Cartwright Public School Information Handbook

Cartwright Public School Information Handbook 2014 Welcome to Cartwright Public School

We extend a warm welcome to every child who enrols at our school and to all parents and carers. We hope that your association with this school will be a satisfying and rewarding time.

The information provided in this directory may prove useful to you during the year. If you would like more information on these or other matters, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Please keep this directory in a safe place so that you are able to refer to it as necessary.

Cartwright Public School Contact Details

Address: Willan Drive, Cartwright, NSW 2168

Telephone Number: 9607 7979

Fax Number: 9608 3237

Email Address: [email protected]

School Website: www.cartwright-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

School Hours: 8.55am - 2.55pm

Office Hours: 8.30am - 3.15pm

2014 School Terms

Dates for students

Term 1 Wednesday, 29th January to Friday, 11th April 2014 Term 2 Tuesday 29th April to Friday, 27th June 2014 Term 3 Tuesday, 15th July to Friday, 19th September 2014 Term 4 Tuesday, 7th October to Wednesday 17th December 2014

Bell Times

8.55 Morning Assembly 9.00 – 11.00 Morning Session 11.00-11.20 Eating Time (Lunch) 11.20-11.40 Lunch 11.40-1.10 Middle Session 1.10-1.30 Eating Time (Recess) 1.30-1.50 Recess 1.50 – 2.55 Afternoon Session

Cartwright Public School Information Handbook 2014

Cartwright Public School Information Handbook 2014 Contents Page

Acronyms 5 Aboriginal Education Consultative Group – AECG 5 Additional Support 5 Allergies and Anaphylaxis 5 Appointments 5 Assemblies 5 Attendance 5/6 Authorised Visitors 6 Awards 6 Best Start Kindergarten Assessment 6 Book Club 6 Breakfast Club 6 Bullying 7 Canteen 7 Carter Club 7 Change of Address or Contact Details 7 Community College 7 Community of Schools 7 Concerns or Problems 7 Curriculum and School Programs 7 Custody of Children 7 Discipline – see Student Welfare/Wellbeing 8 Emergency Information 8 Emergency Procedures 8 Enrolment 8 Equipment / Stationery 8 Excursions 8 Extra Curricular Activities and Groups 8 Financial Assistance 8 Fundraising 8 Gala Days 8 Head Lice 9 High School Transition 9 Home Learning and Home Reading 9 Illness, Accidents and Infectious Diseases 9 Immunisation 9 Internet and Email 9 Jewellery 9 Kindergarten Routine 10 Learning Support Team 10 Leaving During School Hours 10 Library 10 Lost Property 10 Medication 10 Mobile Phones 11

Cartwright Public School Information Handbook 2014 Money 11 Movies 11 Parents and Citizens Association (P&C) 11 Parent/Carer Involvement 11 Parking 11 Personalised Learning and Support Plans – PlaSPs 11 Photographs 11 Privacy (see also Pupil Information Card) 12 Pupil Information Card 12 Release from Face to Face Teaching – RFF 12 Religious Instruction / Scripture 12 Reporting to Parents 12 Rules 12/13 School Counsellor 13 School Development Days 13 School Plan 13 Sports 13 Sport Houses 13 Student Leadership 13 Supervision of Students (see also School Hours) 14 Student Welfare / Wellbeing 14 Teacher Absences 14 Telephone Calls 14 Technology 15 Transfer to another school 15 Travel to and from school 15 Uniforms 15 Valuable Items 15 Website 15

Cartwright Public School Information Handbook 2014 Acronym List The common acronyms used at CPS are detailed below. If at any time you are unsure of what an acronym represents please ask an executive staff member. AP – Assistant Principal BSKA – Best Start Kindergarten Assessment CAPA – Creative and Performing Arts CoS – Community of Schools CPS – Cartwright Public School DEC – Department of Education and Communities ESL – English as a Second Language HSIE – Human Society and Its Environment IWB – Interactive White Board LaST – Learning and Support Teacher LST – Learning Support Team MPR – Multi Purpose Room PDHPE – Personal Development, Health and Physical Education PLaSP – Personalised Learning and Support Plan RFF – Release from Face to Face SLSO – Student Learning Support Officer YCDI – You Can Do It

Additional Support CPS provides additional support to students through the use of specifically tailored programs that are taught by Learning and Support Teachers (LaST) and English as Additional Language/Dialect (EALD) . Students who receive additional support require a Personalised Learning and Support Plan. We encourage parents/carers to contribute to the creation of these plans for their child.

