Hamilton Island State School - PARENT HANDBOOK 2015
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Hamilton Island State School
PARENT HANDBOOK 2015
Great Community, Great School, Great Teachers, Great Students, Great Opportunity
Every student matters every lesson, every day and every student who attends Hamilton Island State School will be a high achiever.
Parent Handbook—2015 Hamilton Island State School
Welcome to Hamilton Island State School
Our commitment is to create a learning environment where
every child can thrive and become an independent, creative
and connected learner.
Welcome to Hamilton Island State School.
At Hamilton Island State School we promote a culture of very Hamilton Island State School is
high expectations of students intrinsic motivation to learn and embedded in the
academic performance. We offer a distinctive learning Hamilton Island community. We work continually to
environment that promotes individuality and provides all foster positive relationships with our families, local
students with the opportunity to reach their full potential. businesses, surrounding schools, clubs and professional
associations. It is through these productive partnerships
We develop the learning of our students through the use of that we are able to deliver dynamic educational
explicit, direct instructional teaching methods and programs. experiences for our students.
Our school offers a range of specialist programs and extra-
curricular activities - including electives, sailing and language I believe that schooling should be enjoyable and that
studies. every student matters every lesson, every day and every
student will be a high achiever.
Education at Hamilton Island is much more than a formal learn- We look forward to showing you our school - an
ing program. It embodies attention to the welfare of each institution of which we are very proud.
student and his, or her, total school experience. Our academic
programs are enhanced by our commitment to a strong social Yours faithfully,
education program that is built on the following values: Each
child is a Proud Learner who is Respectful, Responsible and
Safe.
Mr Michael Allan
Parent Handbook—2015 Hamilton Island State School
Important
Information
Important Phone Numbers: Other Contact Details:
School Administration Office: (07) 49469522 Physical Address: Great Northern Hwy, Hamilton Island
Facsimile: (07) 49469533 Postal Address: PO Box 192, Hamilton Island 4803
Principal Mobile: 0408 250 089 Email: admin@hamiislass.eq.edu.au
Website: www.hamislass.eq.edu.au
Hamilton Island State School Staff Team Important Dates for 2015
Mr Michael Allan Principal Term 1 - Tuesday 28th January to Friday 4th April
Miss Ashleigh Prickett Teacher (10 weeks)
Miss Tashi Campbell Teacher Term 2 - Monday 22nd April to Friday 27th of June
Mr Daniel Farrawell Teacher (10 weeks)
Mrs Sara Taverner Teacher Term 3 - Monday 14th July to Friday 19th September
(10 weeks)
Ms Ange Partington Administration Officer Term 4 - Tuesday 7th October to Friday 12th
Mrs Karen Gordon Teacher Aide December (10 weeks)
Mrs Sally Stringer Teacher Aide Additional student free days:
Miss Vicki Hallums Teacher Aide * Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th January
Ms Kate Chapman Teacher Aide * Monday 20th October
Mrs Nuria Murgadas-Davis Teacher Aide
Miss Robyn Goerge-Cox Guidance Officer
Daily Routine:
9:00 - 11:00 Morning Session
11:00—11:15 Eating time (1st lunch)
11:15 - 11:45 Activity (1st lunch)
11:45 to 1:30 Middle Session
1:30 to 1:45 Eating time (2nd lunch)
1:45 to 2:00 Activity (2nd lunch)
2:00 to 3:00 Afternoon Session
Every day counts: Every child, Every lesson, Every day
Parent Handbook—2015 Hamilton Island State School
Teaching & Learning
Programs
Hamilton Island State School provides a dynamic educational experience for students that enables them to become inde-
pendent, creative and connected lifelong learners.
Our academic programs are focused on building students’ foundational skills, attitudes and values to ensure they achieve
their individual potential.
Literacy and numeracy skills are taught explicitly across our curriculum as well as embedded in Hamilton Island State
School’s extended curriculum. The core areas of English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, and HPE
are based on the Australian National Curriculum while the Arts, Technology, SOSE and LOTE (Japanese) are based on the
Queensland Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Framework (QCARF).
