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Holland Park State School, 59 Abbotsleigh Street,

Holland Park. Qld. 4121.

Telephone: 3421-6222 Fax: 3421 6200

Email: admin@hollparkss.eq.edu.au

Website: www.hollparkss.eq.edu.au

PREP INFORMATION HANDBOOK 2018

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HOLLAND PARK STATE SCHOOL

CONTENTS

Welcome to Our School

Thank You Page 4

Our Mission

History

Our District

Our Web Site

Introducing Our Staff

Administration Page 5

Prep Class Teachers

Teacher Aides

Specialist Teachers

Community Liaison Officer Page 6

Other Staff

Curriculum and Early Years (Prep) Program

Every day counts in Prep at HPSS Page 7-10

- English

- Mathematics

- Science

- History

- Geography

- Health & Physical Education (HPE)

- Critical & Creative Thinking (Philosophy)

What will my child do in Prep? Page 11-12

Transition from Home to School – Page 13

How can you help?

Prep Requirements

Basic Pack Page 14

Prep Resource Contribution

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School Policies and Procedures

Absences Page 15

Achievements in the Foundation Learning Areas

Banking

Behaviour

Birthdays

Buddy Program Page 16

Communication

DET Policy on Interviews

Excellence Expo – Striving to Excel

Excursions & Incursions Page 17

First Aid Page 18

First Day at School Page 19

Illness Page 18

Late Arrival/Early Departure

Legal Documentation

Medical Conditions and Medications Page 19-20

Money Collection Procedures Page 20

Names and Labels Page 21

Newsletters

Assessments - One School Reports Page 21

Operating Hours Page 22

Parents/Caregivers in the Prep Class Room Page 22

Prep Screening Page 23

Recycling, Re-using and Re-inventing Page 23

School Lunches Page 24

Sharing Information

Specialist Lessons

SunSmart Policy Page 25

To and From the Classroom Page 25-26

Transition Statements Page 26

Treasures from Home Page 27

Tuckshop Page 27

Updating Contact Information

School Uniform

Choosing your child’s bag Page 28

State School Term Dates and Holidays for 2018 Page 29

Food and Nutrition Page 30

Checklist Page 31

Notes Page 32

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WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL

Thank You

Holland Park State School extends a warm and hearty welcome to you, as

parents/caregivers of our Prep year students. Prep is the first year of Learning which

spans from Prep to Year 3. We look forward to sharing many happy times with you as

we work together to provide the best possible learning outcomes for your child.

Our school community values a supportive school environment by resourcing its

members with the skills for effective communication, self-confidence, conflict resolution

and personal development. We value the unique worth of each person, support their

personal and spiritual development and foster self-esteem by respecting individual

differences, recognising and celebrating achievements and creating opportunities for

participation and contribution in the life of the school.

This booklet is produced with the aim of providing essential information about your

school; we hope you find it informative. Schools today are complex organisations and it

would require a larger book to include every aspect of our operations. Please feel free to

contact the school or our Community Liaison Officer to make further enquiries; we will

be only too willing to assist.

Our Mission

Holland Park State School strives for excellence in challenging each student in a secure,

supportive environment. We encourage students to reach their full potential as caring,

self-disciplined, confident individuals who can take their place academically and socially

in an increasingly global and networked community.

History

Holland Park Primary School was opened on 28th January, 1929 with three classrooms

and an enrolment of 118. The first Head Teacher was Mr. William Miles.

The name “Holland Park” comes from an early settler, Julius Holland, who owned 150

acres of land from Abbotsleigh Street to Arnold Street and from Logan Road to

Cavendish Road.

Peak school enrolment was reached in 1955 with over 1100 students attending the

school. The opening of nearby schools, Seville Road and Marshall Road saw these

numbers decrease. Present numbers stay around the 850 mark.

Our District

Operationally, our school is within the Brisbane Metropolitan Region.

Our Web Site

The Holland Park State School website is constantly being updated with recent

information and newsletters. Please take the time to browse and find out information

about planned activities and events. www.hollparkss.eq.edu.au

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INTRODUCING OUR STAFF

Administration

Our school’s administration consists of the Principal, Anthony Gribbin and our Deputy

Principals, Leigh Harrod and Edward Danielewski. Our experienced office staff,

consisting of our Business Manager, Sanja Popovic and 2 Administrative Officers – Val

Foster (Finance Officer) and Karen Oliver (Executive Services/Community Liaison Officer)

ensures your enquiries to our office are dealt with as efficiently as possible. Our

Business Manager supervises our office, handles staff administrative requirements and is

responsible for our school’s financial management.

Prep Class Teachers (The role of the Early Childhood Teacher)

Are facilitators

Are co-ordinators

Develop social skills

Value child-centred learning

Develops and implement age appropriate curriculum

Develops partnerships

Are resource managers

Support all stakeholders

Understand the phases of child development

Teacher Aides

Teacher aides play a valuable role in assisting classroom teachers in the preparation of

learning opportunities and in helping teachers in the classroom. They also play an

important role in many operational areas around the school.

Specialist Teachers

Other teachers allocated to our school enhance the learning opportunities for our

students. These specialists include; Classroom Music, Physical Education, Support

Teacher Learning Difficulties, Teacher Librarian and LOTE Teacher (Japanese, for Prep to

Year 6), Instrumental Music, from Year 3 (strings, brass, woodwind and percussion),

EAL/D (English as an Additional Language/Dialect). Our students are also supported by

a Guidance Counsellor, Speech/Language Pathologist, GEM (Gifted Education Mentor),

HOSE (Head of Special Education), Philosophy Thinking Coach and other visiting support

staff.

