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Introduction to School Policies
Privacy Policy
Student Discipline
Theological Differences
Complaints Policy
School Uniforms
Mobile Phones
Student Detention
Absenteeism , Late Arrivals and Early Collection of Children
Supervision at Arrival and Departure Times
Clearance Procedures (Leaving the School)
Loss and Damage
Introduction to School Policies
School policies are set within the framework of the principles outlined in the Educational Creed (see the chapter titled "THE CONSTITUTION AND EDUCATIONAL CREED" in this handbook) and is subject to its spirit and intention in all respects. The objective of any policy is to give direction to school activities in line with the aims of the school .
All families at l.C.S. are therefore actively encouraged to consider the school policies, be involved in their operation and comment on them in a responsible manner.
For a full explanation of the school's policies, you are referred to the Policy Manual in the school office. An overview of some of the current policies which parents should be particularly aware of, and which relate to daily life at l.C.S., are given below.
Privacy Policy
Illawarra Christian School is committed to protecting your privacy
From 21st December 2001, we have been bound by new sections of the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1998 which set out a number of principles concerning the protection of your personal information.
Following is the information that the Privacy Act requires us to communicate to all of our School Families. We recommend that you keep this information for future reference.
Your personal information
Personal Information held by Illawarra Christian School about you and your family members may include names, dates of birth, current and pervious addresses, phone/mobile numbers, email addresses, bank account or credit card details, occupation and medical records.
If you choose not to provide personal information we may not be able to provide you with the services you and your family members require.
How we collect personal information
Illawarra Christian School collects information in a number of ways including
· directly from you, when you provide information by phone or in documents such as an enrolment application
· from relevant third parties
· from publicly available sources of information
· from our own records
· when legally required to do so
How we use your information
Your personal information may be used in order to
· provide the services our school families require
· research and develop services
· gain an understanding of your families needs in order for us to provide you with a better service
· maintain and develop our business systems and infrastructure, including testing and upgrading of these systems
Examples may include
· membership application
· enrolment application
· school family lists
· data base
· health card
· employment application
Disclosure to third parties
Except where required by law we only disclose personal information to third parties with your express consent. We do not disclose names and addresses to third parties for their own use.
Security of your personal information
We take all reasonable precautions to protect your personal information from loss, unauthorised access, modification and unauthorised disclosure.
Help us to ensure we hold accurate information
Illawarra Christian School takes all reasonable precautions to ensure that your personal information we collect, use and disclose is accurate, complete and up to date. However the accuracy of the information depends to a large extent on the information you provide. That is why we recommend that you
· let us know if there are any errors in your personal information
· keep us up to date with changes to personal information, such as your name and address
You can access your personal information
You have a right to access your personal information, subject to some exceptions allowed by law. If you would like to do so, please let us know. You may be required to put your request in writing for security reasons.
Illawarra Christian School reserves the right to charge a fee for searching for and providing access to your information.
How to contact us
If you have any questions in relation to the privacy of your personal information, please contact us on 02 4272 1266 between 9am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday.
Alternatively you can write to our Privacy Officer at
PO Box 380
Unanderra NSW 2526
Student Discipline Policy
The process of discipline in a Christian context requires a caring and loving attitude, reflecting the discipline of God towards His people. It should always strive to direct the child towards repentance, reconciliation and forgiveness, not only from his/her teacher or peer but also from God.
The staff act in place of the parents, who themselves derive their authority from God. They should thus attempt to imitate God in dealings with children, maintaining a balance between justice, love and mercy, and exemplifying, by their attitudes and actions, a role which would lead the children to become disciples of the Lord.
Discipline involves a genuine respect for authority as well as the qualities of commitment, reliability, trustworthiness, punctuality and care for others. Each child should be regarded as responsible for his or her actions.
The Principal is responsible for the oversight of disciplinary measures used within the school, though each teacher is regarded as having responsibility within his/her classroom.
A wide range of disciplinary measures will be used within the school including encouragement, counsel, correction, reprimand, deprivation. detention, family conference, and suspension or in extreme cases, expulsion.
All serious matters may be reported to the appropriate co-ordinator, then if necessary to the Deputy Principal or the Principal who will consider any further steps necessary, including notifying parents.
