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PARENT
INFORMATION
Urangan Point State School
Miller Street
Urangan Qld. 4655
PO Box 7088
Urangan. Qld. 4655
Phone : 07 41 948 333
FAX : 07 41 948 300
Urangan Point is a Band 8 State School with 10 primary classes.
It was established in 1916 and is one of six State and two independent primary schools in Hervey Bay.
Classrooms are a mix of the older, traditional single rooms and newer, double teaching spaces. There are both single year level classes and multi-age [composite] classes. Enrolment is around 250 primary students. The school has a high level of transience within the student population. School staffing is quite stable with the majority of staff having been at the school for some time.
The buildings are complemented by many facilities including a tuckshop, a covered play area, adventure playground equipment, a multi-purpose [tennis/ basketball] court, cricket practice wickets and grassed playing areas. The school library is well equipped. The school has a large number of computers placed in classrooms that are all connected to the internet.
The school community is part of the city of Hervey Bay which is primarily a tourist and retirement city. There is a range of socio-economic backgrounds. An active Parents and Citizens Association is ably supported by volunteer workers in most classrooms and the tuckshop.
Each school day is broken into three sessions with all Key Learning Areas being offered together with visiting LOTE [Chinese] Yrs 6 and 7, Instrumental Music, Physical Education and Behaviour Management programs. A teacher/librarian, Music and Support Teacher - Learning Difficulties are based at the school. Assessment is varied and reporting takes both oral and written forms. A District Sports Association co-ordinates a variety of interschool sports.
Student leaders are elected by their peers under staff supervision and after immersion in a Leadership Course. A Student Council also operates. This and other classroom strategies allow for student involvement in decision-making within the school. A Behaviour Management Plan outlines the school code of conduct and encourages students to develop self-discipline within a caring environment.
We at Urangan Point strive to prepare our students for life-long learning by fostering a feeling of success and achievement in a supportive and caring environment.
Central to all planning at Urangan Point State School are the five principles of Effective Teaching and Learning. The Effective Teaching and Learning principles encompass:
An understanding of the learner.
Active construction of meaning
A supportive and challenging environment
Worthwhile learning partnerships
Social and cultural contexts
These principles are based on the assumption that:
Every person is a learner
Learning is an ongoing and lifelong process
People learn within social and cultural contexts, independently and through interaction with others
What is learned depends on the way it is learned and with whom it is learned
The vital aspects of teaching include identifying the ways others learn best and extending the ways they learn, creating learning opportunities, and evaluating learning outcomes
Principles of Effective Teaching and Learning provide the bases for ongoing improvement of teaching and learning practices.
Address: Miller Street
URANGAN Q 4655
Telephone: 07 41 498 333 Primary
07 41 498 314 Library
Fax: 07 41 498 300
Principal: Mr Neil Collins (Acting)
8:55am Bell Children prepare for school
9:00am Bell Children enter classrooms
9:00 - 10:35 am First session
11:00am Bell Re-enter classrooms
11:00 - 1:00pm Second session
1:45pm Bell Re-enter classrooms
1:45 - 3:00pm Third session
3:00pm Bell Afternoon dismissal
Students leave school grounds promptly if not required by teachers
PARENT
GROUPS WITHIN OUR SCHOOL
P&C - Parents & Citizens Association.
We hope you will become a member and regularly attend meetings of the Association. The strength and vitality of this Association depends on its active membership. All efforts are directed towards a better quality of education for all children at this school.
Become a member by attending our monthly meetings held on the last Monday of each month in the staffroom. Meetings begin at 7:00pm and we aim to finish by 9:00pm.
P&C meets each month. All interested parties welcome.
VOLUNTEER HELPERS
The school is eager to accept your assistance if you would like to be involved in class or school activities. Please contact your child’s class teacher or a member of the school administration with this offer of help. However, volunteer helpers are strongly advised to become members of our P & C Association so that they may be under the Association’s Insurance Policy.
ACCIDENTS OR ILLNESSES
Should a child become incapacitated during school time, parents are contacted and asked to make suitable arrangements to collect the child. Children are more comfortable at home than in the ‘sick bay’ at School. In serious cases, where parents cannot be contacted immediately, an Ambulance will be called. Students should immediately report any accidents/injuries to their class teacher.
We ask that you officially advise us of any medical problem your child may have. Please keep your child’s emergency contact details - address and telephone number - current on school records so that our procedures can be effective.
