TAIRUA SCHOOL

Empowering Our Children

   

PARENT  HANDBOOK  

Tairua  School  
Phone:  07  864  8590  Fax:  07  864  7490  
Email:  office@tairua.school.nz  
 
  
Tairua  School  is  a  full  primary  school  in  the  coastal  township  of  Tairua,  on  the  
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hances  the  natural  learning  environment,  which  is  well  used  by  the  school  to  pro-­
vide  a  range  of  valuable  educational  and  recreational  opportunities  for  our  students  
and  wider  community.    
 
Parents  and  members  of  the  wider  school  community  have  extensive  opportunities  
to  become  involved  in  the  school  curriculum  and  events.  The  school  community  is  
made  up  of  diverse  families  that  all  live  within  the  Tairua  Township,  working  in  local  
trades  and  businesses.  The  classroom  programmes  rely  on  parental  involvement  
and  talents  and  utilises  the  knowledge  and  skills  that  our  community  possesses.  
 
Tairua  School  is  constantly  in  a  state  of  change  and  self  reflection.  We  are  focus-­
sed  on  developing  the  schools  profile  within  the  community,  updating  buildings  and  
resources,  enhancing  teaching  practice  and  professional  development  and  raising  
student  achievement  in  all  areas  of  the  school  curriculum.    
 
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ment  and  openly  promotes  recycling,  reusing  and  sustainability.  What  we  do  every  
day  is  purposeful  and  makes  a  difference  in  the  lives  of  our  students  and  commu-­
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nity  have  co-­constructed  to  prepare  our  students  for  society.    
 
Staff  Members  
Brendan  Finn           Principal  
Nel  Bracegirdle         Room  1     Year0/1    
Catherine  Browning       Room  2     Year  2/3  Deputy  Principal  
Lou  van  Jaarsveld       Room  3     Year4/5  
Samantha  Telfar         Room  5     Year  6/7/8    
 
Support  Staff  
Joan  Boeglin           Student  Support  Teacher  
Annette  Lloyd         Reading  Recovery  
Vanessa  Hoesfloot       Teachers  Aide  
Steph  Haddock         Teachers  Aide  
Louise  Elliott           Administration  Officer  
Mark  Cory-­Wright         Caretaker  
 
Timetable  
   8.55am           Bell     Class  work  begins  
  10.30am           Bell     Interval  
  10.50am           Bell     Class  work  resumes  
  12:30pm-­1:25pm       Bell     Lunch  
     1.25pm           Bell     Class  work  resumes  
   3:00pm           Bell     End  of  school  day  
 
Tairua  Board  of  Trustees  
The  B.O.T  is  comprised  of  a  dynamic,  well  balanced  group  of  parents  that  exudes  en-­
thusiasm  and  drive.  The  B.O.T  are  highly  supportive  and  encouraging  of  new  initia-­
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1989  and  all  National  educational  and  assessment  guidelines.  The  Principal  and  one  
staff  member  represent  the  staff  on  the  Board  of  Trustees.    The  BOT  meetings  are  
held  at  school  on  the  fourth  Monday  of  the  month  at  6:30pm.    Meetings  are  open  to  
all.  
 
Board  of  Trustees  Members  
Roger  Elliott         Chairperson       864  7006  
Maria  Cory-­Wright   Property         864  8175  
Brett  Rhind       Finance         864  7944  
Christine  Hatton     Personnel       864  9865  
Wendy  Kinzett     Training         864  8505  
Brendan  Finn       Principal         864  8590  
Nel  Bracegirdle     Staff  Representative   864  8590  
Louise  Elliott       Secretary         864  8590  
 
 
Absences  
Parents  are  asked  to  contact  the  school  by  phone  call  864  8590  (by  9:30am)  or  email    
office@tairua.school.nz  when  their  children  are  away  from  school.    If  your  child  ar-­
rives  late  to  school,  they  need  to  report  to  the  office.  
 
Assembly  
Weekly²Monday  1:30pm  for  teachers  and  students.  
 
School  assembly  is  held  fortnightly  on  Friday  at  2:30pm  in  the  multipurpose  room.    
This  is  when  notices  of  encouragement  for  effort  are  given  out.    Exhibits  of  class  pro-­
jects,  individual  work  or  drama  are  often  displayed  here  and  parents  are  encouraged  
to  attend.    Assembly  dates  will  be  advertised  in  the  school  newsletter.  
 
Behaviour  Management  
Tairua  School  recognises  that  children  and  teachers  have  a  right  to  enjoy  their  days  at  
school  in  a  stable  and  safe  environment.    Children,  staff  and  parents  need  to  be  re-­
sponsible  for  their  own  actions  and  show  respect  for  each  other,  their  property  and  
their  environment.  
 
