All parents are expected to provide a justifiable explanation for a student absence. Parents can either leave a message on our answer phone before 8.55a.m. (07 3086652 Press 1 and leave a recorded message) or email kraureti@paroa.school.nz or send a note explaining the student absence.
Access
When parents/adults visit the school to see a child for any reason, it is important contact is made first at the main office. All visitors are expected to sign the Visitors Book on arrival and departure. This is to prevent unauthorised access and to monitor who is present in our school grounds.
Anti-Bullying
The school assumes a Zero-Tolerance towards bullying, fighting, swearing and violence. If a student is found to have assaulted a staff member or another student:
Step 1 Parents will be contacted and a meeting with the Principal arranged.
Step 2 If serious or a repeat offence, the parents will be contacted and asked to collect student. A referral will then be made to the Resource Teacher of Learning Behaviour or Social Worker in Schools to provide a support plan. A meeting will be arranged with the RTLB and SWIS worker.
Step 3 Any further offense during or after the implementation of the support plan will result with the student being ‘stood down’ thereby staying at home for 2-3 days.
Step 4 Formal suspension. A meeting held with members of the school BOTs.
Te Kura o Te Pāroa promotes the WITS strategy: Walk away, Ignore, Tell somebody, Stand-up for yourself. The most important message for our children is to tell somebody. The sooner we know, the sooner we can intervene.
Banking
We offer a school banking service through the National Bank, Whakatane. Banking takes place in our school office every Thursday between 8.30a.m. and 8.55a.m. For more information, please contact the National Bank on 0800 18 18 18.
Behaviour
Teachers work positively with children, trying to encourage high standards of work, genuine effort and responsible behaviour. When a misdemeanour occurs, some appropriate form of punishment will be given. Where necessary, this will include consultation with parents. A Resource Teacher of Learning Behaviour and a Social Worker in Schools are available to provide guidance and support.
Bell Times
| 8.45a.m. | 5-minute warning bell |
| 8.55a.m. | School begins |
| 10.40a.m. | Interval |
| 11.00a.m. | Interval ends |
| 12.30p.m. | Lunch |
| 12.40p.m. | Students released from lunch |
| 1.15p.m. | Lunch ends |
| 2.40p.m. | 1st buses bell Poroporo, Town South, Town North (juniors) |
| 2.45p.m. | School ends (seniors on 1st buses released) |
| 3.00p.m. | 2nd buses bell – Country, Cutler Crescent |
Buses
The school provides bus transport for students living within the listed areas. For confirmation of bus routes and pick-up/return times, please contact Karen in the front office. (07 308 6652 Press 0) The bus departure times are listed under the Bell Times. Student bus monitors record all passengers who return home on the bus and have the responsibility of informing the school of any misbehaviour or misdemeanour.
Buses go to:
1. Poroporo Poroporo
2. Town South Awatapu & James Street
3. Town North Wairaka and Ohope
4. Country Taiwhakaea
5. Cutler Cres Coastlands to Cutler Cres
Students who abuse the privilege of the bus service will be removed for a length of time. Occasionally parents want children to travel on a bus on which they are not regular passengers. If this is the case, please contact the school as soon as possible or send a note, so we can make sure the buses are not overloaded. The bus supervisor is Joy Heremia.
Civil Defence
In case of a civil emergency, all children will follow emergency evacuation procedures as in the school policy. All students will remain under the supervision and care of staff until such a time as parents/caregivers arrive to collect them.
Collecting Children
If you collect children early from school they need to be signed out by the accompanying adult. The end of school bell is at 2:45 pm, at which they will be released from class. Children will wait inside the school grounds. If you are going to be late, please contact the school.
Complaints
If parents wish to lodge a formal complaint, complaint forms are held in the front office. The complaint will be dealt with by the Principal or a member of Senior Management. Once the complaint has been resolved, it will then remain on school file.
Donation
The Board of Trustees asks each family to make a donation to the school each year. This donation contributes primarily towards sports subsidies and bus transport costs.
One child $30.00
Whanau $50.00
Duffy Books in Homes
As part of our commitment towards raising our students’ literacy levels, we will be part of the Duffy Books in Homes Programme.
