School Information
Catholic Identity	Our Vision, Our Mission, Our History, Our Parish, Our Crest, Student Enrolment
Curriculum	Religious Education, Victorian Essential Learning Standards & Programs & Strategies we use to effectively implement VELS.
General Information	Sacramental Education, Pastoral Care, Behaviour Management, Camps / Excursions, Newsletter, Fees, Visitors Policy, Canteen etc....
School Uniform	School Uniform Policy, Uniform Details & Regulations, Second Hand Uniforms
Parent Involvment	School Board, Parents & Friends, Classroom Coordinators

Vision Statement

Our Lady’s School Merbein will provide a Catholic education for each child growing up in our local parish.

In partnership with our parish community, Our Lady’s School will provide a Comprehensive Education by developing in all children the particular qualities which will enable them to contribute to the common good of all society, and is based on the gospel values of:

love
trust
dignity
respect
freedom
forgiveness
self-awareness
self-discipline

Mission Statement

As a Catholic School which acts in accordance with Gospel values, Our Lady’s School will provide an environment in which:

- each child will be treated with reverence, respect and dignity
- an atmosphere of openness and trust exists
- the school will be an integral part of the parish and wider community
- achieving personal excellence becomes the aim of all learning.

We will provide a Christian learning environment by using an holistic approach to education within a Catholic framework.

We will work as a partnership of teachers and parents in supporting the faith development of the children.

We will encourage parents to be active participants in the school’s decision-making processes and curriculum development.

We will be assisted in the pastoral and liturgical leadership within the parish by the Parish Leader and Priests of the Regional Catholic Community, under the direction of the Bishop.

We will provide our students with the opportunity to be active and responsible members of our parish and wider community.

We will provide a challenging, comprehensive curriculum for all students.

 

Our History

Merbein is a township, which is situated on the Murray River 12 kilometres north-west of Mildura. Surrounding the town are closely settled fruit blocks, which rely on an irrigation project. Crops are mostly grapes for fresh fruit, dried fruit and wine industries; citrus growing as well as diversified cropping including pistachios, almonds and avocados.

In 1927 a brick building, which was to serve as a church and school for the parishioners, was built. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School opened on January 31, 1928 staffed by three Sisters of Mercy who travelled daily from Mildura. In its first year there were sixty children enrolled and another twenty-four students at times throughout the year. Since that time the school has continued to cater for the children from the township as well as those who travelled in from fruit blocks and neighbouring districts. The current enrolment totals approximately 120 students.

The original building, catering for three classes, wasn’t added to until 1975, and again in 1979. Since 1991 two major refurbishment and building programs have completed the project, which began over seventy years ago.

Along with staffs of dedicated and committed lay teachers, the Sisters of Mercy continued their service to Our Lady’s School until 1998. In 1999, the first lay Principal was appointed.

Parish Information

The Merbein Parish is a member of the Sunraysia Regional Cluster. Since January 1997, the parish has been without a resident priest, with Sr. Marion McDonald as the appointed Parish Leader, who resides at the Parish House. The Sunday Mass and weekday Mass are conducted by the Mildura priests. Various parish groups look after the day to day running of the parish and organising the Sacramental preparation of the parishioners, which is co-ordinated and overseen by the Parish Leader.

 

Our Crest

Our School crest has three main parts that tell part of our school story:

The Name:

The School's full title is named after Mary (Mother of Jesus),
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and is the Catholic school of Merbein Parish.

The Vine and the Cross:

The vine leaves and grapes symbolise the link with our school and our community's dependence on vines.
"I am the Vine, you are the branches." (John15:5)

The Motto:

"United we educate"
This is the basis of all we do.

Student Enrolment

Open for all: Our school is a Catholic school, but is open to all families.  We welcome children from many different faith traditions and those who don’t identify themselves with a religion, but are committed to the same values.  The enrolment of students for Prep is usually held in third term.  This is done by the Principal in accordance with Diocesan and local policy.  Only children who will be five years of age on or before April 30th of the year of their starting school may be admitted.  Enrolments will be accepted for all grades at the beginning and throughout the year in accordance with our enrolment policy. All new enrolments will be required to provide evidence of Immunisation.

Transition Program

New Preps: As part of the OLSH Transition Program, dates are set aside close to the end of fourth term for those children entering Prep grade the following year, to visit OLSH and become familiar with the school culminating in the prep students pending three full days at school in December.  These days are provided to assist with the children’s transition from kinder to primary school. Prep children will stay at school all day from the beginning of the school year.  They will have a rest day each week for Term One.  This enables them to rest each week and prevents them from becoming over tired.

Grade Six: Grade Six students have the opportunity for full day visits to both Merbein Secondary College and St. Joseph’s Secondary College, in order to assist them with the transition from primary to secondary school.

 

Curriculum

The term “curriculum” covers all the arrangements the school makes for student’s learning and development.  It includes the content of courses, student activities, teaching approaches and the ways in which teachers and classes are organised.  It also includes decisions on the need for and use of facilities.

OLSH, in partnership with families provides a comprehensive education underpinned by the new Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS).

The Victorian Essential Learning Standards, provides the framework for schools to deliver skills to confidently manage themselves and their relationships with others, make sense of the world in which they live and effectively participate in that world.

Religious Education Program

Religious Education sets out to inform, form and transform learners and teachers by engaging them with the intellectual, ethical and spiritual richness of the Catholic tradition.  Religious Education intends to awaken learners intellectually by:

• Encouraging critical thinking and inquiry
• Firing imaginative capacity
• Enlightening experiences with reason
• Broadening perspectives through Scripture and Tradition.

