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Parent Handbook 2020
Glengarry Primary School
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Contents Our Vision and Values ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
Welcome ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
2020 Contacts ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
2021 School Term Dates …………………………………………………………………………………………………4
Parent Information ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
Curriculum ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
Student Leadership ………………………………………………………………………………………………..10
Student Transitions ………………………………………………………………………………………………..11
Student Wellbeing, Engagement and Behaviour …………………………………………………………..12
School Uniform ………………………………………………………………………………………………..13
Expectation ………………………………………………………………………………………………..13
Uniform Specifics ……………………………………………………………………………………………..…13
Lost Property ………………………………………………………………………………………………..14
Parent Payment Policy ………………………………………………………………………………………………..15
Essential student learning items ……………………………………………………………………….15
Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund ……………………………………………………………………….15
Bus Travel ………………………………………………………………………………………………..16
Bus Route ………………………………………………………………………………………………..16
Conveyancing ………………………………………………………………………………………………..16
In 2 Learning Gippsland – Before/after school care …………………………………………………………..17
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Our Vision and Values
Our Motto
Partners in Success
Our Vision
Our Values
Respect – caring for yourself, others and the environment and taking responsibility for your
actions.
Resilience – being able to problem solve and progress through challenges.
Collaboration – working effectively with others to achieve a common goal.
Progress – growing as a person and as a learner.
Joy – finding your own happiness and helping others find theirs.
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Students commence Term 1 on Thursday 28th January 2021
School Hours - 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Hours of Supervision - 8:45 am to 3:45 pm
Introduction
Welcome
Welcome to Glengarry Primary School. This booklet is designed to provide you with information
about our school, to make your enrolment experience easy and hassle free.
Please feel free to ask questions regarding any information or to have information clarified.
We are very proud of the teaching program we offer at Glengarry and look forward to talking to
you about this on your personalised tour.
Our motto is ‘PARTNERS IN SUCCESS’ and we sincerely encourage you to become a partner
in maximising your child’s schooling. Parental assistance in a wide range of activities is
welcomed and encouraged by class teachers.
Our school is a place where students, teachers and parents work together to provide a positive
learning environment.
2020 Contacts
Should you have queries regarding any of the information, please contact the following staff
members on 03 5192 4292.
School Principal Mr Brendan Dawson
Assistant School Principal Mrs Julie Telford
Business Manager Mrs Jenny Jeffs
Administration Officer Mrs Julie O’Neil
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.gps.vic.edu.au
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2021 School Term Dates
TERM 1: Thursday 28th January – Thursday 1st April
Thursday 28 January Commencement for students from Grade Prep to Grade 6
Thursday 1 April Term 1 Concludes – 1.30pm
TERM 2: Monday 19th April – Friday 25th June
Monday 19 April Student commencement
Monday 14 June Public Holiday – Queen’s Birthday
Friday 25 June Term 2 Concludes - 1.30pm
TERM 3: Monday 12th July – Friday 17th September
Monday 12 July Student commencement
Friday 17 September Term 3 Concludes - 1.30pm
TERM 4: Monday 4th October – Friday 17th December
Monday 4 October Student commencement
Monday 1 November Melbourne Cup Eve – Professional Development day for staff. School open for students that attend.
Tuesday 2 November Public Holiday – Melbourne Cup
Friday 17 December Term 4 Concludes - 1.30pm
There will also be additional pupil free days across the year. These will be
advertised to families in advance.
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Parent Information
Communication
Our major form of communication with parents is through a web-based program called
Compass. We refer to Compass as our Parent Portal. Compass will provide you with information
on upcoming events, learning updates and our school publications. Compass is also used to
approve and pay for excursions and to record any student absences. After enrolment, new
families will receive login information that will enable you to access Compass. Compass can be
accessed through any web-based browser or can be downloaded through the app store. I would
also encourage you to hit like on our Official Facebook page, this is also used by our school
community to communicate with our families.
Welcome Barbeque
At the beginning of each year, we hold a welcome BBQ. The welcome BBQ is a great opportunity
to start the new school year in a relaxed setting. It is also a great way to meet new families who
may also be new to our school community. Details on the welcome BBQ, will be given at the
start of the New Year.
Newsletters
We rotate each 3 weeks between the Principals Report, Student Newsletter and Calendar
update. It will be uploaded via Compass or a hard copy is available from the school office. It is
the main form of communication from the school so please ensure you have read the content
each week.
Learning Previews
You will also receive a learning preview each Thursday from your child’s classroom teacher.
The purpose of this preview is to communicate with families’ important information, news, events
and to prepare students and families for learning at school.
Student drop offs, pickups, absences and visitors
Parents are asked not to leave students at school before 8:45 am and to be particularly careful
when dropping off or picking up children. Please observe speed limits, parking facilities and
Glengarry Recreation Reserve entry where children walk, and ride.
