Information for New Parents - Junior School

Information for New Parents Junior School Prep - Year 3

Term dates 2015 Term 1

Monday 2 February Monday 9 March Friday 27 March

Term 2

Monday 6 April Tuesday 14 April Saturday 25 April Monday 8 June Friday 19 June

Term 3

Tuesday 14 July Friday 18 September

Students commence Labour Day Holiday Term ends

Easter Monday Students commence ANZAC Day holiday Queen’s Birthday holiday Term ends

Students commence Term ends

Term 4

Tuesday 6 October Students commence Monday 2 November Mid-term break Wednesday 9 December Term ends

Welcome We hope this booklet provides you with the information you require to ensure a happy and smooth start to your child’s school year.

The Junior School prides itself on creating a vibrant educational setting where student learning and curiosity are achieved through carefully planned, challenging and engaging programs. The Junior School provides a unique blend of natural, spacious outdoor play areas, combined with aesthetically pleasing and purposefully arranged learning spaces to make the students’ thinking and learning visible.

The Geelong College recognises the importance of developing strong relationships with students, teachers, families and the wider community. Pursuing fruitful and productive partnerships is our first priority and the foundation upon which an enduring learning experience is established.

The Junior School staff recognise and respect the individuality of every child. Teachers actively seek out the special qualities, needs and inherent potential in each student as they prepare for intentional and flexible learning experiences. We see this as the hallmark of our school and trust that you encounter the same high standards that we set for ourselves. We encourage you to communicate often and freely with your child’s teacher to ensure that the best personal, academic and social outcomes ensue.

I extend the same invitation to you to contact me should you have any issues you wish to discuss. I would like to emphasise strongly that no problem is too small and I welcome all enquiries.

On behalf of the staff, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your child, as you embark on this new and exciting partnership with The Geelong College.

Chris Dinneen Head of Junior School

Children learn best when: •

they feel secure about asking questions, talking about learning and taking risks

•

they are expected to learn

•

their natural curiosity is aroused

•

they feel challenged

•

they are engaged in personal discovery and problem-solving

•

they observe and model others

•

they have opportunities to practise and apply new skills

•

they feel recognised, acknowledged and valued

Wellbeing The class teacher is the central person for providing and overseeing the wellbeing of the children.

From time to time, teachers may draw on the expertise of the School Counsellor, Student Services Teacher, Deputy Head of Junior School or Head of Junior School when dealing with the wellbeing of their students.

All members of the Junior School community have the right to feel safe and secure, and can expect to learn, play and socialise in a comfortable, positive environment. An important factor in attaining this right is the acknowledgment and recognition each child receives at the Junior School.

The intimate and homely setting allows the children and teachers to build strong relationships.

This is further supported by the buddy program involving the Year 3 and Prep children, who participate in a range of activities on a weekly basis.

TripleR TripleR in Junior School aims to develop important life skills such as resilience and respect. The three Rs in the College’s social and emotional learning program stand for resilience, reflection and relationships.

Through various programs, education models and restorative justice practices, the students develop an understanding of how to manage and regulate their emotions as they play and learn together.

The students are also introduced to the concept of Mindfulness, by regularly taking short specific breaks in their day. This self-regulation practice enables them to re-focus their energy levels and become more attuned to the present.

The students are encouraged to face their fears and build the optimism that helps them rebound when things go wrong. Winning and losing with grace is one example of an essential life lesson to be experienced and explored at this level. Our Year 8 leaders visit the Junior School twice a week to offer their skills and help promote a culture of having fun and playing fairly whilst playing games.

Through the buddy program, the Year 3 students also develop leadership and responsibility skills, by forming on-going relationships with our Prep children.

In line with the Reggio Emilia philosophy, teachers also look closely at each individual student in order to be fully aware of their talents and personality traits. Restorative chats and empowering language also guide our students to question and reflect on their actions.

Important protective behaviors are taught through initiatives such as the Bravehearts Program.

The children also regularly work with their teachers to develop their own personal and learning goals, which are monitored and re-evaluated on a regular basis.

We strongly promote the value of respect for each other and our school environment. A special booklet called “Learning, Playing and Caring” at the Junior School, has been compiled with student photos and child-friendly language to explicitly illustrate the behaviours that contribute to a happy and caring community.

