A - Z of Helpful Information
Absences:
If your child is to be absent from school, please notify the school either by phone or email prior to 9am or by sending a note with a sibling. As a safety precaution we will contact you at home if we have not been informed as to why your child is not at school. If a child has to leave school during school time to attend an appointment please also let the school know. When your child returns to school could parents/caregivers please supply a note detailing days absent and reasons. If a child is suffering from a serious illness please keep them at home until a doctor gives the OK to return to school.
After School Arrangements:
A note of explanation regarding ANY CHANGE to your child's after school routine is essential to safeguard the children. These can be sent to the office.
Assemblies:
School assemblies are held every week. Community assemblies are usually held twice a Term and will be advertised in the school newsletter. Parents and caregivers are welcome to join us at anytime.
Assessment:
Throughout the year your child will be assessed regularly. The purpose of these assessments is to inform teaching and to maximise learning for each student.
Appointments:
There will be times when you wish to speak to your child's teacher for a variety of reasons. Please contact the teacher concerned either by their email address on this website or by making an appointment through the office.
Board of Trustees:
The Otamarakau School BOT consists of elected members, whose role is to govern the school and take a lead in school activities. Meetings are held twice termly at the school, and are advertised in the newsletter. Please feel free to attend.
Book Club:
Children have the opportunity to purchase books and software through catalogues distributed regularly. This is voluntary and simply gives you the opportunity to buy books at a reasonable cost.
Buses:
There are two bus routes that provide transportation to our school
Pukehina Route which includes the Main Road through to Pukehina Beach Road, Pukehina Station Road and Old Coach Road.
Pikowai Route which includes Hauone Road and Pikowai Road up to Awanuirangi Road.
The school also owns a mini van that currently runs daily from Matata to the school.
In the morning parents/caregivers are responsible for ensuring that their children are on time and safe while waiting for the bus to arrive. After school children who travel on buses assemble in the school hall for the checking of bus rolls. If any child is not traveling home on his/her usual bus or being picked up, we MUST HAVE WRITTEN NOTIFICATION so the school can verify traveling arrangements.
We expect a high standard of behaviour while the children are traveling on the bus and bus wardens are appointed to assist the driver with monitoring behaviour. Misbehaviour which endangers other pupils is not acceptable.
Care and Protection:
If there are matters of custody and care, please inform the office and provide a legal copy of the custody/care arrangements. Please make the office aware of any legal rights regarding access to your children (a copy of documentation is required). If you, as a primary caregiver, are taking your child/children out during the day please inform the class teacher in advance. If someone other than a primary caregiver is coming to pick up your child/children, then the office needs notification from you that this is acceptable, and they must check in to the office before they leave the school grounds. Thank you for your support in this matter. We need to know that our students are safe with the right people for the right reasons during school hours.
Caring and Sharing:
The school firmly adheres to the values of respect, caring and sharing. We aim to create an environment where children are happy, safe and confident in what they do. Having a full Year 0 to Year 8 Primary School enables the senior children to develop their leadership skills as well as providing suitable role models for the younger children. The 'Cool Schools Peer Mediation' programme operates where children are encouraged to develop mediation skills.
Concerns, Complaints and Compliments:
There may be times when you have a concern about your child. If something happens at school that you are unhappy with please do not hesitate to contact us. The following forms part of our complaints procedure and you may find this summary helpful:
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Air your concern with your childs teacher.
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If you are still not satisfied, arrange a meeting with the Principal.
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If you are still not happy, write to the Board of Trustees. A copy must be given to the Principal. The matter will be discussed at the next Board Meeting.
Complaints that are directed to the wrong people or are not aired and left to simmer can have undesirable consequences for all concerned.
Please let us know what we are doing well - we all love to recieve compliments and your comments are appreciated!
Cellphones:
The school would prefer all cellphones to be left at home. If they must be brought to school the phones are the students responsibility and are NOT to be used in school hours.
Cycling to School:
By law all children are required to wear a helmet. Old Coach Road is a busy road and we recommend that only children who are 10 years or over bike on their own to school. Younger children should be accompanied by an adult.
