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Absences
Class rolls are kept in accordance with Departmental Policy. A written explanation is required whenever a student has been absent. If a student is going to be late to school or absent it would be appreciated if a phone call could be made to the Office Manager. If a child is likely to be absent from school for a prolonged period please contact the teacher who may suggest activities for the child to complete during the absence. Unexplained absences will be followed up by the school with a letter or phone call to the family. Children are not permitted to leave the school or playground during the school hours (9.00am-3.00pm) without permission from the Principal and a note from their parents. Parents/Carers must sign a book at the Front Office when taking children in or out of the school in school hours. If children are late to school they must be signed in at the office by their parents.

After School Hours Care Centre
The Centre’s aim is to create a secure atmosphere where children can relax after the school day. Afternoon tea is provided, and varied activities include craft, art, music, cooking, games, computers, puzzles, and a range of sporting activities. The Centre is open from 3.00-6.00pm each school day.  Vacation Care is provided every school holiday from 8.30am-6.00pm and is located in the school hall. A Parent Management Committee runs the Centre which is staffed by a trained Director, Co-ordinators and Assistants. Details of enrolments, fees, etc are available from the school 6205 5977 and from the Afters Office 6205 5985 and 0410620559. The Afters office hours are 2.30-6.00pm.

Appointments
Communication between school and home is highly valued. Parents are asked to make an appointment for any discussion with the Principal, Deputy Principal, Counsellor or teachers. An appointment will be arranged at the earliest possible time and attention will be given immediately to urgent issues.

Arrival at School
Please ensure children arrive at school in time to commence lessons at 9:00am. A late arrival is very disruptive and often your child will miss important announcements. Children should not arrive before 8:30 am as there is no staff supervision.

Assembly
A whole school assembly is held fortnightly and on other special occasions. These assemblies feature singing, drama, reports from students, displays of work, awards and general announcements. Whole-school gatherings create a cohesive school community and maintain a heightened school spirit. Parents are welcome to attend. Assemblies for Kindergarten to Year 2 are held in alternate weeks.

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Buddy Classes
Buddy classes are a feature of the pastoral care, social and academic program at Aranda School. Each class, Kindergarten to Year 5, has a buddy class. Classes meet regularly to share class work, singing, excursions, portfolios, games etc. Badge
The School Badge (for students and/or parents) is available from the Office Manager. The cost is currently $3.50.

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Canteen
The School Canteen is run by a sub committee of the P&C for the purpose of providing healthy and nutritional food for students at the school. The Canteen is open at recess and lunch time. Canteen price lists are published in the school newsletter or are available from the Canteen or Front Office upon request. Canteen Price List Term 3 2008.  The School Canteen Manager is employed by the P&C. The viability of the School Canteen relies on parents volunteering their time to assist the Canteen Manager. Whilst we ask for a commitment of one day per month from 10.00am to 1.00pm – any amount of time, no matter how limited or infrequent, would be helpful. The Manager would be pleased to organise times to suit the particular needs of parents and this can be arranged either by phoning the Canteen or calling in. You are most welcome to call in at the Canteen during the first weeks of term, to see how it operates and have a cup of coffee.

Canteen prices are kept to a minimum, consistent with covering costs. The Canteen is not run as a profit making enterprise but in the event we do make profits they are utilised by the P&C to assist in improving the facilities for our children.

Change of Contact Numbers
Contact numbers and addresses need to be kept up to date with the Office Manager. Children can be distressed unnecessarily when sickness or illness occurs and the contact number is out of date.

Class Groups
The school is designed for one-teacher classrooms. From 2002 a double unit transportable classroom has supplemented existing classrooms. This provides additional flexibility for class groupings. There is considerable interaction between classes at all year levels and throughout the school. Flexible learning areas eg Hall, AV room, and Gym are used to support this interaction. Aranda supports a multi-age structure from years 1 - 6.   As students develop at different stages all classes have a range of development levels and abilities. Teachers are trained to work with multi-age groupings. Careful consideration is given to the placement of students in classes.

Clothing Pool
Parents can buy school uniforms – sweatshirts, polo shirts, trackpants, girls’ shorts and hats from the Clothing Pool. Library bags and chairbags are also available. The Clothing Pool is located near the Canteen and opens each Friday of term from 8.30-9.30am. It is open extended hours at the beginning of each term, as advertised in the School Newsletter. Clothing Pool Price List 2008

Community Partnership
The school has benefited from the generous support of members of the community making donations to the school of both money, goods, services and time and such contributions reinforce the partnerships on which our school is built. Please contact the Principal if you think your business or organisation could make a contribution.

