Policies

Parent Communication

Our school acknowledges the concerns of parents and welcomes any questions you may have. We are committed to responding promptly to your enquiries. When you have matters or concerns regarding the school it is vital that you seek resolution as early as possible to avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety. In the first instance please contact the classroom teacher or other relevant staff members to discuss your concerns. The best way to do this is to arrange an appointment with the relevant person so that an appropriate amount of time can be devoted to resolving the matter effectively. To avoid disruptions to normal class routine we ask that you to arrange meetings with teachers in advance. An appointment with the teacher can also be requested via the office.

Please note that it is inappropriate for parents/caregivers to deal directly with other students or their caregivers as this can lead to unnecessary conflict between the parties involved.

Newsletters and School Communication (Website and Connect Community App)

The Connect Community App will be an integral component to our communication channels with the community. When available we will disseminate this information out and strongly encourage the community to download and use regularly. We urge parents to download the App, look at the website and read the newsletters regularly to keep up to-date with what is happening in and around the school.

The school newsletter is placed on the school website and Connect Community App fortnightly, generally on Thursday. Our newsletter is designed to keep you up to date with current and upcoming events at the school. Hard copies can be collected from the Administration Office. The newsletter is a wonderful way for us to share and celebrate the achievements of your children.

Teacher-Parent Contact

Informal ongoing contact with class teachers is important at Aveley North PS. In addition to formal reports at the end of the first and second semester teachers will report informally in a variety of ways including:

• Information sessions about the teaching and learning program
• Parent teacher discussions, that may include three way conferences with the child involved
• Telephone discussions between teacher and parent
• Annotations in diaries and communication books
• Letters, emails and other forms of correspondence from teachers to advise parents about successes or concerns

Where there is a need to discuss a student’s progress, staff will contact parents by note, email or phone to organize a mutually suitable time to meet.

Parent information meetings are held in each class at the beginning of each year. At this meeting teachers will set out their preferable method of communication, e.g. email, phone or meetings.

Internet, Information Privacy and Security

All students access and use the internet under supervision whilst at school. When enrolling your child you will be required to sign a permission form granting rights to access the internet whilst at school.

Department of Education policy requires written permission before photos of your child/ren can be used on printed material such as newsletters, newspapers, television, video and/or internet. Formal enrolment documentation requests parent authorisation / permission for this to occur.

Mobile Phones

Students are not encouraged to bring mobile phones to school. However, where parents request that their child does need to have a mobile phone it must be switched off and stored by the classroom teacher during school hours for safe-keeping.

Mobile phones are not permitted to be used during school hours under any circumstances.

Parents needing to make emergency contact with their children during school hours are requested to do so through the front office. N.B. – Neither the school nor the Department of Education will accept any responsibility if mobile phones are lost, damaged or stolen.

Your child’s health needs are supported by a team of qualified professionals. These people include:

• A registered School Health Nurse attached to the Health Department will make regular visits to the school will see the Kindergarten and Pre-Primary children to check on their general health and to diagnose any problems related to sight or hearing.

• A School Psychologist who provides a range of services to children, parents and teachers. Schools are allocated school psychologist time based on student enrolment numbers.

• The Dental Clinic offers a free service to all primary school students.

Medical Conditions and Allergies

When submitting your Student Enrolment Form please advise the office if your child suffers from asthma, allergies or other medical conditions. The school will need a copy of an action plan provided by your family doctor if your child is asthmatic, has anaphylaxis or suffers from other conditions that may require attention by staff. Medication (E.g. antibiotics, analgesics) is not to be kept in children’s school bags. The school requires written information on all medicines. If your child is on medication, please complete a medical form available from school administration and ensure it is kept up to date. Medication will only be administered with full written instructions from parents.

Allergy and Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that is potentially life threatening. Food allergies are the most common cause of anaphylaxis. There is no cure for food allergy, therefore avoidance of known food allergens is crucial. Peanuts and tree nuts are the foods most likely to cause anaphylaxis.

The school is supporting staff and children at risk of anaphylaxis by:

• training staff,
• encouraging children to wash their hands after eating,
• educating children about food allergies, and
• choosing not to sell foods in the school canteen which have peanuts or tree nuts (eg. hazelnuts, cashews, almonds etc) in the main ingredients list

We ask you to support staff and children at risk of anaphylaxis by

• not sending food which has peanuts or tree nuts (eg hazelnuts, cashews, almonds, etc) in the main ingredients list. Note: products containing traces of peanuts or tree nuts can be sent to school.
• teaching your child not to share food with friends that have food allergy,
• encouraging your child to wash their hands after eating,
• asking your child to get help immediately if their allergic schoolmate gets sick, and
• explaining to your child that teasing a child with an allergy or tampering with their medication, is bullying and could be life-threatening.

With your help we can provide a safe environment that meets the needs of all our staff and children.

Accidents and Illness

In the event of a child being sick or having an accident at school, every attempt will be made to contact the parents. All parents are asked to ensure that the school has up to date contact phone numbers, address and emergency contact details, so contact can be made without delay. In the event of a serious accident where parents cannot be contacted, an ambulance will be called. This cost will be charged to the parent by the Ambulance Service.

Infectious Diseases

Below is a list of the most common ailments that children can suffer with. Details regarding treatment and possible exclusion from school are listed below:

Measles

Notifiable. Exclude from school. Re-admit on medical certificate or at least seven days from the appearance of a rash. Contacts not excluded. Non-immunised students should be excluded for 14 days after the appearance of a rash in the last case identified at the school, unless contact was immunised within 72 hours of first exposure.

Hepatitis

Notifiable. Exclude from school. Re-admit on medical certificate stating that the child is no longer likely to convey infection.

Chicken Pox

Not notifiable. Exclude from school at least one week after first eruption, or while scabs are moist.

Impetigo (School Sores)

Not notifiable. Exclude from school until treated. Lesions (sores) must be covered with a waterproof dressing whilst at school.

Conjunctivitis

Not notifiable. Exclude from school until symptoms are gone. Contacts not excluded. Very contagious.

Influenza-Like Illnesses

Not notifiable. Exclude from school and re-admit on recovery.

Mumps

Not notifiable. Exclude from school. Re-admit on medical certificate or 14 days after onset if well. Contacts not excluded.

Ringworm

Not notifiable. Exclude from school. Re-admit on medical certificate stating that the child is no longer likely to convey the infection. Contacts not excluded.

Rubella (German Measles)

Not notifiable. Exclude from school. Re-admit on recovery or five days after onset of rash.

OTHER

Head Lice and Nits

Small white egg sacks, which will look like whitish specks, can be observed stuck to hair, especially behind the ear and back of neck. If you find nits or head lice, a recommended treatment is required. Your child may return to school after effective treatment has been carried out to destroy all live head lice and the majority of the eggs. A brochure detailing ‘How to treat head lice’ is available from the Administration Office.

Please note that children who are ill with an infectious disease should not attend school and should not return until they are fully recovered.