Prospectus and Parent Handbook
Dear Parent / Guardian
May we take this opportunity of welcoming you to Ipswich North State Primary School.
We are pleased to welcome you as members of the team which has the overall development of your child as its chief priority. Our school is an integral part of the community and we regard education as a three way process involving teacher, parent and child.
The information in the Handbook will assist you to make your child’s assimilation as smooth as possible. Nothing, however, can replace the close personal liaison between a parent and child’s teacher. Please endeavour to foster a co-operative teacher-parent partnership during your association with our school.
To ensure that your child gains most benefit from the opportunities offered at our school, we ask you to consider carefully the following:
•
think of Ipswich North Primary School as your school and take pride in your
association with it;
•
familiarise yourself with the information contained in this booklet;
•
maintain regular contact with your school through involvement in school activities;
•
work in partnership with the school to foster academic, social, emotional and
physical development of your child.
Sincere regards
Principal and Staff
The School Motto
The school motto, recorded on the school badge is “TRUTH AND FIDELITY”.
The motto highlights the aims and the objectives of the school.
The aim of any pursuit of knowledge must be the search for TRUTH. These are values this school tries to build and inspire in its pupil.
You can complement the schools efforts by supporting these ideals at home.
Directory
OFFICE HOURS: 8.15 a.m. to 3.15 p.m. Monday to Friday
SCHOOL ADDRESS: Downs Street Ipswich North 4305
TELEPHONE:
School - (07) 3813 5888
SEU - (07) 3813 5827
FACSIMILE: School - (07) 3813 5800
SEU - (07) 3813 5829
SCHOOL HOURS: 8.50 a.m. to 2.50 a.m.
•
The first bell for children to prepare for teaching sessions is at 8.45 a.m.
Children should arrive by this time.
•
At 8.40 a.m. children move into school.
RECESS:
1st Break 10.45a.m. - 11.30 a.m.
2nd Break 1.00 p.m. - 1.30 p.m.
• With exception of Friday - Inter-school sports teams lunch 12.00 p.m. - 12.30 p.m. to allow travel for inter-school sport.
PLEASE ADVISE US IMMEDIATELY
• If you change your address or telephone number;
• If there is any change in your emergency contact number;
•
If any significant changes occur with regards to your child’s health;
• If you feel we should know of any other changes which relate to your
child.
ABSENCES
If you child is absent: please notify the school or class teacher by phone
or note.
ACCIDENTS
If you child has:
•
superficial wounds, they will be treated by a rostered qualified First Aid
member of staff;
•
for injuries requiring expert medical attention, you will be contacted. However,
if you are unavailable, an ambulance will be called.
ADMINISTRATION
The Principal and staff:
• share the responsibility of providing for needs/expectations of the school
community;
• assist with any enquiries concerning your child
ADMISSION
Children to be enrolled must:
• attain the age of five years by the 31 December of the year preceding
enrolment in Year1
• attain the age of five years by the 30 June of the year to begin Prep
school.
ALLERGY
If your child has an allergy:
• complete an Allergy Register Form
APPOINTMENTS
If you would like to discuss matters of interest:
•
please arrange for an interview with the Principal or your child’s
teacher to allow planning of time suited to both parties
ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL
It is strongly recommended that:
• your child arrives at school after 8.15 am
ASSEMBLY
This gathering of pupils, teachers and interested parents:
• is held each Friday morning at 9.00 am;
• is designed to build school spirit and morale through sharing information
of common interest;
• is complemented by the School Recorder Band
ASSESSMENT
Your child’s progress in monitored and annotated through:
• a comprehensive assessment program implemented in a cyclical process
involving planning, assessment, evaluation, recording and deliberation;
• a comprehensive progress report - at the end of Term 1 and Term 4;
- Parent-Teacher interviews can be arranged at a time suited to both parties
(preferably not during Class time);
• Year 2 Net
• Year 3 Test
• Year 5 Test
• Year 7 Test
ASTHMA
If your child is an asthma sufferer-
• complete Asthma Form held in office
• update this form regularly so your child can receive the best assistance
possible should an attack occur at school.
