SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

Education in the 21^st century is an exciting and challenging time for parents, teachers and students. It is about partnerships and working together to develop the individual potential of our students at Mayfield West Demonstration School. We are committed to development of the whole child, by developing knowledge, skills and values that have a focus on self esteem and a belief in life long learning.

Our school community believes:

·        Quality Education for all is a shared responsibility.

·        In promoting a sense of belonging, identity, purpose, enjoyment and personal worth.

·        Learning is lifelong and valued.

·        Learning occurs in a friendly and secure environment for all school members.

·        Diversity is recognised and valued.

 The future is about working in partnership as a school community to go forward together, to be decision makers and to empower our future leaders to believe in themselves. The theme that runs through our school can be described by the words of Kaleel Jamison:

 When you give away some of the light from a candle

By lighting another person’s flame

There isn’t any less light, because you’ve given some away.

There’s more.

When everybody grows, there isn’t less of anybody

There’s more of and for – everybody.

  

HISTORY – THE SCHOOL IN OPERATION

The Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd opened the Newcastle Steel Works in June 1915. The establishment of the steel industry and of associated industries nearby produced expansion of population in the Waratah/Mayfield district, resulting in pressures on school accommodation at Mayfield Public School. The reason for the establishment of Mayfield West Public School is to be found in the overcrowding of Mayfield Public School, caused by this industrial development, and in the suburban expansion to the west, which left Mayfield Public School inconveniently located to serve the new areas.

Mayfield West Public School opened on 4^th July 1925, with an enrolment of 200 and a staff of six. By March 1930, the school had an enrolment of 492, with only 302 children able to be accommodated in the 6 classrooms. 83 children were taught in the upper assembly area and 107 in the lower assembly area. A new building was provided to separately house the Infants in 1934. By this stage the school had a total of 549 students and 12 staff.

 In the post war period, with the establishment of the Migrant Hostel, many children from various European countries were to begin their education in Australia at this school. A two roomed portable building was used to accommodate the extra children, as they were often only at the school temporarily until suitable accommodation was found.

 DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL

Mayfield West became The Demonstration School at the beginning of the 1986 school year. This involves the school in providing support programs for The University of Newcastle and visiting teachers from other areas.

It is expected that all teachers appointed to Mayfield West Demonstration School will take part in  demonstration and observation programs provided for the University, and that they will support and contribute to other external programs.

Programs will be developed and modified as necessary, through discussion and interaction between staff members and visiting personnel. Consideration will be given to the unique features of the school, the students, the staff, the parents and the school community.

Staff from the school may work with university students at The University of Newcastle. Staff from the school may be called upon to work as lecturers and tutors in the University’s School of Education program.

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MAYFIELD WEST DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL A - Z

ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL                                               

Your child should attend school every day. This includes carnivals and excursions.

Children are allowed to be absent from school only for exceptional reasons such as illness. Family holidays need notification to the Principal or class teacher. Where possible, dental and doctor appointments should be made after school, as should any private tuition lessons.

Having a birthday is not a reason for a day off.

 You are asked to contact the school only if your child will be away from school for more than two days. There is no need to phone on the first day of absence. On the day the student returns after any absence you are requested to send a note giving a reason for the absence.  If a note is not sent, your child will be given an absence note from the teacher which you must fill in and return to school. Departmental regulations require us to obtain this information within seven days of absence. It has been shown that poor attendance in K-6 leads to worse attendance at high school. For this reason, any unexplained or unacceptable absence must be followed up by the school. Punctuality is encouraged. Attendance problems are referred to a Home School Liaison Officer whose job it is to encourage favourable attendance practices.  These are considerable fines for parents who do not follow attendance procedures for children in their care.

Sample Absence Note:

(your address)                                                                                    

(date)

Dear (Principal or Class Teacher)

Please excuse my son/daughter’s absence on (absence date)

as he/she (reason for absence).

Yours sincerely,

(your signature)

Student’s name and Class 

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ADMINISTRATION OF PRESCRIBED MEDICATION  

This practice, either intermittent or regular, is subject to particular regulations that can affect continued enrolment. If your child requires medication at school (even self administered) parents must supply detailed written instructions. In some cases information from the doctor is required, along with the signing of an indemnity form, before staff can accept responsibility. However, the onus for remembering to come to the clinic always remains with the child. It has been found that a watch with an alarm is a good reminder for students.

Prescribed medicines are NOT to be kept in student’s bags. For safety reasons we only allow a limited supply of any drug to be on hand at any time. Analgesics (aspirin or medicine containing salicylates) must not be brought to school. They are subject to special regulation.

If your child is allergic to bee stings etc. or has diabetes, it is essential that you contact us directly so we can establish procedures for dealing with an emergency. If your child is an asthmatic requiring special attention, we request that you contact the school and complete an Asthma Action Plan for our guidance. Students are permitted to carry a bronchodilator on their person.

