Prospectus 2005

1. Contact Details

Mount Petrie State School
950 Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road
MACKENZIE Qld 4156

Phone: (07) 3349 1698
Fax: (07) 3349 1015

NB. Children will not be called to the phone. Urgent messages are transmitted through the office. Students are not permitted to use the school phone.

Web address: www.mtpetriess.eq.edu.au
E-mail address: the.principal@mtpetriess.eq.edu.au
After School Care: 0412 573 401

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2. School Profile

SCHOOL ETHOS

All the classes at Mount Petrie State School are multi-age classes, in other words they have more than a single year age group in each class. Most importantly within each multi-age class the aim is to have students learning through interaction with tasks appropriate to their level of attainment. The final decision for class allocation of students belongs to the Principal.

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3. School Organisation

SCHOOL DAY

No child should be at school before 8:00 am or after 3:30pm. When students are repeatedly waiting at school after 3.30 pm, parents/caregivers will be contacted and encouraged to make use of our After School Care Facility.

LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS

Children are not permitted to leave the school grounds during school hours without permission of the Principal or Class Teacher. Parents/caregivers collecting children from school must first sign their child out at the school office and receive a yellow form before collecting them from the classroom.

RETURNS TO SCHOOL

All notes, permission slips and money are to be returned / handed into the office or placed in the 'Light Blue Box' in the school office. For obvious security reasons, students are encouraged to submit all envelopes (especially those containing money) upon immediate arrival at school.

LOST PROPERTY

Lost property is collected and stored in the school office. Regular attempts are made to find owners of lost property; however, at the end of each school year, accumulated and unnamed clothes are given to charitable organisations. Parents are expected to mark the child's name clearly on all belongings, including shoes, hats, water bottles and lunch boxes.

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4. Communication

HOME/SCHOOL RELATIONSHIPS

The school regards a close parent/teacher/child relationship as essential in an effective learning process. Parents are encouraged to communicate regularly with classroom teachers at appropriate times. In this way a child's progress can be carefully monitored, and any problems that may arise can be attended to promptly and rectified before major difficulties can develop. A child who is actively and happily at ease in his/her environment will learn readily and progress effectively.

Whilst we encourage parents to regularly communicate with classroom teachers, we expect that parents will extend the courtesy of making an appointment in advance for such discussions.

REPORTING

Report cards are sent home at the end of Semester 1 and at the end of Semester 2. Parents are requested to attend an interview concerning their child's progress at the end of Semester I. The interview and report supplement regular contact between the home and the school. Parents are encouraged to make an appointment to see the class teachers to discuss matters relating to their children's education at any time throughout the school terms. Likewise, teachers are expected to contact parents to discuss matters at other appropriate times throughout the school year.

Concerns with students' behaviour will usually involve a discussion with the Principal.

NEWSLETTER

Newsletters are sent home each Wednesday. Our school community is encouraged to read it, since it contains up-to-date information. This newsletter can also be emailed to you. Simply provide us with your email address and we'll add you to our electronic subscription list.

ABSENCES

Parents are requested to send a brief written note, e-mail or phone the school to report/advise children's absences.

PRIVACY ACT

On enrolment, all parents are asked to supply certain information, (address, phone number, medical history, family doctor etc.) which is kept as a confidential record at the school. PLEASE ADVISE ANY CHANGES as this information must be kept up to date to be of use.

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5. Health & Safety

MEDICATION
General

The following policy and procedures concerning the administration of medication are in place at Mount Petrie School, which strictly adhere to Education Queensland's guidelines.

School staff are not able to administer medication to parents unless they are provided with the following items:
  1. A written request from the parent/caregiver.
  2. Written advice from a medical practitioner.
  3. The medication must be in the original labelled container.

Parents/caregivers must ensure that the medication is not out of date and has an original pharmacy label with the student's name, dosage and time to be taken.

At Mount Petrie State School, it is expected that all medication will be handed into the office, where details will be kept in our Medication Register. Under no circumstances should students be handing medication in to teachers or keeping medication themselves.

