KANGAROO GROUP KINDERGARTEN 2021 - PARENT INFORMATION BOOKLET - Samson Primary School

PARENT INFORMATION BOOKLET

KANGAROO GROUP
   KINDERGARTEN 2021

          22 Lawrence Way, Samson 6163
                 Phone: 9478 9000
       Email: samson.ps@education.wa.edu.au
        Website: www.samsonps.wa.edu.au

FOUR YEAR OLD KINDERGARTEN
              KANGAROO GROUP 2021

                 SCHOOL DAYS/HOURS OF ATTENDANCE
                   (Roster included in Kindergarten pack).

Kindergarten students attend 5 full days per fortnight.

Monday & Thursday (8.30am – 2.30pm) – regular days each week

Wednesday:              (8.30am – 2.30pm)
                         every odd week only – e.g. Week 1, 3, 5, 7, 9

                        SCHOOL TERM DATES 2021

                                 SEMESTER 1

 Term 1        Monday          01.02.2021          Thursday     01.04.2021

 Term 2        Monday          19.04.2021          Friday       02.07.2021

                                 SEMESTER 2

 Term 3        Monday         19.07.2021           Friday        24.09.2021

 Term 4        Monday         11.10.2021           Thursday      16.12.2021

School Term Dates – for future school term dates (in advance), please visit
the following website: https://www.education.wa.edu.au/future-term-dates

Listed below are the Public Holidays that fall during the school term, (all the
other public holidays fall during the school holidays):

Public Holidays
Monday               1st March, 2021       Labour Day                  (Term 1)
Friday                2nd April, 2021      Good Friday                 (Term 1)
Monday                26th April, 2021     Anzac Day                   (Term 2)
Monday                7th June, 2021       Western Australian Day      (Term 2)

Pupil Free Days
Friday             4th June, 2021
Monday           19th July, 2021
Monday        11th October, 2021

WELCOME TO SAMSON KINDERGARTEN
The Samson Kindergarten is an integral part of Samson Primary School. It
provides a secure, happy, educational environment for Kindergarten children.
We look forward to establishing partnerships with parents/guardians so that
together we take on the responsibility of teaching and guiding your young
children.

Please keep us informed of any developments or changes that may have some
bearing on your child’s progress.

ALL CHILDREN ARE TO BRING EACH DAY
      a healthy lunch
      a water bottle
      a piece of fruit
      a school hat; and
      a change of clothes to be kept in a plastic bag, stored in their school
       bag.

HOW DOES A CHILD LEARN
      By firsthand experience – this is essential and is basic to all learning
       throughout life. It comes through seeing, touching, hearing, smelling,
       tasting, and using whole body movements and feelings (emotions). All
       the senses are used in forming a concept and understanding.

      The child must also personally re-construct his/her experience through
       play. Play is a vital part of the Kindergarten programme which can be
       seen wherever the children are – in the home corner, playing with dough,
       busy with art activities, either inside or outside. Play to a child is work,
       and by doing something is how a child learns.

      A child also learns by questioning. How often do we hear how, when
       why? A child is usually sincere in wanting to know and the continued
       questioning is how he/she sorts him/herself into the scheme of things.

      By reasoning – a child’s reasoning is often not like an adult’s because
       experience is limited, therefore, the conclusions reached may not be
       very accurate. However, we must encourage reasoning and help to
       develop understanding.

YOUR CHILD WILL LEARN
      To continue to develop a positive self-image. To know he/she is special
       and has something unique to offer to others.
      To continue to develop independence – e.g. furniture and fittings are
       scaled to child’s size thus he/she can do things without adult help.
      To express him/herself in speech, music, drama, and art activities.
      To communicate and have a good relationship with others.
      To respect ideas, property and feelings of other children and adults in
       the centre.
      To build on their curiosity so they are eager to experience and learn new
       things.
      To observe, question and organise their thinking about the world.
      To achieve basic skills and knowledge essential to future learning in
       literacy and numeracy.

WHAT DO I LEARN AT KINDERGARTEN
      I learn to be away from my parents – and this may take some time,
      I learn to work with teachers and other adults,
      I learn to work alone,
      I learn to share and co-operate,
      I learn simple routines and rules,
      I learn to complete an activity,
      I learn to be independent BUT not afraid to ask for help,
      I learn to select and choose.

I need to learn all of these skills to grow into a Happy, Healthy Person.

                            Remember
  I will learn at my own rate, and this may be faster or slower
                           than others!

