PROSPECTUS 2021 - Byron Community Primary School
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Our school is large enough to provide exciting programs that support learning at all levels, and small enough to support We welcome your enquiry to arrange a each child as an personalised tour of our school. Learn more about our excellent academic curriculum, individual on their pathway through extensive arts program and dedication to developing resilient and curious learners with enduring connections within the school and to the wider community. childhood. 53 Tennyson St, Byron Bay, NSW 2481 02 6685 8208 admin@bcps.org.au www.bcps.org.au BYRON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH: 02 6685 8208 PAGE 2
CURIOUS, CREATIVE LEARNERS Byron Community Primary School (BCPS) is an award winning, independent school where students are guided to fully develop their individual sense of self in the modern world. Our school is a vibrant and inclusive environment where staff are focussed and committed to delivering a rich, balanced teaching program. Our progressive and innovative curriculum is based on the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) program, customised to maximise each child’s potential. We aim to instil a love of learning, self initiative and a passion for personal excellence. 30 years of commitment from a generation of parents or guardians, staff and students has enabled our school to evolve from the vision of a few dedicated parents or guardians operating from a small converted shop on the corner of Ruskin and Tennyson Street, into a ten-room, 110 student school. Today, our facilities include a library, music room, recording studio, art room, dedicated makerspace room, multipurpose hall and large, technology enabled classrooms. Set amongst appealing gardens and interactive play areas, every space is optimised for the benefit of the students. BCPS is a not for profit, incorporated association where staff and parents or guardians collaborate closely. We have a strong focus on values, and developing the “whole child” in a warm, nurturing and safe school environment is fundamental. We believe a primary school should be a world in “miniature” where, properly guided, students learn to become confident, engaged and active contributors to society, both in the local community and beyond. BYRON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH: 02 6685 8208 PAGE 3
To be a leader in the provision of innovative and holistic educational opportunites and challenges. To enjoy strong connections within the school and wider communites. BYRON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH: 02 6685 8208 PAGE 4
OUR HISTORY BCPS was established in 1988 in one tiny classroom on the corner of Ruskin and Tennyson Streets Byron Bay. Later, the school grew into four classrooms, with a library and a music room. Although the school was small it still had big ideas, with a dedicated teaching staff and school community who valued education both in the classroom and in the wider community. Many of the activities that the students participate in now like Tournament of Minds, Becoming a Teenager program, camps and making community connections such as our annual Feros Village visits started way back then. Family participation and involvement in the school has also always been valued. In the early days parents or guardians, staff and children would parade around the town with lanterns on our annual Lantern Evening with only one lantern ever catching alight! We still celebrate the Winter Solstice with lanterns and singing and our famous hot pot night. It remains one of our most revered school events by the BCPS community. More recently, we have undertaken significant renovations and added classrooms and a new hall, including a purpose build visual arts space, a recording studio and an administration and amenities block. In 2016, we added a custom built makerspace classroom to our facilities where students can work safely and comfortably. We aim to continue our reputation as “a small school doing big things”. In 2018 BCPS celebrated 30 years and the school continues to grow and evolve. BYRON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH: 02 6685 8208 PAGE 5
GROWTH MINDSET Growth mindset is about learning how to believe in your abilities. It is taught explicitly and practiced implicitly. An example would be a student thinking or saying or reacting to a situation they find hard in a negative or self defeating way, therefore using a Fixed Mindset and thinking thoughts such as ‘this is too hard’, ‘I’ll never understand it’, ‘I’m not smart enough’. To change from a Fixed to a Growth Mindset students learn that some things are challenging and accept and acknowledge this. They learn that anyone who practices a skill will improve their ability through dedication and persistence. Growth mindset thinking includes ‘This is hard but if I keep trying I can achieve’, ‘I can’t do it yet’, and ‘Practice and don’t give up, this will help me accomplish’. Setting goals and striving towards them enables students to see the endless possibilities of a growth mindset, even if it involves an element of difficulty along the way. We have seen amazing academic and self esteem results from students who have transformed from a fixed mindset to one of a growth mindset in relation to mathematics. Those who couldn’t or wouldn’t believe in themselves in maths are now achieving to a high level. Read more about growth mindset here: Fixed vs. Growth: The Two Basic Mindsets That Shape Our Lives “if I keep trying I can or watch: Ted talk: Carol Dweck: the power of believing that you can improve achieve” RIMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH: 02 6685 8208 PAGE 6
