Handbook

Please notify the school in writing when your child is absent via the Compass Portal app or school email: mimmac@parra.catholic.edu.au. This ensures that class rolls are marked correctly.

Permission from the Principal is necessary to remove children from the school for any length of time e.g. holidays etc. For more than 5 school days, a Leave Application Form must be completed.

Children arriving late to school or leaving early are marked as a partial absence and a reason is required. A partial absence note must be filled in by the parent. These are to be completed in the office.

The class roll is a legal document and has to accurately record when each child is at school.

Good communication between home and school is the key to a positive relationship. Parents are encouraged to speak firstly to their child’s teacher whenever they have a concern. Please make an appointment rather than approach the teachers when they have students in their care. It is helpful if you alert the teachers to the issue you wish to discuss so they can adequately prepare for the interview.

If you have any concerns or issues, the most appropriate and productive course of action is to meet with the class teacher and not discuss amongst other parents.

Notes and letters should be marked with your child's name and sent to the class teacher, as the teacher keeps an accurate record in the classroom.

Before and After School Care facilities are provided onsite. For more details please phone 0417 203 333.

The school canteen is coordinated by The Healthy Kids Cucina Canteen:

Souha Chamchoum: 0422 055 107

Email: healthykidscucinacanteen@gmail.com

The school office is open from 8.30am till 4pm.

Students arriving before 8:25am or remaining at school after 3:30pm are required to be enrolled in COSHC. Students are not to be left outside the school main gate unsupervised. This is a child protection issue of grave concern.

Parents needing their children to be supervised outside school supervision times are to arrange for this with COSHC. Casual arrangements can be made with COSHC to assist and ensure children are safe and cared for.

Our school motto is "Love and Service"

Symbolised by the 'heart and hands'.

A Christian life should be one modelled on the life of Jesus, which was one of love and service to others.

Starting school at Mary Immaculate is the beginning of a new and exciting adventure for your child and your family. To help our Kindergarten students settle into their new learning environment, we provide a very successful transition program. Parents, teachers and students work together to make starting primary school at Mary Immaculate an enjoyable and memorable experience for everyone.

Here are some practical ways you can make your child's first year at school a happy and enjoyable one. Children should be able to:

• say their name clearly
• know their full name, address and phone number
• tie shoe laces, fasten buttons and take off and put on jumpers etc. without help
• wash their hands after using the toilet
• undo food wrappers and peel fruit
• recognise clothing which should be clearly marked with child's name
• open and close school bag, lunch box, raincoat etc.

Please clearly label all items of clothing, school bag, lunch box, raincoat etc.

Place little lunch and big lunch in separate bags and label accordingly. Give your children small portions of food and encourage them to bring home leftover food. Bottles, cans and chewing gum are not allowed at school.

Have a change of underclothes in your child's bag in case of an accident, as this saves your child from being embarrassed.

Kindergarten classes commence a day after Year 1 to Year 6 return. This will ensure the Kindergarten students have a more settled start to the year.

Opportunities for Kindergarten students:

• buddy system
• peer support
• gross motor
• transition program
• personalised learning program
• developmental play program
• learning support program
• specialist music and sports classes
• access to the latest technology

If you would like to make an enquiry regarding enrolling for Kindergarten, please contact the school office on 9933 7800 for an enrolment pack and a prospectus.

School is not the place for a sick child, so we ask that you make other care arrangements on days when your child is not well. Someone will notify you if your child becomes ill at school. We are able to provide temporary care only for a sick child and, therefore, parents are expected to collect their child from school if they are ill.

In the event of a serious accident the following procedure will be followed:

• The school will contact parents
• If the parents are unavailable, the school will contact the emergency contact person nominated on your enrolment form.
• If the school is unable to contact the parent or emergency contact, the school will call an ambulance if necessary or contact the nearest doctor or the doctor listed on the child's file.

The school will always take the necessary steps to ensure the wellbeing of your child. To help us it is imperative that the school is supplied with the name and phone/mobile numbers of parents and an emergency contact person. Preferably someone who is nearby and available.

In general, animals are not to be brought on to school premises, even if they are restrained. Parents may bring pets to school to show for news providing the parent brings the pet directly to the classroom at an arranged time and it is taken home again straight after the viewing. Students are not to handle pets on school grounds.

