School Guide

Whatawhata School

To Grow, To Achieve, To Care

Whatawhata School Guide

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Nau mai, haere mai ki te Kura o Whatawhata Welcome To Whatawhata School It gives me great pleasure to introduce our Whatawhata School information booklet. As you are reading this, it means you are interested or have decided to join us at Whatawhata. Awesome! I hope the information contained here, as well as our website, will provide all you need to fully understand the school.

I started at the school in October last year and thoroughly enjoy my time here. I have been a small school principal for the last six years and completed my Masters degree in Educational Leadership with a major focus on small-school curriculum design and leadership. This experience and knowledge serves me well in continually leading the improvement and development of the school in ways that best benefit the students.

Our staff are committed to providing the best education for our students and work together to make this happen. In our small school we are able to develop a really in-depth knowledge of all students which allows us to shape of teaching programmes to best meet their needs. Many describe our school as like “a big family” and I really believe this to be the case. We also spend time each week on professional development, focusing on and improving teaching and learning.

Learning at Whatawhata is based around our essential and our discovery learning. Through these two approaches, explained in more detail on page 4-5, we work towards ensuring our learning is deep, meaningful, enquiring, challenging and enjoyable. We are focusing heavily this year on developing ways to effectively build on learning through a child’s whole time at school and to report it to our parents in easy to understand ways.

Over the last few years the school has invested heavily in modernising the classrooms, other learning spaces and learning resources and we now enjoy an exciting, modern learning environment. This is continuing this year with projects to upgrade and improve our entranceway, car parking, former dental clinic and sports facilities. Our students are actively involved in many of these projects.

The school is currently enjoying significant growth. We are committed to continuing to value and maintain the positives of small-school learning that our students enjoy while developing the school in ways that meet its changing needs.

I hope this booklet provides all you need to understand the school. If you have any further queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Mā te wā—Until next time

Matt Stockton, Principal.

Whatawhata School, RD9, Kura Street, Whatawhata, 3289

Tel: 07 829 8820 SMS: 022 167 1290 Fax: 07 829 3036

office@whatawhata.school.nz principal@whatawhata.school.nz

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What Whatawhata School Strives To Achieve Whatawhata School is a Year 1 to 8 rural school 6km West of Hamilton that serves the local Whatawhata community. We strive to live by our motto "To Grow, To Achieve, To Care" and try to achieve this in many ways.

To Grow: We want to develop the whole child at Whatawhata. This means we focus on all aspects of their development. Through their time at Whatawhata School, children grow academically, socially, physically and emotionally into proud, positive and participative members of their community and of society.

We see values as a critical part of this and base learning around our six values of perseverance, curiosity, resilience, mana, respect and aroha

To Achieve: We strive for all of our children to achieve to the best of their ability. We recognise every child is different and we cater approaches to supporting student learning accordingly. Children are aware of the purposes of their learning, the progress they are making and their next steps for success.

We work hard to ensure that children learn the skills they need not only for today but for what their future may hold. Learning is becoming increasingly deep, meaningful, challenging, hands-on and enjoyable and this, we believe, helps children develop a love of learning that will serve them through life.

To Care: We see our school as a vibrant community, or family, of people learning together. We make the most of opportunities to teach, learn from and support others in the school community. We want our children to see the role they play in making Whatawhata School a successful community through the care we have for each other.

We take pride in our school being a central part of our community. We welcome the community into school, seeing much value in the knowledge and skills of our elders and supporters. We also seek opportunities to help our wider community so that everyone may benefit from our efforts.

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Learning at Whatawhata School Schools in New Zealand have considerable flexibility to design learning programmes to best meet the wants and needs of their community. Through the different aspects of our Whatawhata School curriculum, we aim to grow our children academically, socially, emotionally and physically to be successful now and in their lives ahead.

Essential learning

Each morning, we focus on essential learning in Reading, Writing and Maths. These subjects provide the building blocks for learning in all other areas. Teachers set targets for their students to ensure they are making progress. Learning is based around our Learning Mountains, which help children understand what they are learning, what they need to work on next, what they need to learn in each level and to see the progress they are making. We try, where possible, to link our essential learning to our term’s discovery learning provide more relevance and meaning.

