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However, we may ask you to come up for a testing hour on either Thursday, 31^st January, Friday, 1^st February or on one of the first few Wednesday’s that there is no school.

On days preceeding term holidays, the school will close at 1.00 pm. unless otherwise advised.

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Teacher In-Service Days:

These days are usually set aside once per term and enable teachers to keep abreast of current trends in education and on such occasions notification of closure of the school will be given well in advance.

Supervision Duty:

Under normal circumstances children at this school are teacher supervised during the hours 8.35 am until 3.30 pm each day. Should a child be left at school before or after this time the prime responsibility for her / him is that of the parent/s. Children are not permitted into classrooms unless a teacher is present. Due to legal liability, school children / toddlers / pre-schoolers are not permitted to use the Adventure Playground equipment before or after school.

Punctuality:

Late arrivals interrupt our Literacy program, so we ask that ALL children arrive before the 8.50am. bell.

Attendance Rolls are taken at this time as a legal requirement. Your child will be marked LATE, if he/she is not present. Children who arrive after the 8.50am bell are required to go to the office for a Late Pass before going to his/her classroom.

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CURRICULUM

Information Nights

These evenings are held at intervals during the year, and are designed to give parents a greater awareness as to what is happening throughout the school. Staff may choose to organise these at Grade or Junior, Middle or Senior School Levels.

Special Nights are also set a side for Family Workshops and Parent Education with regard to Sacramental Preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. If you have a child in these classes you are expected to avail yourself of opportunities to understand the processes and work more closely with teachers in the shared responsibilities of faith development.

Library

All children will have access to a library lesson each week. It is most important that children develop a friendship with books and libraries. Our children are encouraged to read and borrow books from both the school and local libraries. Any lost or damaged books must be replaced. A library bag will be requested when children borrow books for home loan. Please label library bags clearly.

Physical Education

All children will receive physical education lessons throughout their primary school years. Children are asked to be dressed in their sports uniform on their designated day.

The senior children also participate in a sports program during the winter and summer months, plus participate in the district athletic and swimming championships.

Perceptual Motor Program

P.M.P., as it is commonly known, is a program of movement activity designed to operate for the first two years of formal schooling. It concentrates heavily on the development of perceptions and language through planned activities. Through P.M.P. it is hoped that the child will be better able to cope with his/her classroom work. At St. Damian’s there is a room permanently set up for P.M.P.

Special Education Programs

All children are different as you can well see, even within your family. The same applies to ability levels of children within the various grade levels. The children come to school from different pre-schools, family structures, and with experiences that shape who they are. We offer an excellent program in their Prep year. Some children are ready for it and blossom accordingly, some are not yet ready, and will need some assistance in Grade 1 and beyond. We have several programs that we run to enable all children to feel success.

Student Welfare Group

The Student Welfare Support Group has operated at St. Damian’s for a number of years. The group consists of a Co-ordinator and some classroom teachers, and also the Principal or Deputy Principal. The SWSG meets regularly to address concerns about students.

Staff confer with their colleagues to determine the best course of action to help the child.

The group may recommend that the child be referred to Catholic Education Office agencies for Speech Pathology/Educational Assessment/Behavioural Assessment. The Co-ordinator is responsible for ensuring that all necessary forms are signed by the parents, that files are kept up to date and the situation is monitored and reviewed as necessary.

Seasons

Several members of Staff have been trained as facilitators for this specialised program which aims to provide support for children who are in a grieving situation either as a result of the death of a parent / sibling or through marriage breakdown. Interested parents may contact the school for details if they would like their child / children to participate, when it is offered as a ten week program.

Reading Recovery

At the beginning of Grade 1, all children are tested with a series of Literacy tests, covering reading levels, sound knowledge, word knowledge etc. We use the data from these tests to plan our Grade 1 program. This year we are fortunate enough to have two Reading Recovery teachers Mrs Cordy-Howell and Mrs Cheryl Corfield. They will be taking individual children for half an hour each day, 5 days a week. The program usually lasts for approximately 20 weeks, by which time the children have developed their self-esteem and are reading independently.

Future Problem Solvers

This course is designed to cater for a band of our children, from all levels in the school who are deemed to be “gifted”. These children need special stimulation to ensure that they reach their full potential. The children are given a problem to solve. The problem is set in the future. The children then progress through problem solving stages guided by the teacher. The children will use their problem solving creativity and thinking skills. The children work in multi-aged co-operative groups as well as individually. Children on occasions may be required to continue research at home for the next session.

