Absences               

When your child returns to school following an absence, parents are required to send a note explaining your child’s absence to the teacher.  If your child will be away for an extended time, you are welcome to see the teacher regarding work requirements. Unless your child is ill, they are expected to attend school.

Assembly               

A whole school assembly is held each Monday at 9.00am in front of the podium, weather permitting. Assemblies are held in either the Junior Hall or over the public address system in classrooms on wet days.  If children are late for assembly they should wait quietly behind the assembly area while the National Anthem is in progress. Children will be asked to remove their hats during the singing of the National Anthem. Parents are always welcome at assembly, which is led by our student leaders. Each week a class leads the National Anthem and presents an assembly item.

Arrival and Collection Times for children

Your child needs to be at school by 8.50 am ready to begin school at 9.00am.
If your child arrives late to school he/she is required to go to the main office to fill in the ‘Late Arrival Register’.
Please meet your child promptly at 3.30pm when school finishes if you are collecting him/her.
If it is necessary to collect your child from school at any time during the day prior to 3.30 pm you are required to sign the ‘Early Dismissal Register’ at the front office prior to collecting your child.  You will be handed an Early Dismissal Slip to give to your child’s teacher.

Banking

Friday is ‘Bank Day’ for our students. If you are interested in your child having a ‘Dollarmite Account’, through the Commonwealth Bank, see your child’s teacher.

Bicycles

Riding bikes to school is a terrific way to become fit and healthy. However, riding bikes to school is only encouraged when an adult accompanies the child. Please refer to the extract from our school’s Cycling Policy (14th June 2004)
“3. Implementation

1. Students cycling to and from school must be supervised by their parent/guardian.
2. Student/parent bicycles are not to be ridden on the school grounds. Bicycles ridden to and from school must only be secured to the bicycle stands provided.
3. It is the expectation that all parents and students using bicycles to come to and from school wear a helmet and obey all road rules.”

A complete copy of the school’s Cycling Policy may be obtained from the office. Roller blades, skateboards and scooters are also not permitted on the school grounds.

Book and Stationery Packs                     

The total 2007 school charges, incorporating Classroom Requisites and Voluntary Contribution Payment required is $200.00 per child.  $120.00 of this is the compulsory Bookpack for class requisites and $80.00 is a requested voluntary contribution.                             
Payment options are available. Parents of Prep students are requested to pay upon enrolment or by a specified date by the end of the year preceding your child’s Prep entry.  Parents who hold social security cards, including health care cards and pension cards are eligible for Education Maintenance Allowance.  Please ask at the school office for further information.

Buddy System

Children in Prep are linked with a senior child within their first week of school.  The senior buddies make the transition from Kinder to Primary School more comfortable for the Prep children. Picnics and other special events are organised by the teachers involved throughout the year.

Casual Relief Teachers

There may be occasions when your child’s teacher is absent.  It is normal practice for the school to employ a casual relief teacher to replace the class teacher for the period of absence.  Generally, the school attempts to employ a casual relief teacher who is well known to the children and who has a good understanding of the school’s philosophy and procedures. There may be occasions where your child’s class is split. Split lists will be on display in classrooms.

Class Structures

The organisation of classes is based on a number of factors and constraints.  Essentially, the classes are organised from year to year on the basis of the staffing schedule that forms part of the school’s Student Resource Package.  This document is provided by the Department of Education and Training (DE&T) after projected numbers are forwarded by the school.

Decisions about staff allocations to classes are based on many factors and are made in consultation with the staff.  The Principal makes the final decision regarding all staffing matters.

Communication between Parents and Staff

If you have any concerns/questions about your child, please arrange to talk to your child’s teacher. It is natural to have questions about your child’s routine and school processes. Teachers are not able to talk with you while they have their children with them. The needs of your child and the other children in the class must come first during the school day. If you would like to meet with your child’s class teacher:

Step 1         Ask the teacher if you can arrange a time that is suitable to you both for a meeting. This could be done before school or after school. If you are working, you may like to forward a note, leave a voicemail message, or leave a message at the office for the class teacher to return your call so that you can make arrangements to meet. Individual teachers are not expected to meet with parents in the evenings.

Step 2        Inform the teacher about the nature of your inquiry. Teachers care about your child and want to know if there are any issues, which may have arisen.

