|
It is the purpose
of this school that each student should
reach
their full potential.
SCHOOL PLEDGE
I EXPECT TO PASS THROUGH THIS WORLD BUT ONCE
ANYTHING THEREFORE, I CAN DO
TO HELP ANOTHER PERSON
LET ME DO IT NOW
LET ME NOT DEFER IT NOR NEGLECT IT
FOR I SHALL NOT
PASS THIS WAY AGAIN
A Brief School
History
Inverell’s first school was
started in August 1862. The School
at this present site commenced in 1885.
For many years the school was an Intermediate
High School until in 1936 the Inverell High School was built and students
in secondary years attended it. This
school then became the Inverell
Public School.
The school colours are Red
and White. The Swan, a bird associated with Inverell from its inception, is
incorporated into the school’s badge.
The school’s sporting
houses, Butler
and Sweaney, are each named after respected and well known identities in
the town.
The old brick building is
one of the oldest school buildings in the North-West Region. It was built in 1887. Its construction, typical of buildings of
that era still makes for very comfortable conditions for learning. The newer red brick buildings were built
in the early 1970’s and the wooden buildings are some of the very early
school buildings. The old octagonal
building (the ‘Igloo’) is the original Oslo lunch canteen. It is now sited in the playground.
1995 brought a
significant change to the school. A
new communal hall was constructed for multipurpose function use. The principal’s residence was redesigned
and facelifted to accommodate the administration staff and provide a new
staffroom. The old office area was
refurbished to make way for a new classroom. The library was extended and now provides
a tiered learning area, that is air-conditioned. The library now provides an ultra modern
learning area. The grounds were also
upgraded with a multi-use court, more trees, grassed play areas and play
equipment.
1997, 1999 and 2001 saw the
construction of shade areas and covered ways in the playground. These provide more shelter from rain and
sun for our students, as well as acting as a bus shelter for our bus
students each afternoon.
In 2002 the parent bodies
installed a modern kitchen facility in the multi-purpose unit (hall) to
enable increased use of the hall for out of school activities. Inverell Public School
has a proud history and a secure future.
________________________________________________
ACCIDENTS
Accidents
to school children are recorded in a register. Minor injuries (cuts, grazes, etc.) are
treated by a trained First Aid person.
All children are covered for travel to hospital by ambulance. Parents are notified by telephone if the
school is concerned about an illness or injury to the child.
ANNUAL PRESENTATION NIGHT
The School recognises the
scholastic, civic, cultural and sporting achievements of its students at
the annual Presentation Night held at the end of the school year in the
school hall.
Awards are given in stage 2
& 3 for academic achievement in Mathematics and English and class level
for outstanding attitude and application, outstanding work, improvement,
excellence in subjects and citizenship.
A number of major awards
relating to school life are presented to final year students in stage 3.
These include academic, cultural and civic awards and Dux of the school.
Sporting achievements during the school year are also recognised and awards
given to school champions, zone, regional and state representatives.
Parents, grandparents and
interested community members are invited to attend this special night in
the school year. Specially invited guests present the major awards to
pupils.
APPOINTMENTS WITH STAFF
When a parent wants to meet
with their child’s teacher to discuss their child’s progress, etc., an
appointment can be made by contacting the front office or seeing the
teacher before school, at lunchtime or after school.
Teachers are usually not
available during class time.
Appointments with the
Principal should be made through the front office. Phone Number 6722 3072 (during school office hours
8:30am - 3:30pm).
ASSEMBLIES
Each
Monday the Whole
School has a combined
assembly to begin the school week.
At this assembly the Principal, student leaders, teachers and other
students present reports.
Additionally:
I.
Awards are presented for effort and
citizenship.
II.
Students and/or classes present items
throughout the year.
A
number of special assemblies occur during the year which parents/guardians
are especially invited to attend.
Special
Assemblies include:
House
Captains’ Induction
Anzac Ceremony
Education Week Assembly
End of Year
Awards Assembly
Presentation
Night
Year 6 Public
Speaking
Aboriginal & Torres Strait
Island Week Assembly
ATTENDANCE
Legally
children are required to attend school each day the school is open. Class rolls are marked daily; morning and
afternoon. All absences, including
late arrivals or early departures are registered. A note or phone call is required for all
absences. The child should hand notes to the class teacher on his/her
return to school.
In
the best interests of the school, we request parents to keep sick and
recouperating children at home until they are well enough to be able to
participate in the normal lessons.
