School Hours

School commences 8.55am
Recess 11.00am - 11.20am
Lunch   12.35pm - 1.30pm

School concludes 2.55pm

 School Organisation

CLASS STRUCTURE

The classes for 2009 are:

Kinder Red with Mrs Jill Naughton (R/Assistant Principal)

Kinder Yellow with Mrs Kaye Wagner

Kinder Green with Mrs Andrea Flaskett

Kinder Blue with Mrs Glynnis Farr

1C with Mrs Bruna Castelletti

1S with Ms Liesl Stephens

1M with Mrs Sue Mullins and Ms Keeley Midei

2G with Mrs Emma Gillings

2S with Mrs Beth Stewart

2W with Mrs Angela Weare (Assistant Principal)

2/3M with Mrs Debra Mutimer

3HN with Mrs Tracey Nicholls and Mrs Jennifer Horburgh

3S with Mrs Nelly Schulz

3/4M with Mrs Kathy Molloy (Assistant Principal)

4E with Mrs Ann Emery

4/5R with Mrs Amanda Rawlin

5L with Ms Karen Leake

5/6F with Mr Bruce Francis

6A with Mrs Dianne Alchin

6W with Mrs Kerryn Watson

In additional we are fortunate to have a number of specialist teachers including:

Miss Philippa Benson for Library

Ms Keeley Midei for Reading Recovery & RFF

Ms Linda Meyers for ESL (English as a Second Language)

Signora Susan Mullins for Italian

Mrs Julie-Anne Stevens for Music

In the Administrative area we have Mrs Mary Webber as our School Administrative Manager (Finance), Mrs Wendy Coffey in the Front Office Mon-Fri, and Mrs Cheryl Buxton in the Front Office on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mr David Rothery works with us for four days each week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday) as our General Assistant.

Our Teacher’s Aides who support the classroom teachers and their students with disabilities are Mrs Barbara Boss, Mrs Sharon Pierce, Mrs Karen Campbell and Miss Rachel Geary.

 Student Welfare

The GENERAL AIM of the School ’s Student Welfare policy is to ensure adequate care of all students and to develop in each student high standards of self-discipline and respect.

Four SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES arising from the aim are

• to nurture the dignity, rights and worth of the individual;

• to be aware of the need for pastoral care of students;

• to develop high standards of social behaviour and responsibility;

• to inculcate in students respect for the codes of behaviour

The school’s Code of Behaviour centres on a respect for people, property and the environment as well as doing your best, working and playing safely while showing pride in the school.  In order to achieve the Code of Behaviour the students are asked to think about the following three questions:  Is it fair?  Is it safe?  Is it sensible?

GOOD DISCIPLINE
The school’s Discipline Policy stresses positive behaviour, good manners and mutual respect between children and adults. We recognise that the most desirable and effective learning occurs in a warm, friendly, well-supervised and well-disciplined environment.  The highest standard of manners and general conduct is expected at all times in all lessons and situations e.g., class lessons, library, craft, scripture, sport, canteen, playground, excursions, bus travel, outdoor or indoor assemblies.

CARING FOR OTHERS

A caring atmosphere is fostered within the school community. Senior classes share educational experiences with junior classes and older students are encouraged to know and assist younger ones (Buddy classes and Peer Support program). 

 Excursions

A well-planned excursion program supplements and complements all aspects of the school curriculum. All classes experience day excursions but senior classes journey further afield to venues such as Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Camp (Winter Program – Skiing), Bathurst and the Hunter Valley.  School uniform is worn on all school excursions unless otherwise specified. Parental permission is needed for all occasions on which children leave the school grounds. Parents are notified of excursions at least two weeks in advance. If parents are accompanying classes, no pre-schoolers are allowed.

 Banking

Specially trained parent volunteers collect students’ deposits each Tuesday morning for Years K–6. All school accounts are conducted with the local branch of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia , through the OASIS computer system.

