We are Respectful

Woodroffe Primary School | 2020 | 1

Our Values

We Are

Kind

We are

Respectful

We are

Safe

Woodroffe Primary

School

Parent Handbook


Contact Information

Address | 55 Woodroffe Avenue

WOODROFFE NT 0830

Telephone | (08) 8983 7600

Pre-school | (08) 8983 7611

E-mail | [email protected]

E-mail | [email protected]

Facebook | Woodroffe Primary School

Web |http://www.woodroffeps.nt.edu.au

Communication App - School Star

Absence Notification - Text to 0418 125 029

This handbook is designed to provide you with

some important information about our school, our

policies and our procedures. If you have any further

questions please contact the Front Office.


Vision Statement

Woodroffe is a collaborative learning school that takes PRIDE in education to allow every child to reach their full potential.

Woodroffe School Philosophy

A collaborative learning environment that takes pride

in education and allows every child to reach their full

potential.

Manifesto

We have high expectations, a strong performance

agenda and we work with integrity and

accountability. We believe that respect is an essential

foundation for collaboration and this drives all our

interactions.

We admire diversity and create inclusive learning

environments where different cultures, experiences,

skills and knowledge are valued.

We are innovative and inquisitive and seek out new

technologies, methods and approaches to achieve

results.

We focus on creating success together and our goal is

to foster lifelong learning.

Our Values

We are Kind

We are Respectful

We are Safe

...our School Philosophy


Our School

Woodroffe Primary School provides education to

children from Preschool to Year 6 who reside in the

suburb of Woodroffe. If you do not reside in

Woodroffe exceptions may be made for those who

have siblings that already attend the school or for

children who attend the Preeti Kunj Child Care

Centre. For all other enquiries in relation to

enrolment, please contact the office to

discuss your families requirements.

Our School Motto

Woodroffe Primary School’s motto is

“Together we learn”. This shared ideal is the

foundation of all that our school does and seeks to do.

Department of Education and Training -

Policy on Age of Entry to School

The Department of Education and Training require

Government schools to enrol students inline with the

following policies;

Preschool - Students may commence preschool at the

beginning of the school year if they turn 4 years of age

by 30 June of that year.

Primary School - Students may commence Primary

School at the beginning of the school year if they turn

5 years of age by 30 June of that year.

These policies have been designed so that each child

will receive a minimum time of 6 years in Primary

School.

School hours

Woodroffe Primary School’s teaching and learning

times are from 8.00am to 2.20pm Monday to Friday.

Teaching and Learning Periods

Early childhood – Acacia and Grevillea Blocks

8.00am First bell

8.05am Classes begin

9.55am - 10.25am Recess, includes 10 min eating in

classrooms before play

12.20pm - 1.00pm Lunch, includes 15 min eating in


2.20pm School end bell

Upper Primary – Banksia and Melaleuca Blocks

8.00am First bell

8.05am Classes begin

10.20am - 10.50am Recess, includes 10 min eating in


12.50pm - 1.30pm Lunch, includes 15 min eating in


2.20pm School end bell

Preschool Hours (Monday to Friday)

Preschool Morning Session: 8 am - 11:00 am

Preschool Afternoon Session: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Transition - Year 6: 8 am - 2:20 pm

2020 School Term Dates

Term 1 - 28 January - 9 April

Term 2 - 20 April - 26 June

Term 3 - 20 July - 25 September

Term 4 - 12 October - 17 December

2021 School Term Dates

Term 1 - 1 February - 9 April

Term 2 - 19 April - 25 June

Term 3 - 20 July - 24 September

Term 4 - 11 October - 16 December


Correspondence

At Woodroffe Primary School we are committed to

developing positive relationships between our

staff, students and their families. We believe that

strong communication is a key element in

nurturing these relationships. We utilise the

following methods to relay correspondence to the

home;

Written notes and letters (keep an eye out

for these in your child’s bag)

School Star App (download our School Star

App on your Smartphone)

Our weekly newsletter (via email or available

on our website, School Star app or Facebook

page)

Our school website or Facebook page

Of course, correspondence is a two way street and

we encourage families to contact the school if they

have any queries or concerns. Our office is open on

weeks days from 7:30 am - 3:30 pm and our staff

will be happy to assist with your enquiries. You

may also contact staff and teachers via email and

appointments can be scheduled should you wish to

discuss specific matters with specific persons.

Absences

At Woodroffe Primary School, attendance is a

school priority. We promote the importance of

attendance and being on time for school as being

vitally important for a child’s success at school.

Parents / carers are encouraged to notify the

school if your child is unwell either by telephoning

the office, emailing or via our School Star app.

If a student is absent from school un-notified an

SMS message will be sent to the first contact on

our School Administrative System notifying families

of the absence and requesting the reason for the

absence. Student absences can be notified by text

to 0418 125 029. Please note this number is a

computer program, not a phone and can only send

and receive texts.

We request that any families who are considering

holidays or being away during school time discuss

this as early as possible with the Principal or

Assistant Principal so a program of work can be

negotiated. If this does not happened according to

departmental guidelines the absences are then

recorded as an unacceptable absence in the

student administration system.

Arriving at School Late

If a student arrives after 8:15am they are classed as

being late, students must report to the front office

to obtain a late note.

