Information for Parents

A-Z of Information for Parents

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Absences and Illness
For safety reasons the school must be contacted if your child is going to be absent.
Please telephone the school office at any time and leave a message - an answer phone operates when the phone is unattended. Please ring every day that your child is away.
The school will check all absentees and will make every effort to contact parents where children are not accounted for.
Please advise us in writing if pupils need to take medication during the school day. Records and medication are kept in the office.

Activity Fees
The school invoices families once a term for activities organised by each child's syndicate. The invoices will be delivered home by your children. Payments may be sent to school in a labled envelope and posted in the payments slot in the office, You may pay by cash, cheque or eftpos at the office or by internet banking from home. A small annual fee for photocopying and paper will be charged at the beginning of each year.

After School
Children must leave the school grounds as soon as they are dismissed from class unless accompanied by their parent when they play in the playground. Children are not kept in unless parents have been notified.

Assemblies
School assemblies are held 3 times a term on Friday mornings at 9am. Parents of children who are receiving awards are welcome to join their child and the Principal in the staffroom where awards are given out. Times for these events are published in the newsletter.

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B

Before School
An opening bell at 8.30am allows the children to enter the classrooms. Children arriving before this time wait in the area in front of the hall. If it is wet children wait in the hall.

Bell Times

08.50am - 10.00am   Session 1
10.00am - 10.20am Interval
10.20am - 11.20am Session 2
11.20am - 11.30am   Brain Break
11.30am - 12.30pm   Session 3
12.30pm - 1.20pm     Lunch
1.20pm - 3.00pm     Session 4

Bicycles
We believe that children must know the Road Code and have the skills for safe cycling. We remind parents that the New Zealand Transport Agency and The New Zealand Police recommended age for cycling to school is 10. All cyclists must wear helmets. Please notify school in writing if your child will be cycling.

Board of Trustees
This is the governing body of the school. It is made up of the Principal, an elected staff representative and five parent representatives. Areas of responsibility include curriculum, finance, personnel, property, policy and consultation. The Board generally meets on the second Monday of each month at 7.30pm in the school staffroom. Meeting dates and more information can be found on the BOT Page of this website.

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C

The Charter
The Charter specifies the goals and objectives of the school and is a legal contract between the Board of Trustees and the Minister of Education. A copy can be borrowed from the office.

Child Safety

Please help the school to promote child safety by encouraging them
(a) to go to and from school in groups

(b) to have and know strategies to deal with approaches by strangers, e.g.

say "no"
note car numbers and colour, etc
walk towards a house where someone is likely to be home
report incidents

We all have a responsibility towards child safety in our community.

Composite Classes
At Russley a decision was made to have composite classes, based on evidence about what makes a positive difference for students.

Academic findings have been mostly positive, some neutral but certainly nothing negative for students in composites. However there is clear evidence that composites do make a significant difference in and provide affective advantages for students i.e. they enhance self esteem, decrease behavioural problems, reduce the impact of labelling, encourage the formation of positive communities and lead to social and academic growth.

The school's commitment to grouping students according to social as well as academic needs has positive outcomes for all. It is what we all know as parents and teachers - when a student feels positive about school they have more chance to be academically and socially successful.

Community Notices
These are displayed on the notice boards in the foyer of the school hall.

Concerns
If you have any concerns, you should see your child's teacher in the first instance. If a resolution cannot be found a senior teacher or the principal will become involved. It is the school's aim to keep concerns/complaints to a minimum by dealing with them promptly. It is advisable to make a specific appointment time for formal discussions.

Curriculum
This follows the National Education Guidelines which form the basis of the school's programmes of work.

D

Dental Clinic

Dental therapists visit the school periodically each year and can be contacted on 349 7234 (South Hornby Dental Clinic). Please download the following attachment for further information regarding this service. Dental Clinic Info.

Disco
The PTA organise a disco for the students at our school 3 times a year, in the hall. Session times and cost are as follows:

Syndicate 1 & 2 - 5.15pm to 6.15pm - $2.00
Syndicate 3 - 6.30pm to 7.30pm - $3.00
Syndicate 4 - 7.45pm to 9.00pm - $4.00

Parents are to drop their children at the door and pick them up at the end of their session. Prompt pickup is appreciated as the children from the next session are eager to be let in, in time for their session to start. No child will be released from the hall without an adult. Please come in to collect your child. The PTA do sell refreshments and glowing novelties, so some spending money is advised, but please do not send your child along with more than a few dollars.

