School A-Z

Absence from School
Please telephone the school if your child is absent for that day. For safety reasons it is most important that we can account for students who are absent from his or her classroom when the Attendance Register is called at the beginning of the day.
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Accidents, Sickness and Prescribed Medicines
The school endeavours to minimise hazards and prevent accidents. From time to time, however, accidents do happen. The vast majority of accidents are minor so we will not notify parents. When an injury or illness is thought to be more serious, we will contact parents immediately. However, if the Principal or First Aid Officer considers the sickness or injury requires urgent medical attention, this will be sought immediately. The school needs current contact numbers for these times. Please ensure we always have these up-to-date numbers.

St Heliers School does supervise the taking of prescribed medicine in exceptional circumstances, i.e. when it is absolutely necessary that a student must take a prescribed medicine during school hours. Any request from parents for such medicine to be administered at school must be received in writing. A form for this purpose is available from the office. Supervision of the taking of the medicine will be by the designated First Aid Officer.
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After School Care
There is a local facility that provides this service and the information is available on this website and from the school office.
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Area Health Board Testing for Hearing and Vision
A programme is conducted each term by the Auckland Area Health Board to screen for hearing or vision impairments. Parents are contacted if any hearing or vision issues arise.
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Assemblies
Assemblies are on Friday at 2.00 pm in the school hall. All are welcome.
Merit certificates are awarded during Year 1-4 and Year 5-8 assemblies.
Excellence Awards and Citizenship Awards are presented at full school assemblies.
Staff will contact parents/caregivers to advise when a child is receiving an award. We like to keep this as a surprise for the student.
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Calculators
Students will need a basic calculator to carry out the New Zealand mathematics curriculum. A calculator with scientific functions is better than a basic four-operation model.
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Concerns/Queries
If parents have any concerns or queries about some aspect of their child's schooling, please make an appointment with your child's class teacher. If the matter requires further discussion or is unresolved, the appropriate team leader would become involved. The Principal would only become involved in such issues after discussions with the class teacher and team leader remained unresolved.
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Damage to School Property
Where a pupil causes damage through deliberate destruction or undue carelessness it is school policy to inform the parents and seek their co-operation in rectifying the problem.
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Dental Clinic (Phone 575 7486)
Free dental treatment is offered to children over two and a half years through a scheme provided by Waitemata Health. The St Heliers Clinic is open 8.15 am - 4.15 pm on a cycle with other local school clinics which is determined by the authorities.
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Extra Curricula Activities
There are a variety of activities available for students at school. Staff take extra time to provide activities during the lunch breaks, before and after school. Students are notified of these through the school daily notice sheet. Read more about our Enrichment Programme.
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Homework
St Heliers School has a policy of providing a small amount of homework for children on a regular basis. This promotes good work habits, learning to work independently and provides an opportunity for parents and children to share in learning experiences. In no case is this ever excessive and should always be set at an age appropriate level. If you have any questions regarding the homework set, please contact your child's teacher.
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Leave of Absence
Schools have a legal responsibility to ensure that the attendance of all pupils is satisfactory. Attendance records of all pupils are faithfully maintained in the register and an audit is carried out each year. From time to time, parents may wish to take their children out of school for an extended period of time. To ensure that a place is retained for your child or children, and as a matter of courtesy, you must request leave of absence from the school in writing. Without leave authority, we are required to remove a pupil from the roll after 20 days' absence.
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Library
The library is a focal point of the school and children are encouraged to use it regularly. All pupils are encouraged to borrow books and take them home to read. Normal library rules apply and the books must be returned by the due date.
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Lost Property
Lost Property is kept at the back of the school hall. Every effort is made to return named items. All clothing must be named. Lost Property is cleaned out at the end of each term. Unclaimed items are put in the recycle clothing bin.
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Lunches
The school has contracted its lunch service to The Kids Lunch Box that operates out of the hall kitchen. A complete menu and price list is provided in the school foyer.

Lunch orders should be written on the outside of an envelope with the child's name and room number and deposited in the box in the office foyer with payment. Monitors collect and distribute lunches at 12:30 pm.
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Notifying the School
If your child is to be picked up by anyone other than the usual people (grandparents, relations, friends);
If your child has a notifiable disease - infectious;
If you change your telephone number or address.
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Parent Teacher Association
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is an enthusiastic, energetic group of parents who support St Heliers School in its day-to-day activities throughout the year.
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Pre-school Visits
As a student nears their fifth birthday, pre-school visits are encouraged. Two morning visits can be arranged on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. The Deputy Principal should be contacted to arrange these.
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Public Health Nurse
The Public Health Nurse for our school visits the school regularly and students can be referred through the classroom teacher and the Deputy Principal.
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Road Safety
Road safety is of key concern for children travelling to and from school. Pupils are constantly reminded, both in and out of the classroom, of the safety rules that must be observed daily. Programmes such as Safe Walking and Safe Cycling are taught within the curriculum. Please do not double park to pick up children.

