Handbook

Dear Parents,

Welcome to St Oliver's.

I trust your association with this school is a long and happy one. For those of you who are bringing your first child to a Catholic school there will be many new and interesting events that will impact on your family. When a child starts school the school becomes part of the whole family's life. Schools are exciting and busy places and your child will thrive on all the new opportunities available.

I am confident that your child will have many wonderful new experiences to enjoy and share with you.

At St Oliver's we strive to provide a Catholic education in a Christ centred learning environment. Our values and attitudes are based on Gospel values and Catholic traditions. The staff members at our school are enthusiastic and committed to quality teaching and learning which equips your child as a lifelong learner. They work with dedication to develop the skills and knowledge that enable the students to face new challenges with confidence and enjoyment.

Thank you for the privilege of working with you in the education of your child. I know it is an association which will bring many happy memories.

On behalf of our Parish Priest, Rev. Chris de Souza PP, the entire staff at St Oliver's and the parent community I welcome you and invite you to become active members of our parish and school community.

Yours sincerely,

Ms Pascale Jospeh
Principal

At St Oliver's we are called to unite in service by living out our mercy values and striving to be quality learners who contribute positively to our community.

St Oliver's school endeavours to educate and develop the whole child within a Catholic environment centred on Christ's values of Truth, Love and Service.

It envisions a future for each student that encourages respect, compassion, tolerance, justice, and true celebration of the sacredness of life. It seeks an ongoing pursuit of excellence and holds high expectations for all learning.

As a thriving educational entity, St Oliver's strives to build depth, endurance and resourcefulness whilst conserving and acknowledging the deep richness and diversity of its community.

It is our mission, based on our beliefs and underpinned by our Catholic values, to promote and provide a quality educational environment where all can learn and reach their full potential. In our community the elements of inclusivity, deep knowledge, deep understanding, intellectual quality and significance are embedded in the curriculum to provide equal opportunities for all learners in a framework of quality education. Paramount to all learning and actions at St Oliver's school is a dedication to seeding the wonder of life-long learning.

This is our school
Let peace dwell here
Let the rooms be full of contentment
Let love abide here
Love of one another
Love of everyone
Love of God
And love of life itself
Let us remember that
As many hands build a house
So many hearts make a school

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
With golden soil and wealth for toil,
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in Nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia fair!
In joyful strains then let us sing,
"Advance Australia fair!"
Beneath our radiant southern Cross,
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"

Arrival

• Supervision of children on the playground begins at 8:30am.
• After 8:30am parents are able to drop their children off in Wigram Street at the front of the school and Allen Street at the side of the school in the 5 minute parking zones.
• It is imperative for the safety of the children that parents do not make a u-turn in front of the school.
• Children crossing Wigram Street are to use the crossing, with the Crossing Supervisor.
• In the interest and safety of the children, Ambrose School Aged Care (ASAC) is available for students requiring supervision before 8:30am.

Dismissal

At 3:00pm all children will go to their designated areas:

• Walkers - These children leave school grounds through the front gate and walk directly home.
• Pick Up - Parents choosing to park their cars, should do so in the legal parking areas. Parents can then walk to the assembled children at the designated area to collect their child / children. Once children have been dismissed from class and see their parents, they may leave the premises.
• After School Care / Ambrose School Aged Care (ASAC) - These children go directly to the hall via internal corridors. Children not collected by 3:20pm will be taken to the office.
• If your child is being collected by someone other than a parent, please let your child's teacher know in writing. Emergencies do occur, but it is helpful if you ring the school office if an unexpected change in arrangements is necessary (8633 8300).
• For the safety of others, a high standard of conduct is encouraged and expected when students are waiting for their parents to arrive.

Application for free Bus and/or Train travel

To be eligible for free bus travel pupils must:
1. Be infant children (ie, in Kindergarten, Year One or Year Two), or,
2. Reside more than 1.6 kilometres from the school by the shortest practical walking route.

Final approval is given by the Transport NSW. Parents will need to complete the application form online at transportnsw.info/school-students. Print, sign and date the completed application and then submit it to the school office for endorsement. The school will then send the application to Transport for NSW.

Lost Passes

Should a pupil lose his / her original bus pass a replacement application form can be obtained from Sydney Buses at: http://www.sydneybuses.info/schools/pass-replacement. The cost of the replacement pass must be met by the parent / guardian.

A brief whole school assembly is held on Monday morning at 9:00am. This assembly is led by school leaders and consists of prayer, birthdays, notices of upcoming events and the singing of our National Anthem.

