Assembly

Each Monday morning a whole school assembly is held in the undercover area from 9.00am – 9.20 am (approximately). The choir and whole school sing the National Anthem and various awards are presented.            

Attendance

Encourage regular attendance at school. We earnestly seek your help to ensure a prompt start to the school day. Please ensure that your child arrives at school on time. It is important, however, that children who are unwell remain at home until they are fully recovered as infections spread easily.
When your child is kept away from school, a note stating the reason for absence is required upon return to school.
Parents are requested to sign in late arrivals and to sign out early leavers at the office when children are collected during school hours. 

Bicycles

To ensure the safety and comfort of all, a number of safe practices in and around the school are followed.

• Bicycles should not be borrowed or loaned.
• Bicycles are to be walked in the school grounds.
• In accordance with current state law, an approved bicycle helmet must be worn. Students without a helmet will need to leave bicycles secured in the school building until such time as their parents collect the bicycle or a helmet is brought to school.
  

The school reserves the right to ban from riding to school any student who repeatedly contravenes the rules.  

Book Club

The school operates a Children’s Book Club as an extension to the library program. A specially selected range of highly recommended books is available for purchase periodically throughout the year.

Canteen

Our School canteen is staffed with volunteer help under the guidance of manager.
Nutritious, well-priced lunches are available to all children in the school on WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. The Canteen is open for counter sales at lunchtime TUESDAY to FRIDAY.
The canteen depends on the continuing support and co-operation of parents. If you could spare a few hours each month for a very enjoyable morning preparing lunches, your assistance would be appreciated. A Canteen Roster is prepared and distributed to volunteers.
More information may be obtained from our Canteen Manager.
If you are able to assist in the Canteen please contact the school office.
Canteen orders should be written clearly on a paper bag with the following details

• Student's name and Class
• Details of the order
• Amount of money enclosed. Please wrap money in paper or alfoil. Large paper notes are not encouraged at school. Change will be stapled to your child's order. Orders are sent to the child's classroom at lunchtime however cold items such as ice creams need to be collected by the child. Lunches must be pre-ordered and cannot be bought over the counter at lunchtime.
• We don't accept orders for recess. Prep students should give their spending money to their teacher for safekeeping (wrap money in bag please.)
• Lunch orders are collected in each room at the commencement of the day and taken to the canteen before 10:00 a.m.
  

Clothing and Belongings

It is important that all articles are labelled for easy identification.
The wearing of school uniform is encouraged. Our uniform provides attractive, comfortable clothing which children can manage themselves.
The school has a limited supply of clothing, including underclothes, for use in case of an accident at school. Please assist by washing clothing and returning it promptly.

House System

A House System operates throughout the school with the aim of encouraging interest and loyalty without extreme competitiveness with various applications both with the classroom, playground and sporting field.
Houses are designated:

• RED          JONES
  
• BLUE        KENNY
  
• GREEN    FORD
  
• GOLD       CAWLEY
  

Members of the same family are given the same House membership. Future enrolments will be allotted the same House as older siblings.
Each House is represented by elected House Captains.

Interschool Sport - Senior School

Throughout the year a variety of sports are played between the various schools.
Annual swimming, athletics and cross-country carnivals are conducted. The emphasis is on enjoyment, participation, and development of positive attitudes, sportsmanship and skills.

Junior School Council

The Junior School Council program stems from the Physical, Personal Social learning - Civics and Citizenship and aims to promote leadership responsibility, an understanding of the democratic process and a forum for students to express their views on concerns and issues relevant to them. It is also a formal link between School Council and the student body.

Lost Property

All personal property (clothing, books, pencils, pens, bags, hats etc.) should be clearly labelled to ensure ease of identification and speedy return of lost items. Collection of lost property is located in the 3/4 Unit. Unclaimed items of clothing are displayed then forwarded to charitable institutions or the Second Hand Uniform store at the end of each term.

Lunch

All students eat lunch in the classroom under the supervision of the teacher. Lunch is eaten between 1.30pm and 1.40pm. "Brain food" (fruit, nuts, vegetables) is eaten in the classroom at 10.00 am (P- 2) and 12.30 pm (P- 6)
All lunch boxes and drink bottles should be clearly labelled.
Students will be asked to take home any food not eaten. Do not scold your child for this. You may wish to adjust the amount you send. Please appreciate that for some children plastic food wrap can be difficult to undo.
When preparing your child’s lunch/snack or when ordering lunch from the canteen, do not overestimate the amount your child can eat. It is a good idea for children to bring a small snack for morning recess.