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INTRODUCING OUR STAFF

Community Liaison Officer

Our Community Liaison Officer, Karen Oliver is

available to answer any of your questions regarding

school activities, policies and procedures etc., or just

a friendly ear when you need one. All conversations

are held in the strictest of confidence at all times. If

you would like to contact Karen, this can be done via email

koliv33@eq.edu.au or mobile 0407 146 966. The role of Community

Liaison Officer is a very valued role at Holland Park State School.

As Community Liaison Officer, Karen aims to contribute to the development of a

supportive, equitable and just school environment through the promotion of active and

informed involvement of parents in the life of the school community. The Community

Liaison Officer aims to achieve the following objectives:

Development of opportunities for parents to be involved in the life of the

school

Development of a program of education for parents on topics related to

education and child development

Raising parent awareness of how each can participate in school decision-

making processes

Develop processes, which support teacher-parent interaction and co-operation

Participation in school activities and forums to develop knowledge and

understanding of school life

Promotion of the school in the local community

Communication with school administration to ensure effective voice is given to

parent feedback

Other Staff

Other teachers and instructors are appointed to our school for specific

purposes. These include; Curriculum Co-ordination Relief Teachers who

relieve our regular teachers to enable them to develop school programs.

The ancillary staff consists of a Schools Officer (Grounds and Facilities)

and Cleaners. Both groups are vital in ensuring our buildings are clean,

grounds maintained and everything is in functioning order. We also

have Crossing Supervisors, to ensure the safety of your child in crossing the

roads in Abbotsleigh, Wilbur and Victor Streets. Students are supported also by the

employment of a School Chaplain.

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CURRICULUM AND EARLY YEARS (PREP) PROGRAM

Every day counts in Prep at Holland Park State School

Every day counts in Prep because….

Going to Prep every day makes sure all Queensland children get the most out of

their important first year of school

Prep gives children a head start for Year 1

Going to Prep every day improves children’s reading, writing and maths

Going to school every day builds a positive approach to learning

Going to school every day strengthens your child’s independence and confidence

The Prep year in Queensland is the equivalent of the Foundation of the Australian

Curriculum, and the years from Prep to Year 2 represent the Early Phase of Learning in

the Australian Curriculum. Children beginning in Prep in January are required to be five

years of age by 30th June in the same year.

The Australian Curriculum gives teachers and students more consistent standards in all

schools nationwide, and un-updated, contemporary 21st century curriculum.

The Australian Curriculum sets out the core knowledge, understanding, skills and

general capabilities that are important for all Australian students. It identifies

what all young people should learn as they progress through schooling, and is the

foundation for high quality teaching to meet the needs of all Australian students.

In 2018 students across Australia from the Foundation Year of Learning known

in Queensland as the Prep Year of Learning will have a consistent curriculum in

English, Mathematics, Science, History and Geography.

In 2018 the English curriculum will include Language, Literature and Literacy. Literacy

is the ability to read, view, design, speak and listen in a way that will allow prep children

to communicate effectively and to make sense of the world. In the foundation year of

the Australian Curriculum prep children will be encouraged to listen, to read and view a

range of spoken, written and multimodal texts from familiar contexts. They will engage

in identifying letters of the English alphabet and also the sounds of most letters. They

will be encouraged to handwrite lower case and some upper case letters and use some

capital letters and full stops.

Prep children will be encouraged to write one or more simple sentences to retell events

and experiences.

In 2018 the Mathematics curriculum will include Number and Algebra, Measurement

and Geometry, Statistics and Probability. Prep children will have the opportunity to

access mathematical ideas by developing a sense of number, order, sequence and

pattern by understanding quantities and their representations, by learning about

attributes of objects and collections, position, movement and direction and by developing

an awareness of the collection, presentation of data and a capacity to make predictions

about chance events.

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CURRICULUM AND EARLY YEARS (PREP) PROGRAM

In 2018 the Science curriculum is organised in three interrelated strands -

Science Understanding – This focuses on the important science concepts from across

different areas of science.

Science as Human Endeavour – This focuses on the nature and influence of science.

Science Inquiry Skills – This focuses on skills essential for working scientifically.

In 2018 the History curriculum will include –

The foundation curriculum History provides a study of personal and family histories.

Students learn about their own history and that of their family, this may include stories

from different cultures and other parts of the world. As participants in their own history,

students will build on their knowledge and understanding of how the past is different

from the present.

The content will provide opportunities to develop historical understanding through key

concepts including continuity and change, cause and effect, perspectives, empathy and

significance. These concepts may be investigated within a particular historical context to

facilitate an understanding of the past and to provide a focus for historical inquiries.

The history content in the foundation year of learning involves two strands –

Historical Knowledge and Understanding and Understanding and Historical Skills. These

strands are interrelated and will be taught in an integrated way across learning areas

and in ways that are appropriate and specific to Holland Park State School. The key

inquiry questions in the foundation year are:

What is my history and how do I know?

What stories do other people tell about the past?

How can stories of the past be told and shared?

By the end of the foundation year –

Students will identify similarities and differences between families,

They will recognise how important family events are commemorated,

Prep students will sequence familiar events in order,

They will pose questions about their past and relate a story about their

past using a range of texts.

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CURRICULUM AND EARLY YEARS (PREP) PROGRAM

In 2018 Geography is a structured way of exploring, analyzing and understanding the

characteristics of the places that make up our world, using the concepts of place, space,

environment, interconnection, sustainability, scale and change. It addresses scales from

the personal to the global and time periods from a few years to thousands of years.

Geography is organised in two related strands; Geographical Knowledge and

Understanding and Geographical Inquiry and Skills.

The Foundation to Year 10 Australian Curriculum – Geography aims to ensure all

students develop:

A sense of wonder, curiosity and respect about places, people, cultures

and environments throughout the world

A deep geographical knowledge of their own locality, Australia, the Asia

region and the world

The ability to think geographically, using geographical concepts

The capacity to be competent, critical, and creative users of geographical

inquiry methods and skills

As informed, responsible and active citizens who can contribute to the

future development of an environmentally and economically sustainable

and socially just world

The focus for Geography in the Foundation Year of Learning, in Queensland known as the

Prep Year of Learning will be People Live in Places.

