2018 - 2019 School Prospectus

2018 - 2019 School Prospectus

2

CONTENTS PAGE NUMBER

CONTENTS 2

WELCOME TO DHEKELIA PRIMARY SCHOOL

3

OUR CORE VALUES

4

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

5

SCHOOL TIMINGS

6

SCHOOL CALENDAR

7

WHICH CLASS WILL MY CHILD BE IN?

8

TRANSFER FROM OTHER SCHOOLS

9

GETTING TO AND FROM SCHOOL

10-11

THE SCHOOL DRESS CODE

12-13

SNACKS AND DRINKS SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES

PERSONAL ITEMS AND TOYS

14

HEALTH AND SICKNESS

15

ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

16

CLUB ACTIVITIES HOMEWORK

COMMUNICATION

17

CHARGES THE SCHOOL GOVERNANCE

THE SCHOOL COUNCIL

18

TIME TO MOVE ON!

19

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

20

3

Dear parents Welcome to Dhekelia Primary School It gives us great pleasure to welcome you and your family to Dhekelia Primary School. DPS is a successful school providing a similar quality of education to English schools. We hope that the time you spend in Cyprus will be exciting and satisfying and that your children will enjoy and actively participate in the fantastic educational opportunities provided for them. Our aim is to maximise learning for all children, and we are fortunate to have talented, committed and hard working staff to achieve it. There are many exceptional opportunities for all our children. This booklet provides you with information covering the organisation of the school. A supplementary booklet is available for Foundation Stage 1 (Nursery) provision. If there are any points not covered here that you would like to know more about, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our very best to help you.

Mrs Corinna Sutton Acting Headteacher

Please look at our website www.dhekeliaprimary.school

which gives an additional insight into life at DPS.

4

A core value is a central belief clearly understood and shared by every member of the school community. We believe in

independence, responsibility, respect, compassion, achievement and happiness.

By independence we mean that everyone:

· is confident to make choices and take decisions · has the resilience to face challenges · seeks to have a positive impact through their thoughts, feelings and actions

By responsibility we mean that everyone: · takes ownership of their learning and behaviour · is committed to our school, our community and the environment · recognises the role that they play in keeping others safe

By respect we mean that everyone:

· values all members of the community · displays tolerance of others with different points of view and beliefs · shows respect for the school, its resources and the surrounding environment

By achievement we mean that everyone:

· is proud of and celebrates all achievements · is confident and successful in all that they do · is ambitious about what can be achieved

By compassion we mean that everyone:

· shows understanding, caring and kindness · values and upholds positive relationships · considers the feelings of others

By happiness we mean that everyone:

· values and embraces the importance of fun and enjoyment · is able to work with others as part of a team · strives to foster lasting friendships

5

Postal Address

Dhekelia Primary School Dhekelia Station

BFPO 58

Telephone 00357 2474 8320

Facsimile 00357 2474 4880

Email [email protected] [email protected]

Website www.dhekeliaprimary.school

Acting Headteacher

Mrs Corinna Sutton

Acting Deputy Headteacher

Mrs Gina Marson-Smith

Acting Assistant Headteacher/Safeguarding

Mrs Kerry Russell

SENCO Mr Joel Stokoe

School Governance

Committee Chairman

Major Chris Charnock 2IC 2 Royal Anglian Alexander Barracks

BFPO 58

Senior Principal MOD Schools

Mrs Carole Yates Senior Principal MOD Schools

Upavon, Building 183 Wiltshire SN6 9BN

6

SSPRINGPRING TTERMERM 20192019 First day of Term Monday 7th January 2019

Last day of Term Friday 12th April 2019

Half Term Monday 11th February 2019 - Friday 15th February 2019

SSUMMERUMMER TTERMERM 20192019 First day of Term Monday 29th April 2019

Last day of Term Friday 19th July 2019

Half Term Monday 27th May 2019 - Friday 31st May 2019

AAUTUMNUTUMN TERMTERM 20182018 First day of Term Wednesday 5th September 2018

Last day of Term Thursday 20th December 2018

Half Term Monday 29th October 2018- Friday 2nd November 2018

7

Dhekelia Primary School – School Timings September 2018 - July 2019

Attendance Counts

At Dhekelia we are proud of our pupil’s good attendance which is usually well above the national average. Good attendance and punctuality is important to achieve good outcomes. Your child will be marked as ‘late’ if they arrive after the start of the first learning time. Attendance and lateness is mon-itored closely and reported on the annual report.