I NEED TO LEARN ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND ME BY:
      Finding out what things are called,
      how they work,
      where they come from,
      what they are made of and who makes them,
      how they feel, taste, smell, look and sound,
      finding out if they will hurt me,
      watching things grow and develop.

I MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY EXPLAINING OR UNDERSTANDING
MY FEELINGS AT A YOUNG AGE, BUT:
      I can act them out in play,
      I can express them in my art,
      I can find successful activities to let off steam.

PLAY AND THE KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMME
Purposeful play is a powerful medium for learning. Children need opportunities
to choose from a wide variety of activities, materials and equipment that will
stimulate, challenge and involve them in interesting tasks. Experiences that
we plan for the children will be open ended so that they can explore, create,
change, build, construct, destruct, discover and investigate for themselves.

The main aim of our program is to make your child’s first contact with school a
happy and satisfying experience, which will help to establish positive attitudes
to learning. We aim to encourage the development of your child’s
confidence, concentration, social skills and oral language skills to foster their
imagination and creativity and help build their self-esteem. By providing a rich
variety of experiences, we feel the Kindergarten year will help to form a broad
base on which to build your child’s formal learning.

BEFORE I CAN LEARN MATHEMATICS……I NEED TO:
      Be able to identify and know the names of numbers
      be able to say numbers in the right order,
      match each number with the correct amount of things,
      know the names of shapes and colours and be able to match them,
      put things that are alike into groups,
      learn that things can be put into order, e.g. from smallest to biggest,
      learn about size – more, less, big, small,
      learn about weight, heavy, light.
      learn about space – in, on, behind, under, through,
      learn that some things are constant.

BEFORE I CAN LEARN TO READ….. I NEED TO KNOW:
      What a book is,
      that it contains words and pictures,
      that words can be read,
      that a book has a beginning a middle and an end, a back and a front,
      I may begin to understand that reading (and writing) is done from left to
       right, top to bottom, and that each printed word represents one spoken
       word,
      I need to learn to love and care for books in order to want to read,
      I may not learn all of these things before I am five, but I will learn some,
      I need to know what a letter is and a letter makes a sound.

My language and listening skills grow with lots of
       stories, poems, singing, puppets, games and music.

BEFORE I CAN LEARN TO WRITE……I NEED TO KNOW:
     What happens when I put pencils or paint to paper?
     be able to hold a pencil comfortably,
     have time to scribble and draw shapes before I am able to draw things
      or write letters, this may take a long time.
     Enjoy drawing or painting in order to learn to write,
     learn about letters and words – how they are formed and what order
      they go in,
     I need lots of praise and encouragement, even if you cannot make out
      what I have created.
     I’ll need lots of practice, plenty of paper, paints and pens.

PRINTING
  If you wish to teach your child to write his/her name, could you please use
  the correct form of lower case print and show him/her the correct pencil
  grip. It is difficult if your child has to re-learn to print his/her name and it
  often takes a long time for the child to change if taught incorrectly. Bad
  habits are hard to break. Samson Primary School uses the NSW Solid
  style printing.

  I may get dirty, wet or even a little hurt while I am finding out about
                                things….
            but if I make a discovery then it’s been worth it

STUDENT REPORTS:
  Students in Kindergarten receive two formal reports a year. The end of
  semester 1 and semester 2. In addition students are given samples of
  their work to bring home and show their family. Student reports are
  emailed to parents, so please ensure your email address is up to date on
  our records.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
CLOTHES/SHOES – WHAT TO WEAR TO KINDERGARTEN
As some activities are messy, we like children to be dressed in comfortable and
easy to wash clothes. It cannot be stressed enough that children need to come
to Kindergarten in their “work” or “casual” clothes. Children will feel more
comfortable and this will allow them to join in activities. All in one jump-suits,
clothes with lots of buttons, difficult press studs and belts also tend to be more
of a hindrance if the child has to go to the toilet in a hurry. Dresses are
unsuitable for climbing, sliding, mat work, etc. We like children to wear shoes
as taking them off and putting them back on is a skill they learn. Easy slip on
shoes or sand shoes (with Velcro straps are preferable). Thongs are not
considered appropriate. Teachers will make a decision as to what is safe to do
in particular shoes or clothes. For safety reasons, children with pierced ears
are permitted to wear studs only. Sleepers and other earrings are discouraged.
Although it is not policy for Kindergarten students to wear a school uniform,
should you wish your child to wear the school uniform, there is a Kindergarten
t-shirt available. (Uniforms can be ordered through the QuickCliq website – the
same website for ordering school lunches. Visit (www.quickcliq.com.au) to
register.

