Smorgon Family Primary School - 2024 Years 4 to 6 - starting information
We welcome you to the Smorgon Family Primary School at Mount Scopus Memorial College.
This is the parent information guide for the Smorgon Family Primary School (SFPS) which houses Years 4 to 6 at the Gandel Campus in Burwood. We understand that when joining a new school, or even just moving to a different campus, there is a lot of new information to learn. We hope that this guide will answer many of your queries and become a convenient reference point for you over the coming months. Please click through on each topic to access the information that you will need.
All parents in all year levels need to ensure they are familiar with the policies and information outlined in the Parent Handbook, on our website. The College's Child Protection Policy is also available on the same page. Any change to our policies is issued via the Scopus App and updates noted in the handbook.
This site contains a lot of important information. The key points are summarised here below.
Further details are provide on the relevant site tabs below.
Summary checklist for NEW STUDENTS:
- complete and submit class placement child profile form by Friday 27 October
- complete and submit permission form for transition visit by Thursday 16 November
- advise opt out from bus if permanent transport not required by Monday 4 December
- send end of year school report to Wendy Saffer by Friday 15 December
- complete medical and emergency contact information on Parent Lounge via Student Details tab no later than Thursday 23 November
- complete MCEECDYA government data section via Student Details tab on Parent Lounge from 8 January 2024
- download Toddle App by 15 January 2024
- set up Driver Bus Lines online account by 15 January 2024
Important information for ALL STUDENTS:
- check information on Parent Lounge by 8 January 2024 and complete MCEECDYA government data section via Student Details / General Details
- set up Direct Debit / fee payment by 29 January 2024
- download required apps / e-learning resources onto device by 29 January 2024
School commences on Thursday 1 February, 2024.
Monday to Thursday 8.50am – 3.30pm
Friday
(Summertime Terms 1 & 4) 8.50am – 3.30pm
(Wintertime Terms 2 & 3 ) 8.50am – 2.55pm
Buses leave 10 minutes after closing times
Complete information regarding school dates for the coming two years can be found on the Mount Scopus Calendar.
The Mount Scopus calendar for the coming two years is accessible on the website by clicking here.
Timetables are issued to students and parents once they commence, which detail specialist lessons and which days sports uniform is required to be worn.
Pre-commencement campus visit
After the summer holiday break some students may benefit from another visit to the school prior to commencing, where they can see their classroom and meet their teacher prior to the first day. A meet and greet session will take place on Wednesday 31 January between 2 and 3pm.
See the Year level specific tab at the end for the relevant transition details for students entering Years 4 and 6.
Orientation evening
The 2024 SFPS parent orientation evening will take place on Wednesday 7 February at SFPS in Burwood. You will hear from the campus leadership, tour the campus and have the opportunity to learn about the program for the year, meet your child's teachers, and the other parents in the class.
Further details will be sent at the start of the year.
New Parents Welcome
First time parents at Mount Scopus in all year levels are invited to our New Parents Welcome scheduled to be held just prior to school commencing. In 2024, this is planned for the evening of Monday 5 February. This allows the opportunity to meet some of the College Leadership Team, as well as other new parents.
An invitation will be sent in December.
Each year some students commence after the beginning of the school year leading to some differences with the processes.
- Teachers will make contact after your child commences and are available to answer any queries about your child throughout the year and are best contacted by email or via a phone call or message.
- Please note that teachers are not required to teach any topics to new students that have already been taught at Mount Scopus however if you have any concerns please discuss them directly with your class teacher in the first instance.
Enrolling at a new school becomes more tangible once new books and uniforms are purchased.
The guide below outlines the processes around these and other areas.
Uniforms
The information relating to school uniforms is available by clicking here.
There are details of which items are compulsory and optional. Both the Summer and Winter uniforms are permitted to be worn all year round, although they must be worn in their entirety; students may not wear pieces from both the Summer and Winter uniform, or sport uniform, together.
