ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

Attendance at school is compulsory and therefore we must have a signed note explaining any absence a child may have from school. This is a legal requirement. If you telephone the school indicating that your child will be absent, you must still send a note explaining the absence. These notes are kept indefinitely by the school.

ASSEMBLY

Assembly is conducted on Monday afternoon commencing at 2.20 p.m., in the hall. Parents are very welcome to join the school community for assembly.

A class level is responsible for conducting the assembly week.

Items may include: Birthdays in our school
Principal's Awards
Reports
News and Information
A musical item
News from around the rooms
Sports reports and much more.

BOOK CLUB

During the year the school arranges for Ashton Scholastic Book Club to distribute to the children a range of their publications. Book Club offers children an opportunity to purchase high quality books at reasonable prices.

Order forms and money are to be returned to school by the set date. Books are distributed to children when they arrive from the publisher.

Parents are under no obligation to purchase books from Book Club.

CLASS STRUCTURES - 2007

There will be nine classes operating in 2007 with an average of xx children in each class.

Two - Prep
Three - Year 1/2
Two - Year 3/4
Two - Year 5/6

At St. Mary's we believe that individuals learn at their own rate, and so grades are not necessarily structured in like age groupings. A mixture of two or more grade levels may not be uncommon.

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES

The classroom environment is such that contagious diseases can spread very quickly and epidemics are not unknown in schools. In order to reduce the possibility of a serious outbreak occurring, it is required that the instructions below are strictly adhered to.

CURRICULUM DAYS - CLOSURE DAYS

The school may call up to four curriculum days during any year. This allows staff time to work on curriculum development, planning and other activities which require time for development. Four weeks notice is required before the school may call a curriculum day. The school is not open on these days.

CUSTODY ACCESS ORDERS

In families where Custody/Access Orders are in force it is essential that the school is aware of and has a copy of the restraints/conditions of these orders. We cannot guarantee the safety of the children if this type of information is not passed on to us. Your cooperation in this matter is essential.

DISEASE THE CHILD SHOULD NOT RETURN TO SCHOOL UNTIL......

Chicken Pox Fully recovered. Some remaining scabs are not an indication of continued
potential to spread quickly, it is vitally important that you contact the office immediately.

EARLY DISMISSAL

If you have a medical or dental appointment for your child and it requires them to leave school before the allocated time, you must call at the office and complete an 'Early Release' form. This form is to be handed to the class teacher.

Teachers will not release children unless an 'Early Release' form has been signed.

Parents are asked to arrange appointments etc. out of school hours if this is possible.

Parents who have arranged for another person to collect children must telephone the school and inform office personnel of the person's name and identity.

EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE

If you are the holder of a current Health Benefits Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card, you are eligible for the Education Maintenance Allowance. This payment is made in two parts and entitles you to $ 63.50 towards the costs of educating your child, and $ 63.50 is paid directly to the school towards education costs for your child.

Please call at the office for further details and an application form.

EXCURSION POLICY

Excursions are an integral part of your child's educational program, provided for at St. Mary's. Excursions can be a stimulus to learning and provide different experiences for your child, which are not possible within some family situations.

All children are expected to take part in school excursions unless a valid reason has been given for not doing so.

A copy of the Policy document is available in the 'School Policy' section of this information book.

GATES AND SECURITY

In the interests of security for all children, all gates leading into the school property are locked after 9.15 am and are not unlocked until 3.10 pm. Access to the school is gained through the administration area only during school hours.

GOOD HEALTH - GOOD NUTRITION

It is important that children have a good lunch whilst they are at school. A sandwich and a piece of fruit is often adequate for children, particularly in the prep year. Snack foods are convenient and often serve a purpose, but it is important to remind all parents of the need for a balanced and wholesome diet.

HOUSE COMPETITION

The House Competition has been in operation for two years and is a points based competition.

All students are allocated a House colour (Red, Blue, Green or Yellow).
Children are encouraged to participate in competitions for House points. These competitions may include cultural events, such as National Anthem singing competition, or an athletic competition such as a House Relay competition.

These competitions are usually run at lunch time. Houses can also win points for maintaining the tidiest yard area. All children are encouraged to participate in this aspect of the House Competition.

Children may also win points for being awarded a Principal's Award or for participating in Working Bees or competing in the school Athletics Sports.
Children are also expected to attend House meetings once or twice per term.

The House with the most points at the end of each term are awarded the House Cup for safekeeping, and the overall winner at the end of each year has the House name engraved on the Cup.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2007

TERM DATES

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

INTER SCHOOL SPORTS

The senior school competes in zone based inter school sport. All children are encouraged to participate in the sporting programs which cover both winter and summer sports.

The school also participates in Zone Athletic, Swimming and Cross Country running events.
A large number of children have gone on to represent the school in District and State
Championships.

ORAL MEDICATION

Primary school children are not ready to be responsible for their own medication.

It is necessary that teachers, as part of their Duty of Care to children, share in this work.

To assist teachers, parents should supply prescribed medications in a container that gives the name of the child, the dose and the time that the medication is to be taken. The name of the tablet (if applicable) should be clearly marked on the container.

A signed note (see proforma) or note is to accompany all medication.

Medication is not to be left at school overnight unless prior arrangements have been made between parents and the classroom teacher.

