Rules and policies

Dress Code

Dress Code

To maintain a high standard of pride, to assist students to feel part of the community and for safety students will be expected to comply with a dress code.  This includes:

• clean and tidy uniform / hair;
• socks and appropriate enclosed shoes;
• wearing only permitted jewellery including sleepers, studs, watch, religious / medical necklace. Ear piercing is the only permitted piercing and must not be excessive (maximum of two piercing);
• natural hair colour and style (long hair should be tied back, no patterns in hair style for example tracks); and
• wide brimmed hat or sun smart bucket hat.
  
   
  
  Uniform Choices

• Blue checked cotton school shirt; blue and yellow school polo shirt with collar and sleeves or checked dress.   Oonoonba State School emblem is on left chest in all options.
• Royal blue shorts or skorts
• White socks are suggested
• Suitable closed footwear (predominantly black or white is encouraged, not thongs)
• Wide-brimmed or bucket hat (refer Sun Smart Policy).

The School Locker located at 161 Duckworth Street, Garbutt has uniforms for Oonoonba State School.  Tel: 47 4430 8500

• Dresses, polo shirts, shorts, skorts
  
• Bucket hats
  

You should be aware that if you are making a complaint about a staff member that, in most instances, the staff member will be told of the complaint and offered the right of reply. You also have the right to have a support person participate throughout the process.

The following four-step procedure is in place to assist parents/carers and school staff to reach an outcome that is in the best interest of the student.

1. Discuss your complaint with the class teacher

If your complaint is with your child’s teacher or relates to an issue concerning your child’s experience at school, make an appointment with that teacher as soon as possible through the school administration. Discuss your complaint with the teacher and give the teacher an opportunity to suggest a solution. The teacher will make a record of your complaint and report your meeting and any outcomes to the school principal. Together, both you and your child’s teacher should be able to resolve the problem at this level.

2. Discuss your complaint with the principal

If after approaching your child’s teacher your complaint remains unresolved, make an appointment to see the school principal to discuss the issue further. Alternatively, you and the teacher may agree to ask the principal to act as a go between in informal conflict resolution in an attempt to resolve the problem.

If your complaint relates to more general school matters, including issues of school policy and issues of compliance or non-compliance, you should raise your complaint directly with the principal or their delegate. The principal may refer your complaint to a delegate such as the deputy principal or Business Services Manager. The staff member will make a record of your complaint and work with you to come to a resolution.

Complaints to the principal may be lodged in person, by telephone, writing or via email. Principals’ email addresses can be accessed through the Schools directory - select the relevant school, then click on the email link.

3. Contact your local education office

If you have discussed your complaint with the principal and still feel that you have not reached a resolution, you have the right to contact your local Department of Education and Training office.

Complaints may be lodged by telephone or in writing. Your complaint should be specific in detail and outline the steps you have taken to resolve the issue. Ensure your complaint includes your full name and address and that you have signed and dated it. It is also a good idea to keep a copy for your own records.

When you contact your local education office a record will be made of your complaint. You will also be advised that your name and the nature of your complaint will be reported back to the principal of your school. Local office staff will then work with you and your school to seek a resolution.

Addresses and telephone numbers for the Department of Education and Training offices are listed in the White Pages of your local telephone directory and are also available through the Schools directory.

4. Independent review

If you have not been able to resolve your complaint through these formal processes, you can lodge your complaint with the Queensland Ombudsman. The Ombudsman may be contacted at:

Office of the Ombudsman
GPO Box 3314, Brisbane, Qld 4001

Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.qld.gov.au

Telephone (07) 3005 7000 or Toll Free 1800 068 908 Fax (07) 3005 7067

Head Lice

The problem of head lice is continuously with us, particularly in the summer months. Regular checking (weekly) of children’s hair may help to prevent an outbreak. Parents responsibilities include:

• regularly inspecting their child/ren’s head to detect the presence of lice or lice eggs;
• 
  immediate treatment of the entire family;
• notification of the outbreak to the school;
• ensuring that their child/ren do not attend school with untreated head lice;
• out of courtesy parents will be contacted if their child is found to have head lice whilst at school.

Medication

It is occasionally necessary for a child to have prescribed medication while at school. If you have a prescribed medication for your child, a medication form must be completed, at the office, prior to administering. Present the medication in the original container with an attached prescription pharmacy label and includes: 

• student name
• dose
• time the medication is to be taken 
• any other relevant directions for use e.g. whether medication is to be taken with food.

Medication cannot be administered without the above being provided.

We are not permitted to administer unprescribed medication such as Aspro, Panadol, natural remedies etc.

Parents are advised that asthmatic students should have ready access to their asthma medication during school hours. Inhalers sent to the office need a note containing full details.

Mobile Phones

Digital literacy refers to the skills needed to live, learn and work in a society where communication and access to information is dominated by digital technologies like mobile phones. However, the benefits brought about through these diverse technologies can be easily overshadowed by deliberate misuse which harms others or disrupts learning.

In consultation with the broader school community, Oonoonba State School has determined that explicit teaching of responsible use of mobile phones and other devices is an important component of digital literacy. The knowledge and confidence to navigate and use these technologies safely while developing digital literacy is a responsibility shared between parents/carers, school staff and students. 

