Barrack Heights Public School

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General Information We are proud of our school which aims to provide for all students a range of challenging learning opportunities. Our curriculum covers the all-round development of the child in a safe and caring environment. This school's responsibility for educating students is shared with the community and especially with parents. This site has been designed to assist you in becoming acquainted with Barrack Heights school so that you can share in your child's education. Where is our school? Barrack Heights is in Shellharbour City on the South Coast of New South Wales. Lake Illawarra, Blackbutt Forest and the beach are close by. Our school is in Hunter Street, Barrack Heights. From Lake Entrance Rd, turn into Captain Cook Drive, then into Hunter Street. The Shellharbour Private Hospital is just across the road. Links to Educational sites   NSW Department of Education Board of Studies Shellharbour District Office

Staff

The main staffing allocation is based on the number of children in the school. Support staff (ESL, Learning Disabilities) is allocated on a needs basis. The executive staff is responsible for school management and professional development of teachers. The administrative staff assist in non-educational duties in the school. The Superintendent of Shellharbour District Schools is based at Warilla and is available for consultation with parents.

E.S.L. (English as a Second Language)	The general aim of ESL education is to assist students from non-English speaking backgrounds in learning English. The major task of an ESL program is to identify the English language skills necessary for effective learning & to assist students for whom English is a second or other language, to develop such skills. There is one ESL teacher at this school to assist children in need.
Support Teachers - Learning Difficulties	Additional teachers are appointed to provide programs for children with learning difficulties in English & Maths. These teachers may work directly with individual children in need or with classroom teachers to give support to larger groups of children. The school's policy is one of prevention and many of our resources are placed in the early grades.
Reading Recovery	This program identifies Yr 1 students who need support in reading, and a specially trained teacher works with them to increase their skills.
School Counsellor	The School Counsellor is appointed to help parents, teachers & students with special needs, including: * individual educational & psychological assessment * supporting behaviour & learning programs * recommending support programs for students with special needs or disabilities * study skills * referral to other professionals in the community The School Counsellor is at B.H.P.S. 2 days per week & can be contacted through the school office.
Special Itinerant Support Teachers	Special Itinerant Support Teachers are also available for children with special needs in hearing, vision & behaviour.
Funding Support	It is the policy of the NSW Government that children with disabilities should be able to live & to be educated in their own community. Students with disabilities can receive extra educational support in their daily activities. An Individualised Learning Program is devised & reflects practices, routines & activities in the regular classroom. This is implemented by the Classroom Teacher & Teacher's Aide. Children requiring assistance through integration are seen by the school counsellor/Learning Support Team & discussions are also held with therapists & parents to achieve the most worthwhile outcomes for the child.
Home School Liaison Officer Attendance	The Home School Liaison Officer is employed by the Department of Education to help parents & the school when a child does not attend school regularly. The Home School Liaison Officer can suggest ways the child's attendance at school can improve & arrange support & help at home and/or school which will make it easier for the child to attend. Problems may include:- - a child who refuses to go to school - a child who misses a lot of school because of other problems at home - a child who truants from school - a child who is always late to school Regular school attendance is encouraged because it is only by being at school that a child can benefit from all those learning experiences that happen inside & outside the classroom every day. The Home School Liaison Officers can be contacted through the principal.

A School Council was established at our school in 1996.

Elections are held annually in October. The Council meets 4 times per year & minutes are displayed in the staffroom & canteen. A copy of the constitution may be obtained from the office.

P. & C. Association

The school is supported by the P. & C. in a number of ways:-

* Fundraising to enable the school to acquire necessary equipment and resources to supplement that issued by the government.

* To give support to school staff.

* To provide a forum whereby parents can become informed & involved in issues, activities & decision-making in respect of school activities.

The P. & C. meets on the third Tuesday of each month in the staffroom. All parents are welcome to attend.

Canteen

The school has a fully equipped canteen which opens daily.

Children put their lunch order in their class lunch basket in the morning. Lunch bags are available from the canteen or a brown paper bag may be used. A price list is issued to parents each year. The canteen provides healthy recess snacks & lunches at a reasonable cost.

Student Councillors

In an effort to provide students with leadership skills, each year classes elect students as Student Councillors. These students liaise with staff & other students & provide input into the day-to-day life of the school.

We have also commenced a Student Leadership program in the playground. Selected senior students have been trained to instruct younger students how to play happily in the playground. This program operates at lunchtime, on given days.

School Bulletin

The weekly bulletin is distributed each Thursday.

We Support