Religious Education intends to awaken learners ethically by:

• Forming moral character
• Arousing a desire for  wisdom
• Attuning minds and hearts to the attitudes of Jesus
• Promoting responsibility and integrity in living

Religious Education intends to awaken learners spiritually by:

• Relating human life to the mystery of God
• Valuing the interior life and capacities
• Developing prayerful and liturgical habits
• Connecting compassion with justice.

 

 

Curriculum Support

The table below reflects the Strands, Domains and Dimensions of the new VELS curriculum guidelines

 

Physical, Personal & Social Learning:

• Health & Physical Education : Movement & Physical Activity, Health Knowledge and Promotion
• Interpersonal Development: Building social relationships, working in teams
• Personal Learning: The individual learner, managing personal learning
• Civics & Citizenship: Civic knowledge and understanding, Community engagement
• Religious

STRAND	DOMAIN	DIMENSION
Physical, Personal and Social Learning
Discipline – Based Learning	Religious Education	Knowledge and understanding Reasoning and responding Personal and communal engagement
	The Arts	Creating and making Exploring and responding
	English	Reading Writing Speaking and Listening
	Economics	Economics knowledge the table below reflects the Strands, Domains and Dimensions of the new VELS curriculum guidelines The table below reflects the Strands, Domains and Dimensions of the new VELS curriculum guidelines  and understanding.  Economics reasoning and interpretation
	Humanities        Geography	Geographical knowledge and understanding Geospatial skills
	History	Historical knowledge and understanding Historical reasoning and interpretation
	LOTE	Communicating in a LOTE Intercultural knowledge and language awareness
	Mathematics	Number, Space, Measurement, chance and data, Structure & Working mathematically
	Science	Science knowledge and understanding Science at work
Interdisciplinary Learning	Communication	Listening, viewing and responding Presenting
	Design, Creativity and Technology	Investigating designing Producing Analysing and evaluating
	Information and Communications Technology (ICT)	ICT for visual thinking ICT for creating ICT for communicating
	Thinking Processes	Reasoning, processing and inquiry Creativity Reflection, evaluation and metacognition

 

Physical, Personal and Social Learning

Assists the students to develop as people who take increasing responsibility for their own physical wellbeing, learning, relationships with others and their role in the local, national and global community.

 

Discipline-based Learning

Students form a body of knowledge with associated ways of seeing the world and distinct methods of exploring, imagining and constructing that world.  They develop a deep understanding of the concepts and discover many different ways to apply this knowledge.  Students are encouraged to reflect on their learning, personal responsibility and relate it to their own world.

 

Interdisciplinary Learning

Students focus on ways of thinking, communicating, conceiving and realizing ideas and information.  It assists students to develop the capacity to design, create and evaluate processes as a way of developing creativity and innovation.

 

PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES WE USE TO EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT VELS INCLUDE:

 

Numeracy Interviews

Numeracy Interviews are carried out at the beginning of each year.  These interviews provides teachers with a better understanding and knowledge of the students Numeracy Development and where their learning needs are in this area.

 

Extending Mathematical Understanding(EMU)

This Program is designed for children needing extra help with Numeracy skills in the junior grades and is run as a small group activity three to four times a week.  This program is also adapted to suit higher grades needs.

 

Reading Recovery

Reading Recovery is a program designed specifically for children needing extra help with English in Grade One.  Children have individual time each day in this program with a Reading Recovery teacher.

 

CLaSS

Children’s Literacy Success Strategy, is our English Program in the early years of school.  Continual assessment and monitoring keep teachers aware of children’s needs.  Children are instructed in small groups according to these needs.  These strategies are also incorporated in the upper grades.

 

Integrated Inquiry Learning

The integrated inquiry approach to learning and teaching supports contemporary learning theory.  This approach is built upon the idea that students are actively involved in learning and continually reconstruct understandings in the light of experience.  It encourages student to participate in active investigation, and to integrate, rather than separate knowledge, as they move from acquisition of facts to the development of deep understanding.  This approach to learning allows all domains and dimension in VELS to be taught.

“inquiry-based in that it begins with students’ prior knowledge and experience and moves through a deliberate process wherin that knowledge is extended, challenged and refined.”  Kath Murdoch, Classroom Connections, p5.

 

Special Educational Needs

Students who have been identified as having severe learning difficulties may be eligible for extra funding support.  Identification of students who may meet eligibility criteria for assistance include:

• Intellectual disability
• Social/emotional disorder
• Vision impairment
• Hearing
• Physical disability
• Sever Language disorder

It is important to remember that labels and classifications used to categorise students are simply that, a label.  Any student whom staff feel fall into any of the above categories are referred to the Catholic Education Office (CEO). Well Being Personal to be formally assessed and screened in consultation with parents.

 

Individual Learning Programs (ILP)

Students who have been identified as having special learning needs, and are funded, have an ILP.  These programs are constantly monitored and updated according to individual needs.  Each term a meeting Program Support Group (PSG) Meetings are held with the parents of the student, the class teacher and the student aide.  During this meeting the child’s program is discussed and new goals are set.

 

Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is available within the school.  A Speech Therapist visits every three to four weeks.

 

Morning Reading Program

Parents are asked to volunteer to listen to Prep to Grade Two children read their take home books each morning from 8.40 to 8.55am.

 

Information Communication and Technology (I.C.T.)

I.C.T is integrated into all areas of the curriculum to provide the students with the tools to communicate, transform their learning and enrich their learning environment.  At OLSH we have a student to computer ratio of approximately 1:5 and we have an increasing number of Smart Boards used within the school.  Smart Boards are a multi-media tool that allows teachers to provide vivid visual presentations that grab students’ imaginations and attention.  All classes have access to a Myclasses Page.  This is a secure internet site that is designed by the classroom teacher and provides students with a safe internet experience.  A Myclasses Page can provide internet links to useful sites, information of what is happening in the classroom, homework activities, educational games which support the learning that is taking place in the classroom and provide a chat room where students can talk to each other or ask questions of their teacher.

