School Calendar

A copy of the Strathpine State School Code of Behaviour is available from the office upon request or from the school website.

A Short History of the School

Strathpine State School opened in January 1911 with an enrolment of 25 pupils under Mr Irvine as Head Teacher. Three of the first Pioneer families enrolled gave their names to our existing school "Houses".

At Strathpine State School we are committed to developing the necessary skills within all our students to ensure the are prepared for a preferred future. We provide challenging and exciting learning opportunities for all our students that cover the Essential Learnings in the following Key Learning Areas:

Areas of priority within our school include, but are not limited to:

• English

• Mathematics

• Science

• SOSE (Study of Society and the Environment)

• The Arts

• ICT (Information Communication Technologies)

• Health and PE

• LOTE (Languages Other Than English)

We have a strong focus on the development of literacy, numeracy and ICT skills. Our teachers and specialist staff provide a variety of activities that cater for the needs of all students.

A key feature of our school program is the daily 2 hour literacy block. During this time, students are explicitly taught the skills of reading, writing and oracy. Students are also taught critical literacy skills which will enable them to become informed, literate members of our society. 

The philosophy underpinning the Early Years at our school include:

• a belief that learning is a lifelong process

• making education a full and effective partnership where the roles of teacher, children, parents and the wider community are recognised

• creating a supportive and flexible environment

• the promotion of purposeful play as an integral part of how early learners construct meaning in their world

• catering for diversity of needs and learning styles, recognising that early learners are active learners.

At Strathpine State School we strive to:

• have a continuity of curriculum from Prep to Year 3 through the development of the Emergent Literacy Profile from Prep to Year 1

• build knowledge based on children's prior learning from Prep

• plan and implement balanced, flexible programs which cater for children's different learning styles

• incorporate technology into the key learning areas

• reflect on current teaching/learning practices to ensure continuous improvement in learning outcomes.

MIDDLE SCHOOLING PHILOSOPHY (4-7)

At Strathpine State School we recognise and cater for the distinctive needs of students in the middle phase by:

• building on the foundational skills of the Early Phase of Learning and developing more sophisticated literacy and numeracy skills

• providing intellectually rigorous and challenging units of work based on a variety of high interest topics

• encouraging students to develop as autonomous learners, experiencing success, in activities that they value and developing their sense of competence.

INTEGRATED UNITS OF WORK

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

This school has the services of a visiting Physical Education Resource Teacher. Students participate in weekly lessons conducted by our PE teacher. Skills and rules are taught each week, with emphasis on participation, teamwork and sportsmanship.

In accordance with the Smart Moves initiative, all students participate in a daily fitness program. Students engage in a variety of activities for 30 minutes each day under the supervision of the class teacher.

School swimming classes are conducted as part of the Physical Education Program. An annual swimming carnival for Years4-7 takes place in Term 4.

The School Interhouse Sports Day is held in the third term.

Students in Years 6 & 7 participate in the District Inter-school sports competition.

A Support Teacher (Learning Difficulties) assists class teachers with children who are experiencing learning difficulties. This assistance may take the form of:-

(1) taking part in the teaching team;

(2) testing children and, in some cases, referring children to the Guidance Officer for more detailed tests;

(3) making educational adjustments for individual children or small groups

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Religious Education is provided within the school program by personnel representing various denominations. At the commencement of each school year parents will be advised of classes for the year. At this time parents may notify us in writing if they do not wish their child to attend.

School Policies

BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT
School rules are established to ensure the health, safety and well being of students and the protection of property. Rules are of a common sense nature and in the classroom they are developed collaboratively between the teacher and the students. They reflect the core values (5Cs) that were developed by the members of our school community.

On occasions it may be necessary to seek the support of parents in developing strategies to effectively manage unsatisfactory behaviour.

All students are assigned a Behaviour Management Level of Responsible on entry to the school Staff meet twice a term to discuss Behaviour levels. Any changes in levels is communicated to parents/caregivers.

HEALTHY EATING

The School Tuckshop offers a menu that is based on the Healthy Foods Policy. Students are encouraged to bring healthy food and drink from home. Children are asked to bring a piece of fruit for our daily fruit break. 

SCHOOL SAFETY

Enclosed shoes or sandals to be worn. Slip on shoes such as thongs or scuffs are not permitted.

Items of jewellery are not to be worn as they are not part of the uniform and some create a safety issue eg long ear rings or necklaces which could be pulled. The only exceptions to this rule are ear ring studs and watches.

