Our School Handbook
Khancoban Public School
Student Welfare Handbook
1. THE EARLY HISTORY OF SCHOOLING IN KHANCOBAN
The
Khancoban Valley was the scene of a remarkable phase of annual aboriginal tribal
activity. This
being the annual pilgrimage along it by many of the neighbouring tribes to the
snowlands and high alps.
This was a time for religious activities, marriage ceremonies between men
and women of different tribes, and feasting on the Bogong Moth.
All the tribes then walked down the Mungabareena (near Albury) for the
once a year Aboriginal Parliament.
The
initial Khancoban Valley white inhabitants were probably the Guise brothers,
William and Richard.
They first introduced cattle to the area in 1838 or 1839, under their
overseer, Thomas Regan.
However, ownership soon passed to John Hay, who was known as “Swampy
Hay”.
The
area was know as Khancoban because the first settlers’ huts were stone shelters
built by convicts under the control of soldiers brought to Australia from
England. “Khan”
meant “place” or ”hut” in India, and as the convict overseers were
named “Coban” then the area became
known as “Coban’s Khan”, and
later the soldiers changed this to “Khancoban”.
On March 10, 1840 Paul Strzelecki’s expedition passed through the
valley on the way to climb the peak he named Mount Kosciusko.
Settlement
continued in this isolated area, and in November 1880 the residents asked for
the establishment of a provisional school.
This was granted in November 1881.
John Carey took up his appointment as Teacher-in-charge in a small, mud
floored, slab and bark building erected by local families, and situated on 12
acres of land between Bringenbrong Road and the Swampy Plains River.
The
school struggled to remain open, owing to small enrolments but survived to 1939.
A decline in pupil numbers prevented its re opening after 1940 and the
building was used as the headquarters for Major Clews’ surveying party and
later as a private residence.
It burned down in March 1954.
In 1958 and 1959, it was decided to build a Snowy Mountains Authority
township at Khancoban.
The
Happy Jack School was transported here and schooling resumed in April 1960.
The
New School
With
the opening of the Happy Jacks building in 1960, the first families moved into
Khancoban and school needs were examined on a long term basis.
It was forecast that the school would grow to a peak of seven to eight
classes and then drop back to a three class school when the town was no longer a
construction base, but simply a maintenance and operations centre.
Classrooms
were brought in from other centres as the town developed, two from Eucumbene,
one from Geehi and two from the Theiss Village at Tooma Dam.
Of
these buildings only the Happy Jack Building (now the school gym / multi purpose
area), and the Theiss Village classrooms (now the primary double classroom and
library area) survive.
Another building, brought from Happy Jack and used by the school, was
later purchased by the Khancoban Country Club and used as its first Club rooms.
In
1967 the new brick school building comprising three classrooms, administration,
toilet block and wet weather shelter was opened on October 28.
This building was seen by the Department of Education as being a
permanent solution to the needs of schooling in Khancoban.
However,
enrolments did not decline as rapidly as had been forecast, when the
construction phase of the Snowy Scheme ended, and in 1976 the Theiss Village
classrooms building, which was still being used as an Infants classroom, was
upgraded. In
1981, in time for the School Centenary, it was permanently made part of the
school building, being brick faced and joined to the main building.
At the same time a library was constructed in what had been an office,
bag room and toilet area.
2.
SCHOOL AIMS
To
guide individuals pupil development in the context of society through
recognisable stages of development towards:
·
Perceptive understanding
·
Mature judgment
·
Responsible
self-direction
·
Moral autonomy
The
school aims to extend the children’s knowledge of themselves and the world
they live in. The
school endeavors to provide a range of activities to cater both for the
individual needs of the child and the society at large, also to cater for
isolation factors.
The
children are encouraged to develop a sense of personal responsibility and we
foster an attitude of care for other people and their possessions.
The
highest priority is given to making the pupils literate and numerate.
The
education we provide strives to allow each child to achieve his or her highest
level of competence in:
·
The skills of reading- to
have the skills to both read for enjoyment and to gain meaning.
