South Street Primary School Parent Handbook

Yard supervision is provided from 8:30am until 3:15pm. A member of the leadership team is available from 8:15am, while Breakfast Club operates from 8:00am. Students should not be left unsupervised at school outside these times.

Regular Attendance

Regular attendance gives students the best opportunity to learn, build positive relationships and remain connected to their school community. If your child is absent, families are required to provide the school with a reason for the absence.

Reporting an Absence

You can notify the school in any of the following ways:

• Complete an attendance note through Compass.
• Send Kate Mether and/or your child’s classroom teacher a message through Compass Connect.
• Telephone the school office on 5127 1512.

Unexplained Absences

To view any outstanding unexplained absences, open the Compass app, select your child and choose the Attendance tab. The Unexplained section will show any previous absences that are still waiting for an explanation.

Late Arrivals and Early Collection

Students arriving after the beginning of the school day must report to the school office to be signed in. If you need to collect your child before 3:00pm, please report to the office so your child can be signed out and called from their classroom.

Changes to Collection Arrangements

If your child’s end-of-day collection arrangements change, please contact the school office as early as possible so the message can be passed on to your child and their teacher.

Compass

Compass is South Street Primary School’s main communication platform. Families are encouraged to check Compass regularly to stay informed about their child’s learning and upcoming school activities.

Families can use Compass to:

• Read school announcements and News Feed posts.
• View upcoming events through the Compass Calendar.
• Provide consent and payment for camps, excursions and school activities.
• Record student absences and explain outstanding absences.
• Communicate with teachers and staff through Compass Connect.
• Access student reports, publications and learning information.
• Book parent–teacher–student interviews when appointments are available.

Other Ways We Communicate

In addition to Compass, South Street communicates with families through:

• Our weekly Snippets newsletter.
• The South Street Primary School Facebook page.
• Telephone and face-to-face conversations.
• Student reports and parent–teacher–student interviews.
• Positive-behaviour messages, postcards and student celebrations.
• First-aid and sick-bay notifications.

Who Should I Contact?

• Your child’s classroom teacher: Learning, classroom routines, behaviour, friendships or general classroom concerns.
• Your child’s specialist teacher: Questions relating to specialist learning areas.
• The school office: Attendance, payments, forms, enrolment, medication, contact details and general enquiries.
• The Wellbeing or Leadership Team: Sensitive, ongoing or complex concerns that require additional support.

Raising a Concern

Families are encouraged to raise questions or concerns early. In most cases, your child’s classroom teacher is the best first point of contact. Messages can be sent through Compass Connect, or families can telephone the office to arrange a suitable time to speak with a staff member.

Learning at South Street

South Street Primary School provides high-quality, evidence-informed teaching designed to support every student’s personal growth and academic success. Our consistent school-wide approach helps create calm, purposeful classrooms where students understand what they are learning and what successful learning looks like.

Victorian Curriculum

Learning programs are developed using the Victorian Curriculum and are carefully planned to build students’ knowledge, skills and understanding over time. Teachers clearly communicate learning intentions and success criteria so students know what they are learning, why it is important and how they can succeed.

Literacy and Numeracy

Literacy and numeracy are central to learning at South Street. Students participate in structured, evidence-informed lessons that develop the knowledge, confidence and problem-solving skills needed to succeed across all areas of the curriculum.

Specialist Programs

Students participate in specialist learning programs that broaden their skills, interests and experiences. These include:

• Visual Arts
• Performing Arts and Music
• Physical Education
• Digital Technologies and STEM
• Basketball Academy (for selected students)

Collaborative Teaching

Teachers work collaboratively in Professional Learning Communities to plan lessons, review student progress and respond to students’ learning needs. Classroom teachers are supported by Learning Specialists, specialist teachers, Education Support staff, wellbeing staff and allied health professionals.

Assessment and Reporting

Teachers use a range of assessments to monitor student progress, plan future learning and provide feedback. Families receive formal student reports and have opportunities to discuss their child’s progress through parent–teacher–student interviews and ongoing communication with teachers.

Safe, Respectful Learners

At South Street Primary School, we are committed to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where every student is known, valued and supported to succeed.

Our shared school-wide expectations are:

• Be Safe
• Be Respectful
• Be a Learner

These expectations are explicitly taught, modelled, practised and reinforced across classrooms, playgrounds and school activities.

