TGS - Preparatory Year Handbook

Preparatory Year

Table of Contents

Table of Contents 1

Head of the Junior School’s Welcome 2 Welcome from one of our Prep Teachers 3 Term Dates – 2023 4 Hours & Timetables 5 Office Hours 5 School Hours 5 The Junior School Timetable 5 General Information 6 Absence 6 After School Care 6 Allergies 6 Arrival / Departure 6 Birthdays 6 Diary 6 Formal Assembly 6 Hats 6 Hair 6 Health Centre 7 Home Reading 7 Library 7 Lost Property 7

Munch and Crunch, Morning Tea and Lunch 7 Parental Concerns 7

Parent Help 7 Policies 7 Raincoat 7 Spare Clothes 7 Specialist Teachers 7 Sunscreen 7

Teacher Aides 7 Toilets 8 Tuckshop 8 Uniform 8 The Uniform Shop Hours 8

Head of Junior School’s Welcome

“You’re off to great places” the fabulous quote from Dr Seuss’s book ‘Oh the places you’ll go’ resonates nicely for your son’s introduction to Prep and Toowoomba Grammar School. This children’s classic captures beautifully the adventures of childhood and the journey that awaits them in the years ahead.

Prep is a significant year in a student’s life, for both the child and their family. The Early Childhood phases and the early years of schooling are periods of incredible development for children. They are discovering the world around them with all its wonders, using their senses to experience different environments. This is why Early Childhood educators utilise so many different materials and settings, children are naturally curious learners and love to explore. The Prep year harnesses these experiences to promote a love of learning and fosters their curiosity. Your son will feel a sense of belonging to a community, both within Prep and the broader School with older student mentors who adore getting to know our Preps and supporting them.

This handbook provides an initial reference point for information regarding the routines, features, and opportunities available to your son and family in Prep. As this is often the year of many ‘firsts’ for your son, and the family, we encourage parents to feel comfortable making contact for more information and maintaining a close connection to the School. Our community is a valued feature of Toowoomba Grammar School, we wholeheartedly welcome you to connect in with events and activities if you are able to do so.

My sincerest best wishes for a very special year ahead, your son’s Prep year. This is an important milestone for every family, and the beginning of a great adventure.

Mr Ken Raven Head of Junior School

Welcome from one of our Prep Teachers

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your son to our Toowoomba Grammar School Prep Year. This is a significant milestone in his life, and we are delighted to be a part of it. Your son will be welcomed into a warm and caring environment which will allow him to develop and enhance his character, social and academic skills. We also look forward to working with you to build strong relationships between home and school.

There are many exciting experiences to look forward to throughout the year. These included excursions during Outdoor Education Week, Under Eights’ Week and Book Week. We also have a variety of sporting carnivals, including swimming, cross country and track and field. It is through these experiences that the boys develop their School and House spirit.

The year will be filled with lots of learning, lots of discovery and lots of fun! We want every Grammar Boy to feel safe, cared about and excited when they come to school each day. Toowoomba Grammar School is a special place for boys to learn, play and develop into confident, happy young men. We look forward to sharing the first year of this wonderful educational experience.

Kind regards

Mrs Amelia Grills Prep G Class Teacher

Term Dates – 2023

Semester 1

Term 1

January

Monday, 23 January Interviews with new boys; Staff In-Service Day

Monday, 23 January All boarders return by 7:30pm Tuesday, 24 January Classes commence Thursday, 26 January Australia Day (Australia Day Public Holiday)

March

Thursday, 30 March Holidays commence at 3:10pm Friday, 31 March Toowoomba Show Holiday Friday, 31 March Travel Day for boys

April

Friday, 7 April Good Friday Sunday, 9 April Easter Sunday Monday, 10 April Easter Monday

Term 2

April

Monday, 17 April Parent Teacher Meetings (Years 7 – 12)

Monday, 17 April All boarders return by 5:00pm Tuesday, 18 April Classes commence Monday, 24 April Parent Teacher Meetings (Years 7 – 12) Tuesday, 25 April ANZAC Day

May

Monday, 1 May Labour Day Public Holiday

June

Thursday, 15 June Holidays commence at 3:10pm Friday, 16 June Travel Day for boys

Semester 2

Term 3 July

Monday, 10 July Parent Teacher Meetings (Years 7 – 12) Monday, 10 July All boarders return by 5:00pm Tuesday, 11 July Classes commence

September

Thursday, 14 September Holidays commence at 3:10pm Friday, 15 September Travel Day for boys

Term 4

October

Monday, 2 October Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday Tuesday, 3 October Parent Teacher Meetings (Years 7 – 12) Tuesday, 3 October All boarders return by 5:00pm Wednesday, 4 October Classes commence

November

Wednesday, 22 November Speech Day and Prize Giving Ceremony, Empire Theatre at 4:30pm

Thursday, 23 November Holidays commence at 3:10pm Friday, 24 November Travel Day for boys

Hours & Timetables

Office Hours

The Junior School Office is open from 7:45am until 4:30pm (Monday to Thursday) and 7:45am - 4:00pm (Friday). The Junior School Office opens Term Time only.

