General
Welcome to Yowie Bay Public School. We look forward to a long and happy association with you and your child. We extend a warm invitation to each family to become involved members of our School Community by participating in the following ways:
- attending P & C Meetings;
- helping in the classroom;
- becoming involved in committees;
- contributing to fund raising activities;
- working on the school canteen, and
- assisting in the library.
In selecting Yowie Bay Public School for your child, you have chosen a medium sized community school with a friendly, happy and harmonious environment. There is a strong commitment to the welfare of all students with programs of Restorative Practice, Child Protection and Social Skills, and a belief that every child has the right to a safe and secure learning environment where they can work to achieve their full potential.
The school strives for academic, cultural and sporting excellence, offering varied and interesting curricula to all students. There is a strong emphasis on the basic skills development in Literacy and Numeracy. Participation in extra curricula activities such as choir, recorder, band, dance, Jazz and Tap, Wakakirri, German; and sporting teams including Soccer, Cricket, Softball, Basketball, Netball and Hockey is strongly encouraged.
There is a strong partnership between staff and the parent community. Parents play a very active role in the school in a variety of ways. Family and community members are most welcome in the school.
We are proud of our school and its facilities, our well resourced learning environment and programs we have to offer. We share common goals and values and together we work towards providing quality education for all students. Parental support is strong and very much appreciated at Yowie Bay both in and out of the classroom.
On behalf of the school community I again welcome you to the school and hope the following information will be useful in helping you and your child adjust to their daily environment.
Michelle Leplaw
Michelle Leplaw
Principal
Our Staff
Principal: Michelle Leplaw
Assistant Principal: Debbie Pendergast
Assistant Principal: James Wratten
Assistant Principal: Penni Passmore
Assistant Principal: Ian Bishop
Teaching Staff:
Sarah Holmes Kathryn Hibbert Jessica Roussis
Leah Casaceli Michelle Kazokas Cathy Sharpe
Karen Ferguson Alana McCrudden Nicole Azzopardi
Meredith Dougherty Amy McKay Kristen Lee
Leonie Gray Alexandra Olechnowicz Louise Thiering
Matthew Carroll Peter Shoebridge Hayley Brown
Jessica Barter Jenny Cottle
Librarians: Leanne Heffernan Catherine Drury
Reading Recovery Teacher: Michelle Kazokas
Support Teacher Learning Assistance: Jann Jones
School Administrative and Support Staff
School Administrative Manager: Ariane Barter
School Administrative Officers: Lisa Cook, Suzanne Walker
Teachers’ Aide (Special): Jessica Barter, Jenni Capewell, Jennifer Walker, Suzanne Walker
General Assistants: Michael Byron
School Cleaner: Tony Sakurmovski
School Counsellor: Lesley Smith
School Mission Statement
Yowie Bay School provides the students and staff with a secure, ordered,
stimulating and caring environment which enhances the academic,
social, cultural and sporting development of its students.
Students, staff and parents work cooperatively to:
- provide a curriculum which is relevant, challenging and flexible;
- maximise the successes of its students and thus improve
their self esteem; - make a positive contribution to the corporate life of Yowie Bay.
Adhere to the values of:
1.Caring and Consideration
2.Doing Your Best
3.Honesty
4.Resilience
5.Respect
6.Responsibility
School Motto
Justum Tene
Keep to what is right
School Pledge
This is our school
Let peace dwell here
May the rooms be full of contentment
Let love abide here
Love of people
Love of nature
And love of life itself
Let us remember
As many hands build a house
So many hearts make a school
School Song
Our school is set in sylvan scenes,
Near natural waterways
The beauty of our gardens helps
To make ours happy days
Let’s learn with courteous countenance,
A helping hand to all
That we may, when we come to leave our school
Our many friends recall.
Justum Tene – Do what’s right - is what we sing,
And our motto is Work and Play
Now sing this song and let your voices ring.
Yowie Bay! Yowie Bay! Yowie Bay!