OUR VALUES At BCPS our values help define what we do, how we do it and what we strive for: • Freedom with responsibility • Realisation of academic potential • For the love of learning • Innovation & creativity • Self-awareness, respect and compassion • Community participation BYRON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH: 02 6685 8208 PAGE 7
WHY PARENTS & GUARDIANS LOVE OUR SCHOOL Our parents and guardians are welcomed into the community of BCPS families and are involved at every level in the education of their children. "There is something special when as a parent you walk into a school and you can personally relate to all teachers and staff in a way that shows you they really know your child. BCPS is like a large extended family where our children are educated in not only the ABC’s and 123’s. They also learn life skills - how to relate socially within their community, how to care for their peers and demonstrate respect and empathy, develop resilience and a genuine love for going to school everyday and learning in a stimulating environment." "BCPS is as close to an extension of the family as we could imagine. It is an intimate learning environment where the kids and their wellbeing are at the heart. The teachers know and care for everyone in the school. As a parent the door always seems open. We are encouraged to join in and help out in all aspects of the school. There is also an attention to detail that comes with the intimate size of the school." BYRON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH: 02 6685 8208 PAGE 8
BECOMING A TEENAGER (BAT) PROGRAM This program has been specifically created for the Whales (Years 5/6) class here at BCPS. It was designed to support relationships between students and parent(s) or guardian(s) to enable open discussion on aspects of change, understanding, compassion and development. Becoming a Teenager includes learning about transition into high school, puberty, changing nature of friendships, drug use and abuse, human sexuality and decision making.
COMMUNICATION Our families are encouraged to engage in their children’s education and contribute their own set of unique skills to the learning experience. We recognise the important role families play when they involve themselves in our school. Our families all have unique qualities to share and it is a privilege to incorporate these in our school, whether it’s our talented musical parents or guardians, those parents or guardians with a keen drive for sport and physical education, our dancers and drama parents, cooks, gardeners, builders, adventurers and grandmothers and grandfathers with stories to share. Our community of families contribute enormously to the overall learning experience of our students, create and maintain a sense of ownership, belonging and unity within our school. We communicate and encourge family involvement through a number of ways: • Conversations in the school yard • Parents or Guardians /Teacher interviews • Our weekly newsletter • Through our website: www.bcps.org.au • On our facebook site: byroncps IMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH: 02 6685 8208 PAGE 10
SOCIALCIRCLES Communication and respect are two fundamental principles at our school. We believe that students are responsible for their own decisions and behaviour, and their effect on others, and that students must accept the consequences of their own behavioural choices. Often we use the concept of a social circle to address conflict in the school. A social circle is an idea based on the concept of restorative justice. This idea helps students own what he or she has done, and make it better for those people who were hurt or affected. It involves the community in helping both parties, and at its heart recognises that those who do wrong may also need healing. WHAT HAPPENS IN A SOCIAL CIRCLE? A social circle takes place when students can’t solve a problem themselves and is made up of the Principal and all the students involved in the conflict including bystanders. Each student is given the chance to tell their version of events and all are asked to share the problems they can see and present ideas for any solutions to the issue. It is important to have all students involved to ensure they are all reflecting on the choices they made during the issue. A report and contract is written up based on the outcomes of the social circle, signed by the students and sent out to parents or guardians. Over the following weeks the behaviour of the students involved is observed by staff and the students meet again to review the contract and give feedback. Supported self- responsibility BYRON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH
CLASSROOMS The school has four classrooms, with each classroom comprising of two age groups. The Dolphins class is the youngest and it is made up of four year olds turning five (pre-school age), and five year olds turning six (school age). The two year program allows for a more nurturing way of starting the school experience. The younger students have the opportunity to develop their social confidence and resilience, whilst learning from the older students in the class. The older students in the class have a greater academic expectation, where students are ready to challenge themselves having built their confidence and prior knowledge in the previous year. • The Dolpins are our Kindergarten class (four and five year olds) • The Seahorse class is the Stage 1 class (Years 1 and 2). • The Starfish are Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4). • The Whales are Stage 3 (Years 5 and 6). The school also runs a school wide ‘buddy’ program, which partners the eldest students in the school with the youngest in the school. Students have fond memories of their buddies when they started at the school and take the responsibility of being an older buddy seriously. “One of my favourite programs is the Buddies Program, where the Year 6 and Year 5 kids get buddied up with the kindy kids. For the first few weeks of the term we eat with the kindy kids and play with them”. Mira. “It is our job to look after them and make sure they are happy and safe in the playground”, Olive. Our classrooms are designed to ensure comfort and encourage a harmonious atmosphere. We incorporate flexible seating and use lounge chairs, rest areas, wobble stools, exercise bikes, bean bags and other options which ensure students are not restricted to sit in a single dedicated chair for the duration of the day. IMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH: 02 6685 8208 PAGE 12
OUR MISSION STATEMENT We... • Provide opportunities for students to explore and develop their full potential, both academically and socially through innovative teaching methodologies • Provide a safe, supportive and inclusive environment • Teach children to resolve conflict, make educated decisions and accept responsibility for their actions • Engender confidence, resilience, creative thinking initiative and constructive communication skills BYRON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH
SPECIAL(IST) STAFF We value our happy and enthusiastic teachers and staff. Everyone employed at BCPS is here with the same mandate; to support our students academically and emotionally so they may thrive. By undertaking regular personal development and specialist teacher training programs we strive to stay abreast of the most contemporary educational approaches. As well as our dedicated class teachers we are at the cutting edge of learning with a broad number of specialist staff engaged by our school to support each child to their full extent, encourage their growth mindset and open them to a world of opportunity. As well as classroom teachers for each of our four stages, we have a number of specialist teaching staff: SPECIALIST STAFF • Technology and Engineering teacher • Drama and Performing Arts co-ordinator Sue Stewart Kindergarten Assistant • Teacher’s assistants – Years 1-6 • Visual Arts teacher Sue assists in the supervision of educational activities • Library administrator and with the everyday organisation of the classroom routines, thus giving the teacher more time for • Language and Cultural Studies teacher planning and teaching. • Kindergarten assistant • Music tutor • School Counsellor IMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH: 02 6685 8208 PAGE 14
IMPORTANT DATES Our school thrives on a sense of community locally, nationally and globally. Through a calendar of events, we instill that principle into the classroom and into our annual celebrations: • Whole School Family Party – early first term to welcome new and existing families • Lantern Parade – celebrating the Winter solstice with our annual lantern parade, singing and heartwarming hot pot night • Open Morning – opening the school to the local community • End of Year Performance – a theatrical and musical extravaganza spotlighting the talents of the students and parents or guardians • NAIDOC Week • Becoming a Teenager Ceremonies – before and after camp – celebrating family and individual strengths • Mothers’ Day • Fathers’ Day • ANZAC Day • Year 6 Graduation • First Day Back – Transition Ceremony • Clean Up Australia Day BYRON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH
SCHEDULE OF FEES 2021 ENROLMENT FEES • There are two fee schedules; Payment: for these programs will incur additional costs – K2 (four year old students in kindergarten) to those mentioned above and may need to be Payment of fees can be made in the office using paid for as part of school fees. – K1 to Year 6 the following methods: Holidays/Extended Absences: Please refer to the relevant schedule 1. Cheque made out to Byron Community Primary School Incorporated If you intend to temporarily withdraw your (K2 incurs higher fees as this class is not eligible 2. EFTPOS/Visa child’s attendance from school, the following for Commonwealth Government funding) 3. Direct Transfer – use child’s name as fees apply: reference or invoice number Payment of Fees: 4. Cash (not a preferred option) a. Up to four weeks – no discount b. Anytime over and above four weeks – fees All fees are to be paid in full by the end of week two All admin fees must be paid according to the will be charged at 75% of the scheduled rate. of each term unless arrangements are made to pay table above. by written and signed agreement with the Finance School fees can be paid off in installments. If you decide to withdraw your child’s and Administration Manager. Please arrange an appointment with the enrolment and re-enrol upon return, it will be Finance and Administration Manager to considered as a ‘new enrolment’ and you will document a payment plan so that it can be be required to pay all enrolment acceptance submitted to the School’s Leadership Team for fees. approval. This is due to be done before the end of week two of term. Withdrawal of Enrolment: If fees are not paid according to the tables Four weeks notice within the current term above your child’s privilege of attending this is required upon withdrawal of enrolment. school may be withdrawn and the bond used to Failure to give appropriate notice will result in cover any unpaid debts. four weeks’ fees being charged from date of notification to the administration of the school. Extra Curricular expenses: Excursions, Camps, Instrumental Music, Dance and more. Note: Above school fees are current at time of publication and are subject to change The school offers a rich and varied without notice. It is expected that school extracurricular education program. Charges fees will rise from year to year. IMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH: 02 6685 8208 PAGE 16