Please try your best to limit absences and late

arrivals as your child will miss valuable learning

time.

Sick Students

Students who are sick the previous night or are

feeling unwell before school should be kept at

home. When students become ill during the day,

they are sent by the class teacher to the front

office. A first aid officer will assess the symptoms

and decide if the student should rest in the

sickroom, return to class, or to make contact with

parents.

Smoke Free Zone

Under the Tobacco Control Act, 1st January 2003,

Woodroffe Primary School is a Smoke Free Zone.

Smoking is prohibited in the buildings and on the

school grounds.

Infectious Diseases

Current guidelines set by the Public Health

Committee has recommended minimum periods of

exclusion from school and preschool of infectious

diseases, cases as listed below. The only exception

to this rule is that children with certain skin

diseases may return once appropriate treatment

has commenced.


CONDITION CASES CONTACTS

Chicken Pox Exclude till fully recovered or at least 4 days

after the eruption first appears. Note: some

remaining scabs are not an indication for

continued exclusion

Any child with an immune deficiency (eg

Leukaemia or receiving chemotherapy)

should be excluded for their own

protection. Otherwise not excluded.

Conjunctivitis Exclude until discharge from eyes has ceased

Not excluded

Diarrhoea Exclude until diarrhoea has ceased Not excluded

Diphtheria Exclude until medical certificate of recovery

following at least 2 negative throat swabs, not

less than 24 hours after cessation of antibiotic

treatment & 48 hours later

Exclude, family, household contacts until cleared to return by an appropriate health authority

Glandular Fever

Exclusion is not necessary Not excluded

Hepatitis A Exclude until receipt of a medical

certificate but not before 7 days after the

onset of jaundice

Not excluded

Hepatitis B Exclusion not necessary Not excluded

Hepatitis C Exclusion not necessary Not excluded

HIV Exclusion is not necessary unless

person has secondary infection requiring

exclusion in its own right

Not excluded

Impetigo (School Sores)

Exclude until appropriate treatment has commenced and sores on exposed surfaces are covered with a dressing

Not excluded

Leprosy Exclude until approval to return has been given by an appropriate health authority

Not excluded

Measles Excluded for at least 4 days from the appearance of rash

Immunised contacts not excluded. Non immunised contact should be excluded until 14 days after the 1st day rash appears in the last case. If non immunised contacts are vaccinated within 72 hours of their 1st contact they may return to school

Meningitis Exclude until well Not excluded

Meningitis Exclude until well Not excluded

Meningococcal Exclude until well Not excluded

Mumps Exclude for at least 9 days after onset of symptoms

Not excluded

Poliomyelitis Exclude for at least 14 days from onset. Re-admit on a medical certificate of

recovery

Not excluded

Ringworm,

Lice, Scabies,

Exclude until the day after treatment

has commenced

Not excluded

Rubella

(German

Measles)

Exclude until fully recovered or 4 days after the onset of rash

Not excluded

Guidelines for Exclusions


Headlice

Head lice are more a social nuisance than a

disease. Detection and treatment is the

responsibility of the home. The movement of lice

on the head causes itchiness and people affected

by head lice can sometimes suffer infections of the

scalp from scratching. Infestation is identifiable.

The nits look like whitish specks stuck to the hair.

The Head Louse (Pediculous Humanus Capitis)

The human head louse lives only on the

scalp where there is food and a suitable

temperature.

The eggs or nits are laid close to the scalp

and hatch 7-10 days.

The young louse requires two weeks to

become mature and lay eggs.

Transmission

Head lice are transmitted by the movement

of the louse from one head to another. This

happens under conditions of close physical

contact, mostly at home or at school.

Facts

Head lice infestation is not a health risk.

Lice do not jump from one head to another.

The human head louse does not breed on

animals, furniture, carpets, bedding etc.

Lice are no respecters of social class.

Clean people get head lice.

Children are not the only ones who become

infested. If one family member is affected,

others in the family are likely to be infested.

Ambulance Subscription

Our School Council funds subscriptions to the

St John Ambulance Service for all of our students.

In the event of a medical emergency every effort is

made to contact parents however, we will utilise

the St John Ambulance Service as required. This

subscription means that parents will not incur a

charge for this service should it be utilised by the

school.

Emergency Contact Details

Parents are asked to advise the school

IMMEDIATELY if there is a change of address,

telephone number or workplace. Emergency

contacts are required in the case of illness or

accidents. Each semester a form will be sent home

to remind families of any changes that may have

occurred.

Streptococcal infection including

Scarlet Fever

Exclude until the person has received antibiotic treatment for at least 24 hours and feels well

Not excluded

Tuberculosis Exclude until production of medical certificate from appropriate health

authority

Not excluded

Typhoid Exclude until production of medical

certificate

Not excluded

Whooping Cough

Exclude for 5 days after starting treatment

Exclude unimmunised antibiotic household contacts less than 7 years for

14 days after the last exposure


Canteen

Moulden Supermarket will be providing our

Canteen lunch orders on Mondays Tuesdays,

Thursdays and Fridays. Parents/Carers are asked to

place canteen lunch orders, with name and class

marked on a paper bag (or similar) with money

enclosed, to the class teacher by 9:00am each day.