 

You Can Do It! (YDCI)

You Can Do It! Education (YCDI) is a school-home-community approach to helping young people achieve to the best of their ability and experience positive social-emotional well-being.  There are Five Foundations that are taught directly to the students as part of the curriculum.  The Five Foundations that young people need to develop are: Confidence; Persistence; Organisation; Getting Along and Emotional Resilience.  Lessons are taught weekly and focus on building up aspects of each Foundation.  Lessons are usually followed up with a homework task to consolidate learning and facilitate the home-school partnership.

 

Bluearth/Physical Education

Bluearth Discovery is a unique health and movement education program that utilises the physical activity domain to develop the whole child.  Bluearth strives to engage school children in physical activities that encourage and promote an awareness of movement, health and wellbeing.

Objectives:s:

• To activate and promote intrinsic motivation through meaningful movement experiences.
• To stimulate creativity and imagination through individual and group movement experiences
• To provide physical activity that encourages and promotes health, fitness and general well-being.
• To engage students in movement experiences that provide positive and constructive feedback to enhance ability.
• To educate students about choice, composure and responsibility through dynamic interactions
• To create an environment that encourages maximum participation through inclusive practices.
• To provide physical experiences that create opportunities for children to interact positively with peers.

 

 

Performing Arts:

Performing Arts provide a means of creative expression; a way to communicate thoughts and feelings.  The Performing Arts contains a distinct body of knowledge and skills that allow students to develop the perceptual, intellectual, cultural and spiritual dimensions of human experience.  It encourages students to think for themselves then offers them the chance to express their own ideas, feelings and experiences.  Performing Arts positively shapes the self-esteem and creativity of an emerging generation, and therefore the future of our society.  Students actively participate in a one hour session with a performing Arts teacher weekly.

 

Student Representative Council (SRC)

Students from Grades Two to Six elect their peers to the SRC.  The SRC meet once a week to discuss student needs, allocation of school resources, fundraising ideas or any issues students want to be known.  The SRC are instrumental in compiling the yearly school magazine.  They are also the organisers of the students social event of the year the school disco.

 

Buddy Program

At OLSH we implement a “buddy program”, where we assign Grade Six students to Prep students to help them in their transition to school life.  Throughout the year, children have the opportunity to work together in multi-age groups that participate in special activities.

 

Water Safety and Awareness Program

We are concerned about the number of children who cannot be considered safe in the water.  Our students participate in a Water Safety and Awareness Program.  At this time, the program takes place in January/February of each year and involves sessions over a period of a week.  It culminates in a whole school swimming carnival.  In November/December, there may be special days at the pool. For this program to be successful, parental help is vital.

 

Student Assessment and Evaluation

It is the policy of the school that assessment and evaluation practices be in line with the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (CECV) Policy and State and National Strategies and Initiatives with regard to determining, recording and reporting student competencies.        

On-going assessment and evaluation undertaken by the staff:

• provides students with a clear understanding of their learning and level of achievement.
• is to be a source of motivation for future learning
• provides teachers with information about student learning to assist them with facilitating and developing the learning process.
• provides parents with the information about their child’s learning in order to assist them to be effective partners in the learning process.

 

 

Reporting Students Progress

Teachers will prepare and distribute reports to parents mid year and at the end of the year. Parent and teacher meetings are arranged early in first term and at the end of second term after Mid Year Reports are completed.  All parents are encouraged to attend at their allocated meeting time. At any stage throughout the year, appointments can be made with individual class teachers to discuss your child’s progress.  Open Communication is encouraged and ongoing.

 

Parent Information Meetings

In the early weeks of each year, teachers will hold information meetings that allow teachers to outline specific plans, expectations and arrangements pertinent to each class. If the need arises information sessions are offered to parents.  All parents are encouraged to attend these in order to keep informed.

 

Homework:

It is the policy of this school that homework forms a part of our School Curriculum.  Such activity should:

• assist parents, in their role as partners in the education of their children, to be aware of and involved in what their children are learning at school.   
• establish independent work and study habits.
• reinforce basic knowledge and skills that need to be acquired and retained.       

 

The following is a guide to the amount of time that might be given to reading and other homework tasks:

Activities considered suitable for work at home would include the following:

• Reading
• Work not completed at school
• Follow-up classroomactivities                                                                                     
• Spelling and tables
• Project work

 

Parents are asked to ensure that their children work in a suitable place-

Sitting at a table or desk.  Away from distractions (TV etc)

Children in Prep, Year 1 & Year 2	Up to 10-20 minutes a night
Children in Years 3 & 4	Up to 20-30 minutes a night
Children in Years 5 & 6	Up to 30-45 minutes a night

Sports Activities

Prep to Grade Six students compete in house teams McAuley (green) and Gleeson (gold).  Throughout the year, all students will participate in a variety of sports activities including:

Swimming Carnivals: In Term One Prep to Grade Six students compete in their house teams at our Swimming Carnival. The emphasis is placed on participation and enjoyment.  To enable maximum family attendance, the swimming carnival is held as a twilight event.  There will be information regarding this in the weekly newsletter.

 

Athletics Carnival: During Term Three the students will compete in our own house team carnival and again, our main aim is for the students to participate with enjoyment’ while developing their skills.  The whole school (P-6) will then participate in the Merbein District Schools Sports Cluster (MDSSC) Athletic Carnival. Senior students that win their events at this then have the opportunity to compete at Sunraysia Primary School’s Sports Association (SPSSA) Mini Olympics. There will be information regarding these events in the weekly newsletter.

