Parent Handbook 2017

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission at Forrestdale Primary School is to provide every student with the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills in an environment

that is friendly and positive, and to encourage a feeling of pride in personal achievement.

FORRESTDALE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Telephone: 9397 0393 Fax: 9397 0643 E-mail Address: Forrestdale.PS@education.wa.edu.au

Web: www.forrestdaleps.wa.edu.au

ACCESSORIES Mobile phones, radios, tape recorders, and other electronic devices should not be brought to school. Mobile phones can be used on their way to and from school when a parent deems it necessary for safety and the well being of their child/ children. The mobile phone form must be signed and returned to the school. Phones will be kept in the Administration Office during school hours and collected at the end of the day. We recommend toys are not brought to school, but if students do so, this is at their own risk. ACCIDENT INSURANCE It would be advisable for parents to provide personal private accident cover for their children as the Education Department does not carry any personal accident cover. The school will not accept responsibility for any damage to, or loss of, personal items including phones. ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS The potential hazards involving the misuse or abuse of medications can be severe. Teachers and Administration staff members are under no obligations to administer medicines, including over the counter medications. However, arrangements can be made to administer medications upon agreement with administration in the following way:

• Parent/Guardian discusses requirements and completes the Health Care Authorisation Form.

• Any alterations to the medication type, dosage or time of administration are conveyed to office staff. Emergency Medications – As per Emergency Action Plans:

Emergency Action Plans are created after parents supply information to the school.

To cover children with asthma, diabetes, allergic reaction and/or any other health conditions, the parents must notify the school with adequate information regarding the child’s medical condition annually or when the medication changes. The parents must give written approval of an agreed emergency plan – this can be done by signing the annually updated draft plan. Please provide the school with up-to-date addresses, phone numbers and contacts. AMBULANCE If the school needs to use an ambu- lance at any time for a student, the cost is the responsibility of the parents or legal caregiver. ASSEMBLIES Dates of school assemblies are advertised in the term calendar and through newsletters. Classes take turns in conducting the programme and Honour Certificates and other special awards are presented to children. Parents are very welcome to attend. Information will be provided for special assemblies such as ANZAC Day and Graduation.

BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT The school has a well-developed policy and processes for behaviour management. The policy is based on a high level of positive reinforcement with consequences for poor or inappropriate behaviour. Each class may have its own set of rules and operations within the overall policy but it is expected that the school processes are consistently applied. A copy of the policy is available on request from the office.

BICYCLES & SCOOTERS Bicycles and scooters are welcome at the school with a shelter and rack provided by the school. While the school provides the shelter it does not accept responsibility for the overall safety of the bikes or scooters. It is recommended that a parent’s driver’s licence number be engraved on the frame and a lockable chain used. Bicycles and scooters are not to be ridden in the car park or schoolyard. There is constant need to make sure children are familiar with the rules of the road and practise safety rules. Bikes should be checked regularly to ensure they do not endanger the child’s safety. Helmet use is compulsory, by law. The school endorses the police recommendations that children under the age of ten years do not ride bicycles on a public road. Children are expected to use the Broome Street bicycle track between Forrest and Dew Street. BUSES Two buses transport children to and from school – ‘Forrestdale North’ and the ‘Forrestdale South’ services. Buses are administered by the Department of Transport and applications for the services may be gained online at: www.schoolbuses.wa.gov.au. Parents can download a simple instruction sheet from the ‘How to Apply’ section. There is Student Behaviour Management Guidelines, a copy of which is kept in the school office. Students are regularly reminded of these guidelines and failure to follow it can lead to suspension from the bus service permanently or for a set period. Parents are asked to be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the designated time before and after school. Parents are responsible for putting their child/children on and off the bus at their designated stop. CANTEEN Forrestdale Primary School does not operate a canteen. The P&C may use the canteen for special days which will be advertised for these occasions - sausage sizzles etc. CAMPS/SLEEPOVERS Camps are held yearly or biannually for senior students depending on year level numbers. A P&C sub-committee of parents help co-ordinate fundraising to reduce overall expenses. 2017 CONTRIBUTIONS AND CHARGES (VOLUNTARY) Although funding from the Department of Education provides the bulk of school resources needs, it is recognised that some contribution by parents can have a most positive effect on the provision of extra resources. The amount requested is $30.00 from Kindergarten to Year 6 per child per annum. Money collected through voluntary contribution is spent on the children in ways that benefit them as equally as possible. Progressive payment over the year is quite acceptable. The P&C contribution for 2017 is set at $40.00 per child per annum. Contributions are voluntary and are reviewed annually after consultation and approval by School

Council so are subject to change. These Contributions are voluntary but essential in helping the school maintain present programmes and continually keep up to date with books and equipment for students use. The school also publishers a list of items for which a charge will apply in the following year. These include: excursions, sporting activities, special uniform items, school photos etc. All these are optional and payment is not required until the specific event/item is advertised.

