School Information

Stationery Prices

Tuck shop Prices

Term Dates

SPECIAL NOTE TO PARENTS/CAREGIVERS OF NEW ENTRANTS

CONTENTS

	TELEPHONE (09) 408 0228			FACSIMILE (09) 4082361			ADDRESS Church Road, Kaitaia
Email: admin@kaitaiaprimary.school.nz    Website: www.kaitaiaprimary.school.nz

Vision Statement

 “Inspired and resourceful learners for life.”

“Kia whakaara, kia manawanui mō tōna ao”

Mission Statement

To instill MANA

Manaaki      (caring)

Aroha            (love)

Ngāwari       (understanding)

Awhi            (support)

By providing a positive environment, encouraging enterprising attitudes, empowering all students to achieve excellence and with continual reflection on our performance; we will ensure the changing needs and abilities of all children are being met.

Core Values

At Kaitaia Primary School we value:

 

Excellence – because kiwis can fly

 

Innovation – because kiwi ingenuity is part of who we are, it’s our identity

 

Integrity – because respect is earned not given

 

Resilience – because giving up is not our choice

 

Because…

 

Our children are our greatest potential.

Ko ngā tamariki a tātou tino pūmanawa

 

Our teachers and staff are our greatest strength.

Ko ngā kaiwhakaako, ngā kaimahi ngā tino pou kaha

 

Our community is our greatest source of support.

Ko te kāinga te tino puna tautoko

SPECIAL NOTE TO PARENTS/CAREGIVERS OF NEW ENTRANTS

In the winter terms the playground gets very muddy and, as young children use the floor to sit and work on, we keep it clean by not allowing wet and dirty shoes inside. It would help the teachers if your child is able to tie his/her own shoe laces or wear shoes without laces.
 
When children start school they will bring books home for you to read to them and later for them to read to you. These books are expensive to replace. A special Kiwi Pack will be purchased from the school for keeping them in. We ask that these reading books be returned to school each day.
 
Please name any article of clothing the child is likely to remove during the day. Young and (not so young) children have no idea of what belongs to them.
 
If you have any problems with your child do not hesitate to contact the teacher. It is not easy for the teacher to speak to you always during the class contact time so it is more convenient before or after school and sometimes at lunchtime.
 
You are welcome to sit in on the class to see what happens at school. This is a good idea if it is your first child attending school as things have changed since your own days at school.
 
You are welcome to help out in the classroom on a regular basis.
 
We aim to make your child’s school experience both enjoyable and educational. This cannot happen unless there is a real partnership between home and school. There could be things you are unsure of so please do not hesitate to ask either the classroom teacher, Deputy Principal or Principal.

ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATION

There are a number of agencies involved in the administration of education in New Zealand.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

This is the governing body of the school. The Board is responsible through its charter to set goals for the school. It is also responsible (in consultation with Principal, staff and parents), for the setting, monitoring and reviewing of school policies.
 
Parents have the opportunity every three years to elect representatives to the Board.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

The Ministry of Education is responsible, for National Operations and Management of property. There is a Property Management office in Whangarei. The closest Management Centre is in Auckland.

SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICE

This agency is responsible under contract to the Ministry of Education for the provision of services for the benefit of children and young people with special educational and developmental needs.
 
The school’s local contact is: Jan Berghan who can be contacted at the Specialists Education Outpost at the School (telephone 408 2333).

EDUCATION REVIEW OFFICE

This office is charged with fulfilling the following services:
Review concerned with evaluating the quality of education received by students and the performance of the Board of Trustees in providing education services.

HOW TO ENROL YOUR CHILD

Before your child turns five contact the school and make a time to visit. The Principal would like to meet you and show you around. If your child attends a pre-school there could be occasions when a group of children will visit the school.
On enrolment bring a copy of your child’s birth certificate for viewing by the office staff or Principal; and an immunisation certificate from your doctor.
You will be required to complete an official enrolment form giving information about your child and the family.
You will be given information about the school and a pamphlet about reading.
The Principal and new entrant teacher or Assistant Principal will visit pre-school institutions once a term.

 ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCE

Once your child is enrolled at school he/she must attend regularly, unless sickness or family circumstances prevent attendance.
Parents are requested to telephone the school when children are absent or send a written explanation to the teacher on the child’s return to school.
Teachers inform the BOT Truancy Officer of any irregular or unexplained attendance.
The Truancy Officer will inform the parents of irregular attendance detailing the amount of schooling that is being missed and requiring an explanation.
The Board of Trustees is informed when cases are bad. The Board may proceed with prosecution in some cases of truancy.
The Principal will be informed of any irregular or unexplained absences.

