RESPECT: LEARN IT, EARN IT, SHOW IT.
NEW ENROLMENTS IN 2016
AN INFORMATION BOOK FOR
PARENTS, STUDENTS & STAFF
ANGOURIE ROAD
YAMBA, NSW. 2464
TELEPHONE: 02 66 462420
PRINCIPAL : MRS DIANA FOLEY
The school will ensure each child’s learning is
maximised by providing a secure, caring and
co-operative environment where children will strive
to reach their full potential by learning how to learn
and being responsible for themselves and others.
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Yamba Public School has a proud tradition of providing for the educational needs of the Yamba
Community since 1889. It currently has an enrolment of 380 students and has been housed on the
present site since 1990.
The school provides quality learning programs in all areas of study. Great emphasis is placed on
English and Mathematics especially in the early years as these are considered to be a foundation for
success at school and in later life. School programs are also designed to meet the special needs of
talented students, less able learners and students with disabilities.
The school has a strong emphasis on sport. We have had a number of children reach state level in
Touch Football, Netball and Swimming. Students have permanent access to the internet in their
classrooms as well as in the library. The effective use of technology is an integral part of all learning
at Yamba Public School.
Leadership and responsibility are a priority at all levels, with Year Six students being trained each
year to provide support for younger students through regular peer mediation programs. Our peer
mediation program aims to reduce the incidents of bullying. Discipline procedures at the school
focus on encouragement and the positive aspects of behaviour with students being
consistently rewarded for their achievements. Staff are highly committed to ensuring every child’s
right to feel secure and safe.
The school values parent and community participation. Parent expertise is utilized in class programs,
special activities and sports coaching.
For further information please contact Mrs Diana Foley Principal on 66462420 or just drop in.
Principal
Assistant Principals
Mrs Diana Foley
Mr Ian Clifford
Mr Mark White
Mrs Debbie Woods
Teaching Staff
Mr Craig Paul
Miss Belinda Vidler
Mrs Mikylla Cook
Ms Karen Newby
Mrs Mary Hogan
Mrs Barbara Roberts
Mrs Louise Headon
Mrs Jasmine Grainger
Mrs Gina O’Shea
Ms Janine Burleigh
Mrs Lynne Eke
Mrs Rose Anderson
Mrs Emma Hoffman
Mrs Sue Gould
Miss Sarah Burns
Mrs Rachel Healy
Librarian
Mrs Jill Little
Sports organisers:Stage One
Stage Two & Three
Mrs Debbie Woods
Mr Ian Clifford
School Counsellor
Miss Yvette Crowther
Administrative Manager
Mrs Melinda Reeves
Administrative Officers
Mrs Linda Meyers
Mrs Belinda Connor
Aboriginal Education Officer Hugh Stanley
Teachers Aide Special
Ms Sue Herman
Mrs Janice Biddle
Mrs Sharliehn Ackerman
Mrs Julie Bitton
Mrs Meegan Bell
Mrs Sue-Ellen Hyne
General Assistant
Mr Rod Menzies
GENERAL INFORMATION
BELL TIMES:
BUSES:
9.05a.m.
11.05a.m.
11.25a.m.
1.00p.m.
-
1.12p.m.
2.00p.m.
-
11.05a.m. Class time
11.25a.m. Recess
1.00p.m. Class time
1.12p.m. Lunch with
class teachers
2.00p.m. Lunch
3.00p.m. Home
Angourie/ Lake Wooloweyah
Crystal Waters
Yamba Road
Yamba Town
Orion Drive/Palmers Island
MESSAGE FROM PARENTS AND CITIZENS ASSOCIATION
The P&C Association is one important way in which parents can become actively involved and
contribute to your child’s education. The P&C Association exists to promote the interests of the school
by allowing parents, citizens, pupils and teaching staff to work closely together; to assist in providing
equipment required by the school, to report to and administer the material requirements of the school
and to assist the teaching staff in establishment of school policy and management in all facets of
school activity. (The Guide for P&C Association 1989). In other words, the P&C Association is an
opportunity for parents and others to become involved in our children’s education.
Yamba Public School has a Principal and staff who encourage parent and community involvement
within the school. All these factors combine to make Yamba Public School a school in which everyone
can take immense pride.
Yamba P&C Association meetings are held each month and are advertised in the school newsletter.
The P&C plays an important role in providing funds for resources within the school budget, and
provides input on important educational issues that affect our school.