Bike  Safety  
All  children  are  to  use  the  bike  track  from  the  Community  Hall  to  school,  both  ways.    
Helmets  must  be  worn  by  cyclists.    An  adult  or  older  brother  or  sister  with  good  road  
sense  should  accompany  children  under  the  age  of  10.    Please  do  not  ride  on  the  
footpath  in  front  of  the  shops  or  double  on  your  bike.  
 
Education  Outside  the  Classroom  
Sailing,  surfing  and  kayaking  happens  in  term  1  and  4  for  the  senior  school.  
 
 First  Aid  &  Sickness  
Accidents  will  be  attended  to  by  the  staff  member  on  duty.    Parents  will  be  notified  
(and  doctor)  if  necessary.    In  cases  of  sickness,  parents  will  be  contacted  so  they  
can  take  their  child  home.    Please  ensure  the  school  has  another  person  to  contact  if  
you  are  not  available.  
Medications  for  bee  stings,  asthma  (if  necessary)    should  be  kept  at  school  and  re-­
 
  newed  regularly.    If  you  wish  medication  to  administered  at  school  (antibiotics  etc)  
please  fill  out  the  Medicine  Dispensing  form  available  in  the  office.  
 
Fundraising  
After  permission  has  been  gained,  fundraising  for  worthwhile  events  e.g.  Fred  Hol-­
lows,  Daffodil  Day  World  Vision  may  be  undertaken  with  pupils  carrying  out  the  or-­
ganisation  as  fully  as  possible.  
 
The  main  fund  raiser  for  the  school  is  the  Wine  and  Food  Festival  which  is  held  in  
early  January  every  year.    The  money  raised  from  this  event  goes  towards,  teaching  
resources,  teacher  aides,  library  book,  school  trips,  entertainment  groups.    For  fur-­
ther  information  on  the  Wine  and  Food  Festival  please  contact  Maria  Cory-­Wright  
864  8175  or  Ann-­Marie  Cleary  864  9935.  
 
Lost  Property  
Unclaimed  property  is  kept  in  a  box  by  the  side  door  to  the  office.    Parents  are  able  
to  look  through  this  at  any  time.    Clothes  are  shown  to  the  children  at  Monday  as-­
semblies.    An  unclaimed  clothing  is  donated  to  the  Opportunity  shop  at  the  end  of  
each  term.  
 
Lunches  
Tairua  Bakery  provides  lunches  on  Monday/Wednesday  and  Friday.    A  list  of  lunch  
choices  is  available  in  the  office.    Children  order  their  lunch  before  school  using  a  
named  envelope.    Lunches  are  delivered  at  12:30pm  and  given  out.    Please  send  
the  correct  money.  
 
As  we  are  an  enviro  school  we  prefer  school  lunches  to  be  wrapped  in  paper  not  
glad  wrap.      Please  do  not  provide  you  children  with  chocolate  or  lollies  for  eating  at  
school.  
 
Parents/Caregivers  at  School  
Parents/Caregivers  are  encouraged  to  liaise  closely  with  the  school  to  keep  in  touch  
with  the  welfare  and  progress  of  their  children  before  8:55am  or  after  3:00pm.  
 
Parents/Caregivers  who  come  into  the  school  between  8:55am-­3:00pm  must  report  
to  the  office  or  Principal.  
 
Parents  are  welcome  at  all  Board  of  Trustee  meetings  that  are  held  on  the  fourth  
Monday  of  each  month  at  6:30pm  in  the  staff  room.  
 
Parents  who  are  able  to  share  their  time  and  skills  (coaching  sports,  helping  in  li-­
brary,  providing  transport,  helping  at  camps  etc)  are  valuable  resources  and  are  
much  appreciated.  
Preschoolers/Kindergarten  Visits  
 
Playcentre/Kindergarten  group  visits  are  welcome.  
 
Kick  Start  to  School  Programme²this  programme  may  be  attended  up  to  one  term  
before  starting  school.    This  programme  is  run  by  Nel  Bracegirdle  our  New  Entrant  
teacher.    The  programme  takes  place  on  Friday  mornings  form  9:00am-­11:00am.    Kick  
Start  to  School  is  designed  to  help  children,  parents  and  caregivers  make  a  seamless  
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eracy,  numeracy,  motor  co-­ordination  and  social  skills.  
 
