Welcome Brighton Primary School · We try to live and work according to our motto: ... K3 9.00am - 2.50pm Thurs ... Brighton Primary School HANDBOOK 2013 6 ENVIRONMENT We encourage

Brighton Primary School HANDBOOK 2013 1 Depar tment of Educat ion

Welcome

to

Brighton Primary

School

Handbook 2013

Brighton Primary School HANDBOOK 2013 2

INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION

Brighton Primary School is situated in a pleasant rural setting with spacious grounds for sport and leisure activities. The school opened in 1952 as an area school with an enrolment of 198 children. In 1978 Brighton became a Primary School. The enrolment is presently between 640 and 680 students. Our key purpose is to provide high-quality learning opportunities for all students so they can maximise their potential in supportive environments which will enable them to become effective members of the broader community. Our school colours are Maroon and Gold.

We try to live and work according to our motto: TOGETHER WE STRIVE

PREP TO GRADE 6 TIMES

Parents are requested not to send children to school before 8.30am as teachers are not on duty until that time. Start: 9.00am Recess: 11.10 – 11.30am Lunch: 1.00 – 1.40pm Finish: 3.00pm 2.50pm for some students on early buses and child care. Staff are available in their classrooms from 8.40 for the exchange of messages. Separate appointment times must be made with staff to discuss more lengthy issues.

KINDERGARTEN TIMES

Parents are requested not to send kindergarten children to school until just prior to the advertised starting time for each session.

K1 9.00am – 2.50pm Mon, Tues, Wed - Week 1 Mon, Tues - Week 2

K2 9.00am - 2.50pm Mon, Tues, Wed - Week 1 Mon, Tues - Week 2

K3 9.00am - 2.50pm Thurs, Fri - Week 1 Wed, Thurs, Fri - Week 2

K4 9.00am—2.50pm Thurs, Fri—Week 1 Wed, Thurs, Fri—Week 2


ENROLMENT AGES

Age limits are set by the Education Department and adhered to by all Government schools.

Ages are taken as at January 1st.

Kindergarten groupings vary from year to year according to numbers. Age for Kindergarten is: • 4 years of age by January 1st of school year. Children who are older than the above age enter Prep or Grade 1, according to current Department guidelines for these groups. Present limits are:

• 5 years of age by January 1st of school year for Prep

• 6 years of age by January 1st of school year for Grade 1.

LEVIES

The Department has developed a new levy policy for schools which has been based on

priorities developed in Tasmania Together and Learning Together Projects, as well as

research conducted by Anglicare on the ‘effects of poverty on education.’

The new policy has five definitive principles. The basis of these principles is as follows:

• To ensure the right of every student to have equitable access to the full curriculum

• For costs to be clearly communicated and flexible in delivery

• For financial negotiations to be arranged through parent/carer only

• For students to be treated equitably and not perceive or experience discrimination on the

basis of their ability to pay

That consultation must occur with the school community.

GENERAL INFORMATION

ABSENCES

We value your courtesy in letting us know when your child is sick by telephoning the school or by sending a note of explanation when he or she returns to school. Records of absences are now kept electronically and the Education Department maintains a central database. The school is required to follow up on any unexplained absences of five days or more. It is preferred that appointments for children be made out of school hours. If any medical or dental appointments are made, contact should be made with the school.


ACCIDENTS / ILLNESS

The school does not have extensive medical facilities. If your child is sick, he or she should not come to school. Minor injuries and illness which occur at school are treated by class teachers or one of our First Aid Officers. In the event of a more serious injury or illness parents/guardians will be contacted.

Please advise us promptly of any changes in contacts, phone numbers, addresses or medical conditions.

ART SMOCK All children from Kindergarten to Grade 6 should wear a suitable cover-up (smock or shirt) to protect their uniforms during art and craft activities.

ASSEMBLIES

On the last Friday of each month we have a junior and senior Aussie of the Month assembly. Parents are welcome to attend our assemblies, and dates and times are advertised in the newsletter or circular, which go to the eldest in the family each alternate Friday. Sharing Assemblies occur on Thursdays, each week, on a rotation basis. Parents are very welcome to attend.

