School Guidelines
SCHOOL HOURS
Staff meet for 90 minutes from 2.30pm each Wednesday for School Development and Professional Development tasks.
It is recommended that children do not arrive at school before the 8.30 am. siren.
Students arriving early are not to enter the classroom without permission of the teacher.
JEWELLERY
Children are not permitted to wear any form of costume jewellery in the school. There are some exceptions to this rule – signet rings, sleepers (studs), the traditional gold bangle.
All forms of cosmetics are discouraged for example bright nail polish. Clear nail polish is acceptable when used for health reasons.
LOST PROPERTY
Lost property items are placed in a box in the Undercover Area. Generally items are displayed during the term in the hope of locating owners. Clear labelling of all clothing is strongly recommended. Unclaimed clothing is recycled through the school or is donated to a local charity.
MONEY AT SCHOOL
In exceptional circumstances when children do have money with them it is strongly recommended that it be left in the care of the class teacher.
Money which is brought to school for a specific purpose (book club orders, excursion charges etc) should be enclosed in a clearly marked and sealed envelope showing the child’s name, class, amount enclosed and purpose.
Valuable personal items (such as electronic games and toys) should not be brought to school.
MOBILE PHONES
(Students do not require these at school)
Schools where mobile phones are permitted are experiencing an increasing number of problems –theft and damage; text messaging as the new form of bullying; disruption to or distraction from the learning program; privacy breaches when fitted with photographic facility.
In the case of an emergency situation the school will support one-off parent requests – these need to be directed to the school administration not the classroom teacher.
NOTES FOR ABSENCES
It is a requirement that whenever a child is absent from school a note of explanation be forwarded to the class teacher, or an SMS sent to 0437 709 944 or email the school at Capel.PS@education.wa.edu.au This is a legal requirement of the Department of Education and it should be noted that verbal advice is now accepted but must be recorded by the school. The school is required to follow up any unexplained absences (Education Act). Parents of children absent from school will be notified SMS. This is again a requirement of the Education Act. Although Kindergarten is non compulsory areas of education once parents have made the decision to enrol, regular attendance and notes for absences is expected. Removing children for holidays during term time is strongly discouraged.
LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS
Children need a note from parents if they wish to leave the school grounds for any reason. Those who regularly go home for lunch may bring a note to cover the whole year.
Parents/guardians who take children from school are asked to fill in a withdrawal form at the office.
LEAVE PASSES
It is now a requirement for children out of school during instruction time for medical appointments etc be in possession of a Leave Pass issued by the school.
MULTI-AGED CLASSES
The Australian Curriculum, with its emphasis on open-ended student centred learning makes the formation of classes according to chronological age irrelevant. Parents, who feel uncomfortable with this concept need to talk to staff, attend information sessions on the Australian Curriculum and speak to those parents whose children have experienced success in this learning environment.
Class structures are determined by enrolments, room availability & funding available.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Parents are encouraged to keep in close contact with their child’s teacher to ensure that they are fully aware of the child’s progress. If a formal meeting between the parent and teacher is required an appointment should be made through administration.
VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL
Visitors and parents working and helping out in classrooms must sign on at the school’s front office and take with them an identification badge to wear while they are on the school grounds. This is a step towards ensuring the safety and welfare of the children and accounting for everyone in the case of an evacuation.
HOMEWORK
Although formal homework is not expected before Year 6 each class has a policy involving informal home activities.
This is usually home reading in the junior grades and the completion of unfinished work, research activities and set exercises in the upper grades.
Parents are asked to support the policy set out by their child’s teacher.
Home reading in the early years helps to establish good reading habits for the future, provided it takes place in a happy, positive, and rewarding atmosphere, (ask your child’s teacher for suggestions on how to make this fun or collect articles from the newsletter on this topic).
Once again, should there be any problems please contact the class teacher.
SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS
Newsletters are e-mailed and also sent out on the school app. If you would like a paper copy please speak to the front office. Newsletters are sent out fortnightly.
ASSEMBLIES
Assemblies are held at school several times a term, beginning at 8.50 am on a Friday. Classes take it in turn to be responsible for assembly items, and all parents are invited to attend. Parents are invited to the room of the host class for a short time (15-20 mins) after each assembly to view children’s activity books and work on display. Assembly dates are included in the newsletter and term planner. All special awards are presented at these assemblies.