NB: Shoes - please note that students can choose to wear black leather school shoes OR fully black runners (including black laces) as per the uniform list.
Year level specific information
Year 3 students only
- Students entering Year 3 will also require a sports uniform which includes a sports top, sports shorts, sports jumper and tracksuit pants. Students’ sport house will be confirmed before they commence as a house-coloured sports top is required. Siblings joining the College are placed in the same sports house.
- Year 3 Discovery Centre students will receive a DC hoodie at the start of the year which they wear instead of the school jumper so there is no need to purchase a school jumper for Year 3.
Year 6 students only
- Parents of students joining Mount Scopus in Year 6 have the option of purchasing a blue Secondary sports top instead of the Primary house coloured sports top if they wish.
Ashkanasy = green
Bialik = red
Hillel = blue
Monash = yellow
Uniforms can be purchased from Dobson’s at 667 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn or can be ordered online at www.dobsons.com.au.
The early bird sale ends 29 October.
Years 4 to 6 students only
- Scopus sports jackets ($60) and beanies ($15) are available to order directly from the SFPS office, subject to stock availability.
Second-hand uniforms
Second-hand uniforms are available for purchase at the Posh Opp Shoppe at 484 Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick with proceeds going towards the JCAS (Jewish Children’s Aid Society) which helps integrate children with disabilities into Jewish day schools.
The JCAS strongly believes that every Jewish child has a right to a Jewish education regardless of their special needs. In addition, and just as importantly, a whole generation of school children are educated to embrace difference and welcome all Jewish children into the community. Mount Scopus College supports the JCAS and benefits from the support of disadvantaged students.
The Posh Opp Shoppe is open during the week which will allow parents to shop without making an appointment.
Books and learning resources
Our Primary Bulk Stationery program includes all book list items for Primary students. This effectively means that there is no book lists for Primary students and that all resources including stationery and Jewish Studies texts and siddurim, haggadot and chumashim will be provided within the classroom as required throughout the year. The cost of these resources has been included in the tuition fee. Requirements are continually reviewed to ensure that costs savings are achieved and passed on to parents via a lower impost in the school fees.
Booklist and stationery supplies
All SFPS students receive their stationery and required texts in class at the start of the year and as required during the year. This is included in the tuition fees. Parents do not need to place an order.
For e-learning resources see below.
Year 4 and 5 students
In Years 4 and 5 the iPad continues to meet the needs of learners given the range of educationally relevant apps available, together with ready access to a camera. This combined with the mobility, weight and durability of iPads continues to make the iPad the appropriate learning device for students in these year levels for the foreseeable future.
All iPads connected to the College network have had the Messages application blocked. We anticipate that this will reduce the potential for distraction during school learning times.
Devices are connected to the College which filters and monitors all internet traffic that flows through our network.
We encourage parents to practice and demonstrate safe internet usage to and with your children, and ongoing parent and student education sessions are provided to this end.
Students will receive a College-owned iPad that will be managed and maintained by the College. The devices will remain on the College grounds at all times, stored and charged in classrooms overnight. This will alleviate the pressure of being responsible for an expensive device to transport every day to and from school. The College will provide a case with keyboard for the iPads.
Parents will need to provide volume limited headphones with, if possible, an inbuilt microphone suitable for children. These can be find at general department stores as well as specialist audio stores. If purchasing wireless headphones you will need to ensure that they are also charged overnight, along with the device.
Year 6 students
As they begin their transition to secondary schooling, our Year 6 students begin to transition the way they use their devices as tools for learning, communication, creativity, and collaboration.
Year 6 students have a BYOD program. Whilst the College's recommendation is for your child to use a laptop where possible, an iPad or similar tablet technology will also be deemed appropriate.
It is recommended that families do not purchase a brand new Apple iPad as they are not deemed to be a suitable device for Year 7 students and a laptop or 'hybrid' device will be mandatory in the secondary school.
