Sandy Strait State School

Providing the Best Possible

Start at School

Parent Information Booklet

The important thing is not so muchthat every child should be taught,
as that every child should be given
the wish to learn.

(*John Lubbock*)

Sandy Strait State School

Robert Street

Urangan

Hervey Bay, 4655

School Telephone:41970333

School Fax:41970300

Student Absence Line:41970360

Email:

School website:

School Facebook Page: School/354729921302918

Office Hours:Monday – Friday 8.00am – 4.00pm

(Answering Machine is in place for messages outside of office hours)

School Starting and Finishing Times

First Siren rings:8.37am

School Day begins:8.45am

School Day finishes:2.50pm


WELCOME TO SANDY STRAIT STATE SCHOOL

Thank you for choosing Sandy Strait State School as the provider for your child’s education. Located in stunning Hervey Bay, Sandy Strait provides a world class education to students ranging from Prep to Year 6.

Every day our students ‘Leap into Learning’ by engaging in exciting curriculum activities to meet individual learning needs. Our staff is committed to delivering a consistent and enriching program that develops student’s skills, knowledge and talents so that they may achieve their ambitions, realise their goals and unique qualities as individuals.

We look forward to working, in partnership, with you and your family to ensure that your child develops to their full potential and has the opportunity to ‘strive for success’.

WHY CHOOSE SANDY STRAIT FOR YOUR CHILD?

Sandy Strait State School is an award winning, vibrant and caring educational institution committed to providing a supportive and challenging learning environment that maximises achievements for all students.

Our students are encouraged by their enthusiastic and committed parents, by our experienced, cohesive and dedicated staff and by their peers and student leaders who contribute significantly to maintaining a pleasant, friendly and rewarding learning environment.

We are fortunate to have air-conditioned Prep classrooms, sprawling school grounds and play areas over 6.4 hectares providingseparate junior school and senior school learning and playground environments.

At Sandy Strait State School parents, staff and students are valued. We promote the genuine involvement of parents, caregivers and volunteers in the learning process and take pride in celebrating our achievements.

Together we strive to:

  • Communicate high expectations for student and staff achievements;
  • Develop curriculum programs that reflect School and Education Queensland priorities;
  • Focus on literacy and numeracy;
  • Provide access to a large range of information communication technologies;
  • Provide a range of extra curricular activities to enhance student engagement;
  • Recognise and support the individual talents and needs of all students;
  • Support our students through social emotional development programs;
  • Report regularly and comprehensively on student progress, and;
  • Provide an attractive and well resourced environment.

BUILDING A BALANCED PROGRAM IN PREP

Prep lays the educational foundations for all students to attain the skills required for success in later schooling. These skills include knowledge and application of language, early literacy and numeracy, sense of self, skills for relating to others and knowledge of the immediate world.

Prep programs offer rich opportunities for differentiated learning experiences to support all students. Through active and dynamic environments, Prep students learn to solve problems, to communicate and to build creative thinking skills.

EARLY YEARS PREP PROGRAM AT SANDY STRAIT

Our Prep year is 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.

Prep teachers use the National Curriculum for English, Mathematics, Science and History and the Early Years Curriculum Guidelines to plan appropriate learning experiences.

The Early Years Curriculum as its essence is about:

-Supporting play as a context for learning

-Understanding each child as an individual

-Developing supportive partnerships

-Providing flexible learning environments

-Assisting children in exploring the world around them and they way in which they learn

Staff plan to connect the experiences of home and school, prior educational experiences and child care placements as appropriate. In Prep, children will be actively involved in learning in different ways. They will be encouraged to develop independence and personal organisational skills, and to work with other children and adults.

In Prep children will be:

-Using blocks and manipulative equipment

-Developing early mathematical concepts and skills

-Drawing and painting to encourage oral language, reading and writing skills

-Initiating and participating in dramatic play to build understanding of the world

-Writing stories and copying signs as part of their play

-Playing and investigating independently, in pairs, in small groups and as a whole class

-Participating in outdoor activities

-Actively making choices about what and how they learn

-Investigating and learning how to find out about their interests

-Planning with the teacher using a plan-do –reflect model

-Participating in music and language experiences

-Experimenting with the use of information and communication technology.

An important part of the Prep Program is the development of early literacy and numeracy understandings and as the year progresses, teachers expect to see an increasing understanding and use of these concepts in preparation for Year 1.

