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Handbook

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Handbook 2010

School Calendar 2010

Term 1: Wednesday 3 February - Wednesday 31 March

Thursday 1 April: Teacher Only Day

Term 2: Monday 19 April - Friday 2 July

Friday 14 May: Teacher Only Day

Monday 7 June: Queens Birthday Holiday

Term 3: Monday 19 July - Friday 24 September

Friday 20 August: Teacher Only Day

Term 4: Monday 11 October - Friday 17 December

Monday 25 October: Labour Day

Thursday 11 November: Teacher Only Day

Friday 12 November: Show Day

School Timetable

8.45 am Pupils to be at school

8.50 am Classes commence

10.30 am Interval

10.50 am End of interval

12.30 pm Lunch break

1.30 pm End of lunch break

3.10 pm End of school

(The Years 0-5 children finish at 3.00 pm)

– Alan Harrison
Year 10 – Luke Buxton

- Blase Dowall

Music Teacher – Caroline Campen

Science Teacher              -     Moss Leauga (Technician -Yvonne Ogilvie)
Art/Te Reo Teacher          –   Su Brown
Release Teachers      –   Philippa McConnell & Dean Keelty
Head of Special Needs      –   Jen Chamberlain

Special Needs                  –   Dianne Somlyai & Jen Chamberlain
Teacher Aides                  –    Ruth Manuel, Sue Dodge, Lorraine Poole, Penny Glasgow
                                            Jackie Cotter, Claire Onslow, Jo Cowey and Paula Dodge
Health and Safety             –   David Mitchell
School Office (Admin)        –   Nina Brown and Karen Winder
School Office (Accounts)   –   Natalie Steele
Librarian                           –   Janet Shaw
Caretaker                        –   Suzanne McLister
Sports Coordinator            –    Dean Stanton

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.

Absence

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 Management 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).

Absences

The school office must be contacted by 8:45 am on any morning that your child is absent 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. $2.00 will be charged to your account to cover the cost of office time if we have to follow up any absentees.

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 amounts of $50 or more, paid in advance, we can supply you with a donation receipt). For more information see Budgeting.

Assemblies

We have separate junior school and senior school assemblies every Friday. Parents are welcome to attend assemblies.

Junior school: 9.50am

Senior school: Year 5 & 6 -11.05am

Year 7 – 10 -11.05am

(Whole school –last Friday of the term at 1.45pm)

Attendance Dues

These are school fees paid to the proprietors (SCCC Education Trust). They are $635.00 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 may be an increase of Attendance Dues by $100-$200 over the next two years.

Australian Competitions

Selected students from Years 4 – 10 have the opportunity to sit these competitions. 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 shouldn’t 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.

ONLY parents with babies in their car are able to come into the Junior School to collect their children between 2:45 pm and 3:15 pm. Parents collecting children are to park in the car parks to avoid obstructing traffic flow. All other 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 from 8:15 am to 8:45 am and 2:45 pm to 3:30 pm.

N.B. This is a safety issue for the school –please follow the guidelines above.

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 school

4. Visit to Principal

5. Parent contacted. May arrange interview and individual behaviour plan

(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 School, Deputy Principal or Principal

4. Parent contacted. May arrange interview

For serious behaviour (such as physical violence or major defiance) teachers can 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 aren't to be ridden in the school grounds without a teacher's permission. 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 and lost or damaged books 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 to help parents budget for the year. Please note that these costs are only GUIDELINES: (below is an approximate amount per year)

Year 0/1 $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 $120.00-$140.00 Year 8 $110.00-$130.00 +Camp

Year 9* $110.00-$130.00 Year 10* $70.00-$90.00+Camp & Marae Camp

*Year 5-8 winter sport –any child choosing Gymnastics as their option will incur an approx. $30.00 charge.

**Year 7-8 attends Phillipstown Technology and a separate cost of approx. $30.00 will be requested early in Term 1.

***Year 9-10 attend Middleton Grange for their technology options and a cost of between $30.00-$100.00 per year will be added to their accounts at the end of the year, depending 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.

Chewing Gum / Confectionery

Chewing gum, bubble gum and confectionery are not permitted at school.

Civil Defence Emergency

We have procedures for dealing with an emergency. In an emergency we will keep children in our care until parents are able to uplift them from the 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 from 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. Years 5 – 10 students may be kept in after school until 3:40pm. Should this time need to be extended beyond 3:40 pm, home 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.

Earthquake Drill

When an earthquake happens the children are to:

· Get under their desks

· Wait for instructions from their teacher

Fee Payments

A statement is sent to all families two to three weeks before the end of each term with the final statement at the end of Term 4. This shows two main expenses: Attendance Dues (school fees) and activity fees (field trips, stationery items etc). Attendance Dues are paid to the proprietors (SCCC Ed Trust) and the activity fees are paid to Hillview Christian School. Two separate payments are required. Payments can be made by Cash, Cheque or Eftpos at the school office. Attendance Dues may be paid by Automatic Payment. We would encourage regular payments to be made by the end of each term.

Fire Drill

From time to time a fire drill is carried out. A fire drill is signalled by a continuous sounding of the fire alarm. Pupils are to leave the classrooms immediately and move in an orderly manner to the court areas. They are to assemble in class groups, clear of all buildings, with their teacher. Pupils do not collect personal belongings from any part of the buildings or re-enter a building until instructed to do so. Pupils are not permitted to have fireworks, lighters or matches at school.

Hair

· Girls with hair that is past the collar must have it tied up. This is not optional

· Boys hair style needs to be acceptable with the hair off the collar. The principal will arbitrate on what is acceptable

· Any hair additives must not change the natural colour of the hair

Homework

· Years 0 – 2 reading and writing practise

· Years 3/4 reading library books, spelling practise, completion of outstanding class work and information gathering for class activities. No more than 1 hour per day

· Years 5 – 8 reading library books, spelling practise and number facts learning. The remaining homework time is spent on Excel projects

· Years 9/10 no more than 1 hour and 30 minutes per day with no homework on a Friday

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 management, and if this is given, they are not to be visible.

Knives

Knives are not permitted at school.

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, this we want 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

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, please contact the office).

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 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 their child. The school newsletter is vital in keeping 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.

Reports

In late November reports are issued for every pupil. At the end of Term 1 and in August there is an opportunity for an interview with your child's teacher. NB: With National Standards being introduced, there may be some changes to the reporting cycle.

Snowfall/Cancellations

As we are so close to the Port Hills, we will close our school for the day if there is a threat that we could get 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. Also with any school event that is outside there is the possibility of the weather causing it to be postponed or cancelled, please call the school and then dial 3 for our cancellation line.

Special Needs Teachers

We employ two teachers as well as two teacher aides who work mainly with children who require a boost in reading. They also work, at times, with children needing assistance in maths, written language or spelling. One of our teacher aides uses the computer programme SuccessMaker.

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.

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 when needed.

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 $35.00 from the school office, there is a limit to the number of keys we hold so it’s 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.

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.

Trees

No children are to climb trees on the two school sites.

Web Site

The school has a web site – www.hillview.school.nz. School policies, newsletters, uniform details, stationery and other relevant information is available to be accessed from this 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 a guaranteed place at Middleton Grange for Years 11-13, if they wish to take it.