Class Placement Policy

Outlined below is the process we use at Yangebup Primary to place students in classes for the start of the year. Also included are answers to questions that parents may have about class placement. Staff at Yangebup Primary are committed to meeting the educational needs of all students. A great deal of thought, planning and time go into placing children into classes. Every effort will be made to place each child in a learning environment that is productive and successful.

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Rationale

Yangebup Primary School creates its class structure based on the professional judgement of staff taking into account the students’ academic, social and emotional needs.

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Guidelines

Factors influencing class structure are:

• the educational needs of the students

• the projected number of students in each year level

• the ratio of girls to boys

• projected enrolments during the year based on past trends

• the number of teachers employed at the school

• the constraints of resources and facilities

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Factors which are considered in the placement of students include:

• academic performance

• work habits (e.g. ability to work independently)

• behaviour

• gender

• social network

• social maturity

• special needs

• family situations (e.g. twins, siblings)

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Process

Staff meet mid fourth term to establish the classes for the following school year. Teachers of the current and past year levels make the decision about where to place those students for the following year.

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Teachers ensure each new class has:

• a balance of academic ability

• gender balance

• socially balanced groups (students are not always put with best friends so new friendships can be formed)

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Class placements are then approved by the principal. Parents may write to the principal to give information that the school should take into account in order to place their child. This must be based on their child’s educational needs. Requests in relation to choice of teacher will not be considered as a placement factor.​

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Common Questions

Why do we ask parents to leave class placement in the hands of the teaching staff?

As professional educators we strive to make the right choices taking into account all of the information we have about all students. Parents do know their children best, however teachers have all of the academic and social information about every child and can make sound judgements to meet the needs of every student.

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Why does the school have some split grade classes?

Staffing is dependent on the enrolment numbers. Therefore split grade classes are often necessary to ensure that we have appropriate sized classes for each year level. The practice of combining grades in one class is well supported by research and our beliefs about how children learn. That is, research shows us that students are not disadvantaged by being in a split grade class. The difference in academic ability and maturity can vary by about 5 years across a straight grade class and 5 or 6 in a split grade class. The added advantage of a split grade class is that students make friendships across grades.

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Can I request my child to be placed with another child or not placed with another child?

Parents may request this but need to give clear reasons why this is necessary. It is important to consider that the school knows your child’s friendships and that placing them without that particular friend may be so that your child expands their friendship base. We want children to be able to work and socialise with a variety of other children and build skills to make new friends.

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In addition, sometimes we may get competing requests from parents where one parent wants their child to be in a class with a friend but the friend’s parents have requested that they not be in the same class.

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Friendships can change throughout primary school, students leave, more students arrive and so it is important for your child to develop friendship skills rather than always have the same friends.

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When will I know my child’s placement?

Classes for the following year will be displayed during the last week of school. Students will spend some time in their new classroom on the last day of the year to help them familiarise themselves with their new class. They will usually meet their new teacher unless the teacher won’t be starting until following year.

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What if my child or I am unhappy with my child’s placement?

Class placements are considered final. Changing one student at the request of a parent can mean that many other changes also need to take place to continue to meet the needs of all of the other students. Parents need to understand that it is a complex balance that cannot just be solved by moving their child. Many other changes are likely to be needed in addition. Parents can talk to the principal or deputy principal about their concerns but changing a student placement would be rare. The principal or deputy and the classroom teacher will work with the parent to help students adjust to their new class.

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If your child is unhappy with their placement, we as parents must speak to them positively and model how we want them to face disappointment in their future.

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Dress Code Policy

Rationale

Enrolment at Yangebup Primary School is confirmation of an agreement by students and their parents that they will follow the dress code. The code has evolved since the school was established as a result of agreements made by parents and teachers. The code is based upon the principles of equity, uniformity, safety, identification and pride.

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It is the belief of the school community that the dress code:

• promotes self esteem and the school’s motto “Pride and Achievement”

• fosters and enhances the public image of the school

• assists in building school and team spirit

• ensures students are safely dressed for school activities

• encourages equity among students

• identifies Yangebup Primary School students when on an excursion

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Dress Code Requirements

Hats

• Black surf hat or legionnaires cap are be worn throughout the year whenever outside buildings

• Black bucket hats with reversible faction colours are coming soon

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Summer Uniform

• Black skorts / shorts

• Royal Blue & Black school polo shirt

• Royal Blue & Black summer dress uniform supplied by the school

• Suitable and safe footwear for participation in activities as directed by class teacher

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Winter Uniform

• Black skorts / shorts

• Royal Blue & Black school polo shirt

• Black track suit bottoms

• Suitable and safe footwear for participation in activities as directed by class teacher

• School uniform jackets and tops that comply with the school colours, not including hoodies or logos

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PE and Sports Uniforms

• Suitable and safe footwear for participation in activities as directed by class teacher

• Faction coloured tee shirts or polo shirts (Gold, Red, Green)

• Interschool uniforms for students in Years 4-7 are provided by the school

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Faction Friday

Faction t-shirts are encouraged to be worn on Fridays and on Carnival days.

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Please Note: No brand motifs, stripes or multicoloured patterns are to be on any part of the school uniform.

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Hair

If hair can touch the shoulder or is longer, it must be tied back with a hair elastic (males & females). This is to ensure hair to hair contact is limited, thus reducing the ability of lice to spread between students.

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Jewellery 

To reduce occupational health and safety risks and to ensure standardisation, jewellery, (excluding ear studs, one thin chain & watches), nail polish / varnish and make-up are not to be worn.

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Availability of Dress Code Items

• All uniform items can be ordered and purchased through the school uniform shop.

• Bucket hats with reversible faction colours as well as new style faction t-shirts will be available some time in 2022.

• Parents of students who experience difficulty with the purchase of a uniform should contact the school for assistance.

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Expectations

We encourage all students to follow the dress code outlined in this policy. Students will be explicitly taught what is expected of them and parents given this information through the newsletter and the school website.

 

Non-compliance will result in reminding students of the schools expectations and asking them to remove non-compliant items either that day or the following day. It may result in students being denied the opportunity to participate in special school activities (eg sporting, social, cultural and educational events as determined by the Principal) or holding leadership positions (eg faction captain and parliamentarian).

 

Students must wear school uniforms on all excursions for safety and identification purposes.

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Homework Policy

Rationale

Homework is given for the following reasons:

• Consolidation of work for revision and practice

• Encourages children to become more independent learners and to revise, reinforce and finish work that has begun in school

• Development of study skills and habits

• Allows parents to become aware of the work that is being done in school and to be informed and involved in their children's schoolwork

• Catch up work for students who did not complete work

• Extra practice for students who need work on particular concepts

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Content of Homework