BANKING

A parent volunteer group receives banking from children every Tuesday morning. The money is banked with the Commonwealth Bank. All children are welcome to use this service and our school benefits as a payment is made to the school for each deposit – irrespective of amount deposited.

BEHAVIOUR High standards of behaviour are expected of children. Parents are informed when the behaviour of a child is of consistent concern. The school has a behaviour management policy that is available from the office for your perusal. This policy is under constant review as we strive to improve our procedures. A Behaviour Management Response Outline and Cyber Safety User Agreement are shared with parents annually as a reminder of the shared role we have as educators of our children.


BUSES

Buses connect Brighton Primary School with Elderslie, Broadmarsh, Bagdad, Old Beach, Pontville, Mangalore, Dromedary and Tea Tree. Children from Prep to Grade 6 who live in any of these areas may travel by bus to Brighton School. (Applications for bus travel by Kindergarten students will be considered on a case-by-case basis). It is essential that parents contact the school to advise of

any changes to a child’s bus travel. It is also important to note that unsatisfactory and dangerous bus behaviour will be treated seriously and may result in suspension from bus travel.

CHILDREN AND ROAD SAFETY

It is generally accepted that constant reminders are necessary if children are to remain safe on the roads. Your support is sought in helping us to make this an accident free year for our children. Points to watch: • Downie Street. Obey the traffic regulations about parking near the school. “NO PARKING” signs are clearly displayed and are for the safety of children as well as the

driver. • Midlands Highway Crossing. Make sure your child obeys the road

safety officer on duty and crosses at this point.

Children riding bikes to school should be made aware of all regulations for cyclists. An approved helmet must be worn. Bikes and scooters must be ‘walked’ within the school grounds.

CLASS GROUPINGS

Class groups will be kept as close as possible to an optimum size of 25. Composite classes may be necessary to achieve this. Children will be placed in the group considered most suitable to their personal, intellectual, emotional and physical wellbeing. Where possible, it is unlikely that a child will be placed in a composite class often in their time at Brighton Primary School. Class groupings are the responsibility of the Assistant Principals.


ENVIRONMENT

We encourage an expansion of interest in - and concern for - all aspects of the environment. We endeavour to make the school and its surroundings the most suitable environment possible for the education of our children. We want parents to feel that this school is part of the community and we encourage children and parents to feel proud and responsible for what they have helped to make possible. Vandalism should be reported immediately to the Bridgewater Police or to a senior staff member.

EXCURSIONS

We consider excursions to be an integral part of a child’s learning experience. Whilst we hope they can be enjoyable, they are not “treats” or “mini-holidays.” Excursions are undertaken at regular intervals to give children first hand experience in relation to studies. (Permission forms for each excursion are signed by parents.) Parents are informed of excursions through the newsletter or an individual notice.

FACILITIES

The school has large playing areas and modern up-to-date buildings. The community is welcome to book any of the school facilities and equipment subject to normal responsibility being accepted. Canteen The canteen sells nutritious food. A regular price list is issued. The canteen is supervised by a Canteen Manager assisted by volunteers on a roster basis. Your assistance in this area would be greatly appreciated. If you are able to help, please phone the school. Without volunteers, our canteen cannot continue to provide this valuable and valued service. Hall / Gymnasium Our school is fortunate in having a hall / gymnasium which is used for such things as assemblies, cultural events, films, indoor sport and physical education activities during inclement weather. Library/Information Centre The library is very spacious, automated and well stocked, with room for work tables as well as space for recreational activities. The library houses such resources as books, magazines, pictures, computers, and DVD’s. All children are welcome to borrow books. Parents are welcome to use the library to borrow and help children select books when the library technician is present. Children require a library bag to help protect books that are borrowed.


OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE

A program which caters for students before and after school hours and operates in the rear of the Hall, between 7.00am and 8.45am, and from 2.50pm-6.00pm schooldays and on other nominated days. For further details phone Brighton Primary School on (03) 6268 8200 or Lisa Smith on 0408 630 300.

