School Organisation and General Routine

ABSENCES:

Children absent from school are to present a note on their return, indicating the reason for their absence. If a lengthy absence is anticipated a telephone call indicating the anticipated length of absence is appreciated.

Regular attendance is a legal requirement. Recurrent absences may come to the attention of the Home School Liaison Officer (HSLO) for investigation and intervention.

ACCIDENTS/ILLNESS

First Aid for minor injuries is provided by our First Aid Officer. When there is concern that an injury may be more serious, parents will be contacted. In some instances, an ambulance may be called to ensure that students receive timely medical attention.

Parents are advised that the Department of Education and Training does not provide insurance cover for injury to students or damage to students’ possessions while at school. Parents may like to consider taking out private insurance.

Children who present to their teachers as unwell are sent to Sick Bay for observation and comfort. If they continue to be unwell, parents will be notified. Students who are unwell should be kept at home to prevent the spread of illness.

In all instances, the Principal and staff take great care to ensure the safety and welfare of all students.

ASSEMBLIES:

K - 6                             Morning            9:20 am.            Large Shade Area in Playground

Stage 1 (K-2)                Lunch time        1.55 pm.           Stage 1 Playground

                                    Every Friday      10.00 am.          Assembly Hall

Stages 2 & 3 (3-6)         Lunch time        1.55 pm.          Large Shade Area in Playground

                                    Every Thursday  2.00 pm.           Assembly Hall

N.B. These times may change according to schedules.

At the weekly assemblies, the children listen to talks given by visitors, sing songs, discuss school matters, display work, present items, etc. Awards are presented at these assemblies for various achievements.

BAND PROGRAM

The school provides an optional band program for selected students in Years 4-6. Selection is by audition, and on the number of applicants for various instruments.

There is a junior development band and a senior performing band. Students rehearse at school and also have individual and small group tutorials on a “user pays” basis.

BANKING

School banking is available one day per week. New accounts may be opened by completing the appropriate bank envelope and returning it to school on the nominated day.  Banking is conducted through the Commonwealth Bank, South Hurstville. A volunteer parent processes the bank books each Thursday.  All bank books are to be in by Wednesday.

BOOK CLUB

Several times throughout the year the children are offered the chance to purchase books from a Book Club. There is no obligation to buy the books advertised.  Order forms are sent home with the children and books purchased arrive within a month.

BOOKWORK

It is our endeavour to have neat bookwork throughout the school.  Parents are asked to assist when children are completing written work at home by encouraging correct posture and style.

BUS TRAVEL

Connells Point Public School is serviced by a school bus which runs to Hurstville Grove and surrounds and a local bus, which runs to and from Hurstville Railway station. A bus stop, for the local bus service, is situated at the pedestrian crossing adjacent to the school in Connells Point Road. The school bus stop is adjacent to the school in Riverview Avenue.

It is expected that children behave considerately whilst travelling by public transport.

At present, transport passes allowing free travel to eligible children are available from the office. Government regulations regarding the granting of passes, operate. Replacement passes are the responsibility of parents.

CALENDAR

A school calendar is printed in the Newsletter and parents are asked to refer to this for special activities related to their child's development.

CANTEEN

Our school canteen concentrates on providing nutritious lunches and snacks on days of trading. The Healthy School Canteen Strategy is currently being implemented.

Lunch may be ordered by writing your child's name, class and order on a paper bag and enclosing payment.   The order is then placed in the Canteen mailbox (on the wire door) prior to the commencement of classes. Class monitors deliver lunches to the classroom teacher.

CHARITIES

The children at Connells Point, through the Student Representative Council, support a number of charities each year. Assistance is often given to special occasions as they occur. The students sponsor a World Vision child.

CLASS ORGANISATION

Classes are organised to best meet the needs of all students according to the staffing levels of the school. Teachers and Executive consider many factors in forming classes. These include the academic, social and behavioural needs of students, both individually and collectively; the balance of genders; the previous placement of students; and the numbers of students in each grade.

We aim to create balanced, workable classes in which children can be grouped for work appropriate to their ability and stages of development.

In accordance with departmental syllabus documents organised into staged outcomes, each grade equates to the following Stages:

Early Stage 1    -           Kindergarten

Stage 1             -           Years 1 and 2

Stage 2             -           Years 3 and 4

Stage 3             -           Years 5 and 6

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL

Parents are informed of school activities by notes and newsletters.

