Role of the Contact Teacher Contact Teachers will encourage students to be diligent about diary entries and the completion of homework. They will check diaries regularly to see if students are using them consistently and confirm if they are being signed by the parents/guardians. Subject teachers may also use the diary to convey messages to parents about their child’s work and parents are encouraged to send messages to teachers via the diary (including absence notes).
Homework is necessary and will make a difference.
In Brief: Students
Maintain their diary.
Parents/Guardians
Check and sign the diary each and every week.
Subject Teachers
Encourage the use of the diary.
Contact Teachers
Check the diaries regularly and advise the parents if there is a problem.
John Curtin College of the Arts has built a national reputation through the quality of its special programs in the Arts. The College has educated actors, dancers, artists, musicians and film makers who are prominent in Australian artistic life. The school has more than 1100 students and is 95% selective with students coming from across the state to participate in the Gifted and Talented programs. John Curtin College of the Arts is named after one of Australia’s greatest Prime Ministers. John Curtin (1885 - 1945) led Australia through the crisis of World War II and is the only WA Member of Parliament to lead this country’s government. John Curtin College of the Arts was established in 2000 after a 10 year program of reflection and planning and it is now Western Australia’s only Selective Arts School. The real beginnings of John Curtin College of the Arts occurred with the opening of the Fremantle Free Grammar School in 1856. This was a coeducational school which became Fremantle Boys’ School and Princess May’s Girls’ School. The first permanent building on the site of today’s college was a Manual Arts building for Fremantle Boys’ School completed in 1943. John Curtin Senior High School was founded in 1954 from the merger of the two historic local schools: Fremantle Boys’ and Princess May’s Girls’ School. The change of name from John Curtin Senior High School plus the change of its status has resulted from the recognition of the unique role that the college has played in the education of students drawn from across the state in the area of the arts for over 25 years.
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John Curtin College of The Arts (Senior)
Arts John Curtin College of the Arts is Western Australia’s only Selective Arts School. We offer seven Arts programs: Artsmedia, Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Drama, Music, Music Theatre and Visual Arts. Candidates for the programs participate in a selection process. The college has produced many famous names in the Arts industry and is highly successful in preparing students for institutions such as the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, National Institute of Dramatic Arts and the Victorian College of the Arts.
Soccer Excellence John Curtin was the first school to establish a specialist soccer program. The program has been operating since 1990 and helps students develop skills, attitudes and knowledge to enable them to compete successfully in soccer at the highest level. Many of our graduates have played in professional teams internationally, as well as in state and national teams. Some notable names are Brad Jones, David Tarka and Lisa Da Vanna.
So that good order can be maintained in the college, the following rules def ine the boundaries of appropriate behaviour. »» Active Recreation – Active recreation at recess and lunch, including sports, throwing/kicking balls etc. may occur only on the oval. Students must not engage in rough play likely to result in injury in the grounds before college, recess or lunchtime. »» Attendance – All students must attend regularly and account for every absence from the college with an explanation from their parents/guardians. »» Chewing Gum – Chewing gum must not be used or brought to the college. »» College Resources – Texts, desks, walls, chairs, etc. must be kept in good condition. GRAFFITI or wilful damage to property will incur strong sanctions. »» College Uniform – Students must abide by the college Uniform Policy. This rule applies during all examination times for students in Years 10, 11 and 12. »» Eating in Class – Students must not eat in class. »» Leaving the College Grounds – Once a student arrives at the college they must not leave the grounds unless they have written permission from their parents/guardians and have signed out in Student Services. All students required to leave the college during the day will be provided a Government Leave Pass. »» Litter – Students must place ALL litter in a bin. »» Mobile Phones – Mobiles are not needed or allowed to be used during the college day. Students have access to a blue phone and parents/guardians may phone the college in case of an emergency. Mobile phones are a major device for bullying and a target for theft. Any mobile phone seen or heard by staff during the college day will be confiscated and held by a Deputy Principal to be collected at the end of the day of the first offence. Students who continue to contravene the procedures for use of a mobile phone will face further sanctions as outlined in the policy. John Curtin College of The Arts (Senior)
