EDGEWORTH St Benedict's Primary School (2012) - Catholic ...

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As previously mentioned, the parish priest and school chaplain have regular class visits to instruct children on a topic suggested by teachers, usually from the unit that is current or about a special need that arises. Particular themes such as Holy Week celebrations are talked about and dramatized by a nominated class. Monday prayer assembly mornings are another way St Benedict’s celebrate and pray together for a particular theme, eg Fathers’ and Mothers’ Day, Pentecost, and Anzac Day. Every class from Kinder to Year 6 class has a Monday Morning Prayer Assembly each semester. Retreats and Faith Development Programs Education program provides for a K-6 approach to faith development. In 2012 at St Benedict’s there was a focus of regular prayer being incorporated into the daily life of the school. The teachers of Year 2, 3 and 4 teach their RE units and they coincide with the Parish Sacramental Program. Parish Priest, Fr Peter Rees shared with his Parish schools, Holy Cross and St Benedict’s, the Social Justice Projects in the Sugarloaf Parish. He discussed the parish sponsoring of Vietnamese students to receive a better education. Consequently, a social Justice Policy was developed. Sister Lucie worked alongside classroom teachers from Years 2, 3, and 4 helping the children prepare for their respective sacrament. The school held a Red Day to raise money for Vietnamese students. A combined Year 5 Leadership Day was held with Holy Cross Glendale. Leaders from St Paul’s High School Booragul were also involved. Values (including Social Justice Initiatives) The importance of respect and responsibility are two characteristics that everyone; staff, students and parents are constantly reminded of, as they are integral to the school’s philosophy and purpose. They are both important aspects of the school’s manners sheet and statement of agreed practices. Respect and responsibility are fostered by emphasis given to respectful and responsible behaviour and by designating certain classes with the role of gardeners, “buddies” and rubbish monitoring and recycling. Social Justice is a core value at St. Benedict’s. The importance of Social Justice is reflected in the school’s vision statement, which states “….the school community is committed to living our faith and respecting our world and the rights, needs and feeling of others.” St Benedict’s is a very generous school community where students, parents and staff are keenly aware of the needs of others. As such the school has a very active Mini Vinnies Conference that organised various fundraising activities in support of the work of the senior conference and parish initiatives in both the local parish and overseas communities. The school continues to develop close links with schools in Vietnam that are supported by the Sugarloaf Parish. Throughout the year students and staff also raised money for other priorities including; Catholic Mission, Caritas and assisting school families with clothes and financial support. Policies Enrolment Policy St Benedict’s adheres to the guidelines provided by the Catholic Schools Office Policy Enrolment (Amended 2008). The Policy has been devised to accommodate, as far as is possible, the needs of families seeking a Catholic education. In situations where enrolments have to be restricted because of limitations on capacity, preference may need to be given to children of Catholic families, as defined in the Policy. Implementation of the Policy is via our local school Enrolment Committee which has discretionary authority in keeping with Diocesan guidelines. Copies of the Policy are available from the school, or from the Catholic Schools Office website (cf end of Report). Parents concerned about school fees should ensure they make contact with the school. Diocesan provisions (including standard discounts for those with a Health Card) exist to help in this area, and the Principal can also exercise discretion where genuine need exists. A N N U A L S C H O O L R E P O R T 2 0 1 2 4
Student Welfare A section of the Student Welfare Policy incorporates Pastoral care and focuses upon affirmation and celebration. Strategies like the Merit Award System and mentions in the school bulletin provide an opportunity for all members of the community to be acknowledged positively for both academic and extra-curricular achievements. Class teachers are the key people in the care and support of students. They work with the Pastoral Care Worker, CSO Student Support Unit and the school’s Teaching and Learning Support Teacher. Essential to student welfare within our community are both the support of the school executive and the weekly staff meeting where key issues associated with individual students are addressed. Each class teacher keeps running records of matters that relate to Student Welfare. The school has a comprehensive peer support program and Kindergarten orientation procedures. The “buddy system” is an integral part of the assimilation of new students to the school. In addition mentoring, Seasons and self-esteem programs are run in classrooms. The “Rock and Water” program is run for the senior students. During the year staff had CPR Qualifications updated. St Benedict’s is a Kids Matter school and has begun implementing social and emotional lessons into the curriculum. Some minor changes have been made to existing policies and all policies can be accessed by contacting the school office. Discipline St. Benedict’s Student Welfare Care incorporates discipline and encourages self-discipline through example of staff, good communication, consistency of approach and positive reinforcement that includes weekly awards. This policy is re-evaluated on a yearly basis by the staff. A Community Service Folder is used to document any incidents of behaviour on the playground. Time in the Reflection Room results from serious offences and from frequent inclusion in the Community Service Folder. Parents are notified if their child attends the Reflection Room. To represent the school as an individual or a member of a team is seen as a reward for good behaviour. Children who cannot act in a responsible manner at school are not chosen to represent the school. A Manners Sheet is displayed in every classroom. The manners listed on the sheet act as concrete ways the children can show respect for themselves and each other. Teachers keep running records of discipline matters relating to their class, including support being given to children on a behaviour management program. Occasionally at staff meetings children “at risk” who may need some additional attention and assistance on the playground are discussed. The Principal works closely with the Learning support Teacher and CSO Student Support Unit in the area of discipline. The “1-2-3 Magic” programme is used as part of behaviour modification in the classroom setting. No changes have been made to existing policies and full text copies of policies can be accessed by contacting the school office. Relevant information relating to procedural fairness can be clarified by contacting the Principal. The school adheres to the Catholic Schools Office Pastoral Care Policy as revised in 2002 for direction in matters relating to procedural fairness and a statement is found in the school’s Student Welfare Policy. Complaints and Grievances St Benedict’s has an open and transparent approach to complaints and grievances. The school has both a policy and a parent brochure in regards to Complaints and grievances. Many of the concerns of parents are dealt with at the class teacher level. More serious concerns are dealt with by the Assistant Principal or Principal. The Principal in conjunction with the Child Protection Unit at the Catholic Schools Office deals with those issues that come under the jurisdiction of the Child Protection Legislation. No changes have been made to existing policies and full text copies of policies can be accessed by contacting the school. Relevant information relating to complaints, grievances and procedural fairness can be clarified by contacting the Principal. The school adheres to the Catholic Schools Office Complaints Management Policy as revised in 2006 for direction in matters relating to procedural fairness which is the foundation of the schools approach to complaints and grievances. A N N U A L S C H O O L R E P O R T 2 0 1 2 5
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EDGEWORTH St Benedict's Primary School (2012) - Catholic ...

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