ABSENCES

The most efficient and convenient way to receive notifications about your child's absence is through the use of the HERO app. This application provides a quick and easy method for parents to let the school know when their child is not present at school. By utilising the HERO app. If you are not able to do this then of course please ring the school.

We are required to record a REASON for any student absence. Absences are recorded as either justified or unjustified with a number of set reasons teachers are required to select from. As a safety check we check absences first thing in the morning and send message or attempt to phone home if any children are absent that we haven’t had notification about. It is for this reason that parents are urged to let us know whenever a child is absent from school. We thank you for your support in helping keep your children safe.

ACCIDENTS AND SICKNESS

Parents will be contacted if in the staff member’s opinion a student is in discomfort or needs medical treatment. If parents or emergency contact person cannot be contacted the student will remain at school until contact can be made or taken directly to the doctor's surgery in Marton if serious. Staff are not permitted to administer medication to students without prior written/verbal permission from parents/caregivers. We ask for parents' co-operation in not sending already unwell children to school.

ALL WEATHER COURTS COMPLEX

This community-funded facility is a huge asset to our school, and we have the free use of it during school hours. Common sense rules govern its use both in and outside of school time. These include:

No food on the courts
No bikes, scooters, skates, etc on the courts
No sprigged footwear on courts
No swinging on tennis nets please
No muddy footwear on courts please

ASSEMBLIES

Our assemblies are held every week each Friday at 9:15 am. Sometimes these may not happen as is the life of a busy school. If this is the case, parents are notified.

BELL TIMES

Students may not enter the school grounds or buildings before 8.30am and should leave the grounds as soon as possible after 3.00pm unless by prior arrangement with staff.

Morning school starts 9.00am
Morning tea break 11:00am - 11:30am
Lunchtime break begins 12.50pm
Afternoon school starts 1.30pm
Reflection/notices/tidy up, etc. 2.50pm
School finishes 3.00pm (no bell – one has just gone at 2.50)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the governance of the school. Our Board is made up of five parent representatives currently, a staff representative, and the Principal. The Board meets twice each term in the meeting room. All parents and caregivers are notified of meeting dates through the school calendar. A public copy of Board meeting minutes is available at the school office for any parent or caregiver to read.

COMPLAINTS

From time to time parents may have justification in making some form of complaint. Our school policy states that in the first instance the complaint should be dealt with at the lowest level – which usually means the person the complaint is directed at. If there is no resolution it goes to the syndicate leader and if necessary onto the Principal, and thereafter in writing to the Board of Trustees Chairperson, as a final measure. A copy of our current Concerns and Complaints Policy and Procedures can be found under our schooldocs page.

CELL PHONES / SMART WATCHES AND INTERNET CAPABLE DEVICES

In conjunction with technological advances, the policy needs to be broader and now identifies that the use of any transmitting devices during school hours is not allowed as it can distract from the education programme. Along with cellphones, this includes the unapproved use of iPads and smart watches for communication purposes. Therefore all devices which have the capability to send and receive information are not allowed to be used during school hours and must be surrendered to the school office during school hours. We appreciate some students need to bring devices for communication before and after school and ask these are given to the office for the duration of the school day. This is for the safety and wellbeing of all students. In the case of any emergency during school hours this would be communicated via school staff to families as required.

We seriously advise parents to check just what messages/apps/etc students are sending/ receiving/ accessing on their phones or devices – after all, we are talking about primary school age children and it would be a safe and responsible practice for parents to check their children’s devices regularly. School policy states that cell phones/unauthorized devices found at school will be held at the office, for parents to uplift. We thank you for your support with this.

Concerned about your child’s overuse of phone/computer/ipad etc at home?

Consider:

Parents make the rules at home, so stick to your guns
Remove access to devices if you’re not happy with how they’re being used
Remove your child from Facebook/Instagram/Snapchat, etc... (Users must be 13 years to have a Facebook page.)
Turning your modem/wifi off at the wall allows you to control when your home wifi is available to your children!