Newsletters:     These are printed and issued once a week, generally on Wednesdays. The aim is to keep parents informed of all activities throughout the school.

Notes:              These notes give full details of specific activities relating to your

                                    child's educational program.

Money:             All envelopes containing money should be clearly marked with the name of the student, activity and class clearly visible on the front. Such money should be handed by the student to the class teacher. Money is collected every day except Friday.

Parents are asked to check with their child each day whether any notes or newsletters have been issued.

COMMUNITY LANGUAGE

All students in Years 5 and 6 receive one hour of Greek language lessons each week during class time. This is irrespective of family language background. There is no cost to families.

Our school is also used after hours by community language organisations, providing Greek and Italian language classes for children of our and other schools. The office can provide details for families wishing to enrol their children in these classes, for which fees apply.

COMMUNITY USE OF ASSEMBLY HALL

The assembly hall is used not only for school purposes but by community organisations as well.   Arrangements for use are made through the school office.

CUSTODY

Where parenting agreements are in place relating to the care and custody of students, copies of court orders should be supplied to the Principal. In the absence of court orders, the Department of Education and Training recognises the right of both parents to participate in their child’s education. Restriction on parental access can only be enforced if they are supported by court orders. Parents should keep the Principal well informed of any issues relating to the custody and welfare of students.

DISMISSAL OF CHILDREN

All children will be dismissed in an orderly fashion at the end of each day from their classrooms. Children are to leave the school grounds immediately. No children may play on the fixed equipment without direct teacher supervision. Parental supervision is not sufficient.

Parents are reminded not to double/illegally park their motor vehicles outside the school.  For safety reasons, parents and visitors are not permitted to drive into or park on school grounds. Parents and students are to enter and leave school grounds through the pedestrian gates in Riverview Avenue and Connells Point Road (adjacent to the bus shelter). Pedestrians must not use the car park gates in Connells Point Road.

EARLY LEAVING FROM SCHOOL

In exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary for students to be collected from school before 3.25 p.m. Parents or guardians must obtain an Early Leaving Note from the school office before proceeding to collect a child from the playground or classroom. This is for your child’s safety. If someone other than the person who regularly collects your child is to pick them up, please notify the school in advance.

Children should not be taken out of school for appointments that can be scheduled for other times.  Regular attendance is a legal requirement.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Parents are asked to provide telephone numbers for themselves and an authorised emergency contact. We must be able to contact you in the event of an illness or accident. Please ensure office records are updated if you have a change of home, business or mobile phone numbers.

ENROLMENTS

All local children who turn 5 before 1st August are eligible for enrolment in the first week of school. Parents seeking enrolment are asked to make an appointment for an interview with the Principal. Enrolments are accepted from May in the year prior to starting school.

An Orientation Day is held in October, followed by a transition to school program, called Leapfrogs, in November.

All local children who meet DET criteria are entitled to enrol at the school.   Non-local enrolments are considered where vacancies exist, and in accordance with the school’s Enrolment Policy.

E.S.L. (English as a Second Language)

Children who come from a non - English speaking background have access to a specialist teacher to assist them in learning English. This may be done in the classroom, in a team - teaching situation or on a withdrawal basis.

EXCURSIONS

Excursions are a valuable, educational experience for your child. At this school all excursions are planned to support the teaching program. It is important that each child has the benefit of such experiences. However, participation is contingent upon students’ behaviour and safety. Written consent is required for participation in activities beyond the school. Notes will be issued prior to the excursion.

EXPENSIVE TOYS

Children are discouraged from bringing expensive toys, watches, and other valuable items to school. No responsibility can be taken for theft or damage to these items.   Please label any item, e.g. small cars, models, that your child may bring for news sessions. These items must be left in bags during class time.

HAIR CARE

Parents are advised to check their child's hair regularly as pediculosis (Head Lice ) can cause problems within a school. Treatments for head lice are available from chemists. It is recommended that children with hair of shoulder length, or longer, wear it tied back to reduce the risk of contacting the hair of an infected child. Students should not share hats or caps.

HOMEWORK

Homework should not be arduous or time consuming, but should be purposeful and aimed at consolidation or extension of skills and concepts being taught A policy will be issued to each parent relating the specific recommendations for that class. Where completion of homework becomes an issue for a student, parents should discuss this with the class teacher so that the reasons can be investigated.

