Parents
Calendar
All excursion, school activity and camp dates are listed on the Compass Calendar once confirmed. Please enter via your parent portal and click on the Calendar icon for more information.
Our School Day
Start: 9:00am – doors open at 8:50am for students to come in and put their things inside
Finish: 3:30pm
Lunch: 11:30am-12:20pm (lunch eaten in the classroom 11:30am-11:40am)
Afternoon Break: 2:00pm-2:40pm
- Students are supervised in the yard from 8:45am-9:00am and 3:30pm-3:45pm.
- Early dismissal: Students are dismissed at 2:30pm on the last day of Terms 1, 2 and 3 and at 1:30pm on the last day of Term 4.
School Assembly
The School Assembly is held every fortnight on a Friday afternoon at 2:45pm. Whole School and subschool assemblies alternate. Students have the opportunity to present a range of items, songs or dances to showcase their learning and to receive certificates and awards. Our Student Leaders have an important role in our School Assemblies. Parents are most welcome.
2023 Term Dates
Term 1: Friday 27th January – Thursday 6th April (2:30pm finish)
Term 2: Monday 24th April (pupil free) / students commence Wed 26th April – Friday 23rd June (2:30pm finish)
Term 3: Monday 10th July –Friday 15th September (2:30pm finish)
Term 4: Monday 2nd October – Wednesday 20th December (1:30pm finish)
2023 Public Holidays (School Free Days)
Labour Day: Monday 13th March
ANZAC Day: Tuesday 25th April
Queen’s Birthday: Monday 12th June
Melbourne Cup Day: Tuesday 7th November
Curriculum Days (Pupil Free Days)
Throughout the year the school will set Curriculum Days to enable staff to participate in onsite professional learning. Parents are notified of these dates in our newsletter and via Compass notification, after the dates have been approved by School Council. Our Outside School Hours Care runs a Curriculum Day program for students of working parents.
2023 Pupil Free Days
Friday 27th January
Friday 10th March
Monday 24th April
Monday 7th August (TBC)
Canteen
The school canteen is open every week day with counter sales available at both recess and lunchtimes. The canteen aims to sell quality food of high nutritional value, including a range of ‘homemade’ items, based on Department of Education’s Healthy Canteen Policy. Vegetarian and halal options are also available. Special lunch order days are organised each term.
Lunch may be ordered in two ways – manually and online.
To order lunch manually:
- On the outside of a paper ‘lunch size’ bag write child’s name, class, room number, lunch order and amount of money enclosed.
- Please place your money in the bag and fold it so the money is secure.
- The lunch order is placed in your child’s grade’s lunch tub first thing in the morning
To order lunch online:
- Visit www.quickcliq.com.au
(First time users sign up by completing the registration form. You will receive a confirmation email with activation link; activate your account; login to the website; add a student and nominate Karoo Primary School) - To order – select a student; add items; select date and confirm
- Online orders may be placed up to 9:00am on the day of the order
- Online orders may be cancelled if necessary up to 9:00am on the day of the order
- An email will be sent to you when your account balance is getting low
- Need help? … call Quickcliq on 1300 116637 from 7:30am Monday – Friday or emailinfo@quickcliq.com.au
Uniform
School uniform is compulsory and all students are required to be dressed accordingly, following our Student Dress Code Policy. Uniform items can be purchased through our uniform supplier:
Klad Sport
8 Macro Court, Rowville
Open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm and Saturdays 10:00am-1:00pm
Phone: 9763 0266
Fax: 9763 0276
It is compulsory for all Karoo students to wear a Karoo broad-brimmed or legionnaire hat during Terms 1 and 4 (including any outdoor sport/PE lesson during Terms 1 and 4). As part of our Sun Smart Policy, we adopt the policy ‘No hat, no play’.
Special uniform items are available for the following Year levels:
- Sports polo shirt (may only be worn on PE days, school athletics and sport days) – Years 3 to 6 only
- Senior Karoo polo shirts – Years 5 and 6 only
- Hooded Year 6 Jumper – Year 6 only
Second Hand Uniform
During the year KPA run several second hand uniform stalls where donated items of school uniform are sold at very low prices. This sale is advertised in school newsletter in the weeks leading up to the event. All money raised at this stall is donated to the school.
Parent Involvement
How can I become part of the Karoo Community?
Parents are encouraged to embrace opportunities to become involved in our school, whether supporting classroom learning programs, special events or celebrations, School Council or Karoo Parents Association or simply by keeping up to date with school news and happenings. Your contributions are valued and long lasting in this exciting part of your children’s lives. For more information on how you can be an active member of the Karoo Community, please speak with your child’s teacher or our Principal.
Ways our Parents can Help
- In the classroom (eg listening to children read)
- Assisting at events (eg excursions, camps or sporting activities)
- Supporting the school community (eg helping with working bees, sausage sizzles, fundraising activities, covering new books)
- Joining School Council or KPA
All volunteers are required to hold a current Working with Children Check.
