General Information

The School Day

The school day at Waiheke Primary School will begin with classes starting at 8.30am and will end at 2.30pm each day.
It is important that all children arrive before 8.30am so they are ready to start their school day on time.

Teacher Only Days

You will be notified of teacher only days at least one term in advance.

School Donation

The school donation is very important for the successful funding of a large number of activities in the school. The school donation makes activities possible that the government funding is not able to address.
As the education provided at our school will be exciting and stimulating, we hope that all families will support us in paying the school donation.

The suggested donations are as follows:

1 child $120 p.a. / $30 per term
2+ children $160 p.a. / $40 per term

Arrangements can be made for automatic payments or direct debit.
Donations will be receipted for tax purposes.

Contact with the school

Waiheke Primary School encourages an ‘Open Door’ policy to foster and develop a healthy dialogue with parents and carers about their child’s progress. Greater achievement is more likely when the child, the family and the school all work together. We expect parents and caregivers to support the school’s Behaviour Management Programme, maintain a positive outlook on homework and contact the school if there are any matters of concern.

Parents or Visitors

All visitors must report to the school office to sign in and pick up a visitors badge while they are on site.

Absences
Waiheke Primary School has a responsibility to account on a daily basis for the children who are enrolled at our school. Please help us to do this by ensuring that:

• You contact the school as soon as possible by phone or e-mail if your child is going to be absent.
• That when your child is away, a note, e-mail, or phone message is sent to the office on their return to school. We will endeavour to follow up any un-notified child absence.

Extra–Curricular Activities

Waiheke Primary encourages a broad range of extra-curricular activities. They are determined on an on-going basis by the needs of the children attending our school, and are tailored to compliment the school programme, especially performing arts and sport. At the beginning of each term the new list of extra-curricular activities is sent home in a newsletter, and we hope that the parents of our children and the community will support their children’s involvement in this very important area of the school.

Uniform

Waiheke Primary School has a compulsory uniform available for purchase at the school office. A sports uniform is being phased in during 2006.
All uniform items must be named.

Sports Gear

Sports team uniforms will be given out each day and returned the same day.

Stationery

A cost effective stationery pack is made available to buy through the school office. Stationery has been carefully selected to meet the needs of each year level.

Cellphones

These should not be brought to school, however if there is an occasional need to do, it will need to be handed in at the school office in the morning and retrieved after school.

Money

When children are required to bring money to school it must be in an envelope with each child’s name on it with the amount and what the money is for. Teachers will collect the money and send it to the office in the morning.

Medication

Our office and teaching staff are trained in First Aid and the office manager is responsible for dispensing any medication to children. Any medication for your child needs to be brought into the school office and the appropriate forms signed.

Smoke Free Policy

Waiheke Primary School is a smoke free school at all times.

Dental Health

The school dental therapist assists children with their dental health from the age of 2½. The clinic at Te Huruhi School will continue to service our school, through an appointment system. If you wish to enrol your pre-school child please ring the clinic at 372 1033.

Protection from the Sun

Sun shades are in place over the lunch seating areas. It is compulsory for children and staff to wear the school hat in Terms 1 and 4 when outdoors. In addition parents are encouraged to provide sunblock for their children during these terms.

Civil Defence

In the event of a disaster all of our children will remain at school until they can go home in their usual manner or they are collected by parents.

Emergency Drill

Children at Waiheke Primary School are taught how to act in the event of an emergency, such as an earthquake, fire or flood. Staff will ensure that all children are safe and there are procedures to check those who are on the roll quickly. Teachers are responsible for the children. No child should be collected, even in an emergency, without notifying the teacher in charge. This would usually be the class teacher. Relieving teachers are given a copy of the emergency drill.