Bottles : Glass bottles of drink are not allowed at school for safety reasons.

Materials and Requisites – School Contributions

The Victorian Government provides funding for teaching salaries and provides for most of our school’s basic operational requirements with a financial grant which is paid in quarterly instalments into the school account. This covers such items as: contract cleaning costs, gas and electricity, school administration, water rates, facilities, telephone, stationery, furniture, building and ground maintenance, curriculum support and professional development. The funding of these items consumes a major proportion of the yearly grant, yet we still need to provide additional funding and develop curriculum program budgets for the Key Learning Areas (subjects) for all children. The amount received from Government sources is not sufficient to provide our children with educational programs of the standard and quality expected in our community today
We ask you to contribute towards the difference, between total expenditure and Government funding, so that the load may be share equally and fairly among all families. School Council has endeavoured to keep costs to a minimum taking into account Consumer Price index and Goods & Services Tax. Parents are expected to provide for stationery and class supplies. Payments can be made progressively throughout the year and Education Maintenance Allowance may be used for these contributions.

Money Collection

All money for booklists, camps, excursions etc is given to the classroom teacher. Money sent to the school for specific purpose (e.g. swimming) must be enclosed in the special envelope, available form the school office. It must be marked with your child’s name, grade and room, the purpose for which it is intended and the amount enclosed. Please try to have the exact money so the need for change is avoided. It would be appreciated if any larger amounts of money could be sent as cheques rather than cash. Payment by Credit Card can be made at the general office.

Newsletter/Notes

The Marlborough News is published every Wednesday to inform parents of school activities and provide reminders of coming events. The principal, staff, pupils and parents contribute articles to this publication making it a very important part of our communication network. It is circulated to each family via the oldest child.
Special notes regarding activities, excursions etc. are sent home as required.

Parents Association

The Parents Association are representatives of  the whole school community.
It aims to foster and build a strong sense of community, by supporting staff and students in organizing community events.
The P.A. acts as a liaison between parents and the School Council through a nominated Council representative. The success of the P.A. is dependent upon the support it receives from the parent community.
Meeting times are published in the school newsletter. Everyone is welcome. The P.A. needs your involvement.

Parent Participation

We believe that the education of our students is a partnership between home and school. Parents have both a right and responsibility to participate in their child's education.
An active and dedicated school community enhances the implementation of the school's philosophy of developing each student. All parents are encouraged to participate in classroom programs as this ongoing support strengthens and enhances student learning. A Classroom Helper's program is offered each year to all parents to encourage assistance in the classroom and to give valuable assistance to parents with their child at home.

Please note: participation on camps, some excursions and other  activities where the parent may be involved with students other than their own child, requires a current Working With Children Check.

Areas of Participation:

Parents are encouraged to involve themselves in the Classroom programs on a casual or regular basis. Please discuss this with the individual teachers. Parents are also welcome to participate in a range of activities including:

•     School Council Committees
•     Canteen duty
•     Excursions & Camps
•     Sporting Programs
•     Library assistance
•     Word processing, administrative support
•     Reading Program
•     Literacy and Numeracy Workshops
•     Working Bees
•     Early Years Literacy and Numeracy Programs

Parking Restrictions

For the safety of our students the car park is out of bounds at all times to pedestrians and vehicular traffic, except staff and authorised vehicles.
To ensure the safety of all students please do not use the car park to drop off or pick up students.
In the interest of student safety we ask that you strictly observe the City of Maroondah parking restrictions in Hardy Crescent.
Hardy Crescent has ample parking spaces along the school boundary but is restricted directly outside the school . Please do not park in the Bus Zone at the front of the school between the hours of 9.00am and 4.00pm. These are not parking zones.
Please discourage children from running across the road.
Parking officers do patrol the area regularly.