Education Outside the Classroom
Throughout the year, your child will have the opportunity to take part in a number of educational opportunities off school site. In order to attend these activities, parental consent is required. Costs for trips should be fully paid prior. All overnight trips require BOT approval.
Enrolments
Enrolment forms are available at the front office. Parents of new entrants are welcome to visit and meet our new entrant teachers and may arrange visit times prior to their starting. A pōwhiri is arranged for our new entrants enrolling from Kōhanga Reo entering our rūmaki programme. There is usually a two day wait for enrolments that transfer from another school. This allows all necessary information to be gathered prior to the commencement.
Extravaganza
A number of our students excel in the Performing Arts. During term 3 we stage our School Extravaganza, our performing arts showcase. This includes kapa haka, drama, contemporary dance and choir.
Fizzy Free
As a part of our Healthy Schools initiative, Te Kura o Te Pāroa is fizzy free. Please ensure that your child does not bring fizzy drinks to school. This is especially important to remember when bringing in treats like McDonald’s or fish and chips. Fizzy drinks on school property will be confiscated.
Health Promoting School
We are a health promoting school and provide a piece of fruit to all students as part of the Fruit in Schools Programme. We have a Health Lead Team made up of students, parents, and staff responsible for developing healthy eating, healthy activities and health promotions. This team meets once a term.
Home Learning
All students receive homework during the week of varying amounts depending on their class level. It may include reading, maths, spelling, or the completion of tasks and research. Homework provides a link between home and school and fosters independent work habits as well as involves parents with their child’s school work. We encourage all parents to provide children with a quiet time each night for recreational reading. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s home learning, please contact the class teacher.
Inquiry Learning
Over the past three years, all teaching staff has been part of a cluster contract aimed at raising the capability of schools to cater for the 21st Century Learner.
Kapa Haka
Every year we enter a senior kapa, and a middle-school kapa into our local Rangitaiki competitions. All children have the opportunity to be selected for these competitive groups.
Lost Property
We have an ongoing problem with returning lost property. To prevent build up, we ask that you name all your children’s clothing clearly. At the end of each term, all lost property items are placed on display. All lost property is placed in The Whare and parents are welcome to check every Thursday from 12:45pm to 3:00pm or at an arranged time. Please ensure uniforms are clearly named.
Lunch Orders
This service is provided daily. Students may order their lunches between 8:20am and 8:50am at the hall foyer. As a Health Promoting School we endeavour to provide students with healthy alternatives. Canteen menus can be obtained from the school office.
Medication
Any medication children may need in the event of an emergency must be held at the main office.
Mobile Phones
Students are discouraged from bringing mobile phones to school or using them during the school day. If a mobile phone is found, it will be confiscated and parents contacted. If it is required for communicating before or after school, please hand the phone to the teacher.
Money
All payments towards school programmes or activities should be sent to the teacher. When you send money to school, would you please seal it in an envelope and on the outside write:
a. child’s name and room
b. what the money is for
c. how much money is enclosed
This is for your own security as well as for making the money easier to handle. A receipt will be issued to your child. Large sums of money may be sent directly to the office.
Ngāti Awa Tangata/Ngāti Awa Tikanga/Ngāti Awa Kōrero
The foundation and uniqueness of our curriculum includes the history, waiata and practices of Ngāti Awa. The school curriculum includes Noho Marae and visits to landmarks of significance to Ngāti Awa.
Office Hours
The school office is open between 8.00a.m. and 3.30p.m. Monday to Friday. An appointment to see your child’s teacher or the Principal may be made by contacting the school office.
8:55am School begins
10:40-11:00am Interval
12:30-1:15pm Lunch
2:45pm School ends
If any changes are made to the school hours, you will be notified by newsletter. The school accepts supervision responsibility for children from 8:00am to 3:30pm.
Reporting to Parents
We have an extensive and formal programme of reporting to parents.
Term 1 Meet the teacher evening. This provides an opportunity for parents to meet and share information about their children. This meeting is especially important for new parents. Secondly all parents will receive a class newsletter or a multimedia presentation to highlight our students learning throughout the term.
