Governed by the NT Christian Schools Primary School Handbook Marrara Christian College Primary is a non-denominational Christian school. Christ is central to our existence and operation. He is central because He is honoured as the Lord of all in daily practice, and therefore, Lord of the learning process. Young people are loved, valued, disciplined, encouraged and nurtured throughout every stage of their education at Marrara. Street Address Cnr McMillans Road and Amy Johnson Avenue Marrara Ph (08) 8920 2000 Fax (08) 8920 2001 Postal address PO Box 84 Karama NT 0813 Email admin.mcc@ntschools.net Web www.mcc.nt.edu.au ABN 65 060 686 305 LIVE IN TRUTH - GROW IN WISDOM
From the Head of Primary Mrs Joanne Rheinberger The Primary School at Marrara is a vibrant, Christ centred, community of learning. We work together applying our four values: Right Choices, Service, Compassion and Dedication. We call these four values the RiSe CoDe. Students consistently hear and apply the RiSe CoDe to their school experience. We value and care deeply for every child in our school. Each child is uniquely created by God with great value and for His purpose. We endeavour to meet the needs of every student academically, spiritually, socially and physically, as we nurture the Whole Child. Marrara Primary has a highly committed selection of teachers. Together, teachers work in teams dedicated to ensuring effective curriculum planning; social and emotional well-being of students; fitness activities; as well as the co-curricular activities such as camps and excursions. The collegial and friendly workplace translates into happy and engaged classes working hard to achieve academic progress. If you are considering Marrara as a school for your child/children, please come and see for yourself what a great school we have, where Jesus Christ is glorified and students are valued as God s unique creation. We have a beautiful environment full of wonderful students and an incredible team of professionals working together as God s people for His Kingdom and Glory. Yours In Christ Joanne Rheinberger Head of Marrara Christian College Primary School Preschool Year 6 Abs
Primary School Absences The class structure at Marrara for Primary School in 2015 is the following: Preschool - single age cohort, 3 days a week 2 x Transition classes 1 x Year 1 class 1 x Year 1/2 classes 3 x Year 3/4 classes 2 x Year 5/6 classes Our teachers dedicate themselves to teaching quality learning activities and programs that excite students in learning and encourage development academically, mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Regardless of whether a class is a single year level or multi-year, teaching and learning programs are created to meet your child at their need, development and learning style, encouraging them to grow and shine in their learning. Assembly Assemblies are held on a Thursday morning, commencing at 8:40am. There are 3 whole college assemblies each term in the multi-purpose building. All other assemblies are in the shaded courtyard. Primary classes take it in turns to lead assembly, giving them the opportunity to develop their public speaking skills and a chance to present their class work. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend assembly and will be advised should their child be involved in the assembly. Following the assemblies, tea and coffee is available for parents in the Library. This is a lovely way for parents to get to know one another and become part of the Marrara family.
Camp Program / Excursions Students from Preschool Year 6 attend excursions throughout the year. Students travel to a range of different places around Darwin relating to their current area of study. Some places they may visit are as follows: Museums Beach Darwin City Lake Leanyer Water Park Art Galleries Fire Brigade Aviation Museum Parliament House We have two alternative camps for Year 3/4. On odd years, students spend the day at the Territory Wildlife Park, exploring the different environments and habitats. Following this experience, students stay overnight at Riyalla where they explore the bush in its natural state and participate in team games, night walks and learns more about the beauty of God s creation. Every even year, students participate in a city camp. Students travel around Darwin City, participating in a range of challenges, activities and experiences. Both of these two day camps link very closely to the Australian Curriculum, encouraging students to work together and grow in a greater appreciation of the world they live in. Every even year, Year 5/6 travel down the Arnhem Highway to set up camp at the Adventure Bound Base Camp Wallaroo. Each student is encouraged to try each one of the challenging activities available: rock climbing, abseiling, ropes course (both high and low), swimming, flying fox, team activities and orienteering. Students are challenged in each experience as they learn about themselves as individuals and as team members working together. Every odd year, students travel to Kakadu where they experience the majesty of God s creation through a number of walks, culture activities, ranger talks and team challenges. Students learn to overcome difficulties and encourage one another in each challenge amidst stunning displays of God s glorious creation. Drop-off and Pick-up Areas There is a designated drop-off and pick-up area for students. This area is located near the Senior Study Centre and is to allow students to wait for vehicles without getting wet. Primary students are not permitted to wait in other areas. This area is supervised until 3:30pm. Any students not collected by 3:30pm are brought to the front office to call their parents. There is a Preschool drop off area located outside the Preschool, solely designated for Preschool parents only. If Preschool parents are planning on spending time in the classroom, they are required to park in the visitor s car park at the front of the school. Newsletter Our College Newsletter is emailed to parents every Thursday. The newsletter is our primary source of communication and should be read by all parents. It includes calendar dates, upcoming important events and current and relevant news about the College. The College Newsletter is also available online on our website: www.mcc.nt.edu.au
Ochre Cards Just as each employee of NT Christian Schools must hold a current ochre card, so do each of our volunteers. All parents helping in classrooms, camps, excursions or working in our gardens MUST supply the front office with a photocopy of your current ochre card. Applications for new ochre cards are available at the front office or you can find them online at www.workingwithchildren.nt.gov.au/application Details on how to renew your ochre card can be found online at www.workingwithchildren.nt.gov.au/maintaining_renewing Partnering with Parents and MCC Parental Involvement Program P.I.P. At Marrara Christian College, it is one of our greatest desires to Partner with Parents. We believe that it is crucial that we work together with parents, supporting our students in a united front as they grow and develop into the people God intends for them to be. Our teachers desire to maintain a healthy flow of communication with parents and always endeavour to make themselves available, in person after school, through phone calls, via email and through letters. We encourage families to also communicate with us as well. It is important that we are able to share all joys and tribulations together as a Marrara family. Please let us know about family situations such as moving house, having interstate visitors, parents travelling for work etc. and celebrate praise points or success stories. This enables teachers to have a complete picture and aids in understanding each child fully. We value and encourage parent involvement. There are many ways for families to be involved in our Marrara Community and the list below are some ways you can be involved. The list is unlimited, parents are always welcome to be creative and discuss ways to contribute and suitable times of their availability. Working Bees Gardening Camp Cook Cleaning Painting Bus/Coaster Driver Sharing your trade Library Camp helper Classroom Help Reading with Students Attending excursions Parents are required to contribute 6 hours inside or outside per year. A levy of $200 per family will be invoiced at the beginning of Term 4 each year, if the required hours have not been completed. Hours worked are to be recorded at the front office. Unfortunately, extra hours cannot be rolled over to the following year. Joining in on class camps is strongly encouraged. Parent volunteers on school camps are not only a valuable and treasured experience but also a Government requirement for schools to maintain a safe student / adult ratio depending on the age and activity. Parent help is required at each school camp to ensure its safety and success. Unfortunately, if we are unable to recruit the required volunteers we may need to cancel camp. CLASS CARERS Each class has a designated class carer. Once you have shared your contact details, this parent will work with you to organise social catch ups with other parents and children in the class. It is a great way to connect with one another. The class carer may also contact you when a class excursion and/or camp is being organised to assist the teacher in finding parents to help!