·
The skills of writing-
·
Mathematics-
to be competent in the knowledge and skills of numeracy.
The
second most important areas of learning are:
·
Australia in all its
diversity, and its place in the world
·
A basis of scientific
knowledge and skills and the concepts of scientific inquiry.
Beyond
these fundamentals are the areas of critical emphasis.
These
are:
·
Technology
·
The Arts.
(The opportunity to create, perform and play an instrument, and the
opportunity to appreciate excellence.)
·
Physical Educational,
Health, involving individual sport, team sport, competition and the importance
of involvement.
·
Personal Development
covering the social and emotional development of each student through the whole
school ‘You Can Do it!’ program.
Students
can and will have the opportunity to learn beyond these areas to the extent of
their interest whenever this does not enter the traditional preserves of
families and community groups.
3.
SCHOOL MOTTO
The
school motto is:
“TO GREATER HEIGHTS”.
Which
means:
“To strive
for better things”
4.
ENROLMENTS
Enrolment
forms are available from the school office. When first enrolling we do need to
sight a birth certificate and current immunisation record.
It
is particularly important that information on the following is kept up to date:
·
Immunisation certificates
·
Changes of address and
telephone numbers
·
Emergency contact numbers
·
Any new information as to
allergies or other health problems
If
a change in enrolment details does occur, please contact the school as soon as
possible.
5.
TERM DATES
Please
refer to newsletters or current events on our home page for term and vacation dates.
Khancoban
Public School follows the Victorian vacation dates so that families with
children at Corryong College may enjoy the same break.
Please
note that we take NSW public holidays where they fall during term time.
6.
COMMUNICATION
6.1
School Newsletter
Each
week the oldest child in each family enrolled at the school takes home the
School Newsletter. The newsletter can also be sent by email if this is
preferred.
It is important that parents read this document and return any permission
notes, or act on any requests, promptly.
6.2
Phone Numbers
The
school phone number is:
02 6076 9445
The
school fax number is :
02 6076 9501
The school email is: khancoban-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Teachers
are unable to answer the phone during class time. Please utilize the answering
machine provided and leave a message. We will respond at the next break in
lessons.
7.
PUPIL SAFETY
7.1
School Crossing
The
school crossing is located within a school safety zone where 40 kilometre per
hour speed limits operate on school days from 8.00 – 9.30 am and 2.30 – 4.00
pm.
The
school Crossing is there for pupils to use.
Please encourage your children to use it whenever the Crossing Flags are
displayed.
At
3:00 pm the crossing is supervised by teacher staff.
7.2
School Hours
Office:
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Lesson
Times
8:55 am to 3:00 pm
Recess
10:40 am to 11:00 am
Lunch
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
End
School
3:00 pm
The
school request parents not to allow children to visit the shopping centre at
lunchtime for the obvious reasons of safety and an inability of staff to
supervise students away from the school grounds.
After school, class teachers are on school crossing duty until the students have left the school grounds. No further supervision is provided after this.
All
students are to leave school via the Mitchell Avenue gate where they are
supervised by the class teachers.
Children
are not allowed in the school grounds or buildings at any time out of school
hours unless they have the Principal’s permission.
7.3
Students Supervision
Rationale
A
supervision plan is necessary to monitor student activities to ensure the
welfare and safety of students and staff; and the protection of property.
Aim
To
safeguard the welfare of all through the promotion of a caring and ordered
environment.
Outcomes
To
maintain the school as a safe area for all.
To
protect students and staff.
To
minimise accidents and provide direction for appropriate action in case of
injury.
Implementation
Students
should always be under supervision.
Classes
in, or going to and from, classrooms should be accompanied by a teacher.
Students
should not be released early to unsupervised areas or to leave the school before
3.00 pm unless accompanied by an authorised adult.
At
the early conclusion of extra-curricular activities - e.g. a sports carnival,
the Principal may give permission for children to leave early with authorised
accompanying adults.
Students must have written permission to leave with anyone but their
parent/caregiver.
Where possible, notification of the expected completion time will be
included with information home prior to the activity.