We teach conflict resolution skills directly, and have an expectation of considerate and courteous behaviour. Should children find themselves in conflict with others, they are supported by staff who adopt a restorative justice approach to resolving problems. Staff model how to solve problems and restore friendships.

Establishing a sense of belonging is an important goal of the College TripleR program. This is developed on several levels, including: • restorative justice training for our teachers • weekly Religious and Values Education lessons and Chapel Services where Christian values are taught and explored • weekly Bounce Back/Play is the Way resilience lessons • whole community activities such as special days where children work in multi-age settings • weekly assemblies for celebrating achievements and strengthening our community identity.

Communication College to Parents The College has a number of ways to communicate with parents.

The College website (geelongcollege.vic.edu.au) features general information and a vibrant news page.

The Parent Portal (https://gnet.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au/portal/home/parent) contains more specific information for current families. It features co-curricular information as well as the weekly Bulletin. The portal is a password-protected area that contains specific information on your child.

Each class has developed its own portal page which can be accessed by clicking on the Junior School icon on the Parent Portal. These pages make the learning visible to both children and parents, and offer unique insights into the thinking and actions of the children as they investigate, question, research and create. Parent comments and feedback are encouraged through the comment section. Parents are the first educators and we embrace your ideas and suggestions.

Parents receive a weekly College Bulletin containing news and information from all areas of the school. Email alerts and SMS messages are sometimes used when important information needs to be delivered in a timely and prompt fashion. Other publications include Ad Astra, the College community magazine mailed twice a year to current, future and past parents, Old Collegians, current and past staff; and Pegasus, the school magazine sent annually to current students.

Parents to College We encourage parents to contact the school with any areas of concern or for advice. The primary contact is with the student’s Homeroom Teacher, particularly in regard to pastoral care.

Other key contacts are: Deputy Head of Junior School Head of Junior School School Counsellor School Chaplain For matters of urgency, Reception can relay a message to the Homeroom Teacher.

Student Planner Each student has a Student Planner which serves as a daily diary. The planner must be taken to and from school each day. All school notes and reminders are placed in the Student Planner. We ask parents to check and sign the Student Planner daily. Planners provide a three way form of communication involving you, your child and the teacher, and we encourage its frequent use.

Learning Conferences Learning Conferences are conducted biannually or upon request. Pastoral Conferences are conducted in Term 1 and focus primarily on social/emotional matters. Teachers are available by appointment at any time during the year to discuss the academic progress of your child.

Reports Parents will receive two written reports during the year. These reports are issued at the end of Term 2 and Term 4.

Orientation Morning An Orientation Morning will be held at the Junior School on Friday 5 December 2014, for all students from Early Learning 3 to Year 3.

The aim of this morning is to introduce the children to their Homeroom teacher and class mates.

Both current and new students wear casual clothes on this day. A separate letter outlining other important arrangements for each year level is sent out prior to the day.

A family BBQ will follow the Orientation Day at 5.30pm. We encourage all families to attend.

Date of Commencement The academic year for 2015 will commence on Monday 2 February. Classes commence at 8.50am, however it is beneficial for the children to arrive a little earlier in order to settle in, consolidate a daily routine and play with their friends. Prep children have a staggered start over the first two days to facilitate a calm and happy start to the school year.

Welcome BBQ A BBQ tea for the Junior School parents and students will be held on Friday 6 February 2015 at 5.30pm. This is a relaxed family event, and is a good opportunity to meet other families from your child’s class. Details will be circulated early in Term 1.

Settling into School To assist Prep children to settle into school routine, the first four Wednesdays of Term 1 will be home days. On these days the children will have an hour-long individual interview with the class teacher. The teacher will assess each child’s literacy and numeracy knowledge, from which the learning program will be devised.

At the beginning of the year the Prep children will be given a Year 3 reading buddy. The Year 3 students will visit the Prep room twice a week to take part in various activities. The Year 3 children also support their buddies during recess and lunchtime especially in the early part of the year.

Prep students will become acquainted with two Year 3 buddies throughout the course of the year.

Contact Details It is important to keep the school updated about any new or changed phone numbers, addresses or email contacts. These changes can be made by contacting the Community Relations Office (communityrelations@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au).

