Westfield Park Pre-Primary operates five full days of the week. The school day starts at 8.45am with a 3.00pm finish.

Wednesday is an early close day and school finishes at 2.30pm.

Parents are urged to contact the Pre-Primary teacher over any matters which concern their child. Shifting house, a change in your family situation, sickness or death in the family are some of the factors which can affect your child. If we know about these it will help us to better understand your child and his/her needs. Remember that during school hours the teacher’s first duty is to the children. An appointment will therefore be necessary for the teacher to be free to speak to you in depth.

To help ensure that we can maximise programs for your child we draw your attention to the Contributions and Charges sheet which indicates the amount of money that you are asked for in relation to a voluntary contribution and the charges that you can expect during the school year.

DELIVERY AND COLLECTION OF CHILDREN
Parents are requested to stay with their child until the class door is open each morning at 8.30am.  Parents are requested NOT to send children earlier than the time prescribed and to please collect them promptly.   THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT.   If you have problems picking up your child on occasions a phone call to the centre would be appreciated and it will enable us to explain to the child that you are coming but will be late. Should you have to drop your child off prior to starting time please note that students are expected to wait in the undercover area until they are dismissed to go to classes at 8.30am

Children wait in the classroom until parents arrive.   If it is after 3.10pm your child will be taken to the School Office to wait for you there. If you are late on a Wednesday your child will be taken to the library and supervised there. You must go to the School Office to obtain a release authorisation on a Wednesday if you are late. Teachers need to be notified if a Day Care Centre is picking up children.

Children can only be collected by one of the following people:
· parent/guardian
· person authorised by parent in writing. If older children are to pick up your child from school a permission slip must also be given to the teacher.

Please note - The School Office must view Family Court documents which affect custody and access of your child. A copy is taken and attached to your child’s enrolment card for reference. It is your responsibility to notify us of any changes in relation to these matters.

Any parents wishing to collect their child during lesson time must sign them out at   the office and collect a “Leave Pass” to give to the teacher before collecting their child.
Alternatively, if a child arrives at the school after 9:00am parents need to sign them in at the office and collect a “Late Pass” to give to the teacher.

It is a requirement of the Department of Education and Training that a written note of explanation must be supplied by parents for children who are absent from school.

For safety reasons there is no playing allowed on equipment before and after school (this includes older and younger brothers and sisters).
 LEAVING SCHOOL PREMISES DURING THE DAYThe school has responsibility The school has responsibility for the care and supervision of children during school hours.  Once the children arrive at school they are forbidden to leave the school premises without the Principal’s permission - except at school dismissal time or to go home for lunch.  In the latter case a note is required from parents.  If parents need to collect children during school hours they need to complete a release form at the office

Parents who collect children during school hours must report to the office for a leave pass before collecting the child from their classroom.  These procedures are for the safety and protection of children, your assistance in complying with them helps us to ensure this.
 

CANTEEN

Pre-Primary children can order from the canteen.   A canteen menu and appropriate lunch bags are available from the canteen.  Don’t forget to print your child’s name and class number on the bag.  Please note there are NO RECESS ORDERS, ICECREAMS OR ICYPOLES.


SWIMMING LESSONS
In-term swimming lessons will be held in Term 1 for Pre-Primary to Year 7. These lessons are conducted through the Department of Education and Training as part of the curriculum and we encourage all students to attend.

 FUND RAISING
All fund raising in the school is conducted through the P & C Committee and we encourage parents to support their efforts as all monies raised benefit our students and school community.
P & C meetings are held on a regular basis and new members are always welcome.

 PARENT INVOLVEMENT AT PRE PRIMARY
PARENT ROSTER
Parents are most welcome to attend morning sessions until recess time. Let the teacher know when you would like to come in to see if it is suitable depending on daily programme and timetable.  Do try to come at least once per term. There will be no parent roster for the first two weeks.

Duties of parents on roster are varied. Some duties involve supervising small group activities and/or helping with food preparation. Fathers and grandparents are welcome, as are toddlers and babies. But parents, please remember that younger brothers and sisters are YOUR responsibility.  It is important that younger children do not disrupt the class.
SPECIAL EVENTSParents are also encouraged to attend any special events involving the Pre-Primary students. Eg. Assembly or open days/evenings.  Your child will appreciate your involvement.
Birthdays: Parents may provide a cake or cup cakes to celebrate their child’s birthday.

HEALTH AND WELL BEING
The school needs to be informed of any special procedures your child may be required to follow regarding health or learning disorders.
Any health concerns can be directed to our school nurse throughout the year and parent support is available through professional services.