FOUNDATION STAGE 1

07.45 – 08.00 Registration

08.00 – 11.00 Learning time

FOUNDATION STAGE 2

07.55 Registration


11.20 – 11.40 Brunch

11.40 – 12.00 Playtime


KEY STAGE 1

07.55 Registration

8.00 – 8.30 Learning Time


9.25 – 9.45 Fruit and Playtime

9.45 – 10.00 Assembly (Mon and Fri in Hall)


10:50 – 11:20 Learning Time

11:20 – 11:40 Brunch

11:40 – 12.00 Playtime

12.00 – 13.30 Learning Time/Home

KEY STAGE 2

07.55 Registration



9.30 – 9.45 Fruit and Playtime

9.45 – 10.00 Assembly (Mon and Fri in Hall)


11:10 – 11:40 Learning Time

11:40 – 12:00 Playtime

12:00 – 12.:20 Brunch

12:20 – 13:35 Learning Time/Home

8

Academic Year Runs 1st September to 31st August

DATE OF BIRTH SCHOOL YEAR 2018/2019

01.01.16 - 31.3.16 FS1 (N1) Join after Easter 2019

01.09.15 - 31.12.15 FS1 (N1) Join January 2019

01.04.15 - 31.08.15 FS1 (N2) Join September 2018

01.01.15 - 31.03.15 FS1 (N2) Already in FS1 N2

01.09.14 - 31.12.14 FS1 (N2) Already in FS1 N2

DATE OF BIRTH SCHOOL YEAR 2018/2019

01.09.13 - 31.08.14 FS2 Autumn 2018 Year 1 Autumn 2019

01.09.12 - 31.08.13 Year 1 Autumn 2018 Year 2 Autumn 2019





01.09.07 - 31.08.08 Year 6 Autumn 2018 YEAR 7 SECONDARY SCHOOL

CCHILDRENHILDREN BORNBORN 11STST SSEPTEMBEREPTEMBER TOTO 3131STST DDECEMBERECEMBER These children join in the Spring Term after they are 3 years old

CCHILDRENHILDREN BORNBORN 1 J1 JANUARYANUARY TOTO 31 M31 MARCHARCH These children join in the Summer Term after they are 3 years old

CCHILDRENHILDREN BORNBORN 11STST AAPRILPRIL TOTO 31 A31 AUGUSTUGUST These children join in the Autumn Term after they are 3 years old