PHASES OF LEARNING
Our academic programs are divided into two key phases of learning. Each phase is approached as a unique, yet interde-
pendent step in the broader education pathway.
Lower Primary (Prep – Year 3)
Often referred to as the “Early Years of Learning”, Lower Primary at Hamilton Island State School focuses on developing
our students’ passion for learning, creativity and self-confidence.
Our program aims to not only provide our youngest students with a balanced and relevant set of core literacy and nu-
meracy skills, but also with a strong attitude to learning that will underpin their later academic and personal achieve-
ment.
Upper Primary (Years 4 – 6)
Hamilton Island State School’s approach to the Middle Years of Schooling (Yrs. 4–7) reflects our understanding of the
unique educational needs of young adolescents.
Our Upper Primary program supports the intellectual, social, emotional, moral, spiritual and physical development of our
students. Learning experiences encourage active learning, strong relationships, co-operation, and the development of
independent learning skills.
Prep Year
The quality of learning experiences in a child’s earliest years plays a significant role in setting the foundations for lifelong
development, including language acquisition, participation and achievement in formal schooling as well as social and
emotional skills development.
At Hamilton Island State School, our Prep program celebrates the importance of a quality early years education by
providing our students with an enriched learning environment that promotes self-discovery, social awareness and inde-
pendence.
Our approach focuses on the development of fundamental literacy and numeracy skills through explicit instruction as
well as children following their interests and natural curiosity.
Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
The extended Hamilton Island State School curriculum provides all students with the opportunity to engage with experi-
ence in different languages and cultures. In years 5 and 6, our students are formally enrolled in Japanese.
Parent Handbook—2015 Hamilton Island State School
Teaching & Learning
Programs
Technology & Resources
Hamilton Island State School provides a well-resourced learning environment for students. In addition to our classrooms
being filled with age-specific resources, students have access to specialist teaching environments and the latest ICTs.
Information Communication Technology
All Hamilton Island State School classrooms are fitted with the latest in interactive, information communication technolo-
gy, including:
Interactive whiteboards in each classroom
Teacher Laptops
Networked student laptops (30 across the school)
High-speed internet connections
Ipads in cabinets for students in Prep to year 2.
In years 3 to 6, students are allocated their own personal ipad to use as part of everyday learning. Our 1:1 ipad program
has revolutionised the learning opportunities our students engage in on a daily basis. Upon enrolment, parents need to
read through and agree to the terms and conditions for their child to be allocated an ipad. When a termination of enrol-
ment occurs, the ipad is returned to the school office.
Assessment
Assessment assist teachers to make decisions about what your child knows and can do. Most assessment is based on
specific criteria aligned with the National Curriculum’s expectations. Throughout the year, all class teachers will complete
standard, school-wide testing of their students – focusing on literacy and numeracy skills. The results of these tests are
used to identify individual students that would benefit from additional support or extension activities.
National Testing
All Years 3 and 5 students in Australia sit the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests.
There are 4 tests, completed over 3 days: Language Conventions, Writing, Reading and Numeracy. The results of these
tests provide the school with information about what each student knows and can do. Parents also receive a report
showing how your child performed against national benchmarks.
Support Services
Hamilton Island State School offers students with disabilities and other special needs with access to individualised learn-
ing programs and specialist teaching staff. We also provide students with Learning Difficulties or as English as a Second
Language with specialist support.
Key support services available at Hamilton island State School include:
Special Education Consultant, Speech Language, Specialist teacher aides and a Guidance Officer
Homework
A balanced approach to homework plays an important role in a child’s education. At Hamilton island State School, we
promote homework as not only an opportunity for students to develop self-discipline and independence, but also for
parents to share their child’s education.
Phase: Lower Primary (Prep-3) Upper Primary (4-7)
Duration: 15 mins each night 30 mins each night
Focus: Reinforcing literacy, numeracy Reinforcing literacy, numeracy and
and problem-solving skills problem-solving skills
Common Tasks: Daily Reading Daily Reading
Mystic Maths Mystic Maths
Spelling - Magic Words Spelling - Magic Words
Assignment work
Parent Handbook—2015 Hamilton Island State School
Extra-Curricular
Activities
At Hamilton Island State School we develop positive relationships with the community to provide the best learning op-
portunities for our students.
