School Routine
Secondary classes begin with roll call at 8.35am prior to lessons commencing at 8.40am. The day is divided into five 60 minute long periods with breaks for recess (20 minutes), lunch (40 minutes) with a House / Chapel / Tutorial / Divisional Meeting (of varying duration that takes place on each day prior to the lunch break. A average day schedule includes the following:
|
|
Mon / Tues / Thurs* |
|
Wed / Fri |
|
|
8.35am |
Cathedral Gathering |
8.35am |
Roll call |
|
|
9.00am |
Period 1 |
9.00am |
Period 1 |
|
|
10.00am |
Period 2 |
9.40am |
Period 2 |
|
|
11.00am |
Recess |
10.40am |
Recess |
|
|
11.20am |
Period 3 |
11.00am |
Period 3 |
|
|
12.20pm |
House / Divisional Meeting, |
12.00pm |
House / Divisional Meeting, |
|
|
12.45pm |
Lunch |
12.35pm |
Lunch |
|
|
1.20pm |
Period 4 |
1.15pm |
Period 4 |
|
|
2.20pm |
Period 5 |
2.15pm |
Period 5 |
|
|
3.20pm |
End of School |
3.15pm |
End of School |
* May differ slightly from day to day.
Every Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays a Cathedral Gathering is held for the whole Secondary School in the Cathedral. Attendance is compulsory.
Junior School students commence at 8.50am and their day concludes at 3.15pm. Junior School students enjoy 30 minutes for recess and 45 minutes for lunch. Junior School conducts a flexible lesson timetable that revolves around 50 minute periods with variations to timetable key learning subjects and affiliated teaching programmes. Junior School students attend their own Wednesday assembly in the Cathedral.
Music or drama rehearsals for participating students generally commence at 7.30am before school. Most sports training is held during School afternoons with buses taking students to venues and return students back to School for dismissal.
Senior team training and winter team training is held after school with sessions usually concluding by 4.45pm. Sports training and competition details are confirmed with students by the Sports Department. Television monitors throughout the School give additional information on daily activities and notices.
Junior and Middle School students do not leave the building during recess or lunch but spend free time on the rooftop playground. The lunch break is a busy time as many students go to the rooftop to relax, play games and enjoy lunch while others are involved in lunchtime activities and meetings or visit the Library to catch up on work, search the internet or read. Senior College students are free to leave the School during break times but they must observe certain geographical boundaries as outlined in the School Year Book. Disciplinary action will be taken if students break this rule. The School Canteen on Level 8 of St Andrew's House sells a wide variety of healthy food and drinks. Students must place a lunch order by the end of recess. The Canteen is affiliated with the Association of Parents and Friends and many parents / guardians give generously of their time as volunteers to work on a Canteen roster during the year.
School Rules
A student's learning experience is enhanced if they observe and obey the School rules which have been made for good reasons to maintain smooth and cohesive operations within the School. The most important rule, as Jesus said, is to treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.
Students breaking School rules face disciplinary action as administered by the Year Coordinator, Head of House or the Divisional Heads. More serious misdemeanours are referred to the Deputy Head of School or thence to the Head of School. Day-to-day operational discipline is supervised by the School's two Sergeants. Detentions or serious misdemeanours will be referred to parents / guardians. Detentions take place at lunchtime on Wednesday and Friday, while Friday after school detentions are held for more serious misdemeanours.
Use of the Year Book
The students' year book / diary is an important communication medium between staff, students and parents. During tutorials, House staff check the year books to gauge academic progress and pastoral wellbeing. Because parents sight and sign the yearbook there is an additional level of accountability at home for matters associated with school life. Parents should check their child's progress, academically and pastorally, through regular perusal of the diary.
Reports
Four reports are issued during the year. Two relate directly to academic work and progress and are written by the class teachers, whom parents meet at a parent and teacher evening, with comments from the Head of School. Two Board of Merit reports advise on students' progress in terms of effort and attitude, rather than academic progress.
In addition to formal reports, from time to time special awards and certificates are given for outstanding student performance or meritorious effort.
Transport
Travel to and from St Andrew's is easy and safe because the School is at the centre of Sydney's rail and bus network. Rail travellers alight at Town Hall Station and walk under cover through Town Hall Arcade to the School lift or to the Senior College. Bus travellers alight at Bathurst Street, Town Hall or nearby Queen Victoria Building.
Students must observe pedestrian crossing regulations at all times, especially on the busy intersection at Kent / Druitt Streets leading to the Senior College. Bus and train pass arrangements are confirmed as part of the students' commencement process.
Absence from School / Sickness
Students arriving late must report to Reception and swipe their student card before attending their first class. Lateness (and the reason for it) is recorded and passed on to the Head of House each day. Repeated lateness can be subject to disciplinary action. If a student knows they will be late before leaving home, they should bring a note from a parent / guardian, giving a reason for the lateness.
Students are permitted to leave school early only if they have a note of explanation from a parent / guardian. Appointments with doctors, dentists etc should be scheduled out of school hours as missing lessons can curtail students' academic progress.
If sickness prevents a student attending school, a parent / guardian must telephone the School before 8.30am so the student will not be incorrectly recorded as being late. When the student returns to school, a signed note from the parent / guardian must be presented showing the absence period and reason for the absence.
Students who become sick or are hurt at School must report to Reception whence they will be sent to the Health Centre. Any administration of mild medication and an assessment of possible further treatment is undertaken by a qualified Nurse. If further treatment is necessary or the student's condition does not improve the parent / guardian will be consulted. Following their approval, the student would be escorted to a qualified Medical Practitioner who will then assume responsibility for liaising with the parent regarding subsequent medical attention. Matters relating to posssessing or administering medication are subject to confirmation with the parent / guardian.
An annual medical information form must be filled in and returned to School to ensure the School is aware of student medical conditions. Information confidentiality is assured at all times.
