Frequently Asked Questions - Daily Activities

Assemblies

Assemblies are held regularly throughout term time.

On Monday morning the whole school assembles in the quadrangle at 9.10am. At this time the Principal addresses the children, the band plays the National Anthem and the national Flag is raised.

Assemblies for the children in K to Year 2 are held in the hall each Thursday morning at 9.15. During this assembly the achievements of the children are acknowledged and celebrated by means of the presentation of the "Book of Gold" awards. Parents should feel free to attend and indeed students appreciate the attendance of parents, particularly when they are receiving special awards.

End of term Assemblies are held for K to 2.

Assemblies for the children in Years 3 to 6 are held in the hall immediately after recess every second Thursday of term commencing on week 1. Awards commending children's attainments in academic, sporting and/or citizenship areas are given at each Assembly.

Sports assemblies are held for the children in Years 4, 5 and 6 after sport on Friday afternoon. A representative from each of the sports played that day gives a report on the activities of the afternoon.

Presentation Day is held for the children in Years 3 to 6 at the end of Term 4. At this time academic, citizenship and sporting awards reflecting achievement throughout the whole year are presented to the children. In addition a variety of special awards for outstanding achievement in areas such as leadership, band, all-round improvement, visual arts, dance, and public speaking are presented. The School Captains for the following year are also announced at the Presentation Day.

Band

Roseville Public School runs a comprehensive and widely acclaimed band program for the children in Years 3 to 6. Approximately 170 to 180 children are actively involved in the band program in any year. The band program is made up of three concert bands, a wind ensemble and a stage band.

The Beginner Band is made up of mostly novice musicians from Year 3, most of who have not previously played a musical instrument other than as part of the Year 2 recorder program. No previous musical knowledge is necessary and the children do not at this stage need to know how to read music. Early in Term 1 the band organisers help the children to make choices about the instruments they would like to play. The children are also tested to determine their understanding of pitch, tone and rhythm. Instruments are allocated according to these choices and the results of the tests, and so that the band has a good balance of instruments. At this stage instruments may be hired from the school if available, but anyone who owns their own band instrument will automatically gain entry to the Beginner Band.

The Beginner Band rehearses on Wednesday morning from 7.45am and all members of the band are expected to attend.

The Junior Band is made up mostly of children who have spent a year in the Beginner Band and children who are not quite ready to play with the Senior Band. Entry is by audition, which is held in week 1 or 2 of Term 1 each year. Children in the Junior Band are expected to have private music lessons to supplement what they are doing in the band program.

The Junior Band rehearses on Monday and Friday mornings from 7.45am and all members of the band are expected to attend.

The Senior Band is made up those children who are ready for the more difficult music the Senior Band plays. Entry is by audition, which is held in week 1 or 2 of Term 1 each year. Children in the Senior Band are expected to have private lessons to supplement what they are learning in the band program.

The Senior Band rehearses on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7.45am and all members of the band are expected to attend.

Two ensemble groups are chosen each year from the Senior Band. The Stage Band includes children from the percussion and brass sections, and The Wind Ensemble includes children from the wind sections. Both of these groups are required to attend additional rehearsals, which are usually held during lunchtime.

Band activities and requirements The members of all the bands are expected to attend various activities throughout the year. The most important of these is band camp, which is held over a weekend in May each year. The children will be away from home for two nights from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon.

Each of the bands also participates in various music festivals and competitions throughout the year, usually at the Willoughby Town Hall at Chatswood. These performances are usually held outside of school hours and parents are required to ensure the children attend as required. Notes are sent home by the band organisers well ahead of time to ensure parents know the details of these events.

Musicale

The grand finale of the band program each year is the Musicale. This is held in November in the Willoughby Town Hall in Chatswood, and all the bands and ensembles and the Year 2 recorder group perform to show what they have achieved during the year. Performances are also included from the school dance groups and choir.