Any change from orders will be returned to the

students with their lunch order.

Moulden Supermarket will accept lunch orders

direct at Moulden Supermarket and will deliver

with other canteen lunch orders (this may be

subject to a cut off time and the order must be

from the school canteen lunch menu). This will

allow you to pay via Basics Card/EFTPOS if

required.

Orders can also be placed via QuikCliq for Moulden

Supermarket lunches and “Kids in the Kitchen”.

Woodroffe Primary students will continue to cook

lunch orders for “Kids in the Kitchen” on

Wednesdays, with the menu changing weekly.

Moulden Supermarket will not be providing lunch

orders on Wednesdays.

Limited food sales are available from the school

canteen for recess only.

Lunch Orders

A canteen price list will be distributed to all

families at the start of the year. This will also be

made available on the school website and on the

School Star App.

Lunch Storage

Student lunch and recess should be packed

separately in clearly named containers. Students

are to place their lunch in a container (in their

classroom) each morning. These containers are

collected and stored in our walk in cool room

throughout the day. The containers are then

returned to each classroom at lunch time.

Recess snacks are not able to be stored in a fridge

or the cool room and are kept in the air

conditioned classrooms.

Cyclone Procedures

Term 1 and 4 are within the cyclone season. It is

important that each parent understand the school

procedures and expectations. Often if a cyclone is

predicted for the Darwin region the Education

Department formally closes schools for the day.

Announcements are made via radio and TV. The

new time alternative action is as follows.

Cyclone Warning Stage 2 is issued by the Bureau of

Meteorology. It is expected that parents will

monitor the radio announcements provided by the

Education Department for information about when

children should be collected from school. Children

should be collected as soon as possible after the

Radio/TV announcement.

Children should be kept in their parent’s care until

the all clear is issued, by the Bureau of

Meteorology and notification is issued by the

Department of Education, for children to return to

school.

When children are collected from the classroom

the teacher will record the departure time and

name of collecting adult. After a reasonable time,

children not collected will be taken to the

administration area for collection. At the time

when the school is evacuated, remaining children

will be taken to the PALMERSTON COLLEGE 10-12

CAMPUS SHELTER and left with the Shelter Co-

ordinator for collection by parents.

Lists of children taken to the shelter will be

displayed on the window at the front of the

Administration area of the school along with

names of students already collected.

Parents are also advised that children will not be

permitted to leave the school on their own.


Wet Weather Procedures

In case of a passing severe electrical storm or if it is

raining too heavily when students are being

dismissed from school at 2.20pm, the following

procedures will be actioned:

Students will remain in class until;

the electrical storm has passed over or the

heavy rain has eased or;

they are collected from the classroom by a

parent, guardian or after school carer or;

the Principal or Principal’s delegate has

deemed it safe for students to make their

way home.

Students attending Territory Children OSHC will

remain in class until the electrical storm has passed

or the rain has eased. They will then be dismissed

to make their way to the OSHC area. In extreme

cases when the rain/storm continues for more

than 30 minutes, the students will be collected by

OSHC staff and supervised in the assembly area

until it is safe to move across to the OSHC area.

Students relying on bus transport will not be

dismissed until the storm has passed or rains ease.

They will have to catch a later bus.

Students being collected by off premises OSHC

centres will remain in class until they are called to

the front office to be collected.

Parents may come and collect students earlier

from the classroom if there is an impending storm.

Teachers will only dismiss students when parents/

carers arrive at the classroom.

Educational Excursions

These are organised by class teachers to enhance

the school’s curriculum. Permission forms are sent

home for each individual excursion and must be

returned by the due date to be able to participate.

Parental involvement, is always, most welcome.

There may be a charge for bus hire.

Food Allergy Awareness Policy

Woodroffe Primary School aims to provide a safe

and supportive environment for all students. Food

allergies can be life threatening. The risk of

accidental ingestion of foods can be reduced in the

school setting if schools work with students,

parents and doctors to minimise risks and provide

a safe educational environment for food-allergic

students. Our aim is to develop policies and

practices which keep students who have food

allergies safe without unnecessarily isolating or

excluding them from school activities or creating

an unnecessarily restrictive school environment. A

key component of this Food Allergy Awareness

Policy is to ensure optimal education of school staff

about recognising and responding to a child having

an allergic reaction.

Families are responsible for the following:

Notify the school of the child’s allergies.

Provide up to date emergency contact

information.

Provide written medical documentation,

instructions and medications as directed by a

physician (qualified allergist or other doctor

with specialist knowledge in food allergy),

using the appropriate Australian Society of

Clinical Immunology Allergy Food Allergy

Action Plans. Include a coloured photo of the

child on written form.

Work with the school to implement a Health

Care Plan, EpiPen/Anapen Student

Information Form and Student Risk

Minimisation Plan that accommodates the

child’s needs throughout the school day as

well as during school excursions.

Provide properly labelled medications and

replace medications after use or before

expiration


Educate the child in the self –management

of their food allergy including: - safe and

unsafe foods - strategies for avoiding

ingestion of unsafe foods - symptoms of

allergic reactions - how and when to tell an

adult they may be having an allergy related

problem - how to read food labels (age

appropriate)

Review the Health Care Plan, EpiPen/Anapen

Student Information Form and Student Risk

Minimisation Plan with the school staff after

a reaction has occurred.

