Handbook

Students are expected to arrive at school by 8:30 am and be prepared to commence classes at 8:45 am. The final bell for the day sounds at 3:00 pm.

Families are asked to assist the school in the interest of the students’ safety by ensuring that students do not attend or remain in the school grounds outside hours, unless they are waiting for buses in the supervised bus lines.

The school will not be responsible for supervising or caring for students outside the school premises unless the students are engaged in a school sponsored activity e.g. an excursion or a sporting event. The school will not be responsible for supervising or caring for students on their journey to and from school. In particular, the school will not be responsible for supervising students at bus stops either on their way to school or on their way home from school.  Each student’s journey to and from school shall be the responsibility of each student’s parent or caregiver.

Loving God,
Light the lantern of our hearts and, like Nano Nagle,
help us live Christ-like lives.
Through Faith, illuminate the spirit within us so that we may be able
to bring the light of Christ's hope to those in darkness.
Through Learning, grant us the knowledge
to always strive for what is right and just.
Through Welcome, may we open our arms
and hearts to the possibilities of the future.
Through Courage, help us to be strong in the face of adversity.
Through Action, may we live out our motto "In Deed not Word".

Like Nano Nagle, Presentation People make a difference.
We ask this in the name of Jesus your Son who was, is and always will be
The Light of the World.
Amen.

 

In Deed Not Word

Verse 1
Hold the lantern high
Lighting the way
Let the light of Christ
Shine through each day

Bridge 1
We are called to make a difference
Called to change the world
Justice and compassion
Lead the way

Chorus
In deed, not word
Thy Will be done
From around the world we come
Together as one – 
The Word of God alive
In how we live

Verse 2
Nano Nagle saw the need among the poor
Determined and strong
She never lost hope

Bridge 2
And the Presentation Sisters
Pass the challenge onto us
To be the light of love to all we meet

Chorus
In deed, not word
Thy Will be done
From around the world we come
Together as one – 
The Word of God alive
In how we live

The ‘Spirit of Nano Cup’ was introduced at Nagle in 2008. Students have the opportunity to earn points for their house team when they perform acts that deserve recognition. Students are encouraged to participate in various college activities to support their houses. Students can also earn points by participation in the major school carnivals.

The points awarded through the merit system contribute to an overall team result for each of the houses across all year groups. The house awarded the most points for the year wins the ‘Spirit of Nano Cup’ and team members are treated to a special activity.

In order to support teachers in their professional development and to ensure our school offers the best possible learning experiences for our staff and students, six days a year are allocated for staff development.

On these days teachers will be involved in activities such as curriculum development, formation, student well-being, opportunities for parent/student interviews and feedback. Dates of these staff development days will be advised through the school newsletter and on the college calendar (insert link here) you are asked to make other arrangements for the supervision of your child/ children on these days.

Learning Preparation Guide

Introduction

Learning preparation at home is a very important part of the learning process. It is hoped that the student's skills will be strengthened as well as promoting initiative and responsibility. Learning and preparation has two components. There are: 

• Homework
  Any activity which has been set by the teacher to be completed by a set date.
• Study
  Any activity other than homework, which reinforces work done at school.
  As well as this students are actively encourage to read for 20 minutes each night.

Home Study Timetable

Importantly, habits are formed by doing things regularly. It is easier to establish habits if regular hours on regular days are set aside for learning preparation. If no homework has been set then the time should be spent on study. The following times are recommended:

Years 7-9	1 to 1.5 hours, 4 nights per week
Years 9-10	1.5 to 2 hours, 5 nights per week
Years 11-12	2.5 to 3 hours, 5 nights per week, PLUS weekend study

 

School term dates and holidays are generally the same as government schools.

School Term Dates
	2017	2018
Term 1	30 January (Years 7, 11 & 12) 31 January (Years 8, 9 & 10)     to 7 April	30 January (Years 7, 11 & 12) 31 January (Years 8, 9 & 10) to 13 April
Term 2	26 April to 30 June	1 May to 6 July
Term 3	17 July to 22 September	24 July to 28 September
Term 4	9 October to 14 December	15 October to 17 December

 

2017 NSW Public Holidays
New Year’s Day	Sunday, 1 January
AustraliaDay	Thursday, 26 January
Good Friday	Friday, 14 April
Easter Saturday	Saturday, 15 April
Easter Monday	Monday,17 April
Anzac Day	Tuesday, 25 April
Queen's Birthday	Monday, 12 June
Labour Day	Monday, 2 October
Christmas Day	Monday, 25 December
Boxing Day	Tuesday, 26 December

 

 