Step 3        Try to focus on the positives. The staff welcomes your feedback about the good things they are doing and there are many! A positive outcome for all involved will occur if each party is willing to listen to the other’s view and all work towards finding a solution that is in the best interests of your child.

Sometimes there are matters, which parents feel that they would like to discuss with the Principal.  Matters may involve family, health, finance and other personal issues.  Any issues involving concerns about members of staff must be brought to the attention of the Principal.
If you would like to speak with the Principal please contact the Office to make an appointment and, if appropriate, inform the Office staff of the nature of your concern/query.

Counselling/Referral Support Services

Our school has the support of an Educational Psychologist and a Speech Pathologist who both work one day per week at our school. Appointments can be made through the Principal.

Curriculum Days

Each year the School Council approves four official Curriculum Days for the purpose of staff professional development and training. On these days the teachers participate in activities related to the implementation of our School Charter. Children do not come to school on these days. Parents are notified of these days in Term 1 each year via the school’s newsletter. Teachers begin school on the day before students begin. This is one of the four Curriculum Days endorsed by DE&T.

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed in the school grounds, even if they are on a lead. Please tie dogs up outside the school grounds away from entrance areas.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

Do you hold a current social security card or health care card? Then you are eligible for EMA.
Parents who are current holders of Commonwealth Health cards/Social Security cards may apply for EMA at the beginning of February and June. Parents must present their card in person at the school to fill out the EMA application form. This financial assistance is intended for use to assist parents with the educational needs of your children. Upon completion of the application form, the office forwards all forms to the Department of Education and Training. Within a few weeks the school receives a cheque made out to the individual applicant. These cheques can be used for payment of your child’s Bookpack and voluntary contributions or may be used towards the cost of swimming and/or school camp.

Emergency Management Plan

The school has in place a set of procedures to handle any form of disaster e.g. fire, bomb threat.
The major areas that children are instructed in are:

1. the orderly evacuation of the school buildings, school grounds or school site
2. the location of the appropriate assembly area
3. the need to remain calm under any circumstances

An Emergency Management Coordinator is appointed each year.  Evacuations, lockdowns and yard clearances are conducted each term so that the staff and children can familiarise themselves with the procedures required.

Emergency Childcare

The school office is unavailable for childcare in these circumstances.  In order to protect your child’s well being and safety we are able to provide childcare through our Out of Hours School Care Program (OHSC). You will know that your child is safe until you arrive. The OHSC program operates from 3:45pm until 6:00pm Monday to Friday.  You are requested to read the OHSC Enrolment Form carefully and complete the details.

In the event that your child is not already registered in the OHSC program, or that an Emergency Childcare Permission Form has not been completed, the Principal may be left with the only alternative of taking your child to the St Kilda Police station.

The Emergency Childcare Permission Form provides:

1. permission for registration at OHSC
2. acknowledgement that a registration fee is payable on collection of your child on the first occasion
3. acknowledgement of payment required for the after school care session
4. acknowledgement that a fee is incurred if late collection of you child takes place, i.e. after 6pm.

Excursions/Incursions

St Kilda Primary School believes in enriching your child’s education through real life experiences.  Throughout the year we will have a number of excursions/incursions. These are selected on the basis of providing enhanced opportunities for quality education development. These activities are designed to stimulate and motivate learning, to provide experiences not readily available, to help children understand the relevance of curriculum to the wider community and to develop social skills in a real life setting. All children are expected to participate in excursions.
Expectations of costs per term are set at a maximum of $30.00 for students in Prep-2, and $40.00 for students in Years 3-6. These figures exclude the costs of camps and swimming.
Notices are sent home giving details and the cost of the excursion. It is a legal requirement that the parent must sign the indemnity form before we can take the child out of the school.

The following indemnity clause is included on all excursion forms:
‘In the event of an accident or illness I authorise the teacher in charge of the excursion to consent where it is impracticable to communicate with me to the child receiving such medical or surgical treatment as may be deemed necessary’
If your child does not bring the signed form to school he/she is not able to be taken on the excursion. Payment is required to cover bus fares and entrance fees. Please read the notice carefully and return the form and money by the due date.

Immunisation Status Certificate

It is a requirement of school enrolment that parents provide an Immunisation Status Certificate.  This certificate can be obtained from your local Council’s Health Department.  The City of Port Phillip’s Health Department is located at the South Melbourne Town Hall, located in Bank St, South Melbourne.

