School Timetable

9.00am - 10.40am
10.40am - 11.00am	Interval
11.00am - 12.30pm
12.30pm - 1.30pm	Lunch
1.30pm - 3.00pm

The school provides for the supervision of all pupils from 8.30am - 3.00pm. Children crossing Rutland Street after school are supervised by a teacher.

Before and After School Care

Before and after school care is provided by various agencies. For further information please contact the office.

Behaviour Management Policy

We aim is to create an environment in which all children may develop self-discipline and set high standards for themselves. This is achieved using a positive approach and for this reason regulations are kept to a minimum.

Family Record File

A file is kept of addresses, home and work telephone numbers in case of sickness or emergency, and details of children's specific medical circumstances. It is most important that these are up-to-date at all times. Please inform the school secretary immediately if there is a change.

If we are unable to contact a parent or designated caregiver and believe that the child needs medical attention, we will take the child to the St. Albans Medical Centre unless our records indicate otherwise.

Absences

Parents are asked to contact the school office before 9:00am if their child is going to be absent. Following any absences, a note of explanation is required for school records.

School Lunches

Children eat their lunches under teacher supervision, and we wholeheartedly encourage the inclusion of healthy food in lunches. On occasions when lunch can be purchased, you are asked to follow the procedure for bringing money to school. See below.

Money - Procedures for Bringing to School

All money is handled by the office and it would be appreciated if the following procedures could be observed:

1. The money/cheque must be in an envelope
2. Cash should be for the exact amount required
3. Cheques should be made payable to St. Albans Catholic School unless otherwise directed
4. Money is to be handed in before school - do not hand in money in the afternoon as the office is not attended after noon
5. On the envelope should be written:
   1. the child's name
   2. the amount enclosed
   3. what the money is for

Homework

Homework provides an opportunity for parents to share with their child some of the work being done at school. Your child's teacher will inform you of the homework policy operating in that room.

Library

The school has a library which the children use as class groups and at other times. Please ensure books borrowed are well cared for and returned promptly.

Road Safety

• Please ensure your children are aware of the road rules.
  
  
• Bicycles are not to be ridden within the school grounds. They are to be walked from Rutland Street and Somme Street entrances and parked in the stands provided. All cyclists must wear a standards approved, correctly fitting cycle helmet. All cycles must be road worthy.
  
  
• No cars are to use the main school driveway as they may be a danger to the children. Please do not park across the driveway when setting down or picking up children.

Parent Help

Classroom assistance is welcomed and appreciated. Please check with class teachers for further details.

Periodically classes are involved in educational visits. It is our policy to involve parents in these trips so they may share some of the pleasures associated with giving children the opportunity to learn outside the classroom.

Educational Services

From time to time it is necessary to involve specialist services from the fields of health, behaviour and education. Some come on a regular basis as part of the service to schools. The following is a list of those services:
   - RTLB (Resource Teacher Learning Behaviour)
   - Hearing and Vision Specialists
   - Psychological Service
   - Public Health Nurse
   - Speech Therapist
   - Visiting Teacher
   - Guidance Unit

As a parent you may request any of the above services by contacting the school or by contacting the service centres yourself. In all cases the parents and school are kept fully informed.

Dental Care

The children's teeth are checked regularly by the School Dental Therapist. Treatment is at the St. Albans School Dental Clinic. Phone: 355-2898

The dental therapist will contact parents directly regarding appointment times. Please inform the school of the arrangements made for your children's appointments.

Stationery

The stationery list will be issued to New Entrants at Pre-entry and other students at the beginning of each school year.

Reporting to Parents

Informal Reporting

In our experience Informal Reporting or discussion has proved helpful. These discussions are usually held at the request of parents or the school at any time during the year. Early intervention is best. Where concerns can be addressed early on, systems can be put in place for the children to deal with these. Any concerns should first be discussed with the class teacher at a mutually agreed time.

Parents are most welcome to contact the Principal whenever they wish to arrange discussions concerning a child's progress, difficulties, health, or any other matter that may concern the child's well being.

Written complaints are taken seriously and will be acted on/resolved immediately.

Formal reporting

Notices and Newsletters

Newsletters are sent home weekly to provide information on what is happening in and around the school. Additional notices may be issued, so it is advisable to check daily their reading packs and school bags.

School Uniform

It is compulsory to wear the school's uniform. Uniform sunhats are compulsory wearing outside for Terms 1 and 4 and may be purchased from our uniform suppliers:
Mainland Uniforms (formerly Redwood Drapery), 356 Main North Road, or
Susan Ross Schoolwear, 69 Rutland Street.

Optional polar fleece jackets and vests.

Sports shoes may be worn for PE/sports sessions only.

Girls Uniform

Summer: Culottes or pinafore, Navy monogrammed polo shirt, Villa blue woollen jersey, Short white socks, Blue or brown shoes or sandals.

Winter: Pinafore, Plain white collared shirt or white skivvy, Villa blue woollen jersey, Navy blue tights or long navy socks, Blue or brown shoes.

Boys Uniform

Summer: Grey boxer shorts, navy monogrammed polo shirt, Villa blue woollen jersey, Short grey socks, Black or brown shoes or sandals.

Winter: Grey woollen shorts, Navy blue skivvy or grey shirt, Villa blue woollen jersey, Grey socks with two blue bands, Black or brown shoes.

Children are expected to be dressed tidily and wear their uniform correctly. No nail polish, make-up or jewellery is to be worn at school. Those pupils with pierced ears are permitted to wear one stud only in each ear. Hair longer than shoulder length must be tied back. Hair accessories in school colours are permitted.