Cross Age Tutoring
A Cross-Age-Tutoring Program operates at Aranda with the pairing of older and younger classes to reinforce learning in early literacy. Senior students are trained for this role.

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Dental Service
The services of a dental therapist and nurse are available at the Civic Health Centre. Emergency treatment is given as required. The phone number is 6205 5111.

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Environment Program
Aranda Primary School is a registered Waste Wise school.  The community is proud of its reputation as an environmentally and socially responsible community. The Environment Program links studies of society, health and evironment with a program of community action to improve the physical and social environments of the school and its neighbourhood. The program offers many different opportunities for the whole school community – students, parents, staff and friends of the school – to participate. The wonderful grounds at Aranda are the result of years of enthusiastic community and school involvement.

Equity Funds
The school has an equity fund that is used to assist students attending camps and excursions if needed. Parents who require assistance from this fund should approach the Principal or Office Manager for confidential assistance.

Evacuation Drill
Evacuation Drill is necessary for the safety of all those within the building and will be conducted at least twice a year to ensure all are familiar with the routine. Please obey all procedures if visiting the school during an evacuation.

Excursions and Camps
Educational excursions including camps are regarded as an integral part of the learning process and a fundamental part of children’s education. They provide experiences which stimulate curiosity and create springboards for further learning. Children are expected to participate as excursions are not isolated learning experiences. Written advice on excursions will be given to parents. If you have difficulty meeting the cost of an excursion your child will not be disadvantaged.

External Validation Report
In 2006 Aranda Primary School completed the process of external validation. Download our Report.

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Family Court Orders/Parenting Agreements
Please discuss any special circumstances with the Principal and lodge copies of these orders/agreements with the Office Manager. They are treated confidentially in our school.

Fruit and Water Break
All students and staff participate in a fruit and water break at approximately 10:00 am each day.  Students are required to bring a water bottle and a piece of fresh fruit or vegetables to school each day to keep the body and brain hydrated and fuelled in support of optimal learning conditions.

Foster Child
Aranda has had a long commitment to supporting a child in a Third World country. Fundraising and donations from students allow us to continue this worthwhile project which reminds us of global perspectives on social and environmental issues.

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Gifted and Talented Education
For information regarding our approach at Aranda link to our Gifted and Talented Education Policy.

Hours
Classes commence at 9.00am and conclude at 3.00pm. Recess is from 11.00-11.30am. Lunch is from 12.50-1.40pm. (In the first ten minutes students eat their lunch with teacher supervision).

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Immunisation
The ACT Department of Health advises that all children attending school in the ACT should be immunised against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and HIB (Haemophilus influenzae type b). We would ask that you check your child's present immunisation status to see whether it is complete for his/her age. ACT Public Health regulations require schools to request proof of up to date immunisation when enrolling. Failure to provide this may result in your child being excluded from school should an outbreak of an infectious disease occur. A copy of exclusion periods for students with infectious diseases is available. Parents are asked to adhere closely to these requirements unless medical advice to the contrary is provided in writing.

Insurance
The school does not carry personal accident insurance for students. Parents are advised to take out their own personal accident insurance for their families.

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Leaving the School
Please inform the front office staff when students are moving interstate or transferring to another school in the ACT. Teachers should also be informed with plenty of notice so that they can prepare a written report for the new school.

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Medical and Accidents
It is important that sick children are kept at home for their own comfort as well as the comfort of other children and staff. If a child becomes ill or is injured at school appropriate First Aid will be given and if necessary parents will be notified and asked to take their child home. If emergency treatment is required parents will be notified immediately and the child will be transferred by ambulance to hospital. In such cases ambulance services and treatment are free. If medicine is to be taken at school it must be given to the First Aid officer with WRITTEN instructions. All students who have an ongoing condition (eg asthma, diabeties, epilepsy) must have a treatment plan completed by parents and their GP and lodged at the school. Plan proformas are available from the Front Office.

If a child is to take a prescription medicine while at school, written directions and medicine must be left with office staff. Information on a child’s health status eg epilepsy, diabetes, should be given on enrolment or on diagnosis. If the health problem is serious please provide an up to date photograph of the child so it can be placed on our staffroom Medical Alert board.

A Community Health Nurse based at the Belconnen Health Centre visits the school annually to examine children in Kindergarten. Other children may be examined as required. Following receipt of parental permission, the Department of Health operates an immunisation program (usually Rubella, Hepatitis B).

Head lice are extremely contagious but easily eradicated. Children with either eggs or live lice will be excluded from school until written evidence of treatment is produced. Please report any cases of head lice to the School Office. Departmental policy on Headlice.