School assemblies are held twice a term. When scheduled, these assemblies are usually held on a Friday at 2:30pm in the School Hall. Please check Parent Calendar, Website and Newsletter for further details. All parents are welcome.

Students are required to attend school all day of every day that school is open. Regular attendance at school is essential for progress. Please send your child on time each day.

Where illness or another reason prevents a child's attendance at school, parents are required to inform teachers in writing with the date of and the reason for the absence. To explain an absence parents and carers are to send a note, fax or email to the school. This needs to be explained promptly within 7 days. Parents can also use the Skoolbag app to explain student absences.

Parents taking their children out of school for leave of more than 5 days during a school term e.g. a holiday, elite sporting event, work in the entertainment industry; need to complete an Application for Extended Leave. These can be obtained from the school office and website and must be completed prior to the leave being taken.

Taking Your Child from School
If you need to collect your child from school early, a parent/guardian must sign out the child at the school office before any child can leave the school premises. The school will not allow the child to leave the school without this process being completed.

Arriving Late to School
Any child arriving late to school must also be signed in by the parent/guardian at the school office. To protect our valuable learning time, we ask parents to ensure that your child is punctual to school as children arriving late can cause a disruption to the whole class.

Before and after school care is available on site. Ambrose School Aged Care (ASAC) is available to students of St Oliver's. This service, while on site, is managed separately to the school.

It is registered for Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate to assist families with fee reduction. Contact details are 0427 665 715.

Volunteers

It is a legal requirement that parent volunteers need complete the following at: http://childprotection.parra.catholic.edu.au/volunteers

Step 1: Complete 'Building Child Safe Communities - Undertaking for Volunteers' Form

You will need to complete a Volunteers Form for each location that you volunteer. A notification of your successful completion of the form will be sent via e-mail to the volunteering location and also to your email address.

Click here to complete a volunteer form

Step 2: Complete the online training module

It is a system requirement that the online training module be completed by all volunteers commencing at any of our locations and the training needs to be completed every second year.

• Open the module by clicking the Start link below
• Read through the presentation
• Complete and submit quiz questions (this will take approximately 10 minutes)

Only parents who have completed this module, will be able to assist at school, e.g. excursions, fundraising events, sport etc. When completed, the school automatically receives confirmation verifying that this has been completed.

School gates are locked shortly after the morning bell and re-opened before the final bell.

All adult visitors to the school are required to enter the premises via the front office where they will sign in and be provided with a visitor's pass. While on school grounds this pass must be worn.

Visitors then need to sign out when leaving.

These steps are in place to protect your child's safety.

Each class has an "Office Bag" which comes to the School Office each morning and is sent back to the classroom each afternoon. Notes and Newsletters are distributed by the teacher for your child to place in his/her school bag. Please ask your child each day if there are any notes. Notes are an important way to communicate between the school and home to inform you about important events.

At St Oliver's we believe that effective communication between home and school is essential. The following communications are offered by the school:

• Compass Parent Portal
• Parent Calendar of School Events
• School Website
• Fortnightly Newsletter - available on the website
• Notes - also available on the website
• Grade Curriculum Overviews for each term
• Parent-Teacher Meet and Greet Night - Term 1
• Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences - mid year
• Mid Year and End of Year Reports ( For Years 1-6 reports are graded E to A)

Compass Parent Portal
Compass is our primary parent communication tool for day-to-day operational matters, upcoming events, notices and notifications so it is essential that all parents download the app.

To download the app, please go to the App store on your device and search for Compass School Manager in the store. You will receive all messages from the school and also absence notifications.

Compass Web Access Compass is accessible on your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari) and/or by using the Compass iOS or Android apps. To log in you will require your unique family username and password. These details will be provided to you by our school by email. Upon first login, you will be required to change your password and confirm your email address and mobile phone number. To access the parent portal, go to our school’s website and click the Compass link on the homepage or go to https://schools.compass.education/ where you can search for our school’s direct URL. You can access information about your child here as well as put in absence notes.

Making an Appointment
If you have any concerns about your child, an appointment should be made with your child's teacher either by phoning the school office or with their child's teacher, at a mutually convenient time. Discussions with the class teacher can only be held outside teaching hours as teachers are legally bound to supervise their class and cannot leave the children unattended. Parents are very welcome to discuss any issues with the class teacher first. The class teacher should always be your first point of contact. If necessary, parents are welcome to make appointments with the Coordinator, REC, Assistant Principal or Principal.

We ask that you telephone for an appointment to see the Principal or the teachers if you have any concerns. The School Secretary will convey messages to teachers and students e.g. if a child is ill or if someone else is to collect a child.