Supervision begins at 8:25. Children should not be left at school before this time.

A ‘kiss and drop’ zone operates in the morning. Adults must stay with their car at all times and not walk their child into the school from this zone. The children’s bags must be in the car with them to ensure they can exit quickly. At no time can a car be left unattended in the kiss and drop zone.

If you wish to walk your child into school, please drive up the ramp to the car park. Children take their bags to the classroom and then must go straight to the playground for supervision. No one is to remain in the building before school unless they have made a formal appointment with a staff member. If this is the case, you must sign in at the office.

Parents are asked to allow their child to socialise with the other children on the playground. The perimeter gates are locked each morning. The main entrance gate is made to meet evacuation requirements.

Children who do not already have a bank account, may open one.

Banking day is Friday. Please speak to the office staff regarding a Dollarmite Account.

Children often wish to celebrate their birthday by bringing something to school to share with friends e.g. cupcakes. Please check with the class teacher to see what is acceptable, particularly in relation to allergies and convenience of distribution.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for a School Opal Card, students may need to live a minimum distance from Mary Immaculate Primary:

• Years K - 2 (Infants) - There is no minimum distance
• Years 3 - 6 - 1.6km straight line distance or 2.3km walking distance

How to Apply

• Complete an application form online at: transportnsw.info/school-students
• Print, sign and date the completed application form, then submit to the office at Mary Immaculate Primary for endorsement.
• The form is then mailed to the Transport for NSW. Once received and approved, the School Opal card will be sent to the address provided on the application form.

Timetables and routes can be obtained from www.busways.com.au. Go to the schools section and Select Mary Immaculate. If you do not have access to the internet, a copy can be obtained from the school office.

School finishes at 3:20pm and we appreciate your efforts to pick up your child promptly at that time.

The kiss and drop zone does not operate in the afternoon. Parents/caregivers are required to park in the top car park and collect children from the designated point outside the building. Please do not go into the building to collect children from classrooms. Children are NEVER to walk to the car park and meet their parents. They must be collected from the teacher. The perimeter gates are closed after the last bus leaves in the afternoon.

If there is an emergency and you are late to collect your child, please contact the school office. Children can become anxious when parents are late or they are unclear about their afternoon arrangements.

Excursions are important educational activities which enrich and broaden children’s experiences. They can be used for part of a unit of work, as a springboard or motivating factor, or as the culmination of that unit. All children are expected to attend excursions as part of their learning experience.

Excursions may take place either at school or away from school and with the approval of the Principal and the consent of the parents.

Excursion costs are generally billed with school fees. Excursions for specific groups, eg Gala days, are charged separately. A small number of parents may be required to help with an excursion. Teachers will notify parents of excursion details and a signed permission note for each child must be returned to the school. The school is unable to take students on an excursion if the signed note has not been returned.

Accounts may be paid by cash, cheque or credit card. School Fee Accounts are sent home the second week of the first three terms.

There is a Diocesan Building Levy for the first child attending a Diocesan school.

The Resource fee, Technology Fee and Excursion Fee are for Kindergarten to Year 6, per student per year and outlined in the school fees statements received each term.

To avoid lost property please ensure all clothing and belongings are clearly labelled with the child's name and class.

Any lost property is placed in a container outside the canteen. Any unlabelled clothing not claimed at the end of the year is given to the clothing pool or St Vincent De Paul.

If you have lost anything of significant value, such as jewellery, please enquire at the front office.

All medication must be given to the office and not placed in your child's bag or lunch box.

A note from the doctor with specific dosage and timing instructions as well as a permission form from the parents must be given to the office for any medication to be administered.

The Diocesan Policy for the Sacraments states that the Parish community, in conjunction with parents, will prepare children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. This focuses on the true meaning of initiation, the welcoming into a community.

Sacramental programs are Parish-based and family-centred. Programs for the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation will be organised by the Mary Immaculate Parish Sacramental Team and they are happy to assist you in any way and can be contacted on 9626.3266 or via email: sacramentalcoordinator@maryimmac.org.au

These Parish-based programs are well supported by Sacramental units of work within the classroom from Kindergarten to Year 6. In the present structure of the Sacramental Programs, children are able to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Year 3, the Sacrament of First Eucharist in Year 4 and the Sacrament of Confirmation in Year 5 or at a later stage when parents feel they are ready.