ACCIDENTS

If your child has an accident at school he/she is treated by staff who have been trained in First Aid.
Parents are contacted and informed of any injury and, if necessary, requested to pick up the child and take to the Doctor.
If the school cannot contact a parent or guardian and we consider the child’s injury needs immediate attention we take the child to the family doctor on your behalf and then continue trying to contact the parent.
An accident report is made out by the teacher on playground supervision at the time.

ACTIVITY FEE

The Board of Trustees has decided that each family should pay a school activity fee.
This is $12.00 for one child or $20.00 per family.
The money is used to purchase sports equipment and classroom resources for use by children.

ADDRESS & TELEPHONE NUMBERS

This is included on the enrolment form but families move.
Please assist by informing the school whenever you have a change of address or your telephone number changes.

ASSEMBLIES

Parents are invited to attend our Friday afternoon assemblies where we issue awards for good work, classes present items or display work they have done.
More formal assembles are held for significant occasions such as the end of year assembly.
Notification of these special assembles is through the School Newsletter.

BELL TIMES

8.30 am   Children are allowed to go into classroom
8.50 am   Warning bell for children to come into class
8.55 am   School commences
10.30-10.50 am   Morning Recess
12.15-12.50 pm     Lunch Break (senior school)
12.50 pm   Warning bell for children to come into class
12.55 pm   School commences
1.55-2.05pm Afternoon break (senior school)
2.55 pm   School finishes for the children
3.00 pm   School buses depart and walkers are dismissed.

Junior School bell times are as follows;

8:45		Day begins
8:45	10:25	1st Block (10:25 - 10:30 is fruit in schools)
10:30	10:50	Monring Tea
10:50	12:15	2nd Block
12:15	1:00	Lunchtime
1:00	2:45	3rd Block
2:45		Home time

BICYCLES

Children may ride bicycles to school with written permission from their parents.
The school recommends that this provision be restricted to children in Year 5 and 6.
The school strongly recommends that all children riding bicycles to school wear safety helmets.
Bicycles should be parked in the stand provided and should be made secure.
Should cyclists no abide by the conditions set by the school the provision will be withdrawn.

BUS TRANSPORT SERVICE

Pupils who live outside the borough boundaries can travel to school by bus - there is no charge for this.
Pupils who live in town can travel to school using our Town Bus system. There is a charge of $20.00 per pupil per term for this service.
This service was started to assist parent get their children to school safely. It enables children to bypass walking through the town area with its temptations and potential for accidents.
Children using the bus service are expected to behave while at bus stops and while travelling on the bus.
Children reported for misbehaviour are warned through a letter to you and we ask that you acknowledge receipt of such a letter.
Continued misbehaviour gives the school the option of withdrawing the privilege of using the bus service.
The Board of Trustees has directed that families who do not pay for the service should not use the service.
 REMEMBER- It is the parent’s responsibility to get their children to school. Business merely provide assistance.
You should inform the school if there is a change in routine ie, when your child is not to travel home by bus.
Bus routes are listed below:

• Town 1: Combined Matthews Avenue/Parkdale
• Town 2: Combined Pukepoto Road/Williams Street/Lake Road/Pukepoto Road
• Town 3: Griggs Street/Jamieson Road

CLASS TRIPS

As part of their studies at school, classes sometimes go on visits to places of interest.
It is important that all children take part as the experience of the visit often forms the basis for continued class work. When expense is involved it is on a user pay’s basis though costs are often subsidised by fundraising efforts. Teachers will usually inform parents of such visits by way of class notice or through the School Newsletter.
Parents are usually requested to assist with supervision - especially when Junior classes go on visits.

CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL ABILITIES

The school as its mission statement suggests attempts to provide learning programmes that challenge each child to achieve his/her potential.
The school acknowledges that all children are different and although children are placed within a large group of other their individual rates of learning are respected and catered There are some children who have special talents or abilities. We attempt to cater for these by offering challenging experiences or to refer them to special tutors or special programmes run by other agencies eg, Far North REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme).

CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Likewise, there are some children who require special programmes to ensure they get a fair go at school.
The school has a special education unit which caters for:
a) Children who find learning in the larger class size group difficult.
b) Children with intellectual and physical disabilities. This class is a satellite class of
Blomfield Special School in Whangarei.
These children take part in all school events and are mainstreamed whenever possible.
The school receives an Equity Grant to assist with the provision of resources for other children who find learning in the basic subjects difficult.

CLOTHING

Children are notorious for losing clothes or forgetting to take them home.
Parents can assist wit the identification process by naming all school clothing. If named articles are found, they can be returned to the owner.
Lost Property is collected, frequently displayed, yet rarely claimed.
Unclaimed articles at the end of the term are given to one of the welfare agencies.