2018 NSW Public Holidays
New Year’s Day	Monday, 1 January
AustraliaDay	Friday, 26 January
Good Friday	Friday, 30 March
Easter Saturday	Saturday, 31 March
Easter Monday	Monday, 2 April
Anzac Day	Wednesday, 25 April
Queen's Birthday	Monday, 11 June
Labour Day	Monday, 1 October
Christmas Day	Tuesday, 25 December
Boxing Day	Wednesday, 26 December

Summer (Term 1 & Term 4)

Junior

• White shirt – short sleeve – from College Uniform Shop
• If an outer garment is worn while traveling to or from school, it must be the college blazer
• Tartan skirt from College Uniform Shop – must be worn covering the knees
• White ankle socks
• Black leather lace-up school shoes that enclose the whole foot – heel to be no higher than 3.5 cm
• No mary-jane style shoes.

Senior

•  White senior shirt – short sleeve – from College Uniform Shop
•  If an outer garment is worn while traveling to or from school, it must be the college blazer
• Tartan skirt from College Uniform Shop – must be worn covering the knee
• Senior tie from the College Uniform Shop
• White ankle socks
• Black leather lace-up school shoes that enclose the whole foot – heel to be no higher than 3.5 cm
• No mary-jane style shoes.

Winter (Term 2 & Term 3)

Junior

• White shirt – short or long sleeve - from College Uniform Shop
• Tartan skirt from College Uniform Shop – must be worn covering the knees
• College blazer – must be worn as the outer garment 
• College jumper – may be worn under the college blazer for extra warmth
• Opaque navy stockings (80% cotton tights available at College Uniform Shop)
• Black leather lace-up school shoes that enclose the whole foot – heel to be no higher than 3.5 cm
• No mary-jane style shoes.

Senior

• White senior shirt and tie from College Uniform Shop
• Tartan skirt from College Uniform Shop – must be worn covering the knees
• College blazer – must be worn as the outer garment 
• College jumper – may be worn under the college blazer for extra warmth
• Opaque navy stockings (80% cotton tights available at College Uniform Shop)
• Black leather lace-up school shoes that enclose the whole foot – heel to be no higher than 3.5 cm
• No mary-jane style shoes

Sports Uniform

• Shirt – white polo shirt with blue, gold and green trim to collar and sleeves and college crest – available from College Uniform Shop
• Shorts – blue sports shorts – available from College Uniform Shop
• Socks – white sports socks
• Sports shoes – must be predominantly white in colour and must be lace-up sports shoes - slip on style shoes are not permitted
• Nagle sports cap – available from College Uniform Shop
• Nagle College tracksuit – available from College Uniform Shop

Blazer

The blazer is the official college outer garment. In summer the blazer is optional, but in winter (Terms 2 and 3) it is compulsory for traveling to and from school, for assemblies, masses etc.

Hair

We ask that hair styles are appropriate to the College setting, e.g. extreme, or multiple colours or cuts are not permitted. Hair longer than shoulder length must be neatly tied back. A discrete ribbon, scrunchy hair band or clip in dark blue, white or black may be worn. Combs and clips should be single colours – dark blue, white or black.

Jewellery/Make – Up/Nail Polish

Please refer to senior privileges for senior rules. No jewellery is to be worn by the junior students except for one pair of plain, simple sleepers or studs worn in the ear lobe. 
No nail polish or make-up to be worn by junior students.

Please note: Jewellery will be confiscated. Students are strongly advised not to wear any jewellery or an expensive or sentimental nature – it will be confiscated and will only be returned at the end of the term.

All items of the Nagle College uniform are available at the College Uniform shop.

The Uniform shop is open on Monday.
It is open for parents between 8am and 11.20am.

It is recommended that students try on garments prior to purchase.

Payments may be made by cash, cheque, EFTPOS or over the phone using a credit card.

Class teachers will formally report to parents twice per school year. Midyear, an individual parent-teacher interview will be organised. Twice a year a written report will be provided for all students.

Close communication between parents and teachers is essential for the progress of your daughter. You are always welcome to contact us. The principal and the class teachers are very willing to discuss the progress of your child whenever you consider this advantageous. Simply contact the school in order to organise a mutually convenient interview time.

Because parents are the most vital educative influence in the lives of their children, it is most important that parents and teachers work together. Parent–Student-Teacher evenings are conducted during the year for each year group and all parents are urged to attend.

In addition, information nights are held for parents and students at different times to discuss and explain the structure of the curriculum and to guide students in their choice of subjects and levels.

