A-Z School Information

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	Absences from School It is important that your child attend school each day to maintain a continued experience. School attendance is compulsory for all primary aged children. Should your child be absent from the school you are required by law to send a note detailing the period of absence and giving an explanation to the class teacher. You may also phone or verbally notify school staff of an absence so it can be entered in the school roll. Unsatisfactory attendance will be followed up by the Department’s Home School Liaison Officer. For family holidays which cannot be taken within the normal vacation period, the Principal may grant leave. Please contact the Principal in advance of the holiday period.
	Accidents and Illness In the event of minor injuries, first aid is administered by school staff in accordance with departmental policy. In the event of serious illness or an accident to a student, parents will be contacted. It is essential that the school has a phone number to contact parents or carers. An emergency phone number is also required in the event that the parent’s phone is not answering. Should medical assistance be required and parents cannot be contacted, the school will ring for an ambulance to take the student to hospital.
	Algudgerie Sports House The sporting houses of Algudgerie (red) & Colombo (green) compete during the year in swimming, athletics, cross country running and other activities. The winning house at the end of the year is awarded the Robertson Shield.
	Arrival and Departure from School Children arriving at school after 9:00am are required to obtain a late arrival note from the front office. The note is then given to the class teacher. Late arrivals are recorded as partial absences and require an explanation. Please ensure that children are accompanied to the office if they are late arriving. No child may leave the school grounds during school hours unless collected by a parent or carer. Parents wishing to take their child from school before 3.15pm need to go first to the school office to sign their child out. This process ensures that we know where children are in an emergency. If children go home for lunch a note is required and children are required to sign in and out at the front office. If you have a variation to the after-school routine for your child (such as leaving school with another parent or on a different school bus) please ensure the school is notified to make end of day routine run smoother.
	Assemblies Parents are welcome to attend our weekly K-6 assemblies at which children receive awards and classes present items on a regular basis. Assemblies (unless a class is away) is are held on a Wednesday afternoon at 2.20pm in the Computer Room. Results of assembly awards are published in the weekly newsletter. At the conclusion of the year, a Presentation Assembly is held to recognise and celebrate student achievements.
	Awards System Recognition of positive behaviour is encouraged in a variety of ways. Each class teacher may choose positive consequences ranging from verbal praise to merit awards. The honour badge is awarded weekly and presented at assembly.

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	Banking Student banking services are offered each Thursday. Students hand their bank book and money into the school office first thing Thursday morning. The school receives a commission of 10c for every student who banks each week. This is a valuable fundraiser for our school. Banking each week is a great way to teach children the value of saving. If you would like to open a Dollarmite Account with the Commonwealth Bank please see the school office.
	Basic Skills Tests see NAPLAN
	Billabong House The school has 2 sport houses - Algudgerie & Colombo. Billabong sports Team (represented by blue) and was used from the 1970's and retired in 2009. The houses compete during the year in swimming, athletics, cross country running and other activities. The winning house at the end of the year is awarded the Robertson Shield.
	Book Club To assist parents in obtaining books suitable for their children at an economical price, our school offers a Book Club. Flyers containing advertised books are sent home and parents are invited to return the order form with the correct money if they wish to place an order. Ordered books arrive at school a few weeks after ordering and will be handed out to students to take home.
	Buses Jerilderie Public School is serviced by two buses. In the morning, children alight from the bus and proceed directly to the supervised area of the school grounds. Executive staff supervise afternoon bus lines in the COLA. Students are escorted to the buses where they are then in the care of bus drivers. Children must live more than 1.6km from the school to travel on the school buses. Children are expected to abide by the Department of Transport’s Code of Conduct. The bus company can withdraw a child's travel pass if it feels a child’s behaviour is detrimental to the safety of other passengers. All children must behave in an acceptable manner while travelling on buses.

