POLICIES

ATTENDANCE POLICY

The school asks parents to inform us when children will be absent or late on a particular Saturday. Please help us by ensuring that your children arrive at school on time.

Parent should inform the principal or teacher of their intention to collect their child/children before the scheduled dismissal time.All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT POLICY

The school’s Behaviour Management Policy emphasises positive behaviour with the expectation that students have a choice and they are responsible for their own behaviour.

Each classroom has a clearly defined set of rules at the teacher’s discretion that enables students to be awarded for positive behaviour or experience a set of graduated consequences for the negative behaviour.

Positive behaviour is encouraged by teachers with wide variety of rewards including praise, stickers, rubber stamps, etc.

Negative behaviour is discouraged through a series of consequences, which are outlined below:

CONSEQUENCES
1st time – Warning and reinforcement of correct behaviour
2nd time – 5 minute in class time-out
3rd time – 15 minute isolation form the class, removed temporarily to another class
4th time – In-school suspension, letter home and parent interview requested

Repeated in-school suspension may also lead to suspension from school. Parental support of school policy is always encouraged and appreciated.

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

BULLYING POLICY

Definition:
A person is bullied when they are intentionally exposed regularly to the negative or harmful actions by one or more other people. Bullies are people who intimidate, exclude, threaten and/or hurt others repeatedly. Bullying is a clear form of harassment.Rationale:
The school will provide a positive culture where bullying is not accepted.
Everyone will have the right of respect from others, the right to learn or to teach, and a right to feel safe and secure in their school environment.

Intervention:
Once identified; bully, victim and witnesses will be spoken with, and all incidents or allegation of bullying will be fully investigated and documented. Both bully and victim will be offered counselling and support. If bullying is ongoing, parents will be contacted and consequences implemented that are consistent with the school’s Student Code of Conduct.

Post Violation:
Consequences may involve exclusion from class, school suspension, ongoing counselling from authorised staff. Positive behaviour will be awarded.

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

CLASSROOM FORMATION POLICY

Rationale:
A clearly defined, collaborative process for the placement of children into classes will lead to greater efficiency, increased understanding and improved opportunities for learning.Aim:
  • To have one of the most effective teaching environment by providing one of the lowest teacher to student ratio (maximum 1 teacher to 8 students).
  • To provide each child with the opportunity to be part of a class of children that will allow them the best opportunity to learn.
  • To form well balanced classes of children that take into account the social, motional, academic and physical characteristics of each child.

Implementation:
While the allocation of children to various classes, class structures and class compositions are all ultimately responsibilities of the Principal, a collaborative process that includes the class teachers and on occasions, parents of some students.

The process of forming classes will take place in Week 1 of Term 1.

The Principal, in consultation with the staff and after considering student numbers, will determine the number of classes for the current school year, class sizes and grade levels of each class. Every effort will be made to ensure that student numbers in each class remain low, subject to enrolments and staff availability.

Consideration will be given to gender, the previous class, each child’s ability, behaviour, friendship groups and teacher characteristics. Individual needs and a whole school perspective must be considered.

Whereas possible, composite classes will be established for students whose linguistic ability prevents them from attending the next level.

The student can be enrolled into the Kindergarten class only if he/she attends Australian Kindergarten.

Parental concerns regarding placement must be directed to the Principal.

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

COMPLAINT RESOLUTION POLICY

Rationale
Our school hopes to be consultative and open to communication with staff, parents and children. However, they may still be times when members of the school community disagree or are confused about the things we are doing. Positive, clear and effective process for resolving complains between the school and community members assist in the building of strong relationships, dispel anxiety and ultimately provide students with an enhance learning environment.Aims
To provide clear, positive and fair process that allow complains to be aired and resolved in a timely and effective manner.

Implementation
The established process, as outlined below, will be followed to resolve complains:

  • Try to establish the facts as clearly as you possibly can and be wary of hearsay
  • If the matter involves your child or an issue of everyday class operation, make an appointment to see their classroom teacher, detailing the reasons for the appointment.
    (All appointments must be scheduled after class time to avoid teachers being delayed attending their classes)
  • An appointment should be made with the Principal to discuss issues involving school policy, financial issues, operations beyond your child´s classroom and concerns about staff, or complains that are probably not easily resolved.
  • All grievances are to be kept as confidential as possible.
  • All formal discussions and processes involving complains will be documented.

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

COMPLAINT RESOLUTION POLICY
Rationale
In providing a high quality education that is relevant to the needs of the students Czech and Slovak School of Sydney recognises the importance of parental support and involvement in the school. The basis of relationship between all members of the school community (staff, children, parents) will be one of mutual respect.Aims
To ensure that all members understand and support the school´s position in relation to standards of behaviour.

Implementation
The members of the school community will:

  • Provide positive role models.
  • Support school rules, codes of practice, programs, activities and decisions.
  • Support the implementation of all school policies.
  • Promote a positive image of the school.
  • Provide support and actively participate in school events and extra curricular activities.
  • Acknowledge and accept the school protocol for complaint resolutions.
  • Have high but realistic expectations of all members of the school community.
  • Respect the rights and the property of the host school.