The required device specifications outlined via the link below will assist those needing to purchase a new device although students in the primary school do not require the apps listed other than the Google suite and Zoom.
2024 Year 7 12 BYOD Requirements
Year 6 2024 BYOD Letter To Parents
Recommendations for BYO devices are:
Mac laptop running macOS Mojave or above, i.e. Macbook Air, Macbook Pro
Windows laptop running Windows 10 or above, i.e. Dell, HP, Acer etc.
iPad (iPad Air 2 or above, iPad Pro (any version), 2019 iPad, iPad mini 4 or above running iOS 13 or above.
The minimum specifications are outlined below:
Storage | RAM | Wi-fi | Battery |
---|---|---|---|
iPad: 32GB + recommended Laptop: 128GB minimum
|
Laptop: 4GB minimum, 8GB recommended
|
For iPad we recommend Wi-Fi only to reduce cost and to ensure that Internet access is filtered whilst on campus
|
6+ hours (fully charged)
|
Other recommended accessories include:
- Hebrew alphabet keyboard overlay or stickers
- Protective screen cover
- Protective case or suitable carry bag
- Headphones
The College will provide guidelines as to which devices are suitable for meeting the needs of our students, whilst ensuring consistency for teaching and ICT support purposes.
To ease the logistics for parents of school aged children, the College offers a private bus network.
Families can choose to use the bus on a permanent or casual basis.
Permanent usage incurs an annual charge, billed alongside the school tuition fees. Students can travel on their standard permanent route OR use the early or late buses as required for school activities.
Casual users are charged per use (currently $12 per trip) and have access to an online booking system. Casual users are not charged to use the early or late bus to attend a before school or after school activity run by the College.
Students are required to tap on and tap off the bus for each journey with their bus pass that is provided to them when they start using the bus.
Important: unless you advise otherwise, your child will automatically be booked as a permanent user of the bus and the transport levy charged. To opt out please email Wendy Saffer by Monday 4 December, 2023.
Creating a bus user account
Bus route information
Bus routes, including bus stop and times are reviewed each year in line with the changes to the distribution of addresses of families at the College using the bus service so your child's bus stop next year may be different from the one they used for their visits to Burwood.
The bus stop details will be made available via the bus portal in December, to allow plenty of time for parents and students to familiarise themselves with the location of their stops prior to the commencement of school.
Accessing bus route information
- a notice is issued to parents once the information is available on the portal;
- Click here to access instruction on Boarding the Bus (p1) and creating an account (p2).
- families will need their child's Student Code to be able to set up a new account; this code is available via Parent Lounge (see the Website, apps and portals tab for further details);
Tip: On occasion, students may need to use the early or late bus services which have two routes each. To determine the most convenient route / stop to use parents can refer to the map on the portal.
Winter Friday afternoon drop off times
On Friday afternoons in Terms 2 and 3 and some other days as advised during the year, drop off times will be approximately 35 minutes earlier than the advised standard drop off stop time in line with the earlier starting time for Shabbat.
Class placements
Class lists are organised by the Campus Coordinator together with the teachers of the previous year level. Information received from parents, as well as observations from the trial visit are factors considered when placing new students, along with balancing numbers of students and learning needs across the year level. We ensure that new students are placed with at least one requested friend where applicable. Where this is not deemed to be in the best interests of the student/s then parents will be contacted.
For NEW students entering into SFPS please complete the class placement information survey below by Friday 27 October. Do not complete for current Scopus students.
SFPS 2024 class placement information survey
Hebrew classes are streamed according to level of ability in Years 5 and 6. In Year 6, students allocated to the Hebrew extension level will also study Jewish Studies in the Hebrew language.
If a student’s ability is not aligned with the class they have been placed in then the opportunity exists for them to be moved to an appropriate class.
In the first instance, class allocation is based upon feedback from parents via documentation and in the family meeting, as well as from previous school reports (where applicable).
