School Policies

Including: Enrolment, Homework, Behaviour, Privacy, Cybersafety, Medical Care and Mobile Phones

Enrolment Policy

Sacred Heart exists for the primary purpose of providing Catholic children from the parish of Thornlie with a Catholic Education.

Thus enrolment priority or preference is given to:

Homework Policy

A school wide approach to homework is being implemented for children in Year 1-6 requiring the completion of a Homework Grid. This approach broadens the types of activities that children are asked to complete giving them life skills as well as academic opportunity to cope with life beyond home and school.

Activities that teachers may incorporate into the Homework Grid over each two week period include:

• Reading (both independent and being read to)
• Practice and Reflection on classroom learning
• Physical activity (eg. sport training, walking the dog, riding a bike)
• Housework and shopping (eg. tidying table, gardening, totalling money)
• Art appreciation (eg. drawing, needlework, hobbies, scrapbooking)
• Family activities (eg. family walk, play a game of Scrabble)
• Assignments and project research
• Meditation / spiritual / relaxation (eg. prayer time, attending Mass)
• Using the computer for work (eg. word Processing, spreadsheets, databases)
• Cultural appreciation (eg. live theatre, concerts, music lessons, cultural programs, TV)

In order to develop positive attitudes towards homework, parents are asked to spend approximately 2 minutes each night helping their child organise their activities before they begin. Students then move to a study area for a set time to complete their work – they should not spend wasted hours on difficult work. At the completion of the time limit, set by the classroom teacher (approximately 10 minutes per activity), parents are asked to discuss with the child what has been done and to give positive feedback on good work completed.

Homework Grids will be targeted to specific year levels and will not only develop self discipline and pride in academic achievements but also the formation of good habits, responsibility, positive family interactions and increased physical activity.

Behaviour Management Policy

The school has a behaviour management policy in place. The rationale for developing whole school playground and classroom rules, rights and responsibilities and procedures, including rewards systems, is to promote positive and responsible behaviour which is ultimately self managed. Through consistent application of these throughout the school, students will be familiar with and understand the expectations placed upon them.

Playground Expectations:

1. Respect other people
2. Be courteous and considerate
3. Respect property
4. Let others learn
5. Move safely around the school
6. Always wear the correct school uniform

Classroom Expectations:

1. Follow directions
2. Respect others
3. Respect property
4. Think safely

The behaviour management policy is available to parents on request.

Mobile Phone Policy

Mobile phones are part of modern society and the School accepts that students will possess mobile phones, however it is important to note the following information.

Principles and Procedures

Sacred Heart School has in place appropriate methods, through the School Office for parents to contact students and vice versa. It is preferred that students do not have mobile phones at school and should only do so if they walk, ride or catch a bus. If your child is not collected by you and mobile phones are required for safety reasons the following policy applies:

• On arrival at school, mobile phones must be switched off and out of sight at all times. Silent or discreet settings are not acceptable.
• The school accepts no responsibility for mobile phones that are brought to school. It is the responsibility of the student to safeguard against misplacement, loss or theft.
• Use of a phone in school hours will result in the phone being confiscated by the teacher and placed at the front office for pick up. The phone will be returned when the student’s parents receive a letter from the Principal asking them to contact the school.
• Mobile phones are not to be used for their calculator function during class.
• Use of mobile phones during out of school functions arranged by the school including excursions, camps, and retreats will not be permitted. Arrangements are in place for communication with a staff member in the case of an emergency.
• Staff will also have mobile phones switched off in class and at other times that could disrupt the daily activities of the school.

1. The mobile phone will be held at the school Office for collection by a parent.
2. Any re-occurrence will result in an in-school detention.
3. For serious breaches, permanent exclusion may be necessary in line with the schools Internet Agreement Policy.