The key inquiry questions for the Prep Year of Learning will be –

What are places like?

What makes a place special?

How can we look after the places we live in?

In Foundation to Year 2 Learning, there is particular emphasis on the use of the concepts

of place, space and environment in studies at a personal and local scale.

At Holland Park State School, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social and personal

learning, positive disposition to learning and thinking are significant to successful

learning across the Prep to Year 2 phase and therefore requires continued emphasis in

the work of Prep to Year 2 teachers.

Prep teachers at Holland Park State School will also continue to use the Early Years

Curriculum Guidelines (EYCG) where the Australian Curriculum is not available to inform

teaching, learning and assessment. These Guidelines will provide support and advice on

assessment and reporting in the preparatory year of learning with high expectations and

focused teaching.

Holland Park State School Prep provides the foundation for your child’s success at

school. Prep is full time; it is from Monday to Friday; the same days and times as other

year levels at our school.

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CURRICULUM AND EARLY YEARS (PREP) PROGRAM

Health and Physical Education (HPE) Foundation Year, 2018. In the foundation

year of learning of the Australian curriculum prep students will participate in Health and

Physical Education.

Health and Physical Education will offer experiential learning with curriculum that is

relevant, contemporary physically active, enjoyable and developmentally appropriate.

Integral to Health and Physical Education will be the acquisition of movement skills,

concepts and strategies that will enable students to confidently and competently

participate in a range of physical activities.

In Health and Physical Education students will develop the knowledge, understanding

and skills to support them to be resilient, to develop a strong sense of self, to build and

maintain satisfying relationships, to make health enhancing decisions in relation to their

health and physical activity.

Prep participation, and to develop literacy competencies in order to enhance their own

and others health and wellbeing.

Critical and Creative Thinking 2018 – Philosophy at Holland Park State School

Prep students in their foundation year of learning with the Australian curriculum will

participate and receive explicit instruction of critical and creative thinking. This will be

taught by prep teachers and be facilitated with the Holland Park State School Thinking

Coach.

Critical and creative thinking will be unpacked with particular reference to the Australian

curriculum and the four organizing elements described within it. Prep students will

engage in the following:

Inquiring – identifying, exploring and organising information and ideas

Generating ideas, possibilities and actions

Reflecting on thinking and processes

Analysing, synthesizing and evaluation reasoning and procedures

A collaborative and thinking culture will be cultivated within our school that will embrace

innovation and creativity and learning design. Prep teachers will be provided with high

quality professional development in terms of pedagogical approaches to teaching higher

order thinking, including collaborative philosophical inquiry.

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CURRICULUM AND EARLY YEARS (PREP) PROGRAM

Our Prep teachers will assess and report on Prep children’s achievements throughout the

year.

Department of Education, Training and Employment’s

ambition is that every Queensland child will have 13 years of

schooling, i.e., from Prep to Year 12. Prep being the first

year of these 13 years of schooling.

For more information, please visit the following websites:

Department of Education and Training

(DET)

www.flyingstart.qld.gov.au

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority –

www.acara.edu.au

Curriculum – What will my child do in Prep?

Students in our Prep year will have a new learning environment with exciting things to

do, see, touch and experience. Your child will find friends to share with and teachers

who respect them as capable and competent learners. Learning involves developing a

relationship of trust. We aim to create a relaxed, secure and supportive environment

where students are encouraged to investigate and explore to their individual potential.

What does this mean? In Prep, students will:

• Make choices about what and how they learn

• Investigate and learn how to inquire about their interests

• Plan collaboratively with their Teacher

• Participate in music and language experiences

• Investigate and play independently, in pairs, small groups and as a class

• Participate in dramatic play to build an understanding of

themselves and the world

• Draw and paint to encourage oral language, reading and

writing skills

• Construct, using blocks and create collages to develop early

mathematical concepts and skills

We do not provide a formal learning situation but an informal one where the students

learn through their inquiry into the materials provided, their play, and their contact with

the school staff, parents/caregivers, other students and community members.

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CURRICULUM AND EARLY YEARS (PREP) PROGRAM Everything your child does within our school has a purpose for learning. Preparing for

your child’s first year of formal education, i.e. Prep will mean many changes for your

child. New routines will be learnt, new situations will be experienced, and making new

friends will all be important steps towards independence.

Students learn by working and building relationships with others and most importantly

through effective play. Through play, students develop thinking and problem solving

strategies. They use and extend oral language capabilities, learn literacy and numeracy

practices, explore a range of ways to symbolise experiences and develop imagination

and creativity. Play-based experiences provide students with opportunities to build their

personal identities as successful and responsible learners.

All experiences will be imbedded in the following contexts for learning.

1. Play

2. Real life situations

3. Investigations

4. Routines and transitions

5. Focused learning and teaching

The following factors have been identified to contribute to student’s successful learning:

• Social and emotional competence with a focus on social and personal learning

• Health and physical wellbeing, particularly in making healthy choices, gross motor

and fine motor development

• Language learning and communication focusing on oral language and early

literacy

• Early mathematical understandings with emphasis on early numeracy

• Active learning processes with a focus on thinking, investigating, imagining and

responding

• Positive dispositions to learning

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CURRICULUM AND EARLY YEARS (PREP) PROGRAM

Transition from Home to School – How can you help?

