Special Features

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE CENTRE

The Centre provides supervisory care at reasonable rates, before and after school. The Before and After School Care Centre also provides a range of activities for the children which include organised sport, team games, art and craft. Homework supervision is also provided by Centre's staff. The Centre opens at 7.00am and closes at 6.20pm. A fee is charged for children collected after this time. It is highly recommended that all children be registered with the Centre irrespective of whether you intend using its facilities. There may be an unexpected situation (sick relative, car accident, etc) when you may need emergency child care. A registration fee applies. Submitting a registration form is free, however the fee applies when the need arises to use the Centre. If your child is not registered with the Centre, s/he cannot be accepted for legal reasons.
Click here to go to the Before & After School Care information page.

CHOIR

The school has two choirs- the Waratah Junior Choir for children from years 1 to 3 and the Primary Choir for years 4 to 6, as well as a senior Vocal Ensemble. The choirs provide children with an opportunity to learn a variety of songs from different countries and eras using different techniques. The choir regularly performs at school events including Grandparent's Day, Presentation Day and the Musical Gala Night. They also join other schools to perform in the Hornsby District Music Festival.

COMPUTER EDUCATION PROGRAM

The school's computer education program develops computer skills and related technologies across a range of classroom activities. Children use computers to publish stories, to create artwork and to extend their learning across a variety of curriculum areas. Each classroom is linked to the Internet and the children are encouraged to use the World Wide Web to access information for their class work. There are at least three computers in every classroom, and a bank of computers in the library. The school intranet provides the children with access to a central information bank including curriculum material downloaded from the Internet. The DET provides all students with an e-mail account which they can also access from home with parent permission. In 2004 a new and larger Technology Centre was established with 30 computers to allow for individual computer instruction, as well as group work.

CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS

The development of each pupil's potential in the creative arts is an important component of the school's curriculum. The children are encouraged to participate in a wide range of creative activities including choir, recorder groups, band and dance groups. Children perform both within the school and at district concerts and local Eisteddfods.

DANCE

Dance is a component of the school's creative arts program. It is offered to students in years 3 to 6 as a Friday's sports option. Lessons are provided by teachers and a professional choreographer. The school regularly participates in the Northern District's Dance Festival. There is also an after school dance class offered to interested students.

GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS

The school has a comprehensive program that endeavours to meet the needs of all children. The needs of gifted and talented students are met through individual programs offered in each class. The school provides an extension and enrichment program for gifted and talented students across a wide range of areas. Students are selected for inclusion in these classes according to a set a criteria developed by the Education Department and the school. In addition, there are opportunities for students to enhance their skills in debating, music, thinking skills and computer technology.

MUSIC PROGRAM

The school offers an opportunity for the children to learn and play an instrument and eventually join one of the bands or the guitar ensemble. Children may begin in the band program from Year 3. Tuition is available for guitar, tenor saxophone, alto saxaphone, euphonium, clarinet, flute, trumpet, trombone, baritone tuba and percussion. Tuition is conducted during the school day on a rotating timetable. Each lesson is half an hour per week, private or shared. Group lessons are also available for our biginner students. They are usually held before school on a weekly basis. We will endeavour to give your child their first choice of instrument, although in some instances this may not be possible. Parents are responsible for hiring or buying an instrument once their child is accepted into the program. For all enquiries and costs, please contact the school office.

PARENTAL ASSISTANCE

The school enjoys tremendous support from its parent community. If you have any spare time there is always an opportunity to help in some area either as a reading tutor, accompanying class groups on excursions, covering books in the library, assisting in the canteen, maintaining the school grounds or computer work. Your help is always appreciated.

PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM

The Peer Support Program aims to develop leadership skills in senior children and promote a caring and secure climate for all children in the school. Children from Kindergarten to Year 5 meet regularly over a ten week period in terms one and two. The meetings aim to develop social skills, self confidence and a sense of belonging to the wider school community. These groups, led by Year 5 and 6 students, incorporate a range of activities from the school's Personal Development and Health curriculum.

PEER TUTORING

This program utilises the strengths of senior students. They are teamed with a younger student to focus on developing reading skills. Senior students are also regularly invited into junior classrooms to assist with specific lessons.

SPECIAL EVENTS

To enrich the children's school life, special events are periodically organised throughout the year. Each event has a different focus. Such events include Open Days, Environment Week, Science Week, school concerts, Grandparents' Day, Book Week, walk-a-thons and special fund raising days. Parents and community members are encouraged to participate in these events.

SPORT

The school offers a comprehensive sporting program from Kindergarten to Year 6. The emphasis in the early years is on developing the children's gross motor skills. School sport aims to develop positive attitudes to health and fitness and endeavours to foster team spirit. Friday is the designated sport day for children in Years 3-6 and they are required to wear the school's sports uniform. Each child in the 3-6 department is placed in a House team. Siblings are placed in the same House.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

Members of the Student Representative Council are drawn from Years 1-6. The representatives are elected by their class peers. The SRC meets each fortnight. Issues for school improvement are brought to the meetings by class representatives. The SRC members elect a president and secretary and correct meeting procedures are followed. An agenda is distributed prior to each meeting and minutes are recorded. Class representatives report back to their peers following each meeting. The suggestions and recommendations of the SRC are highly valued and are used in developing school policies and procedures.

SWIMMING

Children in Years 3-6 can elect to take swimming as a sport throughout the year. Weaker swimmers are encouraged to attend. Hornsby pool instructors work with the children. The Education Department runs special swimming classes for ten consecutive school days in term 4 each year. Sessions are for non or weak swimmers in Years 2 & 3. Details are provided in the newsletter.

VACATION CARE

An excellent vacation care program is provided by the staff of the school's Before and After Care Centre. Children can be dropped off at the Centre at 7am and collected before 6pm. The program includes excursions, creative activities, sports and team games. Breakfast, morning and afternoon tea is provided.

TESTIMONIAL

We have three children at Mount Colah school. We like the opportunity to be involved in our children's classes and have always been made very welcome as helpers. In Kindergarten parents can help with news, reading and maths groups or just spend a morning in class observing what is happening. We found this an excellent way to discover what our children were learning, as well as, getting to know their teachers and classmates. School is an enriching experience for our children and they are developing a love of learning. We've had lots of fun family times at school over the years eg. Grandparents' Day, discos, Musicale 2000, Gardening Parties and the Christmas Bash. We are proud of our school and the personal commitment of the teachers- it is an important and enjoyable part of our family life.