9

Admission to MOD Schools requires an Educational Clearance prior to a family post-ing overseas. Without Educational Clearance children cannot be admitted to an MOD school. Please contact the Admissions Administrator Tel: 2474 8324 [email protected] who will send you the relevant registration paperwork. As part of this process, you will be required to complete a questionnaire which will determine if your child requires any additional support for SEN or additional medical needs. The Admissions Administrator will then request a PIP (Pupil Information Profile) to be completed by the child’s current school. Once this information is gathered, it will be passed onto Mr Joel Stokoe, (SENCO & Inclu-sion). If there are any special educational needs or medical needs, Mr Stokoe will contact your child’s school to discuss what support your child may need before an Educational Clearance can be granted. In some instances, we may require further advice as to whether or not a child’s needs can be met. In this instance, a MASO (MOD Assessment of Supportability Overseas) process will begin, which can take up to 8 weeks. The leaflet, ‘MOD ASSESSMENT OF SUPPPORTABILITY OVERSEAS (MASO) - Information for Parents’ explains the process in detail. Once an Educational Clearance has been granted and parents have registered their child, parents will book an appointment with the Transition/Admissions Administrator. The Admission Administrator will arrange for an interview with the Headteacher and a date for starting school will be agreed. Parents are asked to contact the new teacher after 2 weeks to have a short interview. Buddy systems are set up in each class. Nursery (Foundation Stage 1) Many children will have attended Dhekelia Early Years (crèche). There is a close working rela-tionship between the Early Years Setting and our Foundation Stage 1 Staff, resulting in a very smooth transition process. Stay and Play sessions are arranged prior to children joining us, giv-ing parents and children a chance to meet staff and explore the FS1 setting. A home visit will also be arranged as the final part of this process and you will receive a separate Foundation Stage 1 brochure before the transfer. Entry into Reception class (Foundation Stage 2) There is a comprehensive transition programme for the transfer of children from Foundation Stage 1 to Foundation Stage 2 (Reception). When children first start school they will attend school from 08:00-11:30. Entry may be staggered over one, two or three days in the first few days, according to the number of children to be admitted. Children will need to be collected by parents or carers at 11.30. Once they are in full time provision their timings will be 07.55 to 13.30. Settling In Most children settle in at DPS extremely well. The children at school are very supportive of new pupils and enjoy making them feel at home. Each new child will be allocated a special friend whose task it is to support your child during their first days at school.

10

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY – WE NEED YOUR COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE REMAINS SAFE AND

THAT THE BEGINNING AND END OF THE SCHOOL DAY OPERATES SMOOTHLY. Arriving at School All Key Stage 2 (Y3,4,5,6) children must be in school by 07:55 All FS2, FS1 and Key Stage 1 (Y1/2) children must be in school by 07:55 Children are not permitted on site unaccompanied until 07:45 when supervision begins All children in FS1 must be escorted into school by an adult as their supervision does not begin until they enter the classroom. The main doors to FS2 will open at 07:45 to welcome the children. Drop off zone and Parking This lane runs parallel with the path near the AstroTurf and is a strict no parking zone. The drop off area is manned every morning from 7:45 – 7:55 by a member of school staff. Parents with children from FS2 (Reception) to Year 6 are able to use this facility. All FS1, FS2 and Year 1 children must be accompanied onto the school site due to their age. Parents with children in these phases of education cannot use the drop off zone. The procedure is as follows:

- All children must wait until the car is level with a gap in the fence before getting out of the vehicle.

- All children in the car should all get out of the vehicle on the side nearest to the pavement for their own safety.

- All children will walk down the path, across the zebra crossing in front of the white gates and onto the school site.

DO NOT PARK IN THE DROP OFF ZONE AT ANYTIME DURING THE SCHOOL DAY – THIS WILL BE USED BY BUSES FOR TRIPS AND REGULAR EVENTS SUCH AS SWIMMING. The car park only has a limited capacity. As you drive in, the spaces on the left hand side are designated staff parking. If you wish to drive your child to school and park you are responsible for ensuring that you have sufficient time to find a parking space, which may be a short distance from the school, and walk with your children.

11

Collection at the end of the school day At the end of the school day parents with children in FS1, FS2, Year 1 and Year 2 must be

on site to collect them. These children are not permitted to walk or cycle home alone. Pupils in Key Stage 2 (Y3,4,5,6) may walk home alone or cycle however we require specific

written permission and would recommend that as parents you make the decision based on your own child’s capabilities and the distances involved. If you would like your child to walk or cycle home then please complete the permission request which can be obtained from the school reception.

Children in Key Stage 2 (Y3, 4, 5, 6) are not able to escort younger siblings home as they

are too young to take on this level of parental responsibility.