No child is permitted to have any form of medication in their possession. This includes Disprin, Aspro, Panadol, etc. Children discovered with any form of oral medication will have the medication confiscated.

MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION

St. Mary's Parish has leased an area in front of the school to a mobile telephone provider. The base station is non operational at present. According to Government reports, the base station posses no health risk to the children in our school.

As in all public places there is the risk that an item may go missing, or be damaged during the course of its stay at school. The school takes no responsibility for damage or loss of private property.

PUNCTUALITY

A reminder that school does start at 8.50 am. If your child is late for school, they often
miss out on the very important part of the day. We encourage all parents to make a special effort and have children at school at the correct time.

Children who are late for must record their name and details in the Late Book which is located in the Office foyer. Records of late arrivals are monitored.

SAFETY PROGRAM

The school conducts a safety program each year. Different aspects of safety are dealt with at particular grade levels.
Preparatory Safety House
Year One and Two Road and Traffic Safety
Year Three and Four Swimming and Water Safety
Year Five and Six First Aid Training

These programs are compulsory for all students. Costs associated with programs will be billed separately to parents.

SCHOOL BANKING

The school conducts school banking through the Catholic Development Fund. Children are encouraged to open a passbook savings account. Catholic Development Fund lends money to parishes and schools for necessary capital building works. Our new hall and renovations were funded through the Catholic Development Fund

SCHOOL EMBLEM

St. Mary's Parish has been an integral part of the Altona community.

From the early days of the Shire's history, St. Mary's Church and school have been a recognisable feature of the Altona landscape.

Our school crest depicts St. Mary's spire rising above the domed council chambers of the City of Hobsons Bay.

Our motto "Caring Catholic Community in Education" was adopted by the School Education Board. It reflects our vision and perceptions of our school.

SCHOOL NURSE

The School Nurse will visit the school at some stage during each year. Prep children are examined by the nurse (providing parental permission is granted) for general health, hearing, sight and co-ordination. If the School Nurse has any concerns about any child she will discuss those concerns with the parents.

SCHOOL STAFF - 2007

We also warmly welcome back Mrs Lisa Vella, who will be working in a part time role.

SECONDARY SCHOOL TRANSITION

Enrolments for most catholic and private secondary schools are completed by early March of the year the child is in year six. Government Secondary School conduct their enrolments later in the year.

Parents are advised that work on selecting a secondary school should ideally begin when your child is in year four or year five. The staff at St. Mary's are only too willing to discuss matters of transition with any parent.

Secondary Schools by their nature are independent, and children attending St. Mary's are not in any way guaranteed a place at a Catholic Secondary School.

The year six teachers are in dialogue, though a Transition Committee, with both Catholic Secondary Schools in the area.

SICK CHILDREN

If children are feeling sick they cannot function to the best of their ability. They should not be sent to school. Children who are ill at school will be sent home to be cared for. Parents will be contacted in this case.

SMOKING

St. Mary's is a Smoke Free workplace. As from 23rd June, 1992 smoking has been banned from all buildings and grounds within the fenced areas.

The No Smoking Policy extends to all parents and teachers who attend excursions with classes outside the school grounds.

SUNSMART SCHOOL

We recognise that the sun's rays are dangerous and can be detrimental to one's health.

Therefore, during terms one and four no child or teacher is permitted to be in the yard during recess, lunch time or during class time unless they are wearing a hat.

We encourage parents to observe these rules also. We recommend that children wear sunglasses with UV protection when outside.

THANKSGIVING OFFERING PROGRAM

The school exists primarily because of the generosity of the parishioners who came before us. Many voluntary hours of work and a great deal of money has been contributed to the parish by the Altona parishioners in order for the school to continue to prosper and to offer Catholic children in the parish a quality Catholic education.

Many parents do not see the connection between the parish and the school. The school would not exist without the parish of St. Mary Help of Christians.

One practical way that all families can acknowledge the work carried out in the school and the parish is to commit themselves to the Thanksgiving Offering program. By offering an amount each week the ongoing provision of goods and services to the school is assured. A 30% tax deduction is also available for all donations made to the Thanksgiving Offering Program.
Please call at the office if you are interested in helping out in this very practical way.

TUCKSHOP

The Tuckshop is open each day for recess and lunch trading.
To order your child's lunch:
Write your child's name and grade and order on a brown lunch bag. Place the correct money inside the bag and place it in the lunch order box in your child's classroom. Lunch orders are delivered to the classroom prior to lunchtime

The Tuckshop is also open for trading during lunch and recess times. Children may purchase icy poles and other items.

A Tuckshop Menu is distributed to all families with the Newsletter at the beginning of each term. This Menu changes each term.

The Tuckshop is run by a paid manager, but we still require the services of parents who are able to help out. If you are able to help on Tuckshop, please contact the school office.
VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL

All visitors to the school are required to report to the School Office and collect a 'Visitors Badge' before making their way into the school property.

YARD DUTY

During lunch and recess breaks three teachers are on duty in the yard. The teachers supervise areas where children are allowed to play.
Any incidents which occur in the playground must be reported to the teacher on yard duty.

A Teacher is on duty in the yard from 8.35 am until the bell rings at 8.45 am, and after school from 3.20 pm until 3.40 pm. During days of extreme weather conditions children are kept indoors during recess and lunch times.