Communication

The school has an open-door policy and asks that parents bring any concerns directly to the attention of the class teacher or Principal. Parents are welcome to see class teachers informally but, if some time is needed to discuss a concern, then an appointment should be sought, as outlined below.

Equally, the school seeks to keep parents informed on all matters of interest, and will contact parents directly and promptly should the need arise.

Wednesday Bulletins and Notices

The newsletter, "PRACticalities" is sent home to each family fortnightly throughout the year as a means of communicating information about school activities to all parents.

Information about excursions, school visits, etc., which only affects one class, is usually sent home in a separate notice.

P&C Newsletters and Notices

P&C newsletters are sent home with children as the need arises, as are notices of meetings to committee members.

Staff/Parent Contact

This takes many forms and is designed to keep parents informed not only of student progress but also of classroom procedures, trends in education and interesting themes and projects being promoted in the school. The following are some of the means by which this is achieved :

1. Class Meetings - are held early in Term 1 and offer parents the opportunity to hear about the class teachers' programs, policies and procedures that will operate during the year. It is also an opportunity for parents to meet other parents of children in the class. Some staff distribute a comprehensive class information brochure.

2. Informal Parent/Teacher Appointments - are preferred whenever a discussion that will take more than a minute or two is required. This can be arranged directly with the class teacher at a mutually acceptable time or by telephone through the school office. It is difficult for teachers to spend valuable preparation time before school or during teaching contact time in lengthy discussions. Therefore, an arranged appointment is best for parents, teacher and students.

3. Individual Parent/Teacher Meetings - are generally held shortly after the issue of Semester 1 reports and are designed to allow discussion about all aspects of student progress. They are also seen as times when parents can discuss with teachers any concerns they may have about student progress.

4. School Open Night - usually occurs in Term 3. Parents will be advised of the date of the school's Open Night. Parents, family and friends are invited to view our work.

5.Reporting to Parents - school reporting will consist of:

Term 1 - Class Meeting
Term 2 - 1 st Semester report - end of term
Term 3 - Individual Parent/Teacher interview Week 2-3
Term 4 - 2 nd Semester report

6.Assemblies - Each class takes its turn at presenting items of class work at the school's fortnightly assemblies. The assemblies run for approximately half an hour every second Friday. Honour certificates are awarded to children in areas of academic, social and behavioural excellence and improvement. An informal gathering of parents from the class presenting the assembly occurs over morning tea in the staff room. This provides parents with the opportunity to speak with each other and the class teacher in a relaxed environment.

7.Annual School Report - The school report contains information about the programs and student performance at East Claremont during the school year and is distributed to parents at the end of the School Year or early in the new year. It will also be posted on the school web site and copies will be available from the administration office. The 2008 Annual School Report is now available.

Contact Details

The accepted lines of communication within the Department, should parents wish to explore an area of concern, after appropriate discussion with the class teacher are:

  1. The Principal
  2. The District Director
  3. Department of Education and Training.

The Department of Education and Training recommends that requests for information, or for attention to matters about which parents are concerned, be directed to the School Principal in the first instance. Click here for contact details.