Student Handbook
Student Handbook
Student Handbook
HANDBOOK
2019
CONTENTS
Philosophy .................................................................................................................................... 2
Uniform Policy............................................................................................................................... 6
Work Experience……………………………………………………………………………………………9
What to do when…………………………………………………………………………………………..10
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PHILOSOPHY
At Tara Shire State College, our aim is to help, encourage and challenge students to strive
to fulfil their full potential.
A condition of enrolment for our students is to display behaviours that contribute towards
our school vision – BELIEVE. ACHIEVE. SUCCEED.
ADMINISTRATION
Address 22 Binnie St
Tara. QLD. 4421
Telephone 07 46787 333
Fax 07 46787 300
Email admin@tarashiresc.eq.edu.au
College website https://tarashiresc.eq.edu.au
Absence Line 07 46787 360
P&C Meets second Tuesday of the month in the
library at 5:15pm
Principal Craig Homer
Deputy Principals Nikki Gauld, Michelle Moran
HOD Junior Secondary Sarah McIntosh
HOSES Jessica Glossop
HOC Stacey Train
Guidance Officer Robert Thompson
Business Manager Christine Neal
ENROLMENT AGREEMENT
The enrolment agreement sets out the responsibilities of the student, parents or carers
and the school staff about the education of students enrolled at Tara Shire State College.
The Tara Shire State College’s Responsible Behaviour Plan is fundamental towards
enabling positive futures for rural students. The opportunity to enjoy a positive future is
built around the whole school behaviour management framework.
The college has made a determined effort to work toward a high organised proactive
approach, which ensures the best quality education for all students. Teachers are
provided with a range of options and support mechanisms to draw upon to ensure a
supportive learning environment.
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Our approach to the management of student behaviour is based on the following beliefs
and values:
The use of a fair, consistent and responsive approach that encourages students to
take responsibility for their behaviour is the most effective way to achieve long-term
behaviour changes. A range of factors needs to be considered when choosing responses
to student behaviour. These include context, emotional well being, culture, gender, race,
socio-economic situation and impairment.
To achieve our school vision of Believe. Achieve. Succeed,, Tara Shire State College
adopts a Code of Behaviour, which is based on the following THREE VALUES:
Be safe
Be respectful
Be a learner
The wearing of the college uniform is endorsed by the Parents & Citizen’s Association.
Students must wear full college uniform to school and during excursions.
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• Be open and welcoming at all reasonable times and offer opportunities for parents
and carers to become involved in the school community
• Clearly articulate the schools expectations regarding the responsible behaviour
plan for students and the school’s dress code policy
• Ensure that the parent is aware of the school’s record-keeping policy including the
creation of a transfer note should the student enrol at another school
• Set, mark and monitor homework regularly in keeping with the school’s homework
policy
• Contact parents and carers as soon as is possible if the school is concerned about
the child’s school wok, behaviour, attendance or punctuality
• Deal with complaints in an open, fair and transparent manner
• Consult parents on any major issues affecting students
• Treat students and parents with respect and tolerance
LESSON STRUCTURE
Primary
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
8:45-9:00 Whole Meet and Meet and Meet and Primary
College Greet Greet Greet Parade
Parade
Period 1 9-10:00
Snack Break 10:00-10:10
Period 2 10:10 –11:05
First Break 11:05- 11:55
Period 3 11:55-1:20
Second 1:20-1:50
Break
Period 4 1:50-3:00
Secondary
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ATTENDANCE
Please note that Centrelink receives regular records from the Department of
Education of all student absences.
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UNIFORM POLICY
The purpose of our dress code is to ensure that Tara Shire State College students present
themselves with pride within the college and the wider community. When students enrol
at our college, they must accept a shared responsibility of its public image, as well as
develop a sense of belonging. It is our expectation that students will wear the appropriate
college uniform each day. The Parents’ and Citizens’ Association have endorsed the
current uniform – detailed below It is also our expectation that students will comply with
other aspects of our dress code, including footwear, the wearing of jewellery, make up and
other body adornments, piercings, etc.
On the rare occasion where the student is unable to wear the correct uniform, he/she must
provide a note from parents/guardians to the Year Level coordinator before school starts,
explaining the reason and follow directions from the Year Level Coordinator.
Primary Sector Junior Secondary Senior Secondary Girls Senior Secondary Boys
Make up is to be natural.
Jewellery is to be limited to flat body jewellery, studs or sleeper earrings, and one watch. Any
other jewellery is to be negotiated with the Deputy Principal and only in extenuating
circumstances such as sentimental value will other jewellery be allowed to be worn.
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ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT
Students must complete any assignments given in the respective subject areas, by
the due date.
Draft dates are included in Assessment Calendars to provide students with good
feedback and to support them in getting assignments in by the due dates.
