General Information (Transition to Year 12)
For our school to function effectively, certain procedures are to be known and followed by all students and actively supported by parents and staff. The Headmaster and staff have high expectations of students in all areas of school life. This is particularly the case for academic standards. In order to provide the best environment for excellent teaching and learning to occur, Macarthur has also developed high expectations of students outside of the classroom too.
Contact With Staff
The School encourages positive contact between parents and staff. For students in T-6, the class teacher is the first point of contact. The initial contact with staff regarding a student in Years 7-12 is to be via the Head of House who is charged with the pastoral and academic oversight of the students in his or her House. The diary is also a vehicle for communication to and from the home. Parents are encouraged to read and sign the diary each week and to keep abreast of their child’s progress. Parents are encouraged to avoid using email for communicating difficult or complex matters.
Lost or Damaged Diaries
If a student loses their diary, allows it to be damaged or decorated they will be required to purchase a replacement diary by seeing the class teacher in T-4 or the Head of School or Head of House in Years 5-12. The cost of the replacement diary will be billed to their account.
Stationery, Equipment and Texts/Textbooks
While the School provides most stationery and equipment, parents will be required to purchase additional specialist items. Students in Years 7 to 12 will be issued texts/textbooks applicable to some of their subjects. Lost or vandalised texts/textbooks will be replaced at full cost to the student.
Examinations
Examinations in Years 7-12 are a very important part of the teaching, learning and assessment programme. Families should give their highest priority to the attendance of their child/children at examinations and ought not to seek leave during examination and assessment periods, except in the most exceptional of circumstances. Where a student is on leave during an examination period, for the purpose of calculating a student’s Course Mark, the Faculty Head will estimate their examination performance based on other ranks held by the School.
Sickness or First Aid
Medical Details are to be updated regularly and as changes on Parent Lounge. It is important that this is correct for the School to assist your child in the best possible way. Children hurt or feeling ill should report to, or are sent by the class teacher, or teacher on duty to the School Sister where first aid is administered. Parents will be contacted should a child be very ill or if injuries require medical attention. The School has a procedure for all excursions and out of school activities should a child be injured or become ill. It is vital that medical details held by the School are current and that parents update in Parent Lounge any changes to phone numbers and emergency contacts. Emergency contacts should be people other than parents who would be available to collect a sick child if parents, who are always contacted first, are not able to be reached (e.g. grandparents, aunt, friend).
Medication - All prescribed medication that needs to be taken during school hours, should be left with the School Sister to be administered as prescribed.
Note: It is most important that the school is notified through Parent Lounge of any changes to details on a student’s medical details, especially medical conditions, medication dosage and any change in contact phone numbers and the like. Medical information should be updated regularly and parent’s prompt response to such updates is greatly appreciated.
Student Opal Cards for Travel To and From School
To see if you are eligible and to apply for a free train and bus Student Opal Card, go to the Transport NSW website and search: Apply for a school travel pass or School Opal Card. Read the information and follow the links. The Opal Card is posted directly to your home address.
Bus and Train Travel
The reputation of our school is very important. Therefore, behaviour on buses and trains is expected to be exemplary. The School may prohibit travel on public transport and school-owned or hired buses if poor behaviour is ongoing and bringing the name of the school into disrepute.
Late Arrivals and Early Departures
If arriving at school after 8.10am (in the case of students in Years 5-12) or 8.25am (T-4), students are to report to the Attendance window next to the Clinic with their diary. A stamp will be given in the diary for the student to show to their teacher on arrival at class. If departing from school early, a student should have a note in their diary from their parents seeking approval from the Dean of Students or the relevant Head of School. This should be shown to the Administration Centre or the Heads of School Foyer before Period 1. When picking a student up early, parents are to collect the student at the Heads of School Office or the Administration Centre to be signed out. For students in Years T to 6 a note will be given to the parent to take to the class teacher before the student is dismissed.
Absences
Student absences should be reported to school as soon a possible via a telephone call, an email or personal visit to the Attendance window next to the Clinic. Past absences require parents to complete an Acknowledgement and Reason for each day on Parent Lounge.
Extended Leave
All applications for extended leave are to be emailed to the Headmaster.
headmaster@macarthur.nsw.edu.au
Sport/PE
All students are expected to participate actively in the weekly sports and PE periods, unless excused from doing so on medical grounds. Such permission will only be granted upon receipt of a letter and appropriate medical documentation from the parent of the student concerned, which should be handed to the Dean of Students.
School Canteen
The Senior Cafeteria and the Junior Canteen operate for the benefit of all students. A variety of food and drinks, as well as limited sweets, are available. Both the Senior Cafeteria and the Junior Canteen are open at recess and lunchtime. An online facility called Flexischools is available for parents to order their child’s recess and lunch.
Uniform Shop
Is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 4.00pm. Please phone 4629 6243 for an appointment or to place an order. Students may make purchases during lunchtime and payments may be made by cash, cheque or credit card.
Money and Valuables
Valuables of any kind should not be brought to school, nor should excessive amounts of money. If, for some exceptional reason, valuables or money are brought to school, they should be taken to the Administration Centre for safe-keeping at the beginning of the day and collected at the end of the day before returning home. Under no circumstances should money or valuables be left unattended in school bags. The School cannot take any responsibility for lost or damaged valuables.
The Bulletin
Parents will receive the Bulletin in electronic format each fortnight.
Dangerous Weapons
The possession of knives, offensive weapons, slingshots, ball bearing guns, cartridges, fireworks, explosives or any dangerous weapons of any kind are forbidden. Such items will be confiscated and a student should expect to be suspended or expelled from school.
Smoking/Drinking/Illegal Drugs
No student, regardless of age, is permitted to consume alcohol, smoke tobacco or take illegal drugs or be in possession of these items (including matches and lighters) on the school premises, at school functions (including social functions) within or outside the school, on school buses, or on trains, when dressed in school uniform or any occasions when control of the student is the direct responsibility of the School authorities. If a student is involved in such activities they could expect to be suspended or expelled from school.
Lockers
Lockers are available to students in Years 7-12 upon request.
Motor Vehicles
Year 11 and 12 students may drive and siblings may travel as passengers in vehicles driven by these students, provided prior permission has been sought and given by the Head of Senior School. Parents should request permission by completing the 'Permission to Drive' form available on Parent Lounge. The Head of Senior School has the discretion to grant approval to students who wish to drive to school and to withdraw such approval due to irresponsible driving on the part of students. Students must park their cars in the allocated car park only. Passengers other than approved siblings can expect to be disciplined along with the driver if caught travelling in a vehicle.
Property and Lost Property
Damage to school property is to be reported immediately to a member of staff or at the Administration Office.
- All books, property and uniform items (including shoes) must be clearly and permanently marked with your name.
- Money or other valuables must not be left in school bags or in pockets of unattended clothing.
- Any property or money found should be given at once to a member of staff or taken to the Administration Centre.
- Lost property may be reclaimed from the Administration Centre up to one month after its loss after which it will be donated to the Uniform Shop or to charity.