Information
Absences
To ensure the safety of your child, we ask that parents advise the school if their child is going to be absent.
Parents can leave a phone message before school; phone 292 4889 or fax 292 4989.
A message can be sent to the office by a sibling.
The school Secretary will phone the home of any child not accounted for.
Parents who bring children to school late or pick them up during school hours are required to write in the Visitors book at the Office and sign their children in and out. A red form is given to the child to take to class.
Accidents and Illnesses
All teachers hold a current First Aid Certificate. In case of a serious accident at school, parents will be notified as soon as possible. If parents are unable to be located, the “emergency contact” person nominated by you will be contacted. If a child becomes sick at school, the class teacher or secretary will phone the parents in order for the child to be cared for at home.
In cases of dire emergency the school will arrange to transport your child for medical treatment and inform you of the action taken as soon as possible.
Agricultural Day Committee
This committee controls the organisation for Agricultural Day, which is held on the first Saturday after the September holidays. The committee convenes early in the year. Dates, times and venues for meetings are published in the school newsletter. Contact: Daniel Ready.
Arrival Time
To ensure the safety and supervision of your child, the classrooms will be open from 8.00am when the first bus arrives.
Before the school bell rings at 9.00am, children are expected to have:
- Handed in any orders for stationery etc to teacher in a named sealed envelope, with room number and what is required written on the exterior.
- Hung up bags and taken books, water bottles etc, required during the day to their desks.
Assemblies
School Assemblies provide opportunities to keep staff and students informed of school events and also opportunity for students to share success. School Assemblies are held at 2.15pm each alternate Friday in Rooms 5 and 6.
Syndicate Assemblies are held as notified – more information will be given in the weekly newsletter.
Associate Teaching
Colleges of Education invite successful and experienced teachers to make themselves available to assist in the training of teachers. From time to time a student teacher may work along side your child’s teacher. This in no way detracts from the classroom programme. The presence of a trainee encourages a renewed focus on best practice and enhances student’s learning opportunities.
Australasian Test (NSW Tests)
All children who receive a stanine 9 in the PAT’s Progress and Achievement tests will sit the English, Maths and Science tests. The computer test is optional. If other children in years 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are given the option of sitting these. These are tests where children are compared against the national average and we sometimes use these test for base line data when developing our strategic plans for the new year.
Be Ready for School
We would love your child to know:
- Their name, address and telephone number
- How to remove outer garments including shoes
- How to use tissues
- How to wash/dry hands and flush toilet – some experience for boys in the use of urinals would be useful
- How to hold/use scissors
- Basic colours
- How to sit and listen to a story
- How to recognise his/her belongings
Please inform your child’s teacher as to left/right handedness.
Parents are encouraged to see children attend pre admission visits to assist with their transition into full school attendance.
Bell Times
9.00am School starts
10.40am First break
11.20am Back to class
1,00pm Second break
1.40pm Back to class
3.00pm School ends
3.05pm First bus leaves
3.50pm Second bus leaves/Third bus leaves
Bible in Schools
The school runs a Bible in Schools programme for each class for half an hour on a Wednesday. Volunteer teachers cover a mainly values based curriculum that enriches the child’s education. A note is required if you do not wish for your child to be involved.
Bicycles
Children cycling to school must be 9 years old or older and:
- Observe the road rules
- Wear a cycle helmet at all times
Bicycles must not be ridden in or outside the school grounds between arrival and departure from school. Parents are reminded that Hunua Rd is a busy and narrow road.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees meet on the third Monday of each month at 7.00pm. Board meeting dates and times are published in the School Newsletter. These meetings are open to the public and parents are welcome to attend. The Board’s role is to oversee the governance of the school. In co-operation with the Principal and Staff, decisions are made on how best to administer the operational grant and to monitor the operation of the school. The Board acts as a vital liaison between the school and the community. There are opportunities at times to be a member of a subcommittee of the Board, eg Property.
The Board works hard in the interest of the school and with the PTA will seek your support for working bees, funding and school trips.
Book Club - Scholastic
Book club is a choice for families to obtain quality books in paperback edition at a substantially reduced cost. Once a month, children are supplied with an illustrated list to take home and an order form to complete. These are then returned to school with the payment which is given to the classroom teacher. Your order should arrive about two weeks after the due date.