As a parent/caregiver of a Prep student, your support and attention

is necessary to ensure they approach Prep with some initial skills and

knowledge. This will ensure that the transition from home to school

is supportive and successful. We have listed some suggestions that

may assist:

• Talking with your child about all the wonderful things that they may come

across at Prep

• Helping him/her to become independent in dressing, including putting on

shoes and socks. Velcro closures on shoes are easy for Prep students

• Ensuring that he/she is able to recognise and care for personal belongings

• Encouraging independent toileting, a good idea is to include a spare set

of underwear in a plastic bag in your child’s school bag

• Encouraging the ability to listen and follow directions

• Developing listening skills by reading stories to your child as often as

possible. This creates many opportunities for conversation, creativity

and intimacy between parent and child

• Completing short tasks and accepting some responsibility e.g. helping

to set table or dry the dishes

• Playing simple games e.g. snakes and ladders, backyard cricket. Group

games and experiences help students learn co-operation and to follow rules

• Developing fine motor skills by cutting, gluing and drawing

• Developing running, hopping and skipping skills

• Eating food from lunch boxes and manipulating small packets,

help your child distinguish between lunch and afternoon tea

• Following one and two part instructions

• Supervising TV, computer and multi-media viewing. Talk to your child

about what was viewed – students need a balance between all areas

of play both indoor and outdoor

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PREP REQUIREMENTS

Do Not Label These Items

2 only Coloured Pencils Triangular JUNIOR Faber Castell 10’s

8 only Pencil 2B Faber Triangular Junior Grip

6 sticks UHU Glue 40gm

1 only Crayons Twistaz Micador 12’s

1 only Crayons Micador Oil Pastels 12’s Large

1 only Markers Crayola Ultraclean Washable Broad Tip CLASSIC Colours 10’s

2 only Play Doh Assorted Colours

1 only Marker Whiteboard Wallet of 4 Bullet Tip Asst Colours (Micador)

This Item will be delivered to HPSS in bulk

1 reams Copy Paper Xerox A4 80gsm Copy Paper

Please Label These Items

1 only Writing Time Foundation Queensland 9781741352795

1 only Computer USB Flash Stick 8GB

1 Ream Copy Paper A4 Optix 80gms Bright Colours 100 sheets

1 only Sketch Pad/Block A3 25 Leaf #60

3 only Display Books A4 20 Pocket Assorted

3 only Exercise Books Tudor A4 25mm

8 only Manilla Folder F/C Assorted Colours

2 only Clear Mesh Pouches A4

1 only Personal Whiteboard Magnetic with Dual Colour Pen and Eraser

4 only Scrapbook Small “Minisaurus” 64 page (168 x 240mm)

5 only Scrapbook Megasaurus 64 page

1 only Headphones MConnected Multimedia Over Ear with Microphone 02

1 only Headphones Mesh Bag A5

1 only Scissors Micador Sizzle 130mm OR Scissors Micador Sizzle Left-

Handed 130mm

Please make sure you name all of these items

School Bag (available for purchase at the Uniform Shop, if desired

Library Bag (approx 300mm x 450mm)

Lunch Box

Drink Bottle

For Term 4 Swimming Bag, togs, sun shirt, swimming cap

Spare Clothes (for emergencies have spare clothes at all times,

i.e. underwear, tops and bottoms)

All school requirements can be ordered online from Schoolstuff, their website address for

ordering is www.schoolstuff.com.au The basic cost for Prep requirements for 2018

will be $187.58; (there are some additional charges for home delivery). Please refer to

“2018 Book Pack Information Sheet”.

Prep Resource Contribution

There will also be a Prep Resource Contribution of $95 per student. A notice will be sent

home early in 2018. The amount of money will provide more diverse resources for the

Prep students. These resources will be used to meet the diversity of the Prep curriculum

and learning needs of all students.

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SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Absences

Students are expected to attend Prep every day, Monday to Friday. Teachers record

daily attendance in a Class Roll, which is a legal document. When absences occur,

parents/caregivers are requested to call the Student Absentee Line on 3421 6260

or notify the admin office via QParents to cover the absence by 9.00am. Should

this call not be made you will receive an automated text message around

10.00am each day advising you, your child is absent and asking you to contact

the Student Absentee Line and leave a message as to the reason for the

student’s absence.

If you know in advance of your child’s absence please email the administration office at

admin@hollparkss.eq.edu.au or notify us via Qparents at your earliest convenience,

office staff can enter absences prior to the day/s the child will not be attending school.

If your child is going to absent for more than 10 consecutive school days, parents are

required to submit an Exemption Form to the Principal for approval. These forms are

available at the administration office.

Teachers are very busy people during the day, please do not ring and ask to speak

with a teacher just to notify them of a student absence.

Achievements in the Foundation Learning Areas

Achievements in the foundation learning areas; English, Mathematics, Science,

Geography and History will be reported to parents/caregivers and forwarded to your

child’s Year 1 teacher.

Banking

Holland Park State School provides banking facilities for students on

Wednesdays. Information packages are available for new students early

in the school year.

Behaviour

Our teachers are in an ideal position to observe behaviour. Should any behaviour of

concern be observed by teachers, you will be notified.

Birthdays

Everyone loves a birthday and other special celebrations, as these are

wonderful ways to build understanding about each other. Often children

like to bring cupcakes etc. to share, but please be aware there may be

students in the class with food allergies, so check with your class teacher

prior to bringing these to school. Please do not bring along nut

products. Cupcakes are preferred as teacher aide time is not taken up

having to cut and share a larger cake

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SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Buddy Program

Prep students are paired with older students from Year 6 to support their transition into

school. Buddies work together for reading, play and other activities. As a result,

younger students feel more comfortable and confident in the playground and older

students develop a sense of responsibility towards their young buddies.

Communication

Open communication between parents/caregivers and staff create

positive relationships based on trust and shared responsibility for

your child’s learning. All student communication is valued. Please

take the time to read the notice boards regularly, also any school or

class newsletters, they keep you in touch with student’s activities,

items of interest and generally what’s happening in the school.

DET Policy on Interviews

Department of Education and Training policy on interviews state that teachers will

conduct twice yearly a parent/carer and teacher interview.

