Information Central

If your child is going to be absent from school please

• Ring the school office before 9 a.m. and leave a message on the answer machine. Please give a reason why your child is absent.
• Please ring daily if your child is away for more than one day. You can send an email to the school office admin@halswell.school.nz.

If your child arrives late to school he/she must report to the office and the office will give him/her a Late Slip to give to the teacher.

Please make an application in writing to the Principal, in advance, if you need to take your child out of class for an extended period of time.

Physical Education is a vital component of learning at Halswell. If a pupil wishes to be excused from activity then a note from parents is essential. We prefer to work according to your direction in this, as sometimes inability to take part is obvious and other times, not quite so clear. Teachers will rightly question an excuse by children that is not verified by a parent or caregiver’s note.

OSCAR at Halswell provides a safe, organized, fun and above all, quality out of school care programme, which caters for children’s different ages, gender, cultural and religious backgrounds while attempting to encompass individual needs and interest. Staff are carefully selected to meet the high standards of programme delivery set by the programme Supervisors and Committee.

Hours
Before school: 7.30am – 8.30am
After school: 3.00pm – 6.00pm

Contact Details
Phone/text: 0274 181 786 or 03 322 5127
Email: halswelloscar@gmail.com

To contact a supervisor at the Halswell School Oscar, a message can be left at any time. Where required, calls will be returned between the hours of 4.00pm and 6.00pm. The current supervisors are Gloria and Leanne Johnston.

Information on the current Waiting List for OSCAR at Halswell Inc – September 2017

OSCAR Terms and Conditions 2017
www.oscarnetwork.org.nz

There is plenty of evidence to show that children whose parents and family/whanau get involved in their learning are more likely to have lifelong success through learning. We acknowledge this and actively encourage parents to become involved. While parents are welcome, we like to know in advance if you wish to discuss any specific matter. This should not deter you from asking your child’s teacher for a time for this to occur, or phone for an appointment. Teachers have limited time after school as they are required to meet with colleagues immediately after school two days a week.

While we have an ‘open door’ policy and encourage parents to visit, we would ask that you vacate classrooms promptly in the morning and please do not enter the classroom while lessons are being taken.

School assemblies are an important part of school life. All parents are welcome to attend assembly, which is usually on alternate Fridays at 9.10am (‘even’ weeks).

At Halswell School there are many different badges you can earn. These are Canterbury Representative, Sports Representative, Academic, Cultural, School Services and International Ambassador.

There are a variety of ways you can earn these badges. You can see all of the different ways to earn a badge in the criteria below.

Awarded For	Criteria
Canterbury Representative
CHCH School’s Music Festival Special Groups	Participation in Special groups
Attendance at Canterbury Champs	School-based sports – must qualify through zone (plus Chess Finals)
Placing at Canterbury event	Non-zone based e.g. Indoor and Summer Tournament, Gymnastics, Cantamath
Jump Jam	Placing at the Regionals
Hip Hop	Member of a crew who qualifies for Nationals
School Services
Senior Choir or Orchestra Leader	Lead the Orchestra and Senior Choir
Student Council	All class representatives
Road Patrol	All fully trained Road Patrol members
School Radio	1 Year of service as a DJ. Awarded at the discretion of TIC
School Leaders	School leadership positions e.g. Communications, Enviro, Safety, Library and House Captains
Cultural
Senior Choir / Vocal Group	Years 5-8 Only, 1 year +
Orchestra/Jazz Band	2 years + (Invited Jazz Band member 1 year)
Rock Band	Years 5-8 Only, 1 year +
School Music Award	1st, 2nd or 3rd place
Kapa Haka	2 years +
Hip Hop	Regular participation in the Senior Group for 2 years
Sports Representative
Zone Representatives	Participation at a Zone Sports event
Gymnastics	Participation at a Canterbury event
Aerobics	Participation at a Canterbury event
Jump Jam	Qualification for Regionals
Academic
ICAS Competition	Distinction, High Distinction and Medals
Problem Challenge	Top 10% in year level
Chess Tournaments	Participation at Canterbury Finals
Chess Tournaments	Canterbury Individual Tournament Age Group Champion
Cantamath	Team Member
Current Events Quiz	Placing in Competition (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Literacy Quiz	Placing in Competition (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
EPro8 Tech Competition	Reaching Regional Final
Christs College Science Competition	Placing in Competition (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Speeches	Year Level placings (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Canty/Westland Science Fair	Accepted for main exhibition
Spelling Quiz	Placing in Competition (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Robotics Competition	Placing in Competition (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
International Ambassador
Homestay	Hosting an International Student
Buddy	Outstanding care to an International Student over a length of time in class and beyond, at the discretion of the International Director.
Travel	Represent the school overseas in either an exchange, member of touring school group or as a sports or cultural representative.