Special Family Situations We would appreciate being informed of any change in home situations, such as illness in the family, separation of parents, parents travelling etc. This information assists teachers to support the children more readily at school.

Absentees Please phone or email our receptionist, Ms Vicki Henderson on 5226 8433 or Vicki.

Henderson@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au by 8.45am each day your child is to be absent and write a note in the student planner on the day of return.

We discourage absences for reasons other than illness or serious family matters, but in unusual circumstances, a leave of absence can be sought (in advance) by writing to the Head of Junior School.

We particularly stress the importance of refraining from taking children out of school for holidays other than the designated term breaks.

Children Leaving the School Premises We have a number of procedures in place to ensure the safety of children. If children require supervised leave during the day (a doctor’s appointment, for example) they must be signed out at the office and on returning, must sign in again. Children arriving after 8.50am are required to report to the office to sign the “Students Arriving Late to School� sheet.

School Hours/Picking up Children The school day commences at 8.50am and finishes at 3.25pm. Parents are invited to enter the school grounds to collect their child /children. For their own safety, children are asked to wait for their parents in the play area that is supervised until 3.50pm. Any children remaining after that time will be directed to the Out of School Hours Care program where appropriate, and charges will apply.

We request that parents park in the following areas: the sealed car park at the Minerva Road entrance, the large gravel park on the southern side of the Minerva Rd entrance, or the parking bay on Minerva Road. Please note that the Minerva Road pedestrian gates are locked during the day for safety reasons. You may enter the school from the Minerva Road entrance.

Visitors to the School We ask any visitors to the school to sign in at Reception and collect a visitor badge to be worn while on the school grounds.

Parent Helpers In keeping with a Reggio inspired approach to learning, parent support and involvement is seen as an integral part of the life of the school. As the year progresses, teachers will require assistance on a needs basis. We enjoy having parents contribute in a variety of ways, particularly when it involves an area of expertise or to assist with excursions and special-curriculum activities.

Assembly Junior School Assembly is held once a week on Friday afternoons commencing at 2.50pm in the Multi-purpose Centre. Classes contribute to the assembly by presenting the learning they have been undertaking in class, singing songs and reading prayers. We welcome your attendance.

Library The Library opens at 8.30am before school and during the second half of lunchtime. Children are encouraged to change books regularly and parents are welcome to borrow books in their child’s name. A library technician is available to assist with requests and borrowing advice.

Medical Matters Certificates of Immunisation must be lodged with the school for all Prep Grade children before Tuesday 27 January, 2015.

All children entering the school must have a completed “The Geelong College Medical History Certificate” at the time of entry. The school must be advised subsequently of any variation to the information recorded on the certificate. Each year a medical form will be forwarded to parents for updating.

Parents are requested to inform the Head of Junior School or appropriate teacher, in writing, of important aspects of their child’s medical record, particularly if drugs or other medication have been prescribed.

Medication should not be left in your child’s bag, but should be given to the teacher with written permission from the parent for its administration.

Verbal authorisation by a parent for the administration of medication may be given in an emergency with written confirmation following as soon as possible.

If any child has been suffering from an infectious illness, the Health Department regulations must be observed and the school notified. Children suffering from obviously infectious cold symptoms should be kept at home.

Accidents and Illnesses If your child becomes ill, or is injured during school hours, he or she will be cared for in the Sick Bay by the School Nurse, Sister Claire Seward, until he or she can be collected by a parent or guardian.

No Nut Policy The Junior School is a nut-free zone. We have several children with serious allergies to nuts.

The Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Inc recommends minimising the risk in schools by asking parents not to use peanut butter or other nut-based products if a child in the early years has a peanut allergy. This is due to the higher risk of person-to-person contact in younger children.

Lost Property Lost Property is situated outside the Junior School Office. Staff regularly check the contents and named objects are returned to children. If unnamed property is not collected, it will be washed and donated to the Uniform Shop. The school urges parents to purchase sew-on name tapes and attach these securely to all garments.

Homework Prep

The children will take a book home to read each night. Lists of ‘sight’ words will come home at intervals later in the year.

