TantanoolaPrimary School

Students (and their welfare) 

General characteristics

Our student body consists of an even number of boys and girls. We have approximately 32% School Card population.

(Pastoral) Care programs

A Christian Pastoral Support Worker is employed for 10 hours per week and is worked over 2 days/week.

Support offered

The classroom teachers and Principal provide general student counselling in the absence of a Student Counsellor.

Student Management

Student Behaviour Management is valued highly by our Parent Community. We have a policy which is in line with the DECS policy. It is published in our Parent and Staff handbooks.

Student Voice

Tantanoola Primary School has an active Student Leadership Team. The Principal Andrew Fewster meets with the SLT each fortnight.

Class meetings are held fortnightly and the SLT normally meets at least every second week. They have been involved in major decision making such as purchases for the school, curriculum issues, reviewing our Values, yard issues, fundraising for a specific charity and organising Special Days for the students. Each year students elect Year 7 students as School Captains and Vice Captains. They support SLT and are ambassadors for our school.

Special programmes

We provide a Special Needs programme for identified children. Individual Education Programmes are provided by the classroom teacher and implemented by SSO's. Students included in this programme have all been identified through testing and the use of NAPLAN Test results. This programme is over and above the Tier 2 funding.

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Staff (and their welfare) 

Staff profile

In 2012 we have a new Principal, Andrew Fewster, three class teachers and a Preschool teacher. Two of the teachers share the Yr 4-7 class. We also have a Special Education teacher 0.6 for 1 of our students who have severe vision and hearing impairments.

We are fortunate to have two extremely competent permanent SSOs who are multi-skilled and efficient. We also employ a further two SSOs who support classes during Literacy and Numeracy Blocks, work in the Preschool and support the Special Education program. Our Groundsperson maintains and manages our large grounds.

Staff support systems

Teachers are encouraged to work together and in teams. There are strong links between the Junior Primary and on site Preschool. Staff value the Performance Planning process and there is a strong emphasis on quality Training and Development.

Staff utilisation policies

We have converted some of our Tier 2 funding, NAPLAN and Early Years funding to SSO hours to support programmes running in our school.

Access to special staff

We have excellent access to support staff. Visiting Support Teachers visit each term and assist with programming for Special Needs students. We have good support from the Speech Pathologist and Student Wellbeing and Behaviour Management team.

Other

CAMHS, Family SA, and Social Workers and Counsellors are readily accessible.

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Key School Policies 

Mission statement

At Tantanoola Primary School we are committed to developing a partnership between students, parents and staff in order to help prepare students for effective participation in society. We aim to provide a broad, balanced curriculum in a safe, happy, supportive and child-centred environment where students enjoy successes and excellence is encouraged. After an extensive consultation process involving students, staff and parents our new values are:

• Respect
• Aiming for Personal Best
• Responsibility

Our Motto: Learning For Life Long-term objectives

Our long-term objectives are to continue to deliver a quality curriculum, focussing on quality learning outcomes for students. We have implemented Gardiner's Multiple Intelligences Learning Theory as well as Brain Theory as integral methods of teaching at our school. We combine this with the skill teaching of Key Competencies to provide our students with the best chance to achieve quality learning.

The school has continued to focus on quality Training and Development for staff as we recognise that this is central to improving student learning outcomes. Our involvement in a number of systemic initiatives has given us access to resources and expertise which has enhanced our ability to critically reflect on the quality of our teaching and learning.

School Site Learning Priorities

Our School Site Learning Priorities for 2011 are:
Literacy and Reading: To improve the learning outcomes for students at risk Preschool - 7. Our plan has been developed to include all classes across the school from Reception - Year 7.

Numeracy: To inform and improve our teaching and learning programs in Numeracy. All students achieving personal learning goals.

Student Wellbeing:

• Continuing maintenance of Science
• Primary Maths/Science Strategy
• Aboriginal Perspectives
• Implementation of National Curriculum

Student Engagement:
Each teaching area in the Primary School has an Interactive Whiteboard. Teachers have developed their knowledge and confidence in using the boards and making student learning more engaging.

Recent key outcomes

1. We aim to create a whole school learning environment for students, staff and parents. Developed Whole School approach to Teaching Methodology through Multiple Intelligences, using Brain Theory, Brain Compatible Classrooms, Scope and Sequence for Thinking Skills and Literacy and Numeracy teaching and learning blocks of time in all classes. We continue to purchase additional SSO hours to support classes in these learning blocks.
2. We have achieved Level 3 of Occupation Health Safety and Welfare.
3. We continue to purchase new readers to support our Literacy programmes and upgrade Maths resources. All readers have been levelled using the Reading Recovery Program.
4. A very active and involved Facilities Committee and supportive parent group who are involved in the setting up action plans for improvements around the school.
5. A very active and well-supported Governing Council who feel they are involved in decision making.

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School Facilities 

Buildings and grounds

School buildings consist of a refurbished Front Office Administration. The original school classrooms built in 1883 house the Library and Staffroom. A DMAC open space style building has four sectioned off classroom areas, currently used as three classrooms and one computer room. In 2007 a small specially designed room was acquired to provide more appropriate facilities for our two vision and hearing impaired students. There is a Preschool on site and this is housed in the former Principal's residence, which has been converted. A portable building is used for Technology, the Arts and Assemblies. This room also has kitchen facilities and is used by the Parents & Friends on lunch days. We also have a large colorbond shed which houses our recycling program.

