All the information you might need before starting in our programs!
Welcome to Saints Academy, we look forward to having your child or children with us. At Saints Academy we believe our students will thrive in a semi-structured, intentional unhurried learning environment, where we replace 'screen time, with green time'. Below is important information for you to know as a parent as well as some helpful documents for you to have!
Drop off and Pickup
Our main premises is at 30 Bridge Street, Waratah. If the parking lot gate is open, feel free to park in any unmarked car spot or a visitor spot, or park on Bridge Street. From there you can walk up the left hand corridor into the church building. Orange Saints Academy banners will help guide the way. Additionally street parking is available on Edith Street, where you can walk in our back gate. If doing so, please ensure that you close and bolt the gate behind you on enter and exit.
When you come in the church you will see our sign in/out desk, where we have information on who is the Responsible Person, what our students have been up to in our Learning Reflection Journal, and an ipad to sign your child/ren in or out. The ipad will be open to 'qikkids kiosk', you can input your mobile number then set up a pin (0000 your first time using the application, then choose a new 4-digit pin). This same process is required for every authorised pickup. Please be aware that any person you wish to sign your child in or out must be listed as an authorised pickup person, which can be done through your My Family Lounge account.
After School Program Pickup
School at SPCC Newcastle concludes at 2:55pm. Our staff pick up the children from the concrete steps at A-Field and then walk them up to our main premises. If your child is new and unsure of where to go, please liaise with us and your students teacher to ensure they find their way here.
Children's Food
Afternoon tea is provided during the After School Program and Vacation program. During the Vacation Program, parents are to provide morning tea and lunch unless otherwise notified. Please provide your child with a refillable water bottle. Please remember that we are an allergy friendly service, so we ask that you do not provide any nut products in your child’s lunch box.
What to wear
Please ensure all items of clothing are clearly labelled and provide a jumper during cooler months as we spend significant time outdoors, weather permitting.
During the Vacation Program Children should wear a HAT and ENCLOSED SHOES each day. Children are not permitted to wear THONGS or SANDALS.
Medical Conditions
If your child is listed as having a medical condition, our team will have contacted you for relevant forms. Please make sure you have provided the completed form to our team. You can do this via email to saintsacademy.newcastle@spcc.nsw.edu.au.
Please provide any required medications to the service on the first day of attendance. Medications should be in their original packaging, clearly labelled with your child’s name and a use by date.
Children will be unable to attend Saints Academy without their medication and action plans.
Medication in the Vacation Program
*As per the normal school day, if your child takes medication before or during school, we require that they continue this medication on days they attend the Vacation Program. Like school, the Vacation Program is a complex relational environment and we find that students thrive best when they continue their normal medication schedule when attending. If your child attends unmedicated, they may be asked to be picked up early. If you require this, please contact us so we can arrange the correct paperwork for us to administer medication onsite.
Casual Bookings
Where vacancies are available, casual bookings can be made up to 2pm the day prior using the My Family Lounge Application (on a web browser of the phone app). Please refer to the Saints Academy Parent Guide HERE for instructions on how to make a casual booking.
Absences
Absences can be made via the My Family Lounge app (not through a web browser), alternatively please email saintsacademy.newcastle@spcc.nsw.edu.au or send us a text message on 0457503329 to let us know.
Running late?
Please call or text our service phone at 0457 503 329.
The service hours are 3pm – 6pm for our After School Program and 7:30am to 6pm for Vacation Program. Late charges apply when picking up children after 6pm. Please refer to the fee policy for further details.
Fees and CCS
Fees will be payable in advance and will be due weekly less any eligible Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Additional charges may apply where shown on the Vacation Program for excursions and incursions. Please view our Vacation Program for further details. You will be contacted by our Service to provide permission for these charges to be added to your Saints Academy account. CCS does not apply to these additional excursion or incursion costs.
Payment can be made via direct credit or via a Direct Debit arrangement. Cash payment is not be available. Statements will be provided each week via email and all direct credit banking details for payment of your account is provided on the statement.
Direct Debit is our preferred method of payment. The Direct Debit form is attached to your ‘Welcome to Saints’ email
You can find out more information about CCS here.
Policies
Please see all of our policies HERE.
My Family Lounge
My Family Lounge' is the Saints Academy parent portal.
Using browser access (logging into your account online via this LINK) parents can:
- Create and manage their waitlist requests
- Submit enrolment forms, make changes to enrolment details such as adding authorised contacts, changing address or phone numbers
- Make changes to the days your child is enrolled at our Service – please note there is a 2 week notice period required for changes to your child’s permanent booking
- Please note that to end a permanent booking you must contact the service in writing – bookings cannot be ended using My Family Lounge
Using the ‘My Family Lounge App. (unfortunately not available on android phone at the moment), parents can:
- Mark your child as absent via the My Family Lounge mobile app
- Make casual bookings for After School Program and Daybreak Boost
- Make bookings for Vacation Programs
Please refer to the Saints Academy Parent Guide HERE for detailed instructions on using the app and your QK Enrol account.