Comber Primary School

Information Evening for Parents

September 2015

The purpose of this evening

• To clarify practice and procedures for all pupils

• To give you a ‘taster’ of what the children are learning at the moment and some ideas on how to guide them

Absence from school

All absence from school must legally be recorded. All absences must be either arranged with the school

by written consent prior to the time off or must be explained by parents with a note/letter.

If children return to school without a letter of explanation, a slip will be sent home by staff to remind parents of their obligation. Absence without explanation will be marked as such in the official roll book.

Persistent absence will be brought to the attention of the Principal and Education Welfare Officer.

Absence from school

We aim for 100% attendance at school and reward it with house points. Only exceptional attendance or attendance in exceptional circumstances will be rewarded at the end of year service.

95% attendance in school means approx. 9 days off 90% = approx. 20 days off school 80% = approx. 40 days off! The average for this school last year was 95.1% - an

improvement of 0.7% on last year – but we can do better.

Late arrivals

At 9am all school doors will be closed for Child Protection reasons and entry is only available through the front door buzzer system.

If parents are leaving school through any door except the front door they must ensure that it is closed behind them.

If your child is late for any reason they should come through the front door.

Persistent lateness will be brought to the attention of both the Principal and Education Welfare Officer.

Collecting Children

At home time parents of P1,P2 and P3 pupils are permitted to wait for their child in the P1, P2 and P3 playground where they are left off in the morning.

Children must be collected promptly and by a person known to the staff. Any change in who is collecting a child must be communicated to the member of staff prior to the child being collected.

P1, P2 and P3 staff will often be teaching older children in the afternoon session and must be prompt in taking control of the children they have responsibility for. A late collection can result in child protection issues for that member of staff.

Children being collected for medical appointments or due to illness during school must be collected from the classroom.

A pattern of late collection will be brought to the attention of the Principal and Education Welfare Officer.

Uniform and Jewellery

The recent policy sent home to all children should cover most issues raised with uniform and jewellery.

If for medical, or other sound reasons, a child cannot attend school in the approved uniform, then a note of explanation should accompany the child to school.

Parking on site

For obvious health and safety reasons parents are not allowed to park onsite to pick up or leave off children.

Cycling to school

All children are encouraged to cycle to school. Any children cycling to and from school must

have 3 things: A note of permission from a parent A helmet A bike lock The school cannot be held responsible for loss

or damage of bicycles parked on school grounds.

Homework

All classes will have homework set at the level at which the children are working.

All homework must be completed on time and returned to school following the teacher’s directions – the next day unless otherwise instructed. It should be signed by a parent/guardian.

If a child cannot complete a homework for legitimate reasons please return it with a note of explanation for the teacher.

Uncompleted homework without a note of explanation will be sent back home to be completed and the child will be moved to the ‘Amber’ circle in our traffic light system. If the homework is subsequently completed or a note of explanation given to the teacher – the child will come out of ‘Amber’ to ‘Green’.

This is to ensure consistency between classes and year groups. All children will be treated fairly and in an even handed manner.

Assessment

Various forms of assessment are carried out by the school depending on what year group they are.

All testing is used only as a back up to the professional judgement of the teaching staff.

The staff are always assessing the progress of children informally throughout most school days.

The children are not defined by the scores on tests but they do give good information about areas that children may need support in.

School Fund

Each year the school receives a budget from the Education Authority based on the number of children it has. Each year the cost of teaching staff, classroom assistant staff and other staff rises but the amount of money given per child is falling. The school fund is not used for ‘extras’ or ‘luxuries’ but on vital equipment – reading books, printer ink and folders for example.

The PTA raise over £10000 per year every year which is absolutely vital.

School fund donations are a tiny percentage of what we spend. School fund is voluntary (at Primary school level) and is we hope

reasonable. It is £15 per child with a maximum of £30 per family. That amounts to £5 per child per term.

Speaking with teachers

If for any reason you have a query about school we are always ready and willing to listen. All staff are keen to discuss anything that will help the children in their class make progress and be happy.

However, at certain times of the school day, teaching staff (and other staff) may not be able to give you the time you desire to talk over matters.

Unless urgent please write a note to the teacher to make an appointment at a convenient time for you both. Alternatively speak with Mrs Hoey or myself to arrange an appointment.

There are of course two parent /teacher interview times during the year that you can spend with the class teacher discussing your child and their progress.

Behaviour

The behaviour around our school is excellent! We still need to work hard at keeping it that way! The Nursery, P1 and P2. all are working with a new

Positive behaviour system – Rules, Rewards and Consequences and the P3 – P7 children will be using the Traffic Lights and Class rewards as per usual.

We would very much like parents to support these methods as they focus very much on the positive – the motto of the system is – ‘Let me catch you being good’.

Clubs

P2 & P3 clubs are run by providers not connected to school and they should be your first point of call for enquiries. Of course we will be able to be contacted in emergencies about these clubs. We do not handle money on behalf of these clubs but hand it directly to the providers.

Our own clubs will start in October and details of which clubs are available for which year groups will be sent home. Our aim is for every child to have a space in at least one club.

Not every child can get their first option and for safety please put down two options at least. Some children may be offered more than one club if there is space for them or if they are required for a sports team – the children for which are selected by the teachers by their ability.

Social Media

The Board of Governors have approved the new social media policy for the school. It is available on the school website and as a paper copy if you wish.

The school is always made aware of comments made on social media and I would like to stress that I would prefer any issues to be dealt with through the proper channels. I.e. coming into school and speaking with the teachers or myself.

The door is always open to discuss issues with parents.

Healthy Break

P1 and P2 pay £2 per week for a healthy snack at break time to be made up and delivered to the classroom for the children.

P3 – P7 children are encouraged to bring a healthy snack – the goal is low or zero sugar. Crackers, fruit, carrot sticks, ham, cheese etc. As long as the sugar content is low.

This doesn’t mean no treats in lunch boxes from P1 –P7 (within reason please!)

No NUTS or KIWI please – allergic children in different classes Please don’t bring in a cake or buns for birthday treats on your

child’s birthday.

Finally….

Please enjoy the rest of tonight and let the class teachers take you through some practical ways of

supporting your children as they make progress through school.