2015
HANDBOOK FOR STAFF
Dear Staff
This handbook has been put together in order to have some of the ‘things that happen around here’ put down in writing. It is intended to make procedures clear for all staff. As with such a manual it is impossible to include everything in it, but as with most things in life a good dollop of commonsense usually goes a long way.
The manual is broken into the following sections:
- Curriculum
Planning
Assessment
Timetables
School-Wide Foci
Student Achievement Targets
Classroom Displays
Students’ Book Work
Marking of Student Work / Effective Feedback
Homework
Staff Meetings
- Financial Information
Budget
Collection of Money
Purchasing Items off Site
Purchasing on Site
School Accounts
- Health and Safety
Accident Book
Cell Phones
Emergency Drills
EOTC Procedures
EOTC Serious Emergency Guidelines
First Aid Kits
Medical Room
Medication
Security and Personal Safety
Smoke Free
- General Administration
Term Dates
Absences – Staff & Students
Assemblies
Electronic Attendance Registers (EARs)
Bicycles / Scooters
Board of Trustees
Classrooms and Cloakrooms
Classroom Relationships
Communication:
Concerns or Problems
Communications with Parents
Duty
Grounds
Hall and other Teaching Space Use
ICT Equipment
Library
Lost Property
Moving Rooms at the end of the Year
Newsletters
Office Area Space
Office Staff, Responsibilities and Hours
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Release Days
Scholastic Book Orders
Sign In / Sign Out Book
School Donations
School Hours
Stationery
Teacher Registration
Uniform
Paul Dolan
2015 STAFF
Principal Paul Dolan
Deputy Principal Jo Dudley
Year 1 Syndicate
Room 21 (NE/Year 1) Mary Pithey
Room 15 (NE/Year 1) Nicole Drake
Room 16 (NE/Year 1) Ruth Davis
Room 17 (NE/Year 1) Shirley Haynes
Room 13 (Year 1) Julia Hinman
Room 14 (Year 1) Anna Wylie (Syndicate Leader)
Room 9 (Year 1) Richard Oakly
Year 2 Syndicate
Room 10 (Year 2) Felicity Scott
Room 11 (Year 2) Margaret Stewart
Room 12 (Year 2) Nicky Frisby (Syndicate Leader)
Middle Syndicate
Room 18 (Year 4) Belinda Kennedy (Syndicate Leader)
Room 5 (Year 3) Sandra Davey
Room 7 (Year 3) Amy Sugrue
Room 6 (Year 4) Tanya Kenworthy
Room 8 (Year 3) Hannah Hughes/Sarah McClelland
Room 4 (Year 4) Ian Harrison
Senior Syndicate
Room 1 (Year 5/6) Wendy Hay
Room 2 (Year 5/6) Richard Langley
Room 3 (Year 5/6) Gretchen Cocks (Syndicate Leader)
Room 19 (Year 5/6) Hannah Lumsden
Room 20 (Year 5/6) Mick Withers
ESOL – Anne Wooldridge
ESOL – Kirsten Aaron
Learning Support / Reading Recovery – Gill Latimer
SUPPORT STAFF
Marlene Roets - Executive Officer/Principal’s PA
Jocelyn Hollis - Finance & Payroll
Renata Edwards – Receptionist
Margaret Kitney - Librarian/ ICT
Vivienne Gin - Learning Support
Rosemary Hong – ESOL
Leone Brunell – ESOL
Marilyn Hore - Learning Support
Nicola Hew - Learning Support
Bronwyn Durdin - Learning Support
Delwyn McKenzie – Orchestra
Gordon Pike – Caretaker
Mei Xiu Nong – Cleaner
Cui Ming Li – Cleaner
Hardianto Liswoyo - Cleaner
Deputy Principal Responsibilities
Our Deputy Principal has the following areas of responsibility:
Jo Dudley
- Learning Support (Learning Needs / G&T)
- Assessment, Achievement & Reporting
- Leading Learning (Pedagogy / Inquiry / e-Learning)
- EOTC
- School Council / Road Patrol
- Curriculum Development Leader
- Student Welfare (Behaviour Management)
- Extension Maths (Year 5&6)
2015 Units
As a result of our staffing entitlement provided by the Ministry of Education based on our July 1, 2014 roll return; we are entitled to 27 units in 2015.
