KENDALL PUBLIC SCHOOL
 

Parents' Guide

 

Bell times

8.30 (no bell) Children may arrive at school
8.55 Classes begin
10.55 Recess
11.20 Classes resume
12.50 Lunch
1.40 Classes resume
2.55 School day ends
2:55 – 3:10 Buses depart

Reporting to parents

Progress reports are sent home at the end of terms two and four. Parents may make times for an appointment with their child’s teachers at any time throughout the year, to discuss progress or any concerns in more detail. Merit certificates are sent home at the end of each term to children who have displayed excellent behaviour and attitude throughout the term.

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Communication between school and home

A weekly School Newsletter is issued by the Principal and sent home each Friday with the youngest child in the family. Teachers may send out specific notes concerning events, functions and sporting events from time to time. Permission notes are often needed to be returned for special activities or activities outside the school grounds. If money is needed an envelope is usually provided. If not, please place it in an envelope marked with student's name, class and reason eg. “Visiting Performer”.

Teachers really appreciate parents sending in notes about any special requirements or requests. If an urgent matter arises feel free to phone the school but remember if a teacher is on class or playground duty they are unable to take telephone calls. Teachers have timetabled release periods during the week when they may be available for interviews.

Parents are asked, if their child is absent, to return a note with an explanation for the absence as soon as possible. As our roll records are computerised any unexplained absences will be notified in writing after 10 days. Partial absences must also be explained with a note, Often children need not miss a whole day eg. for a dental appointment. Parents are asked to plan holidays for school vacation periods.

If a child is sick or injured during the day parents will be notified by phone whenever possible. Trained first aid staff members are available to assist students and students can rest in the clinic or in the office area. If a child is taken home early because of sickness parents must notify the class teacher and sign the ‘Early Leave/Late Arrival’ book.

Similarly if a child is picked up early then the teacher must be told and the ‘Early Leave/Late Arrival’ book signed.

If a child needs urgent medical or hospital treatment and parents or emergency contact cannot be contacted then the school will act in the best interest of the child. All school students are covered for ambulance in an emergency.

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Playground supervision

The school promotes a safe and happy policy through the implementation of a firm but fair Discipline Policy. A copy of the Discipline Policy is enclosed. A teacher roster ensures that students are at all times well supervised in the playground. If a student needs assistance and is unable to find the duty teacher they are to report immediately to the staffroom. Any type of violent behaviour by students is dealt with in a serious manner. Teachers are on duty from 8.30am in the morning. Students should not arrive at school before this time.

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Change of address, phone, emergency contacts

Please let the office know immediately of any changes as in an emergency your child’s welfare may depend on prompt contact by the school.

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General School Contributions

Primary General School Contribution is $35.00 for the first student and $30.00 for the second and $25.00 for every other child per year (used for purchase of duplicating paper, exercise books, library books, sports equipment, etc.)

Payments may be made at the office or sent to your child’s teacher.

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Transport

Bicycles must not be ridden in the school grounds. They should be left in the bicycle area. Helmets, by law, must be worn. Bike riders are advised to leave promptly at 2:55pm to avoid the busiest bus departure time.

Students transported to school by parents must be dropped and picked up from the gate.

Application forms for bus passes and private conveyance subsidy, are available from the school office.

All infants children are entitled to a bus pass, however primary students to be eligible for a bus pass must reside:

  • More than 1.6 km from the school, (radial distance), measured from the centre of the school.
  • More than 2.3 km by the most direct, practicable walking route to the nearest school gate.

Ineligible students may still travel on the bus providing the appropriate fare is paid. If, for any reason a child needs to travel on a different bus a note from parents is required.

NB: Acceptable standards of behaviour on the bus are required as the bus company reserves the right to cancel any child’s bus pass if the need arises. Safe travel for all students is essential.

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Student assistance scheme

Limited funds are available through the school for parents experiencing financial hardship in relation to meeting school costs or requirements. Application forms are available from the office and enquiries are handled confidentially and discreetly.

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Canteen

Our canteen provides a fantastic service to students. The canteen operates on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Students should leave recess and lunch orders in the containers outside the library before 9:00am each day. Orders are sent up to students. At lunch time students are able to make additional purchases. A healthy and nutritious selection of foods and drinks are available. Menus are distributed early in the new school year and additional copies are available from the canteen. Our co-ordinator is always looking for extra voluntary helpers. Maybe you can spare some time. Complete the return note early in the new school year or contact the co-ordinator Kaye Hiltunen. All profits return to the school.

