Key information for parents of Academy students

 
 

Daily schedule

  • 8.30 - 8:45  Before school playground

  • 8.45 - 9.15 Homeroom

  • 9.15 - 10.45 Session 1

  • 10.45 - 11.15  Recess

  • 11.15 - 12.45  Session 2

  • 12.45 - 1.30  Lunch

  • 1.30 - 3.15  Session 3

  • 3.15 - 3.45  After school pick up

  • 3.45 - 5.00  After school activities

The school Administration Office is open each school day between the hours of:

  • 9.00am - 3.30 pm

2024 term dates

Term 1 Tue 30 Jan - Fri 12 Apr (11 weeks)

Term 2 Tue 30 Apr - Fri 28 Jun (9 weeks)

Term 3 Tue 23 Jul - Fri 27 Sep (10 weeks)

Term 4 Mon 14 Oct - Fri 6 Dec (8 weeks)

2025 term dates

Term 1 Mon 03 Feb - Fri 11 Apr (10 weeks)

Term 2 Tue 29 Apr - Fri 27 Jun (9 weeks)

Term 3 Tue 22 Jul - Fri 26 Sep (10 weeks)

Term 4 Mon 13 Oct - Wed 10 Dec (9 weeks)

 
 

Parent Referral Discount Program

At the Academy, we value community and growing our school together.

That's why we've developed our Parent Referral Discount Program.

 

HOW DOES IT WORK?

When you personally refer friends or family with a school aged child to the Academy, and they are offered and accept a place in the school you will receive a one-off Referral Discount valued at $500 towards your own child/ren's tuition and fees.

If the family you refer has more than one child, a $200 reward for each subsequent child enrolled at the same time will also be given.

The family you refer will also receive the same reward, so you both benefit!

There is no limit on the amount of referrals you can make.

All current Academy families are eligible to receive referral discounts.

Download your Academy Referral Discount Program Nomination form below or from the parent portal.

Complete your details, and then pass the Nomination to your family or friends to fill in and attach to their completed Application for Enrolment form before returning it to the Academy’s reception for processing.

We are more than just a school - the Academy is a community. We look forward to building our school community with you, together.

Parent Portal


To approve excursion attendance and more, log in to the Parent Portal.


For student absences - please email office@theacademy.nsw.edu.au with the following information:

  • Student Name

  • Date(s) for absence

  • Reason for absence (sick, travel, family matters, appointment, etc.)

  • Any other comment explaining the reason for absence

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Canteen menu

Forms

 

Dress code

There is no mandatory uniform - the Academy operates on a student dress code.

The Academy complies with SunSmart recommendations which include at a minimum:

  • short sleeves and shorts that are around knee length; and

  • a broad brimmed or legionnaire style hat.

Students are to dress in a business casual / smart capacity. There will be no jeans or t-shirts, nor clothing with logos/writing.

  • Shorts, dresses or skirts/skorts should be approximately knee length and may be in any colour or appropriate pattern.

  • Collared shirts are expected and can be either a polo shirt, button up shirt or blouse.

  • Shoes may be either formal black school shoes or sturdy athletic sports shoes.

  • School pants can be in any colour or pattern and should be tailored (no track pants or leggings.)

  • On the day school sport is scheduled, students may choose to wear plain tracksuit pants and a plain polo shirt in any colour with sports shoes.

Sun sense

The increasing incidence of skin cancer in Australia is a matter of concern for the whole community, including schools. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world with an estimated 160,000 new cases and 1,200 deaths each year. Our school takes sun safety seriously and run programs designed to make students aware of the damaging effects of the sun. 

Students are encouraged to protect their skin by: 

  • Reducing exposure to the sun and remaining in the shade wherever possible, particularly during peak UVR times

  • Wearing approved brimmed hats in the playground to protect the face, neck and ears, and playing in shaded areas

  • Our school has a 'No hat, play in the shade' policy for recess and lunchtimes.

  • Sun safety is also important outside of school. Whether in the backyard or on the beach, children should wear a hat and sunscreen. By practising sun safety at home, parents and caregivers can help teachers to enforce sun safety rules in school.

 
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“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”

— Aristotle

 
 

Student and teacher code of conduct

 

Rights and responsibilities for students and teachers include: 

  • expected standards of behaviour in the classroom, playground and while travelling to and from school

  • safety in and around the school and at all school activities

  • acceptable standards of behaviour while on excursions and participating in or attending sporting or other activities

  • obedience to requests from staff and others in positions of authority

  • adherence to the standards of dress determined by the school community

  • prohibition of illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco and weapons

  • positive and respectful relationships between all members of the school community.

 

 

Homework

 

There are three types of homework :

  • Practise Exercises help students to remember and practice newly acquired skills - such as memorising mathematical tables, practising spelling words, writing essays and reading for pleasure.

  • Preparatory Homework requires students to source and read background information to prepare them for future lessons on a specific subject - such as reading an article on the Gold Rush in preparation for a lesson in Australian history.

  • Extension Assignments encourage students to pursue knowledge individually and imaginatively. Assignments may include writing a book review, researching local news or retrieving items from the Internet.