THE WEARING OF SHOES
The general school policy that covers all year levels is that children are to wear shoes and we expect all children to wear them to and from school. It is a safety issue, probably more important in these days of syringes and HIV awareness.

Inappropriate footwear will mean children will be limited on the equipment they may play on.

Thongs, slip on shoes and high heeled shoes are not permitted

 CHILDREN’S CLOTHING -
School uniforms are available new or second hand from the P & C Uniform Shop. We encourage all students to wear uniform. The school dress code asks parents to ensure students have suitable shoes. Children should not wear jewellery. Given that accidents do happen with younger children we ask that you send the child with a spare set of clothes in a plastic bag in their school bag each day.

Names must be written on bags, and clothes, including caps, and all personal articles. The school has a ‘No hat, no play’ policy in order to encourage a ‘sun smart’ attitude in our students. No hat means they are required to sit in the shade for recess and lunch and miss out on play.

Bikes and scooters are not permitted in the Pre-Primary area, they must be locked and left at the bike rack.

 ANIMALS

Please note: No dogs are allowed in Pre-Primary or School grounds.

LAUNDRY
At some time throughout the year your child will come home with a few dress-up clothes, tea-towels, painting aprons etc. to wash.   Your assistance in washing them would be appreciated.

THE LEARNING PROGRAM
 The program undertaken at the school is based on the Curriculum and the Outcomes and Standards Frameworks that are being implemented in all Government schools.

Teachers carefully plan their programs around the child’s needs and developmental growth. Basically a day will consist of set indoor play then outdoor play activities that cover the seven learning areas of English, Maths, The Arts, Science, Society and Environment, Technology and Enterprise and Health and Physical Education.

At all times your child is under careful and considered supervision. Recess and lunchtime are the same as for the rest of the school. Teachers are rostered off to have lunch and other staff will at times supervise these play periods through a duty roster.
Children will also interact with other teachers in the school i.e. Music Specialist or Library Teacher.

INDOORS
During the indoor time the child will be encouraged to develop language and fine motor skills through activities such as library corner and home corner, block construction, painting, drawing, threading, building and handcraft.  All these require the use of language, the application of concepts and co-ordination of hand and eye muscles.  These are essential skills for reading, maths and writing.  A study of nature and science will be introduced to gain an awareness of their world.
Creative thinking, independence, respect for others and concentration will all be encouraged. Children will also engage in music lessons and computer sessions.

 OUTDOORS
During the outdoor time he/she will develop skills in gross motor area through swinging, running, jumping, climbing, digging.  He/she will also gain skills of co-operation, self-discipline and responsibility.  Children will be given the opportunity for dramatic play.  This is a time where they can add to their framework of knowledge by interacting with others to build on what they already know.

WHAT TO BRING


BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT
We endeavour to help students develop appropriate social skills, resilience and self management. A whole school approach is used to accomplish this. Please refer to the student Code of Conduct for more information.

REPORTING TO PARENTS
Teachers will keep all parents up to date with students’ progress throughout the year. A summative report will be sent home each semester.

Parents are encouraged to keep in close communication with class teacher regarding school progress. At any time a parent may request an appointment to discuss their child’s progress. The teacher will then make an interview time that suits both parties. Under certain circumstances a member of the administration team will be invited to be involved.
 
 
 

SCHOOL BASED COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICER
Mrs Phyllis Angus is the School Based Community Liaison Officer.  She runs regular parent class representatives meetings and general parent workshops.  If you are interested in volunteering in the school or want to know more about becoming involved please contact her on 93905555.

ILLNESSStudents who become ill at school are sent to the office. Parents may be called if it is deemed that the child cannot return to class and needs to go home. IMMUNISATIONS

Parents need to provide the School with their child’s record of immunisation.

Children will not be excluded from the program if they are not immunised.  Parents of unimmunised children will be notified if any child at the centre has an infectious disease. Please refer to the
Infectious Diseases Section for more information.
 

INFECTIOUS  DISEASES

 The following Infectious Diseases summary is provided for information of all parents.

 Hand, Feet and Mouth disease - exclude until all blisters have crusted.

 Herpes Simplex (Cold Sores) - young children unable to comply with good oral hygiene practices should be excluded while lesions are uncovered or weeping.  Lesions should be covered by a dressing, where possible.

 Chicken Pox   - exclude from school.  Re-admit when fully recovered.  Some remaining scabs do not justify continued exclusion.

