Communicating with our School

At Bicton Primary School we value the partnership that exists between parents/guardians and teachers. This partnership aims to foster academic progress, nurture student well-being and promote a positive school environment. It is therefore in the interests of the whole school community that communication between parents/guardians and teachers is open and respectful. Together we can make a real difference to our students’ success at school and beyond.

Procedures

The school is committed to promoting open and respectful communication between parents/guardians and teachers. The following procedures should be used to guide all communication.

• Two way appropriate, constructive, and timely feedback is valued and encouraged.
• Parents and guardians should allow up to 2 working days (Monday – Friday, 8am-5pm) for a reply to any communication. Parents/guardians should appreciate sometimes a delay in reply may be experienced, due to staff absences or illness.
• Teachers are not available to answer phone calls, reply to emails or come to the office during teaching time or whilst on yard duty. Issues or concerns are best dealt with outside of student contact time when uninterrupted time and attention can be given to them.
• Issues or concerns should not be discussed in front of students or other families.
• All communication is open and respectful.
• Issues of concern are best shared when they first arise.
• First contact should always be made with the teacher or staff member concerned. Parents/guardians should contact their child’s class teacher or the relevant specialist teacher if the matter involves your child or an issue of class operation.
• Where a general teacher and parent/guardian meeting is cancelled, it is the responsibility of the person cancelling to communicate with other parties and reschedule a mutually convenient time.
• Meetings between parents and staff may be documented. In some circumstances parents/guardians will be asked to sign completed documents.
• Emails to teachers should be brief, alerting teacher to the issue.
• No parent/guardian will approach the children of other families or their parents/guardians with a school related or non-school related issue on the school grounds. Such matters must be addressed to the Principal or Deputy Principals.
• The school will communicate with parents/guardians in a variety of ways including the following:
  • Parent Information Booklet and other enrolment information.
  • Parent Information Sessions
  • Regular written update
  • Formal reporting twice a year
  • Parent/guardian meetings
  • Telephone, written, email or Connect

General EnquiresPlease email bicton.ps@education.wa.edu.au

Information for Communicating with our School
Enrolments	Please email bicton.ps@education.wa.edu.au and one of our office staff will email you back or contact you via phone.
Absences	Please enter the mobile number 0447 952 027 into your mobile phone contacts as ‘Bicton Primary SMS” and use this service if your child is going to be absent from school. You should SMS your child’s first & last name, the date and reason for absence.
Early Collection	For all external appointments, please contact the office on 92055800, or bicton.ps@education.wa.edu.au and where possible let the classroom teacher know beforehand
Complaints/Issues/Feedback	Issues can sometimes arise and our parents may require additional support. If the matter involves operations beyond the child’s classroom or concerns that are not easily resolved, please email Ms Kerryn Woodhouse, Principal. Kerryn.Woodhouse@education.wa.edu.au
Finance	Lisa Sinclair is our Manager of Corporate Services. If you have any finance queries please call into the front office or email bicton.ps@education.wa.edu.au and attention Lisa Sinclair.
K-2 Teaching and Learning Queries	Kara Larsen is the K-2 Deputy Principal. If you have a query regarding your child/children in these year levels please email Kara.Larsen@education.wa.edu.au
3-6 Teaching and Learning Queries	Donna Madden is the 3-6 Deputy Principal. If you have a query regarding your child/children in these year levels please email Donna.Madden@education.wa.edu.au
Vacations	Parents are required to email the principal, advising of any planned vacations during the term bicton.ps@education.wa.edu.au
Updating Information	If you need to update your details, such as address, email, phone number, emergency contacts, medical information, medication please email bicton.ps@education.wa.edu.au

 

• Communication Protocol