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School
Information
If a
student is involved in an accident at school, parents will be contacted. All
information in connection with an accident at the school is recorded, as it is
essential for legal purposes if court proceedings should follow and the school
or a teacher called upon to give evidence. Qualified First Aid staff members
are on duty in the front office during all break times. First Aid treatment is
only administered by qualified First Aid Officers. Larapinta Primary School has
St John Ambulance insurance to cover transport of students to hospital if
necessary.
There are currently 3 options for after school care
for Larapinta students. Front Office staff are happy to assist parents with
enquiries, but arrangements to access these programs are best made directly
with the businesses concerned.
- · Lil’ Antz,
Ph 89530015
- ·
YMCA. Phone: 0402 038 471
- ·
Gap Community Child Care Centre Ph. 89538292
All students at
Larapinta Primary School are expected to attend school unless there is a good
reason for not doing so. This reason may be given orally or in writing (Section
22 of the Education Act) in accordance with the procedure below.
Procedures - If
parents contact the school by phone, absent messages will be given to the class
teacher. Written notes are required if parents do not contact the school. These
notes are kept for the school year. Record of absence is entered in the
appropriate section of the roll. If a child is absent from school and no
acceptable reason is given by the parent, the Principal must establish contact
between the home and the school. It is preferable that personal contact is
established with a view to finding out the reasons and determining the
appropriate course of action to support the family and encourage the child to
attend school. In the case of indigenous students the AIEW (Aboriginal/Islander
Education Worker) and ARO (Aboriginal Resource Officer) officers will be the
usual home contact officers (delegated by the Principal). Where a student is
frequently absent without any notification a form letter is sent to the parents
requesting information.
The administration
of Larapinta School is the responsibility of the Principal in consultation with
the School Council. The Principal has final responsibility for decision making
in matters concerning the management of the school as a whole and in matters
affecting people within the school. In all policy matters the School Council
advises the Principal. The Management Team, comprising an Executive Teacher 5
(Principal) Executive Teacher 4, (Assistant Principal) Executive Teacher 2
(Senior Teacher x2) & Administration Officer 5 (Registrar), work with the
Principal on all matters relating to the effective and efficient day to day
operation of the school.
During the year,
various performing artists visit Larapinta School. The shows are booked well in
advance - usually the preceding year, by the Principal or delegate. Parents
will generally be requested to contribute to the cost of at least one
performance through the year.
School Assemblies
are held on Friday from 8:40am to approximately 9:00am each week. Senior
students lead the assemblies. Each teacher selects one Award Student from their
class. The students are invited to the stage and are presented with their
certificate during assembly proceedings. In addition, award winners are
notified in the school newsletter each Wednesday. The newsletter also advises
parents if individual students or classes are to perform items.
Rationale: The focus
of our curriculum is on the students and their learning, growth and
understanding. The focus of any assessment is therefore designed to reinforce
student learning and to help teachers pinpoint difficulties so that appropriate
action can be taken. Assessment at Larapinta School is designed to reflect
individual progress and the learning that is taking place. Regular ongoing
assessment of each student is a requirement of each teacher. Formal records are
kept on student record files. Teachers are responsible for keeping these files
up to date with attendance records, test results and other relevant
information. (See ‘REPORTING’ for additional information)
Student referrals
are necessary when the classroom teacher, in consultation with appropriate
management staff, identifies a child as needing assessment by a Guidance
Officer, Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, School Health Service or
Welfare Officer. Parental consent is generally required before a referral can
proceed. Following testing the guidance officer's report will be discussed with
parents and teachers. A date for interview to discuss options and support
programs may be set. A placement panel may be required to discuss and recommend
the future goals and placement of the student concerned. Reviews of student
progress against goals will be conducted as appropriate.
All students who
ride bicycles to and from school are legally required to wear a helmet. Bikes
are to be parked in the designated bike area located at the front of the
school. Students are encouraged to lock bikes. Bikes must be walked in the
school grounds at all times. All students are encouraged to respect other
people's property by not interfering with other students' bikes. The bike shed
is locked at approximately 8.45 am and opened at 2.50 pm to ensure security of
students' bikes. The school accepts no responsibility for the loss or theft of
bikes.
A Safe School Team
is formed each year with representatives from all areas of the school. This
team is available to assist with management of student behaviour in the
classroom and in the playground. Safe School Team members are valuable resource
people for classroom and playground management practices. It is the policy of
Larapinta School that parents are contacted if there is a consistent problem in
dealing with a student in the classroom or in the playground. A brochure explaining
Larapinta Primary School’s Safe School Policy is included with the school
enrolment package as is a parent brochure detailing our Counter Bullying
Policy.