 Computers

 Homework

  School Library

The functions of the library are as follows:

Learning to Use a Library

Each class from Kindergarten to Year 6 has a minimum of one  40 minute library lesson each week. In this time the children have a book introduction, followed by a formal lesson on a library technique.

The Library as a Research Centre
All classes in Years 2-6 research various topics during the year, spending varying amounts of time on each topic. During this time, blocks of reference books are taken to the classrooms and the latter part of the library lesson is spent on researching the topic. Class teachers work closely with the librarian in selecting topics for research and assisting the children in gathering information.

Recreational Reading
The library is open for borrowing to all students at the following times:
8.30 a.m. - 8.50 a.m. - Monday to Thursday
1.00 p.m. - 1.20 p.m. - Monday to Thursday.
Blocks of books for recreational reading may also be taken to the classroom, but these may not be taken home. Students are encouraged to read as widely as possible. A large collection of educational resources is available for circulation in the classroom, together with audio-visual equipment.
Students from Years 5 and 6 are trained as library monitors.

 Sport and Physical Education

The main focus of sport in the school is:

• To encourage regular activity by all children

• To provide children with a range of individual and team activities.

• The development of a healthy attitude to physical activity and sportsmanship

Throughout the year all classes participate in programs which cover various skills in gymnastics, athletics, ball skills, minor games, dance and fitness.
Grade Sport days are timetabled each year, and can vary according to staffing.
A note from the parent/caregiver is required if a child is not participating due to illness or injury .
The school participates in Beecroft District activities, including major carnivals for swimming, cross-country, ball games and athletics. Cricket (Boys & Girls), Girls and Boys Soccer, Girls and Boys Softball, Girls and Boys Touch Football and Netball teams participate in State Primary School Sports Association (PSSA) Knockout Competitions.

 Reporting to Parents

To enable parents to understand class organisation, teacher expectations and programs of work, the school arranges Class Information Nights early in Term One. At the end of the term parents are invited for individual parent-teacher interviews to discuss their child's progress. In addition, parents are encouraged to consult with teachers at any time (by appointment) if they wish to discuss their child’s progress or have concerns. Please telephone the school office or send a brief note to the teacher to request an appointment at a mutually convenient time.

Reporting is based on individual progress demonstrated through continuous assessment of the learning outcome/indicator statements from each syllabus as prescribed by the NSW Board of Studies. Written reports are presented to parents at the end of each semester (June and December).

 Student Representative Council (SRC)

Students from each class in Years 1 - 6 elect two representatives to the Student Representative Council. This body is the voice of students on all matters pertaining to the school. All suggestions brought forward by the Council are carefully considered and the majority have been acted on. The Council meets fortnightly. A vital function of the Council is its responsibility for raising money for charitable organisations including Stewart House. Our school actively supports children’s charities - Stewart House, Barnados and the Children’s Hospital. Children in Years 3 - 6 also actively support the Junior Red Cross.

 School Council

The West Pennant Hills PS School Council is a body without political, religious or other affiliations which represents parents, staff and the local community. The aim of the School Council is to provide a guiding body which will constructively participate in the planning and management of the school to enhance the educational opportunities for its students.  A regular report from School Council is given at the P&C meeting each month and circulated in the School Newsletter.

 Parent Support

PARENTS AND CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION (P&C)
The objective of the West Pennant Hills Public School P&C Association is to promote the interests of the school by bringing parents, citizens, students and teachers into close co-operation, to assist in providing facilities and equipment for the school and to promote the recreation and welfare of the students of the school.  An important function of the P&C is the management of non-educational aspects for the school. These tasks are allocated to special committees who operate independently reporting on their activities to the P&C on a regular basis; committees include Fund Raising, Environment, School Activities (Band), Uniform and Canteen. The P. & C. may from time to time also form committees to address special issues. The P&C Association provides parents in particular with an opportunity to become enthusiastically involved in the activities for this school and to contribute to and improve the educational opportunities for our children.  The Association meets on the first Wednesday of every month during school terms at 8.00pm . The Annual General Meeting for the election of office bearers, committee members etc., is held on the first Wednesday in November.  The P&C has adopted a voluntary contribution scheme based on a set fee per child. It enables the P&C to plan effectively and allocate funds for the purchase of modern and essential teaching aids.