AWARDS
Children can earn various awards:
• R.O.C.K.S. Award
• Gotcha Rockin' slips
• individual classroom reward schemes also operate eg. stickers, etc
BEHAVIOUR
It is expected that:
•
appropriate behaviour as outlined in the school ‘Responsible Behaviour
Plan for Students’ will be achieved by all children;
• action which may involve parent support will be taken should a student
display inappropriate behaviour
•
our Parent Liaison Officer is available to discuss the ‘Responsible Behaviour
Plan for Students’ with families.
BICYCLES
Bicycles ridden to school should be-
•
engraved for easy identification
•
secured to bicycle rack with safety chain and padlock
•
wheeled inside the school grounds (headgear – Safety)
•
the bicycle cage is locked during classtime
BUSES
For information contact
• Southern Cross : 3812 2520
• Westside : 3288 1333
CAMPS
Children of Years 4 to 7 participate in a camping programme as part of a planned
learning experienced to:
• provide outdoor experience that are not available to school;
•
promote personal and social development through co-operation in activities
in a ‘live-in’, away from home situation;
• develop an interest in the natural environment
CARE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY
Please help your child car for his/her belongings by:
•
ensuring your child’s belongings (clothing and school requisites) are
NAMED;
• inspecting the Lost Property Boxes (located inside stairwell of Main
Building) at anytime.
CHOIR AND BANDS
Our Music Program is complemented by:
• Junior Choir, Senior Choir
• weekly lessons, conducted by visiting teachers, in woodwind, brass and
percussion for pupils selected on their general attitude, application and commitment
• Recorder Band
• Junior and Senior Instrumental Ensembles
DENTAL CLINIC
The school dental clinic:
• is operated by the Health Department;
• visits the school annually;
• provides free treatment for all pupils following parental approval;
• can be contacted through the Ipswich General Hospital Dental Clinic
DEPARTURE
If you wish your child to leave school before the usual dismissal time;
• written authority or a phone call to the office is required;
• sign out and collect your child from the school office ONLY
EVACUATION DRILL
Procedures are:
• well documented;
• practised at regular intervals
EXCURSIONS
If your child participates in an excursion as part of planned learning experience:
• your written consent is required;
•
the wearing of uniform (including shoes) is expected – for safety i.e
ease of identification
GROUNDS
During out of school hours:
• riding bicycles, skateboards and roller skates is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN;
• permission for organised, supervised groups may be gained through application
to the Principal.
LITERACY AT WORK
The purpose of guided reading is to enable students to practise effective reading
strategies at a level that supports and extends them. The program enables teachers
and helpers to work with and observe small groups of children as they develop
an understanding of reading processes and practise their literacy skills.
Guided Reading and Writing occurs in one hour sessions, four days a week. All
children in Years 1-3 are grouped according to their instructional level of
reading.
HEADLICE
To combat this problem we:
•
ask you to check child’s hair carefully and regularly;
• notify parents of an infested child;
• recommend the child returns to school after appropriate treatment.
HOMEWORK
Home tasks will be set for your child according to:
•
Departmental guidelines and P&C recommendations
• Parent information letters sent home at the beginning of each term
Page 6
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Pupils who are ill should not be sent to school. The guidelines have been drawn
up by the National Health and Medical Research Council on the premise that
pupils who have been ill with an infectious disease will not return to school
until they have fully recovered. Please contact the office staff for guidelines
regarding infectious diseases etc.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAMME
An excellent instrumental programme is provided in which children:
•
are tutored by a visiting instrumental teacher;
•
are withdrawn from normal classes to attend lessons;
•
are selected on the basis of commitment, aptitude and parental agreement with
requirements of care of instruments and daily practice;
•
use school instruments initially; when appropriate purchase their own;
•
involved in the programme must participate in school instrumental band;
•
contribute $50 to annual maintenance service of school loaned instruments
•
contribute $20 if own instrument is used.
