Dear Parents

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Dear Parents Welcome to Gold Creek School
(Primary Site) In this Handbook you will find
most of the details regarding school
organisation. I hope that you will find this
information helpful to you and your
children. The school welcomed its first students
at the beginning of the 1996 school year. Since
that time the school has grown in population, and
projections are that it will keep growing over
the next few years. We work in a beautiful
school in lovely surroundings. We are unique,
sharing a campus with Holy Spirit Catholic
School. The teaching staff and administrative
staff are highly-talented, professional and
dedicated, and are only too willing to be of
assistance to you or to answer any queries. The
children are also a source of pride, being
hard-working, cooperative and friendly. Indeed,
Gold Creek School has already established an
excellent reputation in academic, sporting and
citizenship areas. I would like to repeat that
we, the staff, are here to assist both the
children and you. Should you ever have any
questions or worries about your child or the
school, please come and see us. I hope all
parents will feel as proud of our school as we,
the staff, and children do. Again,
welcome! Sue Jose PRINCIPAL
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CONTENTS GOLD CREEK SCHOOL GOALS SCHOOL / GOALS
AND PHILOSOPHY 3 COMMUN
ITY INVOLVEMENT WHOLE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
4 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
. 4 THE PARENTS AND
CITIZENS ASSOCIATION ... 4 SCHOO
L BOARD 4 CANTEEN
. 4 GENERAL
IINFORMATION SCHOOL HOURS
5 CHILD SAFETY PROGRAMLEAVING SCHOOL
GROUNDS 5 ENROLMENT
PROCEDURES 5 NEW
ENROLMENTS 6 TRANSFE
RRING TO ANOTHER SCHOOL 6 PRE
-SCHOOL LIAISON AND ORIENTATION
.. 6 STUDENT PACKAGES
. 7 COLLECTION OF
MONEY 7 SCHOOL
UNIFORM ... 8 LOST
PROPERTY ... 9 BEFO
RE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE .. 9
MEDICAL HELP AT SCHOOL .
. 9 FIRST AID, SICKNESS, ACCIDENTS
.... 9 AMBULANCE
TRANSPORT SCHOOL EXCURSION/ PLAYGROUND INJURY
... 9 CHANGE OF ADDRESS / TELEPHONE
.. 10 MEDICINE
. 10 I IMMUNISATI
ON REQUIREMENTS .. 10 ASSE
MBLIES 11 SPORT
11 NEWSLETT
ER .. 11 GOLD
CREEK SHARED FACILITIES HALL / GYMNASIUM
12 LIBRARY
. 12 THE
CANTEEN .. 12 COM
PUTERS . 12 SCHOO
L POLICIES SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
POLICY 12 CLASS GROUPS
13 ENGLISH AS A
SECOND LANGUAGE . 13 LEARNI
NG ASSISTANCE 13 THE
SCHOOL COUNSELLOR 14
PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION ..
. 14 CLASSROOM RULES
14 STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
15 SUNSMART POLICY
. 15 EXCURSIONS
. 15 HOMEWORK
15 THE SCHOOL
CURRICULUM .. 16
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GOLD CREEK SCHOOL GOALS In partnership with the
home, Gold Creek School provides a caring,
supportive learning environment. The above goal
will be achieved through a balanced,
non-prejudiced curriculum which includes
physical, social, academic and emotional
development challenging children according to
their ability and encouraging children to take
responsibility for their own behaviour and
learning. SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY Gold Creek
School aims to provide a happy, secure learning
environment. It is the objective of the school
to develop self confidence, tolerance and
concern for others. A complete primary education
that encompasses English, Mathematics, Science,
Studies of Society and the Environment, Health
and Physical Education, Technology, Language
Other Than English French, and the Arts is
provided for each child. The school recognises
parents as valued educators. With parental
support the school is able to foster values,
attitudes and skills that the community and
society deem to be important. The school aims to
develop knowledge and skills in the eight key
learning learning areas so that students can
approach their future education with confidence
and expectations of success
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• COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
• Parents are invited to become involved in the
  school community through any or all of the
  following
• WHOLE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
• Sports Days and Carnivals Excursions
• Camps Clubs
• Concerts Assemblies
• Special Days Library
• CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
• Literacy Art and Craft
• Social Studies Computing
• Typing Sport/Gross Motor Programs
• Parents will be advised through the newsletter
  when help is required. Visitors are required to
  notify the front office of their arrival, sign in
  and wear a visitors badge.