HOUSE COMPETITION

Stage 2 & 3 children (Years 3-6) within the school will be involved in one of the four school houses:

           Red house        -           Rosella

           Green house     -           Lorikeet

           Blue house       -           Kingfisher

           Yellow house    -           Currawong

Students are divided into their sports’ houses for sporting carnivals and competitions. House points are also awarded in class and tallied for the weekly Assembly.

IDENTIFICATION OF CLOTHING

Parents are urged to ensure all clothing is clearly marked with the child's name. Lost property is stored for one term in Block D (the double story block), outside the Uniform Shop. Please encourage your child to check there regularly for lost items.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Common Infectious Diseases of Childhood  - Periods of Exclusion as recommended by Health Commission of N.S.W., 1982:

Chicken Pox                 Exclude till fully recovered. Minimum exclusion 7 days

                                    after first spots appear.

German Measles           Exclude till fully recovered. Minimum exclusion 5

                                    days after rash appears.

Measles                        Minimum exclusion 5 days after rash appears.  All non-                                                    immunised children must be excluded from school for

the duration of the outbreak.

Mumps                         Exclude till fully recovered. Minimum exclusion 10

                                    days after swelling occurs.

Whooping cough         Exclude till fully recovered, medical certificate required.

Ringworm                    Re-admit when appropriate treatment has commenced,

Scabies                        and supported by a medical certificate.

Pediculosis                   Re-admit when treatment with anti-lice lotion has

 (Headlice)                    been undertaken. Hair should be free from "nits".

Trachoma                     Exclude until discharge from eyes has ceased and treatment is

Conjunctivitis               in place.

Impetigo                       Exclude until sores have healed. The child may be

                                    allowed to return provided  treatment is being applied

                                    and sores on exposed surfaces are properly covered

                                    with dressings.

The Department of Health recommends that children entering school should be immunised. This is particularly important because your child will be coming into contact with many other children and infection can spread easily.

Please see your doctor about the recommended schedule of immunisations for your child. Children who have not been fully immunised will be excluded from school in the event of a notifiable illness (e.g. measles) being reported at the school.

INTERVIEWS

Parents are invited to an interview to discuss their child's progress in Term 2 of each year. Interviews can be organised at other times throughout the year by phoning the school office to arrange a mutually suitable time.

JEWELLERY

As accidents can occur, children with pierced ears should only wear studs or small sleepers to school. Chains, necklaces and other decorative jewellery are also discouraged.

LATE ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL

Any students arriving at school after morning lines have left the Assembly area must report first to the school office for the issuing of a Late Arrival Note. Late Arrivals are kept on file. It is an expectation of the school that students will arrive by 9.25 a.m. each morning. Late arrivals create bad habits for students and interrupt their learning and that of the class.

LIBRARY

Connells Point Public School has excellent library facilities, including a comprehensive reference section for your child's research. The library is open for borrowing at lunch time. Books can also be borrowed during the weekly class library lesson.

All children are encouraged to borrow and use the books and cassettes from the library. A library bag is required for each child.

MEDICATION

Connells Point Public School has a medication policy based upon the guidelines set out by the Department of Education and Training.  If your child needs to take medication on a regular or occasional basis it is important that you complete the necessary forms so that the needs of your child will be met with care.  The appropriate information and forms are available from the school office.  Apart from asthma medication no child is to keep medication with them or in their bags. It must be stored in the office.

NEWS TIME

Young children are encouraged to participate in discussions. One way of doing this is by allowing the children to show some possession, drawing, toy, etc. Whilst helping us to promote this valuable experience, we seek your help in limiting the quantity of news items brought to school and restricting the activity to the news day allocated to your child. Children should not bring anything of significant monetary or sentimental value, as even with the best of care, accidents can happen.

OFFICE HOURS

Our School Office is open from 8.30 a.m. to 3.45 p.m. each day. Office staff are able to help with enquiries in most areas of school organisation. They are your first point of call in making appointments with the Principal, teachers and School Counsellor, and in matters relating to finance and medication.

PAINT REMOVAL FROM CLOTHING

Should any paint be transferred from a child's painting shirt to the school uniform the best way to remove it is to:

a]    separate the stained garment from the rest of the wash

b]    soak overnight in cold soapy water

c]    rinse in cold water

d]    hand wash in luke warm water using ordinary soap

e]    gently rub soap onto stain

f]     change water if necessary

g]    continue until the stain is removed.