If parents, following discussion with the teacher concerned, wish to take issue with a disciplinary action which has been taken, they must do so by following the steps outlined in the Resolution of Issues Policy.
Theological differences and school
Members of our association and of the broader school community come from a wide range of denominations, theological backgrounds, church traditions and Christian experience. Our school seeks to provide a Bible based, Christ-centred education for all. Our beliefs and backgrounds where applied to ICS cover an area that is both smaller and more specialised than those of the denominations etc. which we represent. This is because our school by its nature does not need to enter into some of the more controversial matters of church dogma - eg. baptism, issue of church government, worship styles etc.
Our association's Education Creed reflects the historic Reformed faith in matters of doctrine and thus our potential membership consists of people who can subscribe to these teachings. The Reformed faith is founded on the Bible and reflects the teaching of the Reformation, and particularly that of John Calvin. Its basic tenets are recognition of the supremacy of Scripture, of the centrality of a sovereign, creator God, and a focus on Jesus Christ and the salvation offered in the cross, and the principles of Scripture alone, Faith alone, Grace alone, Christ alone, and every area of life being under the authority of Christ and to be directed to the glory of God alone.
Matters of faith and practice which are not included in the creed should not be treated or raised in a controversial or divisive manner in any area of school life. Such matters rightfully belong to the special task of the parents and the church.
In dealing with any of these matters we need to be careful to be truly loving to one another despite our differences and be very careful of causing our brethren (and especially children) to stumble.
Parents are referred to the Educational Creed itself and the Theological Differences section in the Policy Manual.
Complaints Policy
As a community of Christians we should seek to consider every aspect of our relationships in the light of the Word of God. Let us remind ourselves that our school community is a body, made up of many parts, as Paul illustrates in 1 Corinthians 12.
Scripture recognises the fact that there will be divisions, dissensions and disputes even among Christians living in a fallen world. This is clearly illustrated in the Corinthian church, for example in 1 Corinthians 1:10 and following. This of course does not excuse us for sinful behaviour and we are to strive to "live in harmony with each other, making every effort to live in peace with all men". Hebrews 12:14.
We are not to be quarrelsome people, instead the Bible teaches us that, where necessary, we are to approach our opponents with a spirit of gentleness, remembering that quarrelling only causes disunity within the body. See 2 Timothy 2:22-26.
Paul's words in Philippians 2 stand as a constant reminder that we are to have the same mind in our relationships as that of Christ Jesus, who humbled himself, even to death on the cross, the person who considers others better than himself (verse 3) and looks after anthers interests (verse 4) is not likely to be factious and argumentative.
Nevertheless, there may arise differences which call for clarification. The following procedure will be helpful in dealing with such matters, remembering, that the principles of Christian grace and forbearance should apply at every step along the way.
Aim
Within the school community, it is our desire that all authority is maintained and that we actively promote mutual respect, harmony and Christian unity. This Policy seeks to identify areas of potential conflict and to give guidance as to the procedures for handling them.
Who's Responsible?
1. Constitution Articles 10-13 state that the Board, as the elected representative of the Association, is responsible for:
a. Setting the school policy
b. The administration of the school, including the financial structure, appointment of staff, enrolment of pupils
c. Providing and maintaining of all school buildings and equipment.
2. The Board appoints the Principal to be responsible for:
a. Implementing school policy which directly concerns teaching matters and children attending the school
b. The day to day administration of the educational responsibilities (which includes supervision of teachers, curriculum and students)
c. The communication with parents concerning any matter of an educational nature.
3. The Board appoints the Bursar to be responsible for:
a. Implementing non-educational policies (i.e. finance, building, administration office)
b. To communicate with parents on non-educational administration matters
c. To liaise with government bodies and to keep the Board familiar with current requirements.
4. The Board appoints Teachers to be responsible for:
a. Teaching and nurturing our children whilst they are at school
b. Implementing policies applicable to the classroom situation
c. Assisting members of the association to develop a wholly Christian integrated curriculum.
Settling Disputes
When settling a dispute we need to identify the particular problem area and then using the "Who's Responsible" guide-line approach the appropriate person/s, either by direct personal contact or by confidential note in a sealed envelope.
Who do we go to for a particular complaint?
