School Handbook
A-B Policies |
C Policies |
D-F Policies |
G-H Policies |
I Policies
L-M Policies | N-P Policies |
R Policies | S Policies |
T Policies
A-B of Policies
ANTI-BULLYING POLICY
Bullying in all its forms will not be tolerated at Blairmount Public School.
Our definition of bullying is "ongoing deliberate and hurtful behaviour,
be it verbal, psychological or physical, which results in an individual
or group exerting power over others".
ASSEMBLIES
Infants and Primary assemblies are held in the School Hall.
Whole School Assembly held fortnightly.
Parents are invited to attend, with classes taking turns to run the assemblies.
ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY
Regular and punctual attendance at school each day that instruction is
provided, is legally required of all students. If your child is absent
a written explanation is required stating the reason for the absence.
If a note is not received, a reminder notice will be forwarded from the
Office within three days. If your child is late, he/she is required to
report to the front office and all late arrivals are noted. If an extended
absence is anticipated the class teacher should be informed.
BIKES AT SCHOOL
Students who are 10 years and older are permitted to ride a bike to school.
Racks are provided for the bikes and the use of a bike chain is also
strongly recommended.
BOOKCLUB
The best gift any parent can give a child is a love of good books and the
benefits of reading. Our school is a member of the Ashton Scholastic
Book Club which operates four clubs seven times per year. Books available
are graded:
Wombat 3-5 years Lucky 5-8 years
Arrow 8-10 years Star 10-12 years
There are no membership fees, and neither you nor your child is under any
obligation to participate. The aim of Bookclub is to encourage children
to read and enjoy their reading by offering a collection paperbacks and
software programs at prices lower than normal. Our school receives free
books for the Library from the Bookclub.
BUS TRAVEL
Several bus routes service the school. Bus passes are available for children
in Kindergarten to Grade 2 for any distance, but children in Grades 3-6
must live in excess of 1.6km from the school to be eligible for a bus
pass. Application forms are available from the school office. In the
event of your child transferring to another school, his/her bus pass
should be returned to the school office.
C of Policies
CANTEEN
Our Healthy Food Canteen is conducted on a full-time basis by a private
contractor. To order a lunch, children need to have their name, class
and order written on a paper bag containing the appropriate money. The
lunch order must be placed at the beginning of each school day.
CHILD PROTECTION
Child Protection is part of the school curriculum within the Personal Development,
Health and Physical Education Key Learning Area. In Stages 1, 2 and 3
it covers three themes:
1. Recognising Abuse
2. Power in Relationships
3. Protective Strategies
A permission note is to be signed by parents at the beginning of each new
year for a child to participate in this program. It is strongly recommended
that all students participate in this program.
CHILDREN REQUIRED TO LEAVE EARLY
Parents wishing to take their child/ren from school prior to 3.00pm are
required to sign the Early Leavers Book at the school office, and take
a release slip signed by Office Staff to the class teacher. Where early
removal from school is anticipated, a note should also be sent to the
class teacher in advance. Where a person other than the parent is to
collect a child, written authorisation and proof of identity must be
presented. This procedure is to ensure the safety of all children and
will be adhered to at all times.
COMPUTERS
We have 2 computer rooms and a computer in all the classrooms. Each stage
has an Electroboard which is rostered throughout that stage.
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
The Principal will need to be advised in writing at the time of enrolment
of any custody arrangements concerning children at the school, or if
any change occurs after that time. Legal documents will be treated with
the strictest confidence.
D-F Policies
DISCIPLINE POLICY
For more information on the school's Discipline Policy click here.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
This important information is retained in the School office for use in
case of emergency and is supplied by the parent at the time of the child's
enrolment. Parents are asked to update the information at the commencement
of the new school year, and to notify the Office of any relevant change
in such information throughout the year, e.g. changes in address, home
and work phone numbers, mobile phone numbers, emergency contact and phone
number.
EXCURSIONS
Throughout the year, various excursions and in-school performances are
organised for classes, grades or departments. These activities form an
essential part of class work and all students are expected to participate.