Students with special medical needs (eg allergy, physical) require a Health Care Plan and this is to be devised in consultation with the principal prior to the student commencing school.

ATTENDANCE /  PARTIAL 

If you need to withdraw your child from school early for any reason, you must first go to the office, fill in a form and wait for it to be signed by a school representative, take it to the class teacher who will release your child to you.  Notes or verbal explanation must be given for partial absences. All absenteeism notes must be sent within seven days and a reason given for the absence, otherwise the child will be marked as an unjustified absence. If a student’s absence including partial absences is high, the matter will be forwarded to the Home School Liaison Officer.

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BICYCLES / SKATEBOARDS / SCOOTERS

We do not encourage students to bring bicycles/scooters/skateboards to school. Most of our students who do not catch the bus live close enough to walk. We ask you to give careful consideration to whether or not your child really needs to ride a bike/scooter/skateboard to school. If they ride a bike, please remember that legislation requires them to wear safety helmets. In the interest of safety, there is a need for school rules. They are:

1. Bicycles and scooters must be walked inside the school grounds.       

2. Bikes must be stored in the bike rack areas and skateboards/scooters storage is to be negotiated with class teachers. It is recommended that children bring a locking device to secure their bicycles. 

3. NO bicycles and skateboards/scooters are to be ridden in school grounds.

Students who endanger their lives and others by disregarding rules or indulging in foolish behaviour will be warned. If the problem persists, a letter will be sent home to alert parents and seek their co-operation.

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BOOKCLUB

The school participates in the Scholastic Book Club scheme. Students are able to purchase quality paperback books and computer software at very reasonable prices through the scheme. Order forms are distributed in class for completion at home if interested. Students return their orders, with the money, in a sealed envelope with the child’s name and class written on the outside of the envelope. When the books arrive they are distributed in class.  This service is made possible thanks to the hard work of our school librarian and volunteers.

BUSES

All K – 2 students are entitled to free bus travel. Another application form is required at the start of Year 3, even if a bus pass has been held in K-2. Students, Years 3-6, who are eligible must live more than 1.6km from the school. Eligibility is determined by a map held in the school office. At the beginning of each school year, an approximate two week change over period is allowed for issue of new passes from the school office. There is a replacement fee for lost bus passes.  Replacement passes are obtained from the Bus Depot Administration Office.

Students who are not entitled to travel free can contact Newcastle Buses to enquire about obtaining a term ticket or they may pay the driver each day.

Three bus routes service the children from our school. These buses depart from the school between 3.00 and 3.15p.m. each day. They are:

700      Warabrook                  783     Mayfield                       Busways

It is our policy to instil in the children the behaviour that would be expected of them whilst travelling on the bus. We need parents’ constant support to assist our endeavours to maintain consistent acceptable behaviour. If a child’s behaviour is reported to be unsuitable then parents will be notified, and they may need to make other arrangements for their child’s transport.

Bus Pass Application forms are available from the school. New applications must be made if you change your address. Passes must be shown on demand. If a child does not have his/her pass, then the driver has every right to demand full payment of the fare or not allow the child to travel on the bus.

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CANTEEN

The canteen strives to operate with the support of volunteer helpers and a volunteer canteen committee. There is a part-time paid co-ordinator. The canteen opens daily, but this depends on the availability of volunteers. Lunch orders should be written on the outside of a clean paper bag with the child’s name and class, and the correct money enclosed. The bags are to be placed in the class basket in the classroom at 9am. This must be done as soon as students go to class because late lunch orders cause worry to our volunteer workers who may be forced to disappoint children, since certain items are ordered fresh once the lunch orders are received. Class monitors collect lunches and they are given to the students at the beginning of the lunch break. Price lists of all goods for sale are sent home periodically. A current price list can be obtained from the office. NO credit is extended by the canteen. If a student forgets lunch or lunch money, he/she should go to the office for the provision of a simple sandwich.

CHOIR                                                                              

The School Choir is a well-established group. Students from Year 3 to Year 6 may join.  Practices are timetabled weekly.  Younger students enjoy singing times in Stage Groups.

 CLOTHING POOL - UNIFORMS

The school has a clothing pool of second-hand items of uniform available at reasonable prices.  Any clean uniform donations are always welcome to build up the clothing pool supplies.  The clothing pool may be accessed by visiting the school office.

 New items of clothing can be purchased through the canteen for very reasonable prices.  Some items may need to be pre-ordered.  Uniforms can also be purchased at Big W, K-Mart etc.  The school colours are white shirt with a navy blue skirt, skort or pants.  Navy blue warm tops, blue hats, white socks and black shoes are also school uniform.