Playground
All
variations and changes should be directed through the Principal responsible for
the duty roster.
Teachers are rostered for the following duties
8.30
to 8.55 am
The Principal is responsible for playground supervision.
Fixed equipment is out of bounds.
Children are permitted on the assembly area, grassed are of the
quadrangle
10.40
am to 11.00 am
One teacher rostered on duty - Quad and grassed area.
Recess
The teacher on duty will actively supervise assembly area, toilets,
canteen, grassed play area.
Children
are to eat within the quadrangle – not on the fixed equipment or wider
playground area.
12.30
pm to 12.45m.
Teacher supervises students on the seats within the quadrangle whilst
they eat their lunch.
12.30
pm to 1.00 pm First
Lunch
When students are released, organisation and rules are as for Recess duty.
1.00 pm to 1.30 pm
As for Recess Duty
Crossing: 3.00
pm Teachers are to supervise their own
class safely across the school crossing
Note:
Teachers are to remain on duty
until relieved.
If a teacher is late, the teacher in the playground should send a message
indicating that the relief teacher has not arrived.
If unexpectedly called away whilst on duty, immediately arrange relief.
Out
of Bounds areas:
These include the front of the school; car park: the northern side of the
infants classroom building; between the netball court and the front fence; in
the aboretum beyond the soccer
goal posts at the pre-school end of the playground.
Children
are not to play in the school buildings or in the toilet area.
Bells
The
‘bell’ rings at the following times to indicate beginning/end of duty
periods.
8.55
am Assembly
10.40
am Recess
11.00
am End Recess
12.30
pm Lunch
1.30
pm End Lunch
3.00
pm End School
Hats
During 1 & 4 Khancoban, strictly adheres to ‘No
hat, play in
the shade’ Sunsmart policy.
Children
are required to wear a broad brimmed or legionnaire style hat. Caps are not
allowed as they do not provide sufficient protection from the sun for the face,
neck and ears.
Children are encouraged to wear hats throughout the year.
Accidents
Staff
will be proactive in supervision - being actively mobile. Teachers should
immediately attend to a child who has had an accident and assess the situation.
The School staff hold a current CPR and First Aid Certificate. These are
renewed on a regular basis.
Serious
Injury Procedures
·
take action to minimise
risk of further danger
·
stay with student and
comfort/make comfortable.
(If there is a suspected break do not move the affected part.
If a back or neck injury is suspected, the student should not be moved)
·
keep area clear of other
students
·
notify office and Principal as soon as possible
·
ambulance should be
called if deemed necessary or the extent of injury is unknown (The school
holds an ambulance policy)
·
office staff or principal
will be notify parent/caregiver
·
duty teacher to complete
School Accident Report (S5/87) including teacher and witness statements, locate
accident site on school plan and lodge with the Principal.
Minor
Injury
(where
it is perceived that the injury will not require further/ongoing treatment.)
Procedure:
teacher treats injury and allows some quiet ‘timeout’ to rest and
recuperate.
Wet
or Inclement Weather.
Classes
remain with class teacher in classrooms
Lunch
Arrangements (winter months or cold or hot weather)
a)
Lunch Only inside
- weather too inclement to sit and eat outside
12.30 pm to 12.45m - students eat in classrooms with class
teacher
supervising
12.45m to 1.05 pm
-1st Lunch Duty
1.05 pm to 1.30 pm
-2nd Lunch Duty
b)
Whole Lunch Inside
Classes
remain with class teachers in classrooms
General
Supervision practises encouraged
·
Ensure children return to
class promptly.
·
On all duties cleanliness
of the school is encouraged.
·
Toilet areas regularly
monitored.
·
Remain in the playground
until relieved by next teacher or class teachers.
·
Be aware of your legal
responsibility.
Students
Leaving School Grounds
Except
with a parent/caregiver’s note to go home for lunch, no student should leave
the school without the Principal’s permission.
Expected
Student Behaviour whilst travelling to and from school.