Curriculum Every area of our curriculum has a biblical world view and is developed together with the NT Christian Schools curriculum coordinator along with other professionals in our Christian Schools across Australia. This broad level of involvement ensures that we remain fully compliant in content and rigor with NT Board of Studies and the Australian Curriculum. As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord of all things, both visible and invisible. In the Bible it teaches us that Jesus is Lord, He is our Creator and Redeemer. As a result of this, Jesus our Lord is not just a part of what we do at Marrara; He is the core of who we are. He is the basis of our entire curriculum and the reason for our culture. Students learn about God in all that they do. Some of the resources we use are: Jesus Storybook Bible Curriculum Sound Waves spelling Accelerated Reader Jolly Phonics Envision Maths Letterland Victorian Cursive Handwriting Reading Eggs Library The Imaginarium is what we call our school Library. Students from Transition to Year 6 have weekly library lessons. These lessons involve literacy learning, literacy appreciation as well as research skill building activities. Every morning from 8:15am-8:45am, the Library is open for Years 3-6 to borrow AR levelled books. Lunchtime and Library lessons are also available for borrowing. The Library is open from 8:30am to 4:00pm (closed at recess) on school days.
Languages In the Primary School, students are taught a variety of other languages. The emphasis is not primarily the acquisition of an additional language but also an appreciation of others and the wonderful diversity of people s languages and culture. Music and Arts Every class participates in a creative and performing Arts and Music Curriculum. Every year, students enjoy creating and displaying beautiful artwork which is then presented at the annual Arts Show. As well as regular music lessons, students also have the option to participate in our Instrumental Music Program through private tuition. Every second year, the College participates in an amazing Musical led by the Middle School with Upper Primary invited to contribute. All are encouraged to attend this amazing event! Physical Education P.E. Each Primary class is involved in a Physical Education and Fitness Program. This program promotes healthy living and encourages good fitness habits. Students learn that the Lord has given them a body that is capable of so many wonderful things and it is our responsibility to look after and nurture it. PE lessons focus on Fundamental Motor Skills, good sportsmanship and team building. As skills develop, the focus moves to sports and games such as football, netball and T-Ball. Sports Throughout each year Primary classes are involved in the following sporting events: Primary School Athletics Carnival Whole School Swimming Carnival Whole School Cross Country Run Students in Years 4-6 are regularly invited to be involved in competitive sports with students from other schools at cluster days. Development Officers from NT School Sport attend these events and individuals are often chosen to represent the NT. These events at this NT Representative level are the parents responsibility to transport and supervise their child.
Swimming All classes attend 8 swimming lessons with Swim Survive at the Casuarina Swimming Pools each year. This program generally takes place throughout Term 1 for Years 1 6. The Transition class generally attends at the end of Term 3 each year.
RISE CODE Positive behaviour model I am a child of the King Responsible for my conduct I support & direct others Respect my body & deliberately protect it Speaking words of life & living a life worth living Making a useful difference Promote a no to drugs message Speaking up when others are at risk Getting alongside those who are struggling Service of others in my attitude bearing God s image with personal responsibility service of others & God s world with generosity compassion that grows from belonging dedication to master and overcome Extraordinary together, ordinary apart Encourage others to do right Lead in good ways Protect others & hold them accountable Knowing what harms Using what helps sensibly Able to resist temptation Equipped to help & encourage Absences In each class, the teacher marks a roll to keep a record of attendance. If your child does not attend, please provide an explanatory note on their return (or in advance, if you know your child will be absent via email or phone). admin.mcc@ntschools.net Medication Whenever your child is taking any prescription medication, long or short term, Office Staff and Classroom Teacher must be informed. All medications are to be left at the front office, and administered by the Front Office Staff. Please provide medication in a sealed plastic bag, clearly labelled with child s name and instructions for administration.
Working Together For any further information, please don t hesitate in contacting our enrolment officer. Phone: 08 8920 2000 Fax: 08 8920 2001 E-mail: admin.mcc@ntschools.net PO Box 84 Karama NT 0812 Cnr McMillans Road and Amy Johnson Avenue Marrara NT