Change of Phone Numbers and Address
It is most important that you notify the school if contact details change, including change of address and telephone number, both home and business, and that of a contact person. This needs to be done as soon as possible. Change of details can be be done by parents, via the compass Parent Portal

Addressing Complaints

Complaints or grievances pertaining to classroom issues or that relate to other children are to be dealt with by school personnel.

It is not appropriate for parents to approach other parents or their children with the intention of resolving issues.

The recommended procedure to be followed by parents is:

• The first point of contact is the child's class teacher
• If you require further clarification or assistance, you are encouraged to make an appointment with the Co-ordinator, REC, Assistant Principal or Principal to discuss the issue further
• If the matter is not resolved by the school leadership team, you can contact the Catholic Education Office

Parents are reminded that there are two sides to every story and whilst it is important to listen to your children, it is also important not to draw conclusions or make accusations until all the facts are known.

Complaints assessed as relevant to a particular school or CSPD procedures will be handled in accordance with the relevant procedures, for example student management procedures, child protection procedures.

Complaints that do not relate to a particular school or CSPD procedures will be addressed as follows:

• The complaint is recorded
• Clarification of what resolution is sought
• Person/s against whom the complaint has been made, advised of the concern and provided with the opportunity to respond
• Relevant information obtained from witness
• Matter resolved

Appeal
A person who is not satisfied that the matter has been resolved appropriately may choose to appeal to the Principal of the school if the Principal has not been involved in investigating or examining the complaint, or is not the person named as the source of the grievance.

Alternatively, an appeal may be made to the Director of School Services of the relevant school who may be contacted at the Catholic Education Office. For the Catholic Education Office matters, an appeal may be made to the Director of the relevant department. In the final instance, an appeal may be made to the Executive Director of Schools.

The learning program for students is divided into eight subjects or Key Learning Areas (KLA's).

These include:

Religious Education - Sharing Our Story Program, Parramatta Diocesan K-12 Religious Education curriculum, which is managed through the Mission team at the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese . The title is an expression of the commitment of religious educators in the diocese who, sharing in the mission of the Church, seek to share the story and vision of Jesus Christ with the children and young people they serve.

English - Reading and Viewing, Grammar, Punctuation and Vocabulary, Reflecting on their learning, Handwriting and using Digital Technologies, Speaking and Listening, Expressing themselves, Thinking imaginatively, creatively and (Stage 3) critically, Writing and Representing and Spelling.

Mathematics - Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, Statistics and Probability, Working Mathematically.

Science and Technology - Natural Environment, Made Environment, Working Scientifically, Working Technologically

HSIE - History and Geography

Creative Arts - Music, Visual Arts, Dance, Drama.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

The school would appreciate you sending a certified copy of a Court Order, if you have sole custody of your child/children. If you delegate a friend or relative (unknown to us) to take the child/children from school for you, a note from you advising us of this required.

St Oliver's Primary School collects and holds information about your family which is vital to us in educating your children. The school has a Standard Collection Notice which outlines the terms and conditions of collecting information from parents. It is important that you read the following information which explains your rights with regards to Privacy Legislation.

Parents are asked to notify the school immediately with change of details (new address and telephone number). These details are very important should we need to contact you in an emergency.

Changing Schools
If intending to change schools at any time, please inform the Principal as soon as possible. Families are required to give ten weeks notice to the school. Ten weeks school fees or part thereof will be invoiced to the family if this notice is not given.

Standard Collection Notice (CSPD)
The most up to date version of this notice is available at: https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/about/our-strategy-and-policies/policy-central

• Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD), including its schools, collect personal information, including sensitive information about students and parents or guardians before and during the course of a student’s enrolment at the School. This may be in writing or in the course of conversations. The primary purpose of collecting this information is to educate students, exercise our duty of care and perform necessary associated administrative activities, which will enable students to take part in all relevant activities.


• Some of the information we collect is to satisfy our legal obligations, particularly to enable us to discharge our duty of care.


• Laws governing or relating to the operation of schools and child care require certain information to be collected and disclosed. These include relevant education, public health and child protection laws.


• Health information about students is sensitive information within the terms of the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988. We may ask you to provide medical reports about students from time to time.


• We may disclose personal and sensitive information for legal, educational, administrative and support purposes. This may include to: other schools; government departments and agencies; Catholic Schools NSW; the local diocese and the parish; medical practitioners; people providing educational, support and health services, including specialist visiting teachers, coaches, volunteers and counsellors; providers of learning and assessment tools; assessment and educational authorities, including the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority and NAPLAN Test Administration Authorities (who will disclose it to the entity that manages the online platform for NAPLAN); people providing administrative and financial services; anyone you authorise us to disclose information to; and anyone to whom we are required or authorised to disclose the information to by law, including child protection laws.