SPARE CLOTHES
In the case of an accident occurring we ask parents to include a change of
clothes in their child’s bag. Your child will feel more comfortable changing into
familiar clothes (t-shirt, shorts and underclothes), all labelled please.

NO HAT—PLAY IN THE SHADE POLICY ~ BE SUN SMART
In the interests of the children’s health and safety, hats that cover ears and
the back of neck, must be worn during all outside activities in the sun. This is
enforced throughout the school year. If your child does not bring a hat, he/she
will be directed to play under the shaded verandah area. It is also
recommended that you apply sunscreen to your child before they attend each
session. Please make sure a school hat is always in your child’s bag.

FRUIT/SNACK
Children will need to bring their own healthy snack for morning tea, (i.e. piece
of fruit, vegetable snack, dried fruits or cheese every day they attend
Kindergarten. Please do not bring sweets, or sweet biscuits, as we begin to
prepare our children for the “Sip & Crunch” program our children follow in Year
1. We request that the children’s water bottles are only filled with water, as this
is what they will continue to drink from throughout the day whenever they need
to have a drink.

Please do not send in NUTS of any kind, including spreads which are commonly
used on celery sticks, e.g. Peanut Butter/Paste, Peanut Oil and Nutella. We
have several children with life threatening allergies to these foods.

LUNCH AT KINDERGARTEN
Children will need a packed lunch. Parents are requested to send in healthy
lunches that sustain the children for the remainder of the day.

      Names on lunch box lids, as well as lunch boxes, are necessary,
      consider placing your child’s lunch directly into the lunchbox without
       using plastic cling wrap. There are several lunchboxes on the market
       that are designed for paperless lunches, in keeping with our Waste
       Wise Policy here at Samson Primary School,
      insulated lunch boxes are useful as children’s lunches are not
       refrigerated (there is no room),
      check that the lids on your child’s containers are able to be easily
       removed,
      remember to add spoons/forks if necessary,
      no lollies/chocolates are allowed to be eaten at lunchtime. Please limit
       packaged food.

CANTEEN LUNCH ORDERS
      The school canteen is open on Thursday & Fridays only. It is operated
       by the P&C Committee, a Canteen Manager and assisted by
       volunteers. Lunch orders must be placed online via
       www.quickcliq.com.au by 8.45am, (the day morning tea/lunch is
       required).

BIRTHDAYS
We encourage children to celebrate their special day. You are welcome to send
along mini cupcakes for the class to share. Please do not send along a whole
cake as it often becomes very difficult to ensure everyone enjoys a sizeable
portion. This enhances social interactions and gives them a special day.
Please do not send any cakes or other treats with any types of nuts in them.
Severe life threatening allergies are on the rise, and in 2021 we have several
children in our classes with allergies to nuts and other food products.

Please notify your child’s teacher should you not wish birthdays to be
acknowledged or celebrated.

If your child does have a severe/life threatening allergy, we can store a
replacement treat (suitable for your child, supplied by yourself), which we will
give in place of the birthday cakes. This will allow your child to still be involved
in the social interaction of the birthday celebration. (Please discuss this with
the classroom teacher further). Each Kindergarten class has 20 children.

CHILDREN’S POSESSIONS
The Kindergarten has a variety of equipment, toys, books and games for the
children to use each day. Children should not bring any of their own personal,
precious items to school unless they have been requested for a particular
reason. The teacher will let you know if the children are required to bring items
for “show and tell” or news sharing sessions. Loss of these items causes
distress to the child and unnecessary time loss for the staff.

CHILDREN’S BIKES/TRICYCLES & SCOOTERS
You are asked not to allow children to bring their bikes/tricycles & scooters into
the Centre as storage during session times is difficult. Security of bikes cannot
be guaranteed. They can be a source of danger and a distraction to other
children who want to use them during outdoor play. Bikes brought to the Centre
must remain outside the fence and secured at the bike rack (located outside
the Senior block). They remain the responsibility of the parents.

TOILET TRAINING
It is assumed that your child is toilet trained. If there is any difficulty in regards
to toilet training, please let the teacher know. While staff can deal with
accidents of this nature, parents will be contacted when repeated mishaps
(requiring children to be cleaned and changed) occur.