Teachers are also available to speak with parents at any time throughout the school year

if they have concerns about their child. Please remember to always make an

appointment with your class teacher first. Your class teacher may have other

appointments scheduled so it’s best to make a mutually convenient time for a more

lengthy conversation.

Excellence Expo – Striving to Excel

Holland Park State School’s Gifted and Talented Education

Committee proudly announces the school’s Excellence Expo. All

students from prep to year 6 are invited to nominate in a number

of tasks including the following; performing arts, i.e. vocal,

instrumental, dance, public speaking, reading Australian verse;

visual arts; Asian studies and curriculum areas allocated for each

year level. In September all students work is on display for a

night of celebration with families, students and the Holland Park

Community.

Date Claimer 2018: Wednesday, 12th September.

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SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Excursions – Off Campus and Incursions – Happen at School,

eg. Science in Residence

From time to time throughout the year classes will be taken on

excursions. It is important that students play an active part in their

community and engage in real life experiences. Excursions and visiting guests are a

wonderful way to bring the real world to the classroom. Under our policy, “in principle”

prep is permitted four excursions per year; specialist teachers may arrange other

cultural excursions.

All excursions are planned by prep teachers with educational outcomes in mind.

Students are expected to be in correct school uniform, including a sun-safe hat and to

exhibit behaviour that reflects credit upon the school. These proposals will be discussed

with parents early in the year. For excursions which will vary the school’s routine by

more than half a day, we ask for Parents and Citizens’ Association support.

The procedure for an excursion or visiting guest/s is:

1. A note will be emailed home detailing the excursion/activity and will include

a date for final payments to be made. It would be very much appreciated if

payments could be made prior to this date as it allows for the smooth

processing of school accounts

2. Teachers may request parent/caregiver assistance. This will occasionally

incur a cost to the parent/caregiver. We are unable to accommodate

younger siblings on excursions

3. The cost will be stated on the note

4. You will be required to sign and return the permission section on the note,

with your payment to the school. This should be returned to the school

finance office

5. Payments may be made by cash, credit card, eftpos, EFT or BPoint -

(a) If paying by cash please try to have the correct money and

Australian Currency Only, overseas currency cannot be accepted,

(b) If paying by credit card, please ensure the expiry date is included on

the payment envelope,

(c) If paying by eftpos it would be much appreciated if this could done

prior to 10am on the money collection days (Monday to Friday).

(d) If paying by EFT, as a reference please include details of the activity

for payment for and REMEMBER to return the permission section of

the note to the school office

6. If you have twins in one class, you only need to complete one permission

form with both names included. If however the twins are in different

classes, please be aware two permission forms will need to be completed

and returned to the school.

If you are paying for more than one excursion/s (i.e. children in other year levels), you

may include all these in the one payment, please just make sure you include all the

details on the payment envelope/EFT and REMEMBER to return the permission form.

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SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

First Aid

The majority of staff is trained in first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

When students receive minor injuries they report to first aid in prep where staff make

appropriate decisions in the circumstance. Actions are recorded in the medical register.

If a student has a serious accident or becomes ill while at school, medical attention is

applied by a trained first aid officer and parents and caregivers are immediately notified

of the incident so they may take further action if necessary. If an emergent situation

where parents/caregivers cannot be contacted, the Principal or Principal’s delegate will

contact the Queensland Ambulance Service.

First Day at School

It is our wish that the first day at Prep will be a happy occasion for your child. We will

be working hard to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. We’ll have lots

of smiles and lots of time. Our routine will be simple and consistent until students feel

confident and at home.

Have your child’s things organised the night before so that the beginning

of the day goes smoothly and you do not have to rush.

Plan lunch and afternoon tea with your child and pack food that is

healthy and that your child likes.

Being on time is very important to your child. Coming in late often

makes them feel anxious.

Be positive and talk about the new things in a happy way.

Don’t slip away. Always tell your child you are leaving and that you will be

back after a definite time even such as lunch time.

Be positive when picking children up. Do not ask if they have been good;

ask them about their day, what they’ve done and with whom they’ve

played.

Encourage your child when they make things to show you, lots of effort

went into them.

MOST OF ALL…………JUST LOVE THEM!!

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SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Illness

We endeavour to make our Prep environment as healthy and as safe

as possible, but we need your assistance to achieve this. If your

child is ill, please be considerate and do not send him/her to

Prep until they have fully recovered. If you have any questions

about incubation and exclusion periods for major childhood illnesses, please don’t

hesitate to speak with your child’s teacher or the teacher aide. Non-attendance is

important for infectious diseases such as Chicken Pox, Conjunctivitis, Measles, Mumps,

Rubella, School Sores, Viral Hepatitis and Whooping Cough etc., but also with regard to

cold, flu and head lice. Remember that a sick child is better at home with their families

than at school feeling unhappy.

Late Arrival/Early Departure

Parents/caregivers should aim to have their children at school prior to the 8.45am bell

signalling students to move to their rooms so that lessons can commence at 8.55am. All

students who arrive at school after 9am must be signed in on the Late Arrival Sheet

before proceeding to the classroom.

If students are required to leave the school for any reason prior to 3pm,

parents/caregivers are requested to sign the Early Departure Sheet prior to leaving the

school premises. An appropriate adult will be required to sign the student out of the

school at all times.

Legal Documentation

Any legal documentation that pertains to student’s custody; these should

be given to the school office (and kept current) where a copy will be

kept on a confidential file. If orders change, it is imperative

that you let the administration office know ASAP.

Medical Conditions and Medications

All medical conditions and allergies must be made known to the school during the Prep

Screening interview. Should your child have an illness that is contagious please notify

the school immediately.

Strict procedures have been developed by Department of Education and Training

regarding prescription and over-the-counter medication in schools. Our school is

committed to working closely with parents/caregivers and children to ensure students

use medications safely.

