COLLEGE PROCEDURES

These procedures apply to all campuses unless otherwise stated!

Arrival at School

Playground Supervision is not provided on an organised basis before school. This is an extremely busy period due to classroom preparation by teachers, and therefore no full time supervision is provided. Of course teachers will constantly be aware of problem situations as they move to and from rooms each morning.

Members of the administrative team will supervise grounds and buildings from time to time before teaching sessions commence. Parents of children who arrive early at school are especially advised to be mindful of this situation.

At the Weipa Campus, the school crossings are manned from 7:45am, it is expected that in general students will arrive at school no earlier than 8:00am and no later than 8:15am. Times of arrival and departure from school in the afternoon are dependent on starting and finishing time in the campuses of Mapoon, Napranum and Aurukun.

School Attendance (Compulsory until age 15)

The Education (General Provisions) Act provides in part that:

"Every parent of a child being of the age of compulsory attendance (not less than six nor more than fifteen years of age), shall cause such child to attend a school on each school day." (Reg 57 p21)

Absentee Notes

Official notices are posted home for unexplained absences after 3 days. Whenever a child is absent from school, parents are expected to provide a note of explanation regarding such absence. This note is required with a two-fold purpose in mind; as a training in courtesy to the child, and as evidence that parents know that their child has been absent from school.Contact will be made with parents should a pattern of unexplained absences begin to emerge. Our purpose in doing this is to ensure the well being and learning opportunities for our children.

Permission to Leave the School Grounds

No student will be permitted to leave the school grounds at recess or at any other time before school closes except in an emergency or for special reasons explained to the School in a note from parents.

Lateness

Students late to school must report to the Office to obtain a late slip before being admitted to class and sign the "LATE BOOK". Persistent lateness may be regarded as truancy and results in action being taken.

Injury

In the case of injury or serious illness (in Weipa or Napranum) the Ambulance is usually called and the child may be transported to the hospital. Please ensure your family is covered by the Queensland Ambulance service. In Aurukun and Mapoon the Health Care Centres are contactable.

Injury

In the case of injury or serious illness (in Weipa or Napranum) the Ambulance is usually called and the child may be transported to the hospital. Please ensure your family is covered by the Queensland Ambulance service. In Aurukun and Mapoon the Health Care Centres are contactable.

Sending Money to School

Any payments to the School should be made at each campus Office, which is open at 8am, first thing on arrival at school in the morning. Students are advised not to leave money in ports or under desks. It should not be necessary for students to have large sums of money with them during the school day. If necessary, valuables may be left at the office for safe-keeping.

Lost Property

Students are required to clearly label all property and uniforms. This should result in very little lost property. Lost property is kept outside the Western Administration Office and can be collected by parents or students.

Administration of Medication to Students

Students are not to bring medication in any form to school except under the conditions below. Non-prescribed medicines are not available in the school, nor will they be administered by teachers.

If it is essential for your child to take PRESCRIBED MEDICINE during school hours the following procedure needs to be followed:

a. a request be made in writing to the school by the parent (on the admission form or by note)

b. the medication is left at the office for security

c. the medical practitioner's instructions are conveyed to the administration in that letter

The only exception to the policy above relates to asthmatic students who are responsible for taking their own medication at home. These students should have ready access to their asthma medication during school hours, provided that written permission from a parent or legal guardian is presented to the school initially.

Students are responsible for their inhalers at all times. It is not a requirement that inhalers be stored in a central location as required for other medications.

Students should not be denied access to their inhalers. An inhaler for emergency situations is included in the school's first aid kit.

Behaviour Management

The College has a Behaviour Management Policy and Code of Behaviour, which have recently been reviewed and revitalised in conjunction with the Management Board and parent bodies. The aim of the Behaviour Management Policy is to offer all members of the College Community guidelines through which they can promote positive approaches to student behaviour. This can be achieved through promoting the rights of all members of our College community and developing within these participants the necessary responsibilities to preserve these rights. These documents made be acquired through the campus offices.

Transport

Weipa Campus: Buses operate from Napranum. A staff member is on duty in the afternoon to ensure students depart safely. Bicycle racks are provided for those students who cycle to school. Student 'drop off' by parents is on Central Avenue on the road side drop off zone. If parents wish to walk their children to the class the parking is at the eastern side car park. The western side car park is for campus vehicles only.

Visitors to the School

All visitors, including parents and guardians, entering the school grounds must sign the visitors' book located in the main office. An exception is made for parents/guardians during drop off and collection times.

Custody:

An area of increasing concern for schools is that of custody. Clearly our prime responsibility is to the custodial parent. We cannot prohibit access by the other parent unless there is a Family Court order in place to support such action. We will endeavour to comply with the wishes of the custodial parent. It is however far easier to act if we have sighted the appropriate orders. These orders would be secure and used only as needed.

Personal Records:

As each child is enrolled, a file is made out from information supplied by parents. We refer to these files often when we wish to contact parents if a child is sick or some advice is sought. The information may be required in an emergency so it is important that it is kept up to date with such data as telephone numbers, contact persons, doctor, and emergency actions to be followed. PLEASE CONTACT THE COLLEGE CAMPUS IMMEDIATELY WHEN ANY INFORMATION IS CHANGED.

.Some thought should be given to nominated emergency contacts. While every effortis made to contact parents directly, circumstances may arise where this contact needs to make significant choices for the well being of your child.

Some of the information is recorded on Education Queensland School Management System, which is a record of all children who have ever attended this College and the grades for which they were enrolled.

This information is kept confidential and remains within the confines of this College.