Aboriginal Education Consultative Group - AECG CPS is an active participant in Liverpool’s local AECG.

Allergies and Anaphylaxis – see also Pupil Information Card and Personal Health Plans Please inform CPS if your child suffers from any allergies or anaphylaxis. It is important the office has a copy of your child’s health plan provided by your child’s doctor. All staff members are trained in the identification of anaphylaxis and the administration of an Epipen.

Appointments If you wish to make an appointment to see a teacher or school executive, please contact the office to arrange a suitable time.

Assemblies A morning assembly is held each day at 8:55am. Children line up under the COLA and are expected to be ready by the second bell. Daily messages and announcements are made. Formal assemblies are held fortnightly on Fridays. Each class presents an assembly item once a term. Parents and friends are warmly invited to attend.

Attendance Attendance at school is compulsory. Children may be absent for reasons such as illness. A note explaining their absence needs to be handed in on the first day they return to school. If your

Cartwright Public School Information Handbook 2014 child is going to be absent for more than a day, please call the office. If you are travelling overseas please contact the office for an application for leave form.

Authorised Visitors Visitors to the school are required to sign in at the front office and to wear a visitor’s badge.

Awards There are various awards that students can earn and are listed below:

Home Reading - students have to collect 5 to equal a merit award. Wow - students have to collect 5 to equal a merit award. Sports = a merit award Carnival Ribbons = a merit award Visiting teachers = a merit award YCDI = a merit award Attendance = a merit award Merit – collect equivalent of 5 for a gold award (only 2 sports ribbons can be traded for each Gold award) Gold Award – collect 5 for a school medal which is presented at Presentation Day Certificate – 2nd amount of Gold Awards

A special certificate is also awarded to a student from each class during assembly. This award is not counted towards Gold Awards.

YCDI key winners – A student is chosen at assembly to sit next to their teacher the following week. This is not counted towards Gold Awards.

If you have any questions about awards and trading, please see your child’s class teacher.

Best Start Kindergarten Assessment When beginning Kindergarten students take part in a state wide assessment to identify areas of strengths and needs in literacy and numeracy. Kindergarten teachers use this information to plan learning activities.  Please keep your appointment time so that your child will not be upset by having to wait for a long period, and we don’t have a back log of people.  Please bring with you proof of date of birth for your child (birth certificate/passport), if this has not already been presented. NO child can be enrolled until proof has been produced.

Book Club Scholastic book club leaflets are sent home twice a term. Orders are to be sent to the office in sealed envelope with your child’s name and class on. You can pay by cash or cheque in your envelope or pay online by credit card – remember to fill in the receipt details on the bottom of the order form. It takes approximately two weeks from the closing date for orders to your child’s order being given to them.

Breakfast Club Our breakfast clubs runs from the canteen on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 8:45am. It is sponsored by the Red Cross. If you are available to assist with the running of Breakfast Club please let the office know and they will pass your details on to the organising teacher.

Cartwright Public School Information Handbook 2014 Bullying CPS has an anti-bullying policy which is available to download from the school’s website. Bullying can occur in a variety of ways – physically, verbally and mentally – and will not be tolerated at this school. If you have any concerns please discuss these with your child’s stage supervisor or the Principal.

Canteen The school has a leased canteen. It is open Monday to Friday for lunch and recess. Lunch orders need to be placed at the canteen or in the box outside of the office before 9am. A current price list is available in the office.

Carter Club Our transition to school program is called Carter Club. It runs during Terms 3 and 4 for the following year’s kindergarten students. Details are sent out in newsletters towards the end of Term 2.

