Information

ACCIDENTS
Where a child is injured in the playground, or on the way to school, the staff will administer first aid. If the injury is serious enough to need a doctor, parents are contacted. It is important that the school is told of any medical condition, such as asthma or allergies when the child is enrolled, and that we have a contact number for emergencies.

ABSENCES
Attendance at school is compulsory but your children will be away from school from time to time. We request a call before 9.00am if your child is going to be absent for the day. A message can be left on the answer phone. Or you can email the absence form on this website go to the home page and click on 'Report Absence'. Homes will be contacted if a child is absent and no message has been received. Children who are late are asked to report to the office before going to their classroom.

If you are planning for your child to be away for a lengthy time, please make an appointment to discuss this with the Principal well before the absence occurs.

ASSEMBLIES
The whole school meets for an assembly once a fortnight on a set day for half an hour. These assemblies are a chance for the children to share their successes with others in the school and a chance for outstanding behaviour and performances to be recognised by the staff.

BULLYING

Procedures for when a bullying incident is identified.

 Bullying is an issue for all schools. It also occurs over a wide spectrum from minor incidents to very serious ones. It is a term that individuals have a variety of definitions for. It can also be a very emotive term as well

At Greytown School there is an agreed definition of bullying. This definition is

that it is any negative action towards others that is deliberate and ongoing over time.

Once a bullying situation has been identified, that meets this definition, a number of factors need to be clarified before any action occurs.

The following questions need to be answered.

-        is this the first instance when a child has been responsible for bullying another child

-        how long have the incidents been occurring?

-        have any previous incidents been reported?

-        has the victim been responsible for any negative behaviour towards the child doing the bullying?

-        is this a change in character for the bully?

-        is there something happening in the child’s life that is leading to this behaviour.

Actions

If this is the first instance of such behaviour the details are entered in the behaviour register and the child is spoke to by a staff member. The child’s behaviour is monitored.

If this is repeated behaviour, that fits the school definition of bullying, the following actions may be taken. The action taken will depend on the answers to the questions above.

-        entry in the discipline register and a red card issued. The red card reduces the child’s playground and ensures that duty teachers monitor the child’s behaviour in the restricted area during breaks. The red card means that parents are automatically notified of the incident. The victims parents are notified as well.

-        in school suspension. This is used when the incidents are happening in the classroom as well as the playground and removes the child from contact with other children for a period of time.

-        An interview with the principal. This may include both children in an attempt to establish why the incidents are happening. If it is a serious situation parents may be requested to be at this meeting.

-        Restorative practice. The bully is encouraged to do something positive for the victim. This can be either voluntary or supervised by a staff member.

-        Referral to the Resources Teachers for Learning and Behaviour service.

-        Programmes such as the Kia Kaha Programme and Rock could be considered.

-        Stand Down/Suspension. An option only used when other options have failed to address the problem.

BELL TIMES
The school day begins at 8.50 am each day and concludes at 3.00 pm. There is an interval of 20 minutes taken at 10.20. First lunchtime, lasting for half an hour, is taken at 12.00. The second lunchtime is at 1:30 and is for half an hour also.

BUSES
Children are eligible to travel on a school bus if they are under 10 and live not less than 3.2 km from their nearest school, or if they are over 10 and live not less than 4.8 km away from their nearest school. Greytown School has buses serving the Battersea, Matarawa and Woodside areas.

CLIMATE DAYS
These will be held from time to time to allow parents/caregivers a chance to see the results of children’s efforts and to become involved in the children’s activities. On these days the children will get to work with children from other classes and age groups.

COMPUTERS
Computers are in every classroom and the school library. The school has a network linking all classrooms and the office. With computers becoming an important part of the school programme all of the children will have access to computers.  Years 7&8 children are issued with a laptop each.

CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS
Parents/caregivers are asked to provide at least one contact phone number. Please advise the office of any change of address, phone number, or family situation.

CYCLES
The wearing of cycle helmets is compulsory for those cycling to school. We do not recommend that children under nine cycle to school, but if they do cycle they must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Cyclists must dismount at the gate and wheel their bikes to the bike stands.

