[Absences] [Arrival Time] [Board of Trustees] [Book Club] [Class Trips] [Complaints] [Cost Recovery] [Curriculum] [Daily Procedures] [Dangerous Items] [Dress Code] [Driveway Safety] [Enrolment] [Facilities] [Finance] [Goals] [Home and School] [Homework] [Hours] [Kindness] [Library/Information Centre] [Lost Property] [Lunches] [Monitoring and Assessment] [Music] [Newsletters & Notices] [Outdoor Activities] [Parent Involvement] [Pre-school programmes] [Questions] [Reading Recovery] [Reporting to Parents] [Road Safety] [School Trips] [Security] [Staff] [Swimming] [Term Dates] [Your child's needs] [Valuables] [Website] [Zone]
Absences Parents are asked to advise the school office before 9.00 am if their child is going to be late or absent from school. Messages can be left on the school answer phone 569 7205 at any time. If we do not hear from you before 9.15 am the office staff will phone to check on your child's whereabouts. These calls are made in the interests of pupil safety. If parents are contemplating holidays during term time, the school would appreciate knowing the dates of the absences before you depart for your holiday. This can be done by emailing
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or phoning the office 569 7205 or by sending a note to the office stating the dates of absence and the students name and classroom. A sign in / out book is kept at the office. Parents and caregivers are required to use this book when bringing a child in late to school or taking them out for an appointment or sickness. Arrival time We prefer children not to arrive at school until 8.30am, See Daily Procedures. Board of Trustees Please refer to the Board of Trustees section for full information. Book Club (Ashton Scholastic) Children have the opportunity of purchasing books through the school at a reduced rate. These books are available approximately six times a year and purchase of them is purely voluntary. The school receives vouchers and library books as an incentive for offering this programme. Class trips From time to time visits are arranged for children which necessitates transport costs/entrance fees. It is hoped that all children will be able to participate in these activities, as visits are usually part of the ongoing classroom programmes. If you have a concern in this area please discuss the matter with the Principal. Complaints Complaints about schools are often initiated on information parents receive from children who, without meaning to, carry home biased or inaccurate accounts of events they observed or are involved in at school. If you have any doubts about something you hear has happened you should first verify the facts and discuss the matter with the teacher concerned. If you are still dissatisfied you should then contact the Principal. Please refer complaints to the school so that they can be investigated and appropriate action taken. The school is interested in the welfare and behaviour of its pupils and this interest is not confined to the classroom. It is only through the co-operation of parents in passing on information that we become aware of some incidents, particularly those that take place in our grounds or on the way to and from school.
If you require further information on any of these topics please get in touch with the Principal or a member of staff. Cost Recovery The Board of Trustees have agreed that a Cost Recovery Policy operates at the school. If your child intentionally defaces, breaks or loses school property, parents will be asked to pay appropriate costs. If it is an accident children will not be penalised. Curriculum Maungaraki School follows the national guidelines as set down by the Ministry of Education. Our students develop language skills (reading, writing and speaking) and an understanding of mathematics. They also follow programmes designed for healthy living (PE and sport), the arts (painting, design, drama, dance and music) and the social sciences (technology, science and social studies). Computer skills are linked to curriculum areas.
As they progress through the school they continue to develop these skills and aim at levels where they can achieve success while at the same time experiencing the challenges presented to them.
At the Years 7 & 8 level, children attend Hutt Intermediate School for technology sessions. Children depart by bus. Children in Years 6-8 learn a language - this year senior students are learning French. A defining difference between Maungaraki School and other schools is our commitment to the Ecology of Learning. In our classes we believe that there is value in providing children with the skills to "unpack knowledge" and that there must be a reason for teaching what we teach. As a school we focus heavily on Literacy and Numeracy and are proud of our achievements. Because of our strength in these areas we are able to explore in greater depth the elements that define us as learners. As part of the Ecology of Learning we are committed to extending our professional knowledge, and our students knowledge in the areas of Learning Styles, De Bono's Thinking Hats, Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences, Philosophy for Children, Goal setting and Mind Mapping. As part of this approach the whole school works on integrated units. These units introduce the elements of the Ecology of Learning in an integrated way. Daily Procedures The school takes responsibility for children between 8.30am and 3.10pm. If you find it necessary to send your children to school earlier than this, there will be no formal supervision, as this time is preparation time for teachers.
