ContentsPage Number

Welcome/General Information 3School Song 4School History 5Term Dates for 2017/2018 6School Routines Arrival 7

Bell times 7Lunch 7Dismissal 7Leaving Grounds 8Sick Students 8Absences 8School Sport 8Excursions 8Consent Forms 9Transportation of Students 9School Newsletters 9School Webpage 9Parking 9Interviews 9Bus Passes 10Sun Protection 10Medication in School 10Student Special Needs 10Immunisation Certificate 10Lost Property 10Verification of Date of Birth 11Date of Entry into Australia 11Book Packs 11Students’ Privacy 11Canteen 11Healthy School Canteen Strategy 11OOSH 11Skoolbag App 12School Uniform 13Sport’s House UniformUniform

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Clothing Pool 14Uniform Orders 14

Parents & Citizens AssociationParent Groups 15Supplementary School Funding 15Special Equipment 15Uniform Orders 15Canteen 15Other Activities 15Fundraising 16

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Meetings 16Newsletters 17

Parent Information about ReadingHow Can I Help My Child with Reading

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Early Stage One – Foundation Statements 20

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Welcome

to

GARDEN SUBURB PUBLIC SCHOOL

A caring environment providing quality education

Address: Prospect Road, Garden Suburb NSW 2289Telephone: (02) 4943 4898Fax: (02) 4942 1552E-mail: gardensub-p.school@det.nsw.edu.auWebsite: www.gardensub-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

School Hours: 8.45 am Morning Play Bell9.10 am Class11.10 am Lunch12.00 pm Return to Class2.00 pm Recess2.25 pm Return to Class3.10 pm Home

Principal: Mrs Joanne Swadling

Assistant Principals: Mrs Jennifer SamuelsMrs Amy OwensMrs Rochelle Fletcher (Relieving)Mrs Kelly Pitts (Relieving)

Administration Staff: Mrs Christine Bailey – School Administration ManagerMrs Janelle Kennedy - School Administration ManagerMrs Lisa Mitchell – School Administration Officer

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GARDEN SUBURB PUBLIC SCHOOL

SCHOOL SONG(to the tune of “Waltzing Matilda”)

Garden Suburb Primary

School we are proud of

Playing and learning together are we.

On the field and in the classroom

Teachers and neighbours

Teach us pride in community.

CHORUS

Garden Suburb, Garden Suburb

Looking towards the future are we

As we learn the value of friendship and unity

We are Australians young and free.

Here with our school friends

We work together

All of us equal, we all belong.

Learning and growing

Proudly knowing that

Our school will ring with laughter and song.

CHORUS

SCHOOL HISTORY

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Garden Suburb Public School opened for business on Monday October 13th, 1958 with an enrolment of 125 students. The buildings comprised four classrooms, office and ablutions block (toilets).

However the story begins some years earlier before that date.

Local parents and the Garden Suburb Progress Association worked hard to establish the need for a school in the suburb. Many of these people still live in the area. It took eight years to have the land released from BHP.

Approval to build the school was given on September 27th 1957, then to be named Kotara Heights. The name was altered to Garden Suburb on June 26th 1958, just prior to the arrival of Mr Howard Smith, the first Headmaster, who was appointed in July of that year.

The school grew rapidly. The Methodist Church hall (across the road) was used as a classroom and by May 1968 a kindergarten room and classroom-divided by a folding partition (still there) was added. Even then the small library was being used as a classroom. Tenders were called for two additional classrooms, a clinic and a storeroom.

The official opening was October 29th 1960. The Hon Mr J Stewart MLA, officiated. By this time the enrolment had more than doubled with 282 students. Mr Rundle was the Headmaster with a staff of 6 teachers. The average class size was 40 students.

The wooden building near Myall Road was completed in 1961 and in 1965 a brick block was added. 1970 saw the completion of another block and canteen.

In 1992 major alteration converted 2 classrooms beside the office to create a staffroom and enlarged office space.

The new Millennium has brought the addition of the COLA (Covered Outdoor Learning Area), the installation of fixed play equipment – with soft safe underlay, the installation of a computer lab, air conditioning in classrooms, staffroom and offices, covered walkways and a multi-purpose court.

