Parent Info

Compulsory enrolment and attendance at school:

The South Australian Government has identified improved attendance as a priority for the Department for Education (DfE). A child who is between 6 and 17 years must be enrolled and attend school regularly, unless the Minister has granted an exemption from school. Under the Education Act of South Australia, parents and/or caregivers are held responsible for the regular attendance of all children in their care. DfE therefore has a legal responsibility to record and monitor attendance and take appropriate action to rectify problems of non-attendance.

Acceptable reasons for student absences:

• Alternate program of study or work (arranged with/by the school)
• Illness (including travel for surgery)
• Family reasons (funerals, unavoidable family travel)

Please inform the school of any absences via one of the following methods:

• send a Daymap message (via the Daymap mobile app)
• phone (08) 8683-6000
• email dl.0791_info@schools.sa.edu.au

NOTE: For absences of three days or more, an Exemption Form is required; these are available from our Front Office

<< Download PLHS Assessment & Reporting Policy >>

Assessment and reporting at PLHS provides students and families with timely and effective feedback supported by learning evidence, which enables the targeted growth of all individuals. It is an inclusive, constructive and authentic acknowledgement of individual achievement, where students are empowered to take responsibility for their own learning and growth.

The following grades may appear on a student’s report:

AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM ACHIEVEMENT STANDARDS (Years 7–10):

• A: Demonstrating excellent achievement of what is expected at this year level
• B: Demonstrating good achievement of what is expected at this year level
• C: Demonstrating satisfactory achievement of what is expected at this year level
• D: Demonstrating partial achievement of what is expected at this year level
• E: Demonstrating minimal achievement of what is expected at this year level
• NA: Subject not assessed with a grade or result

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION [SACE] (Stage 1):

Students are graded in each subject area using Performance Standards from A to E; other results include:

• P: Pending – the allocation of a result is pending the completion of further work (in English, Mathematics and EIF subjects only)
• N: No Result – insufficient evidence of learning to meet an E grade; no SACE credits awarded

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION [SACE] (Stage 2):

Students are graded in each subject area using Performance Standards from A+ through to E–

POSITIVE LEARNING ELEMENTS (Organised for Learning, Persists to Improve, Works Independently, Acts Responsibly):

• Excellent
• Competent
• Developing
• Not Assessed

LITERACY GROWTH:

• Ex: Excellent
• G: Good
• S: Satisfactory
• P: Partial
• M: Minimal

MODIFIED LEARNING:

• WB: Working Beyond
• AC: Achieved
• WT: Working Towards

TRAFFIC LIGHTS:

Traffic light reports are published once a term; they are used to provide students and parents an indication of current academic progress:

• RED: The student is not performing to expectations and intervention is required.
• AMBER: The teacher has some concerns regarding student progress in the subject and will keep monitoring
• GREEN: The student is performing well in this subject

• BRIDGE (Better Behaviour Centre) provides a temporary learning environment for Year 8-10 students as an intervention for those who experience challenges within the mainstream
• there is a strong focus on literacy, numeracy and skills for living; practical learning activities are also available; students are encouraged to participate in community projects and activities
• participants negotiate individual learning programs and develop a behaviour and learning contract; this is reviewed weekly
• there is a strong emphasis on families and school staff working together to improve school attendance
• entry to the program is by application or referral from the Middle School Assistant Principal for consideration by a review panel

Students who reside 5km or more by the shortest practical route from the nearest government school have a right to use existing Department for Education bus services.

Travel is coordinated through the Port Lincoln Primary School, who can be contacted on 8682-1544.

It is essential that you complete an application form every year for your child/ren to guarantee a seat. Once an application form has been submitted, confirmation of travel will be sent to you by the School Bus Coordinator.

Students are picked up and dropped off at the Port Lincoln Junior Primary School.

The Town Bus service is operated by Tunarama Coachlines. Please contact them directly on 8821-2755.

The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander men. The Foundation uses a unique, innovative and highly successful approach; using the existing passion that these boys have for sport allows Clontarf to initially attract them to school, and then keep them coming. It is not a sporting program however – it develops the values, skills and abilities that will assist the boys to transition into meaningful employment and achieve better life outcomes.

The Foundation collaborates with schools and communities to create Clontarf Academies that are embedded within the school grounds and education program. Full-time, locally-based Clontarf staff mentor and counsel students on a range of behavioural and lifestyle issues while the school caters for their education needs. Any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male enrolled at the school is eligible to participate in the Academy.

