Parent Information 2021 - Glen Iris Primary School
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Welcome! I would like to take this opportunity to introduce new families to Glen Iris Primary School. We believe you will find our community to be an open and friendly one, with a sincere desire for parents to take an active part in their children's schooling. Glen Iris Primary School is a supportive and engaging learning environment for children. Programs that develop student self-esteem and resilience underpin a positive approach to student wellbeing and management. The Resilience Program, Buddies, Respectful Relationships and Life Education build lasting friendships and harmonious peer relationships. Our shared school values - Empathy, Honesty, Resilience, Gratitude and Respect - focus our expectations of attitudes and behaviours and are central to the life of our school and community. Great emphasis is placed on the essential learning areas of Mathematics and English where we strive to develop each child's skills to their maximum individual potential. Our motto “Aim High” inspires a proud tradition of excellence and high expectations for our students and of ourselves as learners and role models. We also recognise the importance of providing a comprehensive curriculum with Humanities, Science, the Arts and Health all being incorporated into classroom programs through an inquiry based curriculum that focuses on student engagement and critical and creative thinking. At Glen Iris, we value the opportunity to work with you to guide the development of your child. We recognise the significant responsibility and commitment this involves. Your input and feedback is genuinely welcome and sought to ensure the best possible learning experience is provided for every child. Together, we can enable each child to be their very best. Please feel free to contact myself, teachers and the school at any time. School tours are available by contacting the school Office on (03) 9885 3624 or by booking online at www.gips.vic.gov.au I look forward to getting to know you and your children and hope your association with Glen Iris Primary School is a happy and productive experience. Garry Collins Principal 2
At Glen Iris Primary School students will develop life skills through developing our values, whilst encouraging friendship, connecting with others and celebrating our successes together. The Glen Iris Primary School community values are: Gratitude Resilience Honesty Respect Empathy These values are actively discussed and encouraged in the classroom and integrated into the students’ wellbeing programs.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY Established over 150 years ago in 1865, Glen Iris Primary School is a family and community oriented school serving families in Glen Iris and the surrounding areas. In 2021, our student enrolment is 405 children and we have 18 classes. The grounds, buildings and facilities are well maintained and include: adventure playgrounds for each year level shaded play areas air conditioned buildings a Performing Arts room an Art room a well-resourced library an artificial turf oval a vegetable garden and chicken pen landscaped gardens We are fortunate to have access to a custom-built, multi-purpose room in the Uniting Church next to our school. This room is used for Out of School Hours care programs, and occasionally for larger school groups. We also use the church hall on a regular basis for school assemblies and other community events. SCHOOL STRUCTURE Our school structure currently consists of straight grades from Prep to Year 4. In Years 5 and 6 students learn in multi aged classes. Students are provided with a range of learning experiences during their seven years of primary education. In Years 5 and 6, children are taught inquiry topics in a two year cycle. The learning needs of each child are taken into account as teachers facilitate the development of independent learners moving towards secondary school. EDUCATIONAL Glen Iris Primary School is committed to offering a thorough, sequential and comprehensive curriculum to our students, based on the F-10 Victorian Curriculum. Glen Iris Primary School places a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy, as we believe this is an essential pathway to success. Our highly motivated and professional staff members provide a sound education that fosters a love of learning and encouragement for individuals to excel. Numeracy and Literacy are at the core of an integrated curriculum that includes STEM, ICT, Health & Physical Education, French, and the Arts (Visual and Performing).
SCHOOL TIMES The times for the school day are set out below. Bag Bell : 8.55 am School starts: 9.00 am Recess eating time*: 10.40am - 10.45am Recess play time: 10.45 am - 11.10 am Lunch eating time*: 12.50pm - 1.00pm Lunch play time: 1.00pm -1.50pm School finishes: 3.30 pm * students are supervised in the classroom during these eating times. 2021 TERM DATES: Term 1: Thursday 28 January - Thursday 1 April Term 2: Monday 19 April - Friday 25 June Term 3: Monday 12 July - Friday 17 September Term 4: Monday 4 October - Friday 17 December Student-free curriculum dates will be confirmed early in 2021. STUDENT COLLECTION All students in Prep to Year 2 must be collected from their teacher after school. Grade 3 and above are released by their teacher and can meet their parents as arranged. ATTENDANCE Schooling is compulsory for children and young people aged from 6-17 years unless an exemption from attendance or enrolment has been granted. Daily school attendance is important for all children and young people to succeed in education and to ensure they don't fall behind both socially and developmentally. School participation is important as it maximises life opportunities for children and young people by providing them with education and support networks. School helps people to develop important skills, knowledge and values which set them up for further learning and participation in their community. More information on Attendance can be found on our website. SAME DAY NOTIFICATION OF UNEXPLAINED ABSENCES All Victorian government schools are required to contact parents/carers as soon as practicable on the same day of an unexplained student absence. If your child is sick or absent, you are required to notify the school as soon as possible on the day of absence. Please remember to log your child’s absence using Compass. Where you are unable to log onto Compass please call the school on 9885 3624.
