Information A - Z

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ASSEMBLIES

A full assembly is held every Friday at 2.30pm in Room 1 for awards and acknowledgement of achievements for the week. All Parents, Caregivers and Whanau are welcome to attend.
Note: It is school policy that sweets, chippies etc are NOT to be used as incentive awards, except on special occasions. This includes awards given in the classroom.

ATTENDANCE

There is no doubt that regular attendance at school is an important factor in successful development. We understand that tamariki get sick and some absences cannot be avoided. However, all forms of absenteeism, either for illness or convenience have a direct impact on a child's progress.
Please contact the school (either by messenger, phone or a note sent with another child) before 9:30am if your child is going to be absent or late that day. The reason for this is to ensure the school knows the child is safe and has not been harmed on route to school.
Should your child need to be away for any length of time, please contact the school Principal to arrange this and advise us of your child’s expected date of return to school.
We run an attendance reward incentive for our students, who are rewarded for every consecutive full week that they are at school.

BIKES

Please check that your child can ride safely to and from school and please also make sure that your child’s bike is checked regularly for faults. Bike Safety Helmets are compulsory by law and failure to wear one carries an instant fine, so help us to keep your child safe by ensuring that they wear their helmet when riding to school.

BREAKFAST (KICKSTART BREAKFAST PROGRAMME)

Breakfast is available daily at 8.30am in the school staffroom. As part of this programme Sanitarium provide us with Weetbix each term, Fonterra provide us with Milk and TipTop provide us with bread via the KidsCan Trust every week. A huge thank you to them all for supporting our school with their programmes.

 

CHILD SAFETY

Points to remember:

• It is really important that you notify the school of any changes to your emergency contact telephone numbers or your address. We need this number on hand in case of illness, accident or any other emergency.
• Don't hesitate to telephone the school immediately if your child fails to return home on time.
• Please make sure that you know where your child is playing after school, and if your child brings a friend home after school, please contact that child's parents so that they know where their child is.

CLOTHING

Parents / Caregivers are asked to please make a special effort to name ALL of your tamariki’s clothing - especially sweatshirts, jerseys, jackets, swimming gear and any other clothing that they are likely to remove during the day. This helps us to return lost property to its owner.

TAMARIKI LEAVING THE GROUNDS DURING THE DAY

It is our policy that tamariki do not leave the grounds during the day without a note, phone call or message from home.
All tamariki that leave the school grounds must be signed out at the school office preferably by an adult. All parents collecting their tamariki early, for whatever reason, must sign their child out in the book provided in the school office.

COMMUNICATION

We encourage open communication with our school community. If Parents/Caregivers wish to discuss any concerns please call in before school, after school, or contact the school office to make an appointment.
Regular notices are put on our Facebook page and Website to help keep our families informed of school events and activities.

 

Complaints Procedure

For Parents/Caregivers concerned about anything to do with their school, that includes their child, they are asked to follow these procedures:

• Discuss the matter with your child’s teacher, either by telephone or in person. Please make an appointment with the teacher concerned which allows for privacy and fairness to all parties.
• If, after speaking to your child’s teacher, you feel that the issue remains unresolved please make an appointment to meet with the Principal to discuss the matter.
• If, after following the previous two steps, you still feel dissatisfied please contact a Board of Trustees Member.

REPORTING

Parents/Caregivers are informed on their child’s learning progress by way of a written report in Terms 2 and 4.

 

FIRST AID

The Administrator has overall responsibility for First Aid. In the event of an accident/emergency an ambulance will be called and Parents/Caregivers notified.

 

HEALTHY SCHOOLS PROGRAMME

Tarrangower School has adopted the Healthy Schools programme developed by the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Commission with the assistance of the Community Health Team. As part of this programme the school operates a "Sunsmart" policy.
During the 1st and 4th terms a "No Hat No Play" policy is in force, tamariki without a hat must only play under our shade structure. We also encourage our students to eat healthy food, and we discourage the consumption of sweet and/or highly coloured foods and drinks. Students who bring these items to school will have them confiscated to be returned to them at home time. The school drinking fountains all provide filtered water.

JEWELLERY

Tamariki are not permitted to wear jewellery to school, with the exception of watches. If they have pierced ears then a plain stud may be worn. This is for your child's protection as ear lobes are easily torn.

 

LOST PROPERTY

All lost property is collected by the caretaker, all clothing that has been named is returned to its owner all unnamed clothing is stored short term.
Uncollected garments are cleaned and donated to the local Opportunity Shop. Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to come to school and inspect the items regularly.

LUNCHES

Tarrangower follow the Healthy Schools Policy as laid down by the Ministry of Health. It is also Ministry of Education (NAG 5) requirement that all Boards of Trustees: “promote healthy food and nutrition for all students”.
School lunches are delivered daily to the school for all students free of charge. The menus regularly change and contain healthy food in line with the Ministry of Educations requirements.
We ask that tamariki DO NOT bring the following to school:

• Fizzy Drinks – any kind as they are full of sodium (salt)
• Energy Boosting Drinks – e.g. V, G-Force, Red Bull, Lift Plus etc (each drink contains at least the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee and are aimed at the 18-24 year old market – not our tamariki)
• Coloured and sugary drinks such as cordials (may have potentially negative influence on child behaviour)
• Large bags of chippies/rashuns etc (small snack sized packs are fine when they are sent with sandwiches, fruit etc (fruit is now readily available free at school each day thanks to the Fruit in Schools programme)
• Chocolate bars (high in sugar and caffeine)
• Packets of chocolate biscuits (however one or two along with sandwiches and fruit are fine)

TE AO MAORI

We enthusiastically support and encourage cultural inclusiveness within our school. Our Teachers are committed and enthusiastic in supporting the integration of Te Reo in our classes.

