A-Z School information
Absences:
Teachers are required to mark their class roll each day. These rolls are legal documents and therefore a written explanation is required for absences. A note signed by the parent or guardian must be given to the classroom teacher on the child's return to school. An oral explanation from the parent is also acceptable.
If a child arrives late to school, they must first report to the office to be issued with a late note. A parent or guardian wishing to take a child out of school before 3:00pm must first report to the office for an early leaver's note before going to the child's classroom.
Accidents:
All parents complete an Emergency contact information sheet that is held at the office and should keep the school up to date of any changes to phone numbers (home/mobile), workplaces etc. If you believe a change has taken place, please check that the office is up to date with the necessary information.
The First Aid Officer (a member of staff) attends to all accidents and illnesses. In case of serious illness or injury, parents are informed as soon as possible.
Canteen:
Our school is fortunate to have a canteen operating five days per week. Mrs Franca Nashabe manages the canteen. Parent volunteers help daily, however new volunteers are always welcome and much needed. Canteen price lists are available and prices are kept as low as possible. Children are able to order their lunches by writing their name, class and order on a paper bag and enclosing money. Lunch orders are collected in class each morning and then sent to the canteen.
Communication:
Each school has a system for keeping parents informed about the school and the children's progress. We use Class Dojo, newsletters, notes and the notice board at the front of the school to inform parents of what is happening. Our newsletter is shared twice a term via Class Dojo and email. For Assessment and Reporting we have a half-yearly and yearly report with a 3Way (parent-student-teacher) Interview in Term 2. During the year if there is a need to discuss your child's progress or behaviour an appointment may be made to discuss the matter with you. Parents may also feel the need to speak with a teacher and they can telephone the office to make an appointment time suitable to both parties.
At the beginning of each year ‘A Meet the Teacher' session is held K-6 to introduce parents to their child's new teacher.
Computers & technology:
Our school has a computer lab and classroom computers enabling every child in the school to have hands on experience. Each class is timetabled a weekly lesson in the computer room and follow a program designed by our technology teacher in consultation with the classroom teacher. Major focus areas are Literacy, Numeracy, Word Processing and Internet Research.
Curriculum areas:
There are six major Key Learning Areas in the K-6 School. These are English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Human Society and Its Environment, Creative Arts, Personal Development Health and P.E.
Custody:
It is very important that the school knows about any problems which can affect a child's progress or safety e.g. access visits/rights. Please ensure that both the class teacher and Principal are informed of any issues regarding changes in custody or potential problems. All details are strictly confidential.
Dance groups:
Children from Years 1–6 are able to try out for either the junior or senior dance group each year. These groups perform at music festivals and special school events. Members of staff volunteer to take these groups.
Excursions:
All excursions require a special permission note that must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian each time children are to attend an arranged event. Excursions are a valuable part of a child's educational program. Excursions link to classroom activities and the number of excursions will vary from class to class. We try to keep the cost of excursions to a minimum and payments are made in advance. Unfortunately, we are not always able to take parent helpers on excursions.
Extension activities:
Our staff is very aware of the need to cater for the needs of children who require extension work and further stimulation. Staff plan and implement teaching and learning activities that cater for these children in their classrooms. Choir, Dance groups, PSSA, Creative Arts, Public Speaking and Computer Lab activities all help to cater for our Gifted and Talented students. If you feel your child needs additional work or more stimulating activities please speak with the Class Teacher or School Counsellor.
Hats:
School hats are part of our school uniform. We have a clear guideline in our school relating to sun smart behaviour NO BLUE SCHOOL HAT PLAY IN THE SHADE. There are designated ‘no hat' areas in the playground.
Home readers:
To help develop literacy, teachers organise a ‘home reading' scheme within their classrooms where children take home books to read to their parents. If books are lost or damaged a replacement fee ($5) is charged. Each classroom has a set of home readers for the children to take home. Children return their reader and then choose another to take home. Children read at their ‘level' and this is determined by using the PM Benchmark Kit.
Houses (Sport):
We have four sporting houses at school: Wentworth (Yellow), Blaxland (Red), Macquarie (Green) and Lawson (Blue). Each teacher and student is a member of a house. All efforts are made to ensure the equal distribution of boys and girls and that siblings are placed in the same house. House captains are chosen from the senior years and all students have the opportunity throughout the year to compete in our various carnivals.
Learning:
Our Learning Support Coordinator assists with the support of children with specific physical or learning needs and coordinates a review meeting each year with parents, class teachers and the School Counsellor. Class teachers are notified of the children in their class who are receiving extra assistance and work with support staff to cater appropriately for the child's individual needs.
Library:
Our school library is well equipped with both fiction and non-fiction books and is open for the children throughout the week. Classes have weekly library lessons and each child is encouraged to borrow on a regular basis. Children are required to have a library bag in order to borrow from the library. These are available from the library at a small cost. First time borrowers are given a free library bag.
Medication:
On occasions, it may be necessary for a child to take medication. If this is the case a note from parents or the consulting physician is needed. Lengthy and prolonged illnesses may require medication to be given over an extended time; strict guidelines are set down by the Department of Education & Training in respect to administering medication so if this is the case parents must contact the Principal. Suitable arrangements will be made in these circumstances. The administration staff gives the medication not the class teacher. Please note medication should never be kept in a child's bag; it must be taken to the office.
