Administrative Matters

Annual Administrative Procedures

At the commencement of each year or following enrolment during the school year, the following forms are sent to parents:

• Confidential Medical Information Form (Included in the Student Enrolment Form)
• Medical Forms as required including Asthma and Allergy Management Plans
• Current Contact Information to be updated

It is very important that the above information is returned to school ASAP.

Formal Communication

We understand the importance of keeping families regularly informed about events, activities in the school and day to day student learning. To support this we use a number of strategies to communicate with families including:

Facebook – Social Media is a fantastic way for a school to promote events and celebrate what happens in classrooms on a daily basis. Our Teesdale Primary School Facebook Page has regular posts to inform you about what’s happening at school. Permission is required from families for images of their child to be posted on all online platforms. Full names of students will never be used. Our Parents' Club also has a Facebook page which includes updates and calls for volunteers for Parent run events.

iNewsletter – The newsletter is an important way for the school to communicate important dates and share information with families about what is happening at school. Our newsletter is a digital publication and is emailed out to families on a fortnightly basis. The latest edition can also be accessed via the school website, Sentral and via a link posted to Facebook. 

Through the newsletter we try to keep parents up to date with what is happening at school and within Teesdale, so please be sure to read your copy and mark important dates on your calendar.

Local groups are welcome to share special event or community items in the newsletter. Items need to be emailed as a jpeg or png file to the school by 3:15 p.m. on Monday prior to newsletter day. Local businesses are also welcome to advertise in our newsletter by becoming a newsletter sponsor. Contact the school office for further information.

Sentral Parent Portal – Sentral is our Learning Management Software and is used to publish reports and support communication between the school and families. The Sentral for Parents app allows you to monitor your child’s school journey simply and efficiently. You will find numerous smart features that help streamline communications with the school. Receive messages and notifications from teachers, report absences, provide permission for excursions and more. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play. 

New families will be issued with a log in at the start of the school year. The below guide outlines the steps involved to register as a new user.

For more information on how to use the app, please read the attached User Guide for Parents.

Face to face correspondence – As a small country school we still value strong relationships with the families we work with. Approaching teachers to chat about any issues, concerns or ways you can be supporting your child is very welcomed. In doing so please be mindful of suitable times to be speaking with teachers. We encourage this to occur at a scheduled time with your child’s teacher.

Fees and Charges

Schools provide students with free instruction to fulfil the standard Victorian Curriculum and we want to assure you that all contributions are voluntary. Nevertheless, the ongoing support of our families ensures that our school can offer the best possible education and support for our students.   Contributions from parents make a huge difference to our school and the programs we can offer. 

Each year in term 4, the Finance Sub‐Committee of School Council meets to consider budgets for all of our programs. 

The attached Book Pack information is provided as an example together with the 2024 Parent Payment Policy.

Book Packs

The book packs include a whole range of textbooks, pens, pencils and other items which the children will need during the year.  They are ordered in term 4 and all book pack items will be delivered to your child's classroom ready for the first day of school. Families can forward payment for book packs from the 1st of January 2025.  

In addition to the book packs, parents need to supply a pencil case, art smock and library bag.

The school will supply other necessary items and consumables such as specialty papers, printing products and all art supplies. Throughout the year, we will ask you to repeatedly take a check on the condition of some of these items, as some may require replacement during the year.

Monetary Payments

Payments to the school can be made by the following methods:-

BPAY

Family invoices will be emailed for excursions, camps and other events with details of your family's unique BPay reference. Please record your BPay reference number which will be issued at the commencement of enrolment and will apply to your family throughout their years at Teesdale Primary School.

EFTPOS

An EFTPOS facility is available at the office. All credit cards are accepted WITH THE EXCEPTION of American Express. A minimum transaction of $10.00 applies and “cash out” is not available.

Cash

If your child is bringing money to school, please place it in a secure envelope on which is written: the child’s name, class teacher, amount of money and what the money is for.  Cash is not kept on premises, so change is not readily available.

Excursions

Excursions are organised throughout the year in line with the study units being explored. They provide students with invaluable opportunities to consolidate and extend their understandings and it is important for all students to attend so that they can actively contribute to the discussions that follow.  Notices are emailed via the Sentral Parent Portal and electronic permission (via Sentral) is required for every excursion. The preferred method of payment is BPay as described above.

Permission and payment are required by the date indicated on the excursion note in Sentral to enable students to attend.

Book Club

Scholastic Book Club is a service offered to students, parents and teachers. Brochures advertising a variety of books and computer software are sent home with each student, approximately twice a term.

Purchase of the books is not compulsory and there is no obligation. If you do wish to purchase any goods simply log into the Book Club site www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP and follow the prompts. All Book Club orders must be ordered and paid for via LOOP. Do not send order forms and cash to school. When the order arrives at school, books are sent home with students.

The school earns “Bonus Points” for each order which can be used to purchase new resources for the library.