Whilst
recognising that parents are responsible for the behaviour of their children,
the school community has expectations relating to appropriate behaviours of
students travelling to and from school.
i) Cyclists must obey the rules, signs and signals of the road; and wear an
approved bicycle helmet.
Students
are encouraged to ride on the footpath.
ii)
Pedestrians use available crossing and Stop, Look, Listen and THINK when
crossing roads.
Duty
of Care
·
Teachers have a duty of
care at all times to all students.
·
If you find or believe
something is unsafe e.g. conditions of a play area, it should be reported to the
Principal as a matter of urgency.
·
Games you perceive as
unsafe should be stopped immediately.
Students
have a responsibility to behave in appropriate ways and to ensure both their own
safety and that of others, at school; when traveling to and from school; and on
excursions away from school.
EVALUATION
This
policy is reviewed by all teaching staff at the beginning of each school year.
7.4
Leaving the School Grounds
(a)
Lunchtime - only pupils with written permission may go home for lunch
(b)
At any other time.
Children may not leave the school without written parental permission
(and the Principal’s approval) unless they are in the company of their
parents.
(c)
Staff cannot accept any responsibility for the supervision of students
outside the school grounds with parental permission
(d)
In the past children have left the school grounds without permission; in
these cases the parents of the children will be contacted and requested to
return them to school.
If the parents cannot be contacted the police will be requested to find
the child.
7.5
Picking Up Pupils From School
Parents
are requested to avoid collecting their children from school during school hours
without first informing the class teacher.
To
avoid confusion, parents are encouraged to notify the class teacher if there is
a change in after school arrangements at any time.
7.6
Bicycles
It
is parents’ responsibility to ensure that their children can safely control a
bicycle and have a thorough knowledge of the road rules before allowing them to
ride to school.
Helmets are compulsory.
It
is recommended that children under the age of twelve should not ride on the road
unless accompanied by an adult.
All
children should ride to and from the school using the footpath, thus avoiding
the traffic which is often found on our narrow roads.
Bicycle
skills are taught as a part of the School’s Bicycle Education program, in
conjunction with the local police.
7.7
Safety House Scheme
Khancoban
Police and Khancoban Public School have a Safety House Scheme in this town.
Children are instructed in this program by the Police and their teachers.
Parents
and Community members wishing to participate in the program should contact the
Police.
8.
PARENT MATTERS
8.1
Parent Helpers
We
value the talents and interest of parents in providing help to students at
school. Parents are encouraged to assist and be involved in a variety of ways:
·
Typing, either at home or
at school.
·
Listening to reading
·
Helping children gain
sporting skills
·
Teaching a skill in art
or craft
·
Talking to children about
an area you are skilled in:
(writing, environmental science etc)
·
Covering books
Please
contact the school
- WE NEED YOU!
8.2
Parents and Citizens Association
A ‘Voluntary Workers Book’ is located in the office area.
Any parent working in the school on a voluntary basis is asked to sign in to cover themselves in the event of an accident.
8.3
School Council
9.
PUPIL EVALUATION
Parents
are entitled to regular written and oral reports on the progress of their
children. These
reports will contain information both academic and social on the individual
child.
9.1
Reporting to Parents
The
school will schedule regular Parent/Teacher Interviews and the issuing of
written reports as follows:
·
A
brief report at the end of Term 1.
·
A
detailed written report, with a parent / student/ teacher interview, at the end
of each semester (Terms 2 and 4)
·
Student
portfolio sent home at the end of each term
·
Digital
portfolio available for parental viewing via the school web page.
Years
3 and 5 participate in state wide Basic Skills testing in Numeracy, Literacy and
writing skills.
Year
6 take part in an annual computer competency testing.
·
Discussion
with parents based on Basic Skills testing results of Year 3 and 5 students.
·
Other
national competitions are offered to any children in Years 3-6 (Maths, English)
9.2
Parental Interviews
The
staff is willing to discuss any concerns with parents.
Please do not hesitate to get in contact with the school if you have any
matters you wish to discuss with the class teacher or Principal.