Collecting Students

If you wish to collect your child from school before

2:20 pm you will need to sign in at the front office

and collect them from their class room unless prior

arrangements have been made.

Upon leaving the school grounds you will need to

sign yourself and your child out at the front office.

Upon collecting your child at the end of a school

day please wait outside their class room until they

have been dismissed.

Parking at School

Parking at Woodroffe Primary School is limited.

Please take note of ‘No Stopping’ zones which are

clearly marked with a solid yellow line. Palmerston

City Council regularly patrol our school zone.

If parked on the opposite side of Woodroffe

Avenue to the school, please use our crossing.

Additional parking is available at the Cazaly’s

Cricket Ground adjacent to Woodroffe Primary

school.

Drop and Go Zone

The school has created a Drop and Go Zone

between the hours of 7am to 9am and 2pm to

4pm. During these areas the parking area on

Woodroffe Avenue at the front of the school is

strictly No Parking and to be used for drop off and

pick up only.

Safety on our Roads

A reminder to all of our community that speed

restrictions do exist on roads that surround our

school. Please keep in mind that school zones have

a speed restriction of 40 km/h between 7 am — 5

pm on school days.

Bike Security and Safety

Many of our children enjoy riding their bikes to

school and those who do so must supply and use a

bike lock to secure them to our bike racks. Whilst

every effort is made to ensure the security of bikes,

they are parked in the school grounds at your own

risk and responsibility cannot be taken for bikes

and scooters brought to school.

Parents are also asked to remind their children to

be sensible when riding and to consider all risks

(cars reversing out of drive ways, traffic on roads,

pedestrians etc.). Children must wear an

appropriate helmet whenever riding their bike.

Children must walk their bikes and scooters in all

areas around the school buildings.

Reminder: It is compulsory for all students riding

bicycles to wear bicycle helmets.


Book Packs

At the beginning of each school year it is expected

that families will purchase a book pack for each of

their children. These book packs are designed by your

child’s teachers and includes materials and resources

that they will require throughout the school year.

Book packs are $80 each. For families joining us later

throughout the school year, the cost of these packs

may be reduced. This is at the discretion of our

Business Manager and should be discussed with our

staff in the front office.

Voluntary Parent Contributions

Our School Council has set the level of voluntary

parent contributions at $50 per student per year.

Your contributions will be utilised to assist the school

to operate it’s learning programs and to provide a

wide range of educational services. Contributions are

utilised by the school as follows;

Stationary/Consumable Texts

Resources

Printing/Copying

Library Resources

Arts

Curriculum Extension

$150 Back to School vouchers

The Government provides each child with a Back to

School voucher for essential supplies such as book

packs, uniforms and excursions. The voucher can only

be redeemed at the school and must be used by the

end of the first term.

Sun Smart

At Woodroffe Primary School students are required

to wear either a bucket or broad rimmed hat when

partaking in outdoor activities. If a student does not

have a hat they will be required to stay in designated

areas.

Students may bring their own sunscreen from home

and apply it themselves.

If students are partaking in outdoor activities where

school uniform is not required, such as wet water

play, they are still required to wear clothing which

provides substantial coverage.

Students that do not meet our Sun Smart

requirements may be excluded from certain

activities.

“Yes hat; Yes play”

Hydration

We live in a warm climate and as such hydration is

important. Students are encouraged to bring a clearly

labelled water bottle so that they can stay hydrated

whilst in class. Students without water bottles will not

be permitted to leave class to use bubblers unless it is

deemed an emergency. Bubblers are accessible to all

students during recess and lunch for refilling of water

bottles.

Visitors to our School

All visitors to our school must report to the front

office prior to accessing school grounds. Visitors must

sign in and collect a ‘visitors’ badge (to be displayed

at all times). Upon departure, visitors must again

report to the front office to sign themselves out and

return the badge.

Lost Property

The school accumulates a large amount of lost

property. Students and parents are encouraged to

check this on a regular basis for any items which may

have been misplaced. The lost property is kept at the

front office.

Parents are asked to clearly label ALL belongings

before they are brought to school.

Any unclaimed and unnamed items still in lost

property at the end of each semester will be disposed

of or donated to a local charity.


Intensive English Program

Intensive English language classes prepare students

newly arrived in Australia to attend mainstream

schooling. The Intensive English school assists

students to:

Develop their standard Australian English skills

and knowledge

Learn about schooling and life in Australia

Increase their knowledge of the local community

and wider Australia

It is recommended by the Department of Education

that students attend an Intensive English school in

their first year of living in Australia as the classes are

well resourced for Beginning and Emerging English

phase learners.

The classes are also much smaller in size with

approximately 13 children per class. Each class has a

qualified teacher and a bi-lingual officer who works

with the students to support their learning.

Woodroffe Primary school

Woodroffe Primary School provides a collaborative

learning environment that takes pride in education and

allows every child to reach their full potential.

Woodroffe Primary School celebrates that there are a

diverse range of students from different cultures,

experiences and skills, knowledge and capabilities.

