School Information » Handbook
Handbook
Handbook 2012
School Timetable - Junior Campus
8.45 am |
Pupils to be at school and in class |
8.50 am |
Classes commence |
10.30 am |
Morning Tea |
10.50 am |
End of interval |
12.30 pm |
Lunch break |
1.30 pm |
End of lunch break |
3.00 pm |
End of school |
School Timetable – Senior Campus
8.45 am |
Pupils to be at school and in class |
8.50 am |
Classes commence |
10.30 am |
Morning Tea |
10.50 am |
End of interval |
12.30 pm |
Lunch break |
1.30 pm |
End of lunch break |
3.10 pm |
End of school |
School Timetable/Periods Year 9 & 10
|
8.35am |
Pupils to be at school and in class |
|
8.40-8.50 |
Home room time |
|
8.50-9.40 |
Period 1 |
|
9.40-10.30 |
Period 2 |
|
|
Morning Tea |
|
10.50-11.40 |
Period 3 |
|
11.40-12.30 |
Period 4 |
|
|
Lunch break |
|
1.30-2.20 |
Period 5 |
|
2.20-3.10 |
Period 6 |
Important Information
We want our school culture to be a happy environment where Christian standards are promoted and where staff, pupils, and parents can work together effectively and enjoyably. The following guidelines will help achieve this.
Absences
The school office must be contacted by 8:45 am on any morning that your child is absent/late from school. Once you have dialled the school number, please dial 2 for the absentee line, and leave your child’s name, room number, and the reason for their absence. This is to ensure that no child goes missing between home and school. If we have to follow up any absentees we will send a text to the primary caregiver. If no reply is received we will call the home phone followed by your mobile phone.
NB: In the event that we send you a text message regarding an absent child, 50c will be charged to your account. If we proceed to call you, a further $2.00 will be charged to cover the cost of office time.
A pupil may not leave the school grounds during school hours without the permission of his or her class teacher or a member of the Senior Leadership Team. For purchasing lunch from a shop and dental or doctor appointments, a note must be written by a parent or an appointment card shown to the class teacher (only Years 7 – 10 pupils can leave school to purchase lunch and this should occur rarely).
Abusive Language
Abusive language and swearing are not permitted at school.
Activity Fees
Activities are charged to your school account for extra activities your child participates in e.g. class trips, extra stationery, sports etc. For more information see Budgeting. Unfortunately this cannot be paid via Automatic Payment/Internet Banking and must be paid at the school office
Assemblies
We have separate Junior Campus (Y0-4) and Senior Campus (Y5-10) assemblies every Wednesday.
Parents are welcome to attend assemblies.
Junior Campus: 2.20pm -3.00pm Senior Campus: 1.30pm -2.20pm
Whole school Assemblies are on the last Friday of the term at 1.45pm on the Senior Campus. If wet, they will revert to Junior Campus and Senior Campus assemblies.
NB: There may be variation of this on weeks 3 and 6 of every term – see the newsletter for notices.
Attendance Dues
There are Attendance Dues paid to the proprietors (SCCC Education Trust). They are $650.00 per year for each child. For children starting part way through a school year, their fees will be calculated on the number of weeks they attend.
NB: Due to further building developments there is a $200.00 per child voluntary donation payable at the office, with no family paying more than $500.00. This is tax deductable. There may be an increase of Attendance Dues over the next two years if this voluntary donation is not supported by the school community.
Australasian Competitions
Selected students from Years 4 – 10 have the opportunity to sit these competitions. Currently the school covers 50% of the entry costs.
Before and after School
Parents are reminded of the hazards of children travelling to and from school unaccompanied, and are encouraged to ensure their safety. Pupils should not arrive at school before 8:00 am and should be clear of the school grounds by no later than 4:00 pm, unless specific arrangements have been made with the staff. Children are most welcome to stay in the grounds after 4:00 pm, if supervised by a parent.
Behaviour
We have principles/ procedures to protect students and to ensure that children's behaviour is of an acceptable standard so that the school environment can be a pleasant and safe place for all. Our guiding principle is "do unto others what you would have them do unto you” and we strongly foster an “others first” environment.
