General Information
School Bell Times
The School Day commences at 9 am and concludes at 3.30 pm.
Lessons 1 and 2: 9.00 – 10.55am
RECESS: 10.55 – 11.25am
Lessons 3 and 4: 11.25 – 1.05pm
LUNCH: 1.05 – 1.50pm
Lessons 5 and 6: 1.50 – 3.30pm
**please note: students are able to be on site at 8.40 am (supervised) but not earlier, unless they are going to OSHC.
Absences
On days when your child is absent parents must inform the school office each day their child is away.
You can use the following methods to contact us:
School phone number: 8278 7182
School SMS number: 0427 016 460
Email: absences.bhps470@schools.sa.edu.au
Please always include:
- Child’s name and class teacher.
- Date of absence and reason.
Please note: the email address and SMS number above are solely for reporting absences not for any other school communication.
If your child will be away for longer than one day or going on an extended holiday please inform the office staff of this too.
Early for school
Yard supervision commences at 8:40 each morning. Students arriving before this time will be sent to Before School Care in OSHC. Note: An exception is made to this rule for students who catch the bus, arriving at 8:25 a.m. These students are required to sit under the trees adjacent to the Administrative Block. Please contact the principal for more information if this affects your family.
Late for school
We understand that this happens from time to time. A phone call is appreciated, otherwise it is recorded in the roll against the student. Students who are continually late may suffer greatly in their academic development, behaviour patterns and late entry often disrupts the learning of the other members of the class. When your child comes to school late they must report to the school office.
Parking / Road Safety
There is a road code that drivers enter Vaucluse Crescent from the northern end and exit via the southern end during morning drop off and afternoon pick up times.
Please use the school side of Vaucluse Avenue as a parking place for your car. This avoids congestion and ensures the safety of our students. The car park has only a very limited number of spaces and these are made available to staff only and definitely DO NOT PARK in the ENTRANCE to the car park.
Alternatively, parking is also available in the church car park, at the back of the school, on Alpha Road.
Uniform shop
The uniform shop, in the front office, is well stocked with a selection of school uniform with both new and pre-loved items for sale. Parents can make purchases from the front office. As we are a Sunsmart School all students receive a complimentary hat on enrolment.
Paying at the office
When making payments there are a number of ways to pay:
- Eftpos and cash payments are accepted at the front office
- BPoint is available with your credit card on the school’s website
Receipts are provided for all payments.
Communication
At Bellevue Heights we pride ourselves in the varied forms of communication we adopt to keep parents and friends informed.
We use See-Saw, newsletters, email, general calendar, face to face meetings and interviews, reports, apps, Facebook and our website.
Newsletter
The school newsletter is published 3 times a term and an on-line link will advise parents when it is available on the school’s website. It includes important information regarding the school, plus community notices and a small, classified section. Printed copies are available at the office upon request.
Seeing your teacher
Teachers are happy to meet with parents at most times, given some notice. It is usually not good practice to begin lengthy discussions with the teacher when dropping your child off in the morning as this is important preparation time for the class. If there is a concern, please make a mutually convenient time as soon as possible. The school prides itself on being efficient in dealing quickly with all student related matters and we rely on your assistance in this regard and your keeping us informed. While you are welcome to email your child’s teacher at a time that suits, please be mindful that teachers are not required to respond after 5pm.
Assessment and Reporting
Teachers, Students and Parents/Carers work in partnership in the assessment and reporting cycle.
- Term 1 – Parent and teacher conversations happen early term 1 to develop home school relationships
- Term 2 – Mid-year written school report (Reception – Year 6), A-E Report (Year 1 – Year 6)
- Term 3 – Three way conversations between parent, student and teacher can happen on a needs basis early term 3
- Term 4 – End of year written school report (Reception – Year 6), A-E Report (Year 1 – Year 6)
**Working together, reflection and goal setting are a focus of Interviews.
**Years 3 and 5 – National Assessments in Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) are conducted in March of each year. A report to the child’s family is then distributed at a later date.
Productive partnerships are valued by the school community. At any time of the year, Parents/Carers are welcome to make an appointment with the classroom teacher to discuss their child’s progress.
Teachers are constantly assessing students in terms of their work, study and social development.
How can parents be involved?
Assemblies
Monday Assembly
An assembly is held for 10-15 minutes most Monday mornings. This is an administration type assembly where we announce sports results and significant events for the week. Parents are most welcome if you happen to be in the school at the time.
General Assembly
During weeks 4 and 9 of each term, the students run their own assembly. Each class takes a turn to host and the assembly provides students with the opportunity to display their work and talents. Parents are most welcome. Notice of assemblies is included in the newsletter calendar. The date may vary due to other activities in the school, like camps, holidays, sports day and so on.
End of Year Concert
The school holds an end of year concert toward the end of term 4 on the soccer oval. It involves all classes and French classes. It is a community event in the evening and families are invited to have a picnic tea prior to the concert. Some food/drinks vans are on site for the evening for your convenience.
Excursions
Classes regularly go on excursions to support the learning programme. Notices go home giving parents advice as to costs and times and money is paid at the school office. When parents are asked to assist with transport there are legal requirements regarding insurance and child seat restraints. This information is available at the office. Payment is required prior to the event for attendance.