Melaleuca Refugee Centre provides support,

counselling and training for staff members to assist

with dealing with trauma and loss and to ensure each

family’s introduction to life and schooling in Australia is

as positive as possible.

What is required to enrol?

Contact International Services on 8999 5895 who

coordinate the enrolment.

Please contact the school to make an

appointment with the Principal or Assistant

Principal.

Please bring your child’s visa and passport to be

photocopied by the school.

Please provide your child’s immunisation record,

translated if possible.

Completed enrolment form.

Any past reports from your child’s prior

schooling.

Our Aim

To provide students with the opportunity to

access age-appropriate curriculum whilst learning

Standard Australian English.

For teachers to deliver differentiated explicit

instruction through effective ESL pedagogy to meet

the language learning and educational needs of all

non-English speaking students.

To set learning goals based on the students age,

stage of schooling and English language

proficiency.

To provide a supportive, caring and inclusive

environment to help all children develop and

achieve academically, socially and emotionally.

To support each student to successfully integrate

into mainstream schooling.


Adult Migrant Education Program (AMEP)

Upcoming Events

As an adult where can I go to learn English?

The Adult Migrant Education Program (AMEP) provides

English language tuition to eligible new migrants and

humanitarian entrants. The AMEP aims to assist you to

learn English so you can successfully settle and

participate in social and work situations in Australia. In

the Northern Territory courses are offered at the

following CDU campuses: Darwin and Palmerston.

Distance learning is also available if you are unable to

attend classes. When you study in AMEP you have

access to the University library and computer labs. At

Casuarina campus you can access the after hours study

facilities.

Learn practical English to help you access services,

work, study, and enjoy your life in Australia.

Up to 510 hours of free English lessons

Study English for living, working and studying in

Australia

Find out about government and community

services

Get support to help you learn

Make new friends while you study

Plan your future in Australia

Eligibility criteria apply*

The adult education program is funded by the Federal

Government and The Department of Education. and

provided by STEPS.

Call us today for information on starting your FREE

English lessons with STEPS

Phone: Casuarina & Palmerston - 1300 585 868

Pandanus Special Education Unit

The Pandanus Unit was opened in 1998 to cater for

students with high support needs. At the time, staff in

Pandanus consisted of one teacher, one Special

Education Support Officer and three students. Since

then the population has expanded and staff numbers

have grown to meet the requirements of our students.

Pandanus caters for students from preschool to year 6

who meet specific entry criterion determined by the

Department of Education in line with the Disabilities

Policy (2012).

The program delivered in Pandanus follows the

Australian Curriculum and is delivered by a Teacher and

Special Education Officer. Classes are small and the

programs has a strong focus on providing the optimum

safe environment both socially and academically for

students and fosters positive social relations between

their peers and the adults they interact with.

Our Pandanus Classes have a general philosophy of:

Every child is entitled to an educational setting which

provides a warm, secure emotional environment and

social climate where students can develop a sense of

individual and group identity, a sense of achievement

and self esteem.

Every child is entitled to equal opportunities for self

development to the fullest extent of their individual

physical, intellectual and emotional capacities.

Every child is entitled to an individual educational

program specifically designed for their needs and

abilities.


Early Achievement Centre

Woodroffe Primary School’s Early Achievement

Centre is an initiative which was established in

response to requests from our school community

that our youngest learners be provided with a

stimulating learning environment where they can

work collaboratively and cohesively on one site.

The Early Achievement Centre will inspire our

Transition and Preschool students to progress

through the early stages of schooling. We aim to

nurture our children so this transition is seamless,

successful and encouraging.

Preschool

Our Preschool provides a stimulating and

supportive educational environment as a basis for

later learning. This will increase each child’s

opportunity to develop the appropriate language,

thinking, social and movement skills, knowledge

and attitude. The program is planned to cater for

the learning and needs of individual children.

Preschool is not compulsory; however, it is the

preferred first stage of Primary School.

The Preschool program provides a balance

between free play and teacher planned activities

both for individual children and groups. It allows

children to develop the ability to move easily

between home and school and helps them to

develop a pattern of continuity.

Woodroffe Preschool operates a morning and an

afternoon session. Children may attend a morning

session, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 11:00

or an afternoon session, Monday to Friday, from

11:30 am to 2:30 pm.

Transition

Students who are turning 5 by 30 June will

commence Transition at the beginning of that year.

Transition students attend full school days and is a

period in which the child progresses at his or her

own level and is prepared for Year 1 class work.

Year 1 - Year 6

Students in Years 1—6 follow a Primary School

Curriculum Framework which is determined by the

Northern Board of Studies. The following areas of

study are included in the Framework;

English

Mathematics

Social Education

Science

Health

Physical Education

The Arts

Technology

Parent Help within Our School

Woodroffe Primary School is always excited to

welcome parents into our class rooms on a volun-

teer basis. There are many ways that parents can

help within our school such as; reading in the class

room, covering books for our Library, chaperoning

excursions or preparing teaching aids.

If you are able to volunteer some of your time

please contact your child’s teacher directly.


Homework

All students at Woodroffe Primary School are

expected to accept responsibility for their own

learning outside of school hours in the form of

homework.