To apply for a badge please complete the Students Badge Application.

Ahuriri
ahuriri2018.blogspot.co.nz

Huritini
2018whio.blogspot.co.nz
2018tk.blogspot.co.nz

Orongomai
orongomai.blogspot.co.nz

Otawhito
hs-sb-otawhito.blogspot.co.nz
twitter.com/otawhito

Otamatua
twitter.com/OtumatuaHS

Scholastic Book Clubs provide interesting reading material for the children at relatively cheap rates. Please note that there is no compulsion on any pupil to buy this material in spite of the fact that we act as a distribution point. Once ordered books are received, they are distributed to the children. The school receives a credit with Scholastic NZ, for approximately one third of the sales, which is available to purchase books for both classrooms and the library. Please watch for the notice to pupils when it comes home.

In case of an emergency, it is vital that the school is able to reach parents. Please notify the school immediately of any change of address and phone number, including emergency contact numbers.

A network of parents, offering practical support, for families in our community who are going through a difficult period. We welcome everyone who can very occasionally make a meal or do some baking which is then delivered to the family in need on a strictly anonymous basis. Please alert the school secretary if you become aware of a family in need of community support. This maybe due to illness, bereavement, sudden loss of employment.

In the interest of safety we require parent(s) permission for the publishing of pupil’s work, first names and photograph on our website, newsletters, promotional material and any other forms of media e.g. newspaper, television etc.

We believe it is important to celebrate pupil achievement, but are aware of potential risks when such personal information or material is published on a global system such as the internet. All photos are condensed before publishing.

Email and Social Media

All children Year 4 and older will be allocated a school email address which operates through the schools ‘Hapara Teacher Dashboard.’ As a Google Apps school we use Hapara to more effective manage learner activity in this digital environment. It allows teachers to track learner progress, provide ongoing feedback, disseminate files, and facilitate collaboration and differentiation through flexible groupings.

We openly discourage use of social media by children and ask parents to reinforce the message that we give at school:

• Everything that you write or say on the internet stays on the internet
• If you wouldn’t say these things in person then don’t say them online
• If someone else is saying mean, hurtful or inappropriate things – don’t join in or reply, tell an adult

Internet Filtering

The school uses two levels of internet filtering:

1. N4L, a government initiative provides a ‘Web Safety’ filter as part of the managed network using Cisco Scansafe, a product primarily designed to restrict Internet access in the workplace.
2. The second filter is Linewize services ‘Educate Digital Citizenship’ which is providing schools, teachers and parents complete visibility and control over network and Internet content access. Should a child attempt to access inappropriate content, Linewize can immediately alert the child’s teacher to the behaviour. This enables teachers to have specific and timely conversations around appropriate Internet use with students.

The Mobile Dental Services van provides a free service for eligible students at the school when it is based at the school. At other times phone 322 8438.

The interactions that take place while learners are outside the classroom are rich opportunities for implementing an inclusive curriculum. Throughout each year experiences beyond the school grounds will arise within the Halswell Community including: Halswell Quarry, Halswell Domain, Halswell Library, Halswell Aquatic Centre, Halswell Shopping Centre, and Muir Park. A permission slip is signed on enrolment to cover such ventures. Individual permission will be sought for excursions beyond Halswell or overnight stays. Parent help is usually required for trips in order to establish appropriate adult to child supervision ratios.

We also have an ongoing programme of ‘school camps’ – Education Outside the Classroom – where children experience ever developing skills at each progressive class camp. Commonly used venues in recent years have been Living Springs, Arthur’s Pass, (Year 5 and 6 alternative years); Wainui (on the Akaroa Harbour) Mount Cook and Taumutu Marae. Year 7 and 8.

