Information
Communication

Communication

Communication between Students and Teachers and/or Administration
A Student Representative Council has been established with two representatives from each Class (7 to 12). It gives students a platform to express their thoughts, needs and concerns to Shearwater’s teaching body and to the School’s administration.

Communication between Parents and Teachers and/or Administration
Communication between parents and teachers is given high priority.
Regular interviews are conducted with parents as well as a continual round of Class Parent Meetings where lesson content, lesson timetables, outings and camps, up-to-date news and information and Class and individual student progress are shared. Shearwater also has in place an extensive cultural program of events that draws the community together: Winter Festival, Wearable Arts Performance Events, Student Plays, Classical Music Concerts, Cabaret Evenings, Bush Dances, Animal Show Days and Open Days.

In addition to this, should the need arise, we are happy to make an appointment to see you or speak to you on the phone (however please don’t call teachers after 8.00pm, except in an emergency). Apart from normal social communication, please also note that unarranged pre-Morning Lesson interviews and speaking to teachers during lessons are inappropriate and distracting for them. If you have a concern about your child involving school, you are advised to approach the student’s Class Teacher and make an appointment through the Office.
Should further consultation be required, contact the Director of Early Childhood (Sally Davison) for Pre-school and Kindergarten, the Leading Teacher of Primary (Undine Fieck) for Classes 1-6, the Middle School Co-ordinator (Greg Parkes) for Classes 7-10 and the Senior Studies Co-ordinator (Gerard Braithwaite) for Classes 11-12. If required, they, in turn, will communicate your concerns to the College of Teachers. The College of Teachers may also be contacted through the School Council. Failing these enquiries, the School Coordinator, Allan Coman, is available for interviews if so required.

The School Administrator, Stan Stevens, will attend administrative matters.


Newsletter

The School newsletter is published every week on Fridays. This newsletter is an important means of communicating all information (other than matters concerning fees) to parents and we ask that you read it. It’s actually a great way to read about upcoming events in the School and community. To subscribe to the email version of the newsletter send an email to newsletter@shearwater.nsw.edu.au with "subscribe" in the subject line.
If you do not have Internet access however you can pick up a hard copy in the School’s Office or Shop, Shear Delight, every week. And, if your child takes the bus, and you want a hard copy brought home, please advise the Class Teacher.

Classifieds
Items for sale (not services) and some community events can be advertised in the Classifieds included in the newsletter. There is a charge of $5 per item. If you’d like to put in an ad, please email newsletter@shearwater.nsw.edu.au with the content of your ad. You can drop payment into the Office.
However, please note that all entries are reviewed by the College of Teachers and final inclusion is at its discretion.

Parent Liaison Officers

Communication within the Shearwater community is important to the smooth running of the school. The lines of communication outlined in the School’s Handbook have been reviewed and have been found to be effective and satisfactory.
Due to Shearwater’s rapid growth however, we have created a new position in the form of a Coordinator of Student Services. His/her task is to facilitate smooth communication and to answer general queries in regard to the guidelines and policies of the School and its day-to-day running, its ethos and spiritual foundation, educational philosophy, and to pursue a trouble-shooting role when required. That role is to assist and accommodate the recommended lines of communication, not to interfere or duplicate them.
The current Coordinator of Student Services is Sally Davison.


Grievance resolution policy and procedure
If you wish to formalise your concerns, Shearwater has in place a Grievance Resolution Policy and Procedure, a copy of which is available from the Office.

Privacy policy

Class lists
In accordance with Federal and State law, the School cannot hand out Class Lists anymore. However we are happy to give you one in person, should you contact the Office.

Image release
Shearwater takes many pictures of the children during their camps, outings or activities. We also film some of our most important events. These images are then used for the purpose of School publications and promotions. We always ensure that the pictures used are respectful in their nature and appropriate/relevant to the activity promoted. Also, that no link can be made between the image of children and their full name, address, email, etc. in order to avoid any personal information being displayed or accessed publicly. In order to get your formal consent for use of these images the School now has an ‘Image Release Form’ that we need you to sign in order to avoid any possible disagreement over this matter. Please make sure you have done so. (Forms are available at the end of the General Handbook, from the Office or can be downloaded from our website.)