Kahibah Public School
.... Kindergarten Handbook ....

 

 

 

 

Welcome to
Kahibah Public School 2008
Working together to be
the best we can be.


Thank you
for choosing our school.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR KINDERGARTEN PUPILS
STARTING SCHOOL IN 2008

Thursday 31st January 2008


ENROLMENT TIME: 9.15am

1. Please go to the office first to complete enrolment details.
* Please ensure that you have:
* Completed both the enrolment form and the student information card.
* Presented proof of your child's age eg. copy of birth certificate.
* Presented your child's immunisation certificate as soon as possible after it has been issued by your doctor. Your family doctor may decide not to immunise your child until they turn 5.
* Your child will be given a name tag to wear.

2. Everyone goes to our cola to wait for the Kindergarten teachers to take them to the classrooms.
Please do not go straight to the Kindergarten classroom.



Orientation Program
Welcome to our school. This is the beginning of a very special journey because starting school is an important time for every child and their parents. It can also be an emotional time for many, as it marks the first step children take into the outside world alone.
To ensure a smooth transition from home to school, we run an intensive orientation program designed to help children feel comfortable and confident in their new environment. Our aim is to help them all feel safe and secure as they develop new and meaningful relationships.



The Orientation Program includes:
a). Personal interviews with every child, parents/carers. These interviews provide significant information for the new teacher in terms of recognising individual personal skills and strengths which can be extended in the classroom. They also provide the initial bond between home and school, creating the opportunity to get to know each other.

b). The Orientation Day - Kahibah Public School - Wednesday, 7th November, 2007.
i). Parents are presented with a special package which incorporates a booklet of school information, brochures, fact sheets and forms.
ii). Parents are introduced to the school executive, school counsellor, kinder teacher/s and parent volunteers.
iii). Members of our school community explain their roles and responsibilities as school helpers, P&C representatives, fundraisers, and canteen volunteers.
iv). Kindergarten 2007 present a short item.
v). The new kindergarten children are introduced to their buddies who then take the new children for an orientation walk around the school.
vi). Parents are advised of basic school policies, our beliefs and values, our student welfare policy, and the philosophy of the school, (which underpins the way we operate).
vii). Children will have morning tea with their buddies outside the hall on the oval.
viii). After this session, parents are invited to stay for morning tea in the hall.

c). Subsequent School Visit:-
Students are invited back to school for 1hour from 9.30am - 10.30am on Wednesday 21st November 2007. Children will operate in the classroom while parents are welcome to have a cup of tea in the staffroom.

d). Further visits are optional, depending on need.
In some cases the Principal and school counsellor have conducted observations at pre-schools to ensure we cater for the needs of every student.



WHAT YOUR CHILD NEEDS FOR KINDERGARTEN
****ALL CLEARLY LABELLED****
1. School uniform
2. School Hat
3. Raincoat
4. School Bag
5. Lunch Box
6. Drink Bottle
7. Paintshirt
8. Library Bag
9. Spare change of underwear and socks in case of emergencies
10. 1 Box of tissues (class donation)
11. 1 bottle liquid soap (class donation)



UNIFORM PACKAGE-SPECIAL OFFER
Special uniform package available at the school for $57.00 which includes:-
* School hat
* Sport Shorts
* Spot Polo Shirt with crest
* Library Bag with printed crest
* Winter jacket
Items are available for purchase individually.
* Some new girls uniforms are available for $38.00
* Some second hand clothing also available at reasonable prices



THE BUDDY SYSTEM
The Buddy System is a valuable part of our Kinder Orientation program.
Each child will have a "Buddy" who is a Year 5 student. The "Buddy" will help your child to get out their playlunch, lunch, hat etc. and put their bag in the correct place for the first few weeks of school. The "Buddy" will be there to help your child in the playground if necessary.

Buddies have been specially trained to take on the responsibility of caring for their little friends. It's an important part of their personal growth. The program provides an opportunity for the development of effective leadership skills in the older child, while providing a pillar of support for your child as he/she learns to understand the new school environment.

Both you and your child will meet his/her buddy at the first Orientation session. If your child does not have an older brother or sister, the Buddy will be available to meet children at the gate in the morning and walk them in until they are confident to do this independently.



SUNSENSE
Children are encouraged to develop a responsible attitude to protecting themselves from the sun.
The school has a policy of NO HAT - NO SUN. Children who are not wearing a school hat are obliged to remain under the COLA (Covered Outdoor Learning Area).



SETTLING INTO SCHOOL
The change from a short session in pre-school to a full day, five days a week, brings many pressures to bear on small children, some of whom may find it strange at first, especially in Term One. You can help your child settle into school by observing some of the following suggestions.

1. Many little children find lunchtime with a larger group of children disconcerting and eat poorly at the beginning of the year. It is best to give them small quantities of well-known favourites and "top them up" when they arrive home. We prefer that the children take home what they don't eat so you can monitor eating habits, adjust lunches accordingly and prevent waste.
2. It is helpful if your child can go to bed early. A tired child cannot benefit from a full day at school.
3. Kindergarten children often get very tired and feel the strain of being part of a large group - you will notice this particularly towards the end of the week for the first few months.
4. Should your child be unhappy at school for any reason, please let us know. It would be appreciated if interviews with class teacher/s could be arranged before or after school and not during class time. It is important that teachers are with their respective classes during normal lesson time as any interruption can cause considerable disruption. You can always contact the Principal to share your concerns.
5. Please send your child on time each day. Regular attendance and good habits are essential for progress.
6. Let your children talk about their experiences. It is important that you share in their new life and adventure.
7. Initially all Kindergarten children are to be collected at 2.30pm (for the first 5 weeks), from under the COLA area by an adult. If your child is to be collected by a brother/sister please ensure that all children know where they will be collected from and by whom. Reassure your child that they will be picked up at the end of the school day.



TEN TIPS FOR MAKING THE TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN A LITTLE EASIER.

1. Be enthusiastic about the upcoming change. If you are excited and confident, your child will be too.
2. Start daily routines that will add to continuity. Let your child become involved with packing lunch or laying out clothes. Also begin an earlier bedtime several weeks before.
3. Practice eating morning tea and lunch together.
4. Have lunch outside in your garden every now and again so your kindy child can get used to eating outdoors.
5. Practice eating from a lunchbox. Little fingers will need plenty of practice in opening and closing lunch boxes, drink bottles and also those tricky lunch wrappers.
6. If possible try to get your child into a routine of a morning tea break at 11.00am (little lunch) and a lunch break at 12.50pm (big lunch). It may be helpful to encourage toileting around these times as well.
7. Have your Kindy child practice dressing and undressing.
* Little fingers will need lots of practice and confidence with manipulating the buttons, zippers, buckles and laces on their uniforms.
8. Give your Kindy child practice and confidence in recognising their name.
9. Ensure everything is labelled, especially jumpers, lunch box, drink bottle and school bag.
10. Ensure children are confident with going to the toilet on their own
11. Put aside extra time in the afternoon, particularly on the first day, for chatting and communicating together.
12. Remember not to prolong the good-bye. If your child is upset, staying will only make it harder. Reassure your child that he/she will be collected at 2.30pm, (for the first 5 weeks) especially important on the first day of school.
13. Prepare your child for learning to read by reading to them every day. Modelling is an important part of learning.
14. Provide experiences for "Taking Turns" and sharing with others.

Thank you for choosing our school.
We look forward to sharing with you, your child's journey of lifelong learning.

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