An A to Z of all things you need to know about at Halswell School.
Click on the heading to expand or collapse each section.
- Use the Halswell School App to send an email, or ring the office to leave an absence message on the answer machine before 9am. Please give a reason why your child is absent.
- Please notify the office 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.
Space currently available in both the morning and afternoon programmes
Hours
Before school: 7.15am – 8.30am
After school: 3.00pm – 6.00pm
Contact Details
Phone/text: 0274 181 786
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.
OSCAR Enrolment Form 2020
OSCAR Terms and Conditions June 2020
www.oscarnetwork.org.nz
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.
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 Representative Groups | Participation in Representative group |
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 who have done one or more terms of road patrol |
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/extension ensemble group | 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 Semi Final or 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
ahuriri2019.blogspot.co.nz
Huritini
2019whio.blogspot.co.nz
2019tk.blogspot.co.nz
Orongomai
orongomai.blogspot.co.nz
Otawhito
hs-sb-otawhito.blogspot.co.nz
twitter.com/otawhito
Otamatua
twitter.com/OtumatuaHS
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 an internet filtering system through Network 4 Learning (N4L), a government provider. This service 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.
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.
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.
Inter-house competition aims to: provide an air of competition in certain school sports events, e.g. swimming, athletics, cross country.
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 symptoms end.
Currently we offer:
- Senior Choir: an all-comers choir for children in Years 5 -8. They rehearse from 8.30 to 9.00am on Tuesday. The main focus is participation in our Music Assemblies and the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival.
- Vocal Group: an auditioned choir taken from the Senior Choir. Vocal Group rehearse each Tuesday, and prepare for performances, often outside of the school community.
- Orchestra: Consisting of string, woodwind, brass and percussion players. Orchestra rehearse on Wednesdays from 8.30 to 9.10am. Children can join the group on recommendation from their music tutor, or auditioning at the start of each year.
- Junior Choir: an all-comers choir for children in years 3 and 4 who rehearses on Tuesday at 1:30. The choir functions as a training choir which often performs within the school community and at our Music Assemblies.
- Rock Band: An auditioned band who rehearse on a Friday after school. Rock Band play at Band Quest each year and often perform at Music Assemblies.
- Percussion Ensemble: an auditioned group that rehearse on a Wednesday
- 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, trumpet, flute, drums, guitar and bass guitar. Children who are interested in learning an instrument register their interest at the end of the year in preparation for the start of the following year. Limited vacancies occur during the course of the school year.
Previous newsletters can be found here.
- 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!
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tuckshop orders are now online, including new pie, sushi, bakery & gluten free items! Register at mykindo.co.nz
Browse the new menu, order & pay online anytime during the week, for delivery on Friday. Orders close 11:00am Thursday.
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.
Here is a brochure outlining the school uniform – Uniform-brochure
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
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.