HOME
SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICER
An
officer of the Department of School Education has the responsibility of
checking the attendance of all children in the school at least once per
term. Home visits may occur if the
Home School Liaison Officer is not satisfied with a child’s attendance or
finds that parents have not provided a written or verbal explanation for a
child’s absence from school.
AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS
Awards are presented by
teachers to students for achievement.
These are presented in the form of cards, ribbons, certificates,
stamps, stickers, etc. either in class or at weekly assemblies.
Commendation plays an
important part in the school discipline and they are many and varied. Weekly awards, teachers’ special stamps,
visits to other classes and
teachers’ special comments
are some of the awards for individual, group and class achievements.
Gold, Silver and Bronze
Certificates are awarded at the end of each semester together with Half
Yearly progress reports. The
awarding of certificates will be determined each semester as follows,
taking into account both classroom and playground behaviour:
GOLD awarded if a student has had excellent behaviour
SILVER awarded if a
student has had pleasing behaviour
BRONZE awarded for students with
satisfactory / improved
behaviour.
_______________________________________________
BADGES
The metal School badges are
on sale at the Canteen for $3.00 (2002 price).
BICYCLES
Children who ride to school
are expected to know and obey all relevant road rules. Bicycle helmets MUST be
worn by law. Bicycles are to be
walked in the school playground.
Pupils dismount at the Wood
St entrance and walk bicycles to the bicycle
racks. It is recommended by the RTA
for safety reasons, that only children in Year 4 upwards ride bikes to
school.
BOOK CLUB
The School offers Book Club
facilities once a month to all children in the school. On the designated days, children are able
to order books of their choice through the Book Club. Payment for books must be made on the day
the books are ordered. Cheques are
to be made payable to Scholastic Australia Pty Ltd. A volunteer from the parent support
groups co-ordinates this program.
BOOKWORK
Children are expected to
maintain a high standard of neatness and to produce an acceptable
handwriting form/style in all their workbooks.
BUSES
All
children in Years K-2 (Infants) are eligible for free bus travel. If the pass is lost, a second pass has to
be paid for. Where a bus pass is
lost application has to be made to the bus depot. Children in Years 3-6 living more than
1.6 k.m. radius from the school are also eligible to apply for free bus
travel. Application forms are
available from the School Assistant’s Office. Special consideration will be made for
Year 3-6 pupils with medical conditions.
In
the morning, children arriving before 8.45am sit in the Infants
playground. A bell at 8.45 am
signals them to take their school bags to their classrooms before
commencing play.
Of
an afternoon children line up inside the school gate and under the shade
area and wait for the teacher on bus duty before moving onto the bus. All buses pick up and deliver students to
the bus zone in Henderson St.
_________________________________________________
CANTEEN
The School canteen provides
a daily service to children. It is
operated by a manageress (Mrs Wendy Kitching) with assistance from
voluntary helpers.
* Lunches are to be ordered before
9.20 a.m. Orders are written on a lunch bag supplied by
the students; or obtainable from the canteen.
* Students are to queue quietly at
the counter with only one pupil in each row at the counter at a time, the
remainder in single file.
* Each student is to buy only for
him/herself.
* Students are not to go to the
canteen during lesson time.
* At all times students are to be
polite to the parents serving behind the counter.
* Disrespectful
students are reported to the Assistant Principal.
If you can help as a voluntary worker in the canteen, please
contact the canteen manageress at school on 6722 3072.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS/PHONE
Please advise the School immediately
if there is a change of address/phone.
By doing this, our records
are kept up to date. This is important for emergency purposes.
CHOIR
All students participate in
the Infants or Primary choirs, performing at school assemblies, concerts
and special functions. Selected
groups also perform (singing, dancing and instrumental) at community
functions, eisteddfods and in our school production (each second year).
The emphasis is on
enjoyment and development of excellence and creativity in individual and
group performances.
CLOTHING
POOL
The P & C operates a
Clothing Pool each Friday morning from 8.45 to 9.30. Used school clothing is available for
sale and if you have any unwanted school clothing you might like to donate
or sell it through the Clothing Pool.
Please mark your item with name, phone number and price. For any enquires please contact the
School Assistants Office.
