Welcome to Our Lady of the Rosary Primary

We are a Catholic faith learning community where the staff, parents and parish work together in the best interests of each and every child.

Our school motto is 'We Follow Jesus'. We strive to help children build a relationship with Jesus that will guide their actions each and every day, and then sustain them as they journey through life. For all members of our faith learning community, Jesus is our role model.

Respect, rights and responsibility are at the core of the expectations of behaviour we have for all members of the community.

Working in partnership with families, the staff is committed to providing a safe and happy environment where each person is cared for and engaged in their learning.

We provide children with diverse learning opportunities to help them become the best person and learner they can be.

Our Catholic culture, daily Religious Education and our Catholic worldview influences all learning across the school day.

An integrated approach to learning, encompassing all key learning areas, and with a strong focus on literacy and numeracy, ensures every child is helped to reach their full potential.

Our highly qualified, dedicated and professional teachers work collaboratively to provide the best learning opportunities for each student. We see ourselves as learners, continually seeking ways of improving our teaching and learning techniques, the diversity of learning experiences provided for each child, and the quality of the overall learning environment.

Our enthusiastic and highly skilled support staff help to provide a safe and supportive environment and work to enable the teachers to put maximum time and effort into the children's learning.

Families seeking a high quality Catholic school education are welcome to contact our school to arrange a learning tour.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our website, where we aim to give you a sense of just some of the dynamic learning happening at Our Lady of the Rosary.

Please feel free to contact the school office for more information.

Kind regards,

Mr Michael Siciliano
Principal Educator
On behalf of all the Staff

In Eighteen Eighty at St Marys
Mother Mary and her nuns
Listened to the call of Jesus
Found a school for little ones

Kangaroos hopped through the playground
Native birds flew overhead
In this happy, joyous setting
Jesus’ word was taught and spread

We follow Jesus, We follow Jesus
We follow Jesus, He’s our friend

Now at Our Lady of the Rosary

Children from all nations come
We’re all happy here together
Aussies caring one for one

Learn to love the ways of Jesus
Learn to read and write and pray
There is happiness in learning
Caring teachers show the way

We follow Jesus, We follow Jesus
We follow Jesus, He’s our friend

This is our school
Let peace dwell here
Let the rooms be filled with contentment
Let love abide here
Love of God
Love of one another
Love of mankind
And Love of life itself
Let us remember
that as many hands build a house,
so many hearts make a school.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us
St Joseph, pray for us
St Mary of the Cross, help us to follow Jesus.

School hours

Office hours

8:30 am – 3:15 pm

Supervision in the playground

Playground supervision begins at 8:15 am and concludes at 3:25 pm.

Please note that children who arrive at school before this time will be unsupervised. For safety reasons children should not come to school before 8:15 am. Children are not to be on the premises outside the stated school hours.

Supervision after school

The children are dismissed at 2:55 pm.

A written note requesting other arrangements must be received by the class teacher.

Children who wait for parents do so inside the school grounds. Parents who collect their children gather under the undercroft. In the event that children are left in the school after 3.25pm, we attempt to contact parents or emergency contact person. At no time are children left alone.

Children catching buses

Children gather in the undercroft area and are escorted to the relevant bus stops by a teacher as per term duty roster. Teachers wait with the students until all students have caught their bus and the buses have departed.

Children attending After School Care

Children gather in the undercroft area and are escorted to the Edgar St back gate by a teacher as per term duty roster. OOSH buses mark children off the roll to ensure they have collected all students booked for the day. Teachers wait with the students until all students have caught their bus and the buses have departed.

Road Crossing supervision

 Every morning and afternoon, there is a RMS Crossing Supervisor on duty at the pedestrian crossing across Saddington Street that leads to the school gate.

Each afternoon (from 2:55pm) a teacher will supervise the students that cross Mamre Road as per the term duty roster. Students gather at a designated spot inside the school and are walked across the road, where they then make their way home.

The teacher on duty will wear a high visibility vest.

A ‘Kiss and Drop zone’ operates in the school grounds. The Kiss and Drop area can cater for 6 cars at a time only.  In the afternoon between 2:55pm and 3:05pm it is extremely busy. Please make sure you display your laminated sign of your child's name when you enter the driveway, to make it easier to call children and load the cars.

We suggest that you either park on Edgar Street or Saddington Street or, to drop off or pick up your child within the school grounds - enter the basketball car park from Edgar St and then leave via Saddington Street (left hand turn only according to the sign).

