kingston primary school handbook 2021
TRANSCRIPT
Department of Education
KINGSTON PRIMARY
SCHOOL
Handbook 2021
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WELCOME TO KINGSTON PRIMARY SCHOOL
“Striving Together for Excellence”
At Kingston Primary School positive learning environments and 21st century learning dispositions
drive our work to ensure every student has the skills to positively contribute to an ever changing
world.
Having students as true partners in learning to further build creative and critical thinking skills,
collaborative and moral dispositions, great communicators and highly effective numerate and literate
individuals underpins every learning opportunity.
We aim to create an environment powered by curiosity, building on each students’ capacity for
wonder as a resource to explore, understand and question our world creating lifelong learners that
compassionately and confidently embrace the world around them.
At Kingston Primary School we offer diverse learning opportunities; general Australian Curriculum
and Early Years Learning Framework implementation, Extension Maths, Health and Physical
Education, Music, STEM, Japanese, Choir and Band. Our endeavour is to enable scientists,
historians, artists, mathmaticians etc opportunities to grow and develop.
We strive to work in strong partnership with families. This partnership creates a powerful platform
to create optimum opportunities to work together in the child’s best interests. Building positive
relationships with families is an important pre-condition to support and encourage students to take
risks, have a voice, question and strive to do their best.
We trust that your connection with the school will be a happy and rewarding one.
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SCHOOL TERM DATES 2021
Term 1
Commences *Wednesday 3 February
Finishes Wednesday 31 March
*Teachers commence on Monday 1 February and students commence on Wednesday 3 February
2020
Monday 1 February and Tuesday 2 February – Teacher Preparation Days
Easter Break – 1 April – 20 April
Term 2
Commences Wednesday 21 April Finishes Friday 2 July
Term 3
Commences Tuesday 20 July (Monday 19 July is a Student Free day)
Finishes Friday 24 September
Term 4
Commences Monday 11 October
Finishes Thursday 16 December
(Friday 22 October is a Student Free Day)
School Hours
Kindergarten 9:00 am – 2:45 pm (3 days per week)
Prep – Grade 6 8:55 am – 2:55 pm
Duty of Care
Students are supervised at Kingston Primary School between 8.25am and 2.55pm on school days.
No responsibility can be accepted by the school for care of students outside these hours.
Lesson Times for Prep to Grade 6
Session 1 8:55 am – 11:15 am
Recess 11:15 am – 11:45 am
Session 2 11:45 am – 1:05 pm
Lunch 1:05 pm – 1:35 pm
Session 3 1:35 pm – 2:55 pm
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Communication
The school will communicate with families via multiple avenues.
Konnective is an app that will provide families with important information that will require parent
action. For example, the school may be closed due to an extreme weather event. Konnective will
message families with up to date advice on required action by parents.
FACEBOOK is a great way to stay informed about general events that are occurring across the
school. General reminders about celebrations and insights into the learning programs throughout
the school will be posted.
A Newsletter is published each Friday and can either be distributed through the ‘eldest in the
family’, by email or Schoolzine app. Our Newsletter is also posted on FACEBOOK. It contains an
account of happenings at the school and coming events. It can be accessed on our website.
Our website: www.kingstonprimary.tased.edu.au contains additional information for families.
Policies, uniform lists, canteen menu, class and teacher information and contact details can be
collected on this site.
Every classroom has an open door policy. You are welcome to discuss any aspects of your child’s
education, learning program or wellbeing before or after school. For discussions at other times
please make an appointment through the main office. If you have any additional queries please
contact any member of the leadership team
Ms Angela Crane [email protected] A/Principal
Mrs Dorothy Raymond [email protected] Assistant Principal
Ms Sarah Hughes [email protected] AST
Mr Chris Anagnostis [email protected] AST
Mrs Rachelle Abey [email protected] AST
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MEDICAL INFORMATION
Absences from school
A brief note, email ([email protected]) or phone call to our main office is
expected when a child is absent from school. This is an important process as the Department of
Education requires that we record this information.
If a child is an unexplained absence, Department of Education letters will be generated for 5, 10, 15
and 20 unexplained days. The aim is for all students to have optimum attendance.
Administering medication
Written and signed authorisation both by the parent and GP prescribing the medication must be
given to the school prior to medication being administered. Forms are available at the general
office. Pharmacist’s instructions must be visible. All medication which is to be administered must
be provided in the original secured labelled container, which will be kept in a secured space and
administered and signed off by an accredited staff member.