Dental Care:
We are served most efficiently by a mobile clinic, which has two Dental Therapists who treat our children. Any parent/caregiver who needs dental care for their child, when the therapists are not at school, should ring the Te Puke Intermediate Dental Clinic Ph: 07 573 6310. Preschoolers can be enrolled at the clinic from two years of age.
Emergency Plan:
The school has an emergency plan to guide staff and students in the event of an emergency. The assembly area is in near the flagpole at the front of the school.
Extra Curricular Highlights:
These are notified well in advance in the school newsletter or on this website.
Fundraising:
The school, through the PTA is involved in fundraising activities for the purchase of additional equipment and resources. The two main fundraising events are the Charity Motor Bike Ride (February) and the Fishing Competition (Easter Sunday) which has become renowned throughout the country and is getting bigger every year. Both of these events attract a large number of outside participants, and therefore are wonderful fundraisers for our school. Your assistance is appreciated in these ventures and further ideas are always welcome.
Health and Medical Care:
The school has a sick bay where minor injuries can be treated or where a sick child can wait to be picked up by a parent. If your child has any health or medical problems please notify the school. If your child requires medication to be kept at school, please label it carefully with name and instructions and it will be locked away (the exception to this is asthma medication which should be carried by the child). All of our staff are trained First Aiders. If an accident should occur and a child needs to visit a doctor, we will endeavour to contact parents/caregivers. If we are unsuccessful we will try and reach the person/people you have given as emergency contacts. If we are still unable to contact anyone and the child requires medical assistance we reserve the right to arrange this on your behalf and staff will admit the child to the doctors surgery or hospital or arrange an ambulance if necessary. Please ensure the office is informed of any change of address and/or telephone numbers promptly.
Homework:
Teachers will outline homework requirements for each classroom. The main function of homework is to support the classroom programme and foster good habits. It also provides an opportunity for parental involvement with their child's learning.
Children should be spending approximately 10 – 30 minutes each day on homework tasks. If you have any concerns please ensure you share it with the teacher/s. From time to time other arrangements may be made between parent and teacher according to the needs of the child.
Information & Communication Technology (ICT):
We are committed to providing learning opportunities for all of our children using ICT. It is a very exciting journey for all of us with all of the children having access to laptops everyday. The senior class is fortunate enough to have a 1:1 child to laptop ratio on a permanent full-day basis. We believe we are the only Primary School in the Bay Of Plenty to do this.
Inter-school visits:
Sporting, social and cultural exchanges occur during the year. We believe it is important for our children to mix with children from different schools and areas. We endeavour to utilise these opportunities as they arise.
Leadership:
Every child in Otamarakau School is encouraged to lead by example. We provide opportunities for senior pupils to take leadership roles in our school in the form of Peer Mediators, Bus Monitors, School Librarians and House Captains. All pupils also assist with the school duties.
Library:
Our school has a well-resourced Library. The Library operates as an extension of the classrooms during school hours. Children are encouraged to borrow books and read at home on a regular basis. All children are encouraged to have a library bag in order to protect books as they travel back and forth between school and home.
Lost Property:
We ask parents/caregivers to name all children's clothing and belongings that come to school so that it can be returned if misplaced. The school takes no responsibility for loss. Unnamed property is put into the lost property box which is kept in the Hall. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for checking for lost items.
Low Pupil Teacher Ratio:
The school is committed to keeping the class sizes down, enabling the teachers to better cater for the individual needs of our students.
Lunches:
We believe it is the parents/caregivers responsibility to provide a well-balanced nutritios lunch for their child/ren. Once a week their is the opportunity for the children to purchase a lunch prepared by senior students.
Lunchtime Activities:
We are fortunate enough to have staff and parents who are willing to give up their lunch times to provide activities for children to participate in. These include sporting, cultural, dance, gymnastics and musical opportunities.
New Entrant Enrolments:
Parents/caregivers enrolling a 5 year old for the first time should call into the office to pick up an enrolment kit which will contain all the necessary forms to be completed. We encourage school visits for you and your child, the purpose of these visits being for your child to become familiar with the Otamarakau School environment. Please talk to our new entrant teacher or ring our school office to arrange these initial visits.
Newsletter:
This is sent home on Tuesday every second week via the eldest child in the family. The newsletter, along with the school website is our way of staying in touch as a school community. If you do not receive a newsletter please check with your child or call the school office to arrange another copy. Newsletters can also be viewed on the school website. If you have any item you would like included in the newsletter or on the school website please contact the school office. Please understand that school news is our priority, but we will endeavour to publish your notice as soon as practical.