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	Canteen The Canteen operates every Monday at recess and lunchtime. Price lists for the Canteen are published regularly in the newsletter or downloaded here. Volunteer staff are rostered each week to run the canteen from 9.30am to 2.00pm each Monday. Click to go to Canteen Roster.
	Change of Student Details It is important to keep the school aware of changes in student details such as change of address, telephone number and custodial issues. Please contact the school office to keep our records current in case of an emergency.
	Classroom Helpers Parent and carer volunteers are welcome to assist class teachers and students. Teachers will provide information to parents detailing ways in which they can assist. Many parents are involved in the on-going operation of the Home Reading Program, which is a joint initiative between parents and the school. Other parents provide valuable assistance with reading & mathematics groups and computer activities. Parents are also welcome to add value to class programs by volunteering their knowledge and expertise in areas such as music, art , writing and sport.
	Colombo Sports House The sporting houses of Algudgerie (red) & Colombo (green) compete during the year in swimming, athletics, cross country running and other activities. The winning house at the end of the year is awarded the Robertson Shield.
	Community Involvement Jerilderie Public School has a long history of excellent community involvement. The commitment has seen children participating in a wide range of community activities, e.g. A.N.Z.A.C. Day parades, the local Flower Show, the Annual Show, C.W.A., District Hospital visits and performances, and numerous poster competitions. Many activities are also conducted in association with Jerilderie St Josephs School where possible.
	Communication The school believes that communication between home and school is an important factor in your child’s life at school. The school will endeavour to keep parents and carers informed regarding matters relating to the school and to the education and welfare of children. Communication is a two way process so it is important that parents communicate concerns to the school as soon as they arise.
	Contacting Teachers Teachers in class are unable to take phone calls. If you need to speak to your child’s teacher please phone during office hours, leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible. Should you wish to speak with a teacher in person, please be aware that teachers are not always able to discuss your child’s progress “on the spot”. Please make an appointment so that your child’s teacher can gather work samples, syllabus documents or programs and assessment records.
	Children with Special Needs The school attempts to address the educational and social needs of all students. Teachers provide a wide variety of teaching and learning strategies in their classrooms to address the different learning styles of their students. Integration funding may be sought for students with clinically diagnosed special needs. This funding allows for extra support for these students.
	Community Health Free dental checks are also offered to students in Kindergarten, Year 2, Year 4 and Year 6.

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	Discipline Students who break school rules will be disciplined according to the Schools Discipline Policy. For minor infringements of behaviour - a verbal reprimand according to incident. For recurring offences or those when another child has been affected - the offender is put to one side of the room or on the seat in the playground to ‘cool off’ and think about what they have done. For offences considered more serious, the student is to be sent to the Principal who, after consulting teachers, students, and any adults involved may decide a course of action according to the Schools Discipline Policy

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	Emergency Contacts Parents are asked to provide an updated emergency contact name and phone number. This is needed in the event that parents cannot be contacted.
	End of Day Routine Parents are asked to provide the school with details of their child’s end of day routine - travelling by bus, walking, riding home by bike or being collected by family or friends. Students will not be allowed to go with people who are not identified by parents. Parents will be contacted if someone other than those designated arrives to collect children from school.
	Enrolment Students who live within the school’s catchment area are given preference for places in the school. For children enrolled at Jerilderie Public School an enrolment form and a student information form must be completed by a parent or guardian. Children enrolled in Kindergarten classes must attain the age of 5 years prior to the 1st August in the year they are attending. An immunisation certificate should also be presented where available.
	Evacuation Procedures In case of emergency, all staff and students at Jerilderie Public School are made aware of evacuation procedures through regular drill. Student safety is of paramount concern to all staff.
	Excursions and Visiting School Performances Excursions and school performances are considered an important part of the educational programs offered at our school. They are carefully planned and relate to syllabus outcomes. We try to ensure that events are spread out across the year so that they do not impose a financial burden on anyone. Prior to each event, a note is sent home and parents are asked to return the permission slip along with the correct money. All students are invited to attend these events. However, should a student demonstrate an inability to abide by school rules, the invitation to attend will be withdrawn.
	Extra-Curricular Activities Our school offers students a range of extra-curricula activities such as choir, public speaking, debating, chess and representative sport. Univertisity of NSW offers optional competitions for students in Maths, Science, English, and Computers. Students will be informed at assemblies and the school newsletter when opportunities to take part in these activities arise.

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	Food Allergies All parents are asked to ensure that children do not bring peanuts or peanut products including peanut butter, to school. Your assistance with this matter would ensure the safety of other school students.
	Fundraising Jerilderie Public School in partnership with the local Jerilderie IGA Supermarket runs a fundraising campaign. Parents are asked to collect their IGA shopping Dockets and submit them to the school each month. A proportion of the amount spent on Groceries is returned to the school via a grant from the IGA at the end of each year. This simple strategy is a great school fundraiser and a valuable contribution to the school.

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	Garden Maintenance and Working Bees Parents with a ‘green thumb’ tend particular gardens within the school grounds. This effort is aligned with teaching & learning objectives embedded in the school’s environmental education curriculum. Additionally, P&C organises working bees throughout the year to maintain and improve the school grounds.

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	Hats A reminder that all students must wear their wide-brimmed school hats (CAPS ARE NOT TO BE WORN). School hats can be purchased from the office at a cost of $7.50. Jerilderie Public School has a ‘NO HAT, NO PLAY’ rule.
	Homework In Kindergarten and Stage 1, students participate in a parent-assisted Home Reading Scheme. All families are encouraged to support early literacy skills through home reading. In later grades, homework is set by individual class teachers.
	Home Reading Children in Kindergarten and Stage 1 classes are invited to participate in our Home Reading Scheme. The scheme operates as a joint initiative between the school and the parent community. Children are encouraged to borrow books from the scheme to read at home in addition to those borrowed from the school library. Parents who are able to do so are invited to become home reading helpers to assist children in the exchange of readers.