Where should I wait for my child? All Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 (Y1 and 2) pupils should be collected directly from their classrooms at 13:30. The main doors will be opened shortly before 13:30 to allow you access. You should wait on the playground until you hear the bell before entering the Foundation Stage area or going into the Key Stage 1 area to collect your child. Key Stage 2 (Y3-6) children should be collected at 13:35. Children in these year groups will walk to the collection area at the front of the school accompanied by a teacher where they should be met by you as their parent or your nominated adult.

12

Dhekelia Primary School uniform policy is that the children are to wear a simple school uniform. There is no stock of school uniform held at the school, either new or second hand. You will need to order uniform from the website ‘Initially Yours’ before arriving at Dhekelia. For a full break down of the uniform please visit the ‘Initially Yours’ website http://www.initiallyyours.co.uk/index.htm As a minimum expectation children must have the following: Dhekelia Primary School logo polo shirt Dhekelia Primary School jumper or cardigan Dhekelia Primary School fleece (optional) (White shirts/polos shirts of any description are not permitted.) Grey shorts or long grey trousers for boys Grey skirts for girls and in the warmer months a green gingham dress Grey socks for both boys and girls when wearing grey shorts/trousers or skirts or grey tights for girls White socks for girls when wearing the green gingham dress These items can be cheaper to purchase in the UK as they can be either difficult to find or expensive in Cyprus. Tights No patterned tights and no colour other than grey tights are permitted. Hair Hair must be neat and if tied back, simple hair bands and accessories are to be used. Labelling Clothing It is vitally important to label all your child’s clothes with their name, including shoes. This saves both teacher and child a lot of time that could be wasted searching for lost clothing. School Caps and Hats Hats are compulsory in the summer months and are to be worn at every break time. Hats should be worn during the summer months when there is danger of burning and heatstroke. Footwear Low heeled black school shoes are permitted. In warmer weather, closed toe sandals may be worn. Trainers, Croc’ style shoes, open toe sandals and flip-flops are not permitted.

http://www.initiallyyours.co.uk/index.htm

13

PE Kit All children must have a change of clothes for PE. If they persistently forget their kit parents will be informed. Long hair must be tied back for PE and earrings must be removed. If your child has newly pierced ears they must be covered with plasters or micropore tape on PE days until they can be removed. PE kits must be brought into school on Mondays and taken home on Fridays. Book Bag All children should have a separate book bag to transport their reading and library books safely to and from school. This is to help avoid damage to books. Book bags from previous schools are quite acceptable. Jewellery Stud earrings only are permitted in school. Earrings must be removed for PE. A wristwatch can be worn. Lost Property Lost property is located outside the main reception. Unclaimed items are disposed of at the end of each term. Should your child lose an item of clothing please inform us as soon as possible as this will enhance your chance of finding it. Swimming (Y2-Y6) During the summer months the school takes full advantage of the station swimming pool. The emphasis is first on teaching children to swim and second on improving their strokes. Girls will require a one-piece swimming costume; boys swimming trunks (not Bermuda shorts). Children must also bring a towel and waterproof sun cream which they must apply themselves. NO SUN CREAM, NO SWIMMING. Earrings must be removed for swimming and long hair needs to be tied back.

14

All children have two breaks during the school day. The first break is a fruit break. Children in FS2, Y1 & Y2 will be provided with fruit. Children in Years 3-6 should bring in a piece of fruit or cereal bar to have at first break. The first break is at 09:25 so it is essential that your child has had something for break-fast before they arrive at school. The second break is our brunch break at 11:20. FS2, Y1 & Y2 are provided with a free packed brunch (if you opt to do so - please collect a packed lunch form from the school office). It is important that parents inform us of any dietary requirements on admission. Children in Years 3-6 must bring their own packed lunch. All brunches will be stored in fridges in the classrooms. Second break is at 11:20 for all children from FS2-Y6. Common sense dictates that chocolate is not suitable in the warm Cyprus climate! Water is always available from drinking fountains around the school although your child may also wish to bring in a carton of drink, but no glass bottles or cans please. Children should always be encouraged to drink plenty of liquid, especially during the hot summer months. Children can bring a water bottle for the classroom. It must be named and have a sports style mouth piece. They should be refilled at home daily. A healthy juice bar runs every Friday for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 children. Drinks are €1 each, they are 100% fruit juice and all profits go to the school council.

