Blaxland

Public School

Information

Booklet

OUR SCHOOL ENCOURAGES EACH CHILD TO LEARN AND GROW IN A CARING, SUPPORTIVE, ENJOYABLE AND CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT To achieve this mission the school will: Create a school climate that sets high expectations and

encourages effort, risk taking, achievement and personal excellence.

Encourage respect for self, each other, our school, our community and our country.

Provide programs that enhance our students' welfare, self- confidence, self-esteem and value individual strengths and potentials.

Foster self-discipline based on the understanding of individual rights and responsibilities.

Develop learning programs which are responsive to the needs and interests of students, provide a wide range of experiences, empower students to participate actively and responsibly and encourage the enjoyment of learning.

Accept and recognise the professional worth of each staff member, and provide opportunities for professional growth and mutual decision making.

Recognise and encourage the important contribution of parents in the educational process by promoting active co-operation between the school, parents and the community.

Provide an ongoing management plan that enables the school and its community to respond effectively and efficiently to the needs of the school.

ADMINISTRATION School: Blaxland Public School District: Penrith Address: Baden Place, Blaxland (P. O. Box 84) 2774 Telephone: 4739 2817 Fax: 4739 8630 Website: www.blaxland-p.schools.nsw.edu.au Email Address: blaxland-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au R/Principal: Mr Martin Zoglmeyer R/Assistant Principal: Susie Ellwood School Admin Manager: Mrs Debbie Smith SCHOOL HOURS The school operates on three sessions. They are - Morning session 9.05 am to 11.10 am Recess 11.10 am to 11.30 am Mid morning session 11.30 am to 1.00 pm Lunch 1.00 pm to 1.50 pm Afternoon session 1.50 pm to 3.05 pm Teaching Staff Support Staff Martin Zoglmeyer (R/Principal) Paula O’Brien - Supporting Learning Difficulties Megan Hall (Librarian) David Matheson - School Counsellor Susan Ellwood (R/AP) Debbie Smith - School Administration Manager Karen Dacey Janyce Bedford - School Administration Officer Kerrie Palmer Cherie Rawlings - School Learning Support Officer Judy Shaw Lisa Willett - School Learning Support Officer Greg Foye Michelle Forster – School Learning Support Officer Janice Foye – School Learning Support Officer Frances - Cleaner

GENERAL INFORMATION

ABSENCES When your child is absent from school, please send a note of explanation to the class teacher when your child returns to school. The note should indicate the specific reason for the absence as this is required for Departmental record. The school would also appreciate being notified if your child is to have a prolonged absence from school. Permission is required from the School Education Director or the Regional Director for prolonged absences. Should a student need to leave school during school hours, the adult collecting the student is required to sign the student out. The Sign-out-Book is kept at the Office. This is also necessary if the student is sent home sick. Similarly, children arriving late to school must also be signed in at the office. A note for the teacher is also completed and signed by the parent for their child to take to class. Should there appear to be an attendance problem, the Home-School Liaison Officer will discuss the problem with the parents concerned. NAPLAN Students in Years Three and Five sit for the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy tests during Term 2. This is a State wide test which allows parents to see their child's progress in relation to state wide results. BOOK CLUB The school participates in the Scholastic Book Club. Order forms are sent home four times a year. BUSES • All students K - 2 are eligible for bus passes irrespective of distance. • Years 3 to 6 students generally must reside 2.3km from the school by the nearest practical walking route (1.6km radius from the school). Morning Buses: Bus No: 529 transports students over the railway line and across the highway to school Bus No: 3 transports students from St John’s Rd to school. Afternoon Buses: Bus No: 3 transports students over the railway line to Blaxland. Bus No: 447 transports students to St John’s Rd. BLAXLAND AFTER SCHOOL CARE Blaxland Public School P & C are in the process of establishing an Out of School Hours care service. We are hoping to be up and running for 2018. BUS PASSES All infant children are eligible for a bus pass. Primary students must reside outside a 1.6 km radius from the school. Pearce Bus is our local bus company.