Electives
Every Friday we run an electives program that provides students with opportunities to participate in specialised learning
experiences outside of the general classroom curriculum.
Electives activities: Guitar, choir, art and craft, gardening, painting, beading, gardening, sport, wildlife study and cooking.
Sailing
We also offer a sailing course in terms 2 and 3 for students in years 4 to 6. Students participate in a set Hamilton Island
State School Sailing Course that offers a wide range of skills and theory to become independent sailors.
Hamilton Island Sports Program
We work closely with the Hamilton Island Sports Club to offer as many sporting opportunities as possible for our stu-
dents. Each month a program is added to our monthly newsletter to keep all families informed of what’s available for
after school activities. Students currently participate in little athletics, touch football, soccer, hip-hop and karate.
Excursions
Our students’ learning is enhanced through participation in school excursions.
When planning excursions, our teachers ensure:
The activity complements students’ academic programs
Safe ratios of adults to students (at least 1:5 in Prep and 1:10 in Lower Primary)
Students not participating in the excursion are supervised and provided with an alternative program at school
Specific processes are in place if students are being transported in private vehicles
Careful selection and preparation of all parents/volunteers participating in the excursion
All school excursions are approved by our principal and P&C Association.
Our school regularly reviews and updates our excursion procedures using Education Queensland’s Curriculum Activity
Risk Assessment.
Leadership Program
Hamilton Island State School students in Upper Primary have the opportunity to develop leadership skills through our
Leadership Program.
The leadership group is made up of a School Captain, Vice Captain, Sports Captain and Junior Captains. School Captain,
Vice Captain, Sports Captain run on an executive structure of three members - elected by the student population through
a formal election process. Executive members are short-listed via class nomination and a teacher panel before they
make their way on to the ballot papers.
Junior Captain representatives nominate themselves as future school leader aspirants. Junior captains write an applica-
tion and are selected on merit by the Principal and teachers.
Parent Handbook—2015 Hamilton Island State School
Parents as Partners in
student learning
Parents and families are an integral part of our school community.
Hamilton Island State School encourages families to become involved in their child’s broad education experi-
ence with us.
GOAL SETTING
We provide a unique opportunity that sets us apart from any other school. Parents are welcomed to be close
Partners in student learning and the goal setting process allows this to happen. The process is as follows:
In term one, the parents and student meet formally with the teacher to discuss where the student is
at and together as a team, set goals and focus areas for improvement aligned to the school’s im-
provement agenda. This is all put together in a document, signed by all parties and used to drive the
improvement journey for the student. A copy is displayed in classroom and a copy is provided to the
parents to display in a central location at home. The document is developed so parents, the teacher
and the student can map improvement made over the semester.
Parents will be informed when their child has made progress towards their goal via meetings with
the teacher and awards presented at school assemblies.
Report Cards will be issued at the end of term 2. The general comment section will detail the child’s
progress towards their term 3 goal.
In term 3, the parents and student again meet formally with the teacher to discuss the outcomes
and goals achieved so far throughout the year and
Parent information sessions & special events
P & C Meetings
Individual messages will be sent home through your child’s teacher and our Administration Officer.
CELEBRATION OF STUDENT SUCCESS
You may contact your child’s teacher by leaving a message through our School Administration Office.
Many of our teachers may also make use of their professional email account for communication with families.
We encourage you to speak directly with your child’s teacher to negotiate the best way of staying in regular
contact.
Parent Handbook—2015 Hamilton Island State School
School
Communication
Keeping our parents and families up-to-date with what’s happening at the school is an extremely important
part of our how we do business.
Hamilton Island State School encourages families to become involved in their child’s broad education experi-
ence with us – by keeping in regular communication with the Principal, teachers, and staff. Volunteering in
classes and joining our P&C Association.
COMMUNICATION
Open communication between home and school underpins a great primary school experience for children. To
ensure that you always know what is happening in our school, we provide important information through the
following:
Parent information Sessions
Weekly emails
Monthly school newsletter
School Website – www.hamislass.eq.edu.au
Facebook
Afternoon student assembly
Fortnightly Assembly
P & C Meetings
Individual messages will be sent home through your child’s teacher and our Administration Officer.