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	Infectious Diseases Below is a list of common ailments that your child may contact. It is essential that children with these and other infectious conditions are kept at home while they recover. • Chicken Pox • Conjunctivitis • Rubella • Head Lice • Impetigo (School sores) • Mumps • Viral Hepatitis • Whooping Cough Children who are not immunised may be required to remain at home for the duration of an outbreak.
	Insurance An Accident Injury Insurance cover is available through the Schools P&C at a cost of $4.40 per student. This insurance covers your child for one year (24 hours per day school & home) Only loss of limbs, eyes, etc are covered at home. Broken bones, stitches etc are only covered if they occur at school. For more information contact the school office. email
	Items Brought to School Children should not bring valuable or fragile items to school. The school bears no responsibility for items lost, stolen or damaged. During the course of the year, the school may deem it necessary to ban particular items to prevent playground disputes arising from their use. Should this happen, parents will be notified in the newsletter. Possession of items such as knives or other weapons will result in immediate suspension.

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	Learning Support Team Student learning is supported by a Learning Support Team. Children can be referred for remedial help or extension activities by the class teacher or a parent. A support teacher for children experiencing learning difficulties (Support Teacher Learning Assistance or STLA) works part-time with classroom teachers to assist student learning. Those requiring extension activities will have an individual program developed for them. Parent referral forms are available from the front office. Please place completed forms in an envelope addressed to the Learning Support Team and marked ‘Confidential’.
	Library All classes attend the library for an hour each week. During this time there is a period of formal instruction as well as time for browsing books and library resources, and returning and borrowing books. Students in Kindergarten and Year 1 require a cloth Library bag for borrowing.
	Lost Property All personal items should be clearly labelled with your child’s name. Unclaimed or lost items are held in storage near the front office for a term. Unclaimed items are then given to charity.

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	Medication If a student requires medicines to be administered at school, the Department of Education and Training demands the following protocols be observed: A medical indemnity form must be completed by a parent each year. The medication should be in a sealable container, labelled with the child’s name, the name of the medication, the dosage and frequency. The medication will be kept at the office. Students are not permitted to have any medication in their possession at school. Students must report to the office to receive their medication at the appropriate time. A register of the medication given to students is kept. Please note that this applies to all medications, including asthma sprays and common pain relief tablets.
	Messages for Students If you need to get a message to your child during the day, you can do so by calling the school and leaving a message with the office staff. Office hours are from 8:30am till 3:00pm. Please note that such messages need to be physically conveyed to children so please allow a reasonable period of time for this to occur. It can be very difficult for office staff to get messages to children if several such messages need to be relayed at the end of the day.
	Mobile Phones The use of mobile phones during class time or in the playground is not allowed. It is understood that some parents may provide their children with a phone for security purposes to and from school. Phones are to be kept in school bags and are to remain turned off. Phones that are seen or used during school hours will be confiscated. They can be collected at the end of the day. The school bears no responsibility for phones lost, stolen or damaged.
	Money Collection Payments for excursions, text books and visiting performances are collected by class teachers. Please send the correct money to school in an envelope clearly marked with your child’s name and class with the reason for payment.

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	NAPLAN National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy. These annual tests are conducted by the Department of Education and Training in May each year. Children in Years 3 and 5 are assessed in literacy, numeracy and writing skills. Reports on individual children’s performance are posted to parents. The school is also provided with individual and whole-school reports. The results of these tests assist in catering for the individual needs of all the children in the school. A summary of the school’s NAPLAN results is part of the Annual School Report.

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	Parent and Carer Involvement Parents and carers contribute greatly to Jerilderie Public School through the Parents and Citizens Association (P&C) and as individuals.
	Parent -Teacher Interviews Formal parent-teacher interviews are held mid-year to discuss student progress. These are a valuable opportunity for parents and teachers alike, and the school urges all parents to take up the invitation. If you wish to speak to your child's teacher please make an appointment with your childs teacher.
	Parent Helpers Opportunities exist throughout the school for parents to assist in such areas as reading, story writing, typing, sport, etc. If you are able to help at any time please feel free to contact the school.
	Parking The safety of all children is of paramount concern for the staff at Jerilderie Public School. For your child’s safety, please do not park in the in the vicinity of the pedestrian crossing on Bolton Street. Please observe that there are “No Stopping” zones immediately adjacent to these crossings. According to NSW law, the speed limit around all schools during pick-up and drop-off times is 40km/h.
	Playground Supervision Children are required to play in supervised areas at all times. Before school, supervision is provided from 8:40am. There is no formal supervision before 8.40am so parents should ensure that children do not arrive at school before this time.
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	Reading Recovery Our school has a trained specialist Reading Recovery teacher. Reading Recovery is a program offered to a limited number of Year 1 students identified as requiring extra support in reading.
	Reports Reports indicating student achievement are sent home at the end of Term 2 and Term 4.