Money collection:
Parents should place money in an envelope with the amount, child's name, class and activity clearly marked on the front and placed in the 'Payments' drop box in the office. Please do not give money to the teacher at the end of the day, as it cannot be secured in the classroom overnight.
Money and valuables (especially toys):
Large amounts of money should not be brought to school unless for payment of excursions etc. Valuable items, including toys, should not be brought to school unless they are to be shown for ‘news', then the item should be left in the classroom or school bag for safekeeping. It is not the teacher's responsibility to look after such items and they are not to be taken into the playground.
Notes:
Please check your child's bag for notes. Notes are sent home regularly and will keep you informed as to what is happening at school. Please respond quickly to all notes. Notifications and reminders of upcoming events are also sent to parents via the Schoolzine app.
Parents and citizens association:
The P&C meets on the first Wednesday of each month. The meetings are held in the Community Hub. Parental involvement in our school is very important and we welcome all parents at these meetings. Your attendance at these meetings provides an invaluable link between home and school.
Parent helpers:
We value parents and community members and appreciate those who dedicate their valuable time helping the students and staff of our school. We appreciate any assistance parents might be able to give and we are always looking for more helpers.
Parking:
We request for safety reasons that parents do not park in school grounds or in the driveways of the school. Please do not park in Bus stops, No Standing Zones or Disabled Parking Zones. Police regularly patrol the area and the school takes no responsibility if parents are booked for parking infringements.
Preschool:
We have a 3 day/2 day Pre School (Monday – Wednesday 9am – 3pm and Thursday –Friday 9am – 3pm) in the school grounds. Pre School children attend for a fee, which goes toward the purchasing of equipment. Children can attend only in the twelve month period immediately before commencing school and must turn three years and six months before 31st July of that year. Enrolment forms are available from the Office and proof of age and address must be sighted before enrolment.
PSSA sport:
Our school is a member of the Bankstown District Primary Schools Association and joins other schools in the district for Summer and Winter sport competitions. Sports include T-Ball, Softball, Cricket, Volleyball, Soccer and Basketball. PSSA sport is offered to students in Years 3-6. Members of staff coach teams.
Public speaking:
Students can compete in competitions held at school and district levels.
Release from face to face teaching (RFF):
The RFF teacher provides each teacher with a class free time each week. During this time, the teacher is able to work on the planning and preparation of work and resources, marking, meeting with other teachers and any other tasks related to their work. The RFF teacher in consultation with the class teacher develops a program of work to deliver to the class during this time.
Safety:
Please make sure your child is aware of the safe places to cross the streets surrounding our school. There are pedestrian crossings in Horton Street and Clarke Street and traffic lights on the corner of Horton Street and the Hume Highway. If you are parked across the street, please do not call your children to cross the road by themselves. The adjacent streets are very busy at 3pm and accidents can and have occurred. Please model the correct behaviour for the safety of your child.
School captains and prefects:
At the end of each year, Year 5 students are given the opportunity to stand for the election of School Captains and Prefects. Students present a speech to the whole school at an assembly and each child in the school votes for their preferred candidates. Staff members also vote but the decision as to who will lead the Student Body rests mainly with the children. An executive member of staff and the Year 5 teachers oversee this event.
School counsellor:
The school counsellor is available at set times during the week to work with teachers, students and parents in an effort to identify or resolve difficulties which children may be experiencing in the classroom, at home or in the playground. The teacher makes referrals to the Counsellor after discussion with parents. Parents may also request an interview with the counsellor if concerned about issues at home or school.
School donations:
There is a general School Service Contribution requested to cover items such as paper and duplicating expenses, exercise books, special awards and other costs. A donation of $25.00 per child or $60.00 for families of three or more children is requested annually.
Scripture:
Scripture lessons are weekly for all students. The following scripture classes are available: Catholic, Muslim, and Greek Orthodox. Parents indicate on their child's enrolment form which scripture class they wish them to attend. For those children whose parents indicate they do not wish them to attend scripture classes there is supervision of a ‘non-scripture' group.
Scripture teachers deliver the lesson and classroom teachers supervise.
Sport:
Children K-2 participate in a sports program designed to develop relevant skills. When children reach Year 3 they are able to try out for various PSSA sporting teams and represent our school. Students who do not compete in the PSSA competition participate in sporting activities at school.
Sporting carnivals:
Each year all students have the opportunity to be involved in the Swimming (K-1 are not included), Athletics (P - 6), and Cross Country Carnivals. The students compete at school level and if successful compete at district level. Students can only proceed to District level once they have turned 8yrs old.
Student representitive counsel (SRC):
Each class from Years 2-6 elect a representative to the SRC. The SRC raises funds for selected charities and organises social gatherings. The main function of the SRC is to provide a forum to express the views of students. A member of staff coordinates the SRC meeting and activities.
Support programs:
Many outstanding support programs designed to cater for the specific learning needs of children play an important role in our school. Programs include E.S.L (English as a Second Language), Arabic support, Learning Assistance . Children eligible for these programs are identified by the class teacher and support staff.
Uniforms:
All children are encouraged to wear full school uniform. Uniforms are available from the Uniform Shop on selected days. Please contact the office for details or an order form. Please select this link for more information