9.3
School Counsellor
The
School Counsellor is a skilled educational psychologist.
If school staff or parents feel any concern over the performance of a
pupil in any aspect of schooling or personal and social development then the
school counsellor may be invited to assist.
Such
requests may come from the parents, class teacher or Principal.
However, all requests must be with the Principal’s knowledge and a
referral form must be signed by parents.
Written
permission is mandatory.
9.4
Positive Feedback Mechanisms
The
school endeavours to promote appropriate behaviour and good class work by:
·
Publishing work in school
newsletter and on school and town displays.
·
Awarding of Merit
Certificates at weekly assemblies.
·
Offering
music/instruction to all grades in singing, notation and recorder playing with
extension to clarinet, saxophone and percussion.
·
Encouraging participation
of pupils in Enrichment Camps.
·
Programming classroom
activities in such a way that talented children may extend themselves and slower
children can succeed.
·
Providing from
supplementary staffing hours small group extension work for talented children
and remedial work for slower pupils as required.
Sportsmanship
and development of sporting skills are encouraged through:
·
A regular program of
inter and intra school sport as programmed by the Sports Teacher.
10.1
Discipline
Assertive
Discipline at KHANCOBAN PUBLIC SCHOOL
What
is ASSERTIVE DISCIPLINE?
Assertive
Discipline is a management plan for the classroom and for the school to ensure
that children are using the appropriate behaviour at all times.
The Assertive Discipline Plan allows for the rewarding of positive
behaviour while providing consequences for inappropriate behaviour.
The
school plan will only work if teachers, parents and children all strive to be
consistent in their
approach to discipline and behaviour, remembering that no child can work
at a satisfactory standard if they, or others, are misbehaving.
We
at the school have set classroom and playground rules which must be followed so
that children can learn and play with maximum benefits for all.
CONSEQUENCES
have been set as follows:
Positive
Reinforcement:
Children
are rewarded in many different ways, for example: awards, classroom incentives,
depending on individual class teachers.
Special
awards at assembly, mention in the Newsletter and letters and certificates sent
home to parents are also positive rewards.
Consequences
of inappropriate playground behaviour
1.
Warning given by teacher on
duty.
2.
Second Offence:
The child is stopped from playing and isolated from others for remainder
of play.
3.
Third Offence:
The child is taken out of the playground.
**
Severe Plan: For abusive language, destroying property and physically abusing others,
the child is to be taken from the playground and parents phoned.
SUMMARY:
In
general, our Khancoban Public School Assertive Discipline Plan is to encourage
children to do their best work at school so that they and others will develop
desirable work and play habits.
By focusing on both positive and negative behaviour will be rewarding
those who deserve positive reinforcement while discouraging those who disrupt
the school from work and play.
The
role of the parent is extremely important.
We, as a school, want to teach and assist every child while at school and
require the support and cooperation of parents in dealing with poor behaviour
and encouraging desirable behaviour and work habits.
The
school rules are the outward facet of the school discipline policy.
However, the school shares with the home responsibility for guiding
children into acceptable and positive patterns of behaviour.
In the event that a pupil fails to respond positively to the school
discipline policy then parents will be advised and involved in all aspects of
counselling which follow.
However,
pupils who will not exhibit the proper and acceptable modes of behaviour after
counselling and disciplinary action will be suspended, and reported to the
Departments’ Guidance Officers with a view to possible expulsion, if the
unacceptable behaviour continues.
10.2
Prohibited activities
As
schools are seen by children as a model for adult behaviour, some activities are
banned in school and their grounds.
The following heading are a summary of the Department of Education’s
policies.
(a)
Alcohol
The
Department of School Education Code of Conduct 2004 does not allow alcohol consumption, sale or
presence on Departmental Property or at any school sanctioned activity where
students are present/in attendance, regardless of the time of the event..
(b)
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in
schools; their grounds; or at any school sanctioned activity at all times.
All staff, parents and visitors are actively discouraged from smoking by following Departmental Drug Education Policy
10.3 Orientation
Aim:
To introduce children to school in a happy, caring manner.