Allergies
We have a number of students that have specific allergies throughout the school from Kindergarten
to Grade 6. As a school we are aiming to be as egg and nut free as we can. Therefore, we ask that
parents please avoid egg and nut products. These products can have life threatening consequences.
Please avoid hard boiled eggs, raw egg, quiche, meringue and all nuts in lunch boxes and for snacks.
If you wish to bring cupcakes or cooked products containing egg please advise the class teacher.
When cooking on school site all classes and learning opportunities use egg substitute only.
www.kidswithfoodallergies.org https://www.egglesscooking.com https://www.nowtolove.com.au
School Nurse
We have a School Nurse available one day a week. The role of the school nurse includes
Kindergarten Health Assessments, vision and hearing screens, health advice and support, health
education and promotion in all classes, growth and development programs and assisting schools
with health management for children with known medical conditions.
Accidents or illness
Please ensure we have up to date contact details. In the event that your child has an accident at
school requiring attention beyond First Aid, the school will phone emergency contact details
provided on the validation form.
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POLICIES
All policies have been co-constructed to align with the Education Act 2016. All policies can be found
on our school website: www.kingstonprimary.tased.edu.au
Policies include:
• School Levies and Charges
A levy is charged for every student. We try to keep levies as low as possible. This levy is payable
during the first week of school or by negotiating an Agreement to Pay Levies by Instalments with
the School Business Manager.
The Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) provides assistance for low income families towards the
cost of levies. Please enquire at the school office for most recent information.
• Attendance Policy and Process
• Enrolment Process
• Volunteer and Visitor Behaviour Policy and Process
• Student Behaviour Policy
• Respectful Schools
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TEACHING AND LEARNING
Curriculum Implementation
School implements the Early Years Learning Framework (Launching into Learning and Kindergarten)
and the Australian Curriculum (Prep to Grade 6).
The Early Years Learning Framework focuses on five essential outcomes:
1. Children have a strong sense of identity
2. Children are connected with and contribute to their world
3. Children have a strong sense of well being
4. Children are confident and involved learners
5. Children are effective communicators
The Australian Curriculum is comprised of learning areas, general capabilities and cross
curriculum priorities. It is aimed at equipping today’s learners to live and work productively in the
21st Century. It aims to give students the confidence and fundamental skills to take new learning
throughout their lives.
Australian Curriculum learning areas for 2019 are English, Maths, Science, HASS (Humanities and
Social Sciences), Technologies, The Arts and Health and Physical Education.
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ADDITIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Music
All Prep – Grade 6 classes have music lessons weekly, involving singing, instrumental, movement and
creative activities.
• Choir is open to all Grades 3 – 6 and there is an opportunity for students to be selected
for smaller choir groups such as the Derwent Entertainment Centre Primary Schools Choir.
• Guitar, Marimba and / or Recorder lessons are available depending on Grade level.
(School instruments are available for hire or students can use their own.) These groups
meet weekly and students are encouraged to practise at home.
• Brass is available to students in Grade 5. This is an opportunity to be selected for the
Combined Schools Brass Band Program which involves a two year commitment and
provides instrument tuition culminating in a Concert at the Derwent Entertainment Centre
at the end of the year.
Health and Physical Education
All Prep – Grade 6 students participate in weekly Physical Education (PE) lessons conducted by our
Specialist Physical Education Teacher.
Our school has four House teams:
• Whitewater (white)
• Boronia (yellow)
• Lucas (red)
• Freeman (green)
Students are allocated to a House on enrolment.
Prep – Grade 6 students participate in Daily PE. Daily PE is organised and led by our Grade 6
students.
Major school sports events include Swimming, Cross Country and Athletic Carnivals.
The School participates in the Huon and Channel Schools’ Cross Country. We participate in
Swimming and Athletic Carnivals, the State Cross Country Championships and the Schools’
Triathlon Challenge. Opportunities are there for students to represent our school in the Huon and
Channel Volleyball Carnival. There is also the opportunity to participate in the Southern Dance
event which occurs every two years.
Aquatic and Water Safety Program
Grades 3 – 6 students participate in the Department of Education’s Swim and Water Safety
Program annually. This involves ten 45 minute sessions. Kindergarten - Grade 2 students
participate in an Aquatic Awareness and Safety Program each November. Prep – Grade 2
participate in five 30 minute sessions and Kindergarten two 30 minute sessions.
