MARIAN CATHOLIC COLLEGE
HANDBOOK FOR PARENTS
Draft 2006 - 2007
MARIAN CATHOLIC COLLEGE HANDBOOK FOR PARENTS
CONTENTS
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1. MARIAN CATHOLIC COLLEGE |
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| 2. THE CURRICULUM | 5 |
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| 3. STUDENTS’ WELLBEING | 6 |
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| 4. PARENT GROUPS | 7 |
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| 5. SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS | 7 |
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| 6. COLLEGE SOCIALS | 9 |
| 7. SPORT | 9 |
| 8. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS | 10 |
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| 9. UNIFORM | 11 |
| 10. STUDENTS’ “WHAT TO DO IF” LIST | 14 |
| 11. SOME MARIAN CATHOLIC COLLEGE POLICIES | 15 |
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12. CHILD PROTECTION CODE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS |
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1. MARIAN CATHOLIC COLLEGE
At Marian Catholic College, Griffith, we value a faith-centred approach to life, offering to all people in our diverse community a Catholic Education which reflects our belief and trust in God.
Our college spirit comes from gospel values and emphasises prayerful reflection and the development of the whole person - their uniqueness, integrity and dignity.
We prize a caring environment where there is equity and justice, and where talents, responsibilities and resources are shared. We believe that everyone should reach their full potential.
As the philosophy of Marian Catholic College is based on growth in spirituality, Education in Faith is a compulsory study, as is a positive and active participation in retreats, religious ceremonies, worship and community service which are part of the everyday life of the college. There is daily prayer during homeroom, and assemblies begin with prayer.
Mother M. Dominic, Sisters Benedict and Dorothea came to Griffith in 1921, to take over St Patrick’s, then a small, struggling school. The new school opened on September 4, with a roll call which included names still common at the school.
In 1950, four Marist Brothers, Brothers Oliver, Francis, Richard and Phillip came to Griffith and opened St Brendan’s School for boys in the old Griffith Hospital building.
In 1970 St Brendan’s School and the secondary department of St Patrick’s School combined to become Catholic High School, initially a year 7-10 school, with Brother Clement Terry as founding Principal and Sr Rita Savage Assistant Principal.
The school was extended to include years 11 and 12 with the first Higher School Certificate class in 1984. From 1991, when the Marist Brothers left Griffith, until 2006, the Sisters of Mercy continued to appoint Sisters to the position of Principal.
The Sisters of Mercy and Marist Brothers chose the name and motto of Catholic High School to make it absolutely clear that the fundamental aim of the school is to do with its Catholicity, its focus on Christ, “The Way, the Truth and the Life”.
The school crest features the chi-rho, the first two letters of the Greek word Kristos (Christ),
our Saviour who brings us into the Life of God. Rays of light reach from Christ to the world at his feet. As Christ came to the world to bring life, we too are to carry the Life of Christ to the world. The star beside the chi-rho represents Mary, the patroness of both religious Congregations,
under whose protection the school has been placed. To recognise her patronage, “Marian” has
been added to the name. “College” has been adopted because we have students from year 7 to 12, and in keeping with our sister colleges in the Wagga Diocese.
2.
THE CURRICULUM
Students study for the School Certificate and Higher School Certificate according to the rules of the NSW Board of Studies.
You will find outlines of the college’s course offerings for the School Certificate and Higher School Certificate in the Marian Catholic College Prospectus.
Special programmes run for students with particular needs.
At the beginning of Years 7, 9 and 11 students receive a handbook with details of courses and requirements.
These are for parents and students at transition points in the curriculum:
Year 6 parents (May and October)
Year 8 parents and students (August)
Year 10 parents and students (July)
Dates of these meetings are on the college calendar which you receive by mail in February.
The college recognises the importance of effective communication between parents and teachers. You are welcome to discuss your child’s progress at any time during the year. Formal opportunities to discuss progress take place at the end of the first and second terms, when parent-teacher interviews are scheduled. The report interviews allow you to hear from teachers about your child’s progress. Interviews are short, but you can arrange a follow-up appointment if needed.
Written reports are issued at the end of Terms 2 and 4.
Students are expected to do some or all of the following work in their own time:
* extension work
* finishing of set work given in class
* independent study
* revision
* organising material for the following day
* research
* preparing for class activities, tasks or exams.
If students consistently neglect the work teachers set for them to do outside of the class time, or if teachers are concerned that not doing the work is hindering the student’s progress, teachers will use these ways of letting parents know:
* a note in the student’s diary
* a phone call to the parent
* a parent/teacher interview
* a letter to the parent.