SCHEDULE OF FEES 2021: Years K1 to 6 ENROLMENT FEES Fee Amount Payable Refundable Application Fee $157.50 Payable upon lodging No application Registration of Enrolment $367.50 At time of acceptance No of an offer of a place Bond $500 At time of acceptance Yes, 90 days after of an offer of a place withdrawal of enrolment Enrolment deposit – will be credited $817.50 At time of acceptance No against your account. The balance and of an offer of a place subsequent term’s fees to be paid as outlined below Total $1842.50 TUITION FEES Fee Amount Payable Refundable First child $1275.75 per The balance of the first term’s fee and No term subsequent term fees are payable by the end of week two of each term Second and subsequent As above No children BYRON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH
LEVIES K1 TO 6 These apply to all individual students and are payable annually at the beginning of the year or the date of enrolment (as a pro rata payment). Fee Amount Refundable School Classroom Materials Levy Years K1 to 2 – $194.25 No Years 3 to 6 – $220 No Building and Maintenance Levy $400 No Specialist Teacher Levy $210 No Resource Centre Levy $94.50 No Student Accident Insurance Levy $19.50 No Art Supplies Levy $110.25 No Information Communication Technology Levy $200 No Sports Levy K1-2 – $78.75 per term No Years 3-6 – $100 per term Online Subscription Levy $100 No Family Contribution Levy (FCL) – families are $35/hr times 6 hours per This charge will be added to required to contribute 6 hours of volunteer time term = $210 school fees in advance and offset as FCL hours are met
SCHEDULE OF FEES 2021: Years K2 ENROLMENT ACCEPTANCE FEES Fee Amount Payable Refundable Application Fee $157.50 At time of acceptance No of an offer of a place Registration of Enrolment $367.50 At time of acceptance No of an offer of a place Bond $500 At time of acceptance Yes, 90 days after of an offer of a place withdrawal of enrolment Enrolment deposit – will be credited $967.50 At time of acceptance No against your account. The balance and of an offer of a place subsequent term fees to be paid as outlined below Total $1835.00 TUITION FEES Fee Amount Payable Refundable First child $1650 per term The balance of the first term’s fee and No subsequent term fees are payable by the end of week two of each term Second and subsequent $1,520 per term As above No children
LEVIES K2 These apply to all individual students and are payable annually at the beginning of the year or the date of enrolment (as a pro rata payment). Fee Amount Refundable School Classroom Materials Levy $194.25 No Building and Maintenance Levy $400 No Specialist Teacher Levy $210 No Resource Centre Levy $94.50 No Student Accident Insurance Levy $19.50 No Art Supplies Levy $110.25 No Information Communication Technology Levy $200 No Sports Levy $78.50 per term No Online Subscription Levy $100 No Family Contribution Levy (FCL) – families are $35/hr times 6 hours per This charge will be added to required to contribute 6 hours of volunteer time term = $210 school fees in advance and per term or be charged this levy in lieu offset as FCL hours are met IMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH: 02 6685 8208 PAGE 20
ENROLMENT PROCESS BCPS POLICY & PROCEDURES Enrolling your child at BCPS: and/or Australian citizenship certificate – siblings of existing students The rationale of our policies and For a child to start at BCPS the d. Passport photo of your child – students returning from an approved procedures are to ensure student and parent or guardian must complete an leave of absence staff welfare, adherence to regulatory "Application for Enrolment Form". A non e. Copies of latest school reports and requirements and clear communication refundable application fee of $100 is those of the last two years plus any – children of former students across all aspects of our school life. payable at this time. state or national testing results (if Once this form is complete you will be applicable) – children of current teachers A comprehensive list of BCPS policies is invited to participate in an interview available on our website www.bcps.org.au f. Any reports including medical or – date of receipt of application with the relevant class teacher and Principal. educational specialist reports which Anti-Bullying Policy refer to your child's behaviour, aptitude – appropriate age Child Protection Policy & Procedures Upon offer and acceptance of an or medical condition. Critical Incident Management Policy & – the quality of the reference from the application all enrolment fees and Procedure 2. The decision about the enrolment previous school/preschool necessary documentation are to be Code of Conduct completed and signed. of any child is made on the basis of Communication Policy The final decision that a child be full and complete information being Enrolment Policy accepted for enrolment rests with the Submitting your application: provided to BCPS plus a successful Excursion/Incursion Policy