• If you make an Enrolment Application to another school within CSPD, personal information provided during the application stage may be collected from, or shared with, the other school. This personal information may include health information and other sensitive information and is used for the purpose of considering and administering the enrolment of the student within CSPD.


• We may disclose personal and sensitive information to the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta Services (CDPSL) and the Catholic Early Learning Centres (CELCs) and Catholic Out of School Hours Care services (COSHCs) operated by CDPSL where the COSHCs and CELCs are co-located on CSPD school premises or are on Parish premises adjacent to CSPD school premises, for the purpose of ensuring we can fulfil our duty of care to students and to promote the wellbeing of students who attend our schools and also attend these services.


• Personal information collected from students is regularly disclosed to their parents or guardians.


• We may use third party online or ‘cloud’ service providers to store personal information and to provide services that involve the use of personal information. Some limited personal information may also be provided to these service providers to enable them to authenticate users that access their services. Further information about our use of third party online or ‘cloud’ service providers is contained in the CSPD Privacy Policy.


• The CSPD Privacy Policy, accessible on the CSPD website, sets out how parents or students may seek access to and request correction of their personal information which we have collected and hold. However, access may be refused in certain circumstances, such as where access would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others, where access may result in a breach of our duty of care, or where students have provided information in confidence.


• The CSPD Privacy Policy also sets out what action parents and students can take in relation to a breach of privacy laws.


• We may, from time to time, engage in fundraising activities. Information received from you may be used to make an appeal to you. It may also be disclosed to organisations that assist our fundraising activities solely for that purpose. We will not disclose your personal information to third parties for their own marketing purposes without your consent.


• Occasionally, information such as academic and sporting achievements, student activities and similar news is published in our newsletters, magazines, and on our website. This may include photographs and videos of student activities such as sporting events, school camps and school excursions. We will obtain permissions from the student’s parent or guardian (and from the student if appropriate) if we would like to include such photographs or videos, or other identifying material, in our promotional material or otherwise make this material available to the public, such as on the internet.


• We may include students’ and parents’ contact details in a class list and in our directories.


• If you provide us with the personal information of others, such as doctors or emergency contacts, we encourage you to inform them that you are disclosing that information to us and why.


• You may obtain further information by contacting the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese on (02) 9840 5600 or at privacy@parra.catholic.edu.au.

At St Oliver's we believe excursions form a valuable part of children's learning. Therefore, all children are encouraged to take part in excursions. In cases of genuine financial hardship parents are encouraged to discuss this problem with the Principal so that arrangements can be made.

Children on any excursions are always strictly supervised by teachers. It is essential that permission are returned to school by the due date. We have a policy of 'no note - no attendance'. Please ensure that the permission note is returned to your child's class teacher. Most excursions and incursions are now covered in the Activity fee invoiced on the school fees.

Camp
Year Five and Six go on an annual overnight camp. Notes and permission slips are sent home explaining in detail the purpose and costs of these excursions. The cost of this excursion is invoiced on the school fees.

Local Area
Excursions may be undertaken on foot, eg: a walk to the Post Office or Fire Brigade Station. At times the children may be taken to our local park, Rosella Park, which the St Oliver's school community helped to design. Each year parents sign a permission note for these local excursions. Excursions are seen as a privilege not a right. The Principal has the discretion to withdraw this privilege dependent upon a student's behaviour prior to the excursion.

Accidents at School
In the event of a slight accident, graze or bump, a teacher will administer simple first aid, such as a band aid strip. In the event of a serious playground accident, a staff member will administer first aid, complete an Accident Report Sheet and notify a parent or other person nominated by a parent. Should children require sutures, x-rays or ambulance transport; the school will seek urgent medical assistance. Under no circumstances will children be allowed to administer first aid to another child. Parents should notify the school of all allergies and other medical information pertinent to their child. Prescribed medication is not administered by the teacher.

If your child needs to receive regular medication please pick up a form, which will need to be filled out and signed, from the School Office. Requests for the administering of medications by office staff must be in writing.

Asthma
Children need to be able to administer their own Asthma medication. It is important that they carry their puffer medication at all times.

NB: Special forms for parents to complete are available from the office for children with serious medical conditions which all staff would need to be made aware of, for example: epilepsy, major allergies, diabetes, etc.

Nut Awareness Policy
What is anaphylaxis? Anaphylaxis is a severe and sudden allergic reaction. It occurs when a person is exposed to an allergen (such as food or insect bites). Reactions usually begin within minutes of exposure and can include – welts or hives on the body, swollen eyes, breathing difficulties and in the worst cases, death.

