General School Information
Absence from School
Parents or guardians are expected to phone the college by 9.30am to explain any unforeseen student absence (9361 0000).
Any student who has been absent from school due to illness or personal reasons MUST obtain a note from their parents and/or medical certificate and show it to their tutor on the morning of their return to school. The procedures for absence on the day of a SAC are explained later in this diary.
Displan
A College Displan map and procedure is displayed in every classroom. It is expected that students and staff make themselves aware of the procedures for the purposes of Displan drills and actual emergency responses.
Front Office
The office staff are available to assist students at recess and lunchtime. School fees may be left at the front office and receipts picked up later in the school day. Mobile phones or valuables may be left with the front office staff during the school day. Students are not permitted to access the front office to pay fees, retrieve receipts or for matters that could otherwise happen before or after school or during recess or lunch.
Harassment
CRC Sydenham does not tolerate harassment or discrimination and has policies and procedures to support this commitment to a caring and inclusive community. Students or staff experiencing harassment or discrimination are encouraged to speak to a staff member who can give advice and possibly intervene if desired. Any staff member will offer assistance.
Illness
Students who are ill or suffer an injury during class or during the school day, should:
Go to the office and receive attention. No medications can be provided by the school. (This includes Panadol.)
Students must let class teachers know if they need to attend the Sick Bay. Students must ask the office to contact their parents/guardians if they need to leave the school due to illness.
A red slip MUST be completed before leaving school by the students Tutor and Cluster Coordinator. No student will be allowed to go home unless specific permission has been granted by a parent or guardian.
Students should also be aware of the school's absence policy and requirements of students who are absent from assessment tasks.
Late Arrivals
Students who arrive late to school should:
Report to the front office. Swipe their School Identification Card through the school computer system and record the reason why they are late.
When possible, students must have a note from their parents/guardians explaining their late arrival on that day, or no later than 24 hours later. If students don't provide adequate explanation for their lateness (as determined by their Cluster Coordinator) they will be required to complete a scheduled detention.
Leaving School before the end of the Day
To leave early, students must have:
Written permission from parents or guardians. Before leaving the school students must obtain a ‘red slip' and have it signed by the Tutor and Cluster Coordinator. Students must then go to the office to sign out. Parents/guardians may collect their student from the front office without a note if the occasion arises. Students who leave school without permission will be required to complete a scheduled detention and may face other disciplinary actions.
Once students have entered the school grounds they MUST remain on the property unless permission to leave has been granted. This includes students who have arrived during scheduled private study periods. At no stage are students to arrive at the school and leave, even though they may have a private study period.
Library Access and Usage
The library is open from 8.00 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. and is generally open during exam periods. Students are able to use the library when their class has been booked in by their teacher, at lunchtimes and recess, and before and after school. To use the library during class time or Private Study, a library pass needs to be completed by your class teacher or Study Hall supervisor. Classes that are booked into the library have priority access to library resources. Library resources are available for use by students, staff and parents. Students may borrow, generally for a period of two weeks, up to four items at a time. Books which are borrowed on overnight loan should be returned by 9.00 a.m. the following morning. Other resources may be returned any time on or before the due date. Late returns will incur penalties, including the loss of borrowing rights until all overdue books are returned. Students are required to pay for lost or damaged items. The library wishes to encourage students to contribute to a calm working environment where learning and consideration of the learning environment of fellow students is paramount.
Lockers
A school issued combination lock will be purchased by each student and the responsibility to care for the locker, the lock and the security and confidentiality of the combination remains with each student. The use of lockers is compulsory for all students. No school bags will be allowed in any of the classrooms.
Lunch Orders and Cafeteria
Orders for lunches are to be made at the cafeteria in the morning. The cafeteria is open before school and at recess and lunchtime. Students are not to access the cafeteria outside of these times.
Mobile Phones
Students are NOT PERMITTED to use mobile phones during school hours. All mobile phones are to remain switched off and out of sight whilst students are on the school premises. Students have access to a blue phone in the front office, or, if the situation demands it, are able to phone home via a staff member. Parents are able to contact their son/daughter through the front office if an emergency arises or messages need to be passed on. Students are not to use the blue phone during scheduled class time.
Consequently any student who has a mobile phone either visible or in use at any time during the school day will have that phone confiscated to be returned at the end of the day by the Principal Secretary. A second breach of this expectation will require a further confiscation and parent contact.
Private Study
All students are to report to the Student Protocol Officer in the Study Hall in the cafeteria area at the beginning of Private Study lessons. Private Study periods are a privilege to be used productively and the expectation is that students will work silently. Students with a study period at the beginning or end of the day need to complete the required paper work and parent permission forms in order for them to study at home at these times.
Student Drivers
Students who have obtained their Probationary Driver's Licence may apply to seek permission to drive to the College and park in the school grounds. Students must register their interest in obtaining permission to drive by collecting the necessary application forms from the front office. The completed forms and relevant documentation then need to be submitted to the front office in order for the Deputy Principal (Students) to consider the application and provide a permit to successful applicants.
Students wishing to carry passengers to and from school will need to complete the necessary parent permission forms.
Teacher Absence
When a subject teacher is absent, students are expected to move to their normal classroom and remain there. The class will be assigned a replacement teacher for that class and students may not leave the classroom without written permission from that supervising teacher.
Travel to/from the School
Students who travel to the College via bus or train are expected to behave in a responsible manner. These expectations are consistent with those which apply to all forms of public transport. Students who fail to meet these expectations may be fined by the relevant authorities or suspended by the College from using this transport and face disciplinary action as determined by the school. Students must wear full school uniform to and from school at all times.
Uniform
The uniform shop at the college will operate every Tuesday from 12.45 - 1.45pm. Orders can also be made by contacting the suppliers: Academy Uniforms, 238 Wolseley Place, Thomastown, 3074. Phone: 03 9460 8011 Fax: 03 9460 8033 E-mail: acadunif@bigpond.net.au
Valuables
Students are strongly discouraged from bringing valuables such as MP3 players, hand held games, mobile phones, significant sums of money or jewellery to school. Students need to lock any valuables required at school (eg. practical subject equipment, USB sticks, etc.) in lockers or hand it in to the office at the beginning of the day. The College will take no responsibility for valuables brought to school or left unsecured.
Visitors to the School
All visitors must report to the front office. Visitors will only be signed in if they have appointments with or authorization from relevant staff members. Students should not invite friends/relatives to visit them on the school premises