INFO FOR PARENTS

Eligibility

Criteria for preference for enrolment in State-Integrated Catholic Schools is based on at least one of the following criteria being met:

5.1 The child has been baptised or is being prepared for baptism in the Catholic Church.

5.2 The child’s parents/guardians have already allowed one or more of its siblings to be baptised in the Catholic faith.

5.3 At least one parent / guardian is a Catholic, and although their child has not yet been baptised, the child’s participation in the life of the school could lead to the parents having the child baptised.

5.4 With the agreement of the child’s parent/guardian, a grand parent or other significant adult in the child’s life, such as an aunt, uncle or godparent, undertakes to support the child’s formation in the faith and practices of the Catholic Church.

St Joseph's Catholic school can also accept a limited number of non-Catholic students. Please contact us to discuss this further. 

Non-Preference students

a) Up to 12 children with non-preference status may be on the school roll at any time.

b) Parents are able to place their child's name on a waiting list. Children will be offered placement as vacancies occur in accordance with the following guidelines;

1. siblings of existing non-preference students

2. students living within the parish boundary.

3. children of staff members

4. students living outside the schools parish boundary.

The date names are placed on the waiting list will define the priority within each of the above criteria.

Hot lunch orders are available every Friday in Term 2, 3 and 4. These include fish & chips, nuggets, hot dogs, burgers from Golden Dragon. Orders are placed at the school office before 9am and these are delivered to school by 12:40pm.

Special Character contribution

The Hamilton Diocese also asks for a Catholic Special Character contribution, which helps cover the costs associated with the delivery of professional development services in support of Catholic Special Character in Catholic primary and secondary schools. It is a donation paid to the Catholic Education Office and is eligible for a tax credit.

This optional special character contribution is $50 per year and is requested by the Hamilton diocese with attendance dues

Absences 

The school office must be notified if your child is absent. This can be done by ringing the office or by sending a notification through the Skool Loop App. The school will contact parents after 9:30am if there is an unexplained absence. If parents wish to take their child out of school early or during the day they must notify the classroom teacher or the office in advance. 

Bicycles/Scooters 

All pupils must wear approved safety helmets. Bikes and Scooters must be kept in the stands provided and must not be ridden in the school grounds during the school day.  Parents must follow current Police/Road Safety guidelines if allowing  children to ride bikes to school. 

Bus Safety 

 Students catching the bus are now issued with high visibility vests provided by the school. The duty teacher will check and supervise those children boarding the bus at school.  Please let the school know if your child is not travelling on the bus. 

Sun Smart Safety 

We are officially a Sun Smart School.  Sunhats are issued to all students and these are to remain at school.  In Term 1 and 4 all students are to follow sun safe procedures. e.g. hats are to be worn whilst outside, sunscreen available at the school when necessary.  Students are to wear sufficient clothing during school outings.  Lunch to be eaten under designated shaded areas. 

Lost Property 

All clothing for school use (including swimming togs, towels etc) should be clearly named as this makes it easier to return. 

Any unnamed or unclaimed items are kept in a lost property box in the learning space. 

Book Club 

Scholastic book club brochures are available from time to time.  Purchases can be made by filling in the form on the back of the brochure and returning to school with the required money.  Parents are not required in any way to purchase books