Book sales through the book club earn the school bonus points which can be used to obtain new books for the school.
Bus Transport
The bus route is funded from a limited budget and aims to provide a reliable service which follows the safest, economic route. It is not intended as a door to door service. Changes to the bus route must be approved by BOT and strict management procedures followed so that all parties to the bus contract are aware of any changes.
We encourage students to view the opportunity to travel on the bus as a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate behaviour may result in a child forfeiting their place on the bus. Senior students are appointed as bus monitors and are responsible to the Principal for modelling acceptable standards of behaviour and reporting incidents of misbehaviour. Please refer any difficulties to the Principal. Occasionally there are difficulties which delay or prevent the bus from making its rounds. If the bus appears to have been delayed, please contact the school.
In the interests of child safety, a roll recording students boarding the bus is taken each day. Parents should notify the school, preferably in writing, of any change to their child’s normal bus routine (eg if your child is not catching the bus after school, or would like to go home with a friend on a different bus.)
Children with Special Abilities – Gifted and Talented
Hunua School recognises that children with gifts and talents require focused attention that meets their needs. Children exhibit their abilities in a variety of educational, social, sporting and cultural contexts. These need to be identified and then there will be times where groups of these children will be extended within the classroom and beyond.
Children with Special Needs
Some children require additional assistance to effect or monitor progress. While we treat each need individually, we can have at any one time the following programmes operating:
- Community Tutor Reading Programme
- Reading Recovery
- RT Lit involvement
- RTLB assistance
- Teacher Aide Assistance
- Liaison with specialists eg GSE, Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists Rainbow Reading
Class Changes
Apart from regular yearly class changes, decisions are made to move children to another classroom during the year.
These decisions are made after considerable discussion and for a variety of reasons. We are careful to ensure that children spend as much time as possible at each level.
Changes made during the year generally only affect those from Years 1 and 2.
Enrichment within the school programme is a priority. However, at times there are resources like One Day School, Special Ability Day Courses and other opportunities for extension that exist outside the school setting.
There are specific criteria for these programmes and may be some personal cost.
Class Trips / Visits / Sports Days
As part of the Local Goals in our School Charter we have a co-ordinated Education Outside the Classroom programme. Day visits, camps and sports days form the majority of our school experiences. They are a valuable extension of the school programme and can involve considerable preparation and organisation.
We often require parent assistance with supervision and transport. If you are able to assist with transport we require you to have a current driver’s licence, and a current warrant of fitness and registration as well as seat belts for all children.
A generic permission slip covering such venues as the Hunua Hall, Tennis Courts and Bowling Club and the Frosts farm (for cross country) is sent home at the beginning of each year. For other trips during the year, including camps, a separate form will be sent home.
Unless an emergency arises, we will not take a child out of the school grounds without written permission from a parent of guardian.
Please note:
Children who consistently demonstrate inability to co-operate fully with the staff or accept responsibility for their personal safety, may be stood down from such activities.
Clothing and Lost Property
We attempt to return misplaced property as soon as it is found. To help us, all clothing should be named. Lost property is located in the corridor between room 3 and 4. Lost property will be displayed on the concrete outside room 5 and 6. Notification of this will be in the newsletter.
Collection of Children
If you are collecting your child from school during the day, please sign them out at the office. If they are returning that day – have them signed in.
This process ensures we know where your child is at all times.
Community Tutor Reading
The Community Tutor programme caters for children who require assistance with reading. The service is available from Year 1 t o Year 8. Volunteers form the basis of this group. A training session is provided.
People may choose to work for up to 1½ hours per morning. They can work 1 or more days. All contributions of time are greatly valued. Many children are making great progress from 1: 1 programmes.
Concerns and Complaints
From time to time questions may arise with regard to a particular issue or concern. We are always willing to discuss these with you, but we cannot be aware of your concern unless you bring it to our notice.
The school is your best source of accurate information about events and your child’s progress. All our staff are well trained experienced professionals – please bring your concerns to the class teacher in the first instance. Contact the Senior Teacher of the syndicate if your concern remains unresolved after discussion and an agreed action with the class teacher. If discussion and agreed action plans at these two levels still fails to resolve your concern then make an appointment with the Principal. If the concern or complaint is not resolved at the Principal level, please approach the B.O.T. by writing a letter to the Chairman.
