ABSENCES

We ask you to phone the school before 9.00am if your child is going to be absent for that day (or a number of days). Contact the office on (06) 752 3857 or alternatively Skool Loop (App)

BELL TIMES / SCHOOL HOURS

The school is supervised from 8am (when the first bus arrives) until 3.15pm daily when the last bus departs. There is no guaranteed supervision for the children out of these hours, as teachers are using the time for classroom preparation purposes.

Classes commence 9.00 am

Morning break 11.00 – 11.30 am

Lunch 1 – 1.50 pm

School finishes 3.00 pm

Buses approximate departure times from school:

Onaero - 3 pm and Okoki - 3.15pm

SCHOOL BOARD

The School Board members are responsible for the administration of the school. The Board is made up of four elected members and the Principal. The Board meets monthly at school.

Meetings are usually held on the last Tuesday of the month. If there is any change parents/caregivers will be notified through the regular school newsletter. Parents are welcome to attend any meetings.

“BRAIN FOOD” BREAKS

To ensure our children are working at their optimum potential, we offer time for all children to have “Brain Food”, so supporting them to keep their concentration/energy levels high. Examples of good brain food are: plain popcorn, cheese, raisins, dried fruit, grapes, peanuts, chopped fruit and quarter sandwiches. The time for brain food is at 10am.

BUSES

The present school transport policy of the Ministry of Education provides assistance for pupils under 10 years of age who live more than 3.2km from the nearest state school, or for pupils ten years and over who live more than 4.8km from the nearest school.

The local bus (Onaero / Kaipikari) is operated through Tranzit Coachlines NZ.

The staff member with responsibility for the buses is the Principal.

A bus from Okoki also brings children to and from our school.

CHARTER

The Charter is a legal agreement between your the School Board and the Ministry of Education. Many parts of the Charter are compulsory inclusions, and legally binds all schools to meet mandates and legislation. It is from this Charter that all school policies are made, eg. Financial, staffing, and maintenance etc. These drive the administration, functioning and management of this school. A copy of the current Urenui School Charter is held at the office and is always available for reading.

SCHOOL CLOTHING

We have school polos available at the school office. At the minimum, we recommend purchasing a Urenui School shirt as these are expected to worn at interschool and cluster events your child may attend throughout the year.

COLLECTING/DROPPING OFF CHILDREN

Urenui School is a ‘Roadsense’ School. Consider ALL children, not just your own, when driving a vehicle near a school especially before school and at home time. When dropping off or collecting children from the school PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON THE BUS STOP. We ask that you exercise care and patience, observe normal courteous road behaviour and park sensibly and safely. PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

COMPLAINTS

The School's Board has very strict policy and procedural steps to follow if a a complaint about the school, one of its staff or a fellow parent/caregiver is received. Concerns must be made to the person involved as first port of call. Following this, if unresolved, complaints must be directed to the Principal. All complaints are treated confidentially and very seriously so need to be well considered before being made. Complaints involving the Principal are to be directed to the Presiding Member of the Board.

DENTAL CLINIC

Our local dental clinic is located at the Manukorihi Dental Clinic.

Their contact phone number is 06 754 8077.

EARLY YEARS READING

Books coming home in the first year or two fall into two categories

• Books which children are reading and should attempt to read to parents each night. These books have been introduced to the child by the teacher previously.

• Library books which may be read by the parent with or to the child.

Urenui School requires students to have a book bag to protect these books from food, wet togs, drink spills. These bags are available for purchase from the school office. When school readers are sent home would you please see that they are returned the following day. Most of these books have been brought with your money, so please help us to keep them clean and in good order.

EVENTS

During the school year your child will participate from time to time in a variety of different events, swimming, triathlon, cross country running, athletics, netball, rugby and soccer, quiz evenings, kapa haka, and choir to name a few. You will be informed by newsletter when these events are to be held. As a school we welcome all parents, grandparents and friends of the school to come along and join us on these occasions.

FUNDRAISING

Fundraising activities are generally organised by the Home and School committee. They do not always involve the spending of money but do require an outlay of time and/or energy. We ask you to support these ventures.