Mathematics

St. Damian’s became a Success in Numeracy Education (SINE) school in 2000 covering Prep to Grade 4. In 2001 this initiative was extended to include Grade 5 and 6. This program enables us, through Pre-Assessment and then extended Assessment Tasks, to identify children at risk and to design and direct class teaching to cater for student needs. The testing is individual and as such is very time consuming, but it provides us with valuable information on the children’s abilities and understandings. This will enable us to cater for the varying individual need of the child.

A Mathematics Intervention Program has been implemented where specialist/s offer a group withdrawal program for children with special needs in Mathematics.

Mathematics has changed its image over the past couple of years and will continue to do so with the assistance of this project. Mathematics lessons will now consist of oral counting throughout all levels, oral sharing time of new discoveries, etc and various activities in many forms to learn about the topic.

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ENTERING & LEAVING THE SCHOOL

Absences

Law requires us, to have a written note if your child is absent from school.

Tear off Slips/Notes of Absence are included in this booklet for your convenience. Further slips are available from our Internet site. Please do not phone the school unless it is a day your child is going on an excursion or your child will be absent for at least a week.

Children Leaving The School

Parents / Guardians of children leaving the school for any of the following reasons are required to fill out the appropriate form, samples of which are at the end of this booklet or send a letter stating your intention:

Lengthy absence eg. Overseas Trip - Intention to Travel Overseas Form

Transfer to another school - Exit Form

These forms must be completed and sent to the office at least one week before children leave the school or take extended holidays.

Copies of these forms can be obtained from the office or can be found on our Internet site.

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Visitors

All persons entering the school grounds during school hours are required to report to the Office first before proceeding to visit or work on the premises. They must sign the Visitor’s Book and will be issued with a badge to wear during the time they are in the School. This ruling, made for the safety and security of all personnel, especially children, also applies to parents delivering lunches, messages or other items to their respective child / children’s classroom. Whilst parents are always welcome, the school insists that you obey these safety rules.

Parking

Parents are encouraged to park in the shopping centre car park at all times and use the school crossing to and from school.

Due to the safety of the children, parents are not allowed to drive into the school grounds between 8.15 am and 3.30 pm on school days.

Kiss And Drop

The School has a round-a-bout “Kiss and Drop” area. Entrance to this is from the Joseph Street entrance and is manned by staff from 8.30am – 8.50am.

School Crossings

There are several school crossings manned by Traffic Wardens for the use of the children at St. Damian’s.

1] Settlement Road outside of school

2] Intersection of Settlement Road and Plenty Road

3] Bundoora Shopping Square

4] Intersection of Plenty Road and Grimshaw Street

5] Brownhill Street

We ask your assistance in educating your children to use these facilities properly. They must look both ways, obey the Traffic Warden and walk between the two long white lines. Care must be taken to observe parking and safety rules in Joseph and Arthur Street. Children should not be allowed to cross to parked cars where traffic is congested. Parking Officers and Police are often in attendance and offenders will be prosecuted.

Arriving And Leaving School

For the safety of the children, it is extremely important that the following guidelines are adhered to, when arriving or leaving the school grounds.

Please Note: Due to the safety of the children, no cars are allowed to drive into and out of the school grounds during the following times: 8.30 - 9.00am; 10.55 - 11.30am, 1.25 – 2.10pm and 3.00 – 3.30pm on school days. The school gates will be closed and chains put in place at these times.

Students and parents using Settlement Road: use entrance nearest the oval and walk through the middle netball court . NO ONE is to proceed out the double gates.

The main driveway and the bottom netball court must not be used for parking.

Bicycles, Scooters & Skate Boards

Bicycles are not permitted to be ridden in the school grounds. Children who ride to and from school must walk their bicycle in / out of the playground. Each child is responsible for locking her / his bicycle to the rack. Those who ride bicycles to school are required by law to wear a protective helmet.

Scooters and Skate boards will not be permitted at school as they have proved to be a problem with safety issues and also finding room to house them.

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COMMUNICATING WITH THE SCHOOL

Staff Meetings

Level meetings are held out of school hours on Monday night and Staff meetings are held on Wednesday night every week to allow the teachers time to get together to plan and discuss matters which will ensure the smooth, efficient and well co-ordinated operation of the school. Parents should understand that teachers are not available at these times.