THE SCHOOL CLUB
The School Club is a sub­committee of the P&C Association that aims to promote the interests of the school and brings parents, students and teaching staff into close co-operation, all parents throughout the school being most welcome to attend.  The Club meets at 9.30am on the first Friday of each month during school terms. All manner of educational and other issues relevant to students, parents and the school are openly discussed. Speakers address the meetings on a wide range of interesting and informative subjects.

 School Canteen

The school operates a canteen daily as a service to the students. It is administered by a sub-committee of the P & C Association and is staffed by paid supervisors and much needed and appreciated volunteer parents.  At present Mrs Gould manages Mon, Tues, Wed and Mrs Romanis manages Thurs, Fri.  The canteen aims to provide satisfying, nutritious lunches, at a minimum cost, in the form of:

• Sandwiches or rolls, with a variety of fillings.

• Chicken, pies and sausage rolls, with hot dogs and soup in winter term only.

• Meat and salad or fruit salad in a container.

• Fruit juices, plain and flavoured milk.

• Yoghurt.

Our menu is consistent with the NSW Government’s Healthy Canteen Strategy Food Spectrum.  Items on the menu are either AMBER (select carefully) or GREEN (fill the menu).  There are no RED food items, as they are considered to be an occasional food.  For further information you could log onto www.health.nsw.gov.au/obesity or www.schoolcanteens.org.au

There is also a small range of sundry items. At Morning Recess, students in Years K-2 can buy some foods from rostered mothers who are situated in the playground. Current price lists are always available from the canteen or Reception in the Main Building. All lunches should be ordered before school.  K–2 student orders are written on a paper bag (or envelope) with the child’s name and class and the money inside. This is placed in a special bin on the patio of Block E.  Years 3-6 student orders and money are handed over the counter.

How to Order Lunch

On a suitably large paper bag, please write clearly the child’s name, class, items, prices and total on the lower half.

Place the money in the bag and fold. If any change is required, it will be cellotaped to the outside of the bag. An extra paper bag (with name, class and item) is needed if a drink (or frozen item) is ordered, so the hot and cold foods can be kept apart in the class lunch basket.  If you don't wish to supply your own bag/s the canteen is happy to sell them at a cost of 5c per bag or a bulk pack of 20 for $1.00.

• Please try to have the correct money as it saves time. Also, we cannot be certain your child will remove the change before disposing of the bag.

• If your child doesn’t receive their correct lunch, please remind them to come to the canteen and let us know. Occasional mistakes do occur or your child may have forgotten to place their order that morning.

• Sale of frozen items cease at 1.10pm as they take longer to consume – school policy.

  School Uniform

Students are expected to wear correct school uniform. Shirts should be kept tucked in, shoes laced up and not taken off without permission. Rings, bangles, earrings, coloured bows, clips, socks worn over stockings, thongs, football socks and jumpers and joggers should not be worn as they do not form part of the regular school uniform.  The coloured bands on our uniform are GOLD-BLUE-GOLD.  Uniforms are available from the School Uniform Shop - open Mondays 2.15 - 3.15pm.

 Before and After School Care

The school also offers access to Out of School Hours (OOSH) care. This is provided externally, but the program is conducted on school grounds. The program is offered on school days between the hours of 7:00am – 8:30am and 3:10pm – 6:30pm.

Children are fully supervised by trained staff members. Light refreshments are provided for the children as they participate in one of the structured activities on offer each day.  Parents wishing to obtain further information or enrol their child may do so by phoning 1300 553 583.