Outside of school hours learning activities form an

integral part of our school’s approach to the

personal and academic development of our

students. Such activities are given to;

Provide structured situations in which

students may develop habits of self

discipline, responsibility and independent

learning.

Provide our students with opportunities for

practice, extension and research as

appropriate to their stages of development.

Enable parents, as co-educators of children,

to observe, assist and encourage the

development of their children, and the

endeavours of the school.

As our students move through their Primary School

years, their responsibility in terms of outside of

school hours learning will be increased as will the

difficulty of such activities.

If you have any concerns about homework which

has been set for your child or if you would like

some information about how best to assist them

please contact their classroom teacher directly.

Recommended Time Allocations if homework is

requested:

Early Childhood - Set work should be limited to a

maximum of 15 minutes per night, Monday to

Thursday. Reading to parents is a major activity at

this age.

Middle and Upper Primary - Up to 1 hour per night:

Monday to Thursday.

Library

Our School Library provides students with access to

a comprehensive range of academic resources and

books for recreational reading. The Library

promotes active interest and curiosity in literature.

Students from Preschool - Year 6 participate in

weekly Library lessons where they familiarise

themselves with types of literature and are taught

how to access resources relevant to their

classroom programs. During these lessons students

are also provided with an opportunity to browse

and borrow books.

The library is also open at lunchtime for borrowing

& returning books. Please look after our Library

books and be sure to return them so that all of our

students can enjoy our wonderful range.

Transition and Year 1, students are permitted to

borrow one (1) book at a time with no limit on

frequency.

Years 2, 3 & 4 students are permitted to borrow up

to two (2) books at any one time.

Years 5 & 6 students are permitted to borrow up to

three (3) books at any one time.

The maximum loan period is two (2) week. All

books in our school library are catalogued on the

computer and borrowing of books is through our

computer system. Students are expected to take

care of borrowed books and are responsible for

books recorded under their name. Students should

not loan borrowed books to another student – this

can result in your child being responsible for

another child’s carelessness. Students will be

charged for any books lost that is recorded under

their name.


Assessment and Recording

The development of each of our students is closely

monitored by their classroom teachers throughout

the school year. The school utilises techniques such

as observation, portfolios, student self evaluation,

formal assessments and standardised testing to

monitor development.

The school also participates in the annual NAPLAN

testing. Students in Year 3 and Year 5 take place in

this Territory-wide assessment. The school receives

information about each student’s individual

performance as well as a report about the school’s

overall performance.

If you have any concerns about your child’s

development, please contact their classroom

teacher directly.

Student Interviews

Student Interviews are conducted at the end of

term 1 and term 3. These interviews are designed

so that students can show parents their school

environment, work that is either in progress or that

has been completed and to demonstrate new skills

that they have been developing.

These interviews are also a great opportunity to

get to know your child’s classroom teacher a little

better and to ask any questions that you may have.

Of course, parents are encouraged to contact the

school at anytime throughout the school year.

Reports

Formal detailed written assessments will be

provided to parents and carers at the end of term 2

and term 4.

If required, families may receive more than one

copy of their child’s report. To discuss individual

needs please contact our Front Office.

Upon receipt of your child’s report, if you have any

concerns or questions, families are again

encouraged to contact the school to arrange a

suitable time to discuss these matters with a

classroom teacher and/or a senior staff member.

In line with the Northern Territory Department of

Education we are required to report to parents 4

times per year. Parents receive a written report at

the end of Terms 2 and 4. In Terms 1 and 3 we

report to parents through a Student Conference.

Should a parent/carer feel the need to discuss their

child’s learning or any other concerns / queries

that they may have, a parent/teacher interview

can be organised at any time by contacting the

office or the teacher via email where a suitable

time can be arranged.

Other communications between school and home

may include:

Formal and informal discussion

Information sessions

Newsletter

Assemblies

Special events and displays e.g. Education

Week

School Council reports

Woodroffe Primary Facebook

Classroom communication tools:

Class Dojos

Sea Saw


Woodroffe Primary School Council

Our School Council is responsible for the overall

governance of the school. The Council is a statutory

body incorporated under the Education Act and

consists of parent members elected by the school

community, staff members elected by the school’s

staff and appointed members such as a local

Member of the Legislative Assembly in an electorate

of Palmerston.

The Council meets on the third Tuesday of each

month. All members of our school community are

welcome to attend and raise matters as required.

Details of meeting times appear in our regular school

newsletters and through our School Star App. Please

feel welcome to attend Council meetings.

The Annual General Meeting and election of officers

is held in February / March of each year on a date set

by the current Executive, and circulated by

newsletter, giving at least 21 days clear notice.

A copy of the Council’s Constitution is available upon

request from the school.

Student Representative Council (SRC)

The Student Representative Council is elected at the

beginning of each school year by our Upper Primary

students.

Six members are elected from years 5 and 6 to

represent the student body. These students are

recognised as leaders amongst their peers and are

expected to demonstrate appropriate behaviour

when undertaking all curricular activities. Members

of the SRC are pillars within our school and are

expected to set a positive example for all students

from Preschool to Year 6.

The SRC will be responsible for mentoring peers and

younger students, implementing social activities for

students, greeting and chaperoning visitors to our

school, organising and leading assemblies. There are

many more duties required of members and it is

wonderful that so many of our students are willing to

put themselves forward and accept this

responsibility.

