BEGINNING OF YEAR ARRANGEMENTS
Beginning school can be exhausting for children in the first few weeks. To assist with transition to school special arrangements are in place for Foundation children.
The first day for ALL Prep students will be Wednesday 31st January, 2024.
During first term Prep children will attend school from 8:45am to 3.25pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. For the first 5 weeks of term 1 children will not attend school on Wednesdays.
THE DAY TO DAY ROUTINE
School commences each day at 8:55am. You are encouraged to have your children at school by 8.45am. Please be aware that the doors remain locked until 8.30am.
Before school the yard is supervised from 8.30am. After school, supervision continues until 3.40pm.
A typical day in Prep may look like:
8.55 – 10.25 Investigation Time
RECESS
10.55 – 12.55 Numeracy
12.55 – 1.10 Literacy
LUNCH
2.00 – 3.00 Literacy
3.00 – 3.25 Religious Education
SCHOOL FINISHED
ATTENDANCE
Daily school attendance is important for all children and young people to succeed in education and to ensure they don’t fall behind both socially and developmentally. It is important that children develop habits of regular attendance at an early age.
Parents are required to ensure their child attends school and must provide an explanation if their child is absent from school. This may be done through PAM or by phoning the office on 5382 3000.
PUNCTUALITY
At SMJ we classify a child as late if they arrive at school after 9.30am. Children are expected to be signed in by a parent if they arrive after the bell. If a child is 10 minutes late everyday by the end of the year that is the equivalent of 8 days away from school. Please ensure that your child is on time for school every day. The beginning of the day is important for the children to organise themselves, borrow readers and catch up with friends allowing them to be settled and ready to learn.
PLAY BEFORE EATING
At SMJ the children go outside at the recess and lunch break and then come inside at the end of the break to eat.
The benefits of this are:
- Calmer more relaxed students who are ready to learn
- Students throw away less food
- Playground issues are sorted out over lunch
- Fewer discipline problems
A fruit break is provided at 12.00pm for those children who need a snack.
FOOD AT SCHOOL
ANAPHYLAXIS AND NUT PRODUCTS
We are not defined as a nut free school, we however take food intolerances and allergies seriously. Please notify the school as soon as possible if your child has any known food or other allergies.
‘FRUIT’ BREAK
Students are requested to bring a piece of fruit or vegetable (may or may not be cut up) to snack on in class during the morning.
DRINKS
Students must bring a drink bottle to school filled with water only.
STATIONARY
All stationary supplies including writing equipment and books are provided to the students. Students do not require pencil cases as stationary is used and shared in the classroom.
READING
TAKE HOME READERS
Students take home readers every day. Children select a book from the appropriately marked ‘coloured sticker’ and borrow from the Prep tubs daily. Each night students are expected to read at home with an adult which is recorded in their reader diaries.
TOILET ROUTINE
While settling into school Preps are taken to the toilet frequently throughout the day.
In the event of an ‘accident’ a parent/carer will be notified immediately to bring a change of clothes. You may also like to pack of change of clothing in your child’s bag.
COLLECTING CHILDREN AFTER SCHOOL
Please ensure that you are at school to collect your child by 3.25pm. For the first term, prep students are walked out to the gate on McPherson St near the portable buildings. Students are not permitted outside the gate until their parent or carer is present to collect them.