 Conjunctivitis     - exclude from school until discharge from the eyes has ceased.

 Rubella (German Measles)     - exclude from school.  Re-admit on recovery or until at least days after onset of rash.
 Contacts do not need to be excluded but should be advised to see their doctor.

 Glandular Fever     - exclude until child is well.

 Hepatitis A     - exclude from school.  Re-admit on medical certificate of recovery but not before seven days after onset of illness.

 Hepatitis B - exclusion is not necessary.  Contacts should be advised to see their doctor.

 Hepatitis C - exclusion is not necessary.

 Impetigo (School Sores)     - exclude from school until effective treatment (including the proper use of occlusive dressings) has been instituted.

 Influenza - like illness     - excludes.  Readmit on recovery.

 Measles -     exclude from school.  Re-admit on medical certificate of recovery, or at least 4 days after appearance of the rash if well.  PARENTS ARE ASKED TO NOTIFY THE SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY A DIAGNOSIS IS CONFIRMED BY THEIR FAMILY DOCTOR.
 Unimmunised contacts should be excluded until 14 days after the first day of appearance of the rash in the last case identified in the school, unless contact was immunised within 72 hours of first exposure.
 Contacts should be advised to see their doctor immediately.

 Mumps -     exclude for at least 9 days after onset of symptoms.
 Contacts should be advised to see their doctor.

 Pediculosis -     Head Lice ( Nits )
 Children with head lice are excluded from school.  They are allowed to return the day after treatment has commenced. Family contacts will probably be infected and should be treated. This is a parent problem and should be treated at home.

 Ringworms -     exclude from school until the day after treatment has commenced.

 Scabies -     exclude from school until the day after treatment has commenced.  Family contacts will probably be infested and should be treated.

 Pertussis  (Whooping Cough)  - exclude for 2 weeks from onset of illness or for 5 days after starting antibiotic treatment.
 Exclude unimmunised household / child care contacts aged less than 7 years for 14 days after the last exposure to infection, or until they have received 5 days of treatment.
 Contacts should be advised to see their doctor.

 MEDICATION POLICY
Westfield Park Primary School’s Medication Policy is based on the Department of Education and Training “Student Health Policy” document.

Staff will assist parents with reasonable requests for the administering of prescribed medication where there is an agreement between staff, parents/guardian/carer, and principal and where written instructions from the prescribing doctor have been provided by the parent/guardian/carer.  School staff is responsible for student welfare and need to know if a student has a valid medical reason for carrying prescribed medicine to school.

Where a child has brought medicines/tablets into the school without ratification from parents, teachers will take procession of the medication then contact parents for clarification of the child’s needs.

Students should self-administer their own medication where capable of doing so and have authorisation for the taking of his or her medication.  The students may be supervised/assisted by school staff in administering their medication where there is an agreement to do so.
NOTE that parents/students are able to hand medication into the office where it will be stored in a locked cabinet and students are able to administer under supervision at the lunch break each day or as prescribed by the doctor.

If a student is required to carry and self-administer prescribed medicine while at school, the parent/guardian/carer must advise the principal of all relevant details, e.g. what form the medication takes, the correct dose and the symptoms associated with misuse, overuse, or under-use as indicated by the treating doctor.

Students are NOT to keep medication (prescribed or non-prescribed) in their bags.

Administering Over-the Counter (non-prescribed) Medication
School staff will not be involved in administering non-prescribed medication.
Drugs such as those used for travel sickness, antihistamines, Ventolin, and cough mixtures can have side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, and may affect student performance.  It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian/carer to notify school staff if a student is taking over-the- counter medicine.

Minor Analgesics
Analgesics are non-prescribed pain suppressants (e.g. aspirin and paracetamol) and can have undesirable side effects. Aspirin will not be administered to students without a medical practitioner’s written instruction because of the possibility of Reye’s Syndrome developing (a potentially fatal disease of childhood).

If school staff is to administer medication to the student the following protocol applies:

a) parent/guardian/carer must provide written authority for the school staff accepting responsibility to administer the prescribed medication (Appendix 1: Student Medication Request form - available from front office)
 

b) parent/guardian/carer is responsible for the submission in writing of any requirements of the student for medication, including details from the medical practitioner (Appendix 2:
Medication Instructions from Prescribing Doctor - available from office) and of the circumstances for the appropriate use and application of the medication

c)   parent/guardian/carer must provide the medication in a properly labelled container (name
    of student, name of medication, doses to be taken).  Minimal quantities only should be sent
      to school unless there is a need for larger amounts to be sent, by agreement with the
     school. Medication that is not labelled correctly will not be accepted for use.

d) School staff will only administer prescribed medication in accordance with instructions or advice of a medical authority

A new request/record agreement needs to be made:
· if the dose or medication type is altered
· if the regime is re-started following the expiration of this order
· at the beginning of each NEW calendar year
· if the designated teacher alters
This agreement form is only valid in conjunction with Appendix 2 of instructions from the prescribing doctor.