The following management positions will have the following units.
- Deputy Principal (JD) – 5 International Leaders– 3 (AB – 1, KA-2)
- Year 1 Syndicate Leader (LA) – 2 Year 2 Syndicate Leader (NF) – 2
- Middle Syndicate Leader (BK) – 2 Senior Syndicate Leader (GC) – 2
TOTAL – 16 units
- After consultation with staff regarding what areas of responsibility should receive units for 2014 and discussing this with the management team, the additional areas/responsibilities and the people responsible that will receive units this year will be:
- Maths – Tanya Kenworthy Literacy – Gretchen Cocks
- Sport – Richard Langley Music – Erica Robson
- Taha Maori – Richard Oakly International Transition – Anne Wooldridge
- PE – Margaret Stewart & Felicity Scott Kapa Haka/Pasifica Group – Mick Withers
Visual Art – Ruth Davis & Julia Hinman Environment – Belinda Kennedy
TOTAL - 10
- It is important to note that these units are fixed-term and relate to the role not the person.
CURRICULUM
Planning
All staff are expected to plan thoroughly to deliver the requirements of the New Zealand Curriculum as expressed in the New Zealand Curriculum Statements and defined in the school’s Curriculum Programme. (NAG 1(i))
Teachers are expected to use assessment data to identify the needs of groups and individuals and use this information to ensure that planning will meet the specific needs of the students in their care. (NAG 1 (iii))
The school is divided into four syndicates: Each area of the school has a Syndicate Leader who are responsible for the organisation of each syndicate and to ensure that the school’s curriculum programmes are incorporated into teachers’ long-term plans. Syndicates are expected to plan co-operatively.
In 2013, a ‘Minimum Planning Requirements’ sheet was developed in order to clarify expectations and endeavour to develop consistency across the school.
Ilam School Minimum Planning Requirements
In order to ensure consistency across the school the following minimum planning requirements have been developed by all teaching staff in September 2013.
Long Term Plans – Containing the Subjects / Themes being taught each term. These will be developed within syndicate teams, with individual tweaks and adjustments made by individual teachers.
Timetable – An overview of where everything fits.
Unit Plans - Unit Plans should exist for integrated topics / inquiry topics, literacy and maths. While Unit Plans for different curriculum areas may differ in their layout, as a general guide unit plans should include:
- Learning Area
- Strand and Levels of Curriculum
- Achievement Objectives
- Big Idea / Concepts / Key Learning Statement
- Learning Intentions
- Links to Key Competencies
- E-Learning integration
- Te Reo/Taha Maori integration
Lesson Sequence - Learning experiences/activities
Differentiation of Children’s abilities – Groupings/Rotations
Assessment
Resources
- Unit Evaluation / Reflection
Statements of Intent – for subjects such as handwriting, fitness, spelling.
Weekly Plans / Modelling Books – Weekly plans and modelling books may merge to a degree. You are not required to double up on any requirements.
These contain the specifics of each week. Planning is required for Reading, Writing and Maths. Planning in Weekly Plans and/or Modelling Books will contain the following:
- Date
- Purpose / Audience
- Learning Intentions / WALT
- Success Criteria
- Groupings and Rotations including DATs
- Follow up activities
- Resources
- Evaluation / Reflection
There should be a clear link with your planning from Long Term Plans to Unit Plans to Weekly Plans to Modelling Books
Assessment
- Children should be assessed against the learning intentions and success criteria of the unit and anecdotal notes recorded re children’s achievement, observations etc.
- Teachers are encouraged to use a three-point assessment scale (E.g. 1,2,3 – refer to ‘Assessment Sheet’ in ‘School Org 2013). Please ensure there is a ‘key’ on your assessment folder indicating what your particular scale indicates.
- There should be evidence of assessment in ALL curriculum areas. For longer units it is expected that there would be anecdotal notes/observation notes accompanying the assessment marks.
Timetables
Timetables are expected to be prepared before the beginning of each term. Current copies are to be available for syndicate leaders, deputy principals and the principal, and a copy displayed on classroom walls.
The timetable should reflect the overall needs of the class but must accommodate NAG 1(i) by providing all students with opportunities to achieve success in all the essential learning areas.