 

PARENT HELP

We really value parent help in our school. Parents/Caregivers are welcome in any class to give assistance. Each teacher will indicate how he or she could use your support in the classroom.
We would also appreciate helpers on a casual basis to help with the following:

• Sports functions
• Outdoor Education activities (such as school trips and Kapa Haka Wananga/Festivals)
• Transport
• Listening to children read

 

PARTNERSHIP WITH KINDERGARTEN

We have a great relationship with our neighbour Te Ara Matauranga Kindergarten who are invited join us each year for Cross Country, Athletics and any special events within the school e.g. Duffy Theatre, Prize Giving.

SCHOOL BUSES

A free bus that runs from the Okahukura area services our school. Other bus services can be accessed by arrangement. For further information on school bus routes and pick up points please phone Tranzit (027) 702-1167.

SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC

The Mobile Dental Clinic visits our school for a week each year. Please ring 0800 TALKTEETH or Karli on 021 356 243 or 027 895 7357 for further information on hours and dates.

 

SCHOOL HOURS

Parents are requested to ensure that their tamariki do not arrive at school before 8:30am on school days. Staff may arrive earlier to prepare lessons and materials for the day but are not on duty until 8.30am.

Bell times are:

9.00 am - 1st Teaching Session
11.00am - Interval (supervised eating)
11.10am - Interval (play)
11.30am - 2nd Teaching Session
1.00pm - Lunch Time (supervised eating)
1.10pm - Lunch Time (play)
1.45pm - 3rd Teaching Session
3.00pm - School ends
We do not have shortened lunchtimes when the weather is wet. The grounds are cleared before 3:15pm to make sure that all the tamariki go home.

SCHOOL POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Our school follows Policies & Procedures which have been written by the Board of Trustees in consultation with students, staff, and the school community. These may be viewed online at tarrangower.schooldocs.co.nz - user name tarrangower - password tarrangower.

 

SCHOOL APPROACH TO DISCIPLINE

We strive to provide our students with a warm, safe, and happy learning environment. We see discipline as a learning process in which students develop self-discipline and self-control, along with the skills needed to successfully interact with others. A positive approach to discipline is seen as essential to achieving this. We are part of the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) programme.

The following positive reinforcements are used to support the school discipline procedure:

In Class - 

• Teachers use encouragement, praise (both verbal and non verbal), stamps, stickers, and merit awards to encourage effort, good standards of work, and positive behaviour.
• Teachers award certificates for in-class effort and achievements.
• Teachers help the students set, and achieve, both personal and learning goals. 

At Assemblies - 

• Each week individual class teachers’ award several certificates per classroom, to tamariki who have worked hard or achieved well. It is also an opportunity to share some Mahi with the rest of the school.
• Weekly attendance awards

 

SMOKING/VAPING

The school’s policy on smoking/vaping is that all buildings, school grounds, and car park are “smoke/vape-free” 24 hours per day.

SPORT AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education and sports at Tarrangower School are well catered for. In our physical education programme we focus on the skills required to play a variety of sports, along with the all important attitudes and sportsmanship.

Being part of a team is an important part of a tamariki's development. We are always appreciative of whanau who can support sports by coaching, transport, etc.

• Athletics
  Each year we take part in the Taumarunui Interschool Athletics that takes place over one day in Term 4. We also hold our own Athletics events prior to the inter-school event Tamariki are invited to participate in the interschool event.
• Basketball
  We enter teams in the local basketball competition in both the junior and mini-meez competitions. There is a registration fee per child per year.
• Cricket
  We enter a team in the Taumarunui Inter-School Cricket tournament which takes place over one day usually in Term 4.
• Cross Country
  Each year we take part in the Taumarunui Interschool Cross Country that takes place over one day in Term 3 at Ongarue School. We also hold our own cross country event that takes place prior to the inter-schools. Tamariki are invited to participate in the interschool event.
• Mudrun
  We enter students in the interschool event every year in term 3.
• Netball
  We enter at least one team in the local Saturday competitions. There is a registration fee per child per year. Sports uniforms are provided for team members.
• Rippa Rugby
  We also enter teams in the Inter-school Rippa Rugby Competitions each year.
• Skiing / Snowboarding
  We endeavour (weather dependent) to take our whole school skiing, snowboarding and sledding during the winter ski season on a two yearly rotation. Local schools get a discount from the Ruapehu Alpine Lifts.
• Touch Rugby
  We also enter teams in the Inter-school Tough Rugby Competitions each year.
• Swimming
  Our swimming programme is held at the community indoor heated pool. This runs for approximately 6 weeks in Term 4.
  All tamariki are expected to take part in swimming and need to bring a note if they are not participating. Whanau are welcome to come with us and watch so that they can support young swimmers out of school. There is a $10 per child or $20 per family fee for each of the two terms.

 

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Our students are all given their first set of Uniform free. Additional items may be purchased from The Warehouse, Postie, K-Mart or through the school.
Boys wear white polo shirts, black cargo shorts and plain black hoodies or jerseys. Girls wear white polo shirts, black skorts/shorts and/or black leggings and plain black cardigans or hoodies. In winter boys and girls can wear black track pants and long sleeved white polo shirts.

VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL

All visitors to our school are requested to report to the school office to sign in and out. This is to ensure everyone’s safety in case of an emergency situation and/or an evacuation.