When students need to be picked up from school within school hours, parents are asked to sign
out their child from the school office. For all absences we ask that parents add an attendance
note via Compass before 9:30 am on the day of the absence.
All visitors are asked to report to the school office to sign in. When leaving the school,
visitors need to return to the office to sign out.
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School Times
8:50am - 9:00am --- Bag bell (students enter the classroom to prepare for the day)
9:00am - 11:00am --- Session 1
11:00am - 11:30am --- RECESS
11:30am - 1:30pm --- Session 2
1:30pm - 1:40pm --- Supervised eating
1:40pm - 2:30pm --- LUNCH
2:30pm - 3:30pm --- Session 3
Home Learning
Glengarry Primary School acknowledges that at home learning should be tailored and adapted
to suit the personal and developmental needs of students. We also acknowledge that at home
learning is a valuable part of schooling and that home learning is most beneficial and effective
when it is relevant, meaningful, engaging and directly related to what is occurring in classrooms.
The main aspect of our Home Learning Policy is daily reading to, with or by parents/carers for a
minimum of 20 minutes per night, 5 nights a week. The research is clear on the benefits of at
home reading on student achievement.
School Policies
School Policies can be downloaded from selecting Policies on the Glengarry Primary School
website - http://gps.vic.edu.au/
Parent Involvement
We encourage parents to be involved in the programs and activities which the school offers.
Parental support is often sought through Compass or individual class notes. A working with
children card (WWCC) must be recorded at the office if you would like to assist in schools.
School Council
School Council meets twice a term. The School Council has the responsibility to work with the
Principal and staff in setting the policy and direction of the school. This working relationship is
very successful. If you would like to become involved please contact the school.
Assembly
School assemblies are held once a week in the Multi-Purpose Room. This begins with an
Acknowledgment of Country, singing of the National Anthem and then the presentation of weekly
student and values awards. Parents and friends are always welcome to attend.
Sick Bay
If your child is ill at school or receives first aid treatment you will receive a notification of this via
Compass. For more serious incidents, we will contact you or your emergency contact person.
Please ensure that you update us if you change emergency contacts.
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Medical
For the safety of children and the effective giving of medication parents must provide written
instructions when medication is required to be administered at school. ALL medication must be
handed in to the office, with the chemist’s label attached to the instructions.
Illness/Absent
If your child is unable to come to school because they are unwell, please add an attendance
note via Compass, alternatively you can phone the school office or provide a written note to their
classroom teacher. All absent days need to be accounted for whether it is for illness or for any
other reason.
Digital Devices Policy
Mobile phones and iPods must be handed into the office at the beginning of the day and
collected at the end of the day. They are not permitted in schoolbags or in classrooms during
the day.
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Curriculum
Mathematics
We set high expectations and create a positive maths mindset culture, with a belief that everyone
can excel at mathematics. Thinking deeply about the process of maths is more important than
the answer. We aim to provide challenging learning for all. Open-ended tasks are given with
opportunities so all students can be challenged, make mistakes and grow from them.
We believe that maths is creative and visual. Each classroom is highly resourced with maths
equipment. Teachers value the different ways students see mathematics and the different
solutions they create.
Learning maths is a collaborative process, needing discussion, comparison and sharing of
ideas. Teachers encourage students to share their thinking and reasoning.
We believe maths is about learning not performing. We monitor student learning to ensure all
students are making growth and respond with intervention when they are not.
Literacy
Our approach to reading centres around building engaged and independent readers with
classroom time provided each day for independent reading. Our classrooms provide students
access to a large variety of texts and genres as well as levelled texts. We teach book selection
with students motivated to choose ‘just right’ books for independent reading. Teachers model,
teach and monitor comprehension strategies alongside the habits of effective readers. Teachers
confer regularly with students. We teach thinking routines for book discussions. We believe that
talking about reading to builds vocabulary and deepens comprehension. We believe every child
can succeed as a reader.
We believe writing is a critical part of the whole school curriculum. Children should see
themselves as writers. Writing lessons are aimed to engage students in purposeful writing. They
are encouraged to draw on their own interests as well as cross-curriculum topics. Examples of
high quality writing are used for teaching writing strategies. A passion for high-quality writing is
fostered for all students.
We implement daily phonics instruction for our P-2 students through the Sounds Write program.
Sounds Write is based on explicit instruction using a sounds to print approach. This supports
decoding strategies for reading as well as sounds to print for writing.
Inquiry
Inquiry learning links broad school-wide themes and covers personal and social capabilities,
science, geography, history, technology, economics and arts concepts. Developing respectful
relationships are a key component of our inquiry learning.