DELIVERING AND COLLECTING CHILDREN
Arrival - children can feel unsettled if they arrive to Kindergarten late. We ask
that parents endeavour to bring their child on time to minimize this disruption.
Please wait outside the gates/door with your child until a staff member admits
you to the Centre. Unruly and boisterous chasing games are not permitted as
this excites the children even before the session begins. We urge parents,
therefore to ensure that children are not involved in such games. We also ask
that children of any age are not permitted to use the outdoor play areas and
climbing equipment before the Centre is open, or after the children have been
collected from class. We cannot supervise children during these times, and we
ask you to help us to discourage children from doing so.

Children must be left in the care of a staff member and under no circumstances
be left to enter the Kindergarten classroom alone. Parents are encouraged to
spend some time settling their child into the classroom setting each day.
Children will not be released at pick up time until an authorized adult comes to
the classroom door. Please notify us in writing of any authorized adults who
will be picking up your child throughout the school year. In the event of an
emergency and someone different will be picking up your child, unknown to the
Kindergarten staff and other than those listed on your contacts, please phone
the school on 9487 9000 where you can talk directly to a staff member. A
collection authority form is located near the main door in the Centre should you
wish to list someone different picking up your child on the day. Please talk to a
staff member if you are unsure about the procedure.

Collection— prompt collection of your child at the end of each session 2.40pm)
would be appreciated, as no child likes to be the last to leave.

Please Note: Older siblings are not permitted to collect children
from Kindergarten under any circumstances.

SIGNING STUDENTS IN & OUT OF SCHOOL
Passtab is a programme we have in Administration for all children who arrive
late, or are collected throughout the day from school. Children who are collected
for an appointment and then returned to the school must also be entered in
passtab to reflect their absence in and out of the school.

PARENT HELP ROSTER
A roster will be displayed at the beginning of each term. We value parent
involvement and hope that parents are able to participate in the fun and
educational learning experiences along with the children. All parents,
guardians or grandparents are encouraged to enjoy themselves whilst:

      Learning more about what happens at Kindergarten (and why it
       happens),
      establishing a positive relationship with the teacher and the Teacher’s
       Assistant,
      assisting the teacher by carrying out “domestic” tasks e.g. tidying
       tables and helping with preparation,
      helping the children to get the most from their learning experiences by
       listening, talking, questioning and encouraging,
      modelling, speaking, listening, reading and writing for children,
      supervising children whilst they play to learn.

As the purpose of the helper roster is to provide an opportunity for parents
and children to work together in the Kindergarten setting, it is best that
babies and toddlers do not accompany their parents whilst they are on roster.
Parents can attend roster between 8.30am – 11.00am on the days your child
attends.

LAUNDRY ROSTER
A laundry roster will be set up on a weekly basis. Parents will be asked to do
a small amount of washing on the last session of the week and it will need to
be returned by the following session.

CURRENT ADDRESS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
If a child becomes ill during a session, the parent/guardian/emergency contact
will be telephoned to collect the child. Therefore, it is essential that the school
has your current address, telephone numbers and emergency contacts.
(Several emergency contacts can be listed on the school’s data base per
child). Please give details to office staff. Children are left in what can be a
distressing situation if we cannot locate parents or an emergency contact

ILLNESS
Children who are ill must not attend Kindergarten. A child who is not well can
become very distressed when in a group situation. It will also help curb the
spread of infection to other children and staff. Please keep your child at home
if he/she is showing symptoms of the following:

      Head lice - until treated,
      nose/ear/eye discharge,
      weeping sores,
      diarrhea,
      fever,
      vomiting, or has vomited within the last 24 hours,
      any signs of infectious diseases, i.e. chicken pox, influenza, mumps,
       Rubella, trachoma, measles, ringworm, school sores, or whooping
       cough.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Recommended minimum periods of exclusion from kindergarten, pre-primary
and school for contacts of and cases with infectious diseases.

AMOEBIC DYSENTERY (Amoebiasis) - exclude until 24 hours after diarrhoea
has ceased.

CHICKEN POX (Varicella) - A common, acute, viral infection, exclude for at
least 5 days after vesicles (rash) appear and until vesicles have formed crusts.
Refer any immunosuppressed children (e.g. leukaemia patients) to their doctor.
Symptoms include, fever, fatigue, and a generalised rash characterised by
small vesicles (blisters) that rupture to form crusts. (This is a Notifiable
Disease).