Students receive a diary which is a homework and college diary. Students are required to use the college diary and bring it to every lesson.
It is for recording timetables, dates for assignments, tests, tasks to be done, etc.
The diary is not for personal matters and may be used for communication between parents and teachers.
Some of this information in this handbook is repeated in the diary.
The college library is open from 8.30am to 3.30pm each day, and during lunchtime. Apart from books, it also contains audio/visual material and a number of computers to which the students have access.
In Year 7 students are taught how to make the best use of the library for reading and for research. Students may borrow books for two weeks. Reference books may be borrowed on period loans only. If students lose a book they will be asked to replace it.
3.
STUDENTS’ WELLBEING
The philosophy of Marian Catholic College is one of the development of the whole person, and the fostering of people who are just, loving, tolerant and forgiving.
In aiming to assist students to develop integrity and moral autonomy, the climate needs to be one of mutual respect between staff, students and parents.
You will find the college’s policies on Student Management and Bullying in this handbook. The college Merit System is also in this handbook.
An important part of student development is collaborating with parents. You are encouraged to contact your child’s Year Co-ordinator at any time if you have a concern.
The Year Co-ordinator aims to give each student extra interest and care as well as a sense of their own dignity and self worth, and to help each student become responsible and independent in their learning and study habits. The Year Co-ordinator, therefore, keeps track of each student, in terms of academic progress and personal welfare.
This involves allocating the student to appropriate classes and checking the homework diary and the student’s report. The Year Co-ordinator is available if students have any concerns and may also organise class activities.
The Year Co-ordinator will also deal with general discipline matters, incorrect uniform or unexplained absences from classes.
The Subject Co-ordinator will deal with discipline matters in their own subject area such as mis-conduct, absences from class or assessment tasks not completed.
The Homeroom teacher takes interest in students and notices absences, sickness or injury. Parents send written notes about these to the homeroom teacher and let the teacher or the Principal know if they have other concerns.
The small size of the college allows frequent opportunities for students with personal problems to speak to a sympathetic staff member. Staff respect the students’ need for privacy. Students also have the opportunity to see the College Counsellor.
The Principal and Deputy Principal are available to you at all times.
A range of meetings are held each year, and include:
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Welcome to Year 7 parents
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Report Interviews
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Curriculum Meetings
All meetings are advertised in the college calendar and college newsletter which is sent home with the students each week.
You are encouraged to take advantage of meetings to make contact with the staff.
The college canteen is always glad of volunteer helpers. There is a roster system which is worked out in consultation with the volunteers.
4.
PARENT GROUPS
The College Council advises and supports the Principal in the Christian formation and education of the students, as well as on the overall management and forward planning for the college. Although the Council does not involve itself directly in the internal operations of the college, it is an important way in which the expectations of the parent community can be communicated to the Principal and staff. Meetings of the Council are on each last Monday of the month during school terms.
There are five parent representatives, elected for a two-year term. Elections are in February/March.
The P & F organises activities for parents and fundraising events for the school. Meetings are held each month and you are encouraged to be involved and provide students with extra facilities and equipment.
5.
SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS
Classes commence each morning at 8.50am and conclude at 3.25pm on Mondays to Fridays. The college grounds are open to students from 8.30am each morning and remain open to students until 3.30pm (or when the last bus leaves) each afternoon. At all times outside the period from 8.30am to 3.30pm on Mondays to Fridays the college grounds and buildings are out of bounds to all students.
It is therefore the case that while normal supervision of students by the college will be undertaken between 8.30am and 3.30pm on Mondays to Fridays, no supervision will be provided other than during those hours and no responsibility will be taken by the college for any consequences of the activities of students outside those hours.
Would you please assist the college in the interest of the students’ safety by ensuring that your child does not attend or remain in the precincts of the college outside the hours of 8.30am to 3.30pm on Mondays to Fridays. If any parent or guardian has difficulty in ensuring that the child does not attend college until 8.30am and/or in ensuring that the child leaves school by 3.30pm, would the parent or guardian kindly contact the college in order to discuss what special arrangements might be made for that child.
The college will not be responsible for supervising or caring for students outside the college premises unless the students are engaged in a college-sponsored activity, eg. an excursion or a sporting event. The college will not be responsible for supervising or caring for students on their journey to and from the college. In particular, the college will not be responsible for supervising students at bus stops either on their way to the college or on their way home from the college. Each student’s journey to and from the college shall be the responsibility of each student’s parent or guardian.
Special arrangements will be made in relation to authorised college activities which require the attendance of students at the college outside the college hours listed above.
The importance of regular attendance at school cannot be emphasised too strongly. When a student has to miss school, even for one day, a note of explanation is required. A note is also required if a student is to be arriving late or leaving early.
