An Education That Counts
Nau Mai Haere Mai
Dear Parents
Welcome to Waimata School. It is a great place. We pride ourselves on providing a warm friendly atmosphere where children’s learning and well being are paramount. The rural setting and the small size of the school both contribute to its unique “family” culture. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their children’s education and to participate in the school life in many ways.
School Staff
Principal: Mr Logan Phillips
Teachers: Mrs Vicki Hose Room 3
Miss Kate Smeaton Room 1
Teacher Aide: Mrs May Roycroft
Secretary: Miss Lynette Rhind
Cleaner: Ms Kathy Thomas
Board Of Trustees
Chairperson: Rhonda Munn
Principal: Logan Phillips
Staff Rep: Kate Smeaton
Members: Warren Lee
Tracy Bate
Debbie Crawford
Tahi Spinks
The Board meets on the third Thursday of each month.
This booklet is intended to give you a brief overview of the information you will need before your child starts.
Preschool visits for five year olds.
Where ever possible we encourage you to bring your child to school for at least two visits prior to their 5th birthday. Times can be arranged with Vicki Hose, the new entrant teacher. Parents must stay with their child during these visits. School enrolment forms are available at the school office and are generally filled in on the day of enrolment. You will need to bring the original of the birth certificate and an immunisation record.
School Times
The School is open at 8.15 am and from then until children are picked up from school or 3.35pm they are considered to be in our care.
· School begins: 9.00 am
· Interval: 10.30 - 10.55 am
· Lunch: 12.30 - 1.15pm
· School Finishes: 2.50 pm
Bus
Country Bus
The bus that services the school leaves Waihi at approximately 7.20 am and the route is as follows: Ford Rd – Old Tauranga Rd – Woodlands Rd – Old Tauranga Rd – Mathers Rd – Trigg Rd – State Highway 2, arriving at approximately 8.15 am. The afternoon run is the reverse, leaving school at approximately 3.20 pm.
Town Bus
The bus leaves Waihi College at approximately 8.05am and goes up around Savage Road and Williams Street then to Gladstone Road and down Gilmour Street. The second run in the morning picks up at 8.25am from the car park at the back of RD1. The first afternoon run gets in to RD1 at 2.55pm and then up to Waihi College at approximately 3.00pm. The second run in the afternoon goes in reverse of the first morning run. If only one run is required in the afternoon, it will go first to RD1, then Waihi College and back out to Gilmour St etc.
This bus is fully funded by the Board of Trustees so there is no charge for travelling on this route. If you have any queries about this service, please contact the office.
School Donations
School donations are $40 per year for the first child and $36.00 for each additional child. There is a 10% discount if this is paid in the first term of the child’s attendance.
Absences / Attendance
Please contact the school office before 9.30am if your child is going to be late or will not be attending school. You may leave a message on the answer phone 07 863 8020, or send a text message to our mobile 027 755 7690. To ensure the safety of our children it is our policy to ring parents if a child has not turned up at school and we have not received a message.
Newsletters
Newsletters are sent home when there is enough information to fill it. This will generally be on a Wednesday. These newsletters keep parents/caregivers informed of upcoming events, general items of interest and of the accomplishments of our students. They are sent home with the oldest in each family.
Homework
Homework is an important way in which parents are able to involve themselves in their children’s education. Homework is provided in maths, reading and spelling. It is a home school partnership. Please set a small amount of time aside each four evenings a week and ensure that the homework book is returned to school each day.
Computers and technology
Waimata School is a part of the Waihi Schools ICT cluster. Teachers are involved in a three year professional development programme to enhance student achievement through e-learning.
Classrooms and the library are well equipped with computers and interactive white boards. The rule is No Teacher No Internet. Children are instructed in appropriate use of the web and an internet agreement is signed.
Stationery
All exercise books and stationery for school use are available from the school at competitive prices. Book lists for the next year are sent home at the end of each year.
Photocopying / Laminating
The school has a high quality photocopier which is available for parents at a cost of 10 cents per copy. The school has a small laminator which will take documents up to A3 size at a cost of $1 for A4 per lamination, and $2 for A3 size.
