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The school was completed in September 1876 and began classes for around 50 students early in October with its first teacher, William Cameron. Enrolment remained stable at around 150 students to the turn of the century. The overcrowding was solved by enclosing the weather-shed for use as a classroom. By 1912 there were 250 students and 3 teachers with 75 on each of their rolls and with an average attendance of 50 each. Earlier the sand hills were paved to provide a more stable surface.
A two storey building was completed in 1916 by when enrolments  had passed 400. Pavilion classrooms were also used to cater for the continuing growth. These had 3 sides and a canvas roll down flap which leaked in the rain and flapped in the wind.
A new brick building opened on the Southern end of the site in 1928 and the brick building on the North of the site replacing the 1916 building, opened in 1935. Enrolments reached a high of 1000 in the 30s, 861 in 1953 and 610 in 1971. There were 500 students at our centenary in 1976. For the bicentenary of European settlement in 1988 a time capsule was planted to be reopened in 2038.
* Our school colours are Cerise (Cherry Red) and Blue (Royal).
* We are founding members of the now NSW Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA).
* School Motto “Play the Game”
ALLERGIES
Remember that we have students with life-threatening allergies to nuts and eggs. Parents are asked not to send children's lunches with spreads containing nuts (especially Peanut Butter and Nutella) or with any nut poducts (especially muesli bars) to school.
ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL
Children should only arrive at school in the mornings between 8.30 and 8.55am unless they are booked into the Care Centre.
Occasionally there is a need for a child to be at school a few minutes early and if they arrive before the bell goes at 8.30am they are to sit in the Library Playground area with their bag. When the bell rings, they may then put their bag in their designated place and go to play.
During the first term of each year, Kindergarten students are restricted to play in the Top Playground only. Kindergartn should be delivered to the Basketball courts each morning.
Children in Kindergarten and Years 1 and 2 are expected to remain with their teachers until they are collected after school or are delivered to the Care Centre. If you fail to collect your child by 3.15pm they are taken to the Centre and you will be required to pay for the service.
Please note that this school does not allow children to wait unsupervised in the playground for parents. All children are expected to leave the playground promptly after school. Children are not allowed to play on the fixed equipment after school even if parents are present.
ASSEMBLIES
Kindergarten - Year 2 have a singing Assembly each Tuesday and Years 3-6 have a general Assembly where awards and general announcements are made. A roster of classes is made for 3-6 Assembly performances in line with the commitment to providing Creative Arts opportunities at this school. On Tuesdays, a Lines Assembly for Years 3-6 is held after Recess for routine announcements.
BAND
Students in Stages 2 and 3 are able to apply to join our School Band. A variety of instruments are taught by our Band Director. Practices are held Tuesday afternoon for experienced band members and Wednesday moring for beginners. New students wishing to join must complete a pre training program. Contact Philip Matthews at the school or log on to
www.directionsinmusic.com.au
Conditions for joining the Band are a commitment to practise and to wearing the Band uniform at all external performances.
CAMPS - YEAR 4, 5 & 6
This year we are introducing a new approach to our school camps. All students in Years 4, 5 & 6 will participate ina three day camp in December. More details shortly.
CARNIVALS
We hold 3 sporting carnivals each year for students in Years 2-6. A Swimming Carnival is held at the end of the first week of the year at Des Renford Aquatic Centre. A Cross Country Carnival is held for students in year 2-6 at the end of first term at Baker Park. A School Athletics Carnival, for all children Kinder to Year 6, is held in third term at Hensley Athletics Field.
Successful students go on to our local district carnivals and may progress to the Zone and State Carnivals. Parents are invited to attend and offer assistance where required.
CLARION
Each Thursday our newsletter is issued. It will go to the youngest child in each family. This informative bulletin keeps you up to date with events at the school. It is printed on blue paper so don’t miss yours.
Our Clarion is then put on the website after student names are removed in the interests of their protection. A parent, Alex Semba, manages our website.
CLASS PARENTS
Class parents have greatly contributed to the well-being of our school community. We have a parent coordinator for each class and their role is to:
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compile a class list of parent contacts
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be a point of contact for other parents
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organise some social activities
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co-ordinate class contributions to fund raising
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ensure parents help to change home readers
Class parents are supported by the P&C and the Principal.
COMMUNITY AWARDS
When students achieve success in activities beyond the school, we like to give them the opportunity to be recognised by our students and our school community. If your child has some success you can have it noted in the Clarion through the Office.
SCHOOL CONCERTS
More details soon.
