A-Z of Narraweena

A

Absences

Absences must be explained on the School Bytes parent portal under the attendance tab.

An adult must present to the office when collecting a child early or if a child arrives late to school.

Students should attend school unless they are unwell and holidays should be taken during the school holiday periods. Extended leave (over 5 days) from school must be approved by the Principal.

Alerts are automatically sent to parents/carers if your child has been marked absent without explanation.

Allergies and Anaphylaxis

Student’s allergy and anaphylaxis management plans must be current and signed by a doctor. Medication and copies of plans should be handed into the office. All medication and EpiPens are stored in sick bay.

AP / APCI

Assistant Principals (AP) lead other teachers and also have teaching responsibilities.

Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction (APCI) support teachers to implement the syllabus.

Assemblies

Whole school assemblies run every Wednesday afternoon from 2:30pm. When students are receiving a Principal's Gold Award, parents will be notified via email the Friday prior to the assembly and are welcome to attend.

Athletics Carnival

The Athletics Carnivals are split across two days for K-2 and Years 3-6. Students participate in a range of events and running races. Parents/carers are welcome to attend these carnivals.

B

Band

Students may join the band from Year 3. Training Band, Concert Band and String Ensemble rehearsals take place before school. These groups perform at various venues and events throughout the year. These programs and events have additional costs to participate.

Behaviour Management

Our consistent school procedures follow the DoE Behaviour policy, with a focus on restorative practices. If students do not follow expectations and their teacher has followed through with in class warning systems, they may receive a negative behaviour card.

Bells

School gates open at 8:25am and close at 3:15pm. Parents/carers are responsible for your children outside of these times. The morning music bell goes at 8:55am and children walk to class lines.

Bikes

Bikes and scooters may be ridden to school. Once children arrive in the school grounds, bikes and scooters must be walked to the bike racks for the day. All students must wear a helmet. The school are unable to accept responsibility for any items a student brings to school.

Buddies

Kindergarten students are matched with a Year 6 buddy at the beginning of the school year. Kindergarten and Year 6 meet regularly for our buddy program.

Birthdays

Students are welcome to celebrate their birthdays at school. Canteen birthday treats must be purchased via Flexischools, with parents having the option of ordering ice blocks, slushies or popcorn for the class. No othter treats are to be shared due to student allergies.

C

Canteen

The canteen is open 5 days a week. Recess and lunch orders must be done via Flexischools. Students can purchase snacks over the counter at recess and lunch. Parents/carers are invited to volunteer in the canteen.

Car Park

Only staff and school delivery drivers are to use the car park. The car park can not be used by parents. The office can be accessed using the pedestrian gate next to the staff car park on McIntosh Rd. Please push the buzzer for entry between 9:00am and 3:00pm

Choir

Choirs groups rehearse weekly at lunch time. Choirs perform at various venues/events during the year.

Class Contact

Each class has a parent/carer nominated to be the point of contact for the P&C to support events and fund-raising activities. They may also arrange social gatherings for their class. Parents/carers may choose to have your contact details included in a contact list.

COLA

Covered Outdoor Learning Area - This covered area can be found at the top playground.

Communication

Please make an appointment if you wish to speak to your child’s teacher. Parent/teacher interviews are conducted at the end of Term 1 and formal academic reports are sent home via School Bytes at the end of Term 2 and 4.

Counsellor

The school counsellor works at NPS three days a week. Contact your child’s teacher or the Deputy Principal if you would like your child to see the counsellor.

Cross Country Carnival

This long distance running event is usually held at Beverley Job Park. Students turning 8 years and over within current the school year may participate.

CVC

CVC words contain a consonant – vowel – consonant, e.g. cat, hen, tip. Students in Kindergarten are taught to read and write CVC words.

D

Dance

Students can audition for our Junior and Senior Dance groups. If selected, they will attend weekly lunch time rehearsals and perform at a range of dance competitions and school events. Dance is part of our curriculum and all students have the opportunity to learn some dance skills K-6. Students in Year 5 participate in one term of DanceSport, an in-school ballroom dancing program. All Year 5 students represent Narraweena PS in a costumed gala event at a local venue.

Debating

Students in Years 5 and 6 are selected to represent Narraweena PS in an inter-school debating competition. They attend weekly debating sessions with the coordinating teacher.

DP

Deputy Principal – supports the Principal to lead and manage the school.

Digital Declaration

Parent and carer volunteers need to complete a declaration each year and 'check in' when helping at school. Our office staff can help you with this.

E

EAL/D

English as an Additional Language/Dialect. A part-time EAL/D teacher works with students from various language backgrounds. Support is given in classrooms and small groups based on the students' language proficiency.

Early school departures

(See Absences)

Easter Hat Parade

This event usually occurs on the last Thursday or Friday prior to Easter. Students make and decorate a hat at school and then parade their hats at a community gathering. Our P&C may arrange special Easter treats for sale.

Ethics

K-6 students who do not select to attend special scripture classes. This runs for 30 minutes on Wednesdays after lunch at the same time as scripture and non-scripture classes. Students discuss various age-appropriate ethical scenarios with peers. Classes are based on the availability of volunteers.