If a student is absent for more than two (2) days, you are asked to contact the college. In the event of a student being away from classes, it is their responsibility to find out about any work they may have missed.
It should be rare for students to have to leave the college during the day, as it interrupts their classes. If students need to leave, please write a note which the student gives to the home room teacher during morning home room time. The Office Staff prepare a permission slip which the student collects from the office. The student leaves the college and returns to the college VIA THE FRONT OFFICE to let office staff know.
Child Protection legislation requires that all visitors to the college are required to check in at the office before having contact with students.
Parents/guardians who require to see their child on some urgent matter during the day call at the office and wait there. The student will be brought to the office to speak with them.
Students are not allowed out of class to see visitors.
Visitors to the college who need to go to areas other than the office or canteen sign the visitors’ record book on arrival and when leaving.
Visits to Marian Catholic College by young people, such as students from other schools or students who have recently left school, will be checked with the Assistant Principal.
Students who go home regularly for lunch will be issued with a lunch pass at the beginning of the year.
Excursions
Year Co-ordinators organize year-level excursions to build class spirit and community awareness.
These are not compulsory but are very worthwhile.
Excursions run by subject co-ordinators and teachers during the school week are part of the course, and students are expected to attend.
Permission slips and payment are returned in a sealed envelope with student’s name on it.
Parents are welcome to assist with excursions, and guidelines from legislation and from the Catholic Education Commission of New South Wales protect staff, parents and other volunteers, and the students in the care of these adults.
The college’s Expectations of Supervisors on Excursions is printed in this handbook.
Buses
In the morning, students move directly from the bus to the college grounds. They should not visit local shops. In the afternoon, students wait for buses in the bus area (not on the other side of the road). Again, local shops are out of bounds. While on buses, students obey the code of conduct for bus travel.
Bikes
Students need to lock their bikes in the bike racks. Helmets can be left in the office. Bikes are not to be ridden on the college grounds.
Skate Boards
Students who bring skate boards to school check them in at the college office before morning homeroom and can claim them back after the end of the last lesson of the day.
Cars
Senior students who have a driver’s licence may drive a motor vehicle to school on the following conditions:
1.
Application forms must be completed and signed by the Principal.
2.
A car dirver may carry two passengers only. The driver’s parents and the passengers’ parents must give permission for this.
3.
Students are not permitted to carry passengers on motor bikes to or from any activity associated with the college.
4.
Motor vehicles are to be parked in the Student Car Park during the school day.
5.
No student may act as a driver on a college organised excursion.
6.
If students need to drive into the college yard (this should be a rare necessity), they are required to drive slowly. 5kph is the speed limit.
7.
The above rules apply whenever the student is travelling to a college organised event.
6.
COLLEGE SOCIALS
These are organised by the Student Representative Council, and are supervised by parents and staff. Students need written permission to be at socials. Socials are school functions, so college rules apply.
7.
SCHOOL SPORT
This is part of the PD/H/PE programme which is compulsory for Years 7 to 10 students as part of the School Certificate course. All students are expected to participate regularly.
All students are expected to attend and participate. They should be in full sports uniform.
You will find further information on Marian Catholic College’s sporting involvement in the College Prospectus.
The College’s policy on Sport, which includes guidelines for representative sport, in printed in this handbook.
8.
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
The calendar for the year is mailed to you in February. Once a term, a newsletter is also mailed to you, with updates or changes to calendar dates.
This goes out every Tuesday from Home Rooms. You are asked to check that your child has collected it for you.
Students are not permitted to come to the phone, but office staff will pass on messages to them from parents or family. Mobile phones are not permitted at the college.
Lost property is left at the college office. Unclaimed property is given to St. Vincent de Paul Society at the end of each term. All clothing and books should be clearly marked with the student’s name so that lost items can be returned to owners.
The college takes no responsibility for students’ money and valuables (eg. jewellery, calculators, CD’s which students leave in bags). Students should not leave money or valuables unattended. Valuables may be left in the office for safe keeping. Mobile phones are not permitted at the college.
Students are expected not to litter the grounds, and to keep their classrooms and playground areas clean.
If students have deliberately caused damage to school property, they may be asked to pay.
Our office staff are most central to our school community. It is to them that students report when sick, hurt or late, or in need of despatching any urgent message. Office staff with first aid qualifications supervise sick students and contact parents by phone immediately a sick or injured student presents at the office.
The tuckshop operates each day at recess and lunch time. Price lists for lunches and other items are sent home via the school newsletter. Parents are welcome to take a turn on the canteen roster.