CONJUNCTIVITIS – a common, acute, viral or bacterial infection of the eyes.
Symptoms include sore, itchy eyes and discharge. Exclude until discharge from
eyes has ceased.

CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS (CMV) – A common parasitic infection of the intestine,
can present often without symptoms. When present, symptoms include
vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain and four smelling diarrhoea. Exclude
until 24 hours after diarrhoea has ceased. Cases should also avoid using public
swimming pools for two weeks after diarrhoea has ceased. (This is a Notifiable
Disease)

DIARRHOEA – various viruses, bacteria or parasites, e.g. Campylobacter,
Giardia, Norovirus, Salmonella, Shigella, Rotavirus, and Cryptosporidium)
discuss with your local Public Health Staff. Cause can be a range of common
infections of the intestines. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and
abdominal pain. Exclude until 24 hours after diarrhoea has ceased. (This is a
Notifiable Disease).

GERMAN MEASLES (Rubella) - An uncommon viral disease, exclude for 4
days after onset of rash. Symptoms include fever, sore eyes, swollen glands
(especially behind the ears), and generalised rash. (This is a Notifiable
Disease).

GLANDULAR FEVER (Infectious Mononucleosis, Epstein-Barr virus) - A
common, acute, viral infection. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, enlarged
glands, rash, fatigure. Exclude from school while symptoms remain.

HAND, FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE (various Enteroviruses, mostly
Coxsackievirus) – Is a common, acute, viral infection. Symptoms include fever,
vesicles (blisters) in the mouth and on the hands and feet. This infection is not
related to the Foot and Mouth Disease found in animals. Exclude until vesicles
have formed crusts that are dry.

HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE TYPE B (HIB) – Symptoms of meningitis
include fever, vomiting, headache, neck stiffness, irritability, and fitting. Exclude
until antibiotic treatment completed, usually 48 hours. (This is a Notifiable
Disease).

HEAD LICE (Pediculosis) – Is a common, parasitic infestation of the scalp hair.
Symptoms include scratching and the presence of “nits” (eggs) and lice in the
scalp hair. Exclude until after treatment has commenced and live lice removed.

HEPATITIS A (Hepatitis A virus) – Is an acute, viral infection of the liver.
Symptoms include malaise, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, fever
jaundice, dark urine and pale faeces. Exclude for at least one week after onset
of jaundice or 14 days after onset of symptoms (if not jaundiced). Extra
exclusion may apply for high risk groups. (This is a Notifiable Disease).

HERPES SIMPLEX (Cold Sores) – A common, viral infection. Symptoms
include vesicles (blisters) around the mouth, fever and malaise. Young children
unable to comply with good oral hygiene practices should be excluded if lesions
are uncovered and weeping.

HOOKWORM (Ancylostoma duodenale) – Is a common parasite of the
intestines. Symptoms include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
Hookworm may also cause anaemia in your children if untreated. Exclude until
diarrhoea has ceased.

IMPETIGO (School sores) – A common, acute bacterial infection of the skin
caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria. Symptoms include itchy
pustules and scabs. Exclude until after antibiotic treatment has commenced.
Lesions on exposed skin surfaces should be covered with a waterproof
dressing).

INFLUENZA (Flu) – Is a common, acute, respiratory, viral infection. Symptoms
include fever, malaise, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat and cough.
Exclude until symptoms resolved.

MEASLES (Morbilli virus) - a highly infectious, uncommon, acute, viral
infection. Symptoms include lethargy, malaise, cough, sore and swollen eyes
and nasal passages, fever and rash – must be confirmed with laboratory
testing. Exclude for 4 days after the onset of the rash, in consultation with
Public Health staff. (This is a Notifiable Disease).

MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE – Is an uncommon, acute, bacterial infection.
Symptoms include fever, vomiting, headache, neck stiffness, muscle and join
pain, rash, drowsiness, irritability, confusion and diarrhoea. Exclude until after
treatment has been completed.

MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM – Is a common, acute, viral infection of the
skin. Symptoms include small, painless, pearly white lesions. Infectious as
long as lesions persist.

MUMPS – an uncommon, acute, viral infection. Symptoms include painful,
swollen, salivary glands, fever, headache, painful testicles or ovaries. Exclude
for 9 days after onset of symptoms. (This is a Notifiable Disease).

