Biddabah Public School

2019 Information Booklet

2019

At Biddabah Public School:

• We care about the skills, knowledge, attitudes and abilities of all the learners in our school.

• We care about the competence of our learners when they move on to high school.

• We care about the success of learners after they leave school and are citizens.

Our Vision

Biddabah Public is a Future Focused school where all students are

"Safe, Respectful and Responsible Learners."

Our Mission statement

" At Biddabah Public School we believe that all children thrive when they feel safe, happy and connected to a learning environment focused on collaboration, creativity and confidence.

We aim to foster individual success in all areas through innovative learning opportunities and a culture of high expectations.”

…………………………………………..

In our school community, parents and teachers work together to build resilient, confident and caring students who:

▪ work purposefully as individuals and as members of teams;

▪ locate and manipulate information;

▪ communicate effectively;

▪ resolve problems;

▪ value difference; and

▪ set personal goals and work towards their realisation.

Welcome to Biddabah Public School

45 Medcalf St Warners Bay NSW 2292

02 4954 6058 (T)

02 49 566780 (F)

biddabah-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

www.biddabah-p.school.nsw.edu.au

Staff Principal: Assistant Principals:

Leader Pedagogy:

Teachers:

Mrs M. McEwan

Mrs N. Davidson

Mr K. Harris

Mrs N. Osborn

Mrs K. Broxom

Mrs D. Bell

Mrs T. Ford

Mrs K. Eve

Mrs K. Hanley

Mr S. Gately

Ms J. Minett

Mrs J. Dutch

Mrs S. Burton

Mr N. Leadbeatter

Mrs Julie Phillips

Mr Michael TaylorMrs J. Filipcevic

Mrs E. Bradshaw

Mrs J. Wood

Mrs A. Findley

Mrs R. Smart

Ms S. Hones

Mrs K. Gardoll

Mrs H. Maxfield

Mrs J. Barbour (Teacher Librarian)

Mr M. Harrison (School Counsellor)

Support Staff:

Mrs M. Curtis-Allan (Office Manager)

Ms C. Hooey (Office Administration)

Mrs J. Cavanough (Office Administration)

Mrs J. Svensek (Technology Support Officer)

Mrs K. Wallace (Learning Support Officer)

Mrs N. Harrison (Learning Support Officer)

Mrs J. Sandoff (Learning Support Officer)

Ms S. Roberts (Learning Support Officer)

Mr R. Roffey (General Assistant)

School Hours

Students arrive: 8:30am - 8:55am Supervision of students begins: 8:30am

First learning session: 9.00am – 11.00am Lunch: 11.00am – 11.45am

Second learning session: 11.45am – 1.45pm Recess: 1.45pm – 2.15pm

Third learning session: 2.15pm – 3.00pm

.

• Parents are asked to ensure that children do not arrive before 8:30 am. Children who arriveearlier are expected to sit quietly on the seats under the Covered Outdoor Learning Area(COLA).

• All children must be at school for roll call at 9:00 am. Children who arrive after 9:00 am will havetheir names recorded as a partial absence from school. We cannot stress how important it is thatchildren arrive at school on time. Research suggests that being regularly late to school in theprimary years is the clearest indicator for truancy at High School. We need to develop good habitsearly.

• ALL children arriving late to school or leaving early must go to the school office before going toclass or leaving the school. Parents are asked to accompany the child to the office.

• When a student is marked absent from school without notification, the school sends an SMSnotification (by approx. 10.00am daily) to the nominated parent number advising that the childis marked absent.

• The school office is open from 8:30am to 3:15pm. No financial transactions can be made after3.00pm.

• All children must enter and leave the school via the pedestrian gates on Medcalf Street,Fairfax Rd or Watt Street.

• The crossing at the traffic lights on Medcalf St must be used by students walking to andfrom school on the Warners Bay side of Biddabah School.

• Students must not ride bicycles, scooters, roller blades or skateboards within the schoolgrounds. Students who use any of these vehicles to get to school are required to wear ahelmet.

• If you bring your children to school by car please stop on the school side of the roadwhere possible. Do not park across the road as your child may be encouraged to crossthe road without supervision and be at serious risk of injury.

• Many of our students are dropped off and collected by car at the roundabout withinthe school on the Watt Street entrance. Parents are advised to comply with theparking regulations in this area according to the signage provided.

• Parents are also reminded of the 40-km/hr limit in force on Medcalf Street at the startand end of the school day.

Non–Local Enrolment

All students are assured a place at their local school. There are restrictions on enrolling students from other school zones but we can enrol non-local students when a place is available. Please call the school on 49546058 and talk to the principal about non-local enrolment. Our enrolment policy can be found on our website.

