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ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL
Children, ideally, should not arrive at school before 8:30am. Children arriving prior to 8:30am are required to sit in the Tuckshop covered area. Supervision of the playground is arranged for morning tea and lunch breaks only. Playground supervision is not provided on an organised basis before school. Parents of children who arrive early at school are especially advised to be mindful of this situation. If necessary please make use of our Outside School Hours Care service which operates from 7:00-8:30am & 3:00-6:00pm. Telephone number 3725 5645.
ASSEMBLIES
Lower and Upper School assemblies are held on a weekly basis in our school hall. The Lower School (Years 1 – 3) meet on Tuesdays at 2:30pm while the Upper School (Years 4 - 7) meet on Mondays at 2:30pm.
At these gatherings we endeavour to create a close, friendly atmosphere among students and teachers to help build school spirit and morale.
The whole school assemblies are held on the first Tuesday of each month and are designed to be positive. Class items are a feature of these assemblies. Parents are welcome to attend.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
School rolls are marked in the morning and in the afternoon each day. From 2007, student attendance will be recorded in two categories:
• Explained absences
• Unexplained absences
It is very important for parents to phone or write a note explaining all absences. The phone number for this is 3725 5666.
The Principal will determine whether the parent has provided a reasonable excuse for an absence.
The Principal will:
• Inform parents of unexplained absences and request an explanation
• Inform parents if the explanation given is recorded as unsatisfactory.
Exemptions from compulsory schooling may be granted for up to one year.
Lateness or Early Departure
Students arriving late must report to the office and be issued a “late slip”. Students leaving during school hours must be signed out by an adult.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES
Students and parents have access to a process based on the principles of natural justice so that complaints can be heard and resolved. Complaints should be discussed and resolved within a general framework of co-operation that emphasises the prevention of further disputes.
Initially, any complaints should be attempted to be resolved in an informal manner. This would normally involve classroom issues and interactions between student/teacher and student/parent/teacher. Should the issue be still unresolved, a more formal process would require the involvement of Deputy Principal/Principal in accordance with the school Complaints Management Policy.
ENROLMENT REQUIREMENTS
Application for enrolment requires the following documentation or equivalent to be sighted:-
• A birth certificate
• Rates notice or a lease agreement
• Transfer note (if from another school)
• Australian citizenship documents or Permanent Residence status or eligibility under a Visa category
The Principal is the decision maker on enrolments.
Parents of Students with Disabilities may also seek an appointment with the Principal Education Officer for advice on their options of programs within the district.
On enrolment the following forms require parent signature/permission.
• Enrolment form/general information
• Religious Education
• Swimming
• Photo/Media
• ICT Agreements
• Enrolment Agreement (Responsible Behaviour Plan)
Enrolment in Prep – Child must be 5 or older before 30 June in the proposed year of attendance.
Enrolment in Year 1 – In year 2007 the child must be at least 6 years old on 31 December in the proposed year of attendance. From 2008 the child must be at least 6 years old on 30 June in the proposed year of attendance.
EXCURSIONS
All students will be invited to participate in excursions at various times throughout the year. Excursions are an integral part of school life and geared towards enhancing the learning experience. Parents will be given early notification, by written communication, of forthcoming excursions.
Our current school policy is that all trips outside the Brisbane area require buses fitted with seatbelts.
All excursions are approved Variations to Routine and include a risk assessment.
Normally formal school uniform is required for students on school excursions, though on some occasions due to the nature of the activity, sports uniform or non-uniform clothing may be preferred. This information will be included on the permission slip.
FEES
The P&C has endorsed the following fees:
• $40 contribution to classroom curriculum resources, equipment and facilities improvements.
• $20 per term Swimming Enhancement Program based on Royal Life Saving “Swim and Survive” program, complemented by a stroke development component. This is a nationally recognised learn to swim program which provides children with a step by step process of learning all the skills to safely enjoy an aquatic environment.
• Cost Recovery Fees will be charged for instrumental music, excursions, camps, sport, Arts Council and cultural activities.
• User Pays for additional educational or recreational programs offered as extra curricular activities eg Auskick, Tennis coaching.
Fundraising events are approved each term by P&C/school. The school fully recognises the need to be sensitive to families who may have financial difficulties and is only too willing to organise, in total confidence, alternative payment arrangements.
