General Information

General Information

Absence and Lateness

There are many reasons why a child may be kept at home for the day and we would ask in each case that parents either phone or email the school office in the morning to explain the absence, or submit an absence via the Hero App.   The attendance register is taken each morning after 9 a.m. and unexplained absences are followed up by the school daily.  When your child is unwell please keep them at home to allow the best chance of recovery and to protect those at school, often a day early can save a week later on.  It is expected that parents will endeavour to have children at school before classes are due to start.  Children need a few minutes to prepare their belongings first thing in the morning and this should be kept in mind.  The bell goes at 8.55 a.m. and school begins at 9.00 a.m.
 

Bicycles and Scooters


Each team has their own day to use the bike track.  This is the only place where bikes and scooters are ridden in the school grounds.
 

Cars, Parking and Road Safety

If you are visiting the school, or dropping off or collecting your children, please park outside the school gates. Please consider local residents when picking up and dropping off your children

  • Do not park over or up driveways.
  • Ensure there is enough room for people to get up their driveways.
  • The Presbytery carpark (behind the church) is not available for school parking. 
  • Do not park on yellow lines.
  • Please do not park in the BP Service Station.

Please use the traffic lights to cross either Sparks or Hoon Hay Roads.  

Communications

Newsletters are emailed to parents and caregivers fortnightly as well as being posted on the website posted on the website and Facebook.  Community notices are sent out via Hero to keep you informed of school events.

​Concerns

If you have any concerns about school matters the Board of Trustees would encourage you to see the appropriate person as soon as possible.

  The most helpful thing for you, our Board, and for our schools is for you to raise any concerns that you may have as soon as possible.  
  1. Arrange an acceptable time to meet with the appropriate person.
  2. The class teacher is always the first person to talk to.
  3. If talking with the class teacher does not resolve the concern then you can talk with the Team Leader.  The Rutherford Team (Y1 & 2) Leader is Mary Shaw;  the Sheppard Team (Y2-4) Leader is Karen Norton; the Batten Team (Y5 & 6) Leader is Vicki Welsh, and the Hillary Hub (Y7 & 8) Team Leader is Amanda Campbell.
  4. The Principal is always available to talk to parents who have 
exhausted the two avenues of approach, or have concerns of a 
serious or sensitive nature, or wish to discuss matters concerning 
the school generally.

  5. The Board of Trustees is the next 
alternative, if other avenues have been exhausted, or if you feel
 your concerns have not been dealt with effectively.


Our complaints policy can be viewed at:  http://ola.schooldocs.co.nz

  • user name: ola
  • password: assume11

Health

For advice on how long to keep children home from school, dealing with head lice and other school-related health topics, please refer to the links below.

 
https://www.education.govt.nz/school/student-support/student-wellbeing/health-and-wellbeing/
https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/school-exclusion
 

Helping Hands

The school has created a list of people that are able to help out when any of our families are in need. This has been utilised many times and many people in our school community have made use of this. If you would like to add your name to the list of helpers fill in the survey and / or let us know at the office and we will ensure this happens. We have a wonderful database of parents from our school community however we always need more.
 

Library

The school library has an extensive collection of books for children to borrow. Each class will visit the library once a week.
 

Lost Property

All lost property is collected and placed in a lost property box in the office. Parents are encouraged to regularly check the lost property box for missing items. Parents are encouraged to name all school uniform items so if lost, they can easily be returned to your child
 

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Medicines

If your child requires medication at school, please take it to the office and sign the consent form.
 

Parent Teacher Association

The PTA is active in fundraising for school initiatives. All parents are invited to join the PTA. The PTA meets monthly on a Monday evening. For more information, refer to the PTA page.
 

School Hours

School starts at 8.55a.m – 3p.m. weekdays.  Morning tea 10.30 -10.50; Lunch 12.15-1.00p.m.
 

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Uniforms

A full uniform list can be found on the Uniform page on the website along with guidelines. The PTA also hold two 2nd hand uniform sales per year.
 

Working Bees

Many hands make light work! From time to time we may call on your help to assist with work in our community.