Discovery learning Discovery learning is our afternoon learning programme. Based on a broad “big idea” which can be studied in a number of ways, we aim to provide students with learning opportunities that are deep, meaningful, challenging, enquiring, hands-on and enjoyable. Children learn in a variety of ways and in a range of environments both in and out of school.

Health and Physical Education

Whatawhata School prides itself on being fit and active. Children enjoy physical activity every day, developing fitness, movement skills and positive attitudes to a healthy lifestyle. We participate in a wide range of activities and events in the region. Our older students are challenged annually through school camp.

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Our Values

There are six core Whatawhata values that we focus on to help our students develop the skills and attitudes needed in learning and life. These are modelled and reinforced in a range of ways both in classes and as a school. Each week one student who has best demonstrated our fortnight’s value is named our “Values Superstar”. Our six values are:

Curiosity—I am excited about the world around me

Resilience—I embrace the challenges of life

Respect—I care about the people, things and places in my life

Mana (self)—I am proud of myself and all I can do Mana (others) - I am a positive role model to others

Perseverance—I keep going even when things get tough

Aroha—I care for myself and those around me

Positive behaviour for learning together

Whatawhata School believes that children learn best in a safe and caring environment where positive behaviour is learned and encouraged. Each class develops their own "Code of Conduct" to achieve this, recognising everyone’s rights to learn, feel safe and be treated fairly and respectfully.

At times, however, children’s behaviour may be inappropriate or unacceptable and this impacts on other children’s rights. In managing such behaviour we follow a philosophy of “own it, fix it, learn from it.” Students are supported to recognise their behaviour was unacceptable, put things right with those affected, and learn how to do things differently

Our students are supported during break times by our peer mediators who help solve minor problems to help everyone can have fun. Senior students also often provide activities,

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Whatawhata Staff 2012

Matt Stockton Principal

Marie-Louise Nordberg Room 1 teacher

Mary Overton Room 3 teacher

Sian Casserly Room 4 teacher

Hillary Paalvast Room 2 teacher

Amy Lake Room 4 teacher

Bree Svenson Office Manager

Mariella Brunton Room 6 teacher

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Whatawhata Staff 2012

Laurel Benn DP and Room 5 teacher

Sue Simmonds Teacher aide

Emma Sercombe Teacher aide

Wendee Barratt Librarian

Neil Svenson Caretaker

Warren Wood Teacher aide and After School Care Manager

Jacqueline Sionetali After School Care

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The School Site ICT suite and library Opened in 2011, our ICT suite and library provide a quality modern learning environment . Our 30 desktop and 12 laptop PCs are used to support learning in all curriculum areas. We also use the space for whole school assemblies and for our after school care programme.

Room 3—Year 1 and 2 There are 18 six and seven year old children here. The focus is on developing the essential skills for reading, writing, maths. They also try to have lots of fun and get creative and curious.

Room 5—Year 1 Room 5 is our main Year 1 class. Led by Laurel Benn, the class supports students as they develop the fundamental skills for learning.

Room 6—Year 1 Room 6 is our newest classroom. Children start their school life in this class, developing the skills for success in school and in learning.

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The School Site

Room 4—Year 3 and 4 This class is made up of 25 year 3

and 4 students who make learning fun! They work together to ensure

that their classroom is a safe and exciting place to explore and learn.

Room 2—Year 4 and 5 This class has 26 energetic students who are becoming self managers in their learning. Their days are filled

with maths, reading and writing, fitness sessions, games, computer

suite and creating friendships.

Room 1—Years 5 to 8 Room 1 has 28 students in Y5-Y8.

Teaching and learning is hands-on and interesting while also developing sound skills in literacy and numeracy.

Students develop into confident independent learners who face up to challenges and believe in themselves

Outdoor activity spaces The school enjoys a large outdoor play area,

complete with playgrounds, tyre swings, sandpits, sports fields, two hard courts, and

natural play areas. We also make the most of our large swimming pool. Staying fit and

active through play is a strong emphasis of the school. It’s loads of fun too!