Larapinta School has
statutory authority to manage the school's finances. It has an annual budget
derived from government grants, commissions and fundraising activities. All
school expenditure, except staff salaries and major capital works, is made
under council authority. A finance committee is established by the School
Council to oversee the financial operations of the school. The finance
committee submits an annual budget for approval by the council. The committee
meets regularly to review expenditure and recommend necessary budget variations
for council approval.
The school has a 25 seat
bus. It is used to transport students to many extra curricula activities
including swimming, interschool sport, and general excursions. The costs
associated with the running of the bus are met through voluntary parent
contributions.
At present the
school does not provide canteen services on a regular basis. A fully equipped
facility has operated in the past but currently is only utilized on special
occasions. It is available for class or special groups to use to raise funds.
More information about the canteen, including guidelines for its use is
available from the Office Manager. Emergency lunches for students who come to
school without food are available through the front office.
The School Council
is responsible for the school cleaning contract.
The Northern
Territory Curriculum Framework (NTCF) gives teaching staff and schools the
structure for delivering outcomes focused student learning, while at the same
time allowing them to take into account specific local needs and to promote
multiple learning pathways. The curriculum is organised into eight nationally
agreed Learning Areas. These are English, Mathematics, Science, SOCE (Studies
of Society and Environment), Languages, Arts, Health and Physical Education and
Technology and Design. In 2012 Australian Curriculum Mathematics will be
introduced in Semester 1 and English in Semester 2.
Student dental care
is provided at Larapinta through the Community Mobile Dental Service which
visits the school once a term. All students are able to be enrolled in the
Community Dental Program on enrolment at the school.
Your child's safety
is of utmost concern to us. It is really important that we be able to contact
you in an emergency situation. Please make sure that contact details are kept
up to date and notify the front office as soon as possible of changed phone
numbers for home or work contact.
The Principal is
responsible for the enrolment of students at Larapinta School. All families
will be required to attend an enrolment interview where general school
policies, student needs and other relevant information is discussed and
appropriate forms completed. The student will attend the day following the
interview. This will give the classroom teacher adequate time to prepare for
the arrival of the student.
All schools are
required to have an established procedure for Fire Evacuation. Larapinta has a
developed plan for evacuation of staff and students in an emergency.
Teachers will
provide homework to all students from Year 2 – Year 6. At all year levels,
reading is considered an important activity at home. The expectations of
homework in each class will be communicated to parents at the beginning of the
school year. Whilst staff recognizes the benefits homework can provide and
encourage students to take part in homework activities, we also recognize that
some parents have genuine reasons for not supporting homework. In these cases,
there will be no consequences if homework is not completed.
The staff and
students at Larapinta are divided into four houses. Erldunda - BLUE &
ORANGE, Andado - RED & NAVY, Ooraminna - YELLOW & PURPLE, Undoolya -
GREEN & BLACK. New enrolments are assigned to a house as part of the
admission procedure.
Larapinta has the
services of a Special Education teacher and a Special Education Assistant.
These two staff provide a service to students with special needs by assisting
classroom teachers to develop or adapt appropriate learning programs to cater
for an identified group of children. This may include teaching/supporting
students in small groups and/or individually both on a withdrawal from
classroom basis, or within the classroom. The Learning Centre facilitates a
number of intervention programs including Quicksmart Maths.
The library is open
before school (8:15 - 8:30) at lunchtime (12:45 - 1:15) and after school (3:00
- 3:15). Students can borrow at these times as well as during their library
class. Parents may visit at any time. We have a small parent library which you
are welcome to borrow from. You can help your child to choose a book or explore
a CD-Rom. All students are asked to provide a cloth library bag for borrowing
to assist in protecting books. These may be purchased from the front office.
Putting the child's name on the library bag is helpful. The Teacher Librarian
controls funds for the purchase of student and teacher resources as well as
administration and operating costs. Staff members are invited to submit
requests for resources to the teacher librarian.
All belongings of
students need to be clearly labelled. If no labels are attached lost articles
are placed in the Lost Property Box located in the front office. This is put
outside the main student entrance of the administration area. Regular displays
of lost property are organized. At the end of each term excess lost property is
sent to a charity organization.
LOTE
(Languages other than English)
It is the policy of
the NT Government that students become proficient in English and at least one
other language. LOTE in Alice Springs is provided through the NT Language
Centre. Currently, four languages; Indonesian, Japanese and Chinese are taught
to Year 5/6 students and Arrernte is taught in Year 2, 3 and 4.
Music is taught as
part of the Arts program in each class. Students in Year 5 and 6 may access an
instrumental program provided by the NT Music School. The program caters for students
who wish to learn to play a musical instrument and perform in a combined school
band.
