FAQs
Choosing the right school for your child can be challenging. Some parents recognise immediately that Blue Gum is the right fit for their child, others require more time and inquiry.
Below are answers to some of the more commonly asked questions, please see these as a starting point as you consider Blue Gum as a place for your child. Don’t hesitate to contact us if the below information doesn’t address a question you may have.
Why choose Blue Gum for my child?
Discerning parents often choose Blue Gum because of our non-competitive, community approach and because we very intentionally embrace and celebrate children’s different learning styles and interests, not preferring one style of learning over another.
Children with a passion for the arts, who may find it difficult to adjust to environments that give greater priority to more linear ways of thinking, often feel celebrated at Blue Gum, able to learn and express themselves in ways that recognise their particular perspectives and skills.
We keep our classes small and our teacher ratios high to enable teachers to work with children in a very personalised way, ensuring no one falls through the cracks.
We believe school should be a place full of joy, engagement, thinking, and learning with others. Education should never be a solo walk up a mountain. Our community will suit your family if you share our belief that schools should be places where curiosity, passion for learning, love for experimentation and a drive to question how the world works are a part of every day!
Blue Gum is a place where children know they matter in community and where the value of the group is matched by our valuing of each individual.
Click here to download a copy of our School Philosophy
Blue Gum - The details
How many children will there be attending the School?
Preschool
32 equivalent full-time Preschool places
That means, 32 children in attendance each day - made up of 2 day, 3 day and 5 day places.
Primary
48 places across Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2.
Will I be able to claim the Child Care Subsidy?
The Preschool and BGOSH (Blue Gum Out of School Hours) make up our licensed early childhood services. Eligible families will be able to register to receive the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) provided by the Australian Government.
Is the Preschool registered with the Start Strong Fee Relief Program?
Yes, we are registered for the NSW Government’s Start Strong Fee Relief as a NSW Long Day Care Setting. Eligible families will be able to register for this Fee relief with us, on top of any Child Care Subsidy they are already eligible for. Please note we do not fall under the Government category of “Community Preschools” despite carrying the word ‘Community’ in our name.
How old does my child need to be to start Kindergarten at Blue Gum?
Children must turn five by 30 April in the year they start school, to be eligible for a Kindergarten place at Blue Gum in that same year.
We have chosen a different cut off for enrolment from the NSW Government School standard, believing strongly that there is no need to rush children through the schooling process. A great deal of research highlights the value of children entering formal school at an older age.
But my child needs more, are you sure they aren’t eligible to start Kindy?
Yes we are sure, but take heart, our 5 day preschool option is an ideal transition for children who have completed two years of preschool but are not quite old enough for our Kindergarten class. Give us a call on 9138 2019 if you are interested in finding out more about why an additional year in our Preschool might be just the ‘in-between’ year you’ve been looking for, full of challenges and rich learning opportunities for every child.
Do you offer Out of School Hours Care?
Yes, it is called BGOSH and is available for all primary children, with priority to be given to children currently enrolled at Blue Gum. After School Care is offered between 3 and 6pm each day (3-5pm on Wednesdays). Our School Holiday Program is run every term break, by Blue Gum educators. Eligible families can apply for Child Care Subsidy for BGOSH.
For all Preschool children who would benefit from, or need to attend for a longer day, we ask you enrol your child in our full day program. This offers you the greatest flexibility with start and finish times, between 8am and 6pm. Our expectation is that all children arrive to begin their day by no later than 9am and leave no earlier than 3pm. We close at 5pm on Wednesdays to allow our staff to meet together weekly around all things teaching and learning!
Do you need to live in the Hornsby area to enrol at Blue Gum?
No, there is no specified catchment area for the school’s enrolment.
What hours will Blue Gum be open?
