Set out below is a series of Frequently Asked Questions divided into four sections: 'Organisation', 'Student Support', 'Curriculum' and 'Parent School Partnerships'. If you have any other questions please don't hestitate to contact the school. Phone:62052808 or Email:info@amaroos.act.edu.au.

Organisation

What are the strengths of the school?
Our school review in 2005 parents indicated that the strengths of the school are:

• Commitment by staff to working and communicating with parents in the interests of children.
• Enthusiasm, dedication and professionalism of staff.
• Commitment by the whole school community to a ‘safe school’.
• Child/ren were happy at school, liked being here and were proud to say they belonged.
• Outstanding ‘state of the art’ facilities such as our buildings, IT equipment and Interactive Whiteboards.

Who does the school cater for?
In 2007 Amaroo School will cater for students from Kindergarten to Year 10.  The school has professional responsibility for Amaroo Preschool and one of our priorities is make sure that the programs in the preschool and Kindergarten are complementary so that there is a smooth transition from preschool to school. 

Does the school have an enrolment policy?
YES. Our board has determined that we will only enrol students who live in our priority enrolment area.

How is the school organised?
The school is organised into four sections.  Early childhood for children from Kindergarten to Year 2; Primary for children from Year 3 to Year 5; Middle School for students from Year 6 to Year 8 and the Senior Years for students in Year 9 and 10.  Within each section of the school students are grouped into Terraces and Galleries that have 4-5 classes.  Each child has a homeroom or class teacher.  Teachers work together to develop the teaching and learning program. 

Does the school have multi-age classes?
YES.  We have multi-age classes in Year 1/2, Year 4/5, Year 6/7 and elective classes in Years 8 and 9.  Multi-age groupings in the music and choir program, community events such as our community productions and celebration week and our Student Council.  We have chosen to use multi-age classes as opposed to straight age based classes because we believe that they provide an ideal learning environment for children.

What are the class sizes at Amaroo School?
The school tries to keep classes as small as possible.  In Kindergarten to Year 3, class sizes in Government School are around 21 children.  Our current class sizes are:

• Kindergarten - 18 students per class  
• Year 1/2 - 20 students per class  
• Year 3 - 17 students per class  
• Year 4/5 - 26 students per class
• Year 6/7 - 26 students per class  
• Year 8 - 23 students per class  
• Year 9 - 23 students per class

How are children placed in classes?
When placing children in classes we take into account the assessments of the teacher from the previous year, parent comment and teacher judgement.

Do parents have input into decisions made at the school?
YES.  The school is required to operate within the legislative framework of the Education Act 2004 and Department of Education’s policies and framework.  Our school has a school board with 3 parent representatives.  The role of the school board is to set the strategic direction of the school, approve policies and resource allocations within the school.

Does the school have a strategic plan?
YES.  The school undertook a review process last year and developed a plan covering 2006-2008.  This is reviewed each year and the school will undertake a process of External Validation in 2007.   The School Board has an annual report that is available to parents.

Is there a parent association?
YES. The school has a very active P&C Association.  All parents are members of the association.  Meetings are held once a month.  The P&C are active in fundraising.  In 2005 the P&C raised funds for smartboards, library books and readers.  Link to the P&C

Student Support

Does the school have support services for students?
YES.  The school has:

• All class teachers and homeroom teachers have a pastoral care role for student in their care.
• A Student Focus Group structure for all sections of the school where teachers are able to raise issues of concern regarding students.
• A Defence Transition support worker, Mrs Betty Williams, who works 3 days per week at the school. 
• A counsellor, Mrs Christine Knowles, for 3 days a week this year and this will increase to 4 days a week in 2007.  
• A Youth Support Worker, Ms Kellie Friend for 2 days per week.
• Access to the departments counselling and student support services.
• A partnership with the Gungahlin Youth Centre who provide an outreach program at the school one lunchtime per week and a bus service to the centre one afternoon per week.
• Close links with the Gungahlin Child and Family Centre.

Does the school have pastoral care programs?
YES.  Social skills programs and social development are built into all programs and are a discreet program for Middle and Senior Years.  Personal Development Programs are age appropriate.

Do students have input into decision making?
YES.  The Amaroo Student Council meets every two weeks and students from Kindergarten to Year 10 are represented.