Change Of Address / Phone Number

It is especially important that the class teacher / school office staff are notified immediately in writing of any change of address or phone number. In an event of an emergency, current information is extremely vital.

Phone Messages

We ask that phone messages regarding lunches, absence, etc. be limited to absolute emergency circumstances only.

Permission Notes

During the course of the year, children are taken on excursions to places of interest to help make their learning experiences more practical and meaningful. Parents will be notified of all excursions beforehand and will be asked to fill in a permission form. No child is permitted to go on an outing without the written authorisation of a parent. Legal liability allows no flexibility in this matter.

Custody Orders

In the case of families where parents are separated or divorced, a copy of any custody or court order must be given to the Principal. In the absence of such documentation, the school has no power in denying access to either parent.

Special Circumstances

Should circumstances arise which may affect your child / children’s learning situation, eg. Family illness / death / loss of employment / separation, etc., we would appreciate your notifying the relevant classroom teacher(s) and Administration, so that appropriate action can be taken to ensure your child / children’s needs are adequately met.

Reports And Interviews

Written reports on your child’s progress will be issued in June and December. Specially arranged individual Parent-Teacher interviews will be held during February and again mid-year. If however, you have any problems or queries at any other times, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher to arrange a convenient date and time to discuss the matter.

School Newsletter

A Newsletter is produced and sent home every Thursday with the eldest child of each family. The newsletter is an invaluable source of information about what is happening in the school and its community.

If your child is absent on a Thursday and misses a newsletter, please ensure you obtain your copy from the classroom teacher.

A copy can also be found on our web and intranet sites.

Web Site address: www.stdamian.melb.catholic.edu.au

Intranet address: see your child’s teacher for password and address.

Office Bin

Any notices etc being returned to school are done via your child. Notices are placed in the Office Bin, which is sent to the office first thing each day. Notices to parents are distributed in the afternoon the same way.

Toys

We urge parents to discourage children from bringing electronic games and expensive items as no responsibility will be taken if they are lost, stolen or damaged.

If teachers make specific requests for things to be brought at certain times, you will be duly notified in writing.

Parent Community

Parents are able to contribute to the school by -

1. Recognising the importance of the role they play in the Christian education of their children,

2. Supporting and fostering the aims of the school,

3. Feeling free to become actively involved in the school community,

4. Endeavouring to reflect the ideals of the Gospel.

Parent Participation

It is and always has been our policy to involve parents as much as we can in the life of our school. We need your practical support in so many activities these days as we face financial and staff cuts. Some programs can only happen effectively if we have those “extra pairs of hands”, and we would hope you appreciate our needs in the context of the total school and not just in the area of your child / children’s present class placements. The value of this partnership in education is of great value to all three parties - the children, the teacher, and the parent.

The parent gains a useful insight into today’s education and a much better understanding of today’s school.

The teacher gets valuable help within the classroom and with more hands, is able to provide a more diverse program for the children.

The children enjoy the interest of the parent and gain an additional adult to relate to and model.

Areas of Involvement:

· Literacy Activities

· Hearing reading

· Assisting small groups with maths work

· Process writing and conferencing

· Photocopying

· Typing, Book covering, cutting up activities, laminating

· Cooking

· Computers

· Excursion supervision

· Swimming

· Tuckshop

If interested in joining any of the above activities, please contact your child’s teacher or the school office.

Parent’s & Friends Association

At St. Damian’s we have a Parents and Friends Association. The Association meets at regular intervals to report on its activities and get together for a social gathering.

The main responsibility of the Association is foremost to be a forum for parents and others in the community interested in the school. Apart from this, the Association is also responsible for the major fundraising projects throughout the year as well as the tuckshop and working bees.

At the meetings reports are tabled, outlining all activities, guest speakers invited to speak on a variety of issues pertaining to primary schooling and parenting and a timeslot is available for general questions directed to the Principal. All parents are warmly invited to attend the meetings, as this is a great way of becoming informed, as well as making new friends.

School Advisory Board

This is the principal body associated with education at St. Damian’s. It is established to bring together in a formal way all the important parties connected with St. Damian’s School; Priest, Principal, Staff and Parents.

The School Education Advisory Board offers responsible and informed advice to the Parish Priest and Principal. Details of their responsibilities can be obtained from the Education Advisory Board Guidelines for St. Damian’s.