PARENT INFORMATION SESSIONS
Throughout the year, the Principal of Hamilton Island State School will host both formal and informal parent
information sessions. The focus of these events may vary – from introducing curriculum changes to workshops
for parents in specific learning areas outlined in the school’s improvement agenda i.e. reading, writing, mathe-
matics. If you are able to attend these sessions, you will gain significant knowledge on how to support your
child’s learning at home in line with school expectations.
All events are advertised through our school newsletter, weekly emails, school website calendar and Face-
book.
WEEKLY EMAILS
Our school Administration Officer, Ange Partington will email out to the parent group what’s happening at the
school each week on behalf of Mick Allan, the Principal. This email will go out to the email address nominated
by the parents upon their child’s enrolment. It is imperative that you are getting these emails as they are the
main line of communication between school and home. Your child's teacher will also email you with what’s
happening in the classroom and important messages/information as they arise.
SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
The Hamilton Island State School Newsletter is published each month and is available in hardcopy at the front
of the school, on our website and via email.
Our newsletter is one of our main communication links between school and home, designed to keep you in-
formed on what is happening in our school community.
Parent Handbook—2015 Hamilton Island State School
School
Communication
VOLUNTEERING
Our school welcomes the active support of our parents and community members.
Whether it is supporting our reading program in class, supervising a school camp/excursions or offering a hand
at a working bee – all help is greatly appreciated. If you are volunteering in our school, please remember to
sign in at the School Administration Office. The Principal will run workshops for parents twice a year if they are
interested in assisting with learning in the classroom.
SCHOOL REPORT
Each year, Hamilton Island State School publishes an annual school report. This report outlines our achieve-
ments across a number of key performance areas, including student learning outcomes, resource manage-
ment and community engagement. Electronic copies of the report are available on our website.
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
All policies and procedures that relate to the management and operation of our school are available on our website and
through our School Administration Office.
CONTACTING STAFF
You may contact your child’s teacher by leaving a message through our School Administration Office.
All of our teachers may also make use of their professional email account for communication with families. We encour-
age you to speak directly with your child’s teacher to negotiate the best way of staying in regular contact.
REPORTING TO PARENTS
While our classroom teachers are available to discuss your child’s progress anytime throughout the school
year, there are key times of year when we formally report to parents and set learning goals as a team:
Open Parent Information Sessions (Early Term 1)
Classroom teachers welcome parents to visit their child’s classroom and to discuss curriculum, behaviour ex-
pectations and individual learning needs for the year ahead.
3 Way Conferences (End of Term 1 & Term 3)
Teachers are available for pre-arranged, individual meetings with parents and their child to discuss the stu-
dent’s individual achievement and set individual learning goals.
Student Report (Term 2 & Term 4)
Formal reporting is completed in late June and early December each year.
Parents of Prep students receive a report outlining their child’s learning progress, while the achievements of
students from Years 1 – 6 are documented on formal report cards. Follow up parent/teacher interviews are
available if required.
Report cards are sent home either by post or with your child on the second last day of the school term.
Parent Handbook—2015 Hamilton Island State School
Family & Community
Involvement
P & C ASSOCIATION
The Hamilton Island State School P & C Association is an integral part of our school and works in partnership with the
school’s leadership team to:
Promote the interests of the school by bringing parents, citizens, pupils and teaching staff into close co-operation
Ensure students have access to quality learning materials and equipment
Ensure effective school policy and management of school activities
Our P & C Association hosts monthly meetings throughout the school year. All parents are welcome to attend and are
encouraged to take up formal membership. As a member, participants are entitled to vote at meetings and are also cov-
ered by insurance when involved in P & C activities.
COMPLAINTS PROCESSES
Hamilton Island State School has a clear policy and process for dealing with any complaint received by par-
ents/carers, community members, staff or students.
Our objective is to address all complaints with an open, solutions-focused approach.
Under our policy, all complaints must be documented. This helps us to ensure that they can be reported to
the principal as soon as practicable.