Parents or guardians desiring an interview in addition to the above, are encouraged to do so through the pastoral co-ordinator and are requested to make an appointment by telephone on 02 8887 4501.

Parent forums are held on various topical issues throughout the year and are advertised in our newsletter, The Lantern.

If a student is absent from school, an SMS will be sent to the parent/caregiver informing them of the absence. The parent/caregiver is asked to respond to the SMS stating the reason for the absence. The College may ring to verify absences. Alternatively, the parent/caregiver may supply a written note on the return of the student to school. This note should be given to the student’s homeroom teacher. The note need only be brief and simply state the reason for the absence and the date or dates of absence.

Our newsletter The Lantern contains information about College activities and is distributed every month.

College newsletters are archived on the College website and can be downloaded and read at your convenience.

We do keep a few spare copies in the office in case of loss or damage.  Please feel free to collect one from the office staff if you did not receive a copy.

• • During travel, your daughter’s behaviour is expected to be of the highest possible standard. The bus company reserves the right to withdraw the use of a bus pass or refuse their service to any child seriously disregarding travel rules. In the interests of safety the school fully endorses the bus company’s decisions. The school also reserves the right to withhold a bus pass for repeated misconduct during bus travel.

     
  •  

According to regulations set down by the NSW Department of Transport a secondary student (Year 7-12) who lives more than 2 kms (radial distance) from school, or 2.9 kms or more by the most direct practical walking route to the nearest entry point to the school is eligible for a bus pass.

Please consider bus passes very seriously as the bus company is paid irrespective of whether your child uses this service.

In extreme cases only (i.e. sickness etc) bus passes will be issued to children who live within the designated limits on application to the Department of Transport, Parramatta.

Should a student lose or damage her bus pass, an application must be made to the bus company for a replacement. A charge is made by the bus company for replacing a lost or damaged bus pass.

Students progressing from Year 6 to Year 7 are required to complete a new application for a bus pass. Application forms for bus passes are available from the college office. Completed forms are to be returned to the college office.

• The use of mobile phones at school is not permitted.
  
  
• If students bring a mobile phone to school it is to be switched off, in their pocket or locked in their locker.
  
  
• The college takes no responsibility for mobile phones that are lost, stolen or damaged at school.
  
  
• If a mobile phone is used at school it will be confiscated and only returned after the college has had the opportunity to contact parents who will be required to come to school to collect the phone.
  
  
• If students are ill at school they are to report to the office so that parents can be contacted. 
  
  
• If a student needs to contact her parent for any other reason, she must seek permission from her teacher and go to the office immediately. Students are not to contact parents by use of mobile phones before advising a teacher or the office.

Introduction:

The students at Nagle College will have access to a variety of technological resources including (but not limited to): communication devices, computers, tablets, and all resources connected to the network and the Internet.  This Agreement also refers to work and communication on those devices including (but not limited to): social networking, blogging, Web 2.0 sites, digital media, video conferencing, email, word processing & much more.

 

Purpose:

The technology at Nagle College will be used to enhance student learning by providing students with the opportunity to inspire excellence through effective research, communication, and innovation. This access will allow students to set a foundation for success by establishing a core understanding of the safe and appropriate use of technology both in school and at home.

 

Privilege:

Access to technology is a privilege, not a right.  Inappropriate use of technology can result in the access to technology being revoked and disciplinary action may be taken.  The Nagle College teachers and staff may suspend, limit or revoke the access to technology at any time.

 

Filtering And Monitoring:

Nagle College has the right to monitor, copy, review and document any usage of the College technology resources.  The Nagle College teachers and staff have the authority to assess the appropriateness of technology use. Students who misuse these resources will be subject to discipline (including suspension or expulsion) and their privileges can be revoked.  ICT staff have the ability to monitor individual internet usage (i.e. see how much you watch YouTube), however ICT staff cannot see any secure details, such as usernames, passwords or emails.

 

Plagiarism / Copyright / Licensing:

Plagiarism means to use the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own.

Nagle College students are expected to give proper credit to all of the sources used in their learning, whether quoted directly or summarised. Additionally, students will follow copyright laws in regards to software, authorship and the copying of information and media including graphics, movies, music and text.

Security:

Please use only assigned accounts, and never use or view passwords other than your own or share your password with others. Do not post or distribute any private information about yourself or others including (but not limited to) phone numbers, full names, personal photos, and other forms of identification.

If you believe you are not the only one who knows your login details, please contact the ICT department to get them changed.

Network Security / Server:

Nagle College's Wireless Network is a secure network. Only users' devices authorized & connected by Nagle ICT are to be connected to Nagle’s network to ensure the security of both our network, and the devices connected to it.

