About our School
Clapham Primary School aims to encourage independent, co-operative, caring people who value and respect each other - and who strive to achieve their personal best.
Clapham Primary School has extensive grounds located on several levels (covering approximately 4 hectares) where many hundreds of trees ensure a pleasant, sheltered environment in which to work and play. All classrooms are air-conditioned with quiet comfortable class areas to promote active learning.
Location and Map - Google Earth Coord; -34.9937, 138.6041 (http://earth.google.com/)
We are located at:
Barretts Road
Clapham 5062
Contact Us On:
Telephone: 8276 5633
Fax: 8374.0675
Email: cps@claphamps.sa.edu.au
Please click on an image to enlarge it!
 |
 |
Conveniently located en route to the city for all who live in the southern suburbs....
....with excellent "
Out of School Hours Care
" available.
Move your mouse over the grounds map picture to see the available links
Our Values
Clapham School encourages students to be independent, cooperative and caring and to value, respect and support each other whilst developing their potential. Click on the image below to enlarge it.
We are committed to: |
||
 |
|
|
The first week of our school year is devoted to instilling the values of respect, co-operation and responsibility in everything we do at Clapham. This is re-visited at the beginning of each term and interwoven into all aspects of our schooling throughout the year.
Specialty Areas
Clapham Primary School is very proud of its specialty programs. We are constantly reviewing and changing these areas to reflect the interests of our student population.
- International Studies
- Students with High Intellectual Potential
- Information and Communication Technology
- Music
- Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
- Sport
- Middle Schooling
- Parent Involvement
- Out of School Hours Care (OSHC)
International Studies
To support our Values in Action the school hosts some full fee paying International Students.
The children are welcomed into the Clapham community and participate fully in it's programs. Generally, there is one International child in a class. We have found this enhances their command of language and Australian culture.
The school of course, benefits from having students from different cultures as part of our community. It adds to our understanding and appreciation of people, cultures and beliefs around the world. It makes our community a global village
Students with High Intellectual Potential
Clapham was a Focus School for SHIP until 1999. As a Focus School we had a Co-ordinator and supported network schools that were part of the State-wide program.
The school mission is to encourage and support students to achieve their personal best. Although the funding for the program has finished, SHIP methodologies are firmly entrenched throughout the school. Children's specific learning needs are identified through formal and informal processes. Teachers, parents and students are involved in this process. All teachers in the school are trained in recognising and understanding the behaviours and characteristics which indicate high intellectual potential and the teaching and learning strategies that are appropriate.
A variety of in-class, whole-school and intra-school strategies are used to develop appropriate learning environments in support of SHIP. Sometimes students are clustered within multi-age classes with ability peers to accommodate accelerated learning.
Enriched learning programs focus on problem solving, creative and critical thinking, enquiry and resource based learning. Open-ended learning tasks allow students to advance at their own pace in areas of personal interest. All students benefit from this program, which enhances thinking skills.
Cross-age and peer tutoring experiences promote interaction and learning with peers of similar ability and interest between year levels, develops leadership, communication and social skills. Goal setting and personal assessment is encouraged.
Our Personal Parliament (SRC), South Australian Primary Schools Amateur Sports Association, Oliphant Science Awards, assemblies, choir, instrumental music, competitions and class newsletters are some other strategies used to develop students' abilities to potential.
Information and Communication Technology
Overview
Clapham has a proud history of using ICT to support student learning. We were one of the first schools to network our Curriculum Computers and we still maintain a high standard of computing excellence.
Clapham Primary School has over 60 PC's running Windows XP Professional connected to the Curriculum network. This is a ratio of around 1 computer for 4 students. We have a Computer Room of 30 computers with a data projector, a printer and a scanner. Each classroom has a networked computer. There are 5 pods located around the school catering for Japanese classes, the Yr 5/6/7 classes, the yr 2/4 classes, the R/1 classes and the Resource Centre. We have two video cameras, one digital camera per class, two iMacs and two purpose built multimedia PCs for movie editing. In 2007 we purchased 3 Smartboards that all classes have regular access to and we are undertaking to purchase more Smartboards in 2008.
ICT Personnel
The school has a Coordinator responsible for ICT, a technician and a committee made up of staff and Governing Council members that meets the week before Governing Council.
