Parent Handbook St Agatha’s Catholic Primary School Clayfield Established by the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1925 Principal’s Message The children, parents, staff and parish of St Agatha's Clayfield, welcome your family into our community. St Agatha's school has served the community of the Clayfield Parish for 85 years. Our school was founded by the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1925. Our school's ethos draws its inspiration and identity from the vision and teaching of Jesus Christ, as expressed in the Catholic Christian tradition. Our school Principal and many parents are past pupils of St Agatha's School. The identity and charisma of the school and the gospel values from which it draws its inspiration are embedded throughout the school. This is strongly reflected in the school's prayer life. Our school acknowledges and celebrates the involvement of the whole community in a rich culture of events, rituals and celebrations. Strong school and community partnerships and networks are established and nurtured throughout St Agatha's School. Our Vision for Learning is informed by current research on learning, and is of benefit to students in shaping the high quality learning experiences that they encounter every day. St Agatha's School has a well developed shared understanding of its unique purpose and place within the context of home and parish. I look forward to continuing to work together to promote the needs and interests of all our students, ensuring that each child has the opportunity to succeed. Mrs Carol Sayers Principal Page 2 Contents Our Mission Curriculum Cont. Vision Statement 4 Languages Other Than English (L.O.T.E.) 11 Community Policy 4 1-1 Laptop Programme 11 Mathletics 11 General Information Musical Theatre 12 Contact Details 5 Music, Private Tuition & Band 12 Office Hours 5 Sport & Physical Education 12 Timetable 5 Student Support Teams 12 Term Dates For 2016 5 Swimming 12 St Agatha’s Parish 5 Technology 12 Tennis 12 Policies & Procedures Absence From School & Absentee Line 6 Student Services Birthday Celebrations 6 Prep 13 Car Park Safety 6 Bookclub 13 Class Parents – P & F 6 Communication with Parents 13 Dogs 6 Excursion Information 13 Forgotten Lunches 6 Fire Drill and Lockdown Procedures 13 Homework 6 Reporting to Parents 13 Illness Or Injury At School 7 Library Resource Services 14 Infectious Diseases & Exclusion of 7 Lost Property 14 Students From School 8 Outside School Hours Care (O.H.S.C.) 14 Late Arrivals/Early Departure 8 Parent Involvement in School Activities 14 Liturgies 8 Road Safety 14 Mobile Phones 8 School Assembly 15 Parent / Teacher Conferences 8 School Board 15 Positive Behaviour Support 8 School Leadership 15 Sacramental Programme 9 School Newsletter 15 Smoking 9 Senior School Camp Activities 15 Student Safety – Before & After School 9 Sporting Colour Teams 15 Sun Safety 9 St Agatha’s School P&F Association 15 Visitors 9 Volunteers at School 9 Information for Separated Parents 10 Other School Facilities Curriculum Uniforms & Uniform Shop 16 Art 11 Financial Procedures 17 Chess 11 Credit Card / EFTPOS Facilities 17 Dance Cart 11 Enrolment Application & Confirmation Fees 17 Drama 11 Workplace Health and Safety 17 Enrichment Program 11 Parent Portal 17 BCE Student Protection Information Information for Families 18 Page 3 Our Mission Vision The Spiritual Dimension: We nurture Statement - Catholic faith traditions, liturgies and values - outreach to others through service -prayer that develops our relationship with God St Agatha’s Catholic The Academic Dimension: Parish Primary We offer a curriculum that is School is a - both contemporary and futures oriented community that - relevant and informed by data - supportive of different learning abilities and values excellence, styles diligence and creativity developed The Personal Dimension: We support each other to develop within an ethos of - healthy relationships based on friendship, belief, justice, service compassion and respect and integrity - self awareness through reflection - a range of talents and skills Community Policy St Agatha's Primary School is a Catholic community with a strong sense of belonging within a framework of family values. We will continue to build a community that is inclusive, caring, compassionate, striving for excellence in a culture of faith and respect. Our community is a Catholic Christian Community which: - Fosters strong links between parish and school through liturgies and sacramental programs. - Is empowered by the Gospel values of a living Catholic faith which permeates everything we do. - Is enriched by shared values which in turn enrich the family. Our community offers a Catholic Education that encompasses curriculum, faith and values developed through: - High quality teaching and learning experiences. - Contemporary planning and methods. - Empowering self learning to create and develop life long skills. Our community provides a Support Network which: - Members of our community care for each other, help each other, and celebrate together. - Everyone's talents and contributions are valued. - Our community leaders engage with students, parents, and parishioners. Our community builds Relationships that are: - Mutually beneficial and productive