GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL
Starting school is a big change for children.
Often the hardest part is being away from the family and joining a group of 30 or so children.
Anything you can do now will make school a happier place.
Over the next few months try to let your child get used to:
- Putting on and taking off clothes
- Putting on and doing up shoes
- Eating and drinking without help
- Using a handkerchief or tissue
It is important that your child knows to:
- use and flush the toilet
- identify his/her own school bag with name tag. (remember- many bags look the same)
- say his/her name and address or phone number (if possible)
- cross a road safely
Let your child get used:
- playing with groups of children of the same age. (Encourage your child to share toys and take turns)
- using playground equipment safely
- staying at friends' or relatives' houses for a few hours without you around
- caring for and putting away playthings
- helping with small jobs around the house such as wiping benches, washing up, putting clothes away. Most children enjoy doing responsible things to please the family.
What Can Parents Do To Help?
- Talk to your child about school, meeting new friends, playing games, singing, and making things.
- Label clearly, with full name, all possessions your child will take to school, eg. raincoat, hat, cardigan, pullover, bag, case, plastic bottle.
- Encourage your child by admiring work when it is brought home. Give paintings and handiwork a place of honour for a few days at least.
- Share suitable stories, picture books, radio and television programs with your child.
Family Tours
South Coogee Public School conducts two family tours during term 2 and 3. You are invited to bring your kindergarten students for a tour around the school and classrooms. An information session is also held. The information day includes:
- talks by the Principal, Assistant Principal (infants), parent representative and current Kindergarten children
- tour of the school conducted by existing parents enabling you to view the classrooms, library, hall, playground and other facilities, and observe students performing various activities.
- morning tea, with an opportunity to have informal discussions with the Principal, some of the teachers and existing parents.
We believe our information sessions provide an excellent opportunity to discover for yourselves the many opportunities we will provide for your child. You will also gain a "feel" for the wonderful community you and your child will be joining. We encourage both you and your child to attend.
Orientation Programme
Over recent years we have introduced an extensive orientation programme at South Coogee Public School to make your child's transition from home or preschool as easy as possible.
Once you have enrolled your child, he or she will be sent an invitation to attend our Orientation Day. Your child will participate in activities in the Kindergarten classrooms, whilst you are given further practical information such as uniform requirements, and details of the various parent committees.
A further three orientation visits for the children are held in November. Each session runs for a two-hour period. Parents can drop off children who, will join their future classmates in some Kindergarten activities in the classroom.
This has been a very successful and appreciated initiative. Children have the opportunity to become familiar with the Kindergarten teachers, their future classmates, the type of activities they will be doing when they start school and the layout of the school and its amenities.
We believe this leads to your child feeling happy, safe and secure in his or her new environment, and ready to start school.
IMMUNISATION
The NSW Public Health (Amendment) Act 1992 requires parents, to provide the school with an Immunisation Certificate.
Immunisation is not compulsory; parents always have a choice. If you chose not to immunise your child you must still provide the school with an Immunisation Certificate stating that the child is NOT immunised. In the event of a vaccine preventable disease occurring in the school, unimmunised children will be required to remain at home for the duration of the outbreak, as directed by the local Public Health Unit.
You can get an Immunisation Certificate from:
· Your doctor (General Practitioner)
· Local Council (immunisation clinic)
· Medical Officer of your nearest Public Health Unit