INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS                              Home

EXTENDED LEAVE FROM SCHOOL

 There are occasions during the school year when students go on holidays or travel overseas. Parents need to inform the school when this is occurring. Parents also need to be aware that extended periods of any type of leave may affect a student’s progress from one year to another as they may not satisfy the Department’s required study pattern. Absences in Years 10, 11 and 12 in particular, where students receive Board of Studies credentials, could result in an Unsatisfactory determination, and loss of their School Certificate or HSC. 

If students know in advance that they will be away for a day or two they should approach their classroom teachers. Where students are away for a week or two they should approach their Year Adviser who will then organise work for them.

 SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Please read the following policies and procedures so that you will understand what happens at the school and so that you and your children will know what to do in particular circumstances, for example , when a student is late to school. 

DAILY TIMETABLE

SCHOOL ORGANISATION

Years 7 – 10: School hours are from 8.43am to 3.05pm.  We have 8 periods of 38 minutes each and students are NOT allowed to leave school at any time during the day without prior permission from the Principal or Deputy Principals.

Every Monday school finishes at 2.30pm (end of period 7) and students may go home with their parents’ permission.  Teachers have staff, committee and faculty meetings during period 8.  Students who must wait for school buses that depart at 3.05pm (approximately) should remain in the quadrangle.

Years 11 and 12: Some senior students especially Year 12 will have study periods during the day.  Some attend TAFE courses, others attend the Saturday School of Community Languages while the rest study Extension courses.  It is necessary to timetable some Year 12 outside normal school hours to cater for the diversity of curriculum study here.  Senior students may leave when their lessons for the day have concluded but may NOT leave the school during the day and return.

Year 12 tutorial classes are offered after school, in various subjects and on various days.  Students should apply talk to their Head Teacher for the details of all classes.  In addition, an After School Study Centre is held in the Library between 3.15 pm and 4.30 pm on Wednesday and Thursday.  This is open to all students Years 7 – 12.  Tutors are in attendance to assist students and this service is kindly sponsored by Cabravale Ex-active Servicemen's Club.  Students should register their attendance with Mrs Best or Mr Steinmetz.

  SPORT ORGANISATION

Year 8 have sport on a House basis on Wednesday afternoons with dismissal at the normal time of 3.05pm.

Year 7 have two periods of sport integrated into a weekly 5 period program of PDHPE.

Years 9 and 10 have a choice of inter-school, competitive or recreational sport on Tuesday afternoons.  Depending on the nature of the sport, supervision may conclude at 2.30pmn.  Students will be dismissed from the school or their venue when notice has been given.  Teachers will supervise students who return to school and who choose to remain for the departure of the school buses.  Unless parental permission is granted students should return to school and wait in the quadrangle until dismissed at 3.05pm.

Year 11 also do sport on Tuesday afternoons.  Unfortunately we are unable to offer inter-school competition but nevertheless we feel that this activity is essential for their physical and emotional well being.  It is compulsory and students should not seek exemption or make appointments on these afternoons.  PDHPE is an integral part of the senior curriculum and is a Department of Education and Training requirement.

 ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

Parents/Guardians should send a note to the Roll Teacher when leave of absence is anticipated.  Half-day notes should be taken to the appropriate Deputy Principal before 8.43am on the day leave is sought.  These notes should contain: date, student’s name and Roll Class, reason for absence, time of leaving and a contact phone number so that information can be confirmed.  If there is a medical/dental appointment, an appointment card should be provided.  If leave has not previously been sought, then the student should produce a note explaining the absence on his/her return to school.  This explanation of absence should be written and signed by a parent/guardian (it is not necessary that this note be written in English).  If any parent/guardian has a concern regarding attendance, please contact the school on 97287071 or 97276696 for details.  Unless notes are received it will be assumed that the student is truanting and appropriate action will be taken.

 APPOINTMENT TO SEE TEACHERS

You are invited to come to the school to talk to your child’s Year Adviser, Class Teacher or Head Teacher.  It would be appreciated if you ring and make an appointment prior to your arrival.

 SICKNESS AT SCHOOL

The school does not have the facilities to cater for sick students.  If a student becomes ill during the day, a parent/guardian will be contacted immediately so that the student can be picked up and taken home for treatment.  For this reason the school must be given emergency contact phone numbers – if contact cannot be made it may be necessary to call an ambulance and the student taken to Hosptial.

 SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSION

There is a new Department of Education and Training policy on “Procedures for the Suspension and Expulsion of School Students”. Copies are available for parents, guardians and students at the school and supercedes all previous policies.  They will also be available at our Community Meetings.  It has been rare that students have been suspended from Canley Vale in the past and I do not anticipate that this will change under the new policy.  However, students are entitled to an education and teachers are entitled to respect and courtesy at all times.  This school will not permit the misbehaviour of any student to interfere with the rights to those students seeking to learn, or teachers to teach.  The personal welfare of students who misbehave (and/or make little effort) is a very minor consideration by comparison.

SCHOOL SUBJECT FEES AND VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS

To supplement resources supplied by the Department of Education and Training it is necessary for all State High Schools to request contributions in some practical subjects (e.g. Design & Technology, Visual Arts, Computer Education, Food Technology, Industrial Arts, etc) to pay for consumable items (see additional sheet).  This is in addition to a voluntary School Service contribution which helps to purchase text books, sporting equipment, library and reference books, duplicating supplies, together with trophies, prizes, awards, references and reports of student progress.  This contribution ($75 for Years 7 – 10, $120 for Years 11 and 12, ) is a very necessary item for the smooth running of the school and I would ask that it be paid as soon as possible.  Most students 16 years and over receive “Youth Allowance” through Centrelink.  This money is given specifically to support the ongoing education of senior students.  Should parents experience difficulty in meeting these costs or in the purchase of school uniform, I would be pleased to discuss the situation with them on a personal basis.

Students will only be successful in realising their potential when parents and teachers support each other.  The school must be kept informed and we will do our best to keep communication lines open throughout 2006 addressing your concerns in the welfare of your children.

P. Mahony,  PRINCIPAL                                                                Back