Playground Equipment and Play Facilities

At the commencement of each school year the students are instructed on how to correctly and safely use each item of playground equipment. Safety and correct usage are referred to periodically at school assemblies and in class.
Parents are responsible for supervising their children on play equipment out of school hours.
Parents are urged to encourage students to use common sense to ensure safety when using playground equipment. All playground equipment and exterior play facilities are subjected to regular safety audits by staff and reported to School Council.

Pupil-Free Days

• In 2009 the first three days of Term 1 (Wednesday 28 January to Friday 30 January 2009) will be pupil-free days. Students will begin school on Monday 2 February 2009.
• The fourth pupil-free day will be the third-last Friday of Term 2, Friday 12 June 2009 for student assessment and reporting purposes.

Reporting to Parents

Our school has a formal program of reporting to parents to ensure open communication between the home and school.
This consists of: 

• Unit level overview is sent home very early in the year where teachers outline the year's programs and procedures in different subjects and areas.
• Term overviews outlining curriculum and unit planning for each term.
• Mid-year parent/teacher interviews, during which progress reports and future plans can be exchanged and ideas from home and school expanded.
• Mid and end of year written individual student reports.
• Informal meetings can be arranged at any time of the year by either parents or teachers to discuss an individual child's progress, and/or social/emotional well being.
• Open communication between home and school is vital for each child’s development.

Safety House

During 1982 Marlborough Safety House Committee implemented a Safety House Program in our area. The school, Victoria Police, City of Maroondah and service groups support this scheme.

Objectives of the Safety House Program:   

• To offer a safe shelter for children at risk travelling between school and home.
•  To deter undesirable people entering the area and approaching children as they travel between school and home.
  
• Safety Houses provide a means of greatly improving the chance that, should a child seek shelter in an official clearly marked Safety House:

a). Someone will be home.
b). They will not run into trouble. 

• To maintain community awareness of the problems facing school children travelling to and from school.

School Bank

Student banking is encouraged. A school bank account for your child may be opened through the school with the Commonwealth Bank at Heathmont. Bank day is each Thursday throughout the year. Money may be forwarded together with the voucher wallet to the school on that day, where it will be processed.

School  Captains - Junior School Council President

There are two school captains; School captains perform a valuable function by representing students at official gatherings, reporting to School Council and participating in discussions on student welfare and discipline. A student is elected each year to the role of Junior School Council President to help organise and conduct Junior School Council Meetings. The involvement of students in a variety of decision making options is considered extremely important and actively encouraged.
All Year 6 students receive a Monitor badge and are given a school responsibility.

School Council

Our School Council is a representative body with a membership reflecting the important partnership between student, teacher and the home which supports effective learning and which is valued in a caring community. School Councils are constituted as legal bodies under State Legislation and represent the Crown.
The Marlborough Primary School Council currently comprises eight parents, five Office of School Education employees (including the Principal) and two co-opted representatives, one of whom is a representative of the P. A.
Council members are elected for a two-year term, with half of the positions becoming vacant each year, thereby creating a continuity of membership. Councillors are elected in March each year.

Main Responsibilities of the Council  

• Determine the educational policy of the school within the guidelines issued by the Office of School Education.
• Oversee the school buildings and grounds to ensure they are maintained in good condition and to make recommendations regarding their alteration or improvement. 
• Prepare an annual financial budget and ensure that all monies received by the school are expended in a proper manner.
• Employ ancillary staff, e.g. school secretary, cleaners and integration aides.
• Promote parent and community participation and interest in the school.
• Select a Principal when a vacancy exists.

School Hours

School Commences: 9.00 a.m.
Morning Recess:        11.00 a.m. - 11.30 a.m.
Lunch Recess:            1.40 p.m. - 2.30 p.m.

Students eat lunch in the classroom under the teachers' supervision between 1.30 p.m. - 1.40 p.m. When it rains during lunch or morning recesses children remain inside under teacher supervision.
Dismissal:                     3.30 p.m.

• Please encourage your child to be punctual. Aim to arrive at school about 8.50 a.m.
• When the music starts at 8.55 a.m. students are expected to enter the classroom ready for he day.
• For safety reasons no child is to enter the classroom without a teacher present.  
• No child is allowed to leave the school grounds during school hours. You will be notified if school is to be dismissed early, or your child is ill.  
• Should your child return home while school is in progress, please telephone the school immediately on 9870 3468.
• All students arriving late are to report to the office with a parent and must be signed in.
• At the end of each term students are dismissed at 2:30 p.m. and 1:30 in term 4

ALL late arrivals are to report to the office with a parent.
At the end of each term students are dismissed at 1:30 p.m.