No medical treatment is permitted in the school except first aid. This is the immediate, temporary treatment given in case of an accident. Once the emergency has been met, responsibility rests with parents, doctors or ambulance bearers. The school’s obligation extends to placing the injured person in the care of those responsible. Parents are encouraged to subscribe to the Queensland Ambulance Service for accidents that happen at school as they are liable for all expenses associated with the use of the service. People who hold a Centerlink Pensioner Concession Card have free use of Queensland Ambulance services.
An accident register is kept to record the case history of each accident and note what actions have been taken.
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION
The school is required to keep a record of all prescribed medication issued to children during school time. Medication must be kept in the administration office, NOT in children’s bags. Parents are required to sign an appropriate form before medication can be administered by staff. A copy of this form is included with this package. Analgesics and other forms of pain relief are not issued by our school.
"Puffers", etc needed by children with asthma are NOT to be left in student’s bags. These should be placed in the care of the teacher to be used as required and the Medical Condition must be noted upon enrolment.
APPEARANCE
Children should be encouraged to come to school neatly dressed in full school uniform. It is preferred to have shirts tucked in. Hair should be brushed. Shoes are required for all sporting activities and should be worn at all other times. Thongs and masseur type sandals are unsuitable for safety reasons.
School uniforms have been approved by the P & C Association.
There is no need for jewellery of any kind to be worn. Unless there is a religious or other significant reason, necklaces are NOT to be worn. Studs or sleepers are the only form of earrings to be worn. NO rings are to be worn.
ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL
It is expected that students will arrive at school each school day morning in adequate time to prepare for the day’s work. However, early arrival is not encouraged as school supervision cannot be provided. It is important that students travelling to school by bike follow the correct road safety procedures and WEAR A HELMET. Recommended arrival time is between 8.30 and 8.45am.
ATTENDANCE
Regular and punctual attendance at school is necessary for any level of success. Please ensure this as each day’s work is built upon previous work. However, sick children do not give their best, so they should be kept home for maximum care and to ensure a speedy recovery.
Education Queensland Regulations require that parents explain student absences - in writing or by phone. Parents of students absent from class for 3 or more days without a valid explanation may be contacted by phone or letter. Cases of excessive absenteeism have to, by law, be referred to external agencies.
APPOINTMENTS - Medical and Dental
While it is appreciated that difficulty sometimes arises in obtaining medical and dental appointments for times required, it is requested that, where possible, appointments, except those of an urgent nature, be made out of school hours.
BANKING
School banking is conducted each Wednesday. Bank books are left at the school office and money banked by P & C members into Commonwealth Bank "Dollarmite" accounts. Packages to open these accounts are available from the office or from Commonwealth Bank branches.
BOOKLISTS
Lists of materials required by each child in the various year levels are handed out at the end of each year. Spare copies are available at the office. A booklist is included with this package.
You are strongly urged to make sure your child has all these items for the commencement of school and that they are maintained during the year.
BOOKCLUB
Bookclub orders are co-ordinated through the school Library. Students will receive leaflets for the 8 Bookclub issues during the year. Order forms and money are to be placed in an envelope clearly stating the child’s name and grade and are to be handed to any of the library staff. Orders are normally back at school 10 days after the closing date for each issue.
BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT
Urangan Point State School, in supporting our School Community, has established a Behaviour Management Policy that comprises the following documents:
Managing Behaviour in the classroom with a Supportive School Environment
Managing Behaviour in a Supportive School environment
Urangan Point State School Rules [ Booklet ]
Our Behaviour Policy states that all members of our community have three basic rights:
To fair treatment
To learn / to teach
To be safe
The school’s goals for behaviour are based on an understanding of everybody’s rights and responsibilities. All members of our community operate with a Code of Behaviour - the 5 Cs :
- Co-operation
- Caring
- Courtesy
- Commonsense
- Commitment
While our Code of Behaviour is the basis for everything we do at school we have nine School Rules our community is expected to adhere to.
OUR RULES ARE 1 Our school is a non-violence zone
2 Our school is a positive language zone
3 Our school is a sun safety zone
4 Our school is an act safely zone
5 Treat others with respect
6 Care for our school environment
7 Care for and respect school and personal property
8 Concrete and bitumen areas are walk-only zones
9 Be considerate and safe when travelling
Our Behaviour Policy is clear in its consequences for unacceptable
behaviour. Consequences are enacted in line with positive classroom management
and recommended practice operating from least intrusive [tactical ignoring] to
most intrusive [exit].