Library
We have a well stocked library which the children use on a regular basis. There is an ongoing need for parent assistance to maintain the books in good condition and any help you can offer here is appreciated.
Lost Property
Lost property is kept in a cupboard at reception, (under our fish tank). Parents are encouraged to check the clothing.
Bible In Schools
Bible in schools is delivered on Friday from 9.00 to 9.30am. If you do not want your child to participate you may indicate this on the enrolment form or let Logan know. Supervision will be arranged.
Calf Club
The school supports animal rearing projects and we hold a Calf Club day early in Term 4 when the animals are shown in conjunction with other special projects undertaken by the children.
We welcome you to join us for prize giving and a shared lunch. PTA raffles and our famous decorated cake auction takes place afterwards.
A combined Group Day is held in the same week for those who wish to compete against children from other schools.
Book Club
Ashton Scholastic operates book clubs in schools for the various age groups. Pamphlets are sent out throughout the year and parents are able to choose books for their children if they wish. The order form and the money is collected at the office by the date advertised and the books are distributed as soon as they arrive.
Reporting To Parents
Student Learning Journals are sent home in Terms One, Two and Three. They contain assessment data and samples of children’s work which will form a basis for the parent interview and interim report at mid-year, and the written report at the end of the year.
If you have concerns please do not wait until the interview or reporting times. Contact the teacher and make an appointment.
School Trips And Visits
The school sees well planned trips and visits as an extension of classroom learning. We actively encourage all outdoor education activities both sporting and academic. Some cost is usually involved in such trips and we appreciate the support of parents in providing transport and assisting with supervision which enables the school to provide opportunities for a wide and varied education.
It is school policy that all cars used to transport children must have enough seat belts for all occupants, a current warrant of fitness and registration and that all drivers have a current driving license.
Parent Involvement and PTA
We encourage parents to get involved in the school in a variety of ways: reading with children, cooking groups, sports coaching, working bees or completing small odd jobs.
Fundraising is a means by which parents are able to contribute to the optional extras the school enjoys. It is hoped that all parents will participate in any fundraising ventures undertaken by the school. Joining the PTA is an excellent way to get involved in the community life of the school and assist our fundraising group.
Sharing Time
A few times per term on a Friday afternoon the whole school assembles together from 2.15- 2.45 pm. At this assembly children are encouraged to share some of the things they have been working on in their classrooms during the week. Parents are welcome to come along and be part of this sharing session.
Smoke Free Policy
The school buildings and grounds are smoke free at all times.
Swimming Pool
Swimming instruction is part of the physical education programme and all children are expected to participate. The pool is available for use by the community, out of school hours and runs on a key system. Parents are reminded that all primary aged children must be supervised by an adult.
Dental Clinic
Children from Waimata are seen by the Dental Nurse for the Waihi area. A screening examination of all students is carried out early in the year and appointments are then made for any follow up treatment necessary.
First Aid
Basic first aid materials are kept at school for minor accidents. In the case of a more serious accident, the school will decide on the appropriate action to be taken and the parents informed as soon as possible.
Public Health Nurse
The Public Health nurse has access to children at school and teachers may refer children to the Health Nurse after seeking consent from parents.
We also have a GP visiting on a weekly basis. This is a free service. If you wish your child to see the doctor please let the office know before Thursday, the day on which she visits.
Infectious Diseases
The school has a policy that any student who contracts an infectious disease will be sent home until the risk of transmission of the disease is over. A doctor can advise as to the time necessary for this.
Traffic Safety
The Board of Trustees and School Staff are aware of the dangers our position on State Highway 2 poses, especially when parents are delivering and collecting children from the school and there are large numbers of cars at the school.
Please ensure that all children in your care are not putting themselves at risk by playing near the parked cars both before and after school.
We appreciate and encourage parents participation in assisting us with children’s learning and would like to welcome you to our school community.
Kind regards,
Logan Phillips
Principal
Phone: 07 863 8020 or 027 7557690