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GENERAL INFORMATION SCHOOL HOURS 9.00am School
starts for first session 11.00am Recess 11.40a
m School starts for second session 1.10pm Lunch
1.20pm Play period 2.00pm School starts for
third session 3.00pm School concludes for the
day CHILD SAFETY PROGRAM Our schools safety
program depends on our knowing if your child is
sick or will be absent for some reason. In the
event of your childs absence, we ask that you
contact the schools absence line (62055737)
before 930am, and give the following
information -Your childs name and relationship
to the student -Childs name and class -Your
daytime phone number -Day/Date of absence -Reason
for absence -Will the student return
tomorrow? -If a long absence do you want some
work sent home? At the commencement of the
school day (8.55am) the teachers mark their
rolls. Names of any unexplained absences are
noted and referred to the front office. Parents
are then contacted. This program enables the
school to be aware of any missing child as soon
as possible. If the school is informed no
enquiry is made. Parents are advised that even
though you have contacted the school, by law a
note explaining the absence is still
required. LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS Children are
not permitted to leave the school grounds unless
a note has been provided from their parent or
guardian. Children should be collected from the
childs classroom or the front office. All
children must be signed out by an adult at the
front office before they leave. ENROLMENT
PROCEDURES As from 1990 the ACT Department of
Education policy is that any child turning five
years on or before 30 April may enrol in public
schools. Children turning five after this date
are to be enrolled in the following year.
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NEW ENROLMENTS When a child is first enrolled
at Gold Creek School, parents will be asked to
complete an enrolment form and provide
verification of the childs date of birth,
immunisation record and languages spoken at home.
The Principal or Deputy Principal will then talk
with parents and answer any questions they might
have. In addition to the enrolment form, parents
are requested to complete Medical Information
Form - In Confidence cards each year. Telephone
numbers on this card are most important and if
during the year parents change their phone
numbers at home or work, the school should be
notified as soon as possible. The cards are used
when parents need to be contacted in such cases
as sickness or accident. A child who is
enrolling after attending school in another state
will be allocated a place according to age and
previous levels of work. We like to see new
children settle in as soon as possible and they
do this best in the company of children of the
same age and maturity. TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER
SCHOOL Parents should notify the Principal,
class teacher and fill out the appropriate School
Leavers Form when a child is leaving the school.
If transferring within the ACT Government School
System all records will be forwarded to the new
school. If transferring interstate, a report may
be requested from class teachers. Please give as
much notice as possible if this is the
case. PRE-SCHOOL LIAISON AND ORIENTATION The
Nicholls Pre-school is located next to the
Primary Site and this assists the formal and
informal integration between teachers and
children. Pre-school children have a series of
visits to the school prior to their starting
Kindergarten. A liaison and orientation program
will operate in Term 4.

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STUDENT PACKAGES Parents are not asked for
voluntary contributions to supplement the
school funds/financial resources. We do,
however, provide a package of materials at the
beginning of the year for purchase. This
package includes exercise books, work books etc.
and is most advantageous in that it allows all
children to commence the year with the
appropriate equipment for their year level.
Other items included in the package include a n
art/craft levy, a paper levy, a levy for
photocopying of reading material and an
Information Technology Levy. Parents are asked
to support this concept. COLLECTION OF
MONEY During the year the children will be
encouraged to attend educational excursions and
performances to enhance their learning. Money
should be sent to school in a well sealed money
collection envelope (available at the front
office), which is clearly marked with the childs
name, class name, amount enclosed and the reason
for sending the money. Please send all money
through the class teacher, not directly to the
front office.
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SCHOOL UNIFORM The school colours are maroon,
navy and sky blue. The uniform reflects these
colours. SUMMER
GIRLS DRESS Maroon, navy and white tartan White
round collar, set-in sleeve, button-through
front, drop waist, box-pleated skirt SPORT
SKIRT Navy permanent pleats SHORTS Navy longline,
culottes style, or Rugby Knit
BOYS SHORTS Navy, rugby knit or tailored
GIRLS AND BOYS
JACKET Navy zip or button-through front with
raglan sleeves no logo SWEATSHIRT Maroon (block
colour) no logo
POLO SHIRT Midford blue (sky blue) SOCKS Navy or
white
WINTER
CHINOOK Navy, maroon lined hood and maroon front
pocket no logo TRACKPANTS Navy (block colour),
maroon side stripe, plain navy optional
JACKET As above POLO SHIRT/ SKIVVY Midford blue
DRESS A pinafore dress is available as an option
for girls. It is the same as the style for ACT
Catholic Primary schools. SHOES Comfortable,
sensible sandals, shoes All clothing should be
marked with the childs name. Unclaimed clothing
will be forwarded to a local charity at the end
of each term. We encourage all children to wear
school uniform, and the Departmental Sunsmart
policy recommends that all children wear a hat
(full brim or legionnaires) every day throughout
the whole school year.
Although some uniform items can be purchased at
department stores (eg K-mart, Target) for
specific uniform pieces with the GCS logo there
are two outlets MACDONALDS SCHOOL WEAR Jamison
Shopping Centre, Macquarie (Behind Belconnen Way)
Phone [phone] BRAGGS STUDENT CENTRE, Onslow
Street, LATHAM, 6254 3550
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LOST PROPERTY Lost Property is located on the
covered walkway outside the administration block.
