PrimaryHandbook

As children grow, they learn by observing, listening, exploring, experimenting and asking

questions. In the primary years at Southern Hills Christian College, we seek to provide

learning environments to best allow children to learn in all these ways, as well as giving the

space to learn about the whole child; what they like, what they are gifted in, and who they

are in Christ.

Welcome to Southern Hills; we are delighted to welcome your family into our college.

The Journey Continues...

Welcome to Primary School

Southern Hills is a beautiful place for educating young people, and we are delighted you have chosen us for your child’s primary education.

I get a lot of joy when I walk through the primary classrooms and see our young students playing, learning, and imagining together. The way these young people collaborate and care for each other forms a big part of our college culture, and I love to see that culture grow as they themselves grow.

The staff that care for our young students are absolutely fantastic. Every time I visit their classrooms I see them giving high energy and creativity to the class, to provide a fun, safe, and informative experience.

We teach our primary students a commitment to their learning; to embrace the challenges they face; who they are as young people and as God’s children; how to be servant hearted towards one another; to do the right thing; and to ask questions.

Our school community is made up of each family, carer, parent, and grandparent that stands behind the students we teach. We are very grateful for the continuous close support we experience from these people. Our purpose is to serve this community in all we do and teach and to be a light and hope to those around us.

We are very glad that you are partnering with us, we take our role very seriously, and are excited to work with you.

Paul BeachamPrincipal

Pastoral Care & College Values

At the heart of why we exist lies a genuine care for the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of our students. Pastoral Care at Southern Hills uses our SPIRIT Values as the underlying philosophy:

Every staff member lives and breathes pastoral care, knowing that each one of these young people is made in the image of God and reflects Him. Our teaching staff support students as they work out who they are and develop into young people.

Rachael Hasluck, our College Chaplain, is deeply engaged in the concerns and needs of the college community and provides pastoral care and therapeutic support for students. She also provides Emotion Workshops for selected groups of Year 5 and 6 students, which encourage students to understand their emotions and learn how best to manage them. We also have a College Psychologist who can provide academic testing, Christ-centered counselling and inter-agency collaboration.

Collective WorshipEach morning, our students from Year 3 to Year 6 come together for a highly valued time of spiritual, emotional and social encouragement. Various teachers deliver daily biblical instruction to allow students the opportunity of seeing a Christian community in action. It is also valued for its ability to allow children to hear biblical truths expressed, by a range of staff who live their faith distinctively.

LearningThere is no such thing as a typical student.

At Southern Hills Christian College, we encourage students to challenge themselves to reach their potential. Our teachers form a safe place for students to feel excited about learning, to make mistakes and to grow as individuals. Within this supportive and challenging environment, students feel a strong sense of belonging and purpose.

Our teachers participate in ongoing and purposeful professional development in order to deliver diverse, relevant and current teaching and learning practices.

In the Classroom In our Primary School, we continue to build on the foundations set in our Early Years of learning, providing a balance between core and specialist subjects.

Within both Mathematics and English, students are given work at an appropriately challenging level, with the intention of ensuring all students are continuously growing in their numeracy and literacy skills. We incorporate a number of exciting and engaging programs into our Mathematics and English programs to allow the best possible opportunities for success.

We also allow the opportunity for local community groups and organisations to engage with our primary students by delivering incursions in areas such as motorbike safety, Aboriginal water safety, the electoral process, and hands on science activities.

Enrichment and ExtensionWe recognise there are some high achieving students within our College community who require further learning opportunities. Students with strong academic abilities are challenged to develop their talents through a variety of educational opportunities both in and outside of the classroom.One of these opportunities is through the QUEST (Question; Understand; Explore; Search; Think) program that is offered on site. QUEST is a specialised program for selected high achieving students from each year level. In this program, students work to develop their inquiry skills, learning how to ask and answer complex questions involving reasoning, philosophy and the world at large.

Information and Communication TechnologyICT is integrated into the curriculum through the use of interactive whiteboards and laptop computers from Year 3 to Year 6. Our Year 6 students enjoy participating in our high school’s ‘Bring Your Own Device [BYOD]’ program, having the opportunity to use a device from home that they are comfortable and familiar with. These are set up by our school’s IT specialists at the beginning of the year.

Specialist SubjectsOutdoor EducationOur OED program sets us apart and is an integral part of college life at SHCC. Our setting, surrounded by Bungendore National Park, is unique and provides easy access to nearby areas such as Wungong Dam. As a result, experience based learning is part of our DNA.

