Albany Creek State School Prep to Year 6 An Independent Public School 2021 School Handbook ALBANY CREEK STATE SCHOOL Prep to Year 6 An Independent Public School SCHOOL DIRECTORY School Address: Albany Creek State School 696 Albany Creek Road Albany Creek QLD 4035 Directory 3264 0111 [email protected] http://albanycreekss.eq.edu.au AlbanyCreekStateSchool AlbanyCreekP&C @AlbanyCreekSS This booklet has been prepared to provide a ready source of information for parents who have children at Albany Creek State School, for parents who will have children at the school, and for those who are interested in the school. The information in this booklet was correct at the time of publishing but may change as circumstances change. 2 We extend a warm welcome to you and your family to our school and broader school community. Albany Creek Primary School was established in 1874 and remained a small country school until the mid-1970 when nearby housing developments caused a rapid growth in school population. To meet the demands of the rapid increase in enrolment a variety of classroom styles have been constructed. Recent additions are purpose built general learning areas equipped with the latest learning technologies. The newest buildings include our before and after school care facility and a modern special education building. Albany Creek State School is a highly regarded Band 10 school with a student population of approximately 824 students from Prep to Year six. In addition to thirty-four classroom teachers our experienced staff includes a Principal, three Deputy Principals, Head of Department (Curriculum), Head of Special Education services and Business Manager. The school also encompass a dynamic team of specialist teachers including a Teacher-Librarian, a Music Teacher, Learning Support Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Physical Education Specialist, Japanese Teacher, Dance/Drama, visiting Instrumental Music Specialists and Advisory Staff. They work with classroom teachers to ensure that student’s educational requirements are fully integrated into the day to day classroom activities. The school also has a Chaplain and a Defence School Mentor. Our office staff and teacher aide teams, headed by our Business Manager, support the teaching and learning programs across the school. Our school motto, 'A Sound Body in a Sound Mind’ encourages students to develop all facets of themselves and the school provides a wide variety of opportunities for students to engage in, both as part of their class learning program and in extracurricular activities. These include: • Gala Days - cricket, softball, netball, soccer, rugby league, volleyball, touch football • Intra-school and interschool athletics • Discos (all year levels) • Fancy Dress Ball (Years 1 & 2) • Carols by Torchlight (Years 1 & 2) • Strings instruction (Years 3 to 6) • Music camps (Years 3 to 6) • Bush Dance (Years 3 & 4) • Concert Band (Years 5 & 6) • Woodwind instruction (Years 4 to 6) • Kerribee- our annual school-based performing arts concert (Years 4 to 6) • Speaking Competition (Years 4, 5 & 6) • Sport and leisure clubs (Years 4, 5 & 6) in terms 2 and 4 • PAL Leadership Program • Senior Leader Program 3 In addition, there are numerous classroom activities and excursions organised by teaching staff. Lunch time opportunities include STEAM based activities such as robotics, coding and tinker time, and use of ICT through the school Resource Centre, dance and the PAL Program (Peer Assistance Program). Years 4, 5 and 6 participate in yearly camps which provide opportunities for social growth by building their confidence, resilience, and expanding their experiences through new and challenging activities. Our Resource Centre offers a wide range of books, games and activities. Children are taught library and research skills and are engage through computer technology through the learning facilities in the resource centre and the library automation program. Our classroom learning environments are inviting, displaying student work and spaces for children to learn which are developmentally appropriate. All teaching spaces have electronic whiteboards or interactive LCD panels and children have access to iPad and laptop use. In 2020 we introduced an iLearn BYOD (iPad) program for year 4 and in 2022, students in Years 4-6 will participate in this program. Also located within the landscaped school grounds are an Assembly Hall, Music Block, Dental Clinic, Special Education Block and a Preparatory Year Campus with five purpose-built classrooms. The school hosts a large before and after school program operated by YMCA. This provides an excellent service to our parents. A proud and supportive P and C Association operate a tuckshop service three days a week and also provide a uniform shop. Fundraising and family events are held regularly throughout the year to continue to build a wonderful family atmosphere that we are very proud