All unclaimed articles are donated to a local
charity at the end of each term. Please name all
clothing and check the lost property regularly.
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE A Before and
After School Care program is operational from
7.30 am to 8.55 am and 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm each
weekday. Further details of this program are
available from After School Care on 62410046
(during program hours), or 62428200 at other
times. MEDICAL HELP AT SCHOOL FIRST AID
Sickness, Accidents A trained First Aid
Assistant gives first aid when required at
school. In some instances it will be necessary
to contact parents to take the child home. In
the interest of the school community, it is
requested that sick children be kept at home.
Should a serious accident occur, parents are
notified and the child may be taken to Emergency
at a nearby hospital. AMBULANCE TRANSPORT
School Excursion/Playground Injury If it is
necessary to use the ambulance services, free
ambulance transport applies only in the
ACT. Parents should check their health cover for
costs and details for ambulance transportation
outside the ACT.
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CHANGE OF ADDRESS/ TELEPHONE It is most
important that any change of telephone number,
contact or change of address be notified to the
school as soon as is possible as wrong numbers
can cause a serious delay in contacting
parents. MEDICINE Parents may, where
necessary, send medication to school. All
medication must be left at the front office where
an office assistant will administer it at the
appropriate time. It is essential that written
instructions accompany any medication to be taken
at school. Parents are requested to keep ill or
infectious children at home to prevent a
re-occurrence and to minimise the risk of
infecting other children and members of staff.
Please refer to the school for infectious
diseases exclusion times. IMMUNISATION
REQUIREMENTS The school is required to obtain
Immunisation Records for all Kindergarten
enrolments, and students in other year levels who
have transferred from interstate, or a private or
independent ACT school.
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ASSEMBLIES A range of school assemblies,
including Primary Site, Gold Creek (including
Primary and Senior sites), and Primary Campus
(including Holy Spirit) are held regularly. The
dates and times for assemblies are advertised in
our Newsletter. Parents are always welcome to
attend and be seated behind the Year 5 students,
as the chairs on the side are allocated for staff
members. SPORT Sporting
skills are taught to all class groups. Everyone
is involved in swimming, athletics
and cross-country running and an annual
house competition carnival is held for all of
these. Children who perform well in the above
carnivals may be selected in a school team to
attend the Gungahlin District Carnival. At this
carnival a District Team is selected to compete
in the ACT Carnival. Opportunities to represent
the ACT may also arise. The Joint Campus
structure offers our children the additional
opportunity of participating in the Catholic
Schools sporting carnivals. Our sports houses
are MIRRABOOKA (red Southern Cross) WANNA
YARRA (blue Rainbow Serpent) GIRRAR GIRRAR
(green wind) YIRRI YARRA (yellow
sun) Children are allocated to a house upon
enrolment at the school. NEWSLETTER A weekly
Newsletter is sent home with the youngest child
every Wednesday. Important information will be
included such as current and following events,
information about school policies and whole
school performances and excursions.
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GOLD CREEK SHARED FACILITIES HALL /
GYMNASIUM We have a hall that we share with
Holy Spirit, which we also use as a gymnasium.
All children have access to the gym through a
scheduled lesson and at various other
times. LIBRARY RESOURCE CENTRE All classes have
scheduled library times for instruction, research
and the changing of books. The library is also
used by classes and groups at other times and the
facility is open before school and at lunch times
for those who wish to use it. For borrowing,
each child requires a library bag. Please ensure
that all library bags are waterproof, and clearly
marked with your childs name. THE CANTEEN The
canteen is open at recess and lunch times from
Tuesday to Friday. Lunch orders are written on a
paper bag, and sent to school containing the
amount of money required. Children place their
order in the lunch box in their classroom each
morning. Lunches are delivered to classes in
time for lunch. Teachers supervise the eating of
lunch. A canteen price list will be sent home
each year, and spare copies are always available
at the front office. COMPUTERS Children will
have access to computers through the Library
Resource Centre and through the mini labs in the
learning units. SCHOOL POLICIES AND
PROGRAMS SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
POLICY The school rule is Consideration for
Others. Our Management Policy is based on the
Glasser Ten Step approach to discipline in which
regular class meetings play an integral
part. Steps 1-3 involve self appraisal of the
teachers behaviour and strategies Steps
4-10 involve teacher intervention to assist the
child to change any unacceptable behaviour
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• To achieve this the school must
• provide a positive and secure environment
• develop each childs self esteem and sense of
  responsibility
• assist each child in making responsible choices
  and accepting the consequences of any choices
  made and
• eliminate disruptive behaviour.