 

Cross Country/Fun Run: We have a whole School Cross Country/Fun Run usually early in Term Two. Students in the upper grades who perform well have the opportunity to compete at SPSSA Cross  Country. There will be information regarding these events in the weekly newsletter.

 

Tennis: Currently the Grade Five and Six classes participate in a weekly tennis program during Terms One and Four.

 

Interschool Sports: Students in the upper grades are involved in a football, soccer, coach pitch and netball competition on a weekly basis during Terms Two and Three, with neighbouring primary schools. From this competition some of our teams may be chosen to represent the MDSSC at the SPSSA Winter Lightning Premiership. Students in the upper levels are provided with opportunities to represent OLSH in other SPSSA events including swimming, cricket, tennis, basketball and golf.

 

Library

Our Library is a whole school resource and learning centre.  The students attend a library lesson each week and are able to borrow books during this time.  Teachers use the library for program planning.  The library houses a wide range of book and non-book resources that enrich and support the school’s curriculum.  It provides for the information needs of all the students and teachers.  The library is central to the school’s reading program and offers a variety of literature to service all student’s interests and reading needs.

Library Bags: Every child must have a library bag.

 

General Information

Sacramental Education

All children, regardless of their faith background, take part in a program of Religious Education appropriate to their level of Faith Development.  All parents are asked to support their children in their faith journey through patient support and personal witness.  During the year the children will celebrate Masses both at the school level and individual class level.  Family and friends are most welcome to attend. OLSH has a family based approach to Sacramental Preparation and Celebration, and the Sacraments are received in the traditional order of Baptism, Reconciliation and Confirmation leading to the First Eucharist.

 

Pastoral Care

Pastoral care is concerned with the fostering of students’ self discipline.  It contributes to students recognising that their fundamental freedom and rights are reciprocated by responsibilities. Pastoral Care endeavours to discern the life needs of students and to provide them with every opportunity to value themselves and to experience well being.

Pastoral care:-        

• Draws its inspiration and strength from the life of Jesus.
• Supports and provides a context for growth and an expression of the Gospel values of love, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness and reconciliation.
• Encourages all members of the school community to develop to their full potential – emotionally, physically, socially, spiritually and intellectually.
• Is experienced when people of the school community work as a team.
• Is concerned with establishing a harmony with ourselves and others, our earth and our God.
• Fosters the values of mutual respect, self-discipline, responsibility and service within the community. (Taken from Pastoral Care Policy –OLSH 1996).
• At OLSH, Merbein, every person has a right to feel safe and the  school will take action to ensure this.

 

Behaviour Management Plan

As a result of our Pastoral care Policy, our Behaviour Management Plan outlines how discipline is fostered at OLSH Primary School.   The following procedure will apply if a teacher believes  your child’s behaviour is inappropriate.

	Procedure	Consequences
1	Lets Talk!!    Your child will be given the chance to explain what happened and to suggest a solution.  If this is OK for everyone, the matter will rest.	your child agrees to do better your child may be asked to do some “community service”.
2	“What Happened” Form    If your child or the teacher is not happy with the way things have worked out    or Your child continues the behaviour Your child will be given Time Out and asked to complete a “What Happened?” form.  The teacher will go through this and other points of view with your child.  If the situation can now be worked out, the matter will rest.	your child agrees in writing to do better your child may be asked to do some “community service” your child may be asked to do a period of time out
3	The Principal    If the matter is still not settled, your child will be asked to see the Principal.  The written statement will be reviewed.  The Principal will also speak to the teacher and other children concerned.  The Principal will go through the School Code of Behaviour with your child and propose a settlement. If this is OK, the matter will rest.	your child agrees in writing to do better your child may be asked to do some “community service” your child may be asked to do a period of time out parents will be advised of the situation
4	Parents    If the matter is still not settled, the Principal will arrange a meeting with the child’s parents.  If an agreeable solution is reached, the matter will rest.	your child agrees in writing to do better your child may be asked to do some “community service” your child may be asked to do a period of time out your child may be suspended for a short while
5	Welfare Group    If the matter is still unresolved, the Principal will decide what must happen.  If this is unacceptable to your child and yourselves, your child’s enrolment will have to be reviewed.	your child may be suspended for a short while your child may be asked to transfer to another school

Parental Authority & Consent Form
At the beginning of each year families will receive an information sheet for each child.  This information includes emergency numbers and children’s health
issues.  It also gives parental consent for each child in regard to local
excursions. These need to be kept current and if there are any changes in
family circumstances, parents are responsible to inform the school.

Twilight School
At times throughout the year, we arrange twilight school to celebrate special events (e.g. Catholic Education Week).  School starts at 1:00 pm and
concludes at 6:00 p.m. on these days to allow working parents the chance to come into the school.  Advanced notification is always given prior to these days.

After School Care
Our students can access After School Care through Sacred Heart Primary School in Mildura or at the Merbein Primary School.
Students can travel to either of these locations by bus.
Please ask for further information

Camps / Excursions
School camps and excursions are regarded as an essential part of the school’s Outdoor Education Program.  During the year the children are involved in camps and one-day excursions in the local area.  The following is the annual progression of activities in our Outdoor Program.

• Prep children: B.B.Q.  after school hours.
• Grade One/Two: A one night sleep over at school (in school for Grade One’s, in tents for Grade Two’s)
• Grade Three/Four: A two-year cycle which alternates between a one or two night camp at Broken Hill and Swan Hill.
• Grade Five/Six: A four night educational excursion to either Melbourne (city experience) or Daylesford and Ballarat (gold mining & horse riding)

Weekly Newsletter
A weekly newsletter is usually sent home on Monday of each school week with the eldest child at school in each family. It provides families with important
day-to-day information, dates and reminders that help the organisation and running of the school.
Please ensure that your child is bringing the newsletter home each week and take the time to read it thoroughly.

