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Everything you need to know for 2024

Contact Details

Principal: Mr Chad Smit – principal@dcs.tas.edu.au

Head of Primary: Mr Tom Evans – evanst@dcs.tas.edu.au

Head of Secondary: Mrs Alison Moore – moorea@dcs.tas.edu.au


Address:
3 – 11 Jiloa Way, DON 7310

Postal Address: PO Box 44D, DON 7310

Phone: (03) 6423 1373

Email: admin@dcs.tas.edu.au


Staff email addresses:

Communication by email is often the best way to be in contact with teachers and other staff. All staff have a DCS email address using the same formula:

surname first initial @dcs.tas.edu.au

Some examples:
smitc@dcs.tas.edu.au (Chad Smit)
sargisonm@dcs.tas.edu.au (Melanie Sargison)
cruset@dcs.tas.edu.au (Travis Cruse)

Page Contents

School Times

Primary School Times: 8:30 am start | 3:00 pm finish for K-6

Recess: 10:55 am – 11.25 am

Lunch: 12:45 pm (eating), 12:55 pm – 1.35 pm (playing)

Secondary School Times: 8:30 am start | 3:10 pm finish for Secondary

Recess: 10:35 am – 11.00 am

Lunch: 12:45 pm (eating), 12:55 pm – 1.35 pm (playing)


Office Hours:
8:00am to 4:00pm

Uniforms & Buses

Uniform Purchases:
Can be made from the office during office hours 8:00am – 4:00pm


Buses:
Kinetic are contracted by the State Government to provide a bus service for students. Any questions regarding bus routes and pick up times can be made by phoning Kinetic on 6427 7626. Maps are also available on their website: www.merseylink.com.au/timetables-maps/

For 2023 student cash fares will increase from $1.80 to $1.90. Students catching a dedicated school bus can purchase a sheet of 10 tickets for $15.20.

Parking

The following information will help you understand how we manage traffic flow around school drop-off and pick-up times.

The Kiss ‘n’ Drop Zone is a designated area for parents to come and quickly drop off or collect their children.  When using the Kiss ‘n’ Drop Zone cars should not be parked for longer than two minutes and parents should not leave their car.  If you wish to meet your children inside the school grounds, please park in the allocated spaces along the left hand side of the driveway.

If you wish to get out of your car and walk your children in, you will need to park your car using the left hand side parking spaces. As these parking spaces are at a 45 degree angle, please do not reverse park.

This area (opposite the drop off zone) cannot be used for parking when collecting or dropping off students, as cars will be pulling out of the drop off zone and driving through from Lapthorne Close. These spaces are only for staff or adult parking without children. This assists with our commitment that no children will be walking across the road.  

Parents are encouraged to inform their students to be collected at either one of these three times as their preferred pick-up time; 3:00-3:10pm, 3:10pm-3:20pm and 3:20pm-3:30pm. This will help to minimise the number of adults on site at any one time as well as aid the flow of traffic. See pick up zones below for the areas students can be collected from.

Students have three different areas to wait at the end of the day; Kiss N Collect, beside the school oval on Jiloa Way and in the Kinder playground if waiting for a bus.

What do I do if...

The first point of contact relating to your child is the classroom teacher. We have a well-established culture of clear and consistent communication that our teachers establish both inside their classrooms and with home. This results in a positive learning community where we appreciate and value communication.

I want to arrange an appointment to see a teacher?
  • Email the class teacher; OR
  • Send a note with your child; OR
  • Telephone the school; OR
  • Call in at the school office.
I want to follow up about something that happened at school?
  • Always the first contact is with your child’s class teacher
  • For recurring issues, you can contact the Head of School for support. Mr Tom Evans (Primary) or Mrs Alison Moore (Secondary) supports children and positive behaviours across all levels. If you have chatted with your child’s teacher and an issue continues you may contact their Head of School for supported suggestions. The Heads of Schools will also be in contact with parents at times when situations have been supported by him.
I need additional support or specialist assessments for my child?
  • For Primary student support, at first speak with your child’s teacher and then communicate with Head of Student ServicesMrs Melanie Sargison in the Student Services department about the options for support.
  • If you have received or have specialist assessment documents please pass these to Mrs Sargison in Student Services to have the information communicated with teachers to support your child.
  • For Secondary student support, at first speak with either of your classroom home teachers and then communicate with Head of Secondary Mrs Alison Moore.
I wish to talk about learning and curriculum?
  • The first discussion is always with the class teacher.
  • If you would like a further discussion or to seek clarification on your thoughts on learning at DCS, you may contact the Director of Learning and Teaching, Mr Scott Davies.
I wish to speak with the Level Team Leaders?

Each level has team leaders supporting the learning within the team. If you have spoken with your child’s class teacher and wish for support about things within a teaching level you can contact the Learning Team Leaders.

  • Kinder is Lauren Heagney
  • Prep Learning Team Leader is Mrs Prue McCulloch
  • Year 1/2 Learning Team Leader is Mrs Madeline Newton
  • Year 3/4 Learning Team Leader is Mrs Tammy Davies
  • Year 5/6 Leaning Team Leader is Mr Travis Cruse
  • Specialist Team Leader is Miss Rebekah Shurley
  • Or you can contact either Head of School, Mrs Moore or Mr Evans or our Director of Learning and Teaching, Mr Scott Davies
I want information about uniforms or the DCS Community

Please contact the school office.

I want to make an enquiry re my fees?

Contact the Business Manager, Mrs Kim Hill by phone on +03 6423 1373 OR email hillk@dcs.tas.edu.au

I want to make an enquiry re buses?

Contact the bus owners:

I want to make an enquiry about membership of the Devonport Christian School Association?

Please contact the Principal, Board member Pip Martin OR enquire at the school office.

I want to make an enquiry, feedback, complaint or suggestion and do not know who to contact?

Please telephone the school office OR visit the school in person.

I want to make a suggestion about improvements to buildings?

Please make an appointment to discuss the matter with the school Business Manger Kim Hill.

I wish to see the Principal?
  • Contact the office by phone; or
  • Email the Principal Mr Chad Smit principal@dcs.tas.edu.au
  • Call in at the school to make an appointment
I want to contact the Board?
  • Telephone the school; or
  • Email board@dcs.tas.edu.au ; or
  • Write to the Board President care of the school.
I have a concern about anything?

Any person with a query or concern is asked to speak directly to the person with whom they may have the concern.  If a resolution is not found, please speak to the Principal who will arrange a meeting between the parties to assist in a process of reconciliation.  Should the Principal be unable to bring about reconciliation, the matter can be passed on to the School Board.

Term Dates 2024

Term 1:

Wednesday 7th February – Friday 12th April

 Term 2:

Wednesday 1st May – Friday 5th July

 Term 3:

Thursday 25th July – Thursday 26th September

 Term 4:

Tuesday 15th October – Tuesday 10th December