In 2008, the school celebrated its 50th year with a School Musical and Fete.

In 2008-2009, the existing computer lab was enlarged and upgraded and interactive whiteboards were installed in every classroom. The library was enlarged and enhanced. Thanks to the Federal Governments BER program the school received a new hall which was opened in 2010, this being a great addition to the school.

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TERM DATES FOR 2017Term 1 Teachers Commence Friday 27th January 2017

Year 1 to Year 6 Commence Classes Monday 30th January 2017Last Day Term 1 Friday 7th April 2017

Term 2 Teachers Commence Monday 24th April 2017Students Commence Classes Wednesday 26th April 2017Last Day Term 2 Friday 30th June 2017

Term 3 Teachers Commence Monday 17th July 2017Students Commence Classes Tuesday 18th July 2017Last Day Term 3 Friday 22nd September 2017

Term 4 Teachers and Students Commence Classes Monday 9th October 2017Students last day Term 4 Tuesday 15th December 2017Staff Development Day Monday 18th December 2017Staff Development Day Tuesday 19th December 2017

TERM DATES FOR 2018

Term 1 Teachers Commence Monday 29th January 2018Year 1 to Year 6 Commence Classes Tuesday 30th January 2018Last Day Term 1 Friday 13th April 2018

Term 2 Teachers Commence Monday 30th April 2018Students Commence Classes Tuesday 1st May 2018Last Day Term 2 Friday 6th July 2018

Term 3 Teachers Commence Monday 23rd July 2018Students Commence Classes Tuesday 24th July 2018Last Day Term 3 Friday 28th September 2018

Term 4 Teachers and Students Commence Classes Monday 15th October 2018Students last day Term 4 Wednesday 19th December 2018Staff Development Day Thursday 20th December 2018Staff Development Day Friday 21st December 2018

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SCHOOL ROUTINESArrivalIt is requested that children do not arrive at school before 8.45am. Official supervision commences at 8.45am. Children who do arrive earlier are to sit in the COLA until the bell goes when they may move to the “top” playground. Children are not to play or use any equipment, be it personal or school equipment, before 8.45am.

Bell Times8.45am Children may move to the playground9.07am Play ceases children move to lines9.10am Lessons Commence11.10am Lunch (supervised eating time)11.20am Play11.57am Play ceases children move to lines12.00pm Lessons Commence2.00pm Recess2.23pm Play ceases children move to lines2.25pm Lessons Commence3.10pm Afternoon Dismissal

Children are supervised crossing Prospect Road. During inclement weather children are supervised in classrooms, on verandah’s, in the hall or in the library.

LunchLunch is eaten outside under the supervision of teachers. Students are then dismissed by teachers to the playground for the rest of lunch. Any child who forgets their lunch, or to order their lunch, should report to a staff member and are provided with lunch from the canteen at a cost. Parents are sent an account to be paid the next day.

DismissalFollowing the 3.10pm bell, children assemble at either of the gates opening on to Prospect Road or the gate leading onto Myall Road. Students are encouraged to leave school and go straight home. There is no teacher supervision after the bell goes in the playground.Gate nearest the community hall on Prospect RoadAll children who walk along Prospect Road and all children catching the OOSH bus exit the school via this gate.Gate near Mail boxThis gate is used by students using the pedestrian crossing.Gate onto Myall RoadStudents who walk down Myall Road exit the school via this gate. Please remind your child to collect all bags and clothing before leaving school.

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Leaving GroundsIn the interest of safety, children are not permitted to leave the school grounds at anytime without written permission of a parent. If children arrive late or if parents wish to collect children early they are asked to call at the office first and complete the appropriate documentation.

Sick StudentsWhen, in the opinion of school staff, a student’s best interest would be served by being at home, the parents or emergency contact will be telephoned and requested to take home the sick student. It is therefore essential that we have current phone numbers for contacting you. Exemptions can be asked for, for long term illnesses or holidays. Please see your child’s teacher or the office for forms.

AbsencesThe Department of Education and Communities requires that you notify the school if your child is going to be absent for two days or more. A note of explanation should then be sent to the teacher when the child returns so that the reason for the absence can be recorded in the class roll. Alternatively, you can contact the office who will complete a verbal absence form explaining your child’s absence. If you chose this option, there is no need to send a note to the teacher.