House Captains

Woodroffe Primary School has three houses -

Leichhardt, Goyder and Gregory. On enrolment,

students and staff are allocated in family groups to

one of the three sports houses.

Captains and Vice-Captains are elected at the

beginning of each year and are responsible for

leading their houses during friendly house

competitions.

These students are also role models within our school

and are expected to demonstrate the same high level

of behaviour as the SRC.


School Uniform

Woodroffe Primary School is a Northern Territory

government school and as such it is compulsory that

all students from Transition to Year 9 wear a school

uniform whilst attending school or official school

activities both during and after school hours.

By implementing a school uniform School Council

aims to promote equality amongst all students, to

further develop a sense of pride in and identification

with our school, to provide durable, practical and cost

effective clothing and to maintain and enhance the

positive image of the school within our community.

Boys are required to wear our school polo shirt with

Navy Blue Shorts.

Girls are required to wear our school polo shirt with

either a navy blue skirt, skort or shorts.

Parents are asked to consider the length of skirts,

skorts, shorts and dresses and whether they would be

an appropriate reflection of our school values.

Extreme hair colours and cosmetics are not

permitted.

Uniform Price List (subject to change)

Polo Shirt $26

Shorts $20

Skorts $21

Bucket Hat $9

Broad Brimmed Hat $13

Sports House Hat $12.50

Socks $7

Preschool Shirt (old) $5

(limited stock available)

Preschool Shirt (new) $26

Library Bag $12

Footwear

Shoes, sneakers and roman sandals are accepted.

THONGS, MASSUERS AND BARE FEET are not

accepted for safety reasons.

Hats

The School has a Sunsafe policy that aims to increase

the level of Sunsafe awareness, knowledge and

responsibility among students, parents and staff.

To encourage the greater acceptance and use of

Sunsafe alternatives:-

The use of bucket hats/sunscreen is mandatory

for all outside activities.

Teachers will model Sunsafe practices.

Students not adequately protected will not be

able to participate in activities in the sun.

A sun safe education program will be used as a

regular part of the Health curriculum of the

school.

The school will sell headwear, which offers

adequate protection – specifically Woodroffe

bucket hats.

Students have access to safe places to play out

of the sun should they not have a hat

We encourage families to support the school

with ensuring students have a bucket hat at

school.

The school policy is Yes Hat; Yes play.

Nude Food

We encourage families to embrace the ‘Nude Food’

policy. What is Nude Food? Nude Food is simply food

that is not wrapped in foil, plastic or commercial

packaging. The best type of nude food consists mainly

of fresh food, so that it is healthy and nutritious PLUS

environmentally friendly eg fresh fruit, vegetable

sticks and dip or home-baked slices. Promoting Nude

Food empowers students to make conscious choices

about what they eat, and encourages them to think

about their impact on the environment and their

health.


Mobile Phones

In general, students should not bring valuable items to school, as they can be easily lost or stolen, which is often distressful for a primary age child.

Students remain responsible for all of their personal effects whilst at school. When students enter the school grounds the school takes no responsibility for mobile phones. Mobile phones are brought to school entirely at the owner’s risk. The school accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones.

There are no reasons why a student needs to have in their possession or use a mobile phone during the school day.

Parents are reminded that in cases of emergency the school office remains a vital and appropriate point of contact and can ensure your child is reached quickly and assisted in an appropriate way.

Students are advised that if they bring a mobile phone onto the school grounds during the school day, they must hand the phone in at the office before school or to their classroom teacher and collect it at the end of the school day. The phones will be secured in the office or classroom and students can retrieve their phone at the conclusion of the day.

If students do bring their mobile phone to school it should be clearly marked with their name.

Inappropriate Use

Generally, a mobile phone will be used inappropriately if it:

Disrupts or is likely to disrupt the learning

environment or interfere with the operations

of the school; or

Threatens or is likely to threaten the safety or wellbeing of any person; or

Is in breach of any law

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 Wellbeing and Behaviour Policy.

It should be noted that it is a criminal offence to use a mobile phone to menace, harass or offend another person. The school may consider it appropriate to involve the police.

Related Technology

The procedures applying to the inappropriate use and

security of mobile phones, apply equally to the

inappropriate use of portable computer games, ipods

and similar devices areas around the school

buildings.

Toys, Money and Valuables

Parents and students are asked to refrain from

bringing toys and valuables to school. All too often

such items are misplaced or broken which results in

much disappointment. Woodroffe Primary School

accepts no responsibility for the loss or damage of

such items if they are brought to school.

Students should only be bringing money to school in

small amounts and for specific purposes such as for

purchasing consumables from the Canteen, limited to

a maximum of $10 a day per student. If a

student appears to be in possession of an excessive

amount of money, families will be contacted to

confirm that the student has been permitted to bring

this money to school. Children should not leave

money unattended in their school bags or in their

desks, but hand it to the Class Teacher for safe

keeping.


...our Behaviour Management Policy School Wide Positive Behaviour

Woodroffe Primary School provides educational

opportunities for students from a diverse range of

cultural and linguistic backgrounds and employs staff

who endeavour to make learning possible for every

child.