The Respectful Relationships whole-school approach recognises that schools are a workplace,
a community hub and a place of learning. We believe everyone involved in our school community
deserves to be respected, valued and treated equally. We know that changes in attitudes and
behaviours can be achieved when positive attitudes, behaviours and equality are lived across
the school community, and when classroom learning is reinforced by what is modelled in our
school community.
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PE
Our Physical Education program focuses on the acquisition and refinement of a broad range of
movement skills and sports. There are opportunities for students to participate in district sports
including athletics and team sports. A comprehensive swimming program and surf safety
program is offered across the school. Students develop skills and dispositions necessary for
lifelong participation in physical activities.
Kitchen Garden
The Kitchen Garden Program engages children’s innate curiosity, as well as their energy and
their taste buds, forming the basis of healthy lifelong eating habits. Our junior students spend
time in a productive garden supplying produce for the weekly kitchen program offered to more
senior grades. A highlight of the year is the Glengarry PS Masterchef challenge where students
in Grades 5 and 6 show off their culinary skills.
Arts
The arts program includes weekly visual arts lessons following the Victorian curriculum
guidelines and involves the integration of Indonesian as our language. Performing arts take
priority within a two year cycle, culminating in a school concert or theatrical production.
Camps
Students in our Grades 3 – 6 partake in a comprehensive camping program. Parents will be
notified well in advance of the dates and costs. Every effort is made to keep the costs down to
a minimum to ensure all children can take part. CSEF money can be utilised towards the cost
of the camp.
Excursions
Throughout the year all students have opportunities to attend special programs in the form of
excursions. Costs are kept to a minimum and the number of these special programs is
restricted.
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Student Leadership
Glengarry Primary School students have a range of opportunities to develop practical leadership
skills. With formal leadership opportunities such as School Captains available for Grade 6
students, we also utilise the benefit of ‘teams’ to develop all students’ leadership skills. Our
Media, Library, Sports, Arts and Fixer Teams play pivotal roles in enhancing student voice and
student leadership. We are proud to partner with Leaders of Evolution to enhance the leadership
skills of all Grade 5 and 6 students. This tailored eLearning course provides all senior students
the opportunity to learn the important life skills and make an impact in their school community.
More information on the Young Leaders in Schools eLearning course can be found at
https://leadersofevolution.com/student-leadership-in-schools/
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Student Transitions There are many transitions for primary aged students, the transition from kindergarten to school,
from primary school to Year 7, from one year to the next or from one primary school to another.
Strong transitions at each of these levels enables students to be prepared for success.
Transitioning from Kindergarten to Primary School
We have a strong and productive working relationship with the Glengarry Kindergarten.
Our Grade 5 students (next year’s Prep buddies) prepare two activities for all Glengarry
Kindergarten Students in both Terms 2 and 3, one of which will include a visit to our
school. In Term 4, we have an extensive transition program than involves 5 visits,
increasing in duration, culminating in the State-wide Transition Day in December each
year. This transition program will leave your child comfortable with their peers and school
environment ready for a successful start to their school year. We are also able to offer
additional personalised transition programs for individual students on a needs basis.
Transitioning from Primary School to Year 7
Students at Glengarry Primary School attend a range of secondary education settings.
We have strong partnerships with our local colleges and work with each to ensure our
students are prepared for their journey into secondary school. Our senior teachers are
also highly trained in supporting students to make a successful transition.
Transitioning to a different Year Level
The start of a new year, does not mean your child’s learning journey begins again.
Information about your child is passed from one year to the next ensuring continuity to
their learning. We also offer traditional parent teacher interviews in Term 1 where you
can ‘Meet the Teacher’ and share additional information regarding your child.
Transitioning from a different primary school
Due to a range of reasons, students transition into different primary school settings
throughout the year. All primary schools in the Latrobe Valley follow the same protocols
when students are transferring from another school setting during the school year. Two
key aspects of this approach include, referring the family back to the school to resolve
any potential issues and a direct conversation with the Principal of the other school to
discuss the context. If it is appropriate, enrolment of the child at Glengarry Primary
School will involve a student induction, a meeting with the Principal, and within three
days they will undertake important student assessments.
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Student Wellbeing, Engagement and Behaviour Glengarry Primary School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young
people. Our approach to Student Wellbeing, Engagement and Behaviour is based on the
philosophy of School Wide Positive Behaviour practices and centred on the belief of setting
positive and high expectations. We have consistent practices across the school and a clear set
of expectations that are taught and reinforced across all grade levels.
Creating respectful community members is also recognised as an important trait and we are
proud to be a Respectful Relationships school – where we promote and model positive attitudes
and gender equality - teaching our students how to build healthy relationships, resilience and
confidence.