School SportAll children participate in Sport on Friday’s in Terms 1-3, but may vary in Term 4. All children should wear sports uniform on this day. An annual Swimming Carnival (Years 2-6), Athletics Carnival and Cross Country Carnival are held and some children take part in PSSA competitions.

ExcursionsEducational excursions are an integral part of the school’s curriculum as they provide the opportunity for children to participate in experiences in the wider community. These experiences beyond the classroom contribute to the child’s overall growth and development. Excursions will vary in length depending on the age of the children and may range between

A brief visit of less than an hour to a local point of interest An excursion of a full day’s duration A major excursion occupying a number of days and requiring overnight accommodation.

Excursions, which currently form part of the school’s curriculum at Garden Suburb, are: Part or full day excursions depending on particular units of work being treated by the class, eg. to

the Regional Museum or to the Cardiff shops 4day/3night excursion in alternate years to Canberra for Stage 3 students.

School uniform should be worn unless otherwise specified. Excursion Consent forms must be returned to school. As children are ambassadors for our school whilst on excursions, appropriate behaviour is expected. Participation in excursions is dependent on a child’s behaviour.

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Consent FormsBefore students undertake excursions, sporting visits etc. they are required to return a consent note signed by a parent or guardian. This consent note will confirm the parent’s knowledge and approval of their child undertaking the visit. A general consent note is given out early in the year which covers activities/excursions in the local area which do not require any transport or extra supervision.

Transportation of StudentsSome school excursions and inter school activities depend on parent transport as bus hire is not viable. If you are able to help with transportation of school students, other than your own children, then your current papers (NSW licence, NSW registration) are required to be sighted first. Drivers must sign a Prohibited Employment Declaration and each student must use an approved seat belt while travelling.

School NewslettersThe school newsletter is the prime source of communication to you, the parents and carers of our school. It is distributed weekly each Wednesday via email and is available on our Skoolbag App and school website. You can also organise with the office to have a paper copy sent home.As well as informing you of all that is happening in our school, it provides information about community events.Where possible, we send excursion details and permission notes, fundraising information, community flyers etc. with the newsletter. While this sometimes results in a bulky newsletter, it is felt that the routine distribution is preferable to several small pieces on any days throughout the week. At times however, additional notes are unavoidable.

School WebpageOur school webpage at www.gardensub-p.schools.nsw.edu.au has a wealth of information about schools from the Department and has all classes and school information. The newsletter is added weekly and you can also find dates of events on the calendar.

ParkingParking in the vicinity of the school is becoming more difficult and a safety concern for our students. The parent bodies continue to work hard to improve the conditions ensuring a safe environment for the students. Parents are requested to obey traffic signs and road rules when calling for children at all times, especially at dismissal times. Incorrect parking creates an accident prone environment. Police patrol these areas. A section of Prospect Road near the school is zoned a school crossing area with appropriate signs. Parents are not to park in the school grounds or drive into the school grounds without the approval of the Principal.

InterviewsFormal parent/teacher conferences will be conducted during Semester 1 when each child’s progress is reported upon. An invitation is extended to parents to visit the school at any time throughout the year if you have any concerns but we request that you make an appointment convenient to you and your child’s teacher so as not to interrupt teaching and learning time. The parent/teacher partnership is a critical one in your child’s education.

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Bus PassesFree bus passes are available to all infants’ pupils K-2. Those primary pupils living more than 1.6km radial or 2.3km walking distance from the school also get a free bus pass. Application forms should be lodged with the school office early in December each year so that passes can be issued early in Term 1 of the new year. Lost or damaged passes are replaced by the bus company concerned for a fee. A cap of $450 free travel per student per annum applies, the difference being borne by the parents.

Sun ProtectionIt is school policy for a hat or cap to be worn in the playground. Children without a hat must be in the shade. We would appreciate you reinforcing this habit at home. School caps and hats are available from the uniform shop. Sun screen should be supplied from home and insect repellent.

Medication in SchoolsIf your child requires medication on a regular or short term basis you must call at the office to leave the medication and complete a request to administer prescribed medication form. The school is unable to administer over the counter medication eg. Paracetamol, Nurofen. Under no circumstances are children to keep any medication with them or in their school bag, unless it is specific asthma medication (which should be accompanied by an Asthma Plan from your GP).

