Welcome

Welcome from the Head of Junior School

Mrs Rachel Deck - Head of Junior School
Mrs Rachel Deck - Head of Junior School

Christian education offers a rich and meaningful opportunity for children to grow within a preschool and school environment where home and school work in partnership to nurture and educate each child.

At Calderwood Christian School, this journey is grounded in a Bible-based understanding of the world, relationships, and themselves.

In this safe and caring setting, where biblical truth forms the foundation of our teaching programs, relationships, and the development of each child's abilities and character, students are encouraged to flourish. They experience both delight and security in their learning, supported by a community that values their faith and character formation.

We warmly welcome you to Calderwood Christian School. As you join our vibrant Christian community, we look forward to partnering with you in the important task of "bringing up your child in the fear and knowledge of the Lord."

Together with other like-minded families and dedicated Christian staff, we will walk alongside you as your child grows in their gifts and discovers the joy of serving God and delighting in his goodness.

We trust this handbook will give you a clear and helpful overview of Prep at Calderwood.

Welcome from the Director of Prep

Mrs Trudi Oliver - Director of Prep
Mrs Trudi Oliver - Director of Prep

I am excited to have the opportunity to welcome your child to Calderwood Christian School's Prep. My team and I understand that each child is unique and precious in God's sight. We also know that children develop at different rates and we seek to meet their individual needs in an exciting, stimulating and caring environment.

Prep children are an integral part of our broader Calderwood Christian School community and throughout the year participate in many school activities.

We believe in partnering with parents in all aspects of your child's life at Calderwood. I look forward to getting to know your family as you join our school family on this exciting learning journey.

Please take the time to familiarise yourself with our Prep handbook and feel free to speak with me if you have any queries.

Prep staff

Our Prep educators are looking forward to getting to know you and your child. Click through to meet them!

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Mrs Trudi Oliver - Director
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Mrs Tumi Amoo
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Mrs Lauren Davis
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Mrs Seung Hwa Han
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Mrs Genevra Marsh
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Mrs Alana Miller
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Mrs Maggie Rose
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Mrs Melinda Shaw

School contacts

School office

For any student or school-related matters, please call 4230 3700 or email admin@calderwood.nsw.edu.au

For enrolments enquiries, email registrar@calderwood.nsw.edu.au

School contacts
RoleName
PrincipalMr Darren Hutton
Head of Junior SchoolMrs Rachel Deck
Director of PrepMrs Trudi Oliver
PA to the PrincipalMrs Sheridan Purcell
RegistrarMrs Sharon Steyn
In the office
RoleName
Office SupervisorMs Rachael Dickson
AdministrationMrs Ruth Irving
Mrs Rebecca Parker
School NurseMrs Victoria White

Prep philosophy

We believe in the fundamental role of parents to raise their children in a Christ-centred and child-oriented learning environment. We are committed to providing a respectful learning environment that is safe, positive and supportive for all children, staff and visitors of Prep.

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Christ-Like

  • A people of genuine faith, equipping curious and discerning learners to serve Christ courageously
  • Calderwood Prep strives to honour God through the service of our community with perseverance and faithfulness
  • Calderwood Prep acknowledges God's love for the traditional custodians of this land where we now learn, play and grow
  • Jesus is the mighty king (Prep child, 4 years)
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Play-Based

  • Through play, Calderwood Prep provides a learning environment which is child-focused, safe, supported, and secure, and stimulates imagination, creativity and exploration
  • Play-based experiences provide invitations to learn which will enhance and foster all areas of development
  • Incorporate play-based learning through research-based programs such as PreLit and Munch and Move
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Responsive

  • Communicate regularly with families to ensure that genuine partnerships are developed and maintained
  • Commit to partnering with present and future generations in caring for this beautiful place
  • Develop activities which meet the educational needs and interests of all children by creating holistic learning environments that have a positive impact on children's learning
  • Be kind, use kind words and help people (Prep child, 4 years)
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Community

  • Provide activities that promote positive transition to the Kindergarten classrom for children and their families
  • Provide a developmentally sound and challenging learning environment that encourages secure, respectful, reciprocal and safe relationships between children, educators, parents and the wider community
  • Enhance and foster a sense of self, and respect and concern for others, valuing the cultural and social contexts of our children and their families

Child Safe Statement

Calderwood Prep endeavours to ensure that Prep is a child-safe environment where children are free of the risk of any form of intentional harm. Prep educators are committed to creating a culture where children are free to disclose any matters of concern to them, where they will be listened to and concerns are treated seriously and promptly.