(a)
Kindergarten Orientation
New Kindergarten pupils begin visiting the infants class (several visits)
in conjunction with the pre-school, in Term 4 for afternoon activities.
(b)
Year 7 Orientation
Khancoban Public School and Corryong College (Senior Campus)
10.4
Attendance
Aim:
To give all children an
equal educational opportunity.
Failure to attend may result in a visit by the Departmental Home Liaison
Office.
Satisfactory
attendance is defined by:
·
Regular attendance.
·
Arrival at school on time.
·
Absences explained by a
note from the parents to the class teacher.
·
Absences only caused by
sickness, or by a reason acceptable to the Principal.
(Family’s annual holiday, a visit to a specialist or dentist etc.)
It is not acceptable to take children shopping or to visit friends during
the school week unless there is no alternative and the Principal gives
permission.
Students
are encouraged to attend all school activities
10.5
Homework Policy.
Department
Guidelines:
No
Mandatory homework will be set for infants children
(Years K-2) however, regular reading and review of spelling lists and
facts is encouraged, and listening to your child read.
As students progress through primary school they will increasingly work
independently on their homework.
Most homework will be in the areas of English and Mathematics, but
students may be given homework in other Key Learning Area.
Homework activities may include completion of work, additional book
tasks, reading, research and revision.
As a guide, students should complete about 2 hours of homework per week
in Year 3 increasing to around 4 hours per week in Year 6.
10.6
Excursions
Aim: School Policy is to offer pupils a regular program of excursion to enrich and reinforce the school’s education programs and to assist the school in overcoming the isolation of pupils.
Excursions are run in line with NSW DET policy on excursions (2004.)
For
further details please contact the school directly Ph: 6076 9445
Organisation:
Infant
pupils may be introduced to overnight excursions by involvement in a yearly
“sleep in” for one or two nights at the school, then at a camp.
Lower
primary and upper primary pupils may participate separately in one, two or three
day excursions to an area or locality outside the Snowy Mountains area.
Such major excursions are to be focused on a theme from the school’s
Science or HSIE programs.
Years
K-6 Annual ski camp.
From
time to time excursions will be organised for children to participate in P.S.S.A.
activities and Cultural Performances including involvement with local Victorian
Schools.
10.7
Religious Instruction
40
minutes per week is set aside for children to be instructed in religious
education (RE) each Wednesday afternoon.
All
children attend non-denominational instruction. Parents who have concerns with
their child participating in RE should contact school directly.
10.8
Sport
Aims:
To promote:
·
Positive involvement in
physical activity.
·
Cognitive aesthetic
expressive physical and social development.
·
Fitness and health.
·
Positive attitudes and
good “sportsmanship”
All
sport is organised by staff members and the Sports teacher and is a whole Kinder
- Year 6 approach with graded activities.
Parents and community members are encouraged to act as coaches and
umpires.
The
school is involved in the following carnivals:
·
Khancoban Public School
Athletics
·
Khancoban Public School
Swimming
·
Upper Murray Small
Schools Athletics
·
Upper Murray Small
Schools Swimming
·
Upper Murray Small
Schools Cross Country
·
Tumbarumba PSSA Athletics
·
Tumbarumba PSSA Swimming
·
Tumbarumba PSSA Cross
Country
Weekly
sport is held on a Friday afternoon. As well a twenty minute ‘health hustle’
is conducted for K-Yr 6 each Monday and Wednesday respectively.
All
PSSA competitions are restricted to children who turn eight years to thirteen
years of age in the year of competition.
All
children eligible to be involved in sport are to do so unless the parents inform
the school in writing.
At
this stage the school has two sport houses, Indi and Geehi.
Voting
for house captains is held in the first term and are usually chosen from Year 6
children of either gender.
Swimming
Classes
Aim:
That
all students become proficient and safe swimmers before they complete their
primary schooling.
At
the commencement of the school year all children are involved in a “Learn to
Swim Program”, based on the Auswim program. During each intensive swimming
scheme children are encouraged to try to achieve awards at levels appropriate to
their stage of development.