We have children at our school with serious nut allergies. As part of this Nut Awareness Policy all parents are requested not to send your child to school with peanut butter or Nutella like products (sandwiches or dip and spread packets) or muesli bars with peanuts as the smallest amount (if it was to come into contact with these children) could pose a serious health threat. This will help to protect the safety of the children with the allergy. We are also ask that the children wash their hands and face and brush their teeth before coming to school each day.

Sickness at School
If a child is sick at school:

• Parents will be contacted
• If they cannot be contacted - the nominated emergency contact person will be contacted
• If they cannot be contacted - the school will act in the best interest of the child.

In the best instance, children who are ill should be kept at home.

Why immunise?
Years ago whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus were the killer diseases of childhood. In 1900, when vaccines were unavailable, more children died from whooping cough and diphtheria than from all causes of death today.

Vaccines have almost eliminated these diseases from our society. But, if we become complacent about vaccination, these diseases could take hold again. Measles, German Measles, Mumps and Chicken Pox vaccines are also now available.

Proof of immunisation must be obtained before a child starts school. Immunisation certificates are available from the Medicare website.

Children who are not immunised will be excluded from school in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease.

Childhood Immunisation Schedule

Infectious Diseases
The school needs to be notified of any incidence of the following infectious diseases. In some instances a medical certificate is required on return to school.

The following is issued as a guide and medical advice should always be sought from appropriate health personnel.

Infectious Diseases Chart

Purpose of Home Learning:

• Home Learning is an opportunity for home reading, as research suggests it is the volume of reading that has one of the greatest impacts on student progress
• Home Learning is a window into what students are learning about at school
• Home Learning provides opportunities for the preparation of routines and home learning habits

Home Learning is time "to encourage children to read, participate in self-directed learning projects, experience enrichment through music, art, and sport and engage in the most important work of childhood - play" - Dr Justin Coulson

Our format for Home Learning:

• Reading every night
• Each week students need to choose one learning task from each column
  • Christian Living
  • Literacy
  • Numeracy

The task(s) that have been completed need to be highlighted on the Home Learning rubric. Parents are requested to sign the Home Learning book each week, whether complete or incomplete. The Home Learning book is to be returned every Friday. The class teacher will sight that it has been completed.

Reading
As mentioned above, it is expected that each child will read with an adult and / or be read to every night.

Parents are asked to provide the time and environment, which will allow the children to work productively.

At various times throughout their schooling, students may experience difficulty in learning. They may experience social and emotional difficulties or they may have a physical condition which impacts on their ability to learn.

The Learning Support Team provides support to these students in a variety of ways. Some of their work includes assisting students in the classroom, working with teachers to develop appropriate learning tasks, assisting parents to access support from appropriate outside agencies and arranging assessments through the Catholic Education Office and other agencies.

The Learning Support Team includes a Literacy Support Teacher, Numeracy Support Teacher and Teacher Assistants, and they work in consultation with the Principal, Assistant Principal, School Counsellor and class teachers.

The Library is an integral part of teaching and learning at St Oliver's. It fosters and promotes the lifelong learning of students through the availability of resources and services. Through Library visits we aim to develop a love of reading and literature. Students are assisted to locate, critically evaluate, synthesise and present information.

Library Bags
Every child must have a library bag. St Oliver's Library bags are available only at the school, however, any practical bag may be used as a Library Bag.

All school clothing should be labelled. Parents are at liberty to check the Lost Property basket located on the verandah area in front of the canteen.

Parent involvement in various activities at school is vital in building community and a strong home-school partnership at St Oliver's Primary School.

At St Oliver's parents can take an active part in the school by becoming involved in the:

• Classroom as a helper by hearing children read, helping at carnivals, excursions
• Fundraising Helpers who help conduct social and money-raising functions to supply the school with resources eg Disco, Mother's Day & Father's Day Stalls
• Life of the school by attending liturgies, assemblies and special events

As a Catholic school, the teaching of our faith is paramount. Religious Education lessons and prayer are also an important aspect of our Catholic faith. Besides praying in the classroom, we pray together as a school at the start of each day and at midday when we pray 'The Angelus'. Children regularly attend and participate in liturgies, to which parents are always welcome. Students attend Mass frequently throughout each term as a stage together with our school Parish. Holy Days of obligation as well as feast days and church celebrations are celebrated at Mass. Details on each of these is updated in our school newsletter regularly.

