Information

Absent Children

When your child is going to be away, please let the School know before 9.15am.  If we do not receive a call we will telephone home to check.  These actions are taken as a safety measure.  The onus is however on the Parent to contact the School.  Non-notified absences can cause the School a lot of time and effort in contacting homes.

Attendance

Non-attendance at school is a major barrier to learning and an indication of at-risk students.  Regular punctual attendance at school helps developed an attitude leading to regular punctual attendance in the work force.

It is the right of every New Zealand child to attend school, and the responsibility of parents/caregivers to ensure attendance their children enrolled at school. Full attendance by enrolled students gives them the greatest opportunity to learn and benefit from the many opportunities offered at school.

Parents should aim for a rate of 95% or better for attendance. The following is a helpful guide.

1 day off a week            =          80% Attendance

½ day off a week           =          90% Attendance

1 day off a fortnight       =          90% Attendance

½ day off a fortnight      =          95% Attendance

1 day off in 3 weeks      =          93% Attendance

½ day off in 3 weeks     =          97% Attendance

1 day off in 4 weeks      =          95% Attendance

½ day off in 3 weeks     =          98% Attendance

All Schools and School Grounds Smokefree

By law all New Zealand schools are totally smoke free.  This applies to all school buildings, grounds and sports grounds.  The law requires School Boards to take all reasonable steps to ensure that people do not smoke at any time in Schools.  Please help the school by respecting this.  Thank you.

Bicycles

Cycle helmets are compulsory by law and must be worn.  We prefer that Year 1 and 2 pupils do not ride bicycles to school unless accompanied by an adult.

It is strongly recommended that pupils who bring bikes to school secure them to the bike stand with a padlock.

Buses

Please let the school know if your child travels on a bus so we can place their name and details on the bus list.  Contact the school for any queries regarding eligibility of pupils to travel on the bus.  A separate town bus service also operates.  Please contact the school for details.

Change of Address and Phone Number

Please let us know immediately if you change address or phone number.  We need to have a very accurate and up to date list of contacts, should we need to contact you in the case of an emergency or accident to your child.

Concerns, Complaints or Queries

If you are unhappy about something at the school or have a problem then please talk to your child's teacher first of all, or contact the office to make an appointment to discuss the concern. We want to help and want to put things right as soon as possible.

Dental Clinic

The School Dental Therapist now works in a mobile clinic which also services other schools. If your child needs urgent treatment when the mobile clinic is not here, please contact the South School Office for details of a School Clinic that will treat your child.

Duffy Book Programme

We are very lucky to be part of the Duffy Books in Homes Programme.  This programme entitles each student to receive a regular supply of free books to take home and keep.  We also get visiting stage performers and regular visits from role models who support this programme.

Lost Property

Lost property is regularly displayed and this is notified in the School Newsletter.  Problems with lost property are made considerably easier if all property is named.  Unclaimed property is disposed of regularly.

Newsletters

The School produces a newsletter usually every fortnight on Friday, or when the necessity arises. All children in the family receive one. Please regularly check your child's bag for the newsletter.

Office Hours

The School Office is open from 8.00 am to 3.00 pm Monday to Friday.

Parents' Vehicles

Parking facilities are very limited at the school.  Parents are asked to keep the front entrance and car park exit clear in case of emergencies.  Please avoid parking on the yellow lines.  Vehicles parked incorrectly near the crossings prevent the Road Wardens from seeing approaching traffic. The staff car park is not a drop off and collection area for students.

Many parents and organisations use our field for sports.  Please do not bring vehicles in to the school grounds and on to the field.  The school field has an elaborate and easily damaged irrigation system.

Road Patrol and Crossings

The River Road crossing has a teacher on duty in the Morning from 8.30am—8.45am and for 10 minutes after school.  School Patrol signs operate on the River Road crossing.  Pupils who live in the Cobham Drive area are expected to use the River Road crossing to ensure their safe crossing.

A teacher is on duty at the Onslow Street crossing after School.

Parents are asked to set appropriate examples and also use these crossings.  Please avoid parking across the road and calling your child over.  A safe approach is to walk across the road, meet your child and escort him/her across.  Both River Road and Onslow Street are very busy and especially dangerous on wet days.

We strongly suggest you regularly check which route your child takes to and from school.  If you are unsure, please check with the class teacher.

Sickness

Please keep your child at home if he/she is sick or has wounds or infections.  If pupils are kept at home when sick, this minimizes the risk of other children catching the same condition.  If in doubt contact the school.

School Canteen

A local contractor operates a Healthy Food Canteen for the benefit of the school community.  Pupils order their lunches in their Classroom when they arrive.  Casual sales of some food lines take place at morning interval and lunchtime.  The canteen issues a price list at the beginning of each year and price changes are notified in the School Newsletter.

Parents may order their child’s lunch from the canteen but are asked to do so before 9.15am as much of our food is ordered by phone daily and arrives before lunch.  Late orders can create difficulties.

School Hours

School Starts 9.00am

Morning Interval 10.40am - 11.00 am

Lunch 12.30pm - 1.15 pm

School Finishes 2.45 pm

Please note: These hours do not change during the year and are not affected by weather. There is no need for children to arrive much before 8.30am in the morning, as they are not released to their classes before this. Please also note - we do not close early on wet days.

School Organisation

The School is organised in three Syndicates. Each Syndicate is under the responsibility of a Senior Staff member.

Junior Syndicate (Years 1 & 2) Assistant Principal
Middle Syndicate (Years 3 & 4) Senior Teacher
Senior Syndicate`(Years`5 & 6) Senior Teacher

Stationery

A bulk stationery sheet is issued at the beginning of the year and for New Entrants as they enroll.  We strongly suggest you purchase through the school, as overall it is cheaper and you are assured of the correct items.  Many items are only available through the school.  After the start of the year other purchases may be made before school between 8.30 am and 9.00 am daily.

Visits to Classrooms

Some parents like to visit to watch their pupil settle in when they are first enrolled.  Please arrange this visit with the New Entrant teacher and ensure that the time is suitable.  We suggest you leave discreetly once your child has settled in and try and limit your presence in the room so as to allow their independence to develop.