Absences and Illness
For safety reasons, the school must be contacted if your child is going to be absent. In the first instance, parents should use the HERO management system to inform the school of an absence. This can be done easily from home. Alternatively, you may telephone the school office before 9.15am on the day your child is to be absent and leave a message on our absence line (please include your child’s name, room number, and the reason for their absence) or email absentees@pinehaven.school.nz. The school checks all absentees each morning and will make every effort to contact parents where children are not accounted for.
If regular medication needs to be taken by a child during the school day, please come to the school office to fill out the appropriate authority form. Records and medication are kept in the office.
Bell Times
8.55am – 10.40am Session 1
10.40am – 11.00am Interval
11.00am – 12.30pm Session 2
12.30pm – 1.30am Lunch
1.30pm – 3.00pm Session 3
Although teachers are often at work early in the morning, they are preparing for the school day and are unable to supervise children prior to 8.30am
Dental Clinic
Dental therapists are no longer situated on our school grounds. The mobile dental clinic visits our school annually for check ups and if your child needs treatment, you will be advised to make an appointment at the Dental Clinic attached to Trentham School. If you need to get in touch with a dental therapist, the number to phone is 0800 825 583.
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.
Lost Property
The Lost Property bin can be found in the Hall and can be inspected at any time. Property is displayed on assembly days each term. At the end of each term, we pass any unclaimed gear onto charity groups.
Leaving the School during School hours
No child leaves the grounds without being signed out by an adult. Children need to be signed out from the school office via the Vistab Ipad at the front desk.
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. Our children also visit the local Pinehaven Library with their class.
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
Students are encouraged to eat healthy options for lunch. Please do not send sweets or sugary drinks. We do not have a facility for students to buy lunch each day, however do have some options for purchasing lunch, please see the school office or LunchOnline for details. Information comes via newsletters. Our food and nutrition policy is available on School Docs for your information.
Newsletters/Notices
A newsletter is sent home to each family fortnightly, usually on a Thursday and is sent via email and on the HERO App. The newsletter keeps you informed of coming events, school policy changes and matters concerning the everyday running of the school. Please read newsletters carefully.
Personal Property
Children are discouraged from bringing to school any electronic items, 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.
Permission to share your child’s photo to be taken whilst participating in school activities is sought upon entry to school. Photos may be used in the schools newsletters, website and schools HERO app.
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.
Preschoolers
If you are intending to send your child to Pinehaven School, it is a good idea to get enrolment information in up to a year ahead. Prior to starting school you will be asked to provide a copy of your child’s birth and immunisation certificates.
Pre-School Visits
We provide 4 school visits before your child starts school. We will make contact with you about 6 weeks before your child starts to arrange these. The visits will help you and your child see what happens at school and will make the initial adjustment easier.
School Trips and Activities
The children are involved in a variety of trips and activities during the year which complement the school curriculum. The office invoices parents for the activity fee at the beginning of the year. The system is designed to save parents and teachers the trouble of continually processing small amounts of money and to assist in budgeting. We appreciate prompt payment.
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.
Starting School
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 over-stress 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.
Stationery
The new entrant stationery pack is available for purchase through the school office when your child starts school. At the end of each year families are notified of the process to order the next year’s stationery on line through OfficeMax or they may obtain stationery lists from the school office to make the purchases themselves.
Sunhats
We are a sunsmart accredited school! As part of the requirements in our Sunsafe Policy, sun hats are to be worn in Terms 1 and 4. These are required to be large brimmed or legionnaire hats.
School Board
The School Board governs the school. It is made up of the Principal, an elected staff representative and parent representatives. Areas of responsibility include curriculum, finance, personnel, property, policy and consultation. The Board generally meets on the third Tuesday of each month in the school staffroom. More information can be found on the School Board Page of this website.
Use of School Grounds
Entry onto the school grounds after hours is a privilege that our community enjoy. We ask that any children using the school grounds and/or playground after hours are supervised and take care of our school.