Any device on the network that is not authorized will be removed.

Consequences will be in place for students who use our network inappropriately and/or continue to access the network without authorisation.

 

Notification:

Please notify a teacher or administrator if you encounter any technological issues, or notice damage to any of the technology at Nagle College.

If you find another person’s use of technology questionable or offensive, please notify a teacher, administrator, or Year Co-ordinator immediately.

Code Of Conduct:

Please be respectful of the technology and of the community by ensuring that you:

• use headphones when listening to audio and only upon teacher’s discretion.

• use appropriate language and graphics.

• use resources for appropriate educational purposes.

• chargers must be checked and tagged by a recognised electrician/ electrical company to ensure the charger complies with Work Health and Safety regulations.

• only charge device with teacher’s approval.

Turnitin - Assessment Submission Program

Turnitin will be used for the submission of assessment tasks in Years 10, 11 and 12.

Turnitin is licensed in the United States, and the owners of the software company operate under US Privacy legislation. Turnitin collects the names of students, owns the content and stores it for their purposes.

Students are able to submit their assessment tasks in hard copy if you do not approve of the abovementioned conditions.

BYOD - Connecting Personal Devices:

In order to connect a personal device to the Nagle College’s Wireless Internet, the device must:

• have a screen size larger than 7”.

• have a password on it.

• adhere to WHS rules (i.e.: Not have exposed wires or leaking battery).

• be a Mac laptop, iPad or Windows Pro edition device.

The device must be enrolled by ICT in order to receive the correct wireless settings. When the device is enrolled, ICT have the ability to push Nagle’s wireless network settings to the device and also revoke Nagle’s wireless network settings if required. ICT does not have access to any data stored on a personal device and cannot see any secure details, such as usernames, passwords or emails.

BYOD Enrolment Specifications:

FOR MACS: ICT will install a small application used to receive the wireless settings. This will require you to enter your password for installation.

FOR iPADS: ICT will install an app called AirWatch which is used to receive the wireless settings. This will require you to enter your password for installation.

WINDOWS DEVICES: ICT will bind the device to Nagle’s network which will allow for wireless settings to be received. This will require you to enter your password for installation.

For more information regarding BYOD, please visit the BYOD page on the Nagle College website

You might notice an extra user account on your device. This account only has rights to apply wireless network updates to your device and nothing else.

Parents are asked not to make appointments (i.e. doctor, dentist, specialist) for your daughter during college hours.

Students requesting early dismissal are required to present a signed note from their parent or guardian to their homeroom teacher. The homeroom teacher signs the note and forwards it to the Pastoral Co-ordinator to sign. This note is then presented at the office.

Students will only be dismissed when the note with the parent, homeroom teacher and Pastoral Co-ordinators’ signatures is held at the college office.

Students who arrive at the College after 8:45 am are required to present at the school office to sign in. Students will be presented with two slips of paper from the attendance system. One of these slips must be presented to either the homeroom or classroom teacher. The other slip is to be taken home and signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the homeroom teacher.

The College motto, ‘In Deed Not Word’, encapsulates the main aim of our College, which is to help our students become women who want to improve the world and who are prepared to work actively to achieve this goal. The college aims to provide young women with an education that enables them to develop their full potential and to prepare them for their participation in a complex world.

Students at Nagle College are encouraged to achieve their academic best, to be considerate of all members of their community and to ensure that their actions benefit others. Our College is based on the Gospel values of love, hope, faith and forgiveness. The college aims to cooperate with parents in guiding its students towards Catholic maturity and a deeper relationship with Christ and their Church.

Students at the College who are non-Catholic are included in all religious activities and instruction. The religious life of the college is fostered through liturgies, daily prayer, school Mass, the celebration of church feasts and a comprehensive Religious Education program taught from Years 7-12.

In providing an environment which fosters the spiritual, moral, social, physical, emotional and intellectual development of each girl within a Catholic context, our aim is for them to become more effective members of the Church and society. The college aims to strengthen and develop attitudes of initiative, creativity and responsibility. As a Catholic community Nagle College cultivates in its students a sense of individual self worth, an appreciation of their own giftedness, and the giftedness of others, and an understanding and acceptance of individual differences between people and cultures.