Student Special NeedsPlease inform the school in writing of any special needs which your child(ren) may have eg. allergies, reactions to certain foods etc. Please advise the school of a management plan.

Immunisation CertificateThe Public Health (Amendment) Act 1992 requires parents to provide documented evidence of a child’s immunisation status on enrolment in school, preschools and childcare centres.

From 1994 children enrolling in Kindergarten are required to provide the school with a Completed Immunisation Certificate. Those children for whom the school does not hold a completed immunisation certificate will be required to stay home from school should an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease occur in the school.To be able to obtain a certificate:Your child’s record of immunisation (Blue Book) should be taken to:

Your local doctor Chief Health Surveyor of Local Council Medical office of Health of the nearest Public Health Unit or Community Health staff.

Lost PropertyLost property is placed in the lost property basket in the store room on the Primary verandah (B Block). Items not eventually claimed are absorbed into the clothing pool.

Children’s clothing and property should be CLEARLY MARKED with the child’s name for easy identification and return.

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Verification of Date of BirthUpon enrolment into Kindergarten the school is required to sight proof of your child’s date of birth. A birth certificate, baby clinic card, hospital card or acknowledgement of birth registration are all acceptable items.

Date of Entry into AustraliaChildren entering school from other countries must also have their date of entry into Australia sighted.

Book PacksIn 2016 the school did not ask for Voluntary School Contributions but for each child to purchase a book pack. Contents of the book pack vary each year. They will include a home reading diary and mathematics workbook.

Students’ PrivacyIssues relating to student privacy must always be safeguarded. If at any time a school student has to be photographed or videoed, and the photo/video of the student will become public, then parent/caregivers will be informed in writing. The written notice is designed to give parents/caregivers time to consent or deny to the photographing/videoing.

CanteenCanteen facilities are available from Monday to Friday. Sound, nutritious foods are sold including sandwiches, hot foods and snack foods, all at very reasonable prices. Children are asked to place their order, with money enclosed, in a paper bag then place into a class basket/tub, which is collected from and delivered to each classroom. The canteen is only open at lunch time.

The canteen runs on a voluntary basis beginning at approximately 9.15am each school day and closing at 12.00pm. A four week roster operates, ie. 1 day per month (which is not too often) PLUS the children enjoy mum or dad working in the canteen. As well as being a “social outing” it enables you to acquaint yourself with students and teachers. Work is in pairs. New volunteers are always needed on the roster as parents of outgoing students leave. All profits from the canteen support the school through the P&C Association.

Healthy School Canteen StrategyIn response to the concerns about the increasing prevalence of health issues associated with obesity in children and young people, the NSW Government has launched the Healthy School Canteen Strategy.

This strategy requires all NSW government schools to move towards a healthy, nutritious canteen menu in line with the Australian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents. This strategy will have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of all our students. Changes to the school menu will be phased in over time and there will be a variety of healthy foods to choose from.

Out Of School Hours Care (OOSH)There are two OOSH’s that service the school. Students are dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon by buses. For further information contact Cardiff OOSH (Cardiff Public School grounds) on 4956 8814 or Hillsborough OOSH (Hillsborough Public School Grounds) on 4947 8370. OOSH bus students meet on the verandah near the office each afternoon.

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Skoolbag AppOur School now has our own Skoolbag iPhone and Android App to help us communicate more effectively with our parent community. By installing the app you will be able to receive the school newsletter, inform the school of a students absence or change of details eg. contact phone numbers. The school also uses the app when students are away on excursions to inform parents of bus return times if necessary.

We are asking parents to install our Skoolbag School App. To install it, just search for our school name “Garden Suburb Public School” in either the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store.

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School UniformWearing of the correct school uniform is an indicator of the students pride in their school and is an agreed item of our Welfare and Discipline Policy.

Please mark all belongings and make every effort to see that your child is dressed in correct school uniform.