2015 Student Achievement Targets
To be confirmed by the end of February. These will be based around the National Standards.
Classroom Displays
Teachers are expected to maintain an inviting, stimulating and interesting classroom environment. Classroom displays are expected to:
- Be relevant to recent or current study.
- Be clearly and meaningfully labeled.
- Share learning intentions and success criteria
- Represent the work of students.
- Be regularly updated.
- Provide good role models of work to inspire and encourage students.
There is also the expectation that classrooms will be functionally tidy and free from hazards.
Students’ Book Work
Teachers are expected to ensure student work is of an appropriate standard. The expected standards of work provided by students should be discussed in syndicate meetings in order to determine standards and ensure consistency throughout the syndicate. If work is not of an acceptable standard pages should not be ripped from books, instead the offending work can be ruled out or pages stapled together.
Marking of Student Work
Teachers are required to mark student work regularly and thoroughly as this aspect of teacher practice contributes to improved student learning. It is expected that teachers will provide students with constructive feedback about the progress they are making and about the accuracy and quality of their work and how to improve their efforts.
Effective Feedback
Recent research has indicated assessment without good feedback may have little or no impact on the quality of learning.
Effective feedback should:
- be specific in both the positive and the critical (don’t give too much!)
- relate to the learning intention and/or success criteria
- offer alternatives, or ask the learner to do so
- use words rather than just grades / marks
- focus on the task not the person
- be given as soon as possible after the event
- identify the next steps to improve performance
- involve the learner wherever possible, to improve the chance of it being understood and acted upon.
Homework
Homework should reflect the general ability of the children in the syndicate. It is important that syndicates are consistent with their homework practice, however the needs of a particular year group may be different from another and as such the older year groups homework may be more challenging. Any changes to homework must be discussed with syndicate leaders before it is issued to children.
Staff Meetings
- Staff meetings are normally held fortnightly on a Tuesday from 3.20 pm – 5.00 pm for professional development. These are usually held in classrooms and ‘hosted’ by individual teachers.
- Syndicate meetings are held every alternate fortnight on a Tuesday after school or as required.
- Leadership meetings are held once per week on a Monday afternoon from 3:20 in the principal’s office.
- An administration meeting for staff is held every week on a Friday morning from 8:10 – 8:30 in the staffroom.
All teachers are expected to attend all meetings and are asked to be at meetings on time. There may be occasions when because of various reasons, meeting times and days may differ.
Our Values
In 2013, the staff looked at the values at Ilam. Values are described as beliefs about what is important or desirable. They encourage thinking from children and are expressed through the ways in which people speak and act. Many schools in New Zealand have a set of values; in essence they have replaced the old ‘school rules’.
Ilam School has had a number of ‘values’ used in classrooms over the past 3-4 years. There are the values incorporated with the ‘Mahi Pai – Do the Right Thing’ model. There are the values associated with the school’s ‘REACH’ model and there are the values spoken about in the school’s charter. These are outlined below:
Mahi Pai- Do the right thing
- Respect others, yourself and the environment.
- Know the safe places to be and play safely.
- Give everything a go, be positive and care for each other.
- Use your manners and be kind.
- Fly high! Aim for excellence! Aim for success!
The REACH model was based on a rocket taking off and had the five key words of:
- Respect
- Excellence
- Achievement
- Co-operation
- Honesty
The school’s charter listed our values as being:
- Excellence: aiming high and persevering, being resilient, facing challenges, being committed and being the best you can be.
- Integrity: being respectful, loyal, trustworthy, tolerant, honest, accountable and empathetic. To know and value self and to be a good citizen.
All of these are good models and sets of values, however, it was agreed that having a variety of models leads to confusion as to what is used, where, and when. In order to simplify things we have taken the models above and merged them into one model. In essence, what we have endeavoured to do is ‘bottle’ the great culture, standards and expectations that exist at Ilam, so that we are able to clearly articulate the key values that we hold important. The model we have come up with is as follows:
I’m sure you will be able to think of other values that could be added. We felt it was important to limit the values to four key words that could be easily remembered by everyone: staff, children and parents, and had real meaning as to what is held important here. They will be part of the ‘every day’ curriculum, being talked about both inside and outside the classroom. The aim is that they are not only known by the children but also our children ‘live’ (act/behave/model) these values independently in their day-to-day lives.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Budget
Everyone is required to keep within our budgeted expenditure. It is the responsibility of the curriculum leader to ensure the budget is adhered to and to keep an accurate account of expenditure. Please only purchase items required for the budgeted areas e.g. all books bought for the library must come out of the library budget. Updates of budget spending are available from Joce Hollis. ALL financial spending should be completed by the end of Term 3.