Community of Schools

Biddabah P.S. is a proud member of the Bay Community of Schools in partnership with neighbouring schools Warners Bay High, Warners Bay Public School, Eleebana Public School and Valentine Public School. Staff across these five schools benefit from shared professional learning opportunities and resourcing which greatly improves outcomes for all students in our local area.

Looking for before and after school care?

Our school hosts the YMCA OSHC program. Depending on income and CCB discount, before and after school care starts from $22 per child each day including breakfast and afternoon tea. For more information, phone: 0401 189 553, email oshc.biddabah@ymca.org.au check details on the web at www.ymcansw.org.au

Supervision of Students

• Students are supervised by teachers from 8:30am until 3:00pm. Students who travelhome on school buses are supervised until the buses leave.

• Supervising teachers are responsible for students whilst on excursions.

Voluntary School Contributions

• The school asks parents to make a voluntary contribution towards the running of theschool at the beginning of each year. This fee is designed to help cover the cost ofresources used by children during the year.

• Parents are notified of the contributions at the start of each school year.

The contribution fee for 2019 has been set at $70. There is a sliding fee scale toaccommodate families with more than one child attending B.P.S.

School and Community Organisations

• All parents are encouraged to participate in the functions arranged by the Parents andCitizens’ Association.

• P & C Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month in the school library,beginning at 7.30 pm. All parents are invited to take part.

• Parents are involved in many learning experiences including reading, writing, mathematics,school excursions and school sport. Your child’s teacher will let you know if and when helpis needed.

School Grounds

Our playground has an abundance of trees and grass areas. However, schools are not public places and are out of bounds to unauthorised persons, and to students out of school hours. Problems associated with theft and vandalism usually occur at weekends or during holidays and are often associated with teenagers and young adults. As taxpayers and supporters of school fund-raising activities all parents suffer financially from damage to school property. Please report any intruders to school security on 1300 880 021 or Charlestown Police on 49429999, who do assist us with occasional patrolling.

Parent Teacher Interviews

The purpose of parent/teacher interviews is to bring about an exchange of information and views, which lead to greater understanding and continued co-operation to the benefit of the child. Appointments should be made via the office and include a brief indication about the nature of the meeting so that the teacher can gather information to support a successful outcome for the student.

Towards successful interviews:

• Parents have a right to be informed about their child’s wellbeing and progress.

• If you have a concern, seek an interview as soon as possible but make sure you allow theteacher time to gather information so the interview is informative and useful.

• A list of questions you’d like answered may help you to ensure you come away feelingthat your concerns have been addressed.

• Ask for things to be explained further if you are uncertain.

• Alert the teacher to the details of the child’s history (e.g. medical) or family backgroundthat you think might help the teacher to help the child.

• Understand that it is unethical for teachers to provide you with details of another child.

• Aim for a solution in which the school and the family can help each other for the benefitof the student.

• Ensure you are clear on what follow-up is to occur.

• The school does not have the resources to supervise other children in your family duringthe interview. By all means bring them along, but bear in mind they may distract you.

Newsletters

• Regular information about events at school is forwarded to each family through ourNewsletter which is published fortnightly (every second Friday) and is available on theschool website and the school app which can be downloaded by searching "biddabah" atthe app store. Parents can also 'opt in' for a hard copy by contacting the office.

• Parents and community groups are encouraged to use the Newsletter to communicatewith the school community. The deadline for material to be included in the Newsletter is3:00 pm on Wednesdays.

• Occasionally other circulars and notes will be forwarded - usually items applicable to oneclass only. A complete overview of our communication protocols appears on the nextpage

Biddabah Public School Communication Protocols. How do I find out what is happening at BPS?

• Our fortnightly (odd weeks) newsletter is available via the skoolbag App (search “Biddabah” in the App store).(“opt in” for a paper copy by phoning the school on 4954 6058)

• Our website www.biddabah-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

• https://www.facebook.com/BiddabahPublicSchool/• P&C meet 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm in the school library.

• Our front noticeboard is updated regularly (many classrooms have their own individual noticeboards).What if I want to speak with my child’s teacher or the Principal?

• Teachers are unable to be interrupted during lesson time but if you make an appointment at the office to speak with them,they will be more than happy to meet with you ASAP. If there is an important message to be passed on to the teacher oryour child you may advise the office who will do their utmost to oblige.

• Mr Gately has an open door policy. Unless he is already in a meeting, he will attempt to meet with you immediately orotherwise by appointment at a time that is suitable to you.

• Formal parent / teacher meetings are early in term 1 and by request at the end of term 4.