Consultation
Strategic Planning and other issues at times require consultation. This may take the form of surveys, return slips or questionnaires. Your input into these is valued, and considered essential for our school to continue to be progressive.
Contacting School
If you need to phone staff about non-urgent matters, please do so before or after school or during interval and lunchtime.
If you need to, leave a message on the answer phone and these will be cleared by 3.00pm
Dental Care of Children
If you require dental treatment for your child contact the school office and they will be able to give you information as to which school the Dental nurse is working at.
Discipline
The school encourages children to display self-discipline and a Discipline policy and procedure has been formulated. This document addresses issues such as rewards and consequences and includes areas such as parental responsibility
ECCS – Eastern Counties Country Schools
Our school is involved in a number of activities with this group of schools. We are involved in one, sometimes two sports per term and also a Speech and debating competition for years 5, 6, 7 and 8.
Education Review Office
The school is independently reviewed by the Education Review Office every three years. The office attests to whether the school is fulfilling it’s statutory requirements including the following it’s statutory requirements including the following areas:
- Curriculum and Student achievement
- Documentation and Self Review
- Employee Responsibilities
- Financial and Property Management
- Health and Safety
- Administration
- Legislation
A copy of the current ERO Report can be requested from school or accessed on the following website: www.ero.govt.nz
Enrolment
Please make an appointment with the Secretary and Principal when you wish to enrol your child.
Make sure if they are aged five that you have a copy of the child’s birth certificate. Vaccination records are also required. This data is contained within your “Well Child Book”.
We recommend that your child has at least one pre-school visit prior to starting school.
Currently this school does not have an enrolment policy or an enrolment zone which means we are accepting enrolments from any area.
Please note: Independence is encouraged from Day 1. Routines and expectations are set in order to allow children to take increasing responsibility for their learning and actions.
A stationery list will be sent home. Essential stationery can be bought at the school. School bags need to be big enough to hold lunches, spare clothes, raincoats, jerseys, books and swimming gear. All clothing should be named. It is often a good idea for young children to have a change of clothes in their bags.
Evening and Weekend use of the School Playground
We actively encourage you to use the school’s playground. Please ensure that all gates opened are shut and that children are supervised.
The use of the playground after hours is at your own risk.
If you notice any vandalism or broken equipment, please report it to the Principal.
Exemption from Physical Education, Education Outside the Classroom and Sport
Your child will be excused from PE or Sport (eg swimming, camps and cross country) if a written note is received from you. PE, EOTC and Sport are part of the National Curriculum Framework.
EOTC is a strong component of our school charter.
First Aid and Health Treatment to Children
Should a child be injured at school, or become ill, and it is felt that a doctor’s advice is necessary, the parents/caregivers will be contacted immediately. Emergency contact numbers will be used if parents/caregivers cannot be contacted.
Please advise the staff if pupils need to take prescribed medication for a temporary ailment.
For a sustained medication use parents will need to sign a medication form in order for the school to recognise the management, and for the safe distribution of the medication.
Please note that teachers are not permitted to administer aspirin, disprin (or any other analgesic) to children without the permission of parents. You are asked to forward emergency medicines such as asthma and bee allergy medication to school if necessary.
In the event of your child contracting an infectious disease or condition, please contact the school.
Footwear/Dress Code
It is important for Health and Safety of children that they wear footwear to and from school. This includes trips outside the school where sports may allow for bare feet.
Children are expected to be well presented at all times. Parents are asked to dress children in school uniform.
Fundraising
Fundraising for school equipment is essential. As a decile 7 school, we are funded at one of the least amounts of any state school. While this assumes that because of the socio-economic make up of our community is higher than a decile 1 for instance, it does mean that community funds are essential.
The PTA in partnership with the Board of Trustees attempts to provide opportunities to raise extra funds. Being a member is fun!
The PTA is a vital part of the school; and provides essential items that would not otherwise be accessible. Recent examples of this are our computer pod and black out curtains.
All fund raising efforts that are run through the school benefit the school directly.
Both Telecom and Clear Communications donate a percentage of your household toll accounts to the school of your choice. Forms to arrange to nominate our school are available from the office, or phone 0800 724 665 – “School Connection”.