Does the school have clear Student Management guidelines that address issues such as bullying and harassment?
YES.  Amaroo School has developed a Quality Relationships Policy that is available on our website.  The policy has clear guidelines for dealing with issues that occur at school.  There are guidelines and procedures for dealing with behaviours in the classroom and in the playground.  Children are also taught about their rights and responsibilities in the classes’ pastoral care program.  Where significant incidents occur or where behaviours such as bullying are persistent, parents are asked to work with the school and the child to change behaviours. 

Does the school encourage positive relations between children of different ages?
YES.  The school has buddy programs and cross-age tutoring programs at all stages throughout the school.  These include:

• Buddy programs between Kindergarten and Preschool during the transition program
• Cross-age tutoring programs at all year levels and within classes
• Opportunities to be involved in community productions

Is there a Religious Education program?
The school works with the Gungahlin Combined Churches who provide an assembly once a term for students in Kindergarten to Year 5. Parents can ask that their child not attend these assemblies.  The Anglican Church also holds Kids Club at the school on Wednesdays after school. Under the ACT Education Act 2004 parents can request that their child have access to religious education.  Parents are asked to contact the principal.

Does the school have a canteen?
YES. The canteen is operated by a private provider contracted to the P&C.  It operates 5 days per week for recess and lunch.  Students and parents are strongly encouraged to use lunch orders. Link to the Canteen

Is there Before and After School Care?
YES.  Gungahlin Community Services provides this service at the school 5 days per week for children from Kindergarten to Year 6.

Does the school have a uniform?
YES.  The school has a uniform policy and there is an expectation that all students will wear school uniform.  We ask parents to support the policy. Link to Uniform Policy. For a description of the uniform go to School Information A-Z

Can I purchase a uniform at the school?
Yes.  The P&C runs a uniform shop.  The shop is open on Wednesday 8.30-9.30am and 3.00-3.30pm.  At the end of this year the P&C will provide extra times for parents of students starting in 2007.  You will be informed about dates in the enrolment pack. 

Curriculum
Amaroo School has a full academic and pastoral care program.  There is an emphasis on:

• Literacy and numeracy
• Information Technology
• Environmental Science
• The Arts
• Health and wellbeing

Are all teachers at the school qualified?
YES.  We are fortunate to have highly dedicated and qualified staff.  Since 1988 all staff appointed permanently have been required to have degree level qualifications.  Many of our staff have post graduate qualifications in specialist areas.  We have an extensive professional development program within the school to ensure that staff are up to date in their knowledge of how children learn.  Staff also have access to programs held by the department.  

Does the school have a languages program?
YES. In 2005 in consultation with staff, parents and students the school decided that the language focus would be on French, Japanese and Auslan.  This year we have started with French and students from Year 3 to Year 9 have access to the language program.  A number of our teachers have undertaken studies in Auslan this year. 

Does Amaroo School cater for children with learning difficulties?
YES. At Amaroo School:

• For students who have identifies difficulties in literacy, numeracy and English as a Second Language (ESL) we have specialist staff who work with students in class or in small groups.
• In the Middle and Senior School we have a Study Skills Centre for students to access as individuals or in small groups.
• Students who have an identified disability an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) is developed and identified students are entitled to extra resources provided through the department.
• We have two units (12 children) catering for children on the Autism Spectrum.

Does Amaroo School cater for children who are gifted and talented?
YES. At Amaroo School:

• All students are assessed in literacy and numeracy as part of the normal classroom assessment.
• Each Terrace and Gallery group children for literacy and numeracy into ability groups.
• Classes have access to specialist teachers and facilities.
• Students have access to extra curricula programs such as band and choir and enrichment activities including  our community productions, leadership programs and academic competitions.
• This year we are developing our Gifted and Talented Policy and procedures to ensure all children have the opportunity to meet their potential.

Can my child get involved in sport?
YES.  Students can be involved in a range of sports arranged by the Primary and Secondary School Sports Association eg. swimming, athletics, football, netball, basketball and cross country.  Students are also encouraged to participate in weekend sport through the numerous sporting groups that operate in Gungahlin and North Canberra.