(i) Classroom Principles
· Obey teachers immediately
· Work quietly in the correct place
· Speak pleasantly and politely to everyone
· Put up your hand if you need help or wish to speak to the teacher
Consequences for non-compliance in classroom
1. Warning – name on board
2. Write a story or letter of apology
3. Visit to Head of Junior/Senior campus
4. Visit to Associate Principal
5. Visit Principal
NB: Parents will be contacted at the appropriate time.
(ii) Playground Principles
· We do what the staff or parent helpers ask immediately
· We keep ourselves and others safe
· We respect other people, property, and the environment
· We use our common sense
· We do not go out of bounds
· We remain seated in the lunch area until 12:45 pm
Consequences for non-compliance
1. Warning
2. Maximum of 30 minutes out of playground at withdrawal area
3. Visit to Head of Junior/Senior Campus, Associate Principal or Principal
4. Parent contacted. May arrange interview
NB: Parents will be contacted at the appropriate time.
For serious behaviour (such as physical violence or major defiance) teachers may go straight to steps 3 and 4. Other consequences may be substituted for those above, such as staying in after school or completing extra homework.
Bicycles
Bicycles/scooters/skateboards are not to be ridden in the school grounds. No pupil is permitted to tamper with the bicycle of another. We suggest all bicycles should be locked in the bicycle stands provided.
Books
All text books and library books owned by the school should be cared for. Lost or damaged books need to be reported to the class teacher. There is a need for parents to check pupil's school bags regularly during the school term, to ensure prompt return of readers and library books.
Budgeting
The following costs have been included (in addition to Attendance Dues and the Voluntary Donation) to help parents budget for their child/rens activity fees for the year. Please note that these costs are only GUIDELINES. Below are the approximate amounts per year level.
Year0/1 $40.00 - $50.00 Year 2 $40.00 - $50.00
Year 3 $60.00 - $80.00 Year 4 $70.00 - $90.00
Year 5 * $110.00 - $130.00 Year 6 * $110.00 - $130.00 + camp
Year 7 * ~ $180.00 - $200.00 Year 8 * ~ $110.00 - $130.00 + camp
Year 9 ^ $110.00 - $130.00 Year10 ^ $70.00 - $90.00 + camp & marae trip
* Years 5 – 8 winter sports costs are included but any child choosing Gymnastics as their option will incur an approximate $30.00 additional charge.
~ Years 7 – 8 attend Phillipstown Technology for their weekly technology options and a separate cost of approximately $45.00 will be requested early in Term 1.
^ Years 9 – 10 attend Middleton Grange for their weekly technology options and a cost from $30.00 to $100.00 per year will be added to their account in Term 4. Their charge depends on which option they choose.
Cell Phones
Cell phones are not to be used by pupils on school grounds or during school activities unless permission has been sought from the class teacher or duty teacher. They are to remain in their school bag.
Chewing Gum / Confectionery
Chewing gum, bubble gum and confectionery are not permitted at school.
Computers
The computers are valuable learning tools and must be treated with care. The following are to be adhered to:
· no programmes from home, unless permission granted by a teacher
· no copying programmes for home use
· no playing of non-educational games
Students must never violate the security programs on each computer and the internet. All incidents of violating security or entering DOS on Windows computers will be investigated and treated as damage to school property. Parents may be billed for re-programming costs.
During recent years we have purchased a large number of computers so that we can have at least two in each room. We have established a computer suite on our senior site which caters for a whole class at a time.
Consequences
A student may be kept in for a maximum of 30 minutes during the lunch hour for disciplinary reasons. Year 5 – 10 students may be kept in after school until 3:40pm. Should this time need to be extended beyond 3:40 pm, contact with parents will be made.
Damage
Any damage to furniture, fittings, windows or property, whether personal or owned by the school, should be reported immediately to the class teacher. In some circumstances pupils may be required to pay for damage.
Dental Care
The Years 0 – 8 children receive their dental check-ups at Hillview. Follow-up work is undertaken at an off site Dental Centre. Parents receive an appointment card from the dental therapists which is sent home with the child.
Emergency Procedures
· Text Alert
In the event of an incident that causes management to close school, a text will be sent to all those who have signed up for our text alert system. Once the situation has been dealt with the leadership team will email all primary caregivers to give a more detailed message of what will happen next.
If you haven’t registered for Text Alert please text HILLVIEW to 570. You will receive a reply almost instantly to let you know you are now signed up. Please see the office urgently if you do not get this confirmation text. Also please make sure your contact details including your email address are up-to-date with our office.
