F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of things that you may need to know…
please contact us directly if you have more questions.
ABSENCES
It is sometimes necessary for parents to take children from school during school hours. Please advise the class teacher when the child is leaving as this will save confusion or worry as to the child’s whereabouts.
ACCESS TO PUPILS
ASSEMBLIES
Assemblies are held each Wednesday at 2.30pm. Assemblies celebrate the diversity of learning experiences and achievements throughout the school and bring the community together each week. Classes and individuals regularly share their learning. Parents and members of the community are encouraged and welcome to attend.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETINGS
These are held monthly, usually on the third Thursday, at 5.30pm, in the staffroom. All parents and community members are welcome to attend. To find out about dates and times please refer to the school newsletter.
BOOK CLUB
BUSES
We have a school bus run from Schollum Road, Whangateau to Leigh School (and return).
Children will be eligible if they live at least 3.2 km from the school. Please ask at the school office for information on where the school bus stops and the times.
We currently do not have a bus run from the Pakiri direction, however, your child may be eligible for a conveyance financial allowance if they are at primary school and live at least 3.2kms from school (and are in our school catchment area). Please speak to Principal Kerrin Jamieson about this if you think it may apply to your family.
CAMPS AND OUTDOOR EDUCATION
From time to time teachers will want to use the local physical environment as part of their planned educational activities. Parents are needed at such times for supervisory, safety purposes but also to be involved with the children and class programmes.
As a general rule of thumb Outdoor Education Camps or major trips involving overnight stays are confined to the Senior Classes and are usually undertaken once a year. The BOT checks over and approves the RAMS (Risk Analysis Management Systems) forms for all camps or outdoor education trips.
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
CLASS TRIPS
Buses are used wherever practicable and economically viable. On some trips, a small financial contribution may be required. Otherwise we use parent transport.
A parent pupil ratio of 1 adult per 6 children is required for most trips. Near water or in the bush the ratio is 1:4. Parents are needed and encouraged to come on school or class trips and support this valuable form of extension learning.
The school has a policy on trips and it can be requested from the Principal.
COMPLAINTS
If a complaint remains unresolved, it should then be referred to the Principal for further investigation. From there, if no resolution is met, then the complaint can be put into writing to be addressed by the Board of Trustees.
If the person complaining does not feel that justice has been done please follow the guidelines in the Policy. Any complaints that relate to the dealings that children have with each other are to be referred to the Principal.
The policy can be requested from the Principal.
CYBERSAFETY (Internet Safety)
DENTAL TREATMENT
If parents have any dental concerns or emergency work needing attention for their children, they can ring the Warkworth Primary School Clinic during work hours and make an appointment.
DONATION / FEES
The Boards of Trustees opt in to the Governments Donations Scheme. This means the Boards does not ask students’ families and whānau for donations, except for overnight camps. The Board may still require payment for items or services that are extra-curricula.
ENROLMENTS
A standard enrolment form prepared by the New Zealand Principal’s Federation is used when new pupils enrol at the school. Parents of 5 year olds enrolling for the first time are asked to bring the child’s birth certificate and immunisation certificate when enrolling.
The school welcomes parents who would like to come and speak with teachers and the Principal about school programmes before enrolment. We will make a time to show you around the school and can usually introduce you to other parents with similar aged children if you wanted to chat informally about the school.
Children attending Leigh Preschool will be invited to do a number of school visits prior to starting to help make the transition easy for them.
FIRST AID
HATS
HOMEWORK
Homework consists of reading each night, a maths game/ basic facts practice and a small spelling list. Please begin to set time aside for reading every night, especially if your child has not been reading in the holidays (10 to 15 minutes is ideal). You may like to revisit the high frequency spelling word lists as well. Please help your children to remember to do their tasks.
HOURS
Start 9.00 am
Interval 11.00 am – 11.20 am
Lunch 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm
Home 3.00 pm
HOUSES
LIBRARY BOOKS
We have an up to date library and purchase new books throughout the year.
