Public School

	School Routines
	Absence From School Children are required to attend school each day the school is open. Class rolls are marked daily. All absences, including late arrivals or early departures are registered. A note is required for all absences and is to be handed by the child to the class teacher on his/her return to school. Children arriving late should be accompanied to the front office by a responsible adult to be signed in before proceeding to class. During school hours, pupils are NOT PERMITTED to leave the school grounds unless the parents request it personally or in writing and it is to be approved by the Principal or the Assistant Principal. Parents who need to collect their child through the day are asked to advise the Principal or Assistant Principal and the class teacher and visit the reception area to sign the Early Leavers register. In the best interests of the school, we request parents to keep sick and recuperating children at home until they are well enough to be able to participate in the normal lessons. Administration of Prescribed Medication Ideally medication is administered at home by the parent when a child is ill. However, should it be necessary for your child to take any medicines, tablets etc., while he/she is at school, the following procedure should be adopted: All medicines should be handed to the School Assistant in the Administration Office for safe keeping. Ensure all containers and measuring devices are clearly labelled with the child's name. Include with the medication a signed note indicating your child's name and the instructions for administering the medication (e.g. when it is to be given, how much is to be given, etc.) Ensure a "Deed of Indemnity for the Administration of Medications" form has been completed and signed for your child. All medication will be administered under staff supervision. CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA may keep their personal Ventolin "puffers" with them while at school for immediate access when need. However for safety reasons, pupils should be instructed by their parents on "safe" usage and any limitations on how often they should be used. As well, it should be stressed that other children should not use them. For identification purposes, all "puffers" should be clearly labelled with the child's name (or at least initials). Banking Children are encouraged to save money by investing in Savings Accounts with the Commonwealth Bank (CBA). A parent volunteer is required to visit the school weekly to process deposits brought in by children. The Banking day will be notified in the newsletter. Existing CBA accounts may be used or application forms for new accounts are available at the school office. The school receives a commission for each deposit made through the student banking scheme. Bell Times and Supervision of Pupils School commences at 9.15 a.m. Monday to Friday. Children should not arrive at school prior to 8.45 a.m. as no teacher supervision is available. LUNCH 11.15 am – 12.05 pm RECESS 2.05 – 2.30 pm School finishes at 3.15 p.m. Bicycles Parents are asked to support the school’s safety programs by reminding children of the rules of the road that apply to all vehicles (including bicycles) and the importance of obeying these rules in the interests of safety (their own and others). Children who ride bicycles to school MUST wear SAFETY HELMETS. Bike racks are supplied and pupils with bicycles must use the Patricia Avenue pedestrian gate and path when entering and leaving the school. N.B. BIKES MUST NOT BE RIDDEN IN THE SCHOOL PLAYGROUND i.e. pupils dismount at the gate and walk bicycles to the cycle rack. Pupils in Infant class (K-2) are not considered old enough to be permitted to ride bikes to school. * The R.T.A. recommends that children should not ride near roads or cars until they are at least 10 years old. Buses Children travelling by regular bus service from outside the local area may be eligible for a free bus pass. Application forms are available from the School Office. The only bus which services this school is the Before and After School Care bus run by the Victory Baptist Church. Parents requiring this service should contact the Before and After School Care on 4943 9414. Children wait for the bus after school inside the side gate (Gari Street) and their movement onto the bus is supervised by a duty teacher. Canteen A P&C operated canteen service provides lunchtime and recess food and drinks for students and staff. The canteen service depends on the support of reliable volunteer helpers. Changes to Student Information Please advise the school office and class teacher immediately if there is a change of address, change of workplace or any change of contact phone numbers. By doing this, our records are kept up to date and ensure parents can be contacted in case of emergency. Enrolment Procedures Parents may make an application for enrolment of a child at the School Office. They will be required to complete an Application for Enrolment Form. Acceptance of an application for enrolment depends on several factors, including the availability of positions, the ability of the school to meet the needs of the child and the parent’s reasons for requesting enrolment (if non-local). Special Enrolments There are children with some disability who come for enrolment. The Department of Education through its services is able to cater for all children. Most children are able to enrol in their local school with even moderate disabilities BUT it is important that you make the local school aware of any such disability. This allows us to plan for your child and to discuss the options with you. If your child needs extra support at school due to disability the earlier we become aware of such disability the better. Please inform us of any illnesses that your child suffers with, such as asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, etc. as precautions need to be taken at various times with these children. Be rest assured that we, at the school, are vitally interested in the welfare of all children who enrol at the school. Lost Property While all due care is taken by the school staff, it is the students who need to accept responsibility for the security of their personal property. ALL PARENTS ARE STRONGLY REQUESTED TO MARK ALL CLOTHING WITH THE CHILD’S NAME OR FAMILY NAME !!!! Clothing and other goods found at school often remain unclaimed, especially when it has not been marked with the child’s name. Much of the clothing is in quite good condition. Parents are urged to check regularly the classrooms, hat rooms and the Lost Property box in the Administration section for lost clothing. Call at the school personally or send a note to the class teacher, describing the lost article and stating, if possible, the size. Lost property will only be held for 6 months, after which it is transferred to the Uniform Pool or sent to the Stewart House clothing and rag collection. Playground Safe use of all playground equipment and safe play in the playground is encouraged. Rough play and dangerous activities are not permitted. The play areas of the school are more than adequate. They are well maintained and spacious. The main oval affords the students plenty of room to play most sports and games. Areas in the playground are for the use of all pupils from all grades and are designated as follows: OUT-OF-BOUNDS: Some areas of the school are out-of-bounds to children. The bushland area, the gardens, behind buildings, the toilets during lesson time, the staff room, storerooms and offices are not to be entered by children unless directed by a teacher. The classrooms and the Library are not to be entered during recess periods unless a teacher is present. PASSIVE: These are quiet play areas where children may go and sit and read or participate in activities which do not require equipment or excessive movement. SEMI-ACTIVE: In these areas children may play games such as handball, hopscotch or other games which are marked on the tar or concrete. ACTIVE: This area is for team games such as cricket, soccer and other games involving physical contact and running. Children are to move around the sealed areas of the playground in an orderly fashion. Running is to be avoided. The following areas are not considered play areas: toilets, wash sheds, car park, alleyways between buildings, canteen, assembly hall, classrooms and entry foyers. Congregation of students in alleyways and toilets is discouraged. The climbing of trees, buildings and fences is forbidden. Pupils entering and leaving the playground must do so via one of the school gates. Bare feet, thongs and loose sandals are not permitted at school because of the greater risk of injury to unprotected toes and feet and the potential for accidental tripping in the playground and on steps and stairs. Fixed Equipment All students have the opportunity to use the fixed equipment on a roster basis under the supervision of a teacher. They are encouraged to practise safe play rules. The fixed equipment is out of bounds to students when they are not being supervised. Parents are reminded that the fixed equipment is out of bounds at all times to children not currently attending the school.		Links to Departmental Information Administering Prescribed Medication at School Attendance Requirements Family Law Related Issues Immunisation Infectious Diseases Subsidies, Grants and Allowances Student Records Travel To and From School