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E

Emergency Contact
In case of emergency (illness or accident) we will telephone you or the emergency number you have given us. Minor accidents can be dealt with by the school staff. If we are unable to contact you we will take your child to the local doctor.

Education Outside the Classroom
Excursions provide an opportunity for first hand experiences that enrich children's learning. We encourage trips on a regular but selective basis. At times parents are encouraged to give assistance and expertise.

Outdoor education activities are organised for Year Five to Year Eight pupils, to provide an opportunity for children to develop valuable social, leisure and survival skills.

F

The First Day of school for a new entrant.
To help the first day go smoothly we suggest

Leave in plenty of time so you are not rushed. Arrive at school in time to get ready before the bell - about 8.40am
Pack some favourite things in your child's lunch (no sweets or flavoured drinks please). Wrap morning tea separately- show your child what is for morning tea so they don't eat all their lunch at interval
Bring your child into the classroom
Stay for a short time to see them settled, explain that you will be back at 2.00pm and then

be firm about

leaving
Try to be positive, relaxed and matter of fact yourself, but be aware you might feel quite emotional about this

step in your child's life

G

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H

Helping your child at school

Family and Community influences can account for as much as 65 % of children's learning according to research both overseas and in New Zealand (Biddulph and Biddulph, 2003)
The school day is only a part of your child's education. There are many ways you can help at home
At school we encourage children to work independently, make decisions and develop responsibility for their own learning. You can encourage this by giving them responsibilities at home
Praise your child's efforts and value things they bring home
If writing things for our child to read, use the printing style used at school. A copy of this will be given to you when your child starts school. Use capital letters only for the beginning of a name or sentence
Play lots of games with numbers and words
Read lots of stories and encourage reading and writing
Set a limit on TV time and encourage your child to be selective in their TV watching
Help with, but don't do, homework
Make sure your child has adequate sleep
Recognise that different children progress at different rates

Be positive-your attitude affects your child.

Head Lice
Head lice like healthy hair. This school is no different from any other in that head lice can occasionally be a problem. The spread of head lice in a classroom can be controlled and prevented by checking your child's hair weekly (eggs take about nine days to hatch).

If lice or eggs are found consult your chemist and notify your child's teacher that the student has been treated before coming back to school. All parents of the class concerned will be asked to check their child's hair.

Health Nurse
The Health Nurse regularly visits the school. If you have concerns about your child's physical, social or emotional health please contact the school for a referral. Please refer to the table at the back of this booklet for infectious disease information.

Hearing and Vision Testing
At age five children have tympanometry, audiometry and vision tested. At age 11 boys have vision and colour vision tested and all children at age 14 have vision tested again through the School Health Service.

Homework
Some form of homework is given at all levels. The school has a general policy based on the following principles:

Homework offers some consolidation, revision and practice of skills
It provides an important liaison between home and school, reinforcing the concept that learning is universal and not confined to classrooms
It helps establish autonomy and independence in learning

It should be noted that:

much of a child's homework is regular, i.e. reading library books, learning tables and spelling words, reading newspapers and watching the news on television
other homework tasks may be set for specific purposes
no child should find homework a source of stress Please contact your child's teacher if you sense that your child is frustrated or unable to cope
homework should not stop children from healthy, worthwhile pursuits such as involvement in sports, etc.

Teachers will advise parents of their routines and expectations. The homework page on this website lists the expectations for homework, and the guidelines for our compulsory and voluntary homework tasks for Syndicates 2, 3 and 4.

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I

ICT

The school employs an ICT teacher who works with teachers in classrooms and in our computer suite with small groups of children. Several of our classrooms use interactive whiteboards and we have 3 'Cows' (Computers on wheels) that house 17 laptops that can be transported to, and used by, any class in our school. These are all internet capable using a wireless internet connection.
ICT is incorporated in all areas of the curriculum and at all levels of our school.

Indoor Footwear
During the winter months children are encouraged to bring suitable footwear, e.g. slippers, for indoors. This helps to keep the noise down when children are compelled to remain indoors and assists in keeping the inside of the school clean.