CURRICULUM PROGRAMS
The primary purpose of our school is to provide quality instruction in the six Key Learning Areas as required by the NSW Department of Education and Training:
KLAs
We offer a variety of extra programs at our school, both during and after hours. Our school provides extra assistance to children with learning needs and for those who have English as a second language.
CUSTODY MATTERS
Sometimes children may become subject to legal custody orders. The school needs to be notified of any particular condition specifically pertaining to access. Our school has a proud record of understanding and sensitivity to such needs and all such information remains strictly confidential. If you are presently in this situation, or find yourself in such a situation in the future, please contact the school so that the safety of your child is ensured at all times.
E-MAIL CONTACT
Our school e-mail address is
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We check our mail around 11am each day. Please use this form of communication if it is convenient for you.
Please note that this communication should not be used for any immediate or urgent messages.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS - UPDATES
Every year we waste time chasing parents who have not advised us of changed addresses or work telephone contacts. PLEASE keep us informed as soon as any of your details changes. We will issue you a note at the beginning of the year for you to advise us of changes.
GIFTED AND TALENTED POLICY
The GATS (Gifted and Talented Students) Committee is currently reviewing the school's policy. If you believe that your child is gifted and talented we would appreciate your time in completing the following survey.
For children starting Kindergarten in 2010, please complete the following survey.
HOMEWORK
The school has a homework policy which reflects the growing responsibility that students need to take for their learning. Kindergarten are usually not given homework. Homework is optional in Stage 1, is expected in Stage 2 and is compulsory in Stage 3.
Homework which is late without acceptable explanation, is usually sighted but should not be expected to be fully marked. If you have any concerns about homework please speak with your child’s teacher or the Stage Co-ordinator.
ILLNESSES
If students are absent for a brief illness it is not necessary for you to contact the school. A note of explanation is acceptable when they return. If the illness is extended please contact us with full details regarding the nature of the illness.
Please be aware that teachers are responsible carers for your child. You will be contacted if they are concerned for your child’s health. We also advise you of any accident involving a bump to the head.
If your child has a serious illness please contact us inmediately.
LEAVING EARLY /ARRIVING LATE
Outside appointments involving children should not be made during school hours. However, if after school hours specialist appointments are not possible and you wish to collect your child during the day, please put your request for leave in writing and complete the leave form at the office. Children can only be collected from the Office.
If an emergency arises and you wish to collect your child before 3.00pm, please come to the Office to obtain a leave form. No child will be dismissed from class without this. No child is allowed to leave the school by themselves before 3.00pm. No child will be allowed to leave school during the day unless they are collected from the school Office by an adult.
If your child is late, please take them to the Office to obtain a late leave note before taking them to their classroom. You will be required to wait while the leave is entered on our system for attendance purposes.
A Home School Liaison Officer monitors student attendance.
LIBRARY
Students are responsible for the safe return of their Library books from the time that they are issued at the Library.
When a hardcover book goes missing, parents are asked to pay a nominal sum of $20 towards the cost of its replacement before a student can resume borrowing - $10 for paperbacks or a missing or damaged Home Reader. If the book is found then that fee is returned to you.
Please ensure that your child has a labelled cloth Library bag. You could make one or buy a school bag from the office at a cost of $5. Borrowing is not permitted without a bag.
All assistance is greatly appreciated as it means that new books become available more quickly to the children. A computer mini-suite is established in the Library for student research purposes.
LUNCHES
It would be of enormous benefit to all concerned if your child’s lunch and morning snack were placed in separate disposable bags before being packed into lunch boxes.
This would allow your child to leave their lunch box in their school bag and help to reduce losses and the enormous time that can be spent searching for missing items. Your child’s name must be marked on lunch boxes and personal property.
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Lunches may be purchased from the canteen by placing an order there before 8.55am. Please write your child’s name and class on a paper bag with their order.
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Kindergarten children may purchase snacks from the baskets which are brought to the Passive Playground.
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Remember that we have students with life-threatening allergy to nuts and eggs. Parents are asked not to send any nut based products especially peanut butter, nut spreads or items containing or covered in nuts to school.
MEDICATION
Children can only be given medication at the Office. Send very clearly written instructions and permission with any medication sent to school. All medication must be clearly labelled at all times. Please contact the Principal if your child's condition is serious or long term.
No child is to self- administer medication without appropriate supervision.
MONEY PAYMENTS
Parents are asked to always place money in a sealed envelope when making payments to the school. Parents are also asked to ensure the permission note is attached to the outside of the money envelope.
