Help for non-English speakers

If you need help to understand this policy, please contact Donald Eddington, Principal. Non-English speakers can also access Google translate at the bottom of this web page.

As valuable partners in your child's wellbeing, learning and engagement at William Ruthven Primary School, we welcome and encourage your feedback. If you have any suggestions, comments or questions in relation to our child safe policies and practices, please contact the Principal, Donald Eddington via email, donald.eddington@education.vic.gov.au.

Purpose

This policy explains how William Ruthven Primary School proposes to manage common enquiries from parents and carers.

Scope

This policy applies to school staff, and all parents and carers in our community.

Policy

William Ruthven Primary School understands the importance of providing helpful and timely responses to common enquiries from parents and carers. To ensure that members of our school community are directed to the most appropriate person to assist them, the information below outlines key contacts for common queries:

• To report a student absence, please contact the school office in person, message us on Compass or call us on 9460 1688.
• To report any urgent issues relating to a student on a particular day, please contact the office on 9460 1688 or 0456 429 161.
• To discuss a student’s academic progress, health or wellbeing, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.
• For enquiries regarding camps and excursions, please contact your child’s classroom teacher on 9460 1668.
• To make a complaint, please contact Donald Eddington, Principal, on 9460 1668 or email donald.eddington@education.vic.gov.au. Please also refer to our school’s Complaints policy.
• To report a potential hazard or incident on the school site, please contact the office on 9460 1668 or 0456 429 161.
• For parent payments, please contact Rachel Rowe, Business Manager, on 9460 1668 or email rachel.rowe@education.vic.gov.au.
• For all other enquiries, please contact our office on 9460 1668 or william.ruthven.ps@education.vic.gov.au.

School staff will do our best to respond to general queries as soon as possible and ask that you allow us 2 – 3 working days to provide you with a detailed response. We will endeavour to respond to urgent matters within 24 hours where possible.

Interpreting Services

We can arrange for interpreting support if you are from a language background other than English and need help with understanding important educational information about your child. Contact Donald Eddington, Principal, on 9460 1668 or email donald.eddington@education.vic.gov.au  for more information.

Requests for information

Parents and carers are generally entitled to information ordinarily provided to parents, including school reports and newsletters.

Parents and carers seeking information that is not ordinarily provided to parents are encouraged to apply for access through the Freedom of Information process, or, if the information is sought for use in court proceedings, by issuing a subpoena.

Freedom of Information requests should be directed to:

                Manager – Freedom of Information Unit

                Department of Education and Training

                2 Treasury Place

                EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002

                03 9637 3134

                foi@education.vic.gov.au

Communication

This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways:

• Available publicly on our school’s website
• Included in induction processes for relevant staff
• Included in our staff handbook
• Reminders in our school newsletter
• Made available in hard copy from school administration upon request.

Policy review and approval

• Policy last reviewed: April 2024
• Consultation: School Council (15 April 2024)
• Approved by: Principal
• Next scheduled review date: April 2028