There is a nominal membership charge of $2.00 to be a P & C member which is reviewed at the
AGM each year.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Please notify the school of any change of address or phone number so school records can be kept up
to date. We NEED to have accurate information at all times.
FIRST AID/ILLNESS
First Aid will be administered for minor conditions. Where an injury is thought to be serious, the
parents will be contacted if possible and the ambulance will be called if deemed necessary. In cases
of illness, parents will be contacted and arrangements made to take children home. Mrs Melinda
Reeves is our first aid officer. The School needs to be made aware of any allergies, asthma etc.
UNIFORMS AND UNIFORM SALES
Girls summer uniform – Blue checked dress or skorts with blue polo shirt, white socks and black
shoes.
Boys summer uniform – Grey shorts and blue polo shirt, grey or white socks and black shoes.
Sports uniform—Girls – Black pleated skirt, skort or shorts, (not board shorts or bike pants), sports
polo shirt, white socks.
Boys – Black shorts, sports polo shirt, white socks.
Other Options available – Long grey school pants for
boys, black or navy straight leg pants for girls.
All uniforms are on sale at: Sea Eagle Fashions, Shop
3, River Street Arcade, Maclean.
ASSEMBLIES
Daily assemblies are held for 5 to 10 minutes to
convey messages to all children. Whole school
Assemblies are held fortnightly on Monday at 2.00pm. Our school leaders run these assemblies and a
class item is presented at each assembly. Various class and individual awards are also presented at
this assembly. Parents are informed of forthcoming assemblies via the newsletter and are
encouraged to attend. Stage One Assemblies are held fortnightly on Fridays at 11.30am.
CANTEEN
The canteen is open each school day. Lunch orders only should be clearly written on a paper bag
and should include the child’s name, class, items to be purchased, price, amount in the bag and any
change required. Orders are to be placed in the basket located in the classroom each morning. Items
may be purchased over the counter at recess and second half of lunch only.
No students are to enter the canteen and pre-schoolers are to play in a selected area in the canteen
keeping out of the food preparation area. No credit can be given at the canteen.
TELEPHONE
Information on school matters is available from the school office from 8.30a.m. to 3.15p.m. The
school telephone number is 66 462420. It is requested that parents keep phone calls and messages
to children during school times regarding after school activities to a minimum and use only in an
emergency.
CANTEEN HELPERS
The operation of the school canteen depends greatly on volunteer parents. A roster is compiled at the
beginning of each term by our canteen supervisor Mrs Julie Coulter. If you are able to help please
contact Julie during school hours on 66 462420. The P&C Association’s insurance policy does not
cover pre-school children and therefore parents must accept full responsibility for their children while
at school.
NOTES
These are sent home when necessary so it is a good idea to check bags and pockets every night.
SPORTS DAYS
All children from Kindergarten to Year 6 participate in sporting activities designed to develop skills
such as loco-motor, kicking, throwing, catching which are used in major and minor games. Parents
help with sporting activities on a regular basis. Sporting details will be announced at the beginning of
each year. Children should wear sports uniforms on these sports days.
SUPERVISION
Apart from normal classroom supervision, teachers are responsible for pupil supervision at the
following times:
Before School – Pupil supervision begins at 8.40a.m. daily with a teacher on duty. The school
cannot accept any responsibility for pupils before that time.
During School Hours – Teachers are rostered on at recess and lunchtime to supervise all
playground areas.
After School – No pupils are allowed to remain in the school grounds after 3.00p.m. except for sports
practice, or with the Principal’s approval.
EXCURSIONS/SPORTING EVENTS
Normal teacher supervision is carried out, sometimes with parent help.
PARKING
Due to safety issues, the school car park CANNOT be used for dropping off or picking up students.
Parents should park outside the school grounds and walk students to and from their car. There is a
Kiss and Drop Zone at the southern end of the bus bay and a parent car park adjacent to this.
SUPPORT TEACHER LEARNING ASSISTANCE
The school enjoys the services of a Support Teacher to assist those children who require additional
assistance with their learning. Children receive personal support for periods of up to one term. Our
STLA is also available to assist teachers with children in their classrooms.
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
Written communication to parents is in the form of the “School and Community Newsletter” which is
sent home each Tuesday with the youngest child in the family. It is also available via email and is
posted on the school website. Community groups are welcome to use the Newsletter to publicise
community activities. The newsletter is sponsored by local businesses and we greatly appreciate
their support.