What I if forget to return a permission note?

• If we have not received a permission note we will attempt to contact you to get verbal permission over the phone. However,if this is not possible, your child will be unable to take part in that excursion/school event.

• Replacement notes and other community information documents are available in the admin foyer and website.

How will I know if an event is postponed or cancelled?

• Postponements and cancellations will be made as early as practicable by either skoolbag notification, a note home or via thenewsletter (in less urgent cases). Or you may phone the office after 8.30am.

What do I do if my child is away from school? • Short term absences can be notified in writing to the teacher, or by phoning the office on 4954 6058 or electronically via our

skoolbag App (choose e-forms).

• Applications for extended leave or school exemption need to be made in writing to the Principal (forms available at theoffice).

When are the Assemblies on?

• Whole school Assembly is at 2.15pm every Monday in the Hall.

• K-2 Assembly 2.15pm Wednesday even weeks. Stage 2 Fridays at 2.15pm. Stage 3 Thursdays at 2.15pm.

(Any changes to these times will be notified on school website)

What happens if my child has an accident or gets sick at school?

• Children who become ill or are injured at school are recorded as unwell and monitored and cared for in sick bay by ourtrained office staff. If the office staff believe your child is too unwell to remain at school they will contact you or the nextperson on the contact list to collect them from school.

• If your child has an ‘upset’ or ‘conflict’ at school of a concerning nature, the Principal or Assistant Principal will make acourtesy call to you to advise you that this has happened.

• If your child becomes seriously ill or injured at school you will be advised immediately and an ambulance will be calledstraight away if deemed necessary.

What happens in the unlikely event of an emergency at the school?

• If the school needs to be closed due to an emergency either before or during school hours parents/carers will be notified byskoolbag App, website, noticeboard and if possible via announcement on local radio.

• The school has lockdown and evacuation procedures in place.

What are our school bell times?

• Supervision commences from 8.30am. There are no staff on duty prior to this.

• First bell is at 8.55am. School commences at 9am and finished at 3pm.

• Lunch is 11am, Recess commences at 1.45pm.

How do I contact the school?

• Email: biddabah-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

• Phone: 4954 6058 (our friendly staff Michelle, Connie and Julie – will be happy to assist you).

• Mail: Biddabah Public School 45 Medcalf St Warners Bay 2282 or PO Box 197 Warners Bay 2282.

Principal Steve Gately 28/1/19

Communication at Biddabah P.S.

Effective, reliable and accurate communication is of great importance at Biddabah Public School and in order to achieve this, we use the following means of communication:

Website: http://www.biddabah-p.school.nsw.edu.au

Photographs of events, our school calendar, weekly newsletters and permission notes are all available from

our website. The website, however, is not used for everyday notices.

The Skoolbag App is heavily used at Biddabah for all notifications ranging from reminders about payment

deadlines for activities to canteen closures. It is vital that you setup your push notification options correctly

to ensure you do not miss any important notices.

If you have any problems or questions or if you are unable to use this app, please see our office staff who

will direct you to the most appropriate teacher for assistance or will make alternate arrangements for

communications with you.

http://www.skoolbag.com.au/forparents.php

Email:

Should you wish to contact the school directly, please email:

mailto:biddabah-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BiddabahPublicSchool/

There are a couple of private parent pages that have been established over time, but we encourage our

parents to contact the school with any questions and/or concerns so you can receive accurate

information, direct from the source.

Houses

Children are divided into “houses” for sporting and other activities. Members of the same family usually belong to the same house.

Smoking

• It is unlawful to smoke within the grounds of any NSW school.

• Knowing that modeling of non-smoking behaviour is very important, we also ask parents and school visitors tonot smoke in the immediate vicinity of the school.

First Aid/Emergencies

• When enrolling your child, you will be asked to complete a card and personal information form giving details ofcontact person, doctors and so on. If any changes occur please inform the school office immediately.

Our normal procedure is to contact parents of sick/injured children to give them the opportunity ofseeking medical advice.

• In the case of an accident at school, the school will call an ambulance if we have any concern about thecondition of the child involved. The school contributes to an Ambulance Insurance Scheme and the cost isborne by the school if you are not covered for ambulance in your health cover, or if your family is not coveredthrough agovernment plan. If a parent or contact person cannot be contacted the school will act in a way deemed by theprincipal to be in the best interests of the student.

The Canteen

• The canteen is managed under contract by "Lunchkins" whose monthly rental for the space contributesto the purchase of new equipment for the school.

• Price lists of available items are published on our skoolbag app and website and are sent to all families on aregular basis or as requested.