Supervision
Teachers supervise the playground from 8.25am, and after school until 3.45pm.  Parents need to be aware that if children are at school before or after these times they might not be supervised.  Children are encouraged to arrive in time to read, before the 8.55 am bell.

School Fees
School fees are set each year at the School Board’s November Meeting.  These are necessary to make up the deficit between the Government Grant to non Government Schools and what is needed to run the school. Fees are payable at the beginning of each year, or the beginning of each term or on a weekly basis.   Accounts will be sent out on a regular basis.  We offer the option of paying your school fees by Direct Debit.  A number of families choose this method of payment and it has proven to be very successful, both for the parents and the school.

If there is a difficulty in paying, please do not hesitate to let the Principal know and alternative arrangements can be made.

Enquire at the School Office for Fee Levels.

Conveyance Allowance
All children who live 4.8 km or more away from the school, by the shortest route, are eligible for a Conveyance Allowance paid by the State Government.  This is made up of a “vehicle” rate and an “additional student” rate:-
The vehicle rate is determined by the distance between a student’s place of residence and their school.  Where there is more than one student in a vehicle a “vehicle” rate can be claimed for the first school child, and an “additional” rate for each additional school child in that vehicle.
Distance - kms                      Amount per vehicle              Additional Amount
4.8-10                                      $400                                      $200
10-15                                       $500                                      $200
15-20                                       $600                                      $200
20-25                                       $700                                      $200
25-30                                       $800                                      $200
30-35                                       $900                                      $200
Over 35                                   $1000                                     $200
Application forms are available from the school office.

Education Maintenance Allowance
The E.M.A. is a means-tested payment provided by the Victorian Government to help low-income families meet the costs of schooling their children.  It is provided for students whose parents are eligible for a health care card.  Currently the amount received for E.M.A. is $210 per primary school aged student, per year.  EMA forms must be completed early in term one and term three.  This payment is made to the school on your behalf and can be credited against the Student or School Fee.

Assembly
Whole school assemblies are generally held at 3.10 pm on Friday afternoons.  (Notification of changes of times/dates will be put in the Weekly School Newsletter). The classes will take it in turn to run the assembly each week.  This gives the students the opportunity to celebrate their achievements as a class group and for them to experience performing in front of an audience.  Parents are welcome to attend.

Student of the Week Awards
Each week the teachers select a child from their classes to receive an award that is presented to them at assembly. These are in the form of an encouragement award and every attempt is made for all children to receive one.

School Performance
As part of our end of year celebrations, children will be involved in an End of Year Concert / Family Dinner, with other opportunities throughout the year.

Professional Development
Throughout the year staff will undertake various forms of Professional
Development enabling them to continually improve their teaching. We also offer parents the opportunity to take part in training and inservices; e.g. classroom helpers, home/school partnership, parent information nights etc.   These days are usually a pupil free day, you will be notified of this through the weekly newsletter.

Visitors Policy
We seek to provide an open and friendly learning environment, which values and actively encourages visitors to our school.  It is most important that members of the school community feel welcomed and part of the school, at the same time we recognise our duty of care to ensure a safe environment for our students and staff, and we recognise our responsibility to protect and preserve our resources against theft, vandalism and misuse. Visitors are defined; as all people other than staff members, students and parents/guardians involved in the task of delivering or collecting children at the start (before 9.15am) or end of the school day (after 3pm).  These include
parent helpers, trades people or those employed on behalf of the school to undertake maintenance and other tasks.  On days that have special events (e.g. sports, concerts, parent/teacher meetings, fete etc)   and other days deemed by the Principal are exempt from the sign in procedure
All visitors are required to report to the administration office to sign in.

Delivering & Collection of Students
At the front area of the school there is an area designated for the purpose of safely dropping off and picking up of students.  Cars may enter this bay only for this purpose and are not to park in the area between 8.00am - 9.00am and 3.00pm - 4.00pm. Please note that the bus arrives to collect those children travelling on it at approximately 3.25pm and has the right of way. At the end of each school day, picking up of students is fully supervised and no child is allowed to cross the road unaccompanied by an adult.

Attendance
By law, your children are expected to attend school every day unless there is a reasonable excuse for non-attendance.  The following points are for your consideration:

• Written or verbal communication must be sent to explain
        absences.
  
• Dental and doctor’s appointments during the day are to be discouraged.  If an occasional appointment seems necessary, the child is to present a note signed by a parent or guardian or the appropriate appointment card.
  
• Requests to excuse a child from class are to be referred to the Principal.
  
• No child may leave the school grounds during the school day without written permission of his/her parents and written approval of the Principal (available at the office).
  
• A child will be released from the School only to parents or authorised persons..
• Children must be collected from their classrooms if they need to leave the school during the class time by their parents after obtaining written permission from the Principal (available at the office).

No Smoking (Clean Air) Policy:
With regard to smoking within school boundaries, the school policy is
summarised  as follows:
A safe environment and positive example will be provided for the children of our school.
School buildings are to be Smokefree at all times.
The entire school property (buildings and grounds) is Smokefree at any time the facility is operating as a school.

School Photos
Yearly, in Term One we have professional photographers take class, individual and family photos. Order forms are sent out to each family a few weeks prior  to the booked date.