Religious  Education  in  school  for  alternative  MOVES  (Model  of  Viable  Sustain-­
able  Education  Program)  
Local  people  are  willing  to  come  to  implement  this  Bible  in  School  programme.    These  
people  are  trained  and  accredited  by  the  Churches  Education  Commission.    The  pro-­
gramme  taken  is  non-­denominational  and  has  a  Christian  basis.    The  syllabus  used  is  
the  only  one  approved  by  the  Ministry  of  Education.    Specific  church  doctrine  is  not  al-­
lowed.    The  local  Tairua  churches  have  agreed  to  cover  costs  for  material  used  so  
there  is  not  cost  to  parents.    Any  child  not  participating  the  Bible  in  School  Program,  
will  join  the  MOVES  program,  this  involves  many  outside  gardening  tasks.    Please  
write  a  note  stating  which  option  you  wish  your  child  to  attend  and  give  to  the  office.  
Bible  in  Schools/MOVES  takes  place  every  Thursday  at  9:00am-­9:30am.  
 
Ashton  Scholastic  Lucky  Book  Orders  
Twice  a  term,  order  forms  are  issued  to  the  children.    If  you  wish  to  order  any  books,  
fill  out  the  order  sheet  (making  cheques  to  Scholastic  Books)    and  enclose  cheque  
and  order  sheet  in  a  named  envelope.    Through  the  book  club  you  are  supporting  our  
library  as  the  school  receives  bonus  points  for  every  book  purchased.    The  school  
then  converts  these  points  into  books.  
 
Stationery  
At  the  beginning  of  term  1  parents  are  sent  home  with  a  list  of  stationery  require-­
ments.    Stationery  is  sold  at  school  at  cost.    Purchases  by  parents  are  optional  and  
they  may  buy  from  wherever    they  wish.    There  is  a  photocopying  charge  for  all  pupils.  
 
Sunsmart  
Tairua  is  a  sunsmart  school.    During  terms  1  &  4  students  need  to  wear  hats,  shirts  
and  tops  that  cover  the  shoulders  and  torso.    Sunscreen  is  supplied  by  the  school.  
 
Events  Shirt  
When  your  child  commences  school  they  will  require  an  events  shirt,  which  is  worn  on  
school  trips  and  sports  days.    The  shirt  can  be  purchased  from  Postie  Plus  in  Thames  
and  the  colour  is  Royal  Blue.    The  shirt  costs  approx  $20.00.  
 
 
 
Transport  
There  are  occasions  when  parents  will  be  asked  to  help  transport  children  to  various  
venues  for  school  activities.    Children  travelling  to  these  venues  will  be  asked  to  pay  
towards  the  cost  of  cars  provided.    All  cars  used  to  transport  children  on  school  trips  
must  have  a  current  Warrant  of  Fitness  and  Registration.  
 
Withdrawal  of  Pupils  during  School  Hours  
Certain  appointments²such  as  medical  and  dental²cannot  always  be  made  outside  
school  hours  and  pupils  may  be  withdrawn  for  these.    Remember  to  report  to  the  office  
and  this  time.    If  you  take  your  child  out  of  school  during  school  hours  you  must  sign  
the  book  located  in  the  school  office.  
 
Dental  Therapist  
The  school  is  served  by  the  Mobile  Dental  Clinic  which  is  run  by  the  Waikato  District  
Health  Board  and  visits  the  school  once  a  year.    Please  contact  Christine  Duff  (Dental  
Therapist)  on  07  866  4004  if  you  need  any  emergency  treatment.  
 
No  Smoking  
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smoking  at  any  time  in  the  school  buildings  or  grounds.    We  ask  visitors  to  respect  our  
wish  to  provide  a  smoke-­free  environment  for  children  and  staff.  
 
Parent  Donation  
The  school  fee  donation  is  set  at  $10  per  term  per  child  ($40  per  year)  which  can  be  
paid  at  any  time  throughout  the  year.  
 
Year  7  and  8  Technology  
The  Year  7  and  8  children  travel  by  bus  to  Whangamata  for  technology  on  Fridays.    
The  bus  leaves  at  10:45  and  returns  by  2:30pm.    Reports  are  issued  in  July  and  De-­
cember.    There  is  a  fee  for  material  costs  associated  with  this  curriculum  area.  
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Emergency  Drills  
All  classes  are  instructed  in  fire,  earthquake  and  tsunami  drills.  
Drills  are  carried  out  once  a  term.  
 
Swimming  Pool  
The  school  operates  the  pool  on  a  key  holder  system  for  holiday  and  out-­of-­school  
swimming.    The  cost  of  a  key  is  set  annually  and  is  currently  $50.00.    Keys  are  avail-­
able  at  the  Tairua  Hammer  Hardware.    A  set  of  pool  rules  is  given  to  each  key  holder  
when  a  sub  is  paid.  
 
Car  Parking  
All  cars  using  the  car  park  must  be  parked  in  designated  areas  before  dropping  off  or  
picking  up  students.    Whenever  the  car  park  is  full,  cars  may  be  parked  on  the  verge  
beside  the  estuary.  
THE TAIRUA SCHOOL CITIZEN
Empowering Our Children