In conjunction with St Patrick's Cathedral the parish priest, principal, staff and parents work together to develop the faith community of St Oliver's. The St Patrick's Cathedral Sacramental Coordinator works with the school to prepare children in Years 2, 3 and 6 to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation respectively.

To demonstrate our Catholic faith, the school is involved in a number of Social Justice opportunities throughout the year e.g. Mercy Works, Caritas, Jesuit Refugee Centre, Project Compassion. The Mercy Values are celebrated in our school and bind our service to one another and the community.

Fees are determined by the Catholic Education, Diocese of Parramatta

View school fees info

Outstanding Fees
A reminder for outstanding fees will be sent 30 days from the date of the original statement. If you encounter unexpected changes to your income that may make it difficult to pay your fees on time, please make an immediate appointment with the Principal to discuss the matter before the situation becomes unmanageable. You may need to bring supporting documents to show your financial situation. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese now has access to all school fee accounts and will follow up on all outstanding debts.

8.30am to 3.30pm (Monday to Friday, School terms)

The School Office is the initial contact with the school either by telephone or in person and the School Secretary is available to parents wherever possible.

TELEPHONE - 8633 8300

LOWES
4th Floor Westfield Shoppingtown, PARRAMATTA.

Hats: School are navy blue and are available at the school for girls and boys. Please note that it is compulsory that if a child has not school hat they must go sit in the shade.

Jewellery and Hair
In the interests of safety students are to wear sleepers or studs only to school. No other jewellery is permitted.

No nail polish is permitted.

Hair cuts are to be suitable for school. Hair below the collar must be tied back.

School Bags
School bags are available only at the school. It is a good idea to attach a keyring or other items to your child’s bag so that they can easily identify it.

The gazetted school terms for 2023 are as follows:

(Please note that these dates were correct at the time of printing and may be subject to change.)

All students are allocated to one of the School houses:

• Macarthur - Blue
• McAuley - Gold
• Ruse - Green
• Plunkett - Red

All children take part in a weekly sport and games session.

Annual carnivals are held for cross country and athletics.

Primary children have the opportunity to represent St Oliver's in the following sports: soccer, netball, athletics, cross country and swimming.

• School captains can not apply for other jobs
• Any student who is not a school captain or colour house leader may hold 2 positions that have been applied for, if there is a small number of Year 6 children in any given year
• School captains are voted for at the end of the previous year
• Colour house leaders are voted for at the beginning of the Year 6 year
• Applications for other school leader jobs occur soon after colour house captains have been decided

A description of each leadership position as well as their responsibilities can be found below.

At St Oliver’s we are called to unite in service by living out our mercy values and striving to be quality learners who contribute positively to our community.

At St Oliver’s we are:

• Safe
• Respectful
• Learners

Behaviour Management Policy
In line with our Behaviour Management Policy all incidents of bullying will be investigated according to our Procedural Fairness Guidelines.

As a Catholic school we support the Diocese of Parramatta statement that all children have the right to attend a school that is free of illegal substances. When drug abuse is identified the Diocesan Policy will be followed.

Statement of Procedural Fairness
Procedural fairness requires us to act justly in resolving discipline and pastoral situations. 'Processes will be conducted with procedural fairness ensuring fair practice and equity.' (Maintaining Right Relations, 2003)

The principles on which we base our behaviour management practices at St. Oliver's School demonstrate procedural fairness. We believe that procedural fairness is a basic right of all children when dealing with school authorities. We apply the 'hearing rule' and the 'right to an unbiased decision.' (Through the use of the Collaborative Problem Solving Process)

Students should know the nature of an allegation made against them and any information that will be taken into account in considering the matter. The student should know the process by which the matter will be considered and have the right to respond to the allegation. The student should always be given an opportunity to seek and receive advice. The student should always be given an opportunity to seek a review of the decision made in response to the allegation.

At St Oliver's School, members of the staff make every effort to demonstrate an absence of bias in their decision-making. They believe that children have a right to an unbiased decision and the right to impartiality in an investigation.

Procedural fairness at St. Oliver's School includes making available to students and parents (or caregivers) policies and procedures under which disciplinary action is taken. It also includes providing details of an allegation relating to a specific matter or incident. This will usually involve providing an outline of the allegations made in witness statements while being mindful of witness protection. As part of ensuring the right to be heard, St Oliver's School will provide interpreter services, if required, and make arrangements for such services to be available.

At St Oliver's School the Principal, Assistant Principal, Religious Education Coordinator, Coordinator and/or the Classroom teacher carry out the investigation and decision-making as a team in the school wherever possible.

Whoever carries out these roles at St. Oliver's School undertakes to do so in a reasonable and objective manner. We strive for justice to be afforded to all stakeholders in the investigation.