Class lists
Students will receive their class list prior to the Summer holidays; this will allow the opportunity to socialise with children in their class over the break.
Class lists and family contact details for the year group will be made available to parents in the Parent Lounge once school commences. These lists are only to be used for contacting other families for invitations and the like. They are not to be used in any way for commercial, marketing, fundraising or other purposes.
NB: It is up to parents to share their details via the Parent Lounge so if contact details are not visible it means the parent/s have chosen not to share them. If a student has two listings then it means that their parents are separated and we encourage invitations to be sent to both parents' details to ensure the child does not miss out.
Parent communication
Your child will be involved with various staff for their pastoral care as well as their education.
For pastoral care, your first point of contact is your child's classroom teacher. Your child’s teachers will contact you shortly after your child commences.
Overseeing the pastoral care of all students is the Campus Coordinator, who liaises closely with the classroom teachers, Student Services and the Wellbeing team. The Deputy Principal - Primary, is also at the campus regularly throughout each week.
For educational queries, please contact the classroom teacher directly. Teachers are available to answer any queries about your child throughout the year and are best contacted by email or via a phone message which will be returned when they are not teaching.
Contact details of all relevant staff caring for your child will be provided at the start of the school year however information is also available in the Useful Contact Information section below.
The parent / teacher meetings are held in Terms 1 and 3 for school-aged students.
School-aged students will receive a comprehensive academic report in Terms 2 and 4.
If you have any concerns about your child which you feel you need to advise prior to commencement then please contact Enrolments.
Communicating with separated parents
- All communication with parents is predicated on the basis that, unless there are court orders in place to the contrary, parents share responsibility for the long term welfare of their children and have the right to be involved in, and communicated with about all relevant issues.
- Parents are responsible for advising the College of any changes in their family situation. If parents separate and then reconcile, this information should also be passed on to the College.
- If there is a court ordered collection schedule in place then both parents are responsible for submitting a copy of a schedule noting which parent should be collecting on which day for the entire school year. This can be done by one parent copying the other in when emailing the schedule to the Enrolment Director. The College is not a party to court orders and is not responsible for working through the orders to determine the collection schedule.
- The College maintains systems which clearly show the details of both parents to teachers and other relevant staff who are responsible for communicating directly with individual families. Teachers and other staff are trained in how to read and act on this information.
- The vast majority of information regarding students' activities and learning is posted on the Parent Orbit portal, and/or Toddle for ELC and school-aged children.
- Emails or phone calls are only used for individual and private matters.
- Consent is required from both parents for their child/ren to participate in some activities however if one parent does not respond, then it is presumed that they will abide by the response of the other parent. If one parent provides consent and the other withholds it then the student will not be able to participate in the activity.
- We understand that in some cases, communication between separated parents and sharing of details can be a sensitive issue. We urge all parents to understand that the procedures developed by the College are designed to place their child/ren's welfare as the top priority and allow the staff responsible for their well-being to proceed with clarity. Ensuring the information we have remains current is vital to achieving that outcome.
- Most tools used by the College (Parent Orbit, FlexiSchools, Toddle, Xplor Home) are based on individual rather than family user so the processes do not differ for split families, However, for the key tool, Parent Lounge, separated parent/guardian users of these apps may have different or additional procedures when using them from other families - please click here to access.
The following guide outlines the details of tools used across the College. Some will be relevant for all year levels and some will be for specific year levels or campuses.
In the coming weeks, the College will update this page with information to access a range of our apps with a Single Sign On (SSO) capability. Please diarise to check back on Monday 28 October.
College website
The College website hosts a range of information, including:
Primary and Secondary curriculum handbooks,
Our Scopus Family - donations; volunteering; Parents Association, alumni, grandparents and friends
The Scopus Facebook page is also accessible via our website. Please note: in line with cyber safety guidelines we ask that photos are not tagged, nor any names of children in the photo divulged. You can ‘friend’ this page in order to access regular posts of photos and other information from our ELC through to VCE.
