Clapham Primary School

Clapham Primary School first opened in February 1961, not at the present site on Barretts Road, but in temporary, portable rooms at Colonel Light Gardens School. This situation arose because the newly built school was not ready for occupation. The temporary rooms were used until the last week of the first term when approximately 170 students and staff were transferred and allocated to rooms on the grounds and first floors in the West Wing of Clapham. 

The East Wing was occupied by students and staff of Mitcham Girls High School for several years until their own school was built at Kingswood. 

The school was officially opened by the Minister of Education, Sir Baden Pattison. 

A little trivial fact... For the first 2 years when the school first opened no students were supposed to place his/her hands on the wooden railings while climbing up and down the stairs in case the varnish should show any wear and tear. How times have changed!

Cassie Kopias 

Assistant Principal 

Learning how to make new friends and keep them involves a number of skills every young person needs to understand and develop. For some, these skills will come naturally, allowing them to easily move between different friendship groups, sharing their experiences and opening up to new people. For others, this can be much harder to navigate. Belonging to a group that is like-minded with similar interests is highly beneficial to a young person’s wellbeing. It gives them a sense of security helping them feel valued which in turn builds their confidence. Positive friendships are an important part of the journey to adulthood. Adult carers can support their child or teenager by providing guidance with the many social and emotional skills required for a healthy relationship. This will help them to obtain, retain and maintain friendships. However, not all friendship are regarded as positive. Sometimes young people develop negative or toxic friendships. Therefore it is also important for them to learn how to identify, avoid or deal with such a friendship.In this edition of SchoolTV, adult carers can learn how to support their young person’s friendship so that they experience a sense of belonging. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback. If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help. Here is the link to this month's edition 

https://claphamps.sa.schooltv.me/newsletter/friendship-belonging

We are very excited to share that we have had many entries for the "Name the Satellite" Competition.  Our students have been amazingly creative in naming the satellite as well as reasons for the names.  Thank you to all students who participated. Thank you to classroom teachers and Mrs Averis for supporting students with writing their persuasions.  

We are delighted to announce the following students were shortlisted to the Top 3 entries: Marinus V-H, Ethan H and Zoe M and wish to congratulate the winning entrant Zoe M!

Please see below the winning entry and other names chosen by Marinus V-H and Ethan H.

"PURLI PIKI"  - Zoe M

Purli Piki means Star Moon. This represents going into space and the glowing light we get from stars and the moon that remains the same throughout the thousands of years that the aboriginals have lived and the dream time stories from them. The shining light gives us hope in dark and unhopeful times.

The stars and the moon are connected to many dream times stories. Dreamtime stories are important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders because they teach about values and how things where created. Some stories from the moon and the stars are: The three brothers, The sun and Moon and the seven sisters, these are only three of many! This name will represent the many remembered dream time stories that come from the stars and the thousands of years they have been around for and many to come.

When you look up into the sky and think of this name people will think of a hopeful light that shines just like the stars and the moon in the dark.

I hope that when you consider this name that you remember the meaning behind it and what everyone will think when they look up into the night sky.

Ethan H: Tarkarri Purli (Tomorrow Star)

Marinus V-H: Bunjil (Roaming Eagle)

Jackie Griggs (previous parent) of Clapham Primary School was extremely passionate about our school grounds and facilities and ignited this passion in others (parents, staff and students).  Jackie led the Facilities Subcommittee for a number of years and was instrumental in developing and maintaining our Indigenous Garden.  During this time Jackie had the vision of creating a Japanese Garden. She worked with the Japanese teacher and students to create a design and supported the installation of this area at one of our Community Action Days. 

Therefore a group of parents and the school have worked together to place a Japanese Garden Bench in this area in memory of Jackie.  Through generous donations this has been made possible.  A donation of $461.00 to Trees for Life was also made (another passion of Jackie's).   Thank you to our school community for your support in making this happen.  A special thank you to Nick Atkinson (parent) who made and donated the Japanese Garden Bench.

We are looking forward to celebrating with everyone at our our 60s themed Quiz Night this Saturday night. It will be a fantastic night!

Many thanks to Trish, Mel, Jess, Cassie, Jasmine, Catherine and Alli who have worked tirelessly sourcing fabulous prizes and silent auction items. Their time and efforts organising this fundraising event is greatly appreciated by our school community.