COMPLAINTS

If you have any complaint about any aspect of school it should be first take up with the Principal.
If you are not satisfied with the Principal’s handling of the matter, you should contact a member of the Board of Trustees.

DENTAL HEALTH

There is a Dental Clinic on site.
The Dental Therapist and Dental Assistant are employees of the Health Board.
Inquiries about dental health should be made to the Dental Therapist.

DISCIPLINE

The school has some basic school rules which have been decided upon by pupils, staff and these rules form the basis for guiding children in what is expected behaviour while at school.
Privileges are withdrawn from pupils who are persistent offenders.
Serious misbehaviour is reported to parents.

EMERGENCY DRILLS

An emergency evacuation plan in case of fire, flood and/or earthquake has been established and practices are held early in the school year and at irregular times during the year.

FESTIVALS

This school initiated the holding of a multi-cultural festival in the 1970’s and latterly a choral festival for a massed choir.
Children have the opportunity to be a member of the school choir and the school’s Maori Culture Group when they reach Year 5 and 6.
All classes have the opportunity to take part in the cultural festival when it is held.

FITNESS PROGRAMME

The school believes in the notion that daily fitness is an aid to learning.
Children are expected to take part in the daily fitness programme unless injury or sickness prevents this.

FUNDRAISING

The school has at least one fundraising venture each term. Parents/caregivers are informed of the reason for the request for support. The main areas targeted by the school are for school and classroom equipment.
The school selects other fundraising ventures to assist voluntary organisation raise money for their cause eg, cot death research, child cancer, child diabetes, telethon.

FOUNDATION READING

The Foundation Skills programme is a programme based on the individual child’s readiness’ for learning.
For children to be successful within formal learning situations they first need to develop a variety of skills and knowledge that they can apply to different situations. They need opportunity to practice these skills so that they become automatic (things they can do without having to think about them). We need to allow them to develop these skills so that when they move into more formal learning situations they will find success more readily and be more switched on to learning.  Click here for more information.
 

HEALTH

A Public Health Nurse visits the school on Wednesdays.
Teachers who have a concern about a child’s health may refer the child to the PHN.
She in turn will make home visits if this is thought necessary.
Parents have the opportunity to meet with the Public Health Nurse when she makes her health checks on new entrant children.
Screening checks on vision and hearing are held each year.
The Mobile Ear Caravan visits the school at least twice during the year.

HEADLICE

These little mites are prevalent at various times of the year.
They have always been with us and no doubt will continue to be a nuisance unless families exercise proper health care.
Young children can be taught a number of self help skills relating to cleanliness but parents should take the responsibility to check children’s cleanliness.
Heads should be checked at least once per month.
When incidence of head lice is made known we send home an appropriate reminder to all children in the class concerned.
Teachers are NOT responsible for the regular checking of their pupil’s hair.

HOMEWORK

Young children’s homework usually consists of reading or having someone read to them their home reader. Explanation of how this system works is included in the home reader satchel.
Homework for older children frequently includes reading, learning spelling words, completing a piece of writing, finding out information on set topics, learning basic number facts.
A class policy regarding homework is usually made by a class or a syndicate of classes with this policy being made known to parents early in the school year.

LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS

Pupils are not permitted to leave the school grounds without permission of a teacher or the Principal.
Permission is usually only given when a note is received from the parents.

LIBRARY BOOKS

Our school library exists to enable children to choose from a wide range of reading material.
It is a place where books are shared.
Children are allowed to take most of the books home to read.
The onus is on parents and children to see that these loans are returned to the library by the due date.
It is good practice to occasionally supervise the cleaning out of cupboards and return any ‘lost’ library books to school.
In cases of pure negligence parents are asked to make a contribution to the cost of replacing the book.

LOST PROPERTY

The school can accept no responsibility for the loss of pupil’s personal property.
We recommend that children do not bring their ‘treasures’ to school.
We do however take all appropriate steps to try and locate lost or ‘misplaced’ property.
Children are expected to respect other people’s property.

LUNCHROOM

A school lunch can be purchased through the school’s lunchroom.
The range of items is detailed in the first newsletter of the year.
Prices are below retail prices.
Snacks can also be purchased at morning interval.

MAORI LANGUAGE

The school wants to continue to develop a knowledge of Maori language and culture in our children.
This development is assisted by providing direct and indirect experiences in the school and community.
At present there is a junior class where more te reo Maori is taken. This needs to be further developed throughout the school.

MONEY AT SCHOOL

Children should only bring required amounts of money to school.
When large sums of money are brought to the school the child bringing the money will be investigated.

NEWSLETTER

A school newsletter providing relevant information about school activities and events is sent home with pupils every week on Thursdays.
You should check pupils bags, pockets, etc for this newsletter.