Learning outcomes

We reflect the Christian belief that each individual is created in God’s image and is equal before God and worthy of the highest respect.

Learning Outcome 1: Identity
  • Children have positive relationships with staff and can share experience from their home life
  • Children feel comfortable to connect with staff about any issue
  • Children develop relationships which allow them to explore the physical and social environment
  • Children are involved in decision making around boundaries set by staff
  • Children are encouraged to explore new learning and are supported when faced with challenges
  • Children develop the skills to write their own name
  • Children have a developed sense of self and how they connect with others in their world
  • Children develop an understanding of their own emotions and can express these competently
  • Children are aware of how their behaviour affects others
Learning Outcome 2: Community
  • Children have an understanding of their own and other’s cultures. This may include language and celebrations.
  • Children are aware of the needs of those around them and can respect these differences
  • Children are given opportunities to express their own individual gifts and talents which God has given them
  • Children take care of their own belongings and help to care for the Prep environment
  • Children are aware of the natural world around them and become involved in activities which care for God’s creation
  • Children will have opportunities to explore and be involved in the wider school community
Learning Outcome 3: Wellbeing
  • Children feel comfortable playing both by themselves and with peers
  • Children have an understanding of God’s word and how it applies to their lives. They are also supported as they question and explore this new information.
  • Children feel secure in talking about God with staff and peers
  • Children take care of the body God has given them through healthy food and exercise. This will include outdoor play and group activities.
Learning Outcome 4: Learning
  • Children can express their ideas in a variety of ways. This can include dance, art, music, role play and language.
  • Children develop problem-solving skills and are eager to investigate, imagine and explore ideas.
  • Children develop skills to persevere with tasks
  • Children are able to scaffold their own learning through meaningful enquiry-based experiences
Learning Outcome 5: Communication
  • Children develop competent communication skills and are able to express their thoughts, ideas and feelings
  • Children have opportunities to explore technology and use this technology to further their learning
  • Children are confident in using non-verbal communication
  • Children have well-developed listening skills
  • Children engage in a variety of literacy-based activities and are familiar with the school library system
  • Children have an understanding of simple mathematics concepts such as numbers, patterns, symbols and shapes

Our curriculum

The curriculum presented will focus on Belonging, Being and Becoming which is the fundamental basis of the Early Years Learning Framework v 2.0.

All areas of child development will be addressed through the following outcomes:

Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity

Children will explore their identity in Christ – that they are made in his image. (Gen 1:27-28)

Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world

Children will develop their God given gifts and talents as they learn to interact with each other and God’s creation. (Mark 12:30-31)

Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

Children will develop an understanding of how to take care of the body God gave them. (Ps 139:13-14)

Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners

Children will be given opportunities to achieve their God-given potential in all developmental areas based on their individual interests. (Mark 10:13-16)

Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators

God has given our children the ability to talk and listen to him and others. (Ps 119:105; John 5:24)

Communication

Communicating with you

Communication is a vital part of Prep. Daily communication will take place verbally, via OWNA, email, through classroom displays and via your child's communication folder. Please inform educators when any of your contact details change to ensure you continue to receive important communications from Prep.

The priority for staff at the beginning and conclusion of the day is the supervision at all times of all children. Detailed conversations about the individual progress of each child are not always appropriate at this time. If you would like to arrange to speak at length about your child's development, please contact the Prep educators about arranging a suitable time.

