FAQs
What is the daily routine at Mount Ousley Public School?
Mornings at Mount Ousley PS begin with our gates opening at 8:30am. There is no supervision before this time, so please arrive after 8:30am to ensure the safety of your child / children.
The morning learning session is from 9:00 -11:15am.
All classes have a Crunch and Sip break every day during the morning session - usually around 10:15am. Students are encouraged to bring small pieces of fruit or vegetables to eat during this time and have water in their drink bottle.
Lunch is first at Mount Ousley and begins at 11:15am for supervised eating time. Play begins at 11:25am and finishes at 11:55am and students line up in their class lines after the bell.
The middle learning session is from 11:55am - 1:25pm.
Recess is in the afternoon, beginning with supervised eating at 1:25pm, and playtime at 1:35pm. Recess finishes at 1:55pm, with an ‘end of recess’ bell indicating that students should rejoin their teachers at their class lines.
The afternoon learning session is from 1:55pm - 3:00pm.
The bell for the end of the day rings at 3:00pm. Parents are invited to wait in the central quad, on the grass near the equipment or on the hall verandah. Older students can walk or ride home as instructed by their parents. Entry to our school is via Vereker or McGrath Streets.
What day will my child have sport?
Students will have a designated sport day which will be communicated to parents at the beginning of each term. It may change, depending on the sport and availability of any visiting coaches.
Classes will also have their own PE days which will be communicated to parents by your class teacher via Seesaw and our "Meet The Teachers" afternoon at the beginning of the year.
Will my child be involved in a school excursion or incursion?
Each year, groups of students or classes will attend an out-of-school excursion or an in-school incursion, dependent on the units of work being covered at school, curriculum requirements or appropriate supported learning.
Will my child have access to the Library?
Each class will have a library lesson each week, where students are able to borrow books for take-home reading. Students are also permitted to spend time in the library one lunchtime each week.
Does Mount Ousley PS have a uniform shop?
We have a fully stocked uniform shop, selling both new and quality second hand uniforms. The uniform shop is voluntarily run by members of the P&C. The opening hours Monday from 2:50-3:15pm. The uniform shop is located outside the entrance to the canteen.
What is Best Start?
Best Start is one component of a NSW Government initiative to increase literacy and numeracy learning support in the early years. Knowing that children come with a wide range of experiences, Best Start provides teachers with a continuum to help ensure that we are teaching your child what they need to learn next. Through the Best Start process, teachers learn about each child’s school entry skills and understanding in literacy and numeracy. The Best Start assessment is individual and takes place within the first full five weeks of Kindergarten. Teachers ask a series of questions to gather information about children’s initial literacy and mathematical knowledge. This important information supports teachers in meeting children’s individual learning needs. All Kindergarten children undertake Best Start.
What are the six Key Learning Areas (KLAs)?
The six major Key Learning Areas that your child will receive outcomes-based instruction in will include:
English, Mathematics, Science & Technology, Human Society and its Environment (History, Geography), Creative Arts (Music, Drama, Dance, Visual Arts) and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE).
What if I have trouble getting my child to school?
If you have trouble getting your child to school, please talk to their teacher or any of our friendly office staff to access support.
What if I am planning a holiday during the school term?
So much important learning occurs every day, and it is often difficult to catch up learning gaps as a result of extended absences. Understandably, some families need to take their holiday break during term time because of work commitments and leave restrictions. Ideally though, it is beneficial if the disruption to your child’s school routine is kept to a minimum throughout the year. However, if you are planning an extended vacation during the term, an application will need to be completed and submitted to the School Principal.
What do I do if my child is absent?
An explanation detailing the reason why your child was not at school is required for the school’s attendance records. (This is a mandated legal requirement in all schools.) This can be completed through our School Bytes App, or via a phone call to the office. You will receive an automated email asking for the reason your child is absent by 10am on the day they are away from school.
What happens if my child becomes unwell at school?
If your child starts to feel unwell during the school day, their classroom teacher will send them to the office with a buddy so that the First Aid Officer can assess their condition. Often, they will spend some time resting in the sick bay. Sometimes the child will be sent back to class after an appropriate amount of time, if their condition improves. If your child is clearly unwell or is in distress, the emergency contact listed on your child’s records will be called. In the case of a more serious emergency, an ambulance will be called first, followed by the parents or legal guardians.
What can I do to support my child’s literacy learning?
- Talk with your child at every opportunity
- Read aloud to your child
- Talk with your child about what they have read
- Make reading FUN!
What can I do to support my child’s numeracy learning?
- Count things together
- Talk about numbers and maths you see in the environment
- Often there is more than one way to get an answer. Focus on exploring with numbers creatively (How many different ways might we solve it?)
- Strongly encourage the process, more than just getting the right answer
- Make maths FUN!
What if I am running late or afternoon pick-up arrangements change?
Please try to be on time to pick up your child. Your face is the one they want to see the most at the end of the day. If you can’t be there, please arrange for someone who can. Always contact the school office to let them know if you are running late or if afternoon arrangements change. The school has an Out of School Hours Care service located in our school hall. This is a paid service which can be arranged and booked through Their Care. In emergency circumstances where you cannot make alternative arrangements and you are going to be more than a few minutes late, you should contact Their Care and organise for your child to attend the service that afternoon. All children need to be with a parent or responsible adult by 3:10pm. After this time they will be taken to the office so we can call you to come and pick them up.
What do I do if my child is having a problem at school?
If your child is coming home from school with worries or concerns, try and talk to them about what is happening. If you need to talk to someone from school, the best person to contact first is your child’s classroom teacher. They work closely with your child each day and are often the person with the best insite into what is happening in the classroom and playground. You can make an appointment by messaging your child's teacher on School Bytes. If you feel the problem goes beyond the classroom teacher, you can arrange a time to speak with one of our assist principals or the principal. Please contact the office to arrange an appointment with executive staff.
What equipment and stationery supplies do I need to provide my child for school?
At Mount Ousley Public School, we do not ask parents to provide any stationery supplies. We do suggest that families provide their child with an iPad. Our students use their device to collaborate with their peers, share their learning and gain feedback on tasks.
What kinds of extra-curricular activities are offered to my child at Mount Ousley Public School?
At Mount Ousley Public School, we are proud to offer a variety of creative, sporting, high potential and gifted and social-emotional opportunities. While some are targeted at particular ages and stages, some are available K-6.
- Cool Kids Music (Individual instrument instruction)
- Music - every class utilises our fantastic selection of musical instruments throughout the year.
- Southern Stars (dance - offered to Stages 2 and 3) - Terms 2&3 each year.
- Tournament Of Minds
- Game Changers
- Gardening Club
- Art Club
- Sports Carnivals and Gala Days
- Opportunities to try out for regional representative sporting teams
- Student Representative Council