A major renovation of the library has been worked on since 2014 and we are hopeful this will be carried out in 2020. In addition to the large collection of new books we were able to recently purchase (thanks to Warkworth Rotary and the Chenery Memorial Trust), ‘Access-It’ software has been installed which is an integrated whole-of-school information management system for staff and students. It also provides a great resource for the older children to be able to do research online.
The final stage is to purchase exciting ‘innovative learning environment’ style furniture, to make the library an interesting and inspirational place in which the children choose to spend their time.
The school strongly encourages children to take home library books to increase their recreational reading. Each class has a weekly timetabled library time in which to choose and return books. The children may take a maximum of three books out of the Library at a time.
Parents may also take books out of the school library for home reading with their children.
LOST PROPERTY
We encourage children to look after their clothing and take it home at night. We endeavour to return misplaced articles of clothing as they are found. However, we still end up with a huge amount of lost property that does not get claimed. Unclaimed articles are kept in a lost property bin. Lost Property is regularly during assemblies. Named clothing ensures prompt return. Lost Property not claimed goes to the Hospice at the end of each term.
Parents are welcome to check lost property at any time and this is kept in the administration foyer.
NEWSLETTERS
A digital weekly newsletter is sent home every Wednesday to keep parents informed of school events and matters concerning the everyday running of the school. The newsletter is also emailed out to parents and members of the community who would prefer an electronic version – please email us if you would like to be added to this list. Newsletters are also uploaded onto this website. In addition, school news is printed in the local ‘Leigh Rag’ community newsletter monthly.
PARENT HELP IN CLASSROOMS
Parent helpers usually assist in writing, reading and mathematics programmes. Anyone interested in participating in these programmes is invited to contact the Principal or a classroom teacher.
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
REPORTING TO PARENTS
In addition to this, parents are welcome and encouraged to discuss their child’s progress with teachers at any time during the year, and an appointment need only be requested, or call in after school for an informal chat.
SPORT (INTER SCHOOL TOURNAMENTS)
There are a variety of inter school sports events on the school calendar for each year. These events are regarded as official school days and children are expected to attend (usually Year 4 upwards). The events give the children the opportunity to interact with other children who may come from different social, economic and ethnic backgrounds. Schools in the district which usually take part are: Ahuroa, Kaipara Flats, Matakana, Mahurangi Christian School, Snells Beach and Warkworth. Fixed calendar events are: Swimming (March), Netball and Soccer (June), Cross Country (August), Hockey (September), Athletics and Tabloid Sports (December).
STATIONERY
A full supply of stationery is kept at the school office. Children are given a list of stationery requirements at the beginning of the year and when extra books are needed during the year, children may purchase them from the office. At the end of 2020 all stationery will be purchased online and delivered to homes over the holiday period.
2020 Stationery lists
Te Waipuna Te Awa Y2 Te Awa Y3 Te Moana
SUMMER FESTIVAL
SWIMMING
The pool has a cover that is used nightly in summer to keep the heat in so it is warmer for swimming – thanks to the Leigh & Districts Ex Services & Community Club for funding this back in 2014.
Keys to the pool are sold for $60 for the summer for recreational use out of school hours.
Please view our Leigh School Pool User’s Code prior to using the pool.
TEACHER AIDE
The Teacher Aide provides learning support within the classroom for children with needs in specific areas. We currently have one highly experienced Teacher Aide – Liz Brown.
UNIFORM T SHIRTS
Blue polo shirts with the Leigh School logo printed on them are available for purchase through the office or on loan through the school for such events.
It is a great help to staff if all sweatshirts, T shirts, footwear etc are named for easy identification.
USE OF SCHOOL GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS
The School’s facilities are available to all members of the Leigh Community. Classrooms are available for meetings by contacting the Principal. We ask that everyone respect our outdoor equipment and take responsibility for their children outside school hours. Dogs are not permitted on the school grounds.
VALUABLES AT SCHOOL
WORKING BEES WITH FoL & THE BoT
VOLUNTEER READING PROGRAMME
This programme provides for one to one oral reading practise with parents or members of the community. Helpers give 1 hour per week and each child receives 15 minutes reading time, each day that a helper is available. Contact Kerrin Jamieson if you are interested in volunteering for this worthwhile programme.