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General Information
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL
When a child has been absent from school, parents must advise the class teacher by note when he/she returns. If the absence is likely to be lengthy, please advise the school Bursar by phone.
ASSEMBLIES
Assemblies are held on a fortnightlybasis. They are given by various classes and consist of celebrations of children's success in the curriculum areas.
Banking facilities are available at school. This is organised by a volunteer parent in conjunction with the Commonwealth Bank.
BICYCLE PARKING AREA
A bicycle parking enclosure is located adjacent to the school. This area is out of bounds to children during the day. The school cannot accept responsibility for the loss of bicycles or bicycle parts while they are left in the bicycle parking enclosure, however, the enclosure is locked during the day.
Road safety authorities suggest that children under Year 4 should not ride bicycles to school unless supervised by an adult or older rider and that all bicycle riders must wear a suitable helmet. It is compulsory for children to wear an approved helmet when riding to and from school.
It is permissible to ride bikes on footpaths in the ACT unless the path is marked "NO BICYCLES". Bicycles must not be ridden within ten metres of a shop.
Children who ride should be told:
- to walk bicycles across road crossings
- to watch for pedestrians also using the footpath
- to watch for cars entering or backing out of driveways
- to walk within the shopping area (penalty $40)
- to use racks where provided in the enclosure
- to walk their bicycles when in the school grounds.
Car Parking The school parking area is limited in space. At times of high usage such as wet days it is important traffic is able to keep moving, and parents are requested not to double park or park in entry or exit areas. Special care should be taken to avoid children who may be in these areas. The church car park provides a large additional parking area.
Children should not bring money to school unless absolutely necessary. Should money be required for clubs, excursions or some other purpose, a note specifying the amount and purpose is either contained in the weekly newsletter or sent home with the children concerned. Parents are advised that it is unwise for children to bring to the school valuable items of personal property such as MP3 players, mobile phones etc.
The school's newsletter is sent home every Thursday with the youngest or only child in each family. It contains reminder notices, information on school excursions, requests from staff and parents, coming events, class reports, P&C and Board notices and information. Thus:
- parents know when to expect communication from the school
- parents are aware of events in other parts of the school
- notices are less likely to be lost
Any items for inclusion in the Newsletter should be left at the front office before lunchtime on Wednesday.
An out of school hours care programme operates on the school premises operated by an external provider.
Students have the opportunity for private music tuition at school in piano, recorder, violin, guitar, theatre and gymnastics. Tutors are selected on their ability to relate well to young children as well as their professional competence. Students are withdrawn from class on the same day but usually on a rotational basis so as to minimise disruption to their regular program. Some classes are held after school and some at lunchtime. Some lessons are individual and some are group. Arrangements regarding payments are made directly with the tutors, a list of whom is held in the front office.
Cook Primary School's Assessment and Reporting Policy outlines the various different forms of assessment and reporting at Cook Primary School. This includes: -
- Getting to Know You Interviews held at the beginning of the school year;
- A Learning Journey held at the end of Term 1;
- Written reports at the end of Term 2 and Term 3; and
- 3-Way Interviews held at the end of Term 2.
School begins at 9am. Recess break is from 10.45 until 11.15am Lunch break is from 12.45pm to 1.30pm. School ends at 3pm.
Children should arrive at school as close as possible to 9am. Teachers are not rostered for line-of-sight playground supervision before school hours, although a teacher is available in an emergency from 8.30am. Children are not allowed to leave the school until 3pm unless the school receives written authority from the parents/guardians. The shops are out of bounds during school hours unless written permission is given by parents on each occasion.
SCHOOL TRAFFIC ZONES
School Traffic Zones are provided for the protection of children and to slow traffic down in areas where children are likely to be crossing roads near the school. Parents are reminded that on school days between the hours of 8am and 4pm the maximum speed in a School Traffic Zone is 40kph.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
The School Board, reflecting parents' wishes, encourage the wearing of school uniform. The school colours are royal blue and white. The uniform shop open one morning per week, staffed by parent volunteers. The shop stocks the following standard items at affordable prices. Second hand items are available at very reasonable prices.
Summer Uniform
- white or royal blue polo shirt
- royal blue shorts
- royal blue sweatshirt
- royal blue legionnaire or cricket hat (it is part of the school's polich that hats be worn during outside play
- sneakers or black school shoes
- pleated skirt - royal blue - with scungies.
Winter Uniform
- royal blue track pants
- royal blue sweatshirts or fleece jacket (may be hooded)
- royal blue or white skivvy
- royal blue trousers
- royal blue bootleg pants
Parents can purchase royal blue and white items outside the school if they choose. Schools bags, hats and library/book bags are also available from the uniform shop.
SICKNESS AND ACCIDENTS
Sick children should be kept at home. If a child becomes sick at school parents will be contacted.
Details on medication administration are listed elsewhere. However new regulations apply for serious ailments, e.g. severe asthma, diabetes. Authority giving full details of treatment and approval to administer medication must be received from both the parent and the child's doctor, and this must also be approved by the ACT Department of Education and Training.
If a child suffers a serious accident at school the parents, if available, will be notified immediately. Should emergency treatment be required, the child will be transported by ambulance to a hospital. In such cases ambulance services and the initial hospital treatment are free.
Should your child catch chicken pox, mumps, measles or any other infectious disease, please contact the school for information about quarantine periods and to enable other parents to be warned, if appropriate.
It is strongly recommended that before enrolment, all children are vaccinated against the full range of infectious diseases. This prevents unnecessary illness and lengthy absences from school. Information about vaccinations already received by your child should be provided at the time of enrolment.