The grounds are spacious, attractive and well kept with a large oval, basketball court and new adventure playground area.

The Preschool has its own playground area.

As a result of receiving a Community Water Grant the school has an automatic irrigation system to water the oval and garden areas.

School Hall

During 2011 a School Hall was built on the school grounds. This was opened on the 25th November by Senator Anne McKewin.

Cooling

All buildings have reverse cycle air conditioning and heating.

Specialist facilities

There is a well-stocked Library, sports shed and teacher resource area.

Student facilities

There is no canteen at the school, but Parent's & Friends hold a lunch day once a term. Food can be ordered and delivered Mondays & Fridays from the Tantanoola Roadhouese.p.

Staff facilities

Staff has access to the usual facilities as well as access to a staff computer in the staff room. There is Internet access in the classrooms, computer room, preschool and the library.

Access for students and staff with disabilities

The classroom area, administration area, Preschool and toilets all have disabled access.

Bus transport

There is no Bus servicing the Tantanoola Primary School, but there is a small 8 seater bus which has been given to our school to use by the Variety Club for transporting our 2 sight and hearing impaired students. This small bus can be used for small excursions or there are private bus services available.

Other

Tantanoola has a Preschool on site. 4 computers are available for use by staff and students.

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School Operations 

Decision making structures

Our decision-making policy is published in both staff and parent handbooks. The school is committed to collaborative decision-making. We have an active and supportive Governing Council and Parents & Friends Group, with committees formed as need arises. We currently have Gala Day , Facilities and Finance committees. Our Student Leadership Team is involved in decision making on behalf of students and is consulted on a range of school matters and developments.

Regular publications

Our School newsletter is published fortnightly on a Thursday. Parents, staff and the local community have access to this newsletter. There is also a copy sent to the local newspaper and post office.

Other communication

A daybook is kept in the staff room and notices and information is entered daily. Handbooks containing school policies are available.

School financial position

The financial position of the school is very good. Parents are willing to fundraise when needed and when they can see the benefit for the students.

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Governing Council 

Governing Council meetings are usually held twice a term on Monday nights. Members are elected for a two year term and are expected to attend meetings regularly.

Meetings usually commence at 7:00pm and are open to all parents/caregivers, but only elected members may vote. The Annual General Meeting is held in February. Finance Committee meetings are usually held an hour prior to Governing Council.

Governing Council Members for 2011:

Chairperson:

Daniel Jazepcyk

Deputy:

Mal Sneddon

Secretary:

Julie Walker

Treasurer:

Mal Sneddon

Parents and Friends:

Kerrie Sneddon

Councillors:

Daniel Jazepcyk, Paul Serle, Stuart Clarke, Mal Sneddon, Sian Earle, Ray Lambe, Karen Brown, Trina Sims, Julie Walker

Staff Reps:

Term 1:

Sharon Haines

Term 2:

Amber Deane

Term 3:

Rachel Sweeney

Term 4:

Donna Barber

Finance:

Paul Serle & Kylie Serle, Angela Lambe, Mal Sneddon, Gaye Malthouse

Facilites:

Daniel Jazepcyk, Chris Sims, Mal Sneddon

Gala Day:

Paul and Kylie Serle, Michelle Clarke, Tony Earle, Julie Walker,

Michelle Clarke, Sheryl Jazepczyk, Mal Sneddon

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Local Community 

General characteristics

The majority of the parents of the students from this school work either at the local paper mill, Kimberly Clark, or are farmers. All students at this school come from an English speaking background. The community is a small, rural and close knit community, which is located between Millicent and Mount Gambier.

Parent and community involvement

We have a small, but active group of parents who are very involved with the school. Having a Preschool on site also means that the local Playgroup which uses these facilities brings new, young parents into the school environment. The local clubs and services support and work with the school.

Feeder schools

Tantanoola Primary School feeds students to Millicent High School.

Other local care and educational facilities

The closest facilities are 14 kilometres away in Millicent or 35 kilometres to Mount Gambier. There is access to all medical, social, sporting, cultural, recreational facilities on a smaller but equal scale to the city. Millicent and Mount Gambier have TAFE centres. Millicent High School offers Engineering Pathways, one of the few schools in the state to do so.

Childcare centres are available in both Mount Gambier and Millicent and there is also an Out of School Hours Care facility in Millicent.

Commercial/industrial and shopping facilities

Tantanoola has a Post Office which stocks a small amount of household supplies and a hotel with a much larger shopping centre with all conveniences being available in Millicent or Mount Gambier.

Other local facilities

Tantanoola has a football club; hotel and Institute for recreational purposes as well as tennis and netball courts and football and cricket oval.

Availability of staff housing

The nearest staff housing is in Millicent or Mount Gambier but there are some private rental properties available in Tantanoola.

Local Government body

Wattle Range Council or the Tourist Information Centre in Millicent have pamphlets available on the area. Brochures are also available from the Lady Nelson Tourist Centre in Mount Gambier. These pamphlets are free of charge.

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Tantanoola 

Tantanoola is a small country town in a rural setting in an attractive part of South Australia. Close proximity to Mount Gambier and Millicent make it an attractive place to live and work. The school celebrated its 125th birthday in 2008 and the community is proud of their local history. The staff, student and parents are a close knit community who work well together to promote the excellence of teaching and learning.

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