DO NOT:           1] use hot water, detergents, spray-on stain remover     

                        2] machine wash

PARKING

There is no parent parking on school grounds. Parents or other adults bringing or collecting students must use street parking in accordance with regulations. Please ensure any adults involved in bringing your child to and from school are aware of this.

PEDESTRIAN ACCESS

For safety, all adults and children must enter and leave the school through pedestrian gates only. These are situated adjacent to the marked crossings in Riverview Avenue and Connells Point Road. Please do not enter of leave the grounds through the vehical entrance and staff car park in Connells Point Road.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Children's clothing and personal classroom equipment (eg. rulers, pencils, etc) should all be labelled.   Items of value should not be brought to school, nor should large sums of money.

REPORTS

Student reports are issued in Terms 2 and 4, accompanied by assessment portfolios.

Additionally, an Annual School Report is produced each year, and distributed to all families. It evaluates school programs and highlights achievements, as well as setting targets for the coming year. Annual School Reports are produced by all public schools as part of the Department of Education and Training’s accountability procedures.

SCHOOL COUNSELLOR

A School Counsellor is attached to our school, and is available to provide support and information to teachers, parents and students. School Counsellors are qualified psychologists with teacher training. They can assist with a wide range of academic, social, behavioural and emotional issues which may impact on a student’s performance at school. Referrals can be made by teachers and parents.

Parents wishing to speak with the School Counsellor should contact him or her via the school office.

SCRIPTURE

Religious instruction is provided by visiting clergy and lay teachers for half an hour each Wednesday. As this is a religion in life program all children are invited to attend one of the classes. Parents wishing their children to be exempt should notify the school in writing at the beginning of the year.

SPECIAL PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

In accordance with Departmental guidelines and syllabus requirements students in all grades are involved in safety and welfare programs including Road Safety, Drug Education, Child Protection and Peer Support.  Lessons are prepared according to students’ stages of development.

SPORT

Sport for all children takes place each Friday and children are expected to wear the specified sports uniform.

In Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2, students participate in gross motor programs aimed at developing coordination, fitness and the skills for games and sport.

In Years 3 to 6, a range of sporting programs is provided. These include team and representative sports conducted as part of the Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA). Positions are limited, and selection is at the discretion of coaching staff. Winter and Summer PSSA competitions are held, with the school participating in sports such as soccer, touch football, netball and cricket.

Students in Years 3-6 also have the choice of paid sport options (such as tennis, swimming, aerobics, dancing, gymnastics, AFL and touch football) or at school sport sessions, which provide a variety of skills based lessons and activities.

STUDENT ASSISTANCE SCHEME

The school receives some money each year from the Department of Education and Training, specifically to assist families in need with meeting the cost of compulsory educational items at school. Subsidies can be offered to assist parents with the cost of uniforms, excursions and text books. Funds are distributed on receipt of a written request to the Principal, indicating the area for which the subsidy is sought. Subsidies are generally 50% of the total cost. All requests and allocations are handled confidentially and with discretion.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL (SRC)

Our Student Representative Council comprises prefects and class representatives from Years 2 - 6. This Council assists with the organisation of extra-curricula activities and student fundraising. It is an important leadership group which contributes to decision-making and improving facilities for students

SUPPORT TEACHER - LEARNING ASSISTANCE (STLA)

Students who are having difficulty with their school work may have access to additional support from a specialist teacher. This teacher may work with the classroom teacher in a team teaching situation and / or withdraw the child on a small group or individual basis. 

TECHNOLOGY

Adjacent to our Library is a Computer Room. This specialist facility provides 15 networked computers for student use in supervised lessons. Additionally, each classroom has a minimum of three computers for use in class time. The Library also has five computers with internet access for student research. The school incorporates the use of data projectors, printers and digital cameras into student lessons.

Written consent must be given by parents for their child to access the internet at school. This consent form is issued to parents at the beginning of each year, and includes a student Code of Conduct clearly outlining the expectations and responsibilities of students when using the internet and other technology at school.

VISITING PERFORMERS

At times during the year the children are entertained and educated by a variety of recommended visiting performers.  Such performances may include drama, music, mime, puppetry and other displays related to curriculum programs.

VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL

All visitors to the school must report first to the office before venturing into any other area of the school. This is a security measure. Authorised visitors will be issued with a Visitor’s Badge, indicating to staff and students that person’s right to be on school grounds. Parents are asked to ensure that other people involved in their child’s care (e.g. grandparents) are aware of this requirement.