The Senior School Office is open in school holidays.

School Hours

Boys are expected to arrive at school for an 8:25am start but may be dropped at school from 8:00am. Boys conclude school at 3:10pm, with the pick - up zone being staffed until 3:30pm.

The Junior School Timetable

8:00am Playground supervision commences

8:25am Lessons commence 10:25am Morning tea

10:50am Class 12:45pm Lunch 1:35pm Class 3:10pm School day concludes

Prep boys may be collected from the classroom. The remaining boys will be escorted to the drive through area and front entrance of the Junior School.

General Information

Absence

On the day that your son is absent, and on any subsequent days, parents can log an absence on Parent Lounge, or alternatively may email or telephone to inform the School.

On the day that your son returns to school he must hand his teacher a note explaining his absence or parents can send this information via email.

After School Care

After School Care is run by an external provider, Hall Thorpe Sports. After School Care operates Monday to Friday from 3:10pm to 6:00pm. If you would like your son to attend After School Care you need to complete the appropriate documentation online via Hall Thorpe Sports by accessing their website www.hallthorpesports.com.au. The fees and conditions are outlined in the application.

Allergies

There are several students in the Junior School who have lifethreatening allergies. This includes allergies to nuts and eggs. A severe, life-threatening reaction may occur if these boys ingest or come into contact with such foods. We respectfully request that parents refrain from sending their boys to school with items including:

» Peanut butter sandwiches

» Food bars containing nuts

» Nuts or products containing nuts

Additionally, boys are not permitted to share food with one another.

Arrival / Departure

Boys need to arrive at the Junior School for an 8:25am start. Between 8:00am and 8:25am parents are welcome to stay. At this time parents also have the opportunity to have brief conversations with your son’s teacher. Parents who wish to raise a concern of a more important nature need to organise a meeting time so it may be discussed more privately.

At 8:25am formal lessons begin. On arrival, boys need to place their TGS homework bag in the baskets. The TGS homework bags will be used to protect diaries, notes and home readers. A second TGS bag is used for library.

At 3:10pm the boys will be escorted to the drive through area where they may be collected. Alternatively, they may be collected from the classroom at 3:10pm. Parents need to advise their son’s teacher if their son is required to attend After School Care. They may do this in person or via a note in the diary.

Birthdays

If you would like to bring a cake, cupcakes or some other form of individual treat to school to celebrate your son’s birthday, please negotiate a suitable time with your son’s teacher. Your son will receive a “treat”, to celebrate his birthday at the weekly sails assembly.

Diary

Boys will be issued with a Junior School diary. The diary is an important mode of communication between school and home and needs to be brought to school each day. Parents need to sign their son’s diary, Monday to Friday. The diary will be used to record upcoming events and changes to routine. Parents are encouraged to use the diary to provide feedback or request information when necessary.

Formal Assembly

Parents are welcome to attend the Junior School Assembly, they occur each Thursday in the Junior School Hall at 2.10pm.

Hats

The Junior School is a SunSmart School and we abide by the policy, “NO HAT, NO PLAY”. If your son misplaces his hat or forgets to bring it to school then he will be asked to play in the shade. The school hat is an important and essential part of the Junior School uniform and must be worn to and from school.

Hair

The School’s regulations regarding haircuts are as follows: the hair must not touch the collar, and must be neatly shaped at the back of the neck. The ears must not be obscured. Extremes of hairstyles are not permitted (including very short haircuts and mullets).

Health Centre

Medical attention is available to all boys while they are at school. Accidents or cases which require urgent attention will be dealt with immediately, but boys requiring non urgent attention, or those taking regular medication, are expected to visit the Health Centre. Prep boys will be escorted to and from the Health Centre by an adult when they visit. If parents have any concerns please telephone the Health Centre on (07) 4687 2504 between 7:00am and 7:00pm or email at health@twgs.qld.edu.au

Home Reading

In the Junior School we believe that reading is central to academic success. All boys will be expected to read a book every night, Monday to Thursday. Parents are encouraged to read to their sons each night for pleasure.