The basketball car park is closed at 9:15am and is then reopened at 2:45pm. From the basketball car park, please use the school entry gate that is located close to the classrooms. All entry gates to the school will be opened after the 2:55pm dismissal bell, by one of the teachers on duty. Please do not park in the staff car park at anytime.

Late arrival and early dismissal

If your child arrives late to school you (the parent/adult), need to sign in at the office before the child goes to class.

If your child needs to leave early from school (medical appointment, etc.) you (the parent/adult), need to send a letter to the school (before the actual day) advising the Principal of the reason you need to collect your child early. The Principal will then grant approval for your child to leave early. You will still need to sign your child out from the office.

If your child is to be collected at any time by someone other than parents/emergency contacts, please notify the office prior to their arrival. They will be required to show identification when they collect your child.

In order to minimise class disruption, it would be helpful if all appointments for children e.g. Doctor, Dentist etc could be made outside school hours.

2023 School Term Dates

Please check the newsletter for staff development days that may result in changes to these dates

Homework is designed to consolidate work being done at school. Your child’s learning will be enhanced by the reinforcement of concepts and skills.

Our school’s homework policy aims to:

• further develop skills introduced in the classroom
• revise concepts and knowledge
• encourage good study habits
• stimulate children to search for knowledge in new interest areas
• encourage interaction between parents, student and school

What we do:

• Each teacher discusses homework at the parent information night in Term 1.
• Each class teacher sets the homework tasks for their class.
• Tasks may be from any curriculum area and may vary.
• All homework will be corrected.
• The teacher will inform a child's parent if set homework is not completed regularly.
• The time spent on homework is dependent on the task and is at the teacher’s discretion; however, the following times are suggested as approximate guidelines for each stage.

What can I do to help?

Parents and caregivers can help by:

• Taking an active interest in homework
• Ensuring there is time set aside for homework
• Encouraging and supporting students to complete homework
• Providing where possible, a dedicated place for homework 
• Assisting teachers to monitor homework  by signing completed work if requested and being aware of the amount of homework set.
• Communicating with teachers any concerns about the nature of homework and their child's approach to homework,
• Alerting the school to any domestic or extracurricular activities which may need to be taken into consideration when homework is being set or marked.

The safety of the children is of paramount importance to the school. If an accident occurs or a child is sick, parents will be contacted immediately. If parents cannot be contacted, medical treatment/advice will be sought.

Some children attending school need medication to control illnesses.

Parents should supply:

• Specific written permission (forms are available from the office)
• Medicine should be in the original container which gives the name of the child, the dosage and the time the medication is to be given
• The name of the medication should be clearly marked on the container, particularly when it is kept at school.

Please note:

• Children who are sick should not come to school.
• Children are not allowed to keep medication – it must be handed in and will be put under lock and key.
• It would be best if essential medication be given at home before or after the child comes to school.
• A child who uses 'puffers' to control asthma should carry these with them at all times, and his/her teacher should be advised of this need. 
• If a child loses their puffer at school the teacher should be informed immediately.

We acknowledge that employees, students and parents may sometimes have a complaint about a decision, behaviour, act, or omission that they feel is unacceptable. Whilst most issues can be resolved through direct discussion with the parties, there may be instances in which this is not possible. The school has adopted the diocesan Complaints Handling Policy.

Parents
Complaints or grievances pertaining to classroom issues, or that relate to other children, are to be dealt with by school personnel. It is not appropriate for parents to approach other parents, or their children, with the intention of resolving the issues.

Who do I see?

• The first point of contact is the student’s class teacher. Please contact the school office to make an appointment with the teacher concerned.
• If parents are not satisfied with the solutions offered, or believe that they have not been given a fair hearing, they are encouraged to make an appointment with the Stage Co-ordinator.
• Religious Education matters can be discussed with the REC if your child’s teacher is unable to help you.
• Should the issue remain unresolved after this time, an appointment is made with the Assistant Principal or Principal to further discuss the issues.
• If you would like to raise a concern formally, the Catholic Education Office, Parramatta has procedures for ensuring that complaints are handled fairly. Information about how to lodge a complaint and a complaint form are available from their website www.parra.catholic.edu.au.

Please remember there are usually at least two sides to every story and whilst it is important to listen to the children, it is also important not to draw conclusions or make accusations until all the facts are known.