DENTAL CLINIC
The school is currently awaiting the arrival of the new Dental Health buses.  The buses will visit the school once per year.  Until this service is established, for emergencies please contact the Carterton Dental clinic on 06 379 8797.

DISCIPLINE
Discipline is an important issue and a major factor in establishing the tone of a school.  Children can only learn in a secure and safe environment and teachers can only teach effectively if children accept, understand and respect school rules that determine behaviour, care of the environment and attitude towards adults and other children.  The school expects a high standard of discipline and encourages co-operation between the home and the school in dealing with any issues. The school's discipline policy encourages self-discipline and positive attitudes but does make provision for behaviour modification action where required.

DRESS/UNIFORM
The school uniform is compulsory.

Details of the uniform can be obtained from the school office. All items are available from Postie Plus. Some are available from the school second hand uniform shop. 

• Red shirt, short or long-sleeved, skivvy or polo shirt, with Greytown School logo
• Black pants/shorts/skirt or culottes with no stripes or logos.
• Black or red polar fleece top or vest with Greytown School logo
• Red bucket or wide brim hat from Postie Plus.
• No make up, jewellery showing. Only small stud or sleepers for pierced ears.
• Completely black shoes or sandals, suitable for doing P.E.
• Socks must be black
• No boots or jandals
• All underwear, including thermals, must be hidden.

EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
This includes all class trips, camps etc. This type of instruction is an important part of the curriculum delivery process. Classes will take advantage of opportunities that are relevant to the classroom programme. All activities will be conducted following the B.O.T. policy guidelines.
 
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
A continuous ringing of the school bell is the signal for classroom evacuation.  Classes gather at the sealed area adjacent to the Bell Tower or on the North Field. Roll checks of children and staff are made.

For flooding and earthquake emergencies, the Principal will make the final decision as to when to send pupils home. The decision will be made after consultation with Civil Defence Officers in relation to safety of roads etc. Students will be released into the custody of parents/caregivers or accompanied home by an adult. The school will be regarded as an assembly point for those whose parents cannot be contacted.

GROUNDS
Children should not be in the school grounds before 8 am. Unless they are at organised sports practices, they are expected to leave the grounds by 3.30 pm.

HEALTH
Hearing and sight tests are carried out regularly. The school also has access to the services of a health nurse.

Students are not permitted to keep prescription medication in their clothing, desks or bags. Such medication must be handed in to the office and administered from there. This does not include asthma inhalers.

HOMEWORK
To complement the school programme, some work at home is important for all students. Apart from being beneficial academically, it also allows the children to share what is happening at school with their parents/caregivers. The amount and type of homework will vary from class to class depending on the age of the children and the requirements of the teacher.

At the beginning of each year teachers will inform parents of homework expectations, for the class, for the year. Homework should provide students with the opportunity to practise skills/learning that have already been part of the instructional programme. Homework should not be a source of frustration and family disharmony. If there are problems please contact the class teacher.

ILLNESS
If your child is obviously ill, please make arrangements to keep him/her away from school until the illness has past. This is despite the fact that your child may try to convince you he/she is well enough to attend. One child with an illness can quickly become a class full.

INTERVIEWS
The school offers interviews to parents twice yearly. At these interviews the child’s progress and achievement will be discussed and they are encouraged to come. Parents may, however, ring at any time for an appointment to see a teacher.

LEAVING THE GROUNDS
Students are not permitted to leave the grounds at interval or lunchtime unless a lunch pass has been issued. This pass is only issued for students to go home for lunch after a letter has been received from parents/caregivers.

LIBRARY
The school has a library with a good stock of books, which is continually updated. Students have regular sessions in the library. The library is open every lunchtime. Students are encouraged to have a current library book available to read at all times.  Damaged and lost books will be charged to the family.

LOST PROPERTY
Please ensure that all items of school clothing and footwear are clearly marked.  Tracing the owners of unnamed clothing is not only very difficult, but time consuming.  Naming clothing is particularly important during the swimming season.  Towels, togs and underwear all need clear labelling.  Any items of clothing, which are not claimed, will be placed in the Lost Property Box.  Parents are free to examine it at any time. At the end of each term unnamed, or unclaimed, clothing and shoes will go to charity.