Through the use of supportive relationships and environment, the students develop improved self-esteem and confidence which enables them to participate in education, employment and society in a positive way. Academy activities are planned within the focus areas of education, leadership, employment, well-being, life skills and sport. In order to remain in the programme, participants must continue to work at school and embrace the objectives of the Foundation.

This approach has been very successful, not only in attracting and retaining young men to school, but also in having them embrace more disciplined, purposeful and healthy lifestyles.

<< Download “Daymap Mobile App for Parents” instruction guide >>

<< Download “Daymap Connect – Parent Guide“ instruction guide >>

Daymap is our school’s learner management system. PLHS parents are urged to download the free Daymap mobile app (both Apple and Android versions are available) in order to see a range of information pertaining to their student(s), including:

• attendance & timetable
• reports & assessment results
• student records & notes
• calendars & events
• messages to/from school

"Dharna" is a Barngarla word meaning strong.

At PLHS we value the relationships between students and teachers and teachers and families.

Dharna Crew is a period at the start and end of each day where a small group of students spend time with their Dharna Crew Leader to foster these relationships. On Wednesday mornings, a longer session (50 minutes) is allocated.

Your student’s Dharna Crew Leader should be the first point of contact for everything from attendance to excursions.

Student Expectations:

At our school we aim to:

• Create a safe, caring, orderly and productive learning community, supported by our Dharna Crews
• Provide students with opportunities to experience success through a range of student pathways

To achieve these goals, we expect students will:

ATTENDANCE: Be punctual | Explain absences

DRESS CODE / UNIFORM: Be dressed neatly and in school uniform | Be dressed appropriately in specialist subject areas

COMMUNICATION: Communicate with students, staff and visitors using a respectful tone | Follow reasonable requests

LEARNING: Come to lessons prepared | Participate in learning programs

MOVEMENT: Move in a safe manner in classrooms, corridors and around school building

SAFETY: Keep our environment alcohol and drug free

RELATIONSHIPS: Keep our environment free of aggression, violence and harassment

RESPECT FOR PROPERTY: Keep environment free of graffiti, vandalism and theft

Our Commitment:

Our school is committed to the health and wellbeing of all students and staff. Therefore student health care plans are required for students who have a health condition diagnosed by a medical practitioner. Health care plans are required to be updated annually, or the school notified if the health care plan is no longer required.

We acknowledge that parents/ guardians retain primary responsibility for their student’s health care. This includes responsibility for providing accurate, up-to-date relevant information for staff regarding student’s routine and emergency health care needs. Students will be supported to develop safe, self-management of their health care needs.

For example, health care plans are required for; epilepsy and seizure, asthma, diabetes, anaphylaxis and cystic fibrosis.

Students and parents are encouraged to discuss health support and medication management, confidentially, with the Assistant Principal at the enrolment meeting.

What the school needs to know:

If a student needs to take medication during school hours the school must be informed. Students cannot take any medication at school without a medication authority form or a signed letter by a doctor. This applies for:

• Prescriptions drugs
• Any over the counter medicines
• Ointments
• Alternative therapies
• Vitamins and minerals
• Food supplements

Action Plans & Forms:

• ASCIA Action Plan Anaphylaxis Generic
• ASCIA Action Plan Anaphylaxis EpiPen
• ASCIA Action Plan Anaphylaxis Anapen
• ASCIA Action Plan Allergic Reactions
• Asthma Care Plan
• Diabetes Action Plan Insulin Pump
• Individual First Aid Plan
• Non Specific Health Care Plan
• Seizure Management Plan
• Toileting Care Learning

<< Download “Publication of Student's Photo” policy >>

CONSENT PERMISSION – Child
Permission to use likeness, image, voice, performance and/or creative work of students and children.

Background:
The Department for Education (DfE) develops teaching, learning and promotional materials and publishes them in print and digitally. Increasingly students are publishing their own materials on websites such as the school website, DfE website, Scootle™ YOUTUBE and iTunes™ or other online environments.

Request for Permission:

The DfE seeks permission to use the following:

• media (photo/film/audio recording) in which your child appears
• a written comment made by your child
• your child’s work samples (for example, a painting, written work, podcasts)

Granting Permission:

By completing and returning this permission form, you are granting permission for the DfE to use:

• an image or recording of your child which appears in a photo, film and/or audio recording to publish
• on paper and/or on websites under a CC-BY-NC licence*
  your child’s work samples on paper and/or on websites under a CC-BY-NC licence*
• an image or recording of your child which may identify your child by first name and/or school only
• work samples created by your child without identifying your child – or identifying your child by first
  name and/or school only.

Your/Student agreement to this Policy is valid for the duration of the student’s enrolment.

Students from our school may be supported via Tailored Learning which provides programs to support individual pathway success.

