Parents of Years Prep - 6 Orientation
13 November 2024
For 2025 School Year
Planning for Success
Practise:
• Opening and closing lunch boxes and drink bottle
• Packing bag
• Planning foods– “I don’t like vegemite!”
• Get them involved
• Finger foods are good
• Health Promoting School – healthy foods are best
• Flexi-Schools Canteen
Uniforms
• Uniform list on Junior School portal- available from Bob Stewarts
• Ensure all uniform items are labelled (even socks and underwear when swimming) – Do not write on clothing tags
• The uniform must be worn correctly at all times
• Blazers
• Blue ribbons in hair
• House shirts – Houses TBA
First Day: Friday 31 January 2025
• Our doors open at 8.00am
• Make you way to the classroom
• Books will already be at school from drop off day (Thursday 30 January 9.00-10.00am)
• Supervise unpacking of school bag and locker organisation
• Name on lockers
• Only one lunch box
• Mark all clothing – even socks and underwear
• Take photos
• Bell will signal when to say goodbye
• Please leave happily and quickly
• Pick up from:
• Undercroft area for Preps for first Term 1 only, then Gate 6
• Gate 6 - Years 1-4
• Gate 7- Years 5 & 6
Record Books, Email, Forms, FlexiSchool
• Go through their Record Book with them
• Read front section carefully
• Sign policy with them
• Discuss its features and how they might be used
• Copy timetable (display prominently)
• Set up a packing list for each day
• Develop a working routine and family timetable
• Set up FlexiSchool account
Next few days
• Girls will be experiencing many new things
• Routines, experiences, new friends and play mates, staff, rules…..
• These can be tiring, so be mindful of action-packed afternoons and weekends
• Always respond calmly and positively
• Healthy balanced diet, especially breakfast
• Make sure they get enough sleep
• Days end at 3.20pm
• Discuss a designated meeting place
Packing lists
• Develop a list of what to pack for each day and pack bags the night before
• Parents to check everything is packed and uniforms ready the night before.
• Bag to be at door / car.
Bell Times
• We have an 8 lesson day = 40 lesson week over a 10 day cycle
• We ask parents to make sure that their daughters are at school by 8.20am
• Allows them to socialise a little
• They are calm and ready for the day
• They don’t miss the plan for the day or the start of the lesson
Drop offs and pick ups
Mornings
• Barbreck opens at 8.10am
• Roll call in classrooms at 8.20am
• Morning parking
• Late arrivals
Afternoons
• Pick-ups at 3.20pm at 2 gates (Gates 6 & 7)
• Parking
• Please read signage carefully
• Do not park across driveways
• Remember, most girls are dropped off and picked up – so be considerate and aware of others, especially students
• Crossing at the crossing only
If late / absent / extended leave
• Sign your daughter in at Reception
• If absent, telephone the Absentee Line
• Parents must apply for a period of extended leave to HOJS
• Our programs are designed to provide a developmental and sequenced series of experiences – it is difficult for girls to catch up, especially when they do not receive the teachers’ guidance, coaching and expertise
• All late arrivals and absences are recorded and stated on your child’s School Report
Booklists
• See booklist on Junior School portal – ordered through Campions Books
• Booklists must be completed and returned via the Portal link by 13 December 2023 for delivery on or before 25 January 2024
• Books are to be named and preferably covered.
• Book drop off day is Wednesday 31 January between 9.00am and 10.00am
Register with TeamKids
• TeamKids is our afterschool care provider
• It is located in the Early Learning Centre
• All students participating in after-school activities must be registered
• Registration if free
• TeamKids link is on the Junior School Portal
• Enrolment required for students participating in after school activities
After School Activities
NEW FAMILIES PORTAL LINK
PORTAL LINK
Illnesses
• The Parent Information Booklet on the Junior School Portal provides important information e.g. exclusion periods
• Please keep sick children at home
• If your child becomes sick at school – we will call you.
• Please collect sick children promptly
• We have a registered nurse on campus to assist with injuries and illnesses
• Emergency Action Plans and medications must be labelled correctly, up to date for us to administer.
• All medications must be handed into Reception for the Health Centre.
• Record Books- Teacher will put their email address in front
• Please ensure we have your current email at all times.
• Phone
• Appointments
• Blue Ribbon
• Mystcatherines.net.au – Portal
• Operoo- electronic health, safety and consent form
Raising concerns
• Please raise concerns promptly- we aim to please
• Teachers are the first port of call
• If still concerned, contact reception to speak/make an appointment to Deputy Head of Junior School
• If still concerned, contact PA to Head of Junior School for an appointment/phone call
• Teachers will raise concerns with you too should they arise
Panel Time:
• Ilse Johansen – Teacher
• Louise Thompson – Teacher
• Liv Cody – Health & PE
• Kristen – Music
• Tanya Margetts & Damien Grinsell – parents
• Jemima – Yr 4 Samara – Year 6