of at Albany Creek. As an Independent Public School, we also have a strong and long-standing School Council who work with Administration to support the strategic direction of the school. The school community is proud of its grounds and has strived to develop an inviting atmosphere as well as an environmental conscience in the students. The school operates a permaculture garden at the rear of the school and students have proudly placed well in local garden competitions. It is part of school policy to keep parents well-informed and interested in the school community. We believe that where parents, teachers and school organisations co-operate fully, the child benefits considerably. A weekly electronic newsletter, Twitter, Q Schools, Q Parents and a Facebook page run by the P and C, all help to keep you informed. Our staff work tirelessly to improve their own professional learning to enable all students to succeed and be the very best they can be. It is our hope that this information will help to consolidate the already high level of parental involvement and interest at our school. Members of the Administration team are always available to elaborate on any issues relevant to the school. As Principal, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our school community and to extend to you an open invitation to learn more about school either through the pages of this handbook, our school website or in person. Our friendly office staff are here to help you. We believe that our school is what we make it and we look forward to having you as part of our wonderful community. Your involvement is valued and welcome. Maria Berriman Principal 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS SCHOOL DIRECTORY 2 VALUES AND BELIEFS STATEMENT 9 Values Intellectual Social Emotional Physical Beliefs COMPULSORY EDUCATION ATTENDANCE 10 Term Dates 2022 DAILY SCHOOL ROUTINE 10 Time of Arrival Bell Times BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT STATEMENT 11 Student Code of Conduct Parent Responsibility STAFFING 12 CLASS SIZES 13 SCHOOL UNIFORM SHOP 14 SCHOOL UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS 14 PREPARATORY YEAR UNIFORM GIRLS' UNIFORM (Years 1 to 6) BOYS' UNIFORM (Years 1 to 6) WINTER UNIFORM OTHER ITEMS SPORTS UNIFORM House Names and Colours UNIFORM PRICE LIST QPARENTS 20 The benefits of QParents BPoint ONLINE PAYMENTS 21 5 OneSchool STUDENT RECORD SYSTEM 22 ABSENCES 22 CONTACT WITH CHILDREN AT SCHOOL 22 TELEPHONE MESSAGES AND APPOINTMENTS 22 STUDENT TRANSFERS TO ANOTHER SCHOOL 23 STUDENT ACADEMIC REPORTS 23 CURRICULUM 24 Pedagogical Framework Homework Information Communication Technologies (ICT) iLearn Bring Your Own iPad Program SharePoint RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION (Years 1 to 6) 26 BOOK LIST AND STATIONERY REQUIRMENTS (Prep to Year 6) 27 STUDENT RESOURCE SCHEME 27 CURRICULUM ACTIVITY BOOKS (Prep to Year 6) 27 SCHOOL COMMUNICATION Newsletter Twitter Facebook QSchools SUN SAFETY 29 SCHOOL SPORTS 29 Athletics Carnival Swimming Carnival Gala Days PERFORMING ARTS 30 School Choir and Recorder Band Uniform Instrumental Music Program (IMP) Instrumental Music Student Resource Scheme Performances, Camps and Tours Instrumental Music Performance Uniform 6 LIBRARY RESOURCE CENTRE 33 Annual Activities Borrowing Queensland State School’s eBook Library Lunch-time Activities Moreton Bay Region Libraries - Albany Creek SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES 34 Junior Assembly Whole School Assembly Special Assemblies EDUCATIONAL TOURS, CAMPS AND PERFORMANCES 35 Apex Sunshine Coast for students in Year 4 Gold Coast Recreation Centre for students in Year 5 and Tangalooma for students in Year 6 SPEAKING COMPETITION (Years 4 to 6) 35 SCHOOL TUCKSHOP 36 Flexischools ENVIRONMENT 37 PERMACULTURE GARDEN 37 LOST PROPERTY 37 MOBILE PHONE POLICY 37 ADDITIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE 38 Guidance Services Speech Pathology Services Chaplain Defence School Mentor (DSM) Dental Clinic BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE - YMCA 39 SCHOOL BANKING 39 BUS SERVICES 40 Thompson Bus Services Brisbane Bus Lines Brisbane City Council – Bus Route 338 7 ACCIDENTS AT SCHOOL 41 MEDICATION TO STUDENTS 41 ILLNESS 42 Contagious Diseases Infectious Diseases Head Lice EXCLUSION PERIODS FOR INFECTIOUS CONDITIONS 43 PARENTS & CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION (P & C) 45 P & C Building Fund ROAD SAFETY PROCEDURES 47 SUPERVISED SCHOOL CROSSINGS 47 Procedures at a Supervised Crossing Children on Bicycles No Standing Areas MOVEMENT BETWEEN HOME & SCHOOL 47 PARKING & TRAFFIC 48 DANGEROUS PRACTICES THAT CAUSE CONCERN 48 COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS 49 8 VALUES AND BELIEFS STATEMENT Values As a school community, we will endeavour to promote a variety of intellectual, social, emotional and physical values. Intellectual ▪ To cater for individual needs to afford