Using the Computer Facilities
The staff book times in the Computer Room and are proficient enough to take their own ICT lessons following up their lessons with the Coordinator. Regular in school T&D is available through the Coordinator who also provides release time each term for staff to plan and discuss ways for ICT to best support their curriculum objectives. Each term Japanese lessons are conducted in the Computer room where the students practise writing Japanese script, working with Japanese internet sites and learning with some of the school's Japanese software.
Student Involvement
The students have a history of entering competitions to design web pages and classes have e-mail links to schools within Australia and overseas. In recent times a group of Yr 6/7 students assisted Westpac employees with some onsite training when the Computer Room became a training facility on Internet Banking. An ICT team of Yr 5/6/7 students manage the School's Intranet providing each class with news about excursions, competitions and classroom activities.
Internet Policy
At the start of the year students from yrs 3-7 sign an agreement stating that they will use the Internet appropriately. There is also an individual research contract completed by the student and signed by their teacher allowing them to retrieve information from the Internet whenever they are researching a topic. Teachers provide assistance by directing students to suitable web resources thus maintaining an efficient use of the Internet.
Parents Are Kept Informed
A "Computer Corner" in every newsletter over the past 7 years informs parents of how ICT is supporting their child's learning at Clapham. This could take the form of a report from a class showing how they have used the program Inspiration to compose Mind Maps of a topic they are exploring in class, or tips on how to have your son or daughter make maximum use of the Internet at home for research tasks with recommended Kids Friendly Internet sites.
There are some very useful links to family friendly web sites on our Links page, please check it out for some interesting and safe web surfing.
Music
Clapham provides a one hour sequential class music and drama program weekly to all children. It aims to develop an individual musical ear, knowledge and skills, including those of music literacy, through active participation in a range of musical activities in the outstanding Music Room. The school has an excellent range of tuned and non-tuned percussion instruments.
Emanating from the class program are extra-curricular activities. These may include - Choir; Instrumental music Program.
Violin, Viola, Cello, Guitar, Recorder, Keyboard, piano, percussion and Music Technology are presently taught within the program - and available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Of these, keyboard, piano, percussion and guitar are private tuition. Clapham also has students who learn woodwind, brass and percussion instruments, through the Clapham Primary School Hub program supported by DECS. The students learning a musical instrument at the school are members of the Junior or Senior Band and rehearse every second Tuesday. In 2007 the school started it’s own rock band “ Lockdown” which rehearses two lunchtimes a week.
Clapham School community has always valued the musical development of its students very highly and an excellent standard is maintained and reached with great enjoyment.
Commenced in 2007 and continuing in 2008, art classes are held at the school one afternoon a week.
Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
Japanese
All students from Reception to Year 7 attend 90 minutes of Japanese each week. The program works on the philosophy that learning to communicate in another language should be fun. Therefore, students participate in a variety of activities which cover the three writing systems, oral and aural communication and a cultural perspective which examines the differences and similarities between Australia and Japan.
Greek
A Greek Mother Tongue programme operates for children of Greek speaking parents. Also included are children keen and capable of learning a second language. The program operates one day a fortnight.
* After school Greek classes are also available through the Ethnic Schools Program.
Sport
Our school features a Sports Committee made up of interested parents and teacher representatives. A wide range of out-of-school sports are co-ordinated by members of this committee. Many of our children take part in at least one sport on Saturdays or after school. The range of sports and number of teams depends entirely upon the willingness of our parents to share the tasks and at least to be the parent co-ordinator for each team. Year 3-7 children can take part in sports such as Netball, Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Cricket, Football, Tennis (Year 6/7). Some teams combine with other schools.
The school has an active sports program with specialized instructors working with students in tennis, golf, softball, volleyball, rugby, soccer, lacrosse and archery. Staff arrangements are made with state sporting groups to give students introductory experiences with a range of sports, dependent on student interest.
The school has number of chess teams from year 2 to 7.
The Junior Primary children take part in a fun Sports Day while the rest of the school participates in a tabloid Sports Day with championship and team events in the afternoon. The Sports Day is held in Term 1 each year and is a combined fun and skills event.
The South Australian Junior Sports Policy is followed by the Sports Committee. It determines the level and type of involvement allowed for children of various year levels. The school is also affiliated with the South Australian Primary School Amateur Sports Association (SAPSASA) and talented children are selected to try out for district teams.
The school is a venue for karate classes one afternoon a week.
Middle Schooling
We are operating across the Year 5/6/7 classes as a middle school to provide learning situations which suit children of this age group.
