St Mary's School

Northampton

26 Mary St
Northampton WA 6535
PO Box 138
(08) 9934 1112
admin@smsn.wa.edu.au

St Mary's School

Northampton

General Information

Office Times

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday – 8.00am to 4.00pm

Address

P O Box 138
NORTHAMPTON 6535
TELEPHONE NO: (08) 9934 1112
FAX NO: (08) 9934 1115
EMAIL: admin@smsn.wa.edu.au

Classes

Due to enrolment numbers St Mary’s School has split classes, thus it is important that parents understand how the classes are split. When changes are necessary the classes are divided by the Principal, following extensive discussion with the class teacher, in order to establish balanced classes with respect of the needs of the children.

All the current education research shows that children work most effectively in small groups, therefore, the effect of splitting grades is minimal. It is worth noting that in a ‘straight’ grade the individual ability variation can exceed two years above or below that grade level.

Kindergarten

The Kindergarten class ceiling will be held at between 9-15 students per year depending on numbers in other junior primary grades.

Kindergarten is the first year of our school and as such, your child, once enrolled at St Mary’s School will be able to complete his/her primary education within our school.

Parent Participation In The Life Of The School

The school recognises the importance of you, the parents, as the prime educators of your child and the need to effectively involve you in the school’s programme.

You are encouraged to volunteer your skills and time whenever the opportunity arises. It is hoped that you will participate in at least some of the following areas:

  • Attending school related Masses
  • Parent Groups
  • Library
  • Classroom Help
  • Excursions
  • Busy Bees
  • Fundraising
  • Social Functions
  • Supporting your children at functions
  • Parent/Teacher Meetings
  • P&F Meetings
  • Nominating for the School Board
  • Sports Coaching

Parent/Teacher Communication

We respect the right of all our parents to discuss their child’s progress with their teacher. Teachers do appreciate an appointment being made in order to make best use of the meeting time with you. Normally these times are after school.

Principal and Teaching Staff

The Principal and teaching staff are responsible for the daily operation of the school and for establishing and implementing the educational policies of St Mary’s School. Specific problems relating to individual children’s learning difficulties should be addressed to the teacher concerned or the Principal through an appointment.

Reporting

We report to parents using a variety of strategies:

  • Open Classrooms as advertised throughout the term, usually three per term.
  • End of Term Two and Four, Reports for Kindy to Year Six.
  • End of Term Two, compulsory Parent/Teacher Interviews for Kindy to Year Six.
  • End of Term Four, requested Parent/Teacher Interviews for Kindy to Year Six.

2019 Term Dates

Term One Monday 4 February – Friday 12 April
Term Two Tuesday 30 April – Thursday 4 July
Term Three Tuesday 23 July – Friday 27 September
Term Four Monday 14 October – Friday 13 December

 

St Mary’s School 2019 Professional Development & Pupil Free Days:

  • Thursday 31 January – Staff Professional Development Day
  • Friday 1 February – Staff Professional Development Day
  • Monday 4 March – Labour Day Public Holiday
  • Tuesday 5 March – Staff Professional Development Day – Pupil Free Day
  • Monday 29 April – Staff Professional Development Day – Pupil Free Day
  • Monday 3 June – Western Australia Day Public Holiday
  • Friday 5 July – Staff Professional Development Day – Pupil Free Day
  • Monday 22 July – Staff Professional Development Day – Pupil Free Day
  • Monday 24 November – Pupil Free Day – Catholic Day

School Hours

The Principal and teaching staff are responsible for the daily operation of the school and for establishing and implementing the educational policies of St Mary’s School. Specific problems relating to individual children’s learning difficulties should be addressed to the teacher concerned or the Principal through an appointment.

Supervision commences : 8.30am School commences : 8.50am
Morning Recess : 11.00-11.20am Lunch : 1.00-1.40pm
Dismissal : 3.10pm Supervision ends : 3.30pm

Teacher supervision will begin at 8.30am and conclude at 3.30pm. Children should not be on the school premises outside these hours without the approval of the Principal.

Student Absences

Whenever a student is absent, a written explanation from a parent must be presented to the child’s teacher on the day of return to school.

You are required by the Education Act of WA to inform the class teacher in writing of reasons for your child’s absence the first day the child returns to school.

A note of absence could be as simple as:

Dear Mrs Thomas Elizabeth was absent from school on Thursday, 6 May 2015
because she had a sore throat. Thank you.
Mrs N Goody
13 May 2015

A child will be permitted to leave the school during school hours only when a parent makes a written request or calls personally for the child.

Any child leaving the school during school hours must be collected from the classroom by an adult (a parent/guardian or their appointed representative) as they will not be permitted to wait on the roadside.

You are requested to notify the school as soon as it is known that a child’s absence is likely to exceed one week. A long term planned absence (eg. holiday) should be referred to the Principal and class teacher at the earliest possible opportunity.

Art Shirts

All students are to have an art shirt to protect their uniform during art classes or the child will not be allowed to participate in the lesson.

Bicycles

Bicycles are not to be ridden in the school grounds. They must be wheeled to the racks provided. Parents are asked to advise their children to walk bicycles over the crosswalk on the main highway.

Camps

Camps provide unique and valuable educational opportunities for the children. It is traditional for Year 5/6 students of St Mary’s School to attend a biannual extended camp as a climax to their primary school social education. Parents are advised that this camp is heavily subsidised through their support of fundraising activities organised by the P&F and that their support is vital for keeping costs to families to a minimum.

Cultural Events & Excursions

Parents are advised that up to four cultural events/visits are organised each year. Excursions off campus are organised as part of the educational experiences planned for your children and related costs are included in the school fees.

Excursion Permission Forms

You will be notified of these events in the newsletter or a note. If you do not wish your child to attend these events you will need to contact the Office. The form signifies your approval and permission for your child/children to attend the functions appropriate to your child/children’s education as determined by the school. If this note is not returned, your child will not be able to attend the excursion.

Homework

Children will be set homework four nights per week to encourage the development of good study habits. Children are also encouraged to be responsible for completing homework themselves, and having their diary signed by a parent at least once per week. Parents should sight the homework to ensure it has been completed prior to signing the diary. Contact should be made with the class teacher if any inconsistency is noticed in this area.

School Lunches

Lunches may be ordered daily from the BP service station by placing an order (on an envelope, money inside) at school. Price list is available from the office or from our website. A school fridge is available for student lunches and drinks. Please label lunch boxes and drink containers.

Bookclub

The Aston Scholastic Book Club order forms will be sent home and children may buy any of these books by returning the order form and money. Books will be distributed following delivery to the school. Cheques should be payable to:

“ASHTON SCHOLASTIC BOOKCLUB”

A small percentage of sales is returned to the school in the form of book purchases which enlarges our library collection.

Resource Centre (Library)

Children are encouraged to borrow books on a regular basis, and parental assistance is requested to ensure that returns are made in good condition. All children are to have a library bag (available from the school office) at the beginning of the school year.