School staff must not administer over-the-counter medication, including

analgesics, homeopathic or prescribed medications unless they meet the accountability

of a written request from a parent/caregiver accompanied by written advice from a

medical practitioner and with the medication in the original labeled container.

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SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Medical Conditions and Medications Cont’d

The exception is the reliever puffer, such as Ventolin, that is included for the emergency

treatment of asthma under the guidelines.

The role of the Parents/Caregivers:

Parents/caregivers must undertake the following in relation to the administration of

medication and/or management of health conditions:

Notify our school in writing of a health condition requiring medication at

school

Request our school in writing to administer prescribed medication or to

assist in the management of a health condition

Notify our school in writing of any requests and/or guidelines from medical

practitioners including potential side-effects or adverse reactions

Provide the medication in the original container to the nominated staff

member.

Ensure the medication is not out-of-date and has an original pharmacy

label with the doctor’s name, student’s name, dosage and time to

be taken

Notify our school in writing when a change of dosage is required. This

instruction must be accompanied by a letter from a medical practitioner

Advise our school in writing and collect the medication when it is no longer

required at school

Non-prescribed medication should NOT be brought to school

School staff are not permitted to administer non-prescribed medication

such as Panadol, etc

Money Collection Procedures

We welcome your payments at the finance office Monday to Friday

before 10am. Money is not accepted via classrooms or teachers.

When reading the excursion notes, please be aware of the

payment deadlines. A non-refundable policy applies to

payments under $20. If you are paying by cash, please try

and send along the exact amount. No foreign currency is

accepted; please make sure it is Australian Currency only.

Should you wish to make alternative arrangements re these

amounts or discuss this further, please do not hesitate to

contact our Business Manager.

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SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Names and Labels (Most Important!!)

As young students often do not recognise their own belongings, please assist

us, we cannot emphasise enough the need to label everything – bags, shoes,

washers, lunch boxes, hats, library bags, clothing. Please use a waterproof

pen.

Newsletters

The school newsletter is distributed each week, normally Friday.

Newsletters are now distributed electronically via email.

Newsletters contain information regarding the running of the

school, date claimers, and news from classes and the Parents and

Citizens’ Association. If replies are called for, please reply

promptly. Copies of newsletters are also available on the school

website (www.hollparkss.eq.edu.au)

Assessments - One School Reports

These reports are recorded on One School twice a year. Students are assessed on a 5

point scale for the following ACARA subjects –

English

Mathematics

Science

History

Geography

The 5 point scale is as follows –

BA - Becoming Aware

E - Emerging

WW - Working With

MC - Making Connections

A - Applying

Teachers will also make comments on the following three Early Years Curriculum

Guidelines –

Social and Personal Learning

Health and Physical Learning

Active Learning Processes

Reports can be accessed via QParents, please make sure you register once your child

commences the school year.

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SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Operating House/Bell Times The school operates to the following times: School Office hours are from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Monday To

Friday

Arrival Bell

8.45am

1st Session Lunch Break 2nd Session Afternoon Tea

3rd Session

8.55am

To 10.55am

Finish

eating/play

11.05am To

11.40am

11.45am

To 1.15pm

Finish

eating/play

1.25pm to

1.50pm

1.55pm

To 2.55pm

Parents/Caregivers in the Prep Class – We love having helpers!!

Parents are valued as stakeholders in students learning from day one. Teachers will

organise volunteer parent rosters for classrooms.

As parents and caregivers you play a vital role in the education of

your children and therefore, we welcome you to become involved in

our classroom. It is very important to have parents and caregivers

in our rooms. The students respond very well when they see their

family members involved in their learning. If you are able to spend

time in our classroom, sign up on the “Help Roster”. Some

examples of where your assistance may be required would be:

• Preparing art materials, assisting students to tidy up

• Assisting students perform tasks that require supervision

• Playing games

• Setting up outside play equipment

• Offering to share hobbies, interests, ideas and expertise

We also encourage grandparents to visit and assist in our classrooms, but please be

aware of the “Blue Card”, i.e. the Positive Notice for Child Related Employment, for

people other than parents. The Blue Card is valid for three years unless it is cancelled

due to a change in a person’s criminal history. The Working with Children Check is free

for volunteers. For more information about the Working with Children Check telephone

the employment screening hotline on freecall: 1800 113 611 or visit the website at

www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au

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SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Prep Screening

All new Prep students and parents/caregivers will have the opportunity to meet with the

Principal, Deputy Principals or Head of Curriculum during term 4 of the year prior to

commencement. This process will help ensure that Holland Park State School can make

the best possible educational decisions for your child. Please advise Karen Oliver if your

child has not participated in the prep screening at our school.

Recycling, Re-using and Re-Inventing

Our Prep is full of junk!! However, this junk may end up as a creative

work of art or as a great prop for a dramatic play. Please help us

provide a variety of stimulating items. We would appreciate it, if you

would save items such as those listed below – as well as anything else

you may think of. If you are not sure – please just ask.

