Policies

Beginning School

When young children begin school there are many unfamiliar experiences that they encounter. Along with different settings, there are many new children who all seem bigger and more confident; there are friends to make and a number of new adults to get to know.

Young children have different expectations of their first school experience and may become overwhelmed by the number of new events in their day. Playtimes, more structured learning sessions, needing to remain within their class are some points of difference for many students to their preschool experiences.

Young children often become very tired. Whilst many children look forward to school and the excitement of new learning, others are more tentative.  It is important that parents and the school work closely together to ensure the best possible start for all children.

It is a good idea to familiarise your child with the route to school, perhaps walk through the school on a weekend. You will receive a letter detailing transition visits that your child will be able to attend before they begin. When you visit each time, remind your child where the toilet is, what they have in their school bag and who will collect them.

Your child will need to manage some basic care – be able to go to the toilet unassisted and know how to ask to go; know what they have for recess and for lunch and how to unpack their food; and put their own belongings in their bag.

Your child’s teacher will be the best person to talk with about how your child is managing their transition to school. Immediately before or after school is usually a busy time for your child’s teacher therefore it’s best to ask for a mutually convenient time to discuss your child’s schooling.

In South Australia, public primary schools have one intake date, this means:

• If your child turns five years before 1 May they can start primary school the first day of term 1 of that year.
• If your child turns five on or after 1 May they can start primary school the first day of term 1 of the following year.

The one intake date means every child has four terms of pre-schooling and reception before starting the rest of their schooling. Your child must be at school by their sixth birthday – this is the compulsory school starting age.

At Richmond Primary School we have developed a transition program that will help to prepare children by gradually allowing them to ease into school routines. Your child’s class teacher will also meet with the Preschool directors from where our newly enrolled children have attended. Once you have filled out your child’s enrolment form you will receive a letter detailing;

• Dates and times for Transition School Visits
• What your child will need to bring with them.

After beginning school, your child will be given a document folder by their teacher. This will include a Communication Book that can be used for notes between home and school and school/class notices. Your child’s reader and sight words will also be put in this folder for use at home. Your child will also require a school bag, a school hat, recess and lunch – if ordering lunch, place lunch bag, clearly named including money in the classroom lunch container. Please remember that we are a ‘Nut Aware’ school and that we do not allow nuts or food containing nuts at our school.

Information for families about starting school and other school related matters can be found at:

https://www.decd.sa.gov.au/parenting-and-child-care/your-childs-education/school

http://www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/schools/school-life/starting-primary-school

Absences and Attendance

Regular attendance at school is fundamental to student learning and helping children to maximise their potential.

Children’s attendance patterns vary through the ordinary course of family life. Illness, medical/dental appointments, family holidays and culturally significant occasions are all factors that may result in children being away from school.

School times are 8.50 am to 3pm. Recess 11-11.20 am. Lunch 12.50-1.30 pm. Students are supervised in the school yard from 8.30 am onward.

If your child is absent please contact the school via Skoolbag App or via SMS 0437 697 858 to notify the school if your child is absent by 9 am. We do require notification/explanation as to why your child is late or absent. Any unexplained absences will be follow up with a text message from our school administration staff.

“One of the most important things students can do for their learning, wellbeing and future success is also one of the most basic: going to school every day”

Susan Close, Minister for Education and Child Development, 2017

For more information re attendance please refer to;

https://www.decd.sa.gov.au/supporting-students/health-e-safety-and-wellbeing/attendance

Student Behaviour

Students are guided to develop safe and pro-social behaviour through the formation and ongoing discussion of classroom and yard behaviour guidelines and expectations. Empowering students to develop self-control through self-awareness and to make responsible decisions based on an understanding of the need to balance their needs and feelings with the needs and feelings of others is the aim. This is encouraged through a range of programmes and approaches that link to the Australian Curriculum and The Keeping Safe Child Protection Curriculum.

All teachers establish a set of class expectations (guidelines or rules) with students at the beginning of each year. These ensure a focus on care for self, others and property, respectful communication, problem-solving skills and non-violent solutions. These guidelines are displayed prominently and revisited frequently to support understanding and ownership by all students.

Responsible behaviour is acknowledged and encouraged. Behaviour that contravenes class or school rules is viewed as an opportunity for the student’s personal, social and ethical development. An educative (guidance) rather than a punitive approach is utilised to encourage growth and development of the students’ capabilities (knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and skills) and improved peer and student-teacher relationships. Restorative meetings and behaviour change plans are utilised in circumstances where behavioural incidents are severe or repetitive.

Documentation for school staff and parents are issued for incidents, which are severe or repetitive. These are recorded under the following five DfE categories: Violence (threatened or actual), threatened good order, threatened safety or wellbeing, interfered with the rights of others and persistent and wilful inattention. This documentation will;

• communicate the severity and impact of behaviour to students
• inform parents/carers and school leadership for understanding, support and intervention
• create a record
• facilitate current and future intervention.

The best way of resolving behavioural issues at school is for everyone to work together – school staff, parents and students.

Alternative consequences for identified students may be negotiated with the leadership team. Where necessary, Inter-agency referral may be required to assist in the development of specific strategies for managing individual students’ behaviours.

Enrolment

Strong enrolment trends at Richmond Primary School mean that we restrict enrolment to families in our local community. Students in our IELP (Intensive English Language Program) exit into our mainstream primary classes if Richmond is their local school.

Please contact the school to make an appointment with the Principal or to join the next available group tour of our school during which you will receive an information and enrolment pack. Once we have received your completed enrolment form and have verified your residential address we will welcome your family as part of our Richmond Primary School community.

Richmond Primary School accept children who reside nearest to our school, not any other government school – If you follow the link below you can type in your address and your closest school will be identified.

https://www.education.sa.gov.au/search/Find%20a%20school

Lunch Orders

Our school does not have a canteen; however, Café de Vili’s provides a lunch service to the school. Orders are to be placed via the Qkr! app, which can be downloaded onto your phone. Orders need to be submitted no later than 9:00 am. A full menu is available on the app. The menu complies with the Education Department’s (DfE) Healthy Eating guidelines. Low fat, vegetarian and Halal menu options are available.

Qkr! by MasterCard (qkrschool.com)

https://www.decd.sa.gov.au/teaching/projects-and-programs/eat-well-sa/developing-healthy-food-policies-schools-and-preschools