Community
School Council
The School Council is an elected group of parents and teachers established under the School Councils Act. It is accountable to the Department of Education & Training and is responsible for the development of policy, the administration of funds, the overseeing of buildings and grounds and the welfare of children and teachers.
Council elections are held annually in March with the term of office beginning in April.
The council consists of 8 parents, 5 staff with 2 positions being co-opted. Council meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. Parents may attend as observers.
Parents' Club
The Parents’ Club is represented on School Council and as well as its many fundraising activities, also has a strong interest in all school activities. The Principal attends meetings and there are often discussions on specific issues as well as guest speakers including members of staff. Your members fee allows you to vote in the elections, which are held each March.
The Parents’ Club welcomes the active support of all parents, as your enthusiastic support will ensure further success. This group is another link between parents and the school. The Parents’ Club is very active in the area of fundraising and the general welfare of the children.
By joining the Parents’ Club, you will be showing your children that you are taking a positive interest in their school and that you are working for them. If you are new to the community, it is also an opportunity to make new friends. Meetings are held in the staffroom on the third Monday of each month, straight after morning assembly. The Annual General Meeting is held in March.
Before and After Hours School Care
The program operates both before and after school. Starting times are 7:15am to 8:45am in the School Hall Meeting Room. The afternoon session is 3:30pm to 6:00pm. The children have full use of the basketball hall and enjoy many other activities organised by the co-ordinator and assistant.
The program is accessible to working and non-working families. The program has placing's for up to 30 children. Any families wishing to use the program, must first enrol their children with the co-ordinator.
Fee relief is available to families that qualify for the deductions. You need to ask the Department of Social Security if you are eligible.
Please contact Susan Norris the program supervisor for further information on 0417 379 655.
School Canteen
An excellent canteen is managed by a committee of the School Council. While remaining under the School Council Control, the Canteen is currently leased to Hungry Hampers. Policy is to place emphasis on nutritious food, while maintaining the best value for money possible. The canteen opens the second week of Term One and then every school day until a few days before the end of the year.
Guiding Principles
Our community appreciates and endorses the school's pursuit of high academic achievement and the proactive approach to positive behaviour and a work ethic balanced with hard work, humour and good fun.
Drysdale Primary School is a school with traditional values and structures. The education principles underpinning the environment at DPS are:
Learning for all
Pursuit of excellence
Engagement and effort
Respect for evidence
Openness of mind
All students can learn. All students are given opportunities, time and support to perform to their best and to achieve their highest outcomes. Students at DPS have high expectations placed upon them to work hard to improve.
Student Welfare
A pro-active, positive approach to student welfare has resulted in high levels of student engagement and contentedness. Adults and other children support students experiencing difficulties. Staff work together and with parents to help students face challenges and solve problems in a 'common sense' way.
Parent Participation
School Council and Parents' Club work diligently with parents and the staff to support the school's programs and operations. Accredited parents from the community provide an approved religious education course. A strong spirit of cooperation exists with the quintessential goal for all being to provide the best learning environment for our children. Formal and informal parent support is genuinely appreciated by all the staff and helps to cement the strong foundations for a healthy community where everyone has a sense of belonging.
Values Statement
At Drysdale Primary School we value:
Open and honest communication
Trust
Flexible and cooperative team work
Respect for the individual
Excellence in education
Loyalty
A sense of humour
Belonging to a community
To be true to these values, we will:
Share ideas, skills and listen to others
Discuss problems and concerns openly and with sensitivity
Be positive and supportive in outlook and comments
Value each other's strengths
Enjoy a balance of humour, socializing, effectiveness and job satisfaction
Provide a secure and stimulating learning environment
Some Highlights at DPS
Family Dance night in Term 1 - new families welcomed to the school
Bunyip Festival - major fundraiser for the school in Term 1
Intensive 2 week swimming program for all children run at different times throughout the year
Sequential camps program beginning with an overnight stay for year 3's at Sovereign Hill, a three day adventure camp for Year 4, a 5 day bike camp for year 5 and a 5 day interstate tour to Canberra for year 6 students
Whole school concert + year 6 musical production run over 2 nights at the end of Term 3
Whole of school Art Show in Term 4
Access for all students to a 'state of the art' computer centre
Active after school sports program