Specific envelopes are provided for most excursions but if you lose yours, write the child’s name on an envelope and the purpose for the enclosed payment. Envelopes need to be sent to the class teacher. Please do not mix payments to the school with those for P&C activities.
NO SCHOOL HAT NO PLAY
Our school uniform policy requires ALL children to wear our broad brimmed school hat during outside play and sport periods. Children who do not wear their school hat are required to sit in the shade. Please make certain your child’s name is clearly marked in a felt tip pen under the brim or inside the crown to help reduce loss.
PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS
We are holding these at regular intervals during the year. There is a Parent Information Evening in First Term. A Parent/Teacher Meeting early in Second Term, a 3 Way Conference late in Third Term and a written report will be sent home at the end of Term 4. We hope to use these times to share information and hear your views. Dates will be published in the Clarion.
At any time you may contact your class teacher to arrange a suitable time for an interview. Please note that it is not possible to contact teachers during class teaching time. Contact is only available before 8.55am, 11-11.20am or 1-1.45pm.
PARENTS & CITIZENS (P&C) ASSOCIATION
Our P&C meets on Tuesdays, usually on the third week of each month at 7.00pm. Upcoming dates are published in the
Clarion. All parents are welcome to attend to hear information about the operation of the school and to discuss ways in which you can help.
P&C donation envelopes will be sent home with a notice of explanation this Term. Please support our school in this way if you can. The money raised from our community goes towards the provision of resources for your child’s education.
Please do not include
P&C money in with amounts payable to the school. Separate envelopes clearly marked should be sent. Your contributions help enormously.
FUND RAISING Sub COMMITTEE
The P&C has a fund raising committee to raise money for our school and your child’s education. If you are able to help in any way, big or small, please contact Jenny Todd on 9349 3799.
UNIFORM Sub COMMITTEE
If you are able to offer help with the Uniform Shop, your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Please leave your name at the Office.
Second hand uniforms are available. School hats and school bags are available through the Office. The Uniform Shop is open Tuesdays 2.45-3.15pm Thursdays 8.30-9am.
CANTEEN Sub COMMITTEE
If you are able to offer help with the
Canteen your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Please leave your name with our Canteen Supervisor, Kate Murphy.
PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION
Our playground is directly supervised by a teacher from 8.30am each day. Children should not arrive at school prior to 8.30am unless they are attending the Care Centre. Teachers are also on duty at recess and at lunch time.
If a child does, on occasion, need to arrive a few minutes before 8.30, then they are to remain seated on the ‘silver seats’ near the gate in the Library Playground until the bell is rung by the duty teacher.
In wet weather, children are to sit under the cloisters beside the Canteen until 8.30am, then go to their Classrooms.
The duty teacher will be located in the Top Playground from 8.30am during First Term and any child who is in need of assistance should seek it from that teacher or from the Office. From Second Term the teacher will be in the Lower Playground areas.
There is no playground supervision after school. All students should leave the school grounds and go directly home. No child is to play on the fixed equipment either before or after school.
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION
Scripture classes which occur once each week for a period of 30 minutes, begin in Week 3, Term 1 for all children. If you no longer wish your child to attend the scripture class to which they have been allocated, you are required to put your request for change in writing to the Co-ordinators Stuart Crawford and Lyn Hallinan.
Please note that if parents decide to change their child’s Scripture class these changes will only be made at the beginning of each year.
SCHOOL RULES
We have 3 simple rules for students to follow;
1. Be in the right place at the right time
2. Play safely
3. Respect the rights and property of everyone
Breaches of these rules may result in chastisement, time off the playground, parent notification, counselling, detention, suspension from school or expulsion for extreme behaviour.
SERVICE LEVY
Approximately 95% of parents contributed to our Service Levy last year. This year the Levy is $120 per student and we look forward to everyone again meeting this responsibility.
While payment of this levy is voluntary, the significance of this need is no doubt recognised and understood by everyone.
The costs in the levy cover the purchase of student textbooks, art and craft materials, photocopying, computer consumables and stationery items for each student.
If any parent is experiencing financial difficulties they should contact the Principal to discuss a more suitable arrangement to meet these costs. If you received support last year you need to renew that support if it is needed by making an appointment to do so.