We understand that a number of children in our

school community have experienced difficulty or

traumatic life circumstances which influence their

attitudes, confidence, self-esteem and behaviours at

school. We use differentiation strategies to not only

cater for the academic needs of students, but to apply

behaviour management strategies according to

particular situations, context and individual

circumstances.

We believe strong, positive partnerships with parents/

carers, students and school staff and a common

understanding of our whole-school behaviour

expectations and values is essential for developing and

maintaining the wellbeing and academic achievement

of students in our care.

Our school provides access to education for all

students including those with Special Needs in our

Special Education Unit, and English as a Second

Language as part of our Intensive English Program.

At Woodroffe School Community everyone has the

right to expect:

to be treated with respect and dignity;

the opportunity to learn; and

a safe learning environment .

In the Woodroffe School Community our responsibility

to others is to:

create a safe learning environment;

to respect and care; and

to share our time, skills and experience

Specifically;

Children have a right to:

be safe at school

learn without interference

be treated with courtesy by teachers

families and students

Children have the responsibility to:

adhere to school rules and safety guidelines

endeavour to do their best

treat others with respect and courtesy

take responsibility for their behaviour and

accept the consequences

All staff have the right to be:

treated with courtesy by colleagues,

families and students

recognised as a professional

supported by the school community

All staff have the responsibility to:

teach effectively; establish effective

school behaviour that assists to provide a

safe environment


act professionally and promote positive

self-esteem and attitudes towards

learning and each other

develop helpful communication links with

the school community, as families are the

major influence in the child’s life

Families have a right to be:

recognised as the major influence in their

child’s life

a partner in their child’s education

informed about issues affecting their child

treated with courtesy by teachers,

students and other families

Families have the responsibility to:

recognise and support the school’s

behavioural expectations


develop helpful communication links with

Woodroffe staff as partners in your child’s

education

provide information that may impact on

your child’s learning.


Classroom Expectations

Acceptable behaviour in the classroom is an

expectation and negotiated between the classroom

teacher and students at the commencement of each

year. The classroom expectations are clearly

displayed in the classroom as well as the negotiated

consequences for both appropriate and inappropriate

behaviour. All teachers conduct discussions with their

classes on a regular basis to familiarise them with,

and reinforce these rules.

Students Before & After School Hours

Staff are on duty from 7:30am each morning. There is

no supervision before this time, unless a school

activity has been planned and parents have been

notified.

Children are expected to go straight home after

school, except in the case of sports practice or an

after school activity. In most cases students should

have left the school premises by 2:30pm.

Parents are forewarned of any after school activities.

If your child is late home, please check your

neighbourhood first, and then contact the school as

soon as possible.

School Assemblies

Our school assemblies are held in the School Hall and

are an opportunity to recognise merit and

achievement amongst our students. This is also an

opportunity for our classes to show their peers what

they have been working on during class time and for

our Principal to address matters within our school

and our community.

Whole school assemblies are held every second

Friday at 8:30 am.

After School Care

Outside School Care NT is a Territory owned and

operated provider of after school, before school and

vacation care programs. Their focus is on providing

high quality care programs to Schools and parents in

the Darwin and Palmerston area. Their teams deliver

fun and stimulating activities in safe environments

that meet or exceed National Quality Framework

(NQF) standards.

They also provide a daily school bus pick up service

from all Palmerston area primary schools.

To enrol your child in Outside School Care NT:

Pick up an enrolment form from Woodroffe

Primary School Front Office,

Download an enrolment form from their

website http://www.outsideschoolcare.com.au/

Or;

Contact Outside School Care NT Woodroffe

Centre Site Director on 0406 058 528, Main

Office 0499 994 158

http://www.outsideschoolcare.com.au/


2021 School Term Calendar

Semester one

Term 1 Urban schools

Monday 1 February to Friday 9 April (teachers

resume Friday 29 January)

Remote schools (excluding Gunbalanya School)

Tuesday 2 February to Friday 9 April (teachers

resume Monday 1 February)

Term break Monday 12 April to Friday 16

April

Term 2 Monday 19 April to Friday 25 June

Semester break Monday 28 June to Friday 16 July

Semester two

Term 3 Tuesday 20 July to Friday 24 September

(teachers resume Monday 19 July)

Term break Monday 27 September to Friday

8 October


Monday 11 October to Thursday 16 December

Remote schools

Monday 11 October to Friday 17 December

Semester break Monday 20 December 2021 to

Friday 28 January 2022

2022 School Term Calendar

Semester one


Monday 31 January to Friday 8 April (teachers

resume Friday 28 January)

Remote schools (excluding Gunbalanya School)

Tuesday 1 February to Friday 8 April (teachers

resume Monday 31 January)

Term break Monday 11 April to Thursday 14

April

Term 2 Tuesday 19 April to Friday 24 June

Semester break Monday 27 June to Friday 15 July

Semester two

Term 3Tuesday 19 July to Friday 23 September

(teachers resume Monday 18 July)

Term break Monday 26 September to Friday 7

October

Term 4Urban schools

Monday 10 October to Thursday 15 December

Remote schools

Monday 10 October to Friday 16 December

Semester break Monday 19 December 2022 to

Friday 27 January 2023

We are Respectful

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