Handbook for Charnwood-Dunlop School

Welcome

Our School Handbook has been written to provide you with some helpful information about Charnwood-Dunlop School. Education is a partnership, we welcome and value your involvement in our school.

Please feel free to contact the school at anytime.

Peter Ross

Principal

THE SCHOOL BOARD

The school board is responsible for the governance of the school. It implements departmental policies, oversees curriculum development and is responsible for the financial management of the school.

The School Board comprises of five elected members, three from the school community and two from the staff. The Principal is the Executive Officer of the Board.

The principal and staff are responsible for the daily functions of the School, implementing policies established by the Board.

SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

Charnwood-Dunlop School is a quality school that aspires to meet the future needs of all students attending the school. The school provides a safe, happy and productive academic environment, whilst developing the interpersonal skills to help them become adjusted, healthy and worthwhile citizens.

One of the reasons for our success is the excellent staff. A stable and well-qualified staff committed to the learning and well being of students is one of our major assets.

Our school provides -

a strong focus on the development of literacy and numeracy skills.
‘Smart Board’ technology in every teaching area – we are leaders in this field
a modern computer laboratory includes CD-Roms and access to the Internet.
programs in physical education and involvement in many sporting areas.
all classes have a special gym program conducted by a qualified instructor
SRC involving the children in the school’s governance.
a buddy system whereby older children foster Kindergarten students on the playground.
Fun Music with Lynne Pilbrow for all classes and we have a school choir
training of Year 6 students to exercise conflict resolution skills in the playground (Mediators Program).
a firm, caring and consistent Human Relations Policy which stresses positive human interactions using the principles of Restorative Justice
Opportunities for parents to contribute to our school by: assisting with making teaching aids; mounting displays; checking games, kits and puzzles; repairing equipment; teaching craft skills; coaching and helping to organise rostered sport; athletics and learn-to-swim sessions; helping with excursions; repairing, covering books and working on committees such as Uniform, Canteen, Fundraising etc.

KEY LEARNING AREAS

Our curriculum is guided by our beliefs about how children best learn, by good teaching practices and procedures and by departmental documents. Our collective knowledge and data on our students, guide us when applying these documents in our programming.

We value literacy as the fundamental element of achievement in all key learning areas. In every key learning area there are almost infinite opportunities for children to learn language, learn about language and use language to learn. We teach using an integrated curriculum because this gives us meaningful contexts to teach the necessary skills, knowledge and processes across all learning areas.

When the curriculum has an integrated focus, students are able to achieve the outcomes from several different learning areas through the teacher's carefully planned learning activities. Those outcomes that are not pertinent to the current integrated focus are covered in dedicated teaching time. This way we ensure the students are always receiving a balanced program.

ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING

A comprehensive and common structure for assessing and reporting on the progress of students has been established in a set of outcomes for each of the seven Key Learning Areas. In keeping with the spirit of the Profiles our school has a variety of assessment strategies such as observation, student work and workbooks, specific tests and standardised tests. These strategies are based on the outcome indicators which describe the personal learning progress of students, not according to their age or grade, but as they make learning achievements as individuals.

Reporting to parents occurs on a regular basis. This is achieved through interviews, written reports and learning journeys.

STUDENT FACILITIES

Charnwood-Dunlop School Resource Centre (Library):The Resource Centre is fully automated and has an extensive collection of both non-fiction and fiction items to cater for children's information and recreation needs. Independent use of the Centre is actively promoted with children being able to access resources. The use of library bags is encouraged to prolong the life of valuable books. All classes have a regular borrowing session.

The Computer Lab: To complement the ‘Smart Boards’ the school has a variety of computers for staff and student use. We have a networked computer lab as well as 'stand alone' computers in all classrooms. Staff and students are familiar with and utilise the Internet. Parents are encouraged to assist in the Computer Labs, offering parents the opportunity to increase their own technology skills.

Canteen: The Canteen operates Wednesday-Friday from 9.30am and relies on voluntary help from parents. Help from parents is sought. Every effort is made to ensure that the children are offered a nutritious selection of food at a reasonable price. A price list is sent home periodically with the children and reports from the Canteen are published in the Newsletter. The Canteen's telephone number is 65286528

SCHOOL ORGANISATION

School hours: The hours of operation are: -

09.00am - 11.00am Teaching session

11.00am - 11.25am Recess

11.30am - 12.50pm Teaching session

12.50pm - 01.00pm Supervised eating of lunch

01.00pm - 01.45pm Lunchtime

01.45pm - 03.00pm Teaching session

Students should not arrive at school before 8.50 am as there is no staff supervision.

Kindergarten students attend school from 9.00am to 1.00pm for the first day then 9.00am to 3.00pm. The school recognises that some kindergarten children will find the transition from preschool to the larger school difficult and we are happy to work with you to ensure this is a stress free time for both of you.

Absences: If a child is absent from school, parents are requested to inform the school of the reason for that absence in writing. Should a child need to leave the school during the school day, a signed note is required. This requirement includes children who go home for lunch occasionally. Those children who regularly go home for lunch need bring only one note per term.

The school is not permitted to allow any person, other than a child's parents, to remove a child from the custody of the school unless prior written notice has been given. If there are any legal restraining orders or change of legal custody, the school must have a copy of these documents. All absence, permission or similar notes should be addressed to the child's teacher.

Leaving school grounds during the school day: No child may leave the grounds without permission from the principal or other staff member, OR prior written permission from parents, countersigned by a staff member.

Any parent wishing to take a child out of the school during school hours is requested to call first at the Front Office to sign the child out in a special signing-out book.

