St Marys School

School Hours

8.55 - First bell is rung, supervision of children available from 8.20am.

10.40 - Morning interval

11.00 - End of interval

1.00 - Beginning of lunch

1.55 - End of lunch

2.50 - End of day

 

Lunches

Children are supervised whilst eating their lunch 12.30-12.40pm.  School lunches can be ordered in the school office on Fridays.  Please do not send sweets, chewing gum or fizzy drinks in school lunches.

 

Newsletters

School newsletters are sent home with the eldest child of each family every Thursday.  This is the school’s main communication system with parents. The newsletter is also available on our website and is emailed to each family who supply their email addresses to the office.

 

Parent Help

Parents may be asked to assist with school activities, sometimes on a casual basis and occasionally for a longer commitment.  These activities include sporting fixtures, school trips, visits, camps, reading support etc.  Please watch the weekly newsletter for more information requesting help, or advise the school of your availability.

 

Board of Trustees

This group has the responsibility for the governance of the school.  They work with the Principal in employing staff, managing the finances, and in consulting with the staff and parent community to set school policies.   For more informtion, click here.

 

Road Safety

We have a crossing on the main road which a staff member supervises each morning and afternoon to help children cross the road safely.

 

Swimming

Term one and four each year, children swim daily (weather permitting) in our on-site school pool.  Senior students also swim in the Carterton town pool.

 

Dental Clinic

Dental treatment is provided annually for all children via the dental bus.  If your child requires treatment at other times you can contact the Wairarapa dental service on 378 6496.

 

Educational and Related Services

The School is able to call on a variety of outside specialists and agencies whose role it is to help ensure that all children gain maximum benefit from their time at school.  These include the local DHB, Resource Teacher for Learning and Behaviour, Teacher Support Service, Hearing and Vision Testers, Speech Therapists, and Reading Recovery Teacher.

 

Emergency Services

Civil Defence measures have been developed at our school.  Realistic, commonsense procedures have been established among staff and children so as to decrease anxiety and possibility of panic in the case of an emergency.  Any decision to send pupils home following an emergency will be made by the principal.  No child will be entrusted to anyone other than parents or persons nominated by the parents.

 

First Aid Treatment for Pupils

St Mary’s has a first aid trained staff member on site during school hours.  Minor injuries will be treated immediately by the teacher on duty.  If a doctor’s advice is necessary parents will be contacted immediately and arrangements made.  If parents cannot be contacted then the school will proceed with treatment.  There are times when children become ill at school and, after contact has been made, they will be sent home to parents or emergency contact.  Please advise the school office if pupils need to take any form of medication during the day.

 

Absences and Lateness

We ask parents to phone the school office to explain any absence before 9.30am.  If this is not done you will receive a phone call from the school so we can ensure your child is safe.  When you child is unwell please keep them at home to give them the best chance of recovery and to protect those at school.  It is expected that parents will endeavour to have children at school before classes begin at 8.55am.  It is helpful for children to have a few spare minutes to prepare their belongings and settle in first thing in the morning.

 

Hearing and Vision Testing

Hearing and Vision testing is provided for all five year olds and Year 7 pupils, or by parent request at any age.  When a problem is noticed parents will be notified.  These children are re-examined each year to assess any change.  If you have any concerns about your child’s hearing or vision please send a note to school, we can get assistance.

 

School Lunches

Lunches can be ordered on a Friday in the school office.  These are collected from the lunch shop and arrive at school hot for lunchtime.

 

Computers and ICT

Students use the school computers to learn about software, publish work, and to research for topic work.  They complete on-line assessments under the guidance of their teacher.  They learn to create slide-shows and design graphs.  They also work on literacy and learning based games.  Students sign a contract each year and we continue to teach them about internet safety.

 

Homework

Homework is a desirable feature and extension of the school day and may include reading, learning of basic facts, spelling and simple research work.  It should promote home interest and support.  Twice yearly reports detail ways you can assist your child’s learning at home.

 

Uniform

St Mary’s has a summer and winter uniform and a sports uniform.

A full list is kept at the office.  Items are purchased at school and Postie+.  Students are expected to wear correct uniform.

 

Attendance Dues

Accounts are sent from the Catholic Education Board four times a year. We do not benefit from the fees at the local level.  They are used to pay off the capital debt still owing on most Catholic Schools, including ours and for property and insurance costs on school buildings.  A local Parish Committee has the responsibility for monitoring the payment.

In cases of hardship please discuss with the Parish Priest or Principal.

 

Bicycles

Children who bike to school are to wear a helmet and we strongly recommend that children ten years and under do not ride to school without adult supervision.  This is in line with MOT recommendations. Bikes are stored in stands behind the buildings, away from the road.

 

Buses

School has a daily bus list to check students are on the bus before it leaves our school.  Children indicate each morning if they will be on the bus in the afternoon.  Rural students travel for free, town based students require a ticket which can be purchased in the office.

 

Techni-craft (manual training)

Year 7and 8 travel to Featherston by bus for techni-craft classes.  They attend one day a week, 4 weeks each term and there is a cost for this.

 

Behaviour Outside School

When the children are travelling to and from school, on school trips, or to Technicraft, we expect exemplary behaviour at all times.

 

Book Club

Children may order Scholastic Books from the book club.  Order forms will be sent home.  Money and orders are to be placed in an envelope with the child’s name and Book Club written on the front.  Ordering books in this way benefits the school with some free books for the library.

 

School Banking

Friday morning Bankbooks and money are handed in to the office.  If you wish your child to join please see the school office.

 

School Liturgies

Feast days and sacraments are celebrated with liturgies held at school or in the Parish Church.  Children are taught the Religious Education Programme for Catholic Primary Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand during class time.

 

Term Donation

The school asks each pupil to pay $15.00 per term. This money is a donation to the school and is used to supplement the money we receive from the government to run the school.  We can provide you with a receipt for this as it is tax deductable.

 

Assembly

Assembly is held in Room 6 at 2.15pm on a Friday.  Classrooms take turns at running the assembly.  All parents are welcome to attend.  Classroom awards are given out weekly for extra special effort; these awards are also listed in the newsletter the following week.

 

Stationery

Stationery packs are purchased from the school office at the start of each year.  The packs are specific to the class your child is in.

 

Our staff 2011 -

Mrs Deirdre O'Flynn

Principal

Teacher in Senior Class on Fridays

 

Ms Dale Julius

Teacher Senior Class Yr 5-8

 

Mrs Eleanor Hautler

Deputy Principal, DRS,

Teacher Yr1-3

 

Miss Amber Gray

New Entrant teacher

Mini Mary's teacher

 

Mr William Jephson

Teacher Yr 3-5

 

Mrs Lisa O'Connor

Administrator

 

Anita Ward

Teacher Aide

 

Mrs Dianne Shailer

Cleaner