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

CONDUCT

Rationale
In providing a high quality education that is relevant to the needs of the students Czech and Slovak School of Sydney recognises the importance of parental support and involvement in the school. The basis of relationship between all members of the school community (staff, children, parents) will be one of mutual respect.

Aims
To ensure that all members understand and support the school´s position in relation to standards of behaviour.

Implementation
The members of the school community will:

  • Provide positive role models.
  • Support school rules, codes of practice, programs, activities and decisions.
  • Support the implementation of all school policies.
  • Promote a positive image of the school.
  • Provide support and actively participate in school events and extra curricular activities.
  • Acknowledge and accept the school protocol for complaint resolutions.
  • Have high but realistic expectations of all members of the school community.
  • Respect the rights and the property of the host school.

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

DISABILITIES POLICY

Rationale
Czech and Slovak School of Sydney is aware of community expectations for students with disabilities and impairments and their unique educational needs as members of society. The school recognises that the development and implementation of learning programs which allow children with disabilities and impairments to learn and be taught requires active and co-operative partnership between school, parents and students.Aims
To provide all students with learning opportunities that cater for their individual needs.

Implementation

  • The Principal shall co-ordinate and oversee the enrolment of students with disabilities and impairment and the implementation of the program.
  • The school will support staff to enable them to access appropriate professional development opportunities.
  • The school will encourage the acceptance and support of students with disabilities and impairments by members of the whole school community.

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

EQUIPMENT POLICY

Rationale
To ensure adequate levels of quality equipment are available for use by staff when needed.Aims
Government school usually do not allow the usage of their equipment, therefore equipment purchases must be kept within budged and reasonable usage.

Implementation
For the purpose of this policy, equipment is defined as non-consumable classroom teaching related items that have a value greater than $150.00. The principal will be allocated the responsibility of coordinating the purchase and maintenance of all equipment purchases. Equipment will not be purchased for the sole use of a particular teacher or group unless it is clearly demonstrated that this equipment will be conducive to teaching/learning throughout the year.

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

FEES CANCELLATION POLICY

  • In case of cancellation, refund will be issued for any fees that have been paid in advance provided that:
    • Exceptional circumstances are in existence (prolonged illness, move to another suburb that makes extremely difficult for attending the school, financial hardship, etc)
    • The school has been notified in writing (hard copy signed by the parent/guardian, emails will not be accepted)
    • Please note that no money will be returned for the already commenced semester.
  • At all times it is at the school´s discretion to determine the level of refund.
  • The school fees are not refundable when the student is absent from the class unless the above exceptional circumstances are in existence.
  • The school reserves the right to recoup administrative expense from parents who consistently fail to respond to its reminders for outstanding fees.
  • Extension for payment of the fees may be sought from the Principal or by the Educational Committee in writing.
  • A late payment fee of $20.00 is charged on all accounts which have not been paid within 15 days of the prescribed due date.

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

INCIDENT POLICY

An Incident Report Card is to be maintained at every location.Incidents vary in complexity. These guidelines provide a framework for action and would not necessarily be followed in all cases. At Czech and Slovak School of Sydney, the possibility of such incident/s is extremely remote due to limited number of teaching hours and non provision of outings and excursions, however the following 4 principles must be followed:

  • Provision of clear accurate information
  • Description of action to be followed
  • Provision of help for all affected
  • Maintenance of normal school program
  • Obtain accurate information. Deal only with substantial facts.
  • As soon as possible, inform staff, especially those most directly involved, and the Principal. Inform close friends and family individually. Allow questions and discussion as they arise. Dispel rumours.
  • Approach the Community Languages Program and/or the NSW Department of Education and Training to appoint a skilled Support Team to assist in the management of the incident. The team may include staff members, counsellors, external DE&T personnel, support agencies etc. The size and composition of the team will be related to the nature of the incident.
  • To ensure that prompt assistance is provided to students, parents and caregivers consent unequivocally to Medical Attention – Consent. It is the parent´s/ caregiver´s responsibility to inform the school of any ongoing illness – allergies of the students and steps required to thwart an escalation of the problem.

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

MEDICATION POLICY

Rationale
Teachers are occasionally asked by parents to administer medication for their children while at school. It is important that such requests are managed in a manner that is appropriate, ensures the safety of students, and fulfils the duty of care of staff.Aims
To ensure that medications are administered appropriately to students in our care.

Implementation

  • Children who are unwell should not attend school.
  • Non-prescribed oral medications (e.g. head-ache tablets) will not be administered by school staff without parent authorisation.
  • All parent requests to administer prescribed medications to their child must be in writing and must be supported by specific written instruction from the medical practitioner or pharmacist including the name of the student, dosage and time to be administered (original medications bottle or container should provide this information).
  • Consistent with current Asthma policies, students who provide written parent permission may carry an asthma inhaler with them.
  • Classroom teachers will oversee the administering of medication as prescribed and sign the relevant school documentation.
  • Parents/ caregivers of students who may require injections are required to meet the principal to discuss the matter.