At St Oliver's School, the principles of procedural fairness underpin:

a) The procedures for management of behaviour
i. In the classroom and
ii. On the playground

b) The management of bullying in the school and the support we give to the person(s) hurt.
c) The approach to exclusion and suspension of children should we ever have to manage such situations.

In these cases, we would involve the Catholic Education Office and follow the guidelines for such serious situations found in the Diocesan Policy 'Procedures to be followed in the suspension and expulsion of students from Catholic Schools' .

At all times St Oliver's respects the dignity of each child. We strive to meet the needs of the individual child in a pastoral, Christian environment.

Anti-Bullying Policy

Rationale

St Oliver's does not tolerate bullying in any form. All members of the school community are committed to ensuring that a safe and caring environment is evident at all times. The St Oliver's community supports the premise that self worth and self esteem flourish where the group feels secure.

Aims
a. To provide a safe and pleasant environment for all children who attend the school.
b. To provide empathy and strategies for children who encounter any form of bullying.
c. To provide strategies for children who display bullying tactics in their day to day dealings with other children.
d. To provide parents with advice if bullying occurs.

Implementation
a. Provide parents and staff with an understanding of what constitutes bullying
b. Inform and educate parents on the strategies they can adopt in day to day parenting
c. Inform children as to what constitutes unacceptable behaviour through class, stage and whole school meetings
d. Explain the policy of bullying prevention to children and the parent body
e. Utilise the Student Reflection Form when bullying occurs

St Oliver's School integrates Information and Communication and Technology Skills across all Key Learning Areas as indicated by the NSW syllabus documents. All children from Kindergarten to Year 6 experience a wide range of ICT skills, which are refined and developed as they progress through each class. In keeping with School Policy parents and children must read and sign our Acceptable Use Policy each year.

An Acceptable Use Policy (parent permission), is given to parents as part of the child's enrolment. The Acceptable Use Policy will remain active while the child is at St Oliver's or until it needs to be updated.

Primary Students have access to Google Apps for Education that allows students to create and collaborate online using a range of tools in a shared learning environment.... a classroom in the cloud. Students are issued with a username/password combination sufficiently secure to avoid unauthorised access, and which identifies that user and that user only. Infant students also have access to the internet. All online access is controlled by firewalls, filters and internet protection managed by the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Parramatta.

Expectations
Students are responsible for appropriate behaviour on the school's computer network just as they are in a classroom or on a school playground. General school rules for behaviour and communications apply. The user is responsible for his / her actions in accessing and utilising the school's technology. The students are advised never to access, keep, or send anything that they would not want their parents or teachers to view.

Any student, who chooses to violate any of the Acceptable User Policy, will have Internet/computer privileges withdrawn for a period of time as determined by the class teacher in consultation with a member of the Leadership Team. Parents will be notified of the consequence of any breach. At St Oliver's it is important that students, teachers and parents work together to make sure that the technology is used as an appropriate and powerful learning tool.

This section of the Parent Information Booklet is specifically designed for parents as they settle their child into the routines of "Big School". It will also provide information to families enrolling their child into other grades.

You help them when:

Starting school is one of the biggest and most significant changes in any child's life. For your child the change from home to school may bring for the first time meetings with children from other countries, new language experiences and new situations that your family has never met before. Often the hardest part is being away from the family and joining a larger group of children.

Anything you can do to help will make the transition to school more successful. Here are some practical ways in which you can make this a happy and enjoyable experience:

Teach your child to:

• Say his/her name clearly
• Tie shoe laces, fasten buttons, put on and take off clothes without help
• Use a handkerchief or tissue and put it away or in the bin after use
• Flush the toilet without help and use toilet paper without help
• Wash his/her hands after toilet use
• Put away toys or books after use
• Eat and drink without help
• Open and close school bag
• Unpack and eat school lunch
• For children whom English is not their first language, it is recommended they know the words toilet, drink, tissue, yes, no, please, thank you.

Encourage your child to:

• Play with other children, especially groups of children of the same age
• Be independent, e.g. look after his/her belongings
• Be able to pack things away
• Do jobs to help adults
• Follow simple instructions, e.g. take your shoes off and put them in the cupboard
• Learn to take turns and wait patiently

Here are some of the activities children can do to prepare them for school

• Cutting with small scissors and gluing
• Looking at and looking after books, join the library
• Playing with all kinds of toys
• Colouring in, preferably with crayons, pencils come later and require fine motor skills
• St Oliver's School Harris Park Parent Information Booklet
• Listening to music, clapping, stepping etc in time
• Playing on equipment, climbing, see-saws, balancing, getting up and down safely
• Threading beads on string to make a colour or number pattern

Let's pretend

• It is a good idea to prepare your child for the big day by "playing school" with him/her many weeks before school starts.
• Go through a few activities such as packing a school lunch and placing it in the school bag. At 11.00am go into the back yard and let your child eat their "little lunch" with you. Teach them to leave "big lunch" in the lunch box until later.
• Read stories to your child as often as possible. Talk about the pictures and story.