· Civil Defence Emergency
We have procedures for dealing with an emergency. In any emergency we will keep children in our care until parents are able to uplift them from the school.
· Tsunami
We have emergency procedures in place for dealing with the unlikely event of a tsunami
· Emergency drill
Each term we do practise emergency evacuations with the whole school. These are for fire, lock-down (intruder), earthquake and general emergencies. The children are taught what each bell sequence means, what to do and where to assemble.
Fee Payments
Two statements are sent to all families usually two or three weeks before the end of each term, with the final statements sent at the end of Term 4. The first statement shows two main expenses: Attendance Dues (school fees) and voluntary donations. Attendance Dues and voluntary donations are paid to the Proprietors (SCCC Education Trust).
The second statement shows an itemised account of activity fees (field trips, sport costs, small stationery items etc.). Activities fees are paid to Hillview Christian School.
Separate payments are required. Payments may be made by cash, cheque, or Eftpos at the school office. Attendance Dues can also be paid by automatic payment. Please see the office staff for this account number. We would encourage regular payments, with ‘payment in full’ by the end of each school year.
Hair
· Girls with hair that is past the collar must have it tied up. It must not cover any part of the face – hair must be clipped back if covering any part of the face or is falling onto the face
· Boys hair styles needs to be acceptable with the hair off the collar and face
· The principal will arbitrate on what is acceptable
· Any hair additives must not change the natural colour of the hair
NB: These principles are not optional
Homework
· Years 0 – 2 reading, tables and spelling practice
· Years 3/4 as set by the classroom teacher
· Years 5 – 8 reading library books, spelling practice and mathematics learning. Other homework could involve inquiry projects, research, or completing work started in class
· Years 9/10 - No more than 1 hour and 30 minutes per night. Teachers will avoid giving homework on Fridays where possible. Students are expected to select and read a range of books/articles for personal enjoyment throughout the year.
Parents are encouraged to ensure that homework is completed. Where the amount of homework appears to be excessive or inadequate, parents are asked to communicate in the first instance with the class teacher. If no homework is set, homework time should be spent in revision of work or recreational reading.
Home and School Association
The Home and School Association consists of a group of parents and a teacher representative. They meet every month and are chiefly responsible for school fundraising. If you would like to join this committee, come along to the AGM in March.
Injuries
Injuries are to be brought to the notice of a teacher immediately. For any injury considered serious, parents will be notified.
Interval
Interval is supervised by the duty teachers.
Jewellery/ Makeup/ Nail Polish
No jewellery (except for a small, plain stud in the earlobe worn by girls), makeup or nail polish shall be worn at school. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that this regulation is kept. Necklaces are not to be worn unless permission is given by senior leadership, and if this is given, they are not to be visible. There should be no bracelets of any kind, unless worn for medical purposes.
Knives
Knives are not permitted at school.
Leaving Hillview
When withdrawing your child from Hillview we require a term’s notice in writing. If we do not receive this a half term’s attendance dues will be charged per pupil.
Library
No food, drink, or inappropriate behaviour permitted in the library. Over the years we have considerably increased our stock of library books. In excess of $12,000 has been spent during the past year, and we want this to continue.
Please ensure that books are cared for and kept away from drink bottles in school bags. Please return library books within the due date as they may be reserved by another child.
Litter
All litter should be placed in the bins provided.
Lost Property
All clothing, books, and sports gear must be clearly named. A collection of lost property is held in the Library foyer, which is beside Room 11 (Junior School), and in the corridor beside the toilets (Senior School).
Lunch Times
On fine days pupils gather in the designated area for lunch at 12:30 pm and remain seated until 12:45 pm when they are released by the lunchtime duty teacher for recreation. On wet days and very cold days lunch is inside.
· At 1:25 pm the bell rings to allow 5 minutes for children to prepare for school to begin at 1:30 pm
· Children are allowed to have a drink bottle with them during class time, If this does not disrupt their learning
Medication
Parents of pupils required to take medication at school should advise the school of this by note to the office. For any medication that the school dispenses, it is necessary for a medication clearance form to be filled in by a parent (the only exception is for Paracetamol -If you are happy to give permission for the office staff to administer Paracetamol to your child for minor pain such as a headache, please contact the office so that we can add this to your child’s file information).
Mufti Days
Normally once each term a mufti day is held. Each child contributes a gold coin with the proceeds being used for our World Vision sponsored children and other charities.
