About our school
Welcome to Pooraka Primary – a small R-6 school situated in the northern suburbs of Adelaide. Our school community of approximately 190 students brings a rich diversity of many cultures and languages of families from a range of countries all over the world. Pooraka Primary School has a rich heritage, and first opened on the 14th April 1914, formerly known as the Abattoirs School.
The school has developed strong links to all areas of the community, including the local Unity Park, nearby tennis club and our local kindergarten and childcare centre.
Our approach at Pooraka Primary School is to ensure both staff and students are thriving learners. We approach public education through the “Strategy for Public Education”. The strategy is based on 4 key areas of impact: Well-being, Equity and excellence, Learner agency and Effective learners. We believe that every child is immensely capable and when the right conditions for learning are created, every child will thrive.
At Pooraka Primary School, students have voice and agency over many aspects of our site, such as play spaces, learning programs, significant leadership opportunities through the Ambassador Program and running activities for other students. We pride ourselves in how we support small groups and individual students to ensure they have the well-being and academic support they need to thrive.
Our beautiful, extensive grounds and site, houses a range of nature play equipment and kitchen gardens, specifically designed to develop, creative and critical thinkers that learn through play and problem solving.
We currently have 9 classes and 1 special options class, where students are treated with respect and equity and inclusion are important priorities.
As Principal of Pooraka Primary, it would be my absolute pleasure to share our school with prospective families and students. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to organise a tour.
Michelle Parkes
Principal
Current enrolments
Our School currently has 182 enrolled students (term 3, 2025)..
Our vision
Students are empowered to become effective, resilient, critical, and creative thinkers. We provide an environment that nurtures the develop of skills, knowledge, and understanding necessary for students to solve problems, enabling them to thrive in an ever-changing global landscape. We are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can reach their full potential and contribute positively to society.
Our values
OUR VALUES
- Cooperation – Getting along with others and always listening openly; valuing everyone’s opinions
- Respect – actively listening, using good manners and considering others’ needs.
- Trust – honesty, trustworthiness and taking responsibility for our actions.
- Caring – showing empathy towards others and helping out in need.
- Responsibility – being committed to being our best and owning our learning and choices
Our facilities
Technologies
Pooraka Primary School is well equipped with facilities that are purpose driven to support high quality learning and teaching. All classrooms are equipped with technology and smart boards to provide a hands-on learning experience.
Across our small site, we have 50 laptops for classroom learning use and students engage in technology lessons, to support their understanding of moral and ethical use of IT, as well as learning essential skills that promote creative thinkers.
Classrooms
Our students are located in 2 main buildings – R-2 in our Junior Primary Rooms and Year 3-6 in our main school building.
Gymnasium
On our site, we have a purpose built gymnasium, used for physical education lessons, fortnightly assemblies and community functions. This building is fully equipped with air conditioning and heating to ensure students learn in a comfortable environment.
Playground and gardens
We are extremely fortunate at Pooraka Primary School to have vast, wide open ovals and spaces that also encompass 2 playgrounds, sandpit and extensive nature play. Students have the opportunity to be creative in the nature huts, where they can explore and develop an understanding of the world around them.
Students also have the opportunity to participate in gardening and growing their own vegetables. It’s always exciting watching the students at harvest time use the fresh ingredients to prepare food.
Out of School Hours Care
Our site also encompasses an OSHC service located in the original 110 year old school building, where students engage in a range of activities, before school and after school, run by Happy Haven.
“The learning experience at Department School is fantastic. There’s full support from the teachers, who encourage and challenge my children to always do their best.”
Parent of Department School Student