Some weeks before school begins

• Allow your child to be away from home for short periods of time by leaving them with relatives or friends
• Playing "dressing up games", learn to be able to dress him/herself, including putting on and taking off jumpers (finding front and back of jumpers), doing up buttons and putting on shoes. Recognising labels written on jumpers, lunch boxes are vital.
• Thinking of things to talk about (as introduction to News and Show and Tell Time), e.g. my favourite toy - What is red? What is cuddly? What makes me happy etc. and being able to say one or two sentences about it.
• Learn to recognise his/her name among other names, and if possible print it in LOWER CASE letters, e.g. John Brown.
• Make models with play dough.

When school has begun

To begin school, your child will need:

• A school backpack (available at school only), label it with your child's name and a familiar key ring or similar so that he/she will recognise it.
• Lunch box (PLEASE LABEL)
• Drink bottle (PLEASE LABEL)
• Raincoat (PLEASE LABEL)
• Spare pair of undies (in a labelled plastic bag)
• Spare handkerchief

First day procedure

• On the first day please bring your child to the school playground no earlier than 8.50am. At 9.00am the school bell will ring. Kindergarten do not line up in Week 1. Please go straight into the classroom where name tags will be distributed.

The child at school

• Remember your child may be tired. Be patient and loving when he/she returns
• Bring your child to school on time each day
• Make sure that you are there to meet him/her when school finishes, or they know how they are getting home
• Do not keep the child home unless he/she is sick, but please allow them to stay home if they are sick
• Listen to the child tell of his/her experiences
• Encourage a loving caring attitude to other children at school
• Do say morning and night prayers with your child
• Don't expect too much from your child. Remember children develop at different stages. Accept your child's work for what he/she has done. Don't compare your child with brothers and sisters or other children in the class
• Please notice and copy the way the teacher has written your child's name. This is the way the child needs to recognise it and learn to write it. If you write it this way, on everything he/she will see it will greatly help him/her
• It is important for your child to feel that it is your school as well as his/hers and we are sure it will interest you to be involved with classroom activities if requested, parent meetings. Your help in school activities is greatly encouraged and much appreciated.
• If there is someone new collecting your child from school, please inform the Kindergarten teacher beforehand
• Please note there is no supervision for your child after 3.20pm
• COHSC (Catholic Out of Hours School Care) operates on site
• If your child is away at any time parents must send a note to school
• If your child is away for longer than three days (apart from when they are sick) an exemption from school note must be collected from the office prior to the absence

Lunch

• Many children are very slow eaters and eating lunch is a chore.
• Do not give your child too much to eat but encourage them to eat what you give.
• "Playing school" as mentioned before is a good way to help the children understand school lunch routine.

Birthdays

• At St Oliver's children's birthdays are celebrated at morning assembly.
• The children receive a birthday sticker and the whole school sings "happy birthday".

No cakes or lolly bags are to be brought to school to share.

Children are not always ready to learn when they start school. They must first be made emotionally secure in their new environment, and aware of their individual importance as part of this new group to which they belong. Your child's teachers will concentrate on getting him/her emotionally, physically, socially and mentally ready to tackle many learning tasks of early education.

Kindergarten children will be involved in many developmental play activities. You will have noticed already that your young child learns through play. Children cannot conceptualize information and organise ideas in the mind before playing out those ideas in a physical sense. In the first year at school the child is still developing this way. Children learn by their own experiences.

Parental interest is very important. If you say school is a good place, this attitude will pass on to your children and they will believe it too. Learning will be better if parents and teachers work together. This partnership will ensure that children develop positive attitudes towards school and enjoy happy learning experiences.

If you have any problems, questions or worries about your child's education do not hesitate to see the classroom teacher, after an appointment has been made. We also ask you to remember that "we care about them too".

The first person you should speak to regarding your child is always the class teacher. Each class teacher is supported by a member of the school's leadership team. The Assistant Principal and Principal are available to discuss matters relating to your child's emotional, physical and academic needs. The Principal is also the person to speak to regarding school fees or enrolment issues.

We look forward to a long and professional relationship with your whole family.