On occasions where parents/caregivers do not provide staff with ALL three requirements above, all teachers and staff at school have been directed NOT to administer medication. In these cases we make every endeavour to contact the parents to inform them of non-administration and to discuss alternative measures.

The co-operation of parents/caregivers with these guidelines is appreciated and they are requested not to expected school staff to operate outside of them.

For special situations, where students regularly take medication and/or need special consideration with regards to a medical condition (e.g. diabetes, cystic fibrosis), the parents/caregivers will meet with the Principal to co-develop a medication / care plan.

Asthma

Students who are responsible for taking their own asthma medication at home should have ready access to their asthma medication during school hours, provided that written permission from a parent or legal guardian is presented to the school. Students are responsible for their inhalers at all times. It is not a requirement that inhalers be stored at the office as required for other medication.

ACCIDENTS

In the event of an accident occurring to a student whilst in the care of school personnel, every endeavour will be made to contact parents or other nominated people and inform them of the SUSPECTED injury and action being CONTEMPLATED.

DENTAL CARE

The School Dental Service visits the school once a year and provides free dental treatment as required, provided parents have completed the necessary form giving permission. Emergency treatment is also available.

SUN SMART

Mount Petrie State School is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all our students. We have registered our school as a Sun Smart School and this has involved the development of a Sun Smart Policy and the formalisation of some of our sun safe procedures.

Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Of all new cancers diagnosed in Australia each year, 80% are skin cancers. Research suggests that at least two-thirds of all melanomas occurring in Australia could be prevented if children were protected from the sun during their first 15 years.

Skin damage, including skin cancer, is the result of cumulative exposure to the sun. Research shows that serve sunburn contributes to skin cancer and other forms of skin damage such as sunspots, blemishes and premature ageing. Most skin damage and skin cancer is therefore preventable.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) levels are highest during the hours that children are at school. As children will spend a portion of their day outdoors, we are concerned to protect them from the harmful effects of the sun. With this in mind Mount Petrie State School realises the need to protect children's skin and educate them about SunSmart behaviour, thus reducing the risk of skin damage from the exposure to the sun.

Our policy aims to: Our commitment is to:
Our Expectations
Parents/caregivers will: Students will:
Fitness

At Mount Petrie SS, we consider that active and healthy children make successful learners. Therefore, all students from Years 1 - 7 are expected to participate in our school's daily fitness program which is conducted from 8.45 - 9.00 each and every school morning. These fitness sessions involve a range of activities from jogging, aerobics, circuit activities and skipping.

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6. Behaviour Management

At Mount Petrie SS we acknowledge that everyone who attends our school has the right to succeed in learning and to contribute to our school's operations in a safe, friendly and challenging environment. Therefore, everyone who attends our school have certain responsibilities and rules to follow, to ensure these rights are upheld and our optimal learning environment for all students is successfully attained.

CHILDREN'S RIGHTS
PARENTS' RIGHTS
TEACHERS' RIGHTS

We therefore expect students to consistently demonstrate respect for themselves, resect for all others and respect for property and the environment in which they learn. Please note that we expect all adults in our school (i.e. teachers, parents and visitors) to demonstrate the same behaviours expected of our students.

Students show respect for themselves by: Students show respect for others' rights by: Students show respect for their environment by: PLEASE NOTE: Our school's behaviour management policy was reviewed in 2005 and is available from the school office or from this website (click on School Information, then Behaviour Management.

ANTI BULLY POLICY

ZERO TOLERANCE

 1.  Purpose

To promulgate a zero tolerance stance against bullying at Mount Petrie State School in an attempt to eradicate it totally from our playground.

2.  Rationale

Everyone at Mount Petrie State School has the right to learn in a safe and supportive school environment that values diversity - an environment free from bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence.

We all have the right to be treated with fairness and dignity.  We all have a responsibility to keep others safe and to treat them in the same way - with fairness, dignity and respect.

