Policies and Procedures
1. Enrolments
From 2007, all Queensland State Schools will introduce a non-compulsory, full-time preparatory year, followed by an increase in the school starting age in 2008. From 2008 the compulsory starting age will increase by six months. Children born on or after 1 January 2002 will be eligible for the new preparatory year of schooling before enrolling in Year 1. They will need to be five by 30 June in the year they start in the prep class.
Birthdate Eligible for Prep year in: Eligible for Year 1 in:
Child born 1 Jan 2002 – 30 June 2002 2007 2008
Child born 1 July 2002 – 30 June 2003 2008 2009
Child born 1 July 2003 – 30 June 2004 2009 2010
Child born 1 July 2004 – 30 June 2005 2010 2011
2. Family Information
Upon enrolment information is recorded for use in emergencies, eg. address and telephone numbers for immediate contact. TO AVOID SERIOUS DISTRESS FOR YOUR CHILD IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE INFORMATION BE KEPT UP TO DATE. It will also save time and considerable inconvenience to school personnel.
3. New Children
Each class has two host children to welcome new children and show them around the campus and help them make friends and settle in quickly to the school routine.
4. Money
Money is collected for excursions, Arts Council Performances, Book Club etc. If small coins are included please staple or sticky tape the corners of the envelope to avoid lost coins. Money may be handed in at the office or to the classroom teacher.
5. Interviews
It is the policy of this school to encourage parents to visit the school to discuss progress or problems in relation to their child. The Principal and teachers will be available for interviews. For interviews required during the year, please phone or send a note to make an appointment. Parents and teachers may approach each other directly to set up an interview. Appointments allow for both teachers and parents to have quality time for discussions.
6. Matters of concern
From time to time in every part of life we find something we do not like or understand. If you find there is some cause for concern affecting your child at school, please do not hesitate to contact the teacher to arrange an appointment. Except in the case of an extreme emergency, it is best to phone or write to the school to arrange a mutually suitable time for an interview. Consulting teachers in school time results in leaving a class of children unsupervised. We suggest you initially contact your child’s teacher on classroom-related matters although the Principal is always available to speak to concerned parents. Ask your teacher about his or her communication links.
7. Attendance
Punctuality and regularity in attendance are essential. Those children who do not attend regularly are placed at a disadvantage throughout their school career. When a child is absent through illness or other causes, a note to the class teacher is required. Where absence from school is likely to be prolonged, it is required that the school be advised without delay.
8. Arrival and Departure
It is recommended that parents refrain from allowing their children to come to school too early. 8.15am is considered early enough for children to arrive at school in order for the school to provide adequate supervision. As teachers are involved in preparation between 8.00am and 8.30am, no direct supervision is possible. No children will be permitted to leave the grounds between time of arrival and end of day without written permission from a parent/guardian and the approval of the Principal.
Parents who wish their children to attend appointments within school hours are requested to advise the school in writing or by telephone of such cases. The child must be signed out by a parent/guardian at the office.
9. School Hours
School hours are from 8:30am – 2.30pm. Prior to the commencement of classes, students may only enter the school buildings if they have business with the Principal or office staff.
All students are expected to be at school by 8:30am. When the bell rings at 8.30am students are to line up in their roll class in the under cover area in their class designated areas.
Current 2008 arrangements:-
8:30 am Class work begins
11:00am - 11:45am First Break
1:15pm – 1.30pm Second Break
2.30pm End of School Day
10. Assemblies
These are held on Friday mornings at 8.45am. Parents are welcome to attend the assembly.
11. Book Lists
A list of requirements for each year level is provided prior to the close of the school year to ensure that children are fully prepared for the commencement of the New Year.
12. Homework
Reading is the most important subject in the school curriculum and one of the easiest to supervise and encourage at home. Year 1 pupils will be able to read a little at night. Years 1 to 7 should do some reading every night and Years 2 to 7 will have spelling to learn most nights. Teachers may set specific homework reflecting work done in the classroom. Some children may be required to complete unfinished class work at home.
Homework allows you as a parent to have a further insight into what your child is learning. It is also a means of developing positive habits for future study. It is not expected that students will spend a long time completing homework. If your child is struggling to complete homework, please see the teacher involved.
13. Religious Education
Classes are taken regularly by visiting instructors from a number of denominations.
Parents who do not wish their children to participate in these classes are requested to notify the class teacher in writing. Alternative arrangements will made for these students during Religious Education lessons.
14. Health & Safety
Ambulance: If the school believes a child requires the ambulance service, parents will be contacted immediately. Failure to be able to contact parents does not result in failure to call the ambulance. If a parent is unable to be at the school to accompany students to the hospital a staff member will.
Dental Service: A dental clinic is based on the school grounds. Easy access to
dental care is therefore readily available for our students. Phone 4632 7014.
Medication: If a child requires prescribed medication while at school Education
Queensland’s regulations state that:
1. The parent or guardian must in the first instance make a written request to the Principal of the school. Authority forms must be completed at the school office.
2. The student’s medication, with the pharmacist’s written instruction on the container must be lodged with the school for security purposes.
3. Administration of that medication will be carried out by an adult staff member designated by the Principal. Non-prescribed medications should not be brought to school and will not be administered by school staff.
Sun Safe: “NO HAT NO PLAY”.
It is school policy that all students wear a BROAD BRIMMED hat, NOT a cap when playing in the playground. Teachers will direct children NOT wearing hats to remain in the covered play areas. This policy has arisen out of concern for the damage caused by the sun to the skin.
Please ensure that your child brings a broad brimmed hat to school.
Infectious Diseases: Children suffering from infectious disease (chicken pox, measles, school sores, etc.) may be excluded from school for varying lengths of time.
15 Road Safety
A school crossing supervisor’s scheme is in operation. The crossings in Mort and
Taylor Streets are supervised before and after school 8.00 – 8.30 am and 2.30 – 2.55pm. Parents are asked to ensure that children use these supervised crossings.
The Crossing Supervisors are there for the protection of our children. WAIT until the whistle has blown before crossing the road and ALWAYS cross at the crossing. The crossing supervisors are employed and trained by the State Department of Transport.
16. Fire Drill
Drills are carried out at least once per term to familiarise staff and students with procedures to be followed for evacuation of the school premises.
17. Media
Parents who prefer that their children do not appear in the media as students of Towoomba North State School should advise the school in writing.
18. Excursions
Opportunity is taken to involve the community in school activities and to extend our children in educational experiences in the wider community. Field trips and excursions cover a wide range of cultural, social and academic objectives.
At the school during the year there are performances by visiting artists and groups which have been approved by the Education Queensland.
19. Lost Property
Every effort is made to locate lost property, but parents are requested to name their child's property. The child’s name should be plainly marked on every article of clothing and on school books and materials.