Term 2 All parents receive a school report and have the opportunity to discuss student achievement over an interview with the teacher.
Term 3 An information newsletter/CD is sent by all teachers to all parents. This letter outlines the term’s classroom programme in some detail.
Term 4 Written report issued.
Feel free to ring the school and make contact with the classroom teacher or Principal at any time. We welcome and encourage parental input.
School Newsletter
Every second Friday, a newsletter is sent home to all parents via all students. The newsletter is a key means of communicating with parents about school events and programmes. Our newsletters are an important feature of Te Kura o Te Pāroa and innovative input is invited. If you wish to have our newsletter emailed, please contact the school office or send an email request to troia@paroa.school.nz.
Sick Bay
If children become ill while at school, they will be cared for in the sick bay. If deemed necessary, parents will be contacted to collect their child. In extreme cases where parents cannot be contacted and when expert medical opinion is considered necessary, the Principal will make a decision. Sometimes children need to have special medicines at school for such things as asthma and bee stings. Any of these should be labelled showing the child’s name and the required dosage clearly on the outside of the container. We have a safety cabinet for the storage of such medicines.
Specialist Art Teacher
Our school is fortunate to have a specialist art teacher for our Y7 and Y8 students. The high quality work our students produce can be attributed to the tuition of Tony Ogilvy.
Sports
Throughout the year we enter teams from the following codes into local competitions. Rugby, touch rugby, basketball, netball and soccer. A large number of students are involved with waka ama through Tarawera Outriggers and the Tuatara club. Teams are also selected to compete in the NZ AIMS games which are held annually in Tauranga.
Stationery Packs
Back to School stationery is purchased in class packs through Warehouse Stationery at the beginning of the year. During the year, stationery items are available at the school office.
Sun Smart
Te Kura o Te Pāroa is a Sun Smart school. We expect all children to wear hats in sunny weather during Terms 1 and 4. If a child forgets their hat, they must play under the shaded area during interval and lunch. Additionally, we ask that each student bring a water bottle. Sunscreen is available in all classrooms. Students will have the opportunity to “slop” before outdoor activities.
Swimming Pool
Our school pool is open throughout Term 1. Swimming is considered an important life-skill and is taught at all age levels. All students are required to have appropriate togs (no shorts) and towel at school throughout Term 1. If your child is unable to participate due to medical reasons, please provide a note to your child’s teacher.
Teacher Code of Ethics
NZ Teachers Council Code of Ethics outlines the professional behaviours expected by all teachers. The four fundamental principles are; Autonomy to treat people with rights that are to be honoured and defended. Justice to share power and prevent the abuse of power. Responsible care to do good and minimise harm to others. Truth to be honest with others and self.
Te Reo Māori
Kua whakatūhia he ara ako i te reo rangatira mai i te Y0-Y8. E waru ngā akoranga rūmaki. Ko te reo rangatira, ko te reo ako, ko te reo Māori. Ko te nuinga o ngā tamariki kua noho ki raro i te maru o ngā Kōhanga Reo. Te Reo Māori me ōna Tikanga is an integral part of our school culture and context for learning.
Uniforms
All students are expected to wear school uniform or present a note from parents explaining the non-compliance. All school uniforms are to be purchased from Postie Plus, Whakatane.
Values
Kia Whakaaronui-Respect. Respect for ones self, for each other, for property, manuhiri and kaupapa kura.
Kia Tika-Honesty. Whaia te ara o te tika. Be honest and truthful at all times.
Ko te Manaakitanga-Guardianship. The feeling of responsibility to provide care and guardianship of our environment, people and tāonga.
Ko te Whanaungatanga-Kinship. Fostering strong relationships based on mutual respect.
Website
Te Kura o Te Pāroa’s website paroaschool.wordpress.com contains useful information for tamariki, parents and whānau. Visit our website to find details of upcoming events, copies of school pānui, and class newsletters.
Worried or Concerned
If you have any worries about your children or their schooling, please talk to the teacher first. If that doesn’t solve the problem, make an appointment to see the Senior Teacher in that area of the school. We really want your children to be happy and successful and will work with you to achieve that. Alternatively, please make contact with the Principal.
