Absences	Accidents	Assemblies	Banking	Before and after school	Bible-in-school
Bicycles	Books	Concerns	Cybersafety	Donations	Dental Clinic
Discipline	Duty	Enrolment	Homework	Library	Lost Property
Lunch	Money	Newsletters	Parents	Playgrounds	Reports
School Bus	Trips	Charters	Photos	Stationery	Special Needs
Swimming Pool	Headlice Policy	Sheep Ramp Hire

ABSENCES

If your child is absent from school, please inform the school office before 8.40 am by phoning, emailing, sending a note or message with another member of the family.  Where a child is absent for more than one day, it is important that parents inform the school office each morning of the absence. 

If your child is taken from school for an appointment, please ensure the class teacher is advised before your child leaves.

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ACCIDENTS, EMERGENCIES & MEDICATION

Parents are asked to supply a contact address, telephone numbers and emergency contact information.  Please ensure that this information is always accurate. Please also advise the school if your child has any serious allergic reactions.

Medication is not given unless requested in writing by the parents.  If your child has Asthma, please ensure that an Asthma Action Plan is completed

Minor accidents are treated in the sick bay. Should students have an accident or illness requiring immediate medical treatment and parents cannot be contacted, we will take the student to the appropriate medical facility and contact the parents as soon as possible. 

Emergency fire and earthquake drills are practiced each term.  Should you be in the school at such time, you are expected to follow instructions and comply with the relevant procedural practice.  The assembly point is on the tennis/netball court.

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ASSEMBLIES

Full school assemblies are held in the new multi purpose area each Friday at 2.00pm. This is an opportunity for classes to present work or items of interest, and we celebrate the achievements of students and welcome new students. Parents are encouraged to attend our assemblies.

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BANKING

School banking is available for all students.  Application forms to open a Westpac savings account for your child is available at the school office.  Please ensure that all banking money is given to your child’s teacher before school commences in a named envelope. 

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BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL SUPERVISION

The school will provide supervision for students 30 min before school starts and 20 minutes after school. After this time in the afternoon the Board of Trustees reserves the right to send any students still on the school grounds to the After School Care for their safety.

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BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Accredited instructors visit the school to take the nondenominational Bible in Schools programme.  This programme runs to a national curriculum.  Bibles in Schools is not compulsory and parents who wish to withdraw their child from the programme may do so.   Day and times for the programme are published annually in the school newsletter. 

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BICYCLES

It is not recommended that children under 11 years bike to school without a parent.  If biking to school, students are expected to know and obey the road rules.  The wearing of helmets and safety vests is compulsory.  Bike stands are available on the school grounds and cyclists are encouraged to lock their bikes.   Biking on the school grounds during the school day is not permitted. 

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BOOKS

Scholastic Book Club operates at school.  Order forms will be sent home for parents to decide about possible purchases. 

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CLASS PHOTOS

Each year, a class photograph and an individual and / or family photo is taken by a professional photographer.  Details will be included in the school newsletter.  

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CONCERNS

There may be times when you have concerns about aspects of your child’s education.  On these occasions, it is important that you direct your concern to the school, as we want to know and alleviate your concerns.  In the first instance please talk to your teacher and school principal.  If the matter is considered serious then your concerns should be put in writing.  If you are not satisfied that the matter has been satisfactory resolved or the concern involves the principal, then you should approach the chairperson of the Board of Trustees.

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CYBERSAFETY

Students will use the internet and other communication technology.  To maintain a safe learning environment

• All students will participate in a cybersafety education programme.
• All students will be required to sign a cybersafety users agreement.
• All students will be supervised while using the school communications technologies.

Parents will be asked to sign a cybersafety declaration.

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DONATION

The payment of your school donation is invited for each student. If all families contribute, this lowers the amount we need to seek from each family. Your school donation allows for buses to be provided to transport children to activities, additional recreational and resources to be purchased, school swimming, as well as other enrichment and extra-curricular activities that benefit all students.

For families with up to two students at Makarewa School, the donation is currently set at $85.00 per child ($5.00 discount if paid before the end of term one). If families have 3 or more students at Makarewa School, the donation is reduced to $80.00 per child ($5.00 discount if paid before the end of term one). School donation for students who commence school during the year is set at $20.00 for every full term enrolled.

If you have any questions in regards to the payment of your school donation, we invite you to discuss the matter with the principal. A receipt will be provided.

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DENTAL CLINIC

Our dental clinic is staffed by a dental therapist for two weeks each year.  Should your child require urgent treatment when the dental clinic is not staffed, contact School Dental Service by phoning 0800 570 300. 

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DISCIPLINE

At Makarewa School we believe the best way to manage student behaviour is to reward children’s good behaviour. There is a school wide student reward programme which is based on the school values and all children who consistently display good behaviour are rewarded twice a term.

To ensure that your child receives a quality education, without disruption, we have developed a school wide Behaviour Management policy. This is based on the expectation that no student will stop the teacher from teaching or another student from learning. We require every student to take responsibility for their actions. The objective of our discipline policy is

• That we guide students to be self-disciplined.
• That rules are applied firmly and consistently.
• That we emphasise respect for all people in the school.
• That students will care for school property and equipment.

We believe that behaviour management is a team effort between home and school and we like to keep parents informed about their children’s behaviour.

A copy of our Discipline or Behaviour Management policy is available from the school office.

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DUTY STAFF

During morning intervals and lunchtimes, teachers are rostered on playground duty.  The principal (or substitute) has the responsibility of bus controller and the deputy principal (or substitute) has the responsibility of ensuring students cross the main road after school.

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ENROLLING YOUR CHILD

In order to avoid overcrowding, the Board of Trustees have been directed by the Ministry of Education to introduce an enrolment scheme. For information about our enrolment scheme, please click here.

Students may start school on their 5th birthday. Preschoolers are encouraged to come to 4 school visits and join in class activities. An enrolment form may be completed on any day up to and including your child’s first day of school. Please contact the school office for an appointment to complete an enrolment form and have the opportunity to view our school and meet our staff.

Please click here for some useful information for preparing your child for school.

A stationery pack can be purchased from the school office prior to your child starting.

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HEADLICE CHECKS

The school conducts regular headlice checks.  You will be asked to sign a consent form on enrolment.  For a copy of the schools Headlice Policy please contact the school office.

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HOMEWORK

Homework should be a positive experience.  Homework allows existing skills and learning to be practised, develops self-discipline and study skills.  Homework will include reading, maths, and spelling, handwriting, or a research project.