Pennington School R – 6

## Overview Pennington R-7 is a public, co-educational primary school serving students from the early years through to Year 7. The school fosters an inclusive, supportive environment where learning is approached with care and curiosity. With a medium-sized community feel, class sizes typically sit in a comfortable range that supports individual attention while enabling collaborative learning. The atmosphere is nurturing and community-focused, emphasising both academic progress and well-being. ⸻ ## Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, with a growing emphasis on STEM, digital literacy, and curiosity-driven learning. English and mathematics are core focus areas, supported by ongoing student progress monitoring. - Special programs: Gifted and Talented opportunities, accelerated learning options where appropriate, coding and robotics clubs, and access to specialist teachers in areas such as science and arts. - NAPLAN / trends: The school tracks NAPLAN trends over time to monitor improvements in reading and numeracy and to identify areas for targeted support. Refer to the latest annual report for up-to-date trend details. - Student-teacher ratios: Typical class sizes and ratios are designed to balance individual attention with rich classroom interaction (roughly in the mid-teens to low-twenties per class, plus specialist teachers). - Support for diverse learners: EAL support, inclusive education practices, and dedicated SEN support with learning plans and targeted interventions when needed. ⸻ ## Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: AFL and general ball skills, netball, cricket, soccer, basketball, athletics, and swimming programs. Local inter-school sport participation is encouraged. - Strong teams or achievements: Participation in district and inter-school competitions with opportunities for school-level recognition and leadership development. - Music, arts, drama programs: Active music and performing arts opportunities, including school assemblies and productions. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other interest-based clubs to extend learning beyond the classroom. - Partnerships: Connections with local community groups and external coaching or competition opportunities to broaden experiences. ⸻ ## Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Proactive wellbeing programs, clear anti-bullying policies, and a supportive culture that encourages respectful relationships. - House system: House groups to foster leadership, teamwork, and positive social norms through regular events and competitions. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school counsellors or wellbeing staff to support students’ emotional and social needs. - Transition support for new students: Orientation activities, buddy programs, and targeted transition support to help new students settle in smoothly. ⸻ ## Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site courts and fields suitable for physical education and team sports. - Libraries: Wel-equipped library spaces supporting reading for pleasure and research. - Science labs: Accessible science facilities to support hands-on learning and experiments. - Music/performing arts centers: Dedicated spaces for music and drama activities. - Tech/innovation labs: Digital learning spaces and technology-enabled learning environments. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or food service supporting healthy eating. - Updated playgrounds: Modern play equipment and outdoor learning spaces. ⸻ ## School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A commitment to respect, responsibility, resilience, and a love of learning within a supportive community. - Leadership style: Student leadership opportunities alongside teacher guidance; collaborative problem-solving and responsible decision-making are encouraged. - Behaviour expectations: Clear behaviour frameworks that promote positive conduct, accountability, and mutual respect. - Community reputation: A welcoming, family-friendly school culture with active parent involvement and a focus on inclusive education. - Diversity & inclusion: Emphasis on diverse backgrounds and inclusive practices to ensure all students feel valued and supported. ⸻ ## School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical start and finish times aligned with SA school calendars and term dates. - Before/after school care: Available options or programs to support families outside standard school hours. - Uniform requirements: School uniform policy with guidelines for acceptable dress and safety. - Transport (bus routes): Access to local transport options and school pickup/drop-off arrangements; timing aligned with school day. - Canteen availability: Availability of canteen services or lunch options on site. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): For public schools, contributions and optional costs are generally modest; exact figures vary by year level and activity. ⸻ ## Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Enrolment is typically initiated through the school's intake process, aligned with South Australian Department for Education procedures. Parents usually submit an enrolment form with required documents (birth certificate, immunisation records, proof of address) and select the preferred start year. Timelines vary by year level and catchment, with applications often coordinated to align with the start of the school year. Check the school’s official guidance for current timelines and required documents. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - In catchment-based public schools, space can be limited. If the school is at capacity, a waiting list may operate, prioritising enrolments based on space availability, year level, and sometimes priority categories (e.g., siblings, special considerations). The waiting list process is managed by the school and the Education Department, so please contact the school for the latest details. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Standard enrolment typically does not require entrance tests or interviews for general admission. Some programs or supports (e.g., language programs, support services) may involve information discussions or assessments to determine appropriate placement and supports. The school will outline any program-specific requirements during the enrolment process. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are possible if space is available. Parents should contact the school as soon as a transfer is considered to understand space, documentation, and timelines. Approval may depend on availability and alignment with the receiving year level. ⸻ ## Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A welcoming, inclusive environment with strong literacy and numeracy foundations, plus opportunities in sports, arts, and STEM. The school emphasises well-being, community involvement, and individual student growth. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who respond well to a supportive, collaborative culture, who value balanced academics, and who enjoy participating in a range of clubs and activities. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Access to gifted/talented programs, coding and robotics clubs, debates, music and drama, inter-school sport, and enrichment activities across STEM and the arts. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters and notices, parent-teacher interviews, and digital platforms for ongoing updates and student progress. Clear channels exist for feedback and engagement. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centered learning with differentiated instruction, clear learning goals, and evidence-based teaching practices to support all learners. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted small-group interventions, EAL support, SEN support with IEPs or similar plans, and access to specialist teachers and resources. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Early identification, tailored support plans, and regular progress monitoring to ensure timely help and adjustments. - How does the school communicate with parents? - See above: newsletters, digital platforms, and proactive teacher communications to keep families informed. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are designed to provide meaningful teacher-led instruction and opportunities for individual attention; typical ranges are in the low- to mid-teens for student-to-teacher contact, with additional support through specialist staff. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (including AFL/netball/cricket/basketball/athletics), music and drama programs, and clubs such as robotics, chess, coding, and debating. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, a cafeteria, and updated playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integrated technology use across learning areas, access to devices and digital resources, and a focus on digital literacy and safe online learning. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local transport options and school-arranged drop-off/pick-up; accessibility features within the campus to support students with diverse needs. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Public schools generally involve modest voluntary contributions and book/lab/material costs; additional costs may arise from excursions, camps, or specific programs. Exact figures vary by year level and activity. ⸻ ## Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Inclusive, supportive culture with emphasis on well-being and community - Strong literacy and numeracy foundations with opportunities in STEM and arts - Wide range of clubs and extracurriculars - Access to specialist staff and targeted support for diverse learners - Flexible pathways for different learning needs and interests - Cons - Space for new enrolments can be limited in high-demand years or programs - As a public school, some programs and resources may be broader and less specialised than multi-campus independent schools - Transport options depend on local routes and schedules; families may need to arrange some travel outside school hours