By the end of the Prep year, students will have had the opportunity to demonstrate the following learnings as per the National Curriculum in English, Mathematics, Science and History.

ENGLISH ACHIEVEMENT STANDARD

Receptive modes (listening, reading and viewing)

By the end of the Foundation year, students use predicting and questioning strategies to make meaning from texts. They recall one or two events from texts with familiar topics. They understand that there are different types of texts and that these can have similar characteristics. They identify connections between texts and their personal experience. They read short, predictable texts with familiar vocabulary and supportive images, drawing on their developing knowledge of concepts about print and sound and letters. They identify the letters of the English alphabet and use the sounds represented by most letters. They listen to and use appropriate language features to respond to others in a familiar environment. They listen for rhyme, letter patterns and sounds in words.

Productive modes (speaking, writing and creating)

Students understand that their texts can reflect their own experiences. They identify and describe likes and dislikes about familiar texts, objects, characters and events.In informal group and whole class settings, students communicate clearly. They retell events and experiences with peers and known adults. They identify and use rhyme, letter patterns and sounds in words. When writing, students use familiar words and phrases and images to convey ideas. Their writing shows evidence of sound and letter knowledge, beginning writing behaviours and experimentation with capital letters and full stops. They correctly form known upper- and lower-case letters.

Mathematics Achievement Standard

By the end of the Foundation year, students make connections between number names, numerals and quantities up to 10. They compare objects using mass, length and capacity. Students connect events and the days of the week. They explain the order and duration of events. They use appropriate language to describe location.

Students count to and from 20 and order small collections. They group objects based on common characteristics and sort shapes and objects. Students answer simple questions to collect information.

Science Achievement Standard

By the end of the Foundation year, students describe the properties and behaviour of familiar objects. They suggest how the environment affects them and other living things.

History Year Level Description

Personal and Family Histories

The Foundation curriculum 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...

Read full description

The Foundation curriculum 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 build on their knowledge and understanding of how the past is different from the present.


TEACHING FOCUSSED ON THE ACHIEVEMENT OF EVERY STUDENT

Children enter Prep with different levels of learning, capabilities, prior knowledge, interests and cultural backgrounds. Prep teachers at Sandy Strait understand how these characteristics impact on learning and have realistic but high expectations for all.

In the initial weeks of the school year our teachers intensively gather data on each and every student.

The most important single factor influencing learning is what the learner already knows. Ascertain this and teach... accordingly.

(Ausubel, 1968 cited in Shulman, 2004, p36)

HOME READING IN PREP

AllPrep children will participate in a Home Reading Program, when ready, to compliment the Literacy program within our classrooms.

Children in Prep are involved in Literacy rich activities each and every day in which they are recognising letters, sounds and words, constructing and sharing their own books and developing skills as beginning readers and writers.

A Home Reading Program further enhances these skills, developing the confidence of the children as they read 1-1 with a parent or adult. It also assists children in developing routines and positive habits towards reading, a skill for life.

This program is in alignment with our Home Reading Program currently implemented in Years 1-3 and will be monitored by classroom teachers regularly.

COMPUTERS IN PREP

Sandy Strait State School is a leader in the use of computers and ICTs to support learning. We believe the technology engages learners and motivates them to want to learn. All Prep classrooms have mobile interactive whiteboards, “One Education” 1-1 Laptops for every Prep child, Digi on the Go Kits and computers providing a range of devices to enhance learning and teaching.

REPORTING IN PREP

Parents will receive formal report cards issued at the end of each Semester providing information on your child’s progress in various areas of the Prep Curriculum. These reports cards will be in the same format as report cards issued in Years 1-6.

Parents should feel free to discuss the progress of their child at any time during the year with class teachers.

National Curriculum Key Learning Areas in Prep ( Foundation Year)
English
Mathematics
Science
History
Early Learning Areas in Prep
Social and personal learning
Health and physical learning
Active learning processes
Thinking
Investigating
Imagining
Responding

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS FOR PREP

Your child will need:

1.School bag

2.School uniform and hat

3.Lunch box and water bottle

4.All items as outlined on the Prep Booklist

Our school also has a Student Resource Scheme. The provision of this scheme ensures that well resourced learning by our students remains our key focus. The scheme is not a fundraiser for the school. Its purpose is to provide you, the parent, with a cost effective, value for money alternative to purchasing textbooks, resources, consumables and materials not included on the school’s book and stationery list from elsewhere, through reduced prices gained from the school’s bulk purchasing processes. Fees are paid directly into your child’s classroom account to buy essential resources and materials used in his/her classroom.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