When recording a complaint, we promote:
The use of clear language, stating the facts
Detailing information in chronological order as practically possible
The use of quotation marks, where appropriate
Initialled and dated corrections
The signature, designation of the author, and time and date of the incident/complaint
If a complaint cannot be resolved at the first point of contact, we will acknowledge it’s escalation within five
(5) working days by telephone, in person, by email, or in writing. At this time we will initiate a 5-stage process:
1. Receiving and clarifying the complaint
2. Deciding how to handle the complaint
3. Finding out about the complaint
4. Making a decision about the complaint
5. Review (where required)
OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE
Outside School Hours Care and Vacation Care is available through PCYC. Services are offered through a well
equipped, purpose-specific facility located at the school.Parent Handbook—2015 Hamilton Island State School
General
Information
STUDENT CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
Productive learning & positive behaviour are inextricably linked.
We believe that effective learning takes place when all members of the school community – students, staff,
parents and visitors - acknowledge and abide by a set of fundamental expectations.
The Hamilton Island State School Code of Behaviour is based on four core expectations: Be Responsible, Be
Safe, Be Respectful and Be a Proud Learner.
Hamilton Island State School endorses a whole school approach intended to promote and support appropriate
behaviours in all students. To facilitate this approach, the school has implemented the School-wide Positive
Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework as a means to revise and develop strategies and procedures to pro-
mote a safe, supportive and disciplined school environment.
Important principles that guide our work under the our SWPBS framework, include:
Appropriate behaviour needs to be explicitly taught.
Acknowledging students for meeting our expectations is a crucial factor in reinforcing their use of posi-
tive and pro-social behaviours.
For some students, extra support will be required in both teaching and reinforcing such behaviour.
Hamilton Island State School offers interventions to support the teaching and reinforcing of appropriate behav-
iour at different levels. These include:
• Universal – for all students,
• Targeted – for students requiring extra support, and
• Intensive – for a small number of students displaying challenging an/or persistent inappropriate behaviour
Details about our Code of Behaviour, School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework and inter-
ventions are documented in our Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students.
STUDENT RECORDS
Individual student records are kept on file at our school. Copies of student’s report cards, absence details, rec-
ord of behaviour issues and contact information are available to parents/guardians upon written request, ad-
dressed to the Principal.
Keeping Us Up-to-date
It is important that you inform the school as soon as possible if there are any changes to: contact details, medi-
cal information or family circumstances.
CUSTODY/PARENTING ARRANGEMENTS
Information regarding your family circumstances is essential to help us to understand and support your child
while at school. A copy of a court order or custody order is necessary so that school staff can help ensure the
legally designated parent or guardian collects children.Parent Handbook—2015 Hamilton Island State School
General
Information
ABSENCES
If your child is to be absent from school for any time, we ask that you advise us as soon as possible by:
• sending a note or email to the class teacher, or
• calling the School Administration Office.
Please note: if you plan for your child to be away from school for 10 days or more, you are required to submit
an Application for Exemption from Compulsory Schooling (available from the School Administration Office).
Arriving Late: If your child arrives at school after classes have started, please send them with a note to the
School Administration Office.
Leaving Early: If your child needs to leave school early, please send a note specifying the reason. Your child
will need to give this note to the School Administration Office when signing out.
INTERNET ACCESS
The Internet provides our students with valuable learning experiences – offering access to information from
around the world.
All websites accessed through school computers are filtered through Education Queensland’s Managed Inter-
net Services. Together with the supervision of our teachers, we aim to minimise the risk of students being ex-
posed to harmful information.
TUCKSHOP
Our school does not operate a daily tuckshop. However, we have a partnership with the Hamilton Island
Bakery which allows us to offer a ’tuckshop day’ every Thursday.
Lunch Orders: Lunch orders are for first break only. They must be written on a paper bag with the child’s
name and delivered to the school administration office on Wednesday.
MOBILE PHONES ACCESS
Students of Hamilton Island State School are discouraged from bringing mobile phones to school as they can
distract from quality learning activities.
Parents or families can contact their children directly through the School Administration Office.
If a mobile phone must be bought to school, the child is held solely responsible for its safekeeping and must
abide by the following rules:
Mobile phones can only be used before or after school.
