Ilford Public School
Parent Information
School Information
Click on the links below to go to that section.
Introduction
Ilford Public School is situated approximately half way between Lithgow and Mudgee on the Castlereagh Highway in a unique bushland setting.
The school has been providing an uninterrupted, quality education to the local community since 1868. It has two well-equipped classrooms and a refurbished Library and Administration office areas. Last year the school’s playing field, driveway and car park were redeveloped.
The school aims to provide students with a stimulating and caring environment to foster the development of every individual child. A broad and balanced curriculum is provided based on each NSW Board of Studies’ syllabus.
The School is supported by a School Council and P& C and parents are involved in activities within and outside the school.
Most students travel from the local farming area to attend the school.
School hours
8:45 am – 3:15 pm
Morning Session 8.45am – 10.45am
Morning recess 10:45am – 11:10am
Middle Session 11.10am - 12.55pm
Lunch 12:55pm – 1:45pm
Afternoon 1:45pm – 3:15pm
Buses
Arrive from 8:15 am – 8:30am
Depart 3:40pm – 3:55 pm
Staff
Principal:
Mr Alan Kerr
Teachers:
Mrs Samantha Channon
Release Teachers:
Mrs Sarah Lodewijks
Teacher’s Aide:
Mrs Tania Selby
Administration Manager:
Mrs Felicity Cresswell
Cleaner:
Mrs Kaye Moore
General Assistant:
Mr Gregory Garlinge
Warrumbungle District
School Education Director:
Mr Michael Cronk
Support Staff
School Counsellor:
Mrs AmandaRoach
Specialist Music Teacher:
Mrs Mary Mitchell
Visiting Piano Teacher:
Mrs Elana Day-Hakker
Technology:
Mr Anthony Simone
Classes
K-2 Class, 3-6 Class
Parent & Citizens Association, Inc. and Ilford School Council
A combined P & C and School Council Meeting is held monthly with an invitation extended to all parents and community members to attend. Dates for the meeting are advised in the weekly newsletter. Funds raised by the P&C are used to buy resources for the School such as sporting equipment and computer gear as well as subsidising excursions that students attend.
Newsletters
Weekly school newsletters are distributed on Tuesdays to Parents and Community members involving School, P & C and Community news.
Click here to view our most current newsletter
School Canteen
The canteen operates every Monday at lunchtime. Orders need to be placed at the conclusion of the term for the whole of the following term. Parents are required to help with the canteen preparation on Mondays. A roster of Canteen helpers is published in the newsletter.
Click here to see this terms canteen roster.
Excursions
The school participates in regular inter-school visits and excursion. Parents are required to pay in advance for excursions. Transport wherever practical and possible will be by bus and parent transport. A major overnight excursion is held once a year for the 3-6 Class.
Library
Students are required to borrow from a well-resourced library on a weekly basis, and will need a library bag each week. As well, a mobile library visits once every 3 weeks when students and community members can borrow.
Playground supervision
Teachers are on duty half an hour before school starts (from 8:15 am), during recess, lunch and until the last bus leaves. Please keep in mind that teachers are supervising children during these sessions. The best time to converse with staff is after 4.00 pm or by appointment.
No child is to be at School before 8.15 am as there is no supervision provided.
Extended school hours
The School operates an innovative extended hours programme to enable students to be supervised from their arrival to their departure from school. This means the school day starts at 8.45am and concludes at 3.15pm Supervision of students is provided from 8.15am to approximately 4.00pm when the last bus leaves.
As a result of this extended day [30 minutes of teaching time] a rostered day off [RDO] is held once every 3 to 4 weeks . This is normally a Friday.
Notice of dates for the RDO’s are given well in advance in our weekly newsletter.
Click here to see RDO schedule for this term.
Active After School Sport programe
The School participates in the Federal Government’s Active After School Sport Program. For 8 Tuesday afternoons each term, Scott Taylor from ‘Taylor Made Fitness’ visits our School and organises a mixed games session for our students. This concludes at 4.30pm when parents arrive to collect their children. Afternoon tea is provided on these Tuesday afternoons.
Circus Skills programe
In 2007 a Circus Skills Program was introduced as part of the morning fitness program. Students are instructed in unicycle riding, poi, stilt walking, diabolo and juggling. A specialist teacher visits each term to support the program.
Fruit programe
Ilford Public School has a morning fitness and fruit program. Parents are asked for a monthly donation for the purchase of fruit.
Hats
Ilford Public School has a “No Hat, No Play” policy. All students must wear a school hat when they are in the playground.
Home reading
Ilford Public School has an established home reading program. Each child has a Home Reading Record book which is completed weekly and handed to the class teacher. Parents are requested to listen to their child read for at least 10 minutes 3 nights a week.
Merit awards
Each term an assembly is held for students to receive their Merit Award Certificates. During each term, students accumulate ‘merits’ and once ten are collected a certificate is awarded. There are 5 certificate levels-Merit, Merit Plus, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Students who reach the Gold level also receive a $20.00 book voucher.
Student absences
When a child returns to school following an absence, please supply a note so that rolls can be filled in. Law requires this, and the Home School Liaison Officer will follow up unsatisfactory attendances on occasions where a child is absent for 3 days without adequate reason being given.
School - Home contact
An effective partnership is important between the home and the school to foster the education of each child at Ilford Public. Formal interviews are held each year with parents always welcome to request an interview at any mutually convenient time. Parents are encouraged to assist where they feel comfortable- on excursions, providing transport, classroom support etc.
Piano tuition
In partnership with the Mitchell Conservatorium the school provides the opportunity for students to receive specialist piano tuition. Teacher Elena Day Hakker provides tuition for 25 minutes each Thursday. This tuition is at a special rate for students and families are billed directly from the Mitchell Conservatorium.
Guitar tuition
New in 2007 Mr Bob Burns from Mudgee teaches guitar each Tuesday fortnight throughout the year.
This is paid for privately by the parents of interested students.
Jobs
Part of a small school experience is the greater responsibility students are given each day. In the 3-6 Class a roster allocates students to jobs such as answering the telephone, collecting the mail, looking after our chooks, measuring rainfall and watering of gardens. The K-2 Class also have jobs allocated within their class.
Early Birds
Most Friday mornings* a group meets in the Early Bird’s room consisting of the prospective Kinders for the following year. Parents attend a playgroup session for these children with the aim of socialising them for their first year at school. This session is led by Mrs Selby who coordinates activities.
* Does not operate when RDO’s occur.
Click here to see this terms RDO's.
School uniform
Summer Girls
Blue check dress, white socks, black shoes or sandals, school
jacket and/or navy jumper, cardigan, sloppy joe
Summer Boys
Grey shorts, light blue polo shirt or collared school shirt, grey
socks, black shoes or sandals, school jacket and/or navy
jumper, cardigan or sloppy joe
Winter Girls
Navy trousers or navy tracksuit, light blue shirt or skivvy, school
jacket and/or navy jumper, cardigan or sloppy joe, black shoes
Winter Boys
Grey trouser or navy tracksuit, light blue shirt or skivvy, school
jacket and/or navy jumper, cardigan or sloppy joe, black shoes
Sport Girls
Navy pleated skirt or navy shorts, navy tracksuit, light blue polo shirt, white
socks and joggers
Sport Boys
Navy shorts, navy tracksuit, light blue polo shirt, white socks
and joggers
New and used clothing is available at the school at very reasonable prices.