St. John
the Baptist
Primary School
General Information
ABSENCES
Notes are required for all
absences from school. No child may
leave the school grounds during the school day without the written permission of
the parents and the approval of the principal. Notes are also required if a
child is to be picked up by anyone other than his/her own parents or is
accompanying another child home. Presentation of a note is a legal requirement
for schools.
BANKING
School banking facilities are
offered by the Catholic Development Fund. Banking
day is currently Friday morning.
BOOK CLUB
Children may order books from
Ashton Scholastic Books throughout the year.
Orders and the correct money are to be placed in an enclosed envelope and
handed to the teacher.
BOOKS
Book lists are distributed in
December for the following year. Orders
are placed through the Koo Wee Rup Newsagency.
Relevant return and pick up dates of books and their costs are included
in the book list.
BIKES
Should children choose to
ride bikes to school they are required by law to wear safety helmets.
The school reserves the right to confiscate or impound bikes when
children are not wearing helmets. Once
children are at school, bikes are to be walked through the school grounds.
All care, but no responsibility, will be taken for bikes left at school.
CANTEEN
The School Auxiliary runs the
canteen for St. John the Baptist School. The
canteen is run as a service to the children and as all labour is voluntary,
prices are kept to a minimum. A
roster of helpers is prepared each term and all parents who have the time should
seriously consider volunteering for a turn at canteen.
Price lists are sent home at the beginning of the year and throughout the
year when prices change. At the
moment the canteen operates on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
CARE OF SCHOOL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY
Children are expected to
respect school property and help keep their own classroom and playing areas
clean and tidy. All children's
clothing, books and personal belongings should be clearly marked with the
child's name. It is not recommended
that children be allowed to bring expensive personal items to school.
The lost property box is in the photo-copying room off the foyer.
CURRICULUM DAYS
It is the policy of the
Catholic Education Office to allow schools 4 days each year for staff
development. These days may be taken
separately or together. Parents will
be notified through the weekly newsletter when these days occur, usually one
month beforehand. On these days
members of staff will spend time improving their professional and personal
development.
EXCURSIONS / INCURSIONS AND SCHOOL CAMP
Throughout the year we have
several educational excursions/incursions which are a vital part of the
curriculum. These excursions/incursions are never isolated outings. It is
expected that your child attend these excursions.
Any time your child goes on
an excursion, parents must sign and return permission forms which are sent home.
NO CHILD leaves for an excursion without parental permission.
Every effort is taken to ensure the safety of the children so that they
enjoy their trip.
Children in years 3 and 4
attend an overnight stay. A school camp is attended each year by the children in
Year 5 & 6.
REPORTS AND INTERVIEWS
At the beginning of the school year
interviews are held. Written reports are issued at the end of the school year
and parent teacher interviews are held mid-year and upon request at any other
time. Our current procedures for reporting are being reviewed and developed.
SCHOOL TIMETABLE
Children should not be at
school before 8.30 a.m. Staff supervision of the school yard commences at
8.30a.m. The school stresses punctuality and regular attendance. Children should
be at school at 8.50 a.m. Classes can then start punctually at 8.55 a.m.
Morning Session
8.55 a.m. - 10.55 a.m.
Recess
10.55 a.m – 11.55 a.m
Pre Lunch Session
11.25 a.m. - 12.55 p.m.
Lunch
12.55 p.m – 1.40 p.m
Afternoon Session
1.40 p.m. - 3.10 p.m.
SCHOOL BUSES
The High School acts as
co-ordinator for all bus travel in this area.
New enrolments who wish to travel by bus must fill in an application form
and take it to the Koo Wee Rup Secondary College.
Children are expected to
behave with courtesy and safety on the buses. Misbehaviour will be reported to
the Principal who will notify the parents and may require them to bring the
child to school if warranted. Children
are not allowed to sit forward of the bus driver's seat, throw articles or paper
from windows, move around the bus when it is moving, or make unnecessary noise.
Children who change buses at the Koo Wee Rup Secondary College must go
immediately to that bus and remain seated on it.
In the interests of safety it is expected that following one warning,
suspension from bus travel for a period is highly likely.
EDUCATION BOARD
Meetings are held on the
third Tuesday of the month. The
School Board consists of the parish priest, principal, teacher representative,
auxiliary representative and nominee of the parish priest and five members of
the parent community of the school. Elections are held annually with positions
being for a 2 year period.
The Board acts to advise the
parish priest and principal of the school.
·
To assist in the ongoing evaluation, formulation
and implementation of the school's
·
To assist in the preparation and supervision of
the school budget.
·
To support the school in practical ways, such as
ensuring the school's facilities and equipment are maintained and developed.
·
To assist in the selection of a principal, when
an appointment is being made in accordance with Diocesan guidelines.
·
To support the work of parents' auxiliaries of
the school.
·
To help develop school/community relationships
and to provide the opportunity for parents to raise issues which fall within the
function of the Board.
·
To encourage communication with the Parish as
appropriate.
·
To facilitate the integration of parents and
children new to the school.
·
To encourage or provide representation for the
school on other committees, councils and boards as agreed upon by the board.
·
To assist with the initiation of new board
members when required.
We encourage ongoing communication between school and home regarding each child’s development. Parents are encouraged to contact teachers at any time (except Tuesday afternoons as this is our staff meeting), regarding their child’s progress, behaviour or other concerns. We request a mutually suitable time be arranged that does not interfere with the classroom timetable.
PARENT SUPPORT
St. John the Baptist Primary
School has and encourages strong parent support.
Parents contribute to various committees of our school and parish. They
assist in canteen, excursions and most importantly in the classroom. The
wonderful contributions from parents have been appreciated by all and we look
forward to this work continuing.
PARKING
Cars should only be parked
adjacent to the hall and are not permitted to be driven into the school yard.
Children are to be dropped off and picked up at the Salmon Street
entrances. The area between the bus
parking and the parish hall is a pick up/drop off zone only.
WORKING
BEES
One good way to contribute to
the life of the school is to attend working bees.
Each year working bees are scheduled. Families who are unable to attend
any working bees are asked to consider a donation of $30.00 in lieu to help meet
maintenance costs at the school.
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST’S PARENTS AND FRIENDS
The role of the Parents and
Friends is
primarily fund-raising. These funds
provide for on-going expenses such as maintenance, equipment, educational and
sporting needs. Various fund-raising events and activities are held during the
year. Notification is forwarded through the school newsletter
The Parents and Friends is made up of
school parents and meets on the second Tuesday of the month.
Parental support is vital for the Parents and Friends to plan events which
in turn allow for the upgrading, improving and maintenance of facilities at St.
John the Baptist School to continue.