• paper and cardboard – all shapes, sizes and colours,

including tissue paper, foils, cellophane and scrapbooking items

• clean containers – yoghurt, ice-cream, milk and margarine etc. (with or

without lids)

• cardboard cylinders from aluminum foil or plastic wrap, egg cartons

Ribbon, lace trimmings, sequins, string, wool, rope, fishing line

• baby food jars, spice bottles, jam jars

• cotton reels, buttons, wooden pegs

• wooden or plastic beads

• used stamps, greeting cards or wrapping paper

• patty cake papers, pie tins

• feathers, gum nuts, dried flowers, leather scraps, shells

• plastic lids, drinking straws, corks

• cotton wool, foam or sponge pieces

• fabric scraps, large fabric pieces, canvas, curtain rings, curtain wire, felt,

fake fur off cuts

• pantyhose, stockings, tights, socks

• cardboard boxes – any size

• soft wood for carpentry (e.g. pine), paddle pop sticks

• PVC pipes, plastic tubing

• plastic ground sheets, shower curtains, shadecloth and soft flyscreen

• inner tubes from tyres, tractor tyres

• “interesting” hats, gloves, scarves, wigs, glasses, masks, crowns

• low-heeled shoes, slip-on shoes, boots, slippers

• baby clothes, baby bottles, baby accessories, baby formula tins • saucepans, baking trays, teapots, plastic jugs

• old tablecloths, bed linen, cushions, curtains

• unwanted toys (broken and working)

• plastic/artificial plants, flowers, vines

• baskets, gift boxes and gift bags

• mesh packaging from fruit (e.g. onions and oranges) • fancy dress clothing (e.g. fairies, pirates, etc)

• adult/child sized jackets, elastic waisted skirts, pull-shorts, large t-shirts,

• bead necklaces

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SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

School Lunches

When packing your child’s lunch:

Provide healthy food and drink in realistic quantities for lunch and

afternoon recess

Ensure that your child can open and unwrap his/her lunch

Provide a variety of smaller items rather than 1 or 2

large items

Provide a water bottle every day - encourage your

child to drink it, please make sure you label the water

bottle

Keep sweets, chips and other party food for parties or special occasions,

as per Department of Education, Training and Employment’s healthy

eating policies

Please do not send nut products to school with your child

Sharing Information

Events in family life, such as illness, new babies, loss of a pet, sibling rivalry and visitors

can be a prime source of excitement or concern for young children, and so affect their

behaviour at home and/or at school. It is important for the home and school to share

information that may affect students, and we would appreciate it if parents/caregivers

would inform us of any unusual happenings of this nature. If you feel the matter would

require a lengthy or private discussion, please make an appointment with your class

teacher at a time convenient to both parties.

Please feel free to discuss any problems or queries with your teacher that you may have

about your child’s progress, the school or the program at a convenient time. We look

forward to working with your child and yourself in building a supportive partnership.

Specialist Lessons

Prep students will have access to weekly lessons from our specialist teachers. They will

participate in music and physical education with other teachers on our school staff.

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SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

SunSmart Policy

The outdoor learning environment is perfect for students to explore

their large muscle skills, e.g. running, climbing and hopping. It also

promotes body strength, balance, co-ordination, and supports

growth in thinking processes and social learning.

We are very conscious of sun safety at our school and recommend

that you apply sunscreen prior to your child’s arrival at school each

day. We recommend that students have their own hat to wear – a

wide brimmed hat being the approved type. These are available for

purchase from our Uniform Shop.

The school has a formal SunSmart Policy that was written and adopted by

Administration, Parents and Citizens’ Association and Student Council. Copies are

available on the school website (www.hollparkss.eq.edu.au) and from the school

office.

We strongly adhere to the school rule - NO HAT, NO PLAY.

To and From the Classroom

The school bell rings at 8.45am, Prep commences at 8.55am. This gives staff adequate

time to prepare their rooms and attend any meetings that are scheduled before this

time. Please do not enter the room before this time unless you have an

appointment.

We ask parents/caregivers to deliver and collect students each day from the Prep classrooms.

When students come into the classroom, they are expected to be responsible

for their own belongings. Upon arrival please encourage your child to follow

the routine outlined by the teacher. This routine may include:

• putting their bags onto the port racks

• placing their water bottle into the appropriate storage container

• going to the toilet before the starting bell rings at 8.55am

• sitting on the carpet ready to start

We do understand the difficulties involved in organising a family at times. We also

accept that occasional lateness is a part of life. However, punctuality is very important

to our program. Your co-operation is this regard will be greatly appreciated.

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SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

To and From the Classroom Cont’d

Please notify us when anyone other than yourself or an older sibling will be collecting

students from the Prep classroom. School finishes at 2.55pm, if you know that you are

going to be late, please contact the school office and notify them of your delay. Please

remember:

• students must be collected from the Prep classroom at 2.55pm

• do not park in the school grounds

• use supervised crossings

Before and After School Supervision:

Please be advised there is NO SUPERVISION by school staff in the prep area prior to 8.45am and after 2.55pm.

If you have not collected your child by 3pm, they will be escorted to the administration

office for pick up from there.

For the safety of your child, please ensure that you use designated

crossing and parking areas outside the school grounds. We ask

that all families be aware of the School Bus Stop and the 2 Minute

Pick Up and Drop Off Zones in Wilbur and Abbotsleigh Streets,

these areas are regularly patrolled by Brisbane City Council Officers

and Police, tickets will be issued for infringements.

Yellow lines along the kerb means – NO PARKING.

Transition Statements

Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority have issued a release form to all pre-

prep providers for transition statements. These transition statements provide ongoing

information that prep teachers will consider as vital to your child’s ongoing early years

learning.

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SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Treasures from Home

We would appreciate it if jewellery, toys, storybooks or trinkets

“treasures from home” were not bought to school. They may very

often become lost or broken at school, so it saves a lot of time and

heartache if these are left at home. Special presents, e.g.

birthday – may be brought to show – but must be given to the

teacher or teacher aide for safekeeping in their office until the end of the day. Please

speak with your child’s teacher, as all this will depend on class policy, and may vary

from class to class.

Staff cannot assume responsibility for any loss or damage. Students are

however encouraged to bring interesting items such as rocks,

shells, flowers, insects etc. for a show and tell as per the class

sharing roster.

Tuckshop

Our Tuckshop is only open 5 days a week; Monday to Friday, please see the P&C

Information Booklet; it details the procedures for online ordering for Tuckshop.

All lunches are eaten in the Prep classrooms.