Policy Matters
a. If you want to clarify a policy on Educational matters then speak with the Principal b. If you want to clarify a policy on Administration then speak with the Bursar.
If these avenues do not clarify the query then you can write to the Chairman of the Board.
General School Complaints
If the complaint deals with the playground, bus, uniform, sport, etc. then arrange to speak with the Principal. If you are not satisfied then you can write to the Chairman of the Board.
Classroom Complaints
If you feel your child has been unjustly disciplined, or for any other classroom query then speak to the teacher as soon as possible to clarify the situation. Then and only then, if the problem is not resolved make an appointment to see the Principal.
(It is a policy of our school that all letters sent home to parents are first viewed by the Principal) . If these avenues do not clarify the query then you can write to the Chairman of the Board.
Administration Enquiries
Fees etc. speak with the Bursar. You can then write to the Chairman of the Board for further discussion if not satisfied.
Disputes Between Members
Disputes between members is not a responsibility of the school. However if the dispute is affecting the school then write to the Chairman of the Board.
School Uniforms
It is the policy of the school that parents make every effort to provide the approved school uniform and to ensure that their children wear it every day. Following is the school policy and dress code as well as details of the school uniform and where they can be obtained.
Why Have Uniforms?
The School Association has at various times affirmed their desire that our students wear a uniform. We share this custom with most Australian schools and believe the wearing of a uniform to be consistent with the following Christian principles:
* a uniform expresses a common identity, helping students to feel part of a body, in this case, the community of the school
* a uniform is a practical solution to the issue of dress for students, it allows families to use their resources wisely and minimises distinctions between students
* a uniform frees students from unnecessary distractions
* a uniform ensures students are dressed decently and modestly
* when clearly defined, and firmly adhered to, a uniform avoids time wastage and stress for parents, teachers and board members on minor matters of dress
Criteria on Which Uniform Selection is Based
ICS uniform should be: practical, comfortable, durable, suitable to the climate, modest, appropriate to the growth and development of the students, readily obtainable, affordable, good value for money, neat and attractive.
Other Considerations:
There needs to be overall uniformity with stages of progression within the school marked by some changes in uniform. Any changes in uniform should retain the overall co-ordination of colour and style. The increasing maturity of senior students needs to be recognised by building choices into permitted uniform. Accessories in Years 11-12 to be restricted to those with a practical function.
Communications Between School and Home Concerning Uniforms
Where a child is temporarily out of uniform (eg. an item is lost), parents provide a note to:
Cordeaux: the roll or class teacher in the Primary and the Deputy Principal in the secondary.
Tongarra: the Office Staff
- Where a longer term exemption is required (eg. for a medical condition), a medical certificate should be provided to the office.
- Where a student is failing to comply with the uniform policy, teachers are required by the Board to:
- draw the matter to the attention of the student and/or
- communicate with the parents using a pro-forma letter provided for the purpose.
The action taken will seek to show regard to the particular circumstances (e.g. the age of the child concerned).
Provisions for Making Change to Uniforms
Every effort has been made to provide a uniform which meets the needs of the school community. It is not envisaged that changes will take place frequently from here on, and in the interests of stability, this is not desirable. However, should an item no longer meet the Criteria listed in this document (eg. no longer readily available), the following steps could be taken in this order:
1. Draw the matter to the attention of the Cordeaux/Tongarra Campus committee.2. If the Campus Committee decides to pursue the matter, it may refer it to the wider school community and the educational staff for input or refer it to the Uniform Committee and/or appropriate task force for research and recommendations.
3. The Uniform committee and/or appropriate task force will send its findings, recommendations to the Campus Committee.
4. If the Campus Committee decides on a change, it will send their recommendations to the Board for approval.
5 If approved, the Board informs the Campus Committee who in turn inform the Uniform Shop, teaching staff and wider school community.
6. The Board authorises changes to the school uniform document.
Dress Code
The school has a standard uniform, which should be worn at all times in accordance with the following guidelines:
- All clothing should be neat, clean and in good repair.
- All clothing should be of the style and colours described in the specification of the uniform
- All clothing to be of modest fit.
- Slacks and tops are not to be tight fitting, hems are to be no shorter than the required length as noted on the Uniform Information Lists.