DURING TERMS
Preschool (3-5 year olds)
Monday to Friday
Short day program 9am to 3pm
Full day program 8am - 6pm (8am to 5pm Wednesdays only)
3-day (Mon-Wed), 2-day (Thurs-Fri) and 5 day places
Primary School (5-8 year olds)
Monday to Friday
9am to 3pm (arrival from 8:30am)
After School Care 3pm to 6pm (3pm to 5pm Wednesdays only)
IN SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Combined Preschool and Primary School Holiday Program - 9am to 3pm or 8am to 6pm (opt in or out); (8am to 5pm Wednesdays only)
What are the 2024 Term dates?
January School Holiday Program - Monday 8 January - Thursday 25 January 2024
Student-Free Week (Educator Professional Learning) - Monday 29 January - Friday 2 February 2024
Term 1 - Monday 5 February to Friday 12 April 2024
April School Holiday Program - Monday 15 April - Wednesday 24 April
Term 2 - Monday 29 April to Friday 5 July 2024
July School Holiday Program - Monday 8 July - Friday 19 July
Term 3 - Monday 22 July to Friday 27 September 2024
October School Holiday Program - Monday 30 September - Friday 11 October
Term 4 - Monday 14 October to Thursday 12 December 2024
What are Blue Gum Hornsby’s Fees?
To receive a copy of our current Fees Schedule, please email us by clicking here.
Is my child required to wear a uniform?
Blue Gum Community School does not have a school uniform.
Will there be a canteen?
No, there will be no canteen at the school. Children in the preschool need to bring their lunch daily, morning tea is provided by the school. The primary school students will need to bring their own lunch, crunch and sip and morning tea each day. Children from both our preschool and primary school, who are a part of our program from 3:30 to 6pm, will also be provided with afternoon tea by Blue Gum. All children are asked to bring water as their drink each day, in a clearly marked drink bottle.
Do you have plans to extend the school into Years 3 to 6?
This is certainly on the horizon, but no plans are in place at this time. 80 children is just the right size for our current building and grounds, ideal for our early childhood school.
What is the story behind the ‘Mount Errington’ name?
In 1897 the residence at 1 Rosemead Road, sitting proudly at one of the highest points in Hornsby, was built for the Roberts family. Mount Errington is one of the original homes of Hornsby and the surrounding Heritage Precinct on the west side of Hornsby derives its naming from the original estate.
The original features of the home, largely intact from its original build, were a major drawcard influencing the school’s decision to purchase the property. The house in its current design presented an ideal layout for a small school. The outdoor areas, surrounded by so many mature trees and established gardens, provided a natural space unmatched in the area. The history of the house, gardens and surrounding area captured our hearts from day one.
We see ourselves as the custodians of this magnificent place. Restorative works have been an important part of the construction phase, as we adapt Mount Errington into a School and these protective works will continue for years to come as we celebrate the beauty of the house’s architecture, the wonders of its stories over time, and the delights of its magnificent gardens.
It is our great joy each day to open the gates of this historic home to the community and children of the Hornsby Shire.
Go to the Project Updates page for more information about the building project that adapted Mount Errington from a private residence into a not-for-profit community school.
Our location
On the west side of Hornsby, the school’s building and gardens are a rich reminder of another era in Australian history. Mount Errington has been re-imagined as an early childhood school, filled with invitational gardens and stunning indoor spaces. It is a place full of delights and beauty. A place rich with possibilities.
Walking
For families who choose to walk to school from home or from Hornsby train station, we are an easy 800m walk from Hornsby station, via William or Dural Street.
Cycling
Cycling is another option for families. There is a bike rack at the school where children can safely leave their bicycles for the school day.
Driving
If traveling to the school by car, please approach the school from Dural Street, ensuring you are able to enter the school by turning left into the driveway. All vehicles are required to exit the school by turning left out of our circular drive onto Rosemead Road towards William Street.
The circular driveway will be in operation for parents of primary school children, to drop off each morning between 8:30am to 9am and pick up each afternoon from 3:00 to 3:30pm. A teacher will be on duty at these times to assist children in and out of cars, so that you don’t need to find a carpark!
Suggested Vehicle Approach Routes to School
Preschool Parking
To enable easy signing in and signing out of preschool, a small number of short-term parking spaces are available on the school grounds.