Expectations

Our school expectations are to be respectful, responsible, and resilient. These expectations are explicitly taught in class and signs are around the school indicating the expected behaviour.

Evacuations

Evacuation drills are run throughout the year, so that all are prepared in case of a real emergency.

F

First Aid

Located in the front office. Treatment of minor injuries and sick bay for students who may be feeling unwell. Parents are  contacted if necessary.

Flexischools

This app is used for placing canteen and uniform shop orders. It is also used by the P&C for special event tickets/gifts such as Mother’s Day breakfast.

Fruit Break

Every morning at approximately 10am children have a 5 to 10 minute break and enjoy a piece of fruit or vegetable. This is also an opportunity to use the bathroom and engage in some physical activity.

G

GA

Our General Assistant works 5 days per week and maintains our buildings and grounds.

Gold Merits

Presented by our Principal during whole school assemblies each week. Five small or large white merits equals one gold. Five gold merits equal a special morning tea with the Principal and a Gold badge. Please set up a system at home to store merit cards safely. Parents/carers will be notified via email if your child is receiving a gold award at the next assembly.

H

Harmony Day

A national day held in March to celebrate cultural diversity.

Hats

Children are expected to wear their school hat daily. If they do not have a hat, they must play under the COLA.

Home Sport

Year 3-6 students who do not participate in inter-school-sport (ISS) or tennis on Fridays, will engage in a range of sporting games at school. This may include soccer, table tennis, golf, AFL and basketball.

Honour Assembly

Three Honour Assemblies are held each year to acknowledge achievement and improvement in Numeracy, Literacy and Citizenship. Teachers nominate 2 students per class to receive a certificate.

Hours

School starts at 8:55am and ends at 3pm.

Houses

Our sporting houses are named after famous Australian explorers. Students are allocated to a house once enrolled. Siblings are placed in the same house. There are four sporting houses: Eyre (yellow), Hume (green), Oxley (blue) and Sturt (red). House coloured t-shirts may be worn for sports carnivals.

House Captains

Year 6 students are elected to these positions by the Year 2-6 students. Each house has two captains.

House Cards

House Cards are part of our school-wide positive reward system. Students may receive a house card for following school expectations in class, during break times or in music, library or PE classes. The house with the most points at the end of each term will celebrate by wearing their house colour and enjoying an ice block from the canteen.

Homework

Learning activities that are completed at home, linking with what is being taught in the classrooms. This may include practising mathematics or spelling concepts, typing and reading. Homework is not compulsory.

HPGE

High Potential Gifted Education. The HPGE policy has been implemented to promote engagement and challenge for every child, regardless of their background, across intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains. This policy supports every child to achieve their educational potential.

I

Inter School Sports (ISS)

Formerly PSSA. Students in Years 3-6 compete against other schools on Fridays. There are both summer and winter Interschool Sports competitions.

Summer – newcombe ball, volleyball, eagle tag, softball, tee ball

Winter – netball, soccer, rugby league

K

KLAs

There are 6 Key Learning Areas for Kindergarten to Year 6. English, Mathematics, History/Geography, Science and Technology, CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts) and PDHPE (Personal Development, Health and Physical Education).

L

Late Arrivals

If students arrive at school after 9:00am, they are expected to collect a late note from the office. Parents/carers must take their child at the office.

Library

Each class has a library lesson each week and can also borrow books to take home.

Our library is also open each day at 2nd half of lunch for those who are interested in reading, drawing or playing board games.

Lost Property

A lost property tub is located outside the library. All clothing, lunch boxes and drink bottles should be clearly labelled with the student's name.

Lunch clubs and activities

Students can join in lunch time clubs which may include Choir, Garden Club, Trash Drums, Drawing Club and library. Teachers remind their class of these clubs through eating time announcements.

M

Medication

Parents/carers must complete a form stating time/doses of any medication that needs to be administered at school. All medicine must be kept at the front office.

Merit awards

2 mini merits are awarded in class weekly. 3 large merits are handed out per class at assemblies (K-2 or 3-6 fortnightly). Families are encouraged to keep these awards in a safe place at home as the awards contribute to further awards.

5 white merits (large or mini) qualify for 1 Gold award. Students should hand their 5 merits in at the office.

5 Gold awards qualify students for a Gold badge and morning tea with the Principal at the end of term.

Mufti Day

A day where the students can wear clothes that are not their usual school uniform. This may be to support a charity or a special theme day. Students must wear appropriate enclosed footwear and sun safe clothes, including a hat.

N

NAPLAN

National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy. An annual assessment for students in Years 3 and 5. This is a nationwide measure that assesses literacy and numeracy skills. NAPLAN is made up of 4 areas: reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.  Assessments take place in Term 1 and results are shared with parents/carers when released in Term 3.

Newsletter

Our school newsletter is sent out every fortnight via School Bytes. It can also be found on our website.

O

Out of School Hours Care

Before and after school is operated by Explore and Develop. The OSHC contact number is 0419 430 506 and email oshc@exploreanddevelop.com.au.

P

Payments

All payments including school fees, excursions, sporting activities can be made via School Bytes. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please contact the SAM (School Administration Manager) or Principal.

