Glenvale State School Prep Handbook 2021

Glenvale
 State School
Prep Handbook
     2021

Welcome to Glenvale State School
               “Every One, Every Day, Achieving Together”
When you enrol your child at Glenvale State School we enter into an
active partnership to achieve the best educational outcomes for your
child. This foundation year of schooling is very important. It is now
that your child’s view and wonder of learning becomes firmly
established. At Glenvale we provide dynamic education programs
which develop student’s literacy and numeracy skills aligning to the
Australian Curriculum. Our learning environments are designed to
nurture play, creativity and the ever-evolving role of technology. Our
early years precinct, at the western end of the school, provides
purpose built playgrounds and facilities for our youngest Glenvale
students. Our prep faculty ensures that the first year of schooling at
Glenvale is full of fun and enriching experiences shared with new
friends and their families.

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Glenvale State School Family.

David Saxton
Principal

Before Prep Begins
Before the first day of school there are lots of things to do
in preparation:

   Practice eating lunch out of a lunchbox: monitor and teach your
    child how to open and close lids, poppers/straws, containers, drink
    bottles, and wrappers
   Ensure independent toileting routines
   Practice recognising and writing their own name: use correct
    pencil grip and ensure that the only capital is used at the start
   Read to your child daily: talk about characters, what happens in
    the beginning, middle and end of the story
   Engage in real life literacy: look for letters, frequent words/
    symbols in the environment
   Engage in real life numeracy: recognising numbers on clocks,
    measuring when cooking, and exploring money
   Talk about school with positivity
   Put the school phone numbers in yours and family members
    phonebooks : School 46 592111
                  Absentee TEXT line 0427 077 182
   Facebook:         Like the ‘Glenvale State School P&C Association’
    page to keep to date with P&C events at Glenvale State School

Making the First Day a Success
There are some simple steps you can take to make your child’s first day
               at school more enjoyable and relaxed.

On the day
   Leave plenty of time to get ready
   Make a nutritious breakfast– this is essential everyday for
    sustained energy and concentration
   Talk through how they can ask a teacher for help at any time
    throughout the day
   Take a photo—it is a day you are sure to want to look back on!
   Assist your child to put their bag and water bottle in the
    appropriate places. Talk about what pocket their hat and lunch is
    in. Not doing this together will mean your child may become upset
    when they cannot locate one of their belongings
   Greet the teacher together and engage your child in a quiet
    morning activity like a puzzle or drawing
   When the 8.50 bell rings, all children will be
    asked to come together on the carpet. Give one
    last kiss and a hug and assure them you will be
    back to pick them up at the end of their day.
   If your child is upset, please don’t hesitate
    leaving. Your child will usually calm down quickly.
    You are very welcome to phone the school later
    in the day and check how your child has settled.

Uniform

   We have numerous summer and winter items for purchase
    through our uniform shop (opening times include Monday 8:30 am
    and Thursday 2:30pm)
   Please ensure to name every item of uniform.
   Black leather dress shoes or joggers are welcome to be worn.
    Consider what day your child has sport to ensure that they will be
    wearing joggers and appropriate uniform choices for rolling,
    running etc.
   When purchasing shoes opt for velcro until your child is able to tie
    laces independently.
    All preps are required to wear the yellow embroidered ribbon
    around their hat so staff and senior students can support them
    throughout the school. Please use gold thread to secure it in
    several different locations around the circumference of the hat.
   An accident pack is needed to be kept in your child’s school bag.
    This pack should contain, a pair of underpants, socks and uniform,
    all stored in a plastic bag.

Parent Involvement
A positive relationship between parents, teachers and your child
will play a vital role in ensuring a successful start to schooling.
Every morning our prep classrooms have an ‘open door’ policy,
where parents and family members are welcome in the classroom
to engage in a quiet activity and help children settle into the day.
Parent participation sends strong positive messages to your child
that you support them and value their engagement in the learning
environment.
A prime opportunity to communicate or make an enquiry with
your child’s teacher would be before the commencement of the
learning day. If you are looking for a more comprehensive
discussion about your child’s progress, please make an
appointment.
We have different levels of parent involvement throughout the
year. Helpers are needed for rotations to ensure our small group
literacy lessons can be rich and interactive. One-off special
occasions and jobs will arise throughout the year if you are not
able to commit to weekly volunteering.
If you do consider volunteering, please contact your class teacher
for more information.

Curriculum Information
    At the start of each term you will receive a curriculum newsletter
    detailing what we are learning, how it will be assessed and what you
    can do to at home to support your child. Throughout the school year
    students will engage across a number Australian Curriculum subjects
    and extra curricular learning areas.
           English            Health
           Math               HASS (History and Geography)
           Science            Design and Digital Technologies
           The Arts           Physical Education

                         Lunch Box Nutrition
    A healthy lunch will help your child sustain energy and concentration
     throughout the school day.
    We encourage families to minimize rubbish generated from lunch box
     food. Please send food items in containers where the lid and base are
     named. Ensure your child can open and close these independently.
    We have a fruit snack at 10am each morning so please pack a
     manageable piece of fruit.
    Looking for some lunch box contents inspiration? Check out these
     websites for endless ideas which keep well in a lunch box .