Students also have the opportunity in OED to visit our spectacular Bush Play area. It allows students to explore the natural environment in a closely managed way; being able to play, build and climb in a beautiful space. We encourage students to get dirty, challenge themselves and learn about self-management, decision making and risks through natural play. It also forms the cornerstone of students understanding about sustainability in natural areas, with the concept of ‘leave no trace’ firmly established. Students also learn about sustainability through the ‘Three R’s’; giving food scraps to worms, we reduce by not using to many plastic bags but using reusable containers and we recycle by putting our good old clothes into the Good Samartian’s bin in the carpark.

In addition to all of these things, students learn the six Nyoongar seasons during their OED lessons. This is reinforced with our six seasons signs on the fence leading into the school, and by our beautiful ‘Welcome to Country’ sign at the entrance of our school.

Chinese In primary school, we build on the skills, knowledge and understanding required of students to communicate in the Chinese language developed in the Early Years. We focus on extending their oral and written communication skills and their understanding of and appreciation for Chinese language and culture.

SportDuring our Physical Education lessons, students are all engaged in learning a range of fundamental movement skills including locomotor skills, body management skills and object control skills. Students learn basic tactics and strategies in games, as well as specific skills for sports such as volleyball, cricket, dodgeball, handball and soccer. It is an exciting time for children interested in competitive sports; in the primary years, students begin to attend interschool competitions such as Athletics, Cross-Country and Swimming Carnivals, as well as competitions for volleyball, netball and soccer.

School Houses and Colours:

Colour: Red Colour: Blue Colour: Yellow

Library All students have a designated library time each week and are encouraged to borrow library books.

Reading is a wonderful way to develop many areas of your child’s learning and understanding of the world. Approved library bags are available from the College uniform shop, though other bags are also welcome.

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Visual ArtStudents have the opportunity to use and apply visual art language and artistic conventions in their production of artwork. They create 2D and 3D projects which both encourage personal response and teach students about compositional structure.

Music At SHCC students play, sing, move and dance to music, learning first by imitation then experimenting with sounds to develop ideas. They learn to notice and describe changes in music, read and write using notation, create new musical pieces and perform with voices and instruments.

In addition to this, our College offers individual and small group instrumental tuition in the primary years. These lessons operate during class time at an affordable rate and are delivered by musical tutors who are experts at their given instruments.

We also offer optional choirs for students in Years 1-6, which rehearse weekly during breaks or the afternoon.

We are very pleased to provide a special scholarship program to Year 5 students, which includes free lessons on selected instruments for the year, and participation in a school band. The majority of students choose to continue with their instrument into Year 6 and beyond.

The following instruments are offered:

• Piano• Clarinet• Saxophone• Trumpet• Drums• Percussion• Trombone• Guitar• Bass Guitar• Flute

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Student Services

Science Lab

Visual Arts

Library

Music

Reception

Gymnasium

Primary Campus

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Health & Safety IllnessesIt is common for children to contract minor ailments during the school day. Although it may be inconvenient, please do not send your child to school if they are sick as this can impact on other families. It is also imperative that you regularly monitor your child for head lice.

Accidents Minor accidents are dealt with by classroom teachers and teachers on duty. Any significant or serious accidents are managed by Student Services. Parents will be contacted by the school office or classroom teacher for any significant or serious incidents.

Late, Leave and Visitor RegisterStudents arriving late at school for any reason are required to attend the Student Services office to sign in using the leave register.

Students leaving the school grounds during the day for an appointment must be picked up by a parents, guardian or adult delegate. Students are required to remain in their class until the person picking them up has attended the Student Service office to officially sign them out and receive a pass to give to the classroom teacher.

Parents visiting throughout the day, outside of normal arrival and leave times, will need to register their visit on the visitor’s register in our Administration office.

Absentee NotesA rollcall is taken every period of the school day. The legal guardian of any child who does not attend school is required by law to provide a written explanation for their absence. The written notice should include the dates and reason for their absence. Please let us know by contacting either the classroom teacher or Student Services if your child is going away on holiday or has a protracted illness.

Change of CircumstancesPlease advise the school office of any changes to your family details, including out of school care information. Your current address and contact numbers are essential in case of an emergency.

Sun SmartStudents are required to wear their hats during recess and lunch time, as well as during their Sport and Outdoor Education lessons. Sunscreen is available at the college office and during school events such as Interhouse Athletics Carnival.

MedicationIf your child is taking medication, including paracetamol, please complete a Student Medication Request form. These are available from the Student Services office. All medication must be handed to the Student Services office for the college to administer. Students are not permitted to do this in the primary years.

Relationships with StaffWe deeply value relationship. Our foundation of Christian faith means we aim to foster an attitude within the school that is ‘other-person-centered’. Students are encouraged to consider and respond to the needs of others, to show respect, to be tolerant, to be kind, and to demonstrate care and understanding towards all people. We hope to see our students value the notion of respect and honour. Our students are encouraged to practice first-time obedience and to look for opportunities to show respect to others.

Staying InformedParent LoungeParent Lounge allows you to see more of what is going on at your school and provides more opportunities for better communication.

It also gives you access to many areas of your information including student reports, attendance data, excursion information and your current financial statement.

Acccess Parent Lounge at sou-tass.scea.wa.edu/parentlounge/login.cfm or via the college website.

Contact If you would like to contact the college, the reception number is (08) 9497 1751 and the office email address is communications@southernhills.wa.edu.au. Please ensure that the office has your current email address as all college information is send to you through email.

College AppSearch for ‘Southern Hills CC’ in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. The app makes it easy to stay up to date with notices, news, college calendar and our college newsletter from your mobile device.

College Website and Social Media

College website: www.southernhills.wa.edu.au

www.facebook.com/southernhillscc/

@southernhillschristiancollege

Uniform Find the full uniform requirements for primary students in the College Uniform Guide. The Uniform Guide is available on the college website, Parent Lounge, and at the college reception.

Primary students wear formal uniform every day except for the days they have Outdoor Education or Sport classes. Student timetables are available on Parent Lounge.

Uniform Shop HoursUniforms are available for purchase through the college uniform shop. Please check the school website for shop opening hours. Parents can also make appointments for uniform fittings at other times by pre-booking through the school office.

What to Bring Students are to bring the following items daily: • Healthy snack for Crunch&Sip• A water bottle• Recess and Lunch• School Hat• Laptop (Year 6)• All items as indicated on the Booklist

Exercise books do not need to be individually labelled as teachers generally have uniform cover pages for their class. The rest of your child’s stationery will need to be labelled.

Please ensure all belongings are clearly labelled with your child’s name including clothing, food containers, and bags.

Healthy Snack TimeSHCC is a registered Crunch&Sip school. In the primary school, this is a set time during the school day for students to eat vegetables and fruit and drink water in the classroom. Students bring vegetables and/or fruit and a clear water bottle to school each day for the Crunch&Sip break. This gives students the chance to re-fuel with fruit or vegetables, helping to improve physical and mental performance and concentration in the classroom, as well as promoting long term health.

LunchesPlease send your child’s lunch in a box or bag that they can easily open and close. Including healthy foods that they are familiar with and enjoy at home (e.g., Sandwiches, rolls, crackers, vegetable/fruit pieces) is recommended.

Restricted FoodsSouthern Hills Christian College strives to be a safe school for all of our students including those with severe food allergies. As such, we have adopted a ‘Nut and Coconut Aware School’ approach. To support this, we encourage parents to avoid sending foods that contain nuts/coconut to school. This includes peanut butter, nut spreads such as Nutella, and muesli bars.

We acknowledge that due to food processing practices, it is impractical to eliminate nuts or nut products entirely. Many food packaging labels include the phrase ‘may contain traces of nuts.’ These foods are acceptable.

If any children have critical allergies, parents of the year group will be notified of the allergy, and appropriate strategies will be put in place to ensure the safety of our children.

BirthdaysWe enjoy making children feel special as they celebrate their birthdays. You are most welcome to send a treat to share on your child’s birthday. The most manageable method is to send an iced cupcake for each child in the class. Please check with the teacher to determine how many students are in the class and to see if there are any allergies (e.g., coconut) or gluten intolerances before sending in the cakes.

ToysUnless children are requested to bring a specific toy for a learning activity or News (Show and Tell), please leave all toys at home. They can cause negative peer pressure and inappropriate play. Southern Hills Christian College accepts no responsibility for lost or broken toys.

JOIN US IN PRIMARY

(08) 9497 1751www.southernhills.wa.edu.au

86 Admiral Rd, Bedfordale WA 6112