SAFETY

Bus Safety

Motorists 

•  School zones are now back in force. Reduced speed limits and additional demerit      points apply.

 • You must also slow down to 40km/h when bus lights flash. 

• Lights flash on buses to warn motorists that buses are picking up and dropping off                children. 

• You must slow down to 40km/h when overtaking or passing a bus displaying flashing          lights. 

• You can help keep children safe by: 

– Sticking to the speed limit and following the road rules in school zones 

– Slowing down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing 

– Looking out for children crossing the road near bus stops, in school zones or along bus      routes – Giving way to buses when they merge back into traffic. 

• For more information visit: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/campaigns/be-bus-aware/bus-flashing lights.html

Parents 

• Parents have an important part to play in keeping children safe around roads. 

• Never drop off or meet your child on the opposite side of the road to the bus stop or call them across the  road. Always drop them off or meet them on the same side of the road as the bus stop. Remind your  children to always wait until the bus has gone before choosing a safe place to cross the road. 

COVID 19 March 2021                                                          Update from Catholic Schools NSW

Attendance 

Parents are asked to inform the school if their child is absent from school. Please contact the school by phone call, note, email or responding to the SMS sent home on the day of absence. 

Being on time for school is really important. At the beginning of the day, teachers set the plan for the day and give reminders. We ask that families make every effort to be on time. Students who arrive after the bell must sign in at the Front Office so our attendance data is accurate.

Students Arriving Late or Leaving School Early

PLEASE NOTE that all students arriving late, or being collected early for an appointment, MUST REPORT to Mrs Pittman at the Office to be signed in or out by a parent /guardian.

Unwell students

It is very important for unwell students to stay at home until they are better. If your child has any symptoms of a cold or flu then they should stay home until the symptoms have ceased. A general rule of thumb about whether you should send your child to school is as follows:

• If you have to give your child Panadol or Nurofen for a fever today, they should STAY AT HOME
• If your child has a hard cough, constant runny nose, sore throat or swollen glands THEY SHOULD NOT BE AT SCHOOL
• If you have given them Panadol or Nurofen in the morning to get them “through the day” THEN THEY SHOULD NOT COME TO SCHOOL
• If your child has vomiting and/or diarrhoea today, they should not come to school for 48 hours AFTER SYMPTOMS HAVE RESOLVED

Please do not send your child to school if they are still unwell or recovering from an illness.

Students who are unwell will be sent to the Sick Bay & if necessary parents will be called to collect them.  If your child or a member of your household has been tested for COVID 19 please keep them at home until the test has been returned negative.

Medication 

If your child needs to take medication during school hours eg. antibiotics or antihistamines, a Medical Permission Form is required to be completed and handed into the front office along with the medication.    Please see Mrs Pittman in the Office.

School Hours & Supervision

Teachers commence duty at 8:30am and finish duty when the last bus leaves St Patrick’s approximately 3:10pm.

Supervision begins at 8:30am in the COLA,  School starts: 9am (Bell  - 8:50am)

Recess: 11.00am – 11.30am, Lunch: 1.30pm – 2:10pm  School finishes: 3.00pm.

SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS

The school office hours are 8:30am to 3:30pm

Afternoon Process

Students are dismissed from class at 2:55pm and assemble in the COLA area for messages & dismissal. Students are dismissed at 3pm.

Buses are loaded at 3pm, pickups are taken to the front gate at St Patrick's Church, walkers are seen across  Apsley Street.