Advance Australia Fair
| Australians all let us rejoice,For we are young and free;We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;Our home is girt by sea;Our land abounds in nature’s giftsOf beauty rich and rare;In history’s page,Let every stage Advance Australia Fair,In joyful strains then let us sing,Advance Australia Fair.Beneath our radiant Southern CrossWe’ll toil with hearts and hands;To make this Commonwealth of oursRenowned of all the lands;For those who’ve come across the seasWe’ve boundless plains to share;With courage let us all combineTo advance Australia Fair.In joyful strains then let us sing,Advance Australia Fair. | (Dharawal)nyini Australiagal budjari garibaranyini budgari burigabudjari bamul yararaga mari walababamulga mari walanmirangbamul merong mari kaban walababadjajarang waratahYanamuru Australiagalyanamuru australiagalyana budjari Australiagalnyini bayala bawuwi bayala gawuwiyana budjari Australiagal |
School Hours:
| Morning Bell: | Staff on duty | 8.30am |
| Music: | Students line up ready for school | 8.55am |
| School Commences | 9.00am | |
| Recess | 11.00am to 11.25am | |
| Lunch | 1.10pm to 2.00pm | |
| Kindergarten Dismissal | 3.00pm | |
| School Dismissal | 3.00pm |
Enrolment Procedures
This is very important information for our school
All children who turn 5 by 31 July in any year are eligible for enrolment in Kindergarten at the beginning of that year. Parents may choose to delay enrolment if they consider their child not ready to begin at the start of Term 1, however enrolment must take place before the end of Term 2. If you are considering delaying the enrolment of your child we would like to discuss this with you prior to any final decision. Requirements for enrolment are the completion of an enrolment form and proof of birth date and residential address as well as immunisation certificates.
A Kindergarten Orientation Day will be held in Term 4 for all new incoming children and their parents. School procedures will be explained and there will be time for your questions. To further orient children to the school, Kindergarten Orientation will be followed by three consecutive visits for parents and students.
Enrolments – Other Students
If transferring from another NSW State School please bring the transfer certificate obtained from the previous school. We will then be able to obtain details of your child’s progress by securing the cumulative record from the previous school. Any workbooks, reports are also useful.
If transferring from interstate, overseas or a private school please bring any information (reports etc) that you may have. We will note these and return them to you.
Homework
Homework, when diligently completed will help students:
- establish and develop productive independent study habits;
- establish and develop the ability to organise and use time effectively;
- practise and consolidate skills and understandings; and
- complete all work expectations.
Homework should also encourage positive parent interest, involvement and understanding of the child and the school. In order to make it as effective as possible, homework is planned to be relevant, realistic, clearly understood by students and parents and promptly followed up.
Time spent on homework must not displace time essential to growing up. That is, time required for family communication and activity, play and socialising with peers, recreational and sporting activities and personal relaxation and rest.
How Parents Can Help
- Encourage, express approval and generally relate positively to your child and any homework tasks set by the school.
- Make homework as pleasant as you can. Provide an attractive quiet work area where there is a desk or table and adequate lighting.
- Try to establish a predictable routine. If homework is completed at the same time each evening, no great decisions about starting have to be made.
- Encourage your child to be organised and to work reasonably quickly and efficiently. Stick to a set time limit. There is little point in forcing children to slog on once they are frustrated and tired.
- Demonstrate, encourage, and where possible, express approval and satisfaction. If you find yourself becoming upset and the atmosphere getting tense, stop helping.
NAPLAN – National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy
All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in schools across Australia undertake the same tests on the same days. Students have their skills assessed in numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
The national tests assess student achievement in literacy and numeracy in much the same way as they have been done in the past. The test formats and the type of questions will be familiar to students.
National tests provide information on how students are progressing and support improvements in teaching and learning.
The data from these test results gives schools and systems the ability to compare their students’ achievements against national standards and with student achievement in other States and Territories.
