Hours of instruction are as follows:
School starts 9am
Morning Tea 11am-11.30am
Lunchtime 1pm-1.50pm
School finish time 3pm
Children are not be be left unattended before 8.30am.
The Board 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:
Support Learning from home
Help within the school
Provide transport and support on class visits
Assist with fundraising activities (e.g: disco).
Assemblies
School assemblies are held every two weeks and are a way of sharing class learning with parents/caregivers and the rest of the school. All community members are welcome to attend. Assembly times are posted on Facebook.
Clothing
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: running, swimming, gymnastics, or other physical activities.
Sun Safety
The school has a policy that children must wear hats in Terms 1 and 4 for sun protection during breaks and any outdoor activities. A full brimmed hat is advised for the most sun protection.
Absences
If your child is sick in the morning please contact the school by telephone/email or through our website so that we can inform the teacher. Parents/Caregivers are also asked to sign their child out at the office if they have to leave school early.
Lateness
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.
Visitors to the School
We ask that all visitors who will be in the school for a period of time sign in at the office.
Road Patrol
Our school patrol supervises the crossing in Gemstone Drive before and after school. Students and parents are asked to cooperate with the school patrol and use the crossing. For the safety of our students we ask that you do not use the car parking area as a set down/ pick up point. We also request that you park well clear of the crossing area, bus stops and yellow lines.
Pupil Placement
All pupils will be placed in a class deemed appropriate to their academic and social development. Class placements will be made available at the end of each year. Parents are welcome to come and discuss their child’s placement with the Principal.
Learning Support Programmes
To meet the learning needs of all pupils the school runs special programmes predominately in English and Mathematics. Children are allocated time on these programmes through our special needs programme. If you believe your child may need support, please contact your classroom teacher. If your child is placed on these programmes you will be notified by letter or phone.
Some children’s needs are funded individually by the Ministry of Education through the ongoing and reviewable resourcing fund (ORRS). If you would like more information about this funding please contact the school.
Home Learning
An optional task sheet filled with fun learning activities is sent out at the start of every term.
Junior school students will have a daily reading book to share with you. We encourage parents to read with and to their children. Spelling may also be given.
Middle and senior students may receive reading, spelling and basic facts to reinforce skills they are developing at school but may also have other activities which support their in school learning.
Te Reo Maori
Birchville School is committed to promoting Te Reo Maori at all levels. We have a school wide Kapa Haka programme and an ongoing professional development programme for all staff.
Sports
Students can participate in a range of school organised “after school” sports. These are ‘over and above’ those offered as part of the school curriculum. The School has a set of sport uniforms for team events. These are to be returned as soon as possible, after the event.
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. Birchville School promotes E.O.T.C. but understands that activities need to be relevant and costs kept to a minimum.
Digital Learning
A wide range of Computer and Information Communication Technology is available in classrooms at Birchville School to support pupils in their education. It is expected that pupils will respect the use of these technologies.
We ask that no outside software or extensions be used any device to safe guard the systems and protection in place.
School Donations
School donations by Parent/Caregivers help pay for extra resources for Birchville School students. The Board of Trustees in consultation with parents endeavour to keep these as affordable as possible.
Extra Curricular Costs
From time to time parents/caregivers are asked to pay for extra curricular activities in the form of visiting groups, E.O.T.C programmes or specialist activities. We will try to give as much advanced warning of these as possible. If there are any problems with payment please feel free to contact your classroom teacher.
Money to School
All money coming to school is to be put in an envelope with your child’s name and given to the classroom teacher.
Letters home
Any letters/fundraising notices will be sent out to every child. It will also be posted on our Facebook page and be stored on this website.
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 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 Birchville 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 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 organise a time to meet with the staff and look at the work your child is doing. Assessments will be duplicated on request.
Board of Trustees
Board meetings are held once a month in the school staff room. All parents and caregivers are welcome to attend.
Parents/caregivers are also invited to support the Board in running the school by:
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
Birchville School is a smoke, alcohol and drug free area.
Lost Property
This can be found in your child’s classroom. If you cannot find it please see your child’s teacher.
Personal Items
The school does not take responsibility for the loss or damage of a pupil’s personal items. However we do try and help to resolve any issue over the loss of an item, that may arise.
Health & Safety – Medication
Parents are asked at the time of enrolment to complete a permission slip which allows office staff to administer (or not administer) panadol when a child is unwell.
If there is a necessity for regular medication to be taken this will be held in the office.
Bicycles Drift Trikes and Scooters
At break times children can ride in the school grounds. Bikes can be ridden on the BMX track at the back of the field. Scooters and drift trikes can be ridden on the courts by the playground. Helmets are compulsory for all wheel based activities.
We follow the police’s advice regarding children biking and recommend that children be nine years or over to ride unaccompanied to school.
For children over nine, bicycles should be roadworthy and helmets worn properly at all times. The school reserves the right to stop pupils riding to school if we feel they are unsafe.
If we can be of any assistance in any matter, please feel free to contact us.
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