Change of Address or Contact Details Any changes to your address or contact details must be given to the office as soon as they occur to ensure that we can contact you about your child in cases of illness or emergency.

Community College Cartwright Community College is located on school grounds. As part of our agreement with the college parents of our students may enrol in selected courses for a reduced cost. Please contact the college for further details.

Community of Schools CPS is a member of a group of schools within the 2168 postcode area. Staff meet to discuss and share ideas and resources.

Concerns or Problems Please make an appointment to see your child’s class teacher or stage supervisor to discuss any concerns or problems.

Curriculum and School Programs The curriculum taught at CPS caters for the wide diversity of individual needs and talents children bring with them to school. There are six key learning areas within the overall curriculum. CPS offers a full range of programs within each learning area. The key learning areas are:

English Mathematics Human Society and Its Environments – HSIE Personal Development, Health and Physical Education – PDHPE Science and Technology Creative Arts (including Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, and Music)

Custody of Children If you have court agreed custody arrangement for your child, please supply a copy to the office.

Cartwright Public School Information Handbook 2014 Discipline – see Student Welfare/Wellbeing

Emergency Information At the beginning of each school year a pink or blue form is sent home for each child for you to complete with current contact and emergency information. This is essential information for the school.

Emergency Procedures CPS has procedures that are followed in case of a variety of emergencies that may require the lock down or evacuation of the whole school. These are practised on a regular basis. If you require any further information please enquire at the office.

Enrolment Children must be officially enrolled before they may attend school. Proof of age eg a Birth certificate is required for a child’s enrolment in a New South Wales school. To enrol in Kindergarten a child must turn 5 before the end of July in that year.

Equipment/Stationery A list of equipment/stationery your child is required to bring to school is available at the office. Please replenish their stocks on a regular basis as pencils etc soon wear down and need replacing.

Excursions Excursions have important educational and social benefits for students. Excursions may vary from short, local walks up to extended overnight trips for older students. Most excursions occupy one day and involve travel by bus or coach. For all activities, your permission will be required and information will be provided well in advance, including costs. Each stage group organises at least one excursion a year relating to topics being studied in class. The school offers students in Years 5 and 6 the opportunity to attend camp every even year.

Extra Curricular Activities and Clubs At CPS, we provide several opportunities to students to enrich their educational experience. We run a variety of activities and clubs which may include dance, art, drama, choir, tournament of minds or environment related. Please ask your child’s teacher for further details.

Financial Assistance CPS has a small amount of funds to assist with the financial costs associated with school under the Student Assistance Scheme. If you wish to apply for financial assistance please ask at the office for an application form. The Principal will inform you of the result of your application.

Fundraising CPS holds a variety of fundraisers each year. Some raise money for our Year 6 Farewell, others for school equipment and some for charity. Information is sent home and students reminded at assemblies when fundraisers are being held.

Gala Days Students in Years 3-6 participate in a sports Gala Day once a term. They compete against other local school – Miller PS, Heckenberg PS, Busby PS and Ashcroft PS. Students choose the sport that they would like to participate in.

Cartwright Public School Information Handbook 2014 Head Lice Please check your child’s hair regularly (once a week) for head lice. If your child has lice or eggs (nits) then you can treat them with a special shampoo from the chemist or by using white conditioner and a lice comb. You will need to complete this at least twice and be very careful to get out all of the eggs. It only takes one missed egg for the lice cycle to start again. Children are still required to attend school during treatment.

High School Transition Applications for High School are distributed early in Term 1 to all Year 6 students and need to be returned by the specified date. Students can nominate up to three public high schools they wish to attend, one of which must be their local school. High schools will inform you of the school your child has been accepted to. The Year 6 supervisor can assist you with any questions you may have.

Home Learning and Home Reading Participation in Home Learning and Home Reading is encouraged for all students however it is not compulsory. The type and amount of Home Learning given depends on the child’s year of schooling. It is designed to consolidate the knowledge and skills taught in the classroom. The role of parents includes making suitable time and space, observing the child at work and where necessary giving assistance. If Home Learning or Home Reading causes problems, please discuss this with your child’s class teacher.