CODE OF BEHAVIOUR - Fair Discipline Code/Student Welfare Policy
The following principles are
considered basic to Fair Discipline
SCHOOLS SHOULD PROVIDE A
STABLE, SAFE AND ORDERLY
ENVIRONMENT WITHIN WHICH
STUDENTS LEARN EFFECTIVELY AND
BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY;
SCHOOLS SHOULD PROMOTE
NATIONAL PRIDE AND INSPIRE
IN STUDENTS A SENSE OF
COMMON PURPOSE;
PRINCIPALS SHOULD PROVIDE
STRONG AND EFFECTIVE
LEADERSHIP OF THE SCHOOL
STAFF, STUDENTS AND WIDER
COMMUNITY IN ESTABLISHING
AND MAINTAINING THE
HIGHEST TONE AND CLEAR
DIRECTION FOR THE SCHOOL;
SCHOOLS NEED TO CREATE AND
MAINTAIN POSITIVE
RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE
SCHOOL COMMUNITY;
STUDENTS SHOULD BE
ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP SELF
DISCIPLINE BY ACCEPTING
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN
BEHAVIOUR;
SCHOOLS SHOULD FOSTER IN
STUDENTS A FEELING OF BELONGING TO THE SCHOOL AND ITS COMMUNITY;
SCHOOL STAFF SHOULD CONTRIBUTE
WITH ENTHUSIASM TO
ESTABLISHING AND
MAINTAINING THE DESIRABLE TONE AND
DIRECTION OF THE SCHOOL;
SCHOOLS SHOULD INSIST ON
RESPONSIBLE STUDENT BEHAVIOUR AND DEVELOP PRACTICES WHICH PREVENT
IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR;
STUDENTS SHOULD BE
ENCOURAGED TO VALUE THE
PERSONAL DIGNITY AND
WORTH OF THEMSELVES AND OTHERS;
SCHOOLS
SHOULD PROMOTE IN STUDENTS A RESPECT FOR
THE
VALUES THAT UNDERPIN OUR SOCIETY AND ITS LAWS.
CHARITIES
The School supports Stewart
House, The Far West Childrens’ Home, Multiple Sclerosis Society (Readathon)
and the Bandaged Bear Appeal.
Stewart House: This is a teacher and student sponsored
school and support scheme on the beach at Dee Why. It is for children who for various reasons
(medical, emotional,
social) would benefit from a ‘holiday’ at the beach.
M.S.
Readathon: is a major school activity each year. It is based on reading as a form of fund
raising to support research into Multiple Sclerosis.
Other
fund raising activities vary from year to year.
COMMUNICATION
To
keep parents informed of school happenings, a school newsletter ‘School
Talk’ is published and distributed each Tuesday.
The
newsletter carries items about school news, P. & C. Association,
Infants Club and School Council news and what’s happening? When?
Where?
(A
calendar of events for your convenience).
Please contact the School
if you are concerned over any information that is not clear.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT/PARTICIPATION
Parents
and residents of Inverell are encouraged to become involved in the active
life of the school. Parent
Organisations are formed to assist in providing needed resources and
contribute to decision making in many of the facets of school life.
Social
occasions are also organised.
Teachers also invite parents to assist them in planned activities in
and around the classroom and on excursions.
(See
Parent Organisation and Parent Helpers)
COMPUTER EDUCATION
The School has a variety of
computers in classrooms, the library and the computer room. Computer
instruction is provided on weekly basis to all students by trained staff.
________________________________________________
DISCIPLINE
A
school community needs discipline in order to function effectively.
Discipline
provides direction. Children need
direction in order to become responsible.
Rules are necessary for the safety and well being of the people in
our school, for an orderly environment, to allow education to progress and
for efficiency of operation.
A
set of school rules exists for behaviour in the playground and common
indoor areas. Rules apply to
classrooms, varying according to the teaching style and
management
of the individual teacher.
Developing
responsibility in students training, lessens the need for handling many
discipline problems.
Discipline
as a result of students’ lack of responsibility includes special
restrictions, limitations of privileges, withdrawal from groups,
counselling, parent involvement, detention and suspension (severe behavioural problems only).
__________________________________________________
EMERGENCY/EVACUATIONS
Special
procedures exist should emergencies (e.g. fire, earthquake) occur in the
school. Children follow an
evacuation drill.
Practices
are held once or twice a year. The
main evacuation assembly area is the Arthur St end of the playground.
A
prolonged ringing of the bell signals an emergency and evacuation
procedures are brought into operation.
These
procedures are displayed in the classrooms, library, staff room and
offices.
ENROLLING AT SCHOOL
New
enrolments are made at the Front Office by the School Assistant.
EXCURSIONS
Each year excursions are planned
for students to supplement and consolidate work being covered in
lessons. The cost of excursions are
met by parents.
As at anytime, the highest
standard of behaviour is also expected during excursions.
Attendance on excursions is
a privilege that is earnt.