Mobile phones, electronic games or music players are not permitted or necessary in school. No toys should be brought to school unless a teacher has requested them as part of a programme of study.

Assembly is an important part of life in school. The Headteacher and members of the teaching staff are involved in the school assemblies. There are joint Key Stage 1 and 2 assemblies twice a week at 09:45-10:00. Parents have a right to withdraw their child from all or part of any act of collective worship and Religious Education. If you wish to exercise this right please contact the Headteacher. Alternative arrangements will be made for your child during this period in agree-ment with you as parents.

15

Children with any signs of sickness should not be sent to school. If a child becomes ill during the school day, parents will be contacted by telephone. If we cannot contact you and medical help appears to be necessary, we will call an ambulance. It is essential that parents keep the school informed of up-to-date contact telephone numbers and any change of address. Every parent should ensure that they have given the school an emergency contact such as a close and trusted friend. MEDICINES Staff are unable to administer prescribed medicines to children except by arrange-ment with the Headteacher. If your child requires medication during the school day please contact the office for an appointment with the Headteacher or Assistant Headteacher.

If you are worried about anything, please do not hesitate to talk it over with somebody at school. If we do not know about a problem then we cannot put it right. It should always be possible to find a solution without going through formal procedures.

IF it is a problem within the class first contact your child’s class teacher.

HOW? Telephone or write to the class teacher, explain the nature of the problem and they will arrange an appointment.

IF the problem is serious and needs urgent attention or you do not wish to discuss it with the class teacher then you please speak directly to the Headteacher.

Please refer to the MOD Schools complaints procedure, which is available from the school office, for further details.

16

Here at DPS we aim for 100% attendance for every child however we understand that this is not always possible. MOD Schools have a clear policy. Here are the key points:

All parents must request for leave of absence from the Headteacher, using the form available in the office; this form must be stamped by the Unit Welfare Of-ficer/RAO before being returned to school. The Headteacher can only grant leave in exceptional circumstances. Parents should only take their children away from school if circumstances force them to do so. Please refer to our full policy on our website.

If a family takes a child away from school without permission or fails to return as expected after an agreed absence request, the school will inform the Unit Welfare Officer, Social Worker and SAEO (Cyprus). The absence will be recorded as unauthorised. Daily Absence From School Due to Illness etc. Please telephone the school on the first day of illness to report the absence (2474 8320) no later than 08:30; parents must call to confirm subsequent days of absence due to illness.

If we do not receive notification, your child will be reported as having an unauthorised ab-sence and you will receive a telephone call. This information will appear on the end of year report. Lateness All children arriving late MUST be escorted by an adult to the office where they will be asked to sign them in. If they do not do so we will have no official record that the child is in school. Medical and Dental appointments If advance notice of an appointment is given, pupils may be collected via the school office where you will be asked to sign them ‘out’. It is not possible for any child to be released from school unaccompanied. Please notify the School Office when your child is collected and returned to school and sign the book in the office. Work For Children Who Are Absent from School If a parent chooses to take a child away during term time then the teacher will not supply work for the child. The only exceptions to this are:

Children who have to go back to the UK on compassionate grounds Children who are away from school because of illness or hospitalisation Children with specific health care plans

17

A range of activities are provided for children throughout the year. Notification of activities available each term will be through the school newsletter or by letter to specific year groups. All extra curricular activities such as clubs rely on teachers, Learning Support Assistants and members of our community giving their time voluntarily to enrich the experiences available to your children. If you think that you could offer a club or activity as a volunteer please contact the school.

For more information please contact your class teacher.