A “Student Medication Request” and “Medication Instructions from Prescribing Doctor” forms will need to be completed in every instance where school staff actively administer medication to a student, or supervise the administration of medication by a student.

Student Medical Emergency Requests and Emergency Action Plans
It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian/carer to provide the school with adequate information regarding the details of the student’s medical condition that may require specific action and/or treatment under emergency conditions.  Where such a medical condition exists, collaborative discussion needs to take place between school staff; parent/guardian/carer and the school principal to develop an emergency action plan upon which all parties agree.
Parents of children with a medical condition will need to contact the school as soon as possible to discuss an action plan to be followed in the case of an emergency.
 

DENTAL CLINIC

The Clinic is open from 8.15am - 12 noon and 12.45pm - 4.30pm and often over the school holidays.

 
 

A MEMO FROM YOUR CHILD

1. BE FIRM WITH ME…….
I prefer it – it makes me feel secure knowing you care

2. DON’T SPOIL ME……
I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for. I’m only testing you

3. BAD HABITS ARE EASILY FORMED…..
I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.

4. IF YOU CAN HELP IT……
Don’t correct me in front of other people. I’ll take much more notice if you talk quietly with me in private.

5. DON’T MAKE ME FEEL SMALLER THAN I AM…
It only makes me behave stupidly big.

6. DON’T MAKE ME FEEL ALL MY MISTAKES  ARE SINS
It upsets my sense of values

7. WHEN I SAY I HATE YOU DON’T BE UPSET….
It isn’t you I hate, but your power to thwart me.

8. HELP ME TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MY ACTIONS…
I may need to learn the painful way sometimes.

9. DON’T TAKE TOO MUCH NOTICE OF MY SMALL AILMENTS…
I’m quite capable of trading on them.

10. DON’T NAG…..
If you do, you will find I will have to protect myself by appearing deaf.

11. PROMISES ARE IMPORTANT…..
I feel badly let down when your promises are broken.

12. REMEMBER I CAN’T EXPLAIN MYSELF AS WELL AS I WANT TO …..
That is why I am not always very accurate.

13. DON’T TAX MY HONESTY TOO MUCH….
I am easily frightened into telling lies.

14. BE CONSISTENT……
Or you will confuse me and make me lose faith in you.

15. PLEASE ANSWER MY QUESTIONS…..
So that I don’t stop asking and seeking information somewhere else.
 
 

PLEASE SAVE ANYTHING YOU FEEL MAY BE USEFUL AT SCHOOL

Boxes - firm and clean, not squashed!
Buttons
Cake tins, kitchen utensils (for the sand patch)
Calendars
Cardboard - all shapes, sizes and colours
Cardboard tubes
Cards - Birthday, Christmas and others
Cartons - large ones that washing machines and T.V.s have been in.
Cellophane
Computer paper
Corks and bottle tops, popsticks, wire, plastic spoons
Cotton balls
Cotton reels
Dowel rods
Dress up clothes  (both male and female)
   (Evening clothes)
Drinking straws
Egg cartons
Envelopes
Feathers
Felt
Fur
Hessian
Ice cream containers
Jars
Jewellery
Linoleum
Magazines
Material scraps, lace, ribbon
Paper - for painting on (old plans from Government Departments)
Paper bags
Paper doyleys
Paper plates
Pipe cleaners
Plastic containers
Postage Stamps
Timber - small pieces of soft timber
Wallpaper
Wigs
Wool
Wrapping paper
PLEASE DO NOT SEND
TOILET ROLLS
MEDICINE BOXES
LAUNDRY POWDER BOXES
MILK CONTAINERS

  Where is Westfield Park -About Us - Our School Community - Parent Information
 School Noticeboard - School Policies - Eight Learning Areas - Intervention
Comings and Goings - In our Classrooms - Wetlands - Aboriginal Education
Computer Club - Classroom Album - Authors' Showcase - Our Art Gallery
Special - Awards - Links - Guestbook- Sport - Disclaimer - Copyright