Many of the children turn 13 during Year 7 and so we are dealing with very sociable and mature young people who are looking for slightly different approaches to learning.
The yr 5-7 classes ability - group for maths at the beginning of the year and use these groups for their daily math’s lessons. We use specialist teaching approaches in other curriculum areas. On Tuesdays, three of the classrooms become subject rooms for science, technology and health. The Yr 5/6/7 classes then rotate through these classrooms as they would in a secondary situation.
We share classes and plan collaboratively. We give students a wide variety of choices for project work and homework.
Our students (including some junior students) are responsible for a wide range of across the school voluntary duties such as OPP executive, traffic monitors, canteen monitors, sports shed monitors. From 2006 students earn a certificate after completing 20- 50 hours of community service.
Parent Involvement
Learning Assistance Program (LAP)
Our school provides a valued Learning Assistance Programme which supports students by further developing their self esteem and confidence, thereby enhancing and extending their learning.
It provides a 1:1 relationship with a caring and committed volunteer who will assist the student in a variety of ways. The program relies totally on volunteers and we are very appreciative of the support they provide for our students and school.
If you would like to become a volunteer, our Co-ordinator would welcome your enquiries.
Parents and Friends
Parents and Friends is an informal parent participation group. It does not have a defined role and is not a sub-committee of Governing Council. Rather its purpose is to provide support in as many forms as possible within the school.
To date the group has been involved in tasks such as:
- New family welcome and support
- Assistance with special events, e.g. Sports Day, Open Night
- administration support
- banking
- projects to improve the physical appearance of the school
- catering
- grounds development and maintenance
Out of School Hours Care (OSHC)
Out of School Hours Care aims to provide a safe, fun and caring environment with quality activities. Out of School Hours Care offers - Before School Care, After School Care, Closure Day Care and Vacation Care.
OSHC Operating hours:
Before School Care - 7:15 am to 8:30 am each school day
After School Care - 3:20 pm to 6:00 pm each school day
Closure Days - 7:15 am to 6:00 pm
Vacation Care - 7:15 am to 6:00 pm
The programme is based in the Art Room in the Eastern Wing. The Director and staff establish an interesting and varied programme. This includes art/craft, drama, games, cooking, etc. For further information, phone 8374 1465.
Staff
Clapham Primary school currently have a total staff of 15.8. Richard Baxter Principal, Rod Sutherland Deputy Principal, teaching staff, 1 ICT support staff, 1 grounds and maintenance staff and 3 office staff and a Christian Pastoral Care Worker. For more information about the individual staff members please click here.
Achievements
2007 Achievements
Chess
In 2007 the B Grade chess team came third in the state finals!
SAPSASA
District Athletics Day – Runner Up of the Small Schools division.
2006 Achievements
SAPSASA
Small Schools Netball Knockout Competition – Clapham made the State Grand final of this competition and were narrowly defeated in the dying minutes of the last quarter.
District Athletics Day – Winner of the Small Schools division
Chess
The school Interschool chess team came 3rd and 4th in the Western Zone Competition in Terms 1 and 2 respectively.
Some Of Our 2005 Achievements
Chess
On the 4th of April a team of 14 students took place in the Western Zone Interschool Chess Competition & we came a very credible 3rd.
In term 2 we moved to the South West Zone out of Hallett Cove East PS and this time came 1st!
In early November 2005, we took part in the State Finals at Linden Park PS playing the winners form every zone. Clapham came 7th out of 15 schools. A notable achievement.
X-Country and Athletics
In our District X-Country day our team achieved 1st place and repeated this outstanding effort in the State Finals.
In our District Athletics day we did extremely well in the relays and long jump. On the State Athletics Day one of our Yr 7 students broke the 800m record that had stood for 27 years!Recent Events
2007 Riley Musical Production
Yet another great success!. The annual school musical production. Well done to all the students who performed and congratulations to the staff and parents who made the event such a success. There are parents and students still talking about the show. To view the gallery of the event please click here.
2007 Sports Day
More on this to come...
2006 Cirque Du Clapham
What a fantastic event. The annual school musical production. Well done to all the students who performed and congratulations to the staff and parents who made the event such a success. To view the gallery of the event please click here.
2006 sports day
Held thursday 6th April, A great day was had by all. The winners this year were the yellow team. Congratulation to all the students who worked together in the relays to get the yellow team to the winners podium. To view a gallery of the days events please Click Here.