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Useful information These pages provide important information about our school’s organisation. IF you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Assemblies: We hold whole school assemblies on Monday at 8.40am and Friday at 2pm. These share important information, celebrate achievements and efforts, highlight our values and provide a way to come together to celebrate school. You are welcome to attend.

Board of Trustees: The Board of Trustees (BoT) serves a vital role in overseeing the governance of the school. It relies on the generosity of elected parents to give a few hours of their time each month. The Board meets 8 times each year at times as outlined on the school calendar. You are welcome to attend these meetings.

Bus: The school bus currently provides transport to and from: Highbrook Way, Te Pahu Road, Karakaraiki Road, Ferguson Road, Jon Roe Drive, Lockerbie Lane, Walsh Road, Kakaramea Road and Higginson Road. If you are more than 3.2km (under 10s) or 4.8km (over 10s) from school and no other school is nearer, you are entitled to bus transport or a travel subsidy. The bus arrives at school approx. 8.15 and leaves at 2.35. Please contact Matt or speak to the bus driver for more information.

Class participation: You are welcome to spend time in your child’s class. Any help you can offer is gratefully appreciated. Speak to the class teacher for more information.

Complaints and concerns: We recognise that things do at times go wrong at school. The only way we can improve things is if we know. If you have any concerns or complaints, please contact your child’s teacher. If it is of a more general nature or you feel a concern has not been addressed, please come in and see Matt.

Contacting the school: You can contact the school by phone, e-mail or SMS. Contact details are at the front of this booklet.

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Clubs and guitar: The school tries to offer a number of different sports clubs and teams. These are currently marching and netball. If you think you could spare the time to lead a club during/after school please contact Matt. We’d love to see Whatawhata kids out there and active outside school times. A professional guitar / ukulele teacher works in school on Mondays providing private / small group lessons for students. Please contact the office for more information.

Dropping off and picking up: Please be careful with dropping off or collecting children from school. Currently both Kura Street and School Road can be used. We will be reviewing the stopping / parking areas later this year to make this even safer. Please keep clear of the bus area in front of the office all times.

Hats: All students need a bucket style hat in terms 1 and 4. They are not able to play outside without one. Any hat will do but school logo

hats are available at school. For $10.

Health: The public health nurse and dental service visit the school periodically. We will advise you in advance of these dates. These services are free for all children.

Homework: Each class teacher provides homework which both supports learning in the classroom and helps children understand how learning happens at home too! Please speak to the classroom teacher to find more about your child’s homework.

Hours: The school operates the following schedule:

8.30—10.00 Learning block one 10.00 Morning play 10.20—11.30 Learning block two 11.30—11.45 Lunch eating 11.45—12.40 Learning block three 12.40—1.20 Big play 1.20—2.30 Learning block four

ICT (Computers): The school uses computers as an important part of student learning and has a purpose-built computer suite, computers in each class and a set of laptops for class use. We have developed the ICT student code of conduct to ensure safe and appropriate use.

Internet banking: All payments to school can be made via internet banking. The account number is printed on all our invoices.

Late arrivals: If your child is late, please ensure they first report to the office.

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Library: Children are encouraged to take books home from the school library. These are issued during classroom library times. Children require a library bag to keep books safe.

Lost property: Our school generates a huge amount of lost property. Please ensure your child’s clothes and belongings are named. Lost property is placed into a metal bin near the library. Unclaimed and unnamed property is disposed of regularly.

Lunches: The school offers a healthy "café" lunch on Wednesdays and Thursdays ($4.00) and a Subway lunch on Fridays ($4.30). CalciYum milk shakes and juicies are $1.20. Please order lunches in classrooms, not the office. The school is not able to heat up or prepare children’s lunches so please send only cold foods to school.

Newsletters: School newsletters are sent home every Thursday, containing information and news from the classrooms. Once per term a community flyer is sent to almost 900 houses in the area. Thanks to the volunteers who deliver these! Any other information is also sent home on Thursdays.

