General Information
PARENT INFORMATION HANDBOOK
ATTENDANCE
We really value the importance of consistent and regular attendance and have high expectations for our students in this area. We understand that adolescence is a challenging stage and that there are times when teenagers seek independence and think they know best. No matter how hard parents try, some students experience times when they can be reluctant or refuse to go to school. We know that attendance patterns are established very early in the year and that is why we have a strong emphasis on working with you to address any attendance concerns at the start of the year.
Why Regular School Attendance Matters
- Better Learning: Students who attend regularly perform better academically.
- Positive Wellbeing: They enjoy healthier friendships and a more optimistic outlook.
- Success Link: High attendance is directly tied to high achievement.
How You Can Support
- Set Expectations: Emphasize the importance of daily attendance—it builds habits for future work life.
- Establish Routines: Encourage homework completion and 8–9 hours of sleep. Monitor screen time at night.
- Plan Smart: Schedule appointments and family trips outside school hours.
- Be Attentive: Only keep your teen home if they’re genuinely ill. Frequent minor complaints may signal anxiety—reach out to school staff if concerned.
- Stay Involved: Regularly check attendance and academic progress. Contact teachers or school leaders if issues arise.Recording Student Attendance
Student Absence Guidelines
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Explained – Sickness/Incapacity: If your child is unwell, keep them home and notify the school within 5 days. Absences beyond 5 days may require a medical certificate.
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Explained – Other: If the reason for absence meets school criteria (outlined separately), it will be marked as Explained – Other.
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Unauthorised – Not an Excusable Circumstance: Absences for holidays, birthdays, or "down time" during term are not valid and will be marked as Unauthorised.
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Unauthorised – Unexplained by Parent/Carer: If no explanation is received via phone, SMS, email, Schoolzine App, or letter, the absence is marked Unauthorised – Unexplained. An SMS will be sent to parents by 10:00am each day the child is absent.
STUDENT BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT
Student Behaviour Management Procedure
Student Behaviour Management Policy
TERM DATES & SCHOOL HOURS
Term dates for students in 2025 are:
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Term 1 |
Monday, 03 February |
to Friday, 11 April (Staff) |
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Thursdsay, 06 February |
to Friday, 11 April (All Grades)
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Term 2 |
Monday, 28 April |
to Friday, 04 July |
|
Term 3 |
Monday, 21 July |
to Friday, 26 September |
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Term 4 |
Monday, 13 October |
to Thursday 18 December |
(Professional Learning Days – Student Free Days):
| Friday | 06 June 2025 (Moderation) |
| Friday | 31 October 2025 |
LESSON TIMES
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Home Group |
8:45 am |
- |
9:00 am |
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Block 1 |
9:00 am |
- |
10:15 am |
|
Recess |
10:15 am |
- |
10:35 am |
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Block 2 |
10.35 am |
11.50 am |
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Change-Over |
11.50 am |
- |
11.55 am |
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Block 3 |
11:55 am |
- |
1:10 pm |
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Lunch |
1:10 pm |
- |
1:55 pm |
|
Block 4 |
1:55 pm |
- |
3:10 pm |
UNIFORM SHOP
During school terms our Uniform Shop is open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings - 8.15 am - 11.00 am
SCHOOL CANTEEN – QKR
Qkr has been introduced at Riverside High School for parents and students to use. Qkr allows student/staff lunch orders to be ordered and paid for on line (prior to 8:30am). Instructions on how to upload and set up the Qkr App can be found on pages 51 & 52. (Daily Specials can be found on the QKR App)
DECYP VALUES
Our values represent the foundation of our department’s culture and must guide us in all that we do. They have been decided by us, and we are all responsible for embedding them in our ways of working.
In 2023, DECYP staff, children and young people were asked ‘who do we need to be’ to ensure our children and young people have bright lives and positive futures, and what are the values that we need to be guided by. More than 5,700 responses came through, and directly informed the development of our DECYP Values.
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Connection · building positive relationships and a sense of belonging. |
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Courage · accepting challenges and embracing opportunities. |
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Growth · aspiring to learn, and improving, even when it’s hard. |
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Respect ·caring for ourselves, each other, and our environment. |
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Responsibility · stepping up and doing what’s right. |
Our school values guide the decisions and behaviour we believe are essential to successful learning and achieving personal excellence.
SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations (TASSO):
- email: info@tasso.org.au or visit the website www.tasso.org.au
CURRICULUM STRUCTURE
Currently our school offers a curriculum based on both the traditional subject disciplines within the Australian Curriculum and some school based option courses.
GRADE 7 CURRICULUM
2025 Grade 7 Curriculum Handbook
GRADE 8 CURRICULUM
2025 Grade 8 Curriculum Handbook
GRADE 9 & 10 CURRICULUM
ESAFETY
At Riverside High School, we recognise that it is important for our students to be prepared with the knowledge, skills and confidence to navigate the online world safely. Riverside High School is currently working towards gaining full eSmart accreditation. The eSmart program is an initiative run by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, designed to help improve Cyber Safety and reducing cyber bullying in schools and homes.
Below are a list of resources from government websites that we encourage parents to view. These resources contain a wide range of information, available suggestions, and tips for ensuring a safe, secure and respectful online environment at school and within the home.
Click on the following links to view the websites:
Click here for the Esafety website
Click here for the ACMA cybersmart youtube video
Click here for the Esafety Cyberbullying Report
BUS INFORMATION
Passenger conduct code for school bus services