Boys UniformSummer and WinterGreen shorts or long pantsGold and green polo style shirtBottle green cardigan/jumper/jacketBottle green tracksuitWhite socks, black shoesBottle green hat or cap

Girls UniformSummerBottle green box pleat shortsGold and green polo style shirtA-line tunic of green and white check fabric, with bottle green tab at neckWhite socks, black shoesBottle green hat or cap

WinterBottle green cardigan/jumper/jacketBottle green tracksuitsGreen boot leg slacksGold and green polo style shirtWhite socks/green tights, black shoesBottle green hat or cap

Sport Uniform for all studentsBottle green micro mesh shortsGold and green sports shirt with logoWhite socks, sports shoesBottle green hat or cap

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Sport’s House UniformNormal sports uniform for boys and girls. House coloured t-shirts may be worn at swimming and athletics carnivals.Kendall: RED Lawson: BLUE Paterson: GREEN

Bottle green tracksuits may be worn in cold weather but are not uniform.

School Hats/Caps: Purchase at the Uniform Shop for $10.00Library Bags: Purchase at the Library

Clothing PoolA second hand clothing pool is at the school as part of the Uniform Shop for your convenience. Items may be either donated or purchased (for a small amount). The Uniform Shop is open on Thursday mornings from 8.45am to 9.30am. The Uniform Shop is the room next to the Office.

LOST CLOTHING WHICH IS NOT CLEARLY MARKED WITH CHILD’S NAME IS EVENTUALLY ABSORBED BACK INTO THE CLOTHING POOL.

Uniform OrdersThe P&C coordinates orders of polo shirts, girl’s summer uniforms, boys and girl’s school shorts and sport shirts/shorts throughout the year. Details are sent home in the newsletter and given to new Kindergarten parents. The school also supplies the cap/hat and library bags.

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Parents and Citizens AssociationInformation for New Parents

Welcome to Garden Suburb Public School. The school has a history of active parent participation and we invite you to join us. We realise that not every parent is able to participate in every activity and this information sheet is designed to outline the various areas where you may be able to help. Like every organisation we are constantly in need of new members and new ideas. Please feel free to join with us in making this a better school for our children.

Parent GroupsAt the formal level the school has a Parents and Citizens Association and a Canteen Committee. Together these committees interact to provide the following range of Services.

Supplementary School FundingEach year the P&C provides around $8000 to the school for various teaching aids, sporting needs and general school requisites which cannot be acquired from the school’s government funding.

Special EquipmentIn addition to the above we have provided over the last few years major items such as; photocopiers, video equipment, public address system, air conditioning, covered walkways and interactive white boards. Two shade pergolas were erected over the children’s lunch tales and this area continues to be improved. The Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) and new infants’ playground were completed in 2001. Several thousand dollars have been spent on school curriculum areas such as English, Mathematics and Sport.

Uniform OrdersThe P&C organises reasonable priced school uniform items by coordinating several orders throughout the year. The uniform shop is on the front verandah next to the office and is open every Thursday morning from 8.45am to 9.30am.

CanteenThe school supports a healthy canteen for the children which is staffed by parents on a voluntary basis. Terri Clarke is our paid canteen supervisor who organises orders, menus and volunteers.

Other ActivitiesParents are often called on to support teachers in the classroom and with transport on school excursions etc. Parents are also often asked to assist in fund raising activities and in working bees to improve facilities at the school.

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Fund RaisingObviously many of the above services require funds. The following are some of our fundraising activitiesCanteen Profits: Prices at the canteen are reasonable but a small profit is generated which supplements the P&C funds.Other Fund Raising: Throughout the year the P&C organise a number of other fund raisers which usually involve some participation by children or parents. Examples are sale of fund raising products, shopping trips, school Disco’s, Bunnings BBQ, Entertainment Books and mother’s day stall.

MeetingsThe P&C Association meets on Monday nights at 6pm, once per month in the staffroom. This is usually the first Monday of the month.

The Canteen Committee meets periodically during the school term.

The Annual General Meeting for the P&C Association occurs at the beginning of each year.

NewslettersAll meetings and activities are advertised in the school weekly newsletter which is sent home with children. Please encourage your children to pass this important document on to you as soon as received by them. Newsletters are published weekly on the school website and is available for download on the Skoolbag app.

Once again may we take this opportunity to welcome you to the school and we look forward to meeting you at some of our activities.