Collection of Money
Money for stationery, trips etc is to be handed into the office ‘slot’ by children or parents, where Joce carries out record keeping and banking. Occasionally this may differ for one off events such as mufti day.
Purchasing Items off Site
When purchasing curriculum related resources off site you will need to pay for these yourself.
Once again please ensure that you have sought approval from the related curriculum leader before
ordering resources. Once resources have been purchased, fill out a reimbursement form, attach
the receipts and give the form to Marlene Roets.
We will endeavour to deposit money into your bank account within a day or two of receiving your
receipts. If you require reimbursement sooner than this, please advise Joce or Paul.
Please ensure Joce has your correct bank account number.
Purchasing on Site
When purchasing curriculum related resources for Ilam School either by phone or from a sales representative, please ensure that you have sought approval from the related curriculum leader and that you use an order ‘number’. The order number is your first name and then the curriculum area. E.g. Paul/Maths.
In this way when resources arrive, office staff are easily able to identify who has ordered what resources
School Accounts
Statements are sent home to families at least once a term detailing costs of school trips/activities. Syndicate Leaders will organise the costs of trips/activities and advise Joce by way of the notice that is being sent home to parents and a breakdown of costs. Joce must check any notices to families involving money, before the notices are sent out to families.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Accident Book
Moderately serious and serious injuries must be written up on a detailed accident form available in the office. This includes any such injuries incurred during EOTC activities, including camps. Please note that if you are injured at work, this MUST also be recorded for ACC purposes in the Accident Register.
Cell Phones
A cell phone must be taken by a staff member on any trip outside of the school grounds.
Some children bring cell phones to school in order to communicate with parents or caregivers before or after school. If children do this, they are encouraged to hand their phone to their teacher at the start of the school day and collect it at the end of the day. For security reasons children are not advised to leave cell phones in their bags during the school day. Cell phones are NOT to be used by children during the school day.
Emergency Drills
These will be held at regular intervals throughout the year e.g. once a term. Teachers are expected to take a roll call in order to ensure all children are accounted for.
Make sure ‘Evacuation Procedure’ sheets are displayed prominently in your room and you are familiar with the set routines. If unsure, ask Jo Dudley to seek clarification.
EOTC Procedures
Please ensure that you follow the school’s EOTC procedures when taking children outside of the school grounds. As is stated in the current Ministry of Education Guidelines, “All teachers have a duty of care to their students. Teachers may be held accountable if they have deliberately failed to follow the safety procedures set by the school or acted in an unprofessional, negligent or careless manner that directly contributes to the incident.” For all queries or advice, please see Jo Dudley
EOTC Serious Emergency Guidelines
Traumatic Incident - A traumatic incident is an event that:
• causes sudden and/or significant disruption to the operation, or effective operation, of a school or community
• affects a large number of students or staff
• creates significant dangers or risks to the physical and emotional well being of students within a community and
• attracts media attention or results in a public profile for the school.
Examples include sudden death, witnessing serious injury or death, threats to the safety of students
or staff, an individual behaving in a dangerous or threatening manner, a lost or missing student or staff member, floods, fires, earthquakes or other community crises or natural disasters
A Teacher’s Place Of Work
A teacher’s place of work is where they happen to be working, including on and off site locations for EOTC activities. This would include in the school grounds, at a museum, on a bus, in or by a river and at a school camp or sports venue.
Communication Lines During A Serious Incident On An EOTC Event - This document
is in the Ilam School EOTC folder under “EOTC Procedures and Requirements” and contains the flow diagram of the procedure you follow.
EOTC Contact List is in the EOTC folder under “EOTC RAMS and Assess” and lists numerous contact numbers for staff to use in the case of a variety of incidents. Some of these are generic and are already filled in with the current numbers. Teachers however will need to complete other numbers relevant to the activity or camp in relation to the area they are in; take this with them to the event and leave a copy at school.
