A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
The A-Z of Information about Palmerston
Welcome to Palmerston District Primary School. We have provided an A-Z of information to assist in a smooth transition to Palmerston Primary School. If you have any further questions, please call the front office on 02 6142 1440 and they will endeavor to assist you.
Absences from School
It is a legal requirement that class rolls are marked at the beginning of each day. Students who arrive late to school (after 9:00am) must sign in at the Front Office. This will be recorded as a partial attendance on the class roll. Under the ACT Education Act 2004, it is the responsibility of parents/guardians to report their child’s absences to the school. This may be done by a phone call, email or return text message via our SMS absence system. Students who are absent must bring a note from a parent/guardian explaining the reason. If a child needs to leave the school between 8:55am and 3:00pm parent/guardians must sign the student out at the Front Office.
If a student is taking extended leave for more than 25 days, parents/carers will need to complete an extended leave form available at the Front Office.
For further information please refer to the Directorate website to download the Education Act.
Accident/Illness
First Aid Procedures
First Aid is provided throughout the school day. Children are provided with a comfortable place to rest or wait for you to take them home if their injury or illness requires you to be called. We need to be able to contact you quickly in an emergency. Please make sure we have up-to-date contact numbers.
Ambulance Transportation
The school will always call an ambulance if your child’s medical condition requires emergency medical assistance. This is determined by the First Aid officer and the Executive Staff. You will be notified that an ambulance has been called. ACT students injured while under supervision at school or in a school-related situation are transported free of charge to the emergency section of the closest ACT hospital.
Casualty Treatment
Under the Medicare arrangements no charges are raised for services provided at the accident and emergency sections of ACT public hospitals.
- If a student is subsequently admitted to hospital after receiving treatment in the accident or emergency section, s/he will be automatically classified as a Medicare patient and no charge will be raised.
- If you elect to have your child treated by a doctor of your choice, a hospital charge will apply. The doctor may also charge for their services. You are advised to have medical insurance if you wish to choose this option.
Management of Medical Conditions/Medication
The school cannot be responsible for the general management of medical conditions.
In special circumstances, First Aid staff may be able to assist with the administration of medication. In these cases, departmental policy requires a comprehensive written authority from the student’s parents and a written statement from the student’s doctor authorising a member of the First Aid staff to administer the prescribed medication. Forms may be collected from the Front Office.
Where your child requires specific first aid treatment (that is, specific instructions provided by your child’s doctor) in addition to standard first aid treatment, a Personalised First Aid Action Plan is to be completed by your child’s doctor and returned to school (For example asthma and allergies).
Student Medical Information and Consent Form
Please complete the medical information and consent form that you will receive at the start of the year.
Appointments
Communication between school and home is highly valued. The School Board recommends parents make an appointment through the Front Office for any discussion. In the first instance please contact your child’s teacher. If further assistance is required please contact Executive teachers. If you feel your concerns have not been resolved an appointment can be made with the Deputy Principals. An appointment will be arranged at the earliest possible time and attention will be given immediately to urgent issues. As teachers have meetings and lesson preparation to attend to, appointments are necessary to ensure that they have time to meet with you and address your concerns fully. For all serious issues such as discussions on court orders or important family concerns please contact the Front Office to organise an appointment with the Principal.
Assembly
Classes are rostered to organise and host assemblies. Special assemblies may be held to commemorate events such as NAIDOC week, Anzac Day, Harmony Day etc.
At school assemblies students sing the Australian National Anthem and complete a ceremonial ‘Acknowledgement of Country’, acknowledging the Ngunnawal People. We sing the school song at the end of each assembly. Preschool students attend various special assemblies (eg. Book Week) over the year.
Assessment and Reporting
Throughout the year we provide regular formal opportunities for you to learn about your child’s progress. You can obtain a reporting procedures document from the front office. However, at any time, you are welcome to make an appointment to discuss your child with his/her class teacher. At Palmerston we report to the Achievement Standards of the Australian Curriculum.
Beginning of the Year
At the beginning of term one, teachers will invite parents to a ‘get to know you’ interview. A snapshot report is sent home at the end of term one.
Middle of the Year
A mid-year, written report is sent home at the end of term two. Parents are welcome to follow up the written report with an interview. These interviews involve the parent, teacher and child and focus on a reflection of learning and goal setting.
Learning Journey
During third term you will be invited to take part in a learning journey with your child. Your child will escort you on a tour of the classroom and demonstrate her/his learning by explaining various activities, showing pieces of work on wall displays, presenting workbooks or accessing on-line resources, including websites and work samples. Learning journeys are a very special occasion for you and your child.
End of the Year
An end-of-year written report is sent home at the end of term four. Parents are welcome to follow up the written report with an interview. These interviews may involve the parent, teacher and child and focus on a reflection of learning and goal setting.
Portfolios
A portfolio containing a selection of student’s work is sent home in term 4. The work samples are chosen to show your child’s growth and development over the year.
NAPLAN - Years 3 and 5
In term 2 each year, students in years 3 and 5 take part in the National Assessment Program for literacy and numeracy (NAPLAN). Results are sent home later in the year, when they are received by the school.
PIPS - Kindergarten
Kindergarten students are assessed at the beginning of term one and again in term four in literacy and numeracy using Performance Indicators in Primary Schools (PIPS). This program is conducted in all government primary schools throughout the ACT. The PIPS reports are sent home twice a year.