Rules and policies

Rules and policies are in place to make sure your child remains safe and well at school.

Visit the NSW Department of Education’s policy library for all current operational policies.

Our school uses the department's School Community Charter to ensure all of our communication is collaborative and respectful.

Attendance and absences

Students must attend school regularly so they can achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options.

In NSW, all children from the age of 6 are legally required to attend school or be registered for home schooling through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). All students must complete Year 10, or its equivalent and remain in school, employment or training until they turn 17.

For more information about compulsory school attendance, visit:

• School Attendance Policy
• Student wellbeing – compulsory school attendance.

Wentworth Falls Public School attendance policy

School hours are from 8:40am to 2:25pm with supervision in the playground beginning at 8:10am.

All students are expected to attend school on time every day. Being at school on time everyday supports optimum learning.

Regular attendance is essential to ensure a consistent learning program and good progress. District Home School Liaison Officers (HSLO) monitor truancy, school attendance and lateness. The development of punctuality is an important life skill.

Help keep our records up-to-date:

• When your child returns after an absence, please write a note that gives the reason and date of actual absence. Include your child's name and class on the note. You may also complete the online form on the school app or send an email to the school.
• There is no need to telephone the school for day to day absences. If your child is absent for more than three days you are required to contact the school as per the methods listed above.

Late arrivals and early leavers:

• If your child is late to school this constitutes a partial absence and requires a late note from the office. If they have attended an appointment please notify when you come to the office to receive your late note.   
• If your child needs to leave school early due to sickness or reasons such as a doctor's appointment, please collect an early leaver slip from the office, sign the student out in the student sign out book and then give the early leave note to your child's teacher. Leaving early constitutes a partial absence.

School policies

Our approach to wellbeing

Students are encouraged to follow the school rules at all times, in the classroom and the playground. Teachers will ensure that consequences are fair and effective when dealing with students who break the rules. Families will be contacted should we have behavior concerns.

Playground

Time out slips – After one warning, a time out slip is given to a student who breaks a school rule. The reason for the time out slip is discussed with the student and recorded on the slip.

An instant time out is given if a student is fighting or violent towards others or engaging in aggressive behaviour.

Time out means the student is removed from the playground for playing time. The focus during time out will be on the student taking ownership of his/her behaviour and where possible, restitution. Families will be contacted for ongoing behavour concerns.

Suspension

Department of Education procedures for the suspension and expulsion of the school students are applied where necessary.

Ongoing concerns about student behaviour are discussed by the student, class teacher, supervisor and parents. In these cases specific behaviour programs may be established or further disciplinary action taken.

Key policies at our school

The following policies are periodically under review and are updated as necessary. As future policies are written, they will also be posted to this site.

For more information, download the following documents. 

• Facebook Rules of Engagement
• Anti-Bullying Plan 2023
• Library Policy
• Wentworth Falls Public School Riding Policy
  
• Mobile Device Policy
• Learning Support Policy
• Wentworth Falls Public School Parents and Citizens' Association By-Laws (DOCX 100KB)
• Parents and Citizens' Association Prescribed Constitution (DOCX 102KB).