Absence:
If your child is absent from school we ask that you ring and leave us a message, with a reason for absence on the answer phone before school to advise us. Phone : 444 3105. This allows us to account for the whereabouts of all children each day.
If your child has an appointment or is leaving the school during the day, a parent / caregiver must firstly come to the school office to sign the student out of school.
If your child is late for school on any day, he / she must go to the school office prior to going to class.
If your child is ill for more than five days we request a medical certificate. Please be aware that any unexplained or frequent absences unaccompanied by a medical certificate may be referred to Student Support Services.
Appointments with Staff:
Classroom teachers have all day teaching commitments. We would therefore appreciate you contacting them when they are free from their classes. If you have a concern it is best to make an appointment (preferably after school hours).
After School Care:
From June 16 2008, Kea Kids Club is providing quality after school care at Windy Ridge School from 3pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Enrolment forms are available from the school office.
Children’s Belongings:
We strongly recommend that children do not bring toys or other treasures to school. It is never a happy time if treasured belongings are lost or broken. Please note: there are to be no electronic games, chewing gum, bubblegum, skateboards, scooters (unless there is a special wheels day), cellphones, radios, cassette players, inappropriate books, matches, hazardous equipment or toys and alcohol.
Concerns and Complaints:
In the first instance, concerns should be directed to the staff member concerned. If this is not possible, or the matter has not been resolved after initial contact, it should then go to an Associate Principal or the Principal. You are welcome to view this policy at the office or on our webpage (under construction) if you want more clarification.
Contact Details:
All parents are asked to provide alternative contact in case of emergency. It is in your child’s interest that we know how to contact parents or someone nominated by them at short notice. Please notify the school office if your phone number is changed or the contact number is changed.
Dental Therapist:
The Dental Nurse for Windy Ridge works out of Glenfield Intermediate. You can contact them on ph 444 6160
Education Outside the Classroom
From time to time, classes organise excursions out of the school grounds. We believe that these excursions are a vital part of the school programme. These activities are not undertaken unless we consider there is educational merit. We endeavour to give reasonable notice of dates and costs associated with any trip.
Enviro-School
We are an Enviro-school where children are active participants in nurturing our living landscape. Children garden and help plan future developments around the school such as vegetable gardens, orchards and developing a working greenhouse. The grounds are amazing and we invite you to come for a visit.
ESOL:
Windy Ridge School runs support programmes for speakers of other languages. This support varies according to the individual student’s ability with English.
Guitar Lessons:
4Front’ School of Guitar are beginning lessons in week three at Windy Ridge School. Lessons are held during school on Wednesday afternoons starting the 20th of February. Lessons include a free parents Lesson in the second term and a free VIP card for Mainline MusicWorks. If you are interested in the guitar lessons this term please contact Dean Pendergrast (BE, Dip Tchg) on 0800 787866or email dean@schoolofguitar.co.nz. Or for more information on 4Front School of Guitar lessons visit www.schoolofguitar.co.nz.
Hats:
All students are required to wear hats when outside during Terms 1 & 4. Any children not wearing hats will be confined to the shade areas. Named hats need to be provided from home.
Homework:
It is appreciated that parents have their own interests to share with their children outside school hours. Those experiences are important to their development and are to be encouraged. All children are encouraged to be involved in regular reading activities at home using books from school, home or the local library. In addition to this, children in the Y3-6 area may be required to do a variety of tasks that could involve basic skills practice (e.g. spelling, math tables, word study, topic related activities, etc) , and/or completion of work. No child is expected to spend large amounts of time on school–related tasks at home. As a general rule, we suggest that children spend no more than 30 minutes per night.
Kapa Haka and Te Reo:
Kapa Haka starts at the junior level and is an optional component of our weekly timetable. Children are taught powhiri, waiata, poi, and haka. They perform throughout the year at assemblies, festivals and community events. A whanau group is being developed to support Te Reo in our school.
Nau mai, haere mai, tautokotia te kaupapa. (Welcome, come and support us).
Kindergarten:
We enjoy happy working relationships with all pre-school institutions. To make the entry into school as easy as possible for the ‘New Entrants’ we encourage all children who are about to turn 5 years of age to attend some pre-school visits. These pre-school visits, which will enable both parents and child to become comfortable in the school environment, are held on Wednesday mornings between 9.30 and 10.30am. We try to have at least two visits prior to starting school. During the visit the pre-school children will work/ play alongside the children already at school. Parents stay with children during the visits.
Library:
Children are encouraged to take home library books on a regular basis. Please ensure that the books are well looked after and returned to school promptly before or on the due date.
Lost Property:
Please ensure that all clothing and other items are named. All lost property is kept in the Caretaker's shed. Items not collected by the end of each term are put in the clothing bins.
Lunchroom:
The school provides the opportunity for students to purchase their lunch on a Wednesday from our lunchroom. We askfor lunch money to be sent in a sealed envelope, clearly named, and with the room number and the requested lunch order written CLEARLY on the outside. Please supply one envelope per child as each class has their own lunch bin. Lunch orders will be delivered back to classrooms at lunchtime.