Home Reading books will be appropriate to the age and reading level of your son. Information on how you may support your son will be provided during the Parent Information session held early in Term 1. You will be required to sign your son’s home reading diary each night. Your son must return his reader in order to receive a new home reading book.

Library

Prep classes have a library lesson each week. Your son will be able to borrow three library books each week. He will borrow and return his library book in his TGS library bag.

Lost Property

Please ensure all items of clothing are clearly labelled with your son’s name. If your son misplaces an item, it can then be returned promptly. Stitched on labels are preferred on clothing. The lost property box is located outside the staffroom beneath the sports noticeboard.

Munch and Crunch, Morning Tea and Lunch

Prep boys participate in Munch and Crunch during the morning session each day. Prep boys are required to bring a piece of fruit or vegetable for themselves each day. Prep boys do not order morning tea from the tuckshop but they may order lunch (refer to Tuckshop on page 9 for placing orders). Morning tea will be from 10:25am to 10:50am. Boys eat their morning tea in the undercroft and then move to the playground. Lunch is from 12:45pm to 1:35pm. Boys eat their lunch in the undercroft and then move to the playground.

Parental Concerns

Parents will have the opportunity to ask questions or discuss concerns with your son’s teacher before school. Parents who wish to raise a matter of a more important nature need to arrange a meeting time so it may be addressed effectively by contacting the Junior School Office between 7:45am and 4:30pm.

Parent Help

Parents will be encouraged to help with class reading during the week. Your son’s teacher will provide information about helping in the classroom at the first parent meeting.

Policies

See the Junior School Handbook 2023.

Raincoat

The navy blue School tracksuit top can be purchased from the Uniform Shop and can be worn on rainy days. Alternative wet weather clothing is not permitted.

Spare clothes

It is essential that your son has a change of school clothes, including underwear, in his school bag should this be required.

Specialist Teachers

The boys will have specialist teachers for the following lessons:

Library

Music

Physical Education

French and Japanese

Health

Art / Woodwork

Voiceworks (choir)

Sunscreen

Boys are encouraged to apply sunscreen before school each day. Boys may also use the sunscreen that is available in the classroom.

Teacher Aides

The Prep classes have teacher aide support from Monday to Friday.

Toilets

Separate toilet facilities for boys in Prep to Year 2 are provided and are located next to the Library.

Tuckshop

The Tuckshop at the School is run by a private operator, although the School discusses with the proprietor the food that is on offer. Special arrangements are in place for Junior School boys, and if they wish to place an order for the tuckshop the following procedure applies:

» Order via the ‘Spriggy Schools’ app.

» Orders need to be received on the app no later than 9.00am on the day of the order. No later orders can be accepted.

Uniform

The School’s uniform and its various codes are clearly outlined in the Junior School Handbook and all Toowoomba Grammar School boys are expected to appear properly dressed at all times in correct School uniform. Boys in Prep are not required to wear Blazer Uniform.

The Prep uniform consists of the Prep polo shirt and blue PE shorts with gold stripe. The long-sleeved Prep polo shirt may be worn in Terms 2 and 3. School sports socks, lace up or velcro sports shoes and the School soft brimmed hat make up the rest of the uniforms. Boys are permitted to wear the navy blue school tracksuit when the weather is cooler or the School hoodie.

The Junior School art smock is to be worn during art and craft activities. The Junior School art smock is to be purchased from the Uniform Shop.

The School insists that all boys have the correct uniform and that it be worn completely and according to the rules at all times. With the exception of shoes, the only items of uniform acceptable are those available for purchase at the Toowoomba Grammar School Uniform Shop.

The Uniform Shop Hours

The Shop sells new and second-hand clothing including sports uniforms. It is open at the following times:

During Term Time

Monday 8:00am – 5:00pm Tuesday to Friday inclusive 1:00pm – 5:00pm (closed last day of each term - excluding Christmas break)

First Day of Term – Terms 2 & 4 9:00am – 5:00pm

End of Year and in the New Year - Please visit the TGS website for opening hours.

All school uniforms will be available from November for any parents wishing to purchase uniforms early. To avoid delays and congestion in January, please take advantage of the opening times in November and December.

Uniform Shop Telephone (07) 4687 2528 Email uniform@twgs.qld.edu.au

facebook.com/ToowoombaGrammarSchool

@toowoombagrammar Address 24 Margaret Street TOOWOOMBA QLD 4350

Postal Address Toowoomba Grammar School PO Box 2900 TOOWOOMBA QLD 4350

Telephone Numbers Main School Office (07) 4687 2500 Junior School (07) 4687 2555

Email and Home Page Addresses tgsjuniorschool@twgs.qld.edu.au tgs@twgs.qld.edu.au www.twgs.qld.edu.au