The Board’s most important functions are:

Assisting in the formulation of the School Policy in conjunction with School Principal, Staff and Parents.
Assisting in the preparation of the school budget and the monitoring of the schools financial operation.
Supporting the school in practical ways, such as ensuring that the schools facilities and equipment are maintained.
Planning for the future, and ensuring that the parish school can accommodate future enrolments.
Assisting in the selection and appointment of a Lay Principal when such an appointment is being made, guided by the Diocesan Guidelines.
Working in collaboration with Parents & Friends Association.

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FOOD

School Tuckshop

The School currently has a modern Canteen Facility, which operates under the auspices of the Parents and Friends Association and is manned by volunteers. The tuckshop is open Monday to Friday and orders are taken each morning. Money must be sent in a brown paper / plastic bag clearly marked with the child’s NAME, GRADE AND LUNCH ORDER. Price lists are sent out through the school.

If you are interested in helping in this area, your assistance would be most welcome. Not only are you supporting the school in providing a service to children, but it is also an excellent means of meeting people and making new friends within the school.

Drink Policy

Children are permitted to bring Prima type fruit juice or plastic drink bottles containing only cold water (not cans or glass bottles), which will be drunk with lunch in the classrooms. Cordial or fruit juice in plastic bottles are not permitted due to possible leakage, which can then create ant and wasp problems.

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SCHOOL COMMUNITY & SERVICES

Out Of School Hours Program (i.e. After School)

There is an excellent program running at St. Damian’s.

Before School is from 7.00am to 8.45am.

After School is from 3.15pm to 6.00pm.

A Family Registration Form must be completed and returned to the Program Co-ordinator before your child/ren may commence. Registration Forms are available from the School Office. Child Care Benefit is available to eligible families. Fees are then adjusted according to child care benefit .

It is required that all families of the school complete a Registration Form at the commencement of the school year for this program. Emergency situations do arise (eg. Parent’s car breaks down) where your child/ren cannot be picked up after school and they may need to be placed into this program outside of school hours.

School Bank

C.D.F. (Catholic Development Fund)

A school bank operates in conjunction with the Catholic Development Fund. Application forms for opening new accounts are available from the school office. Tuesdays are the days for sending books and money.

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HEALTH

School Medical / Emergency Consent Forms are to be completed annually for every student who attends St. Damian’s. It is especially important that the class teacher / school office staff are notified immediately in writing of any change of address or phone number. In an event of an emergency, current information is vital and could even be in extreme circumstances, a matter of life and death.

Sickness

Sick children should not be sent to school, but should be kept at home until well. If a child is sick enough to stay inside during recess, or be on medication, he / she is not well enough to cope effectively with their learning situations.

Medication

Legal Guidelines are such that teachers are not allowed to administer medication of any sort (including Aspirin / Disprin / Panadol, Cough Mixture / Antibiotics, etc.) to children, without written consent from their Parent. The only exception is for Asthma. Tear off Consent Forms for your completion are included in this booklet for your convenience. Further forms are available from our Internet site.

Infectious Diseases

There are a number of diseases that compulsorily (and legally) exclude children from school. Principals have a duty to protect the health of the general school population.

Many infectious diseases require that those with the disease be excluded from attending school for specified amounts of time. Please refer to ‘Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations’ 1990 - included in this booklet for your reference.

Head Lice

Head Lice infestation is a continuing problem. Parents are requested to check children’s hair on a regular basis for nits - dandruff like substance clinging to the hair, mostly near the scalp. If a child becomes infested by either eggs (nits) or live lice, parents with children in the grade will be notified immediately in order for you to follow up at home, with an examination of your child’s hair. Effective treatment lotion is available from your local Chemist.

Presently a qualified Nursing Sister from the City of Whittlesea Health Department monitors the Head Lice situation in the school on a needs basis. As the school requires written permission from the child’s parent, a notice will be sent home at the beginning of the year to obtain permission for your child to be checked by Health Department and School staff. This form will be valid for 12 months.

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SCHOOL UNIFORM

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Managers of the Shop are volunteer parents who research the various manufacturers so that the Uniform Shop stocks quality items at a reduced price compared to commercial shops. Any profits made are distributed to the school to help with the purchase of items, such as furniture, equipment, library books, etc.

The Uniform Shop is situated in the Creed Centre (which is on the left-hand side at the top of the driveway). It is open every Friday morning between 9.00am – 10.00am for personal shopping (commencing Fri. 8^th February 2008).