REPORTS
School Reports provide a formal opportunity to comment on a student’s commitment to the many facets of school life. These go home at the end of each semester. Currently the state wide system of semester reporting is used by the school.
As it is difficult to accurately present a student’s progress on a single report form it is hoped that, with regular contact with the class teacher, parents will be fully acquainted with their child’s progress.
EXCURSIONS
It is the school policy for all parents to sign a permission slip at the beginning of each year to allow their children to be part of a Minor Excursion which would involve the children moving out of our school boundaries but remaining within the town/immediate district.
All other excursions are deemed major, and parents will be provided with specific details of each excursion and will be asked to complete a permission slip for their child to attend.
The school endeavours to involve all children in a variety of “out of school” activities. There is no set sequence of camps and excursions, but individual classes consider various activities guided by:
1 Student involvement and safety
2 Education merit
3 Interest and practicality
4 Cost and transport arrangements
5 Student responsibility
The P&C has fully endorsed the school’s policy to provide our students with a wide variety of cultural and social experiences.
INCURSIONS
During the year the school will plan visits by performing artists, drama groups or educational experiences. These will be carefully planned so as not to place undue financial burden on parents and will be part of the learning program, as such all students will be expected to attend.
CHILDREN IN NEED
At times individual students may be experiencing difficulties in specific subjects. Where possible, support staff will be deployed to assist the class teacher with a specialised program designed for these students.
A District School Psychologist is available to assist when needed.
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST
The role of the school psychologist is to provide support for students, staff and parents.
When a teacher or a parent believes a student is “at risk” academically, socially or emotionally the Education Department, through our District Office, provides the service of a school psychologist to help address the need.
Before a student is referred to the psychologist parents are requested to complete an authorisation form. The results and recommendations will be discussed with the parents. All activities involving the school psychologist observe strict confidentiality.
CHAPLAINCY
The school has Chaplain Emma Strong for three days a week (Mon, Wed, Fri). The Chaplain provides pastoral care offering support and encouragement without judgement for the whole school community. Appointments are made on a voluntary basis. The Chaplaincy Programme is funded by school and P & C contributions, fundraising and sponsorship from the Shire of Capel and part funded by the National School Chaplaincy Programme. YouthCARE is the administrator.
SCHOOL HOURS
Staff meet for 90 minutes from 2.30pm each Wednesday for School Development and Professional Development tasks.
It is recommended that children do not arrive at school before the 8.30 am. siren.
Students arriving early are not to enter the classroom without permission of the teacher.
JEWELLERY
Children are not permitted to wear any form of costume jewellery in the school. There are some exceptions to this rule – signet rings, sleepers (studs), the traditional gold bangle.
All forms of cosmetics are discouraged for example bright nail polish. Clear nail polish is acceptable when used for health reasons.
LOST PROPERTY
Lost property items are placed in a box in the Undercover Area. Generally items are displayed during the term in the hope of locating owners. Clear labelling of all clothing is strongly recommended. Unclaimed clothing is recycled through the school or is donated to a local charity.
MONEY AT SCHOOL
In exceptional circumstances when children do have money with them it is strongly recommended that it be left in the care of the class teacher.
Money which is brought to school for a specific purpose (book club orders, excursion charges etc) should be enclosed in a clearly marked and sealed envelope showing the child’s name, class, amount enclosed and purpose.
Valuable personal items (such as electronic games and toys) should not be brought to school.
MOBILE PHONES
(Students do not require these at school)
Schools where mobile phones are permitted are experiencing an increasing number of problems –theft and damage; text messaging as the new form of bullying; disruption to or distraction from the learning program; privacy breaches when fitted with photographic facility.
In the case of an emergency situation the school will support one-off parent requests – these need to be directed to the school administration not the classroom teacher.
NOTES FOR ABSENCES
It is a requirement that whenever a child is absent from school a note of explanation be forwarded to the class teacher, or an SMS sent to 0437 709 944 or email the school at Capel.PS@education.wa.edu.au This is a legal requirement of the Department of Education and it should be noted that verbal advice is now accepted but must be recorded by the school. The school is required to follow up any unexplained absences (Education Act). Parents of children absent from school will be notified SMS. This is again a requirement of the Education Act. Although Kindergarten is non compulsory areas of education once parents have made the decision to enrol, regular attendance and notes for absences is expected. Removing children for holidays during term time is strongly discouraged.
LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS
Children need a note from parents if they wish to leave the school grounds for any reason. Those who regularly go home for lunch may bring a note to cover the whole year.
Parents/guardians who take children from school are asked to fill in a withdrawal form at the office.
LEAVE PASSES
It is now a requirement for children out of school during instruction time for medical appointments etc be in possession of a Leave Pass issued by the school.
MULTI-AGED CLASSES
The Australian Curriculum, with its emphasis on open-ended student centred learning makes the formation of classes according to chronological age irrelevant. Parents, who feel uncomfortable with this concept need to talk to staff, attend information sessions on the Australian Curriculum and speak to those parents whose children have experienced success in this learning environment.
Class structures are determined by enrolments, room availability & funding available.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Parents are encouraged to keep in close contact with their child’s teacher to ensure that they are fully aware of the child’s progress. If a formal meeting between the parent and teacher is required an appointment should be made through administration.
VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL
Visitors and parents working and helping out in classrooms must sign on at the school’s front office and take with them an identification badge to wear while they are on the school grounds. This is a step towards ensuring the safety and welfare of the children and accounting for everyone in the case of an evacuation.
HOMEWORK
Although formal homework is not expected before Year 6 each class has a policy involving informal home activities.
This is usually home reading in the junior grades and the completion of unfinished work, research activities and set exercises in the upper grades.
Parents are asked to support the policy set out by their child’s teacher.
Home reading in the early years helps to establish good reading habits for the future, provided it takes place in a happy, positive, and rewarding atmosphere, (ask your child’s teacher for suggestions on how to make this fun or collect articles from the newsletter on this topic).
Once again, should there be any problems please contact the class teacher.
SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS
Newsletters are e-mailed and also sent out on the school app. If you would like a paper copy please speak to the front office. Newsletters are sent out fortnightly.
ASSEMBLIES
Assemblies are held at school several times a term, beginning at 8.50 am on a Friday. Classes take it in turn to be responsible for assembly items, and all parents are invited to attend. Parents are invited to the room of the host class for a short time (15-20 mins) after each assembly to view children’s activity books and work on display. Assembly dates are included in the newsletter and term planner. All special awards are presented at these assemblies.
REPORTS
School Reports provide a formal opportunity to comment on a student’s commitment to the many facets of school life. These go home at the end of each semester. Currently the state wide system of semester reporting is used by the school.
As it is difficult to accurately present a student’s progress on a single report form it is hoped that, with regular contact with the class teacher, parents will be fully acquainted with their child’s progress.
EXCURSIONS
It is the school policy for all parents to sign a permission slip at the beginning of each year to allow their children to be part of a Minor Excursion which would involve the children moving out of our school boundaries but remaining within the town/immediate district.
All other excursions are deemed major, and parents will be provided with specific details of each excursion and will be asked to complete a permission slip for their child to attend.
The school endeavours to involve all children in a variety of “out of school” activities. There is no set sequence of camps and excursions, but individual classes consider various activities guided by:
1 Student involvement and safety
2 Education merit
3 Interest and practicality
4 Cost and transport arrangements
5 Student responsibility
The P&C has fully endorsed the school’s policy to provide our students with a wide variety of cultural and social experiences.
INCURSIONS
During the year the school will plan visits by performing artists, drama groups or educational experiences. These will be carefully planned so as not to place undue financial burden on parents and will be part of the learning program, as such all students will be expected to attend.
CHILDREN IN NEED
At times individual students may be experiencing difficulties in specific subjects. Where possible, support staff will be deployed to assist the class teacher with a specialised program designed for these students.
A District School Psychologist is available to assist when needed.
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST
The role of the school psychologist is to provide support for students, staff and parents.
When a teacher or a parent believes a student is “at risk” academically, socially or emotionally the Education Department, through our District Office, provides the service of a school psychologist to help address the need.
Before a student is referred to the psychologist parents are requested to complete an authorisation form. The results and recommendations will be discussed with the parents. All activities involving the school psychologist observe strict confidentiality.
CHAPLAINCY
The school has Chaplain Emma Strong for three days a week (Mon, Wed, Fri). The Chaplain provides pastoral care offering support and encouragement without judgement for the whole school community. Appointments are made on a voluntary basis. The Chaplaincy Programme is funded by school and P & C contributions, fundraising and sponsorship from the Shire of Capel and part funded by the National School Chaplaincy Programme. YouthCARE is the administrator.