Administration 

Hours –  The school opens at 8.30 am and classes begin at 8.55 am.  If children arrive at 8.45 am they have enough time to prepare for the start of lessons.  Children who come to school early present a problem, as there is no supervision available.  We cannot accept responsibility for children who arrive before 8.30 am.  (The Child Care Centre accepts children from 7.30 am.)  The lunch break is from 12.40 pm until 1.25 pm, and classes finish at 2.55 pm.

The school office is open from 8.30 am – 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm.

Road Crossings and Student Collection
An adult guard supervises children crossing at Roslyn Avenue from 8.00 – 9.00 am and 2.45 – 3.30 pm.

Parents collecting children by car are advised in the interests of safety to find the quietest surrounding streets and have the children meet them there.  This avoids crowding in the vicinity of the Opal Drive car park.  Parents are requested not to drive into the front car park unless collecting children during class teaching hours (eg when they are ill).

Kinder Groups
Kindergarten groups are conducted at Blackmans Bay.  Sessions total 10 hours for the week.  Children must be 4 years old by 1^st January before they can be enrolled.  Proof of age is a Departmental requirement.  Sessions will be two full days or three half days depending on enrolments.

Uniforms
The wearing of a uniform is school policy.  This is supported strongly by the Parents & Friends Association and school staff.  Lists of uniform details are available from the school office.

New and good quality second-hand uniforms can be obtained from the Parents & Friends uniform ‘store’ on Tuesday mornings between 8.45 am and 9.15 am.

Each student should leave at school a smock or old shirt to protect good clothing during art activities.

Every year many expensive items of uniform are lost.  Please ensure that clothing is clearly named.  A lost property area is provided at the school.  It often pays to check for lost clothing on more than one occasion.  Items sometimes take several days to ‘find their way’ to the area.

In Terms 1 and 3 it is policy that all students will wear an approved hat during recess and lunch breaks (ie. bucket, broad-brimmed or Legionnaire style cap).  In Term 2 they are encouraged to make their own decisions according to the weather.

Emergency Cards
As each child is enrolled an emergency card is completed.  Should you change your address, or should any other details change during the year, please contact the school.  Cards are updated at the beginning of each year.  Information needs to be accurate and complete as it is entered into our computer data-base.

Medical & Dental Health
The school health nurse conducts health assessments of all Prep children and tests the vision of those in Grade 6.  Parents with health concerns for their children should phone the school and leave a message for the nurse to contact them or call the Kingston Community Health Centre (6211 8520).  Children can be seen at either location.  Teachers may also refer students if they suspect a possible problem.

A dental service is available to every child each year.  The service is provided at the school by the Health Department.  Initial examinations are free.  Treatment costs $35 per year.  Children covered by a Health Care Card or who are on the Student Assistance Scheme are not charged and nor are Kindergarten students.

Safety House Scheme –  A Safety House program covers most areas in Blackmans Bay.  Houses displaying the yellow logo on their mailboxes provide refuge for children on their way to and from school.  Should children be harassed in any manner or approached by strangers they are encouraged to seek help from the nearest Safety House.

Child Care Centre and After School Care –  The Centre is located next to the school.  This centre, which is totally independent of the school in its administration, offers full-time, part-time or occasional care.  It is staffed by qualified personnel and is open from 7.30 am – 6.00 pm each week day.

One of the advantages to our school community is the availability of care before and after school on the same campus.  For information or bookings phone 6229 4914.  (NB After School Care: Phone 6229 4199)

Kingston Beach campus also has close liaison with Kingston Beach Child Care. For information contact 6229 6070.

Financial Assistance (STAS) –  Financial assistance is available to parents who receive some kind of Social Security benefit or pension.  This scheme is commonly known as Student Assistance.  Application forms should be completed in third term for the next year.  No applications are considered by the Department of Education after March, unless there are valid reasons for not applying.  Forms are available from the school office.  All details are treated confidentially.

SERVICES

The Canteen –  This service is operated through the Parents & Friends Association.  Although there is a paid manageress there is also heavy reliance on voluntary parent help.  Profits from the canteen are passed on to the Parents & Friends for use on school equipment and materials.  It is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at recess and lunch time providing a range of suitable food at reasonable cost.  Lunch orders are collected by class teachers at the beginning of the school day.

Student Banking –  A banking service is provided through the Commonwealth Savings Bank with the assistance of volunteer parents.  Tuesday is bank day.  Passbooks and deposits are collected by the teacher at the beginning of the day.

Buses –  School finishes at 2:55 each afternoon in time for children to catch Wisby’s buses which leave at 3.00 pm.  There is a linked bus service throughout the community.  Route details are available from the school.  For information phone Wisby’s 6267 4574.