Bell times

Consistent schedules and daily routines help children feel safe, build independence and develop positive habits that set them up for success - not just at school, but in life. While we talk about the day as learning time, eating time and play time, in reality, every moment of the day is part of your child’s education.

Whether they’re solving a problem in class, sharing lunch with a friend or negotiating the rules of a playground game, they’re constantly learning how to think critically, manage emotions, collaborate, communicate and lead. These skills — developed through both structured lessons and everyday interactions — lay the foundation for confident, capable and compassionate young people.

Below is our daily schedule so you can plan drop-offs and pick-ups.

Arrival and Departure

Arriving on Time

It’s important that students arrive at school on time every day. A calm and punctual start helps children settle into routines, connect with their peers and be ready to learn right from the first lesson.

Picking up students during the day

If you need to collect your child for an appointment during the school day, please let the office know ahead of time where possible. For collections during Break 1 or Break 2, please arrive at the office 10 minutes before the break begins. This gives staff time to locate your child and have them ready without disruption to classes or supervision.

End of the school day

At 3pm, parent/carers are expected to collect students from school or make suitable arrangements. Children are not able to stay on site after 3pm without parent supervision. If pick-up arrangements change during the day and you need to let your children know there has been a change, please call the school to ensure the message gets through.

Playground Supervision

Teacher supervision at Willoughby Public School begins at 8:30am each morning and ends at 3pm. For safety reasons parents are kindly asked not to drop their child off before this time. To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, we kindly ask that families collect their children promptly at 3:00 pm at the end of the school day. If you are unable to pick up your child on time, please make sure they are enrolled in an After School Care program, where they will be supervised in a safe environment until you arrive. If you  are ever running late for 3pm pick up please see the information below.

Running Late?

We understand that life doesn’t always go to plan. If you’re running late for drop-off or pick-up, the most important thing is to let us know so we can make sure your child is safe and supported.

If you’re late for morning drop-off:

• Please go directly to the front office with your child so they can be signed in and marked present.
• Arriving through the office ensures attendance records are accurate and your child enters class with minimal disruption.

If you’re running late for afternoon pick-up:

• Call the school office as soon as possible to let us know when you expect to arrive.
• Students who are not collected at 3pm are asked to attend the office until you arrive.
• If late pick-ups are likely to happen regularly, you will need to consider options like booking after-school care for those days.

We understand that unexpected delays happen. Clear communication helps us keep students safe and ensures they feel calm and cared for until you arrive.

Attendance Matters

Every school day counts. Regular attendance helps children build friendships, develop confidence and keep up with their learning. Even a day here or there adds up and can make it harder for students to stay on track.

Students are expected to attend school every day unless they are unwell or have an approved absence. If your child is away, please contact the school as soon as possible via School Bytes, email or phone.

If attendance is a challenge for your family, please speak with us. We’re here to work with you to support your child’s success.

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