Canteen / Lunch Orders
The school runs its own canteen on Mondays and Fridays.  Students may order their lunch on these days by placing their order in the lunch box located in the walkway next to the yellow exit doors prior to 9.00am on these days.  Lunch money is to be sent in a paper bag which is to be clearly marked with the child’s name, grade and order.  On these days students may also purchase items for morning play lunch.  A price list is sent home prior to the start  of a school year and during if changes are required. A copy is kept at the office. There is a range of healthy food options and items such as lollies, chips, soft drinks etc are not available. 
Please note if your child is allergic to any foods or have special dietary requirements to let the canteen coordinator know.
The canteen requires a helper on a Friday between the hours of 10.45 to 1.00pm, all information regarding this will be in the weekly newsletter. On the days where there are special lunch arrangements, there will be NO lunch orders.

Special Lunch Days
During the year, the Parents and Friends offer lunch days where students may be able to order pies, pizzas, hot dogs etc. An order form will be sent home with the due back date marked on it. The form needs to be filled in and sent promptly back to school with the correct money (if possible). There will be no lunch orders available on these days. 
All monies sent to the office must be clearly named

Out of School Hours, School Use
Permission must be sought and granted by the Principal if anyone wishes to use the school grounds and facilities outside normal school hours

School Banking
A school banking services operates with the Commonwealth Bank and the Community Bank in Merbein.  Bank day is Tuesday.  The books are collected each Tuesday and returned the same day. 

Students' Private Property
Private property brought to school by students is not insured nor is the school responsible for any loss.  It is brought to school at the owner’s risk.

Lost Property
Unidentified or unnamed items are in the office.  If they remain unclaimed they will be sold as second hand items.

Sunsmart
OLSH is a Sun Smart school.  The school has a “no hat, no play” policy.  Children are to wear the appropriate hats, (wide-brim, bucket hat or legionnaires), all year.  Sunscreen is also provided in each classroom.

Book Club
Throughout the year children have the opportunity to purchase books through Scholastic Book Club, of which the children are given a preview / order sheet.  The date of return for any orders is marked on the sheet, and reminders are placed in the Newsletter.

Book Fair
Throughout the year we have two Book Fairs where books are available to be purchased by students and parents in the school library.  Sales of over a certain amount enable the school library to benefit by a percentage of total sales, in free books.  Students are asked to bring their money to school on the days of purchase or parents are invited to accompany their child/ren during their classes viewing and buying time.  These times will be provided.

Safety House
The Safety House Program is a community-based program to assist our children’s safety while they are travelling to and from school.  It involves establishing a network of Safety Houses that are easily identifiable to children.  The letterbox, front fence or shop window of a Safety House displays a bright yellow sign of a smiling house.  This means that if a child feels unsafe, they have a safe place to go for help—a Safety House.  We are also a registered Safety House School.  The Victorian Police, The Department of Education and the Catholic Education Office support this program.  If you are interested in
having your house included in the Safety House Program, or you are interested in being on the committee, simply let us know  through the school office.

School Nurse
During the year the School Nurse visits and assesses all Prep students (hearing, sight, speech etc.)  Parents will be notified of any results and any necessary follow up will be undertaken by the appropriate bodies.

At any time throughout the year, if there are concerns about a child’s health in any grade, please discuss these with your child’s teacher and a referral to the school nurse can be made and promptly followed up.

The school also offers a Human Development Program  to our Grade Five and Six students.  Information regarding this will be in the weekly  newsletter.

PUPIL HEALTH 

• This is the official list of infectious diseases that require your child/ren and possibly others with whom your child has been in contact, to be excluded from school.

Conditions - Exclusion of Cases - Exclusion of Contacts
Amoebiasis ( Entamoeba histolytica) -Exclude until diarrhoea has ceased - Not excluded
Campylobacter -Exclude until diarrhoea has ceased - Not excluded Chicken Pox -Exclude until fully recovered or for at least 5 days after the eruption first appears.  Note that some remaining scabs are not a reason for continued exclusion. Any child with an immune deficiency (for example leukaemia) or receiving chemotherapy should be excluded for his or her own protection. -Otherwise not excluded.Conjunctivitis -Exclude until discharge from eyes has ceased. -Not excluded
Diarrhoea -Exclude until diarrhoea has ceased or until medical certificate of recovery is produced. -Not excluded
Diphtheria - Exclude until medical certificate of recovery is received following at least two negative throat swabs, the first not less than 24 hours after finishing a course of antibiotics and the other 48 hours later. -Exclude family/household contacts until cleared to return by the Secretary Hand, Foot and Mouth disease Until all blisters have dried - Not excluded
Haemophilus type b (Hib) -Exclude until medical certificate of recovery is received.  - Not excluded
Hepatitis A - Exclude until a medical certificate of recovery is received, but not before 7 days after the onset of jaundice or illness - Not excluded
Herpes (‘cold sores’) - Young children unable to comply with good hygiene practices should be excluded while the lesion is weeping.  Lesions to be covered by dressing, where possible. -Not excluded
Human immuno-deficiency virus infection (HIV/AIDS virus) -Exclusion is not necessary unless the child has a secondary infection - Not excluded
Impetigo -Exclude until appropriate treatment has commenced.  Sores on exposed surfaces must be covered with a watertight dressing. -Not excluded
Influenza and influenza like illness -Exclude until well - Not excluded
Leprosy -Exclude until approval to return has been given by the secretary - Not excluded
Measles -Exclude for at least 4 days after the onset of rash -Immunised contacts not excluded.  Unimmunised contacts should be excluded until 14 days after the first day of appearance of rash in the last case.  If unimmunised contacts are vaccinated within 72 hours of their first contact with the first case they may return to school.