Individual Needs
Part-time teachers and teacher aides work with individuals and groups of children who require individual needs. These individual needs include E.S.O.L., enrichment and assistance for children with learning difficulties.

J

Jewellery
Jewellery, other than ear studs and watches, is not permitted to be worn at school, unless for cultural or religious reasons. Ear studs are the only earrings allowed to be worn, no dangling or sleeper type earrings.

K

Kea Crossing
Traffic wardens operate at the school gates each morning from 8.30am to 8.50am and from 3.00pm to 3.15pm. Parents supervise road patrol in the mornings. Parents are requested not to bring cars onto the school property and to observe rules relating to double parking and yellow lines. P3 signs outside school indicate drop-off and pick-up areas and times. From time to time we ask parents not to park in areas marked for buses.

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L

Lost Property
The Lost Property bin can be inspected at any time. Named property is returned to the owner. Property is displayed at various times each term.

Leaving the School during School hours
No child leaves the grounds without presenting a note from parents to the teacher.

Library

The school library has a large collection of books - fiction (including picture books), non-fiction and reference books. All classes regularly use the library and it is also open from 1.00 - 1.25pm Monday to Thursday.

Lunch Time
Children are seated for at least 15 minutes while they eat their lunch. They are dismissed for play when the teacher supervising them is satisfied they have eaten most of their lunch.

Lunches (Bought)
Price lists are available in the office foyer and on the school website on the Lunch Orders page. Price changes, though rare, are published in the school newsletter, and will be updated on this site.

M

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Meeting with the Principal
Prospective parents and pupils are most welcome to visit to view the school. Please contact the Office to make an appointment if you wish to meet the principal. She welcomes the opportunity to speak with parents.

Music - Choir and out of School lessons
The students from Years Five to Eight are encouraged to join the school choir which participates in the North West Music Festival and the Christchurch Music Festival. There is also an opportunity for children to join the school orchestra. Out of school tuition is available at school for beginners and more experienced learners of various instruments including violin, piano and keyboard. Violins are available for hire.

N

Newsletters/Notices
A newsletter is sent home to each family fortnightly on a Wednesday and is given to the eldest child in the family to deliver. The newsletter keeps you informed of coming events, school policy changes and matters concerning the everyday running of the school. Please read newsletters carefully and return any slips promptly. A copy is also put on the school website on our newsletter page along with a link to a Wiki that contains all the newsletters for the current year.

O

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P

Personal Property
Children are discouraged from bringing to school any toys, jewellery or any belongings irrelevant to teaching and learning. Most jewellery is not suitable in terms of safety in sport and play. The school can take no responsibility for any such items if they go missing or are damaged.

Photographs
Class photographs are taken every year. Every alternate year individual and family photo's are offered.

Prepare for School
Please prepare your child positively and realistically for school. Independence and social skills are more important than intellectual skills, and attitude is even more important than skills. It is more beneficial that your child comes to school curious and with a willingness to try things out, rather than having mastered certain skills.
However it does help if your child....

can sit and listen to a story
can follow simple instructions
can take turns, co-operate, play and share with others
can cope with a degree of success and failure
can dress and undress him/herself with little assistance including doing up shoes
can toilet him/herself, wash hands and flush the toilet without assistance
can look after his/her own things and put them away
has had lots of experience with scissors, paper, crayons, etc
can recognise his/her own name

You can also help by...

Providing a wide range of experiences
Reading to him/her and fostering a love of books
Familiarising your child with the school grounds by walking through them and playing in them at the weekend
Practising eating school lunches
Giving your child opportunities to be independent and responsible - to do things for themselves
Listening and talking to your child frequently

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Preschoolers
If you are intending to send your child to Russley School it is a good idea to put your name down at the office up to a year ahead. If we have your name and address you will be invited to one of our afternoons for parents of prospective new entrants. Prior to starting school you will be asked to show a copy of your child's birth and immunisation certificates.

Pre-School Visits
About a month before your child is due to start school we will send you a letter arranging two pre-school orientation visits. These will help you and your child see what happens at school and will make the initial adjustment easier.