Mobile phones can be secured during the school day in the School Administration Office.
Mobile phones must be clearly marked with the student’s name.
Students must not use their mobile to photograph or film others at any time.
Students must not use their mobile to send harassing or threatening messages.
Students must display courtesy, consideration and respect for others whenever they are using their
phone.Parent Handbook—2015 Hamilton Island State School
General
Information
STUDENT HEALTH
First Aid
Members of our school staff are permitted only to render basic First Aid. This is immediate, temporary treat-
ment given by the staff in case of an accident. Should medical treatment beyond First Aid be required, parents
are notified immediately whenever possible and/or the necessary treatment arranged.
In case of a serious accident, an ambulance will be called to transport the injured child to a doctor or hospital.
It is understood that it is not always possible to notify parents immediately of action taken. However, every
endeavour is made to contact parents as soon as possible.
Administration of Medications
All medication to be taken by children at school should be brought to the School Administration Office to be
administered under the supervision of the Administration team. Parents must bring medication to the office
and complete the ‘Permission to Administer Medication’.
All medication must be labelled in the name of the child with a pharmacy prescribed label - This in-
cludes cough medicines, Ventolin and aspirin, disprin, eardrops etc. No medicines can be accepted with-
out a completed ‘Permission to Administer Medication’ authorisation from the parents/guardian.
Parents of children who suffer from any health conditions are to advise the School Administration Office of
details. Details of any children who self-administer approved medication is required (e.g. medications for
Asthma, Diabetes and Epilepsy).
Infectious Diseases
Hamilton Island State School follows the exclusion guidelines provided by the National Health and Medical
Research Council.
Chicken Pox Exclude until fully recovered or for at least five (5) days after the first eruption.
Conjunctivitis Exclude until discharge from eyes have ceased.
Head Lice/Scabies Re-admit the day after appropriate treatment has commenced.
Ring Worm/Hepatitis A Exclude until medical certificate of recovery is received .
Measels Exclude for at least four (4) days from the onset of rash.
Mumps Exclude for nine (9) days or until swelling goes down (whichever is sooner)
Rubella/German Measels Exclude until fully recovered or for at least four days after the onset of rash.
Impetigo/School Sores Exclude until sores have fully healed
Whooping Cough Exclude child for five (5) days after starting antibiotic treatment.Parent Handbook—2015 Hamilton Island State School
School
Uniforms
UNIFORMS
All students of Hamilton Island State School must uphold our Dress Code Policy. This policy not only encour-
ages equity among students but also promotes the school’s Sun Smart Policy.
Full dress uniform must be worn by all students participating on excursions. Uniforms are available for pur-
chase from the school.
FOOTWEAR
For personal safety and general health, students must wear appropriate footwear (preferably black) at all
times. This includes closed shoes such as school shoes, sandshoes (joggers) or sandals with heel straps such as
surf sandals or leather sandals.
Students are expected to wear shoes when travelling on the bus/ferry to and from excursions.
JEWELLERY & OTHER ACCESSORIES
The following are items are acceptable to be worn to school: watch, necklace (locket or chain), bracelet, ear-
rings (small & plain sleepers/studs) & finger rings.)
For safety reasons students may be asked to remove some jewellery when working with equipment or when
playing sport.
Make up & Nail Polish is not encouraged and, if worn, should be discrete. Hair accessories should be kept to a
minimum.
INAPPROPRIATE CLOTHING
Items of clothing with inappropriate wording/pictures, thongs, scuffs, flip flops, slide ons and Caps/Beanies
are not permitted to be worn.
HATS - We uphold a “No hats, no shoes, no play” during lunchtimes.
Students must wear an appropriate hat when working and playing outside the classroom. This includes broad
brimmed, in navy blue. Caps are not accepted.
SUNSCREEN
All students are encouraged to apply sunscreen, which is available in the classroom.
WATERBOTTLES
All students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to school. Water bottles filled with water are able to be
stored in classroom fridges and used in all classrooms.
STATIONERY LISTS
Our school operates a “Book Pack” system each school year. Forms are sent home via administration office.
Collection of these packs will be conducted at the commencement of the school year.You can also read