Bullying, harassment, violence and discrimination are harmful behaviours that deprive individuals and groups of their rights, jeopardise physical and emotional safety and undermine the wellbeing of our school communities and society.  Furthermore, bullying, harassment, violence and discrimination are harmful to both victims and perpetrators.

 2.  Background context

Up til now, students who have hurt other students intentionally and repeatedly have received a red card (in accordance to our school behaviour management policy) and have spent one/two lunch time sessions (time out) to complete a behaviour management contract.  Whilst this has been effective for 'other' medium disruption behaviours, it hasn't deterred students from continuing to re-offend. 

Education Queensland defines bullying as deliberately hurtful behaviour which includes  Physical attacks:   e.g. hitting, kicking, sexual assault, theft;  Verbal attacks:      e.g name calling, racist comments, offensive remarks, ridicule,Indirect Bullying:  e.g. spreading rumours, explicit ostracism from social groups.

(Education Queensland, Student Protection Procedures, P. 14)

 3.  Policy

a)  We will foster a whole school approach to eradicating bullying, including advocacy, education, communication and zero tolerance.

b)  We will consider any incident that makes someone in our school environment feel unsafe as a form of bullying.  This can include the threat of violence and/or exerting violence/agression towards an object in ways that intimidate and scare others.

c)  We will promulgate the philosophy that there is no excuse for bullying!  There is no excuse for intimidating! There is no excuse for hurting someone with intent!

d)      We will encourage all students to report bullying and all intentions to hurt.  When we foster open and honest communication with all stakeholders about bullying and who is perpetrating such actions in a culture of openness then something will be done to stop the bullying and to protect all students.  With a whole school approach, we can stop bullies if they are reported!

e)      We should educate students about what is bullying, assertiveness and strategies for dealing with bullies.  Even bullies need to identify their own behaviour as bullying. 

f)        Teachers and anxillary staff will be alert to the signs of bullying and act promptly and firmly against it in accordance with our school policy. 

g)      A full record of each bullying incident will be kept (this already takes place). 

h)      Bullies will face a greater punitive action.  In other words, they will be considered for a time out process, with a graduated return to the playground (which will provide the ability to earn back the trust and privilege of being able to enjoy the social aspects of our playground e.g. perpetrators will be required to spend an amount of time i.e. 5 days in the timeout room with good behaviour to earn 15 minutes of playtime).  

i)        Possible suspension as well as graduated return to the playground (e.g. depending on the severity of the actions).

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7. Facilities

ENVIRONMENTAL AREA

A large natural bushland area forms part of the school's 12 hectares. The Mount Petrie State School Habitat Walk was opened in 1995 as part of the school's 40th Anniversary. Teachers regularly make use of the Environmental Area as an integral part of curriculum program.

SPORTS FACILITIES

Mount Petrie has an oval used for soccer, cricket and athletics, a multi-purpose court, two cricket practice nets, a covered play area, an adventure playground and large outdoor grassed areas.

USE OF FACILITIES

No person is permitted on school property without the permission of the Principal. We acknowledge that our school grounds ARE a community resource and like to see local people making use of our grounds for recreational and genuine purposes. Please contact the school office to request permission from the Principal to use of our school grounds out of school hours.

AFTER SCHOOL CARE

Outside hours school care is provided at Mount Petrie State School by the Redlands Police Citizens Youth Club. After School Care is available from 2.45 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Afternoon tea, homework assistance, activities (craft and sports etc.) are provided to students. Vacation care is available on request.

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8. Curriculum

LIBRARY

This school possesses a well-stocked library and children are encouraged to borrow weekly and for each term's vacation period. (NB. There is no borrowing over the Christmas Holidays). Parents are encouraged to visit our library and make use of its facilities (this includes borrowing). Each child is expected to own a library bag (as listed on each booklist).

Our Teacher-Librarian often organises special events that take place in our library; some of these include: visits from the Brisbane City Council Library Service, book club purchases, book fairs and Book Week activities.

