General Information
Address:
Knoke Avenue
GORDON ACT 2906
Communication:
School Phone: (02) 6205 5955 Fax: (02) 6205 5950
Preschoo1 Phone: (02) 6205 5433
Principal: Murray Bruce
Deputy Principal: Lesley Crawford
Office Manager: Anne-Marie Kidman
School Hours:
8.55 am bell
9.00 am bell - morning teaching session begins
11.00 am recess
11.30 am bell – mid-morning teaching session begins
1.00 pm supervised eating in units
1.10 pm playtime
1.50 pm bell – afternoon teaching session begins
3.00 pm students dismissed from class
NOTE: Students do not need to be at school prior to 8.55am.
All students are to assemble in the quad prior to the 8.55am bell.
Students will not be released before 3.00 pm and they will not be asked to remain after 3.00 pm unless prior arrangements have been made with parents (bus, parents picking up, etc).
JACARANDA PRE-ORDERED BOOK PACKS COLLECTIONS
Pre-ordered book pack orders will be available for collection during the first week in the school hall. Order forms will be distributed in October / November each year prior to the new school year commencing.
KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS
There is a single entry at the beginning of the school year for children who turn five on or before 30 April. Close liaison has been established with Gordon Preschool, to facilitate the smooth transition of children from preschool to primary school. School visits and discussions are provided for parents and prospective students to acquaint them with the philosophy and organization of Gordon Primary School.
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES
To maintain Gordon as a quality educational community, the school needs continuing information and support from parents. This can be fully realised only through frankness, cooperation and acceptance of the role and responsibilities of each school community member.
Your parental responsibilities include:
- Providing information to the school about factors relevant to your child's school performance and welfare
- Assisting the school to ensure your child's regular and punctual attendance and participation in school life
- Sending a written note for any absences
- Supporting the implementation of school policies developed by the School Board
- Assisting the school in building a positive attitude and self-concept for each child
- Providing information to, and active support for, your elected representatives on the School Board, Parents and Citizens Association and affiliated organisations
- Advising the school on any changes relevant to student records, especially contact phone numbers, medical conditions eg. head lice and infectious diseases etc.
THE SCHOOL BOARD
The School Board is elected annually and consists of three parent representatives (one of whom is elected as Chairperson), two teacher representatives, a Department of Education nominee and the Principal of the school as the executive officer. The Board's role is to determine education policy, to assess physical, monetary and staffing needs and to develop relationships with the community. It meets once a month and its meetings are open to the public.
PARENTS AND CITIZENS ASSOCATION
The P&C plays a vital role in the functioning of the school. It is the principle forum for parental discussion on educational matters. In addition, funds raised by the P&C are used to purchase items for use in the school. The P&C is responsible for organizing the advertising the election of parents to the School Board.
PARENT CONTACT
When parents contact a member of staff as the result of a problem in the school, that staff member will record the meeting. This will help staff to ensure that follow-up action has been completed and will assist the school in accurately recording events over time.
PARENTAL ACCESS
When a parent other than the usual custodian (i.e. the parent who normally has day to day care of the child) requests access to the child, the custodian (or his/her representative e.g. babysitter) will be informed of the school's action. This may relate to the non-custodial parent collecting a child from school, visiting school, etc. Access will only be denied when the school has proof of that denial of access through a Court order placed on file in the school. When any parent seeks access to a child through an ancillary staff member, the matter will be referred to the class teacher.
LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS
No student will be permitted to leave the school grounds after arrival and before 3.00 pm unless the class teacher has a note from a parent/guardian. Such students will have to be collected from the front office by a parent/guardian at the agreed time and the adult collecting the child will be asked to sign the book kept as a record. The only exceptions to this will be arranged by the Principal/Deputy Principal.
IMMUNISATION
Parents are required to produce evidence of their child's immunisation prior to enrolment at primary school. Please see the ACT immunisation Requirements – Parent Guide booklet for full information.
ACT DENTAL SERVICE
Dental treatment for children attending ACT primary schools is provided by the ACT Community Care Dental Health Program for families which belong to the Child and Youth Dental Membership Scheme (membership forms available from the school). The nearest centre is located at the Tuggeranong Health Centre - Phone (02) 6205 2768.
MEDICATION
If children require medication during the school day, parents must leave it at the front office with full written instructions for administration (with authorisation from a medical practitioner where required). This is a Department requirement. Parents are also required to advise the school in writing if children have asthma medication for self-administration.
SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
The school newsletter is distributed on Thursday each fortnight to the youngest student in each family. It provides news about the school and the wider community and serves as a major information link between home and school.
SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
Whole-school assemblies are held every 2nd week on Fridays in the school hall. Unit based assemblies are also held across the school on a regular basis. Parents are welcome to attend assemblies. Students work towards particular behaviours that are negotiated by the unit each week. At assembly, awards are presented to the students who have demonstrated these behaviours.
UNIFORMS
The school uniform is made up of the school colours of Gordon tartan, gold and black.
The Uniform Shop opens Friday mornings from 8.45 - 9.15 am. Orders may be left at the Front Office outside this time. All orders are to be accompanied by payment. Payment may be made by cash, cheque, or credit card (noting that credit card payments can only be made during Uniform Shop opening hours). The uniform shop runs a second hand pool that sells quality clothing at reasonable prices.
All clothing should be labelled with the child's name, unit and class.
STATIONERY - STUDENT SUPPLIES
Each year the school facilitates a pre-packed stationery offer from Jacaranda Educational Supplies in Belconnen. These pre-packs are good value, convenient for busy parents and a small commission comes to the school. Stationery lists are distributed during Term 4, using this pack offer, parents can choose whether to take up the pre-pack offer or purchase their child/s requirements independently. Stationery lists are available from the front office.
