FAQ

For the first 4 Wednesdays after your child starts Prep, classes for Preps will not run. Instead, students will stay at home. As well as giving your child a break in the busy first month of school, they will be assigned one, 50 minute session with their teacher to undertake an assessment all Prep students across the state are involved in. Your child’s assessment will then be used to assist in planning programs to cater for their individual needs. The assessment sessions are designed to be a positive experience for the students and will involve aspects of Literacy and Numeracy. The purpose of the assessment is to support teachers in forming accurate, reliable assessment about students’ understandings, especially where to begin.

Parents are invited to wait outside for their child to finish the assessment with their teacher. Times for the sessions will be sent via Compass at the start of the school year.

Transition sessions traditionally involve several opportunities for new Preps to familiarise themselves with their new school enviroment. This may involve short sessions to begin with, where small groups enter the Prep Pod for a read along with a Prep teacher. As we move through November, these sessions will look to expand with new preps meeting more people and places during their transition sessions. 

The culmination is an Orientation Day on December 13, where new preps will spend the morning with their 2023 classmates, 2023 teacher and explore their 2023 classroom. 

There will be 3 Prep classes in 2025

Generally, the first day of school is a half day, 9.15am – 12.30pm (students bring a snack and light lunch & drink bottle). From the second day, Prep students attend the full day (9.00am-3.30pm). On the first 4 Wednesdays, Prep students do not attend school. On one of these four Wednesdays, they will be required to come to school for a 50 minute assessment with the teacher (more details to come).  

Please read the Medical Information Handbook in the ‘Medical Forms’ tab on Compass (School Documentation) for more information. 

All relevant Action Plans and medication can be dropped off at the Front Office on the first day of school. Action Plans and further information can be emailed prior to school starting. 

Our First Aid and Medication Policies can also be found in the ‘School Policies’ tab on Compass (School Documentation). 

We primarily use iPads as our school device and introduce them as a learning tool. From Prep to Year 2, students will access class sets so you are not expected to supply them. From Year 3 onwards, we have a 1-1 Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program with iPads. which families are invited to be a part of and supply their own iPad.

The Prep teachers plan together and run to a scheduled timetable each day. Students across the Pod begin and end learning tasks at the same time. Rules are set very early on as to how we move around the space and the noise level expectations for different learning experiences. 

The morning sessions are based around play-based investigations. The students begin the year in their own classroom space but as they become more comfortable and confident in the school environment they move around the Pod during these sessions and mix with the other Prep students. 

More focused teaching of literacy and numeracy skills occurs during the middle session of the day. These quieter learning times are run simultaneously across the Pod in each of the separate class learning spaces.  

After lunch, the Prep students attend specialist classes or are engaged in fun learning activities such as dance, sport, craft and fine motor activities. 

We endeavour to have your child with at least one familiar friend. You will be asked before classes are allocated if you have friendship requests.  

A number of factors are taken into consideration when creating classes, including maintaining a balance of gender, academic, social and emotional needs as well as parent requests and kinder/childcare teacher recommendations.

We have a variety of lunchtime and extra-curricular programs our students can participate in. 

Our lunchtime programs include: 

• Soccer (Football Star Academy) 

• Dance (Kelly Sports) 

• Yoga (Yoga Fun) 

• Chess, Coding & Science Clubs (Kids Unlimited)  

These programs are run by external providers and are pay-to-use programs.  

TopTenn Tennis, Ashburton Netball Club and Ashy Basketball Club also use our Gym and outdoor courts before and after school.  

Music lessons are run after school by Creative Music and Junior Rockers.

Depending on the severity of your concern and the nature of the concern, communication is usually made with your child’s classroom teacher then may progress to the Year Level leader; Wellbeing Coordinator/Assistant Principal/s; and then Principal. 

For the first 5 Wednesdays after your child starts Prep, classes for Preps will not run. Instead, students will stay at home. As well as giving your child a break in the busy first month of school, they will be assigned one, 50 minute session with their teacher to undertake an assessment all Prep students across the state are involved in. Your child’s assessment will then be used to assist in planning programs to cater for their individual needs. The assessment sessions are designed to be a positive experience for the students and will involve aspects of Literacy and Numeracy. The purpose of the assessment is to support teachers in forming accurate, reliable assessment about students’ understandings, especially where to begin.

Parents are invited to wait outside for their child to finish the assessment with their teacher. Times for the sessions will be sent via Compass at the start of the school year.