As a parent you can make a better school when you:

• make an effort to understand what the school is trying to do
• see the school as your school and encourage your children to see it the same way
• if possible, participate on committees and attend school meetings and functions
• welcome new parents and help them feel they belong
• support a broad and balanced curriculum
• encourage your children to cooperate fully, to join in all school activities and to take pride in the buildings, the grounds and the school community as a whole
• take part in the life of the parish as Mary Immaculate is an integral part of the parish
• always be positive about your school when talking to others. If you have a problem, or are unhappy about something, please tell us
• go to school activities – open days, plays, concerts, Masses, liturgies, celebrations etc.
• show your children that you have confidence in the school and their teachers

Parent Discussion Group

The parent discussion group has been set up to provide a forum for discussing educational issues and how they affect the school. Parents are frequently asked for their input into school policies and initiatives through this group. Any parent can join the group at the beginning of each year.

Social Committee

The social committee coordinates both fundraising and social activities in the school. They aim to nurture a strong parent community that is welcoming to all. A number of fundraising events are run each year. Many parents help the social committee in whatever capacity they can.

Maintenance Committee

There are four working bees each year (one per term) and the maintenance committee assists the Assistant Principal and the School Maintenance Officer in the organisation of those.

Mary Immaculate Primary encourages parents to be actively involved in the school. Helping in the classroom is one way that parents can take part in school life. Teachers utilise parent helpers in different ways, and this varies from teacher to teacher.

In order for parents working in classrooms to be effective, the school has the following expectations:

• parents’ observations about an individual child, groups of children and the whole class must at all times remain completely confidential (it would be most inappropriate to pass a comment about anything observed in the classroom)

• the time spent in a classroom provides a snapshot of how the classroom works and should not be used to make broad generalisations about the organisation of the class

In a learner-centred program, assessment/evaluation involves open communication among the teachers, the child and the parents regarding the child's progress.

Parents have the opportunity to nominate areas they would like to discuss, as do the teachers.

This way a thorough knowledge of the child's progress and development can be assessed.

We believe that the following assessment/evaluation schedule allows all concerned to have input into the process. Teachers are of course available to meet with parents by arrangement during the year.

Behaviour Management at Mary Immaculate includes:

• office staff, children, visitors
• grounds staff, parents, teachers' assistants
• Principal, relatives, relief teachers
• friends, teachers, cleaners
• student management, priests, parent helpers

What we do at Mary Immaculate Primary by way of Behaviour Management?

We believe that Behaviour Management is modelling, leading, guiding, encouraging and instructing students within a framework of rights, responsibilities, rules and routines.

Our ultimate aim is to help students to be happy, motivated contributors to our school community.

Rights

Everybody has the right to:

• be and feel safe
• be treated with respect and fairness
• communicate and be listened to
• be supported in their learning
• use and share equipment within the school
• feel like they belong

Responsibilities

Responsibility is when we make informed choices about our behaviour and take control of our actions.

At Mary Immaculate every person has the responsibility to:

• Respect self
• Respect others
• Respect our school

Introduction

The Catholic education system in the Diocese of Parramatta is committed to developing an educational and organisational culture based on mutual trust and respect. We are committed to providing a safe and supportive work and learning environment for all employees and students.

We acknowledge that employees, students and parents may sometimes have a complaint about a decision, behaviour, act or omission that they feel is unacceptable. Whilst most issues can be resolved through direct discussion with the parties, there may be instances in which this is not possible.

Scope of the policy

This policy provides a process for those employed by the Catholic Education Office (CEO) and those receiving services from the Catholic Education system to raise a complaint. This includes students, employees, parents, pastors and members of the wider community.

Complaints may relate to any practice or policy of a school or CEO related to the treatment of or education of students. The Parramatta Catholic education system has some specific complaints processes. The Child Protection Kit has specific policies and procedures to address complaints of child abuse and reportable conduct. Maintaining Right Relations Policy and Procedures addresses complaints of harassment, bullying and discrimination. Nothing in this document replaces the processes outlined in these documents.

