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School Policies and Procedures
Immunisation
All Kindergarten students should present an Immunisation Certificate to the school before they are enrolled. Students who have not been fully immunised against infectious diseases like measles and mumps may be excluded from school each time an outbreak of the disease occurs. This could lead to a high number of absences from school and therefore have an adverse effect on your child’s education.
Medications
All prescribed medication should be left at the school office; no student should have any medication on them at school. Children with Asthma requiring inhalers for self-administering are to carry them or keep them within easy access at all times.
The school prefers not to administer medication to students because no medical staffs are employed for that purpose. Where administration of prescribed medication in school hours is essential to the child’s health and educational welfare the procedures set out in the school Policy for the Administration of Prescribed Medication to Students will be strictly enforced. Copies are available from the office.
School Attendance
All children aged between six and fifteen years of age must be enrolled in school. The students are required by law to attend school on each day that instruction is provided. All schools are required to keep official records of daily attendance.
It is the parent/caregiver’s duty to ensure regular and punctual school attendance. A late arrival is recorded as a Partial Absence and must be explained in writing, as for other absences.
Sick children should not be sent to school. Parents should send a note explaining the reason for an absence and the date of the absence to the class teacher on the day the child returns to school or within 7 days of returning. When a child is absent for three or more days, the parent should contact the school on the third day of absence. These procedures are essential to children’s safety and educational welfare.
You may contact the Principal for further information about the NSW Government Schools Attendance Policy.
Home School Liaison Officers are specially trained teachers who work with school staff, families and students to improve student attendance at school.
Student Welfare
You are asked to support teachers in the supervision and care of students by:
- Ensuring that if students are late for school they go to the front office for a late note.
- Filling in a request form at the main office if you wish to take your child out of class early.
- Providing the school with documentary evidence of child custody orders issued by the courts (should these arrangements change, it is essential that the school be advised immediately).
- Consistently abiding by agreements the school makes with you regarding these orders.
The care and safety of students is our highest priority and these procedures help prevent unauthorised persons removing children from school. Please be sure to let the Principal know about any concerns you have in this matter.
General Expectations
Students are expected to be active participants in their education. Good attendance and appropriate behaviour, consideration for the rights and feelings of others, and a realisation that each individual has to take responsibility for his or her own actions are keys to success.
The school’s Student Welfare & Discipline Policy is endorsed by the School Council and is designed to develop and reward appropriate behaviour and discourage inappropriate behaviour. Somersby Public School’s Student Welfare and Discipline Policy promote a safe, caring and productive learning environment for Somersby Public School. Parents are notified of their child’s work habits and behaviour weekly, by the use of the Conduct, Attitude and Citizenship card.
Some students with additional needs may be referred to the School Counsellor for assistance. The School Counsellor, Mrs Debbie Warwick, visits the school every four weeks. If you wish to speak to the School Counsellor please contact the school Principal for a referral form.
Illness
Sick children should not be sent to school. If children become sick at school their parents will be telephoned and asked to collect them.
Parents are required to provide the school with the name and phone number of an Emergency Contact for occasions when parents cannot be reached. It is important that Emergency Contact Information is kept up to date.
Children should be kept at home if:
- They need to be excluded from school in accordance with Department of Health regulations relating to immunisations; or
- They are suffering from any of the illnesses or complaints listed below:
Influenza Severe Asthma Temperature
Vomiting Diarrhoea Severe skin rash or infection
Headache, Earache Toothache
Head Lice Discharge from eyes, nose or ears
Once the child has recovered they may return to school.
If a serious accident occurs at school, parents or emergency contacts will be telephoned as soon as possible. An ambulance will be called and the child admitted to casualty at the Principal’s discretion if parents or contacts cannot be reached.
Please Note: For obvious reasons, it is essential that parents notify the school whenever contact details change.
Parent Helpers
Parents are always welcome in our school. We are aware of the importance of your role in your children’s education and believe that teachers and parents need to work as a team to ensure the best education for students. Home/school partnerships play an essential role in providing support for students as they strive to realise their academic, physical, social, emotional and moral potential.
Often you will be asked if you can help in class activities. This is a good way to observe school programs, and get to know yours child’s class teacher and educational practices.
The staff are appreciative of the very high level of parent support we receive a Somersby Public School. This is a record we should all be proud of, and one which we seek your help in maintaining. We rely on parents to regularly assist in the following areas:
- Reading groups
- Mathematics groups
- Transportation
- Canteen helpers
If you would like information about your child’s progress or school work, or if you are worried about any aspect of his or her education, you should ask to speak to the class teacher who can address most of your concerns. As the teachers have the responsibility for teaching their classes it is necessary to make an appointment. Appointments can be made with the teacher or the front office by note, telephone or in person.
Problems are usually resolved quite easily when everybody concerned understands the issues and is fully informed. Great harm can be caused by inaccurate or incomplete information and by allowing concerns to continue.
For ongoing concerns and major problems you should contact the school and arrange an appointment with the Principal.
Mobile Phone Policy
Introduction
As a communication device, mobile phones (when used appropriately) offer students and their parents many advantages in terms of ease of communication and a sense of personal safety. However, mobile phones have the capacity to have a negative impact on the learning environment and the safety and well-being of students. This Policy aims to establish guidelines for the use of student mobile phones within the school environment and aims to set out the responsibility of staff, parents and students.
What is Inappropriate Use?
The use of mobile phones in schools should not automatically be of concern. It is only if a mobile phone is used inappropriately that action will be necessary. Generally, a mobile phone will be used inappropriately if it:
- Disrupts or is likely to disrupt the learning environment or interfere with the operation of school; or
- Threatens or is likely to threaten the safety or well-being of any person; or
- Is in breach of any law.
- Is used to take photographs or video without permission.
Inappropriate use of mobile phones will include students using them to bully, intimidate or otherwise harass other people through any SMS or text message, photographic, video or other data transfer system available on the phone. This type of misuse will be dealt with under the Student Welfare and Discipline Policy.
Guidelines for Use:
- Once at school the phones should be turned off and remain in the student’s school bag while students are in class or on the playground. Phones that ring or beep during the school day disrupt the learning environment. If this occurs the phone will be given to the Principal. The phone will be turned off and kept in a secure storeroom.
- Students may turn phones on after the class is dismissed at home time. Phones can then be used regarding after school supervision and for no other purpose.
- Students must not lend a phone to another student for use as a phone, for text messaging or for use as a camera or video recording device. The student who owns the phone will be held responsible for its safety and use.
Responsibility for Mobile Phones
Students bring mobile phones to school at their own risk – the school staff members will not accept any responsibility for and loss or damage to mobile phones or for investigating loss or damage.
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