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»» Movement Around the College – Students must not enter a classroom unless a teacher is present. Students out of class must carry either a red slip or diary pass signed by a teacher. »» MP3 Players and iPods, large sums of money and other valuables – must NOT be brought to the college. Along with mobile phones these items are major targets for theft and the college does not take responsibility for any valuable items lost or stolen. Any MP3 Players / iPods seen or heard by staff will be confiscated and held by a Deputy Principal or a Manager of Student Services to be collected at the end of the day. »» Obedience to teacher instructions – Students must follow the lawful instructions of teachers and other staff at all times. Disobeying or hindering a teacher or other staff member carrying out their duties is a serious breach of the Behaviour Management Policy and will incur strong sanctions. »» Out of Bounds – Certain areas of the college are out of bounds. These are: –– the main staff, Vale Street, canteen and car parks; –– basketball/tennis courts; –– hall and hall foyer, Curtin Theatre, Ellen Street Theatre, dance studio and gym (unless a teacher is present) –– area between Student Services, the Library and Ellen Street Theatre; –– area between Arts department building and hall; –– oval (first half of lunch) Note: NO FOOD OR DRINKS ARE ALLOWED ON THE OVAL OR BANKS AT ANY TIME; –– front entrance, front lawn, main foyer and staircase; –– staff room (except by invitation); –– upstairs areas (lunch and recess time); –– classrooms (unless a teacher is present). »» Prohibited Substances – Possession or consumption of prohibited substances such as cigarettes, alcohol or any other illegal drugs is not permitted on college grounds or at college functions including camps and excursions. »» Punctuality – All students are expected to be at the college at least 10 minutes before the start of the college day, at 8:25am. Every time a student is late for the start of the day they must have an explanation from their parents/guardians. All students are expected to be in their classes by the start of the lesson time. »» Skateboards and laser lights – These items must not be brought to the college. If brought to school they will be confiscated. Laser lights in particular are a danger to eyesight. »» Toilet or Drink Visits – Students are expected to visit the toilet, refill drink bottles and take care of other personal needs during break times and not during class time. Teachers can refuse requests during class times if close to a break time. »» Treatment of college community members – Members of our college will treat others with respect, care and compassion. We will not engage in behaviours which cause distress to others, e.g. teasing, swearing, or hitting.
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John Curtin College of The Arts (Senior)
The college uniform is compulsory, the wearing of which is monitored. All items can be purchased from the uniform shop which is located near the college canteen and is open each Friday 12.55 – 1.25pm for students and 12.15 – 12.55pm and 1.25 – 1.45pm for parents ONLY. Please ensure all clothing is clearly labelled with the name of the student.
Acceptable College Wear (Years 8–10) The uniform consists of: »» Navy blue or white short sleeved polo shirt with college logo »» White button through cotton shirt with college logo »» Navy blue and white parachute jacket with the college logo »» Navy blue sweater with the college logo (hood/ zip) »» John Curtin College of the Arts woollen jumper with logo – V-neck »» Navy long sleeved rugby knit polo shirt with college logo »» Plain navy blue trackpants »» Plain navy blue shorts for PE and/or drama »» Plain navy blue cargo shorts – for general wear (boardie length or long; mid thigh length for girls) »» Straight/pleated plain navy blue skirt »» Navy blue waterproof bomber jacket with logo »» Plain navy blue, black or flesh coloured stockings »» Students must wear shoes that enclose the foot. This is for safety reasons. »» John Curtin College of the Arts tie (optional) »» Hats are to worn only during out of doors PE classes and at recess and lunchtime.
Examples of Unacceptable College Wear »» Denim »» Clothing with visible brand names that are greater than 4 cm by 4cm »» Stripes of any colour / width on any pants, skirts, shorts »» Coloured t-shirts underneath uniform unless it is navy blue or white – no other colour is acceptable »» Skirts/pants with frayed edges/stripes of any size »» Thongs, ugg boots, high heels, scuffs, sandals, backless shoes »» Stockings which are not plain navy, plain black, or flesh colour i.e. fishnets and other patterns are not to be worn »» Short skirts Please Note: The above list is NOT a comprehensive list of what might be unacceptable. The test of acceptability is meeting the requirements stated on this page in a manner which does not breach standards generally accepted across Australian workplaces.