Does the school have specialist facilities?
YES.  Amaroo School is new and caters for students in Kindergarten to Year 10.   We have ‘state of the art’ specialist facilities for all areas of the curriculum.

Does the school have specialist programs for my child?
YES. Examples of specialist programs with trained teachers this year are: 

• Kindergarten:  Gross Motor, Science, Music
• Year 1/2:   Music, Science, Art, Food Technology
• Year 3:   French, Personal Fitness
• Year 4/5:  French, PE, Woodwork
• Year 6/7:  French, Art, Music, Multimedia
• Student from Year 3 and above have access to the band and choir program.

Does the school have a Homework Policy?
YES.  All our policies are available on our website or at the front office.  Our policy recognises the importance of homework but also recognises that families lead busy lives and that children and young people are involved in sports and activities outside the school. Link to the Homework Policy

Parent School Partnerships

Are parents welcome? Is parental involvement encouraged?
YES. We believe that positive parent/school partnerships are essential to the success of each child.  Examples of parent involvement at Amaroo School include:

• Parent representatives on the School Board. 
• Consultation with parents on school policies and strategic directions.
• An Active P&C with responsibility for the school canteen, uniform shop and school banking.  The P&C also provides a forum for parents to discuss issues of concern.
• Parent volunteers in the early childhood area, listening to children read and home readers.
• Parent help in the music programs.
• Parents working in our library covering books.
• Parents performing in our community productions.
• Parents are encouraged to come along to school assemblies to share in the celebration of our community life.

Does the school value home school communication?
YES. At Amaroo School:

• Teachers will contact parents to introduce themselves and invite parents to an information evening.
• Teachers are expected to contact parents when there is a concern about the child or when the child has made significant steps in their learning.
• Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher if they have any concerns or there are events in the child’s life that may impact on their learning.
• The newsletter is published once a week on Tuesdays and given to the eldest child in each family to take home. Spare copies are available from the Front Office. Link to the Newsletter
• Information about the school, its programs and the newsletter are available on our website www.amaroos.act.edu.au, and the website is updated weekly.
• MyClasses is a communication tool for students and parents to keep abreast of what is happening in each class or course, including copies significant documents used by the class, messages for students, email facility and relevant website links.
• The school has a child safety program and parents are asked to contact the school if their child is away. Front office staff contact parents if children are absent without notification.
• While the school enjoys the positive feedback we get from parents and community members we value those parents who let us know when we have not met the high standards we have set for the school.

How will I know how my child is progressing?
Written reports are sent home with a portfolio of work samples at the end of Terms 2 and 4. Parents are invited to parent/teacher/students interviews mid-year to discuss their child’s progress.  Parents are always welcome to contact teachers at any time throughout the year to discuss progress in specific courses and programs.        

Kindergarten students undertake PIPs Assessment in Term 1 and Term 4 and parents are given the results.  Students are assessed in literacy and numeracy (ACTAP) in Term 3 in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 and parent are provided with extensive reports in Term 4.

How much does it cost to send a child to Amaroo School?
We understand that rearing a child can be very expensive and that includes education.  We make every attempt to keep costs to a minimum without compromising our programs.  We ask for a voluntary contribution from every parent.  The monies collected go directly to the curriculum areas and are used to enrich the educational program for your child.  No contribution monies go to administration costs.  We ask that parents buy a book pack that equips students for school.  This can be ordered through the school in November.  We also ask that parents buy the school uniform. Enrichment programs such as excursions, band and choir are optional. Where parents have financial difficulty they are asked to contact the principal to discuss the matter confidentially.  An indication of costs are outlined below.

Kindergarten  
Voluntary Contribution $55 
Book Pack $73 
Uniform $250 

Primary  
Voluntary Contribution $55 
Book Pack $100 
Uniform $250 

Middle  
Voluntary Contribution $125 
Book Pack $115 
Uniform $250 

Senior 
Voluntary Contribution $175
Book Pack $125
Uniform $250 
 
Optional 
Band $135 + tutoring
Choir $25
Excursions $10-$20 for excursions in Canberra.  $250 - $350 for camps
Other $50-$100 for extra curricula activities such as performances at school

We believe that with our resources and your help we will provide an excellent program for your child and value for money for you.