A-Z INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Introduction
The Board of Trustees and Staff welcome you and your child to Otatara School. We are very proud of our school with its community spirit and wonderful environment in which we foster children’s learning. The school is sensitive to the individual needs of each child and sets out to meet them.
We pride ourselves on our motto ‘Striving for Excellence’ and provide many sporting and cultural opportunities, and an expectation of high academic standards.
We value the home school connection and extend an open door policy to you. Please know that you are welcome to come in and talk with me at anytime and that teachers are most willing to see parents before or after school about classroom or issues concerning your child.
May you have a happy association with our school.
Principal
Absences
Otatara School operates a system of phoned absence notices rather than a written note on a child’s return to school.
If your child will be absent, please phone or email (admin@otatara.school.nz) the school office prior to 9:30am. Phoned absences will be checked with the classroom teacher and the parents of non-reported absence pupils will be phoned to confirm.
It is most important you co-operate with us on this matter as so many children commute to and from school by bus and are away from home for up to 8½ hours. This is a long time for a child to be missing and unreported.
When a child is absent for more than one day, it is important that parents phone the school every morning of the absence.
Assemblies
These are usually held on Friday afternoons starting at 1:30. They are organised by the students and involve celebrations of classroom learning. Special assemblies are also called as required. Parents are most welcome to join us for these.
Behaviour Management
Over the past years we have operated a “steps” system for those children who fail to make the “right choices”. The expectation is that positive reinforcement will play the major role in any system of Student Behaviour Management. Our step programme is only for out-of-class times. (see Discipline)
Bell Times
8:30am Children allowed into school (bus children will be earlier)
8.45am Warning bell
8:50am Classes start
10:00-10:20am Interval
12:30pm Lunch
12:45pm To release children from lunch
1:15pm Warning bell for children to clean up from lunch
1:20pm Children should be in classes ready to work
2:50pm Children go home
Bible-in-schools
Religious education is taught in a non-denominational manner (i.e. teaching will be of Christian principles with no specific emphasis on particular religious denominations). The syllabus, and tutors, will be sanctioned by the B.O.T prior to instruction taking place in March of each year. The school officially closes while religious education takes place each Friday afternoon from 12:00 – 12:30pm, from March until December. Parents may request that their child does not attend on enrolment or later in writing. Those not attending are supervised by a teacher in the school library.
The Board of Trustees is a group of parents elected by the school community to govern the school. The next election will take place in 2010 for the Board of Trustees including the staff representative. The board meets twice a term at the school at 7pm or such other place or time that the Board shall decide.
Parents and interested members of the public, and staff, are welcome to attend any meetings of the Board.
Notice of all meetings will be given to all parents by school newsletter.
Buses
The school is serviced by McDermotts Coachlines. Three circuits operate covering most of the Otatara area. The service is a user pays ticket system for most residents of Otatara, it is not solely a school service. Bus tickets, costing $8.00 for ten trips, are available from the bus driver. If you have no ticket the cost is $1.50 per trip.
There are no set pick-up or drop-off points, just stand on the side of the road and wave the driver down. The same applies when starting school, you do not have to inform McDermotts, just wave down the driver.
A school bus leaves the corner of Marama Ave at 7:55am and another at Coggins Rd at 8:00am. A bus also leaves Oreti Beach at 8:05am.
Cell phones
Pupils are not permitted cell phones at school. If they (cell phones) need to be brought to school, please send them to the office and the child can pick them up at 2:50pm.
In most cases, if people need to get hold of a child, messages can be forwarded through the office.
Certificates
Certificates are awarded for a host of reasons either in class, syndicate assemblies or in school assembly.
Clothing
School hats are compulsory in terms 1 & 4 for all pupils.
Clothing with offensive logos, pictures or language are not acceptable.
Pupils will be required to wear a compulsory uniform from 2010.
Use of our school sweatshirt, track pants, and T-shirt is encouraged.
Pupils are expected to wear clothing suitable to weather and occasion.
If a child is representing the school they are to wear an Otatara School polo shirt.
A change of clothing is expected for those involved in wet field activities.
Footwear is to match conditions and activities. Dirty footwear is not to be worn or taken into classrooms.
Footwear is to be worn when leaving the school.
The school has a joint agreement with the Community Centre Trust and the Ministry of Education. We have use of the hall for much of the day, with its new stadium, seminar rooms and kitchen facilities.
Consultation with the Community
A welcoming, warm school atmosphere, acknowledging the value of parents’ support and partnership is encouraged.