Before and After School Care

Care is available near the Roseville Chase Community Centre Hall. For further information contact Kids Care on 9417 2732

Buddy System

Roseville Public School understands that starting school can be a daunting experience for small children and has a Buddy System which links the children coming into Kindergarten with a child in Year 6 or Year 5. The Kindergarten children meet their buddy on their first day of school and see them each day for lunch during the early weeks of Term 1. The older children help ease the small children into the school community and develop a permanent link with them. Usually by the end of Term 1 the Kindergarten children have developed enough confidence to manage the playground with they own friends.

Bullying Policy

Roseville Public School has a Zero Tolerance to Bullying Policy. The policy is reviewed each year within each class and revisited by the class teacher if the need arises. Students are encouraged to report any circumstances of bullying to the class teacher, the teacher on playground duty, or to the Principal or Deputy Principal. The school enforces Zero Tolerance to Bullying. Generally speaking incidences of bullying are of a minor nature and can be effectively addressed if the staff is alerted to any problems of concern. A brochure dealing with some aspects of bullying is available from the school office.

Bus Travel

Buses deliver children to school and collect children from school at the bus stop in Addison Avenue near the corner of Archbold Road. The children waiting for the buses in the afternoon are supervised by a rostered member of the teaching staff. Children in Years K to 2 are entitled to free bus travel on both private and government buses. Application forms for passes can be obtained from the school office. Children in Years 3 to 6 are only entitled to free travel if they live more than a certain distance from the school. Applications for bus passes must be made through the appropriate bus companies.

Private bus routes cover:

• Lindfield
• Roseville Station
• Chatswood Station

Enquiries concerning the streets on the routes and entitlement to passes and free travel can be made through Shorelink Buslines and Forest Coach Lines

Government bus route covers Castlecrag.

An enquiry concerning the streets on the route and entitlement to passes and free travel can be made by contacting the Government bus depot at Willoughby.

Canteen

The canteen is operated by the Roseville Parents' and Citizens' Association, who use the profits for the benefit of the children at the school.

The canteen operates three days a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, when it provides a lunch order service for the children and teachers. It also opens on those days at recess and lunch for over the counter sales of smaller items.

Lunch orders must be posted through the canteen door before school commences and the prepared lunches are delivered to the classroom for distribution at lunch. A price list is available from the canteen and is re-issued through the weekly bulletin each term, or as prices vary.

The canteen is managed by a staff of one permanent and many volunteers. The volunteers assist in making the ordered lunches, preparing some of the goods for sale over the counter such as muffins and fairy bread, serve at the counter during recess and lunch, and clean-up at the end of their duty. They usually attend once or twice a term and should arrive as school commences in the morning. They can expect to finish their duty between 1.45pm and 2pm.

Clothing Pool and Uniforms

The Clothing Pool is operated by a committee of the Roseville Parents' and Citizens' Association and by volunteer parents who usually help once or twice a term. New and some used uniforms are sold through the Clothing Pool, and it is the only place where items bearing the school crest can be purchased. The P & C use the profits from the Clothing Pool for the benefit of the school.

The Clothing Pool is located in portable accommodation near the carpark in the South West corner of the school in Duntroon Avenue.

Clothing Pool hours are:

9.00am to 11.00am first Monday of the year 2.30pm to 3.30pm first Thursday of each term 4.00pm to 5.00pm first Saturday of terms 1, 2 and 3 8.30am to 9.30am every Tuesday of each term

Items may also be ordered from the Clothing Pool by leaving a completed order form (which can be obtained from the school office) with the appropriate money at the school office. The order will be filled and the clothes will be delivered to the nominated child to bring home.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Children who regularly speak a language other than English may require more intensive tuition in the English language or grammatical construction. A specialist teacher conducts these lessons during class time. All work is planned in consultation with the class teacher.

Excursions

Excursions are arranged by classroom teachers as enrichment to the work being covered in the classroom. All excursions have the approval of the Principal/ Deputy Principal.

Permission notes requiring a parent/guardian signature are sent home in advance whenever money is required and / or the children need to leave the school grounds. Excursion costs are invoiced each term.