HOMEWORK

We do not have set homework hours but encourage the revision or learning of basic facts and spelling lists. We also like to see regular time being set aside for reading. On occasions work is sent home for completion which has arisen from the classroom programme. This could be in the form of research, editing draft work, and/or presenting published copies. If you have any queries about homework please do not have any hesitation in contacting the teacher concerned for clarification.

INQUIRIES AND CONCERNS

If you have any questions, inquiries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the school. Concerns directly relating to students progress, should be discussed with the teacher. Following this, or for any other reason, please arrange an appointment to see the Principal. Our aim is to assist where and when possible.

Please remember that the ‘best’ learning takes place when there is positive input from three areas:

• The School

• Parents/Home

• The child themselves

We all have to be accountable and responsible for the learning that takes place. If we all work together, co operatively and responsibly, the learning outcomes are going to be more pleasurable, successful and consistent for your child.

LUNCHES

Bought lunches are available on Fridays through the school and bought from the village shops. Price lists are handed out at the beginning of each year or when prices change. They are also available from the office.

NEWSLETTERS

These come out every week. Newsletters are sent home with the eldest child in the family. The newsletter is also available on our web site (www.urenui.school.nz), on Facebook (Urenui School), School App (Skool Loop) and is also available via email. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please leave your details with the school office. We see this newsletter as a vital link between school and home and therefore do our best to make this informative and worthwhile reading. This includes upcoming events, sport results etc.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Religious instruction is available at this school on Wednesday mornings for half an hour during the last 5 weeks of the term. People in the local community run this programme and supply the tutors. A permission slip is sent home at the beginning of each year to permit your child to be part of this values programme.

REPORTING TO PARENTS

Parent interviews are held twice a year with a written report at the beginning of Term 2 and 4. This school operates an open door policy in which parents are encouraged to drop in and discuss their child at any time. If possible letting the teacher know a time in advance would be appreciated.

Please never let little problems build up to more serious ones. If a child seems troubled, upset or appears to have difficulty with work please come and discuss these issues with the staff.

SWIMMING

As part of the schools physical education programme, children are taught swimming. We would like to see the children bring their togs daily during our swimming season. Having all clothing named is essential when children are swimming.

SCHOOL TRIPS

From time to time children need to be transported to school trips. If there are a large number of children we may use the school bus. However, there are times when parents are asked to provide cars. We realise this is a big responsibility and, in supporting parents, we ask that ALL children adhere to driver’s instructions. Parents are in charge of their groups crossing streets etc until they are united with their teacher again.

All children are returned to school, unless the school has been informed of alternative arrangements (e.g. to be taken home by a neighbour, etc.)

The school policy on parents providing courtesy transport is – the vehicle must be registered, have a current Warrant of Fitness, be insured, the driver must hold a current, full drivers licence and seat belts must be worn.

SICKNESS OR ACCIDENTS

Children who become ill during school time wait in the office until parents can pick them up. Parents are advised by telephone and may collect their child from the office as son as possible. All staff are able to administer simple first aid and attend to minor injuries. In case of a major accident, parents are informed and the child is either taken to a local doctor or in an emergency the ambulance service is phoned. As such, it is important that your contact details are up to date.

SPECIALIST SERVICES

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

The nurse visits school on a regular basis. Five year olds have a school entry check shortly after they begin school. A letter advising of this visit is sent home to parents.

VISION & HEARING TESTING

These are done twice a year at the school. Students who are tested are: new entrants not already tested, students who require follow-up testing, students new to a New Zealand school.

For students not in the above categories their parents/caregivers may telephone for a FREE clinic appointment. The nearest clinic is at the Waitara Health Centre phone 754 8119.

USE OF SCHOOL POOL

The swimming pool is open to the district, after 3.15pm daily, weekends and school holidays .There is an annual cost for the purchase of a key and a partial refund on return of the key. These keys are available through the school office during the season and are to be returned at the end of the season.

WORKING BEES

Periodically the school requires help for construction, maintenance, collection or repair of various fixtures in and around its buildings and grounds.

Requests for assistance are kept to a minimum so please be prepared if asked.

This positive task in sharing expertise is the main reason the school is as well equipped as it is and has been one of the features of our community. The money that is saved by using voluntary labour for certain tasks can be redirected into purchase of equipment, teaching aids and resources for the school.