It is important, however, to bring to the attention of staff anything which has occurred at home or in the life of the child that may affect their behaviour eg. a favourite pet dying, illness in the family etc.

School newsletters

The Calderwood News is produced digitally twice a term and emailed to families.

Social media

The school has a presence on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. We encourage our families to keep up with us on these platforms too.

Website

Our website is a wealth of information regarding the school. Here you can access school policies, Association information, our events calendar, uniform requirements and other helpful information about school life.

Concerns or grievances

In the event that parents have a concern or complaint, it is imperative that it is handled in an appropriate and godly manner. Please see the complaints procedure below.

"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18
Step 1
Speak to your child's primary contact educator about your concern or grievance

Appointments can be made by calling Prep on 4230 3746 or sending a private message on OWNA

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Step 2
Speak to Mrs Trudi Oliver about your concern or grievance

Appointments can be made by calling Prep on 4230 3746, emailing toliver@calderwood.nsw.edu.au or sending a private message on OWNA

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Step 3
Speak to Mr Darren Hutton about your concern or grievance

Appointments can be made by calling Calderwood Christian School Reception on 4230 3700

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Step 4
Speak to the NSW Early Learning Commission which is the Regulatory Authority for Early Childhood Education and Care about your concern or grievance

Call 1800 619 113 or email information@earlylearningcommission.nsw.gov.au

Feedback

Throughout the year there will be many opportunities to provide educators with feedback about events, activities, future projects etc. Educators value and encourage your feedback.

Parent-teacher interviews

Prep educators conduct bi-annual Parent/Teacher interviews, during Term 1 and Term 3. Term 1 are Goal Setting Interviews and Term 3 are Developmental Discussions. Appointments are made through an online booking system. You will be notified by email when bookings open and given instructions on how to book. Parents or educators may request an interview when required throughout the year.

OWNA

OWNA is the childcare app used by Calderwood Prep. It provides a secure environment for communication between educators and families about your child's learning journey and other important information about Prep.

Parents are required to sign the OWNA consent form which will outline rules of use, in accordance with our digital device safety policy before receiving access to the OWNA app. Training will be provided for parents. Please check OWNA regularly when your child commences Prep.

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Wellbeing

Accidents

In the event of a minor accident or injury, parents or carers will be informed at the end of the Prep day. An accident report will then be provided via the OWNA app. Parents or carers will be required to sign the report on the OWNA app indicating that they were made aware of the accident and subsequent treatment administered by staff and send it back via the app. In the event of a major injury, emergency attention will be sought and parents will be immediately contacted.

Please be vigilant in keeping all details regarding your child current. Notify Prep staff as soon as contact details change so that they can be updated.

Asthma, allergies, anaphylaxis and diabetes

If your child suffers from asthma, allergies, diabetes or anaphylaxis, you will be required to provide Prep staff with an up-to-date Action Plan from your medical practitioner. Puffers, spacers, Epipens and any medication should be clearly labelled with your child’s name and given to staff at the beginning of the year (or as soon as a medical condition is identified) and will remain at Prep for the year.

Educators will meet with families to complete a risk minimisation and communication plan for children with specific medical/allergy needs before they commence Prep (or as soon as a medical condition is identified).

Immunisation

All children enrolling in Prep are required to provide an Immunisation History Statement showing they are up to date. If your child is not up to date at the point of enrolment, please speak to the Registrar as to whether the enrolment can proceed. For more information about immunisation requirements in Prep, please click here.

Unvaccinated children may be excluded from Prep in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease for their own protection.

Updated Immunisation History Statements must be provided to Prep educators in a timely manner after each vaccination is given.

Infectious diseases

It is very important that parents advise the school if their children are diagnosed with any infectious disease or illness. It is a legal requirement for educators to inform all families when a child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease. To assist you we have included the Department of Health’s regulations in relation to schools and isolation procedures.

Please follow your GP’s advice and treatment if your child has an infectious disease. Prior to returning to Prep, a doctor’s certificate will need to be provided stating that your child is no longer contagious.