Newsletter
The newsletter contains important information, details and dates of school functions and notices of meetings. Be sure to read the Newsletter as soon as possible.
Yowie Yarns is also available on the School’s website at www.yowiebay-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/. If you would like to request a paper copy, please see the office staff.
Our school newsletter, Yowie Yarns, is published each week on a Thursday and will be emailed to you from 2010.
Reporting to Parents
Parent Information Nights
Early in the year an information evening is held for all classes. On this night, parents are invited to meet the teacher and be informed of curriculum content to be taught during the year as well as homework procedures, planned excursions and class organisation. Parents will be able to ask general questions.
Assessment
Teachers continually assess the progress of students in a variety of ways throughout the year.
Assessment strategies include:-
- standardised tests including Naplan in Year 3 and Year 5
- Australian English, Science, Mathematics, Writing and
Computer Competition - quizzes and revision sheets
- assessment of outcomes through work samples
- observation
If at any time you are concerned about your child’s progress, please make an appointment to see your child’s teacher.
Formal interviews are scheduled at the end of Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3 for parents to discuss student progress.
Reports at Yowie Bay are issued twice a year at the end of Semester 1 (Term 2) and Semester 2 (Term 4). Under the NSW Department of Education and Training Guideline all students are assessed at this point in time and ranked A-E according to syllabus outcomes in each of the Key Learning Areas. Individual comments are made on progress in each of the Key Learning Areas and teachers are available for interview if required following the issue of the report.
School Counsellor
The role of the School Counsellor is to provide a service to students, parents and teachers, in regard to students learning and behaviour.
Teachers refer students, who are experiencing learning and/or behavioural difficulties to the Counsellor for advice and assistance. Parent permission must be obtained before a child can see the Counsellor.
To fully assess the problem, the Counsellor sometimes finds it necessary to administer diagnostic tests as well as hold one-to-one discussions with the students.
Parent permission must be obtained before a student can be assessed using these tests.
Parents are kept fully informed and after the assessment are invited to the school for an interview with the Counsellor in order that the desired outcomes may be achieved.
School Development Days
The first day of Terms 1, 2 and 3 is set aside for Staff Training and Development. Parents are requested to make alternative arrangements for the supervision of their child/children.
School Development Days enable the whole school staff as well as parents and community members to participate in a range of activities aimed at the overall professional development of the school.
Topics can include: implementing the Department’s priorities, teaching and learning issues, the school’s management plan, setting goals and objectives, student welfare programs and leadership training.
School Requirements
In order to provide a comprehensive educational program for your child, there are certain items and workbooks required for each grade.
Parents are issued with a list of requirements at the beginning of the year and prompt payment is requested to enable students to begin using workbooks and equipment.
School Uniforms
The Yowie Bay school community has met and decided that school uniform is compulsory, including black leather school shoes, correct socks and hat. School uniform instils a sense of belonging to a larger entity, makes the school visible in the local community and bridges social barriers. Parents are asked to ensure that students attend school in correct school uniform. If students are not in school uniform, a note should be sent to the Principal.
Each grade is allocated a sport day where students are required to wear complete sports uniform. On days where students participate in the school’s fitness program, they are required to bring their sport shoes to change into for the duration of the activity.
Uniforms can be purchased at the School Uniform Shop each Monday, Tuesday and Friday mornings. The uniform shop is open from 8.30am to 9.00am.
School Voluntary Contributions
To enable us to maximise the educational opportunities that we offer the children and purchase up to date resources, we ask all parents to contribute financially to the school. The Resource fees that we charge are used to purchase new books to replace outdated ones, buy art and craft materials, supply each child with stencils and art paper, purchase teaching aids and other resources and to buy sporting equipment.
The annual fees due in Term 1 are:-
$ 70.00 for one child
$ 100.00 for two children
$130.00 for more than two children
Families who are unable to pay the full school fees in one instalment because of genuine hardship are requested to contact the Principal so that suitable arrangements can be made.