  • Sandy Strait State School is a uniform endorsed school encompassing all year levels Prep – Year 6.(see the Parent Handbook for further information about uniform details and suppliers)
  • Our school is a sunsafe school and children must wear a wide brimmed hat when outside the classroom. The School hat for all year levels is dark greenwhich makes them easily identifiable to others. The hat is washable and is more practical for the gross motor aspects of the Prep program.
  • Prep is a busy place where your child will be involved in “hands on” and often “messy” activities. Whilst they will be wearing aprons when appropriate, they may on occasion get paint or glue on themselves.
  • In the case of accidents we ask that parents pack a spare set of clothes ( play clothes) clearly named in a plastic bag inside their child’s school bag.
  • We would like children to be independent in taking their shoes on and off. Velcro is best as it avoids issues with laces.
  • Please remember to clearly name all of your child’s belongings. It is also a good idea to ensure that the name is visible and easily located.(Please refer to the Parent Handbook for further information about appropriate footwear for school)


WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT PREP

  • Place your bag in the port rack.
  • You are welcome to wait in our Prep garden areas at the front of the Prep classrooms, until the doors open.
  • Please remember that the playground is out of bounds before school due to safety reasons. Children are not to play on any playgroundsor equipment before school.
  • Parents must supervise children before school as school staff are preparing for the day ahead and are not on duty before school
  • When the doors open, please come in and spend some time viewing your child’s work, looking at the exciting activities we have been involved in, reading a book or doing a puzzle with your child or catching up with your child’s teacher.
  • You are most welcome to stay with us until the Prep day begins.

Please inform us if your arrangements for the end of the school day vary or change. Please advise your Prep classroom teacher oralternatively put the details in a note or letter.


MORNING TEA AND LUNCH BREAKS

Children in Prep will be having their morning tea and lunch breaks at the same time as other year levels from across the school.

Morning Tea Break:10.45- 11.15am.

Big Lunch Break:12.45- 1.30pm

Healthy Fruit and Vegie Break

Children in the Junior School may participate in a Healthy Fruit and Vegie Break during the morning session.

At some time usually between 9.30 – 10.00am, the class will stop for a short break to consume fruit or vegetables. The purpose of this break is to provide children with an added energy boost and to promote healthy eating. Only fruit and vegetables are to be consumed during this break. Please send along a small piece of fruit or vegetable serving, prepared and ready to eat.

The Fruit and Vegie break will usually commence early in term 1 for Prep students following the establishment of classroom routines.

Teachers will let parents know during which week this program will commence.

Food Choices for Morning Tea and Lunch

When selecting food for Morning Tea or Big Lunch please send along food already prepared for your child to eat (eg cut up if needed, a spoon included.) We try to encourage independence at this time.

It is also a good idea to include a frozen drink for big lunch as it helps in keeping the lunch cold. All lunches will be kept in school bags until the lunch breaks.

*Please avoid fruit etc in tins as the lids can cut small children.

BIRTHDAYS

We like to celebrate birthdays, but respect any objection to this.You might like to......

  • Send along a simply iced cake, or
  • 30 small patty cakes, or
  • Simply spend time at Prep with your child.

(We do have knives, candles and matches at Prep)

SHARING INFORMATION

Events in family life, such as the birth of a new baby, moving house, visits from Grandparents or other relatives, major illness, accidents or death of friends, family or pets, can be a major excitement or concern for children and markedly affect their behaviour. It is important for the home and school to share information which may affect children, and we would appreciate it if parents would inform the teacher of any unusual happenings. This information will be kept confidential.

PARENTS AT PREP

Parents are always welcome at Prep and we encourage your involvement in the classroom and all school activities.

Parents can also help by:

  • Visiting Prep and becoming involved in class activities.
  • Speaking with your child’s teacher/s
  • Reading the Prep notice boards, newsletters and checking your child’s pocket regularly
  • Discussing any problems or concerns
  • Offering to share interests, hobbies etc
  • Collecting recyclable materials
  • Supporting and encouraging your child to develop a positive feeling of his/her own worth.

TOYS FROM HOME

Children are asked not to bring toys from home unless it is for a “sharing session” or “Star of the Week”. There are plenty of fun and exciting toys at Prep and often items from home can be lost or misplaced. Other items such as collector cards and discs are also not suitable for school and should be left at home.