HOMEWORK Homework is provided as an extension and revision of basic school subjects. It is expected of grades 5 and 6 but usually limited to half an hour. Across the grades, suitable reading by children should be encouraged by parents as this is vital to any child’s progress.

STUDENT ASSISTANCE SCHEME

Parents may apply for assistance with the cost of the General Levy. This assistance is subject to a means test. Forms are available from the school office in October/November and, where possible, should be completed before the end of the current year for the following year.

LUNCH

Children are supervised by teachers during lunch. Staff endeavour to ensure good manners and expect that wholesome food will be provided whether purchased at the school or brought from home. It is our policy not to allow children to leave the school grounds at lunch-time. We encourage parents not to include nuts, or nut-based products in lunches. We have several students who are allergic to these foods.

NEWSLETTER

A newsletter is sent home every second Friday to inform parents of coming events at the school and happenings during the week. The newsletter also provides a valuable form of communication about educational issues and celebration of student/school achievements. On alternate Fridays, a circular is issued with reminders of events happening in our school.

PARENT/CHILD SESSIONS

Children of 3+ years may attend Parent/Child sessions accompanied by a parent or carer. These sessions help bridge the transition from “home” to “school” and take place in our Kindergarten facility after Easter. Please contact the school office for further information.


REPORTING TO PARENTS

Teachers and children are continually compiling records of children’s development to assist the reporting process. Please note that “interviews-without-notice” are not an acceptable or a productive form of parent-teacher interaction. Before-school greetings are fine and are a natural part of positive relationships. However, such brief conversations cannot be extended into a parent-teacher interview, especially at the busy before school time. Teachers are happy to arrange appointments for meetings at more suitable times and locations. We encourage regular, informal communication between school and home and additionally provide the following:

• interim report during Term 1. • parent-teacher interview – during Term 1. • a written report during Term 2. • a summary report at the end of the year.

SPORT

Participation in individual sporting pursuits and organised team sport is a basic necessity in the balanced development of children. By playing team sport we learn to include others, to share, to use and to be “good sports” when we win and when we lose. Regular opportunities are provided for as many children as possible to participate in a wide variety of sports. Parent participation is essential to this program. Access to teams includes: teeball, hockey, netball, soccer, football, cricket, indoor cricket/soccer. Once in Prep all students will be assigned to a House and will remain in that House for the duration of their stay at Brighton: Derwent (red), Wellington (green), Jordan (yellow) and Dromedary (blue). Our Houses compete in major sporting events including:

• Interhouse Athletics Carnival (3-6) in Term 1

• Interhouse Cross Country (P-6) end of Term 1 Interhouse Swimming (3-6) in Term 3

Teams (Gr 3-6) are chosen from these carnivals to represent Brighton at the Southern Primary School Sports Association (SPSSA) carnivals. Our Kindergarten Group celebrates third term with their special Kinder Sports. An Early Childhood sports afternoon is held in Term 3 as well. The Aussie Sports Leaders program operates with grade 5 and 6 students, as leaders, organising game options at lunchtime. Options include everything from ‘fruit salad’ to teeball. From time to time, Staff v Students matches in soccer, netball and football take place.


STUDENT COUNCIL

Involvement of students in school affairs leads to a better relationship between staff, students and parents and assists leadership training. A children’s committee is elected annually from grades 3, 4, 5 and 6. The Student Council decides for what purposes money will be raised during the year. It also discusses issues of interest and concern to the student body.

PARENT ORGANISATIONS – SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Brighton Primary School has an active School Association which is comprised of parents, school staff and members of the broader community. This association contributes to the life of the school in many ways but has a particular focus on participating in the development of school policies, contributing expertise to special projects within the school and raising funds to support identified projects. The School Association is made up of elected members from our School Community, and can be an open forum in which to discuss any issue to assist in building our school’s capacity to meet the needs of all students.