Our discipline plan for unacceptable behaviour can be viewed in our Behaviour
Management Policy.
COMPLAINTS
Parents who have concerns of a minor nature about their child’s learning or behaviour should contact their child’s teacher or the school principal directly. Complaints of a more serious nature should be referred directly to the school principal.
EARLY DEPARTURE FROM SCHOOL
It is school policy that if any student is to leave the school grounds before 3.00pm parents must:
Notify administration office staff and collect a "Visitors’ Badge"
Go to the classroom and collect their child
Return visitors’ badge to administration and sign their child "out" in the Visitor’s Book
Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds without a parent/guardian at any time.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
It is of the utmost importance that parents keep ALL of their child’s
emergency contacts up to date by advising the school of any change of
address or telephone number throughout the school year.
Each semester - twice each year - Student Information Sheets are sent home for
checking/corrections/etc.
Please ensure these sheets are corrected if necessary and returned to the
school office.
FUNDRAISING
Students - in class groups - often undertake fundraising activities to contribute to the cost of camps, excursions, etc. Money raised is deducted from individual costs. If, for any reason a child does not go to camp or on the excursion, fundraising money will be used to reduce the cost to all other participants. However, money paid as deposits, payments, etc will be refunded upon request from parents.
It is school policy that our students DO NOT walk door-to-door fundraising. Students carrying out fundraising activities out of school hours are under the care of their parents/caregivers.
HEADLICE
One of the recurring problems in schools is headlice. All parents are asked to regularly and thoroughly inspect their child’s hair near the scalp for the presence of headlice or eggs [nits]. Particular areas to inspect are the nape of the neck, under fringes and behind the ears. If there is infestation you must treat the hair with a special shampoo, following directions carefully. There are also many non-chemical treatments available. The choice of treatment methods is up to parents.
NB Ordinary shampoos do not prevent or cure the condition. Bedding and hats should also be treated. ALL members of the household should be checked.
More information regarding head lice is included with this package.
HOMEWORK
Homework is set for a number of purposes:
To improve parents - student - teacher relationships
To assist parent participation in their child’s schooling
To develop self effort and individual learning skills in each student
To reinforce a skill or concept introduced at school
To serve as an introduction for new work soon to be taught at school
To complete tasks not finished at school
To develop in students the understanding that learning can occur in places other than the classroom
Homework is not intended as a punishment
It would be true to say that there is never NO homework, because there is always the need to review something of the day’s work, even if no formal homework is set. Homework should be meaningful and consist of a variety of activities including learning, written work and reading. It may also include student preparation for the following day’s class activities eg pencils sharpened, books ready, requests for items from home.
The most beneficial homework of all is to encourage your child to tell you something of his/her day at school and make him/her feel his/her achievements, however small, are important.
The doing of homework is something of a management problem, but in upper grades, the development of independent study habits is a pre-requisite for success at Secondary School.
The setting of formal homework over weekends will be avoided.
It is expected that when homework is set, it will be completed to the best of the child’s ability. Supervision and assistance from parents is appreciated when a child is having difficulties. Children are encouraged to consult their teacher should any further difficulties arise.
INTERVIEWS
Our school is a personal school. We welcome interviews with the Principal or teacher to discuss the performance of your child. Please contact the school office to arrange a mutually convenient time. Appointments with your child’s teacher will not be made during teaching times as they have responsibilities to all children in the class during this time.
INTERVENTION
A Support Teacher Learning Difficulties is based at our school for 2 days a week. The support teacher’s role is to advocate for students with special needs. Advocating for special needs students involves:-
Preparation of Individual Learning Programs
Prioritising student needs at monthly special needs meetings
Provision of resourcing
Assigning of one-to-one tutors
Developing of programs that target literacy/numeracy skills
Referrals to guidance officer and other specialist staff
Undertaking Appraisement and Ascertainment to ensure budget allocation addresses all students with learning difficulties.
We have developed an Intervention Framework that reflects Effective Teaching and Learning principles and caters for all students with special needs in our school.
LOST PROPERTY
To ensure items of clothing found in the school grounds are returned to the owner, clearly label your child’s clothing, hat, footwear, etc. Items of apparel, if lost, may be recovered from the ‘Lost Property Room, located under C block, near the tuckshop.
LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
If you are concerned that your child is experiencing difficulties at school with his/her work, early discussions with the teacher concerned are advised.
LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS
Children must have written parental permission to leave the school grounds at lunch time.
Any requests for a child to leave school early, on a regular or casual basis, should be made in writing by the parent before the stated time.
LIBRARY (RESOURCE CENTRE)
The school’s Resource Centre/Library is open for general use by students,
teachers and parents each day from: 8:30 to 9:00
10:45 to 11.00, 1.15 to 1.45 and 3:00 to 3:15
At all other times, students must be accompanied by a teacher to use the
facilities in the Library. The Library is fully automated and also offers
filtered Internet access to on-line reference material. All students are
required to use a LIBRARY BAG to keep borrowed books safe. These should
preferably be made of a waterproof material.
Students in Yrs 1,2 and 3 are required to bring their library bag to the
library when exchanging loans.
As the cost of books is exceedingly high, proper care should be exercised at all times and books must be returned or extended by the due date.
Volunteers are ALWAYS welcome to help in our school library. Volunteer activities include reading to students, re-shelving books, covering books and many more. Please contact the library staff if you are able to assist in any way.
LUNCH
Your child’s school day can be very demanding both physically and mentally.
Children who have a nutritional lunch are more alert and find learning easier.
Parents are encouraged to pack lunches which will not only develop healthy
eating habits but will also enable their children to function at their
best. Suggestions include sandwiches, crackers, fruit etc.
Children are discouraged from eating too many foods that are high in sugar and
low in nutrition.
MARKING OF CLOTHES
This is important and your cooperation in this matter is required. Clothing is costly. To make it possible for lost articles to be identified more easily, parents should mark all articles with the child’s name. It is suggested that hats should be marked on the inside of the sweat band, shoes should be marked on the inside of the shoe, all articles of clothing should be marked by stitching a piece of tape on which the child’s name is written. Also mark lunch boxes etc. Special permanent marking pencils should be used. The number of articles lost and unclaimed at the school each year has included many cardigans, shoes, socks, raincoats, hats, towels, lunch boxes and watches. Please check your child’s belongings each day on his/her return from school and notify the teacher next morning of missing articles.
MUSIC
Urangan Point State School has a music program supported by a full time music teacher. At present, each class has weekly music lessons with the music teacher. This school is also involved in the Instrumental Music Program where specialist teachers teach Strings, Woodwind, Percussion and Brass instruments.
NEWSLETTERS
A weekly newsletter is published and distributed to each family. Our newsletter is the school’s major form of communication with parents and provides details on a range of topics including:
School and departmental issues Student work samples Coming events Details of community happenings Interesting events which occurred during the week
Please notify the school if you wish to receive your newsletter via email.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Students are expected to be involved in all aspects of Physical Education. If students are unable to participate they should bring a note stating the reason.
Remember, all activities are important to the development of your child.
PAYMENT OF MONEY
Please ensure money is placed in a sealed envelope, with the amount, name,
class and reason for payment clearly written on the front. Envelopes are available
from the office if required. Correct money would be appreciated as the
school does not keep change on hand. Please hand
money in at the office Monday to Friday 8:30 to 9:30am.
DO NOT hand money to the class teacher.
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION
Ministers of Religion visit the school on Tuesdays each week. Each Religious Education Teacher is assigned a class and a common program is taught to all students. Parents who do not wish their children to attend Religious Instruction, must notify the class teacher and Principal in writing (ensure signature is included). If religious denomination is to be changed, parents should notify the office staff in writing. Children who do not attend Religious Instruction will be placed under the care/supervision of the classroom teacher.
REPORTS
School reports are issued each Semester - twice a year - to advise you of your child’s progress. Records built up from checklists, standardised tests, examinations, assignments and observations are used as the basis for determining the ratings.
At the end of Semester I, parents are invited to a face-to-face parent/teacher interview to help explain the school report.
Parents of Year 1, 2 and 3 students are also provided with a State wide Report on aspects of numeracy and literacy. This is known as the Year 1 - 3 Continua. It is issued to parents of students in Years 1 and 3 at the end of each year as part of the normal school report. Year 2 parents are provided with this early in Term III after the State-wide check on student progress is completed. This is known as the Year 2 Net.
Parents of Years 5 and 7 students also receive the results of State testing in aspects of numeracy and literacy, usually early in Term IV. Parents are encouraged to make regular contact with their child’s teacher to discuss his/her progress. Keeping in touch helps clear small problems before they become large ones.