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Parent Information about ReadingResearch (Stanovich, 1986 and Juel 1988) shows that the more children read, the better they get at reading. Good readers not only tend to read more text (ie. More words) at school but also read more outside school.

Children should read every day if possible.

When children are reading texts at an independent reading level there are some strategies which can be used to help the child work out unknown words. When students come to a word they don’t know, it is best not to supply the word but to give the child time to try and work out the word. Allow about five seconds, then, if the child has not been able to attempt the word, the parent or caregiver should provide some clues or strategies that the child could use to work out the word. They may suggest the following:

What word might make sense? Try to read that sentence again. Look at the picture. What is the first sound? Sound it out (if the word is phonetically regular). Read on to the end of the sentence.

It is important to praise a child for attempting new words, working out new words and for self correcting. If possible, provide praise which is paired with a comment about what the child actually did, eg. “That was really good. You worked out the word by working out the first sound, then rereading the sentence to find a word which made sense”.

When reading to children, parents or caregivers should introduce a new book by talking about the title and the illustrations before reading the book. During or after reading to children, parents may discuss the vocabulary, characters and plot of the story.

Garden Suburb Public School actively supports Home Reading. As part of the Book Pack each student receives a Home Reading Journal. Student’s journal entries are rewarded at 50 nights, 100 nights, 150 nights and 200 nights.

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How Can I Help My Child with ReadingTeaching reading is an important and difficult job in which both the school and parent can co-operate.

Here are 19 ways to help your child to reading improvement.

1. Talk to your child. Almost from the day you child is born, they are ready to express themselves. At first your child will respond by cooing and gurgling. Later your child will pick up a few words and sense the rhythm of language. Help them add to ordinary conversation then words will have meaning for them when they see the words on the printed page.

2. Listen to your child. Children must have many opportunities to express themselves. Encourage your child to talk about things that they have seen or done. The more the child talks, the better they are likely to read. Do pay attention when they are talking to you. Listen to your child read. Suggest that before they read aloud to you, they should read the stories themselves to be sure that they know all the words. This makes listening to them read much more interesting to you.

3. Read to your child. Every time you read to them you are building an appreciation of books and reading. Children who have been read to are usually more anxious to read to themselves. Reading becomes important. Remember, their listening and interest levels are above their reading level.

4. Help your child with reading. Tell them the words if they’re in the beginning stages of reading. Help them to work out the words if they’re in the later stages by skipping over the unknown word and reading the rest of the sentence to see whether this suggests a new word, or checking to see whether the word makes “sense” in the sentence eg. “I was a pig” or “I saw a pig”. If this fails, simply tell them.

5. Teach your child how to take care of books. Children will then learn to regard books as friends.6. Take your child on trips. Even a short trip on the bus or train will excite their curiosity and interest

in the world around them. Point out the interesting things and give them new words and meanings for words. The following places might be visited: King Edward Park, Civic Fountain, City Hall, around the beaches, the public library, the Art Gallery, Nobby’s Signal Station etc.

7. Build up a reading atmosphere at home. Have books, magazines, newspapers etc. around the house. Let your child see you reading frequently. Tune into thoughtful programmes on the radio and television, which will give them worthwhile information as well as entertainment. Check the newspaper listing for these programmes. Your child will tend to imitate you.

8. Encourage your child to join the local library. Take them to the library at first. Don’t tell them what books to select. If they are a poor reader, they may at first choose easy books. As they gain confidence, satisfaction and improve in reading, they will choose more difficult books.

9. Buy games and puzzles for your child. These help your child learn shape and form and help them relate to things. Letter games eg, Scrabble and Lotto will help with spelling and reading. Jigsaw puzzles help a child to recognise shape, because the puzzle pieces must be matched to fit the space.

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10. Make games. You can make simple word games by cutting words from a magazine and asking your child to match these words to a picture. Make a word card for troublesome words (was, these, what, want etc) and play a game with your child. How quickly can they learn a word and how many word cards can be removed from the pack because they really have learned them? What words should be added?

11. Buy books for your child. For birthdays and holidays, buy books when you can afford them. A child who owns a few good books is usually interested in reading. Try to get books at their reading grade level so they can read these books with fun and pleasure. Buy children’s magazines too. There are many available from bookshops. Book Club issued through the school is an excellent source of current books at appropriate levels.