There will usually be an associated cost as well as the completion of
the Permission Note envelope from parents on each occasion. If at any
time a family has difficulties meeting these costs, they should contact
the Principal as it is School Policy that children should not be prevented
from participation due to financial situations.
For some out of school activities, it may be necessary to use private motor
vehicles belonging to staff or parents. A permission note will be required
before children can travel in a private vehicle. In such cases, it is required
that each child must wear a seat belt and that the owner of the vehicle
carries a Comprehensive Insurance Policy containing a clause indemnifying
the cover against claims.
G-H of Policies
GUIDED READING-HOME/SCHOOL PROGRAM
Guided Reading has been implemented at Ruse since the middle of 1997. Each
child will be taking books home to read on a regular basis. Levels 1-30
are available for children in K-3 grades. Parents are encouraged to listen
to their child reading every night. The books are changed on a regular
basis and children move up the levels over a period of time.
HOMEWORK
Homework is given in order to:
* consolidate concepts already taught in the classroom.
* build positive and desirable study habits.
* provide communication between the home and school.
* encourage the children to read at home.
Homework is only set during the school week.A School Policy is available.
Parental support is sought in this program.
HOME SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICER
The H.S.L.O. provides a supportive resource to parents, students and schools
to encourage full participation of all students in their daily attendance
at school. This service includes periodic checks of Class Rolls and student
attendance K-6. If there are irregular patterns of attendance the H.S.L.O.
is available for follow up visits with parents.
Back to Index
I of Policies
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Listed below for your reference are some more frequently infectious diseases:
CHICKEN POX
Symptoms and signs: Few symptoms. Usually only a slight upset. Outbreaks
of small raised rose-pink spots may appear one after the other on scalp,
face, trunk, arms and legs and inside the mouth. These may be so few
as to escape notice. Spots are followed by small blisters which then
form crusts.
Exclusion from school: For five days after the first spots disappear.
MEASLES
Symptoms and signs: Fever with sneezing, runny nose, and redness and watering
of eyes. Dry cough, frequently present during first few days. A distinctive
rash appears four days after early symptoms. Red spots and blotches on
forehead and face spread progressively downwards towards feet until whole
body is affected.
Exclusion from school: Five days from appearance of rash.
MUMPS
Symptoms and signs: General upset for one or more days. There may be pain
or soreness in jaw and neck. Salivary glands in neck and angle of jaw then
begin to sell. Swelling and tenderness just below and in front of one or
both ears, extending later to cheek and down neck behind angle of jaw.
Exclusion from school: Until your child has fully recovered, and for one
week after the appearance of the swelling.
RUBELLA (GERMAN MEASLES)
Symptoms and signs: Usually begins with headache, slight sore throat, running
nose and fever. Small pink spots are seen first on face, rapidly spreading
over arms and body and to a lesser extent the legs. The rash usually lasts
only a short time, compared to the rash of measles. Enlargement of glands
in the back of the neck and behind the ears.
Exclusion from school: Until fully recovered, and for at least 5 days after
the rash appears.
IMPETIGO (SCABBY SORES)
Symptoms and signs: Commences as small red spots which quickly change to
blisters. The sores enlarge and come pus-filled and crusted. When the scab
falls off a small temporary scar remains. The face and hands are most often
affected but other parts of the body may be affected particularly the scalp.
Tenderness and swelling of the lymph glands in the groin, armpit or neck
may occur.
Exclusion from school. The family doctor should be consulted. if the sores
are treated and are properly covered by a clean dressing, children are
allowed to attend school. If they are not covered and are on exposed parts
of the body such as the scalp, hands or legs, the child should be kept
at home until the sores have healed.
PEDICULOSIS (HEAD LICE)
Symptoms and signs: The scalp itches. Lice and nits (eggs) are found on
the scalp. Scratches may become infected and swelling of the glands can
occur. Nits look like tiny white specks stuck to the hair.
Exclusion from school. Eggs of lice usually hatch in a week and reach sexual
maturity in approximately two weeks.