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Languages
Currently students in Grade 5 and 6 learn Japanese with a Specialist Teacher assisted by the class
teacher who then follows up the program. The study of Japanese contributes to the education of
students in the areas of literacy, communication, intercultural understanding and thinking about how
languages work. It introduces students to the culture of Japan and Japanese speaking communities
and promotes understanding of different attitudes and values.
Library
Students are encouraged to borrow books for their enjoyment at home. Parents are also welcome
to borrow from our collection. This may occur during the weekly Library sessions or before school
and at lunch time. Please help us to look after our extensive collection by reminding students to
use a Library bag.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Book Club
At various times throughout the year students have an opportunity to order books from Ashton
Scholastic Book Club. All orders should be sealed in an envelope, clearly named and the correct
amount of money enclosed. There is an approximate waiting period of four weeks until the books
arrive.
Canteen
Our Gold Accredited Canteen operates every Friday. Students are asked to place orders in a
designated tub in their classrooms before school. Orders will be delivered to the classroom.
Collection of students
All students being collected during the school day must be signed out at the School Office.
No student is to leave the school grounds with a parent or carer without passing through the office
area.
Excursions
Class excursions are conducted by teachers throughout the year as an important part of the
teaching and learning program. Individual notification will be given for out of area or major
excursions.
Parents who attend excursions as volunteer helpers must sign the register at the office (to adhere
to our Visitor and Volunteer Policy) and hold a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) card.
Information how to obtain a WWVP Card is available from the School Office or by going to the
website: http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/working-with-children.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance is available to families who have difficulty meeting education costs. This is
through the Department of Education’s Student Assistance Scheme (STAS). Application forms are
available from the School Office.
Messages for students
If you have a message for your child please contact the School Office on 6229 5728. Parents/carers
should advise the school office as soon as possible as to ensure the message has adequate time to
be delivered.
Lost Property
We encourage students to take responsibility for the care of personal property. Please name all
articles of clothing, so property can be returned promptly. All lost property will be placed in the ‘Lost Property’ area. This can be found near the School
Office. Please ask the Office staff to assist you.
Any items of clothing which are unclaimed are kept in ‘Lost Property’ until the end of term. Then, if
not claimed, they are recycled.
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Out of Hours School Care
This is operated by Adventure Patch between 7.30am and 9.00 am and 3.00pm and 6.00pm.
Students in Kindergarten and Prep will be delivered to and picked up from their classrooms by
OHSC personnel. Students in other grades will make their own way to and from school from
OHSC premises.
Adventure Patch also runs a Holiday Program. They can be contacted by phoning 62294196.
School Uniform
In order to engender a sense of pride and belonging in the school all students are required to wear
our school uniform. The wearing of school uniform (dress code) is stated in the Kingston Primary
School ‘Student Behaviour Management’ Policy.
Transport
Wisby’s Bus Service provides transport to and from school daily. The service provides many
alternative routes throughout the district. Parents/carers of students travelling on Wisby’s buses
are required to sign a Bus Code of Behaviour Agreement. Unacceptable behaviour on the bus will
be dealt with by the bus company.
For detailed route and time information, please call 6267 1789.
Uniform Shop
The School operates a shop selling new and second-hand uniforms. At the beginning of the school
year it is open to coincide with levy payment times and throughout the year on:
Monday 8.15am – 8.45am and 3.00pm – 3.45pm
Tuesday 3.00pm – 3.45pm
Wednesday mornings 8.15am – 8.45am
If you would like to leave an order with office staff with either cash, cheque or if comfortable a
credit card number and expiry date on the form we will organise to have the order waiting at the
office.
Volunteering
Multiple avenues exist for family and community members to volunteer in our school.
All volunteers are required to have a Working with Vulnerable People Card. (WWVP). Please see
our office staff to gain the correct documentation or go to the website:
http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/working-with-children.
Canteen The school Canteen operates on Fridays. Volunteers are always welcome.
Classroom assistance We are constantly looking for assistance in a busy classroom.
Please see your child’s teacher directly if you can assist.
School Association The Association performs many functions to support the direction of the
school. Committee meeting dates are advertised in the Newsletter.
All school community members are welcome to attend.
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CONTACT US:
Kingston Primary School
Church Street
KINGSTON TAS 7050
Phone: (03) 6229 5728
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.kingstonprimary.education.tas.edu.au