DISCOS Throughout the year disco dances are held for students by teachers, the Students Representative Council, P&C or Year 6 Students. Teachers volunteer to supervise and organise music selections. Kindergarten to Year 2 students attend from 4.30pm to 6.00pm. Students Years 3 to 6 attend from 6.00pm to 7.30pm. Notes are sent home prior to the event CHANGE OF ADDRESS If you change your address and/or telephone number, would you please advise the school. At the time of enrolment parents inform the school of a contact person and phone number and family doctor. Should any of these change, please notify the school. CHOIR Both an infants and a primary singing group exist within the school. CLOTHING POOL If your child grows out of his/her clothing and you have no further use for it, the school would appreciate your donation of that clothing to our clothing pool. These clothes are sold at a very reasonable price to other students. CRAFT A fee of $10 per term is charged to cover the cost of cooking and special craft lessons throughout the year. DANCE Interested students are involved in dance items, taught at school and performed at various venues throughout the year. DRAMA/MUSICAL PERFORMANCES Performance opportunities are offered to students through dance, choir, band and drama activities etc EXCURSIONS AND PAYMENTS The front office is available for payments and return of notes/surveys. Payments can be made any Wed, Thurs, Fri by cash or EFTPOS. Please place payments into an envelope with your child's name, the amount and reason displayed on the front. A receipt is given to your child later. Please feel free to discuss any finance issues with Mrs Smith in the front office. GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM Students are catered for in their classrooms with extension activities provided to challenge gifted and talented children. Additional activities occur at school and within the district, further providing opportunities for gifted and talented students.

HEALTH It is probable that at some time during your child's school career he/she will contract one of the common diseases of childhood listed below. If your child does contract one of these diseases, please notify your child's class teacher. • Measles - Patient is excluded from school for four days after appearance of rash. Contacts are not excluded. • German Measles - Patient is excluded from school until child has fully recovered, or for at least four days after the rash appears. Contacts are not excluded. • Mumps - Patient is excluded from school for at least nine days after the appearance of the swelling. Contacts are not excluded. • Chicken Pox - Patient is excluded from school for at least five days after the first spots appear, or when blisters have all crusted. Contacts are not excluded. • Whooping Cough - Patient is excluded from school for 14 days from the start of illness, or until they have had five days of a ten day course of antibiotics. Contacts are not excluded. • Ringworm - Patient is excluded until appropriate treatment has commenced. Contacts are not excluded. • Conjunctivitis - Patient is excluded until discharge from eyes has stopped. Contacts are not excluded. • Impetigo (Septic Sores) - If sores are being treated and are properly covered by a clean dressing, children are allowed to attend school. Contacts are not excluded. • Pediculosis (Hair Lice) - Students not excluded but hair should be treated with appropriate solution from pharmacist. Everyone living in the same house should be treated at the same time you are treating the affected person. Notify the school. For any other infectious disease, please contact the Principal for advice on exclusion. HOMEWORK It is department and school policy that homework is given to students. Homework is based on age level and consists usually of spelling/tables/maths/reading and writing type activities. Each teacher sets homework, either for the night or to be completed by the end of the week. It provides students with the opportunity to revise concepts treated in class, as well as allowing students to develop skills in planning and organising to complete tasks. Parents are encouraged to assist their child with homework by showing interest and assisting. If homework places undue stress on your child please discuss this with your child’s teacher. Current research suggests the link between the young child’s homework and learning success is not as significant as previously thought. It is extremely important, however, that your child has the opportunity to relax and play at the end of what will have been a very busy day. Sometimes we, parents and teachers, need to prioritise a child’s activity based on their overall welfare.