Two of the key tools that are used at Scopus are the Parent Lounge and the associated Parent Orbit app, the parent communication portal.
Parent Lounge
Parent Lounge is used for students in Prep and above
You will be issued with the login credentials to access Parent Lounge in the lead up to your child commencing. It is accessible in the header menu on the College website.
Parent Lounge is used for a range of purposes, primarily:
- maintaining your current contact details,
- sharing them via the Parent Directory with other parents in your child's year level,
- *health and emergency contact information for children;
- organising parent teacher interview times,
- accessing school academic reports for Year 7 onward,
- accessing your child's ongoing assessment results and dates, and their daily timetable for Year 7 onward,
- paying school tuition fees.
Parent Orbit app
The key features available via Parent Orbit are:
- All parent general communications from Little Learners to VCE
- All parent notifications, including bus notices
- Advising of, and acknowledging student absences
- Booking Parent Teacher interviews
- Access to your child/ren’s individual timetable (LFSS students only) and calendar, and ongoing assessment results (also known as progressive reporting); and
- Links to commonly used tools, such as Operoo, Flexischools and Bus bookings
Xplor
Xplor is used only for students using the ELCs and for primary school aged students using OSHC (including after care and holiday program) services for:
- *collection of information in line with the national regulations specific to these services including medical and emergency contact details,
- Kinder only - casual bookings for before care, after care, rega care and holiday program,
- Little Learners - ad hoc 'extra days' bookings,
- room sign in and out process, and
- and information required to claim the government child care subsidy.
No child can commence at Scopus or attend any OSHC program prior to this information having been submitted and confirmed. If the Xplor enrolment form is not completed by the required date then the kinder place may be rescinded.
* Parents of school aged children who attend OSHC programs will need to submit information both via Parent Lounge and Xplor.
Operoo
Operoo is used to provide information and collect consent for excursions and activities across the College.
Flexischools
Cafeteria orders can be made via Flexischools.
Parents set up an account for each child and then can place orders ahead of time, or up to 9.30am on the morning that lunch is required. Orders can also be changed or cancelled.
There is a range of daily specials, both hot and cold, that vary from day to day.
This is particularly handy if students have left their lunch at home and are not carrying cash with them.
Some Parents Association lunch orders in the primary school are also made via Flexischools.
Toddle (ELC to Year 6)
Toddle is an online learning journal and digital portfolio used at Mount Scopus from ELC to Year 6.
Toddle is a simple way for teachers and students to record and share their learning and what's been happening in the classroom.
The access information and links will be made available to parents after the start of the school year.
No child will be able to commence at Scopus whilst there is any outstanding documentation.
A copy of your child's birth certificate must be submitted prior to commencement. You will be contacted by Enrolments if it hasn't already been provided.
Click here to access written instructions for each section and the applicable year levels, where relevant.
One of the hallmarks of a Scopus education is the vast range of extra-curricular programs on offer.
Whilst some take place during the course of the school day, others happen out of hours. To enable these to happen, the College operates two early and late bus routes which are available at no extra cost for both permanent and casual users to attend an activity run by the College.
The types of activities on offer will vary throughout the year, but may include the following:
Before school
- cross country running
- swimming
- cooking breakfast for the swim squad (Year 6 only)
- orchestra rehearsal
- support and enrichment activities
After school
- Achrayim leadership program (Year 6 only)
- volunteering
- robotics / coding club
Every term a wide array of lunch time enrichment clubs are also offered. Whilst some are year level specific, others are on offer to all SFPS students. They encompass sporting activities, craft, garden and pet club, technologyand musical options. Activities vary on a term by term basis in line with seasonal considerations. Students are invited to sign up to participate and are expected to attend for the entire term. Whilst not compulsory, many students will choose to participate.