Pupils who ride bicycles to school must be familiar with the Road Code and meet three conditions:

• The cycle is completely roadworthy
• Parents have given permission
• The wearing of cycle helmets by all cyclists is compulsory

School traffic wardens are on patrol at the traffic lights at the intersection of St Heliers Bay Road, Riddell Road and Maskell Street each morning from 8.30-8.55 am and each afternoon from 3.00-3.10 pm. A staff member supervises the afternoon crossings. Children are to cross the roads only at the patrolled traffic lights, and must use the Kea Crossing if crossing Walmsley Road.
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School Banking
School banking is in partnership with the National Bank. We have our own trained bank tellers. School banking is on Thursday mornings in Room 15 before school starts.
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School Fees and Donations
A donation is requested of parents to contribute towards the shortfall in funding from the Government. These donations are put towards such things as:

• Computers
• Sports equipment
• Teaching aids
• Performing Arts
• German programme
• Local curriculum activities
• Camp
• Sports events
• Competitions
• Aquatics programme

The donations are set as follows:
One child at St Heliers $400.00
Two children $650.00
Three or more children $800.00

• Where a child starts during the second half year, pro-rata'd rates will apply.
• There is a 5% early payment discount to coincide with the end of the financial year for tax purposes, 31st March.
• Payment can be made in full or in instalments (Visa, Mastercard and Eftpos are now available at the School Office).

It is requested that fees be paid in the first term of the new school year, however arrangements can be made to pay in instalments each term if necessary.
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School Leaders
We have several Year 8 students who are selected to be school leaders. They have a range of duties around the school and are issued with a badge. They support students, staff and community.
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School Newsletter
This is provided fortnightly to all parents through the students and email. It contains items of interest, information about school programmes, events and notable achievements. This is the main source of information to parents about upcoming events and reminders.
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School Photos
Class and group photos are taken in Term 2 for and individual photos are taken in Term 3.
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School Student Council
Students from Years 3-8 make up the school student council. Each classroom has two elected representatives who are issued with a badge. They attend regular meetings to discuss issues, help organise school events and support students, staff and community.
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School Uniform
The school uniform and sports uniform are compulsory for all students.
Please ensure all items of clothing are clearly named.
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School Trips, Camps and Education Outside the Classroom In order to enrich the pupil's education, class trips are sometimes organised. These can be on a half or full day basis or can sometimes be for up to a week. Extensive planning is required by the teacher and a proposal outlining the purpose, plans and itinerary of each trip is given to the Principal. Regulations determining the required ratio of adults to pupils are adhered to. Invariably parents are invited to support, take part in and enjoy their child's class trip.

A travel consent form is completed on enrolment which is valid for the entire time your child is at St Heliers School. All trips and visits will be well-publicised either in the Principal's, team leader's or class teacher's newletters.
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Signing out at School Office
If a child needs to leave the school grounds during school hours, parents/caregivers of that student, where possible, should notify the classroom teacher before the start of the school day. All parents must report to the school office to sign the student out and only then will the student be sent for. Please do not take students directly from classrooms.
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Sport
Sport is an integral part of the school Curriculum and all students are expected to participate in organised programmes to develop physical skills, co-ordination, learn co-operation and determination. If your child cannot participate for any medical reason, we request a notice from the parent or caregiver outlining the reasons.

Students are required to change into sports uniforms for PE and organised sports. Lack of a sports uniform is not however sufficient grounds to be excused.
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Stationery
Classroom teachers provide a list of stationery required for each student.
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Student Progress
'Meet the Teachers Evening' happens early in Term 1 of each year.
Two written reports are issued for each student - one mid-year and one at the end of the year.
Parent/Teacher interviews are scheduled when mid-year reports are issued.
Staff are available to have informal chats before or after school for a few minutes. If you require a longer time, you can contact the office and a time will be organised with the staff member concerned. Staff have meetings after school on several days and will find a time that suits as soon as possible.
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Supervision of the School Grounds
During morning tea interval and lunch break teachers are on duty in the school grounds. When injuries occur or concerns arise, pupils should initially contact the duty teacher.
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Technology
Year 7 and 8 students attend Tamaki Intermediate for Technology classes weekly. Year 7 students attend on Monday mornings and Year 8 students on Thursday mornings.
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