Opportunities to encourage parents to visit and communicate with the school are fostered.
A weekly school newsletter is sent home on Thursdays.
The Parent Group facilitates meetings twice a term, which have the Principal and a Board representative in attendance.
Cycling
Unless accompanied by a parent, pupils are not permitted to cycle to school until Year 5. All cyclists must wear approved helmets. Bikes are kept in the racks by the school gates, and pupils are strongly recommended to have them secured with a lock. Cyclists are to use the cycle track on Dunns Road when arriving and leaving school. Bikes must be walked across the crossing at school. No riding is permitted in the school grounds. Road safety vests are provided by the school and we encourage parents to enforce the wearing of these.
Dental Therapist
The school dental service is based at Fernworth School Dental Clinic in Pomona Street. The clinic is a modern facility with two chairs operating all year. You will be sent an appointment time that will include all members of your family at the school or registered pre-schoolers. You are able to change appointment times such as to the holiday periods, after school or at a time to fit in with your schedule.
Should you have any concerns over your child’s teeth you are able to contact the clinic at any time on 216 9706.
Discipline
We have kept our school rules as short and few in numbers to aide in clarity for pupils, parents and staff.
Our four rules are
-
Treat others, as you would want to be treated. -
Show respect for - yourself, others and property.
-
Be aware of what is allowed at Otatara School.
When a child blatantly breaks one of these school rules in a non-class contact time (before and after school, interval and lunch times) they are placed on a step, usually step one, of our step plan.
Step One
The breaking of a school rule.
The particular rule is discussed with the child who repeats the rule broken so that they understand it, and apologises to those involved or to the teacher.
Step Two
For acts of violence, children are immediately placed on step two.
The child has a period of isolation from playground activities. Completion of a think sheet signed by parents. (NE - Y2 1 day, Y3 – Y6 2 days)
Step Three
A meeting with parents, teacher and Principal to formalise a behaviour contract.
Step Four
Outside agencies involved and parents are briefed in stand down procedures.
Step Five
The child and parents meet with the BOT discipline committee. This is to review the child’s future at Otatara School or, if suspended, to assist in finding the child an alternative option.
If children re-offend in the same week they move one step up the scale.
The school will also contact parents should the child escalate up the steps.
Duty/Activities/Out of Bounds/Rules
We have two teachers rostered on for playground supervision.
After school three staff supervise the two buses and the pedestrian crossing.
All occasions when a child requires first aid attention, beyond minor comfort and abrasion, will be recorded in the medical room log.
All head injuries will be reported to the parent(s).
Out of bounds areas:
Beyond the fence lines – the golf course, reserve, kindergarten, behind tennis courts and car park.
Around the dental clinic, bike sheds and driveway, or behind the swimming pool.
The grass bank leading to the reserve.
Children should not have at school: weapons – toy or real, lollies or money and they are discouraged from bringing personal toys from home.
Children are not to play contact games including “play” fighting. If under the direct supervision of an adult they may play such games as rugby.
If children are swapping cards they are to do so only with children in their own syndicate area.
Emergency/Evacuation
A fire drill is held once a term.
Things to note about a drill -
Signal is a continuous ring followed by an automated voice prompt to evacuate the building.
Evacuate immediately.
Close all doors where possible.
Parents are expected to report to assembly area on the playing field north side of the school in the case of alarms.
End of the Day Tidy Up
Our children are encouraged to assist in keeping their environment clean, tidy and organised.
Children can have areas of responsibility that include: shutting windows, pulling curtains, cleaning the whiteboard, tidying an activity centre, picking up the floor rubbish and tidying the rooms.
We encourage parents to allow teachers to conclude the day by waiting outside of classrooms.
End of year events
END OF YEAR EVENT – at the end of the year the school will gather together in a syndicate or as a whole school to give each child an opportunity to be part of a major event. Brief speeches, thank you and farewells.
THANK YOU AFTERNOON - week 9 or 10 in term 4. Staff invite people who have assisted them through the year.
YEAR 6 GRADUATION - December. Special certificates are presented to the Year 6 pupils at an afternoon programme. It is intended that each child receive a citation capturing the accomplishments of their final year. This will be open to the parents and family of Year 6 pupils, the rest of the school as well as staff. Younger school siblings are not included in the afternoon tea.
Children may start school on the day they turn five and must start by the day they turn six. When you wish to enroll your child simply bring them along to the Principal’s office on the morning they are to start school, prior to the start of the morning session.
If your child is a child from Otatara Kindergarten then several pre-school visits will be arranged. Other pre-schoolers can make arrangements through the New Entrant teacher or the school office.
