Basic School Procedures
Registration of new students:
This is open for children residing at Naxxar, San Pawl tat-Targa and Salini.
There are two intakes for 3-year olds into Kindergarten; October intake for children born between May 1 and December 31 of the same year and February intake for children born between January 1st and April 30th of the following year. Children have to be fully toilet trained before they can start attending school.
Detailed information of parents’ home and contact telephone number and any subsequent changes must be immediately communicated to the school administration to ensure that information is correct at all times. It is important every parent provides the school with contact details for emergencies. The school administration is to be informed with any change of details in writing.
Information about the child’s medical history that would enable the school to safeguard the health and safety of the child must include what should be done/not be done in case of accidents.
Parents are also requested to fill in Data Protection forms on registrations. Any changes have to be communicated to the school. Student data is strictly confidential and is covered by the Data Protection Act.
During the school day, parents are not allowed to bring things to school to be passed on to their children. Stationery, consent forms and other things should be sent with the children when requested. The school will only make an exception for lunches, water, and spectacles.
School Uniform:
A school uniform identifies the children with a school, promoting a sense of pride and also a sense of belonging. Children are expected to attend school in full uniform. All clothing items should be labelled with the child’s name.
Accessories
Any accessories used such as bows, clips etc. should be black/navy blue.
Black/navy blue scarves or gloves.
For safety reasons, only stud earrings are allowed.
Bracelets and necklaces should NOT be worn.
Make-up and nail polish are not allowed.
Mobile phones and cameras are not to be brought to school.
Children not abiding by the school uniform policy may be asked to remove any accessory not belonging to the school uniform and/or the parents may be called in to change their child’s uniform. Besides, the school can inform the parents through a ‘Uniform Note’ which has to be signed and sent back to school.
For certain outings, such as performances and cultural outings, children will be expected to wear their full uniform. For other outings children may be asked to wear their P.E. kit. Children will be guided what to wear by their respective teachers prior to the outing. Children not wearing the adequate attire may be left at school.
Personal Hygiene
It is important that children keep their uniform clean.
Children should wash every day.
Teeth should be brushed on a regular basis.
A packet of tissues and a small packet of wipes are to be kept in the school bag.
Hair
Long hair should be tied back for safety and hygienic reasons.
Hair should be clean and washed regularly.
Hair styles should be adequate for school – no fancy haircuts please! (Hair-cuts with more than one evident length are deemed NOT appropriate for school)
Entering the school
School starts at 8:30am sharp – Remember, habitual latecomers usually live a few corners away from school!
School doors open at 8:25am for Primary children and 8:30am for Kindergarten children. Kindergarten children are to use the gate on the right hand side at 8:30. Primary students will be guided through the 2 gates (Yrs3,2,1 Right Gate and Yrs4,5,6 Left Gate) open between 8:25 and 8:30.
Only children using school transport and those attending Breakfast Club are allowed to enter the school before the above times. These children have to identify themselves by means of tags.
Breakfast is distributed to children between 7:00am and 8:00am. For more information please visit:
Late Comers
Late comers are to wait with their parents in the waiting area as this is not supervised by school staff. When the assembly is over they may enter the school.
Habitual late comers will be approached by the SMT and further actions may be taken if the problem persists.
Parents are not allowed to accompany their children to class unless instructed by the SMT.
Dismissal
Kindergarten children start dismissal at 2:05pm (12:00pm during half-days) from the respective door.
Primary School children start dismissal at 2:20pm (12:05pm in during half-days) from the 2 main doors. Parents are reminded to be on time to pick up their children from school.
Parents who need to pick up children early need to inform the teacher IN WRITING. The ID card needs to be presented. In cases of emergency, permission from the Head of School is required.
Parents need to inform the school/teacher in writing if children are being picked up by other family members.
This procedure remains unaltered in case of inclement weather. Please bring your umbrellas and wait outside the school. Allowing a large number of adults in school creates a security hazard for your children.
Parents can opt for Club 3-16 (after school club). This is fully managed and organised by the Foundation for Educational Services.
Attendance:
Attendance is compulsory for children aged 5-15 years in Malta. Children under the the age of 5 need not produce a medical certificate unless specifically requested (Fit for School Note) by the school administration. This usually happens in the case of infectious diseases. Attendance is inputted on the E1 platform on a daily basis so that parents receive the SMS notifying them of their child’s absence. It is the parents’ responsibility to inform the school in writing of any changes in mobile numbers.