SCHOOL LEVIES In 2021, the annual levies are follows: Student funded curriculum materials: $240 per child (includes stationery) Mathletics: $14 per child Excursion Levy: In 2021 all excursions will be pay-as-you go. For your planning purposes, the Excursion Levy for last year (2020) was: Prep $125 (2020) Year 1 $145 (2020) Year 2 $160 (2020) Year 3 $175 (2020) Year 4 $180 (2020) Year 5 $230 (2020) Year 6 $230 (2020) Voluntary Financial Contributions Library/Technology Fund: $200 (per student, tax deductible) Building Fund: $100 (per student, tax deductible) All payments can be made through Compass School Manager. COMPASS SCHOOL MANAGER (Compass) All school communications will be made through the Compass School Manager online system and app. You will be given a login and user information when your child commences school. Refer to the Compass School Manager Parent Manual for more information. BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL — TeamKids The Before and After School Care program is run on school days by TeamKids. A pro- gram also operates on some Curriculum Days. The program is very well organised and offers a stimulating range of activities. The program is also available for occa- sional and emergency use. On school days, the program is available from 7.00am to 8.45am and 3.30pm to 6.30pm. The Before and After School Care program can be contacted on 1300 035 000, or https://www.teamkids.com.au/venues/glen-iris-primary-oshc TeamKids also run a holiday program during the three mid year school vacations and for three weeks in January, from 7am—6.30pm. Details can be obtained from the Team Kids website: https://www.teamkids.com.au/venues/glen-iris-primary-oshc
SCHOOL UNIFORM It is an expectation that all children will wear the school uniform. Our uniform is available from PSW suppliers in Mt Waverley (288-290 Stephen- sons Road Mt Waverley). We have a uniform shop that is open each Tuesday before school, and every Friday at the end of the day. The Parents’ Association also runs a Secondhand Uniform Shop. It is open on a Friday afternoon 3.00pm—3.40pm, or you can obtain a key to open the shop from the office at any time. All second hand items are $5. Please note that this shop is closed until late April, 2021. We are also a Sunsmart school. Hats are compulsory from September 1 to April 30 each year. PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION Three staff members are on duty during recess and lunch in the school yard. When Preps first start school, they will play in their exclusive play area and will be supervised by their teachers. As they are ready to venture to other areas of the playground with their friends, they are supervised by the staff members on duty. All teachers keep a close look out for our Preps. The playground is supervised from 8:45am—9:00am each morning and from 3:30pm—3:45pm each afternoon. Parents are responsible for student supervi- sion and safety at other times, or students must be signed in to Outside of School Care. STUDENT WELLBEING & CHILD SAFE POLICY The provision of a safe school environment is the responsibility of the entire community. It is an expectation at Glen Iris Primary School that all members of the school community—parents, teachers and students—adopt and model the school values in their dealings with others. We work within the Child Safety Standards, developed by the Department of Education. Students are involved in a variety of wellbeing programs. These programs in- clude: RRRR Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships Cyber Safety Restorative Practices “Speak Up”
SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES School assemblies are held every second Friday at 2:50pm. Parents are invited to attend. Assemblies are student orientated and are also a time of communi- cation to the whole school community. Siblings are most welcome. The dates for assembly can be found the on the website calendar: http://www.gips.vic.edu.au/page/244/Calendar- ILLNESS AT SCHOOL We are unable to cater for sick children at school. If any child becomes ill, we will contact the parents to come and collect the child. We ask that parents give us an alternative contact in case they cannot be reached. The sick bay is used for treating children at recess and lunch times. Parents are discouraged from sending unwell children to school as they may spread infection and struggle to cope with the rigors of school life. A list of infectious diseases and the required exclusion times can be found on the school website. MEDICATIONS We are not able to administer any medication without a doctor’s prescription. If you require us to administer medication during the day (eg antibiotics), please come to the front office to complete a Medication Form. SICK BAY A teacher is on duty at the Sick Bay to attend to any minor bumps and scratch- es that may occur. Teachers on Sick Bay duty have up-to-date First Aid qualifi- cations. Families are contacted immediately if children are unwell, or are sus- pected to have a more serious injury, as may occasionally occur during active play. ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA Any students with allergies or asthma must provide the school with a current Action Plan as well as any medication (eg Ventolin, Zyrtec, Epipen). It is up to the parent to ensure that all medication and action plans are current. At the end of every year, and at the mid-year break, all medication and action plans will be sent home with the students. Please take this time to check the plans and medication, and update if necessary.