Meningitis (bacteria) -Exclude until well - Not excluded
Meningococcal infection - Exclude until adequate carrier eradication therapy has been completed -Not excluded if receiving carrier eradication therapy
Mumps -Exclude for 9 days or until swelling goes down (whichever is sooner) -Not excluded
Poliomyelitis -Exclude for at least 14 days from onset.  Re-admit after receiving medical certificate of recovery. -Not excluded
Ringworm, scabies, pediculosis (head lice) -Re-admit the day after appropriate treatment has commenced - Not excluded
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) - Exclude until medical certificate of recovery is produced - Not excluded unless considered necessary by the Secretary
Rubella (german measles) - Exclude until fully recovered or for at least four days after the onset of rash -Not excluded
Salmonella, Shigella -Exclude until diarrhoea ceases - Not excluded
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) - Exclude until medical certificate of recovery is produced - Not excluded unless considered necessary by the Secretary
Streptococcal infection (including scarlet fever) -Exclude until the child has received antibiotic treatment for at least 24 hours and the child feels well -Not excluded
Trachoma -Re-admit the day after appropriate treatment has commenced -Not excluded
Tuberculosis -Exclude until receipt of a medical certificate from the treating physician stating that the child is not considered to be infectious -Not excluded
Typhoid fever (including paratyphoid fever) -Exclude until approval to return has been given by the Secretary - Not excluded unless considered necessary by the Secretary
Verotoxin producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) - Exclude if required by the Secretary and only for the period specified by the Secretary - Not excluded

Whooping cough -Exclude the child for 5 days after starting antibiotic treatment - Exclude unimmunised household contacts aged less than 7 years and close child care contacts for 14 days after the last exposure to infection or until they have taken 5 days of a 10 day course of antibiotics

Worms (Intestinal) -Exclude if diarrhoea present - Not excluded

 

Parents Involvment

Parent Involvment
The School Board and Staff invite your participation in the schooling of your child in a variety of ways and through a variety of school activities. These
include:
·    involvement in parent groups - Parents and Friends.
·    assistance with school programs: reading, sport, excursions, classroom help, etc
·    Working bees/ground care/maintenance
·    Attendance of in-servicing and information meetings e.g.. asthma,
      first-aid, etc.
·    Social/fundraising events
Parents are welcomed and encouraged to visit the school to discuss any matter they may wish to have addressed.

Working With Children & Criminal Record Checks
Parents and friends are welcomed and encouraged to assist in our School and associated programs (ie classroom helpers, camps, excursions, canteen etc).  However in line with CECV, Government and School Policies, all adults (18 & over) are required to have a current Working With Children and Criminal
Record Checks. These checks can be organised through the school. Please see the office for further details.

School Board
OLSH School Board is an advisory body to the Parish Leader.  In this capacity it is the main policy making body of the school. Its membership comprises representatives of the parent body, the school staff and the Parents and Friends.  Members work with the Parish Leader and the Principal to oversee the smooth and efficient running of the school. You may wish to make yourself available as a parent representative. If you have concerns, or ideas for school improvement, please feel free to contact a board member and have him/her represent your views at a meeting of the board. The board normally meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.00 pm at the school.
The Annual General Meeting is held in November each year to which all parents are invited to attend.

Parents & Friends

Motto: “United We Educate”

Our Membership: Parents and friends of students of the school.

Our Purpose: To facilitate the overall education of the students, and to nurture and build a spirit of Community.

Some Ways We Do This:
·    Participating in meetings.
·    Providing support for families.
·    Classroom Parent Coordinators.
·    Classroom Helpers.
·    Participating in special events.
·    Fundraising to provide extra resources and facilities.

The P & F committee consists of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. A list of these people and their phone numbers are displayed on the notice board along with other information outlining current and future activities.  The P & F normally meet on the 3rd Tuesday of every month in the school staff room at 7.30 pm. . All parents and friends are most welcome to attend, to have input  into school activities and to enjoy the friendship that is offered.
The Annual General Meeting is held in conjunction with the June meeting
with all Office Bearing positions being declared vacant. Nominations are made prior to the meeting.

Fundraising: As indicated in the P & F Statement of Purpose, fundraising is one of the roles of the P & F. We aim to raise money to provide extra resources and facilities for the students. A number of fundraising activities occur every year such as Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls, Easter and Christmas raffles and these are to be coordinated by Classroom Coordinators (see Classroom Coordinators), and a major fundraising activity and raffle. The major activity will vary biennially between Fete/White Elephant Sale and a Cabaret/Social Evenings.  Sub-committees are formed to help with the workload and to ensure the success of the major activity.  Other minor fundraisers throughout the year are coordinated by the P & F committee. If you would like to offer your assistance in any way, please nominate yourself for the appropriate sub committee.  All help is appreciated. 

Raffles:  For raffles organised throughout the year, a small book of raffle
tickets is sent home via the newsletter and all families are asked to sell tickets. Families may also be asked to donate items (eg. Easter Raffle, Christmas Hamper) in order to make up prizes.

Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day Stall: The stall is held within the school for the children to buy a gift for mum or dad.  All stall items are donated from the school families and range in price from 50 cents to $5.00.  Children are asked to bring along a small amount of money to purchase a gift from the stall.  The staff in the lower grades will hold onto the children’s money for them if it is placed in an envelope with the child’s name clearly marked on it. Ideas for the stalls are: soaps, hankies, chocolates, note paper, cups with lollies or pot pouri, hankies with pot pouri, tools, car-care items, socks and so on.

Notice Board: The Parents and Friends have a notice board next to the yellow exit doors in the walkway.  Various pieces of information pertaining to the
Parents and Friends are displayed on this board.

