Surveyors Creek Public School

Surveyors Creek Public School
File:Surveyorscreekpublicschool.jpg
Location
Sydney Australia
Information
Type	Independent
Motto	From Each Their Best
Established	2002
Principal	Christine Miller
Years offered	Kindergarten-Year 6
Number of students	400+
Website	[1]

Surveyors Creek Public School is a Primary school for years Kinder to Year 6 located in western Sydney, Australia at Glenmore Park. The school was established in 2002.

Surveyors Creek Public School is a new and developing school in Glenmore Park NSW. We are committed to providing a safe, caring and supportive environment where the needs, strengths and aspirations of individual students are catered for.

Our School

Surveyors Creek PS is situated at Glenmore Park, in the Penrith Valley. The school was opened in 2002 and has grown from 140 to 430 students in 2010. The school opened this year with 16 classes in Kinder to year 6 and four classes in the Support Unit. Surveyors Creek PS is a Positive Behavior School (PBL) ie we link positive behaviour to academic success. Our values are to be a safe, respectful learner and the rules that support these are: " Be in the right place " Keep your hands and feet to yourself " Do as you are asked " Use a polite voice " Start your work quickly and stay on task " Hand up and wait. Our school motto, �From Each Their Best� is fostered through a teaching and learning environment that is relevant and engaging and that offers a range of experiences including academic, sporting and creative.

Curriculum and Activities

Knowing what your child is learning helps you support them throughout their education. In this section you can find out how public education works and the range of learning opportunities offered for students to challenge their thinking, and make the most of their unique talents. You can also browse each School Year section to find out more.

Curriculum

Primary learning includes whole-class, group and individual activities designed to develop an inquiring mind and teach basic learning skills needed for schooling and later life. Literacy and numeracy are the building blocks of learning and that is why English and mathematics take up half of students' learning time in primary school.

Sports and Physical Activities

We have physical activity programs for children from Kindergarten to Year 2, with a focus on fundamental movement skills.

Sport and physical activity is a valued and accepted part of our school.s curriculum, contributing to the development of the whole child. It provides a vehicle for social, physical, emotional and moral learning and is an important expression of our culture. The participation, enjoyment and skill development of our students is the corner-stone of the school sport/ physical activity program. All our students take part in this program. There are also opportunities to represent our school at inter-school sports competitions. As a NSW public school we benefit from the opportunities for shared activities and competitions with other schools, coordinated by school sport associations. See the Premier's sporting challenge for details.

PSSA

Our sporting teams play netball, T-ball, soccer, rugby league and softball, which are selected through a trial process and compete in area competitions organised by the Penrith School Sports Association. Coaching of these teams is carried out by qualified teachers at our school. This competition takes place each Friday at a variety of locations throughout the Penrith area.

Arts

Students can unleash their creative flair through dance and drama performances, competitions, exhibitions and enrichment programs. Students with particular interests and talents can participate in local and state-wide activities in visual arts, music, dance and drama.

Academic Opportunities

The competitive arena awaits students with the chance to excel in public speaking, debating, web design, student newspapers, environmental management and much more. Keep up to date with all the state-wide competitions that are running this year. Explore the DET arts unit's website to find out about state-based and national debating, public speaking and spelling events.

Assessment and Reporting

Our teachers use a variety of strategies to assess each student's work. This includes observing their work in class and looking closely at the work they produce throughout the year.

Twice a year teachers also assess each primary school student's achievements based on the outcomes described in the NSW primary curriculum foundation statements.

Parent-Teacher Meetings

You will be given a formal opportunity to discuss your child's progress at a parent-teacher meeting. However, if you have any concerns, don't wait for a parent-teacher meeting. Please make an appointment to discuss these concerns as they arise with the relevant teacher. If you need an interpreter, ask us to call the interpreter service on 13 14 50. This service is free.

Learning Support

We monitor each student's progress and provide additional learning support if this is required. Our school uses learning programs and specialised staff where needed and we work in partnership with parents and carers to assist students who have special learning needs. Our school is committed to working with Aboriginal parents and community members in developing personalised plans for our Aboriginal students.

Learning Activities

Gifted students are those whose potential is distinctly above average in one or more of the following areas of ability at school - intellectual, creative, social and physical. Our gifted and talented program provides these students with learning opportunities on top of the normal curriculum.

Opportunity Classes

Certain schools across NSW offer opportunity classes for high-achieving, academically-gifted students in Years 5 and 6. To be considered for enrolment, students must sit the opportunity class placement test in Year 4. The test is held between late July and early August and application packages must be made in May.

Selective High Schools

Selective high schools provide a challenging environment where high-achieving, academically gifted students can reach their potential. To apply for a selective high school you need to complete an application in Year 5 and students must sit the selective high school placement test in Year 6 to be considered for enrolment. Some selective high schools accept students for entry into Years 8-12. Applications are available in June and must be made directly to your preferred school.

Student Leadership

Students don't have to be school captains or house captains to be considered leaders. We encourage our students to be leaders in the classroom and playground, through their support for other students, or their involvement in academic, sporting, cultural or community events and projects.

Caring for Students

Our school environment welcomes and respects people from all backgrounds. Browse this section to find out how we work with you to provide a safe and caring learning environment for your child and also keep informed about support for school families.

Aboriginal Student Support

We are committed to closing the achievement gap for Aboriginal students. We know that we need to learn about, nurture and value the cultural identify of our Aboriginal students in order to assist them to be successful learners. We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family members, parents and community members to our school so that we can get to know each other, learn about the local Aboriginal community and develop shared goals and plans for Aboriginal students. We encourage Aboriginal students to learn how to negotiate and develop strategies by providing unique leadership opportunities.

