Information for New Families

What Your Child Will Need For School

• School uniform with their name clearly marked.
• School bag with name clearly marked.
• Packed snack, brain food and lunch in a clearly labelled lunch box.
• Clearly labelled plastic drink bottle containing water.
• Shoes in which your child can comfortably run and play safely (closed toe).
• Art smock.
• Sunsmart wide brimmed or bucket school hat.(Caps are not acceptable)
• Change of clothes in case of an ‘accident’ or muddy/wet clothes
• Home Reader Bags (Years Prep – 2) – These are to be brought to school every day.
• Required Medication – Medication must be accompanied with medical plans signed by a Doctor. Children who may require Ventolin inhalers from time to time, can leave an inhaler in the school’s care (Asthma plan is required).  These will be kept in sickbay and available to use when required.
• Children may bring their own soccer balls, basketballs and footballs to school but please make sure they have their name on them.

Riding Bikes/Scooters to School

Children who ride their bikes or scooters to school MUST wear an approved bicycle helmet.  As a result of Victorian law, School Council has determined that children who ride their bike without a helmet to school will not be permitted to ride their bike home from school. Parents will be contacted and asked to come and collect the bike.  Children MUST walk their bikes through the school yard to the bike shed.

How Can I Become Involved In School?

Berwick Chase Primary School prides itself on being an ‘open door’ school, which welcomes and values all parents. There are lots of ways to become a part of our school and help make it a better place for your children and the community. 

* Please note: Volunteer roles within a school environment  require participants to obtain/own a current Working with Children Check (WWC). If you do not have a Working With Children Check, please apply online at www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

Please ensure you register our school as your volunteer location so we can obtain a letter from the Department of Justice, confirming you have registered at our school.

Our school address is: 72 Viewgrand Drive, Berwick  3806

Reading Helpers

This is extremely important throughout all areas of the school.  An hour or two per week can be of great assistance to the class teacher.  Let your child’s teacher know if you are interested in hearing children read.

Berwick Chase Primary School is committed to relationships between home and school. This cannot be over emphasised in regard to a child’s acquisition of reading skills.

School Council

This is the school’s major decision-making body.  Being a member of the School Council is an excellent way to learn how the school runs and to have input into its programs and policies. 

This is also an excellent opportunity to get to know the teachers and other parents.

Assemblies

Pending Covid Guidelines, School Assemblies are held every fortnight on Friday afternoons at 2.50 pm. It is a time to celebrate the achievements of the students and share news. The Social Skill for the following week is also discussed at this time. We also have an assembly on the last day of each school term. This is a way to celebrate the end of term and say goodbye to our students for the holiday break.

Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)

Families (or temporary foster parents) holding a valid means-tested concession card are eligible to apply for CSEF. $125 per year will be paid for eligible primary school students. Payments go directly to the school and are tied to the student. This is to be used for school organised programs such as school camps, excursions/incursions and swimming programs. These funds cannot be used for Student Essential Items.

Please collect your Application Form from the school office. If you have applied in the year prior at Berwick Chase PS, and are still eligible we will reapply on your behalf.

Ways Parents Can Participate in the Partnership

• Visit the school often and talk with your child’s teacher outside class time.
• Read with and to your child as often as possible.
• Attend our Parent/Teacher interviews and Information Nights.
• Read the school’s fortnightly newsletter.
• Seek election to School Council.
• Help out at PMP and assist in classroom activities.
• Check the Sentral for Parents App and  your child’s bag regularly for school notices.

Lost Property

At times children will leave their jumpers lying around or somehow misplace their hats/ lunch boxes/drink bottles/ toys and balls.

Lost items are sent to ‘Lost Property’ which is located near the office.  Items with names will be sent back to your child’s grade where time permits, however it is expected that children will look for their own lost property.