School starts at 8.55am and classes conclude at 3pm for all students.
Interval 10.30 am - 10.50 am
Lunch break 12.30 pm - 1.30 pm Dangerous items Children are not to bring any dangerous items, such as knives etc. to school. Such items will be confiscated immediately.
Dress Code The school does not have a prescribed uniform for pupils. However, we ask that children wear clothes suitable for a school environment. Maungaraki polo shirts are available for sale. It is suggested that outdoor shoes not be worn in classrooms and that slippers or some other type of footwear be kept at school for indoor wear.
Children are asked to wear a sunhat during summer.
It is important that all the clothes your child has at school be clearly named.
For sporting events and school trips, students are expected to wear their school T shirt for easy identification. These can be purchased or hired from the school office.
Driveway Safety Drivers of vehicles are asked to enter the school grounds by the driveway from Dowse Drive. You are asked to leave using the access from the Community Centre car park. A reminder about collecting of children after school. Maungaraki School is very concerned for the health and well being of our pupils. Child safety is of paramount importance. We have observed the entry of cars, between 2.45pm and 3.10pm, and the way children have been running in a rather dangerous manner to join their families. We ask for parent co-operation to assist with the following:
Parents to drive down the drive, collect their child from the waiting area (using the crossing in front of the hall) and continue to the exit. If your child is not at the waiting area, park in the hall car park until your child can join you. Please vacate hall park as soon as possible to allow others to make use of the car park. If there are no car parks available continue circling:
a) until your child is ready to be collected
b) a car park becomes available
A similar system is to operate when dropping children in the morning. Under no circumstances are parents to come into the school area car park. Enrolment See our Section Starting School Facilities The school has several facilities that help provide a complete and worthwhile education. We have a modern Library/Information Centre which enjoys a full range of modern technologies together with an extensive range of fiction and non fiction books, and is becoming a focus for children's learning. School policy allows for the continued acquiring of suitable new material.
The school has the use of the Maungaraki Community Hall for assemblies, school productions, physical education and general school activities.
The school has a wide range of AV equipment - television, video, CD and DVD recorders, digital cameras and computers - all for classroom use. Finance As a State primary school Maungaraki is funded by a per capita grant of Government funds allocated by the Ministry of Education.
However, the school is dependent on donations to assist with the general running expenses of the school as Government grants do not meet our basic running costs, especially as we are a decile 10 school.
Additional equipment and amenities enhance the standard of education our teachers can provide.
We have appreciated the support from parents in the past and trust that the new generation of pupils and their families will continue to support the school in this manner. Goals Attached for your information is a copy of our School Charter which includes a copy of our Strategic Plan for Maungaraki School for the Period 2009 - 2012. School Charter Document / Strategic Plan http://www.maungaraki.school.nz/mission_vision_values/vision_statement.jpg Home and School Committee The Home and School Committee meets once a month.
Parents are encouraged to join the Home and School Committee and become involved in its activities and for families new to the school or district. It is an effective way of meeting people and helping the school at the same time! Dates of the monthly meetings are published in the school's fornightly newsletter.
Homework Please refer to the detailed section on homework under teaching. Hours School hours are 8.55am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 3pm. Kindness We are a family orientated school and we like to ensure that the children show kindness and caring towards one another. Library/Information Centre We encourage the maximum use of books from our library and other reference material we have. There are occasions when books are taken, then misplaced at home, and when found much later the pupil is diffident about returning them. Should you discover any books at home marked with the school name, National Library or School Library Service, we would be pleased to have them returned. If books become overdue we will issue an account to the parent to cover the cost of book replacement. Lost Property Children lose many articles of clothing and bits and pieces at school. We collect such material and store it on a rack in the administration area. Parents are welcome to come and check through the lost property at any time - advisable as many children are diffident/shy about reclaiming their belongings. We advise Parents to name all clothing and personal belongings to ensure its return if misplaced. Lunches Lunches are eaten in the classroom / porches under teacher supervision. The children will be able to for the first 10 minutes. A group of parents are rostered to prepare the school lunches. One variety of lunch is on offer per week, on Thursday. The term menu is most appetising and follows the school's nutrition policy. Costs per item are kept low to make lunches affordable.