Year 5/6 - Even
years - Lake Ainsworth (5 days, 4 nights)
Term 4 Odd years - Canberra (5 days 4
nights)
Year
4 - Thalgarrah Field Study Centre -
involves an overnight stay.
K-6 -
Green Valley - end of year activity
Term 4
___________________________________________________
FIRST AID
The
School Assistant has a current First Aid Certificate and will attend to
simple needs, e.g. cuts and grazes.
However,
in cases requiring special medical attention, parents or a nominated
contact person is notified. In
serious cases, if neither parent can be contacted, the child will be taken
by ambulance to the Inverell
Hospital.
Free
ambulance cover is provided for each child by the P & C Association.
___________________________________________________
HOMEWORK
At
the beginning of the school year, each student in Years 2 to 6 will receive
a copy of the school’s homework policy.
It
is expected that each child will complete the homework set for each
week. The work should be neat in
presentation.
Homework
has the potential for further home-school partnership in the education of
the child.
It
is the school’s aim to encourage the development of the child’s
interest, knowledge and skills
through homework activities. These
activities are usually a consolidation of class work.
_________________________________________________
IMMUNISATION
All
new enrolments in Kindergarten require an immunisation certificate. The Department of Health requires
children who are not immunised to be sent home from school if an outbreak
of an infectious disease occurs.
Immunisation
certificates and information about immunisation are available from your
local doctor and the Community Health Centre.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE - CONTAGIOUS SKIN CONDITIONS
School brings children into
close contact with one another and diseases can spread rapidly. With certain diseases it is recommended
that children stay home from school.
If in doubt ask your doctor.
The
following is a summary of some diseases and how long children should be
excluded from school.
Disease Usual time
between Keep child from
infection
and illness school for:
Chicken
Pox 13-17 days For 5 days after
Spots appear
Conjunctivitis 24-72 hours Until full recovery,
seek medical aid
Diarrhoea Up to 72 hours Until full recovery
(Gastroenteritis)
Head Lice 7-14 days Until appropriate
(Pediculosis)
treatment has begun
Impetigo 4-14 days Consult doctor.
(School Sores) Sores
must be treated
and
covered
German Measles 14 to 21 days Until full recovery, or
(Rubella) at
least 4 days after
rash
appears
Glandular
Fever 4-6 weeks Unnecessary but
(Infectious
Mononucleosis)
child may be too sick.
Hepatitis A 15-50 days Until child recovers
(Infectious Hepatitis) (7 days from signs
of
jaundice)
Hepatitis B 6 weeks to 6 mths Unnecessary but
child
may be too sick.
HIV HIV antibody positive Unnecessary unless
usually
1-3 months secondary infection
Influenza 1-5 days 5 days after first
signs
Measles 7-18 days At least 4 days after
rash
appears
Meningitis 2-4 days Seek URGENT
medical
attention
Mumps 14-21 days 9 days after
appearance
Of swelling.
Ringworm 10-14 days Until treated
Seek
medical aid
Scabies days to weeks Until treated
Seek
medical aid
Whooping Cough 7-14 days 5-14 days on advice from doctor
_________________________________________________
KEY LEARNING AREAS
Six Key Learning Areas make
up the Primary School Curriculum.
These are
English (Reading,
Writing, Speaking and Listening)
Mathematics (Number, Space, Measurement)
Human Society and its Environment (Social Studies, Environmental Education)
Science and Technology
(Science and Computer Education)
Creative and Practical Arts
(Visual Arts, Craft, Music, Drama)
Health, Physical Education and Personal
Development (Fitness, Sport,
Health Studies, Personal Development)
___________________________________________________
LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS
Students who leave the
school grounds during school time (including children who go home for
lunch) are required to have a school pass authorising them to be out of the
school. Passes are available from
the front office.
LEAVING/TRANSFERING PROCEDURES
The School
should be notified in writing, by telephone or by personal representation
by the parent when it is known that a student is leaving the school.
All
library books and school readers must be returned.
LIBRARY
Our
modern library provides children with an abundant source of learning
materials in written, electronic and audio-visual forms.
The
borrowing system is computerised and all children are encouraged to bring
library bags to borrow books as part of their home reading program.
The
library also boasts a collection of non-fiction material to assist children
with their research endeavours, and senior children are provided with
access to the Internet via on-line computers.
Library
displays serve to inform children of special celebrations / weeks / days
and unique learning activities from various classrooms.
Recreational
use is encouraged each day before school and at lunch time. During these times living books and other
interactive programs are available on the computers, magazines are provided
for browsing and fiction reading is promoted in a relaxed, inviting
atmosphere.