Responsibilities

The responsibilities for students using mobile phones or other devices at school or during school activities, are outlined below. 

• Wearable technology/sensing devices are not permitted;
• Phones can be used outside of the school grounds prior to entry to, and following exit from the school grounds;
• Phones are to be turned off or turned to silent mode on entry to the school grounds.
• Phones are to be stored out of sight in student school bag whilst in school grounds.
• If required a phone can be used under staff supervision after explicit permission has been sought and given;
• An alternate area to store mobile phones is the school office if a student is directed by a staff member to do so.
• The school accepts no liability for loss or damage to the phone or mobile device;

It is acceptable for students at Oonoonba State School to:

• use mobile phones or other devices for
• assigned class work and assignments set by teachers
• developing appropriate literacy, communication and information skills
• authoring text, artwork, audio and visual material for publication on the intranet or internet for educational purposes as supervised and approved by the school
• conducting general research for school activities and projects
• communicating or collaborating with other students, teachers, parents/carers or experts in relation to school work
• accessing online references such as dictionaries, encyclopaedias, etc.
• researching and learning through the department's eLearning environment
• be courteous, considerate and respectful of others when using a mobile device
• carry a mobile device in their bag for use before & after school outside of school grounds
• seek teacher's approval where they wish to use a mobile device under special circumstances.

It is unacceptable for students at Oonoonba State School to:

• use a mobile phone or other devices in an unlawful manner
• use a mobile phone in technology-free designated spaces or times
• download, distribute or publish offensive messages or pictures
• use obscene, inflammatory, racist, discriminatory or derogatory language
• use language and/or threats of violence that may amount to bullying and/or harassment, or even stalking
• insult, harass or attack others or use obscene or abusive language
• deliberately waste printing and internet resources
• damage computers, printers or network equipment
• commit plagiarism or violate copyright laws
• ignore teacher directions for the use of social media, online email and internet chat
• send chain letters or spam email (junk mail)
• knowingly download viruses or any other programs capable of breaching the department's network security
• use in-phone cameras inside the school grounds, as well as anywhere a normal camera would be considered inappropriate, such as in change rooms or toilets
• invade someone's privacy by recording personal conversations or daily activities and/or the further distribution (e.g. forwarding, texting, uploading, Bluetooth use etc.) of such material
• use a mobile phone (including those with Bluetooth functionality) to cheat during exams or assessments
• take into or use mobile devices at exams or during class assessment unless expressly permitted by school staff.

At all times students, while using ICT facilities and devices supplied by the school, will be required to act in line with the requirements of the Oonoonba State School Student Code of Conduct. In addition students and their parents /carers should:

• understand the responsibility and behaviour requirements (as outlined by the school) that come with accessing the department's ICT network facilities
• ensure they have the skills to report and discontinue access to harmful information if presented via the internet or email
• be aware that:
• access to ICT facilities and devices provides valuable learning experiences for students and supports the school's teaching and learning programs
• the school is not responsible for safeguarding information stored by students on departmentally-owned student computers or mobile devices
• schools may remotely access departmentally-owned student computers or mobile devices for management purposes
• students who use a school's ICT facilities and devices in a manner that is not appropriate may be subject to disciplinary action by the school, which could include restricting network access
• despite internal departmental controls to manage content on the internet, illegal, dangerous or offensive information may be accessed or accidentally displayed
• teachers will always exercise their duty of care, but avoiding or reducing access to harmful information also requires responsible use by the student

Money Collection

The collection of money by school staff is a responsible and time consuming task. 
The following procedures are to assist parents with the forwarding of money and the speedy processing by staff.

1. Forward all money in sealed envelopes, with details recorded on the envelope regarding name, class and payment for example, swimming, excursion.
   Envelopes are to be placed in the payment boxes provided in the office, marked for each event.
2. Access to EFTPOS and credit card facility is available from the main office.  We strongly encourage payments by BPOINT/EFTPOS or DIRECT DEPOSIT. This information can be accessed through the office. If invoices are produced by the school these options are clearly marked on the invoice.

Newsletters

A newsletter is produced each Wednesday. This is very informative and helps you to keep in touch with activities at school. This newsletter is our main means of communication between home and school. Newsletters are emailed.

In addition to this, individual class teachers may send home letters of information relating to the class.

Parking

Parents are requested to use the car park in Lakeland Boulevard when dropping off and collecting children. In the interest of safety - particularly to the children - the following guidelines have been set:-

• Children are to wait inside the school fence in the shelter areas supervised by the principal or teacher, until someone is here to collect them.
• Children are to be collected promptly by 3.10pm.
• All pedestrians to use the appropriate crossing provided to get children across the car park.
• For your convenience a drop off and pick up zone has been incorporated.  However, there is a 2 minute limit on this area. Parking is not permitted in this area.
• Specific parking bays are available for vehicles with a disability permit.
• Strictly NO PARKING in areas which block the free flow of traffic.
• Strictly NO PARKING on grassed footpaths of neighbouring residents.
• Strictly NO PARKING in the Administration car park.