Practicalities A-Z

Animals in schools

Pets are not permitted on school grounds unless by arrangement with the Principal. The Companion Animals Act 1998 specifically prohibits dogs in schools and makes bring them into school grounds an offence.

Assembly

Assemblies take place on Friday afternoons at 2.15pm in the Hall in Weeks 3, 6 and 9 unless advised otherwise.

Attendance

Parents of children from Kindergarten to Year 12 must ensure their children attend school every day. On occasion, your child may need to be absent from school. Justified reasons for student absences may include:

• being sick or having an infectious disease

• having an unavoidable medical appointment

• being required to attend a recognised religious holiday

• exceptional or urgent family circumstances e.g. attending a funeral

Parents and carers must provide an explanation for absences to the school within 7 days from the first day of any period of absence. Where an explanation has not been received within the 7-day timeframe, the school will record the absence as unjustified on the student's record. After 7 days the explanation cannot be modified.

When an absence due to illness exceeds three days, a medical certificate should be provided to justify the absence. 

Should you need to collect your child during school hours, contact the school office. This will be recorded as a partial absence. Likewise, late arrival will be recorded as a partial absence.

For pre-planned absences such as extended holidays during term time, contact the school office for a leave application form.

When students are absent from school, it is not expected that teachers will provide work for completion at home.

Birthdays

Birthdays are acknowledged at St James! Students will receive a birthday sticker at morning assembly, on or near the day of their birthday. Individual cupcakes or similar may be distributed to celebrate a birthday. Whole cakes, ice blocks, lolly bags and or party bags are not suitable for distribution at school. Birthday invitations will not be handed out by the school. Invitations may be discreetly distributed by parents and carers. 

Before school supervision: 8.25am - 8.50am 

Morning assembly: 8.50am

School commences: 8.55am

Lunch: 10.55am - 11.35am 

Fruit Break: 1.35pm - 2.05pm 

School finishes: 3.05pm 

After school supervision: 3.05pm - 3.15pm 

Term dates and pupil free days can be found on the school’s Compass calendar 

Food

Healthy lunches and fruit break snacks are encouraged, with minimal packaging and waste. The amount of food packed should match your child’s appetite, and unfinished food should be taken home. All containers must be labelled with your child’s name! Please avoid nuts and eggs (please, no peanut butter or nutella).

‘The School Canteen’ offers a mobile canteen service to St James. This is an online only ordering service through www.spriggyschools.com.au. Lunch order cut off is 8.00am on the day of the order. You can choose to order for more than one week at a time up to the end of each term. 

Sushi is available on a Friday, ordered from a local Japanese restaurant in Glebe. Orders are placed via the class office bag in a brown paper bag the day before (Thursday). The menu is available from the school office and in the compass parent portal. 

Finance

School fees and levies are invoiced annually. Each family has the option to nominate payment frequency e.g. fortnightly, monthly or by the term (first 3 terms). 

School fees include: tuition fees, insurances, Administration  Levy, Excursion Levy, ICT Levy, Resource Levy, Sports Levy, and Swimming Program (charged per child), and the Building Levy (charged only once per family).

Payment can be made by cash, credit card (Mastercard or Visa either in the office or directly through the online Compass portal), or BPay. 

Any families who are experiencing difficulty meeting their school accounts are asked to contact the Principal to discuss their position. No child will be denied a Catholic Education for financial reasons - Bursaries may be available to assist families who are in genuine need of financial help. Financial hardship cases are assessed on a case by case application.

Information Technology

Students in all grades use information technology devices purposefully in class to enhance their learning.

Students from K-3 have devices provided by the school for in-class use.

Students from Years 4-6 provide their own designated device as part of the Bring Your Own Designated Device (BYODD) program. Each 3-6 class also has other devices to supplement (not replace) BYODD devices if required.

Students’ mobile telephones and smart watches must be brought to the office on arrival at school, stored there throughout the day, and collected at the end of the school day. Students and their parents and carers must ensure children’s devices are not contactable through the school day.

Lost property

Please ensure all objects and items of clothing brought to school are clearly labelled. Check regularly, as labels can wash off! Check with the office for lost property - things can also turn up in the classroom and at after school care.

Out of School Hours  Care

Before School Care can be provided by Forest Lodge Public School  Primary OSHCare - 02 9960 4334, flasca@flasca.com.

After School Care is provided on site at St James by Sydney Catholic Early Childhood Services - (02) 9568 8628, glebe.oshc@syd.catholic.edu.au. 

Road safety, parking and Traffic Management Plan

Obey ALL road rules, ALL the time, even if it is slightly less convenient. Teach your children to do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do.

Our local friends matter to us, and we want to be good neighbours. Be considerate - DO NOT block driveways, speak kindly to our neighbours.

Please make yourself familiar with the Traffic Management Plan.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

We take the safety and wellbeing of all children very seriously. All persons providing a service at St James must demonstrate their suitability to engage in child related work, according to SCS policy and procedure. This requirement also contributes to the safety and wellbeing of those engaged in child related work, including volunteering.

Should you be required to complete any training or documentation prior to working with children at St James, our administration staff will inform and assist you.

Toys and valuables

Children are discouraged from bringing valuables including precious or expensive toys to school as we cannot guarantee protection from breakage or loss. We seek parents’ and carers’ support in this matter. If something valuable is brought to school (e.g. for class news) please bring it to the school office where it will be held for the day, to be collected after school.

Balls will be provided by the school for use in the playground and the park. Students may bring a handball. 

The Principal will bear responsibility for the final decision in the event these practices need to be adjusted in individual cases.

Uniform

Detailed  information can be found in the uniform section of the handbook.

Non-uniform days occur with notice throughout the year, for school events or fundraising occasions. Students are not required to wear school uniform on non-uniform days; neat, casual clothes or themed ‘dress-ups’ as communicated for each event are suitable. Staff may participate in non-uniform and dress-up days.

It is a good idea, particularly for younger students, to pack a plastic bag, change of underwear, and fresh socks in case the need for an emergency change arises.

The school hat comprises part of the uniform. Students without a hat play in the shade on the deck.

Wet and extreme weather

In wet and/or extreme weather, children will generally remain in the classroom before school and at break times. Playgrounds and surrounds are assessed for hazards before decisions are made about students going outdoors in these conditions.

Should it be necessary, the school’s PA system will be used during afternoon dismissal should students not be able wait in the playground.