Our play-based learning focuses on assisting the children to separate easily from their parents in the morning and making the transition from the kinder or child care environment to school a smooth one. Through our play-based learning the students will develop important life skills including persistence, creativity, resilience, risk taking, self-regulation, initiative, problem solving and developing relationships with others. Fine motor activities and investigation of the children’s own interests and likes are a major part of the program. Children will be encouraged to explore, experiment and learn in a range of activities in the classroom and the outdoor environment while developing their skills in literacy, numeracy, science, the arts and other curriculum areas. The emotional, social and academic needs of each child will be catered for. 

Team Kids coordinate our Out of School Hours Care Program.

Before school care operates from 7.00-8.45am

After school care operates from 3.30-6.15pm

The OSHC program is a paid service where students are supervised in a safe and caring environment outside normal school hours. The program aims to be a home away from home where the students are involved in planning the activities and where they genuinely enjoy attending. The program offers the following services:

Before School Care 7.00am – 8.45am After School Care 3.30pm - 6.00pm

Holiday Program 7.00am - 6.00pm Some Curriculum Days 7.00am – 6.00pm

Students have the opportunity to participate in stimulating activities, mix with their peers and have fun. The program can be used either casually or on a permanent basis and is registered with the Family Assistance Office which enables families that qualify, to claim the Child Care Benefit and/or the Child Care Rebate. At Before School Care students have the option of having a nutritious breakfast (for an additional charge). Students who attend the OSHC programs participate in games, outdoor play, cooking and craft activities as well as having the opportunity to complete homework, mix with their friends and enjoy themselves. The Holiday Programs often involve excursions, incursions and planned theme days. OSHC booking forms are available from the OSHC program, the school office or the school website: www.teamkids.com.au For further information please contact the OSHC Coordinator on 0439 205 903

www.teamkids.com.au 1300 035 000

When a student needs to leave the school before the final bell for the day, they must be signed out by a parent/guardian (16 years or older). The parent/guardian must go to the office first to sign the student out on Compass and obtain an early departure slip. Students will not be released from class unless the parent/guardian has first obtained an early departure slip from the office. As a courtesy, we ask that you notify the teacher prior to any planned early departure, by way of a note sent to school with your child. 

A yard duty teacher is present in the school yard from 8.45am each morning. We ask that all students arrive at school no later than 9 am. Any student at school before 8.45am MUST be supervised by a parent/guardian or be booked into before school care.

Students are released from school at 3.30pm each day. Parents collecting their child from school must collect them between 3.30pm – 3.45pm. Parents should be on time as cildren can become distressed when parents are not present at collection time. If a parent realises they will be late to collect their child, they should notify the office staff. Any student on school grounds after 3.45pm, must be supervised by a parent/guardian or be booked into aftercare.

When a student arrives after the 9.00am bell, they need to sign in at the Compass Kiosk located at the front Office and take the late slip to the class teacher. If a student arrives at class after the roll has been marked and does not have a late arrival slip, the teacher will send the student back to the office to obtain a late arrival slip. 

The only jewellery permitted to be worn is a watch, small plain sleepers, small plain gold/silver studs and Medalert jewellery. 

Wide brimmed or legionnaire hats are to be worn outside until May and then again from September each year.

We have two options available Monday to Friday.

Option A: Local Milk Bar

•  A price list is provided for each family and the method of ordering is set out on this list.

•  Students are responsible for placing the lunch order in the lunch order box in their pod at the beginning of the school day.

•  Students still need to bring morning tea on days when they have lunch orders.

Option B: Classroom Cuisine

Is a ‘healthy option’ which you can order online. https://www.classroomcuisine.com.au/

While we encourage students to wear either traditional black school shoes or predominantly black coloured runners, students should wear shoes that will best allow them to engage with the various demands of school life such as playing outside each day. On days that students have Physical Education or Sport, runners are advised. 

Your child will have weekly sessions of Physical Education, Japanese, Visual Arts and Performing Arts. These will usually take place over two in the week. The specific timetable will be communicated to you at the start of the school term.

All students remain in their pod if it is raining OR over approximately 36 degrees during play times. Students are supervised inside.

There are many reasons for your child to be away from school. They may be unwell, have a medical appointment or be on an extended holiday. If your child is away we appreciate you logging into COMPASS and entering the absence through the student profile page. You can do this before the date or after the occurrence.