School Information

ARRIVALS, DEPARTURES AND

STREET CROSSING

Students living either east, south, or north of the school should cross via the pedestrian crossing in Mica Street and use traffic islands.  This is the safest crossing for our students.  Students should not enter through the staff car park at the west of the school, as it is not a thorough fare and is provided for staff parking only.  Please do not drive into the staff car park to drop off or collect your child.  Please do not park in the bus zone.  Parking in the bus zone may incur a fine from local law enforcement agencies (eg police).

Please encourage your child/ren to walk sensibly and safely to and from school.  If you pick your child up by car or walk, please do not wave them across the street.  Instead we ask that you walk across and collect them from the gate yourself.  Our children learn by our example, so please set a good example for your children and cross the road in a safe manner, using the pedestrian crossing, where possible.

RESPONSIBLE BICYCLE RIDERS

All students riding bikes to school are required to dismount at the gates and walk their bike into the school grounds, parking their bike in the bicycle racks next to the uniform shed.  In the afternoon, students will walk their bikes from the bicycle racks to the gates and across the appropriate crossing.  It is the law to wear a helmet.  Students should be wearing their helmet as they enter and leave the school grounds and when parking their bike have it secured or place it with their bag near their classroom.

LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS

Students who need to go home will be collected by a parent or guardian.  No child will be allowed to leave the school areas without permission from their parent or guardians.  Students need to be signed out of school by an known adult over 18 years of age at the administration office.  Students arriving after 9.00am or late need to present to the office to sign into school to record the time of entry and reason for lateness.

Assemblies

School assemblies are a regular part of the school’s program. A whole school assembly is held on Fridays at 11.30 am in the school hall. During this time children receive awards and classes present items for students’ enjoyment. Parents and carers are most welcome.

Book Club 

Book Club is organised twice a term. Students are able to purchase books through the scholastic book club. 

Canteen

The school canteen currently operates with a supervisor and parent volunteers for four days per week, on Tuesday to Friday.  The canteen has adopted the NSW Canteen Fresh Taste Program, where school canteens provide healthy alternatives and new products acceptable for canteens.  Foods are categorised in colours similar to the old food pyramid.  Red is occasional food, Amber is carefully selected food and Green is food that is free to ‘have lots of’.  The students and staff enjoy the new healthy menu.

Communication: School-Parent

Most communication between the school and parents is delivered by your children. Teachers at school remind children to carefully deliver all information. Please check to see if there are any notes when your child returns home each day. A regular newsletter is prepared which provides information about upcoming events and happenings at school.

The newsletter goes home each Tuesday.

Change of Family Details

On enrolment parents give full details relating to home address and phone numbers as well as emergency contact details and medical information, including allergies and existing medical conditions.  This information is kept confidential and is only released to staff on a need to know basis.  If any details change during the year, please contact the school.  If there are any legal documents concerning parental supervision or access a copy needs to be kept by the school.

Excursions

Throughout the year students are able to attend a number of excursions which complement classroom lessons. These excursions usually involve walking or catching a bus to the venue. The school also programs two overnight excursions. For years 3 and 4 they alternate between Mutawintj and Silverton. The year 5/6 excursions travel to Canberra, Melbourne and Ballarat.

Interviews

Please contact either your child’s class teacher or the Principal if you have a matter you wish to discuss. Both the class teacher and Principal are usually available. Please contact the school if you require an appointment.

Library

The school has a well equipped library catering for the needs of all the children in the school. Library bags or an alternate bag is compulsory as they are useful for the care of books.

Lost Property

It is most important that all items of clothing be clearly marked with your child’s name.  This also applies to other items such as lunch boxes, school bags, pencil cases, etc.  Whilst every endeavour is made to locate owners of lost property, the school will not be responsible for any items lost.  A clear label makes the task of returning the items much easier.  When buying clothing from the Uniform Shed please remember to label clothing immediately.  Items without labelling are held for a period of three weeks and then distributed to our uniform shed to sell as second hand clothing.  If your children are missing items, please come  in to the front office for assistance.

Notes and Money

Money sent to school to pay for sports and other activities should be handed to the classroom teacher for recording in the class financial folder.  All other larger amounts of money such as Bookclub, school contributions and major excursions should be handed in at the school office for receipting.  Please help to develop your child’s independence at an early age by allowing them the responsibility of delivering money and notes to the office or classroom.  Please ensure money is placed securely in an envelope clearly labelled with name, class, amount and what it is for on the front. If you would like to collect some printed school envelopes from the administration office.  You are most welcome.

Parent Bodies

Becoming a member of the P&C

All parents and carers of students at the school are eligible to be members of the school’s P&C.  All citizens living in the boundaries of the school (School Zone) are eligible to be members of the school’s P&C.  Parents, carers and citizens must pay the membership fee to become a member of the P&C.

Payment of the membership fee must be made by the close of one meeting so that the member is eligible to exercise membership rights (eg vote) at the next meeting.  New members are not eligible to vote at the meeting at which their membership has been paid.  If new members pay their fees to the treasurer in between meetings, they are not deemed financial members until the close of the next general meeting.  If financial members do not attend 3 meetings in a row and have not presented their apologies or a written leave of absence, they are automatically no longer financial members  of the P&C and do not have the right to vote, stand for office or move motions.  This ruling encourages active membership.  The P&C meet the first Monday of each month at 7.00 pm in the meeting room.

Photos

Photographs are taken each year as a keepsake.  Photographs are taken alternately in summer and winter uniform.  Prepayment for photos is required by the photographers.  Order forms and money envelopes are sent home prior to the photos being taken.

The school reports to parents twice a year. Written report cards are sent home at the end of Term 2 and in December. Parent interviews are held in Term 1. Parents or teachers can request interviews at any time of the year.

Scripture

Scripture classes are conducted by visiting clergy and lay teachers every Thursday morning.  All children will be placed in these classes unless otherwise requested by parents.

Support Staff

The school is able to make use of the following personnel to assist with specific programs and students with special needs :

• School Counsellor
  

• Home School Liaison Officer – student absences
  

• Early School Support Program – K-2
  

• Support Teacher Learning Difficulties – K-6
  

• Assistant Principal Learning Assistance
  

• Learning Support Team
  

• Teachers Aide – Special – K-6
  

• Home-School Co-ordinator – ‘Bridging the Gap’ reading program

• Aboriginal Education Assistant

A number of skills based programs are offered at BHPS. During Terms 2 and 3, Primary Students can participate in PSSA sport on Friday afternoons. Team sports are played against other local schools for both girls and boys. Students are also able to participate in learn to swim and water safety programs. Specialist coaching sessions are offered by visiting professional coaches and development officers to all students.

Kindergaten to Year 2 students regularly participate in a structured gross motor program.

   School Vision

School and Sports Uniform