S...
	School Photographs Photographs are arranged annually for class, family and individual portraits. While all children are asked to participate in having a class photo taken, parents are under no obligation to purchase the photographs.
	School Contributions Families are asked to pay an annual voluntary contribution of $35.00 to help cover the costs of their child’s education. The payment of this contribution allows the school to provide extra equipment such as computer software and sporting equipment.
	Scripture Classes In accordance with Commonwealth legislation and subject to the availability of approved volunteer teachers, scripture classes are offered to all children each week. Parents are asked to nominate a preference for scripture at the time of enrolment. Please inform the school in writing if you wish to make changes to your child’s scripture preference.
	School Rules Our school rules exist for the welfare of all students at Jerilderie Public School. They are: At Jerilderie Public School we treat others as we would like to be treated I will respect myself I will respect others I will respect my environment
	School Counsellor A qualified school-counsellor works from the school on a part-time basis. The Learning Support Team can make referrals for children to see the counsellor for learning assessment (both remedial and extension) or counselling. Should this occur, parents will receive a note asking for their permission. Alternatively, parents can initiate contact with the school counsellor via the Learning Support Team. Forms are available from the front office. These forms are confidential and should be placed in an envelope addressed to the Learning Support Team and marked ‘Confidential’
	Smartboard With the aid of P&C Funding Jerilderie Public School received its first Smartboard in 2007 it now has a Smartboard in each classroom plus one in the Computer Room.
	Sport Students receive instruction in physical education from their class teachers. Primary students also participate in weekly sport activities. Additionally, all children are involved in our school Cross-Country and Athletics Carnivals. Those students who are able to swim 50m are invited to take part in the Swimming Carnival. Successful students have the opportunity to represent the school at Finley Zone events, graduating if successful to Regionals representing Finley Zone region and then on to State Level representing the Riverina Team. Students as part of their sports activities play cricket, football, netball and softball where the school fields a team for regional sporting events
	Sporting Houses The sporting houses compete during the year in swimming, athletics, cross country running and other activities. The winning house at the end of the year is awarded the Robertson Shield. In 2009 the Jerilderie Public School sports houses of Billabong and Yanko were replaced with Algudgerie (red) and Colombo (green) as the Billabong and Yanko teams had become uneven over the past years. The new teams had existed in the 1970's when the school had more pupils and have been revived to replace Billabong & Yanko. Siblings are not necessarily placed in the same teams as their older siblings, this allows freedom of placing new arriving children in teams to even them up. Children are encouraged to support their house teams by wearing their team colours on sports days.
	Student Assistance Scheme In cases where parents or carers are experiencing genuine financial difficulty, the school is able to offer limited support for educational expenses. Please contact the Principal if assistance is needed.
	Student Leaders Each year student leaders are elected from the Year 6 class. These students are given the opportunity to excel in leadership roles throughout the year. Some of their duties include running school assemblies, representing the school at community functions and organising playground equipment. Jerilderie Public School has a tradition of excellence amongst its student leaders.
	Student Representative Council Jerilderie Public School Student Council provides an opportunity for students to have a meaningful role in the governance of the school. The Student representative Council organises functions and fundraising activities and may suggest changes to policy all of which are aimed at improving the quality of school life for our students.
	Swimming Scheme Towards the end of the year students in all classes are offered the chance to participate in the schools Learn to Swim Scheme. The lessons are provided free of charge with the only costs being entry to the Jerilderie Pool.

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	Transferring to a New School It is important to notify the office staff and your child’s teacher in advance should you need to transfer to a different school. The office staff will provide you with a transfer certificate if you are going to enrol in another NSW government school. Please ensure that all borrowed materials are returned to the school prior to your child’s last day. The clothing pool would also welcome any donations.

U...	Uniforms Click here to go to the JPS School Uniform page

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	Visitors All visitors to the school grounds are required to sign in and out at the front office and wear a visitor’s badge. Parents who are volunteer helpers are also asked to observe this protocol.
	Volunteers Volunteers are very welcome in classrooms, the canteen and for special programs such as the Home Reading Scheme. All volunteers will be required to sign a Prohibited Employment Declaration form, sign in and out and wear a visitor badge. The school is very grateful to all parents and community members for their support.

Y...
	Yanko House The school has 2 sport houses - Algudgerie & Colombo. Yanko (represented by Yellow) was used from the 1970's and retired in 2009 . The houses compete during the year in swimming, athletics, cross country running and other activities. The winning house at the end of the year is awarded the Robertson Shield.