Justified absence
If a student is absent only 1 to 3 days, an absence form from a parent to the Head of School will be enough. If the child is sick and visits a doctor, the note can be replaced by the medical certificate. When a student is sick for more than 3 days per month, a medical certificate is then required.
A student is also excused with justified absence if the Head of School is presented with valid documentation (examples: in case of emergency family travel abroad (trips of less than 3 weeks for medical reasons, serious family reasons, like funerals, weddings, cultural and educational trips etc., musical exams falling on school days, students representing the nation in activities abroad, bereavement, etc…).
A Valid Medical Certificate
A certificate of illness is accepted if such certificate contains the following information:
- The name, surname and registration number of practitioner;
- The name of the student, class and school of the student;
- The date of the examination or the date of issue of the certificate of illness – the school shall not accept a medical certificate that does not show the date of issue or consultation;
- The exact period of recommended absence from school due to illness. Certificates must be renewed after a period of 7 consecutive days;
- The certificate is submitted by not later than 3 days after the student returns to school. Nonetheless, if the student is sick for more than 5 consecutive school days, the certificate has to be handed in by the end of the fifth day in Primary Schools
The Medical Certificate Record Card
Parents are to take the MCRC when they visit the general practitioner (GP) who will issue a medical certificate to be submitted to the school when a student is sick. The GP is to fill in the MCRC. The parent is to submit the medical certificate together with the MCRC to the school within the stipulated time frame.
Unjustified absence
A student is habitually absent if he/she is absent for 3 or more days without any justification. In the interest of the student, the Head of School may not accept the justification by the parent and ask for a formal medical certificate when a child is sick.
When a student has been absent without justification for 9 days from the beginning of the scholastic year (cumulative) the Education Psycho-Social Services Personnel will intervene to address the problem at an early stage.
Homework:
Homework plays a very important part in the teaching and learning process. It compliments and reflects work being done at school. Teachers give a reasonable amount of HW. This is noted down in the school diary. Children should not spend an excessive time on their HW. If this happens persistently, the class teacher should be informed by means of a note.
HW reflects the ability of the child, so the teacher/LSA may give different HWs to different children in the same class. In general, children are given Mathematics HW everyday together with other subject/s as well. Additional HW might be given during week-ends and holidays. Children are also expected to read every day, even if this is not written down on the diary. Parents are to check that HW is being done. Parents should refrain from doing their child’s HW as this serves more as hindrance rather than help. Parent help should decrease as the child grows older but parent presence is always a necessity in their child’s development. When no HW is given, children are expected to revise and study. This also applies to when the teacher is sick. Teachers will inform the parents when their children do not bring their HW. Parents are to sign the note and send it back to school. Besides the note, children are also expected to bring the missing HW. When children are sick, HW will only be given when the child returns to school. This HW will be handed in and corrected in a reasonable time and according to exigencies.
Birthday Procedure:
On the designated day, children can come in casual clothes. In case of Kindergarten children, please make sure that the child is able to undress/dress. In case of doubt, the school uniform/tracksuit is the best solution. Plain cakes/plain muffins/ plain cupcakes that adhere to the HELP policy may be brought to school. Other healthy options such as fruit, fruit salad, cereals, jelly, healthy finger food, wraps, sandwiches etc. may also be brought instead. Use your imagination and ask your child to help in the preparation!
Special care must be taken in case of any existing food allergies in the class/school.
ALL ITEMS MUST BE NUT-FREE and FREE OF NUT PRODUCTS
When a cupcake (with icing, sugar paste etc.) does not abide by this policy, the child will still be celebrated but the food will not be distributed. The celebration will be confined to the particular class only. Siblings of the child may be invited to the class to take part.
Teachers can distribute party invitations in class as long as ALL the children in class are invited.
Healthy Eating Policy:
The school follows the Healthy Eating Lifestyle Plan (HELP). Children are expected to bring healthy food at school. This may include bread, salads, fruit and water. Sweets, chocolates, juices, flavoured water, salted biscuits/crackers and items with high levels of Fats, Salts and Sugars (HFSS) are not allowed.