Paekakariki School Information Booklet
Paekakariki School's hours are from 9.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. for 40 weeks of the year.
Hours of instruction are as follows:
9.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.
10.30 a.m. 12.25 p.m.
1.30 p.m. 3.00 p.m.
The Board may from time to time approve departure from these hours provided that the time is within Ministry requirements of 394 half days
School Community Support
Parents and members of the community are encouraged to come and support the school and classroom programmes. There is also a constant need for parents/caregivers to:
If you are interested in helping please contact the school office.
Assemblies
School assemblies are held three to four times per term and are a way of sharing class adventures with parents/caregivers and the rest of the school. All community members are welcome to attend. Assembly times are publicised in the school newsletter
Lunches are available on Friday with a variety of hot food available. The food available is publicized in our weekly newsletter. Orders can be made by placing the correct money in an envelope with name, room and order written clearly on the front and posted in the lunch box situated outside the office in the school foyer. All pies that we offer have the healthy heart tick for low fat content.
We believe that the appearance of pupils reflect the school as a whole. Some attire is not appropriate in a school environment. Our guidelines are:
Jewellery
Clothing needs to be appropriate for children to participate in all activities comfortably at school. There may be times when specific clothing is required for example: for running, gymnastics, other physical education programmes and swimming. The children will be required to wear the correct clothing.
No illegal or anti social slogans will be visible on pupils clothing i.e. drug usage, swearing, pornography.
We ask that hair is kept tidy and clean. Hair colouring is acceptable in natural colours only.
Sun Safety
The school has a compulsory policy that children must bring hats in Terms 1 and 4 for sun protection during breaks and any outdoor activities. The requirement to wear them is at the discretion of the school. The threat of getting burnt by the sun can be very high. Using hats and a strong sun block will greatly minimise this risk. The students will be required t o wear hats when the "sun flag" is displayed on the flagpole.
Behaviour
As Paekakariki School is a place of learning and a high expectation of behaviour is required at all times. Behaviour is managed as per our "Behaviour Management Scheme" which is available at the office.
We believe our responsibility to supervise your children begins at 8:30 at school and ends at the school gate, at 3:00; unless your child is required for a school activity after these hours.
Absences
If your child is sick in the morning please contact the school by telephone so we can inform the teacher. Parents/Caregivers are asked also to provide a note if their child has been away or has to leave school early. If your child is consistently absent or absent for a long period, a medical certificate will be required.
We understand from time to time that your child may be late to school. We ask that all late pupils report to the office first before going to class. Consistent lateness disrupts class programmes as well as hinders your child's education, therefore everyone benefits when your child is at school and ready to start the day at 9.00 a.m.
Visitors to the School
We ask that all visitors who will be in the school for a period of time sign the visitors book at the entrance to the school. In this way we can account for every person in case of an emergency.
Classroom Activities
All pupils will be placed in a class deemed appropriate to their academic and social development. Class lists will be displayed at the end of Term 4 for the following year. Parents are welcome to come and discuss their child's placement with the Assistant or Deputy Principal.
Special Needs programmes
To meet the learning needs of all pupils the school runs special needs programmes predominately in English and Mathematics. Children are allocated time on these programmes through our special needs programme. If you believe your child my need support, please contact your classroom teacher. If your child is placed on these programmes you will be advised by letter or phone.
Some children's needs are funded individually by the Ministry of Education. If you would like more information about this funding please contact the school.
Reading Recovery
The school has a reading recovery programme that allows for individual support of students at 6 years. The amount of time allocated for this is very limited and is at the discretion of the Special Needs Coordinator and the Principal.
Special Abilities programmes
Special abilities programmes are developed in the school to extend the learning of pupils who show high achievement in academic subjects. The school does not provide programmes in nonacademic subjects.
Homework
Homework is a chance for pupils to take responsibility for their own learning; parent/caregiver support and guidance is appreciated. It should be seen as a partnership between home and school where parents/ caregivers can share learning at home.
Up to twenty minutes per night, four nights a week would be expected in the junior classrooms and between half and one hour per night in the senior school.
The children may be asked finish uncompleted homework at lunchtime or after school as per our Behaviour Management Scheme.
Te Reo Maori
Paekakariki School is committed to promoting Te Reo Maori at all levels. All classrooms may have up to one hour of Maori language and culture per week.
Paekakariki School runs classes in Te Reo me nga tikanga Maori one day per week. Places are limited and parents who have an interest in seeing their child join these classes are asked to contact the class teacher.
Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC)
Education Outside the Classroom is an excellent way for children to relate to others and to experience new things and new challenges. Paekakariki School promotes E.O.T.C. but understand that activities need to be relevant and costs kept to a minimum. A detailed policy is available at the office.
Swimming
Swimming takes place in Term 1 generally in the first 6-8 weeks of the year. The year 4-8 students continue to develop their swimming skills by having additional swimming instruction at Raumati Swimming Pool in the second or third terms.
Computers
Computers are provided at Paekakariki School to support pupils in their education and for research purposes. It is expected that pupils will respect this and not interfere with the running of the computers in any way. We ask that no outside software be used on the computers to safe guard the systems in place.
School Donations
School donations by Parent/Caregivers help pay for extra resources for Paekakariki School students. Accounts are sent home in the first term of each year and we ask that they be paid by the end of the first term. Upon payment a tax deduction receipt will be provided.
Extra curricular fees
From time to time parents/caregivers are asked to pay for extra curricular activities in the form of visiting groups and E.O.T.C programmes. We will try give as much advance warning of these activities as possible. If there are some problems with payment please feel free to contact your classroom teacher.
All money coming to school is to be put in an envelope with your child's name on it and given to the classroom teacher.
The school newsletter, with information for parents, goes home with every pupil on Thursday afternoon. You can request the newsletter by email or view it on our website at www.paekakariki.school.nz
Parental/Caregivers/Teacher Concerns
If there are concerns about school programmes then communication is the best way to resolve them.
We ask that you make an appointment at the office to see the teacher in the first instance as this is where most issues can be solved. If there are still concerns, we ask that you follow the line of responsibility in the school and discuss the issue with the Assistant Principal/Deputy Principal then Principal.
If parents/caregivers are still not satisfied, there is a formal complaints procedure available at the office which offers guidance on the appropriate steps to take.
Teachers may also have concerns about pupils. If this is the case you will either be contacted by phone or letter.
School code of conduct
As Paekakariki School is a place of learning we ask that all school users act in a way that reflects this by acting appropriately when communicating with staff or in the school environment . This includes:
In this way children are constantly being exposed to positive adult behaviour models. This helps reinforce the standards of behaviour required.
Formal reporting will take place four times per year in two formats:
The portfolios and reports focus on separate subjects each term and Parents/Caregivers are invited to make written comments on the report to support your child's achievement.
Parent/Caregiver/Teacher meetings are held formally twice a year. If there are concerns at any other time please feel free to make an appointment to see the classroom teacher.
Non-custodial parents
Parents that do not have custody of their children and have access rights are welcome to telephone the school to organize a time to meet with the staff and look at the work your child is doing. Reports will be duplicated on request.
Board meetings are held twice a term. All parents and caregivers are welcome to attend. Meetings are run under set procedures which are also available at the office.
A board newsletter is also produced once a term for parent/caregiver information. .
Parents/caregivers are invited to support the board in running the school by:
Community Consultation
From time to time the board will consult the community on a range of issues. The consultation process could be in the form of, surveys, meetings or informal interviews.
Property
Use of buildings after school
If you wish to use the school grounds or buildings out of school hours, please contact the Principal or office to obtain information on costs, requirements and application forms.
Smoking and alcohol
Paekakariki School is a smoke, alcohol and drug free area
This can be found in the black container in the hall. Children are given the opportunity to claim their gear. All property not claimed is donated to charity once per term.
The school does not take responsibility for the loss or damage of a pupil's personal items. However we will try and help resolve any issue over the loss of an item that may arise.
Health & Safety
Medication
Parents whose children need to take medication at school are asked to inform the classroom teacher. If there is a necessity for regular medication to be taken, we ask that you make an appointment with the classroom teacher. A medication form is required to be filled out and is available at the office
For the safety of the children, driving and parking in the school grounds during the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm is not permitted.
Dogs
In the interests of all, dogs are to be kept out of the school grounds.
Cycling to school
Bicycles should be road worthy and helmets worn properly at all time. The school reserves the right to stop pupils riding to school if we feel they are unsafe. All pupils are asked not ride in the school grounds for the safety of other children
We recommend that pupils under the age of ten do not cycle to school. Even in Paekakariki the roads can be dangerous and pupils need to be fully aware of road rules.
Roller blades, skateboards and scooters are to be not to be ridden in the school grounds. Students are allowed to use these items in the tennis court area during breaks.
If we can be of any assistance in any matter, please feel free to contact us