Exclusion periods for infectious diseases such as mumps, German measles, measles and chicken pox are provided on a separate sheet in the enrolment package. An immunisation form is required to be completed for all students enrolling in the ACT system. The appropriate form is included in the enrolment package.  Departmental Policy on Infectious Diseases and Exclusion.

Music Program
The Aranda Music Program, organised by a sub-committee of the P&C Association, provides individual professional tuition in a range of instruments including piano, keyboard, violin, recorder, and guitar, as well as group singing and musicianship classes. From time to time, depending on demand, lessons are also offered in saxophone, clarinet, flute and drama. Lessons are conducted at the school each afternoon between 3pm and 6pm. Concerts are held twice a year to enable students to experience performing in the presence of an audience. Contact us through our website or by email.

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Newsletter
The School Newsletter is distributed to each family weekly. Please ask the children on Thursday evening to ensure you are kept up to date with Newsletters or notes. The Newsletter is a valuable form of communication. Information includes school happenings and calendar dates and educational research on current issues. Newsletters can be sent to families via e-mail. Please contact the Office Manager if you would like to access this service. Download the Current Newsletter. 

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Parents and Citizens Association (P&C)
The P&C promotes community participation in the activities of the school. All parents and guardians of students at the school are members and other interested individuals may become members. The P&C has a number of objectives including:

• promotion of the interests of the school;
• encouraging close collaboration between staff, parents and other citizens; and
• provision of a forum where members can contribute to the development of the goals and policies of the school.

The P&C also conducts social functions and fundraising activities and organises the election of parent members to the School Board. All community members are welcome to attend monthly P&C Meetings. The P&C organises the canteen, After School Music Program, operates the clothing pool and regularly assists with school functions and organises social and fundraising activities.

Parking
Aranda School has limited safe parking areas in the front of the school. In the interests of student safety and respect for the residents adjoining the school, parents and visitors are asked to make use of the parking area between the school and Aranda oval. Parents are requested not to use the turning circle in front of the school in the interest of their children’s safety. Please be aware that this is the only access that goods vehicles and regular delivery services have to the school building and congestion at pick up time for students results in near misses.

A Stop, Drop, Go zone has been established on Bandjalong Crescent near the bus stop. Parents should not use this area for parking. Parents and visitors are encouraged to use the rear car park to drop off/pick up students and to park.

Permission Notes
All permission notes for activities outside the school must be returned to the school signed by a parent/carer. Students cannot attend an excursion without a signed permission note.

Personal Belongings
Please mark clearly your child’s name on all personal belongings including clothing. Unclaimed belongings are kept near the Canteen and may be checked at any time. Items remaining at the end of each term are sorted - named items are returned to the children concerned and the remainder donated to charity. To avoid disappointment due to loss or damage we require all students to leave personal items and toys at home except by special arrangement.

Playground Supervision
Students are expected to know and remain in specific playground areas. Students should arrive at school ready for 9.00 classes. Staff are on duty from 8.30am in rooms preparing for lessons. Between 8.30 and 9.00am there is a teacher on outside duty and another on library duty. Students are requested to seek the assistance of the Deputy Principal or another teacher if they have concerns regarding the playground. The playground is supervised by the teaching staff each recess and lunch. During wet weather students are supervised within the school buildings.

Photographs
Individual and class photographs are taken each year. Arrangements can be made to have group photographs taken of children in the one family who attend Aranda Primary. 

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Reporting to Parents
Aranda Primary School believes that communicating student achievement in the most effective way possible is essential. Our aim is to develop a partnership between teachers, parents and students to ensure reporting is timely, accessible and informative. For further information link to Reporting to Parents.

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Safety
Developing school and class rules is a collaborative effort and they are designed for safety and security of the whole community. These are regularly discussed during class meetings, SRC meetings and assemblies and should be clear to all students. They are:

• bullying and harassment, physical violence or verbal abuse is unacceptable
• building passes are required to enter school buildings during recess and lunch
• appropriate hats must be worn on the playground
• bicycle racks, canteen and front of the main school building are “no play areas”

School Board
The School Board embodies the principle of collaboration between parents and staff, and community partnership in decision-making processes. Its members include three parents (one being the Chairperson), two teachers, a community representative and the Principal. Staggered two-year terms ensure continuity in the Board’s work. The Aranda Board encourages communication between the school and its community in determining the school’s budget, curriculum and education policies as well as its many needs in relation to buildings, facilities, equipment, funds and staff. Parents are welcome to attend any School Board Meeting and elected community members of the School Board can be contacted about school matters. The minutes of the Board Meetings are available from the Office.