with a primary focus on the development of the child. - Inclusive, thriving on dignity and respect. - Nurturing in a safe and supporting environment. Page 4 General Information CONTACT DETAILS: Principal: Mrs Carol Sayers Assistant Principal: Mr Nick Fogarty Parish Administrator: Fr Anthony Mellor School Secretary: Ms Katrina Peatey Enrolment Secretary: Mrs Wendy White Financial Secretary: Mrs Sandy Munro, Mrs Stephanie Pike Phone: 07 3326 9222 Fax: 07 3862 3431 Absentee Line: 3326 9233 Outside School Hours Care: 07 3326 9208 Email: [email protected] Website: www.stagathasclayfield.qld.edu.au Postal Address: 6 Hunter Lane, Clayfield 4011 OFFICE HOURS: 8am - 3.30pm Monday- Friday TIMETABLE: Teacher supervision begins: 8.15am Morning assembly: 8.40am Lunch: 10.45 - 11.25pm Afternoon Tea: 1.35 -1.55pm Final Bell: 2.55pm TERM DATES FOR 2016: Term 1: Wednesday 27 January – Thursday 24 March Term 2: Monday 11 April – Friday 24 June Term 3: Monday 11 July – Friday 16 September Term 4: Tuesday 4 October – Friday 2 December ST AGATHA'S PARISH: Our school is part of St Agatha's Parish. Fr Anthony Mellor is our Parish Priest. The Parish Office is located next to the Church in Oriel Road, (phone 07 3262 2859). Every school family is invited to become actively involved in the Parish. Page 5 Policies & Procedures - ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL & ABSENTEE LINE Use only the ABSENTEE I LATE PHONE LINE 07 3326 9233 in order to communicate your child's Absence e.g. Sick Leave - before 8.30am that day. When your child returns to school you must provide the teacher with a letter or email stating the reason for their absence or being late along with any other relevant information. Students are not permitted to have regular absences from school, eg. Swimming, dance, music lessons. Travel Causing Absence from School - Parents requesting an absence from school for travel or family reasons are required to email the school office [email protected] stating dates and reasons for this absence. (This requirement does not include sick leave) BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS Students' birthdays are celebrated at our weekly assembly at St Agatha's School. Parents are requested to bring only cupcakes or water-based ice-blocks to share with classmates. Invitations to birthday parties must be distributed via email or through the Class Group email details. Teachers will not be available to distribute birthday party invitations. CAR PARK SAFETY Parking in the car park is reserved for staff only. For the safety of children, parents are requested to park in the surrounding streets of the school when attending meetings. The car park is out of bounds to students. CLASS PARENTS – P&F At St Agatha's, parents are valued for their participation in their child's education. Our P&F Association support the Class Parent Groups, who communicate with other parents via email regarding Social Activities and other events. DOGS Dogs on or off leashes are NOT PERMITTED on school grounds at any time. This includes ALL Sporting and School events where children are present off campus e.g. Cross Country, School Athletics, etc. Service dogs are exempt. FORGOTTEN LUNCHES Sometimes on occasions students leave their lunches at home or in the car on the way to school. The school will contact parents of those students who have forgotten their lunch. Parents will be requested to provide their child's lunch or to organise a carer or other emergency contact on these occasions. The school does not provide lunch for students. Due to student protection and health issues it is also inappropriate to ask other students to share their lunch, siblings excepted. HOMEWORK Homework provides students with an opportunity to review and practise work that has been covered during the school hours. Students will experience a variety of methods in completing homework during their primary schooling. Homework can vary from completion on a daily basis or weekly set homework that requires the student to plan their homework on a regular basis. With this method students need to be encouraged by parents not to leave the completion of their homework until the night before it is due. This method along with projects and reading should be seen as a preparation for secondary school. If a child is unable to complete homework a letter of explanation is required from the parents. We encourage parents to allow opportunities for their children to read each night. Page 6 ILLNESS OR INJURY AT SCHOOL Any child suffering from a head-knock or head clash is sent home for parental supervision. Minor injuries are treated with Emergency First Aid. If a child becomes ill, or is injured, whilst at school, the parents are immediately notified if the First Aid Officer deems it necessary. It is the school’s expectation that parents collect their sick child immediately. Students should not be expected to remain in sick bay for long periods of time. Minor injuries are treated at school. Serious accidents are recorded in the Workplace Health and Safety Register. Students treated with Emergency First Aid at Sick Bay, will receive a Sick Bay/First Aid Advice slip for your information. Parents responsibility if your child is ILL/INJURED at school - In order to contact you in an