• CLASS GROUPS
• Primary School classes in the ACT are from
  Kindergarten to Year 6. At Gold Creek Year 6
  children progress to the Middle School at our
  Senior Site.
• Organisation of classes depend on many factors
  including enrolment numbers and staffing levels,
  and may change each year.

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THE SCHOOL COUNSELLOR A qualified counsellor
works at Gold Creek School to provide educational
and psychological services to the school,
children and parents. These services include
assessment with behavioural, emotional and
academic difficulties placement of children in
special educational facilities and program
development for individual children with special
needs. The counsellor liaises with other
agencies in the community, such as health and
community services, and helps with outside
referral where needed. PLAYGROUND
SUPERVISION The schools playgrounds are
supervised by teaching staff at recess and lunch
time. This supervision is to help prevent
accidents and to ensure that children can play in
a safe environment. In the morning before school
the playground is not officially supervised.
However, a specified teacher is on call from 8.30
am. The name is displayed in the windows at the
front office. Children are encouraged to arrive
at school just before lessons commence at
8.55am. Children are regularly reminded NOT to
play on the equipment before and after school
because direct supervision is not available. The
school buildings and immediate surrounding areas
are strictly off limits out of school hours and
at weekends. When accidents do occur our office
staff administer First Aid. Parents are
contacted when accidents are serious. Parents
are advised that should they wish to claim
damages for an accident at school they should
contact the Industrial Relations and Compensation
Section of the office of the ACT Department of
Education and Training, Manning Clark House,
Tuggeranong. PLAYGROUND RULES If school rules
are broken in the playground, the childs play
time is withdrawn and he/she is required to stay
with a teacher on the playground during the
days play period, or are sent to the Time Out
room at lunchtime on the following day. In more
serious cases parents are contacted, and where
very serious situations of unacceptable
behaviour have occurred, the child may be
suspended from attending school. CLASSROOM
RULES An important component of the schools
student management policy is the adherence to
class and school rules. At the beginning of each
year, under the umbrella of the school rules, the
classes determine their own class rules. Each
week classes hold special meetings called class
meetings at which important issues can be
discussed and decisions affecting the class can
be made. Class decisions or requests can be
taken to the schools student representative
council which consists of two representative from
each class. (See Student Representative Council).
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STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL These
representatives, who are elected by each class,
meet weekly to discuss issues arising during
class meetings. The SRC also organise and run
the Gold Creek School Talent Quest as well as
other fundraising initiatives. SUNSMART
POLICY Central to our sun protection policy is
that a hat (full brim or legionnaires style) is a
vital part of our school uniform. For all
outdoor activities at school the children are
required to wear their hats. If they do not have
their hats the children are asked to stay in a
designated shaded area. Children are permitted
to bring sunscreen to put on themselves, for
protection against the sun. EXCURSIONS All
excursions have a worthwhile educational aim and
are integral parts of the school curriculum.
They require a lot of planning and must be
recognised as school in another location.
Students on excursions are expected to wear
school uniform (when appropriate) and behave in a
manner that will bring credit to the
school. Parents will be notified in both the
Newsletter and via a note sent by the classroom
teacher, of all excursions, together with details
of travel and costs involved. Excursion payment
must be handed to the class teacher in a named,
sealed envelope. HOMEWORK Homework is given
to reinforce school work try to establish good
study habits complete unfinished tasks The aim
is that the children will want to do homework,
not see it as a chore. A regular pattern in
terms of time of day and place where homework is
done will assist in developing a positive
attitude to homework. Leisure activities and
family communication are very important in a
childs growth and homework should not deny
children the opportunities for relaxation. The
children have worked hard at school each
day. Homework is not a punishment, nor should it
be the cause of friction in the household. If
problems occur after the child has had a
reasonable attempt, it is advisable to pack the
homework away and inform the teacher by note. It
is strongly recommended that each night children
continue reading for leisure, such as in bed
before turning the light out.
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CURRICULUM Gold Creek offers an integrated
curriculum drawing learning tasks from the key
learning areas. It includes all planned and
unplanned experiences children encounter at
school and covers both academic and social
interaction. The integrated curriculum allows
children to make connections between similar
ideas. This approach helps create learning
experiences that are meaningful, relevant, and
reflect the way in which people construct
understanding about their world. Children see
relationships among the learning experiences and
connections are made from subjects of personal
interest and experience and real life situations.
The curriculum caters for individual abilities
and offers necessary support or extension in
response to individual needs. Curriculum is the
complete policy of the school and is continuously
reviewed, renewed and evaluated by the school
and its community. Courses are approved by the
Board to reflect the overall school philosophy
and desired objectives, ensuring that national
benchmarks are achieved and each child has the
opportunity to develop to their fullest
potential.
Welcome to our school community. We hope that
your association with Gold Creek will be
enjoyable for you and your children.
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