Year 1 The children will take a book home to read. Your child will also be expected to read and spell words from the most commonly used words list. Automatic recognition of these words is an important step in helping the children become fluent readers, and we ask that the children read each word frequently over a five day period. From time to time teachers may set individual tasks for children depending on their needs.

Years 2 and 3 The children will have Spelling, Reading and Mathematics homework. It will vary according to individual needs. It is important that children develop productive work routines and habits at this stage of their schooling. The study completed at home is not new work for the children. It is designed to allow them to practise skills already learnt.

Meeting Students’ Individual Needs Our Student Services Teacher, Mrs Jennifer Peake, provides support for children experiencing learning difficulties as well as assisting children requiring extension activities. At the Junior School, the classroom teacher is the main assessor of your child’s needs and teachers may draw on Jennifer’s support to ensure that these needs are met. This assistance may be given in the classroom setting or through a specific withdrawal program.

No Hat, Shade Play The Geelong College Junior and Middle School Campus is a SunSmart school. Children are required to wear a broad-brimmed green College hat for outside activities, at recess and lunchtimes from the beginning of September to the end of April.

The Geelong College acknowledges its duty of care towards all students and will continue to encourage them to learn about, and accept responsibility for, their own sun protection. The policy is implemented throughout the year, with particular emphasis from 1 September to 30 April. If children do not have a hat, they are instructed to play in shaded areas only.

Lunches Lunches can be ordered from the canteen at the Middle School. Lunch orders need to be written clearly on a marked brown paper bag with the child’s name and class, and placed in the lunch basket located in the classroom, before 9.00am. The menu is available on the Parent Portal.

Children are encouraged to bring a healthy lunch from home, including sandwiches and fruit.

Sweets and sweet drinks are discouraged. We encourage Nude food choices based on a naturally healthy diet, with minimum packaging. The children are seated and supervised while eating. Uneaten lunches are sent home so that you can reinforce the importance of healthy dietary choices.

Preparatory School Parents’ Association The Preparatory School Parents’ Association (PSPA) is an active, friendly and supportive committee which welcomes new members. There are two parent representatives for each class and a Junior School Coordinator. Information regarding the many social events planned during the year will be published in the College Bulletin.

For more information contact our Junior School coordinators.

The PSPA supports and enhances the programs at Junior School through the organisation and funding of a number of specific activities throughout the year, such as: • BBQ lunch on the last day of each term • Mother’s Day and Father’s Day presents • Healthy lunch for “Jump Rope for Heart” Day • Easter eggs • Santa visit • Welcome and Christmas BBQs The PSPA meets on the first Friday of each month. We encourage, and greatly value, your participation in the life of the school.

Excursions During the year the children will participate in excursions that relate to their classroom studies.

An Excursion Approval Form will be sent home at the beginning of the year to be signed by parents. Excursion Information Forms will be sent home prior to each excursion to advise you of the arrangements. At this level we try to include as many incursions as possible to maximise the learning time at school and reduce the incidence of “down time” through travel.

Booklists All classroom books and stationery are delivered directly to the classroom.

This enables the teacher to prepare the classroom fully, facilitating a smooth start to the academic program. The booklist items, detailing all class requisites, will be sent to you at the beginning of Term 1 and invoiced to your Term 1 account.

Uniform The College Uniform Shop is the only official authorised supplier of the school uniform.

For more information please refer to the document “Uniform Guidelines 2015” or the Parent Portal.

Satchel and School Bags The satchel is used for carrying the student planner, Library books, readers etc. It is particularly helpful for young children to quickly identify their satchel if it has a distinctive ribbon or key ring attached to the zip and is clearly labelled with their name.

Designated books are also provided in the bag area outside each classroom. Satchels and school bags can be purchased from the College Uniform Shop.

Writing Board and Satchel Board A writing board and satchel board are provided through the booklist. Each item will be a double thickness of cardboard and is ‘contacted’ for extra strength. The satchel board stays in the satchel to keep it firm. The writing board must be named and will be used when your child is working with a variety of materials and in a variety of situations.

Art Program/Art Smock Art is one of the first languages that children use to communicate their understandings of the world. At the Junior School, a strong emphasis is placed on providing opportunities for children to express themselves through the Visual Arts. Quality art materials are used right from the start of the year to help children succeed. An art smock that gives good protection is essential for all art activities.