SPECIALIST PROGRAMS The Specialist Programs at Glen Iris are Visual Arts, Physical Education, Per- forming Arts and French. We have a bi-annual concert which is performed by the whole school at the state-of-the-art Besen Centre auditorium at Mt Sco- pus College in Burwood. SPORT Each class has a weekly Physical Education lesson that is based on the funda- mental motor skills program. It provides for progressive development of ball and athletic skills for all children. Our physical education teacher may invite visiting professionals to run clinics for students in a variety of sports - eg. ten- nis, soccer, cricket, football. The school arranges school teams to participate in competitions for schools such as Hoop-Time Basketball. All our Year 5 and 6 students represent the school in summer and winter inter- school sport competitions. The Year 3-6 students have a special sports uniform which they may choose to wear, and all other students wear their normal uniform for sport sessions. SWIMMING PROGRAM Swimming is an integral component of the Physical Education National Curric- ulum. Students in Prep - Year 4 attend a swimming program in Term 4. An in- tensive program is held, with the timing depending on pool availability. Year 5 and 6 students participate in a water safety program in Term 4, every second year. We conduct an annual House Swimming Carnival for Years 3-6. Successful students join the school swimming team, which competes in interschool swimming sports in February each year. Eligible students have the opportunity to go on and compete at Divisional and State level. CAMP PROGRAM Glen Iris Primary School provides a sequential camping program from Prep to Year 6. In Preps, children come to school in their pyjamas, enjoy a breakfast at school and practice getting ready for the school day by dressing in their uni- form and cleaning their teeth at school. Year 1 children participate in an even- ing where they have dinner and games at school. In Year 2, students are intro- duced to overnight camping with a sleepover at the school in Term 4. School camps are held each year for children in Years 3 - 6. These have an outdoor ad- venture focus, and the venue and time of year vary according to availability of the selected camp sites.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) The incorporation of digital technology into the curriculum provides the opportunity for students to become confident and capable in their use of contemporary digital technologies. Students at Glen Iris Primary enjoy access to an infrastructure that is consistent across all classrooms and the Library/Lab Resource Centre. Prep and Yr 1 classes have access to iPads and a selection of Apps designed to enhance their learning experiences. In Years 2 to 4 students have access to both iPads and PC laptops which enable our students to work competently across multiple platforms. Our Year 5 and 6 students have a 1:1 iPad program for two years as well as access to class laptops. Classrooms have interactive display panels which integrate with the IT systems in use. Cyber Safety is a key component of the ICT program ensuring students develop safe usage practices when online. ENRICHMENT The school has many very highly able and highly interested students. As a staff, we are keen to see all children do well. With the school’s very high academic standards, children are provided with a dynamic and challenging classroom curriculum. Teachers provide a differentiated curriculum that meets the needs of all students, designing curriculum to ensure every student learns to their full potential. Opportunities such as Tournament of Minds, Inspire Program, Maths Olympiad, and SALT (Student Action Leadership Teams) are some of the programs that further develop special abilities and interests. THE BUDDY SYSTEM Two buddy programs exist at Glen Iris Primary School: Prep/Year 6 buddies and Kinder/Year 5 buddies. These programs underpin the anti-bullying approach of the school, promote social cohesion and are key strategies recommended by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation. Early each year, our new Prep students are matched with a Year 6 student who will offer them friendship, care and support during their first year of school. Teachers plan special opportunities for the Prep and Year 6 buddies to get to know each other well. This is like having an older sibling at school and is an important relationship for many children, regardless of age! Prep children really look up to the older children and enjoy a smile and a quick hello whenever they see each other in the school yard. Groups of Year 5 students visit the Uniting Church Kindergarten twice a week to join in activities with the Kinder students. 6
COMMUNICATION WITH TEACHERS Children’s success at school is built through a three-way partnership between families, the school and the student. Parents receive written reports in June and December and will be invited to a parent/ teacher meeting in February and July. For Year 3 - 6 students the July meeting is a three way conference (parent(s), teacher, student), which recog- nizes that the child is an important member of the partnership. We strongly encourage ongoing informal communication. If the teacher has concerns, the teacher will contact you about them. If par- ents have any concerns at all, they are encouraged to discuss them with the teacher. This can be done by emailing the teacher via Compass or ringing the school office to make an appointment. All information is dealt with confidentially and you and your child’s privacy will be respected. HOMEWORK Homework is intended to complement and reinforce the classroom program and to assist students to develop sound, independent homework habits re- quired in later stages of education. It is not intended to be unnecessarily ardu- ous or a chore. At each year level, there is a regular, consistent expectation regarding homework that is outlined by teachers at the start of the year. All students are expected to complete homework in the given time. It is the school expectation that all students read each night. Homework increases in complexity and duration as children progress through the school in readiness for secondary school. Should homework become an issue for any family, we ask parents to contact the classroom teacher to discuss ways of managing this problem. FOOD ALLERGIES A number of students in the school suffer from food allergies. Please consider al- lergies when packing your child’s lunch or when sending in food for any occa- sion, including school excursions. Foods labelled ‘May contain traces of xx’ are fine for the non-allergic students to consume at school. Class groups that have food allergic students will receive a class note asking parents to not send in that food. Nuts, egg, sesame and soy are the most common triggers. Students are not allowed to share food, and please check with your teacher before sending any food to school e.g. for birthdays.