INTERVIEWS
For parents of children entering Prep year and /or enrolling in other year
group
•
interviews are conducted by appointment with Principal each November;
•
proof of date of birth is required (Reg.33(5))
o birth certificate or extract
o hospital, child welfare, clinic record
o Baptismal Certificate
o Confirmation of home address
o Passport if student has one
LOTE
Language other than English:
•
Japanese lessons are provided for children in Year 5,6,7 and
•
Cultural Studies for 4 & 5 grades
MEDICATION
When it is necessary for medication to be administered at school:
•
a prescribed form be completed to include all relevant details i.e dosage,
frequency etc.
•
all medication is kept at the office with the exception of Asthma inhalers
(refer below)
•
Asthmatic students
o The recommended procedure for asthmatic students is as follows;
o Parents or legal guardians provide written permission for students to administer
their own
medication as deemed necessary by the student;
o Students are responsible for their inhalers at all times;
o Students will not be denied access to their inhalers
MULTI-AGE LEARNING
Is:
• Based on the individual emotional, social, intellectual and physical
growth of each child
• Providing integrated learning activities
• Promoting active student involvement
• Using a wide range of materials
• Involving teachers as co-learners and facilitators
• Child-centred
• Promoting teamwork and diversity
• Supportive and nurturing environments
Because there is an emphasis on the needs and strengths of individuals, strategies
such as cooperative learning groups, cross-age tutoring, integrated curriculum,
and multiple intelligence are frequently used as tools to enhance the learning
of all students.
NEWSLETTER
Newsletters printed on distinctive paper are:
• sent home weekly on Wednesday;
• given to the youngest family member attending school
P & C ASSOCIATION
Our P & C Association plays an active role in providing the best possible
learning environment for our children. The P & C Association:
• provides an input into the Annual Operational Plan
• will advise meeting times annually after the Annual General Meeting
•
conducts fund-raising activities including periodic “drives” and
social functions i.e. Fete to help provide facilities and resources
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
•
areas containing playground equipment are supervised as part of a wider playground
supervision;
•
care is to be taken at all times on the equipment
ROAD SAFETY
•
a “Lolly-Pop” scheme operates at the Pine Street crossing between
8.15 am – 8.45 am and 2.40 pm – 3.10 pm
• ALL pedestrians and ALL vehicles are required by law to obey the signage
displayed
• Children MUST use the crossing
• A GIVE WAY sign exists at the intersection of Downs and Fitzgibbon Streets
• The pedestrian lights on Downs Street should be used to cross this busy
road
READING RECOVERY TEACHER
The role of the Reading Recovery teacher is to
• identify students in Year 2 requiring reading intervention
• provide this intervention
RECORDER BAND
Children of Years 4 to 7 are encouraged to
• participate in the Recorder/Marching Band
• participate in public performances of the Band
RESOURCE CENTRE
Our Resource Centre:
• is co-ordinated by a Teacher Librarian
• provides children with as much reading as possible
•
extends children’s learning
• provides assistance for children and teachers in resource use
• encourages all parents to become involved in the resource centre and
its procedures
• assists children to be regular borrowers
RESOURCE CENTRE – BORROWING PROCEDURES
When borrowing form the Resource Centre, children
• are encouraged to be regular borrowers
• Prep,Year 1, 2, 3 need a cloth borrowing bag
• Prep to Year 7 borrow during regular library times
• Prep, Year 1and 2 may borrow one book for two weeks
• Year 3 to 7 may borrow two books for two weeks
• Parents are welcome in the Resource Centre
SAFETY
Your child’s safety is a high priority inside and outside our school – please
assist-
• by discussing safety rules regularly
• providing bicycle riders with protective head gear as required by law
SPECIAL EDUCATION UNIT
A Special Education Unit is part of the Campus. Its aim is:
• to support students within the inclusive curriculum
• to support the development of positive social and community attitudes