BOOK CLUB

Students are given the opportunity to purchase books from Scholastic Book Club. The encouragement and enjoyment of reading is the basic aim of this service. There is no obligation to purchase any of these books, however it is worth considering, since the books are always of excellent quality and represent good value for money.

LIBRARY DONATION FUND

Each year, our P&C invites parents to make a voluntary contribution towards our Library Fund. The funds raised through these contributions go towards the purchase of new books and resources for our school library. An envelope with details of how to make this voluntary contribution is provided early each year.

Please note that contributions to our Library Fund are tax deductible.

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9. Extra Curricula

SCHOOL CAMP

Each year, years 4, 5, 6 & 7 attend a school camp. Every two years our 6s and 7s participate in an excursion to Canberra. Other annual school camps and excursions appropriate to our curriculum plan/programs are planned and announced at the commencement of each school year.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Students at Mt. Petrie have two possible avenues for accessing instrumental music tuition.

Upper Mt. Gravatt State School Instrumental Music Program: This is organised by an employed teacher from Education Queensland. The program is available to Year 5-7 students. Our music teacher (Mrs McManus) assesses students for their suitability for this program. Students generally have access to an instrument for one year at minimal cost and are then expected to buy an instrument from 2nd year onwards. The band and strings has more than 30 participating students. There is minimal cost during the first year. However, parents have to provide transport to and from the lessons at Upper Mt. Gravatt.

Academy Teaching Pty Ltd: This program is a private provider and parents need to pay a term in advance for lessons. Parents can hire or purchase instruments. Students from grades 3 and 4 can access this program providing they can physically manage the instrument. The lessons are held at Mount Petrie State School, absence from school classes is minimised and parents do not have to provide transport.

CHOIR

Mount Petrie students are able to participate in a school choir which rehearses weekly. The choir performs in competitions and regularly visits aged care homes.

INTERSCHOOL VISITS

From time to time students visit (or receive visits from) other schools to join them for activities such as maths teams challenge, musicals, sporting events etc.

STUDENT COUNCIL

Student Council members are elected from our Senior classes (years 5 - 7) at the beginning of each year. The Student Council raises money for Mount Petrie's sponsor child as well as supplementing our school's resources. This fund-raising is achieved through a variety of fun activities which include free dress days, student council activity days, eight hour famine and discos etc.

STUDENT LEADERS

At the beginning of each school year, we elect school captains and sport house captains. All students are involved in the election of these school and house captains, however only Year 7 students are eligible to campaign and contest these positions. Student leaders are expected to consistently demonstrate outstanding behaviour, show a positive attitude towards school and learning and a willingness to support other students and help teaching staff wherever necessary.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

This school operates a cooperative Religious Education Program with no denominational segregation. Volunteers accredited for the teaching of religion in schools visit the school each Wednesday. Parents who wish their children to be excluded should either signify this by making a written request addressed to the Principal.

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10. Sport

HOUSE SYSTEM
Children are allocated to a house when enrolling in our school. ( Siblings are kept in the same house). Houses and their colours are: Kennedy - Red Tasman - Blue
SPORT

Participation in all sport activities is strongly encouraged. Throughout the school year, we regularly aim to have representation in each of the following interschool sports: Cross Country, Athletics, Soccer, Netball, Softball, T-Ball, Cricket, Basketball and Touch Football. Children playing these sports need the permission of their parents, which is organised at the beginning of each term. Furthermore, some of these sporting activities sometimes incur nominal costs (e.g. for transport and/or court hire) - parents are duly advised of these costs if and when they arise.

SWIMMING

Class Teachers and a visiting Physical Education Teacher take children of all years for swimming instruction. Parental permission is necessary. If your child is not attending a lesson, a letter of explanation will need to be provided. One-piece swimsuits and swimming caps must be worn. Swimming caps can be purchased from the school's uniform convenor.