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

MEDICAL ATTENTION – CONSENT

It is the policy of the school to notify a parent/ guardian when a child is ill or needs medical attention. Occasionally we cannot contact the parents/ guardian and we may need to get immediate help for the Child. Our procedure is to take the child to the nearest emergency service.

  • You hereby give authorisation to any member of the primary contact staff of the Czech and Slovak School of Sydney to:
    • Seek urgent medical or dental treatment by a preferred doctor or dentist nominated by you, or other doctor or dentist.
    • Take the student to a public hospital
    • Use an ambulance service, or
    • Take the assistance from some other person or body nominated by you as the parent or person responsible, for the student stated in the enrolment application, if the member is of the opinion that it is necessary to do so because the student has been injured, or is ill, whilst in attendance at the Czech and Slovak School of Sydney.
  • You agree to pay for the ambulance service and any other expenses accrued in providing the student with emergency health care.
  • You understand that if any treatment is sought or obtained that the Czech and Slovak School of Sydney will use every reasonable means to ensure that you are notified as soon as possible.
  • You understand that none of the above affects the ability of a doctor or dentist to carry out emergency medical or dental treatment on my child without my consent.

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

OH & S POLICY (Occupational Health and Safety)

Rationale
A healthy and safe working environment is vital to the successful functioning of Czech and Slovak School of Sydney. Promotion and maintenance of a safe working environment is a responsibility shared by all.Aims
  • To ensure that appropriate standards of workplace safety are maintained at all times.
  • To promote a team approach to health and safety issues.
  • To prevent accident, injuries and disease in the workplace.

Implementation

  • Adequate resourcing will be available to ensure that the workplace meets the appropriate Occupational Health and Safety standards. This is conditional upon the state of the Government school premises where our school conducts its classes.
  • We shall be requesting from the regular day school Principal to communicate to our staff all issues relating to OH&S, for example building works being conducted at the school.
  • Process of reporting, recording and investigating incidents, including an incident Report Card, will be adhered to and maintained.

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

PRIVACY POLICY

  • Czech and Slovak School of Sydney is required by law to protect the personal and health information the school collects and holds.
  • The NSW Privacy laws, the Information Privacy Act 2000 and the Health Records Act 2001 provide for the protection of personal and health information.
  • Students particulars and enrolment forms can and will be available to the Community Languages Program of the NSW Department of Education & Training, which are also governed by similar privacy laws.
  • The school will use and disclose personal information about a student, parent and staff when:
    • It is required for general administration duties and statutory functions
    • It relates to the purposes for which it was collected and
    • For a purpose that us directly related to the reason the information was collected and the use would ne reasonably expected by the individual and there is no reason to believe they would object to the disclosure
  • We may collect certain information from visitors who access this website. This information will be used only for purpose of maintaining, improving, updating our website and will not be disclosed to any third party/person other than as stated in point ‘3’. Situation when we collect information may include:
    • questionnaires
    • polls
    • forms (enrolment, contact etc.)
    • uploading any content to website
  • The school can disclose personal information for another purpose when:
    • The person consents
    • It is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious or imminent threat to life, health or safety
    • Is required by law or for law enforcement purposes

The above policy must be read in conjunction with Privacy NSW Office of NSW Privacy Commissioner

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY

Rationale
Relevant Professional Development programs provide opportunities for professional growth, enhanced diversity, improved student learning and effective school governance and decision-making.Aims
  • To provide opportunity for all staff to further their professional skills, knowledge and qualifications
  • To ensure all staff and effective the school, comply with the Community Languages Program requirements

Implementation

  • Professional Development is a shared responsibility between the school and the staff members
  • The Professional Development budged provides funds for whole school and individual Professional Development interests
  • Staff of volunteers attending Professional Development (other than LOTE Teaching Certificate) have a responsibility to report briefly to the remainder of staff/volunteers about the activity and its benefits

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

SUNSMART POLICY

Rationale
Over exposure to the sun presents a serious health risk. Students must therefore be educated as to the need for suitable sun protection, and protected from over exposure to the sun whilst at school. Although the recess of Czech and Slovak School of Sydney is short, we shall continue to encourage students to protect themselves even if exposed to the sun for brief periods.Aims
  • To educate students as to suitable sunsmart protection strategies
  • To encourage children to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun

Implementation

  • Children should be encouraged to wear hats or other headgear during Term 1 and 4 whenever they are outside
  • Children without hats will be restricted to playing in designed shaded areas

Additional information maybe obtained from the NSW Cancer Council Website.

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

YARD BEHAVIOUR POLICY

Our teaching values and professionalism also underpin expectation of student behaviour in the yard. During recess, there are at least two staff members in the yard to support students to manage their behaviour in the yard.
Students are expected to:
  • Treat each other and the environment with respect
  • Be trusted to play safely
  • Be fair to all and maintain a harassment free zone
  • Develop social cohesion by including others, respecting different cultures, skills and beliefs

Students who are unable to work within these guide-lines are reminded by staff.

Students who continue to behave in ways that are not acceptable in the yard, are referred to the Principal or an authorised person replacing the principal on the day.

All policies are also available in PDF format as part of Parent’s Handbook.

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