• to encourage personal achievement in academic and life skills
• to support class teachers with making adjustments in planning and teaching
SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
Our school is actively involved in developing a functional and aesthetically
appealing environment by:
• further enhancing established environment areas;
• giving children the responsibility of caring for their school environment
• recycling program
SCHOOL OR SUPPORT TEACHERS
Our specialist and support staff;
•
includes a Teacher – Librarian, Support Teacher Learning Difficulties,
Reading Recovery Teacher, Music Teacher, Physical Education Teacher and Instrumental
Music Teacher;
• complement the classroom programmes
SPORT AND RECREATION
Sport and recreation are a part of a comprehensive, carefully sequenced programme
for Year 1 to 7 in which:
•
there are 3 strands – fitness and skills and personal development
• children participate in Interschool and Intraschool Programmes with an
emphasis on lifelong recreational relevance;
• Interschool sports programmes are offered for Years 5 to 7;
• Skills programs are available for children not involved in interschool
sports;
• school houses are French (Yellow), Lawson (Blue), and Monash (Red)
SUN PROTECTION
Children are made aware of the need for protection. School policy:
• NO hat, No play;
• encourages the use of a broad spectrum sunscreen
SUPPORT TEACHER LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
The role of the S.T.L.D is to
•
assist students with special needs
•
identify children in need of academic, behavioural, emotional support
•
provide appropriate support on a priority basis for these children
•
provide to parents a range of options available from a variety of support personnel-both
within and beyond the State educational system
SWIMMING
Swimming forms part of the Sport and Recreation Program for children will:
• be required to provide written permission
• receive details regarding times, hygiene and rules at the beginning of
each session
TRANSFERS
If you are transferring you child –
• a written request should be forwarded to the office
• the transfer will be issued on the last day of attendance at this school
TUCKSHOP
Our tuckshop, which operates under the control of the P & C Association –
• opens Tuesday - Friday
• invites parents to be rostered on duty to help with preparation and sales
• a menu is supplied to all families
•
orders are to be written on paper bags – money to be included (before
school)
• over-the-counter purchasing available at morning tea and big lunch
VOLUNTEERS
Parents are encouraged -
• to become involved members of our school community and to attend information
sessions designed to assist their understanding of the educative process and
activities at Ipswich North.
• must sign in at the office when assisting at school
•
to become members of the P & C association
• to hold a current 'Blue Card'
WAITING FOR PARENT
When collecting children, please remember:
• children must wait INSIDE THE SCHOOL BOUNDARY
• parking in the Bus Stop endangers our children
•
observe the NO PARKING signs and ‘DROP OFF ZONE’ regulations
• police regularly check for breaches Page 11
UNIFORMS
Promote:
• a positive image in the community
• pride in our school
• ease of identification during activities away from the school
GIRL’S DAY UNIFORMS
•
Blouse – Check Caesarton with Woven Monogram
•
Skirt – ‘Netball’ Style – Bottle Green and/or
•
‘Knit’ Style Shorts – Bottle Green
• White Socks
• Black shoes/joggers
• Bottle Green hat with school initials
BOY’S DAY UNIFORM
•
Shirt – Check Caesarton with Woven Monogram
•
Shorts – Bottle Green (ruggers)
• Black joggers, white socks and hat (as above)
GIRL’S SPORTS UNIFORM
•
"Knit" style shorts - bottle green and / or
•
Skirt – pleated netball type – Bottle Green
•
Shirt – white polo with collar, with school monogram
• Socks, Joggers, Hat (as above)
BOY’S SPORTS UNIFORM
•
Shorts – Bottle Green
• White polo shirt with collar with school monogram
• Socks, Joggers, Hat (as above)
WINTER UNIFORM
• Bottle Green Tracksuit
SCHOOL HATS
Hats must be worn for all outdoor activities. Parents should –
•
discourage children from borrowing other children’s hats because of
the problem with headlice in the community
• name hats
• legionnaire hats and caps with school initials are available through
the tuckshop