INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Absences:

● If your child is going to be absent from school due to illness or any other reason you can let your child's teacher know via Linc-Ed Hero or email the school (email:attendance@franzjosef.school.nz). Absences must be reported by 9.00 am.

● If a child is away for medical reasons for 3 days or more the school may request a doctor’s certificate.

● The Education Act 1989, Part 3, Point 25 (1) states that:

“Every student of a registered school shall attend the school whenever it is open.”

Behaviour Management:

● Franz Josef Glacier School expects a high standard of behaviour from its students.

● Teachers employ positive behaviour strategies in the classroom and playground to promote acceptable behaviour.

● If a child’s behaviour is not acceptable, parents will be contacted and informed.

● Together the school, parents and children work on improving the behaviour.

At Franz Josef Glacier School we use the 3 R’s:

● Responsibility for our actions

● Respect ourselves

● Respect other people

This means we:

● don’t blame others

● speak politely and with respect to others

● keep hands, feet and body to ourselves

● play fair

● treat our environment and equipment with care.

Curriculum:

All primary schools are instructed to teach the following curriculum areas:

Core curriculum:

● Reading

● Writing

● Mathematics

Integrated curriculum areas:

● Oral and Visual Language

● Science

● Social Studies

● The Arts - Visual, Dance, Music and Drama

● Technology/Digital Technology

● Health and Physical Education

● Te Reo Maori - Language and Culture

For more information about how these are taught at Franz Josef Glacier School please refer to our ‘Curriculum’ booklet available in the school foyer.

Dental Therapists:

The Mobile Dental Unit visits once a year to check all the student’s teeth.

➔ The dental therapist can be contacted on (03) 769 7710 if you have any concerns about your child’s teeth.

Emergency Contacts:

It is important that the school always has up to date contact information for parents and their designated emergency contacts. Please ensure to inform us if you change your number or need to update details.

Found Items:

We have daily property collectors who endeavour to return items to their owner. It is important that all items of the school uniform and other clothing are named.

Health Nurse:

Our local health nurse visits school at regular intervals to check on any health concerns.

Home Learning:

We encourage effective home learning habits. Research into best practice and improving outcomes has led the staff to adopt procedures that involve reading, basic facts and challenges that are authentic, family and community based experiences that enhance students' learning.

➔ Home learning is not mandatory but we encourage children to at least attempt to finish some home learning activities.

Reporting to Parents:

● Reporting tracks your child’s progress and achievement at school and this can be viewed at anytime via Linc-Ed Hero.

● Regular parent interviews are held and teachers are frequently in contact with parents.

If you would like to discuss your child’s schooling in general don’t hesitate to contact the school to arrange an interview outside of classroom

School Activity Charges:

School Activity Charges cover various costs such as extra materials/resources and special events.

The charge for school trips varies according to the activity and fundraising helps to pay for these activities.

School Helpers:

Adult helpers are wonderful for helping teachers and students with various activities. Parents often have talents to share and work with individuals or small groups of children.

➔ The Principal may require a Police vetting of any adult who is spending time within the school.

School Terms and Holidays:

● Please try and organise appointments, shopping and family holidays during the school holidays whenever possible. If you wish to take your children out of school for more than 3 consecutive days it must be in writing to the BoT.

● Term dates are set at the beginning of the year by the Ministry of Education.

➔ The school year is divided into four terms of nine to eleven weeks each.

➔ There is a two week holiday in between each term and a six week summer holiday at the end of the year.

➔ Refer to the Ministry of Education website for current term dates.

Secondary School:

A bus currently leaves the township at 7am for South Westland Area School located in Hari Hari.

➔ Please contact SWAS on 03 7533160 for enrolment details.

South Westland Cluster Schools:

The schools that make up the cluster are:

➔ South Westland Area School (SWAS)

➔ Whataroa School

➔ Franz Josef Glacier School

➔ Fox Glacier School

➔ Haast School

The cluster comes together for many events during the year both sporting and cultural.

Stationery:

The books and equipment that students require is provided at school. The charge for these will be included in your school account. We try to keep the cost of stationery as low as possible.

Swimming:

The swimming season at school is about four to five weeks long at the beginning of Term 1. Students may swim up to three days a week at Fox Glacier School depending on their year level. Year 1 and 2 children usually have their lessons at the Hot Pools.

➔ Please make sure that your child/ren bring their togs and a towel to school in a plastic bag.

Transport To and From School:

● It is extremely important that children arrive and leave the school grounds safely.

● If you are picking up your child from school at 2.45pm do not park in front of the red school gate or the bus area.

● Children should walk along the fence line to their parent’s car not out behind the parked cars.

● Please contact the school if your child will be riding a bike to school—all riders must wear a helmet and be aware of the bike safety rules.

● Children should be at least ten years old (Year 5) before they start biking to school without an adult.

● Make sure your child knows the safe route to cycle or walk to and from school.

● Children living more than 3.2km from school, may be eligible for the school bus run.

Vision and Hearing Tests:

Year 1 children and Year 7 children have their vision and hearing tested by a visiting health professional from Greymouth.

➔ If you are concerned about your child’s vision or hearing you may request a test.

Year 7/8 Technology:

South Westland Area School currently provides our Year 7 and 8’s compulsory technology programme. They attend SWAS in Hari Hari all day on a Friday where they also have a science and P.E lesson. There is a bus run to and from Hari Hari which leaves school at 8.50 am and returns at 3 pm.