Assemblies

Each Friday afternoon the entire school is involved in an assembly held in the school hall. This includes the National Anthem as well as announcements, awards and news items. This is a tremendous opportunity for our community to keep ‘track’ of events happening in our school. If you have matters which you believe would be of general interest to our School Community please contact the Principal prior to the Assembly.

On the last day of Term 1, 2 and 3 the school will be dismissed from a whole school assembly at 2.30pm. On the last day of Term 4 dismissal time is 1.30pm.

Curriculum / Reporting Days

DE&T has given all schools permission to hold four Curriculum Days per year. On these days students do not attend school. Teachers conduct in-service activities within the school or in co-operation with other schools. School Council endorses the actual dates and every effort is made to ensure parents are notified well in advance via the school Newsletter and/or special notices. Curriculum Day Care is available on these days.

Class Photographs

Consistent with most schools, Donburn Primary School organises a photographer to take class, individual, School Captains and House Captains photographs. Orders are taken on a pre-paid basis with money refunded if not fully satisfied. Children and parents will be notified well in advance of the day that photographs are to be taken.

Parent Involvement in School Programs

Parents are encouraged to take part in a range of activities relating to our school programs. Your child will benefit from your involvement. Early in the year class teachers will outline how parents can be involved in class activities.

Contact Parent Scheme

It is the role of the Parent and Friends Association in consultation with the class teacher to:

• Welcome parents of children who are new to the school

• Arrange parent assistance for classroom activities

• Provide another contact point for parents.

School Security

The school buildings are protected by a sophisticated alarm system, however we do rely on support from our community in relation to the exterior of the buildings and the grounds during out of school hours. Please report:

• any suspicious behaviour immediately to the Doncaster East Police 000

• any fires or related problems to the Metropolitan Fire Brigade 000

Working Bees

The School Council with the object of maintaining and improving our buildings and grounds arranges working bees. Working bees are organised regularly throughout the year and we urge all parents and students to participate where possible.

Money and Valuables

All money sent to school should be in a sealed envelope, with the child’s name and class, amount and reason for money on the outside. Pupils are encouraged not to bring valuables to school.

Children’s Book Club

The school has a children’s Book Club which runs through the Library program and offers a carefully selected range of highly recommended children’s books for purchase.

School Captains

• Dominic Puri
• Brittney Gall

House System

There are four Houses at the school used for House sports, Social Service and School activities.

Supervision of Children

Teachers supervise the playground from 8.45 - 9.00am and 3.30 - 3.45pm. All play and lunch breaks are also supervised. Parents are asked to plan for delivery and collection of children between the above times.

Collection of Children

Between the hours of 9.00am and 3.30pm parents who wish to collect their child from school are asked to report to the General Office and sign the Early Dismissal Register before collecting their child from the class teacher. Children arriving after 9.00am must be signed in using the Late Arrival Register. Parents/guardians must notify the school if a friend or other person is to collect a child from the school.

Absences

All absences must be explained in writing to the class teacher when the child returns. If your child is to be taken from the school at any time please ensure that the child’s class teacher is informed by note in advance. If your child is removed.

During recess times please ensure that your child’s class teacher is advised. Children leaving during these times will wait at the School Office for their parent or an adult nominated by the parents. The early dismissal register is located at the School Office.

To ensure the safety of your child he/she will not be dismissed during school hours without a written request, nor will any child be allowed to walk home alone during school hours.

All children who arrive late are requested to record their arrival time in the Late book, which is located at the School Office.

Appointments

Remember this is your school. There is an open invitation to participate in all activities and to visit the school. If you have any concerns or aspects of your child’s schooling you wish to discuss, please contact the school (9841 8099) so that an interview at a mutually convenient time may be arranged.

School Lunches

Our school operates a canteen on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Parent volunteers staff the canteen and you are most welcome to join the roster. Suggested foods available for purchase are printed in the newsletter at the commencement of the year. The school places an emphasis on healthy lunches.

Children have a supervised lunch eating time between 1.00 and 1.10pm. All uneaten food is to be taken home.

Naming Belongings

Please ensure that ALL clothing is named. Labels have a habit of falling off, so a check every now and then is recommended.

Children will require a named library bag (cloth or plastic).

Lunch boxes and drink bottles (NOT GLASS) should be named.

All other equipment brought to school should be named to ensure its return to owners. Lost property is kept in the Lost Property Box located in the Grade 5W classroom. Any unnamed articles of clothing not claimed by the end of term are donated either to the Secondhand Uniform Store or charity.

School Council Levies

The State Government provides set monies for the provision of materials and requisites for the education of children. However, these monies fall short of the required amount needed for the implementation of the school’s learning programs. These programs have been designed by the Staff and community to best meet the needs of your children. It is, therefore, necessary for the School Council to ask parents to meet this funding shortfall by paying the required contribution as a levy. In addition to the levy there are voluntary contributions for library and building funds.

Bicycles To and From School

Children must wear bicycle safety helmets when riding bicycles to and from school. Bicycles must not be ridden within the school boundaries.

School Car Park and Traffic Movement

Staff, and others employed within the school, are able to park in the car park. Please exercise extreme care as you enter and exit the car park. Children are not allowed to walk through the car park as a matter of safety. Delivery of children to school is to be made with utmost regard to safety at all times.

Parking in Colchester Drive and Pine Way is restricted and parents should only park or stand vehicles in the prescribed parking zones.