Information Pack 2013
All for the Honour and
Glory of God
The school motto, depicted in Latin on the school shield, translates as “All for the Honour and Glory of God”. This is the central theme of day to day school life for children and staff.
The Mission of our Community at St. Bede’s
is to provide quality education in
a Christ centred environment where
Gospel values are lived and all are
encouraged to fulfil their potential
VISION STATEMENT
At the foundation of our Mission lie these key beliefs that reflect the vision of the community.
In partnership with parents we aim to:
- build a Christ centred community based on the values of openness, love, respect, justice & peace.
- provide encouragement for children to achieve their personal best within a quality learning environment.
- promote a resourceful community that values and supports each other.
- value the unique nature of each child in an environment where all are heard, feel safe and are happy.
GENERAL INFORMATION
St Bede’s is located in Park Lane behind Ryrie Park one block from the town main street. Braidwood and its setting was the first town in NSW to become heritage listed in March 2006.
In the 2006 census the Braidwood District had a population of 1171. Braidwood is located within the Palerang Shire, the State electorate of Monaro and the Federal electorate of Eden-Monaro.
ADDRESS:St. Bede’s Primary School
Park Lane
BRAIDWOOD NSW 2622
Telephone: (02) 4842 2413
Fax: (02) 4842 2224
Email:
Website:
ADMINISTRATION:
St. Bede’s is a Catholic School in the Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn. It is administrated by the Catholic Education Office in close co-operation with the:
Archbishop:Archbishop Mark Coleridge
Pastoral AssociateBrother Brian Berg
Principal:Mr Gerard Galvin
Assistant Principal:Mr Julian Laffan
Religious Education Co-ordinator: Mrs Ann Monkhouse
STUDENTS:
The school is a co-educational primary school with an enrolment of approximately100 pupils, aged 5 to 12 years in Kindergarten to Year 6.
STAFF:
The staff of 2012
Assistant PrincipalJulian Laffan
Religious Education Coordinator Ann Monkhouse
KinderJulian Laffan/Catherine Ffrench
Year OneMelanie Wakeling
Year Two/Three Teacher Ann Monkhouse/Victoria McGrath
Year Three/Four TeacherAlicia Ernst
Year Five/Six TeacherGermaine Hannaford/Gerard Galvin
Learning Support Teacher/MusicHelen Bradley
Learning Support AssistantMichelle Bartley
Office AdministratorKay Daniel
Teacher Librarian/Teaching & Learning SpecialistVictoria McGrath
Principal/Physical Education Gerard Galvin
Count Me In Too Maths Co-ordinatorKatie Tooth
Reading RecoveryBianca Schiemer
SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL
The School Community Council provides the opportunity for members of the school, parish and Archdiocesan communities to support the mission of Catholic education here in Braidwood. Working with the Parish Priest and Principal the Council members provide leadership to the school community. The Council has a decision making role in certain policy areas and an advisory role in others. Elections are held yearly for those wishing to support the school in this way.
2012 School Council Members
Chair:Lara Hewitt
Deputy Chair:Catherine Sutton
Treasurer:Rhonda Waters
Secretary:Mark Barrington
Parent Representatives:
Karen Cairns
Greg Gilbert
Therese Culmone
Staff Representative:Julian Laffan
Ex-officio Members:Gerard GalvinPrincipal
Brother Brian BergPastoral Assistant
DAILY TIMETABLE
8.30 - 8:55amMorning Supervision
9.00 - 11.00amMorning Session – Literacy Block
11.00 - 11.25amRecess (includes 10 minutes of supervised sit down eating time)
11.30 - 1.00pmMiddle Session
1.00 - 1.45pmLunch (includes 10 minutes of supervised sit down eating time)
1.50 - 3.10pmAfternoon Session
3.10pmEnd of school (Children supervised until 3:20pm)
CANTEEN
A canteen operates each Friday and is run by parent volunteers.
SCHOOL BANKING
School banking is available and operates each Friday.
NEWSLETTER
A school newsletter is sent home every Thursday with the youngest child in each family. It is also available on the school website.
SCHOOL FEES
School Fees [These will change each school year]2012
CEO Tuition Fee per family $245
Maintenance Levy per family $107
Administration Levy per family$ 45
Resource Levy$ 30
Operation Levy 1st child$ 25
Operation Levy 2nd and each additional child $$ 20
One Child $457 per term
Two children$512 per term
Three children$567 per term
Payment of Fees:
Direct Debit and BPAY are payment options along with cash or cheque. School fees are payable within 30 days of commencement of each term please.
Financial Responsibility of Parents:
Each parent is asked to consider seriously their obligation to support the school by paying full school fees, contributing generously to the parish budget and giving time and services to activities, including fundraising. The school Finance Committee meets to discuss school fee issues and may consist of the Parish Priest, Principal, School Secretary and Council Chairperson.
Diocesan Policy:
It is the right of every Catholic child to attend a Catholic school. Therefore, no Catholic child will be disadvantaged because of financial difficulty. Should a difficulty exist, a meeting must be arranged with the Principal to discuss payment options.
SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Students at all levels study a broad range of subjects across the eight Key Learning Areas of Religious Education,English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Human Society and Its Environment, Creative Arts and Personal Development/Health/Physical Education.
All courses are based on the syllabus documents developed by the NSW Board of Studiesand will align with the implementation of the new Australian Curriculum. These documents outline the outcomes to be achieved. All ranges of abilities are catered for with provision for students needing individual help because of learning difficulties and for those requiring gifted and talented enrichment.
- Although interrelated, each curriculum area has specific skills and thought processes to be developed.
- A detailed school-based curriculum with sequential development in each subject area, using guidelines prepared by the NSW Department of Education and the Catholic Education Office is prepared.
- Children with learning difficulties or those who need extension, are assessed by the teacher, the Learning Support Teacher and, if necessary, consultants from the C.E.O. or Southern Health Service, Southern Tablelands Sector. These children are then given special assistance by the Learning Support Teacher or Learning Support Assistant.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
At St. Bede's Religious Education is based on sound teaching and learning practices using a range of developmentally appropriate strategies and integrated with other Key Learning Areas. The Archdiocesan syllabus Treasures New and Old provides the framework ensuring a comprehensive and systematic study of the Catholic Faith and Traditions appropriate to the experience, abilities and needs of our students.
Classroom lessons also support the Parish Sacramental Program and provide opportunity for the children to celebrate mass and the sacraments. St. Bede’s classes attend class masses each year, whole school mass each term,as well as participate in weekend masses.
St. Bede’s School is proud of its connection with St. Bede’s Parish.
CLASS STRUCTURE
Generally classes at St. Bede’s are organised so that children of similar chronological age are educated in the same class and usually progress to the next year level at the completion of one academic year. Class make-up can vary from year to year and is dictated by the student numbers in each year level.
In 2012 the five classes are grouped in the following way:
Kindergarten 14 students
Year One19 students
Year Two/Three17 students
Year Three/Four24 students
Year Five/Six26students
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING
At St Bede’s we recognise that strong ties of communication are an essential feature of the contemporary educational setting. Parents are encouraged to visit classrooms and to regularly discuss classroom issues with teachers. As part of our Assessment and Reporting Policy we have a number of formalised times of parent communication throughout the year.
Term One
Interim Reports are sent home to parents in Week 9 which report on the Personal and Social Development and Work Habits of the students. Teachers and Parents can request interviews. Parents of all Kindergarten students will normally be invited to an interview.
Terms Two and Four
Semester Reports are issued towards the end of term. Reports for students in Years 1-6 use the A-E Common Grade Scale for all Key Learning Areas studied during each Semester. Students in Kindergarten are reported on using a 3 Point Scale – Competent, Developing and Experiencing Difficulty. 3-Way interviews are held before the end of Term 2 and offered again at the end of Term 4. Parents are encouraged to make an appointment with their child’s teacher as the need arises.
Term Three
Teachers ensure that any issues or concerns raised in the Term 2 interviews are assessed. Further interviews are scheduled as required.
In Kindergarten the following formal assessment tools are used in terms two and four.
- Phonemic Awareness
- Letter Identification
- Early Reading Observation
- Word Test
Reading levels of each student are assessed at least once a term using running records and Numeracy skills are individually assessed using SENA 1 and SENA 2 from Count Me In Too.
St Bede’s Braidwood is a Kidsmatter School
What is KidsMatter?
KidsMatter is a primary school mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention initiative developed in collaboration with the Commonwealth Government Department of Health and Ageing, beyondblue: the national depression initiative, the Australian Psychological Society, the Australian Principals Associations Professional Development Council (APAPDC) and supported by the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund. The KidsMatter initiative aims to:
Improve the mental health and well-being of primary school students
Reduce mental health problems among students
Achieve greater support and assistance for students experiencing mental health problems.
Schools have a significant influence on students' emotional, social and behavioural development. There is a growing understanding that the primary school years represent a significant opportunity for mental health promotion, and the prevention and early intervention of mental health problems in children.
Students who are mentally healthy learn better, have better relationships with teachers, family members and peers, and exhibit greater resiliency in meeting life's challenges. Ultimately these students are better placed to successfully negotiate the transition into adolescence and adulthood: they are less likely to exhibit serious mental health problems and have a greater capacity to achieve long-term education and career goals.
Conversely, mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and behavioural disorders significantly compromise the quality of life of young people, diminishing their capacity for schooling, relationships and community participation. Of concern is that mental health problems are appearing earlier, and are more persistent, complex and damaging.
"Schools have a profound influence on children, their families and the community. Young people's ability and motivation to stay in school to learn and utilise what they learn is affected by their mental health. Schools are crucial in building or undermining self-esteem and a sense of confidence."
World Health Organisation 1995.
