Parent and Carer Handbook

This handbook is an essential source of information about the College. It is a practical step-by-step guide on how to use parent programs, how to log in and day-to-day information.

If you're new to the College it is essential that you read this booklet to log on to different platforms.
If returning, please check the handbook for any updates.
A copy is below and it's also on the Parent Portal.

Parent Portal

The Parent Portal is a secure link to access and download college information.

See the Parent Handbook for step-by-step instructions on how to set up your portal access.

Change of contact details

Please email the College Registrar sac.enrol@cns.catholic.edu.au if your phone numbers, email or postal addresses change.

Student diary

Every boy is given a student diary which contains important information that you and he need to navigate the days and weeks at school. Please sign the diary at the end of each week. It contains information about such things as:

Bell times.
Key dates.
College expectations, obligations, regulations and policies.
Goal setting.
Homework and assignments.

Policies and guidelines

Please visit the Parent Portal for detailed policies and guidelines.
For Catholic Education policies and guidelines click here.

If your son will be absent for the day

Use the MyCE App, Parent Portal or email sac.absences@cns.catholic.edu.au before 8:30am.
Give your son's name, year level and reason for his absence.
If absent due to illness for two or more consecutive days a medical certificate must be emailed to sac.absences@cns.catholic.edu.au.

Automated text messages are sent daily to both parents of students who have been marked absent without parental approval.

Late to school

Please log an absence via the MyCE app or email sac.absences@cns.catholic.edu.au or phone the office on 4052 9111.
Your son must sign in at the student office when he arrives.
Students are expected at Saints by 8:35am and in homeroom before 8:40am.

Early to school

The Gildas Centre (the library) is supervised from 7:30am.
The College grounds are supervised from 8:15am.

Before and after school supervision

The College provides limited supervision before and after school. You are encouraged to drop off and pick up your sons during these supervised times.

Before school: 8:15-8:35am.

After-school, Scott Street supervision (stop-drop-go zone and bus stop):

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 3:20-3:45pm.

Wed: 2:30-2:50pm, 3:20-3:45pm.

Punctuality and attendance

As mentioned above, students are expected to arrive by 8:35am and be in homeroom before 8:40am.
All school days are compulsory.
A student who arrives after 8:40am must report to the student office and collect a late pass before going to class.
A student who is late may have to make up that time after school.
A student who deliberately misses all or part of the day may have to make up lost time on a Saturday or another time as defined by the Deputy Principal.
Years 11 & 12 students who are absent from a formal assessment task due to illness must email a medical certificate to sac.absences@cns.catholic.edu.au.
A student who is absent from a college sports carnival, walkathon, camp or retreat requires a medical certificate.
If a medical certificate is not produced a student may have to attend a make-up day.

Permission to leave

Ideally, appointments are scheduled out of school hours to minimise interruptions to learning. However, if your son needs to leave the College:

Please do not log early departures on the MyCE app.
If your son has to leave the College, he needs a written note from you in his diary on page 137.
He then shows this note to his head of year before homeroom for approval.
Before leaving, he presents the note to his classroom teacher, which permits him to leave class and proceed to the student office, where he will meet you to sign out. Upon returning, he must sign back in at the student office.
Sometimes emergency appointments occur. In such cases, please email your son’s head of year to inform them and allow arrangements to be made for your son to meet you at the student office. Additionally, please cc sac.absences@cns.catholic.edu.au in the email, so they are aware and can expect your son at the allotted time.

Requests for student absence

Ideally, restrict leave to gazetted term holidays.
Requests for leave outside normal holiday times must be made by completing a Request for Student Absence form which is emailed to sac.absences@cns.catholic.edu.au
Leave must be approved by the Principal before any leave arrangements can be made.

Illness or injury

The College is responsible for contacting you if your son is unwell. He is not to phone you.

If your son feels sick he must:

Tell a teacher who will sign his diary and send him to the student office.
There he'll be assessed and a staff member will call you if necessary.

If he is injured:

A teacher will ensure he is taken to the Health & Wellbeing Centre.
When he requires outside medical treatment or needs to go home staff will contact you.
Students are covered for ambulance travel to the Emergency Department but will need accident and/or medical insurance if admitted.

Valuables

Expensive jewellery, watches, iPads and other valuables may present security risks, therefore:

They should be left at home.
If phones are brought to school they must be kept in lockers or bags until 3:20.
No visible jewellery, including chains, rings or religious symbols, should be worn.
The College is not responsible for the loss of or damage to items mentioned above.

Lost property

Students report lost property to their homeroom teacher or head of year immediately.
During a break they should inquire at the student office.
Check the lost property area located outside the student office.
To help prevent loss, clearly label all equipment and clothing.

Found property

Students should immediately take items to their head of year or to the student office.

Visitors

All visitors must sign in at reception when they arrive.

Locker locks

Each student must buy a combination lock from the Saints Shop. (This is the only acceptable lock.)
A boarder needs a second combination lock for the cupboard in his room.
He devises the combination and keeps it private.
If he forgets it he should contact his head of year or head of residence.
If lost, new locks must be bought from the Saints Shop.

ID cards

Each student receives a photo ID card. If lost, he can buy a replacement card from the student office.

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