PERTUSSIS (Whooping cough) – Is a highly contagious, acute, respiratory,
bacterial infection. Exclude until 5 days after an appropriate antibiotic
treatment, or for 21 days from the onset of coughing.

RINGWORM – a common fungal infection of the skin that usually affects the
scalp, skin, fingers, toenails and feet. Exclude until person has received
antifungal treatment for 24 hours.

SCABIES – an uncommon, acute parasitic infection, caused by a mite which
burrows beneath the surface of the skin. Symptoms include intense itching
between the fingers or on the wrists, elbows and armpits. Exclude until the day
after treatment has commenced. Family contacts will probably be infected and
should be treated accordingly.

SHINGLES (Varicella Zoster) – Is a common, acute reactivation of the varicella
(chickenpox) virus. Symptoms include a painful blistering rash, usually on the
trunk or face.

STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTION INCLUDING SCARLET FEVER – Is an
uncommon, acute, bacterial infection. Diseases include throat and ear
infections, Rheumatic Fever, skin infections. Symptoms differ depending on
the infection. Exclude until child has received antibiotics for 24 hours.

WHOOPING COUGH (Pertussis) – exclude from school for 2 weeks after onset
of illness or 5 days after starting antibiotics.

WORMS – exclude until diarrhoea has ceased.

Remember, although your child may plead with you to let him/her come
to Kindergarten when they are unwell, be firm and only let them attend
when they are in no danger of infecting others with their illness.

MEDICATION POLICY
The Education Department has specific guidelines controlling the
administration of medication to students. If your child requires regular
medication or in an emergency, please ensure that you talk to the
Administration Staff to receive the appropriate paperwork that will need to be
completed. Please inform your child’s classroom teacher also.

Short Term Medication
Short term medication is prescribed medication that a student is required to
take during school hours in response to a short-term medical condition.
(Administration of Medication – Form 3 - needs to be completed), in every
instance. Forms can be obtained from the office.

Long Term Medication
Long term medication is prescribed medication that a student is required to take
during school hours in response to a long-term or ongoing medical condition.
A Health Care Management Plan needs to be completed along with written
instructions from the medical practitioner. Forms are available for common
conditions. For other conditions the generic health care form or a plan provided
by a medical practitioner can be used. The following plans are available:

      Generic Health Care Management & Emergency Response Plan;
      Severe Allergy/Anaphylaxis Management & Emergency Response Plan;
      Mild to Moderate Allergies Management & Emergency Response Plan;
      Diabetes Action & Management Plans;
      Seizure Management & Emergency Response Plan;
      Asthma Management & Emergency Response Plan;
      Activity of Daily Living;

Prescribed Medication
Prescribed medication will only be accepted if it has the original label dispensed
by the pharmacy. School staff will only administer medication in accordance
with instructions given or advice of a medical authority.

IF YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT

SMS communication for student absences & late arrivals
We are pleased to advise that Samson Primary School uses a mobile phone
messaging system to communicate unexplained student absences to
parents/guardians. This communication system uses Short Messaging Service
(SMS) and will send text messages to parent/guardian mobile phones when
your child is absent from school (in the instance that an explanation has not
already been provided). Mobile Number: 0418 948 875.

Parents need to be aware that this system is an additional absence follow up
service only. There will be times when parents may not receive a text message
due to technical issues. In cases where you are concerned about your child’s
attendance, please contact the school directly on 9478 9000. Please keep the
office updated of any mobile phone number changes.

HELP FOR YOUR CHILD
We are always here to try and help you with problems concerning your child.
We have access to a Community Nurse, a School Psychologist and our
Chaplain who may be able to help you if you have a concern. Your child’s
teachers may suggest you access the services of outside agencies for
additional support and/or information. You don’t have to cope alone. Early
notification and intervention is best for all.

Please let us know of anything that is happening at home which may affect your
child. If we know things are unsettled at home, we can better understand your
child’s change of behavior at school.

SCHOOL NURSE
A School Entry Health Assessment will be completed by the school Nurse
during your child’s Kindergarten year. A permission form will be sent home to
be completed by parents/guardians closer to the date of the nurse’s expected
visit. The assessment is on hearing and vision, and parents will receive a copy
of the results.

PROGRESS
Please keep in contact with the teacher about your child’s progress and health.
Small concerns can be settled at arrival time. However, for a longer interview,
please make an appointment agreeable to yourself and the teacher.
Wednesday is D.O.T.T. day for the Kindergarten teacher; therefore, interviews
are better suited for this day.