Hearing and Vision
Once a year all new entrants hearing and vision is checked. In addition, children at other levels requiring follow up are to attended to.
Parents can request a check if they suspect deficiencies in these areas.
Homework
Each teacher will establish a homework expectation as part of their overall classroom programme. A system of monitoring homework will be established with students being expected to take increasing personal responsibility for completing homework as they progress through the school. In general terms our daily expectations are:
Year 1 – 2 10 minutes mainly reading and word study
Year 3 – 5 20 minutes encompassing reading, maths, spelling, times-tables & current events over the year
Year 6 – 8 30 minutes including reading, spelling, maths and project work. Increasing use of due dates and contract work will be evident to encourage self management skills.
Developing a successful attitude and habit towards homework is a partnership effort and parent support is expected.
Library
The Library is open daily. All children may use the library have books out on a 14 day loan.
The Library is fully automated. Children have a digital bar code that links their borrowing to a computer.
Please care for books. Students will be asked to replace damaged or lost books.
Lost Property
We attempt to return misplaced property as soon as it is found. To help us, all clothing should be named. Lost property is located in the corridor between room 3 and 4. Lost property will be displayed on the concrete outside Rooms 5 and 6 on Friday afternoons at 2.30 pm.
Money
Children are only expected to have money at school if they need to purchase stationery – a sports uniform – school lunches – pay for trips, or for special days such as daffodil day. Please send money in a sealed envelope with the following details:
- Name
- Room number
- Purpose
Newsletter
The school newsletter is published on the Tuesday of each week, and will let you know what is going on at the school. Newsletters are sent home with the eldest child in each family. If you are not receiving a newsletter regularly, please let us know. You can have them e mailed if you wish.
Parent / Community Assistance
Your involvement in the school is really appreciated. If you would like to help in any of the following ways, please contact the school, we would love to hear from you.
Community Tutoring - working with a child one to one
Sports Coaching - preparation for various inter – school events
Library - mending and maintaining books
Gardens - maintaining and developing the school grounds
PTA - support and fundraising
Agricultural Day - on the committee or as helpers
Classroom Assistance - specific lessons that need many hands and eyes
Telecom & Clear - by nominating Hunua School as the school for the connection programme we can generate funds at no cost. Forms available at the office.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
This group is made up of volunteers from the Parent Community.
The PTA actively promotes social events, fundraising and communication between home and school. On many occasions they provide quality hospitality for special days such as Agricultural Day.
The PTA welcomes anyone with a willingness to help. It is an energetic, stimulating and fun group who really make a difference at this school.
The committee meets in the Staff room on a Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm - the date being advertised in the school newsletter.
Parking
All parents and visitors are required to park in the school car park.
Please keep the flow of traffic steady if not using the angle parking. Between 8.45am - 9.00am and 2.45pm – 3.15pm are our congested times. Please respect the signage in regards to bus parking as it is difficult for the bus to move if there are cars in the area made available for it.
No parking in the bus area, gateway or school grounds.
Please be aware of the safety of excited children crossing the road before and after school. We would prefer you to cross the road with your child when dropping off and picking up children.
Phone Calls
As the school is regarded as a business, every call costs, therefore we try to keep calls to a minimum. If you wish to use the phone for a local call, please pay 10c to the office. Toll calls will be charged according to the account.
Photocopier
Parents and community members are welcome to use the school photocopier. A small fee is charged for each sheet depending on whether it is a single sheet double sided or A3 in size.
Prize Giving
Prize giving takes place during the final week of the school term. It is a fairly formal occasion during which we acknowledge the achievements of our pupils during the year and farewell our graduating students.
Relieving Teachers
Occasionally, your child’s teacher may be absent due to illness, bereavement or Professional Development Courses. When this happens, the school employs a relieving teacher for the duration of the absence. We only employ NZ registered Teachers and generally draw from a small pool of experienced relievers who are well-known to our staff and students. We are very grateful to these teachers for the valuable contribution they make to the life of the school.
Reporting to Parents
Regular opportunities are available to discuss your child’s progress. The Reporting Cycle is as follows:
TERM ONE: - Meet the teacher Evening, Parent Interviews.