RINGWORM
Symptoms and signs: Begins on the scalp as a small bald scaly patch. The
hairs in the affected area of the scalp are brittle and break off, leaving
only the stumps. Ringworm of the skin usually begins as a small scaly patch
with a faint pink ring around the edge. Severe inflammation with crusting
is quite common.
Exclusion from school: 10-14 days.
L-M of Policies
LOST PROPERTY
Articles of lost property are kept in containers in atriums and the the
School Hall. Ask at the School Office for the location. Parents are welcome
to look there for lost items. Parents are requested to label all removable
clothing and personal items with their child's name. Periodically, unclaimed
items will be donated to the Ruse Public School Uniform Shop.
MEDICATION
Arrangements can be made for the administration of extended medication
at school. A meeting is required with the Principal where a deed of indemnity
is signed by the parent. Medication should be clearly labelled with the
child's name, class, time to be taken and dosage. It must be kept in
the Office and not in the child's school bag, except for asthma medication
which should be carried by the child at all times. A ventolin inhaler
is available at the school in cases of emergency and if you do not want
this used with your child at any time, written notification is to be
forwarded to the Principal. In cases where medication is required for
a short period of time with regular dosage two or three times daily,
it is recommended the child remains at home.
POLICY - DRUGS AND MEDICINES
PROCEDURE
1. Parents of children who need to take medication on a long term basis
must fill in an Indemnity Form with the Principal, with the form held on
file before medicines can be administered. Without the completion of this
form, medication will not administered by any staff member.
2. Parents must send to the Office a signed Indemnity form with specific
information concerning the type of medicine, dosage and time to be administered.
Medicine containers must be clearly labelled with child's name and dosage.
The school must be informed of any variations that may occur.
3. All medication will be securely locked away.
4. Administering of medicine will be carried out and recorded by qualified
Office Staff and recorded in the Medicine Book.
5.Medicines are to be given out at 11.15am (lunch) or 1.40pm (recess).
It is the responsibility of the child to come to the Office to receive
his/her medicine at the designated time.
6. Children using Ventolin inhalers should hold and administer their medication
independently as required.
7. No other medication may be kept by children in their own possession
at school.
N-P of Policies
NAME CHANGE
Occasionally, parents request that their child/ren be known by another
name. In such cases, the request is to be made in writing to the principal.
The only time a child's name may be changed from what appears on their
Birth Certificate is if one of the following conditions is satisfied.
1. there is a Court Order directing that the child's name be changed.
2. Where the school obtains the written consent of both parents.
3. Where the parent with custody of the child provides a Statutory Declaration
which declares that:
*the current whereabouts of the other parent is unknown, and
*there has been no contact between the other parent and the child for a
period of approximately four years and the maintenance ahs not been paid:
and the father is deceased.
4. Another birth certificate has been issued.
PARENT HELPERS
Parent help and participation in school activities is strongly encouraged.
Parents may become involved in their child's learning through:
* Blairmount P & C
* Voluntary work in classrooms.
* Fundraising projects and working bees.
* Excursions.
* Special events, e.g. Education Week.
* Sport Carnivals.
* Classroom Reading programs.
For insurance purposes parents who come into the school on a voluntary
basis are required to sign on in a book in the School Office before they
commence work in the classrooms. Please speak to your child's teacher or
any member of the School Executive if you are able to help. Your child
values your participation in school activities.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Class photographs are taken each year with details of packages available
forwarded to parents.
PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION
The playground is always supervised by teachers before school from 8.30am,
during recess, lunch times and after school for bus duty. All staff members
are rostered on duty to help ensure the well-being of all children who
must play in designated areas in which a teacher is always visible and
available. Children are made aware of out of bounds areas and to ensure
the playground is always a safe area, consequences will be implemented
if children choose to play in an unsafe manner. All children are taught
the school rules at the beginning of each year and consistency by all
staff members in the implementation of consequences is a positive feature
of our discipline policy.
Back to Index
R of Policies
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION
Each Wednesday morning, Lay teachers and Clergy visit the school for periods
of religious instruction.
Religious instruction is dependent upon the availability of scripture teachers.