The Public Health Nurse visits the school regularly. If a parent or teacher requests it, the nurse will follow up any matter needing attention.

These specialists generally visit school at least once a year to conduct hearing and vision tests in certain age groups of the school. Pupils found lacking in either of these two areas will have their difficulties documented and parents will be advised of remedial action necessary. The school will of course receive a copy.

Taking activities home to complete is a choice thing, to do. To bring current learning activities home from school allows parents to be informed and therefore better able to support and encourage their children. It is always a pleasure to see children wanting to finish off classroom activities independently.

Children may bring home relevant classroom tasks that they can finish independently for up to 30 minutes four nights per week. Any work completed at home will be an integral part of the classroom programme.

All children should be expected to play or be physically active for 15 to 30 minutes per evening, preferably outside. Reading, with increasing independence with maturity, for 15 to 30 minutes per night is an expectation.

Children who are not able to complete activities because of extra-curricular actives will not be penalised.

Upon enrolling each child is assigned to a house. Numbers in each house are kept as equal as possible. Siblings will be assigned to the same house.

Inter-house competition aims to: reward positive behaviour both inside and outside the classroom announced at each school assembly; and to provide for an air of competition in certain school sports events, e.g. swimming, athletics, cross country.

Accidents and illness at school are attended to in the sickbay by designated trained first aid staff. Parents are contacted, except in the case of minor injuries or illness.

Parents should inform the school of any health or associated problems affecting their child. Arrangements must be made through the school office for children needing medication during school hours.

Children who have coughs and colds or tummy bugs that result in vomiting or diarrhea should remain off school for the first 24 hours after their symtoms end.

Many children replace wet weather footwear outside (in winter) by slippers inside. This may also apply to wet and muddy shoes. From experience (and from the cleaners’ points of view) this is a good idea.

Each T group has weekly visits to the Library, which is organised to offer appropriate recreational reading and material to assist the school’s emphasis on inquiry learning. This facility is available to children during most lunch breaks. Parents are asked to encourage regular reading at home and to ensure that books are properly looked after and returned.

Lost property is kept in the administration building, for unnamed items. Named items are returned to the owner.

All children receive an hour per fortnight music tuition with our music specialist in the Performing Art Suite. A rich extra-curricular programme is also available:

• The Jazz Band is a group of brass and woodwind players who rehearse from 8.30 to 9.am. on Monday.
• The Senior Choir is an auditioned choir of Year5 -8 children who rehearse from 8.30 to 9.15am on Tuesday. The main focus is participation in two music festivals during the year.
• The Vocal Group is a specialist group of children from the Senior Choir who rehearse from 1.30 to 2.10 each Tuesday, and prepare for performances, often outside of the school community.
• The Orchestra of string, woodwind, brass and percussion players rehearse on Wednesdays from 8.30 to 9.10am. Children can join the group on recommendation from their music tutor.
• The Year 3 to 6 choir is an all-comers choir which rehearses on Thursday from 8.30 to 9am, and functions as a training choir which often performs within the school community.
• Through the Itinerant Music Programme we provide the opportunity to learn a range of different musical instruments. Lessons are available during the school day include: piano, violin, viola, trumpet, flute, clarinet saxophone, drums and guitar. Limited vacancies occur during the course of the school year. Children who are interested in learning an instrument register their interest with our music specialist.

We regard communication with school families as extremely important. We use a web-based programme, that sends parents an email alert whenever a newsletter or notice is posted. Hard copies are available in the office foyer. A weekly notices are posted on Wednesday, with a further newsletter, which include a community news section, on Fridays, when appropriate.

All Learning Centres use blogs and children can use their email address to communicate with parents.

Previous newsletters can be found here.

At Halswell parent participation is actively encouraged. There is plenty of evidence to show that when parents and schools work together, children learn successfully. It is the policy of the school to incorporate parent help in classroom programmes and in more general helping tasks related to the wider school programme whenever the need arises. There are many ways you can be involved:

• Sports coaching programmes
• Library administration, book repair, covering, cataloguing, etc
• Ahuriri, Huritini and Orongomai programmes
• School camps and trips
• Helping run the Coffee and Tuck Shop
• Road patrol
• Helping at the biennial Country Fair
• Assisting the school apply for grants
• Participating in the PTA

Please let us know if you would like to contribute in any way!