Medication:
Emergency medication can be kept at School on arrangement at the Office, i.e. Asthma inhalers, after signing appropriate forms. Please enquire at the office. Please do not allow your child’s medicine to be kept in their classrooms/school bags since this may be a danger to other children. If your child is taking antibiotics etc, we suggest that they are taken at home, before school, after school and before bed.
Money:
It is our policy to advise parents in writing if money is required at School. We cannot accept responsibility for money lost by students. Any money which is sent to school should be in a named and sealed envelope, with what it is for clearly stated on the outside. No money should be put on the teacher’s table. It should be given to the teacher or taken directly to the office.
New Entrant Enrolments:
A Birth Certificate for your child is required when enrolling a New Entrant. Children cannot be admitted before their 5th birthday. The Government demands that we sight the Immunisation Certificate of our New Entrant children. Please provide this information on enrolment. See further information regarding new entrants under Kindergarten below.
Newsletters:
A weekly newsletter comes home each Wednesday and it is also published on our website. Please check your child’s bag and /or log on to read it.
Music/Choir:
Windy Ridge School provides students from Y3-6 the opportunity toparticipate in the school choir. This allows them to contribute, practise, and develop many musical elements and skills. Students are encouraged to celebrate their singing through regular rehearsals and performances within the school and community.
Office Hours:
The school office is open from 8.30am– 3.30pm during term times. It is also open for limited hours during holidays. Please leave a message if you call outside these hours.
Parent Help:
Parent help is welcome, especially for trips, sport, and cultural activities and, in the classrooms. Please contact teachers if you would like to offer your services. If you would like to assist in classrooms you will be provided with a small leaflet outlining everything you will need to know.
Pedestrian Crossing:
The crossing is manned by a parent and traffic wardens from 8.30 in the morning until the start of school and at 2.55-3.15pm by a teacher. Would you please encourage children who need to cross Seaview Rd, to use the safety crossing, both before and after school. Parents using the crossing are asked to set an example to students by following the warden’s instructions. We also have children on crossing duty on Valley View Road after school only.
Parent Teacher Association ( P.T.A):
This group is an integral part of the school and are responsible for all fundraising throughout the year. We aim to raise funds each year from a variety of activities and the funds raised are used to provide ‘extras’ the school needs. We appreciate your support on any fundraising ventures.
Physical Education:
Physical education is a part of the New Zealand School Curriculum. All children are expected to take part unless a note outlining the reason for non participation in any given session is forwarded to the classroom teacher. Please ensure that your child has suitable clothing and footwear when taking part in P.E and sport sessions/ events.
Religious Education Programme:
Our school has a Bible in Schools Programme for Rooms 5, 6, 9 and 10 for 30 minutes every Thursday 1.35-2.05 pm. This is NON-DENOMINATIONAL. If you wish your child to participate you will need to complete and return a permission slip (in the enrolment pack), before they will be able to take part. There is a $6.00 charge that will need to be paid also before children can take part.
Reporting to Parents:
The school regularly reports to parents on their children’s progress and achievements. This is done formally through conferences and a written report. We also encourage parents/ caregivers to contact the school if they are concerned about their child’s progress and wish to discuss matters with the teacher. An interview time should be arranged either directly with the teacher or through the school office. Please note that on Parent Discussion days the school finishes at 1.50pm. Prior notification of these events are always published within the school newsletter.
School Donations
The school donations for 2010 are as follows:-1 child- $140 reduced to $120 if paid by end of March 20102 or more children- $220, reduced to $200 if paid by the end of March These can be paid by term or in bulk for the year by cash, cheques at the school office, or by electronic banking. Your co-operation in the payment of these donations would be appreciated as these assist in the funding of teaching resources.
School Hours
8.55-10.30 Classes
10.30-10.50 Morning Break
10.50-12.30 Classes
12.30-1.30 Lunch
1.30-3.00 Classes
For safety reasons, children are not to enter the school grounds before 8.30am
Please refer to the after School Care section in this booklet. Please note that classes begin at 8.55am so children need to be at school by 8.45am in order to unpack their bags and organise themselves prior to the first bell.
Sport
Windy Ridge is an active school and with parent support we offer a range of sporting opportunities throughout the year. Older children have the opportunity represent our school in the local area in many endeavours such as softball, cross country, athletics, hockey and aerobics.
Stationery
For convenience and to ensure uniformity, the school sells stationery to pupils at competitive prices. An initial list of requirements is given early in the year. For replacement items throughout the year, please see your child’s teacher.
Terms and Holiday Dates for 2010
Term 1 - Wednesday 3 February to Thursday 1 April
Term 2- Monday 19 April to Friday 2 July
Public Holidays– Queen’s Birthday—Monday 7 June.
Term 3- Monday 19 July to Friday 24 September.
Term 4- Monday 11 October to Thursday 16 December
Public Holidays—Labour day— Monday 25 October.
Uniforms
The school does not have any uniform; however, we expect children to be dressed in a tidy, clean and appropriate manner.
