A-Z of Important Facts
& Information

Each year we coordinate transitions for our Year 6 Students to Secondary School and connect closely to Willunga High School. This involves orientation visits and learning experiences for students prior to commencing year 7 and the sharing of key information with local public high schools to support the learning and wellbeing of each student in their transition to secondary school.  

At the beginning of each school year, at Class Parent forums, each teacher will outline the homework expectations for the students in that class. Please refer to our MFPS Homework philosophy document in the school documents tab above to understand more.

It is vital that communication between home and school is established and maintained. Different classes will have different methods of communications and these will be outlined at the start of the year. They may vary between school diaries, communication books, emails or class blogs/SeeSaw posts. Please take the time to check these communication books each night and initial next to the information so that we know you have received it. 

Equally, it is important that teachers are aware of any circumstances outside of our school that may affect a student’s health, well-being or performance at school.  Any concerns or queries you have should be directed to the person who can best help you, in most cases this will be the class teacher.  All staff will only be too happy to assist you. (see also Email and Staff Contacts)

When weather is inclement and rainy, students are generally kept indoors for playtimes. However, during rainy weather, we encourage children to wear boots or similar for outdoor playtimes and to bring waterproof jackets etc.

During really hot weather, we will have inside play at breaktimes and all classrooms have air conditioning. Some school and sporting events may be cancelled during excessively hot weather.

Complimentary to our specialist music lessons, choir, drumming workshops and ensemble, we also offer instrumental music tuition for students through our Department for Education strings program, through which students can apply to access specialist instruction in violin, viola or cello. Contact our music teacher Indra Benson for more information.

At McLaren Flat Primary School we understand that nutrition has a vital impact upon student learning.

To maintain mental alertness and cognitive performance the brain requires a steady supply of oxygenated blood, a steady supply of blood sugar (glucose) and plenty of water.

Therefore at around 10.00am each day we encourage all students to take a “brain food” break. Brain foods are those that raise glucose levels in the brain. These include: Apples (small or pieces of), Bananas, Oranges (cut into quarters), Cherries, Boiled eggs, Carrot sticks and Natural popcorn.

Please note that dried fruits are not as effective, as they are high in fructose and cannot break through the blood-brain barrier. Please support your child’s learning by sending them to school every day with suitable “brain food” and water in a re-fillable bottle. We encourage healthy, nutritious lunch and recess foods with minimal packaging.

Newsletters are an important communication link between home and school. They inform parents / caregivers of school events and at times seek information. They are published fortnightly via a link in parent broadcast on Wednesdays, in even weeks of the school term. You can also find an archive of our newsletters here on the website.

If you have any information you would like included in our school newsletter please see staff in the office, with at least 4 days minimum notice.

Our school provides many opportunities for parents and caregivers to receive information on their child’s progress and program. Early in Term 1 a Parent Forum for each class (evening session) is offered. At the beginning of Term 2 meetings will be held between parents, students and the classroom teacher for year 3-6 students and between the parents and teacher for Recpetion to Yr 2 students.

These are booked online. At the end of Term 2 written progress reports for Terms 1 & 2 will be given. these are sent home via email.

During Term 3, 3-way (students, parents, teacher) Learning Conference times will be organised for all students to discuss their learning and progress with the child’s classroom teacher.

A comprehensive written report for Terms 3 & 4 will be sent home via email at the end of Term 4.

Parents and caregivers are reminded that it is not necessary to wait for the scheduled interviews if you have and concerns regarding your child’s progress at school. Please feel welcome to talk with the class teacher and if necessary make a time to see them after school

Throughout the school year, the school will have pupil free days, when the staff are required to attend and participate in profesisonal development activities. On these days, students do not attend, but can enrol to attend OSHC for the day. There are usually between 4-6 pupil free days per year and every effort is made to give families as much notice as possible and vary the dates ecah yeat.

In term 2 and 4 of each year, prior to commencing school, kindergarten children have the opportunity to participate in a transition program to help prepare and orient them, and their families for life at school. The timing of the visits is coordinated with our feeder kindergartens and children generally build up their time at school over the course of the visits. Enrolment packages are distributed at the beginning of the K-R transition process.

Throughout each term, we open our secondhand uniform shop, wher you can purchase good quality secondhand uniform items for a gold coin donation. To access the stall, you can touch base with the front office staff, or keep an eye on the newsletter for opening times. 

Our Senior year 5 and 6 students have the opportunity to be part of our School Student Leadership team. Students apply to be part of the program and contribute across a variety of leadership portfolios including Community, Sports and PE, Environment, and  Performing Arts. Students are appointed for a 1 year term.

It is expected that students wear the school colours – royal blue and yellow. The school maintains a small stock of uniforms for new parents; also an order is done once at the beginning of every term. Orders regarding the above should be directed to school. We encourage clothing that enables children to participate safely and comfortably in a range of indoor, outdoor and active pursuits. Sensible and appropriate shoes are encouraged. As per our Sun Smart Policy, Students are required to wear broad brimmed hats when outside in summer, autumn and spring.