Students

The procedure for students is:

• If issues arise in the classroom, students are encouraged to speak to their class teacher in order to seek support in finding a resolution.
• Students encountering problems on the playground are asked to talk to the staff member on duty at the time of the incident. If they believe that their concern has not been adequately addressed they are encouraged to speak to their class teacher.

All students at OLR are taught to adopt the school’s Three Step Plan to find a resolution. This plan is displayed in each learning area, is discussed regularly in class and forms part of the Student Wellbeing Policy.

• Try to work out a solution yourself
• Ask a friend to help you
• Ask a teacher for help

Procedural Fairness

The principles of natural justice apply to all complaints.

Natural justice is also known as procedural fairness and applies in
situations where a decision could potentially have a detrimental effect
on the rights, interests or legitimate expectations of a person.

Procedural fairness requires that:
1. The respondent is heard
2. The decision is not biased
3. The decision is based on relevant and reliable evidence

At the beginning of each year, family information forms are sent home to ensure school records are current. It greatly assists if this information is returned as quickly as possible. If you change your contact details throughout the year, please complete a Change of Details Form which is available on the 'Notes from School' page of our website or from the school office.

Parents wishing to speak to a teacher regarding their child’s behaviour, academic achievement, or other matters, should send a note to the class teacher requesting an appointment. 

Formal parent/teacher interviews will be held in conjunction with the half-yearly report.

As the teacher is busy with his/her class between the hours of 8.45 am – 2.55 pm, it is requested that they not be disturbed during these hours.

Please do not send cash into the office.

Where possible school fees should be paid via direct debit, BPAY or EFTPOS.

For purchases of hats, backpacks and library bags, please pay at the school office by debit/credit card or via the Qkr! app.

The School Opal card is used for travel on school buses. The School Opal card gives eligible school students free or subsidised travel on public transport between home and school on trains, buses and ferries.

Students need to live a minimum distance from their school to be eligible for a School Opal card, as follows:

• Years K-2 (Infants) - there’s no minimum distance.
• Years 3-6 (Primary) - 1.6km straight line distance or 2.3km walking or further.

For information on Opal Cards and to apply for one, visit www.transportnswinfo/school-students.

Kindergarten children should have the number of their afternoon bus (e.g. 770 – 4081 etc.) clearly marked on name tags on their school bag, as they are often not sure of their bus. The bus company issues a list of bus numbers and routes.

In the case of a lost Opal card, you will need to apply for a replacement. Children may need to pay for bus travel until a new card is issued. All students of our school are expected to be on their best behaviour at all times while travelling on school buses. Parents will be contacted if their child behaves inappropriately on a bus. If the inappropriate behaviour continues the bus company has the authority to suspend bus travel.

We believe that student experiences beyond the classroom contribute significantly to their growth and development. The provision of opportunities for students to participate in experiences in the wider community is a means of integrating and supplementing the curriculum offerings of the school.

School excursions are only undertaken with the prior approval of the Principal. Overnight excursions are billed as part of the school fees.

Please note that children are not denied access to participation in school excursions because of genuine hardship and a parent’s inability to meet the required cost.

A kiss'n'drop zone operates in the morning and afternoon. The kiss'n'drop zone is the school driveway. This zone can only handle 6 cars at a time, in the afternoon between 2:55pm and 3:05pm it is extremely busy. We suggest you not arrive during these times. The kiss'n'drop operates until 3:15pm.

You must display a laminated name sign on your car sunvisor. These can be ordered from the school office.

• Problem Solving
  We talk to each other to work problems out. If we need help we ask a teacher.
  
  
• Safety
  We work and play safely with our things and with others in safe areas of the playground.
  
  
• Treatment
  We show respect and care for each other in the classroom and in the playground.
  
  
• Movement
  We move carefully and safely in our school.
  
  
• Learning
  We happily participate in our work and play.

• Children must wear the full and correct school uniform each day
• Children are to keep their uniform looking neat and tidy
• No jewellery at school except for earrings (studs or sleepers)
• Children are to have an appropriate styled haircut. Long hair needs to be tied back.

The school uniform can be purchased from Lowes, St Marys. You can purchase the uniform in store or online (see link) Lowes online

School bags & hats can be purchased from the school office.