Calderwood Prep strives to ensure the health and safety of all our children. To assist educators to achieve this goal:

  • Children who contract a temperature of 38C while at Prep will need to go home
  • Children must not return to Prep until 24 hours after their last fever
  • Children must not return to Prep until 48 hours from their last vomit or loose bowel motion

If your child falls ill while at Prep, all attempts will be made to contact parents first, and then adults named on the child’s emergency section of their enrolment form. In the event that contact is unable to be made, and in extreme circumstances, medical attention will be sought by the school for your child.

The Department of Health’s regulations in relation to schools and isolation procedures are:

  1. Measles: Exclude for five days from appearance of rash or until a Medical Certificate of Recovery is produced. Immunised contact not excluded. Non-immunised contacts must be kept home for 14 days from appearance of rash, unless immunised, with 72 hours of first contact
  2. Whooping cough: Exclude for two weeks from first ‘whoop’ or until five days from the start of a 14-day course of antibiotics have been completed. Unimmunised contacts under five years of age should be kept at home for 14 days or until they have had five days of a 14-day course of antibiotics.
  3. Chicken pox: Exclude for six days after first spots appear (or when blisters have crusted). Contacts are not excluded.
  4. Head lice: All parents should inspect their child’s hair weekly. If an infestation is found, please treat hair and remove all eggs prior to returning the child to school. Please notify the school office so that other parents in the year group can be informed of the need to treat their children’s hair. Treatment is simple and effective when used according the chemist’s directions—those infected are required to stay away from school until treatment has been completed and all eggs removed. All ribbons, hairclips and hats must also be treated.
  5. Mumps: Exclude for at least 10 days from onset of swelling, until completely free of swelling. Contacts are not excluded.
  6. Conjunctivitis: Exclude child until discharge from eyes has stopped. Not necessary to exclude contacts.
  7. Impetigo: Exclude only if on exposed surfaces such as scalp, face, hands and legs. Allowed to attend school if sores properly covered with clean dressing. Contacts are not excluded.

Medications

Medication may only be administered by staff if it is in the original packaging dispensed from the pharmacy, CLEARLY LABELLED with the instructions for administration on the pharmacy label.

Non-prescription medications or creams will only be administered if accompanied with instruction from the prescribing doctor on letterhead. In the event that the instructions are not clear and may be misinterpreted, staff will not administer the medication. A medication form must be completed by the parent on the OWNA app prior to any medication being administered. Your child must have been on any prescription medication for 24 hours before returning to Prep. It is recommended that your child does not take Panadol or cough and cold medication (such as Dimetapp) before coming to Prep. If they require this medication, they are sick and should rest at home.

Calderwood Prep maintains a strictly smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, and vape-free environment. The use of these substances is prohibited at all times on CCS grounds.

Attendance

Term dates

2027 term dates

TermStudent start dateStudent finish date
Term 11 February9 April
Term 227 April2 July
Term 326 July24 September
Term 412 October9 December

Prep times

Prep will operate from Monday to Friday. Our main Prep program will run from 8.50am to 3.20pm. Prep doors open at 8.15am (children and parents are not permitted on site prior to 8.15am) and all children must be collected by 4pm by a parent or nominated carer. Please be prompt in collecting your child at the end of the day. In the event that you may be late (emergencies only, eg. broken down car) please telephone the Prep Office on 4230 3746 to inform staff who will be collecting your child by 4pm.

Prep times

Daily routineTime
Prep opens from 8.15am
Day program begins8.50am
Finish time3.20pm
Prep close time4pm

Signing in and out

It is a legal requirement that parents and carers sign their children in and out EVERY DAY. The sign in/out iPad will be on the Prep verandah. All parents receive a personal pin code to sign their child in and out.

It is important that you communicate who will be collecting your child and any other relevant comments. You MUST advise staff if someone else is collecting your child. They must be named on your child’s enrolment form under the ‘authority to collect’ section. If they are unknown to staff, they will be required to provide photo ID before the child is released into their care.

Children under the age of 18 years are NOT permitted to drop off or collect Prep children.