During the year some supplies may need to be replaced or teachers may request a particular item not included in the pre-pack list. It is important that all children have the correct supplies for their learning program from the first day at school. These supplies need to be securely labelled with the child's name and class.
SCHOOL ORGANISATION
The four teaching teams are named Bluebell - Kindergarten, Wattle - Years 1 & 2, Waratah - Years 3 & 4, Banksia - Years 5 & 6. The fifth team, Eucalypt is made up of the resource and support staff, not directly attached to a particular teaching team. Teachers work closely together in teams to provide a well-structured educational program. Each child has a class teacher. All staff share in, and take responsibility for, organisational activities and tasks.
SPORT HOUSES
The school is divided into four sporting house teams and wear the following colours on whole school sport days.
Freeman: Green
Taylor: White
Lewis: Blue
Border: Red
The Administration team is Sauvage. The houses are named after well known sporting heroes and feature in our school song. Cathy Freeman (athletics), Mark Taylor (cricket), Hayley Lewis (swimming), Allan Border(cricket), Louise Sauvage (paralympian).
INFORMATION and COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICT)
Computer use in primary schools has long epitomised good practice. At Gordon Primary School, all students have access to computers and a range of other Information Communication Technologies, including digital cameras, scanners and interactive whiteboards. The ongoing rollout of interactive whiteboards at the school has enabled teachers and students to realise the potential of digital technology to enhance learning as they explore concepts, build on prior knowledge and demonstrate understandings. All students have individual accounts on our wireless network, providing them with access to digital information and resources across the school. Students at Gordon Primary School utilise computers and acquire the necessary skills to succeed in a technology driven economy and society.
LEARNING SUPPORT CENTRE
Since the beginning of 1994 the school has had extra resourcing to identify a Learning Support Centre. This means that the school will be able to give extra small group assistance to children in need from Kindergarten through to Year 6. This assistance is provided on a withdrawal basis for learning time blocks and within the mainstream classroom.
THE RESOURCE CENTRE/LIBRARY
The Resource Centre has resources for staff, students and parents. It has a computerised barcode borrowing system. Computer access is provided for all students during school and at lunchtime. Resource Centre staff and/or trained student monitors are available for assistance at all times.
PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION
At recess, lunch and before school teachers are on duty in the playground. Any problems in the playground should first be referred to them. Teachers are also on duty in the Resource Centre at lunchtime when it is open for children. During mild weather children will shelter under covered walkways. In the event of heavy rain, teachers will supervise children in their units. The decision about wet weather will be made by the Deputy Principal and relayed to all units. All students need appropriate 'Sunsmart' hats to be on the playground.
ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL
Children are expected to gather in the quadrangle where there will be minimal supervision by a teacher from 8.40 to 8.55 am. Parents are asked to ensure that children arrive as close as possible to 9.00 am.
BIKES/SKATEBOARDS
Children will place their bike in the fenced bike rack near the southern car park and then follow the above procedures. The bike areas are out of bounds once bikes have been placed inside. Children must walk their bikes through the school grounds on arrival and departure. The same rules apply for skates and scooters. Bikes and scooters should be secured to the bike racks with appropriate chains and bike locks that are the responsibility of the student. As advised by the ACT Department of Education, the school takes all care but no responsibility for equipment at school. It is the individual responsibility of students to lock their own bikes.
Children are to leave toys, sporting equipment and valuable items at home - this includes roller blades and mobile phones. Staff takes no responsibility for student belongings. (see also: Mobile Phone Policy)
MEDICAL ALERT
A number of children attending Gordon Primary School have life threatening anaphylactic (allergic) reaction to peanuts and nut products. ANAPHYLAXIS is the most severe form of allergic reaction. It results in life-threatening symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling, tightness in the chest, vomiting and shock.
Reactions can be triggered by eating nuts, being touched or breathed on by someone who has eaten nut products.
Gordon Primary School aims to provide a safe environment for all students.
Therefore, we ask that students do not bring peanut butter,nuts or other nut products to school.
SCHOOL BANKING SERVICES
The P & C organizes school banking services through the Commonwealth Bank. Banking is currently on Wednesday each week. The P & C receive a small commission from the Commonwealth Bank for providing this service.
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE
This is run by 'Communities @ Work' in the school hall both before and after school hours. An information pack can be obtained from the school or by contacting Communities @ Work on 62936500.
GORDON PRIMARY SCHOOL’S PHILOSOPHY
Gordon Primary School is an educational community made up of students, parents, staff and members of the wider community who meet together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and co-operation. The school context provides many of our students with first encounters of the world outside their immediate family and neighbourhood. Our common goals are managing change, understanding our multicultural school environment and meeting the needs of individuals and groups.
We aim to promote responsibility, knowledge of self and tolerance of others within a caring environment. This will foster confidence and positive attitudes allowing children to reach their potential while taking control and responsibility for their own actions. We provide a happy and safe place to learn, recognizing the importance of our environment both local and global.
A challenging, balanced education program addresses the eight key learning areas of Mathematics, English Language, the Arts, Health and Physical Education, Technology, Studies of Society and the Environment, Science and Japanese. It also addresses the full range of across curriculum perspectives including Social Justice and Equity.
The school community believes these early experiences will form the basis for a broad and balanced education that looks to the future by promoting the concept of life-long learning with understanding and confidence.
Gordon Primary is a health promoting school. Our school community will empower all individuals to achieve their fullest potential for healthy learning and living. We aim to provide a safe and positive environment which nurtures emotional, physical, social, moral and intellectual well-being.