Illness, Accidents and Infectious Diseases If a child becomes ill at school or suffers a significant injury the school contacts parents/carers on the emergency numbers provided. If we are unable to contact you or if the matter is urgent then the school will arrange medical treatment and if necessary call an ambulance.

Immunisation Legal proof of immunisation must be provided to schools before a student enrols. South Western Sydney Health Service advise that “Parents should be informed that if they do not present an immunisation certificate, their child will be documented as not being immunised and may be excluded from school in the event of a vaccine preventable outbreak.”

Internet and Email CPS is very well equipped with computers, laptops and iPads on which the students have supervised access to the internet. The use of technology is programmed for across curriculum areas and may include the use of the internet to research for information or to access interactive education programs. Examples of common websites used at CPS are Skwirk, Edmodo, StudyLadder, Reading Eggs and Google. Every student requires parental / carer permission to use the internet and E-mail facilities and this is included in the pink/blue student forms. If you have any concerns about your child using the internet please contact your child’s class teacher.

Jewellery Students should not wear jewellery to school. Earrings must be the small sleeper or stud kind.

Cartwright Public School Information Handbook 2014 Kindergarten Routine Preparation for the First Day  Be positive and encourage your child. Show enthusiasm about school and assure your child you’ll be waiting at the end of the day to hear all about school.  Be prepared to ’let go’ when your child is asked to line up with their class in the morning.  If your child cries or clings to you, leave them with the teacher. Children usually settle within a few minutes of being in class.  Be on time to collect your child in the afternoon as it can be very distressing if you are not there to greet him/her. What your child will need for school. Please ensure everything is clearly labelled with your child’s full name.  A school case or bag  A lunch box and a plastic drink bottle  School uniform and hat  A spare pair of pants to be kept in your child’s bag  A library bag

Learning Support Team – LST The school has a Learning and Support Team that meet weekly to discuss the needs of our students. This team consists of the Principal, School Counsellor, Learning and Support Supervisor, Learning and Support Teachers and a class teacher. If you are concerned about the academic, emotional or social development of your child please see their class teacher to discuss referral to the LST.

Leaving During School Hours If you child needs to leave school early they must be signed out at the front office and a white slip given to their child’s class teacher. CPS strongly encourages that all doctors and dentist appointments are made outside of school hours where possible.

Library The school library is open two days per week. Each class has an hourly library lesson each week. During this time they are taught library and research skills. Students have the opportunity to borrow books from the library, which need to be returned promptly. Parents are responsible for the costs associated with replacing lost books.

Lost Property A lost property box is located outside the main office. Please make sure that all belongings are clearly labelled with your child’s name so that items can be easily identified.

Medication If your child requires medication because they are unwell please keep your child at home. A small number of children may need to take or keep medication for specific conditions. Other than asthma spray (Ventolin) or an epi-pen children must not keep medication of any kind in their pockets, bags etc. If your child has asthma, please supply a copy of their asthma plan to the office. If your child has anaphylaxis, please supply a copy of their health plan to the office. For safety reasons, any doctor prescribed medication brought to school for administration by office staff must contain the original label with details of the child’s name and required dose.

Mobile Phones Students are not allowed to use mobile phones in school. If your child is required to bring a phone to school with them they will need to hand it into the office for safe keeping and collect it at the end of school.

Money Money for excursions, book club etc. should be placed in an envelope with your child’s name and class and handed directly into the office. Students are encouraged to keep money for the canteen safely in their bags until lunch and recess.

Movies Teachers may include the viewing of movies into their program to enhance the learning of concepts. For students to be able to watch PG movies we require your permission which can be given on the Pupil Information Card. If you have any questions regarding this please see your child’s class teacher or supervisor.

Parents & Citizens Association (P&C) Cartwright P&C meets regularly with a member of the school executive staff. All parents, carers and members of the community are welcome to attend. Details of meetings are included in newsletters and advertised on the school sign and noticeboard outside the office.