SUPPORT STAFF

Professional staff work within our school to provide additional support in the areas of counselling and assessment which assists us in developing the best possible program for all students. As these staff members also work in other schools, any referrals for additional assistance are done through Senior Staff members. Support Teacher A support teacher is allocated to our school depending on the number of students on the Disabilities Register. In 2013 there will be 5. The support teacher assists with programmes for these students, as well as overseeing the Life Skills programme, IEP’s (Individual Education plans) PLP’s (Personal Learning plans) and Transition (to classes and to Grade 7). The support teacher is located in the Music block and can be contacted on 6268 8267. Guidance Officer The Guidance Officer works in the areas of social work, counselling and assessment of speech and language. A Guidance Officer is based in our school and is available to test individual children when the teacher feels a need for extra guidance on a child’s progress. Before the Guidance Officer works with a child, permission is sought from parents. School Social Worker This service is provided to assist children and families who are experiencing social and emotional problems. Information is treated as confidential. Contact the school office for an appointment. Speech Pathologist A Speech Pathologist provides support in the areas of articulation and language development.


MEDICAL AND DENTAL

If you have concerns about your child’s health, vision or hearing, the school screening nurse is available at the Brighton Community & Health Centre. Telephone 6268 4240 for advice or for an appointment. Oral Health Services provide free examinations for children up to 18 years of age. If your child is new to the area or has not had a dental check for over 12 months, please phone the Dental Therapists on 6268 4270 to arrange an appointment. The Bridgewater Clinic is located on the corner of Eddington Street and Greenpoint Road, next to the Bridgewater Primary School.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

One of the vital factors in a child’s development is the close relationship between home and school. Parents are very welcome to visit the school to assist teachers. Some ways in which parents might help are - art and craft, outdoor activities, sport and excursions, hearing children read or just working with a group of children. Parents are welcome in the classroom but it is requested that prior arrangements be made with the class teacher. Parents are also requested to sign in at the main office when you are volunteering your time for our school.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

All items of personal property should be named clearly for easy identification. Should your child lose property, then enquiries should be made at the office. Valuable and/or “treasured” items should not be worn or brought to school unless it is for a special, approved purpose. Games and toys from home cause some concern for teachers, and are to be discouraged at school.

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

All Grade 5 and 6 children participate in our “Growing Up” program conducted in our school by Family Planning Tasmania Inc. This is an integral part of our Health program and children are expected to attend. A parent session is offered prior to the commencement of class sessions where information can be provided and questions answered. Please note that written permission is required from parents in order for children to be excluded from these classes. Further information on the details of the program may be obtained from an Assistant Principal.


MUSIC

We promote active involvement in the music area. Currently children from Prep to Grade 6 participate in a wide range of classroom music activities including singing, rhythm games, xylophones and movement. Instrumental options exist for older students and we encourage students to join our junior and senior choirs.

There is an instrumental program of woodwind instruments provided by a visiting specialist in grades 5 and 6.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Our Physical Education teacher works with all classes Kindergarten to Grade 6 at least once a week. Additional programs include: Perceptual Motor Program (helping with movement skills) Aussie Sports Leaders Program (see earlier comments) 5/6 School-based Football/Netball roster (late Term 1 and Term 2) Grade 3/4/5 Learn to Swim Skills Program (dates to be centrally determined)

MOBILE PHONES

Our school policy on mobile phones clearly states: • Children who do not comply with teacher requests run the risk of phones being lost,

stolen or damaged. • If children choose not to keep phones in their bags in school times, then they must be

turned off in class. • Calls and messages are not to occur during any class time.

SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY All students who attend Brighton Primary School are expected to wear the School Council approved uniform. Priority was given in the establishment of the school dress code to develop cost effective and flexible uniforms that provide all students with the opportunity to fully comply with the school’s requirements. Students in uniform feel part of a team, generally have a more positive attitude and look great! Security around the school is also significantly enhanced as intruders can be readily identified. All items are available from the uniform shop at school and are reasonably priced.

Acceptable jewellery : one signet ring of special significance, one discreet necklace of special significance, a bracelet, wristwatch or, for students with pierced ears, sleepers/studs.


MARKING OF UNIFORM

All items of uniform should be clearly marked with the pupil’s name.