Performing Arts
Private music tuition
Mount Scopus operates an extensive music program with a range of performance opportunities.
Private instrumental and vocal tuition is available to take place at the College during school hours, or in some cases, after school, pending the teacher's availability. During school hours, students are withdrawn from classes on a rotating basis so they do not continually miss the same class.
Tuition is available in a wide range of instruments, including, but not limited to the following:
- Piano
- Voice
- Violin
- Cello
- Drums
- Flute
- Guitar
- Saxophone
To learn more about the diversity of performance opportunities peruse the handbook below.
Music scholarships are awarded each year to students in the secondary school, based on ability, which either cover, or contribute to the cost of the music tuition. The scholarship auditions are held on a Sunday in Term 3 each year and students in Year 6 will be invited to audition. Contact the Music department for further details.
Primary Musical
Every two years SFPS stages a musical in Term 2 which includes every student from Year 3 to Year 6. This allows students to develop confidence in performing. The main roles are allocated to Year 5 and 6 students, whilst Year 3 and 4 students participate in year wide chorus performances. The musical is usually based around an event in Australian history, providing a learning opportunity too. The next musical is scheduled for 2025.
Nut policy
The College has an ‘Allergy Aware’ policy. Staff and students are strongly encouraged not to bring nut or nut based products onto the College Campus, however this cannot be guaranteed. All anaphylactic students are strongly encouraged to question the ingredients of all foods they eat.
The College cafeteria and camping programs are ‘Nut Free’ as are all special school celebrations/activities catered for by the College
Health Centre, iIllness and medication
Each campus has a Health Centre staffed by Registered Nurses per the details below.
FKI / GBH - staffed from 8.30am to 3.30pm
Gandel Campus, Burwood - operates during College hours
Outside of normal operating times, staff operating activities before or after school have undergone first aid training.
For your own child’s benefit, and the well-being of other students and staff please do not send sick children to school or kinder. An unwell child will not be able to concentrate or learn effectively, and conversely, risks becoming more unwell and delaying their recovery by not being able to rest.
Medication will only be administered for chronic illnesses, asthma or anaphylaxis. If your child requires other medication then they are not deemed well enough to be attending school.
The Victorian government maintains a list of the minimum periods of exclusion from primary schools and children’s services for infectious diseases cases and their contacts. Click here to access.
Fee statements
The initial fee statement and policy is sent out in mid-January. It will detail the amount due for all children registered at the College, including tuition fees, security levy and transport levy where appropriate. A direct debit form is included.
Child Care Subsidy
Both the ELCs and OSHC (Out of School Hours Care) after care and holiday programs are approved programs and attract the government subsidy for eligible families who have submitted the required information. The fee statement will reflect the full fees prior to the subsidy, but the subsidy will be received directly from the government and credited to the parent account after the year has commenced.
Parent involvement / volunteering
Parents and grandparents are encouraged to volunteer for various activities, including reading to the children in the kinders and lower primary levels, tuckshop and lunch order, cooking club and other events from time to time.
Parents are also invited to assist on some school excursions, but will be required to undertake some basic security training.
A Working With Children Check is required for all volunteers at the College.
Opportunities also are available for parents to be meaningfully involved in events such as careers day, or share their expertise via the Parents Association or the College Council which acts as an advisory body to the Principal in the areas of direction, philosophy and policy.
Parents Association (PA)
The Parents Association is very active throughout the kinder and primary year levels with varying activities, such as the weekly Challah stall, Mothers and Fathers Day gift stalls, and social and fundraising events.
The PA also coordinates volunteers for a number of years in advance who run the Simcha list to avoid clashes in scheduling Bar and Bat Mitzvah functions. Contact the PA Administrator to request further information regarding the Simcha list for your child's year.
Cafeteria
The Scopus Cafeteria is milchig, under Kosher Australia supervision.