PERMISSION NOTES AND OR MONEY
Please try to return permission notes etc. promptly as it makes organisation easier for us. Failure to
return a permission note may mean that your child will not be able to take part in that activity. If at all
possible, return money with the permission note or pay via Quickstream which is available on the
school website. All money should be at school before 11.00a.m. Children may miss out on
participating if notes are not returned.
SCHOOL BANKING
School Banking takes place every Wednesday morning. The P&C receive a 35 cent commission for
every deposit made by children. This enables the P&C to purchase valuable resources for the school.
If you would like your child to do school banking, pick up a starter pack from Mrs Meyers in the front
office.
SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT DAYS
The school holds five School Development Days per year. These days are designed to give staff an
opportunity to learn about new curriculum and teaching methods as well as planning and developing
whole school programs and policies. In 1997 the Department of School Education allocated these
days and all schools take part in these on the same day. Children are not required to attend school
on these days. Specific details are published in the school newsletter and discussed at Parents and
Citizens meetings.
INTERVIEWS: PARENT/TEACHER/PRINCIPAL
These can be arranged at any mutually convenient time. Parents are asked to avoid seeking
interviews during actual teaching times, unless it is absolutely urgent. The school Principal is
normally available for interviews during school hours.
Class Teachers, the Principal or the School Counsellor may request interviews with parents when it is
felt necessary and in the best interests of the child concerned.
COMPUTER EDUCATION
Yamba Public School has computers in each classroom as well as a bank of thirty computers in the
Library. All of the computers in the school are networked. Most classes participate in computer
education lessons and this is a component of the Relief from Face to Face program. Classes work
through a skills development program of teaching/learning experiences which provide opportunities
for students to develop and enhance skills in the processes of investigating, communicating and
expressing using the computer as a tool and a resource. Other technology such as the digital
camera, projector ,ipads and Smartboard (interactive teaching screen) are also a part of the students
access to current technology.
We also have two laptop trolleys, with 16 laptops on each. Every child has a subscription to Reading
Eggs and Mathletics.
HOMEWORK
Homework is given when considered necessary and relevant to class educational programs. The
main purpose of homework is to consolidate work taught at school. Homework may be used to
enable children to ‘catch up’ on work missed through absence. It is not the policy of the school to
give homework as a discipline or as future homework practice for High School. Your co-operation is
sought in checking to see whether homework has been given and if so, that it is done satisfactorily.
LIBRARY
Our school library is an educational resource centre providing a large array of literary and factual
texts. It is a centre where research and retrieval skills are taught. We aim to encourage a love of
reading by providing a borrowing service for all children. Each child is required to have a material
library bag to protect our books. The school seeks the assistance of parents in:
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Encouraging your children to borrow books and read often to promote enjoyment,
information and recreation.
Ensuring that books are looked after whilst at home.
Ensuring that books are returned promptly after being read.
Participate in the Premier’s Reading Challenge, and Yamba School Reading Challenge.
PARENT HELPERS
There are a number of opportunities for parents to assist the school staff in the running of the school:
1.
By being an active member of the Parents and Citizens Association (see under separate
heading).
2.
By being available for canteen duty.
3.
By working with small groups from classes for Reading, Language, Maths, Science etc.
4.
By working with sporting groups, both at school or on school visits, or carnivals.
5.
By assisting on school excursions:
Requests are normally made either in a newsletter, or through personal contact with parents by a
staff member.
The school is always in need of parental support, and is most appreciative of the help that it receives
from parents. Parents need to sign on and off whenever they are helping. A register is kept in the
front office.
The school would like to encourage all parents to become active in the affairs of our school and many
opportunities are provided for this during the school year.
LITERACY
Literacy is a major focus in our school. It involves teaching children to read, write, speak and listen.
Knowledge of spelling and grammar are important components of Literacy and are taught explicitly
across the school. Literacy skills are developed and focussed on across all areas of the curriculum.
Literacy development begins at home in the preschool years. Children arrive at school possessing
various levels of literacy. Our aim, via the Best Start Interview, is to identify where children are at and
to take them as far as they can go.
Core literacy resources are used across the school to allow teachers to focus on particular skills and
understandings. These resources are supplemented with additional materials to broaden the literacy
experience at an appropriate level for all children.