ST BEDE’S PRIMARY SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY
Rationale:
St. Bede’s uniform is distinctive and sets our school apart in the community. It is important that staff, students and families work together to ensure that our school uniform is worn with pride and that we adhere to the list of uniform requirements.
Aim:
- Students are to wear the correct school uniform on any given school day
- The school uniform is kept in a neat and tidy state without rips and stains
- Students display a sense of pride in wearing their school uniform at all times
Implementation:
WHERE AND WHEN
- School uniform must be worn to school by all students during normal school hours unless otherwise stated by the Principal
- School uniform must be worn by all students outside of school when representing the school in various extra curriculum events unless otherwise stated by the Principal or organising member of staff
- Summer or winter uniform may be specified for special events e.g. Winter Uniform worn for the ANZAC Day march
WHAT CAN BE WORN
- All items of clothing worn must be from the ‘List of School Uniform’ from either the summer OR the winter uniform. Summer uniform is worn in Terms 1 and 4. Winter uniform is worn in Terms 2 and 3. Students are not permitted to wear items from both summers and winter lists
- All items of uniform should be kept clean and in good repair
- All items should be worn as intended i.e. tie done up correctly
HAIR AND JEWELLERY
- Hair must be kept clean and tidy and where longer than shoulder length must be tied back. Permitted hair clips and elastics must be in school colours
- Facial make-up may not be worn to school (except under medical advice)
- No facial piercing or jewellery may be worn. Simple studs in the ear lobe (one per ear) no more than 3mm in diameter are acceptable. Wrist watches are acceptable
- No hair dye may be worn in hair except under medical advice. Hair must be worn in a natural manner (i.e. no mohawks, razor cuts etc.)
- No badges, chains or broaches other than school badges may be worn. Exceptions may be made by the principal e.g. Sacramental badges
ENFORCEMENT
- It is the responsibility of every parent/guardian to check that their child is wearing correct uniform to school every day
- If a student arrives at school with incorrect uniform if possible she/he will be asked to remove the incorrect item/ make up/ jewellery/ nail polish. Where an item cannot be easily removed or is necessary for comfort/safety (i.e. shoes):
- The student will be informed that the uniform is incorrect and asked not to wear the item again
- A letter will be sent home to the parent / guardian indicating the breach of uniform policy if the issue continues
- If after a letter is sent and the issue continues, the parent / guardian will be contacted by telephone or asked to attend a meeting at the school
St. Bede’s School Uniform List
Summer
GirlsShort sleeved A – line frock in standard school pattern
Navy wool-knit v-necked jumper with red stripe
Navy sloppy joe with logo
Plain white socks to cover ankle
Black leather/vinyl shoes or ‘work’ boots, no heel. No black sandshoes or sports shoes
Discreet red or blue hair accessories
Navy hat with logo; legionnaire or bucket style
BoysNavy shorts
Short sleeved light blue Midford 1010c Colour School Blue
Navy wool-knit v-necked jumper with red stripe
Navy sloppy joe with logo
Navy socks
Black leather/vinyl shoes or ‘work’ boots, no heel. No black sandshoes or sports shoes
Navy hat with logo; legionnaire or bucket
Winter
GirlsNavy princess line tunic
Long sleeved light blue shirt
School navy tie with red stripe, correctly tied
Navy tights
Navy v-necked jumper with red stripe
Navy sloppy joe with logo
Black leather/vinyl shoes or ‘work’ boots, no heel. No black sandshoes or sports shoes
Navy slacks may be worn INSTEAD of tunic [not underneath]
Navy beanie with embroidered school name; legionnaire or bucket hat
Navy coat
BoysNavy cotton drill trousers
Long sleeved shirt:Midford 1012c Colour School Blue
School navy tie with red stripe
Navy v-necked jumper with red stripe
Navy sloppy joe with logo
Black leather/vinyl shoes or ‘work’ boots, no heel. No black sandshoes or sports shoes
Navy socks
Navy beanie with embroidered school name, legionnaire, or bucket hat
Navy coat
Sports Uniform
GirlsWhite polo style shirt with maroon logo
Maroon pleated wrap skirt (ie netball type)
Maroon sports shorts
Maroon sports brief
Plain white socks to cover ankles and to be above shoe line
Sports shoes which are predominantly white
Maroon track pants
Maroon sloppy joe with logo
BoysWhite polo style shirt with maroon logo
Maroon sports shorts
Plain white socks to cover ankles and to be above shoe line
Sports shoes which are predominantly white
Maroon track pants
Maroon sloppy joe with logo
Year 6 School Leader polo shirt
Note:
- Beanies can be worn before school and throughout the day if particularly cold. School caps/hats are still required at school for recess and lunch on these days, and may need to be worn at the discretion of the teacher on duty or the Principal
- Students are welcome to wear plain navy scarves or plain navygloves in winter
- St. Bede’s school bag is compulsory. If senior students [Yrs 5 and 6] require another bag, they are permitted to bring a plain navy backpack rather than purchase a new school bag. School bags are available from the office.
Mr Julian Laffan and Kindergarten 2012
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