Scripture class attendance may only be changed with the written consent
of parents.
REPORTING ON LEARNING
On a regular basis through formal reporting formats and work samples or
Three Way Conferences, parents are given information on their child's
learning in terms of performance, effort, attitudes and social and behavioural
development. Reporting will cover the six Key Learning Areas:
English, Mathematics, Science & Technology, Human Society and Its Environment,
Creative and Practical Arts & Personal Development, Health, Physical
Education
Parent comments on Reports are appreciated and encouraged as they are a
source of feedback for the class teacher.
REQUEST FOR INTERVIEWS
Any request for an interview with the Principal or your child(ren)'s teacher
must go through the front office. The ladies will organise a time with
the Principal or the teacher and confirm this time with you.
SCHOOL ASSISTANCE SCHEME
The school has an assistance scheme available to families who are finding
it difficult to pay for school excursions, performances, uniforms etc.
Funds are limited and parents need to approach the Principal if seeking
financial help to ensure their child(ren) are not disadvantaged. Any
approach made by a family is completely confidential.
SCHOOL COUNSELLOR
The School Counsellor is available at the school. The Counsellor is available
to do assessments on individual students to provide information to class
teachers on suitable programs that can be implemented in the classroom.
He is also available to support parents in the areas of child management,
support personnel available, community resources and programs available.
If you should require her assistance, please phone or ask for an appointment
at the School Office.
SCHOOL HOURS
School commences 9.00am
Lunch begins 11.00-11.50am Detention time 11.30am-12.10
Afternoon tea l.20pm-1.45pm
Children dismissed 3.00pm
As the playground is unsupervised before 8.30am, parents are requested
not to send their children to school before this time.
SCHOOL SPORT
Regular Fitness lessons and Sport activities are organised on a grade basis
and are an important part of children's learning with all children encouraged
to participate. School Carnivals are organised in Athletics, Swimming
and Cross Country with representation at District, Regional and State
when appropriate. Children are also given the opportunity to participate
in teams for special carnivals throughout the year.
SUN HAT POLICY
The school hat is green with an embroidered B.P.S. As per the school's
Sun Hat Policy, children who wish to play in the unshaded areas of the
playground at recess and lunch, participate in sport or outdoor activities
MUST wear a hat. For those children without a hat, a shaded area is provided
where they can sit quietly.
SECURITY
The school has regular security patrols and people found in the school
grounds after school hours without prior permission, will be asked to
leave.
SICK CHILDREN
Children who become sick or are hurt at school are sent to Sick Bay, where
a decision by a staff member will be made about the child's treatment.
If there is any doubt about the child's ability to return to class, the
school will telephone the parent or emergency contact, to take the child
home or seek medical advice. Parents are requested not to send sick children
to school as they become very distressed during the day and our medical
facilities are limited.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
The S.R.C. is a group of student representatives, two from each class from
Year 2 to Year 6. They hold regular meetings with the guidance of a staff
member and the leaders of the S.R.C.discuss suggestions put forward with
the Principal. The purpose of the S.R.C. is to develop leadership skills,
group interaction and decision making, and voice for the student body.
SUPPORT TEACHING PERSONNEL
It is the policy of our school to provide maximum opportunities for all
students to succeed academically. Support teaching personnel are available
in the school for individual students.
SUPPORT TEACHER LEARNING (STL)
The S.T.L. is appointed to the school to assist students in the acquisition
of reading and mathematical skills. The S.T.L. works in the classroom
with the teachers, executives and parents to plan, implement and evaluate
suitable programs for students with learning difficulties.
.
INTEGRATION SUPPORT AIDE
Submissions can be forwarded by the school to have available a Teacher's
Aide to support the learning of individual students who have been identified
as requiring extra assistance. Support in the classroom will be available
for a specific period of time, usually one semester.
T of Policies
TRANSFER TO ANOTHER SCHOOL
If your child is to move to another school, bus pass, library books, school
reading material or other school equipment should be returned to Blairmount
Public School before the transfer is made. Before leaving, you will be
given a transfer slip from the Office and this is to be presented to
the Principal of your child's new school