Visiting the school: For security as well as social reasons, we ask that ALL people visiting the school for whatever reason, inform the school Front Office staff on their arrival in the school building.

Volunteers: All volunteers need to complete a Volunteer Nomination Form. This form is available from the front office. A daily sign-in form, including the date, start and finish times and the tasks being undertaken is located at the front office and must be completed at

the time of each visit.

Lost Property: All articles taken to school by children, and especially all outer clothing, should be clearly labelled with the child's name. Parents should check such articles regularly to make sure the name is still legible.

The school maintains lost property in the GP Area near the Canteen, where parents and children may reclaim lost items. All reasonable care is taken of found items, but it is the child's responsibility to look after their personal belongings.

Money and valuables: Children should not bring more money to school than is necessary for the canteen. Should money be required for clubs, excursions or some other purpose, a note specifying the amount and purpose is sent home with the children concerned. Such money is collected daily at 9.00am. Parents are advised that it is unwise for children to bring to school valued or valuable items such as toys, cameras, mobile phones, radios and jewellery. Adequate security for such items may not be possible.

School Newsletter: The school Newsletter is published every Public Service payday. The contents of the Newsletter include school/area events, canteen news, meetings, community news and feature articles. If you would like to make a contribution to the Newsletter, please contact the Front Office on 62057322.

Generally, school notices and newsletters are sent home with the youngest child in each family.

Bicycle enclosure: Children may ride their bikes to school. We can not guarantee the safety of bikes left at school and bike security is the responsibility of the owner. All bicycles MUST be securely locked with a bike lock. For added security, a lockable bike enclosure is located near the Health Clinic. Care must be exercised when riding to and from school, including the wearing of a helmet.

Sports Houses:

Each child is allocated a place into one of the following Sports Houses for whole school sporting carnivals. It is preferable that children wear the following house colours for these events.

Our ‘Houses’ are:

Homeleigh: - Blue

Parkwood: - Yellow

Woodgrove: - Red

SCHOOL UNIFORM

The wearing of school uniform helps students develop pride in their school. Parents are encouraged to provide school uniform (or colour-coded clothes) for their children. The school uniform allows the children to be quickly identified as being part of our school. This is particularly important on excursions. It also identifies those people who should not be within the school boundaries.

Uniform details are as follows:

Hats: Legionnaire or pixie or bucket

Girls: Summer: Green and white check dress

bottle-green or black pleated skirt with white or

green polo T-shirt

Black shorts with white or green polo T-shirt

Winter: Bottle green sweatshirt

Black or bottle green track pants or black pants

Boys: Summer: Black shorts

Bottle green or white polo or T-shirt

Winter: Bottle green sweatshirt

Black or bottle green track pants

Our colour code is green, black and white.

Uniforms can be bought through Braggs at Latham.

Closed shoes should be worn at all times.

Wearing of thongs to school is not permitted except in special circumstances.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Charnwood-Dunlop Primary encourages relationships with the community to establish an understanding, supportive climate. Parents are a child's first teachers. They continue to be the most significant contributors to their children's growth and development, and therefore it is important that they be involved when their children begin formal schooling. The parent/teacher team can then enhance children's education and growth.

Our school has many advantages because of our community involvement. The open, friendly partnership between parents and teachers is reflected in the responsible behaviour, security and motivation shown by our students. If you would like to help but feel you don't have the necessary skills, don't worry - we can help you!

Our needs are endless. Here are just a few suggestions:

Parents' and Citizens' Association: An incorporated body primarily concerned with fostering community co-operation and involvement in the School. The association meets monthly.
Language: Hearing children read; story-telling; reading and spelling; talking with children; editing and conferencing students' written work; mentoring a child with specific needs; a reading program for the emergent readers. There is a special parent meeting room where these activities are coordinated
Queanbeyan Reading Scheme (training given)
Craft/Art in the classrooms
Library, helping to cover books, repairing books etc
Canteen helpers are always welcome

STUDENT HEALTH

A Maternal and Child Health Clinic (MACH), located next to the school building, operates each Tuesday between 10am and 1pm. The services offered by the clinic are freely available to all members of the northside community, by appointment only. The clinic provides information, assessment/screening, advice and referral for child health related issues. For appointment, '62051828

Communicable Diseases

The ACT Public Health (Infectious and Notifiable Diseases) Regulations require children with infectious diseases and children who have been in contact with an infectious disease to be excluded from school for the periods stipulated in the following table.

If a parent believes that their child has an infectious disease listed in the following table, or has been in contact with an infectious disease for which there is an exclusion period for contacts, they should inform the school principal.

Disease Exclusion of cases Exclusion of contacts

Chicken Pox (Varicella and Herpes Zoster)	Exclude until recovered or for at least 5 days after the eruption first appears.	Any child with an immune deficiency(for example leukaemia or receiving chemotherapy) should be excluded for their own protection.
Conjunctivitis (Acute infectious)	Exclude until discharge from eyes ceases	Not excluded
Diarrhoea (Rotavirus, Shigella, Giardia,Salmonella, Campylobacter)	Exclude until diarrhoea ceases	Not excluded
Diptheria	Exclude until (a) at least 2 negative throat swabs have been taken and (b) a certificate is furnished by a Medical Practitioner stating that the person is no longer infectious	Exclude family and household contacts until approval to return has been given by the Medical Officer of Health
Hepatitis A	Exclude for at least 7 days after the onset of jaundice and a certificate is furnished by a medical practitioner stating that the person is no longer infectious	Not excluded