RETAINING STUDENTS
If it is felt absolutely necessary, students can be retained at a particular
level for an extra year of schooling. This is always done after much discussion
with the Class Teacher, Principal, Parents, Support Teacher - Learning
Difficulties and
District Guidance Officer if possible.
RIDING BICYCLES TO SCHOOL
The Road Safety Council advises that children under 9 years of age should be
accompanied by an adult if it is necessary for them to cycle to and from
school. This policy is endorsed by the School P&C Association. Safety
helmets must be worn. Our school community supports the local Police in
their endeavours to ensure Road Safety and Regulations are
adhered to. Bicycles are to be stored in the racks provided. This area is out
of bounds during the school the day.
SCHOOL HEALTH
A dental Van visits the school on an annual basis. The service is free and it is the parent’s choice to determine whether or not their child is to be treated. A dental form is to be completed before any work will begin.
A School Health Nurse visits the school annually to check on the general well-being of children.
SCHOOL OPERATIONAL PLAN - AOP
This plan is part of the Education Queensland’s School Planning and Accountability Framework. It is developed from the School Planning Overview (SPO), which is a brief strategic statement that outlines the school’s developmental planning priorities, based on departmental goals together with any additional school goals.
The Annual Operational Plan ( (AOP), is the planning and management tool that guides the operations of schools. It is signed by the Principal and endorsed by the Parents and Citizens Association and District Director.
Our school has two distinct program areas which are very closely linked to the school Budget. These areas are Curriculum, Teaching and Learning; and School Management.
Copies of our AOP are available through the school office for interested parents and community members.
SCHOOL FUNCTIONS
You have a standing invitation and are most welcome to attend all our school functions.
Swimming instruction is provided in fourth term of the school year. Please advise teachers, in writing, if your child is not allowed to take swimming lessons. All children are expected to swim during the swimming season. Girls are to wear a one-piece swimming costume and it is preferred that boys wear swim shorts, not board shorts. A waterproof sunscreen is advised and should be put on 30 minutes before swimming.
Students are not to wear their swimming costume under their school uniform.
Sun Safety is seen as an essential part of our school program. Adults can also assist by:
Being a positive role model for children;
Providing children with appropriate hat, (broad brim or legionnaire) and clothing;
Remind children about drinking water as they can dehydrate easily during hot weather;
Sun Safety Policy: As we live in the Sub Tropics and the incidence of skin cancer is high, parents are requested to see that their children wear hats to school. No child will be permitted to play in the open area of the school grounds without his/her hat. A broad brimmed hat is recommended rather than a cap. Sunscreen is provided to each class group, or children can bring their own, and its use is highly recommended.
Girls dresses, boys shirts, t-shirts, shorts, etc - are available from
Sauers Clothing, Main Street, Pialba
Bullant Design, Old Maryborough Road, Pialba.
Some second-hand uniforms are available from the school.
GIRLS UNIFORM
Black pleated wrap-around netball skirt OR skort OR black long leg shorts [Style pattern 1898 can be used to sew shorts] WITH red polo-necked uniform shirt
Dress [Butterick pattern 993] in checked material - also available from suppliers [above]
BOYS UNIFORM
Black shorts [Stubbies style] WITH red polo-necked uniform shirt
A shirt is available in the same material as the girls’ dress
HATS
School hats [wide brimmed red and surf brimmed black hats] or similar should be worn whenever a student is outside. School Policy is "NO HAT, NO PLAY".
SPORTS UNIFORM
T-shirts in house colours can be worn at interhouse sports days. House colours are:
Cook – blue
Fraser - green
WINTER UNIFORM
A red fleecy jumper with black sleeves and school monogram on the front can
be worn with black or red track pants. A zip jacket can be ordered through the
schoolSHOES
Enclosed shoes with socks should be worn at all times.
Tuckshop will be open every Wednesday and Friday for Little and Big Lunch. If Years 1,2 & 3 wish to order from tuckshop - either little or big lunch - orders must be placed in the morning. Years 4 to 7 must order Big Lunch only. Their little lunch may be purchased over the counter. ALL hot food must be ordered.
Please use separate bags for Little Lunch and Big Lunch. Bags are supplied by the Tuckshop at a cost of 5c. Please write your order on bottom half of bag only. Any change will be taped to bag. Children should see their teacher if they have any problems with their lunch.