SPECIAL EVENTS
The school holds a series of special events each year and parents, relatives and friends are always welcome at these events including;
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Swimming Carnival / February
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Grandparents Day / March
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Cross Country Carnival / April
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’Thon - Fundraising Day / May
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Athletics Carnival / July
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Book Week Parade / August
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End of Year Concert / November
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Reverse Christmas Tree / December
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End of Year Picnic / December
UNIFORMS
Our school and community has a Uniform Policy which requires all students to wear the correct school uniform. The red Coogee polo shirt with printed crest and blue shorts OR our Summer and Winter tunics, are our uniform. The uniform includes our mandatory school hat. Copies of the
uniform requirements are available from the Office. We have a "No School Hat No Play" Policy in force.
SPORT
All students are placed in Houses for different competitions. The Houses are;
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Bay / Red
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Melody / Blue
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Byron / Yellow
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Carr / Green
At each Carnival and on our Colour Day, students are expected to wear the colours of their house.
K-2 are involved in school sport programs.
Years 3-6 are involved in either school sport or interschool - Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA) - sport (Yr 4-6).
WEB SITE
Student work will be added to our website. It will be displayed for one month.
WET WEATHER
On wet days all children should bring a rain coat. Please note that umbrellas are not to be brought to school as they can be dangerous if used inapropriately.
On wet mornings, children can proceed to their classrooms at 8.30am.
The school provides opportunities for students to participate in programs outside school hours.
LANGUAGE, DANCE, PIANO AND KEYBOARD LESSONS
Lessons are available in each of the following activities - Dance, Italian, French, Japanese, Spanish, Greek, Mandarin, Keyboard and Piano. An introductory meeting is arranged for new enrolments in the language classes at the beginning of each year.
Language Lessons - All enquiries about these lessons should be directed to Jenny Greenslade on 9664 8878.
Keyboard - All enquiries about these lessons should be directed to Sabina and Russo - 9869 8060.
All other enquiries should be directed to Stuart Crawford.
NUTCRACKER SCHOOL OF BALLET
This activity is held on Saturday mornings and caters for a range of ages and levels. Phone Vicki Grey on 0411 872 978
EVENING COLLEGE
A branch of the Eastern Suburbs Evening College operates on Wednesday and Thursday nights at the school from 6.30pm. For enquiries call 9387 7400.
READING RECOVERY PROGRAM
Our school has a very successful Reading Recovery program to support children in Year 1 who are experiencing difficulties in Reading. This service is currently provided by Jon Heynen.
RELEASE PROGRAM
Our school is widely recognised for our students’ achievements in Visual Arts. All classroom teachers are entitled to two hours teaching release and during this time students are focused on Creative Arts activities co-ordinated by Rhonda Burgess.
HOME READING PROGRAM
A Home Reading program operates for students in Years K-3. Children have the opportunity to take home reading material on a daily basis.
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE - ESL
Our school provides the services of an English Language teacher for children with this need. About one third of our children have a background where English is spoken as a second language, although no language group is predominant. This service at our school is co-ordinated by Dorith Freedman.
BANKING
Student banking is available each week on Wednesdays through Bendigo Bank. All children can deposit to their accounts through the school. Accounts can also be opened for new or existing students. Books with money are to be handed to the office before school.
CARE CENTRE
Our Centre operates to provide your child with an excellent standard of care from 7-8.30am and from 3-6pm on a fee paying basis. Families must also pay a registration fee in order to use the Centre. Vacation Care is also made available. Enquiries contact Jamie Morris 9665 8943.
CANTEEN - HEALTHY FOODS
Our school has a Health Food Canteen which won a diamond award in 2002 and a gold award in 2003.
We promote a healthy lifestyle for our children through the canteen’s health food policy. We ask parents to help maintain this policy by not including soft drinks, sweets or chips in children’s lunches.
Our Canteen operates daily providing lunches and nutritious snacks. Orders are to be given directly to the Canteen by 8.55am. Help in the form of parent volunteers is always appreciated. A P&C Subcommittee oversees this operation. Our Canteen Supervisor is Kate Murphy.
To view the Canteen's price list, please click here.
SCHOOL COUNSELLOR
All children should feel safe, be happy, and learn to their potential, while at school. Sometimes, however, things happen which may cause you or you child’s teacher to have some concerns about student progress or behaviour.
Perhaps your child;
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is having difficulty grasping reading or number concepts
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does not seem to understand instructions or follow directions
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is finding it hard to make or keep friends
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is having behaviour problems (at home or school)
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is being affected temporarily by family problems (illness or incidents)
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is underachieving
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shows indications of giftedness
If you would like to discuss any issues relating to your child, please contact the School Counsellor, Susy Plummer who is at the school each Thursday. All meetings are confidential.
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