Playgroup: Knaps n Knickers meet at school each Friday morning. It provides a great way to meet other parents and is a great

introduction for children to school. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Reporting on progress: We share your child’s progress in a number of ways. These include a class information and meet the parents evening in term one, student-led conferences in term 2, an end of year report and periodical sharing of samples of work. You are encouraged to contact the class teachers at other times if you want to find out more about how your child is going.

School banking: The school offers and manages student Westpac accounts. Speak to the office for more information.

School donations: These are optional but provide the funds for extras like computing and sports resources. These make a really positive difference to your child’s learning. Ask the office about this year’s donations.

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Our 2012 suggested donations are $80 for 1 child, $140 for 2 and $160 for 3. These can be paid termly or yearly.

Sickness: If your child is sick or needs to be away for an important appointment please ring or SMS the school office before 8.30am to let us know. Please keep children away until they are fully recovered so bugs don’t spread.

Sickness at school: If your child becomes sick while at school they will be taken care of as the first aid staff believe best. In severe cases, this may require us to contact you for you to collect your child from school. In emergencies, emergency services may be contacted first if required.

Stationery: Every child needs a particular range of stationery for learning and a list is provided at the start of the year or when they start. This can be purchased from school or from elsewhere, but please buy the

exact books on the list. Top up stationery is available throughout the year.

Term dates: The school is open the following dates:

Term 1: 7th February—5th April Term 2: 23rdApril—29th June Term 3: 16th July—28th September Term 4: 15th October—20th December

We are closed on all public holidays.

Trips and visits: The school builds a number of education opportunities away from the school into its learning programmes. These provide new learning contexts and challenges for our students. One permission slip covers all the trips in a school year. All information is included in

the newsletter. There is a cost involved in many of these. Slips and money should be sent to your child’s classroom not to the office.

Waste: We are trying to minimise the waste the school produces and we reduce, reuse and recycle wherever we can. Children are required to take all their lunch waste home although food scraps containers are normally available.

Website: The School website provides full information, calendar, photos, newsletters and links. Our Facebook page lets you know of the latest updates. Full details are on page 15.

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Before and after school After School Care

We offer a Ministry of Social Development and Ministry of Education approved after-school care programme from 2.30pm—5.30pm each day. Children complete homework requirements and enjoy a range of other activities including sports, games, art, creative play, computer activities and movies.

After School Care is supported by Warren Wood, After School Care Manager, and Jacqueline Sionetali.

The cost is $8 for the 1st child then $4 each for other children which includes a simple afternoon tea. Spaces are available both on a weekly and a casual basis. WINZ subsidies may also be available.

It is located in the ICT suite. Please contact the office or Warren Wood for more information.

Knaps n Knickers Playgroup

We encourage parents of pre-school children to spend time in school. This is helped greatly by the Knaps n Knickers playgroup which meets weekly at school or at other parents’ homes. It provides a great opportunity for parents and young children to socialise and enjoy each others’ company. The playgroup meets on Friday mornings. Everyone is welcome to come along. Please contact Anna on 847 6614 for more details.

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Finding out more If you want to find out more about us or get in touch, use the following:

Find us on the web

www.whatawhata.school.nz

Our website contains a huge amount of information about our school, including our Learning, Staff, Classes, Calendar, Newsletters, Board of Trustees and History. It also includes a large gallery providing photos of many of our events.

Join us on Facebook for all the latest news

www.facebook.com/WhatawhataSchool

Our Facebook page provides the latest news and updates from the school. Like us to have these delivered straight to your mailbox.

See our newsletter

Newsletters are published weekly and contain information about school life, learning and events. Call in to the office to collect our latest newsletter or download any newsletter at www.whatawhata.school.nz/newsletters

Or just come and see us!

We are always keen and happy to spend time showing you around, providing more information or talking about your child’s learning. If you have any queries or concerns about your child please contact their teacher. For more general queries call in to the office and speak to Matt, Laurel or Bree.

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School Guide Whatawhata School

To Grow, To Achieve, To Care