How Can You Help?
2. Read to your child regularly. Encourage them to try reading as they are ready. Draw your child’s attention to signs and writing on packets.
3. Inform the school of any physical or emotional problem your child may have.
4. Check school bags daily for:-
- newsletters, notes and circulars
- lunch box, drink bottle
- all clothing that left home
- articles that do not belong there.
6. Realise that all children are individuals and develop in different ways and at differing rates and should not be compared mentally, physically, socially and emotionally with other children.
7. Remember that your child’s first year at school is a year of preparation. Don’t become over-anxious or expect too much too soon. A great deal of preliminary work must be covered before children read, write or spell.
8. Do not hesitate to arrange to talk to the teacher if your child is having any problems.
9. On weekend trips encourage your child to take back things to discuss in the classroom.
10. Talk about the maths that the family uses daily. For example counting things, measuring, days of the week, time (two or more sleeps to your birthday, half an hour to tea time), concepts such as more, less, heavy, light, recognising coins.
11. Name the letters of the alphabet. Encourage your child to write messages.
12. Be involved in the activities of the school. If you are able, be parent helpers in programs such as Fundamental Motor Skills and literacy groups.
13. When your child has settled into school you will be invited to take part in various school activities and to attend parent-teacher interviews.
You are encouraged to talk freely with the class teacher, however if you wish to discuss an issue with your child’s teacher, please arrange an appointment at a mutually convenient time so that there is sufficient time to attend to you properly. It is unsatisfactory to try and talk to a teacher who is taking a grade. You may make an appointment by seeing the teacher briefly before or after school, writing a note, or by ringing the school.
One of our main methods of communication is the school newsletter. The Newsletter comes home fortnightly and a News Update is issued on alternate Thursdays. When necessary, special notes are sent home containing information that may pertain to your child.
YOUR CHILD AND HEALTHY EATING
Good nutrition is an important part of preparing your child for school. Your child has the opportunity to eat at breakfast time, at morning recess break (11.00 a.m) and lunch recess time (1.00 p.m). It is very important that you plan meals that cater for their needs over the day.
Breakfast – a smart start to the day
Beginning your day without a healthy breakfast is a bit like going on a trip without putting petrol in the car. Children who skip breakfast:
- lack energy
- have poor concentration
- are missing out on essential nourishment
- feel down
- are more likely to fill up on junk food
A bowl of high-fibre cereal with milk and some fruit (eg fresh or tinned) is one simple way to provide a healthy start to the day.
Snacks at recess time
Active growing children need to snack during the day to get the energy they need. The snacks chosen should provide nourishment as well as energy.
Children also need to drink plenty of water each day but they need to limit the amount of drinks that are high in sugar.
Planning smart lunches
- plan ahead so that you have the ingredients available
- ensure that a variety of foods is included in children’s lunchboxes
- involve children in the selection of foods from the five different food groups
- give children a choice in what they eat to reduce the number of uneaten lunches. If possible, involve children in preparing their own lunch.
CANTEEN LUNCHES
The Canteen operates on Wednesday and Friday.
The procedure for placing a Canteen order for your child is as follows:-
1. Use a paper bag large enough to hold your prep’s canteen order.
2. Write the order on the front of the bag together with your prep’s name, grade and room number and enclose the correct money. If you are unable to give the correct amount of money and require change, the change will be taped to your prep’s paper bag for him/her to take back home. Please do not tape or staple the bag closed.
3. The teacher will ask your prep child to place their order into the Grade’s canteen tub on Wednesday and Friday morning and the tub will then be sent to the canteen for processing of orders.
4. Should the canteen run out of an item your prep would like for lunch, the item will either be substituted with an item equivalent in price or money refunded.
Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to approach us.