No medication will
be administered to students unless prior consent is received from the parent.
Written consent is required for all medication except in the case of
emergencies, when parents will be contacted by telephone. If parents request
medication to be administered at school the following requirements must be met.
The doctor prescribing the medication must be aware that the school will supervise
or carry out administration. It is desirable that the doctor provides medical
instructions to the administering officer. Parents who wish medication to be
administered to their child must give written consent. Medication for
administration should be delivered by the parent to the school office. The
medication will be stored in a locked cupboard in the sick room. All medication
should be contained in properly labelled containers showing the name of the
medication, the name of the student and the appropriate dose and frequency of
administration. The designated officer records the administration of any
medication.
NB. NO MEDICATION
EITHER PRESCRIBED OR UNPRESCRIBED WILL BE ADMINISTERED WITHOUT PARENTAL
CONSENT.
Due to the fact that
Territory Health Services has now declared nit infestation to be a health risk
where recurrent or prolonged attacks occur, the principal has the authority to
exclude students with infestations from school until such time as appropriate
head treatment has been carried out. Students with headlice are sent home and
parents requested to treat hair before the child is readmitted to school. In
cases where nits are noticed a form letter will be sent to each family in the
class advising that treatment may be necessary.
The school
newsletter is issued weekly on Wednesdays and is sent home with the youngest
child in each family, including preschool. The newsletter contains information
and news important to the operations of the school, together with celebrations
of our successes and community news which may be of value and interest to
parents.
Most
schools invite parents to make a monetary contribution as a way of seeking
parental support on an equitable basis in addition to other kinds of fund
raising. Larapinta suggests a contribution as follows 1st child - $75 per year,
2nd child - $70 per year 3 + children - $65 per year. Parent contributions
cover extra resources including stationery and books, travel on the school bus,
art council performances and other extra curricula activities that occur on a
regular basis.
PARENT PARTICIPATION /
INVOLVEMENT
NT DET has a
commitment to the involvement and participation of parents and the community in
school management and the education process. Larapinta Primary School
encourages parent participation through the elected School Council and its sub
committees and the Indigenous Parents’ Group. In addition, parents are
encouraged to assist in classrooms and with extra curricula activities. If you
can assist us in any way please contact the principal, office staff or
classroom teacher.
Larapinta Preschool
is an integral part of Larapinta Primary School. The operation and management
of Larapinta Preschool is the responsibility of the Principal through the
‘Teacher in Charge’ at the Preschool. Children who have turned four years old
by June 30th are eligible to be enrolled in the preschool. Enrolment is
organized with and performed by the Teacher in Charge. If there are no
vacancies, the child’s name can be placed on a preliminary waiting list.
Names are entered on a waiting list when parents contact the preschool. In 2011
Preschool children attend either a morning, an afternoon or full day sessions
and parents are expected to provide transport. Placement of students in these
sessions is determined by places available and the wishes of parents. The
Preschool is staffed with two full-time and one half time teachers and
two full-time teaching assistants. Larapinta Pre-School parent contributions
are $45.00
per term.
Preschool times are
as follows:
AM Group- Monday
to Friday 8.30am – 11.30am
PM Group- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday,
Friday 11.30am to 2.30pm and Wednesday 8.30am to 11.30am
Full Day
Groups - Monday,
Tuesday 8.30am to 2.30pm and Wednesday 8.30am to 11.30am OR Thursday,
Friday 8.30am to 2.30pm and Wednesday 8.30am to 11.30am
Parents are reminded
that it is very important for students to be on time for classes. The early
morning is the time for setting up routines for the day and attending to all
administration matters. Late students are noted on the roll book and recorded
on their Student Record Files. Consistent lateness will be followed up by the
Principal.
In accordance with
Section 73 of the Education Act the Secretary may make regular provision for
religious instruction under such conditions and at such time during which the
school is open. Under Section 23 of the Education Act a parent may withdraw a
child from religious instruction by notifying the Principal that they wish to
do so. At Larapinta Religious Instruction is held in Second Semester. Students
attend RI lessons with appropriate personnel nominated by The Alice Springs
Ministers Fraternal.
Reporting to parents
about student progress is an essential component of a teacher's professional
responsibility. The following is an outline for reporting student progress to
parents/guardians of Larapinta Primary School students.
Term 1 - Informal
meet the teacher night, portfolios sent home for parent comment
Term 2 – A – E
report covering Key Learning areas
Term 3 -
Parent/Teacher Interviews and portfolios sent home for parent comment
Term 4 - A – E
report covering Key Learning areas
The Northern
Territory Department of Education has a commitment to the involvement and
participation of parents and the community in school management and the
education process. Within this policy individual school communities, through
school councils, are able to identify local education priorities, plan the
development of education services and carry out a range of advisory and
administrative functions for the benefit of their schools.
