Parent Information
On our journey toward becoming a Therapeutic School, we aim to put staff and student wellbeing at the forefront of everything we do.
The education of each individual is a mutual responsibility shared by the student, home, school, community, and society. Clyde Fenton Primary School is committed to fulfilling its share of responsibility by providing appropriate learning opportunities which will encourage all students to grow intellectually, socially, physically, and emotionally toward full development of their potential.
Behaviour Support
Our cohort includes a high percentage of children from poverty and trauma backgrounds. Staff at CFS need to navigate their way through the challenge of providing rich learning experiences whilst dealing with trauma and poverty and the associated behaviours.
“Traumatized people chronically feel unsafe inside their bodies: The past is alive in the form of gnawing interior discomfort. Their bodies are constantly bombarded by visceral warning signs, and, in an attempt to control these processes, they often become expert at ignoring their gut feelings and in numbing awareness of what is played out inside. They learn to hide from their selves.” (p.97)”
― Bessel A. van der Kolk, “The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma”
In short, our behaviour management strategy is:
1.
Deal with the trauma first - children who are not ready to learn should not be in classrooms - they should be with our specialists receiving the support they need.
2.
Reward positive behaviour - celebrate the children doing the right thing or trying to do so.
3.
Explicitly teach school appropriate behaviours - don't assume that a child understands what 'appropriate behaviour' is.
Rule School
Rule School happens each recess and lunch. Children who do not follow class/school rules should be warned then booked in for Rule School. In rule school the rules are taught and the child is given the opportunity to reflect on what they did and what they might do next time. Children who are constantly send to Rule School will end up in BSUP (Behaviour Support).
BSUP is not a punishment and is not used for children who simply are not following school rules. BSUP is a support program to help children better manage their challenges and to help teachers understand what skills each child needs to be successful. Children are referred into the BSUP program for major incidents in which the child is unable to manage their emotions and the subsequent behaviour results in:
1.
A major classroom incident which results in significant disruption to the learning of others.
2.
A wilful act of violence toward another child or a staff member.
3.
A deliberate act which significantly damages school property.
4.
Constant breaking of class/school rules.
The Behaviour Support Program sees student’s case managed and support sought for several interventions such as counselling, case managed meetings, referrals to external agencies and referral to Student Wellbeing and Inclusion.
Counselling
The aim of counselling is to help children better interpret the issues they are experiencing and/or the trauma that occurred – in a way they can process and understand.
When a child’s social and emotional issues and psychological distress are left untreated, it can negatively impact his/her educational aspirations and developmental milestones. This form of counselling aims to help children work through their emotions, so they can live normal healthy lives without the lasting effects of fear, confusion, anxiety, or trauma.
*Please note: counselling is confidential and information is not shared with parents, case manager or other staff, unless matters raised fall under the guidelines of mandatory reporting, in which case a mandatory report will be made.
School Chaplain
The Chaplain’s role at Clyde Fenton Primary School involves:
- Support our anti-bullying and cyberbullying programs
- Support the delivery of NT Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum
- Deliver parent workshops on topics of concern
- Deliver small group programs to students on friendships, emotions, anxiety
- Support the student wellbeing team
- Deliver lunch time programs which provide students a safe area to play games etc
- Deliver individual sessions to enhance student wellbeing (as authorised/requested by parents)
Attendance
Clyde Fenton implemented a new attendance incentive program from mid 2009. Everyday students will receive one “Clyde Fenton Dollar” for wearing correct uniform and one dollar for attending school on time, meaning they can earn a maximum of $2 per day.
The “Clyde Fenton Dollars” will accumulate in students’ individual accounts and can be spent at school to purchase a variety of items on Fridays. Alternatively students may elect to 'Buy an afternoon / day' with a staff member - throughout the years this has become very popular!
Each week the attendance for the week prior is shared through the school newsletterThe attendance incentive program has been introduced to reward all students for wearing the CFS uniform and attending school consistently and not just the irregular attending students who needed extra support.
In addition to this at the end of each term all students who have attended school 90% or more of the time will be invited on a school Attendance Reward outing to the town pool or another venue for a fun activity.
Canteen
Our school follows the NT DoE Canteen, Health and Nutrition Policy.
The Department of Education (DoE) is committed to ensuring that students in school settings have access to healthy foods and drinks and nutrition education, which will help inform students’ decision making in the future.
To assist with the implementation food categories from the Department of Health and Ageing’s, National Healthy School Canteens, Guidelines for healthy foods and drinks supplied in school canteens will be used. Foods and drinks have been classified according to the amount of nutrients they provide and are based on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.
Relevant Documents and Further Information
School Buses
We supervise our students each afternoon as they board the buses and ensure they get on the appropriate bus, as per your instructions.
Should your child need to catch a different bus or travel by means other than the bus, please let us know in advance so that we assist your child. We are reluctant to allow a child to catch a bus other than their nominated bus - so please assist us meet our duty of care by keeping us informed of your child's travel arrangements.
Please note that whilst some supervision is provided by the school on Bus 4 in the afternoon, the buses are run by a commercial operator and the school has no control over any operational matters pertaining to the buses, staff, bus routes or timetables.
We do take misbehaviour and bullying on the buses very seriously but your first point of contact with any bus issues should be the bus company. We will do what we can at a school level to deal with any inappropriate behaviour from our students.
Please click on the link below for up to date information regarding school bus services:
Provide Feedback:
Email: feedback.dlp@nt.gov.au
Phone: (08) 8924 7096
Fax: (08) 8924 7841
Post: GPO Box 2520, Darwin NT, 0801
Further contact information:
When providing feedback about bus services please note the following information assists in actioning your feedback.
- Bus Route number
- Event date and time
- Other information that can assist in actioning your feedback request.
Click below to download the Bus Code of Conduct for students travelling to and from school:
School Council
Clyde Fenton School Council was established in 1984 and is made up of an elected body of nine parents, four teachers and a Pre-School representative plus the Principal and School Business Manager.
The Annual General Meeting is held before 15th March each year. Council meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month and are open to all interested persons. Meetings begin at 6.00pm and go until approximately 8pm. Meetings are held in the Clyde Fenton staffroom.
The Council plays an active role in developing and implementing the School Strategic Plan. It involves itself through sub-committees including:
- School financial management
- Grounds
- Infrastructure / building
- Fundraising activities
- Canteen
The Clyde Fenton community is welcome to have input in the school's direction through the Council and the sub-groups.
Parents need not be a council member to be involved in various activities.
Sub-committees seek parent participation from time to time. Generally statistics have proven that children who have parents or guardians, who have the time and interest to be involved in their education, are advantaged. For further information on Council activities, contact the Chairperson or the Principal through the school office. The School Council constitution is available from the school office for any interested parents.
Check the Newsletter or school website for details of meetings and sub group activities. Parents are more than welcome to be involved in sub-groups even if they are not on the School Council.
Please come along to School Council meetings - you would be more than welcome!
Enrolment
Please visit our front office for all Preschool and Primary school enrolments. You can also contact the school on 89 733844 or email admin.clydesch@education.nt.gov.au.
If you wish to enrol your child please fill out the enrolment form below and send it to
admin.clydesch@education.nt.gov.au.
News and Events
Keep up to date with the School's upcoming events and news!
Keep up with what is happening on Facebook.
24 Jan 2023
Student Free Day!
Monday 30 January
Front Office Closed
Monday 30 January 8.30am – 10.30am
Clyde Fenton
Primary School
Growing and Learning Together