If your child is transferring from another school they will be placed in an appropriate class.
Exercise books
The following are guiding principles:
-
The child is responsible for the quality of work produced in each exercise book.
-
The teacher is responsible to instruct, train and require a set of standards consistent within the school.
-
Pupils are not to write on the inside or outside of covers.
-
Books should be labeled with care demonstrating the standard expected to be maintained.
Foyer & reception
Parents wishing to see the Principal should make an appointment or check with the office staff to see if she is available.
It is intended that displays and school news/projects be presented for parents and school visitors to enjoy.
Hair
Shoulder length hair or longer is required to be tied back for safety reasons and to reduce the likelihood of catching or spreading of head lice.
Dying of children’s hair is discouraged. Unnatural hair colour i.e. blue or green is not permitted.
Head lice is an ongoing issue for the school. If you become aware your child has lice, please inform the school. A note prepared in the office goes home to each child in the room.
The school has information, remedies, and a Robi-comb that may be borrowed by parents.
Health Nurse
Lyn Sanderson is the Public Health Nurse for our school. All children are given a thorough medical check in their first year at school with the parents’ consent. Parents are asked to be present when this check takes place. As well as this, the Health Department checks children’s sight and hearing and follows up any problems referred to it.
Homework
It is expected that syndicates will ensure there is consistency between classes and syndicates as to expectations and homework set. Home reading is always an ongoing expectation at all levels of the school. As the child moves through the school expectations increase, homework should not be new work or work that a child cannot carry out independently.
Immunisation record
The school is required to sight an immunisation record for all New Entrant children. When starting your five year old, please bring along your immunisation record for verification.
Inside at lunchtimes and intervals
On cold and/or wet days pupils are permitted to remain in their classrooms.
International academic tests
Students will have the opportunity to take some of these tests. Tests include Maths and English. These are for year 4-6 children.
Internet safety & use
We ask that parents sign an Internet safety agreement if they wish to have their children use the Internet and web while at Otatara School. While the 5 year olds are young to use the web we do encourage its use when the children are able and need safeguards for all when the time is right. We go over the safeguards with the children regularly. This would then give them access to using our class based interactive whiteboards.
Jewellery
The following are the school guidelines relating to the wearing of jewellery for health & safety reasons
No facial piercing
A maximum of two pair of studs (or sleepers) is acceptable (i.e. two per ear).
Dangly earrings, necklaces, rings and other adornments that may be a danger to themselves or other children will not be permitted.
If any child is wearing an item that is outside these guidelines will be asked to remove the item and it will be stored for the day for collection from the teacher at 2:50pm.
Learning Journal
Our goals for our Learning Journals
-
To provide an effective method of reporting to you as parents.
-
To provide examples of what a child is doing.
-
To provide a record of a child’s progress while at Otatara School.
-
To demonstrate to parents the variety of work that children do at school, and to reflect the type of work done in classrooms.
The Learning Journals
-
May vary between syndicates to meet the differing requirements of different age groups.
-
Could show self-assessment by children after some items of work.
-
Will start on entry to school.
Learning Journals will be sent home to parents prior to student led conferences with room for you to put comments and feedback for teachers prior to conferences.
Learning journals will be sent home to parents for a time prior to the end if the year with an accompanying summary statement. The Learning Journals need to be returned to school before the end of the year but families may keep the summary statement.
Library
The school has a modern library. All classes visit the library each week and the library is open to the children during the lunch hour twice a week. Children are allowed to issue two books for up to two weeks. Lost or damaged books will be invoiced to parents.
Lost property
Lost property is hung in the corridor opposite Room 2. Pupils and parents are encouraged to name all clothing. This is an ongoing problem – at the end of term lost property is donated to charity.
Lunches
Pupils are not permitted to leave the grounds to purchase food at local shops.
Subway delivers to our school on Fridays. Sandwiches, rolls and fruit may be ordered at school on Wednesdays. Order forms are available from the office or the website These must be in he green box at the office by 9:00am.
The school will also heat children’s lunches, provided items are wrapped in tinfoil and named. To allow for uniform heating, please do not send frozen food.
Chewing of gum and sweets is not permitted in class time or interval periods. Snack bars may be eaten as part of a normal lunch during the seated lunch eating times. Teachers may include sweets as incentives/rewards on special occasions but this is a limited practice.
Teachers work in pairs to provide supervision of their classes, 12:30 - 12:45 minimum, when lunches are eaten outside. Teachers stay in their rooms on inside lunch days for 10 minutes.