The school uses a text messaging service to contact parents quickly and efficiently with routine messages. Please ensure the school office has up to date contact numbers for you. This system is not used for emergencies. The ‘Grapevine’ is our weekly newsletter. This is usually emailed unless you do not have an email address or request a paper copy. The Grapevine will keep you up-to-date on school events, trips and activities. A copy is also available through our website.

Please visit our school website at www.dhekeliaprimary.school

18

The MOD Schools policy on charging for school activities is that the education provided by its schools for its children and in school time as far as possible will be free. However some activities, in or out of school time will only be possible if the cost can be met by voluntary contributions from parents and other sources. You may be asked to make a voluntary contribution for your child to take part in an activity, in or outside the school, such as a visiting theatre group or a trip to a place of interest. All children have access to the school library. However, if school library books are lost or damaged then they are charged at replacement cost to parents.

The 1980 Education Act made the appointment of parent governors a statutory requirement in England and Wales. Although governing bodies, as they exist in the UK were not considered appropriate for MOD Schools, it was felt that schools should have an advisory committee. The main function of the advisory committee is to provide a forum for communication on a wide range of topics between the MOD community, parents, the Headteacher and staff. The advisory committee (SGC) meets at least once a term. A list of the current SGC members is held within the office.

Two children from each class volunteer to be a member of the School Council and repre-sent their class at school council meetings which is run and chaired by a member of school staff. Decisions are made to improve school life from a child’s point of view and children are changed on a termly basis.

19

Transfer to Other Schools Please try to inform the school as soon as possible when a posting is known. We will then send you a leaving form to complete and a questionnaire. Your child’s documents, including their assessment scores, most recent books and yearly reports, must be collected by you for you to take to your child’s new school. It is essential that you provide us with the address of your child’s new school as soon as it is confirmed so we can send the electronic data to the new school. Transfer to King Richard School, Dhekelia Transfer from primary to secondary school is a big step for all children. In order to make the transfer as easy as possible, close links have been established with King Richard School. The Year six induction programme usually takes place in the summer term. The Year six children are introduced to their new form teachers and attend a timetable of lessons that allow them to sample all the subjects and familiarise themselves with the school layout and structure. In addition parents are invited to King Richard School during the summer term to meet the Headteacher and teaching staff. School records are passed directly to KRS by DPS. If you have any questions regarding transferring between school please do not hesitate to talk to our Admissions Administrator in the school office.

20

Fire Safety In the event of a fire or major incident, all children will be sent to the AstroTurf area and supervised until parents have been given notice to collect children. The school will hold regular fire drills to prepare the children for such an event. Earthquakes Cyprus is an area of seismic activity and therefore it is essential that all chil-dren and adults working in school know how to react and what to do should we experience an earthquake. Earthquakes last a matter of seconds, usually no more than 20 seconds so early action is important in minimising risk. Our earthquake procedure is based on advice received from HQ MOD Schools and the Dhekelia Station Health and Safety representative. The procedures are in line with the Station business continuity plan and will be followed in the event of an earthquake. Upon feeling a tremor an adult will shout:

“EARTHQUAKE, DUCK & COVER”

ALL PUPILS AND ADULTS IN THE SCHOOL WILL IMMEDIATELY: TAKE COVER UNDER A TABLE UNDER DOORWAY IF NECESSARY COVER HEAD HOLD ON WAIT FOR SHAKING TO STOP LISTEN AND WAIT FOR INSTRUCTIONS FROM ADULT

IF IN HALL (PE OR OTHER ACTIVITY) OR NO COVER IS AVAILABLE:

KNEEL WITH BACK TO WALL MAKE YOURSELF AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE COVER HEAD (HANDS AND JUMPER IF AVAILABLE)

EVACUATION. When the shaking has stopped the teacher/responsible adult will instruct the pupils to leave the building in an orderly fashion and go to the terraced areas in the KS1 main playground.

Documents

2018 - 2019 School Prospectus