We suggest that younger children do not make additional purchases on the same day as they order their lunch. We often discover half eaten lunches because they are anxious to buy their treats – hence money and food are wasted.

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School banking

Deposits by students into their Commonwealth accounts can be made each Friday. Hand in bank books to class teachers.

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Parent involvement

Parents are valued partners in the learning process. Your involvement and assistance in school activities is valued. Many special events and occasions occur on a regular basis and parents are encouraged to come along.

Class teachers involve parents as tutors and classroom helpers. Parents can assist with many activities such as listening to students read, craft helpers, computer publishing and in sporting activities. Teachers normally send out requests but speak to your child’s teacher if you feel you’d like to be involved. The tutor co-ordinator can provide details of formal parent training courses to assist with Literacy – PALS and TTALL.

Parents are asked to obtain forms from the office to apply for security clearance before commencing voluntary duties at school. This is a standard procedure, set down by the NSW Department of School Education, which must be followed.

Canteen helpers, as already mentioned, really are appreciated.

Assemblies are held regularly, please see your weekly newsletter for more details. Students present items and each class takes turns to host the assembly. Merit awards are given at each assembly.

Formal organisations where parents can have input are:

Kendall Parents and Citizens Association – meets at 6.45pm on the first Monday of each month.
Parents and citizens may join the P & C Association.

The P & C assists the Primary School with fundraising, catering for events and Bookclub. Bookclub is sent home regularly for students to purchase good value and quality reading material.


Elected parents, community members, and staff meet with the Principal and form the School Council. The Council is concerned with the overall governance of the school rather than day to day management which remains the domain of the Principal. Parents may ask the parent representative to take their ideas or concerns to the Council to be discussed.

Parents are invited to join curriculum and project teams. This gives parents the opportunity to participate in decision making regarding the formulation and implementation of school plans.

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Homework

Homework is set by the teachers and information about expectations is available from them. Kindergarten students are not expected to complete formal homework but parents are asked to set aside times for shared reading at home. This may be reading to or with your child. As the child becomes a more independent reader he/she should practise regularly at home.

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Money and valuables

Students are advised not to bring valuable items to school eg. Gameboys, Walkmans. Canteen pocket money should be kept on the person, never left in bags, pencil cases or coat pockets. Amounts being brought in for payments etc should be handed to the teachers first thing in the morning. Large amounts eg. payments for excursions or school fees can be made at the office.

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Library

Students are encouraged to borrow from the library at special class times each week. As well they can visit the library at lunch times to borrow books, read quietly, use computer equipment or complete research or special projects. The Library is a terrific resource in our school and parents are invited to take a look and see the wealth of material it provides. Parents are asked to provide library bags for students, Kindergarten up to Year 4, to use when they borrow books.

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Uniform and uniform policy

The school uniform can be purchased at the school. Uniform buying times are as follows: Thursdays 8.30am - 9.30am and 1.30pm - 2.30pm, Fridays 8am-9.30am.  If these times do not suit you and you would like to buy uniforms out of school times, ring the office on 6559 0040 to make alternative arrangements.

The School Council and P&C vote that the wearing of uniform at Kendall Public School is compulsory.

Uniform For Boys and Girls (unless otherwise stated):

Summer

Shirt Light blue polo shirt with navy and white stripe, navy collar with twin white stripes, embroidered school crest
Shorts Plain navy – knee length
Socks Plain navy
Hat Plain navy (no emblem), wide brim style only
Shoes Black leather shoe or riding boot OR joggers (navy and white, navy/light blue and white)
OPTIONAL GIRLS - Skirt – plain navy with box pleat in front and back with partial elastic waist

Winter

Pants Plain navy fleecy trackpants or taslon pants
Sloppy joe Navy with embroidered emblem OR plain navy round neck with sew-on emblem (emblem available from school)
Windcheater Two tone blue with emblem
Shirt Summer polo shirt (see above) OR light blue skivvy
Socks Plain navy
Shoes As for Summer (see above)
Hat As for Summer (see above) OR plain navy beanie (no logos)
OPTIONAL GIRLS - navy blue skirt (described above)
OPTIONAL GIRLS - navy blue tights (to be worn with skirt)