Special Needs Support

We have a range of educational options to support students with special learning needs which require additional support. Every student is entitled to attend a NSW public school. If our school is your local school and your first preference, we suggest you talk to our principal to discuss your son’s or daughter’s needs and options.

Support Unit

Surveyors Creek has a support unit consisting of four classes. These special classes within a regular school access quality teaching and learning experiences across all Key Learning Areas (KLAs). Each year students have an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) written specifically for them, which identifies their learning goals and strategies to best achieve each goal. The support unit staff is dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate in providing each student, learning experiences and opportunities to achieve their very best.

Student Counselling

School counsellors are experienced teachers who have a degree in psychology and post-graduate qualifications in school counselling. They can work with students of all ages and their families, throughout their school years. For information in community languages see school counselling service. The school counsellor can also assist students who may be feeling extremely sad or anxious. Contact us if you would like to make an appointment. It is important to seek help early if you notice any major change in your child's behaviour.

Student Health

Promoting health, supporting student health care needs and reducing health risks are important to everyone at our school.

Prescribed Medication

If your child is being prescribed medication that needs to be taken during the day, please inform us so that arrangements can be made for the medication to be administered. Please read the important information about prescribed medications at school.

Allergies

If your child has been diagnosed with an allergy or allergies, it is important that you tell the principal as soon as you become aware of it, or if your child's allergy changes. If your child is diagnosed at risk of an anaphylactic reaction an individual health care plan is developed that includes strategies to minimise the risk of a severe allergic reaction.

Managing Complex Health Needs

An individual health care plan is developed for each student with complex health needs. The plan supports students with severe asthma, type 1 diabetes, epilepsy, anaphylaxis and those at risk of an emergency or requiring the administration of specific health care procedures.

Infectious Diseases

There are many infectious diseases that affect children and young people. Schools and parents should contact their local health network for advice regarding infectious diseases.

Immunisation

Our school's immunisation program works in cooperation with our local health network of the NSW Department of Health who deliver the NSW adolescent school-based vaccination program to high school students.

Head Lice

Head lice outbreaks sometimes occur at school. If your child has head lice please treat your child and inform us. Daily combing of dry hair with conditioner can get rid of head lice. You should continue to send your child to school. Head lice information in community languages.

Healthy Eating at School

Healthy food keeps children alert and focused and gives them the nutrition they need each day. Our school canteen provides a healthy, nutritious canteen menu in line with the Fresh Tastes NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy. If your child brings their own lunch to school you can help by packing food that is interesting and nutritious. See lunch box ideas.

Sun Safety

Our school takes sun safety seriously. Children learn about how to protect themselves from the sun's damaging UV rays, and our school implements a range of sun protection strategies. Sun sense information in community languages.

Ear Infections

Otitis media is a common middle ear infection which may cause fever or vomiting. If undetected, a child may suffer from hearing loss and their learning could be affected. Most ear infections respond readily to treatment.

Student Safety

We create and maintain a safe school environment by protecting the wellbeing of our students and promoting positive relationships between students.

Child protection

Strict safety checks are in place to protect students including criminal record checks of all permanent and casual teachers. We teach our students to recognise when they may be unsafe and how to get help.

Internet safety

Web filtering technology prevents students from accessing inappropriate material on the internet and email system. Read the information sheet for parents (PDF 328.KB). For information in community languages, see Internet access Information sheet.

Bullying

We work hard to prevent bullying in our school and we recognise that the best outcomes are achieved by school communities, parents, students and teachers, working together to help prevent and to respond to bullying. Our Anti-bullying Plan includes protection, prevention, early intervention and response strategies for student bullying. Any student who experiences bullying and any person who witnesses bullying should report it to a teacher or the school principal.

Racism

Anti-racism education is taught in our classrooms and we make every effort to ensure our school is free from discrimination. Our anti-racism contact officer can help any member of the school community who wishes to raise a complaint of racism. Our anti-racism contact officer can help any member of our school community who wishes to raise a complaint of racism. For more information see information in community languages.

Sun safety

We teach students about the damaging effects of the sun and promote sun safety practices.

Road safety

Road safety education is taught to all students from Kindergarten to Year 10 as part of personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE). Driver education programs are also taught as part of the PDHPE 7-10 syllabus.

Drug education

Drug education and understanding responsibility and relationships is taught as part of PDHPE from Kindergarten to Year 10. A written report using the grade scale is sent home usually near the end of Term 2 and Term 4, to give you a clear picture of your child's achievements.

Canteen

The school canteen is open Wednesdays & Fridays. It is run by our hard working P & C committee.

School Years

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is an important year of schooling as children formally begin to develop their literacy and numeracy skills. Our whole school community will help your child adjust to school and help them to feel comfortable.

Year 1

Your child begins Year 1 with familiar faces and school routines. Year 1 is the start of Learning Stage 1 and will continue until the end of Year 2. This year students become more involved in school routines and continue to develop their social skills as they interact with other children in the classroom and playground.

Year 2

Your child is in the final year of Learning Stage 1. Students in Year 2 build on their basic reading, writing and maths skills through a variety of activities.

Year 3

Your child has taken the significant step from infants to primary school and into the first year of Learning Stage 2.

Year 4

Year 4 is the second and final year of Learning Stage 2.

Year 5

Your child has progressed to Learning Stage 3, the final stage of primary school.

Year 6

Year 6 is the final year of primary school and an exciting time as students can take a leadership role in our school. We work together with high schools to assist our Year 6 students to have a successful start to high school.