**volunteer checks required (see below)
Swimming and Aquatics
The entire school goes out for a week at varying times each year. R – 4 students attend the Westminster School pool for water safety lessons, whilst the 5 – 6 students go to Pt. Noarlunga for aquatics. There is a cost involved and notices are sent home to parents with a swimming consent and medical note. The consent form is essential as students are not allowed in the water without having provided the form to the instructors. Payment is required prior to the event for attendance.
**volunteer checks required (see below)
Governing Council
This is the main decision making body of the school. They generally meet twice per term on a Monday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and they deal with matters such as finance, grounds, sports, education and generally oversee and advise on the smooth operation of the school. AGMs are held early in the school year and parents are generally elected for two year terms. Please contact the principal or the office staff for further information.
**volunteer checks required (see below)
Helping in the class
All staff look forward to having volunteer helpers in their classrooms. Simply talk to your class teacher indicating an interest and the area where you feel you could help and we’re sure they will have you busy in no time!
**volunteer checks required (see below)
Parents and Friends
This group is the schools major fundraising body. They conduct raffles, special lunch days and major events like quiz nights. Help is always needed. If you would like to be involved, please contact the office staff for further information.
**volunteer checks required (see below)
Sport
The school offers a wide range of sports. Sports generally cost $55 for each sport played. Students are offered sports at the beginning of each year and prior to the commencement of the change of seasons. Parents are vital in maintaining a healthy sports programme. Please contact the principal to discuss how you might be involved by coaching, umpiring or being a team manager.
**volunteer checks required (see below)
Sports Day
This happens once each year. Students are placed in four equally divided teams and they engage in a range of activities throughout the day (ball sports, team games, fun activities, competitive racing in sprints, longer distances and relays). Parents are invited to attend where they can and the Parents & Friends Committee usually has a cake & coffee stall. Helpers are also needed throughout the day for varying tasks.
Working Bees
From time to time we hold weekend working bees to tick off those tasks which benefit from a “many hands make light work” approach. They are relaxed, fun events fostering a great sense of community with students, parents, staff working together.
Facilities
Resource Centre… Library / Research Area
Hours
The library is supervised by library staff Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays and is available for returning and borrowing before school starts. On Mondays and Fridays the library is unlocked according to need/use by teachers.
Use
All classes attend the library at least once per week for whole class borrowing and reading time. 2 students in each class are trained to be library experts and they are in charge of borrowing procedures for their class.
We love frequent flyers in the library and encourage students to change over books as often as their reading habit allows! Opportunities are made available by class teachers for students to pop over at mutually agreeable time to support this.
The Research Area adjoining the library is utilised by both small group work and whole class lessons.
Managing Loans
Overdue books means no borrowing, so please help your child manage this. Ways to do this include: provide a dedicated (waterproof) library bag, encourage them to keep it in their bag when they are not reading it (or in the same spot next to bed for older students) and remind them of their dedicated library day. Overdues are communicated verbally, printed overdue slips to take home and via see-saw. On occasions phone calls will be made home also. Please call the library (Tuesdays-Thursdays) should any issues arise with finding or locating a book so that we can put a plan in place and not disadvantage your child.
Premier’s Reading Challenge / National Simultaneous Story-time / Book Week
All students have the opportunity to par-take in the Premier’s Reading Challenge every year through their class. Awards are presented towards the end of the year reflecting the number of years they have taken on the challenge. Each May classes are invited to participate in the National Simultaneous Story-time Day. The same book is read all over Australia on the same day at the same time! Book Week is a combination of lunchtime activities, short-listed book displays and activities, staff videoed readings, theme displays and the all popular Book Week parade. All three initiatives are coordinated by the library.
Specialist Teaching Rooms
French
This is our Language other than English (LOTE). All schools do a LOTE and it is designated on a state-wide grid, largely based on the availability of the teacher and the subject offered at the feeder high school.
All mainstream students receive two lessons of French each week. The programme consists of both language and cultural studies and is undertaken in a dedicated French room.
Performing Arts / Music
Performing Arts lessons are held weekly with a specialist teacher for all classes in the activity/OSHC hall. This includes music, dance and drama. This is a big part of the school and all students are involved.
In addition to school based music lessons, students can also choose to play a musical instrument. Private providers provide lessons for certain instruments and these individual lessons are held during class time. Request to play instruments goes out early in the first term, however, it is possible to start at any time. Please contact the front office for details.
Technology
Computer Suite
The school has a computer suite in the Resource Centre. Students have regular access to the suite during class time. All computers in the school are linked to the internet and the schools intranet. Students also use this suite for NAPLAN and other testing requirements.
Laptop Banks
In addition to a dedicated computer suite, each building has access to a bank of portable laptops for class use as required. There is also an extra set for STEM/Robotics lessons facilitating the coding required.
Ipads
Ipads provide another dimension to learning and our 2 full sets have been equipped with apps to support this. They are borrowed on a needs basis by classes and leadership groups, providing versatility, creativity and engaged learning.