CASUAL UNIFORM

Parents/guardians are asked to provide their child with a note if they are unable to wear their school uniform. It would be appreciated on these occasions if clothing could match uniform colours, eg: gold, yellow or maroon polo top and maroon or grey track pants or cargo pants.

SUNSMART—HAT POLICY

In Term 1 and 4 all children must wear a hat during recess, lunchtime and outside activities. Caps and visors do not provide adequate protection. Our aim is to see all children wearing a maroon coloured bucket, broad-brimmed or legionnaires style hat. Therefore, when you replace your child’s current hat, it would be greatly appreciated if you could support our goal. Children without a hat will be instructed to play or sit in the shaded areas to protect them from ultra-violet rays. Maroon bucket hats are available from the school office - $10 each.

SECOND-HAND UNIFORM STORE

Office staff operate a second-hand uniform shop as a service to parents at Brighton Primary.

Clothing can be donated for sale. All clothing is in clean, good condition and sold at bargain prices as our main aim is to provide a service not to raise money. Second hand uniforms are available to purchase at any time. This will also be available on new uniform sales day.


UNIFORM AND LEVY DAYS

It is the expectation at Brighton Primary School that all students will wear school uniform

You can purchase uniforms on Uniform and Levy Sales days on Tuesday 29th January, 2013 from 9.00am until 3.00pm and Wednesday 30th January, 2013 from 9.00am until 6.00pm. During school terms uniforms can be purchased at the office any time.

Girls’ Uniform Maroon and gold polo shirt, short sleeves Maroon and gold track bottom maroon microfibre track suit bottoms Maroon windcheater with school emblem Rugby Top with school emblem Maroon polar fleece with school emblem Maroon, gold and white check dress Knitted maroon shorts White socks Black shoes/sandshoes Hat (preferably school hat) Maroon/Gold Bag with emblem Boys’ Uniform Maroon and gold track bottom or grey trousers / shorts/maroon microfibre tracksuit bottom Maroon and gold polo shirt, short sleeves Maroon windcheater with school emblem Rugby top with school emblem Maroon polar fleece with school emblem Hat (preferably school hat) Maroon/Gold Bag with emblem Also available are waterproof smocks for art and library bags

Representative Sports Uniform Brighton sports top Black shorts NB: Parents may purchase a Brighton sports top if your child is selected to represent the school.


Brighton Outside School Hours Care

After School Care/Before School Care/Vacation Care Our most important goal is to provide a safe and friendly environment where children can enjoy a wide variety of supervised play and recreational activities. As all children have different needs, activities are planned according to their interests. At the After School program a nutritious and varied afternoon snack is provided each day. In the Before School Program, a simple breakfast of cereal, toast and juice will be provided. If your child has particular dietary needs, please inform the program staff.

Priority of Access: Priority of access will be given to this service as follows:

• Working parents and those undertaking study for future employment or looking for employment.

• Children with special needs. • Children at risk of abuse or neglect. • Children of parent/s at home with more children below school age and single parents at

home. Evidence may be required to verify any of the above categories. • Brighton Primary School children will be given first preference.

Enquiries: Lisa 0408 630 300 Pam 03 62688200\0447 397 003 Hours After School 2.50pm- 6.00pm Before School 7.00am – 8.45am Vacation Care 7.00am – 6.00pm Costs Vacation Care $45.00 per day After School Care $15.00 per 3 hour session Before School Care $10.50 Staff Lisa Smith Supervisor Pam Noble Administrator Kristi Fletcher-Jones Carer Andrea Honey Carer Avelina Lawson Carer Michelle Hammond Carer Jasmine Langley Carer


We hope that you and your child/children

will be very happy at

Brighton Primary School.

If you have any concerns at any time

or require further information

with regard to any school matter,

please do not hesitate to contact us.

Ph: 62 688200 Fax: 62 681188

Documents

Welcome Brighton Primary School · We try to live and work according to our motto: ... K3 9.00am - 2.50pm Thurs ... Brighton Primary School HANDBOOK 2013 6 ENVIRONMENT We encourage