Positive Behaviour for Learning

PB4L provides students with clear and consistent expectations across the school. Staff actively teach appropriate behaviour and recognise students who demonstrate our values through positive feedback, Tokens, values awards and school assemblies.

Restorative Practices

Restorative practices help students understand how their choices affect others. Students are supported to reflect on what happened, take responsibility, repair relationships and make more positive choices moving forward. Consequences are fair, purposeful and focused on learning.

Positive Play

Positive Play provides additional support when students experience difficulties during play breaks. It gives students an opportunity to regulate, reflect on their choices, discuss what happened and prepare to return to the playground successfully.

Student Support and Disability Inclusion

We recognise that students have different strengths, needs and experiences. The school works collaboratively with students, families and relevant professionals to identify appropriate adjustments, plan targeted support and monitor student progress.

Support may involve classroom teachers, Education Support staff, Learning Specialists, the Wellbeing Coordinator, Disability Inclusion Coordinator, School Nurse, Chaplain and allied health professionals.

Raising a Concern

Families are encouraged to contact their child’s classroom teacher if they have concerns about learning, behaviour, friendships or wellbeing. Ongoing or sensitive concerns can also be discussed with the Wellbeing or Leadership Team.

First Aid

If your child becomes unwell or is injured at school, staff will provide assistance and refer them to the First Aid Office when required.

What Happens When a Student Needs First Aid?

1. The student reports the illness or injury to a staff member.
2. If it cannot be managed in the classroom, the student is sent to the First Aid Office.
3. The First Aid Officer assesses and treats the student.
4. The student will return to class, remain for observation, be collected by a parent or carer, or receive emergency medical assistance if required.

Medication at School

Medication is only administered by the school’s designated medication officer.

• Medication must be provided in its original packaging.
• A completed Medication Authority Form must accompany the medication.
• Medication should be delivered directly to the school office and must not be kept in a student’s school bag unless an approved health plan permits it.

Parents, carers and guardians are encouraged to become involved in the programs, activities and school community at South Street Primary School.

Ways to Get Involved

• Join the School Council.
• Participate in the fundraising subcommittee.
• Volunteer in your child’s classroom.
• Help with sporting events and other school activities.
• Volunteer in the canteen or library.
• Attend assemblies and community events.

School Council

School Council meets twice each term and works with the Principal and staff to help guide the policies and direction of the school. Please contact the school if you are interested in becoming involved.

Weekly Assembly

School assemblies are held every Friday at 2:15pm in the MELC Gym. Assemblies include an Acknowledgement of Country, the National Anthem and the presentation of student and school values awards. Parents, carers and friends are always welcome to attend.

Before and After School Care

Our before and after school care program is provided by In 2 Learning Gippsland. Care can be used regularly or when required. For further information, visit Before and After School Care.

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club operates from 8:00am each morning in the Canteen. Students are welcome to attend every day or whenever needed.

School Canteen

The school canteen is open for student lunch orders each Friday. Orders can be placed through Compass.

• A variety of snacks and healthy lunch options are available.
• Lunch orders must be submitted through Compass by 9am on a Friday.
• The canteen is supported by volunteers. Please contact the school if you would like to help.

Camps, excursions and incursions provide students with valuable opportunities to extend their classroom learning, develop independence and enjoy new experiences.

Excursions and Incursions

Throughout the year, students may participate in excursions, incursions and events or activities that complement their learning programs.

School Camp Program

• Grade 2: An annual school sleepover experience.
• Grades 3 and 4: An overnight camp program operating every second year, plus a day trip every other year.
• Grades 5 and 6: An overnight camp program operating every second year, plus a day trip every other year.

Other Student Experiences

Depending on their year level, students may also have opportunities to participate in:

• Athletics and sporting events
• Swimming programs
• Cultural and community events
• Transition activities with local kindergartens and secondary schools
• Curriculum based excursions

Mobile Phones and Smart Watches

Students are not permitted to use mobile phones during the school’s supervision hours of 8:30am–3:15pm.

• Phones must be handed to the classroom teacher at the beginning of the school day.
• Phones will be stored securely and returned at the end of the day.
• Notifications must be turned off on Apple Watches and other smart watches.

School Uniform

Students are expected to wear school uniform when:

• Attending school
• Travelling to and from school
• Participating in school activities, events and excursions unless advised otherwise.

Students must also follow the school’s SunSmart requirements. Students attending out of uniform may be provided with an appropriate uniform item to wear.