Castel Primary School
Leave of absence during school term
The key principles which underpin Castel’s procedures for managing attendance are that:
- Parents and carers have a duty to ensure that their children attend school regularly and punctually in order to get the most benefit from their education
- Regular and punctual attendance at school is key to the academic and social development that will improve the life chances of learners
- Learners who attend school regularly and punctually are less likely to be at risk, both in terms of engaging in anti-social behaviour and in terms of their own health, safety and welfare
Any absence from school should follow the school’s Attendance and Punctuality Policy which is available here.
The holiday absence request form can be viewed or downloaded here.
Absence through sickness
Please let the school know as soon as your child is absent for any reason. Please telephone before school starts, any time after 7.30am. Alternatively you could send an email to CAP.Office@education.gg
Unexplained absences may lead to an investigation by the School’s Attendance Service.
If your child has a particular medical or physical complaint, please ensure that the school is informed, preferably in writing, addressed to the Headteacher.
Bad weather
Very occasionally we have bad weather, usually snow, which would make it difficult or dangerous for children to try to get to school. If this happens please listen to BBC Radio Guernsey or Island FM as the Education Department will make the decision if the schools will be closed and they will contact the radio stations. The school also has a Twitter feed, @CastelPrimary, along with a Facebook page and a WhatsApp channel, where up to date messages will be posted.
Uniform
The children are expected to follow a code of dress. The policy of the school is to encourage children to take a pride in their appearance and to take care of their school clothing.
In common with all island schools, children are expected to wear school uniform. Please ensure long hair is tied back, we also request that hair accessories such as hair bands and bows are suitable for school, preferably small and blue or black. If unsure please see your child’s teacher. We ask you not to dye children’s hair during term time and children should not have tram lines please.
Shoes: Black shoes. We do allow predominantly black trainers or hybrid trainer shoes but not any other colours.
Socks – Grey or white.
Trousers: Grey trousers.
Skirts: Grey skirts
Shorts: Grey tailored school shorts only.
Shirts: Castel yellow polo shirt.
Cardigan/Jumper: Royal blue cardigan or sweatshirt with the school logo.
Dresses: Blue and white summer dress.
Jewellery: Children are allowed to wear the following: one studded earring in either or both ears (no hooped or dangling earrings), a watch and any bracelet relating to a medical condition. Please do not allow your child to wear necklaces, chains, bracelets or wristbands to school.
The States of Guernsey operates a means-tested scheme to help with the cost of buying school uniforms. Please contact social security if you need further information about this scheme. Smilers also sell a range of second hand Castel uniform at £1 per item.
Other items are considered non uniform and will be assessed on a case by case basis.
PE Uniform
Pupils should wear shorts and t-shirts in their house colours for PE (on PE days children should come in their PE kit & wear it all day). In cold weather, tracksuit bottoms and a school jumper/ cardigan should be worn. Tracksuit bottoms should be a dark colour and no large logos.
Children are not allowed to wear any jewellery during PE lessons. We ask that you practice taking out earrings with your children at home so they are ready to do this in school.
Swimming
All children must wear a cap however short their hair. Proper swimming trunks should be worn. Please avoid baggy shorts as they can lead to difficulties when swimming. PE bags and swimming caps are available from the school office. Children may wear goggles if they would like to do so.
Pupil's property
e.g. clothing, spectacles, watches, bags, bicycles etc
The school will take all reasonable measures to prevent loss or damage to pupils’ property, but if something belonging to a pupil is lost, stolen or damaged on school premises or during a school visit the school does not accept responsibility for meeting the cost of replacing the item.
Parents are recommended to protect their children’s property through their own household insurance.
Lost property
Lost property boxes are kept in the Junior cloakroom area and in the Infant activity area. The boxes can be inspected by parents.
Due to the amount of unnamed lost property, any unclaimed lost property will be disposed of at the end of each term.
Helping in school
At Castel school we are very fortunate to have parents and grandparents who help us in a variety of ways in and around school, on trips and during other activities.
As part of the Education Department’s Child Protection procedures all staff and volunteers working one to one with pupils are required to undergo a criminal screening process which includes completing a Police Disclosure form.
The normal process is that you would speak to the school office manager in the first instance and then contact Frossard House to arrange to complete the police check form. You will need two forms of photographic I.D and a utility bill.
Medicines and drugs
Children recovering from an illness should NOT administer any drugs to themselves. All medicines or drugs must be clearly named and taken to the school office manager with clear details of the administration of the correct dosage, the illness, the date and the name of the medicine.
Inhalers and epipens should be named and left in school. Please ensure that any long term medicine is kept in date as the school will not be able to check these.
If medication is no longer required, please notify the school, as we often find that we have medication left in our cupboard.
If possible all medicines should be administered at home. Medicines that are required three times a day can be administered outside of school hours.
Whilst we do our best to help you with your child’s medicinal needs, it must be noted that no member of staff can be required to administer medicine.
Your attention is drawn to the Education Board’s policy in which a note of authorisation from parents is required before medicine is administered.
Injury in school
Sickness
Please do not send your child to school if they are ill. Schools are a perfect breeding ground for germs and whatever your child has will spread! In the event of your child being ill at school, we will contact you to collect them. This sometimes leads to false alarms, but as you can appreciate we are not doctors and cannot diagnose a genuine illness from ‘other’ reasons.
Fire drill
A Fire Drill is held during each term in accordance with the requirements of the States Education Department.
Photos
As with most schools in Guernsey, photographs of the children will be taken and will appear in the Guernsey Press or on the school website. When your child joins the school we ask you to sign a form allowing your child’s image to be used in a variety of media. The school will not select your children to be in these pictures unless you have signed this permission.
School nurse
Pupils in the Reception Year are invited to attend a health review, in school, during the first year. The children will then be offered a further review in Year 3. Parents are sent a health questionnaire to complete prior to both of these reviews on which any problems or concerns can be identified.
The school nurse is able to carry out additional hearing, vision or health checks if requested by parents or if teaching staff are concerned. Parents or guardians will always be contacted for consent before any checks are carried out.
The school nurse no longer visits school to carry out regular inspections for head-lice. However it is recommended that carers should examine their child’s hair on a weekly basis. The school nurse is available for advice if you wish to contact her by telephone.
If you have any problems, behavioural or medical, the nurse can be contacted through school or by telephoning Lukis House on 01481 222011.