invited to attend. Check our School Newsletter for dates and times.

Camps

All students have an opportunity to participate in a class camp each year.

Class Structures

The R-2 section of the school has approximately 140-160 students divided into 3 teaching blocks. All beginning reception students go into the ‘Headstart’ class for a minimum of 1 term where there is an intensive and explicit focus on basic literacy and numeracy skills and additional teacher and school support officer time is allocated so that the teacher/student ratio is small. (Approx 1:15). A new intake of reception students occurs at the beginning of Terms 1,2 and 3 and all students must have turned 5 prior to the first day of that particular term.

In Junior Primary there are 3 teaching blocks Aluminium, Bronze and Copper and the following structures exist- 1 Headstart class, 2 Reception classes, 2 Year 1 classes, 1 composite Year 1/2 class and 2 year 2 classes. The average class size is 22 students.

Expectations

All Junior Primary children are expected to wear correct uniform to school each day, as set down by the Governing Council. This includes a broad-brimmed hat. The RDAS uniform includes-

* Navy or white polo shirt
* Navy school shorts, or trousers or track pants
* School dress/pinafore

A uniform shop is located in Haematite Block. Contact the school for opening times.

All items of clothing and hats need to be clearly labelled with student names.

Junior Primary students are provided with a reading folder and Contact Book, which they will bring to school each morning and take home at the end of each day. Any notes to or from the classroom teacher should be written into the Contact Book. Each day your child’s teacher will check the book for notes and will place notes in the book when required. Please initial notes as they come home to indicate that you have seen them.

Students are strongly encouraged to read every night to an adult. Inside your child’s reading folder you will find a reading record filled with tips to help your child with reading.

Independence and Responsibility

At RDAS we strongly encourage students to be responsible for their belongings and themselves. It is important that students learn to pack and unpack their bags for each school day and learn to organise their personal items. These skills provide students with independence and responsibility- essential skills as they progress through school.

It is also a school expectation that all parents wait outside the blocks for the bell to go at 3pm signalling the end of the school day. This is to ensure a quiet and safe time for teachers to organise their classes at the end of the day and to encourage children to meet their parents outside the buildings with their belongings already packed. Should you need to meet with your child’s teacher, this can be done when all students have been dismissed. Also in the mornings parents should leave promptly when the bell goes at 8.30am so that teachers can quickly organise students into their morning routine.

Attendance

Attendance is very important during all stages of schooling, but vital in the early years as the foundations and habits for successful learning are established. Teachers need to be informed if your child is absent for any reason – illness, appointment out of town etc. This may require a phone call to the front office or a note in the contact book. Should you be aware that your child will be away for more than 4 days then an exemption must be sought from the Principal prior to this time. Forms may be collected from your child’s teacher or the Front Office. We understand that families often need to travel out of Roxby Downs for a number of reasons, however, limiting the number of absences will be beneficial to your child. It is also important that students arrive at school before the 8.25am bell so that they are organised to start their day of learning. Lateness results in classroom interruptions and can interfere with your child’s learning. Frequent or ongoing unexplained absences will require your child’s teacher to notify the Attendance Branch so that they can follow up your legal requirements as a Parent/Guardian to ensure your child attends school.

Download Year R-2 Handbook for Parents