Absences

Please do not send your child to Prep if they are unwell. If your child is absent, please register their absence on the OWNA app. The school does not offer make up days to families.

Change of enrolment

We understand that change happens in families. If you do need to vary your enrolment, please speak to the Registrar, Sharon Steyn, or Prep Director, Trudi Oliver, to obtain a Change of Enrolment form. At least two weeks’ notice of a variation to enrolment is required.

Please be aware that any change of enrolment must comply with our current set of attendance patterns ie. Mon & Tues, Thurs & Fri, Mon-Wed or Wed-Fri. Please be aware that single-day enrolments will not be considered.

What to bring each day

Your child will need to bring several things to Prep each day. Please clearly label every item (including shoes and socks) with your child's name. Learning how to be responsible for their own belongings is an important skill for young children to learn.

  • a school bag (clearly labelled) which will be placed in their locker each day
  • spare underwear and a change of clothes (including socks)
  • morning tea (in a separate container) - fruit and healthy snacks. No lollies please.
  • lunch - sandwich, fruit or vegetable sticks etc.
  • library bag (clearly labelled)
  • drink bottle (clearly labelled) with WATER ONLY
  • Prep hat
  • communication folder (your child will be given this on their first day of Prep)
  • a raincoat

Prep is a nut-aware environment. Please do not bring any products containing nuts. This includes Nutella. Educators are committed to keeping all children safe at Prep. As food allergies are identified, educators will update parents about other foods that should not be brought to Prep.

  • children are only permitted to drink water while at Prep
  • plain milk poppers may be sent in morning tea or lunch box
  • fruit juice or flavoured milk poppers are not to be sent in lunch boxes as they will be sent home
  • drink bottles will be available all day for the children to drink from and refilled when required

We are committed to helping your child to develop healthy habits. When packing your child's lunch and morning tea, consider limiting the amount of packaging you send. (See this information sheet about water and waste-free lunches for more information.)

In accordance with our food policy, all food containers will be stored in the fridges at Prep. Please do not send food containers in insulated bags as they cannot go into the fridges.

Uniform

Uniform requirements

The uniform is an important part of the Prep experience. It establishes the children as part of the Calderwood Christian School community. It is essential that all students wear the correct uniform at all times. We trust that parents will fulfil the responsibility of ensuring that all articles of clothing are labelled and that children attend school correctly attired and presented neatly.

Unisex uniform requirements

  • School sports polo shirt (in winter, white skivvy may be worn underneath for warmth)
  • red school sports shorts (in winter, school black tracksuit pants)
  • red Prep polar fleece top
  • plain white ankle socks - fold down, no trim (not sockettes or knee high)
  • sports shoes of any colour (may have up to 50% fluoro colouring)
  • red broad-brimmed school hat is required for all outside wear
Prep uniform examples

Purchasing the uniform

Our school uniform shop is operated by Alinta Apparel. Uniform items can be ordered online through their website for home delivery or click and collect at their physical location in Unanderra.

We also operate a secondhand uniform shop here at school.

Alinta location and opening hours

The Alinta storefront is located at 29-35 Princes Hwy, Unanderra.

Email: shop.unanderra@alinta.com.au

Phone: 4230 3730

These are the standard operating hours for the Alinta shop. In busy times of year they may also operate extended holiday hours.

DayHours
Monday8am-11.30am
Wednesday1pm-5pm
Friday8am-11.30am

Secondhand uniform shop

A secondhand uniform shop also operates at school. The shop is staffed by parent volunteers. Families are invited to donate current uniform items in good condition for sale through the second hand uniform shop. No goods are accepted on consignment.

Phone: 4230 3730

Opening hours are as follows:

DayHours
Wednesday2.30pm-3.30pm
Friday8.30am-9.30am

Parent involvement

Parent assistance

Prep is a fantastic way for parents to become familiar with the school environment. There will be many opportunities for parents to assist throughout the year. Further information will be provided at the commencement of the school year regarding ways to help.