LIBRARY A system is in place to borrow each day. One or more books can be borrowed and taken home, returning the following week. Our librarian is available two days a week to assist students. A wide range of excellent children's literature is available. LOST PROPERTY Would you please ensure that every piece of your child's clothing is clearly tagged and labelled with your child's name. It is also advisable that lunch containers, drink bottles and other personal items brought to school are also labelled. Lost property is kept in a wooden crate, marked 'Lost Property' near the Year 6 rooms. MEDICAL INFORMATION FORMS The Department of Education and Training requires the completion of medical information forms prior to students participating in excursions. If the activity is ongoing over the term or a specified period of time e.g. swimming scheme; one medical form will cover the two week period. Each separate or unconnected excursion will require a new medical form. MEDICATION AT SCHOOL If possible, it is easier for parents to dispense medicines at home. Prescribed medicine can be given at school, but requires a parent to complete a brief permission form. The medicine must be clearly labelled with the child’s name and dosage. All medication is kept in a safe place and dispensed by senior school staff. MUFTI DAYS Throughout the year mufti days are held as part of special activities. This can include themed days or fundraising days where students bring a gold coin, for e.g. Kids for Cancer, SIDS, Diabetes Awareness etc. Students will come dressed in everyday clothes that may be linked to a theme or colour. Uniform is not required on those days but sensible clothing and shoes are Information notes are sent home prior to the event. NEWSLETTER Every second Friday, the school newsletter is emailed home to families. All up-coming events are published. Please look out for information that may require a response from mum and dad, such as permission notes etc. The newsletter is our way of communicating to our learning community. You can subscribe to the Newsletter through the school website – www.blaxland-p.schools.nsw.edu.au Blaxland Public School also has a Skoolbag App available. PARENTS AND CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION Meetings are held each month. Please see school newsletter for dates. Meetings begin at 8.00 p.m. in the office staffroom. Your input into school-based decision making and the support of this school is welcomed and valued.

PARENTS AND TEACHER INTERVIEWS Parents and teacher interviews are held during first semester. Three-way-conferences are available at the request of parents and students. This allows students to share and discuss their progress with parents in a positive environment. PARENTS’ CONSENT FORM Occasionally school activities take pupils beyond the school environment. For pupils to take part on such occasions, a Parent Consent Form must be signed by a parent or guardian and received by the school before the event takes place. Parent Consent Forms are always attached to the general information sheet outlining the activity. PEER SUPPORT Each year our senior students work with younger students to complete activities that focus on a theme: e.g. Good Citizenship/Helping others/Road Safety. PLAYGROUND MENTORS Older students assist younger students learning lunchtime games to play. SCHOOL BANKING This is carried out every day and all children are encouraged to bank regularly. If you wish your child to begin banking please speak to Mrs Smith (front office). SCHOOL COUNCIL The School Council operates as part of the shared community and school based decision making process. The Council becomes active at times where their support is required for the well being of students, staff, and parents in our learning community. Meeting times are notified by way of the newsletter. SCHOOL COUNSELLOR The School Counsellor, Mr David Matheson is available to assist with assessing student needs and counselling students having difficulties. All Department of Education and Training Counsellors are registered child psychologists. A parent or student may request an interview with Mr Matheson. Teachers can also refer students. Students wishing to see the counsellor can only do so with written parent permission. SCHOOL REQUISITES Stationery We recommend students in Years 3 to 6 purchase pencils, pens and rulers they feel comfortable using. Class teachers will provide a list of requirements at the commencement of each year. Felt tip pens are not recommended as they tend to ‘bleed’ through the pages of the student books making legibility of reverse pages difficult. Students in Kindergarten do not require pencils, pens, rulers or erasers. Often Kindergarten students use tri shaped pencils in order to encourage comfortable pencil grip, hand and arm movements. The school will purchase these for students Book Covers Pupils in Years 3 – 6 are supplied with covers on which they mark their name, class and subject. The book can then be covered in clear plastic or contact if desired.