Programs include accessible connection to the SA Curriculum, VET courses, SACE and university pathways with wrap around Youth Worker Case Management.

Entry into Tailored Learning support is negotiated via the relevant Channel Leader (Year 7/8, Year 9/10, Year 11/12).

<< Download PLHS Timetable >>

On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays:

• School day commences at 8:40am (staff on Yard Duty from 8:20am)
• Dharna Crew runs from 8:40am to 8:55am
• Lesson 1 runs from 8:55am to 9:45am
• Lesson 2 runs from 9:45am to 10:35am
• Recess runs from 10:35am to 10:55am
• Lesson 3 runs from 10:55am to 11:45am
• Lesson 4 runs from 11:45am to 12:45pm
• Lunch runs from 12:45pm to 1:25pm
• Lesson 5 runs from 1:25pm to 2:15pm
• Lesson 6 runs from 2:15pm to 3:05pm
• Dharna Crew runs from 3:05am to 3:15am
• School day concludes at 3:15pm (staff on Yard Duty until 3:30pm)

On Wednesdays:

• School day commences at 8:40am (staff on Yard Duty from 8:20am)
• Dharna Crew runs from 8:40am to 9:30am
• Lesson 1 runs from 9:30am to 10:30am
• Recess runs from 10:30am to 10:55am
• Lesson 2 runs from 10:55am to 11:45am
• Lesson 3 runs from 11:45am to 12:45pm
• Lunch runs from 12:45pm to 1:25pm
• Lesson 4 runs from 1:25pm to 2:25pm
• School day concludes at 2:25pm (staff on Yard Duty until 3:00pm)
• Staff undertake Professional Learning from 2:45pm to 4:30pm
• Optional Study Centre in Resource Centre for students (from 2:25pm to 3:15pm)

<< Download PLHS Dress Code / School Uniform Policy >>

Port Lincoln High School has a colour-coded, flexible, safe and economic school uniform. The school’s Governing Council and staff endorse the importance of students being easily identified. It is the responsibility of staff to maintain a duty of care for the protection of all students; this involves the identification of non-students on school grounds, monitoring student uniforms and notifying parents/caregivers when the policy is not adhered to.

Students are required to wear a neat, clean school uniform each day. Parent/caregivers are asked to provide an explanatory note if their student is unavoidably out of uniform. Consequences apply for non-compliance.

PLHS uniform garments are available from Student Services (anytime during school hours for parent/caregivers, during recess and lunchtime for students). Other generic items (e.g. plain grey, white or navy polo tops, navy or grey pants/trackpants) can be purchased from a number of local retail outlets.

Current Prices:

• Polo Top ($35)
• Rugby Top ($65)
• Jacket ($70)
• Shorts ($25)
• Trackpants ($30)

Our students may be involved in athletic programs including the use of projectiles throughout their school in PE lesson times or during sporting events such as Standards & Sports Days, i.e. the use of projectiles such as Javelin, Shot Put or Discus for educational purposes.

These are category 2 activities requiring parent/guardian consent. Be assured PLHS staff follow all safety procedures when doing any activities involving projectiles.

Consent is required on the Parent & Student agreement form at the enrolment process. All agreements/permissions are valid for the student’s entire enrolment at PLHS.

The PLHS Wellbeing Team is dedicated to supporting learners through a comprehensive approach that emphasises wellbeing for learning. By focusing on the key areas of belonging, safety, resilience, persistence and cognitive engagement, we ensure that each student is positioned for success.

• BELONGING: A culture of Crew allows us to foster a sense of community and connection, empowering students to thrive academically and personally. Slow is smooth. Smooth is Fast. “We Are Crew”.
• SAFETY: We enhance safety by developing students' ability to connect through restorative practices. We assist students in navigating conflict safely. We uphold cultural awareness across the site to ensure everyone can express their opinions. Our student-centred approach prioritises the needs and perspectives of learners. We collaborate to cultivate a culture of safety.
• RESILIENCE: We empower learners to build resilience by focusing on strengths, adaptability and a growth mindset. We work side by side with our learners with trauma responsive practices.
• PERSISTENCE: We foster persistence by supporting students with strength-based, solution-focused approaches. We encourage persistence by collaborating with students to identify their strengths, set achievable goals, and enhance learning engagement through activating curiosity.
• COGNITIVE ENGAGEMENT: Cognitive engagement and learning success is possible when belonging, safety, resilience and persistence are present. We use Crew to enhance cognitive engagement through wellbeing interventions. Positioning students to learn is our ultimate goal.

Through tailored support and collaborative practices, we create an environment where every learner can achieve their full potential.