Art smocks can be purchased from local art retail stores or they can be home-made. The material must be waterproof (not fabric) and fully cover the arms and torso front and back.

Birthday Invitations We are happy to distribute birthday invitations at school if the whole class has been invited. If not, we ask that you send invitations by mail for the sake of discretion. Classroom teachers will gladly acknowledge a child’s special day but will politely decline invitations to parties or any other parent requests for involvement or assistance with organisational matters.

Music At the Junior School, we value music highly and see it as an essential component of a rich and well-rounded education. As such, all children participate in a minimum of two Music lessons per week. The Music Department teaches Kodaly and Orff based programs. Singing and music making is emphasised at all year levels. Children learn the recorder at Year 3 while at Year 2, all children are exposed to the string family of instruments. They may learn the violin, viola or cello.

The Junior School has two Choirs and a String Orchestra. Weekly rehearsals take place at 8.15am in the Multi-purpose Room. Students participate in at least one music concert during the year, and regularly perform at assemblies. These experiences are important for developing confidence and composure when performing in front of an audience.

Individual tuition Instrumental tuition is provided at Junior School (Prep to Year 3) on piano and orchestral string instruments only. For further information, refer to the Timetabling of Lessons section on the following page. Additional offerings of wind and brass are available to Years 4 and 5 students and the full range of instruments and voice is available from Year 6. Music theory tuition is available at both the Middle and Senior Schools.

New Enrolments and Re-enrolments New enrolments are normally processed in Term 4 for the following year, upon receipt of the enclosed enrolment form by the due date. Enrolment is for one school year, and continuous throughout the year unless parents advise the Music Department in writing at least four weeks prior to the end of term (see Termination of Tuition below). Music enrolment into the following year is not automatic, therefore parents need to reaffirm their commitment to music lessons using the appropriate form.

Termination of Tuition Timetables are organised on a term-by-term basis and students are expected to complete a full term of tuition before terminating lessons. Parents and students are requested to discuss their intentions with the teacher and give notice of termination in writing to both the teacher and the Director of Music at least four weeks prior to the end of term to avoid being charged in advance for the following term’s lessons.

Timetabling of Lessons The standard lesson is a 30-minute individual lesson within a rotating timetable operating during school hours. At the start of the year, students will be contacted directly by the instrumental teacher to arrange their first lesson after which a printed timetable is issued for the remaining weeks in Term 1. Students will receive a timetable for the following term in the last week of each term.

Due to the age of the students, a strict timetabling protocol has been established for the Junior School. Recommendations in regard to optimum tuition times (classes) are made by both class teachers and the Head of Junior School. Please note the following: Music lessons are discouraged for Prep students in Semester 1, lessons may commence in Semester 2 outside of the academic program.

Children can only be removed from the academic program for one instrument. If a child is learning two instruments, one of the lessons must be arranged outside of class time.

It is our strong recommendation, and the professional opinion of the Music Department, that students focus on one instrument only at this level.

Missed Lessons Students are charged for lessons missed without notification (eg forgetting to attend). These lessons may sometimes be rescheduled by negotiation with the teacher at an extra cost.

Notification of intended absence should be given in advance, to facilitate the rescheduling of lesson times.

Where possible, and given adequate notice, teachers will reschedule lessons at no extra charge to compensate for those missed due to College activities such as school excursions, camps and class-based work (tests) or the teacher’s absence, but not for student illness. Parents are asked to ring the teacher on a pre-arranged contact number; if contact cannot be made then please ring the relevant Music Office.

Tuition Fees A schedule of fees, based on the Victorian Music Teachers’ Association recommended minimum fees, is available. The standard lesson period is one half-hour per week, however, longer or shorter lessons may be negotiated with the teacher, and will attract a pro-rata fee. The agreed minimum number of eight lessons per term will be payable in advance with the term fees.

Adjustments for a greater or lesser number of lessons actually given will be made at the end of each term; however, lessons missed through discontinuation without required notice (see Termination of Tuition) will not be credited.

Instrument Hire The College can provide students with instruments for hire, charged at a rate of $60 per term in advance, subject to availability. Instruments will be allocated in order of receipt of applications, and in the event of instruments being over-subscribed, a waiting list will be established.

