School hours

9:00 am to 3:00 pm
 

Arrivals

Children should arrive at school between 8:45am and 9:00am.  Please try not to be late as this often causes disruption when the classes have begun.  If the need arises for you to deliver the children before 8:45am, please submit, in writing, a request for early arrival to the Principal.  (Note that this is not necessary for children arriving on the school bus.)
 

Collections

Children will be at the gate by 2:55pm for a 3:00pm dismissal.  You will be asked to complete a form at the start of each year advising arrangements for collection.  If changes are needed, please advise your child’s teacher in writing.  If you are delayed in collecting your child, please inform the school immediately so that arrangements can be made.
 

After School Care

After School Care is available daily, to extended day and primary children, from 3:00-5:45pm at an additional charge.  Details can be obtained from the office.
 

School bus

A school bus services the Hills district.  Details can be obtained from the office.
 

Illness

If your child is ill, he/she should not attend school.  Please phone the school and let your child’s teacher know.  Staff are required to notify other parents if there is a contagious illness in the class.  Names of children are not used in this instance. If you are unsure about how long to keep a child with a contagious disease at home, check with your doctor.
 

Absence

It is a requirement that upon return, a written letter explaining the reason for the child's absence be submitted to the child's Director / Directress.
 

Clothing

All children’s clothing should be name-labelled.  The school’s Sunsmart policy requires all children playing outdoors to wear a protective sunhat: ‘no hat, no play’ is enforced. A change of clothes can be kept at school.  Comfortable shoes should be worn – thongs are not appropriate.
 

Food

We recommend supplying your child with a fresh and nutritious lunch and encourage healthy eating habits.  We are not able to facilities to heat lunches.  If a child forgets his lunch, we have a small supply of rice cakes and basic spreads.

Northside Montessori School is a peanut and nut free environment.
 

Sport

Sport is undertaken at either the Northside site or Bannockburn Oval on alternate Wednesdays. We walk to the oval by the safest route possible for the children and consider this an important part of their exercise program. Please ensure that your child has appropriate shoes for sport.
 

Excursions

Excursions are an important part of the Montessori philosophy of ‘going out’. For this reason, we aim to include two excursions per term, ideally related to the main focus of the work being undertaken in each class.

When the child goes out, it is the world itself that offers itself to him. Let us take the child out to show him real things instead of making objects which represent ideas and closing them in cupboards.

[Maria Montessori, From Childhood to Adolescence]

A signed written consent is required before the child can go on an excursion and must be received at least 24 hours before the excursion.
 

Library

Primary children can borrow one book at a time from the school library. Your child’s teacher will advise if there is a special library day. They should bring a cloth library bag. Children also visit Ku-ring-gai Library at Turramurra about every four weeks. If your child does not have a Ku-ring-gai Library Borrower’s Card, you will need to apply for one in person at any Ku-ring-gai Library (the school is not able to do this on the child’s behalf).
 

Homework

Homework is not given in the child’s early years of Montessori primary education at Northside, but is gradually introduced to the children in the 9–12 class during level 5. This is a preparation for home study in secondary school and beyond. It is used primarily to promote independent work habits and to use skills they are establishing.

Our aim is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorise, but to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his innermost core.

[Maria Montessori, To Educate the Human Potential]
 

Birthdays

Birthdays are celebrated in the Primary school and continue to be significant events in the child’s school life. Check with your child’s teacher for details a few days before your child’s birthday.
 

Parent roles

The parents and staff of Northside Montessori School work together to provide an optimum environment in which the child may grow and develop. The school and home environment must support each other. We encourage parents to participate in school activities. Please refer to Parent Involvement sheet for further details.
 

Communications

Please be sure to make a time to see your child’s teacher about any aspect of your child’s development or education about which you have concerns. Further details are given in the Communications sheet.

In the interests of your child’s care, it is also very important to keep emergency contact details up to date.