Rules and policies are in place to make sure your child remains safe and well at school.
Visit the NSW Department of Education’s policy library for all current operational policies.
Our school uses the department's School Community Charter to ensure all of our communication is collaborative and respectful.
Attendance and absences
Students must attend school regularly so they can achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options.
In NSW, all children from the age of 6 are legally required to attend school or be registered for home schooling through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). All students must complete Year 10, or its equivalent and remain in school, employment or training until they turn 17.
For more information about compulsory school attendance, visit:
School frameworks (school rules)
As well as following the department’s operational policies, we have developed frameworks for our students in line with our school’s values and commitments.
Change of routine
You need to notify the class teacher if there will be a change to normal routine for your child i.e. leaving early, different bus routine or going with another adult. A change of routine proforma is available at the office.
Duty of care and use of school Grounds
Staff supervision for students before school starts at 8:30am. After school, a teacher is on duty until 3pm or when the last bus leaves. If you need to make a special arrangement for your child to attend outside these hours, please contact us.
Emergency contacts
All families are asked to provide details of someone who can be contacted in the event of an emergency if parents or caregivers are not immediately available. This person may be a grandparent or other relative, a family friend or neighbour, and should ideally be able to get to the school within a reasonable length of time if called. It is important that contact details are kept current, and parents are asked to advise the school immediately of any changes to emergency contact details.
End of the day
Students need to be off the school grounds as soon as possible after classes cease. Please ensure the necessary arrangements for your child to get home are made.
First aid/illness
School staff will administer first aid for minor accidents and injury. Parents will be contacted if the injury is deemed to be more serious or, if necessary, an ambulance will be called.
In cases of illness, parents will be contacted so arrangements can be made to take the child home.
If your child is too sick to be in class they will be allowed to rest in the administration area so that their condition can be assessed by a staff member for a short-term recuperation only. Parents/caregivers will be notified if their child is unable to go back to class after this time.
Parents are asked to not send children who are ill to school. This decreases the spread of illnesses, and also optimises the child’s chances of a speedy recovery.
Hat policy
Cowper Public School has a “no hat—no play” policy. If a student has arrived at school without a sun safe hat, they are only allowed to play under the shade shelter.
All sport and outside activities conducted within class time require a hat. Please ensure your child has a school hat to wear each day.
Late to school or need to Leave school early?
Students who are late to school need to be signed in by staff at the front office. Any student leaving the school during the day must be signed out at the front office by a parent or guardian. Students who arrive after 9:00am or are leaving school early require a note explaining this partial absence.
Homework
Each teacher will formulate their own classroom homework tasks commensurate with the needs of the pupils.
Library
Each week your child will be going to the Library for a lesson and will have the opportunity to borrow books for home reading. All Library rules are displayed and explained to the children. To encourage a healthy respect for books please ensure you send a Library Bag for the protection of our books on your child’s “Library Day”. The Clarence Regional Library Book Mobile Service visits the school each Tuesday.
Lost and found
There is a “Lost Property” box located in the administration storeroom. Avoid having to go there by clearly marking all items sent to school with your child’s name for easy identification - particularly jackets and hats which are put on and off throughout the day.
Medication
Most medications these days can be administered at home prior to and after school, please request medication from your doctor that does not need to be administered during school hours.
However, if your child has been prescribed medication needed within school hours, it must be brought to the school by yourself (parent/caregiver). If you require your child to be given medication while at school by a member of staff, you must put your request in writing and complete and sign an indemnity form available on request from the School Office. All medication provided for the student must have a label, clearly legible, showing the student’s name, the name of the medication, the dose and the time of administration.
This information does not apply to inhalers or puffers that are used by students to help them manage asthma.
Riding to school
Parents must be confident that their children know the rules of the road before allowing them to ride their bicycles to school. Approved helmets MUST be worn. Bicycles are to be placed under the administration building and the area is “out-of-bounds” during school hours.
RTA protocol states K-2 students (up to 8yrs old) should not be allowed to ride their bikes to school without prior discussion with the Principal.
Road safety
Please keep in mind that children learn mostly by example. Therefore take the extra time/care in obeying road rules, especially in regards to pedestrian crossings, double unbroken lines and bus zones. The safety of our students is our highest priority and therefore it would be greatly appreciated if you would always meet your child at the school gate. NEVER beckon your child from the opposite side of the road to come to you.
School grounds
Entering school grounds outside normal school hours or during weekend/holiday periods is prohibited. If you need access to the school during these times you must have written approval from the Principal, otherwise you may be prosecuted for trespassing.
School’s sport equipment
The school’s sport equipment is marked with `CPS’. It would be greatly appreciated if you would return any of this equipment found outside the school grounds. Sport Captains are nominated each year and assist with the responsibility of handing out sporting equipment.
Student invoices
Each student will be invoiced for payments due to the School Office. These may include: Book Pack, excursions, performances, competitions, etc. You are welcome to make part-payments towards your child’s outstanding balance at any time.
Throughout the year “outstanding student invoices” are sent home to show your current account. Student Assistance Funds are available to help families with the cost of uniforms, book packs, excursions and swimming scheme for families. Please ask for information at the School Office.
Telephone calls
Telephone messages from parents/carers to children will be passed on if possible.
The school telephone is available for emergency use. Students will not be allowed to use the school telephone to ring home for forgotten items (e.g. shorts, homework, etc). This will encourage our students to learn to be organised and independent.
Students will not be able to telephone parents to seek permission to go to someone’s house that afternoon for a “play”. Arrangements like these need to be made from home prior to the day. If there is a change in normal arrangements, a change of routine note to the teacher is expected so there is no confusion in the afternoon.