 CURRICULUM                                                 

All schools in NSW teach material according to key learning areas.  The primary curriculum

is based on 6 key learning areas – (KLAs)

 English              Mathematics                           Human Society and its Environment

Creative Arts     Science  & Technology             Personal Development, Physical Education and Health

At Mayfield West Demonstration School, students are given a range of opportunities to express their individual talents within the content of the 6 KLAs.

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DANCE                                                     

Dance is a part of our school curriculum. Groups may participate in dance programs / festivals and / or Starstruck.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES AND TRANSPORT

Children are dismissed from class at 3.00pm each day. Routines for dismissal have been established to ensure maximum safety for students. Children are supervised each afternoon at the crossing and the bus stops.

 Parents are encouraged to support staff in their endeavour to allow ease of movement of children at dismissal time. Observation of pick up areas and keeping the crossing clear is of great help to teachers supervising the children. Parents may wait for their children inside the school grounds just outside the exit for their child’s class.

Parents are reminded of parking restrictions in and around pedestrian crossings and bus zones. Parental parking in the school grounds is prohibited. For the safety of the students please observe these parking regulations. Parking Officers occasionally patrol the parking zones outside the school. You are asked to be prompt in picking up children, as some children become distressed if kept waiting.  There is a disabled parking zone.  It would be appreciated if these were for families who have children who are disabled.

 Please do not park in the bus zone. This is illegal. 

 All students are required to use the most direct and safest route between school and home. Any change to your child’s dismissal routine should be accompanied with a note to your child’s class teacher.

 If for any reason a parent / carer is late to pick up a child a phone call would be appreciated.  If a parent / carer does not pick up a child(ren) they will be in the foyer.  After a period of time the police will be rung if there is no contact from the parent / carers.  If a parent knows they are going to be late alternate arrangements need to be made as staff have commitments in the afternoons and are not child carers.

 EMERGENCY CONTACT

Where the welfare of your child is concerned, the school cannot risk having out-of-date information. The details originally supplied by parents are kept on file. These include:

Address

Telephone numbers      

Emergency contacts                                                                             

Serious illness, disabilities or allergies

Access Information

 Any subsequent changes to this vital information, or additional health matters that could affect the well-being of your child should be notified to the school without delay.

We need current information on hand so we can contact you in cases of emergency. This helps avoid anxiety for children who can become distressed if parents cannot be contacted quickly.

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ENRICHMENT COURSES

Students are given opportunities to extend their learning. These opportunities may vary, but may include; enrichment technology opportunities, literacy enrichment, public speaking/debating, drama, chess etc.  Creative Arts opportunities are also extended to students.

ENROLLING YOUR CHILD

Visit the office and the administration staff will assist you to complete an application to enrol form.  The school will notify you of the results of your application.  Do not purchase uniforms until you receive confirmation of enrolment(s). The following documentation and information will be required:

Birth certificate of child/children                                    

Immunization certificate

Your address and phone number

Doctor’s name, phone number and address

Information concerning medical problems and medication (if required)

Contact numbers in case of emergencies

Any legal documents concerning access to the child/children

Where there are Family Court Orders a copy of the order must be brought to school so that a record can be made of the details. Please advise us, in person, if there are any likely problems in this area. If there are any changes, it is also important to advise the school office.                                                                       

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EXCURSIONS AND VISITS

During each year various educational excursions are undertaken in conjunction with class / stage studies. These may range from part-day visits to overnight excursions. They supplement the learning taking place in the classroom, by providing children with the opportunity to see and experience at first hand, places, events and objects which are being studied. They are not only social but valuable learning experiences.  Due to constant change in medical conditions / allergies, the Department of Education and Training requires a permission note and medical form for EVERY excursion.  Although tedious to fill in this information may be vital to the welfare of your child.

 There are certain requirements concerning behaviour which are an essential part of our accepting the responsibility of supervising any student outside the school grounds. Staff must feel confident that students will be both well mannered and obedient. On such occasions the children are representing Mayfield West Demonstration School and it is expected that they will uphold the school’s fine reputation. We are seldom disappointed.

 During such times, all children remain the responsibility of the staff. We often depend on parents to help, and for this we are most grateful. However, it is important that no child receives an unfair advantage over fellow students just because his/her parent is present, eg. the purchase of food or drink that others cannot enjoy. Your understanding and co-operation is sought in such matters.

At times, cultural experiences are arranged for the children. They are given the opportunity to visit or be visited by approved groups who perform in dance, music or drama. Details of these visits are also sent home together with a permission slip, cost of attendance and for off site visits, medical information.

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WELFARE POLICY

The philosophy of the fair discipline policy is founded in the belief that students have the right to be safe and happy at school. They have the right to be treated fairly and with dignity. The same holds true for teachers. The policy is based upon shared responsibility and mutual respect. Through the recommendations in the Welfare Policy we hope to develop a school environment, which is both productive and harmonious. The emphasis is upon the individual student working towards accepting responsibility for his/her behaviour.

 School responsibilities revolve around four main areas: