Hazelbrook Public School has a current population of approximatly 500 students. Students are predominately of English speaking background with a slowly increasing number from multicultural backgrounds adding dimension to the school community. There is a relatively even gender distribution across the school. Applications for in area enrolments are being taken for all grades including Kindergarten. Kindergarten students must be at least 5 years of age as at the 31st of July (the year of enrolment). It is wise to enrol new children for kindergarten during the previous year and present proof of age - birth certificate, clinic card etc. and immunisation form. This will allow us to contact you and to invite you and your child to orientation activities. An information evening is held in November of each year for parents of new kindergarten enrolments. We welcome you in joining the quality learning community which is Hazelbrook Public School. Enrolment forms are availiable from, and should be returned to, the school administration office.

Starting Kindergarten

This information is for parents of children about to start their first year at our school. We hope that the information that follows will help overcome any concerns that you or your child might have. We want you and your child to feel welcome, happy, relaxed and secure in our school environment. We recognize that parents are a child's first educators and that now we will be sharing the education of your child. We look forward to working with you and welcome the partnership that will develop.

Preparing your Child for School

Your child's first day at school is an important event. We want every child to love coming to school as this is closely related to a love of learning. Please convey to your child a positive attitude about school, even if you are feeling apprehensive. Prepare your child by explaining to him/her what to expect and answer all questions honestly. Your child should have some experience with other people prior to starting school. If you can find a reliable person to mind your child for even an hour at a time, he/she can get used to the idea of being separated from you (and you from them).

Things to Get Ready

All belongings should be labeled, including shoes. School bags and lunch boxes should have some symbol or mark which the child recognizes. Details of school uniform are provided. A painting smock (or old shirt) is necessary to protect clothes during art/craft lessons. A library bag will be needed to protect borrowed library books. At the beginning of next year, when your child has started school, a note will be sent home by the class teacher outlining other items required.

The First Day

Towards the end of the year, you will receive a letter outlining the time and other arrangements for the first day. At the allocated time, you should bring your child to the hall. We will meet you there, give you child a name badge and check that enrolment details given still apply. When the group has assembled, we will introduce the class teachers and outline home arrangements for the first couple of weeks. The children will then be taken to the kindergarten classrooms.   Try to keep your child and yourself as calm as possible. Explain that you cannot stay but you will be back to pick him/her up. Avoid 'long goodbyes' and make sure that you are on time to pick up your child. You are invited to join other parents in the small hall for 'Tea and Tissues' organised by our P and C. If your child is upset when you leave him/her at school (despite your planning), 'disappear' as fast as you can. You will find that children stop fretting very quickly, particularly if you teat leaving them at school as a happy, exciting occasion. The more you worry about them the more likely they are to be upset.   Socially, emotionally and physically, your child must now adjust to mixing, playing and working with other children. They have to share, not only things but also time. They must learn to listen, to take turns in talking and listening to what others have to say. The first few weeks are mainly taken up with adjustments to school, learning rules of the classroom and school, daily routines and understanding expectations of teachers.

School Times for Kindergarten

After the first day of school, when the children should be brought at the time indicated in the letter you will receive, please ensure the children arrive between 8:40 and 9:10 am as teachers do not supervise the playground before 8:40 am. Parents do not need to remain in the school grounds once children have be brought to school and if you are not staying to help in the classrooms first thing, we do ask that you leave the assembly area once the children line up, as the noise caused by parents talking to each other makes it very difficult for the children to hear any messages given at that assembly. Kindergarten children in particular find it very difficult to focus on the assembly, if you are still present.   The school day finishes at 3:10 pm. Kindergarten children will finish at the same time as the other children. We will indicate where the children will be taken at home time and we ask that you wait there rather than coming to the classrooms. Children can get very distressed at dismissal time if there is too much congestion around the rooms. For children catching the bus, bus buddies are organised and we make sure that each child gets to the bus lines. Let us know if your child will be going to MMOOSH and we will make sure that your child meets the helper sent over. We will ask you on the first day what the 'going home' arrangements will be for your child on a regular basis.

What to Bring

Your child will need a school bag (labelled) to bring to school each day. In the bag, your child should bring A small play lunch snack for recess Lunch and a drink in a plastic bottle or 'popper' (Eating of lunch is supervised) Raincoat Sunhat Handkerchief or tissues

Special Days

Throughout the year, we may have special days such as theme days. On these days and for special assembly items your child may be asked to wear or to bring something special. Notes are sent home to give you details of what is involved.

News

Children are encouraged to share their ideas and experiences. Sometimes they will bring items of interest or something they have made to show, while at other times they will prefer to share experiences without showing anything. Please check with the teacher before bringing in any living animal or pets.

Play Program

Play is an essential component of the kindergarten program and is used to develop each child cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically. This program for kindergarten is presented at least three times a week. It provides a necessary opportunity for observation and assessment of young children. Parent help with these activities is invaluable.

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