- Shirts are to be worn tucked in and buttoned to the top (except in summer – top button may be undone. Sports shirts may be worn out side shorts for secondary students only.
- Footwear should be leather lace up school shoes in good repair for both male and female students. For safety reasons, the entire top of the foot needs to be covered. Thongs and joggers are not permitted.
- Hairstyles are to be neat and tidy and not to restrict a student's vision. Hair must be kept clean and brushed or combed, neat and in a natural colour. Hair accessories where needed should be black, bottle green or white for Cordeaux Campus and black, red, or white for Tongarra Campus.
- Students (other than Years 11 and 12 students who are permitted to wear MODERATE amounts of JEWELLERY and MAKE-UP) should not wear fingernail polish or make-up or any jewellery, except for watches and small dress rings.
- Studs or sleepers (at most one per ear) can only be worn in ears. No other pierced body parts to hold jewellery.
- Sports uniform may be worn to and from school by Primary students on the weekly sports day. Secondary students are to change into sports uniform at school for P.E. lessons and sport. If students have sport or P.E. during last period, they may go home in their sports uniform.
- Parents should make every effort to provide the approved school uniform and ensure that their children wear it every day. Should any family have practical difficulties meeting this requirement they should refer to the Principal.
- Hats are compulsory all year round for Prep to Year 12.
- If any additional non-uniform layers of clothing are needed, they must not be visible, e.g. T-shirts under shirts.
Name Tags
It is advisable that all items worn or carried to school by the students should have a name tag or some form of identification attached so that they can be returned if misplaced.
Wet Weather Gear
Raincoats and gumboots are advisable in case of wet weather. Since students take their raincoats and gumboots off before going into the class it is very easy for these clothing items to be lost or picked up by other students. All wet weather gear should therefore have the student's name marked on their clothing. It is recommended that you use a permanent (water-proof) marker for this purpose.
Uniform Shop and Clothing Pool
All uniform items are available from the School Uniform Shops with the exceptions of Black Leather Shoes & Joggers (Cordeaux & Tongarra).
Please note: The items with J are to be purchased from the Uniform Shop.
For those parents who prefer to either make their own uniforms or have them made by a dressmaker, the necessary materials can be purchased from the Uniform Shop. The required patterns may be borrowed for this purpose.
The Uniform Shop also sells School Scientific Calculators, as well as Backpacks. A full price list is available from both Uniform Shops.
A clothing pool from which parents can purchase preloved school uniforms is also available.
For details and pricing on any of the above items please contact the School Office or:-
Cordeaux Campus
Mrs Louise Lacey
55 Ringtail Circuit
Blackbutt 2529
Phone: 4297 1782
Mobile 0404 798 093
Email: crystalclear@shoal.net.au
The Uniform Shop is open each Wednesday from 8.30am to 3.30pm during school terms. The Uniform Shop also opens for two days prior to school resuming in January. Notification of these days is given towards the end of 4th Term, via ‘Chalkboard’.
Tongarra Campus
Mrs Louise Lacey
55 Ringtail Circuit
Blackbutt 2529
Phone: 4297 1782
Mobile 0404 798 093
Email: crystalclear@shoal.net.au
The Uniform Shop is open each Monday from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30pm and Tuesday from 8.30am to 9.30am except for pupil free days. The Uniform Shop also opens the three days prior to school resuming in January. Notification of these days is given towards the end of 4th Term, via ‘Tongarra Times’.
Mobile Phones
There is a recognition of the general trend towards the increased use of mobile phones within society and the benefits associated with their use.
Because of:-
- the potential interruption to classes and the resultant distraction to students
- difficulty in monitoring outside influences during the school day
- the following policy shall apply:
No student shall be permitted to have a mobile phone switched on during the school day (including recess and lunch) at school, on school excursions, camps or activities. Students who inadvertently leave their mobile phone switched on at school, on school excursions, camps or activities shall not answer any incoming calls.
Exceptions shall be at the discretion of the Principal or his delegate.
Primary students shall not bring mobile phones to school without the expressed permission of the Principal or his delegate.