ABORIGINAL EDUCATION
The school has strong links with the local Aboriginal Community. We have an Aboriginal Education
Officer. We strive to provide a multi-cultural perspective for all our students. We have an Aboriginal
Education Committee which meets regularly to plan, discuss and evaluate Aboriginal Education.
Teaching programs include six “Key Learning Areas”
ENGLISH
Students will respond to and compose texts. They are provided with opportunities to develop a love of
literature. Students develop the skills to successfully communicate.
MATHEMATICS
Students develop problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills across the areas of Number and
Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, Statistics and Probability.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Students develop skills in scientific inquiry and apply the processes of working scientifically, using
technology as a tool.
HUMAN SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT
Developing understanding, knowledge and skills of inquiry about the natural environment, including
Australian history and geography.
CREATIVE AND PRACTICAL ARTS
Providing opportunities that engender self-appraisal and expression, technical competency and
creativity of others and own work, to encourage the Arts.
PD/HEALTH/PE
Encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle through the development of sport, dance and other forms of
physical exercise and developing knowledge of the body, mind and fundamental interpersonal skills .
BEST START
Kindergarten student’s are assessed as they start school. This enables teachers to build on each
students current knowledge and experiences in literacy and numeracy. A report is sent home to parents
identifying what their child can do and ways to assist their child. Student’s learning in literacy and
numeracy is then tracked using PLAN to assist teachers in determining current learning needs.
HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD TO READ
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Give books, blackboards, whiteboards, pencils and crayons as gifts.
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Go to the library with your child.
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Read yourself. Show that you regard reading as valuable.
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Widen your child’s vocabulary. Be interested in words, discourage baby talk.
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Widen your child’s interests. Have family outings and discuss them with the child. Give your child
as many experiences as possible.
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Don’t let any situation pass. Help your child read the instructions on games, on highway
advertisements and on television advertisements and shows.
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Be careful to listen enthusiastically when your child reads. Tell your child the words he/she
doesn’t know. Give plenty of praise.
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Take time to read to your child but decrease the amount as your child learns to read to
themselves.
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“Talking with and listening to” your child is invaluable. Teach your child to listen, too.
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Know your child’s limitations and be supportive.
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Have a wide variety of reading material available.
Some don'ts for the parents of poor readers
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Don’t become irritated.
Don’t make them feel ashamed.
Don’t force them to read at home.
Don’t tell them they MUST learn.
Don’t be over-indulgent with them.
HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD WITH MATHEMATICS?
As parents we are our children’s first teachers. We continue to teach our children throughout their
years of schooling. We can help our children by making maths fun, interesting and easy to
understand if we:
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Talk positively to our children about maths and listen to their discoveries.
Show how we use maths every day, doing things like shopping, cooking and getting to and
from work.
Encourage our children to look at their world in mathematical ways, e.g. patterns made by floor
tiles, brick walls, natural patterns in trees, pine cones and flowers.
Play games that involve counting, addition, estimation, logic, e.g. cards, draughts, chess and
other board games.
Allow our children to try to solve problems in their own way, e.g. using different things like
counters, pen and paper or calculators.
Talk to our children’s teachers about maths and encourage strong home/school links.
Discuss homework and school work with our children, especially any problems they are
having.
PREPARING FOR KINDER
DOES YOUR CHILD:
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Know his/her name, address and telephone number well enough to repeat if necessary?
Know the safest way to and from school?
Always have a handkerchief or tissues and know how to use them?
Know that hands should be washed before eating and after visiting the toilet?
Know how to use and flush the toilet without assistance?
Know how to do up shoes, especially shoelaces?
Put away playthings and materials after using them?
Take off and put on outer clothing without help?
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
YOU CAN
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Talk to your child about school, where he/she will make new friends, play games, sing and
make things.
Teach your child to put on and do up shoes.
Buy clothes that are easy to manage. The buttons and buttonholes should be large.
Label CLEARLY with FULL NAME, all possessions your child will bring to school. e.g.
raincoat, hat, jackets, jumper, bag, case, drink bottle, lunch box, etc.
Send your child to school on time each and every day!
Give your child simple duties around the home. This will help to foster confidence in the
performance of small tasks.
Allow your child to stay with friends or relatives for short periods of time so that he/she will
accept the fact that it is not always possible to be with parents.
Encourage your child by admiring work when it is brought home. Give paintings and craft
work a place of honour for a few days at least.
Select suitable stories, picture books, radio and television programs for your child.
Yamba Public School
strives for a supportive,
challenging and inspiring
learning environment.