Music Lessons
Itinerant teachers provide piano, keyboard, flute, violin, drum and guitar lessons for fee-paying students. Lessons take place in school time or at lunchtime. Details about this are included in the school newsletter at the beginning of the year.
Newsletters
Every Thursday the oldest child in each family will be given a newsletter. It is the parent's responsibility to collect it from his/her child. The school newsletter is a vital medium for keeping parents informed of important dates and events in the life of the school. This is the main way the school communicates to parents and we ask that every family ensures it is read diligently each week. There is no newsletter on the last Thursday of each term. If you would like to receive the newsletter via email please inform the office.
Parking
Parents are encouraged to park on the streets around the school and walk to the school grounds to pick up their children. There is a drop off zone operating on the southern side of our Junior School entrance on Wilsons Road from 8:15 am to 8:45 am. There is also ample parking on St Martins Road and in the car-park off Gamblins Road.
It is not permitted to drive onto the Junior site to drop off/pick up your children or to park in the Junior site car parks between the hours of 8.30am – 3.30pm. These car parks are for staff and visitors only.
N.B. This is a safety issue for the school – Please follow the guidelines above.
Reports
Final reports are issued for every pupil in early December. At the beginning of Term 2 and in September there is an opportunity for an interview with your child's teacher. Interim reports will be issued throughout the year from Year 0-10. Please see your child’s teacher for more details.
Snowfall/Cancellations
As we are close to the Port Hills, we will close our school for the day if there is a threat that we could be snowed in. If there is snow on the ground in the morning, listen to Newstalk ZB (1098) for a possible school closure notice before bringing your children to school.
With outdoor events there is the possibility of weather causing it to be postponed or cancelled, if in doubt please call the school and then dial 3 for our cancellation line.
Please subscribe to our Text Alert system as in the event of school closing due to snow we will text all subscribers (see ‘Emergencies’ for instructions on signing up)
Special Needs Teachers
We employ a Head of Learning Centre as well as five remedial teachers who work mainly with children who require a boost in Language and/or Mathematics. At times they also work with children needing assistance in Maths, Written Language, or Spelling. The computer programme Success Maker is used to help provide remedial and extension assistance. Teacher aides also help meet the individual needs of specific pupils.
Sports Programme
During winter our Years 5 - 8 students travel to Hagley Park once each week during the winter for competition with other schools. For this very successful venture to continue we require parent help as we have twice as many teams as the number of teachers. We desire that all children continue participating in these weekly competitions but for this to happen we require parents willing to assist as coaches, referees/umpires and managers for football, netball, hockey, rugby and gymnastics. Our Years 9 and 10 pupils participate in the secondary school winter and summer competitions. We also require parent help with their programme as well as providing transport.
NB: There will be associated costs involved for all Year 9/10 pupils participating in sport. Please see Mr Norton or Mr Stanton for details.
Stationery
Small items such as glue sticks, pencils, rubbers, and rulers can be obtained from the office and will be charged to the family account.
Swimming Pool
Strict principles must exist to ensure pupil safety:
· We do not enter the pool enclosure without a teacher or supervisor
· We do not run or push in pool enclosure
· We do not dunk or be involved in activities that may cause injury
Parents may hire a key for the summer season for $40.00 from the school office (we also charge a $20.00 bond, refundable at the end of the season when the key is returned). There is a limit to the number of keys we hold so keys are issued on a first in first served basis.
Technology
Years 7 and 8 students have one and a half hours of Technology at Phillipstown School each week. They travel by a free bus provided by the Ministry of Education. The Years 9 and 10 classes travel to Middleton Grange for Technology each week.
Telephone
The telephones are not available for pupil use except in emergencies and permission must be obtained from a staff member. Cell phones are not to be used by pupils at school unless permission has been sought from the class teacher or duty teacher.
Toys
Aggressive toys, such as guns, are not permitted at school. We recommend that toys are not brought to school unless permitted by the class teacher.
Trees
No children are to climb trees on either school site.
Web Site
The school has a web site – www.hillview.school.nz.
You will find our school policies, newsletters, uniform details, stationery, and other relevant information on our web site.
Year 9 & 10
We have classes at Years 9 and 10. Our Year 10 pupils from preference families (those that are committed to a church) have the option of a guaranteed place at Middleton Grange for Years 11-13.