Handwriting

1. Slope - all letters (printing included) are sloped.
2. All single letters commence at the top line.
3. Shape has changed to ellipse
4. Complete changes to y,v,w,e and k.
5. Change in linking letters.
6. Children are taught to use NSW Foundation style of handwriting.

Homework and helping your child at home

All parents want their children to achieve at school, and are prepared to assist at home. Below are several suggestions to make your assistance productive.

1. Always be supportive of the school and his / her teacher in the presence of your child. If you have concerns you wish to discuss, you are always welcome to come to school and do so.
2. Make sure that your expectations of your child are realistic.
3. Remember that children develop and mature at different rates.
4. Do not compare your child with another child, either from the class, or family. Children should be rewarded as individuals, and thus compete against their own previous best efforts. If there is competition between siblings it often helps to separate them during homework.
5. Always try and conduct homework / help in a calm, supportive atmosphere. Choose a time when you are able to help. Naturally as parents you are emotionally involved with your child's success, so it is important not to portray feelings of impatience or disappointment. If you feel there is tension it is best to terminate the session, or withdraw yourself from it. It is damaging for children's confidence to be reminded that they are not meeting parental expectations.

BE POSITIVE AND LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO PRAISE

Success breeds success and enthusiasm. Failure or perceived failure leads to avoidance, disinterest and unwillingness to try.

The amount and format of homework will vary from grade to grade and parents will be told of homework requirements at the beginning of the year.

The purposes of homework are:

• To consolidate work done in class;
• To gradually prepare children for the study habits which they will have to acquire in secondary school;
• To teach children to organise their leisure activities around their other responsibilities.

The process of doing homework is just as important as what the child actually does. Especially as children get older, they should be encouraged to organise themselves so that as well as time for play, sport, ballet, music, TV they leave aside sufficient time for homework. This time should be free from other distractions and, if possible, homework should be done in a quiet place. One of the most important aspects of homework is to train children to be responsible and independent.

A school policy exists regarding homework, and parents should seek further information from the school office.

Library

1. All classes have rostered Library lessons.
2. Children borrow during library lessons and should carry a bag to protect books.
3. The Library is open before school (except Wednesday) and second half lunch for children to use.
4. The Library is closed at lunchtime on Friday.

Lost Property

Many pieces of uniform and other items such as lunch boxes and drink bottles are lost each week and sent to Lost property. If parents are aware that an item is missing, it is worth checking the Lost Property several times over a period of at least a week. Things have been known to turn up again after as much as half a term of being "lost". The best way to avoid losing things is to ensure that all property is clearly labeled, and particularly with labels that are clearly visible and able to the recognised by the children who own the items.

1. Lost property is centrally located in the hallway adjacent to the Library.
2. Lost property is displayed at regular intervals.
3. All property should be clearly labeled.

Parking and Road Safety

Many parents bring their children to and from school by private car. Parents are not permitted to park in the school grounds and need to park along the streets that border the school. It is essential that parents observe the speed limits and parking restrictions around the school and cross roads at properly designated road crossings. These are in place for the safety and protection of the children and should not be ignored for any reason.

Playground Supervision

Teachers are rostered on duty in the playground before school (this duty commences at 8.40am), at recess and lunchtime. Please note that there is no supervision for children who arrive at school before 8.40am. Children are supervised when boarding buses in the afternoon and most mornings when crossing at the lights in Archbold Road.

Scripture Classes

Wednesday

Years 3-6:   9.15am
Years K-2:  9.45am

Scripture lessons are taken by the clergy or a person appointed by them. At present, classes are Anglican, Catholic, and combined Presbyterian and Uniting. There is an area on the enrolment form where parents may indicate the religion/Scripture class they choose for their child. Parents may also indicate non-scripture. If you do not wish your child to attend a scripture class then please indicate this at the commencement of each year in a letter to the class teacher. Children not attending scripture will be supervised by teaching staff.

Sport

K to Year 2:

All children will be involved in a graded skills development program to cater for muscular co-ordination, flexibility and movement. These skills are the basis of skills required for major sports.