The charges and Voluntary Contributions information is available upon request from the office.

COMMUNICATION The school believes that the interests of the child are best served when communication between home and school is regular. Please contact the school to discuss matters which affect your child’s schooling. The class teacher is your first point of contact for information and queries. Appointment cards are available from the Class Teacher or School Office. Three way conferences are held in Term One.

DENTAL A dental therapy unit is periodically located at this school. It is also available when located in neighbouring schools. For further information on the whereabouts of the clinic contact - The Roleystone Mobile Dental Van on 0428 304 970.

DRESS CODE The school has a dress code policy. It contains statements about uniform requirements, the wearing of jewellery/adornments and the school ‘No Hat, No Play’ policy. The School Dress Code Policy is reviewed each year by the School Council and is available from the office upon request.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS Parents/Guardians must advise the school of personal details and emergency contact numbers upon enrolment. Please immediately inform the office if there are any changes to these details. If your child is being collected by a relative or family friend not listed on the contact information held by the office you will need to ensure a letter is provided to the class teacher or a phone call to the office, as children will only be released to contacts advised to us by parents.

EMERGENCIES (FIRE OR OTHER) In the event of a fire or any emergency situation where the school is to be evacuated there will be three sirens sounded in a row. In this situation class teachers will take the children out to the front of the school (Emergency Assembly Area) if any parents, caregivers or other visitors are also on site at the school it is expected that they will also go to the front of the school. Parents/caregivers will be unable to collect their children until they have been accounted for and released by their teachers particularly if it is an emergency situation near the end of the school day.

GRADUATION At the end of the year a special programme will be conducted to acknowledge the Year 6 students completing their primary education. A P&C sub-committee of parents is formed each year to organise the event and help fundraise for it.

HOMEWORK The school has a Homework Policy. The policy is reviewed each year by the School Council and is available from the office upon request. Class teachers set regular homework appropriate to the students’ level. Any questions regarding homework should be directed to the class teacher.

HOURS OF INSTRUCTION 8.45 a.m. – 2:50 p.m. Morning Recess break 10:35 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. Lunch break 12:35 p.m. – 1:10 p.m.

Please note: Children should not be at school before 8.30 a.m. Students who arrive prior to 8:30 a.m. are required to sit outside Rooms 1 and 3. Classes are opened at 8.30 a.m. so students may organise and prepare for the school day.

IMMUNISATION To ensure the immunisation record presented at school entry is up to date, parents are requested to obtain a current copy of the Immunisation History Statement prior to enrolment. Parents can request an Immunisation History Statement at any time by: ♦ Telephoning ACIR on 1800 653 809 (free call). ♦ Emailing acir@humanservices.gov.au. ♦ Visit your local Department of Human Services Centre.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES Some of the more infectious diseases are listed. Please note, particularly, the exclusion periods. Chicken Pox - Exclude from school. Student may return when sufficiently recovered. Some remaining scabs are not indication for continued exclusion. Conjunctivitis - Exclude from school. Student may return when discharge from the eyes has ceased. Head Lice- Effective treatment needs to be carried out. Other members of the family should also be treated. Parents are responsible for maintaining surveillance of children to detect re-infestation or infestation if it occurs. Exclude until after treatment has commenced and live lice removed. Impetigo (school sores) - Exclude from school until 24 hours after antibiotic treatment and the proper use of dressing. Measles - Exclude from school for 4 – 14 days after onset of the rash. Mumps - Exclude from school for 9 days after onset of symptoms. Ringworm - Exclude from school until 24 hours after treatment has commenced. May return with medical certificate stating the child is no longer likely to convey the infection. INTERSCHOOL SPORT Forrestdale School competes with several schools such as Serpentine Primary School and Mundijong Primary School in Interschool carnivals such as Athletics, Cross Country and Eagles Cup competitions. LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS No child is permitted to leave the school grounds for any reason without the permission of the Principal. In the case of visits to the doctor, dentist etc., it would be appreciated if prior notice can be given by sending a note to the teacher. Where this isn’t in place, Leave Passes are available from the office. Parents of students who are late to school or are leaving early are required to report to the office. LESSON ATTENDANCE ABSENCES Student attendance is absolutely vital to the attainment of the best possible learning outcomes. When your child/ren is absent they miss schoolwork and regular absences can have an extremely detrimental impact upon student progress. Regularly arriving late to school also can have a detrimental impact upon student learning. The siren to start classes goes at 8.45am so ideally students will arrive at school just before this time. If your child/ren is genuinely ill then they should not be at school. We ask that you do contact the school and inform us if your child is going to be away from school for any reason. EARLY DEPARTURES If children are required to leave school during the day (e.g. doctor’s appointment, sickness etc.) a parent/carer must sign out their child from the school office and then collect the child from the classroom. This is expected to be an unusual rather than a regular occurrence. LATE ARRIVAL Late arrival is processed through the office for all students from Kindy to Year 6. Students arriving late to school, come to the school office with an adult who signs them in, giving the reason for the late arrival. A late pass will be issued and for safety reasons, the adult dropping students off is to walk them to class.