VACCINATION

What is an Air Immunisation History Statement
An AIR Immunisation History Statement is a record of your child’s immunisation
history.

How do I get a copy of my child’s AIR Immunisation History Statement?
A copy of your child’s Immunisation History Statement is posted to you when
your child completes their childhood immunisation schedule.

You can also access a statement at any time by:

      logging into Medicare online via MyGov (https://mygov.au)
      using the Medicare Express Plus app
       (www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/express-plus-mobile-
       apps)
      visiting a Medicare or Centrelink office, or
      calling the AIR General Enquiries Line on 1800 653 809.

NEWSLETTER
The school newsletter is published fortnightly on the school website
www.samsonps.wa.edu.au. An email will be sent out with the link to parents
after it is uploaded to the website. (Please ensure your email address is up to
date). Should your child have their photo in a school newsletter – it will appear
in colour on the website. If you do not have internet access, please contact the
office where a copy can be printed for you in black and white. We love to hear
of your children’s personal achievements out of school hours, e.g., sporting
awards, music awards, dance, gymnastics etc. If you would like to share their
achievement with the Samson school community through the newsletter,
please write the information down on a piece of paper and pass it onto the
Administration Staff.

PARKING
All cars should be parked in Lawrence Way or on the angle parking on the
school side of Philmore Crescent. Cars that park opposite the angle parking on
Philmore are illegally parked and have occasionally been reversed into by
unsuspecting parents. Often parking inspectors will visit the school to check
that parents are adhering to the signs. The staff car-park should never be
used by parents for dropping off or collecting students, even in winter when it
is raining. Only the day care centres are allowed to access this car park. We
advise parents not to leave children unattended in cars, or handbags/mobile
phones etc.

SPEED LIMIT
Please follow the 40km speed limit during school times around the school
streets. Several times a year a speed camera is located on our school site to
ensure parents are following the 40km limit.

NO DOGS
Parents and visitors are requested to not bring dogs onto school grounds.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND CHARGES FOR KINDERGARTEN
School voluntary contributions for 2021 are $60.00 per child and the P & C
voluntary contributions are $50.00 per family.

These can be paid directly to the Office (either by EFTPOS, cash, cheque or
direct debit into the school’s bank account:

ACCOUNT NAME:         Samson Primary School
BSB:                  036-084
ACCOUNT NO:           810 709
REFERENCE:            Please use your child’s SURNAME & CHRISTIAN
                      NAME as the reference.

CUSTODY AND LEGAL DIRECTIVES
Unless there is a Restraining Order or a Sole Custody Order from the Family
Court or other legal requirements, we are unable to refuse the legal parent or
guardian the right to access the child. The school must be shown the original
document so a copy can be made and kept with the child’s personal details.

PUPIL MANAGEMENT PROCESS

 A Positive Classroom Environment:
The teacher will foster a positive class environment which will encourage
children’s learning in the following ways:

        Building positive relationships with children and amongst children,
        establishing mutual respect in teacher-child and child-child
         relationships,
        listening effectively,
        being an effective teacher,
        responding in ways that enhance positive feelings of self-worth in the
         child,
        establishing classroom responsibilities with children.

Managing Pupil Behavior
In the event that a child’s behavior is disruptive and needs correcting, the
following steps will be taken by the teacher:

1.       Verbal warning the child (discussing the unacceptable behaviour),
2.       separate the child from others within the classroom (thinking mat) after
         3rd warning),
3.       contact the school administration/parent if necessary.

EXPECTATIONS
In the interests of creating and maintaining a harmonious environment, the
following expectations apply to all children:

        Play safely,
        keep their hands off other people and their property,
        be a co-operative, responsible group member.

USEFUL ITEMS WE RECYCLE
We can “recycle” many items from your homes. The children often use
several items to make junk creations and collages. Below is a list of
resources suitable for collection to use in the Centre. Please send any items
that you do not need ~ if unsure please ask the staff.

Buttons
Calendars
Corks
Corrugated card
Cotton reels
Dough Cutters
Egg cartons
Envelopes
Fringes
Greeting cards
Ice cream containers. (Please ensure plastic containers are thoroughly cleaned)
Lace
Materials scraps
Nuts & Bolts
Old clocks
Old costume jewellery & costume (for home corner)
Patty pans
Pop sticks
Sandpaper
Sequins
Stickers
Tissue Boxes
Wood off cuts (soft wood/pine)

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