Prohibited Items
Children may not bring the following items to school

radios/ipods/walkmans
hand held video games
matches
solvents-chemicals
jewellery other than studs and watches
roller blades or roller skates
cigarettes/tobacco
alcohol
chewing gum
sweets
pocket knives
mobile phones

PTA
This group meets monthly in our School Staff Room, normally on the first Monday at 7.30pm. New parents are welcome. Please visit the PTA page on this website for more information and contact details.

Q

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R

Reporting to Parents
The teachers report formally on three occasions:

Term 1: February: Meet the Teacher Evening - a chance to meet the Board, Parents and Staff for informal discussions. Teachers are available in their rooms for part of the evening. Towards the end of Terms 1, 2 and 3 a one page update on Literacy, Numeracy and Social progress is sent home.

Term 2: Oral reporting to parents about the achievement and progress of their children takes place before Queens Birthday. Students may attend those meetings for goal setting.

Term 3: Written literacy and numeracy report sent home to Parents.

Term 4: November: A summative written statement to parents is sent home early December.

Teachers are also available, by appointment, to discuss progress of their children.

Rules
For a copy of our School rules please click on the following link. School Rules

S

School Trips and Activities
The children are involved in a variety of trips and activities during the year which complement the school curriculum. The school office sends out invoices to parents at the beginning of each term for the activities planned for that term. The system is designed to save parents and teachers the trouble of continually processing small amounts of money and to assist in budgeting for the term. Please pay promptly as the school needs to keep accounts up to date.

Skateboards
Skateboarders are NOT permitted to use the school grounds to ride their skateboards. The use of school benches and low walls by skateboarders causes considerable damage and can subsequently lead to being unsafe for our children. Offenders caught skateboarding on school property will be reported to the Police.

Smokefree Policy
The Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act 2003, requires that the buildings and grounds of schools and early childhood centres are Smoke Free at all times.

Spelling Lists - Syndicate 3
For information regarding the Spelling Homework for Syndicate 3 please click here

Starting School at 5 years of age
Starting school is an important milestone in the life of a child. It is a time of change and adjustment both on the part of the child and his/her parents. However you can overstress its importance. Some children have such a build up they become unnecessarily concerned and fearful - others develop unrealistic expectations and are disappointed. Your child may be tired for the first few weeks and some behaviours may regress but they will adjust. All children go home at 2pm for four weeks.

Stationery
During the first week of each year class packs of stationery are sold through the school.Throughout the year individual items of stationery may be purchased from the school office between 8.30 and 8.50am. Price lists are on the school website.

Sunhats
As part of the requirements in our Sunsafe Policy, regulation sunhats are to be worn in Terms 1 and 4. These are navy blue and have a wide brim. NB. Caps do not meet our Sun Safe Requirements.

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T

Technology
Year Seven and Eight students travel by bus to Kirkwood Intermediate one afternoon a week for specialist technology, hard/soft materials, food and electronics.

Traffic Safety
Traffic wardens operate at the school gates on our Kea Crossing, each morning from 8.30am to 8.50am and from 3.00pm to 3.15pm. Parents supervise road patrol in the mornings. Parents are requested not to bring cars up the drive onto the school property and to observe rules relating to double parking and yellow lines. P3 signs outside school indicate drop-off and pick-up areas and times. From time to time we ask parents not to park in areas marked for buses. Please do not do U-Turns, or double-park along the stretch of road that our wardens patrol, as this obstructs their view while they are establishing safe times for our students to cross the road.

Travel Plan
Christchurch City Council has sponsored the development of the Russley Primary School Travel Plan. School travel plans aim to support and encourage children to safely walk, scooter or bus with their parents, caregivers or friends to and from school where possible. More information can be found on the 'Travel Plan' page of this website on the 'Information for Parents' page.

U

Use of School Grounds
Entry onto the school grounds after hours is a privilege - not a right. We ask that any children using the school grounds and/or playground after hours are supervised by an adult and that children stay well away from school buildings. Skateboarding is not permitted in school grounds.

Uniform
Students are encouraged to wear school uniform and we ask for your support in this regard.
Information relating to our school uniform can be found on the uniform page on this website.

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V

Video Surveillance
The grounds of Russley School are under video surveillance after hours.

Voluntary Donations
Each year the Board of Trustees asks for voluntary donations to supplement the school's budget. These donations are essential to support and enhance many aspects of the school curriculum and activities. The donations may be made each term or as one annual payment.