Parent/Carer Involvement CPS welcomes and encourages parental involvement within our school. Research indicates that children whose parents are involved with their school are often more successful. Parents / carers may wish to be involved by attending Cartwright P&C meetings, visiting the school on special occasions or working with children. If you wish to volunteer to work with students please contact the Principal. During school events it is expected that parents/carers will communicate positively with the students. Should a matter arise that requires intervention, please inform a teacher and they will take care of the situation.

Parking For safety reasons the staff car park is for the use of staff only and for students/parents who have a disability sticker. This sticker needs to be clearly displayed on the windscreen of the car. Please seek permission from the Principal before using the car park.

Personalised Learning and Support Plans - PLaSP Some students may need a personalised Learning and Support Plan to be developed for them if they require adjustments to be made for them academically, socially, physically or emotionally. Under legislation it is mandatory for all Aboriginal students to have a plan created to identify their strengths and needs. CPS welcomes and encourages parents/carers to take an active involvement in this process. Your child’s class teacher, supervisor or the Learning and Support Teacher will contact you if your child is identified as requiring a PLaSP to be written and implemented.

Photographs A permission form to take photographs and publish them in our newsletter and on our website is sent out at the beginning of each year. Please sign and return as soon as possible if you give

Cartwright Public School Information Handbook 2014 permission for your child’s image to appear. If you have any concerns about this please contact a school executive member. Privacy – see also Pupil Information Card CPS is proud to promote the achievements of our students and to recognise their talents and contributions to school programs. As part of the NSW Government’s Privacy Regulations, we require parent/carer permission to mention student’s names, to use photographs or to display/ publish student work in our newsletter or on the school’s website. Permission can be given on the Pupil Information Card.

Pupil Information Card A pink or blue pupil information card is sent home at the beginning of each school year. The information supplied is used to contact parents/carers and the medical information assists CPS to cater for your child’s needs. This form also seeks permission for students to be allowed to watch PG movies that relate to the curriculum taught (supervised by the class teacher), have photographs taken, go on short walks, access the internet and participate in child protection and drug education lessons.

Release from Face to Face Teaching (RFF) Teachers are entitled to two hours of release from face to face teaching each week. Classes are taken during this time for a one hour library lesson and one hour lesson with an RFF teacher who will teach a specific curriculum area each semester.

Religious Instruction / Scripture Religious instruction / Scripture lessons are conducted by visiting instructors on Thursdays. These instructors are provided by the religious groups and are not part of the school’s teaching staff. Students are allocated to groups based on the information provided by parents/carers at the time of enrolment. Should your wishes change please inform the office in writing so that adjustments can be made.

Reporting to Parents/Carers & Communicating with Parents/Carers At CPS we inform parents / carers about school events and student progress in a variety of ways. These include: Parent / Teacher Interviews – Held at the end of Term 2 to discuss individual student progress. These can be arranged for other times of the year as well. Please see the office. Reports – Formal reports are sent home at the end of Term 2 and Term 4. CPS believes in effective communication and we do this through: Newsletters – These are issued three times per term. You may request a paper copy to be given to the eldest child in the family or access it on our website. Website – This is regularly updated Meet the Teacher afternoon – Held in Term 1 for parents/carers to meet the class teacher for the year.

Rules The school rules for CPS are displayed around the school and are based on being caring, positive and safe. We will always be Caring  Show respect towards yourself and others  Respect other people’s property

Cartwright Public School Information Handbook 2014  Listen when others are talking  Allow others to learn We will always demonstrate Positive behaviour  Wear school uniform  Play fairly Tell the truth  Use polite , positive language

We will always act Safe  Play safely  Follow teachers instructions

School Counsellor A school counsellor is attached to CPS and is here one day a week. The counsellor’s role is to assist teachers in assessing and providing for students’ particular needs. If you have concerns regarding your child’s academic, social or emotional development please speak to your child’s class teacher about a referral to the school counsellor.