Student Welfare and Discipline

Code of Conduct for Students

The Marlborough Primary School Code of Conduct aims to provide a happy and secure environment fthat meets the needs of all members of the school community, each of whom shares rights and responsibilities. The Code of Conduct has been formulated within, and is consistent with, Department of Education and Training guidelines and regulations.  It identifies goals and standards for positive student behaviour and gives priority to self-discipline and respect for the rights of others.

The Code of Conduct is based on the following principles:  

• We will take responsibility for our own behaviour.
• Every member of the school community is valued and treated respectfully.
• Every member of the school community is encouraged to respect the rights and property of others.
• Students have a right to equality of opportunity and ongoing support. 
• Students have a right to work in a secure environment where, without intimidation, bullying or harassment they are able to develop their talents, interests and ambitions.
• Positive student behaviour is encouraged by clearly defined rules, relevant curriculum a caring relationships. 
• Teachers should be able to establish a classroom climate where students value learning and behave in ways which enhance their own and each others learning and development.
• Teachers have a right to expect that they will teach in a orderly co-operative environment.
• Parents have an obligation to support the school in its efforts to maintain a productive teaching and learning environment.
• The Principal and staff have an obligation to implement the code of conduct fairly, reasonably and consistently.
• Students are expected to observe the Code of Conduct and co-operate in ensuring a happy, secure school environment.
  

The Code of Conduct including rules, rights, responsibilities and procedures is developed through a process of community consultation and provides a framework for the management of student behaviour and the enhancement of positive relations in our school.
Click here to view the Student Code of Conduct.

Supervision

For safety reasons no child is to enter the classroom without a teacher present.
Staff are rostered for yard supervision from 8.45 a.m. to 9.00 a.m., at all recesses and from 3.30 p.m. to 3.45 p.m. he playground/school grounds are not supervised outside these hours.
Any students still waiting to be picked up at 3.45 p.m. are taken to the Office foyer by the yard duty teacher and parents may collect them from there.
Students are not permitted to leave the school without being accompanied by their parent or an authorised adult.
PARENTS MUST SIGN IN LATE ARRIVERS AND SIGN OUT EARLY LEAVERS IN THE APPROPRIATE BOOKS AT THE GENERAL OFFICE.
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SunSmart

Marlborough is accredited by the Anti Cancer Council as a SunSmart School. Our school policy requires every child to wear a school-approved hat (wide brim/legionnaires) during Terms 1 and 4. The school has a strict "No Hat - No Play" policy at these times. Students without the appropriate hat will be restricted to playing in the undercover area during recess and lunch times.

Term Break
The school will be dismissed at 2.30 p.m. Terms 1-3 and 1.30pm. Term 4.   Prior to long weekends the school will be dismissed at 3.30 p.m. as usual.

 Term Dates 2009

Term	Students return	End of term (2:30 p.m. dismissal)
Term 1	Monday 2nd February	Friday 3 April
Term 2	Monday 20th April	Friday 26th June
Term 3	Monday 13th July	Friday 18th September
Term 4	Monday 5th October	Thurday 18th December (1:30 p.m. dismissal)

*EASTER:  Friday 10th April

 Term Dates 2010 to 2015

2010
Term 1 28 January - 26 March
Term 2 12 April - 25 June
Term 3 12 July - 17 September
Term 4 4 October 17 December

2011
Term 1 2 February - 8 April
Term 2 26 April - 1 July
Term 3 16 July - 23 September
Term 4 10 October 22 December

2012
Term 1 1 February - 30 March
Term 2 16 April - 29 June
Term 3 16 July - 21 September
Term 4 8 October 21 December

2013
Term 1 29 January - 28 March
Term 2 15 April - 28 June
Term 3 15 July - 20 September
Term 4 7 October 20 December

2014
Term 1 28 January - 4 April
Term 2 22 April - 27June
Term 3 14 July - 19 September
Term 4 6 October 19 December

2015
Term 1 28 January - 27 March
Term 2 13 April - 26 June
Term 3 13 July - 18 September
Term 4 5 October 18 December

Transfers

When your child transfers from one school to another a transfer note is obtained and presented upon arrival at the new school. Your child’s individual student file containing work samples, copy of reports, together with Immunisation and Birth Certificate are forwarded to the new school.

