Stevie Levenston – Director of Primary Operations

Starting well, continuing well and ending well

Jose Bergamin said it perfectly, “Tradition simply means that we need to end what began well and continue what is worth continuing.” 

Within a school context, many masterful minds are combined to generate the best policies and procedures and Emanuel School has the premier people to create and guide the process. It is with this in mind that I remind you of a few very important policies and procedures, which will see us start the year well, continue well and end well. These are the Emanuel School traditions.

Late student sign-in at reception

Students who arrive late to school have been recorded as ‘absent’ by staff taking the roll in the morning. In order to note a students’ arrival time and mark their presence on campus, students are required to sign in at Reception in the main Saunders Building. Students then receive a late slip, which they present to their teacher, which denotes that procedure has been followed. 

Thank you for reminding your child/ren to sign in at reception. This assists us in keeping our records as accurate and up to date as possible.

Canteen recess and lunch orders – Flexischools

Please ensure that when placing recess or lunch orders at the canteen via the Flexischools App that students are inputting their correct names. Lately, we are seeing an increase of celebrities placing orders, which whilst creative, makes it very difficult to distribute the correct order to the correct student. We don’t want anyone running around with empty bellies!

Orders are to be placed via the app by 8.30 am.

Go With The Flow (GWTF)

It is wonderful to see how efficiently we are going and flowing every morning and afternoon at drop off and pick up times on Avoca Street. Thank you very much for your efforts to make the process as harmonious as possible. 

Please may I remind you that there are consistent protocols in place for pick up and drop off.

• Drivers are to remain in their cars at all times.
• Bags are to remain in the car. Students cannot retrieve or deposit bags in the boot.
• Students are to enter and exit the car from the passenger side of the vehicle.
• Students are unable to enter and exit cars unless the vehicle has passed the power pole, denoted by the orange marker hats. 

Students of Years 3-6 have a strict GWTF collection time of 3.30 pm. For parents and carers collecting their child/ren, please adhere to staff requests to move out of the line and drive around the block. Whilst this may be an inconvenience, we ask that our community complies and is respectful to staff members as they are working to ensure safety and efficiency for all. If cars for Years 3-6 students remain in GWTF, it blocks the system for all and creates a bottleneck.

High School students exiting via Avoca Street gate at dismissal

High School students without a Primary School sibling are required to exit the school campus via the Waxman Gates. The reason for this decision is based on student welfare and safety. Our little people are unable to efficiently exit the Avoca Street Gate during GWTF when they are entwined with senior students. They are also left feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable. Further, teachers’ visibility of the exit is also affected, so leaving the space open and clear for our younger students is of the utmost importance. 

Please speak with your High School child/ren and remind them to exit via Waxman if they are not accompanying a Primary School sibling during dismissal times. 

Playground areas before and after school

Our playground areas are closed and should not  be accessed before and after school, even with parent supervision. This is due to the school’s requirements for duty of care. We are unable to supervise these areas prior to the 8.00 am bell and after 3.20 pm. We ask that you do not allow your child to play on the equipment at these times if you are with them. Please share this information with others who are involved in your arrangements.

In the morning, supervision commences at 7.30 am on Waxman and after school activities are supervised by extra-curricular staff. Thank you for adhering to our Playground Closure Policy.

Sport and Recreation Camp survey results

Towards the end of Term 3 last year, a survey was conducted for parents and carers of students who went to Years 3 to 6 Sport and Recreation Camp at Narrabeen. We wish to thank the many people who submitted their thoughts and feedback. We received overwhelming positive support for camp. We are thrilled that the energy and efforts that our teachers put into camp are acknowledged and appreciated and that this rite-of-passage is encouraged by our community. We have already started planning for our 2024 camps and are heartened that parents and carers feel secure with the level of communication, organisational and wellbeing aspects of camp.