LUNCH ORDERS The school does not run a canteen. An outside organisation, Classroom Cuisine, provides lunch orders on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Parents must order lunches online before 8am on the day. Order via www.classroomcuisine.com.au Icy poles are on sale each Friday lunch time for 50c. PARENT HELPERS IN THE CLASSROOM Parental involvement is an important part of learning at Glen Iris and participation in the learning process can take many forms, ranging from assisting in classrooms and programs or helping at working bees, through to involvement on the Parents’ Association and School Council. Whilst parental involvement is a welcome assistance to the teachers, it is, most importantly, an active, “hands-on” involvement in the development of your children that has many benefits for the child, family and wider community. Regular assistance is required in the junior classes, while assistance in the middle and upper school classes is generally associated with special programs and Events. WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECKS Working with Children Checks are required for any volunteer (parent, guardian, caregiver, community member) who participates in school activities which require the volunteer to have direct contact with children. All Working with Children Check cards must be registered at the school office before volunteering. Working With Children Checks are free for volunteers, and can be applied for at a post office or online. http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/home/ SUSTAINABLILITY Glen Iris Primary School adopts an environmentally-responsible approach. The school uses recycled rainwater to irrigate the grounds and in the student bathrooms. Classes undertake units of work focusing on various aspects of environmental awareness including the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” message; Sustainability; Walk to School days and shared responsibility for managing the school vegetable garden, worm farms and our chickens. A recent development has been the installation of a solar panel system to meet a large proportion of our energy needs, both now and in the future. 10
SCHOOL COUNCIL All government schools in Victoria have a school council. They are legally formed bodies that are given powers to set the key directions of a school with- in centrally provided guidelines. In doing this, a school council is able to direct- ly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its students. Glen Iris Primary School has a possible 15 members. It consists of eight parent members, five DET (Department of Education and Training) members and two co-opted members. Members are elected for a two year term with half retiring in alternate years. This creates vacancies each year. Elections are held in first Term each year. School Council generally meets on the third Wednesday of each month, twice a term, however this date is sometimes adjusted to suit local events. The council runs sub-committees, with all council members being involved. The sub-committees this year are: Buildings and Environment, Communications, Education, Finance, and Parents’ Association. Interested parents and teachers are encouraged to join these sub-committees. Our School Council is extremely supportive and proactive in the life of our school. PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION Glen Iris Primary School Parents’ Association is an active body that operates under the School Council. It organises social and fundraising events and offers support to the teaching and administrative staff in many ways. Our Parents’ Association meets each month, and all parents are welcome. Meeting dates are on the website calendar, and will be noted in the news- letter.
. The School Teapot Students who display our school values (Gratitude, Empathy, Resilience, Respect and Honesty) are given a ticket to place in the teapot. Once a month, tickets are drawn from the teapot at Assembly, and lucky students are invited to a special morn- ing tea with the Principal.
Contact Us: Garry Collins Principal Debbie McDermott Assistant Principal Sally Pace and Kathy Jacobs Enrolment Officers Glen Iris Primary School 170 Glen Iris Road Glen Iris 3146 Phone: (03) 9885 3624 Fax: (03) 9885 4465 Email: email@example.com Website: www.gips.vic.edu.au
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