• It is anticipated that on-line ordering will be available soon

Money

• At various times children are required to bring money (e.g. for excursions).

• Money should be placed in a sealed envelope (take care to seal the corners where coins can roll out), withyour child’s name and class written on the front.

• The envelope should be returned to the office.

Venus

Yellow

Jupiter

Blue

Mercury

Green

Saturn

Red

All money to be returned to the office should be handed in before school. All money to be returned to the class teacher should be handed in during roll call.

• Payments can also be made online or via eftpos at the school. (This is our preferred option)

• Please ensure that your child knows where and when the money is to be handed in.

• Receipts are issued for all money collected at the office.

School Counsellor

• School counsellors are experienced teachers who are also psychologists.

• They assist teachers by strengthening the school's student welfare provisions and provide counselling and psychological assessment of students with specific needs. Their work with teachers in the classroom is designed to improve learning outcomes for students.

• Matters discussed with the counsellor are confidential between the student and the counsellor.

• Parents or caregivers may make an appointment to discuss matters of concern with the school counsellor.

• The services of a school counsellor are available to all children.

• Teachers will discuss the need for counselling so that parents can authorise testing, and discuss the results of any testing program with the counsellor.

Programs to enhance Literacy and Numeracy.

• Staff at BPS are trained in and implement the latest, best practice programs to ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their academic potential.

• Our literacy and numeracy programs are supported by a 'Leader of pedagogy' who supports the professional learning of all staff in delivering best practice teaching and learning to meet the needs of every child.

Future Focused Friday

Biddabah Public School is committed to meeting the needs of 21st century learners. Our cutting edge Science & Technology program "Future Focused Friday" allows our students to participate in a range of motivating, engaging, hands-on learning experiences. These include Coding, Robotics, Electronics, Geology and Green Screen technology which will not only prepare them for their high school years but also for the exciting years beyond.

Learning and Support Teachers – (LAST)

These teachers help students who are experiencing difficulty socially, emotionally and academically. They work with regular classroom teachers to enable students to be more confident and independent in their learning.

Attendance at School

In NSW all children between the ages of six and seventeen are legally required to attend school. Attendances are recorded daily and a roll call is conducted before the first lesson of the day begins.

For the benefit of all children, parents or carers should ensure their child attends school regularly. Any absence from school should be explained within three days of the absence. Schools are also required to inform parents immediately of any unexplained absences or suspected truancy.

Children who attend school regularly have better social skills and achieve better results. If family holidays can only be arranged during school time, please inform the school principal in advance and request leave. You can ask the school to provide homework to be completed while your child is away from school.

• Only the principal can grant leave for a student’s absence from school.

• Dental and medical appointments should be arranged outside school hours.

• Following any absence, a note explaining the absence should accompany your child when returning to school. Alternatively, parents may reply via the skoolbag app, SMS, or email the school to advise an absence.

• Prior advice of any early departure from school is appreciated.

Where attendance at school is a problem, Department officers from the Home School Liaison Unit work with schools, staff, families and students to improve a child's attendance record and general enjoyment of school.

Sample Absence Note

Your address Date Dear (name of class teacher), Please excuse (child’s name) absence on (absence date) as he/she (reason for absence).

Yours faithfully, (Your signature) Parent/Caregiver

Visits and Excursions

• Excursions form an integral part of the learning program at Biddabah and as such should

be attended by all students. Parents are asked to contact the organising teacher if they are having financial problems which may prevent their child from accessing an excursion. As far as possible we encourage parents to make use of a regular payment scheme for the major excursions to spread the cost over a longer period.

• All excursions will be advertised through the fortnightly newsletter. Class teachers will distribute information and consent forms.

School Assemblies • School assemblies, run by the school leaders, are held every second Friday at 2.15pm

(subject to cancellation in adverse circumstances) and regularly showcase the talent of individual students and classes.

• Parents, carers and family members are invited to attend all assemblies.

Personal Belongings

• Clothing should be clearly marked with the child’s given and family names.

• Clothes that are clearly marked are returned to students.

• Expensive items, electrical goods (including portable computer games, iPods and similar devices) or other items can be at risk of loss or damage. Students should leave them at home.

• If your child needs to make or receive phone calls of an urgent nature during the course of the day the school will provide access to a phone. If your child must have a mobile phone it must be handed in at the office, turned off, from the time they arrive at school until after they have left.

Lost Property

• All unmarked clothing is sent to the office where it can be collected by parents.

• Lost property can be easily returned if it is clearly marked.

• Twice a year accumulated lost property will be passed to the Uniform Committee for their clothing pool, or sent to a charity.