To view the School’s policies please follow this link and log on with this username and password:

Link: halswell.schooldocs.co.nz
User: halswell
Password: quarry

Contents

• Welcome!
• Treaty of Waitangi
• Governance and Management
• Curriculum and Student Achievement Policy
• Documentation and Self-Review Policy
• Employer Responsibility Policy
• Finance and Property Management Policy
• Health, Safety, and Welfare Policy
• Legislation and Administration Policy
• General
• Forms
• Useful Links and Contacts
• What’s New?

The placement of pupils in T groups is the direct responsibility of the Principal. Teachers will compile draft lists for the following year taking into account academic, social and physical abilities of children. As all groups are composite, children in the lower year group can expect to remain with the same teacher, should that teacher be remaining at this school and teaching at that level in the subsequent year.

Pupils will know by the end of each school year who their T group teacher is for the following year will be, and the teachers in their studio and Learning Centre. This information will be conveyed in writing to parents.

Children of families who move to Halswell, through the year, will be placed according to sizes of groups at the children’s level, and will be at the Principal’s discretion.

No religious instruction is available.

A “Meet the Teacher” evening is held early each year (usually about week 3) and gives parents the opportunity to meet the teachers in their child’s Learning Centre and hear about programmes, routines and expectations for the year. Learning Conferences are held early in Term 2 and give parents an insight into their child’s progress and achievement. The conference is led by your child who will present their work and share their learning goals. All the teachers in your child’s Learning Centre are available for any questions you may have and to share any additional information.

Throughout the year we report to you digitally using Linc-ed, our student management system. During each year year teachers will add:

• Progress and achievement against National Standards
• ACTIVE comments showing how your child is developing key competencies across the curriculum
• Enrichment, GAT and ESOL comments for any child involved in these programmes
• Current reading, writing and maths goals

Please note the timing of these posts is individualised for each child.

If you have a concern about your child’s progress, or about any aspect of the school’s activities (e.g. new programmes), please do not hesitate to phone us to make an appointment to discuss this.

The crossings at the intersection of School Road and Kennedys Bush Road, and Halswell Roads are patrolled daily from 8.25am to 8.50am and 3.00pm to 3.15pm. Parent help is critical for the operation of the patrols. If you are interested in helping please contact the office so your name can be added to the roster. Parents are asked to park considerately. We encourage drop-off and pick-ups in Kennedy’s Bush Road. All the streets surrounding the school are hazardous.

Many of our children ride bicycles to school and are obliged to travel on busy roads. The risks involved are obvious to most and we know that you support us in our programme of road safety education. It is compulsory to wear a safety approved cycle helmet. We do not support children under 10 riding their bikes to school.

All billable items are charged through an individual parent’s school account, including school donations, up to and including Term 3. In Term 4 all items are paid for in advance of the activity.

Parent donations are an important source of school funds and are used to support all school programmes. As a decile 10 school we are one of the schools that receives the least amount of Government support. The donation pays for things that are not directly funded by the Government: library books, sports and recreation equipment, music resources, e-learning equipment including computer hardware, software and video equipment.

The annual donation:

• applies to the first two children in a family, with a 50% reduction for the third child, and subsequent children
• is tax deductible

No child will be denied any experience should his or her parents be unable to contribute.

From time to time, there will be an extra charge to cover other approved outings. In the main these are Education Outside the Classroom events requiring off-site or overnight stays. The school fees have been set as $175 per annum billed over the first three terms for children who are enrolled in Term 1. For third and subsequent children they are discounted by 50% – $87.50 per annum.

Your Board of Trustees is totally committed to maintaining the high standard of facilities and education at Halswell School and trust that you will support us in this regard. School donations, which are a voluntary donation, will be charged to your account.

Hand Bell 8:45 a.m. children from Otumatua.
First Bell 8:55 am
Morning classes commence 9:00 am
Morning interval 10:30 am – 10:50 am
Midday Lunchtime 12:00 pm
Afternoon classes commence 12:30 pm
Free play and sports practices 1:30 pm
Inquiry Time and Project based Learning 2:00 pm
Classes conclude 3:00 pm

Children are instructed to go straight home after school before engaging in any other activity. We expect most of our pupils to arrive at school between 8.30 and 8.45 a.m. Teachers are available in the Learning Centres from 8:30am. The teachers do not carry out playground duty before or after school.