Duty staff will release pupils as they see fit. Normally 15 minutes eating time is a reasonable minimum. Junior pupils will show the duty teacher their lunch boxes when they are finished eating prior to dismissal.
It is recommended that all pupils have their own bottle of fresh water.
Medication
If a child is to be given prescription drugs during school time parents must fill out an appropriate form. This is particularly applicable to those children on medication for ADHD etc. The school secretary keeps the medication. A designated person distributes it at the appropriate time of the day.
Meetings
Professional development staff meetings are held weekly on a Monday at 3:15pm. If you need to meet with a teacher try to make it outside of this time. Syndicate Meetings are held weekly on varying days.
Money at school
We don’t generally encourage children to bring money to school. If they are to pay for items at school it is placed in a blue bag that is taken by messenger to the office.
Newsletters/special notes
On Thursday each school week a newsletter is sent home with the oldest child in each family. From time to time special notes are sent home during the week.
Office staff
Noelene Mitchell is the Office Manager and Secretary, often being the first contact person for our school, please make yourself known to her.
Open door policy
I operate an Open Door policy to parents, staff and children. If my office door is open please come on in. If it is shut I'm usually already meeting with someone or talking on the phone.
If you have a specific difficulty or simply a need to have a talk I will always make every effort to find time to meet with you as soon as possible. Sharon Livingstone (Principal).
Parent involvement
Parents are actively encouraged to be involved in their children’s learning. We invite expressions of interest for parent helpers in rooms, trips, sporting pursuits and Outdoor Education programmes.
Parents are briefed of their expectations and obligations when working alongside children.
No helper is to be compromised by being alone with a child in situations such as swimming changing rooms or school camps.
Parent Teacher Association
The school has a parent body called Otatara Parent Group that enhances a link between school, home and the Board of Trustees. This group meets twice each term. The meeting is reported to on Board of Trustees developments, used as a parent education facilitator, helps links between home and school, and has two fundraising projects each year.
The group is open to all members of the community and encourages your involvement. Please support this enthusiastic group in their endeavors.
President: Karen Thompson - Phone: 213 1239
Secretary: Deidre Francis – Phone 213 0957
Treasurer: Lynette Boniface – Phone 213 0491.
Positive Reinforcement
"Terrific Kid Cards” reinforce good behaviours by acknowledgment and reward. Our aim is to modify the behaviour of pupils to achieve harmony within our out-of-class environment.
Promotion policy
The following guidelines have been set for promotion to Year 3 (Std 1).
Children with January and February birthdays will be promoted to Year 3 after having completed two years in the junior school.
Children whose birthdays are in March will be given careful consideration on an individual basis for promotion to Year 3. Only in exceptional cases will children with later birthdays be considered for promotion to Year 3.
This process will be undertaken in consultation with the parents, teacher, Principal and Assistant Principal.
Factors to be considered with promoting to Year 3 include:
-
Competency in reading, writing and maths.
-
Social and physical development.
-
Chronological age
-
Age of first admission to secondary school.
Pupil duties
One senior class will be responsible for duties each week; office messages, flag etc.
Pupil placement
The Senior Teachers will prepare preliminary class lists at the end of November and present them to the Principal for sanctioning.
Parents are to be consulted if there is any doubt regarding promotion or placement. The parent/caregivers meeting will involve the Principal and Senior teacher concerned.
Reporting to parents
Reporting to parents will occur on two formal occasions during the year.
This will take the form of
-
Parent-teacher-student conference in term 2 – this is an opportunity for students to discuss their learning.
-
A learning journal and summary statement at the end of Term 4.
Road patrol wardens
A pair of Year 6 wardens will control Road crossing each day. One staff member will arrange appropriate training and liaise with the Police education officer. The pupil wardens will receive a certificate of merit at the conclusion of the year.
Our pupils are expected to respect the instructions of patrol wardens.
At the end of each year we will approach parents to volunteer to run the road crossing in the morning. Please consider volunteering for this task.
RTLB (Resource Teacher Learning & Behaviour)
We have access to RTLB teachers. These give advice to parents and teachers of nominated children who have learning or behavioural difficulties.
RT Literacy (Resource Teacher of Literacy)
We have access to the Resource Teacher of Literacy based at Fernworth School. This resource is applicable to the whole school for children who are experiencing difficulties that meet their criteria.