Larapinta Primary
School Council is incorporated under the Education Act and has a constitution
that requires the approval of the Minister of Education. The constitution sets
out the membership structure of the council and the terms of office of its
members.
The Larapinta
Primary School Council is elected at the AGM in March each year and meets twice
per term at the school. Meetings are open to all parents. The council also
operates sub committees; Finance, Grounds and Maintenance and Fundraising. If
you are interested in joining one of these committees please contact the
Principal, the School Council Chairperson or talk to one of the staff in the
front office.
Lessons commence
8:30am
Recess supervised
eating 10:30 - 10:40 am
Play 10.40-11.00
Lunch supervised
eating 1.00 – 1.10pm
Lunch Play 1.10-
1.40pm
Classes dismissed
3:00pm
Children who are
unwell should not attend school. The Northern Territory Department of Education
in consultation with Territory Health Services has developed guidelines on
recommended minimum periods of exclusion from school or preschool for
infectious diseases cases and contacts. This information is available through
the front office. In cases where students are sick at school parents/guardians
will be notified and expected to collect students.
In April 1989, all
departmental vehicles and premises were declared non-smoking areas. In line
with this policy, teachers, parents and visitors should not smoke in the school
or in front of students.
Larapinta School has
a number of special needs student. These students are members of mainstream
classes and are sometimes supported by Inclusion Support Assistants and Special
Education personnel to enable individual education programs to be more readily
implemented.
Each Tuesday
teachers meet from 3.15pm and each Wednesday morning all staff meet from 8.00 –
8.30am. On Wednesday mornings, classes begin at 8.40am. Parents are asked to be
sensitive to this arrangement when requesting meetings on a formal or informal
basis with staff.
SRC
( STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL)
Each year a Student
Representative Council is elected from students at Larapinta Primary School.
Each class elects two members to the SRC. From these selected members an
Executive Committee is then formed. This committee comprises a President, Vice
President, Secretary and Treasurer. A staff member facilitates the operation of
the SRC. The SRC is responsible for the organization of whole school
assemblies, representing the student body, fundraising for particular charities
and providing a model of leadership, behaviour and responsibility for all
students in the school. The SRC is invited and encouraged to have input into
the school council and other school matters where appropriate. Members of the
SRC are responsible for feeding back information to their respective classes
and to the junior school.
The Northern
Territory Government provides funding for essential supplies to students. Each
student is given a basic supply of essential components. If additional supplies
are needed through loss, students are asked to replace those items.
Larapinta Primary
School students in Years T – 4, participate in a two week swimming program
during Term 1 of each year. All parents are required to pay for this program.
Information is sent out prior to the commencement of the program each year.
Semester 1
Term 1 – Monday 24th
January – Thursday 1st April
Term 2 – Monday 11th
April – Friday 24th June
Semester 2
Term 3 – Tuesday
25th July – Friday 30th September
Term 4 – Monday 10th
October – Friday 16th December
Any child (including
those from Preschool) is eligible to enrol in Transition at the beginning of
the year as long as they have turned five years of age before the 30th June.
The enrolment process for transition students is the same for all other
students. (See ‘Enrolments’)
In line with
Government Policy, all students at Larapinta Primary School will wear the
school uniform every day they attend school. Wearing the school uniform is an
integral part of a child’s participation in the life of the school. To assist
parents in the purchasing of uniforms, the NT Governments ‘$75.00 Back to
School Payment’ is available again in 2011.
At Larapinta Primary
School, the voucher can be redeemed by purchasing uniforms for children as we
do not sell text books or stationary items through the front office. Text books
and stationary items are provided for students through parents’ voluntary
contributions.
The $75.00 voucher
must be redeemed before the end of Term 1. A reminder of this will be placed in
the school newsletter.
School uniform is as
follows :
GIRLS
- School T-shirt with logo
$30.00
Ink shorts with LPS
print
$30.00
Skort with LPS print (with pocket) $30.00
BOYS -
School T-shirt with
logo
$30.00
Ink shorts with LPS
print
$30.00
Jumpers $30.00
Jackets $55.00
Bucket
Hat $15.00
Baseball
Hat $
10.00
Hats are compulsory
and must be worn for all outdoor activities.
All items of school
uniform (excluding footwear) are available for purchase at the school.
Sandals and shoes
are regarded as the minimal standard of acceptable footwear. In the interest of
safety thongs and surf sandals are not considered to be appropriate footwear.
The school colours
are teal and ink (dark navy).