Uniform

The wearing of the Marlborough Primary School uniform is expected.  For safety reasons the wearing of jewellery is discouraged.  Thongs, open sandals, tank tops and singlet tops are unsuitable for school wear.

There are many sound educational, social and economic reasons why school uniforms are suggested for school students. It does add to the atmosphere, prestige, tone and spirit of the school, it is the most economic way that parents can dress their children for school and it prevents unhealthy competition with "expensive gear" and last minute decisions on "what to wear".
We strongly recommend that all students take pride in their school by wearing Marlborough Primary School uniform.
Most item are available from the Uniform Shop which is located in the Performing Arts Portable and  will be open on Mondays after assembly at approximately 9:15 a.m. New uniforms are supplied by Enterprise. Orders are placed at and paid for at the school office where a current price list is available. Orders are then placed with Enterprise by the Co-ordinator, twice a term.
High fashion clothing is discouraged. Thongs and tank tops are regarded as unsuitable for school wear. If earrings are worn, they must be safe and preferably sleepers.
The school colour are green and gold, but T shirts, polo shirts or skivvies can be gold or green. All other garments are green unless stated otherwise.

Summer Uniform - Boys	Summer Uniform – Girls
School t shirt or polo shirt Black or green unisex shorts School windcheater School approved Hat Grey or White socks Black or Brown school shoes or flat strong shoes with closed toes	Dress or skirt of school fabric School t shirt or polo shirt White socks Black or green unisex shorts School windcheater School Approved Hat Grey or White socks Black or Brown school shoes or flat strong shoes with closed toes
Winter Uniform – Boys	Winter Uniform – Girls
School Tracksuit School gold t shirt,  skivvy or polo shirt School Windcheater School Bomber jacket Grey or White socks Black or Brown school shoes or flat strong shoes with closed toes	TSchool Tracksuit School gold t shirt,  skivvy or polo shirt School Windcheater School Bomber jacket Dress made from school fabric School Bootleg Pants Grey or White socks Black or Brown school shoes or flat strong shoes with closed toes
Sports Uniform Grades 5 and 6
Boys Black or green unisex shorts School t shirt or polo shirt Clean sports footwear School Approved Hat	Girls School t shirt or polo shirt Green netball skirt Green sports briefs Black or green unisex shorts Clean sports footwear School Approved Hat

We ask you to assist your child, yourselves and us by following these requests.
Encourage your child to be clean and tidy and to look after possessions.
Make sure that all articles of clothing worn to school are brought home again each day. If any item is not brought home check what has happened to it and give us a call.
Items likely to be taken off at school (e.g. parkas, rain hats, rubber boots, jumpers etc) should be clearly labelled with your child’s name. Provide your child with a clean handkerchief or tissues daily. A small box of named tissues to be kept at school is sensible.
The school maintains a small stock of clean used clothing to cater for students who, for some reason, need to be changed. Please launder and return with minimum delay if these are provided to your child.

Uniform Shop

The Second Hand Uniform Shop is located in the Performing Arts Portable opposite the Art Room and  will be open on Mondays after assembly at approximately 9:15 a.m. It will be open at special times at the start of the new school year. Notification of these times will be given through the school newsletter. New uniforms are supplied by Enterprise. Orders are placed at and paid for at the school office where a current price list is available. Orders are then placed with Enterprise by the Co-ordinator, twice a term.

Valuables

Students are not encouraged to bring valuables such as jewellery and/or much loved electronic toys to school. Mobile phones are proibited. Money sent to the school for excursions, canteen, school bank etc should be enclosed in an envelope bearing the child’s name, grade and purpose.
Encourage your child to have the teacher hold spending money in security until required.

Visitors Book

Throughout the year we have numerous visitors to the school who participate in many valuable areas with our curriculum program. These visitors are asked to sign the Visitors’ Book when working in the school and to wear a "visitor" tag. Students are regularly reminded to report immediately anyone they see in the grounds without a visitor badge.