Orders can be placed through the office bins during the week. Order Forms are available from the School Office.

Orders

Orders for uniform may be placed during the week. Orders are to be marked clearly with child’s name and grade as well as the size required. Please enclose the appropriate amount of money for the order. Cheques can be made payable to the St. Damian’s Uniform Shop.

The Uniform Shop does not have EFTPOS or Credit Card facilities.

These orders will be filled on the Monday and sent home with the child. If any item ordered is the wrong size, it may be exchanged the next week before it has been worn.

The Uniform Shop sells all items of the St. Damian’s Uniform - Sports Polo shirts, sports shorts, netball skirts, tracksuits, sunhats, summer dresses, winter tunics and green polyester viscose trousers, sports briefs, socks and stockings, jumpers, boys grey polyester viscose shorts and trousers, long and short sleeve polo neck shirts, school bags, library bags, book folios, hair accessories and school badges.

Second Hand Uniform

The aim of the second hand section of the uniform shop is to provide quality items at a reduced price for those parents who would like to avail themselves of the service. These items are sold on consignment with a small percentage of the sale going to the uniform shop.

The following items only will be stocked in the uniform shop:

· Winter tunics

· Summer dresses

· School Bags

· Jumpers

· Netball Skirts

· Tracksuits

· Grey Trousers

· Green Trousers

· Gold polo shirts (short and long sleeve)

· Red sport polo shirts

· Green sports shorts

The decision to accept any of these items will be at the discretion of the Uniform Managers, taking into account that the items must be of good quality and previously purchased from the Uniform Shop.

Lost Property

All lost property will be placed in the cream box, which is located in the garage area.

It is advisable to label all articles of clothing and lunchboxes etc. so that items can be returned A.S.A.P. to your child.

Guidelines for the wearing of the St. Damian’s Uniform

All children are required to wear the regulation uniform..

A high standard is expected as to the condition of the uniform and the way it is worn.

A Note is required from parents on the day that the child is out of uniform.

Jewellery is not permitted with the exception of one small stud or sleeper in each ear and a watch.

Hair Accessories must be in the school colours (bottle green, gold or red) or the school uniform fabric or in natural hair tones.

Beanies may be worn in winter - bottle green only.

Scarves may be worn in winter only as an optional extra. They must be in bottle green only.

Overcoats - The children may wear an overcoat as an overgarment, but it is not to replace any of the school uniform items.

Grade 6 Commemorative Windcheaters - The special windcheater for the Grade 6’s with their signatures on the back will be purchased from the same manufacturer as the school windcheater, if possible, so that there is a continuity of colour. The Grade 6’s are permitted to wear this windcheater instead of their school jumper.

Old Grade 6 windcheaters are NOT to be worn by brothers and sisters. They are only valid for the Grade 6’s for their Grade 6 year.

Tracksuit tops are only to be worn with the St. Damian’s sport uniform.

Sports Polo Shirt - All children are required to wear the St. Damian’s red polo shirt with the

St. Damian’s Logo on the front.

Sport Shoe - Only to be worn with Sports Uniform.

School Shoes - Only black school shoes are to be worn by both girls and boys with their summer and winter uniform.

School Hats - In accordance with our SunSmart Policy, The St. Damian’s Bottle Green slouch or bucket hat is compulsory for all children in Terms 1 and 4.

School Bags - The St. Damian’s school bag is compulsory for all children from Prep to Grade 6.

School Jumper - Children must wear the St. Damian’s embroidered bottle green V - neck jumper as a part of the Summer & Winter Uniform. This is the only outer garment to be worn. The uniform shop stocks a good quality (machine washable) woollen jumper.

A tracksuit top is NOT to be substituted for the jumper.

Girls Winter Trousers - The Uniform shop stocks bottle green polyester viscose trousers for the girls to wear as an alternative to the tartan tunic in winter.

Boys Grey Trousers & Shorts - For the convenience of parents , the Uniform Shop stocks grey, polyester viscose trousers and shorts.

Gold Short- Sleeve and Long-Sleeve Polo Neck Shirts - All boys are required to wear the short sleeve St. Damian’s Polo shirt with the school logo on the front in summer and the long sleeve in winter.

The girls may wear the long-sleeve polo neck shirt with the green pants or tunic during winter.

Skivvy - Boys or girls may wear a gold skivvy instead of the polo shirt (not available from the Uniform Shop).

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