The Scopus Cafeteria offers a range of healthy cold and hot menu options prepared onsite that change seasonally and have alternating daily specials. Dietary requirements, such as gluten and dairy free, are also catered for.
The Caf is open for students attending before school activities, and remains open until the buses depart to allow those remaining for after school activities to purchase a snack.
Parents can order online via Flexischools (see the website, apps and portals page) or students can place their order with cash in an envelope directly into their class esky at the start of the school day.
Holiday Program
Students from Prep to Year 6 are able to book into the Holiday Program which operates from Gandel Besen House. The program offers a range of themed incursions and exciting and interesting excursions. Information about the program and booking procedures is released approximately two weeks prior to commencement.
The holiday program operates during all school holidays and staff development days, excluding Jewish holidays (including all of Pesach), public holidays, two weeks over the Summer break, and the three days prior to the commencement of the school year.
This program is approved for eligible families to receive the government Child Care Subsidy; all families considering using this program at any stage up to Year 6 will be required to complete separate online documentation via the Xplor platform.
All bookings for OSHC programs are made directly via Xplor; registration and booking information will be advised in the lead up to each holiday program.
Sport House
New students are allocated based on balancing student / gender numbers within each year level in each house. Returning students will be placed in their old house, and siblings will be allocated into the same house where possible. House placements will be advised in October for new students to allow parents time to purchase the house coloured sports top.
Parents of students entering into Year 6 may choose to purchase the generic secondary sports top which will be required from Year 7 onward.
Student Photos
Class and individual student photos are generally taken in Term 1. All students commencing after that date will be sent by their teacher to the Primary Office to have their individual student photo taken shortly after they commence. In 2024 the photo day is scheduled for Tuesday 6 February.
Once your child commences, the following are the key contact details you may require.
Principal’s Office:
Dan Sztrajt 9834 0005
Deputy Principals:
Deputy Principal, Primary Greg Hannon 9900 4602
Deputy Principal,
Director of Alter Family School of Jewish Studies and Ivrit
Matti Borowski 9834 0003
SFPS Reception: 9834 0100
Campus Coordinator Dana Rosenzweig 9834 0181
Main Reception: 9834 0000
For general enquiries at the College
To contact financial and clerical administrative staff
To contact Medical Centre
Enrolments: 9834 0070
Parents Association Administrator 9834 0160
Accounts:
Tuition fee enquiries 9834 0026
Holiday program and payment enquiries
Nikki Epstein 9834 0041
Fee assistance enquiries Laurent Schonker 9834 0027
Year level specific information
Transition Days - Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 November, 2023
As Year 4 is the first level at the Smorgon Family Primary School at the Gandel Campus in Burwood, this is a new learning environment for all students, whether joining the College anew or progressing from the Year 3 Discovery Centre at FKI.
Accordingly, there is a two day transition program scheduled for all current and joining students in that cohort.
The days will include a number of activities both in the Year 4 learning spaces as well as using the different facilities and areas around the Gandel Campus and opportunities for all students, both current and new, to spend time together. This will assist in class placements for students.
Students will travel on the College's bus network as this forms an integral part of the school day for Scopus students. Even if your child will only use the school bus on a casual basis next year, or only for before and after school activities, it is recommended that they use the bus for their transition visits to provide a level of familiarity with the process.
New students - only students whose place acceptance documentation has been returned are able to attend these days.
A snack for recess will need to be brought from home. Students can wear casual clothes, including runners for a PE activity.
Please note that students will need to bring bathers and towels each day.
A permission form will be sent for new families including a lunch order option for Tuesday 14 November.
The bus details will be issued to all current and new students in the days prior. Please note that the bus and bus stop used for the transition visit may not be the same one allocated in 2024 as the routes are reviewed over the summer break each year.
Year 4 camp
The Year 4 camp is scheduled for November 2024. Further information will be provided next year.