Please place the correct money in an envelope with your child's name and room number on the outside, and deposit in the lunch posting box by Wednesday lunchtime. To ensure that we can operate this programme a parent roster is required. We are always appreciative of more volunteers. Monitoring and Assessment Children are carefully monitored throughout the school year using a range of assessment tools. Staff are always very happy to share information with parents. Music Music tuition in small groups is offered for selected instruments. At present we offer keyboard (classical and folk), guitar and drum lessons. We have a large number of students involved in these lessons. In addition to this we have a school rock band and a school choir. Further details are available from the school office. Newsletters These will be issued every second Thursday. A copy will be sent home with the oldest child in the family. Our Newsletter is also available on our school website. Outdoor activities The school is keen to develop in our pupils an interest and enthusiasm for the outdoors and will operate an Education Outside the Classroom programme each year. Children in all classes will have the opportunity to participate in a number of activities.
Years 7 & 8 children will have the opportunity to participate in overnight experiences, or major outdoor experiences, e.g. trips and camps. Other classes in the school will follow programmes, trips etc. in keeping with our programme.
As part of our ongoing education outside the classroom programme the school encourages children to participate in games and sports suitable to their age and a wide variety of topics.
Sports skills are taught as part of the PE programme, and the school encourages participation in all Kiwi Sports activities and inter-school exchanges. Years 6, 7 and 8 students will participate in the Hutt Valley Regional Sporting Association (HRSA) Cluster programme. Parent involvement The school actively encourages parental involvement in the education of children. Parents are asked to encourage children in all aspects of school work. There are many opportunities for parents to be involved in classroom activities, accompanying children on class trips and assisting with general school activities. Parents are welcome to visit the school classrooms. Please check with the teacher to arrange a convenient time. Questions If you have any queries or questions do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher or the Principal. The Office staff are always available to assist with your questions. Reading support On attaining age six, all pupils who attend Maungaraki School are administered a national, standardised reading test. If children require a second phase approach of reading instruction to obtain a level in keeping with their peers they are given the opportunity to participate in the reading support programme (i.e. working with a specialised teacher on a one to one or small group basis). Reporting to parents We report to parents at various times throughout the year. - meet the teacher evenings
- sharing sessions
- children's activities
- parent evenings
- 3 Way Conferences
Three-way Conferences are held twice a year, where student's individual goals are shared with the parents. If, however, you do have a worry or concern parents are welcome to make an appointment with the class teacher or the Principal.
Written reports for new entrants are issued after six weeks at school. All children recieve a detailed report at the end of the year. Road Safety Road Safety is an important part of any school programme, and we place considerable emphasis on it. We trust that parents will reinforce this. All pupils who cross Dowse Drive are to use the pedestrian crossing and follow the directions of the Road Safety Wardens who are on duty from 8.40am - 8.55am and 3.00pm - 3.15pm Monday to Friday. Pupils who cycle to school are asked to: a) walk in the school grounds
b) walk across the pedestrian crossing
c) wear a cycle helmet School Trips From time to time visits are arranged for children which necessitates transport costs/entrance fees. It is hoped that all children will be able to participate in these activities, as visits are usually part of the ongoing classroom programmes. If you have a concern in this area please discuss the matter with the principal. Parents are always informed prior to class trips and permission is sought. Security To ensure that children arrive safely at school each day we operate a child security check. Parents are asked to telephone the school office by 9am if a child is to be absent from school on a particular day. Parents are then telephoned to ascertain the whereabouts of children who are absent without reason. All visitors please report to the office on arrival. Please notify the class teacher or office if your child is to be collected by someone else. Staff Please see our staff page. Swimming Children will have the opportunity to undertake swimming/survival training each year. Parents will be notified of the arrangements and cost involved. Parent volunteers to help with instruction and supervision are most welcome. Term Dates Please see the Term Dates section. Understanding your child's needs Staff aim to understand the needs of your child. However, we really appreciate input from parents to help us meet these needs. Valuables Children are discouraged from bringing valuables to school. The school accepts no responsibility for valuable items that children bring to school. They are here at the owner's risk. Website www.maungaraki.school.nz - first stop for information on our school! Zone Visit the Zone area of our website for more information. |