Involvement in your Child’s Learning

We aim to encourage and develop a close partnership between parents, staff and the children.  You are invited to participate actively in your child’s primary school years.  We offer a range of ways for you to be involved:

• Class Support - A short parent course is required for parents to assist with numeracy, reading and literacy support within classrooms in the junior area. A Parents as Helpers Program isrun by the Early Years Numeracy and Literacy Teachers. Parents may assist with hearing children read on a daily basis.  This is done in the Junior Hall and organized by your child’s teacher.  Participation in a short program called Parents As Tutors gives parents an insight into how children learn to read and write equipping them with greater confidence in assisting their child at home.
• Performing Arts - A major performance is held biennially. Every alternate year there is a celebration of the arts event that may take a variety of forms. Committees are set up when organising such events.  The performing arts event is a highlight of the school calendar!
• Environment - We have a large physical environment to manage and maintain. Your support to keep our grounds beautiful and safe is greatly appreciated through attendance at Working Bees. Working Bees are held each term, usually on a Saturday morning.
• Fundraising Events - This is the area in great need of your involvement and support!
• Parents’ Club - We encourage your membership in anticipation of this group being a strong, social link for parents in the future.
• Perceptual Motor Program - You can help the Prep teachers on a regular basis during this program to help the Preps develop their fine and gross motor coordination skills. 
• School Council - Elections are held yearly in February.  School Council is made up of parent, community and teacher representatives and is the policy making body of the school.
• School Council Committees - These committees make recommendations to School Council.  No matter which area of interest in the school you may have, there will be a sub committee, which suits you!

Do You Have a Special Skill or Talent?

Don’t be shy!  We need you!  The children love to have parents come to the school to assist with classes or demonstrate their skills or talents e.g. parents have worked with our art teacher to conduct a series of workshops. We would love to hear from you if you are involved in entertainment, the arts, environment, marketing, advertising, learning technologies, policy development, strategic planning, finance, trades such as carpentry, plumbing, gardening, education, sport etc.  Please speak to your child’s teacher or contact the school office.

Label Belongings

All removable clothing especially windcheaters, jumpers, shoes, raincoats, hats, caps, gloves, and school bags, lunch boxes, drink containers, etc., must be clearly marked with your child’s full name. Biro pen used on clothing is not permanent. Please put your child’s full name, not initials. Iron-on labels are best. Make sure labels are firmly stitched around edges. A few minutes spent in marking your child’s belongings will save worry and expense.

Lost Property Box

Lunch Orders/Nutrition Policy

The school offers a three-day-a-week lunch order service provided by the ‘Chapel Lunch Box’ on Monday, Thursday and Friday.  A menu is available at the school office, or can be seen on our Services & Facilities page on this website.  Lunch orders must be placed in a paper bag. Please clearly write the order, the cost of the order, and your child’s name, grade and room number. Lunch order baskets are collected at 9.30am each day from the school office. Late orders will not be processed.
When lunch orders are sent, please wrap money in a piece of paper or tissue before putting it in the bag. Small coins frequently drop out of paper bags and are lost. Children will need a snack provided if they are having a lunch order, as food is only delivered at 1pm.

Example:
Cecilia Green
Prep S – Room 6

1 cheese sandwich         $2.50
1 banana                       $1.00
1 fruit box                    $2.50
$6.00 enclosed

Please do not place lunch orders in an envelope. The Chapel Lunch Box will not accept orders made by parents directly at the shop.

We also offer Sushi every Wednesday. Orders for Sushi need to be made on Tuesdays. Orders are placed in paper bags with the payment enclosed. The menu is available from the school office.

Please refer to the extract from our school’s Nutrition Policy in regard to healthy eating:

Basic Belief

• Schools play a vital role in educating children in healthy eating behaviours.
• Parents play a vital role in providing their children with a healthy and balanced food for snack and lunch.
• School age is the perfect time for children to learn and establish healthy eating behaviours.

Implementation

3.1 Teachers and School Children

• Students are supervised for a set time to eat lunch.
• Teachers will incorporate appropriate ongoing and educational activities to promote and raise interest in healthy eating.
• Staff and parents will model appropriate healthy eating behaviours in the classroom to reinforce the nutrition policy.
• Lollies should not be used to reward behaviour/achievement.