School Development Days School development days occur at the beginning of Terms 1,2 and 3 and at the end of Term 4. Staff of CPS undertake professional development during this time and the school is closed to students. Please see the newsletter and website for specific dates.

School Plan The staff of CPS developed a 2012 – 2014 School Plan to drive our progress during this time. A copy of this plan is available on the website. If you require any further information please see the Principal or Assistant Principals.

Sports (see also Gala Days) Students in K-6 participate in a variety of sports as part of their Physical Education program on a Friday. Students in 3-6 also participate in a Gala Day with other schools in the local area once a term.

Sport Houses There are four sports houses in CPS. Students and staff are allocated a house. Students are usually allocated the same house as their siblings. Boronia – Blue Kurrajong – Green Waratah - Red Wattle - Yellow

Each house has two captains and two vice-captains who are Year 6 students where possible or alternatively from Year 5.

Student Leadership Students are encouraged to take on a leadership role wherever the opportunity arises. We have an official student leadership team comprising of a boy and girl Captain, Vice-Captain and Prefect. Students are elected by Year 5 in Term 4 of each year and the school votes on which position they will take. The Student Leadership Team is announced at Presentation Day.

Supervision of Students – see also School Hours Direct supervision of students can be assured between the hours of 8:30 and 2:55. Parents/carers are asked to ensure that their children arrive at school between 8:30 and 8:55 and that you collect them promptly at 2:55.

Student Welfare / Wellbeing CPS has a Student Welfare and Wellbeing Policy which incorporates:  The school rules  Rights, responsibilities of staff, students, parents/carers and visitors  Positive behaviour incentives  Possible consequences for negative behaviour  Suspension procedures

In 2014, CPS will be introducing a level system where all students will start on Blue level. Teachers will implement classroom behaviour management strategies prior to any referrals to assistant principals or principal. Students will be placed on levels depending on the severity of their behaviour. The levels are as follows:

Yellow Level: A student may be placed on Yellow level for various reasons including:  Continued disobedience  Disrespectful behaviour towards others  Minor altercation with other students  Any other misconduct that requires a consequence

Orange Level: A student may be placed on Orange level for various reasons including:  Not following school or classroom rules while on Yellow level  Being disrespectful towards other  Misconduct that calls for higher consequence than a Yellow level

Red Level: A student may be placed on Red level for various reasons including:  Severe misdemeanours  Physical violence and/or severe verbal altercation  Disrespectful behaviour  Any other behaviour that is deemed as highly inappropriate

A copy of the policy is available on the school’s website. A copy of the suspension policy is available on the department website.

Teacher Absences Teacher absences are covered where possible by a casual teacher. If this is not appropriate the students of the class affected will be split between other classes.

Telephone Calls

Cartwright Public School Information Handbook 2014 All contact should be made through the office on 9607 7979. In emergency situations personal messages may be given to students. Please call before 2:30 to allow enough time for the message to be given to your child. Technology – see Internet and Email

Transfer To Another School If you are moving to another school a transfer certificate is required to be collected from the office prior to you leaving. You should take this certificate with you to the new school. Please ensure that all library books have been returned.

Travel To and From School Students should travel to and from school using the safest, most direct route. Once a child arrives at school they are not allowed to leave without permission from the Principal or unless they have been signed out by a parent/carer. Students are strongly encouraged to use the underpasses on Cartwright Avenue and Willan Drive rather than cross these roads. If you collect your child by car, please ensure that you park legally outside of the school, meet them in the school grounds before walking to your car.

Uniforms Wearing of school uniform develops and deepens the feeling of recognition as an active and positive member of Cartwright Public School. CPS school uniforms are available for purchase from Lupco Fashions Unit 18 340 Hoxton Park Road Cartwright NSW 2168 Phone: 9608 4653

Students are expected to come to school in black shoes and white socks.

Valuable Items – see also Mobile Phones Students should not bring items of value to school. Responsibility for the loss or damage of valuable items cannot be accepted by the school.

Website The school has a regularly maintained website which can be accessed at http://www.cartwright- p.schools.nsw.edu.au/ .