• Toys (particularly electronic toys) are often the source of dispute between children. Toys should be left at home.

• Children are also discouraged from bringing large amounts of money to school.

Helping with Homework

You might find these pointers useful:

• Let your children know that you believe homework is important.

• Set a regular time.

• Pick a place to do homework and remove distractions.

• Sit down and work together. Talk about the task. Break down the homework into small, workable parts. Ask the child what they have to do to complete the task and go through the steps with them.

• Check when homework is due and decide on the time available. Make a timetable, including dates by which the work has to be finished.

• Talk about what the teacher will be expecting.

• Arrange the time you will check on how the work is going.

• Check whether your child can get on with it now.

• Watch your stress levels. If they rise when homework time comes then the situation is probably unpleasant for both of you. Step back and rethink the problem.

• Students are more likely to do their homework if they are allowed to decide when (but not if!) they are to do it.

• Sit with your child and explain in a friendly way why you think homework is important and what the consequences will be if the homework is not done.

• It is the child’s homework, not the parents. You are the coach, and the child is the thinker and doer. Doing the homework for your child will not help them understand and use information and it will not help them become confident in their own abilities. Doing homework for your child may send a message that they cannot do the work and that it

has to be perfect in every way. The key part is to give sufficient help so that by the end of the activity the child will have more skill.

• Some of the best help that you can give your children is by reading aloud to them every day.

• Share your concerns with your child’s teacher.

Perhaps the most powerful tool in the task of educating children - for academic achievement, for social skills, and for personal responsibility - is that children see their parents and the school working in partnership.

Daily P.E. and Sport

• All children participate in programmed fitness activities throughout the school year.

• A note is required at any time that your child is to be excused from these activities.

Library

• Children are encouraged to borrow each week from the Library. For this purpose, a

library bag is needed. It should be of a strong material; large enough to carry larger “Quarto” sized books.

• Lessons in information skills are a normal part of the school curriculum.

Home/School Relationships

• The partnership between the home and the school is a very powerful way to support

your child’s success at school.

• You, as a parent, are your child’s first and most important teacher. Your attitude to school is perhaps the main influence on your child’s attitudes. If your child recognises that you value school and the school staff, it is likely your child will also value school.

• Young children feel more secure, have more self-confidence and are more purposeful if they see their parents/guardians taking an active interest in school life.

Reporting to Parents

• Formal reports are completed at the end of Terms Two and Four.

• Parents are encouraged to come to school to discuss the report with their child’s teacher if they have any concerns.

Special Religious Education (Scripture) and Ethics

• Scripture lessons are a normal part of the school’s program. Volunteer lay members and

clergy of local religious organisations deliver these lessons.

• Lessons are non-denominational in content.

• Ethics lessons are also offered to students and these are conducted by community volunteers from the Primary Ethics program depending on availability tutors.

If you do not wish your child to participate, a note requesting withdrawal is required at the

beginning of each school year.

School Uniform

The wearing of school uniforms by students will assist school communities in defining an identity for the school within its community, developing students’ sense of belonging to the school community. It also provides an opportunity to build school spirit, enhance the health and safety of students when involved in school activities, increase the personal safety of students and staff by allowing easier recognition of visitors and potential intruders in the school and making school clothing more affordable for families by eliminating the risk of peer pressure to wear transiently fashionable and expensive clothes. Senior students (Years 5 & 6) wear white polo shirts whilst K-4 students wear green. On sports days (Friday) students wear their House coloured shirt (red, blue, yellow or green). A Parents and Citizen’s Association Committee is responsible for ordering, purchasing and distributing the uniform. A pool of second hand uniforms is available for sale at a reduced cost. Students are actively encouraged to wear the uniform.

Junior Uniform Sports Uniform

Senior Uniform Summer Tunic (optional)

Head Lice

Head lice make an occasional appearance in all schools. Detecting head lice, even on yourself, can be a simple process of applying conditioner to dry hair, combing the hair with the usual plastic fine tooth comb, and looking for lice by wiping the combings on paper tissue.

If you are having ongoing problems, it is possible your child is being re-infested from elsewhere (but unlikely if you are finding more than one or two lice). The most likely situation is that you are missing some of the eggs, and the life cycle of your little visitors starts all over again. It is always best to discuss health issues with your doctor.

School Song

WE HAVE A DREAM

We searched this land, found time had turned.

And dreams were made, where the black rock burns.

A sacred place known as Nikeen-Bah

We named our school - BIDDABAH.

Now the children came, all nations strong.

Our teachers too, have joined the throng.

Our deeds are known, from near and far,

We’re number one - we’re BIDDABAH.

