Working with Children Check (WWCC)

Schools continue to be places where reflection around safety practices is continually under review. A recent example of this is the change to pick up procedures which has resulted in a smoother, more manageable and therefore safer process. Currently, as part of the enrolment process, parents are required to complete a declaration with supporting evidence of identity which declares there are no offences against children held against them. Schools, in general, are now taking the next step and requesting that parents obtain and provide their WWCC to their children’s school/s. This has been a recommendation to our system of schools from the Work Health and Safety Officer of the Catholic Schools Office.

At the February School Advisory Council meeting, the concept of introducing the requirement of a Working with Children Check (WWCC) for our parent community was endorsed. Some of our parents already have a WWCC because their employment or involvement in junior sport requires this. There are two categories of WWCC - one for PAID EMPLOYMENT (costing $80 and valid for five years) and the other as a VOLUNTEER (Free and valid for five years). From this point in time

With future enrolments, new parents will require a WWCC - VOLUNTEER

Our current parent community is encouraged to access a WWCC - VOLUNTEER

If you have a current Working with Children Check (WWCC) and we do not have access to this, please share by either printing the email received from the Office of the Guardian or forwarding this to admin@stphilomenasmoree.catholic.edu.au

To obtain a WWCC, paid or volunteer, follow this link to direct you. https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-organisations/working-with-children-check

SUPERVISION HOURS ON SCHOOL SITE

Supervision hours on the school site are as follows:

K-6 8:30am - 3:40pm (departure of last bus)

7-10 8:25am - 3:40pm (departure of last bus)

Our duty of care commences and concludes at these points in time. Students are not encouraged to be at school prior to these times where supervision is not provided.

SCHOOL PHOTOS 2019

We have experienced two days with the Advanced Life photography team, capturing the world of St Philomena’s School. Returning in late Term 3, the team will photograph sporting teams and other groups. Thank you to our parent community for the prior digital organisation that comes with the photo process.

School photos are an annual event in schools for the important reasons of:

School historical archives

Individual student files

Recording and celebrating annual school milestones

A Behind the Scenes look at today’s whole school photo!

The whole school photo, whilst it is an enormous logistical task, has many upsides to it as well. Recording a moment in time, as a whole school is not just for the students; but beneficial for maintaining historical records, showing change in infrastructure (in the background), and showing the children what goes into producing what seems like a simple photo!!

St Philomena’s frames a large poster sized whole school photo every year, and hangs it in the vicinity of the school office. Students will often spend several minutes searching for themselves, relatives and their friends amongst the sea of faces.

VOUCHERS FOR SPORT AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES

Our parent community has access to two important vouchers to support out of school activities for their children with sport, creative arts, speech, drama, dance, digital design, coding, and music lessons and activities.

ACTIVE KIDS PROGRAM https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-active-kids-voucher

The NSW Government is helping kids get active with the new Active Kids program.

Parents, guardians and carers can apply for a voucher valued up to $100 per calendar year for each student enrolled in school. The voucher may be used with a registered activity provider for registration, participation and membership costs for sport, fitness and active recreation activities. The voucher can be used at any time during the calendar year it was issued. To use the voucher, find a registered activity provider and present your voucher when you sign up. The program runs year-round, so kids can get active at any time!

CREATIVE KIDS VOUCHER https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher

The NSW Government is helping kids get creative with the new Creative Kids program.

Parents, guardians and carers can apply for a voucher with a value of up to $100 per calendar year for each student aged 4.5 to 18 years old enrolled in school. The voucher may be used with a registered activity provider for registration, participation and tuition costs for creative arts, speech, drama, dance, digital design, coding, and music lessons and activities. The voucher can be used at any time during the calendar year it was issued. To use the voucher, give the details to your registered activity provider. The program runs year-round, so kids can get creative at any time.

Parents & Friends Association News

P & F Mother's Day Stall