LUNCHES
Lunches can be ordered every day. Price lists are available from the school office. Please seal the money in an envelope with the child’s name, class and order written clearly on the outside. Orders are placed in the box at the office. Lunches are distributed at 12.30.
For health and litter reasons the school discourages the eating of sweets, chippies and fizzy  drinks. There are no facilities for preparing hot food.
 
NEWSLETTERS
Newsletters are sent out every second Thursday.  The newsletter will include issues arising at school, school happenings, important dates, visiting artists, trips, achievements of our children, plus messages from the board of trustees (BOT), draft policies and updates of the Charter.  Messages from the community may also be included in the newsletter. The youngest member of the family currently attending the school will take the newsletter home or you can sign up to access the newsletter online via email.

OFFICE HOURS
The office administrator is in attendance from 8.00 am until 4.00pm on Mondays to Thursday and 8.00 to 3.00 pm Fridays. Any requests are best received at these times.
 
PARENT HELP
There are often times during the year when the success of school activities depends on parent help.  We are fortunate that many parents are willing and able to be involved in school trips and activities.  Sometimes we make specific requests e.g. to make equipment.  Please let us know if you can be available.  Some parents come regularly to school to 'parent help', and this is appreciated by staff and children.

It is an opportunity to see your own child with others and to participate in some of the things that occupy his/her school day.  It is important that confidentiality is respected i.e. helpers do not use their position of trust to comment on individual children’s progress outside of school.  Discussions about such matters are for the teacher and child’s parents only.

PARENT PARKING
There is ample parking on the Reading Street Extension side of the school site. Parents/caregivers who are dropping off and collecting children are encouraged to use this parking whenever possible.
 
PERSONAL PROPERTY
It is becoming more and more common for children to own personal property that has some monetary value. Children are encouraged not to bring these items to school.   If they are brought to school they remain the responsibility of the child concerned although the staff will assist with care of the items where possible.
 
PET DAY
A Pet Day is held in mid October with outdoor sections including lambs, calves, other pets and indoor displays of children’s work on various themes.
 
POLICIES
The BOTs has a number of policies. These guide the running of the school and the way in which the curriculum will be delivered. The full list of policies is available in the school office for anyone to view. Each policy is reviewed regularly.

PTA
This group has the purpose of assisting the school with fundraising for special purchases and to organise other events to bring the school community together. The group operates with a reasonably loose structure with all offers of help being accepted. Each year an annual meeting is held to elect office holders. New ideas for fund raising and other activities are always welcome.
 
PRE SCHOOL VISITS
Parents of children who are turning five are encouraged to bring the child to school to visit the New Entrant class in the month before enrolment. Please arrange these visits with the new entrant teachers before you bring your child along.
 
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION
A Religious Instruction programme does not currently operate in the school.
 
ROAD SAFETY PATROLS
Senior studentds are trained as monitors on the pedestrian crossing outside the school, before and after school. These students operate signs to stop the traffic to allow students to cross the road safely. We ask that parents assist outside the school by:
– encouraging their children to use the crossing
– not calling to them from across the road
– using the crossing themselves.
 
SATURDAY SPORT
The school acts as a liaison for clubs that run Saturday sports.  Contact numbers for various sports can be obtained from the school office.
 
SCHOOL DONATION
Each year the school asks for some financial assistance from parents to assist with providing a stimulating and varied programme at school. Currently the requested amounts are:
$60.00 for one child
$90.00 for two children
$110.00 for three children or more.
Your assistance is greatly appreciated and benefits your child. To make accounting easier accounts will be sent home during Term 1.The donation is voluntary and tax deductible.
 
STATIONERY
Beginning of the year stationery should be purchased from retail stores. During the year stationery is available at the school on a cash basis.
 
SWIMMING
The school promotes swimming as an important part of the summer programme. The younger children swim at the school pool with the older children using the town pool.
 
VANDALISM
Damage to school property needs to be put right. Parents/caregivers of students responsible for any damage will be informed, by the Principal, of the cost of repairs. Parents will be sent an account for reimbursement. In the case of deliberate or careless damage, full costs will be claimed. If the damage is accidental 50% of the cost will be claimed.

WITHDRAWAL OF STUDENTS
The school needs to be advised in advance if students are shifting to another school. All school property must be returned. The new school will request the child’s records from us.