Oh Biddabah, where children learn

To trust your God and do good turns.

Together we stand against hurt and fear

Where we all learn from year to year

We have a dream, we’ve come to learn,

To help one another, from term to term.

Through trust and hope, learn right from wrong.

We show no weakness, for we are strong.

And the way ahead, is long and far.

To guide us there, our BIDDABAH.

Oh Biddabah, where children learn

To trust your God and do good turns.

Together we stand, against hurt and fear

Where we all learn from year to year.

School Mascot & Motto

Student Wellbeing Overview

Teachers at Biddabah are committed to developing and maintaining a school with high expectations of student success where positive relationships among teachers and students are nurtured, and where parents/carers work in partnership with the school to resolve issues. An overview of Biddabah Public Schools’ approach to student wellbeing is embedded in our Wellbeing and Management policy document and Code of Conduct. These documents (pictured below) along with our Annual School Report, School Management Plan and enrolment brochure are published on our school website and are also available from the office on request.

Student Recognition.

Biddabah students are

"Safe, Respectful and Responsible".

Hi! My name is Buddy!

We aim to: □ Promote and encourage positive conduct, performance & attitudes. □ Recognise meritorious activities and actions of students. □ Promote our common expectations. □ Provide a common and transferable K-6 system of positive reinforcement. □ Complement the use of the planning room system.

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Buddy Bonus Tokens

Students are awarded “Buddys” for recognition of their performance either inside or outside of the classroom. Students progress through 4 levels of achievement (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Superstar) in a school year. The majority of students will reach Gold level and a smaller percentage who demonstrate exemplary performance academically and socially will reach Superstar level (see chart below).

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School Merit Certificates

School merit certificates (approximately two per class) are awarded at the Monday Assembly by the principal based on the classroom teacher’s recommendation.

Student discipline

Even though very high percentages of our students regularly pass through the four student

recognition levels, our wellbeing strategy also allows for four levels of appropriate teacher

intervention for unacceptable student behaviour.

Level 1 - COUNSELLING

Teachers deal with unacceptable student behaviour in the classroom or the playground as it occurs,

drawing student's attention to the school beliefs, the school rules and the expectation of some form

of restitution. The teacher may also use a restitution form of questioning.

Level 2 - "THINK SPACE"

"Think space" provides an opportunity for students to have a short, supervised time out either

within the classroom or in an adjoining /nearby classroom. This allows the student an opportunity to

re-think their behaviour choices before rejoining their classmates and successfully re-engaging with

their learning. 'Think space' also operates as a temporary time out option on the playground during

recess and lunch breaks.

Level 3 - "PLANNING ROOM"

The Planning Room is a calm, planning space facilitated by teachers who will assist students to

clarify their present behaviour and their needs and develop strategies for more acceptable

behaviour.

The child can return to the Planning Room for as many visits as necessary. There are no time limits.

Planning Room is a place for children to take time out to think about their own behaviour and to plan

a better way to get what they want. All children should know that this option is for planning, it

should not be viewed as a punishment. However, repeated visits can result in a letter being sent

home to parents outlining the reason for the student being sent to this space. And, in some cases, a

student may become ineligible for extra curricula activities and whole school rewards as an outcome

of repeated Planning Room visits.

Level 4 - SUSPENSION FROM SCHOOL

On rare occasions, the principal may choose to impose suspension or expulsion in accordance with the

Department of Education suspension and expulsion policy and using information gathered from teacher

data and feedback and/or the stage supervisor's record.

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Programs promoting and recognising student effort and achievement

Recognising academic achievement

Presentation Day awards

Students will receive awards for:

• Dux of the School, awarded to the student with the best academic achievements in Year 6.

• School Citizen of the Year, awarded to the student in Year 6 who best fits the criteria of strives to achieve quality work, helps others, wears the school uniform, works and plays within the rules of the school and is at Gold level or higher in December.

• Class Awards Each classroom teacher selects one student for citizenship and three students for excellence, either in a key learning area or in a curriculum perspective.

• Sports Awards for outstanding achievement by the female and male students in their chosen sport(s).

• Creative and Performing Arts awards including Public Speaking and

Positive classrooms Out-of-uniform days Awards for excellence Term 4 "Big Day Out"

"Buddy Bonuses" Bronze/Silver/Gold &

Superstar Levels

Citizen of the year Cultural programs

Merit certificates

Peer Support

School groups and activities

Kindergarten reading buddies

Fortnightly assemblies

Sports carnivals

Academic competitions

Cultural activities

"You Can Do It"

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• Fortnightly Assembly Awards are presented to students who demonstrate excellence in our 4 key areas of "Safety", Respect", "Responsibility" or "Learning". All students aspire throughout the year to reach bronze, silver, gold & superstar level in our whole school rewards program by collecting "Buddy Bonus" tokens.