Dress Code

• Children must wear the full and correct school uniform each day
• Children are to keep their uniform looking neat and tidy
• No Jewellery at school except for earrings (studs or sleepers) No hoop earrings as these can get caught and damage the ear.
• Children are to have an appropriate haircut styled appropriately. Long hair needs to be tied back
• No unusual haircuts, styles or colouring

Children attend weekly library lessons and may borrow books at this time.

In order to borrow from the library, all that is required is a library bag big enough to hold a book, these can be purchased from the office.

All books are to be returned at their next visit to the Library. Lost or damaged books must be replaced.

Child protection laws require all volunteers/contractors and other visitors who may have direct unsupervised contact with children to complete child protection training. This training can be accessed on the Parramatta Catholic Education Office website 'Building Child Safe Communities' (http://childprotection.parra.catholic.edu.au/volunteers)

All clothing should be clearly marked with the child’s name.

If your child loses an article of clothing get him/her to check the lost property box or feel free to do so yourself. The best protection against losing items is to mark them clearly with the child’s name. The school cannot accept responsibility for lost items.

Children eat lunches with their class each day, under the supervision of a teacher. Please give your children a nutritious lunch made up of food they enjoy. Keep a close check on what your children are eating and avoid giving them too much - this often leads to wastage.

Please do no supply ‘take away’ fast foods (from commercial outlets) to the children for lunch. The school also requests no hot food to be brought in from home for lunch.

The school Parents' Association meets twice a term (Week 3 & Week 8). Most meetings are held in the Resource Room and begin at 9.00am. Parents are always notified about the time and venue for these meetings in the school newsletter and website.

The Parents' Association supports the school by raising funds each year for equipment and school improvements. Social functions are held throughout the year. Please help us to help your child by actively participating the the Parents' Association.

Anti-Bullying Policy
The school follows the CSPD Anti-Bullying Policy for Students. Refer to this and related policies on the 'Policies and Procedures' page of our website under the 'About Us' menu.

Corporal Punishment
In accordance with legislation, corporal punishment is prohibited at Our Lady of the Rosary School.

Our Kid's Cafe is open 5 days a week. The cafe only sells food that is in the (predominately) Green or Amber category of Healthy Foods guidelines.

Orders can also be made online: cashless school (please go to https://app.cashless.school/ and open an account).

Alternatively, lunch orders should be written on a paper bag. Include your child's name and class, items required and the correct money (if possible). Orders are sent from the classroom to the cafe each morning and lunches delivered back to the classroom.

The cafe is open in the morning for limited trading from 8.30am to 8.45am, also during recess time and during the lunch break.

The menu and price list are sent home in the first term of school. A copy is also available on the website under School Notes.

Children should wear their sports uniform on the following days:

For the purpose of staff development, the Catholic Education Office allows four days a year to all schools.

On these days teachers will be involved in activities such as curriculum development. Dates of these staff development days will be advised through the school newsletter and you are asked to make other arrangements for the supervision of your child/children on these days.

In NSW, school attendance is compulsory for children over the age of six years until the minimum school leaving age of 17 years.

Regular attendance at school is critical to ensuring that every student has the kind of opportunities in life that he or she deserves. When students are not at school, they are missing out on so much. Without the knowledge, the skills, or the support that schools are so good at providing, young people can get left behind and find themselves under-prepared for a fast-paced and often very challenging world.

What if my child is away from school
If your child has to be absent from school, it is a legal requirement that the school knows why your child was away. If your child is absent from school, please forward to the class teacher a short note of explanation and dates of absences; you can also complete an absence note through the school's skoolbag app. If you know in advance your child is going to be absent, please notify your class teacher.

What if my child is late to school?
If you child is late to school, you need to bring them into the school office to sign them in, and your child will receive a late pass.

If your child needs to leave school early
If you need to collect your child early from school, you must send a note to the Principal explaining the reason why your child needs to leave early, for the Principal to approve. Please, where possible, send the note in before the day you need to collect your child.

If your child needs to take extended leave for a holiday
If you need to take your child out of school for an extended time, you must inform the Principal in writing explaining the reason your child will be away.
If your child will be absent for longer than 5 days you must complete an Application for Extended Leave and send to the Principal along with a copy of your itinerary. The Principal will advise you whether this leave has been approved or not. These documents are available on the 'School Notes' page of our website.

All visitors and volunteers are required to report to the office on arrival where they sign in via the iPad in the foyer and collect a visitor’s badge. Before leaving the school premises, visitors are requested to sign out.