Simcha register
The Parents Association coordinates volunteers who run the Simcha list to avoid clashes in scheduling Bar and Bat Mitzvah functions within a cohort. It is not compulsory to register. Please note that not all parents do register their simcha, not all parents will invite the whole year level, and the list is for all events in that year which will include simchas of other children not in the same year level, ie Batmitzvahs from the year below or possibly some Barmitzvahs from the year above. Contact the PA Administrator for further details.
Year 5 camp
The Year 5 camp is scheduled for November 2024. Further information will be provided next year.
Simcha register
The Parents Association coordinates volunteers who run the Simcha list to avoid clashes in scheduling Bar and Bat Mitzvah functions within a cohort. It is not compulsory to register. Please note that not all parents do register their simcha, not all parents will invite the whole year level, and the list is for all events in that year which will include simchas of other children not in the same year level, ie Batmitzvahs from the year below or possibly some Barmitzvahs from the year above. Contact the PA Administrator for further details.
Transition Day - Tuesday 28 November, 2023
Year 6 will see a significant intake of new students in 2024, many of whom undertook trial visits earlier in the year.
To facilitate a smooth integration next year, there is a transition day scheduled for all current and joining students in that cohort.
The day will include a number of activities in the Year 6 learning spaces as well as using the different facilities and areas around the Gandel Campus and opportunities for all students, both current and new, to spend time together. This will assist in class placements for students.
Similarly, some students may undergo assessments to help provide a clearer understanding of their current knowledge and learning skills.
Students will travel on the College's bus network as this forms an integral part of the school day for Scopus students. Even if your child will only use the school bus on a casual basis next year, or only for before and after school activities, it is recommended that they use the bus for their transition visits to provide a level of familiarity with the process.
New students - only students whose place acceptance documentation has been returned are able to attend these days.
A water bottle should be brought from home. A morning snack should be brought from home. Lunch will be provided by the Caf.
Students can wear casual clothes, including runners for a PE activity. Boys must wear a kippah at school.
A permission form will be sent for new families, including lunch options, and must be submitted by for Thursday 16 November.
The bus and buddy details will be issued to all current and new students in the days prior. Please note that the bus and bus stop used for the transition visit may not be the same one allocated in 2024 as the routes are reviewed over the summer break each year.
Year 6 camp
The Year 6 camp is a key highlight of the program at Mount Scopus. Students travel to Canberra for a four day visit of some major institutions, tying in with their learning of Australian history and civics. These have included attending a session at the Parliament of Australia, the Australian War Memorial, the Israeli Embassy and Questacon.
The camp is scheduled for the week of 19 February, 2024 . Further information will be provided in due course.
Bar and Bat Mitzvah programs
The College runs an array of meaningful programs for Bnei Mitzvah.
For girls, the program runs in Year 6 and includes a range of components which families can choose from to provide a tailored program to suit their needs and interests. The options include a mother / daughter learning program, a mother/daughter Shabbaton weekend scheduled for late May 2024, assistance in Dvar Torah preparation, leyning, and an end of year ceremony. Contact Enrolments if you require further information.
For boys, Rabbi Avrohom Goldberg is available to provide individual tuition to learn the Parsaha, Haftora, Brachot and relevant prayers, as well as helping understand the meaning of the Parasha, and support for the Dvar Torah/speech. He can also assist in working out which is the correct Parsaha for boys, and help find a Shul where this special occasion can be celebrated if required. Whilst most of this will take place in Year 7, many boys will start their learning in Year 6.
Simcha register
The Parents Association coordinates volunteers who run the Simcha list to avoid clashes in scheduling Bar and Bat Mitzvah functions within a cohort. It is not compulsory to register. Please note that not all parents do register their simcha, not all parents will invite the whole year level, and the list is for all events in that year which will include simchas of other children not in the same year level, ie Batmitzvahs from the year below or possibly some Barmitzvahs from the year above. Contact the PA Administrator for further details.