School Planners
A calendar of the term's events is sent our in week 1 of each term.  To Download the Term 3 2008 Planner.

Security
Outside school hours the school buildings are under the protection of a security system. However any suspicious behaviour on school property should be reported to Police immediately. Parents, students and community members who use the school after hours are asked to enter and leave by the entrance nearest the School Office. Do not under any circumstances leave by any other door after 3.10 pm as the Building Service Officer will have already locked them from the inside and by using them out of hours the school is left open to illegal entry.

Student Management
For further information link to our Student Management Policy.

Special Days
One day, usually in May, is set aside for our major community event - Grandparents’ or Special Older Friends’ Day. Grandparents are invited to the school for entertainment by the students. Grandparents accompany their grandchildren to their classrooms where they share student portfolios, learning activities and educational games. The school holds a variety of other special days through the year. These may include charity and school fundraising days or be linked to significant community events such as Clean up Canberra Day, World Environment Day as well as Learning Journeys and Literacy and Numeracy Week where students and parents share learning experiences.

The school promotes socially acceptable behaviour based on the fundamental principles of respect, care and responsibility. Parents are assured the school will contact them if their child’s progress or behaviour indicates that this is necessary. The school requests that parents inform the teacher or Principal when their child’s school progress or behaviour might be affected in some way by circumstances not known to the school (serious illness in family, separation and so on). The Student Management Policy is available from the Information Rack at the Front Office.

Sunsmart
Aranda Primary School follows the Sun Protection Policy Guidelines for ACT Schools, “No Hat-No Play”. A key requirement of the Sun Protection Policy is for students to wear hats which protect the face, neck and ears whenever the students are outside. Students without suitable hats are not permitted to play outside at recess and lunchtime. Parents are requested to buy a school hat from the clothing pool (or the school office). The school has provided additional outdoor seating and tree planting as measures to support the policy. For further information download our Sun Protection Policy Implementation Guidelines - 2007.

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Term Dates  The school operates on a four term system with holidays set by the ACT Department of Education and Training. Link to Term Dates till 2010.

Transfers
Children moving to another school should advise the class teacher and school Office Manager at least one week prior to the move. The student portfolio will then be ready for collection. If you are aware that you will not be returning to Aranda Primary following the Christmas holidays please notify the school as soon as possible.

Toys
Children’s toys, unless specifically asked for by a teacher, should be kept at home. It is difficult sometimes for children to care for these properly at school and the chance of breakage is high. 

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Uniform
The wearing of school uniform is strongly recommended and students should be encouraged to wear it to promote school identity and school pride. The school colours are red, black and white. Most uniform items are available from the Clothing Pool. 

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Visual Arts Co-operative
The Visual Arts Co-operative, established in 2002, is a group of volunteer parents with and without visual arts expertise. The Co-operative aims to help teachers so that children can have more ‘hands-on’ visual art experience during class time. Some examples to date have been: helping with easel painting, particularly in Kindergarten and Year 1; providing technical expertise; sourcing materials; and hands on help with class art preparation and clean up. The Co-operative is also planning and helping with broader visual art projects in the school. New parent volunteers are always most welcome.

Volunteers
As per ACT Education Depatment policy, all parents/carers who volunteer in classrooms, at sporting events, on excursions or as drivers etc need to complete a Volunteers Form available from the Front Office. Volunteers must sign in and wear a volunteer badge each time they volunteer.

From time to time parents are asked to assist with the transportation of students to special events. Your assistance is appreciated however the owner and/or driver is responsible for ensuring they carry the required driver’s licence, that the vehicle is appropriately registered and insured, is roadworthy, and that loading does not exceed the seat belt provision of the vehicle. Departmental Policy on Volunteers in Schools.

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Water
Drinking water is essential for keeping the brain and body hydrated for learning. Students are asked to bring a plastic water bottle to school daily. Students are reminded to have regular drinks of water during the day. Students may drink water inside the classroom.

Wheeled Devices
If students ride bicycles to school they must wear a helmet. Bicycles must be placed in the bicycle compound which is out-of-bounds during the day. For the safety of all students no wheeled devices (including skateboards, in-line skates and scooters) are to be ridden in the school playground at any time. Skateboards and in-line skates are not considered to be safe transport to and from school for primary-aged children. The school will not accept the responsibility for the care of any wheeled device or associated equipment. 

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Year 6 Farewell-Presentation Dinner
At the end of term 4 all Year 6 students are presented with a certificate to mark their completion of primary school. Year 6 students attend a graduation ceremony and formal dinner.