Sports uniform

Shirt Polo shirt as described above
Shorts Plain navy, mid length
Socks Plain navy
Hat Plain navy (no emblem), wide brim style only
Shoes Joggers as described above
OPTIONAL GIRLS – plain navy, pleated skirt

Specific exclusions

There is to be NO wearing of:

  • Surf hats, caps
  • Sandals or open toe footwear
  • Jewellery (except studs or sleepers)
  • Bike pants or tight shorts
  • Singlet tops

SCHOOL POLO SHIRTS, WINDCHEATERS, SKIRTS, TRACKPANTS AND SLOPPY JOES (with embroidered emblem) are available from the school office.

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Health

General communicable diseases - Minimum periods of exclusion from school.

Chicken Pox

Exclude until fully recovered. Minimum exclusion – 5 days after first spots appear.

Diptheria

Re-admit on production of a medical certificate of recovery and following at least 2 negative nose and throat swabs, the first not less than 24 hours after cessation of anti-microbial therapy and the other 48 hours later. Notify Regional Director of Health.

Encephalitis

Exclude until fully recovered.

German Measles

Exclude until fully recovered. Maximum exclusion necessary until 6 days after rash appears. (Female staff should check their own immune status.

Streptococcal

Exclude until fully recovered, or until a medical recovery is produced. (Streptococcal includes Scarlet Fever)

Tuberculosis

Notify Regional Director of Health. Re-admit on production of a medical certificate from appropriate health authority that the child is not considered to be infectious.

Typhoid

Notify Regional Director of Health. Re-admit after a medical certificate of freedom from infection is produced following 3 negative faecal and urine cultures taken at least 24 hours apart, commencing at least 72 hours after cessation of specific therapy. Public Health officer may exclude any contacts.

Whooping Cough

If the child has not received any anti-biotic treatment then the child should be kept away from school for 3 weeks from the onset of the ‘whoop’. If appropriate treatment is given (oral erythromycin), the child only needs to be kept away from school for 5 days from the start of erythromycin therapy. Keep the child from close contact with young children who are not immunised against whooping cough.

Hepatitis (typeA)

Exclude until subsidence of symptoms or until receipt of a medical certificate of recovery. Minimum exclusion – 7 days from onset of jaundice. Contacts are recommended to have protective injections.

Hepatitis (typeB)

Exclude until production of a medical certificate of recovery. No exclusion for carriers of virus.

Leprosy

Re-admit on production of a medical certificate from an appropriate health authority. Notify Regional Director of Health.

Glandular Fever

Not necessary to exclude from school from point of view of infection. Some children with Glandular Fever are too sick to attend school.

Measles

Minimum exclusion is 5 days from appearance of rash. Notify Regional Director of Health in case of outbreak. Vaccine preventable. It is recommended that all children be immunised at 15 months. Data available suggests that if a child has neither been vaccinated nor had measles previously, vaccination within 3 days of exposure may provide protection.

Meningococcal

Re-admit on production of a medical certificate of recovery. Notify Regional Director of Health. Exclude until appropriate medication for at least 48 hours.

Mumps

Exclude till fully recovered. Minimum exclusion – 1 week after the appearance of swelling. Vaccine preventable. It is recommended that all children be immunised at 15 months.

Poliomyelitis

Exclude until fully recovered. Notify Regional Director of Health. A public health officer should investigate contacts immediately. Booster immunisation may be necessary.

Ringworm/Scabies

Re-admit when appropriate treatment has commenced, supported when requested by a medical certificate. Class contacts should be inspected for signs of scabies or ringworm.

Headlice

Re-admit when treatment with anti-lice lotion or shampoo has been undertaken. Hair should be free from ‘nits’. Sibling contacts may require simultaneous treatment.

Conjunctivitis

Re-admit when discharge from eyes has ceased. (Acute infections)

Impetigo

Exclude until all sores have healed. The child may be allowed to return provided that treatment is being applied and that sores on exposed surfaces are properly covered with dressings.

FAQ

This list does not include all communicable diseases or infestations for which exclusion periods may be recommended from time to time. For further information, contact the Regional Office of the Health Commission.

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