• Sport Awards presented to students who win sports blues and championship awards for swimming, athletics and cross-country. Other sporting awards (place getters in swimming, athletics and cross-country) to be presented at school assemblies (awards for only one carnival to be presented at any one assembly).

• Premier's Reading Challenge award certificates are presented to students who read 20 books (K-2) or 30 books (Yrs 3-6) from a set list of high quality texts.

• Certificates are also presented at whole school assemblies to students who achieve a High Distinction in external exam competitions.

Student Leadership

• Elections for school captain and vice captain are held in the week prior to the Awards Presentation Ceremony. Candidates must have achieved a minimum of Gold level in the B.P.S. whole school reward system to nominate for a position of student leadership. There will be a boy captain and a girl captain, and a boy vice captain and a girl Vice captain and four prefects.

• Elections for house captains and vice captains are held at the start of the school year. Candidates must have achieved a minimum of silver level in the previous year’s B.P.S. whole school reward system

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Bullying is not tolerated in our school

Bullying can happen in any organisation. We work hard to minimise bullying at our school and our survey data indicates that our students experience lower rates of bullying than other students in NSW schools . However, we recognise that bullying, including cyber bullying, is an issue that must be addressed consistently.

Dobbing is rightfully seen as against the Australian way of doing things. However, at your school children are trained to be assertive – if they are bullied they should, within reason, try to do something about it by saying assertively for example, “Stop it, I don’t like it.” This gives the offender an opportunity to consider his/her actions, and to stop. It is clearly NOT dobbing to report continued bullying after the victim has attempted to assert his/her own rights. This is why the “Stop it, I don’t like it” part is so important. However, we expect this only within reason – certainly not of a child who is at risk of injury from a bully.

It is important to remember that a favourite strategy of bullies is to accuse his or her victim of being a dobber if their bullying is reported to a teacher, and at your school there are consequences if this occurs. Equally, children are discouraged from looking for and reporting as bullying, minor and inconsequential matters that are not intended to be bullying in any way.

It is also important to remember that school principals are required to consider whether school disciplinary action should be taken when they receive reports of inappropriate behaviour, including incidents of bullying or cyberbullying, which occurred off school premises and outside of school hours. Where the behaviour is capable of having a harmful effect on staff and students, the principal must notify police and take appropriate disciplinary action.

You might find the following guidelines useful if your child is bullied at school, or if he or she is a bully. Please let the school know if your child reports being bullied at school.

How to help your child to handle bullying

Listen carefully to your child. You may need to read between the lines to establish a clearer understanding of the bullying incident and your child’s role in this.

• Calmly ask your child how he or she has been handling the problem and together explore other possibilities.

• Share with your child the message that nobody deserves to be bullied. Some children come to believe that they deserve the bullying because there is something wrong with them.

• Offer to speak to your child’s teacher in privacy without any fuss (your child may not want you to intervene for fear of being labeled a dobber).

• Meet your child at school at the end of the school day as this may offer support and protection. Before offering to do this, ask your child first. Some children may find this embarrassing or feel that it will escalate the problem. Many may find it helpful.

• Discreetly be a social engineer on behalf of your child by encouraging new friendships at school and outside of school.

• Advise your child to leave expensive items at home because this puts your child in a vulnerable position by having something that someone else does not have.

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• Role model and coach your child in developing confident body language. Body awareness is important and showing confident body language can deter possible bullies. Remind your child to stand tall, shoulders straight, make eye contact, arms by the sides and feet a little apart. A mirror is a great tool for practising a positive stance.

• Encourage your child to use positive self-talk and visualisations (that is, making pictures in the mind that are supportive) and listen to positive self-talk statements that are affirming. Examples of self-talk statements your child may use are:

I can handle myself.

I will give it a go.

It’s okay to be different.

• Encourage your child to use “I” messages to support him or her in being assertive. Notice the difference when the response uses “I” and when "You” is used:

I don’t like it when you talk to me that way. Stop it. (assertive)

Shut your mouth or I’ll hit you. (aggressive)

You always say mean things to me. (passive)

• Provide your child with picture storybooks for younger children and short chapter books for older children that address the issue of bullying through a variety of characters and story lines. This helps your child to understand that bullying happens to many people, not just him or her alone.

• Believe your child when sharing with you that he or she is being bullied. Many children are reluctant to share this for fear of being blamed, misunderstood or labelled as a dobber, or as having something wrong with them. Continue to share conversations and coach your child to come up with suitable alternatives.