11.
SCHOOL ORGANISATION
11.1
School Contribution
At
the commencement of the school year parents will be advised as to the costs of
text books and other items essential to the full year’s educational program;
other costs such as for excursions will be published for parents nearer the date
of the activity.
However,
parents who are in financial difficulty and are unable to meet the costs may, in
confidence, approach the principal and suitable arrangements will be made.
11.2
School Uniforms
The
school community has decided that pupils will wear a uniform.
Details
are as follows:
Girls
- Summer
Navy
blue shorts and pale blue polo shirt or grey and white checked dress with white
Peter Pan collar and three red buttons on front.
Sensible shoes and white socks.
Boys
- Summer
Navy
blue shorts and pale blue polo shirt.
Sensible
shoes and blue socks.
**
Please note:
Sandals
or sneakers may be worn but thongs/rafting sandals or slip-ons are not
permitted.
Nail
polish / makeup are not to be worn to school
Jewellery
other than watches, studs or sleepers should not be worn to school.
Girls
and Boys - Winter
Navy
blue slacks or track pants.
Pale
blue skivvy/shirt.
Red
school windcheater.
Sensible
shoes and blue/white
socks.
Sports
Uniform
For
inter-school carnivals:
Navy
shorts and red school
T.shirt, with girls having the option of a pleated navy skirt if worn
with athletic-pants.
Uniforms
are available from the School Parents and Citizen Association and can be
purchased from the School Office.
11.3
Student Banking
The
school acts as an agency for the Commonwealth School Savings Bank.
Children may open an account and deposit money in this bank.
Student banking day is Tuesday.
Bank books should be handed in at the office before 9:00 am.
Withdrawals may be made from any Agency or Branch of the Commonwealth
Bank, but not at the school.
11.4
Assemblies
Assemblies
are normally held Monday mornings at the commencement of school.
A school assembly run by senior students is held each Friday at 1:30 pm.
Parents
are always welcome to attend.
Friday
school assemblies are highlighted by:
·
Class items
·
Visiting speakers
·
Awards for pupils
·
Promotion of good work
and conduct.
11.4a
Notes
All
notes and monies required to be returned to school should be left in the grey
tray in the office area.
11.5
Staff Hours of Attendance
Staff
are in attendance at school from 8:25 am to 3:15 pm.
The Principal may require their attendance until 3:45 pm or later for
rostered duties or special functions such as staff meetings.
Parents
wishing to see staff members may find the first half hour after school is the
most convenient to all.
It
is always recommended that parents phone to arrange a mutually convenient time
for an appointment.
11.7
Pupil Free Days
On
up to three separate days of the year, the school may have teachers and/or
parent training and development days either at the school or away from
Khancoban. On
such days normal hours apply for teachers and staff but children are not in
attendance at the school.
Advice of such days will be given to parents well in advance.
The
first day of Term One each year is always a pupil free day.
11.8
Supplementary Staffing
The
school receives a supplementary staffing allocation based upon student enrolment
and for special needs
(e.g. disabled students, students with learning difficulties).
The time is used for special programs to help with groups or individuals,
especially in literacy and numeracy areas.
The
Country Area Program annual allocation may be budgeted for additional programs
like music, science or literacy.
11.9
Supply of Equipment
The
school provides each student with an initial issue of pens, pencils, exercise
books, paper and other basic classroom materials’ after the initial issue the
school will provide exercise books and paper at no cost but replacement pens,
pencils, erasers and rulers will be a cost to parents.
Parents
will need to supply coloured pencils, glue/pasts, pens, rulers and pencils
cases. In addition, each child should have a library bag, reader cover and an
art smock.
All
such materials should be clearly labeled with the student’s name.
Children
are NOT to bring liquid paper to school.
12.
SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICES
12.1
Sudden Sickness or Accident
Minor
injuries or illnesses during the day are normally attended to at the school.
In
serious cases every endeavour is made to contact the parents, but it is often
possible that the child may be already treated, or taken to hospital by
ambulance, before this is possible.