12. Praise your child. Remember, reading is a difficult task. Don’t forget to praise them when they succeed. Don’t expect them to know the word when you tell it once or twice or even ten or twenty times. Quite often children need to see a word many more times than this.

13. Keep your child well and rested. A child who has stayed up late to watch television, shows the effect next day in their school work. Co-operate with the school contacts or your own doctor in correcting sight, hearing or nutritional defects.

14. Give your child responsibilities which they are capable of taking. This allows them to earn recognition and to get real satisfaction from accomplishments.

15. See that your child has good habits of attendance. When they are absent from school, they miss work and may not be able to keep up with the class.

16. Check your child’s progress at school. If they are having trouble with reading or any subject consult their teacher to find out why and how you can help.

17. Set aside a regular time for homework. Give your child a definite place in which to work. Help them develop the habit of daily attention to homework routines.

18. Accept your child as they are. Don’t compare them with a sister, brother or friend. Encourage them to improve as much as they can.

19. Show a real interest in school. The parent’s attitude is usually the child’s. You and the teacher are partners in the important job of teaching your child to read. An interested, relaxed, helpful parent is a most valuable co-worker.

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REMEMBERChildren learn to read by reading.

Initially they learn to read then they read to learn.The more they read the better readers they become.

Early Stage One – Stage Statements

ENGLISH EARLY STAGE 1 STAGE STATEMENTBy the end of Early Stage 1 students respond to a range of spoken, written and multimodal texts from familiar contexts. They demonstrate active listening behaviours to follow simple instructions and ask relevant questions. Students mix and communicate informally with peers, teachers and known adults in informal and structured classroom settings. They communicate clearly and purposefully when engaging in pair, group and class discussions. Students demonstrate an emerging awareness of how people use spoken language for different purposes. They deliver short presentations using familiar and learned vocabulary. Students explore the way familiar spoken texts are constructed and the features of these texts.

Students develop reading, viewing and comprehension skills and strategies using context, grammar, word usage and phonics to make meaning from short, predictable printed texts on familiar topics. They interpret and provide relevant explanations of characters and main events in imaginative texts, and key ideas and visual features in short informative texts, making connections to personal experience. Students recognise, discuss and respond to the different kinds and purposes of various written, visual and digital texts from a variety of cultures. They read with some fluency and accuracy, drawing support from concepts of print and their developing sound and letter knowledge. Students explore and identify some features of texts, including the use of rhyme, letter patterns and sounds in words in written and spoken texts.

Students engage in writing with an increasing awareness of the nature, purpose and conventions of written language. They create simple texts and recreate familiar imaginative texts by drawing on personal experience and through performance, drawing and images. Students retell events and experiences for known audiences that demonstrate an awareness of the text structure, basic grammar and punctuation needed. Students begin to apply simple editing techniques to their written work. They know and use letters and sounds of the alphabet to attempt to spell known words. Students write most lower and upper case letters appropriately, using the NSW Foundation Style as appropriate. They explore the use of digital technologies to construct a variety of multimodal texts. Students become aware of how to reflect on and assess their own and others' learning.

MATHEMATICS EARLY STAGE 1 STAGE STATEMENTBy the end of Early Stage 1, students ask questions and use known facts to explore mathematical problems and develop fluency with mathematical ideas. They use everyday language, concrete materials and informal recordings to demonstrate understanding and link mathematical ideas.

Students count to 30 and represent numbers to 20 with objects, pictures, numerals and words. They read and use ordinal numbers to at least 'tenth'. Students use concrete materials to model addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. They use the language of money and recognise the coins and notes of the Australian monetary system. Students divide objects into two equal parts and describe them as halves. They recognise, describe and continue repeating patterns of objects and drawings.

Students identify length, area, volume, capacity and mass, and compare and arrange objects according to these attributes. They manipulate, sort and represent three-dimensional objects and describe them using everyday language. Students manipulate, sort and describe representations of two-dimensional shapes, identifying circles, squares, triangles and rectangles. They connect events and the days of the week and explain the order and duration of events, telling the time on the hour. Students give and follow simple directions and describe position using appropriate language.

Students answer simple questions to collect information. They use objects to create a data display and interpret data.

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