School donations
The Board of Trustees requests a donation of $170 per year, per child. This is termed a donation to make it a tax-deductible item with a receipt issued. It may be paid in installments. Our school bank account is Westpac, account number 030855-0560871-00. Requests are sent home every two terms. This avoids the collection of small charges throughout the terms. Families with 3 or more children pay less for the third or subsequent child.
From the school donation system, the school pays for:
-
All trips (except for Ski Trips and Year 6 Camp). (School budget $4500)
-
All visiting performers, entertainers, educators. (School budget $3200)
-
All purchase of extra equipment that the school budget does not cover.
School hours
Please note that teaching staff are required to be available to learners and their parents in their own classes from no later than 8:30am every school day.
We ask that children are not in the school prior to 8:30am, as we cannot guarantee care for children prior to this time.
Smoking
No smoking at all is allowed in any school buildings, grounds, swimming pool or community centre. Parents and adults are requested not to smoke around pupils in outdoor situations.
Speech Therapist
We refer children with speech difficulties to the speech therapist who then advises us of any problems, and exercises to assist the child.
Special Group Education
A range of services is available for children with special educational or physical needs. Discuss with the classroom teacher or the Principal if you feel your child may be a deserving candidate.
Special needs - pupil programmes
-
Children who need extension or remedial work.
-
Pupils who need behaviour modification programmes.
-
Pupils who need opportunities relating to their special interests and abilities.
Special support programmes may be supported by Teacher or Teacher Aide hours. We will maximize opportunities within the constraints of the budgets. Each programme will be designed to address exact need and take into account the disruption factors when a child is taken from the routine of their classroom.
Sports activities
Pupils not participating in sport activities are expected to have a note from home or have had a parent contact the school. This also includes swimming.
Appropriate clothing is expected. Pupils representing the school will be expected to have a school polo shirt.
Students are encouraged to be involved in school sports. Typically sports offered are – water polo, Flippa ball, touch rugby, mini-ball, hockey, netball, cricket and table tennis. Rugby and T-Ball are organised by local sports clubs in Invercargill. Generally a staff member takes responsibility to oversee the organisation of the sport but parents are often required to coach and manage the teams to meet the demand.
Stationery
New Entrants have a pre-prepared stationery pack with all of their requirements available at the school office.
During terms 1 and 4 all children are required to wear sunhats for outdoor activities at intervals, lunchtimes and class outdoor activities. The school sunhats are sold to students through the school office.
Swimming
We are fortunate to have our own covered and heated swimming pool. A swimming pool key is available to families for use of the pool outside school hours for a cost of $35 per family. School fees must be up to date.
For safety and health reasons appropriate swimwear must be worn in the Otatara School Pool at all times. Generally this means boys should be wearing swimming shorts/togs and girls swimming togs. This could include one-piece swimsuits and swimming shorts. Unsuitable clothing is cargo shorts, cut-off jeans, underwear, t-shirts.
Syndicates
Two syndicates operate
Junior syndicate – New Entrants to Year three
Senior syndicate – Year four to Year six.
Take home readers
Take home readers: Pupils in the junior school will be provided with reading material to take home each night. This is to be a regular routine with few exceptions. A list of these books will be maintained in the reading log. It is expected that parents will be active in listening to their child read. It is intended that the reading material match the child's instructional reading age. (It is noted that children will take home additional books of their own choice to read for pleasure)
Home Reading: Pupils from Year 3 onwards are expected to select their own take home material and engage in some reading activity each night.
Toys
We discourage children from bringing along expensive toys to play with. The school supplies games, activities and sports equipment for the children to play with.
We find that when children bring along toys tears are usually involved with sharing, lost or broken parts and on occasions they disappear, as they are so tempting to others.
Uniforms
A large variety of mix ‘n’ match school uniforms is available. Uniforms are compulsory from 2010 with a phase in period . This service is administered through the Otatara Parent Group, and is sold to you at cost price. Some stock is carried at the school.
The checked fabric, along with the patterns is available from ‘Sew What’ at 63 Bourke St at any time of the year.
School T-shirts are compulsory for any child representing the school; this will involve almost every child. These shirts are available through the school office.
A navy blue wide brimmed hat is available for $18.99 at the office. Hats must be worn outside in terms 1 and 4.
Vests
The school issues safety vests to children upon starting at school if parents are prepared to sign a responsibility sheet. We ask that children wear their vest when on the road whether cycling, walking or catching the bus.
Water Bottles
It is recommended that all pupils have their own bottle of fresh water.
If there are things you feel could be added to this booklet which would make life easier for parents, please let us know and we will include it in the next update.
Sharon Livingstone
Principal