3.2 Water

• Students will be encouraged to consume water throughout the day
• Water bottles are allowed in classrooms; however they may only contain plain water.

3.4 Food Providers

• Food provided in or by the school will follow the Australian Dietary Guidelines for Children to achieve energy balance and healthy weight.
• This Nutrition Policy will be implemented by providers of food to the school, its staff and students.
  
  For further information please refer to the school's Nutrition Policy (See School Policies).

Money Forwarded to School for School Activities

When money is to be forwarded to school for camps, excursions, incursions, swimming, sport or other activities, please place the correct money wrapped inside a sealed envelope.  Clearly write on the envelope your child’s name, room number, teacher’s name and the activity. Please attach the signed permission form to the envelope.

Multicultural Aide

The school has the services of Mrs Wu Wei Chen who is our Chinese Multicultural Aide. Mrs Chen works every Monday and Thursday.  Parents are welcome to meet with Wu Wei to discuss any matters.

Newsletter             

St Kilda Primary School publishes a weekly newsletter, which is sent home with each family every Thursday. Included in the newsletter is a calendar of forthcoming events.

Articles for the newsletter must be sent to the school office by Wednesday at 1.00pm for review by the Principal/Assistant Principal for inclusion in the newsletter on Thursday.  Opportunity for advertising exists through our newsletter. Please make enquiries at the Office.

See also the Newsletter section on this website.

Out of Hours School Care – Camp Australia (OHSC)

It is necessary to register your child for OHSC before your child can access the program.  To be eligible for childcare assistance parents need to contact ‘Centrelink’ prior to registration at OHSC.  The fee structure is income linked to ensure that all parents are able to take advantage of the excellent care provided.

The OHSC Director is Tim Thomas.  Our OHSC program operates each school day from:

• 7.00am        to         8.45 am            Breakfast provided
• 3.30pm        to         6.00 pm            Afternoon snack provided

Parents’ Club

The St Kilda Primary School Parents’ Association is committed to supporting the implementation of programs within the school and assisting with various school activities, through class parent representatives. The Parents’ Club is also committed to providing a forum for parents to raise topics of interest and debate issues openly. The Club meets monthly and recommendations are taken to School Council via our Council Representative.

Parent Choir

Photographs

School photographs are taken during the course of the school year.  Both individual and class photographs are taken as well as family groupings.

Personal Belongings

Punctuality

Good social habits should be established as soon as possible.  Arriving on time for school is very important for a number of reasons. Lateness:

• disrupts the class
• unsettles your child
• disrupts other students who are engaged in their own learning
• results in children missing out on important organisational information given at the beginning of each day
• means your child is missing out on educational programs
• makes the starting of the day difficult for your child’s teacher

We ask that you make every attempt to be punctual at all times.

Reporting to Parents  

A Curriculum Expo occurs in Term 1. The purpose is for teachers to share curriculum outlines with parents and to provide parents with the opportunity to enquire about school programs.

Parent/Teacher Interviews. The initial parent/teacher interviews are held in Term 1. Parents are provided with the opportunity to meet their child’s teacher.  Teachers are eager to find out about your child’s particular strengths and weaknesses and some details about your child’s interests and hobbies at home. Parent/Teacher Interviews are held again in June/July.  This is an opportunity to discuss student progress. Parents are able to request further interviews in December.
Meetings between parents and teachers are organised by mutual consent when required. 

Student Reports. Reports are issued twice a year. The mid-year progress report is sent home in June/July. Final written reports are distributed in December.

Road Safety          

There are supervised school crossings in Chapel Street and Brighton Road near the school gates.  Students and parents are encouraged to be safe users and cross the road at these crossings.  Crossings are supervised from 8:15am to 9:00am in the mornings and from 3:15pm to 4:00pm in the afternoons.  Please note:

• If your child comes to school late your child is at risk!
• Please make sure you use the crossing when bringing your child across the road
• Never double park - it is illegal and dangerous
• Insist that your child enters and leaves your car on the kerb side
• Avoid making ‘U’ turns in the vicinity of the school
• Do not park across gateways
• Observe all parking restrictions
• Encourage your child to use footpaths around Dickens Street and not cross the road
• Observe the 40kmp speed limit

School Council

All government schools in Victoria are governed by a school council. Each school council is a legal entity in its own right, a body corporate constituted under section 13 of the Education Act 1958.