GRIEVANCE & COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES
Students and parents have access to a process based on the principles of natural justice so that complaints and grievances can be heard and resolved. Grievances should be discussed and resolved within a general framework of co-operation that emphasises the prevention of further disputes.
Initially, any grievance should be attempted to be resolved in an informal manner. This would normally involve classroom issues and interactions between student/teacher and student/parent/teacher. Should the issue be still unresolved, a more formal process would require the involvement of Deputy Principal/Principal depending upon the nature of the grievance.
HOMEWORK
New homework guidelines for Queensland state schools will help children establish a balanced lifestyle that allows time for activities with family and friends. The guidelines provide our school with a chance to develop our own homework policy in consultation with parents, to ensure a common-sense framework for students, teachers and parents. The guidelines for different age groups are as follows:
• In the Prep year, generally students will not be set homework.
• Homework in Years 1,2,3 could be up to – but generally not more than an hour each week
• Homework in Year 4 and 5 could be up to – but generally not more than 2-3 hours each week
• Homework in Years 6 and 7 could be up to – but generally not more than 3-4 hours each week.
For our younger students, it is important that parents get involved by reading books to them and encouraging them in a range of activities. For the older students, parents can help them balance the amount of time completing homework, encouraging reading, watching television, playing sport and doing part-time work.
Good communication between teachers, students and parents is also very important to ensure students reach their full potential.
Consequences:
Teachers apply consequences for students not completing homework which are clear, appropriate and consistent. They will contact parents when students are persistently not completing homework.
LOST PROPERTY
Lost property is stored in a bin in the covered area near the Tuckshop. The excessive amounts that gather are due to a lack of care by the children and the absence of clear identification. Please label all removable clothing including socks, swimwear and undies. All unclaimed and unmarked items of clothing are sent to charity at the end of each term.
LUNCH
While it is important to look at what is eaten over the whole day, choosing something from each of the following groups makes a good basis for lunch:
• Breads and cereals - including bread, bread rolls, pieces of french stick, pita breads, rice and pasta.
• A protein rich food - choose from lean meats, chicken, fish, eggs, baked beans, peanut paste, milk, cheese or yoghurt.
• Fruit and Vegetables - including fresh fruit and vegetables, dried fruit or fruit juice.
Please ensure packaging is easily opened by students.
MOBILE PHONE & IPOD POLICY
Students are encouraged NOT to bring mobile phones or MP3 Players/IPODs to school. The school will not accept liability for mobile phones or MP3/IPODs which may be lost, stolen or damaged at school.
Students may not use a mobile phone to send harassing or threatening messages or to photograph or film students or staff without their consent.
Students not complying with the policies will be deemed to be demonstrating disobedient behaviour and consequences will be applied according to the level.
If a mobile phone is carried to school for emergency, it must be signed in at the office during school hours
MONEY COLLECTION
Your child will, at various times during the year, be asked to bring money to school for excursions etc. Please ensure that money is sent in the pre-printed envelope provided with the excursion notice. This should be handed in at the OFFICE at the Administration Block between 8.30am and 9.00am. Children need to take money to the Office as soon as they arrive at school. If possible, the correct amount would be greatly appreciated.
PARENTS IN SCHOOL
Sadly, children at school can sometimes find themselves in a dispute with their “friends”. If your child is coming home upset or concerned about a conflict with a classmate, please contact the class teacher to have the matter seen to. If this fails, please feel free to contact the Deputy Principal or Principal, and we can endeavour to “put things right”. No matter how well intentioned, parents are asked to refrain from attempting to solve classroom or playground disputes by becoming involved in dealing with other children – particularly in the school grounds. All children have the right to feel safe in our school, and confrontation by adults, either physical or verbal, does little to solve any problems.
We understand parents’ concern for their children, but please be aware that it is our duty to look after all children, and parents who overstep the defined boundaries can expect to have action taken against them.
WET DAY ROUTINE
During the breaks on extremely wet days, teachers will supervise children as they undertake quiet recreational activities or follow normal school work. Groups of children will be dismissed to visit toilets in turn. Days will not be shortened.
On summer afternoons with severe storms, the children may need to be kept in the classroom. Parents providing transport home, will need to collect children from the classrooms on these days.
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