Icy Poles: During Terms One and Four, Parents and Friends and Grade Six helpers sell icy-poles to the students.  A request for help appears on the
newsletter at the beginning of these terms after which a roster is drawn up. Helpers are required to sell icy-poles for approximately 20 minutes at lunchtime only.  If it is your day to sell icy-poles you collect the money/change tin from the office.  The prices of items for sale are listed in the canteen, and items are stored in the freezer in the canteen.  Please ensure that the freezer is well stocked at the end of each day.  If stocks are running low, please inform the canteen coordinator.  A copy of the roster is attached to the freezer and also on the notice board.  If you are unable to make your rostered day, please arrange for a replacement or phone the coordinator. 

 

Classroom Parent Co-ordinator Program
The Class Coordinator Program is organised by the Parents and Friends. Each class has two volunteers who act as the classroom contact people. These
parents work with the class teacher to foster a personal link between home and school, and provide a means of communication between the classroom and the home. The Classroom Coordinators are also responsible for coordinating one Parents and Friends fundraiser each year:
            Grades Five and Six                Easter Raffle
            Grades Three and Four          Mothers’ Day stall
            Grades One and Two             Fathers’ Day Stall
            Prep/ P & F                             Christmas Raffle
A Classroom Coordinators role description is available from the office.
A list of current Classroom Parent Coordinators is displayed on the
Parents and Friends information Board.
Classroom Helpers need to have Working With Children and Criminal Record Checks.

 

School Uniform

Uniforms / Appearance
The school uniform is the public face of the school.  It is expected that the
children will take pride in the general appearance and wear the appropriate
uniform, which is compulsory, in a respectable manner. 
Parents are expected to support us  in ensuring the students are wearing the correct School Uniform.         
Uniforms are available at the school, along with material and patterns (all sizes), for the girls summer dresses/culottes and winter pinafore/pants if you would like to make them yourselves. A local dressmaker is also available. The School Uniforms are stored in the room adjacent to the front office, any queries about the school uniform please contact the office.
Grade Six students also have the option of wearing a white graduation shirt, which is usually available during Term One of their Grade Six year.
Please name all items of clothing clearly.

Special Clothes Days
Throughout the year we may have occasions where the students are permitted to wear clothing other than their school uniform.  Examples include casual clothes day, theme days (i.e. book characters, St. Patrick’s Day). Also, at times, a small donation is asked from the students, which goes towards a
special cause e.g. Student Representative Council, Missions.  There will be notification of these special days in the newsletter.

 

SUMMER UNIFORM	GIRLS Green check summer dress or        Green check culottes/squartz Bottle green or yellow poloshirt with emblem   Bottle green windcheater with emblem or fleecy vest with emblem White or bottle green socks (no ankle socks)   Brown sandals or black school shoes or boots	BOYS Grey shorts (school selected style / colour) Green or yellow poloshirt with emblem   Bottle green windcheater with emblem or fleecy vest with emblem Grey socks (no ankle socks)   Brown sandals or black school shoes or boots
WINTER UNIFORM	GIRLS Tartan pinafore or tartan pants   Bottle green or yellow poloshirt with emblem (long or short sleeve) or skivvy Bottle green windcheater or fleecy vest with emblem   White or bottle green socks (no ankle socks) or bottle green tights Black school shoes or boots	BOYS Grey school pants (school selected / colour)   Bottle green or yellow poloshirt (long or short sleeve with emblem) or skivvy Bottle green windcheater with emblem or fleecy vest with emblem   Grey socks (no ankle socks) Black school shoes or boots
SPORTS UNIFORM	GIRLS Bottle green basketball shorts   Yellow poloshirt with emblem Bottle green tracksuit with emblem   White socks (ankle socks permitted) Sneakers/joggers	BOYS Bottle green basketball shorts   Yellow poloshirt with emblem Bottle green tracksuit with emblem   White socks (ankle socks permitted) Sneakers/joggers

Second Hand Uniforms
Good quality, secondhand uniforms are often available. Please contact the
Uniform Coordinator or the School office for information.

 

Hats
As OLSH is a Sun-Smart School, hats must be worn all year round.  We have a “No Hat, No Play” policy.  The style of hat must be: a bottle green legionnaire hat, bucket hat or a broad brimmed hat with the emblem printed on them.  School hats are available for purchase at school.

 

Hairstyles, Jewelleryand Nailpolish
The children’s hair is to be worn in a neat and tidy style and not ‘hanging’ over their faces.  Any accessory in the students’ hair is to be limited to headbands, clips, scrunchies and ribbons in school colours. Jewellery is not considered part of OLSH uniform and generally is not to be worn.  However, if your child has pierced ears, plain studs or sleepers only. No other “body piercing”
adornments are permitted.  Nail polish is not considered part of the school
uniform.

 

Changes to Uniform
If parents feel that they would like to make a suggestion to change/alter the current uniform, they are able to present their suggestion to the Parents and Friends.  If the suggestion is viable then it will be presented to the School Board for consideration. 

 

School Bags / Library Bags
School bags with the school emblem printed on them are available for
purchase at the school but are not compulsory. Children must have a library bag to borrow books.  Library bags are also available at school for purchase or you can provide your own.

 

Sports Uniform
Sports uniforms can be worn by all students on Fridays. There will be other days specific to classes and events and you will be notified of these at the
beginning of the year.  The sports uniform is not compulsory.  If students do not have a sports uniform, they are to wear their school uniform but may wear sneakers/joggers.
When students are competing in their house teams, they are encouraged to wear a green or yellow polo shirt, depending on their team.  Senior students who participate in interschool sports are issued with the appropriate uniforms i.e. football jumpers/netball bibs.

We dream of a school where everyone
experiences success and develops a strong belief in themselves. 

We dream that everyone works and plays in harmony at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, while becoming life long learners by using the examples and
teachings of Jesus.