Our motto for attendance is ‘On Time, Every Day,’ with student attendance actively followed up
and promoted with families. If students are absent from school, a written explanation must be
provided in Compass.
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School Uniform
Expectation
While at school, travelling to or from school or participating in school activities, Glengarry
Primary School students must wear their school uniform.
Implementation
Glengarry Primary School will ensure that this Student Dress Code is communicated to all
families and students through our website and periodically through Compass – our online parent
portal. We will assist students who may be experiencing difficulties complying with this policy
where possible.
Uniform Specifics
All uniform items can be purchased through our school supplier, Beleza Uniforms. Some items
may also be available at our second hand uniform shop, available through the school office.
Plain black shorts pants, tights / stockings can be purchased at other retail outlets.
Jumper or Windcheater - GPS jumper with school logo
Polo shirts - GPS polo shirt - long and short sleeved with school logo
Pants and Shorts - Plain all black – must not contain decorations, stripes, motifs or
brand names. Tights / stockings must not be worn underneath shorts.
Skorts - Plain all black – must not contain decorations, stripes, motifs or brand names.
Must not be worn with tights / stockings.
Socks or tights/stockings - Plain black or white socks. Plain black tights / stockings.
Please note leggings are not permitted.
Footwear - Shoes, boots, runners and enclosed toe / heel sandals are allowed to be
worn. Appropriate footwear is to be worn and must be suitable for physical education.
No colour is specified. No thongs, open-toed sandals, cowboy style boots or steel cap
boots are permitted.
School Rain Coat (Optional Item) – added as a uniform item in 2020 - Black water /
wind proof spray jacket with school logo
Headwear - Black, red or white head bands, hair ribbons, “scrunchies” or headwear worn
as part of cultural/religious beliefs. Elastic Bands used to tie up hair may be worn in any
colour. GPS Beanie permitted to be worn outside from April to end of August, provided
that hats are not permitted to be worn. GPS Beanie added as a uniform item in 2020.
Summer Dresses (to be worn at the relevant time) - Summer red and white checked
dress
Winter Dresses (to be worn at the relevant time) - Tartan tunic - worn with black tights
/ stockings
Hats – to be worn from mid-August to 30 April (exact date to be advised each year)
- Red broadbrim without decoration or brand name.
Grade 6 Jacket and Polo Shirts - Grade 6 jackets and polo shirts are co-designed
annually with Year 6 students and as such are specific to each cohort each year. These
items are optional for Grade 6 students.
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General
Earing’s are to be stud or sleepers only for safety reasons.
Watches are acceptable. Apple watches must have notifications turned off.
Make up, hair colours, hair extensions, nail polish and nail extensions are not permitted.
Other items of clothing worn for added warmth, such as tank tops, skivvies must not be visible.
On days where school uniform is not compulsory such as sports days or class celebration days,
tank tops, singlets, sport jumpers or midriff tops are not permitted. All tops worn on these days
must have a sleeve section in them.
Students Riding Bicycles and Scooters to School
For safety reasons students who ride to school must wear an approved safety helmet,
and walk their bike/scooter when in school grounds.
Lost Property
Please make sure that all items of clothing are clearly named. Lost items that are named will
be returned and unnamed items will be washed and placed with our second hand uniform
supplies.
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Parent Payment Policy
Essential student learning items
Booklist list requirements for the following year will be advised to families in Term 4.
Parents have options to purchase some of the items themselves or can choose to have the
school purchase them on their behalf.
Payments are due when the book box is picked up in January (dates to be advised).
Our school also has a 1:1 device program for students in Grades 3 – 6. The cost of this is
included in the booklist. Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)
To be eligible a parent or legal guardian of a student must a hold a valid Veterans Affairs Gold
Card or be an eligible Centrelink Health Care Card or pensioner Concession Card, or be a
temporary foster parent.
Application forms are obtained from the school office and must be received by the school office
before the end of June. Once an application has been completed the application will roll over
into the next year if the parent still has the benefit.
The current rate for primary school children is $125 per year.
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Bus Travel
Bus Route
The Country School Bus Network provides travel to students which is free to eligible travellers
on the bus route. Further information on bus travel for families can be collected at the office.
An ‘Application for Permission to Travel’ form is o be filled out prior to using the bus.
Conveyance Allowance
A private car conveyance allowance may be available to students who travel more than 4.8km
from Glengarry Primary School, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and acceptance of the
claim by the State Government. ‘Conveyance Allowance Application – Private Car Travel’ forms
are available from the school office. Forms should be completed and returned to the school as
soon as possible to ensure the claim can be lodged with the State Government.
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In 2 Learning Gippsland – Before/after school care Our school provides a before and after school care program which is run by an external provider
- In 2 Learning Gippsland. Enrolment forms can be found on the school website or by contacting
the Director, Kerry Henry.