emergency, it is crucial that you supply us with emergency contact phone numbers on the Confirmation Enrolment Form, and that you advise us in the event of any change of those numbers. Sick Bay – If parents are unable to take time from their workplace to care for their child, the expectation of the school is that the person nominated as your Emergency Contact will collect your child. Our Sick Bay is available for Emergency First Aid only, as it is not the school’s role or any School Officer’s role to supervise sick children all day. Oral medication - can only be administered if accompanied by a Student Medication Request Form (issued by the School Office or downloaded from our School App or Parent Portal and signed by a Medical Practitioner). Medication will then be administered by office staff and signed-off upon dispensing. This medicine must be in its original package/bottle with the dosage displayed. This procedure includes over-the-counter cough mixtures or ear/eye drops. INFECTIOUS DISEASES & EXCLUSION OF STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL The following information is provided by the Queensland Department of Health: Chicken Pox: Exclude for 6 days after the first spots appear. Conjunctivitis: Exclude until discharge from eyes has ceased. German Measles: Exclude for at least 7 days from the appearance of the rash or until a medical certificate of recovery is produced. Head Lice, Scabies: An alert notice and letter asking for action to be taken at home managing head lice, is sent home with all children in the classroom(s) concerned or the whole school. Teachers arrange class activities to minimise head-to-head contact between students, and encourage the same in the playground. Impetigo: Exclude until sores have fully healed. The student may be allowed to return provided that appropriate treatment is being applied and sores on exposed surfaces such as scalp, face, hands or legs are properly covered with occlusive dressings. Influenza: All Strains - Influenza or 'the flu' is a highly contagious disease caused by infection influenza type A or B (or rarely C) virus. Ways to protect yourself and others are to:  stay home when you are sick.  wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand gel.  wash your hands prior to touching your eyes, nose and mouth.  when coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues which should be disposed of immediately.  maintain at least one metre distance from people who have flu-like symptoms such as coughing or sneezing.  consult your doctor if you have a cough and high fever (38°C or more) and follow their instructions, including taking medicine as prescribed.  Exclude until well. Page 7 INFECTIOUS DISEASES & EXCLUSION OF STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL (CONT) Infectious Hepatitis: Re-admit on receipt of a medical certificate of recovery or on subsidence of symptoms when no medical certificate is available. Measles: Exclude for at least 7 days from the appearance of the rash or until a medical certificate of recovery is produced. Mumps: Exclude for 2 weeks from the onset of swelling, or until fully recovered. Ringworm: Re-admit when appropriate treatment has commenced, and is supported by a medical certificate. Slap Cheek: An alert notice is sent home with all children in the classroom(s) concerned. Streptococcal: Exclude until at least 7 days after the symptoms have subsided or until a medical certificate of recovery is produced. Whooping Cough: Exclude for 4 weeks from the onset of the whoop, except that the period of exclusion may be less than 4 weeks if there is no whoop and a medical certificate is produced. LATE ARRIVALS/ EARLY DEPARTURES Students who arrive at school after 8.40am and who depart before 2.55pm are required to report to the school office to obtain a "late slip" or "permission to leave the school grounds". LITURGIES Our school places a high degree of emphasis on the Religious life of the school. Whole school and class masses are celebrated throughout the term. Parents are invited to attend their child's class mass and any whole school mass celebrated during the school year, e.g. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. MOBILE PHONES On occasions parents require students to carry mobile phones to school for communication purposes. Students with mobile phones are required to sign them in and out at the school office. PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES Teachers are willing and available to meet with parents to discuss concerns relating to your child's progress. It is desirable to arrange a meeting date in advance in order to give the teachers time to prepare for a meaningful discussion. This process is facilitated by our Parent/Teacher Online Program. Teachers are unavailable for consultation during school hours. Parent/Teacher Online program is used for formal parent teacher interview appointments. POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT Everyone at St Agatha's has the right to:  Feel safe  Grow spiritually, academically and emotionally in a supportive, community environment.  