 

 

Safety of students

 

As soon as children enter the school grounds, their safety and security is one of our priorities. The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics has found that schools are 10 times safer than the general community. This safe learning environment is maintained by a range of strategies designed to prevent violence and to promote positive relationships including: programs on conflict resolution, peer support, anti-racism programs, anti-discrimination and harassment programs, student leadership and mediation training programs. Guidelines on these programs are available from your school. We believe that school learning environments should be free from bullying and harassment. Parents/caregivers are urged to immediately report cases of bullying or harassment to the school Principal.

Child protection

We are responsible for the care and welfare of our students. Our charter is to protect young people from sexual, physical and emotional abuse, neglect and from improper conduct of a sexual nature. What checks are made? 

  1. By law, Working With Children checks are carried out on anyone working on school grounds in any capacity, this includes: paid permanent and casual staff, volunteers and contractors.

  2. We negotiate arrangements with other state education systems to prevent paedophiles from crossing the border and getting teaching jobs in other states.

  3. We ensure all our staff are aware of their responsibilities to report child sexual assault and improper conduct of a sexual nature by staff members against students.

  4. We provide regular training and have mandatory updates on child protection issues.

  5. We have a team of investigators with experience and expertise in child protection matters to respond to allegations of improper conduct by members of staff.

Since 1999, child protection education has been mandatory in all public schools. In the classroom, as part of Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, teachers educate students to recognise when they may be unsafe and how to get help. 

Playground safety rules

Playground safety is an issue that affects all students and staff and a consistent approach will ensure that minimal accidents will occur. All serious accidents should be reported and noted so that, in the case of litigation against the school, the details can be readily recalled. 

  • Use concrete areas in a sensible manner.

  • Stay out of classrooms unless there is a teacher present

  • Stay in areas designated for play

  • Take a seat to eat

  • No Hat - No Play (in sunny areas)

  • Play sensible, safe games

  • Do not play before the morning supervision

  • If there is a playground problem, see the teacher on duty immediately

  • Bicycles and Skateboards are not to be ridden in the school grounds during school hours or at school based functions.

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Parent and volunteers code of conduct

All parents and caregivers who enter onto the school premises do so in the knowledge that the school community expect them to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. The Principal has the right to deny or terminate parent help in any classroom or with any parent at any time. Please understand if this decision is made it in no way reflects upon you as an individual or the value the staff place on your contribution to the learning of our students. 

Parents and Volunteers are expected: 

  • to be outstanding role models for all students

  • to work under the professional direction of staff, following school policies

  • to speak in a kind and friendly way to all students, staff, parents and community members

  • to maintain confidentiality

  • to report any issues of concern to teachers (and not directly intervene)

  • to keep a safe and professional distance from all students

  • As Parents, caregivers and Community members we expect:

  • our children to be respected

  • our children to be safe and to feel secure

  • our children to be protected from inappropriate behaviours and language. Incidents between students will be dealt with in accordance with existing school discipline and welfare policies.

As helpers in the school, there may be times when private and confidential information is open to observation and perusal. Information gained from your experiences at this school must not be shared with any other person(s). 

  1. All helpers must refer questions regarding a student’s progress to the child’s teacher.

  2. Please assist the school by signing the attendance book at the front office whenever entering the school and leaving the school for volunteering purposes. This is a Work Health and Safety mandatory requirement by the Department of Education.

  3. Please observe that the taking of photos or videos of students is strictly prohibited.

Thank you for volunteering to support the school in this way. Your support and enthusiasm will make a difference to the students with whom you work. Helping children is very rewarding and we hope you find the role you play in supporting students satisfying and rewarding too.

Parents and Other Persons on School Grounds Code of Conduct

Schools should be places where students, staff, parents and visitors to the school should feel safe and happy. Ensuring that our school remains a pleasant and safe place for all is the responsibility of all who enter the school grounds. Parents and visitors to the school are expected to: 

  1. Treat all persons associated with the school with respect, courtesy and dignity; staff are not to be bullied, harassed or intimidated on any level.

  2. Keep clear of all buildings and entrances;

  3. Ensure their child/children are punctual to class;

  4. Make appointments in advance rather than expecting to obtain an interview immediately;

  5. Leave the grounds when requested;

  6. Allow staff to supervise, investigate and manage students without interference;

  7. Make complaints about the school, staff or students through the correct procedures;

  8. Request permission to attend the school when they have a lawful excuse;

  9. Follow school procedures governing entry and behaviour on school grounds, including any restrictions that may be imposed.

This Code of Conduct is intended to ensure that students, staff, parents and other visitors are not subjected to behaviours that wound their feelings, arouse anger, resentment, disgust or outrage. Failure to abide by this Code of Conduct may lead to limited access to the Academy staff and grounds. For more details, please see the Parent Handbook.

Important contacts

 

Kids Helpline
1800 551 800

Kids Helpline is a 24-hour, seven day a week counselling service for Australian young people aged between 5 and 25 years. Kids Helpline talk to more than 6,000 kids each week, about all sorts of problems. Young people can access Kids Helpline by calling 1800 551 800 or visiting their website.

Lifeline
13 11 14

Lifeline offer a free 24-hour telephone counselling service. Anyone can call Lifeline at any time. As well as providing telephone counselling, Lifeline can provide you with information about other support services available in your area. You can contact them by either calling on 13 11 14 or visiting their website.

Child protection

If you are a victim of child abuse or know a child needing protection contact Child Protection Service in your area.

NSW: Child Protection & Family Services 132 111 (24 hours) or 1800 212 936 (TTY)

Police youth liaison officer (YLO): 6883 1599