A menu and price list has been forwarded with the School Enrolment Package, but is also

available on the school website (www.hollparkss.eq.edu.au)

The Tuckshop provides a very worthwhile service to the school and

can only function successfully with the voluntary help of parents,

caregivers and grandparents. If you are able to spare some time

to help our Tuckshop volunteers and staff, it is always very much

appreciated. If you are able to help, please contact our Tuckshop

Convenor, Melisa Wilson directly on 3421 6263 or Email -

tuckshop@hollparkss.eq.edu.au

Unfortunately, due to Workplace Health and Safety, no children are allowed in the

Tuckshop.

Updating Contact Information

It is of the utmost importance to please make sure you keep the school

administration office updated with any relevant changes to contact details, i.e.

change of address, employer, home or mobile telephone numbers for

parents/caregivers, as well as change of details for emergency contacts. The

school administration office needs to be advised of any changes in custody

arrangements. It is imperative we have up-to-date information should we

need to contact you urgently.

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SCHOOL UNIFORM

All students are expected to wear the school uniform. As Prep students participate in

active outdoor play each day, it is acceptable to wear the sports uniform on days other

than their designated Physical Education (PE) lesson.

Ideally closed in black shoes, joggers or sandshoes are worn to school and the students

develop the responsibility for putting on and taking off shoes and socks and putting them

away in the correct place. Shoes are a necessity in outdoor play areas.

Choosing your Child’s Bag

A practical school bag can help your child to organise their school life….just like the way

we choose a practical briefcase or handbag.

Every day your child will need to fit their lunch box, water bottle in their bag, as well as

folders, notices and perhaps art or craft items they may make during the day.

Zips are easier than clasps or drawstrings for young students to manage independently.

Try and make sure your child can open and close the zips. Encourage him or her to

ALWAYS zip the bag when it is not in use so items do not fall out.

Encourage independence. Let your child be responsible for packing and unpacking their

own bag each day; of course reminders will be needed initially.

We recommend attaching a key tag/ribbon or some distinguishable item (inexpensive

and not of sentimental value) so that it is easily recognised by the student.

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State School Term Dates and

Holidays for 2018

Australia Day (Public Holiday)

School Starts

Term 1 Starts (10 weeks)

26th January, 2018

22nd January, 2018

Easter Celebration

Good Friday – 30th March, 2018

Easter Saturday – 31st March, 2018

Easter Sunday – 1st April, 2018

Easter Monday – 2nd April, 2018

Easter Holidays

Term 2 Start Date: 17th April, 2018

(11 weeks)

Finish on 29th March – 16th April incl.

Anzac Day – 25th April, 2018

Labour Day Public Holiday – 7th May,

2018

Winter Holidays

Term 3 Start Date: 16th July, 2018

(10 weeks)

Finish on 29th June

– 15th July incl.

Ekka Wednesday –

15th August, 2018

Spring Holidays

Term 4 Start Date: 8th October, 2018

(10 weeks)

Finish on 21st September – 7th October

incl.

Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday – 1st

October, 2018

22nd October is a student free day

Summer Holidays

Finish on 14th December 2018 – 21st

January, 2018 incl.

School Resumes on 29th January,

2019

Correct at the time of printing.

30 | P a g e

Food and Nutrition

At Holland Park State School there are two eating breaks. The first is our lunch break,

the longest break of the day, where students are encouraged to eat nutritious, low-GI

foods. The second eating break is afternoon tea, and this is the shorter of the two

breaks. All food is consumed in the classrooms under the supervision of the classroom

teacher. Containers need to be easy to open, food should not need reheating or cutting

up and spoons need to be included so that your child can independently manage their

food.

Suitable Healthy Choices include:

Bread – sandwiches, rolls, french sticks, pita or lavash bread

Crackers – rice, ryvita, sao, salada

Cheese/salad

Salami/meat

Vegetables – carrot sticks, beans, capsicum

Boiled eggs

Baked beans (in a container they can open)

Fruit – fresh, dried or canned

Natural popcorn

Yoghurt

Leftovers

Tuna (in a container they can open)

Muesli bars (not chocolate)

Eating healthy food helps students to concentrate and learn, so a healthy lunchbox at

school is vital. Holland Park State School encourages teachers to communicate with

students about nutrition at lunch breaks.

The best lunch is one that is nutritious and quick to prepare, but also fun and easy to

eat. Encouraging your children to be involved in choosing foods and preparing their

lunch can help ensure that it not only gets eaten, but enjoyed as well.

Don’t forget a drink….water is the best choice, although milk – both cow’s milk and soy

with added calcium is good too. Your child will have access to their water bottle(s)

throughout the day.

Please remember to keep the food cold. The school does not have refrigerators to

hold school lunches. Use an insulated lunchbox and/or put a freezer pack in with the

food to keep it cool. Alternatively, include a frozen drink bottle in the lunchbox – it

should defrost by lunchtime.

The Nutrition Australia website can be a great source of information for families.

www.nutritionaustralia.org/qld

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Checklist

Starting school is always a confusing time – there seems to be so many things to buy or

do. Here we present a checklist of items you will need to purchase or “do”. We have

left blank lines for you to add items as well.

To Purchase:

School Uniform (from the Uniform Shop at the School)

Sun-safe Hat

Library Bag

Lunchbox, water bottle and ice bricks

Stationery (if you haven’t ordered through the School)

School Bag

To Do:

Ensure all clothing, hats, bags, etc. are labelled

Enrol at OSHC for before school, after school or vacation care if

needed

Check parking restrictions around the school

Fill out P&C Membership form if you are interested in becoming a

member

Inform the school of any health issues, allergies, etc.

Provide copies of custody documents to the Administration Office

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NOTES

This booklet was prepared by Karen Oliver, Community Liaison Officer, in consultation with other dedicated staff members at Holland Park State School, and was last updated in November, 2017.