Computers in the Library
enable students to undertake research for school projects.
___________________________________________________
MOVEMENT AROUND THE SCHOOL
At all times children are
required to move sensibly around the school.
WALK sensibly is the
general rule.
When moving from assembly
to classroom or classroom to classroom, children are to walk in an orderly
and quiet fashion.
School bags that are left
outside classrooms must be placed tidily against the wall. They are not to be left across or
blocking passageways.
_________________________________________________
NEWSLETTER
The School provides a
regular Newsletter ‘School Talk’ to all parents to keep them informed about
the week-to-week happenings. [See Communications]
_________________________________________________
ORGANISATION OF CLASSES
Only
increased enrolments which result in the appointment of an additional teacher
can alter the organisation of the classes once they have been formed at the
beginning of the school year.
Parents
should contact the principal should they wish to discuss the placement of
their child in classes.
ORIENTATION
KINDERGARTEN
Three
Kinder orientation afternoons are held late in Term 4. During these sessions the newcomers work
with a ‘buddy’ and are familiarised with school routine. There is also an information segment for
parents of children commencing kindergarten. All relevant information concerning
orientation afternoons, enrolment forms, etc. is available at all
pre-schools as well as the School Office.
YEAR 7 ORIENTATION
Year
6 students during term 4 participate in orientation programs to facilitate
their transition to Year 7. Parents
are also invited to participate in aspects of the program.
__________________________________________________
PAINTING (Art)
Teachers
expect children in their classes to have some form of painting smock or shirt
such as an old shirt. This is to
protect their school clothes.
School
paint can be removed from clothing without staining if a few simple rules
are followed.
Do not use detergent. Leave dried paint
to soak overnight then wash out with soap and water.
PARENT HELPERS
Several teachers in the
school seek help from interested and willing parents in activity lessons or
to assist children with reading.
Parents also help in many other ways at the school through
attendance at meetings and activities organised by the
P & C Association and
the Infants Club, at social functions, at fund-raising activities, at
assemblies and special occasions, at excursions and at working bees.
Those who help in any way
at school level are required to sign a special register to enable an
insurance cover to be provided in the event of an accident or injury.
[See also Canteen]
Additionally all parent
helpers are required to sign a declaration re child protection.
PARENT ORGANISATIONS
Parents and Citizen’s Association meets in the Staffroom on the
third Thursday of each month at 7.30 p.m.
The Canteen Committee is a sub-committee of the P & C and meets
as needed prior to P & C meeting at 7.00 p.m.
Infants Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month in the
Staffroom at 9.30 a.m. [pre-school children are welcome to come to the
meeting with their parents]
ASSPA - Aboriginal Student Support and Parent Awareness
Committee meet monthly as advertised.
School Council - (See
School Council)
The parent bodies make a
vital contribution to the success of the many academic, cultural, social
and sporting programs and special events, which take place in the
school. They help in the provision
of essential equipment from financial contributions raised by their various
activities.
Parents are encouraged to join one of these organisations and to
attend the meetings as well as supporting all the many and varied social
and fund-raising functions that are held through the year.
PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS
Parent/Teacher
Interviews are conducted following the parent’s receipt of their child’s
school reports in June each year.
Additionally
parents/guardians may make an appointment to see their child’s teacher to
discuss progress or concerns at a mutually convenient time during any week
of the year.
PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION
Minimal supervision is
provided by the School Staff for half an hour before lessons commence each
morning at 9:20 am. Pupils should arrive
at school after 8:50 am. The
teachers are also rostered to supervise children in the playground at
recess and lunch time.
Children who catch the bus
in the afternoon are also supervised by teachers.
Children are required to promptly
leave school grounds when lessons end for the day.
PHOTOGRAPHS
School photos are taken
each year in term 1. Class, group
and individual photographs are taken. Photos are pre-paid if parents want
their child’s photographs. A
pre-payment envelope is sent home prior to the photos being taken.
POLICE VISITS
The Police Lecture team
visit the school periodically to talk to children about Bus, Road and Water
Safety, Stranger Danger, Caring for Other People’s Property and the Role of
the Police Force in the Community.
__________________________________________________
RECEPTION
The reception area is in
the Administration Area. The School
Assistant will meet you and assist you with your enquires.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION/SCRIPTURE
Scripture lessons are held
on Tuesday mornings at the following times
11.20 - 11.50 K
- 2
11.50 - 12.20 3 -
4
12.20 - 12.55 | 