Cyber Safety Bullying is not tolerated at St Agatha's School. St Agatha's school rules are simple:  Be safe  Be respectful  Be responsible Page 8 Some examples of these rules are:  Do what the teacher says, when the teacher says it  Hands and feet to yourself  No hat : No play  Speak to please, not to tease  No toys from home e.g. Toy guns or weapons, ipods or digital games A behaviour matrix has been created by staff which describes expected behaviours in a variety of contexts. This behaviour matrix can be found on our school website. St Agatha's Bullying Policy can also be found on our school website, and is underpinned by the Brisbane Catholic Education Bullying Policy. SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME The Sacramental Programme is conducted by the Parish with support from the school. From 2016 children will enrol for all three sacraments, which will be celebrated over a three year period. Confirmation will be celebrated in Year 3, First Communion in Year 4 and Reconciliation in Year 5. For more information please see the attached leaflet in your pack. SMOKING Smoking is NOT PERMITTED on school grounds at any time. STUDENT SAFETY- BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL HOURS No child should be left unsupervised on the school grounds at any time. Supervision offered by the school begins at 8.15am each day. All students who arrive at school before 8.15am must be enrolled at Outside School Hours Care, located in the O'Connell Centre. Students remaining on school grounds after 3.20pm will be enrolled at Outside School Hours Care. A fee will be incurred for this service. Children not enrolled at St Agatha's, including siblings attending kindy or Pre-Prep, must not be left unsupervised by parents on school grounds at any time. SUN SAFETY All students, staff and visitors are required to adhere to Workplace Health and Safety Guidelines in the use of sun protection while on school business. This is achieved by wearing a hat or using an umbrella when outdoors. Sun-safe swim wear is compulsory for students during the swimming season as well as sunscreen application. All students are required to wear the school hat at all times while outdoors. VISITORS All visitors, parent helpers and contractors are required to report to the School Office on arrival for accreditation. Visitors should only be on school premises while conducting school business. VOLUNTEERS AT SCHOOL In the interest of student protection, volunteers are asked to read our Volunteer's Handbook and sign and return the document to acknowledge their responsibility for student safety. A register of volunteers is kept at the office. Volunteers must sign in at the school on each occasion. Volunteers Code of Conduct flyer contains Policies and Procedures for all Community members working with students. Parent Code of Conduct flyer contains Policies and Procedures for all Parents while on the school campus. Page 9 INFORMATION FOR SEPARATED PARENTS St Agatha’s School welcomes and supports students in their Primary Years of learning. Our goal for students is to create an environment where they are free to play and to learn so that they can grow and flourish in the academic, spiritual and personal dimensions of their life. Sometimes students belong to a family where their parents have separated. It is not the school’s role to take sides in any family proceedings, or to be a sounding board for dispute resolution between parents. In order to support and promote a meaningful relationship between parents and the school, we ask to be aware of the following procedures, which will enhance communication between school and parents in this scenario.  The school will only deal with those people who are identified as parents or legal guardians according to the school’s Enrolment Application form.  All parents are free to attend school events to which there is a general invitation or for routine events (e.g. pick up), unless there is a court ordered arrangement in place which may prevent this from happening. We ask that you respect the school’s position and desire to keep your children safe.  Parents are required to keep the school informed of court orders in respect of how the parents deal with their child and the school.  Both parents are expected to attend Parent/Teacher interviews and/or Learning Support meetings together. Appropriate social behaviour is expected from parents during these meetings.  School reports issued at the end of Semester 1 and Semester 2 are mailed to both parents who are separated, where current addresses have been supplied to the school.  A donation is requested for duplication of Reports/Newsletters/Naplan Reports etc.  Folders which contain duplicate notes, permission, excursion forms, newsletters etc. are kept at the school office for parents of separated families to collect at the end of each week. At St Agatha’s we view our responsibility as one that responds to the needs of all students and families to the best of our ability, from a reasonable expectation and with a responsibility for duty of care to respond to safety issues regarding the students. In our years of experience we have learnt that children’s development is enhanced when they attend school free of the burdens that may exist in their family life. This anonymity allows children and staff to work together in a productive and positive environment, of which ultimately benefits the students. Page 10