Phonics

Phonics is the understanding that there is a predictable relationship between phonemes (sounds) and graphemes (letters). Students begin learning single letter sounds in Term 1 of Kindergarten. An explicit and synthetic phonics program is delivered in all K-2 classes.

Playgrounds

There are four playgrounds at our school and these are all supervised during break times. These are called top, lower, quiet area and oval/astro. The top playground is open before school for K-2 students and the lower playground for 3-6. Students can choose to play in any open playground at recess and lunch.

Principal

The principal leads and manages the school.

P&C

Parents and Citizens. The P&C work with the Principal and school community in a productive partnership to achieve the best possible outcomes for students. The P&C work hard to raise funds for the school to purchase additional items and make further improvements. P&C meetings are held Tuesdays from 7pm in Weeks 3 &8 in the school library/hall/staff study. All parents/carers are welcome to join the P&C.

Phones

Students are not permitted to use a mobile phone/ smart watch or other electronic device to make or receive calls/ messages or take still or video photos during the school day. Parents/carers should contact the school office if they need to get a message to their child.

Presentation Day Assembly

Held at the end of the school year. Students are recognised for their achievements in academics, citizenship/effort, creative and performing arts and sport. Parents/carers are invited to attend the K-2, the Year 3-5 Presentation assemblies and/or the Year 6 Graduation Assembly at the end of Term 4.

R

Reading

Students in Years K-2 have a home reading log to track 50, 100, 150 and 200 nights of reading. Once they have completed each section, students can show their teacher to receive special awards of house cards, merits or even select a book. Regular home reading is strongly encouraged.

Reports

Semester academic reports are shared with parents/carers at the end of Terms 2 and 4. Reports include information on how your child is performing in class academically and socially. All reports are available on the School Bytes portal. Please download and save copies of your child's reports.

S

SAM/SAO

Our School Administration Manager is responsible for maintaining the school budget alongside the Principal, paying invoices and receiving payments. Our School Administration Officers complete administrative tasks, and provide first aid in the office.

School Bytes

Our school administrative and communication platform. All school information is communicated with parents via the School Bytes portal. Parents can view school events in the parent calendar, access fortnightly newsletters, submit absentee notes and make payments all on the portal.

Student Leadership Team

In Term 4, Year 5 students are provided with an opportunity to nominate themselves for a formal leadership position in Year 6. This includes preparing a nomination speech and a secret voting system. The leadership positions include:

2 School Captains

2 Vice Captains

4 Prefects

1 Band Captain

8 House Captains

Scripture

Students are offered Protestant and Catholic classes. Parents/carers who do not select Scripture class may request their child attends Ethics or Non-Scripture classes. These classes run for 30 minutes each Wednesday afternoon and are taught by volunteers. Further details are available on our school website.

Sick Bay

Students must speak with a teacher prior to visiting sick bay in the office. Parents will be contacted when required.

Sport

3-6 students participate in Friday afternoon sport. (See Home Sport, PSSA and Tennis for more information).

K-6 students have specialist weekly PE lessons including teaching of fundamental movement skills.

SRC

Student Representative Council. Year 1-6 classes elect an SRC representative for their class each semester (Term 1/2 & Term 3/4). Representatives attend meetings, discusses fundraising and ways to improve the school.

Stages

Early Stage 1 – Kindergarten

Stage 1 – Years 1 and 2

Stage 2 – Years 3 and 4

Stage 3 – Years 5 and 6

Swim School

A School Swimming and Water Safety program for students from Year 2. This program is run by Department of Education teachers at a local swim centre. Swim School is a 10 day program and is usually held in Term 4. The cost of lessons is covered by the DoE while parents/carers are charged for the cost of bus transportation and pool entry.

Swimming Carnival

Held at the beginning of each year at a local swim centre. Children who are 8 years and older who are confident swimmers may compete. All students in Years 3-6 are expected to attend.

T

Talent Quest

Held on the last day of school in Term 4. All students K-6 may audition to perform in this fun event.

Tennis

Students who do not participate in ISS may choose to pay for tennis lessons at Voyager Tennis courts in Narraweena. Tennis children are selected based on a ‘first in’ basis. Students walk down to the tennis courts with a Narraweena PS teacher.

U

Uniforms

Students must wear correct school uniform. The school sport uniform can be worn on sport days.

Summer uniform should be worn in Terms 1 and 4 and the Winter uniform in Terms 2 and 3. Of course, please consider the weather to help your children dress to suit the weather.

The uniform shop is open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 8:30 – 9:30am. Uniforms can be purchased via Flexischools with items delivered to your child’s classroom. The uniform shop is run by our P&C.

V

Volunteers

We welcome parents/carers to help us in the classrooms, canteen or at P&C functions. They must sign in at the office and have completed a Digital Declaration. Please see our office administration staff about requirements for volunteer work.

W

Wet weather

Students need either a raincoat and/or an umbrella on wet days. If it is very wet outside, students will stay indoors for recess and lunch. Teachers actively supervise children inside classrooms during wet weather.

Working with Children Check WWCC

A valid WWCC is required for certain voluntary tasks at school eg driving another child to a sport event.