At Nagle College:

• we want to base our relationships on the teaching of Jesus: ‘My commandment to you is to love one another’
• we want a safe, secure and welcoming place in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect
• we do not want incidents of bullying occurring in our college
• we want everyone - teachers, students and parents - to deal with bullying, which may involve reporting it, whether they are victims or onlookers
• we want to ensure that anyone can protest against bullying and get support from the college
• that all forms of bullying including via the internet or mobile phones is never appropriate

You can create an environment free from bullying by:

• dealing with conflicts openly, peacefully and respectfully
• accepting responsibility for your words and actions
• taking appropriate action if you are being bullied or if you become aware that someone else is being bullied
• examining your behaviour and stopping any bullying you have been doing, even if you don’t think it is all that serious
• responding to victims of bullying in a supportive and caring way
• demanding the bullies stop their behaviour

If you are being bullied, you can choose how to respond to the situation. Whatever you decide, act promptly to prevent the problem getting worse.

Positive strategies

1.    Try to handle it yourself in a non-argumentative fashion

• Be assertive, look the person in the eye
• Tell them they’re annoying you and you want it to stop
• Predict situations that may lead to bullying and avoid these, control your fear
• Look at your own behaviour and see if it is, in any way, contributing to the bullying
• Use ‘I’ statements such as ‘I don’t like your behaviour’

2.    Get some advice from a trusted adult

• Your teachers
• Your parents
• The counsellor
• Another staff member
• A member of the executive
• A senior student you can trust
• College leaders
• Peer support
• Peer mediators

3.    Report the bullying to a teacher, pastoral coordinator, counsellor, assistant
       principal or principal and keep reporting it until is stops.

The following disciplinary consequences will occur…

• You will be interviewed
• Your parents will be informed
• The pastoral coordinator will determine follow up and disciplinary consequences
• Harassment is against the law. Police may be notified in serious repetitive cases.

Please note that the following examples of behaviour and consequences apply to a first time situation only. If a student repeatedly displays negative behaviour she will be interviewed by the pastoral coordinator and consequences will result. Parents will be notified of this behaviour by phone call or letter.

To support these consequences, support structures are put in place. These may include the college counsellor, peer mediation, peer support, pastoral co-ordinator support, and linking with outside agencies. The focus remains on the reasons behind the behaviour and assisting students to make more positive choices in the future.

Behaviour	Consequences
Bullying and harassment	Immediate interview with pastoral coordinator and assistant principal to determine consequences. Parent contacted for interview.
Chewing gum	Gum confiscated immediately. Lunch time B.T.G. detention for repeated behaviour.
Disruptive behaviour in the classroom talking constantly refusing to work disobeying class rules	Note in diary. Interview with pastoral coordinator to determine consequences. Parent contacted for interview.
Lateness to school	Written in the back of the diary – lunch detention or after school detention.
Littering	Lunch time B.T.G.
Lateness to class	Note in the diary. Lunch detention. Further lateness: afternoon detention.
Lying and deceptiveness	Note in the diary. Interview with pastoral coordinator. Afternoon detention.
Diary unusable	New diary is to be bought immediately. Parents notified by homeroom teacher.
No diary	Lunch detention – first instance. If lost – new diary is to be bought.
Jewellery	Item confiscated and stored in the college safe to be returned at the end of the term only.
Use of mobile phone in school time	Mobile phone confiscated and parents contacted to come to school and collect phone.
Out of bounds	Lunch time B.T.G. detention given.
Smoking	Suspended from classes. Parents contacted immediately. Interview with the assistant principal/principal to determine consequences.
Swearing	Lunch detention – first instance. Further swearing - afternoon detention.
Theft	Parents phoned immediately for interview with the Assistant Principal.
Misbehaving at the station or while traveling to and from school	Parents contacted immediately. Interview with the pastoral coordinator to determine consequences.Suspended from classes. Parents phoned immediately for interview with the assistant principal.
Aggressive behaviour towards staff: swearing threatening physical contact or threat harassment screaming refusing to obey instructions	Suspended from classes. Parents phoned immediately for interview with the Assistant Principal.
Truancy – full day or partial	Interview with Pastoral Co-ordinator. Parents notified immediately. Time made up after school – at afternoon detention.
Discourtesy to staff	Note in the diary. Interview with the pastoral coordinator to determine consequences.
Out of uniform without a note – includes not wearing blazer during terms two and three	First instance – note in diary Further instance – afternoon detention
Skirt above the required length	A new skirt will have to be purchased if the hem line does not meet College requirements.
Violence: verbal and written harassment	Interview with pastoral coordinator and assistant principal to determine consequences.
Possession or use of alcohol or illegal substances	Parents contacted immediately for interview with the assistant principal.
Physical violence	Parents notified immediately. Suspended from classes. Immediate interview with the assistant principal to determine consequences.
Vandalism or damage to school property	After-school community service. Parents charged for damage. Interview with pastoral coordinator.