The School Council plays a vital role in the life of our school. School council is the body that sets the vision, determines priorities, and ensures that the school is responsive to the needs of the local community.

Sports House System

The school has a Sports House System:

• Carlisle - Yellow           
• Dickens - Red             
• Chapel – Green             
• Brighton - Blue

Staff Meetings

Staff meetings and Professional Development sessions are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week. Staff also meets weekly for team planning. The teaching staff is involved in a range of other professional development activities both in and out of school hours to support teaching and learning practices.

Student Representative Council (SRC)

At the Beginning of Term 1 and Term 3 new SRC representatives are chosen. Students are asked to give a talk to the class about what they would do if they were the SRC representative for their class. A secret ballot is held and the results are collated to see who will be the SRC representative and who will be the Vice representative. A girl and a boy are voted on for each role. The SRC representatives stay in this role for two terms. SRC and Vice SRC representatives are unable to run for consecutive terms of office. SRC representatives are identifiable to other students by the badges they wear. The process is repeated in term three with new representatives selected. The process is decided on by the students and they are encouraged to vote for the person that would best represent them at SRC meetings.

One of the roles of the SRC is to attend School Council meetings and inform the council of current issues they are focusing on. The SRC is the voice of the student body within the school. 

Sun Smart

St Kilda Primary School is a Sun Smart School.

• Caps are not permitted as they do not offer enough protection from the sun.
• Use of sunscreen on exposed areas of skin will be encouraged. During the summer months, it would be wise to apply sun-block 30+ at home to the face, ears, back of hands, back of neck, legs, especially behind the knees and forearms. We request that zinc and coloured lotions not be used. Teachers are not permitted to apply sunscreen for legal reasons, however will encourage children to wear and apply it. Children at risk from sun exposure will be directed under shelter or into the shade.

Sustainability

Tissues

Parents are requested to provide a box of tissues per term for your child’s class. Please try to purchase tissues made from recycled paper whenever possible.

Transfers

Parents wishing to transfer their child to another school are requested to notify the Principal in writing. The school will arrange the necessary transfer procedures and forward information to the new school.
Parents are requested to ensure that all accounts are settled, school library books and other materials, such as musical instruments, are returned to the school prior to departure.

Transition

St Kilda Primary School has Transition sessions for pre-school children and their parents to heighten their awareness of, and familiarity with, the school. Details of the Transition Program is announced early in the school year and publicised widely throughout the local kindergartens and through the school’s newsletter.

‘Early Learning’ Transition Program

Uniform

• Red gingham dress
• Red school windcheater with school logo
• Red polo shirt with school logo
• Black shorts, skorts (skirt/short combination) or black track pants
• Red broad brimmed hat with school logo

These items are all available for purchase from the school office at very reasonable prices. 
A Swap Shop operates as well. Check with the office to find out location and open days/times.

• Shoes should be non-slip and have enclosed toes and must be worn at all times whilst outdoors. Thongs are not allowed.
• The wearing of jewelry will be subject to safety considerations at all times and will not be allowed to be worn to school on sports days.  The school accepts NO responsibility for loss of jewelry items.
• Art smocks are provided in the Art room.

Vandals

Vandalism is extremely costly to any school.  Parents are asked to phone 000 to report any sightings of vandals or people acting in a suspicious manner.

Videos

Wet Days and Days of Extreme Heat

Working Bees

Working Bees are held once a term, weather permitting generally from 9:00am – 11:00am on a Saturday. Our extensive grounds need constant care and your participation will be greatly appreciated. 

Yard Supervision

Children are not allowed to play in front of the main building facing Brighton Road. They must not play along the Dickens Street fence line between the small entrance gate and the corner of Brighton Road. The junior children are encouraged to play in the junior adventure playground.
It is unsafe for your child to be at school outside the supervised times. If it is necessary for your child to be at school outside these supervised times, your child will be taken to the Out of Hours School Care (OHSC). Please be aware that Yard Duty teachers will ask unaccompanied students to go to the OHSC Program.

Students will be supervised by staff in the playground at the following times:

Please note:
On the last day of each Term, the school day finishes at 2:30pm. Yard supervision takes place from 2:30pm until 2:45pm. Children not collected by 2.45pm will be taken to OHSC.

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