Issues Contacting the appropriate personnel - If unable to make contact eg with the Principal, BOT Chair or EOTC Co-ordinator during a serious incident (eg the February 2011 Earthquake where land line and mobile communications were down and/or overloaded and/or these personnel were very tied up with the disaster on hand) seek advice from local police or other person of responsibility. Check the personnel you have recorded on your EOTC contact list eg DOC, Medical Personnel, Camp Manager. If this is not possible (eg you are caught up in the serious incident yourself with children) you will need to make what you at the time is the safest decision for all concerned. At no cost leave any children unattended or send children only on an errand. Seek help from other adults around you.
Contacts - School: 033487492
Paul Dolan Principal: 0212427118 or 03 3560546
Jo Dudley EOTC: 027 3556505 or 03 3556505 (home)
First Aid Kits
These are to be issued from the office. When a teacher takes a class on a visit away from school one of these must be taken. If items are used during an outing these should be recorded and the office staff notified on return so that they can be replaced.
Medical Room
A reasonable stock of first-aid items will be readily available in the sickbay. Ice packs are kept in the refrigerator in the main office. All the office staff are certified first aiders.
Medication
Teaching staff are requested not to issue medication of any sort, including painkillers, to children. Marlene, Renata and Joce will issue medication once permission has been obtained in writing from parents/caregivers.
Security and Personal Safety
Teachers are responsible for ensuring the security of their classroom and their block if they are the last to leave. Please check that windows are closed and doors locked. While children are at school, all classrooms are expected to remain unlocked until the end of the day, however please be aware of security if classes are in the hall for an extended period or several rooms are on a trip for some part of the day. Laptops, netbooks and iPads should be locked away if possible. If this is not possible, please ensure they are out of sight.
The school does have a security alarm system. The security pad is found in the office foyer. If you are the last staff member to leave the administration area, please take responsibility for setting the alarm for the administration area.
Smoke Free
Smoking is not permitted by staff or visitors within school buildings or on the school grounds at any time.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
Term Dates
Term 1 Monday 2 February – Thursday 2 April 86 half-days
Term 2 Monday 20 April – Friday 3 July 106 half-days
Term 3 Monday 20 July – Friday 25 September 100 half-days
Term 4 Monday 12 October – Wednesday 16 December 92 half-days
TOTAL 384 half-days
Absences
1) Staff
Teachers who, because of illness, or some other reason, are unable to attend school are asked to organise their own reliever. If this is too difficult please contact Jo Dudley before 7.00 am or preferably the night before. Teaching staff who are absent are asked to please ring the school office by 2.30 p.m. if you will not be in the following day so the reliever employed can be retained.
Support staff that are absent are requested to inform the school by 8:30am.
A medical certificate is required for absence due to illness of 5 consecutive days or more.
For general leave or professional development please obtain the relevant form from Marlene’s office, complete it and return it to her. She will then submit it to Paul for approval and advise the applicant in due course. Classroom teachers are to arrange their own preferred reliever/s.
We would need you to complete a leave form for the following days:
Parental, Sick for extended time, Bereavement & Jury Service Leave
Discretionary leave for more than five days, written letter to the Board of Trustees to present at next board meeting for approval.
If you are planning any of the days below please email Marlene, Renata, Jocelyn to advise us of your reliever for the day:
CRT days
Planning days
Training courses
2) Students
Parents are asked to phone the school before 9.00am if their child will be absent or late. The office staff will contact parents of any pupil absent without notification. If a child arrives late and his/her name has been recorded absent, please send the child to the office to report in as present.
Assemblies
Fortnightly Assemblies - Thursdays at 2:15 p.m.
These assemblies will be run by children and organised by assigned teachers. They are held fortnightly except in extra-ordinary circumstances. Classes will be asked if they want to share some ‘work’ or an ‘item’ at these assemblies.
Electronic Attendance Registers (EARs)
Teachers are legally required to keep a register of daily attendance for all students attending school. The attendance of students is to be recorded every morning and every afternoon. Morning attendances must be completed by 9.15 and afternoon attendances by 1.40 pm. Office staff are then able to ascertain the whereabouts of any child who has an unexplained absence in a timely manner. If you are not teaching in your room it is still your responsibility to ensure EARs are completed.