MUSIC The school offers music specialisation for all classes. In addition there is tuition available for selected students from Years 5 & 6 . These lessons are offered once per week for half an hour through the School of Instrumental Music. Students who are invited to undertake these lessons are chosen as the result of testing in Year 4. Forrestdale Primary School has a choir with the uniform being a black short sleeved shirt with white trim. The music teacher has a set of the Choir shirts which are provided to the students for special performances. NEWSLETTERS A school newsletter is distributed fortnightly on Wednesdays. The P&C Association also informs parents of important events and news through the newsletter or notice boards in each classroom. Please contact the school should you have queries regarding these publications or wish to place a community notice in the newsletter. PARENTS AND CITIZENS ASSOCIATION INC. The Forrestdale Primary School P&C Association is responsible for financial support, the operation of the school uniform clothing pool and various other tasks as the need arises. Membership of the Association is by an annual $1.00 subscription. Parents are encouraged to participate in this vital organisation. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month during school terms. The P&C Association also request a voluntary contribution of $40.00 per child. Please refer to the Contributions & Charges (Voluntary) paragraph. PARENT HELPERS Parent Helpers are to sign in and out, at the school office, when assisting in the classroom. All Helpers are also required to sign a ‘CONFIDENTIAL DECLARATION FORM’. Parent helpers and non parent helpers at overnight excursions, including camps, are required to present their current Working With Children card. PARKING For your convenience and student safety, parallel parking and bus bay signs have been erected in Broome Street. Please park with the students’ safety in mind. For safety reasons, parents must not use the staff car park for delivering and picking up students each day. Parents must also refrain from parking on the road in front of the bus bays to the entrance of the bike path as this restricts drivers’ vision when leaving the bay. This area is controlled by signs erected by the City Council and can be patrolled by the city rangers. PERSONAL ITEMS LISTS These are sent home before the end of each year and parents can avail themselves of them. While the school uses one main supplier in return for a commission, parents may access the items from any supplier of their choice. These lists are reviewed and endorsed each year by the School Council. There are student workbooks on the list that can only be purchased from an education supplier. PRE-PRIMARY / KINDERGARTEN Full time Pre-primary attendance is compulsory. Kindergarten students attend 15 hours a week (totalled over the year). The configuration of Kindergarten hours will include at least two full days at Forrestdale Primary School. The extra time configuration is dependant on the class structures for the year. Please consult the Pre-Primary / Kindergarten handbook for additional information. SCHOOL COUNCIL This group is formed in accordance with the Education Act 1999. It is a formal group that has specific decision making powers and obligations under the Act. At Forrestdale Primary School, the School Council is comprised of: the Principal, three staff representatives, two representatives from the P&C, two parent representatives from the school community and one representative from the outside community. The Council meets once a term with meetings called according to need.

SCHOOL COLOURS AND EMBLEM School colours are black and gold. The emblem, depicted on the cover of this handbook, displays the Banksia flower and a water-bird (both of which are common to the area), the fauna reserve of Forrestdale Lake and children who are the centre of our very existence and purpose. Note: 1. Special arrangements for students who need to wear specific colours or clothing items, for health or religious reasons, can be made upon consultation with the Principal. 2. Senior students will be given the opportunity to wear a special ‘Leaders T-Shirt’ in school colours. 3. Choir students have a special uniform in school colours. 4. Students wear faction colours (Red, Blue, Green) for faction sporting competitions. SPORT During Physical Education and Sport sessions, children are expected to wear suitable sports shoes and clothing and a hat in accordance with the School Dress Code Policy. If a child is unable to participate due to medical or other special reasons, written notification to the classroom teacher is required.

Forrestdale holds Faction, Cross Country and Athletics carnivals each year. Faction Carnivals are for all students. STAFF MEETINGS These occur regularly throughout the terms and are held after school. The meetings are designed to stimulate professional growth of teachers in the areas of school policy formulation, and the production of programmes designed to ensure optimum progress in educational, social, moral and physical aspects of your child’s school life. SWIMMING LESSONS The Education Department provides swimming lessons for all Pre-primary to Year 6 children attending this school. Children will receive instruction and have the opportunity to gain certificates at different levels. The swimming lessons are an essential part of the Physical Education Learning Area and all eligible children are expected to attend, unless they produce a note from parents excusing them on medical grounds. There are ten lessons. The total cost per child is dependant on numbers of students attending, the cost of buses and pool entry. The swimming instructors are responsible for the testing and granting of certificates.