Underlying Principles

The Parramatta Catholic education system is committed to the following principles to ensure complaints are addressed appropriately.

• Complaints will be investigated in a fair and impartial manner
• A person facing a complaint is entitled to know detailed information about the substance of the complaint and to have the opportunity to respond
• Confidentiality will be observed
• The complaints management process will be conducted in a manner that is respectful of all parties
• Persons making a complaint will not be victimised
• It is expected that complaints are made in good faith and are not vexatious or malicious
• Complaints will be addressed in a timely manner and complainants will be advised if the matter cannot be finalised within one month

Options available to persons with complaints

Deal with the situation personally
In less serious matters in which there is no risk of harm to any person it may be preferable to discuss the issue of concern with the relevant person to endeavour to reach an amicable resolution. Mary Immaculate Primary, Quakers Hill.

Contact the School
It is usually most efficient to approach the person most likely to be in a position to know about the problem or be able to solve it – that is almost always the class teacher in the case of concerns with children. They are responsible for the children in their class and are best placed to monitor any problems. An appointment with the class teacher can be made through the school office.

A person may feel unable to approach the relevant person directly or not be satisfied with their response. The matter may be more serious in that the complainant believes a person is at risk of harm. In such instances a person may wish to contact the school. An inquiry at the school reception may be the first point of contact for people with complaints. The office staff will take the complaint and refer it to the person designated to deal with the nature of the complaint. This person may be a coordinator, the Assistant Principal or Principal.

Contact the Catholic Education Office
There may be occasions when a person wishes to take their concern directly to the Catholic Education Office. It may be they are not satisfied with the school’s response or other legitimate reasons for not approaching the school directly, such as a conflict of interest.

The Catholic Education Office has a community liaison line for taking general inquiries or concerns. The CEO officer will take the complaint and refer it to the relevant CEO personnel. The CEO officer may advise that the complaint is more appropriately dealt with at the school level. In general, the CEO Officer will refer the complaint to the area administrator for the school involved.

For matters concerning CEO staff, in the first instance the complaint would be taken to the person’s immediate supervisor. If the complainant is not satisfied they may address their concern to the director of the relevant department.

Intake Process

All Mary Immaculate Primary and Catholic Education Office personnel who are responsible for taking enquiries/complaints will complete a signed and dated Intake Form (Appendix 1).

1. Record the complaint/enquiry by clearly recording the following information

• contact details of the complainant
• nature of the matter including the details of the complaint (what is the matter, who is involved, when it happened, where it happened, any contextual information) and the resolution that is sought
• any advice provided
• any action taken including the referral of the complaint

2. Assess how the complaint will be managed

• The intake form is forwarded to the person responsible for assessing how the complaint is to be managed. In schools this would be the principal or their delegate. In the Catholic Education Office in the first instance it will be the area administrator
• The assessment section of the Intake Form is completed to clarify how the complaint/enquiry will be managed

3. Maintain accurate and confidential records

• The Intake Form is filed in the Mary Immaculate School/CEO Complaints Register.
• A copy of the Intake Form is forwarded to the person responsible for following up the complaint/enquiry
• In cases where an inquiry/investigation into the matter proceeds, a separate file is established or documentation is included in the relevant staff or student file
• The Intake Form identifies any relevant file that has been established or utilised in relation to the matter
• When the enquiry is finalised/closed, this is noted on the Intake Form

Addressing complaints

No further action will be taken when the complainant is satisfied with the explanation given at the time of making the complaint or enquiry except when the complaint refers to matters that must be investigated under Child Protection legislation.

Complaints assessed as relevant to a particular school or CEO procedure will be handled in accordance with the relevant procedure, for example student management procedures, child protection procedures, Maintaining Right Relations procedures, employee disciplinary procedures.

Complaints that do not relate to a particular school or CEO procedure will be addressed as follows:

• record the complaint
• clarify what resolution is sought
• advise the person/s against whom the complaint has been made of the concern and provide them with the opportunity to respond.
• obtain other relevant information e.g. from witnesses
• resolve the matter

Appeal

A person who is not satisfied the matter has been resolved appropriately may choose to appeal to the principal of the school if the principal has not been involved in investigating or examining the complaint, or is not the person named as the source of the grievance.