Please keep all absence notes. Notify Paul Dolan, Principal, of any regular absences that are causing you concern.
Bicycles / Scooters
To be wheeled in the school grounds at all times.
Board of Trustees
The current Board of Trustees are: Julie Penno (Chair), Jack MacDonald, Annie Horton, Liz Martyn, Leeann Watson, Gretchen Cocks and Paul Dolan (Principal).
Classrooms and Cloakrooms
Teachers are to ensure that classrooms and cloakrooms are left tidy. Teachers are asked not to use sellotape or staples on any timber surfaces. During winter, children are asked to respect our indoor environment and are encouraged to bring footwear for indoors, or remove dirty and wet shoes before walking on the carpet.
The cleaners are not expected to tidy rooms. Before your class is dismissed each day please ensure that all rubbish and property is picked up from the floor area, chairs are placed on top of desks and cloakrooms cleared. Please ensure the sink areas are left clean and tidy. Please also ensure that heavy objects are not stored on top of cupboards where they may be a hazard during an earthquake.
Please make sure all windows are closed and lights and heating switched off on your departure.
Classroom Relationships
Be in your classroom from 8.30 am – 8.55 am to greet children and parents. Returning to your class quickly after morning tea and lunch can prevent behaviour issues arising.
Communication:
Day to Day
The following forms of communication are available for the use of all staff:
- Daily notices – these are e-mailed to staff at 8:45am each day. E-mail any notices to be included in this to Renata preferably the previous day or before 8:25am on the day of issue.
- Staffroom pigeonholes – mail and documents are often delivered daily. Please check and clear these regularly.
- The staffroom whiteboard is used for notices for general staff attention.
- Term and Yearly Planner in the staffroom – all events are to be entered on the appropriate planner for the benefit of co-ordinated scheduling of events by staff. Once on the appropriate planner, these are then entered in the diary section of the school newsletter.
- Google Events Calendar – ALL events entered on the staffroom Term and Yearly Planner MUST ALSO be entered on the school’s Google Events Calendar
Concerns or Problems
The direct line of communication is always best. If you have a concern or issue, please speak to the person who can help you with it. Syndicate leaders or a member of the management team should be able to help or direct you.
Communications with Parents
Teachers are expected to maintain an open and friendly manner with parents and caregivers at all times. On occasions parents may request a meeting with a teacher. Teachers are expected to make time available as soon as possible after the request. Any parent concerns should be dealt with as soon as possible. Please take notes regarding the specific concern. Teachers are expected to respond to any concern made by a parent promptly by outlining the steps they intend to take to remedy the matter. In all cases the syndicate leader should be informed of the meeting.
Duty
All staff are on duty all the time – please deal with issues as you see them arise. Don’t leave it all for the duty teachers to deal with. Be proactive. The consequence of effective supervision is that problems are prevented rather than reacted to. Effective supervision involves:
- The teacher being visible to all students while circulating the boundaries.
- The teacher speaking to the children in a positive and interested manner.
- The teacher promoting positive activity and encouraging children to take responsibility for their actions.
- Staff should use restorative practices at all times when dealing with behavioural issues.
PLEASE ENSURE YOU START YOUR DUTY ON TIME.
Duty – Wet Day Protocols
There are 4 basic types of lunchtimes:
Fine weather – Straight forward!
Wet / Cold weather – The bell is rung three times at the start of lunchtime, 12:30 to indicate all children are to stay inside during lunchtime.
Fine weather at the start of lunchtime and then it starts raining during lunchtime – The ‘Area 1’ duty teacher will make a decision that the children need to be inside and ring the bell three times to indicate this.
Wet / Cold weather at 12:30 then the weather clears - The bell will be rung three times to indicate ‘stay inside’ at the start of lunchtime. If the weather clears during the lunch period, the ‘Area 1’ duty teacher decides whether children remain inside or not and rings the bell once. This indicates all children are to go outside for the remainder of lunchtime. The ‘Area 1’ duty teacher needs to take this into account (that is, juniors will be outside to play for the remainder of lunchime) when making their ‘clearance’ decision. Unless the bell has been rung once to indicate all children are to go outside, all children are to remain inside as indicated by the three bells being rung at the start of lunchtime – 12:30pm.