OFFICIAL RECORDS

Teachers maintain records which detail information about the childs progress at school.  This information is also sent to a new school via database on transfer.

PARENT HELPERS

Parents are welcome at school. They may be asked to help both within the classroom and with a number of out of class/school activities.
Parent help is usually requested through class or school notices.
Individual teachers are responsible for incorporating parent help into their classroom programme.

PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS

There are opportunities throughout the year when parents/caregivers and teachers can discuss in confidence the child’s progress at school.
Parents and/or teachers have an interview:

• Middle week of Term 2
• At any time during the year if there are problems.

PARKING

There is minimal parking within the school grounds therefore you are requested to park on Church Road.
Please be sure to observe road safety rules when dropping off or picking up your children.
Children should be made to use the pedestrian crossing.

PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

The school is responsible for the control of pedestrian crossings (a) on Church Road at the entrance to the school, (b) on Matthews Avenue, along from the Kaitaia Bowling Club.
Year 6 pupils are trained by the Police Officer in charge of Education in ways of managing pupils crossing.
A teacher is also available in a supervisory role.
Parents can assist by also obeying the patrollers and training their children with correct road safety behaviour.

TELEPHONE CALLS

Telephone calls should be made in school office hours. The office staff work from 8.30 am to 3.00 pm.
The Principal is available from 8.00 am to 5.30 pm.
Teachers cannot come to the telephone during teaching time. However, messages can be left with the office staff.
If you want photocopies of material, contact the office staff.

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE - See HEALTH
 
PUPIL STATIONERY

All pupil stationery requirements are available through the school.
The school buys in bulk and prices the items at less than retail value.
By purchasing through the school you:

a) Ensure the children get the correct books
b) Assist the school to raise money which in turn is used to buy additional resources for the children.

Parents are informed of pupil stationery requirements in the first newsletter in the first week of the school year. When payment is received, stationery will be issued.

READING RECOVERY

The school allocates the equivalent of 0.6 (15 hours per week) part-time teacher to this programme.
Reading recovery is an intense 1:1 tuition by a trained teacher working with set procedures with one child.
Children at 6 years of age are given a Reading Diagnostic survey. The results of this indicates which children are at risk with reading development.
The children who are at lowest levels are included in the programme.
Parents of children who are about to enter the programme are contacted by the reading recovery teacher.
More information can be obtained from the school.
Once a child is admitted to the Reading Recovery programme it is important that they are at school for their daily lesson.

REPORTING TO PARENTS

A mid year report of programs against the National Standards is issued on week 7 of Term 2.
A formal written report is issued on Week 7 of Term 4.
The school staff will use other ways of reporting to parents/caregivers by way of class notices, syndicate notices, school newsletters, messages in homework books, telephone calls and individual letters.

SICKNESS AT SCHOOL

Children who become ill at school are brought to the sick room
They are seen by office staff.
If it is obvious the child should be cared for at home, the parents are requested to come and take the child home.

 

SPORTS PROGRAMME

The school encourages all pupils to participate in a wide range of sports. Most of these are now Kiwi Sports adapted to suit the level of skill and ability of children.
The main objective is participation.
The school participates in all inter-school Kiwisport Field Days.
School uniforms are provided whenever possible.

SWIMMING PROGRAMME

The school has a small learn-to-swim pool.
The objective of the swimming programme is to ensure children can survive in water. We encourage all children to learn to swim and then to undertake water safety skills and life-saving measures.
The swimming programme is conducted for 4-5 weeks at the beginning of the year and, depending on the weather, 3 weeks at the end of the year. Pupils must bring a note of explanation if they are not to take part. Swimming is part of the Physical Education curriculum and togs must be brought each day once swimming begins. Please make sure togs and towels are named.

TERMS AND HOLIDAYS

These are set by the Board of Trustees following guidelines from Ministry of Education.
They are advised to parents through the newsletter.

VISITORS TO SCHOOL

While the school operates an ‘open door’ policy, it is best to telephone the school and make an appointment to see the Principal or teachers.
Please call at the office if you wish to see teachers during school time.

VISITING PERFORMERS

The school has the opportunity of giving permission to a number of groups/individuals to perform for, and with children.
Performers are usually musicians, drama and mime groups, puppeteers and magicians.
We restrict these performances to one per term as the cost can be quite significant. They usually charge $2.00 per child per performance.
Information is given through the school newsletter.

WALKERS TO SCHOOL

Although most children come to school by bus there are still those who walk to school.
It is a good idea to walk with them to establish the safest routes - always use pedestrian crossings and keep to footpaths.
Make arrangements with neighbours for children to walk together.
Ensure children follow road safety rules.

WET DAY PROCEDURES

Because of the situation regarding bus transport, the school does not observe early closing on wet days.