We supply New Entrants with their initial stationery which parents purchase. All other stationery should be purchased through a retail shop.

This is a very important school subject and must be treated as such. The requirement is simple. It is part of our job to encourage confidence and a love of swimming, as well as teach skills. This is a term four programme. A feature of our swimming programme is the use of the heated pool complex, run by Starfish Swim School, at Aidanfield Christian College. This is a Year 0-6 programme. Parents need to ensure their children bring their togs each day of the swimming programme. Lessons are charged along with the bus fare.

A short two or three lesson programme immediately prior to our February school swimming sports can be held at the Halswell Aquatic Centre, subject to the availability of the pool.

Tuck Shop

Can be ordered on Thursday mornings for lunch on Friday. Orders and payment need to be made to the School Cafe by 9am. On Friday the lunch will then be delivered to your child’s T Group.

Subway

One of our wonderful school parents who owns a subway franchise has offered a subway school lunch service alongside the tuck shop.
$5 = Six inch Sub
$8 = Footlong Sub
For each subway lunch order the school will receive $1 towards PTA fundraising projects.
Orders and payment need to be made to the Cafe by Thursday 9am.

How to order Tuck Shop and Subway

Tuck Shop Menu

Tuck Shop Subway Order Form

Sausage Sizzle

On Wednesday we have a sausage sizzle, where children can also buy a cookie. The cost of each item is $2.00. Children order in the Hall before school on a Wednesday morning. Cookies are given to them at the time. Sausage tickets are delivered to their T Group before lunchtime – children then use these at lunchtime to get a sausage from outside the Hall.

Our school uniform has just been updated and is available on-line from ArgyleOnline.  The office has complete sets of sample uniforms in sizes 4,6,8,10,12 and 14 for trying on before ordering online. Additional information can be found at www.argyleonline.co.nz.

Here is a brochure outlining the school uniform – Uniform-brochure

Order Here

Physical Education and Sports Uniform

A school P.E and sports uniform top is available through ArgyleOnline.  This item is not compulsory, but is strongly recommended from Years 5 and above. When children represent our school in sports events or inter school games they wear their P.E./ sports uniform or will be outfitted with a school loan sports uniforms, which will need to be washed and returned to school promptly.

Second Hand Uniforms

We encourage parents to donate uniforms that children have grown out of. These are stored in the old office  and are freely available to parents requiring garments.

This is also a Facebook group set up by parents: Halswell School Uniforms for Sale

The Ministry of Education provides useful information for parents on supporting your child’s learning in reading, written language and maths.

Supporting your child’s learning

Canterbury District Health Board have a series of parenting guides covering topics such as:

• how to help kids be grateful and kind
• how to help kids manage worries
• how to help kids feel good and have fun
• how to help kids keep calm

CDHB Parenting Guides

The question of children bringing valuable personal property to school seldom arises, but when it does the question as to whom is responsible for safe keeping could be a problem.

As a general rule the responsibility for the property is on the parents and the pupil involved, although the school would make every effort to ensure that the property is protected. However, if the property was requested by a staff member it would seem reasonable that responsibility for its protection be assumed by the school.

Cameras, walkmans etc. taken on school trips are strictly the child’s responsibility. The carrying of jewellery and large sums of money by children is strongly discouraged. Only ‘studs’ or ‘sleepers’ in pierced ears please. We discourage pupils from wearing any unnecessary items of jewellery to school. This includes necklaces, bangles and rings. Teachers may request the removal of these items if they could be considered a danger (e.g. Physical Education lessons).

The bringing to school of expensive toys (e.g. scooters), motorised cars, transformers etc. is actively discouraged. All money brought to school by junior children should be in an envelope stating name, room and purpose, and brought to the office.

Children are discouraged from bringing cell phones to school. However if parents deem this necessary they must remain in the child’s bag until after 3pm.

Halswell School hosts other schools and groups of visitors on Thursdays.  Available sessions are 9.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. – 3 p.m.  Please contact the school office to book a time slot.