SCRIPTURE Glenbrook/Blaxland Ministers' Fraternal (Representing Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Churches of Christ, New Life Christian Fellowship, Reformed Church and Uniting Church) Dear Parents, We, as Special Religious Educators, would like to welcome your child to school and hope to help you, the parents, in the development of your child's spiritual life. The state school system guides and develops children academically, physically and socially. When it comes to the spiritual welfare of the pupils, this is carried out by volunteer teachers from local churches who visit the school weekly to help develop Christian principles and values. We would like to encourage you to indicate to the school your particular church affiliation so that your child can take advantage of Special Religious Classes. Please do not hesitate to contact your child's S.R.E. Teacher if you require any further information. May God bless you and your family. Minister's Fraternal. SPORT Sport is generally held on a Friday for Primary pupils. Swimming is held in Terms One and Four while in the other two terms soccer, netball, T-ball, athletics and other team games are played. The school participates in a number of carnivals during the year. SPORT CARNIVALS Blaxland Public has a school athletics, swimming and cross-country carnival each year. Students are selected to represent at District. STUDENT COUNCIL Each class, Year One to Six, has representatives who meet and discuss issues that benefit the school. SRC provides another forum for students to speak. STUDENT PROGRESS The assessment of a child's progress is an on-going procedure throughout the year. Progress is measured by a series of assessment tasks and checklist of outcome achievement. Assessment is based on progress towards the achievement of Departmental outcomes in all KLAs. Parents are welcome to make an appointment to discuss student progress, behaviour and other matters with their child’s teacher. Please feel free to ring the office. Your child’s teacher will return your call to arrange a mutually convenient time

STUDENT WELFARE Student welfare is a priority at Blaxland Public School. Students must feel safe and happy if they are to participate in quality teaching and learning that positively challenges their thinking. The focus of student welfare at Blaxland Public School is to create a happy, relaxed and positive environment where students feel supported and valued. It is important that students are encouraged and provided with opportunities for success in their learning. Copies of the Student Welfare Policy are available in the school for the community to view. Suspension Blaxland Public tries to implement other measures to solve unacceptable behaviour. Suspension is a last resort. Under Departmental policy a student will be considered for suspension for violent behaviour, bringing illegal drugs or weapons to school, continued harassment of another student or staff member, serious insolence, persistent disruptive behaviour. SUN POLICY The school has a Sun Policy that is implemented throughout the year. The hat may be broad brimmed bucket or a legionnaire style hat that protects nose, ears and back of neck. Caps are not encouraged. Sunscreen is available to children each day in all classrooms. The sunscreen used is 30 plus. • We recommend students wear sunscreen to school each day. This helps students to develop the habit of remembering apply sunscreen on a daily basis, when required. SUPPORT FOR LEARNING Successful programs operate to assist students needing further support in literacy and numeracy. The individual programs are designed by the class teacher and the teacher for learning assistance; Mrs Paula O’Brien, who also monitors and reports on student achievements. Parent tutors are a critical support for students working on individualised class programs. If you would like to support a student in a learning program please contact Mrs Smith in the office and Mrs O’Brien will return your call on a Tuesday or a Thursday. SWIMMING Each year, a two week intensive swimming scheme is available to students from Years 2 to 6 who would benefit from learning to swim lessons. (Trained swimming teachers assist). TEXTBOOKS Textbooks are required for Literacy and Numeracy. The required texts are available from the school. Students are invoiced by the school during Week 1 and Week 2 of first term. The cost of required texts is approximately $40.00 per student.

VOLUNTARY SCHOOL CONTRIBUTIONS Voluntary contributions from parents are accepted with great appreciation by the school. It is with the generosity of parents that we are able to fund the additional purchase of resources that go towards optimising teaching and learning activities for our students. At present the contribution is $40 for one child and $60 for two or more children. WEBSITE The school website is www.blaxland-p.schools.nsw.edu.au and is a project in development. We are adding to the site more and more.

UNIFORMS

Particulars Total Cost

Navy & sky blue polo shirt $32.00

Navy & sky blue long sleeve polo shirt $32.00

Navy blue fleecy jacket $32.00

Navy & sky blue micro-fibre jacket $35.00

Navy long micro-fibre pants $20.00

Navy micro-fibre shorts $20.00

Navy stubbie shorts $20.00

Navy stubbie skorts $20.00

Girls Dresses $35.00

Bucket Hat $10.00

Library bag $8.00

School Bag $35.00

Name Labels (each) $0.60