CHEWING GUM AND SWEETS

The above are not permitted at school.

COMPUTERS/DEVICES

Students may only access the internet/e-mail with teacher permission and under adult supervision. All students, Year 3-8, as well as all staff, sign a computer safety contract each year, which governs the use of the Internet at school. The BOT is committed to keeping the school at the forefront of ICT practices and resourcing. Since mid-2013 approximately 80 ipads have been put into classrooms right across the school, and a large number of laptops and chromebooks. All students in rooms six and seven have 1:1 access to computers/ipads/chromebooks.

COMPUTERS / IPADS BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

BYOD works on the basis of parents/students needing to ‘apply’ for students to be able to bring devices from home to school. Once the device is approved to be at school it is used strictly under the direction/instruction of the teacher and may only be used by the owner. BYOD is currently limited to the following devices: - Ipads or ipad minis, Apple laptops, Chrome books, HP/other laptops. If unsure or for advice please contact class teachers/DP/AP.

DENTAL CLINIC

The service is a mobile dental unit and dental therapist Mrs Vicki Rowe works out of “The Rangitikei Roadrunner” when it is parked in Hunterville. Children can be enrolled from the age of two. Once enrolled at the clinic, treatment occurs 2-3 times a year. The clinic phone number (mobile unit) is 06 3276016. Or you can ring 0800 825 583 (0800 Talk Teeth). Mrs Rowe and the mobile unit are expected in Hunterville term 1 & 3 this year. For treatment at other times please ring the mobile unit on the above number or the Marton Dental Clinic on 06 3276016

BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE

The few rules that are enforced at school are those relating to our position of being in loco-parentis (i.e. the need for student safety and welfare while under our jurisdiction). Students generally appreciate the reasons why there are certain rules enforced and are encouraged to use common sense and have respect for people and their property. We have high expectations of students’ behaviour, including insisting on good manners and treating others the way they’d like to be treated. When persistent or serious instances of unacceptable behaviour occur, stand downs, suspensions and exclusions have been and will be, used, obviously as a last resort.

DRESS CODE

All boys’ and girls’ long hair is required to be tied back
Variations in depth of cut/shaved hair is not permitted, nor are ‘rats tails’ etc
Extravagant hair styles or excessive hair product are not permitted
No unnatural hair colouring; colour to be close to child’s natural colour
No visible tattoos or body piercing
Make up, nail polish, nail extensions and jewellery (with the exception of a maximum one small stud or sleeper in each ear) are not permitted
Summer headwear is sunhats only which are to be worn outdoors during terms 1 and 4. Woollen hats may be worn outdoors and during the two winter terms only. (Note: all hats must be official school uniform items).
Black thermal tops of any length are permitted to be visible under any uniform top
Track pants and shorts are required to be plain black, unmonogrammed clothing
Black tights/pantyhose (footless, full length acceptable) are permitted to be worn by girls under a skirt/skort
Hair accessories (e.g. ties) should be of school uniform shades – burgundy/maroon or black
All students are expected to wear correct (Hunterville School) and tidy school uniform.

The levels of acceptability for enforcing dress and uniform code are at the determination of the principal, deputy principal and assistant principal

ENROLMENTS

Children cannot be officially enrolled before their fifth birthday although the enrolment process definitely can be completed prior to this. You are able to enrol you child by clicking on the HERO button on the homepage or clicking on enrolments at the top of the page.

ENQUIRIES AND CONCERNS

If for any reason you have any question, enquiries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the school. Concerns directly relating to student progress initially should be discussed with the teacher. Following this, or for any other reason, please arrange through the school for an appointment to see the syndicate leader and then if necessary, the Principal. Most other enquiries can be answered through the school office at 322 8210. Our aim is to assist where and when possible and to be welcoming and receptive to parents’ concerns. Often personal contact can clear up misconceptions and misunderstandings, which if left unattended may cause unnecessary anxiety.