Uniform Exemption Pass The approved Department of Education and Training sanctions will apply to students who do not meet the college uniform requirements. This includes loss of good standing for a specified period. If there is a medical or hardship reason why correct college uniform cannot be worn on a particular day/s, then a student must take a letter from a parent/guardian to a Manager of Student Services prior to the start of the college day to receive a Uniform Exemption Pass.
»» Light blue polo PE t-shirt »» Plain navy blue backpacks – chiropractic recommended (large or small) »» Logo shirts, t-shirt and jumper/sweater jackets »» Approved trackpants (plain navy) John Curtin College of The Arts (Senior)
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Physical Education Sessions Students are required to change for each Physical Education (PE) lesson. The light blue PE polo shirt is a minimum requirement and a change of shorts or pants is preferred. Students are encouraged to wear hats during PE classes. Sports type footwear that is suitable to physical activity must be worn. Sandals or shoes with leather or plastic soles are dangerous and must not be worn.
GATE and Specialist Programs Students enrolled in the GATE Arts and Soccer Excellence programs are expected to adhere to the additional uniform requirements as outlined in the respective handbook. These items must be worn only during specialist classes, training, rehearsals, performances and games.
Casual Dress Days Each term the Student Council organises a Casual Dress Day to increase student morale and raise funds for charities and student facilities. The “casual� in the casual dress day is that students are not required to wear their uniforms. Students are permitted to wear their own choice of clothing however all attire must still be appropriate. Examples of inappropriate items include midriff tops or tops that do not reach over jeans, offensive or inappropriate clothes (images that promote alcohol or other drugs, offensive slogans, pictures or language), short/mini skirts, thongs, ugg boots and open foot-wear e.g. high heels and thongs. The whole foot must be covered including back support.
The John Curtin College of the Arts Council (Inc) works with the college to develop and review policies and practices in such areas as college dress and health, the college budget and the college development plan. The College Council is made up of elected members from the Student Council, the Staff Association, P&C and the general parent body. The Principal is an ex-officio member. The P&C representative on the College Council is elected at the AGM for a two-year term. P&C Association (Inc) is a voice of the parents providing valuable feedback to the college while giving members an insight into college life. Members assist in various college subcommittees such as Grounds, Finance and Curtin Calls, and operate the second hand bookshop and the canteen, which is the college’s main fundraiser. All parents and community members are welcome to attend meetings which are held at 7pm in the college staffroom on the second Wednesday of each month. The first meeting for 2009 is on Wednesday, 11th February. Any changes are posted in Curtin Calls.
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John Curtin College of The Arts (Senior)
Absence Parents and guardians are asked to phone or fax on the day or write a note to explain each student absence and where possible let Student Services know in advance. A Student Services Attendance Hotline is available 24 hours to notify Student Services of a student absence. Telephone 9433 7261 or fax 9433 7237.
Assessment Policy A copy of this policy will be given to each student at the beginning of 2009.
Athletics, Swimming and Lightning Carnivals All students must attend college on these days. For students not participating, classes run as per normal.
Attendance It is a legal requirement that all students attend school from the ages of 5-17 on the designated contact days under Section 23 of the School Education Act 1999. Regular attendance at the college is compulsory for students until the end of the year in which they turn 17. All students are required by law to explain each absence by a note or fax or phone call from a parent or guardian. Students are encouraged to give notes directly to Student Services or to their Contact Teacher. If a student’s absence from college reaches an unacceptable level then the School Attendance Officer from the Fremantle District Office may require an interview with the student and/or his or her parents/guardians to ascertain why this is occurring. If a student is receiving the Commonwealth Youth Allowance it is vital all absences are explained. The college has an attendance policy in place to minimise truancy and maintain communication links with parents and guardians.
Behaviour Management Policy All students at John Curtin have the right to learn in an environment free from disruption by others. The Behaviour Management Policy is not based on punishment, rather, it is a series of steps designed to manage and improve student behaviour. The guidelines and procedures for student behaviour are based on the college’s values and are displayed on page 4 of this diary. Note: Certain Learning Areas have additional rules. Teachers will outline acceptable behaviour for their classrooms.
Bike Racks Bike racks are located on the verge of the staff carpark near the Manual Arts building. Note: The college cannot accept responsibility if bikes are stolen or damaged when parked on college premises.
John Curtin College of The Arts (Senior)
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