iNFORMATION 

Operoo

As you are aware, the College uses a communications system informing you of College events/excursions/incursions that take place throughout the year.

If you have not already done so, we ask that you create an Operoo profile for your daughter. The sooner we have your daughter on the system, the more information we have in ensuring her safety and wellbeing. Moreover, if your daughter does not have an Operoo profile it will impede her capacity to attend any excursion/event that is planned.

General permission letters will be sent out to all year levels this week. We ask that you provide consent for your daughter to attend the various events by Friday, 10 February.

Student Planners

Your daughter’s Student Planner is a key avenue of communication with the College. There are several important aspects of the Student Planner and they include:

Statement of Acknowledgement and College Policies and Procedures

On the first page of the Student Planner, we have included a statement which we ask you and your daughter to sign. In asking you to sign this statement, it is an expression of your support of the College’s Policies and Procedures and the expectations and standards that we seek to uphold.

We thank you for your support in signing this statement and ask that this is done by Friday 10 February.

With reference to the College Policies and Procedures (pp.8-11) in becoming familiar with them, please take note of the General College Rules and Uniform Requirements. Going through this information may alleviate the potential for any confusion about what is expected at the College.

Student Wellness Plan (pp.16-17)

Another aspect of the planner is the Student Wellness Plan which we hope to use as a reference tool in supporting your daughter.

The plan asks the students to consider when they are happy, calm, or frustrated and from what they draw strength. The plan is taken from the Berry Street Education Model which is focused on engaging students who are vulnerable and at risk of not reaching their potential.

Our primary purpose of using the Student Wellness Plan at Academy is driven by a desire to better understand your daughter’s mindset at any given stage throughout the year. We encourage parents/guardians to engage with their daughter in talking about and contributing to the plan. Mentor Group Teachers will also be working with your daughters in talking about this wellness plan.

The more we can engage your daughter and encourage her to develop a clearer understanding of herself, the better able she may be to navigate the sometimes murky waters of adolescence.

Uniform

While most of the students have returned to school wearing the correct uniform, there are still a number of students who need to remember the following:

• there should only one earring in each lobe of the ear
• nose rings are not part of the uniform
• dress length should be at mid-knee length or longer

I would also ask you to encourage your daughters to ensure their uniform looks its best at all times.   Additionally, in travelling to and from the College each day, please remind your daughters to be on their best behaviour and to carry themselves with dignity and pride.

The students are often the start and end of what the public see and how they present themselves with their uniform and their behaviour should reflect the very highest of standards.  The students are ambassadors for the Academy each time they step outside the school gate and, as such, they should be mindful that they are representatives of the College.

Wellbeing Leaders and Mentor Group teachers will be giving the students a small ‘grace’ period with regards to uniform and/or lateness, etc, before commencing with the issuing of infringements. 

Mobile Phones at school

Could I please remind everyone that at the Academy phones are not to be seen or heard once the school day commences. They should be placed and left in lockers and only accessed after 3:15pm. If parents need to contact their daughters in an emergency, they are to ring reception. 

Mentor Group Time

This is a very important part of the day that will allow the opportunity for the development of a strong rapport between Mentor Group Teacher and the students and in doing so, students are looked after in the best possible pastoral manner. It’s also a period of time where some administrative tasks can be undertaken and Mentor Group Teachers can really set a positive tone for the day ahead. 

Attending Mentor Group is not an optional activity, nor is arriving late. All students are be expected to be punctual in the morning and there are procedures in place for any students who are late or do not attend this important part of the school day. 

We ask for full parental support with all of the above.

ANAPHYLAXIS IMPORTANT NOTICE

For us to become a nut free school, we seek cooperation of all members of the College community in ensuring that no nuts are brought on to the premises at any time.  Our canteen is a nut free canteen as is the Food Technology area of the College and our staff are aware that they are not permitted to bring any products containing nuts into the College.

Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction that is potentially life threatening. The most common allergens in school-aged children are peanuts, eggs, tree nuts (e.g. cashews), cow’s milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame, latex, certain insect stings and medication.

The key to the prevention of anaphylaxis in schools is knowledge of those students who have been diagnosed at risk, awareness of triggers (allergens), and prevention of exposure to these triggers. Partnerships between schools and parents are important in ensuring that certain foods or items are kept away from the student while at school.

• Adrenaline given through an EpiPen® auto-injector to the muscle of the outer mid-thigh is the most effective first aid treatment for anaphylaxis.  In the event of an anaphylactic reaction, the school’s first aid and emergency response procedures and the student’s Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan must be followed.

Principles

The College is committed to:

• Providing, as far as practicable, a safe and supportive environment in which students at risk of anaphylaxis can participate equally in all aspects of the student’s schooling.
• Raising awareness about anaphylaxis and the Academy’s anaphylaxis management policy in the College community.
• Engaging with parents/carers of students at risk of anaphylaxis in assessing risks, developing risk minimisation strategies and management strategies for the student.
• Ensuring that each staff member has adequate knowledge about allergies, anaphylaxis and the College’s policy and procedures in responding to an anaphylactic reaction.