Alternatively an appeal may be made to the area administrator of the relevant school who may be contacted at the Catholic Education Office (tel 9840 5600).

For Catholic Education Office matters an appeal may be made to the director of the relevant department.

In the final instance an appeal may be made to the executive director of schools.

Homework is a valuable aid and is useful when it:

• develops productive long-term habits and planning
• gives the chance to consolidate what they have learnt at school
• allows for the fact that children learn and work at different rates and have different needs.
• increases children’s confidence and enjoyment in learning
• gives parents opportunities to encourage, express approval and in general, relate positively to their children.

Our Policy

1. The most useful homework of all is family living:

• lots and lots of family conversation – story telling, jokes, discussions about everything
• shared bedtime stories with a caring adult or family member reading to the children
• private reading in bed before lights out
• family games, activities and hobbies
• regular visits to the local library
• outings to all kinds of places of social, historic or natural interest
• the kind of imaginative play that comes naturally to children of all ages

Such activities encourage and help children become better learners and happier human beings.

2. Children in Kinder are given home readers and sight words, when appropriate, with occasional tasks of colouring, tracing and copying.

3. Homework is given regularly to Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 for each school day except Friday. It is not always of the written kind. However, written work is set for at least one day per week. It may be reading, carrying out an experiment, finding answers to problems posed at school or working on a current theme or project.

4. Homework will allow for the individuality of each child in the class. Just as children are taught in group situations in the classroom according to their capabilities, then their homework will be set with this in mind.

5. Children in Year 1 (approx. 10 mins), Years 2, 3 & 4 (approx. 20 mins) & Years 5 & 6 (approx. 30mins) each night. These times are a guide only and pupils should spend (more or less) the same amount of time on set homework, irrespective of academic progress and development.

6. Homework should not be a source of worry or frustration for the pupil, teacher or parent. Students are encouraged to complete the assigned work to the best of their ability and seek the teacher’s help with any difficulties.

7. Homework is reviewed at school soon after its completion and is used (where appropriate) in classroom discussions.

8. Homework should be signed by a parent or carer. If for any reason, the child is unable to do homework, the parent or carer is to acknowledge by a written note.

Parents can be of great help to their children by showing interest in their activities, by listening to their reading and by being sympathetic and patient. Homework is of little value if it is completed by the parent. Please help and encourage, but allow your child to do his/her own homework. If problems with homework persist, discuss the problem with the child’s teacher. This positive ongoing partnership will ensure success with a happy and valued approach to homework.

Jewellery and Accessories

Apart from one pair of sleepers or small plain studs and a wrist watch, jewellery is not permitted for safety reasons. No rings (birth/baptismal rings excepted), make-up or nail varnish is allowed. Nails should be kept clean and neatly trimmed. A chain with cross or religious medallion may be worn under shirt line. Other items of religious observance are to be discussed with the principal prior to them being worn at school.

Boys may not under any circumstances wear earrings.

Wet Weather Protection

Protective wet weather clothing may be worn to and from school. It is not to be worn during school.

Hats

Only the correct school hat may be worn – and can be purchased through the school uniform shop. The school has a ‘no hat no play policy’.

School Bag

Books etc. may be carried to and from school in the correct maroon school bag.

Lapses in the Wearing of Uniform

Parents will be notified and their co-operation sought for any lapses in this area. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

Students are to be neatly and cleanly dressed at all times. Shoes should be clean and well presented.

Hair is to be kept neat and tidy, off the collar, of consistent natural colour, of gradual even grade and all extremes of fashion are to be avoided. Some examples of “styles” that are unacceptable include: ridges, lines, undercuts, steps, bowl cuts, any excessive shaping with gel, and any shaving cuts (specifically grades No. 1 and No. 2)

Girls’ hair that is longer than shoulder length is to be tied back from the face. Hair is to be off the face and out of the eyes.

Ribbons, hair slides etc. if worn should be in the uniform fabric or maroon or pink.

Parents will be notified and their co-operation sought for any lapses in this area.

Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

Summer Uniform

Winter Uniform