Parents wishing to contact their child should do so via the school office. Students who leave their mobile phone switched on during the school day without the expressed permission of the Principal or his delegate may be required to leave their phone at the school office during the school day. The mobile phone shall be the sole responsibility of the student
Student Detention
Students may be placed on detention by the class teacher for offences that warrant disciplinary measures. Detention for these students is held during the second half of school lunch time:
Cordeaux campus 1.50 – 2.05 pm Tongarra Campus 12.02 – 12.22pm
Care is taken not to over use detention. In the case of infants children alternative disciplinary measures are usually taken.
In the event of three detentions having been accrued during a four week period by a Secondary school student a note is sent home. The parents are informed that, should another detention occur during the four week period, the child may be required to attend an afternoon detention. In such cases the parents will be informed of the exact date and time in advance.
Parents are welcome to attend.
Absenteeism , Late Arrivals and Early Collection of Children
It is the school's legal responsibility to ensure that student absences from school are accounted for and valid and hence reasons for absenteeism must be given to the school. If your child is absent from school for any reason then he/she must bring a signed note from you stating the reason. All notes must be in your handwriting and kept separate from Boomerang Books or school diaries.
If families are planning on extended holidays outside of normal school vacations, parents are requested to write to the Principal to advise of their plans before the event. This is especially important for students in Years 10, 11 and 12 where external regulations on assessments apply and assessment schedules must be complied with.
If a parent needs to collect a child during school hours a signed note must be addressed to the school seeking approval. If the person collecting your child is not a parent, authorisation nominating the person who will collect your child should be part of the note requesting early departure. All students leaving school early must be collected from the office by a responsible adult.
Cordeaux Campus
For Kindergarten to Year 6 the proforma in the Boomerang Book may be used for the purpose of explaining an absence.
Parents are requested to telephone the school office between 8.30 and 9.00am to register their child’s absence. Siblings are not to give a verbal message to the office. The office staff will telephone parents who have not registered their child’s absence notifying the parents of the unexplained absence or truancy.
Children truanting will be dealt with by the school or in continued cases by the Department of Education.
Secondary students who arrive after the commencement of classes, but before 9.30am are required to obtain a late pass from the Deputy Principal. All other late arrivals from both Primary and Secondary students must obtain a late pass from the office staff. If the school bus is late, students are still required to sign in at the office before going to class.
Tongarra Campus
All students who arrive after the commencement of their classes are required to obtain a late pass from the School Office. An explanation for lateness is required in each instance.
All notes provided to explain the reason for a child signing out during school hours must be presented to the office at the beginning of the day. An early leaving pass will be given to the student.
Supervision at Arrival and Departure Times
Cordeaux Campus
Morning:
No students are to be at school before 8:45 am. Teachers are on duty from 8.45 until 9.10 am each school morning and are rostered for playground supervision on a rotating basis.
Afternoon:
Students are supervised by staff as they meet and board buses, meet their parents or leave school to walk home until all students have departed.
Tongarra Campus
No students are to be at school before 8.40 am. Teachers are on duty from 8.30 am (to cover arrival of buses) until 9.05 am each day for playground supervision.
Afternoon:
Students are supervised by staff as they meet and board buses or meet their parents until the last bus departs. Any students not collected from the playground by this time must wait at the Office until collected.
Clearance Procedures (Children Leaving School)
When any student leaves l.C.S., the necessary clearance procedures must be observed.
Parents will give at least one term's notice of termination of enrolment. Failure to do so will render them liable for the payment of one term's fees unless there are mitigating circumstances that are acceptable to the Board.
Each student leaving must obtain a Clearance Form from the school administration office. They are then responsible for obtaining a clearance from each of their teachers by returning all text books, library books and issued equipment. As well, parents must ensure that all fees and monies due to the school are paid.
Loss and Damage
A considerable amount of care needs to be taken with the use of the school's equipment and property. The increasing level of resources available to the students at the school has occurred through the efforts of many families in our school community.
Consequently, parents and staff need to impress on the students that the equipment should be treated with care as far as possible and that other students will want the resources that they use to be in a useable condition The current policy on loss and damage states:
"Parents will be held responsible for the cost of replacing equipment, text books or library books lost or damaged by their children beyond normal wear and tear".
Students should therefore be given encouragement to take some responsibility for their use of the equipment.
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