All things Safety
DRIVING SAFETY FOR ALL
Wallen Street:
There is “NO PARKING” on the school side of Wallen Street as this is a “drop off” zone only. Parking is permitted opposite the school. Parents are asked to drive as far as possible down Wallen St, adjacent to the hall building, to ensure that a bank up of cars does not occur at Ward Street. This area is strictly a “Kiss & Drop” zone and parents are asked NOT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. Please use patience when dropping off on Wallen St. Please do not overtake other cars who are picking up or dropping off children. Students should have their bags accessible to collect (not in the boot). There is a turning point at the end of Wallen Street and parents are reminded NEVER to do a U turn in Wallen Street. Please ensure your children practice entering and exiting your family car on their own to enable an efficient pick up and drop off process at school.
Drive Through:
Cars are to enter via the staff car park and through the electric gate and veer towards the hall and around to the grassed steps/witches hats zone where children can be dropped off or picked up. Please ensure you drive up to the first witch's hat before stopping your car to enable multiple cars to pick up and drop off at the same time. We can fit 3 cars in this zone and this is also strictly a “Kiss & Drop” zone. Parents are asked NOT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR and students should have their bags accessible to collect (not in the boot). Please ensure your children practice entering and exiting your family car on their own to enable an efficient pick up and drop off process at school. The exit is via the electric gate through the staff car park and front of the church. Please note that there is NO RIGHT HAND TURN out of the driveway during drop off and pick up hours. There is no pedestrian access through this gate during these times.
SCHOOL SUPERVISION
Supervision begins each morning at 8:35am and ends at 3:45pm each afternoon. Please do not allow your child to be at school before/after these times. We ask that you contact Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) on 9592 0994 about making arrangements to have your child/ren attend if necessary. While from time to time special circumstances do occur, as a justice issue to those parents who do use Before School Hours Care – any student who consistently arrives prior to 8:30am will be asked to go to Outside School Hours Care at the parents’ expense. Children who are not collected by 3:50pm will be sent to Outside School Hours Care, at the expense of the parents.
SCHOOL SECURITY POLICY
It is expected that each school have processes in place so as to ensure that all members of the school community are kept safe and secure. This is part of a school’s DUTY OF CARE.
GROUNDS SECURITY:
All school gates will be locked at 9:00am each day and unlocked at 3:15pm, except on a Friday for assembly when the Wallen Street gate will be locked at 9:30am. Anyone entering/ leaving the school grounds during the school day must do so via the office.
SECURITY SYSTEM:
A Security system is in operation at all times to ensure that our facilities are secure at all times. Security cameras monitor all outdoor areas and public areas inside the school.
EXTREME WEATHER
February/March always promises to be the hottest months of the year. It is essential that students have plenty of water to drink and I remind parents that students are encouraged to have a named water bottle on their table at all times, which can be replenished as needed. All classrooms and other learning areas (Library, ICT and Arts Centre) have air-conditioning. During extreme weather circumstances, students have a ‘hot day’ program which means they may either have shorter periods on the playgrounds or stay indoors.
VISITORS' PASS
All parents, contractors and visiting staff will be required to wear a ‘Visitor’s Badge’ while on the premises and sign in via the iPad's at the front office. All visitors only have access to the school via the school office.
WORKING WITH CHILD CHECK
Parents are reminded that under Government law that all parents who help at the school are required to have a Working With Children Check. This involves completing a form, available online, and lodging the receipt with the school office. A database is kept of all parents with the WWCC. It is essential that parent helpers for Literacy, Numeracy, excursions, sporting events, etc. sign in at the office and collect a badge, BEFORE helping with school activities.
DOGS AT SCHOOL
St Finbar’s School has a NO DOGS on the playground policy. We do encourage parents to walk to school with their dogs if they choose. However, dogs are to remain outside the gates with their owner.