Karoo Parents Association
Who we are
The Karoo Parents Association, known as KPA, consists of committed parents with an interest in fostering the sense of community we have at Karoo amongst the families of our students. The significance of parent and family involvement is important to giving our children the best possible experience of their primary school years. Not just from an educational perspective but also from a social, wellbeing and broader community perspective.
KPA recognises the valuable and fun times that these primary school years are for us as parents. We want to offer a sense of belonging to all parents and carers, and being involved is always a lot of fun to be a part of.
What we do
KPA play an integral role in the planning and implementation of a variety of different events and activities. We also take a leading role in helping the school to fundraise to support its many programs and activities.
Examples of some of the events that we have planned include:
- Foundation Transition Morning Tea
- Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls
- Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations
- Online Auction
- Second Hand Uniform Stalls
- Trivia Nights amongst many others
- Christmas Carols BBQ
How you can be involved
KPA has a core committee, which any family can join. As well as the committee we would appreciate as many helpers as possible to be involved in our ongoing activities and events. As a general rule we meet twice a term but please note that to be a part of the KPA you don’t need to attend regular meetings.
We use the KPA Facebook group as our main way of calling out for volunteers and of celebrating our achievements throughout the year. Please join to have access to all our events.
To be added to the Facebook group please search “KPA Community” via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/277538803823826
To contact us please send a message to secretary.kpa.karoops@gmail.com
Out of School Hours Care
Program Co-ordinator: Melissa Newlands
Phone: 9759 6288
The Outside School Hours Care Program is operated under the control of the School Council and is a non-profit program. A subcommittee of School Council meets regularly and welcomes your attendance. Notification of meetings will be given in the School newsletter and/or by a note beside the Sign In/Out book in the Outside School Hours Care room.
The program operates Monday to Friday during the school term, and caters for all children from Foundation to Year 6. Occasional care must be booked by phoning 9759 6288.
We provide quality care and education through play and exploration in a safe and secure environment.
School Day Hours
Before School Care:
Operates between 6:30am – 8:45am.
Child Care Subsidy applies to eligible families (see below).
After School Care:
Operates between 3:30pm – 6:00pm on school days and between 2:30pm/1:30pm – 6:00pm on ‘end of term’ days.
Child Care Subsidy applies to eligible families (see below).
Pupil Free Days:
Operates between 7:00am – 6:00pm
Child Care Subsidy applies to eligible families (see below). Cost varies based on activities planned.
Child Care Subsidy
Child Care Subsidy are payments made by the Commonwealth Government, generally paid directly to the child care providers, to assist parents of children in approved childcare services. Child Care Subsidy is available for Outside School Hours Care sessions including Curriculum Days. Fees for Outside School Hours Care vary depending on the individual’s level of Child Care Subsidy. Child Care Subsidy is means tested.
Out School Hours Care Form
Our enrolment form is now available online at www.smartcentral.net/v2/service_profile/show/409 and must be completed in full and submitted before students commence in the OSHC Program. A registration fee of $10 will be added to the parent’s account once care has commenced.
Communication
Contacting Teachers
Communication between home and school is highly regarded and valued at Karoo, and we pride ourselves on building strong relationships with our families. Teachers may be contacted via phone, email, through informal conversations, notes in student diary or by appointment. Please keep in mind however, that teachers regularly have meetings before and after school so if you require a detailed discussion an interview time should be arranged in advance.
‘Getting to know you’ Interviews
Held in Term 1, this interview provides a great opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and share any specific academic, social or emotional needs your child may have. Bookings are made through Compass.
Parent/Teacher Interviews
These interviews provide an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress following the release of the Semester One School Report.
Interpreter Service
Parents and carers who require assistance due to limited English or hearing impaired parents and carers who use sign language, have access to the interpreter service. An interpreter can be requested for school matters involving your child such as enrolments, educational progress, attendance, welfare or behaviour. Interpreters can also be requested for parent-teacher interviews and school meetings. Interpreter bookings are made by the school upon request.
Compass
Compass is a web-based school management system that allows parents to access a range of information regarding their child. By regularly logging in to Compass you will be kept well informed about what is happening at Karoo, and receive any information specific to your child. Parents can access Compass at their convenience via a smart phone or device connected to the internet. Parents will be able to:
- Approve past absences or enter upcoming absences for your son/daughter
- View up-to-date school attendance information
- Download, print, approve and pay upcoming events (excursions, incursions, etc)
- Book your Parent/Teacher interviews
- Access your child’s Semester Reports
- Receive communications including school updates and newsletters
- Update your email and mobile number details
- Receive an alert when actions are required
- Email your child’s teacher
Newsletter
The Karoo newsletter is produced fortnightly. Parents receive it electronically via Compass; it is also uploaded to the website and Compass School Documentation so parents may refer back to any edition throughout the year.
Guides for your information
Tutorials for your information
Click on the tutorial link you wish to view, complete your name and email address and click ‘register’.