Non-Participation:
Our programmes at school require full participation from our students. From time-to-time, parents/caregivers may want their children excluded from activities because of ill health or some other reason. In these situations, a note to a teacher is the minimum we ask, stating why the child should be excluded.
Open Door Policy:
Parents/caregivers are welcome into the school at any time. We encourage you to be part of your child's education. However, please call into the school office to notify your presence in the school.
Outside Education:
All classes make excellent use of the outdoors. Our school is fortunate to be close to a variety of natural resources with numerous trips planned for each term. We have a comprehensive school camp programme at a variety of venues with a variety of experiences. Parent volunteers are a key part of our programmes.
Parent and Teacher Association (PTA):
The PTA was formed in 1954 and plays an important role in the school community running various social and fundraising activities for the benefit of our children, parents and friends. This effective and committed group assists the school in many essential ways. The PTA usually meets 5 -6 times annually and these meetings are advertised in the school newsletter and on the website. Meetings also provide a forum for parents to offer suggestions, make constructive criticisms and help decide how our money is spent. The PTA welcome your interest and support.
Parent/Caregiver Support:
We very much appreciate and encourage the involvement of adult supporters in the school programme. Parents/Caregivers/Grandparents may wish to become involved in class activities with a regular time commitment or as general helpers with more time flexibility. Please talk to the class teachers about any of your time you can offer. We would love to hear from you as to any special hobbies or skills you could share (e.g. sports training, gardening, carpentry, cooking, pottery, etc)
Reports and Interviews:
Our reporting process is based around our identified next steps from assessments and teacher/parental observations. We currently operate with a Term 2 written report followed by a 3-way interview. The end of year report is followed by a child led interview at which earlier goals set are discussed. The children's Learning Logs are essential to this interview. New entrants to the school will have a school entry assessment test approximately six weeks after they commence school. This will also be followed by a parent/teacher interview.
School Colours:
The schools colours are royal blue and yellow. The schools sports uniform portrays these colours and the children are expected to wear the schools colours when representing the school.
School Charter:
At the start of each year the staff, in conjunction with the Board of Trustees, draws up a School Charter that provides the focus for the years work. Parent input into this Charter is encouraged. This allows parents to have a direct say in how the school functions. YOUR CONTRIBUTION COUNTS. You are welcome to your own copy of our Charter and it is also displayed on our school website.
School Donation:
The school donation is $30 per child for a full year. If a child starts school during the school year, the donation will be reduced accordingly.
School Hours:
School starts at 9am each morning and finishes at 3pm. Children should be at school no earlier than 8.30am. They should have enough time to put their things away neatly and prepare for their day. The school does not have early closing on wet days.
Smoke Free:
Otamarakau School is a total smoke free environment. The school grounds and buildings are smoke free AT ALL TIMES both inside and outside of school hours. Please respect the school's wishes when visiting.
Stationery:
Most stationery requirements are available through the year from the school office. Stationery lists for each year level are available on our website, and will be sent home at the end of each year so you can purchase all requirements over the holidays and have your child ready for school work on day one. Stationery may need to be replaced as required.
Sun Safety:
Children are encouraged to take sensible precautions against our hot NZ sun. We advise a BRIMMED hat to protect ears and the back of the neck. Hats are compulsory during Term One and Term Four. Sun block cream is available in all class rooms and during school events throughout the year. Sunglasses are also advisable but children must be prepared to be responsible for them. Please be sure to name your child's hat.
Swimming:
The school pool is operational during the first and last terms of the school year. During swimming season all children are expected to swim during class swimming as this is an important part of a child's learning and development. If a child is not swimming you must send a note to the teacher. During this time children should come to school with togs and towel every day.
Technology:
Our Year 7 and 8 students experience a range of specialist Technology and Arts. Parents/caregivers often give up their own time and share their expertise in offering unique Technology programmes for the students.
Valuables:
Children should not bring anything to school that is not necessary for their everyday work. Jewellery, watches, toys etc are brought at the child's risk. The school or teachers will take no responsibility for losses.
website and learning management system.