Grounds
Encourage tidiness, especially with lunch wrappers. Please be proactive in maintaining our environment.
Year 1 and 2 children have the Junior School playground. This is for Year 1 and 2 children only. These children also have the option of going to the ‘big’ playground, which is available to all children.
Hall and other Teaching Space Use
A timetable is organised at the beginning of each term for these areas. This is electronically available on ‘Teacher Write’. Teachers may make ‘one off’ bookings directly onto these timetables.
ICT Equipment
Please return all equipment to the appropriate areas after use. It is the responsibility of the teacher returning the equipment to ensure that batteries are recharged so that equipment is always ready for use. Please notify Margaret Kitney (T/A ICT technical support) immediately of any computer problems so they can be addressed as soon as possible.
Library
Classes are encouraged to use the library to the fullest. A timetable will be put in place for class visits. The Library is computerised and as such books are to be issued using the computer and the ASSESS - IT library system. A maximum of two books per child for Years 0-4 and three books per child for Years 5-6 can be issued. Class sets are available to be issued under individual teacher’s names. Teachers are allowed a class of 60 books, which must be issued through the computer and returned on a regular basis (at least once a term). The Library is open 10.30-10.50 am and 12.45 – 1.25 pm to children.
Lost Property
The lost property box is situated in outside the boiler by Room 4. Named items are returned to children. Small items such as watches, wallets, etc, are held in the school office. At the end of each term all clothing items of lost property are put out on the veranda, near Room 4, to be claimed. Any unclaimed items are kept for second hand uniforms or disposed of.
Moving Rooms at the end of the Year
It is expected that if you are moving to another classroom or are leaving Ilam you will ensure that the following is completed before you vacate your room:
- Desktops are clean.
- Staples are removed from walls.
- Maths equipment and games are complete, organised and ‘ready to go’ for the next class.
- Literacy games/activities are complete, organised and ‘ready to go’ for the next class.
- Any damaged equipment is given to relevant Curriculum Leaders for replacement or repair.
- Old ‘name’ labels are removed.
- Storage areas tidy and clean.
- Whiteboards are clean
The new teacher moving into your old classroom should not have to spend time cleaning or tidying before they set up.
Newsletters
The school newsletter goes out to the parents and the wider community each Thursday. Items of interest are welcomed. Please e-mail Marlene a copy of what you would like to have included by 1:30 pm at the latest, on the Wednesday prior to publication.
Regular classroom newsletters are encouraged as a method of keeping parents informed of activities and programmes being followed. All newsletters must be presented professionally and require approval from syndicate leaders. It is recommended that syndicates discuss what class newsletters are sent home so there can be a reasonable consistent practice occurring across syndicates. Please provide the office with a copy of your newsletter or any notices for filing once copied so they may answer any enquiries from parents. Please also keep the office staff informed of changes to any trip/events, dates etc.
Parents will be aware of upcoming trips from the invoice and syndicate / class newsletters at the start of each term, however specific details of class trips outside of the school are to be clearly communicated with parents informing them of all times, dates, places to be visited and special requirements. Please avoid ‘last minute’ notices of any nature but particularly when requesting parent help.
Please upload team newsletters to the ‘newsletter’ section of our website.
Office Area Space
The Administration area is yours as much as the office staff’s, but please respect and consider others. Be aware of the very public nature of this area. On occasion you may need to arrange for a private space to make phone calls, talk to parents etc.
Office Staff, Responsibilities and Hours
Renata Edwards – Receptionist
Monday: 8.00 – 2:00 pm
Tuesday: 8.00 – 2:00 pm
Wednesday: 8.00 – 3.30 pm
Thursday: 8.00 – 2:00 pm
Friday: 8.00 – 2:00 pm
Jocelyn Hollis – Finance Officer
Monday: 8.00 – 4:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:00 – 1:00pm
Thursday:8.00 – 4.00 pm
Friday: 8:00 – 1:00pm
Marlene Roets - Executive Officer/Principal’s PA
Monday – Friday - 8.15 – 4.15 pm
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTA gives parents the opportunity to be involved in social events and fundraising activities and plays a vital role in the school. The group meets once a month. The Principal, Jo Dudley, Deputy Principal and staff representatives attend these meetings.
