Daily Procedures
Operating Hours
School Hours & Supervision
Lessons commence each day at 9:00 am and conclude at 3:00 pm. The school grounds are open to students from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Supervision will be provided between these times.
St Joseph’s Out of School Hours Care commences at 6:30 am and concludes at 6:00 pm.
Office Hours
The office hours are 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Office staff can only conduct office functions such as fee payments and EFTPOS during these hours.
Student Attendance
Late Arrivals
Students who arrive late must report to the Reception at the Office before proceeding to class. The student must have a note explaining why they are late; alternatively, a parent must accompany them to the Reception. The student will be noted as a late arrival.
Early Departure
Students may not leave the school premises during school hours without signing out through the Student Reception at the Office. The student must have a note signed by their parent/guardian to show the class teacher to be excused. Parents/guardians must collect their children from the Reception.
Absence from School & Extended Leave
Parents/Guardians will be notified of absences if the Office has not received notice of the absence via a text message through the Compass App. Parents/Guardians must notify the Office before lessons begin.
Feeling Unwell
If students feel unwell at school, they must inform their teacher, who will sign their diary. The student will then go to the Office. If students feel unwell during recess or lunch, they must go straight to the Office for assistance.
Unable to Participate in Sport
A written note of explanation from a parent/guardian or a medical certificate should be given to the Office.
Student Items
Restricted Items at School
Students are not allowed to use mobile phones or music players at school. These items should be switched off at all times and kept in a safe place (bag or lockers).
Under no circumstances are students to use their mobile phones to contact parents between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. This must be arranged through the Office if they need to contact parents. Likewise, any parent needing to contact their child(ren) between 9:00 am, and 3:00 pm should phone the Office.
Security of Ownership
All articles of clothing, bags, books, stationery items, calculators and so on must be clearly marked with the current owner's name. Valuable school time should not be wasted looking for lost or otherwise ‘missing’ articles.
Students should not bring to school more money than is needed for the day and must accept responsibility for its use and whereabouts. If for some exceptional reason, a larger sum than usual is brought and needed for after school, it must be lodged (in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the student’s name) at the school office for safe-keeping and claimed at the end of the day. School fees should be deposited at the Office before school.
Lost Property
The Lost Property basket is located in the Office. Please clearly label all items that are brought or worn to school.
Messages, Visitors and Family Circumstances
Messages for Students
If you have a message for your son/daughter, please let the office know as early as possible and preferably before break, as classes will not be interrupted to pass on routine messages. In case of emergencies, there will be exceptions to this rule; however, a paramount aim of the school is to safeguard the students' instruction time as much as possible.
Change of Address/Family Circumstances
Parents are asked to promptly notify the school of any change of address, phone number, email address or place of employment. When parents arrange for students to stay with relatives or friends while they are away from home, the office must be informed in writing. We need particulars relating to the name, address and phone number of relatives/friends and the duration of the student's stay.
Similarly, any change in family status, such as a separation, must be notified to the school. This is not only for administrative purposes but also so the school can work for the pastoral welfare of the child(ren).
School Visitors
It is a legal requirement that all visitors to our school premises must sign in at the front office.
While this may sound daunting and unfriendly, particularly as we wish to encourage parents to come to the school and feel welcome, you must report to the office first in order for us to comply with child protection legislation.