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11. Getting Involved

VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are encouraged to assist our staff in helping our students learn. Volunteers are needed in many areas. Some areas are directly involved with students: Other needs are in areas such as:

Volunteers can be either regular i.e. weekly or daily or for short intensive sessions eg a short talk by a grandparent. All volunteers are required to sign in at the office before proceeding to the classroom and sign out at the office before their departure.

We encourage all parents to get involved with their children's education.

Download Volunteer Booklet - Adobe Acrobat Document (.pdf) [382KB]

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12. Transport

BUS SERVICE

Eligibility for free bus transport to and from school can be discussed with Mount Gravatt Bus Service - Phone 3341 4281.

BEHAVIOUR ON BUSES

Please instruct your children on how they should behave getting on and off a bus, and while travelling in a bus. Heads and arms should not be put out of windows, and no objects should be thrown from a bus. Drivers are instructed to report bad behaviour of children.

PLEASE NOTE: Repeated bad behaviour on buses may result in children being denied use of the service.

TRAFFIC AND PARKING

Vehicular entry to the school is via a new access road, opened in 2004. Coming from the city, travelling along the Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road, turn left into Mount Petrie Road. Then take the first right turn into Mackenzie Rise Estate, at Vivaldi Place, from where the new school road can be accessed. In the car park is a drop off zone, a fully fenced bike lane and a footpath.

Parents dropping off their children using the drop off zone need to do so BEFORE the fencing on the left hand side. Students disembarking in the drop off zone are to make use of the footpath on the left-hand side, which safely leads right up into the school grounds away from the driveway and car park.

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13. Parents & Citizens Association

P&C MEETINGS

P&C Meetings are held on the second Tuesday night of the month from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. As the name suggests, all parents or other citizens interested in the welfare of the school are welcome. (Alterations to meeting times will be advertised in the School Newsletter).

LEVY

A voluntary levy is in place at Mount Petrie School of $100 per child up to a maximum of two children per family (more children than two per family do not incur a levy). The levy may be reduced to $80 per child if parents are able to assist in a voluntary capacity in school fundraising activities or working bees throughout the year. The levy is payable at the commencement of each year.

FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES/WORKING BEES

Regular P&C fundraising activities are held throughout the year to provide more resources for the school and students. These include sausage sizzles, cake stalls, trivia night etc. Working bees are also regularly held at the school to improve facilities for use by the students and teachers. Parents are encouraged to assist the efforts to improve the school, its resources and facilities on these occasions.

TUCKSHOP

The tuckshop is conducted for the convenience of children each Wednesday. Nutritious food at reasonable prices is available. Parents are encouraged to volunteer for the Tuckshop Roster. Please contact our school Administration Officer to register your interest.

UNIFORMS

Children are encouraged to wear uniforms at school, for special occasions and excursions. Sun Smart hats are compulsory and children are encouraged to wear them at all times whilst outdoors. Children without Sun Smart hats are directed to play under the school buildings in the shade.

New uniforms and Second Hand uniforms are available from the school through the Uniform Convenor. (Please enquire at the school office). Donations of used uniforms are always welcome.

GIRLS UNIFORM
SUN SMART HAT
Green wide-brimmed hat or green legionnaire style cap.
SKIRT OR
Green pleated wrap-around skirt
CULOTTES
Green
SHIRT
T-Shirt or Polo shirt with school emblem
PULLOVER
Green fleecy-lined with school emblem.
SHOES
Black - to be worn at all times
SOCKS
White ankle socks
SPORT
Green pleated skirt or culottes and T-Shirt.
TRACKSUIT PANTS
Plain Black
BOYS UNIFROM
SUN SMART HAT
Green wide-brimmed hat or green legionnaire style cap.
SHIRT
T-Shirt or Polo shirt with school emblem.
PULLOVER
Green fleecy-lined with school emblem.
SHORTS
Black boxer style.
SHOES
Black - to be worn at all times.
SOCKS
White ankle socks.
SPORT
T-Shirt with black shorts.
TRACKSUIT PANTS
Plain Black
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