Release Days
The four syndicate leaders receive one release day per week. Most of this release will occur on a Tuesday. Please structure your CRT release around this. Please write your release on the Term Planning Whiteboard.
Sign In / Sign Out Book
All visitors should report to the school office to sign the In / Out book. They must indicate time in and time out for safety reasons, particularly in event of an emergency evacuation.
For the same reason, staff are asked to sign out and sign in when they leave the school for a period of time between 8:30 and 3:15. Support staff and part-time teachers only sign out when they leave school during their normal hours, i.e. there is no need to sign out when they finish their daily ‘shift’.
School Donations
The level of voluntary donations is set each year by the Board of Trustees. Parents may pay in a lump sum or by the term. Parents whose children enter the school during the year will be invited to pay for the term in which they enter, and for subsequent terms. The donation level this year is $155 for the first child in the family and $80 for each subsequent child. The school is reliant on parental donations in order to provide a quality education programme for children.
School Hours
8.30 a.m. Pupils may move into classrooms
8.55 a.m. Classes begin
10.30 a.m. Morning tea break
10.50 a.m. End of break
12.30 p.m. Lunch break
1.30 p.m. End of lunch break
3.00 p.m. School ends
Staffroom Duty
In an effort to keep the staffroom clean and tidy a roster has been drawn up to do a daily and end-of-week clean. This roster will be placed in the staffroom. Duty people’s names will be placed on the ‘weekly’ whiteboard each week. Please note this does not abdicate personal responsibility for individuals putting away any utensils used or tidy up after they have used an area. Please ensure any utensils and/or cups taken from the staff room are returned promptly.
Staffroom Duty Responsibilities
AT THE END OF EACH DAY
Load the dishwasher and start it.
Wipe the benches and tabletops.
Empty and rinse tea and coffee pots.
AT THE END OF EACH WEEK
Wipe the benches, microwaves, coffee machine, sandwich press, toaster, fridge, and hot water unit.
Check cupboard and drawer fronts and wipe if needed.
Check fridge and throw out old food and liquids (esp. milk).
Tidy staffroom, i.e. arrange chairs, throw out newspapers, tidy book displays etc.
Stationery
Stationery packs are available on line from Canterbury Education Services: http://www.cessl.org.nz/shop/Back+to+School+Stationery+2013.html. A small amount of stationery is available from the school office during the year. Children must pay for this at the time of issue.
Teacher Registration
In 2010 changes were made to regulations regarding the registration of teachers. The Education Act requires that “No employer shall continue to employ in any teaching position any person who holds neither a practising certificate nor an authorisation, if that person is not under the general supervision of a person who holds a practising certificate.”
The MoE and the Teachers Council are cracking down on schools who have non-registered teachers. Both a Board and the individual teacher will be liable to a fine if they are teaching in a school without a registration. “Boards may be liable to a fine of up to $5,000, if they breach this requirement and the “teacher” may also be liable to a fine of up to $2,000.” The Teachers’ Council puts this responsibility firmly on teachers to ensure their registration is renewed. We have procedures in place to remind you at the start of each year that your registration is due, however this is your individual responsibility to ensure this is done.
Uniform
Children are required to wear the school uniform, which is outlined below.
Both boys and girls: Polo shirt: Blue (monogrammed)
Long sleeved polo shirt: Blue (monogrammed)
Sweatshirt: Blue (monogrammed)
School Jacket: Navy/White (monogrammed)
Polar Fleece: Blue (monogrammed)
Track Pants: Navy
Hats: Summer – blue, wide-brimmed
Shoes: Black or brown (school style) / closed toe sandals (summer option)
Girls: Summer culottes: School check
Summer dress: School check
Cardigan: Blue
Socks: White (ankle)
Boys: Summer shorts: Navy (drill)
Socks: Navy (long)
Sunhats are compulsory in Terms 1 and 4 of each year. These should be brought to school each day. Parents are advised not to send their children to school in jandals. They are not suitable footwear for school activities.
Winter: Girls: Winter pinafore: Douglas tartan
Winter culottes: Douglas tartan
Tights / socks: navy
Boys: Winter shorts: Grey (winter: lined)
Socks: Navy (long)
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