HEAD-LICE

Outbreaks of head-lice periodically occur as in all schools. Standard procedure is to notify the school/whanau when infection occurs and request treatment asap. There is no stigma with the problem of head lice. In the words of a former public Health Nurse of ours, “No one has ever been hospitalised due to head lice and it is not a notifiable disease!” Anyone can catch head lice from head to head contact, sharing brushes and combs, hats and jerseys or mixing clothes; at home, at school, or in the playground.

Because head lice can be a costly and time-consuming exercise to rid children’s hair of, we ask parents to please consider other families by treating head lice promptly & by not sending children with infected hair to school until the lice have been treated. School also has treatments available at no cost. Please call the school office.

HOMEWORK

Regular homework is encouraged throughout the school, especially READING for all ages each night. Each teacher will notify parents of their specific homework routines early in term one. While teachers will provide homework and encourage it, as well as providing quality time for follow up/marking etc., homework is not compulsory. Parents are asked to let teachers know if they are opting their child in or out of homework.

HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Please click on the Home and School tab under 'Our People'

LIBRARY

The school library is our most valuable non-human resource. We encourage its extensive use and urge children to read and research as widely as possible. Parent help at home is very valuable in developing good reading habits and interests. The library is available before school and at lunchtimes as well as during class time. The town’s Community Library is housed at school just past the front office and is available to the public Tuesday 9:30am-10:30am and Friday 2 -3:00pm, so please feel welcome to come and browse and read!

LOST PROPERTY

Recent lost property (less than a term old) is stored in the Breakfast Room, in the corridor along from the staffroom. Parents and students are welcome to check through this at any time.

Please name (and rename!) all children's clothing so that it may be returned when misplaced. Unnamed and unclaimed clothing at the end of each term is stored for a further term and then given to charity if left unclaimed.

LUNCHTIMES

The lunch ‘hour’ is from 12.50 to 1.30pm. Students eat lunch under teacher supervision, before being released for the remainder of lunchtime.

LUNCH – FOOD/DRINK … WATER ONLY

MANNERS

The expectations regarding manners we reinforce with students often include:

We say please and thank you – always
Boys make way for girls and students make way for adults. E.g. through a doorway
We say the word ‘yes’ (ending in an ess!) and ‘no’ (ending in an ‘oh’)
We walk around people having a conversation; not between them
We say, “Excuse me” pleasantly when wanting someone’s attention, etc!

PIE WARMER

The school provides a pie warmer for the heating of students' lunches (E.g. pies, toasted sandwiches, etc.) This is all year round. Pie warmer foods are required to be wrapped in tinfoil and clearly named please.

REPORTING TO PARENTS

At Hunterville School we are moving away from traditional reporting and moving into realtime progress reporting. Progress reporting means that you are better informed of your child's progress throughout the year and can see the what you child is working on with up to date information, rather than having to wait until mid-year or the end of the year for a written report. Milestone expectations will be added at the end of terms 2 and 4. Years 1-3 use anniversary reporting and the class teacher will contact those parents when their anniversary is near.

SPORTS

Rugby, Netball, Hockey and Football The Hunterville Saturday Morning Sports Club organises the above and teams operate totally independent of, but in close association with, the school. SPORTS – Cricket Cricket is a school-administered sport with over 50 registered players from 5 to 13 years currently involved on a weekly basis during summer.

SCHOOL ACTIVITY FEES

School Activity fees are not charged, as Hunterville School BOT has agreed to continue with the Government offer of $150 per student per annum with the proviso that such schools do not ask for school fee donations. Parents/whanau continue to be responsible for the purchase of stationery and uniforms, etc, as usual. Schools in the scheme are permitted to request fees to cover overnight camp costs. Parent/whanau support for camp funding will allow us to continue to have camps for Y5 to Y8 students. Parents may pay none, some or all of the camp fees requested.

SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS

These comprise a weekly newsletter, issued on a Thursday for parents/whanau, and are published through HERO using hail It is also published on our facebook page with further printed copies available at the school office. Parents/caregivers are asked to read all newsletters, as this is our major communication link with you.

SCHOOL TRIPS

School policy states that the levels of parent consent needed for school trips are as follows:

a) Day trips within school hours: Parents informed prior, but consent not necessary.

b) Day trips further afield or any overnight trips: Parent consent required The school has set adult to student ratios required for all out of school trips and activities, as well as stringent risk analysis and safety measures which apply to relevant out of school activities.

SCIENCE, FOOD, WOOD & TEXTILES AT COLLEGE Year 7 & 8 students attend classes at Rangitikei College every Thursday afternoon again this year. All students are required to wear covered shoes and have their hair tied back for technology classes and are required to wear tidy uniform, which means drill shorts or trackpants or skirt/skort – no rugby shorts! Students spend at least a term on each module.

SPECIAL PROGRAMMES

Our school arranges comprehensive ‘special needs’ programmes of both a remedial and extension nature taken by teachers and/or teacher aides and is both school and out-of-school based.

Programmes include:

Our very able and dedicated teacher aides devote the vast majority of their time to working with individual students or small groups, both in class and in a withdrawal situation, under the direction of trained teachers. The above provisions underline our commitment to the core subjects of reading, writing and maths. Other special programmes include…

Specialist science classes for all Y 7/8 students through Rangitikei College
Intermediate students have specialist biology/ agriculture/ horticulture science lessons - Funded by the Mangahoe Bus Society and supported by Hunterville Vet Club
Selected Yr 5 – 8 students (approximately 30) sit Australian Maths and English exams
Sports Institute (Y 7/8) every second year. Includes rowing and velodrome cycling
Leadership activities for head boy and girl and Whanau leaders and year eights.
Electives Programme (Yr 5-8): Typically offering 20 hobby / interest choices – an afternoon per week for one month, usually in term three.
Drama Production: Every second year. Involves every student.
Camps each year for all Yr 5 -8 students.

STATIONERY SUPPLIES

Hunterville Village Bookshop has lists of all classes’ stationery requirements and stocks all items for all our student year groups. Lists are available at the school office, on our facebook page and website.

SUN SAFETY – WEARING OF SUN HATS

During the heat of summer (Terms 1 & 4) school policy instructs teachers to monitor the wearing of sun hats and to move students to a shaded area if not wearing a sun hat. We urge parents to supply sun block as well, for students, and we also supply it during the day. Sun hats are to be of school uniform type.

PRIVACY – Photos Online Etc.

Any parents with an objection to their child being photographed and named (e.g. in school newsletters which then go online) on the school website or on the school Facebook page are requested to make the principal aware of their objection. Currently we have no students identified to us by parents as not wanting to be photographed/named on school publications/website.

UNIFORM – (Please note that we make no profit from the sale of uniform items)

Most students wear shorts, or skort, short-sleeve polo shirt, and sun hat in summer, with plain long black track pants (no logos!) and polar fleece for colder days. We ask students to wear their uniform clean, tidy and with pride! All students require rugby-style shorts for sport and PE, and may wear them for normal school days. BUT the longer drill shorts are required for special occasions, trips, technology, prizegiving, etc.

Uniform items as above can be ordered through the school office. Although most sizes of most items are held at school, please allow up to two weeks for delivery of non-stocked items. Payment for school uniform items may be put on the school account as long as there is a positive credit history. If not - cash is required as there are no eftpos facilities at school.

School Footwear Requirements

Are Reasonably Flexible but Require:

Black heel strap sandals or Black ‘school’ shoes or Track shoes (no colour restrictions)
Black or white ankle socks
Bare feet are also acceptable

A second-hand uniform shop exists where a small supply of pre-owned items are available. When you move on we accept donations of school clothing to help out others who come to the school.