TERM TWO: - Reports
TERM THREE - Portfolios sent home
TERM FOUR - Reports
If you would like to contact your class teacher to discuss your child’s progress, make an appointment at any stage of the year.
School Contribution / Activity Fee
The school asks for a contribution towards school funds.
Currently this is as follows:
$100 for one child
$220 maximum for three or more children
$25.00 discount per family per working bee.
During the year we report back on what your monies are used for.
School Rules
The school sees self-discipline in children as being the ideal and the general rules of the school try to reflect this aim. It is hoped that children will grow in self awareness of their faults and the shortcomings of others, and will develop the values of tolerance and respect. To this end, the rules are brief and are designed with safety and the above factors in mind.
Out of bound areas are:
- Outside the designated play areas.
- Toilets unless using the facilities
- All implement sheds unless a P.E. monitor
- The pool area unless given permission or under supervision of a staff member or adult.
Children are not permitted to leave the school grounds without the permission of a teacher. If parents wish children to leave the school grounds they should notify the school beforehand. If you arrive to pick your child up or they have other travel arrangements please notify the teacher and sign out at the school office.
Smoke Free
Our school has a smoke-free policy. This also applies to all school activities, including EOTC. (Education outside the classroom) We would appreciate it if you abide by this.
Speed Zone
Please take care to travel at the correct speed of 50 kph between the signs either side of the school.
Staff Meetings
These are generally held on Monday and Wednesdays from 3.15pm until 5.00pm. Please contact staff outside these hours if possible.
Stationery
At the beginning of the year all pupils will be given a Stationery list. Stationery orders are to be given to teachers in an envelope with money, details as to what is required, and the child’s name and room number on it.
Sun Hats
The school full brimmed sun hat is compulsory. They are required to be worn at all times from the beginning of term 1 to end of term 1 and then again in term4 to the end of term four. It is optional in the two middle terms. Hats can be purchased through the school by sending an order to the class teacher.
If children have no regulation hat they must play in a shaded area. This directive is to reduce the risk of skin cancer and melanomas.
Swimming
The school swimming pool is open for term one of every year. Classes have daily instructional sessions in the pool. The school aims to teach children to swim adequately, be conscious of water safety, and know how to get themselves out of difficulties in the water should the need arise. Swimming is part of the school curriculum and children should bring their togs daily. A note is required from home should your child need to be excused from swimming.
Teacher Release
From time to time teachers are released for professional development and management requirements. During this time there will be a reliever in the classroom.
Term Dates
These will be issued regularly in the school newsletter – apart from being in the front of this book.
Toys / Sweets / Electronic Goods
Children are requested not to bring any of these to school. Experience has taught us that the presence of any of the above is likely to cause distraction from learning. This rule also applies to “Energy” drinks, which contain a high concentration of sugar and in some cases, caffeine, both of which can impede the learning process.
Trees for Survival
Our school is involved in “trees for Survival”. This involves groups of children in maintaining a growing unit of trees for planting in the district where soil erosion is a concern. There will be time when groups of children visit farms and plant out the young trees. This is all in line with our conservation and recycling philosophy.
Uniforms
There is a compulsory sports/cultural uniform consisting of a polo shirt and black shorts for all children. These can be used for daily use.
The school t-shirt has the logo on it and can be purchased through from
Postie Plus.
Valuables
As staff cannot be responsible for the custody of valuable articles, children are advised not to bring them to school. Jewellery worn to school is dangerous during play, especially dangling earrings.
Children are permitted to wear watches but must take full responsibility for damage or loss. We would encourage children whose ears are pierced to wear only studs at school. The wearing of jewellery is discouraged in the interests of safety.
Withdrawal of Children from School
It is sometimes necessary for parents to take children from school during the school day. When you do this, would you consider the following points:
- Please let the class teacher know about the situation in advance.
- Often a class programme disruption can occur because of a child’s absence or absence of a number of children.
- Frequent absences can cause the child anxiety as they find it difficult to keep up with class work.
Please remember that a note or telephone call is required.
Working Bees
From time to time working bees are arranged to help with school maintenance and special projects such as gardens, building and cleaning. All assistance is much appreciated. There is a $25.00 discount on school fees for every working bee you carry out. All assistance is much appreciated. Notification of working bees will occur in the weekly newsletter.