SUN SMART

In 2005 the school adopted a Sun Smart policy. The school bucket hat, legionnaire's hat or a wide brimmed hat are the only hats allowed to be worn at our school. Caps are not allowed. Hats must be worn for all outdoor activity. No hat - no play.

UNIFORM

Children may wear House Sports Shirts on Physical Education and sports days. Year 7 students may wear Graduation shirts after they have been distributed. Band and Choir also have a uniform.

ACCIDENTS

Accidents may happen despite our taking all reasonable precautions. Every endeavour is made to contact the parents. Occasionally it is impossible to contact anyone and in such cases the principal acts 'in loco parentis' (in the place of parents) and decides what action should be taken.

ATTENDANCE

It would be appreciated if parents co-operate in the matter of regular attendance of children. In accordance with Regulations a written note is required to be sent with the child on his/her return to school. Telephone contact with the office is an acceptable method of explaining a child's absence.

It upsets most children if they are too late to enter the classroom with the others. Moreover, it disrupts lessons when pupils enter the room late. Children should be at school by 8.45 am in order to be well prepared. Students arriving at 9.00 am are required to report to the office to collect a late slip.

Before school we request that students do not arrive at school before 8.30 am. Should a child need to arrive before this time we strongly encourage you to use the YMCA Before School Care facility. Students are asked to congregate in the tuckshop area prior to the 8.30 bell. Thereafter they may proceed to their classroom.

COLLECTION OF STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL

Parents/caregivers and older siblings who collect students from school are to ensure they assemble in the undercover tuckshop area and not proceed to the classrooms until the 3.00 pm bell has sounded. This minimises distractions for both students and teachers.

In accordance with guidelines from Education Queensland this school will be adopting the following procedures regarding administration of medication to students.

a) Only medication prescribed by the student's medical practitioner may be administered. Please use the forms found at the end of this booklet.

b) A parent/legal guardian must, in the first instance, make a written request to the Principal of the school.

c) All medication should be sent to the office.

d) A teacher or other adult person on the school staff authorised by the Principal may give oral medication, provided it is given strictly in accordance with instructions written on the medication container by the pharmacist at the medical practitioner's direction and is requested by parent/legal guardian in writing. Please use the forms found on page 24 of this booklet.

e) All medication administered will be recorded at the office.

a) Non-prescribed oral medications (such as analgesics and over the counter medications) will not be administered by teachers or other persons on the school staff.

b) With the approval of the Principal, students may be responsible for their own inhaler.

c) If parents have children who are on long-term medication, they are requested to authorise and provide specific details each year.

PUPILS' BELONGINGS

Children are not to bring excessive amounts of money, items of jewellery, portable CD players, Ipods or other expensive items to school. Should a mobile phone be necessary for students at school it must be handed in to the Principal each morning and collected at 3.00 pm each afternoon. As a general rule, only items for school programs should be brought to school.

REPORTING TO PARENTS

Parent/Teacher interviews are conducted during Term 1 and 3 each year.

Comprehensive written reports are issued at the end of each semester.

Parents may make an appointment through Administration to meet with a teacher at any time during the school year.

SCHOOL BANKING

School banking takes place each Tuesday morning. This is computerised through the Commonwealth Bank. Apart from the convenience, the school is paid 35 cents per transaction to perform the task. This money is paid by the Commonwealth bank and in no way affects your child's balance.

At the commencement of the school year, children will receive information regarding opening a savings account.

SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

The Strathpine State School Newsletter is published each week and is distributed each Wednesday through the eldest child in the family. It is a means to be fully informed of what is happening in the school and of upcoming events and dates. You are also able to view this on the school website at www.strathpnss.eq.edu.au

Strathpine State School is serviced by Thompson's Coaches morning and afternoon. Thompson's Bus Service - Phone 3882 1200 or 3882 1122

THE SCHOOL DAY

The school day begins promptly at 8.50am.

Morning Tea is from 11.00am to 11.30am.

Lunch is from 1.00pm to 1.45pm.

The school day finishes at 3.00pm.

Children will be released at 3.00pm. No detentions are given after school unless by prior arrangement. Children are not to remain in the school grounds after school without supervision nor return to play again without supervision.

FIRST DAY PROCEDURES

For those who returned Admission Forms prior to the Summer Vacation:

• These children will be enrolled in a class before the start of the new school year.
• Class lists of pupils, their teachers and rooms will be placed on the information board by the Tuckshop after midday on Friday 23 January, 2008.

For those Year 1 children who have not returned the Admission Form:

• These children and their parents/guardians are asked to report to the school office. Proof of date of birth will be required.

For those transferring from another school:

• Please report to the office for completion of the Admission Form and allocation to class.

ENROLMENT

• Please fill in the Admission Form for the enrolment of your child.
• You may care to contact the Principal to discuss confidential information concerning your child's enrolment. Please contact the Administration Officer to arrange for an appointment.
• A birth certificate must be presented as proof of date of birth.
• To be eligible to enrol in the Preparatory Year in 2009 a child must turn five on or by 1 July 2003 and 30 June 2004.

It is helpful if your child knows the following:-

(1) Name (Prep - Year 1)

(2) Residential Address

(3) Telephone

(4) How to do up buttons and tie laces, etc. (Prep - Year 1)

(5) Road hazards, road crossings and route to take to and from school

Your concern should ensure that your child does not loiter on the way home, visit friends without your approval or talk to strangers.

PUPIL REQUISITES

Separate booklists have been prepared with a view to keeping costs as reasonable as possible. We have tried to reach a compromise between expense and necessity.

The only items advisable to be taken home are those actually needed for homework. Parents are able to inspect their children's belongings at school. We do seek your cooperation in encouraging pride and care in books taken home. All books should be neatly covered. For our part, we will be insisting upon a system of 'minimum acceptable standards of work' with normal supervision to ensure economical use of paper, etc.

Items such as dictionary, manuscript, anthology, calculator and mathematics set are intended to be used over several years. 

The Strathpine State School P & C Association meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 6.30 pm in the staffroom. All parents/caregivers are encouraged and most welcome to attend. Meeting dates are advertised in the school newsletter.

Please consider joining the P&C and make your voice heard. The meetings are the ideal place to exchange ideas and opinions in a relaxed setting. It's the place to get to know what is happening tin our school and to become involved with your child's education.

Each year at the AGM Family Contribution fees are discussed and set for the next year. These resource levies are currently set at $20 for the first child and $10 per child thereafter with a family maximum of $40. These contributions are required to assist the school to purchase enhancements for school learning such as computer upgrades and computer software, reading books and sports and playground equipment.

UNIFORM SALES

The school uniform shop is located right beside the school tuckshop

The P&C sell uniforms from the school Uniform Shop. A limited selection of second hand uniforms are also available.

The Uniform Shop will be open for sales at the following times:

For the remainder of the year the Uniform Shop will be open for uniform sales at the following times:

• Wednesday - 2.30 pm to 3.00 pm

TUCKSHOP

• First Tuckshop day will be Wednesday 28 January 2009
• The Tuckshop is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8.30am.
• The Strathpine State School Tuckshop operates on a bag system. Bags with money enclosed are handed in at the classroom. The teachers nominate pupils to collect the class orders before morning tea and lunch.
• No plastic bags please - paper bags may be purchased on your child's order for an additional cost of 5c per bag.
• Separate bags for hot food and drinks are required.
• Separate bags for morning tea and lunch are requested. 
• No late orders will be accepted unless approved by Administration.
• Click here to go to the Tuckshop Menu.

• Sample Bag Order

Lunch and morning tea orders are to be written out on separate bags.

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• Iceblock orders are circled by the Tuckshop ladies and the child brings the bag back to the Tuckshop to collect them.

TUCKSHOP VOLUNTEERS

The tuckshop always welcomes volunteers and new faces to help out for even one hour at a time. Volunteering in the tuckshop is a wonderful way to help out at your child's school as well as meeting new friends. Everyone has something in common, a child at the school with a very happy face that love to see their Mum or Dad helping at the school. Please consider volunteering some of your time to this wonderful service. Lisa is only too happy to  let you know how you can help. Please feel free to call Lisa at the tuckshop for more information on 3482 9218.

YMCA (Before and After School Care)

Parents are strongly encouraged to make use of this facility if they need to drop their child off before 8.30am and cannot collect promptly by 3.00pm.

The administration and staff cannot be held responsible for students arriving before this time or for students not collected promptly at 3.00pm.

The Uniform Shop is open on Wednesday afternoons from 2.30 - 3.00 pm.

If you are unable to make it at this time arrangements can be made for your convenience to purchase uniforms by telephoning the Tuckshop on 3482 9218.

If your child/children requires medication to be administered at school, the following form needs to be completed with all the required information.

• Any changes in medication will necessitate a new form accompanied by written advice from a medical practitioner and with the medication in the original labelled container.
• This from must be completed for even one dose of medication.

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Name of child : ____________________ Year level : _________

Date medication required from: ________________ to ________________

Dr : ________________________

Dosage : ______________ Name of medication: _____________________

Exact Time for dose to be administered : ____________________

Potential side effects or adverse reactions: _________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Signature of parent/caregiver: ____________________________________

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