OUR IMPROVEMENT GOALS
  • Improve student learning and teacher capacity in literacy and numeracy outcomes through improvements in evidenced based practices, setting high expectations and delivery of relevant professional development.
  • Maximize MILaN and Equity funding expenditure around literacy and numeracy action plans which identify explicit teaching delivery and the effective use of classroom support tutors.
  • Increase focus on positive behaviour, belonging, social and emotional health by providing targeted programs and positive learning environments.
  • Improve student engagement through authentic learning opportunities.
  • Complete the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden/BER infrastructure and implement programs.
  • Continue focus on staff well-being.
  • Intentionally invite leadership at all levels across the school community.
  • Review and develop staff performance, aligned to NAPLAN cycle and sustainable schools' priorities.
  • Extend 'FARM DRIVER' through the implementation of a 'Bush Tucker' garden.
  • Organise successful community events that bring the school community together to celebrate student achievements.
  • Improve punctuality and attendance rates for all students.
  • Continue commitment to environmental sustainability approaches.



STRATEGIC PLAN
CYCLONE EMERGENCY

OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS
In the event of a Cyclone Watch or Warning please stay tuned to the local media. The Department Coordinator will make decisions regarding the closure of schools on advice from the NT Counter Diaster Council. Any decision regarding the closure of schools will be broadcasted over local media. In the event that schools are closed please keep your children at home. Students should not return to school until the warning is cancelled.

DURING SCHOOL HOURS
If an emergency should arise while students are at school the following procedure will operate:
  1. Any decision to close schools will be made by a Department Coordinator and communicated directly to the school. The local media will broadcast this information at which time you will be directed to collect your child/children from school.
  2. If you are unable to collect your child, please contact the school URGENTLY. You may arrange for a responsible adult to do so. Any child not collected two hours after school closure will be taken to PALMERSTON SENIOR COLLEGE, and placed into the care of the centre coordinator.
  3. If your child is attending Out of School Hours Care/Vacation Care he/she should be collected immediately fro the centre. In the case of uncollected children, 2. above will apply.
  4. Children are not to return to school until the warning is cancelled. Listen to the advice from the local media.

Where the terms Cyclone Watch and Cyclone Warning are used, they refer to the announcement issued by the Darwin Cyclone Watch Centre and broadcast by the ABC.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION
Emergency evacuation procedures for Fire, Flood, Bomb Scare and Armed Intruder are in place at the school. Procedures to be adopted, should any of these emergencies arise, may be viewed at the front office. If you are at school during one of the above please follow instructions.




EMERGENCY
MEDICAL
EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
If your child has a serious accident or becomes ill at school, we will contact you. The school must have your CURRENT emergency contact telephone numbers, which include your home, employment and/or a person designated as an emergency contact. Provision for these numbers is on the Student Enrolment Form. If changes occur, please contact the school immediately.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES - EXCLUSIONS FROM SCHOOL
The Department of Education & Training (DET) in consultation with Department of Health and Community Services has developed guidelines on recommended minimum periods of exclusions from school or Preschool for infectious diseases and contacts. Children who haven't been immunised will be sent home if an infectious disease, for which immuisation is available, is detected in the school population.

SICKNESS/ACCIDENT PROCEDURES
Office staff have St John Ambulance First Aid training and will treat cuts and provide emergency first aid for accidents that happen during school hours. Children who become ill will be supervised in the sick room until parents can be contacted.

ADMINISTERING MEDICATION
In line with the DET guidelines, parents must apply in writing to have medication administered to a child at school. Drugs, including those prescribed to modify student behaviour may require an attachment to be completed by the medical practitioner. These forms which enable staff to appropriately carry out our 'Duty of Care' are available at the front desk.
Parents and health professionals are teaching children to self manage their asthma medication. However if it important that the school be kept informed where a student is an asthma sufferer and is undertaking self-medication so that our records can be noted in case of an emergency situation arising. Driver Primary is an Asthma friendly school.

HEAD LICE
Head lice infestation is a social problem in school communities from time to time. Where head lice cases become apparent at school, the Principal will notify the parents/guardians of the children affected. To ensure sufficient time for thorough treatment and removal of eggs and dead lice the child is excluded from school for the rest of the day.




HOMEWORK POLICY

Driver Primary School Council believe that homework can have a number of benefits including:
  • Establishes sound study habits and practices for lifelong learning
  • Enable students to practice and consolidate concepts learnt in class
  • Gives students the opportunity to share what they are doing at school with parents

Homework can sometimes be a source of tension for children, parents and teachers. Therefore at Driver Primary, families are given the opportunity to elect weather their children are to do homework or not by ticking the appropriate box on a form which is sent home at the beginning of the year and when new students commence.
However regardless of which choice is made, we strongly recommend that all students set aside some time each night for reading.

For families who choose for homework to be set, teachers are to set the following each night from Monday to Thursday:
  • Transition - Oral reading up to 15 mins
  • Years 1 & 2 - Oral reading plus occasional written work up to 20 mins
  • Years 3 & 4 - Reading plus some written work up to 20 mins
  • Years 5 & 6 - Varied tasks up to 45 mins





HOMEWORK
BEHAVIOUR
SCHOOL COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITIES
To achieve our vision and abide by our principles, our whole school community must accept the following responsibilities:
  • RESPECT FOR OURSELVES
  • RESPECT FOR OTHERS
  • RESPECT FOR PROPERTY
while maintaining a safe and positive learning environment which considers others and values consistency utilizing a whole school approach.

INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR
Driver Primary uses 1-2-3 Magic approach with a reminder, warning and logical consequence approach to behaviour incidents. High level inconsiderate behaviour results in immediate level 2 consequence and parental involvement.





Copyright © 2011 Driver Primary School Council Inc. All Rights Reserved.