Criteria
Procedure
Length
Due dates of rough and final drafts
Method of presentation
Assessment criteria
PROCEDURES:
All assignments must be presented by the due dates unless there are exceptional
circumstances that are covered by the following provisions.
Please note:
The procedures outlined above apply to all assessment items, including class tests
and scheduled examinations.
When an assignment is submitted after the due date, credit will be given only for
work seen by a teacher on or before the due date.
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PLAGARISM
Plagiarism is the failure to acknowledge an author/s ideas and words. These ideas may be
written, spoken or located electronically and includes copying and pasting information
from the internet. This includes a student copying work from another student, with or
without the other student’s permission.
Consequences of Plagiarism
After investigation by a teacher and based upon significant evidence that plagiarism has
occurred or that a student has assisted in that plagiarism, the appropriate Head of
Department, Deputy Principal or Principal will be notified. Contact may be made home to
inform parents/guardians of the plagiarised assessment pieces. Consequences for
students may include:
A verbal warning
A choice being given to resubmit the plagiarised sections with the student’s original
work. This resubmission must be handed to the teacher the next day.
BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT
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Hands-off policy
To ensure the safety of all students and to respect each other’s personal space we have a
‘hands off’ policy. This includes both consensual and aggressive behaviours except for
supervised curriculum based activities such as sport etc.
Students must not take photographs, videos or sound recordings of other students and
staff without their consent. They must not make or send harassing or threatening calls or
messages with their electronic devices. Students are able to appropriately use their
electronic devices before and after school and during designated breaks.
WORK EXPERIENCE
The college offers a variety of Certificate courses that are nationally recognised. Students
may also engage in Certificate courses through external RTOS.
SOCIAL SKILLING
The college’s Pastoral Care program is called BAS - Believe. Achieve. Succeed in the
secondary department. This pastoral care program is across years 7 to 12 and is
designed to cover topics including drug and alcohol education, developing strong and
healthy relationships, study skills and career education. Students are also engaged in
community events and sports held outside the college. Many guest speaker
presentations are engaged during these time slots.
All primary classes will engage in social skilling programs through the Meet and Greet
Program and other class program.
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SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
The college is fortunate enough to have a SBHYN come to the college two days per week
– Thursday and Friday. The nurse is available in U Block
The college is fortunate enough to have a YSC come to the college three days per week –
all day Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. They are available in U Block.
Targeted small group support programs are available throughout the year. These
programs are both internally developed and facilitated by staff from our support and
behaviour teams or run by external support agencies. Our aim through these programs is
to give focused support to selected students.
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WHAT TO DO WHEN…
.
I’m late for school Report to the office with a parent/guardian
or note signed by a parent
I’ve left something at home and I think it Put up with the inconvenience and
is important determine that you will be more careful in
future. Discuss it with your teacher, and
determine if a phone call is necessary.
I have a note from home to leave school Take note to the office before school and
Early receive a pass out. Parents collect
student at designated time from Office.
I am sick and will be away for a few days Arrange for your parent/guardian to
phone the school to explain. Work may
need to be organised for you to complete
during your absence.
I am having difficulties with other Tell someone! Class teacher, HOD, Year
students or my school work Co-ordinator, Guidance Counsellor,
Deputy Principal, Principal or parent.
I’ve lost/had stolen my property Report your loss to your class teacher at
the time and later to the office.
I’ve lost my timetable See your YLC
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GENERAL INFORMATION
CANTEEN
The P & C Association operates the school canteen and welcomes whatever assistance
parents are able to give. Please contact the Tuckshop on 46787 3 to express your
willingness to assist.
STUDENT ILLNESS
Students should see their teacher during class time or report to the General Office
during recesses. Parents will be contacted and arrangements made for students to
be collected.
GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR
The Guidance Counsellor is located in the Administration Building. Students are
encouraged to discuss any topics of concern with him. An appointment can be
made through main office.
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
SCHOOL STAFF MUST NOT ADMINISTER OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION, INCLUDING ANALGESICS,
HOMEOPATHIC OR PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS, UNLESS THEY MEET THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF A
WRITTEN REQUEST FROM A PARENT/CAREGIVER ACCOMPANIED BY WRITTEN ADVICE FROM A
MEDICAL PRACTITIONER. THE MEDICATION MUST BE STORED IN THE ORIGINAL LABELLED
CONTAINER. A COPY OF THE SCHOOL’S MEDICATION BOOKLET IS AVAILABLE FROM THE SCHOOL
OFFICE.
NEWSLETTER
REGULAR SCHOOL-HOME COMMUNICATION OCCURS VIA A FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER. THIS IS AN
IMPORTANT SOURCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL AND ITS ACTIVITIES. NEWSLETTERS ARE
ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE.
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EXTENSION FORM
__________________ ____________________
Parent Signature Date
Your request for an extension to the due date for your assignment has / has not
been granted.
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