All
cases of head injuries of which teachers are informed are reported to parents.
Bleeding
or excreting bodily fluids: refer to the “Infectious Diseases” policy.
12.2
Dental
Free
dental attention is provided for all primary and infants pupils by the School
Dental Service.
Dental
checkups are conducted at the School and any subsequent treatment by referral is
carried out at
the School Dental Service Unit in Albury.
12.3
Medical
The
School Medical Service examines children in Kindergarten and again
in Year 4.
Parents are advised if there is any need for specialist attention.
12.4
Health Provisions
The
Principal of the school may, for such period as is stated in the departmental
regulations for schools, exclude any child who is suffering from any contagious,
offensive, or infectious disease.
Any child not presenting an immunisation certificate upon enrolment may
also be excluded.
Information
is available from the School .
12.5
Support Staff
·
School Counsellor
·
Grief Counsellors
·
Occupational Therapist
and Speech Therapist
12.6
Royal Far West Children’s Health Scheme
Many
children in New South Wales are unable to access specialist medical and
paramedical care simply because they live in the country.
The Royal Far West Children’s Health Scheme aims to provide these
children with services which are some times only available in Sydney.
The Royal Far West provides or arranges medical and paramedical treatment
and care for children from country New South Wales including Orthodontics,
Psychology, Orthoptics, Speech Therapy, Paediatrics, Remedial Reading, Social
Work, Orthotics, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy.
The
scheme’s services are available to any child living outside the greater Sydney
region. The
Scheme’s medical centre is situated in Manly.
Further
information about the Royal Far West Scheme are available at the school.
12.7
Personal Development program
The
school involves Family and Community Services, the local Policeman and Regional
Consultants in a program which aims to:
·
Promote a healthy
lifestyle.
·
Develop knowledge on how
our bodies function.
·
Encourage personal
hygiene and care of our bodies.
·
Promote the child
protection program.
13. USE OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS OR EQUIPMENT BY THE
The
community is encouraged to utilise the school grounds and buildings for any
worthwhile purpose.
Applications
should be made to the Principal stating the purpose, duration and times require.
The
only three requirements are:
1.
An undertaking to make good any losses or damage to school
property.
2.
An undertaking to accept full responsibility for the control and care of
all those attending, especially in ensuring conformity with the school rules.
3.
An undertaking to secure the school by locking all doors and windows on
leaving, and by turning off all electrical, gas or water appliances used.
A
small charge for cleaning may be made if the school is left in a dirty or untidy
condition after use: this, however,
may be easily avoided by a little care and a few minutes tidying up afterwards.
Groups participating in any activity involving physical contact or a high
risk or injury must have their own insurance cover and be able to produce it to
the Principal.
13.1
Buildings or Grounds
The
buildings and grounds are maintained by staff employed by the Department of
Education.
Beautification
and ground improvements are, however, a community and school responsibility and
the school has been very fortunate in the improvements made and the development
of the playground through the planting of trees and making of gardens.
From
time to time suggestions from staff or parents are implemented and a community
working bee is held.
Your
suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated, as it is YOUR SCHOOL, and any
betterment aids your children.
13.2
Equipment
Parents
are expected to replace equipment from the school that is “lost” by
children. (reading books, library
books, musical instruments etc.)
Reading
books and library books vary in cost, and may be quite expensive to replace.
Vandalism
will not be tolerated and if instances of this do occur, parents will need to
replace damaged property.
Fortunately
instances of this are rare at Khancoban, but the policy is worth stating.
13.3
Lost Property
To
avoid lost property please ensure your children have their names on all items of
clothing and belongings.
13.4
Canteen
The
school canteen is run by a sub-committee of the P & C Association.
Parent volunteers are requested through Newsletters.
Its aims are:
·
To provide
healthy and economical school lunches, snacks and refreshments for school pupils
and staff.
·
To raise
money for the school which the P & C will use to meet defined school or
pupil needs.
The School canteen is operated on a voluntary roster two days per week, Monday and Friday.