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How to help your child when he or she bullies others

Finding out your child is bullying at school can be alarming and unsettling for you as a parent; many emotions may surface. Find a time to talk quietly and calmly with your child. Some ways in which you can help your child are:

• Listen carefully to your child, giving the message that you want to support him or her but that nobody wants to be bullied.

• If your child is bullying because of feeling angry, give support by encouraging him or her to channel the anger through counting to ten, taking time out, bouncing a ball against a wall, listening to music or going for a run.

• Help your child to understand that it is not always possible to have what one wants, and that he or she must accept “No” sometimes. Also encourage him or her to make distinctions between behaviours that are aggressive and those that are assertive, and to become clearer about the differences between coercion and negotiation, between cooperation and manipulation. You and the child’s teacher can work on and clarify this together.

• Help your child to understand that his or her behaviour has consequences for both himself/herself as well as others and that these may be hurtful to some.

• Work in partnership with your school to support your child.

• Here are some questions that may help the discussion to support your child:

o How are your friends going at school?

o Who have you been playing with lately? What games do you and your friends like to play?

o Are there any friends you don’t feel good about? Is there anything you could do to change that?

o Do you sometimes feel sad/angry/jealous/ afraid and want to take your feelings out on others?

o Is someone bullying you and making you upset and angry?

o Are you being bossed around to bully other kids so you get to stay in their group?

While letting your child know you feel disappointed and that you strongly disapprove of bullying, remember that children learn best when praised for their efforts to make positive changes and when shown by adults better ways to behave. Therefore, avoid punishing, blaming and shaming to bring about behaviour change.

Most children have strong social relationships, try their best in class and are fine school citizens.

Some children struggle with their behaviour. Our emphasis is on providing opportunities for them to be able to recognise that their behaviour is inappropriate. Unless the issue is serious and referred immediately to the principal or stage supervisor our approach follows the steps of:

• Informal reminders (at least two).

• Verbal reminders, using the language of choice and consequence (If you keep …………., then …………………..).

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• Visual reminders (student’s initials on the blackboard).

• Time-out in the home classroom to reflect on their behaviour (and parental contact and school consequences for persistent misbehaviour).

• Time-out in a classroom "Think Space".

• Referral to an Assistant Principal or Principal.

• Suspension warning and suspension

Administration of Prescribed Medication

All students, including those with a medical condition requiring the administration of prescribed medication during the day, will be able to enrol at Biddabah when attendance is practicable and in their best interests. There is a formal process we follow to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children who require regular continuing administration of prescribed medicine. Please let the school know if we will need to address these issues with your child.

Sunsmart Policy

Sun exposure in the first 15 years of life greatly increases the risk of skin cancer later in life. But most skin cancer can be prevented, and schools have a vital role in ensuring children are protected from UV radiation. Common sites of skin damage and skin cancer are the neck, ears, temples, lips, face and nose, which are exposed to more UV radiation than other body parts. Wearing a broad-brimmed hat can help to protect these areas.

Unlike sunlight, ultraviolet (UV) radiation can't be seen or felt. The risk of developing skin cancer is related to the amount of UV radiation people are exposed to over a lifetime, particularly in childhood.

Important risk factors are:

• Having fair skin, hair and eyes, having a lot of moles on your body and your family

history.

• The overall amount of UV radiation you are exposed to over your lifetime, particularly in childhood.

• The pattern of your exposure to UV radiation. This includes infrequent but intense periods of exposure, such as on holiday, and a history of sunburn.

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Our broad-brimmed school hat was chosen because it provides good shade and considerably reduces the exposure of UV radiation to the face. A baseball cap style is NOT permitted as this design leaves the ears and back of the neck exposed.

Our school has a policy of No hat, Play in the shade. Children who are not wearing the broad - brimmed hat are instructed to play under our covered outdoor learning areas (COLAs). Fashions in hats and hat–wearing come and go, but the skin your child has is the only one he or she is going to get.

Our school will:

• Ensure that school hats are appropriate and satisfy Cancer Council guidelines.

• Ensure that adequate shade is provided as much as possible at sporting carnivals and outdoor events.

• Provide shelter and shade trees.

• Incorporate programs on skin cancer prevention in its curriculum.

• Reinforce regularly the Sunsmart policy in a positive way through newsletters, parent meetings, and student and teacher activities.

When enrolling children parents will be:

• Informed of the Sunsmart Policy.

• Requested to purchase a school hat. (All Kindergarten children receive a school hat with their enrolment pack.)

• Encouraged to practise skin-protective behaviour themselves.

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