BUSH FIRE PLAN

Forrestdale Primary School has a comprehensive Bush fire plan. In 2014 we started the year on a high alert ready to evacuate if required but fortunately did not need to leave our lovely school. The following is the key information about our plan. We plan for the worst but hope for the best. Bushfire Zone Register The Department of Education (the Department) is concerned to maximise the safety of its students and staff. Forrestdale Primary School has been added to the Bushfire Zone Register. Inclusion on this register means that the school may be required to invoke pre-emptive closure on a day for which a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating (FDR) has been declared for the Armadale Shire. A Catastrophic FDR means that if a fire starts, it is likely to be uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast moving.

What does this mean for our school? When given advance warning by DFES that a Catastrophic FDR has been forecast for a given day, the Deputy Director General, Schools may direct the pre-emptive closure of Forrestdale Primary School. If the school receives such a direction, you will be informed of the possible planned closure by a letter sent home with your child. Parents of students absent on the day this letter is sent home will be contacted by telephone, so please ensure the school has up to date contact details for you. In the intervening period between the declaration of the pre-emptive closure and the day of planned closure, DFES will monitor weather patterns to keep the Department informed of any change to the forecast for the declared day. The final decision to pre-emptively close the school will be confirmed by the Department with the Principal no later than 4.30 pm on the day before the declared day. If the forecast changes after that deadline, the closure will stand, regardless of improvements to the weather conditions later in the afternoon of the day before the declared day or overnight. The intention is to limit confusion or uncertainty for parents and to allow you ample time to make alternative child care arrangements. Parents will be advised of the confirmation of closure, or its reversal, by a note sent home with your child on the day before the planned closure. Again, parents of students absent on this day will be contacted by telephone. How will I know when the school is reopening? It is anticipated that the school will only be required to close for a single day at a time, but this will depend on the weather. I ask that you monitor local media for current information about fire danger ratings and notification of schools reopening. Staying tuned to ABC Local Radio 720 AM is advisable. You can also check with DFES on 1300 657 209 or www.dfes.wa.gov.au. Alternatively you can call South Metropolitan Education Regional Office on 9336 9563. If any of the options listed above for finding out when to send your child back to school will prove problematic, please contact the school to arrange for us to phone you to advise you when the school will reopen. Questions? Please contact the school on 9397 0393 if you have any questions about planned closures during the bushfire season.

“AIM Occupational Therapy is providing Occupational Therapy services on-site

at Forrestdale Primary School. Assessment and therapy for the following

areas is available:

♦ Handwriting and fine motor skills

♦ Attention and concentration

♦ Strength, coordination and gross motor skills

♦ Social skills and play skills

♦ Managing emotions

♦ Visual perceptual skills for reading, spelling and sport

♦ Time management and organisational skills.

Fees are eligible for rebates from Medicare, Private Health, FaHCSIA and

NDIA. Please call 6150 8339 or email reception@aimot.com.au if you would

like more information.”

TERM DATES 2017 - Students

Semester 1

Term 1 - Wednesday 1 February - Friday 7 April

Break - Saturday 8 April - Sunday 23 April

Term 2 - Wednesday 26 April - Friday 30 June Break - Saturday 1 July - Sunday 16 July

Semester 2

Term 3 - Tuesday 18 July - Friday 22 September

Break - Saturday 23 September - Sunday 8 October

Term 4 - Tuesday 10 October - Thursday 14 December

2017 Dates Include Pupil Free days

~ ~ ~

TERM DATES 2018 - Students

Semester 1

Term 1 - Wednesday 31 January - Friday 13 April Break - Saturday 14 April - Sunday 29 April

Term 2 - Monday 30 April - Friday 29 June Break - Saturday 30 June - Sunday 15 July

Semester 2

Term 3 - Monday 16 July - Friday 21 September

Break - Saturday 22 September - Sunday 7 October

Term 4 - Monday 8 October - Thursday 13 December

A Department term dates calendar can not be provided as each public school develops its own calendar. Please contact your school directly for more information about its

specific dates, including school development (‘pupil free’) days.

These term dates are student attendance dates and are subject to alteration by the Minister.

By Iain Mackellar (former music teacher)

Verse 1

South of the city in a beautiful place

Where the lakes and the farms are found

Where locals fight for hard earned rights

And natures gifts abound

Grows a strong community we’re proud to call our own

Working hard together we have prospered as we’ve grown

CHORUS

And what a great place to be, semi rural harmony

Home of the champion Northerly

Forrestdale for me it’s just a great place to be

Verse 2

Friendly and helpful when you need a hand learning and

living everyday

Through ups and downs we’re side by side we strive at

work and play

And never underestimate this common bone we’re

feeling

Question or doubt these things that we all believe in

CHORUS X 2