Principal. interview with the Principal and class First Aid Policy 1. Application for enrolment of a teacher. Grievance Resolution Policy Places in K2 will be confirmed on a date student can only be made on the official Homework Policy published by BCPS. application document and must be 3. Students applying from overseas Medication Policy accompanied by: may be interviewed on line but will be Privacy Policy Offers for placements in other years are placed on a 'probationary enrolment' Student Attendance Policy & Procedure made as availability arises. a. Non -refundable $100 application fee until week 4. Student Behaviour Management Policy & Should a vacancy arise throughout the Procedure b. Copy of the student's birth certificate How BCPS reviews the application: year in any year level BCPS will contact Students with Disability Policy the next family on the wait list to Sunsafe Policy c. If born outside Australia also provide Placements in BCPS are prioritised on arrange an interview. Student Supervision Policy a current passport photo page, visa the basis of any or all of the following: Use of Electronic Facilities Policy BYRON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH
Family Contribution Levy (FCL) As a community school we ask families A couple of things to remember: to be involved in our school to ensure it offers our students the best opportunity • Excess FCL hour credits cannot be used for success. Each family is expected to to pay school fees contribute six hours of volunteer time per term to our school. Where this is not • Excess FCL hour credits cannot be carried possible a Family Contribution Levy (FCL) forward to the next year but can be carried is applied at an hourly rate of $35 per hour forward from term to term within the year. or $210 per term. There are numerous volunteering opportunities both at the school itself and behind the scenes. Some examples include covering library books, assisting class reading groups, gardening, contributing towards the preparation of end of year performance, assisting with lunch pickup. There are many ways you can help and we encourage you to work out an arrangement that best suits your commitments and lifestyle. The FCL is invoiced in advance each term and hours contributed are then credited against your FCL the following term. It is an audit requirement that all families are invoiced. Please ensure to record your FCL each time you volunteer your time in the register located at the front office. IMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH: 02 6685 8208 PAGE 22
And a final word from our VIP’s We asked our Year 5 and 6 students to and compact size kids from all age groups STEM and many more. These activities are “We also have incredible teachers who are write down what they thought about our interact and know each other. The teachers super fun and let you have fun outside of not boring, but funny, and make things school and we are proud to offer some understand the kids and make learning the classroom.” (Marley) fun for us. This school does not have good astoundingly mature insights into their enjoyable and teach the way that children teachers, we have expert teachers.” (Skye) experiences at BCPS. These are their own want to learn.” (Leo) “There is also a lot of freedom here words. at BCPS (like the motto freedom with “The other subject I enjoyed is the one responsibility). For one thing there is “I like BCPS because it’s unique. We have and only (drum roll) Maths. I love maths currently no bullying; and the last time I lots of programs that other schools have because at this school the teachers teach saw something that remotely resembled it never even thought about like Becoming all of the methods and they teach very (in year 3, 2014), the problem was pursued a Teenager, Surf School, Rock and Water, clearly. My last like is the freedom , the and solved, not just forgotten about.” Food Dudes, Matrix and even a Halloween freedom of the clothes” (Jackson) (Yonah) disco! The teachers are another matter. They are great at what they do. The “When I first came to this school one of the specialists are perfect and the class first things I noticed was how welcoming teachers do everything so well and so the environment was. Teachers would naturally.” (Zac) come up to me and ask what my name was and it was nice to know that people were “Socially this is arguably one of the best in noticing me and welcoming me.” (Olive) the country. If something happens in the playground the school is there to fix it up. “So I’ve had my fair share of schools and Whether it be to sit down and have a talk or I love this one the most because we don’t sorting it out ourselves things are always have to wear a uniform which equals done in the right way”. “ Overall my school diversity and form of self expression which time at BCPS has fully prepared me for is amazing because I love being able to high school and I can’t wait!.”(Gabe) express my style.” (Amazon) “BCPS has open arms and welcomes kids “The programs at this school are endless with different ideas and perspectives. such as the sport activities (AFL, surf The school encourages freedom with school, swimming, cross country, sports responsibility and the culture is for the kids carnival), BAT, drama, end of year to express themselves. Due to the small performance, buddies, rock and water, BYRON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL WWW.BCPS.ORG.AU 53 TENNYSON ST, BYRON BAY NSW 2481. PH
53 Tennyson St, Byron Bay, NSW 2481 02 6685 8208 admin@bcps.org.au www.bcps.org.au
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