WATERKLOOF PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER 3 – 2015
26 January 2015
From the Headmaster’s Desk CELL PHONES As it is still early in the year I deem it necessary to make parents aware of some of the school policies relating to operational requirements. Due to difficulties relating to teaching and general discipline, learners are not allowed to use cell phones on school premises between 07:30 and 13:50 or when taking part in extra-mural activities. Policy on Cell Phones Learners are not allowed to use cell phones on Waterkloof Primary School premises between 07:30 and 13:50 and when involved in extra-mural activities, for the following reasons:
they cause disruption during contact time; use between periods results in the late arrival for classes; the learners are not responsible enough, at this age, to discern between acceptable content drawn from the internet, for example – pornography. to prevent electronic bullying and victimization; to prevent learners from phoning parents during school hours without the knowledge of the school; and educators need to spend valuable time following up discipline-related issues and theft.
Implementation
Cell phones may not be used at school during contact time. Should a cell phone be seen or heard, it will be confiscated by the educator and handed in at the office. The phone will be placed in a sealed envelope with the learner’s particulars and date for collection indicated and stored in a safe place. The educator or the school does not take responsibility for the confiscated cell phone. The complete phone, including the battery and sim card, as well as any other accessories, will be confiscated for a period of eleven weeks (excluding holidays) or until the last day of the year. Parents will be notified by the educator who confiscated the phone, about the confiscation in the presence of the learner. No time will be allocated in following up on lost or stolen cell phones. Learners may not take cell phones on educational outings or tours. Playing games or music or accessing the internet is not permitted on school grounds. Children may only take calls before 07:30 and after 13:50 if they are not involved in a school activity at the time.
Message from the School Governing Body
Mrs M. Dorfan
Just a friendly reminder to parents that Waterkloof Primary School is a fee-paying school and school fees are compulsory. In terms of the Schools Act, a parent is liable to pay the determined school fees unless he/she has met the criteria and has been exempted from the payment of school fees. The SGB has a general responsibility to ensure that the school runs effectively and this includes making sure that school fees are paid on time. We have a budget for expenses not covered by the State and are therefore reliant on prompt and regular payment of school fees. Unfortunately, there are still a number of parents who are in arrears as at December 2014. Please settle your outstanding account without further delay. Parents who have not be granted exemption and fail to pay school fees will be listed with the credit bureau. Furthermore, the school will institute legal proceedings to recover outstanding school fees. We have had discussions with the Department of Education and we have their full support with our recovery process of school fees. The SGB acts in a supportive role, promoting the best interests of the school and strives to ensure quality education for your children. To continue to achieve this, it is imperative that the school has your support. Should you experience financial difficulties please contact the SGB immediately to ensure that your failure to pay is not seen as a refusal to pay. Meetings and correspondence are treated with the strictest confidence. May 2015 be a successful and blessed year for you and your families.