Alternatively, parents may wish to hire instruments from outside the school and information about suppliers can be provided on request.

Students are encouraged to purchase their own instrument after one year of tuition. Instruments on hire must be returned immediately when tuition ceases.

Insurance Instruments are not covered by the School’s insurance except whilst on school premises or when in use during an outside school activity. Therefore parents are responsible for the replacement cost of an instrument resulting from any loss or damage while it is in the student’s possession.

The approximate replacement value of instruments for insurance purposes is: • cello - $1,000 • violin, quarter and half sizes - $250 • violin, other sizes - $400 • double bass - $2,000 • viola - $500

Sundry expenses Reeds, strings, rosin etc. are available from the College and will be charged separately to accounts. Insurance excess may apply in cases of loss or damage.

Music Enquiries Please contact Mrs Karen Fyffe at the Junior School on 5226 8434.

Physical Education (PE) Children are to wear their PE uniform to school on their sport day.

PE is held every Tuesday.

Swimming As part of the PE program at the Junior School, all children participate in the swimming program.

The program is conducted at the Senior School Recreation Centre. Buses transport the students to and from the pool. Experienced instructors are employed to help deliver the program which provides an excellent student-to-adult ratio.

Children are required to bring their bathers, swimming cap, a towel, thongs or sandals at the beginning of the week in a named bag. Years 1, 2 and 3 student programs will be held in Term 1 and the Prep students’ program will be held in Term 4.

Out of School Hours Care Vacation Care Program The Geelong College offers a Vacation Care Program for part of each of the school holidays and each Monday before term commences. For dates and availability please phone 5226 8444.

It is open to current students and, depending on numbers, will be divided into age appropriate activities.

Please note the program is aimed at children from 3 years old to approximately 12 years and involves a range of activities including: Art/Craft, cooking, construction and games.

Please note that the program must meet the licence requirements of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. In most cases a separate program is run in the Early Learning Centre, while primary aged children are catered for in the Multi-Purpose Centre. The Geelong College Integrated Licence permits us to combine programs where necessary.

Before School Supervision Junior School students are supervised indoors from 8am to 8.30am. The playground is supervised from 8.30am and we encourage children to arrive at school in time to have a short play before the commencement of classes at 8.50am.

Out of School Hours Care The Out of School Hours Care program at the Junior School offers care for pupils of The Geelong College from Monday to Friday from 3.25pm to 6pm (on school days only).

Full supervision is provided and your child will participate in activities that are safe and enjoyable.

The program includes craft and cooking, as well as indoor and outdoor games. There is also an opportunity for older children to complete their homework.

The Out of School Hours Care program provides a snack for the children. This typically consists of water or cordial and assorted sandwiches and fruit. The children have their snack on arrival, before they commence their activities.

Out of School Hours Care Bookings Families are encouraged to book children in early. Bookings can be made by telephoning 5226 8444. Out of School Hours Care can be contacted after school on 5226 8470.

Regular bookings can be made on a termby-term basis and should be arranged as soon as possible after the commencement of Term 1, and reconfirmed or altered before the beginning of subsequent school terms.

Casual bookings are made through the Middle School Office at any time prior to 10am on the day. Parents are requested to advise the office staff of the approximate collection time from Out of School Hours Care.

Cancellation notices must be given prior to 10am on the day of care. Bookings which are cancelled after 10am will be charged.

Fees for 2015 will be announced at the start of the year. This charge will be included on the College term fee account.

Collection/Departure of Children When collecting your child, please contact one of the coordinators and sign the departure form.

If a child is to be taken home by a person other than those listed on the official form, a signed authority from the child’s parent must be obtained. The coordinators should be informed of such changes prior to the child being collected.

All children are required to be collected by 6pm. If there is an emergency and a child has not been collected by 6pm, the staff will endeavour to contact parents, then the emergency contact person (as advised by parents) and finally the Head of Middle School or Head of Junior School.

A late fee of 50c a minute will be charged after 6pm, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Families using the program may be eligible for the Commonwealth Childcare Cash Rebate.

Telephone 03 5226 3433 PO Box 5 Geelong Victoria 3220 Vicki.Henderson@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au geelongcollege.vic.edu.au