Years 4 - 6 - Public Schools Sports Association ( PSSA )

Teams are chosen to compete against other schools in the area in the following sports. Selection for the teams involves trials at the beginning of Term 1 for the summer sports and Term 2 for the winter sports. Summer (Terms 1 and 4 ) Softball, T-Ball, Cricket Winter (Terms 2 and 3 ) Netball, Soccer

Years 3 to 6 - General Sport

Not all children who try out for the PSSA teams will gain a place as there are a limited number of teams entered into the competition. However children who do not gain a place in a PSSA team have a wide choice of sports to participate in on sports afternoon

A strong sport program is run for all primary children not competing in PSSA. Children are taught skills associated with major sports through the adaptation of skills and rules to suit the developmental level of primary children. In addition gymnastics and tennis are available.

Years 3 to 6 - Major Carnivals

All children in Years 3-6 are encouraged to compete in the following three major sport events at the school each year. Each of these carnivals is followed by the District Carnival, where Roseville Public School competes against other public schools in our district, the Regional Carnival, where we compete against children from public schools in to northern region, and finally at the State Carnival against children from across the State.

In all cases the children who have the best times in races at a particular carnival are selected to compete at the next level.

Swimming: Held early in Term 1 at the West Pymble swimming pool.
Athletics: Held during Term 3 at Narrabeen Fitness Centre.
Cross-Country: Held during Term 2.

School Houses

The children in Years 3 to 6 are divided into the following four school houses, and these houses compete against each other at the sports carnivals. Archbold (Red), Babbage (Yellow), Fidden (Blue) and Matthew (Green).

Club sport

Roseville Public School also promotes participation in weekend sport and there are many avenues for such participation.

The Roseville Rugby Club fields several teams in the local competition. The teams play on Friday nights or Saturdays during Terms 2 and 3.

The Roseville Netball Club practices at the school and competes in the Northern Suburbs Netball Association competition each Saturday during Terms 2 and 3 at Willoughby. The Club currently enters teams in the Nettas (under 9) and under 10 competition.

For further information about these clubs parents should contact the school office.

Student Leadership

Captains and Vice Captains

Captains, Vice Captains and House Captains and Vice Captains are elected from the Year 6 children by the students. The Captains and Vice Captains are elected at the end of one year for the following year, and are invested with their badges on Speech Day. The House Captains and House Vice Captains are elected and given badges early in Term 1. They are all expected to wear their badges at all times. Their role within the school is a positive one. Their duties include:

• Setting examples to other students in terms of their dress and behaviour.
• Providing pastoral care/peer support for younger pupils.
• Providing leadership for the Student Representative Council
• Assisting at official functions involving visitors to the school.
• Providing assistance from time to time in areas that will develop their leadership skills.

Student Representative Council

The student body is represented on a Student Representative Council that consists of Captains, Vice-Captains, plus elected members of each class in Years 2 to 6. The Student Council meets regularly and its role includes:

• Providing input into bodies such as the Grounds Committee.
• Discussing issues such as playground rules, school rules, organisational improvements.
• Making recommendations to the Principal for improved facilities and programs
• Supporting charities identified by the students as causes the students would like to support.

Testing and Assessment

The children are continuously assessed throughout the year and samples of the children's work are collected and placed into the Student Progress Folders. There are no term or other formal tests or examinations carried out by the school.

Basic skills testing

Every year Years 3 and 5 sit Basic Skills Tests in literacy and numeracy. This is considered an important element of the Government's Literacy and Numeracy Plan. The results of the Basic Skills Test provide parents and teachers with a picture of the individual skills and abilities of the children, as well as an overall picture of the progress of the children as a whole.

University of New South Wales Competitions

Each year the University of New South Wales runs competitions in science, maths, english and computing. Students in Years 3 to 6 are given the opportunity to enter these competitions, which are not compulsory. The competitions are in the form of multiple choice tests which last approximately 45 minutes and which take place on separate days throughout Term 2. The results rank the children among all the children in New South Wales who sit the test.