School Information
APPOINTMENTS
If your child needs to attend an appointment, please contact your classroom teacher or the office.
BOOK BAGS
Book bags are part of the stationery requirement at Kakaramea School. Please use for all readers, homework books and library books being carried between home and school.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees meets on the third Tuesday of every month (January to December).
BUS
Children carried on the Patea Area School bus are carried as “courtesy” passengers. Good behaviour is expected on the bus. Children who do not remain seated or behave properly may be asked to find an alternative means of transport.
STAFF
Mr Andrew Retallick: Principal
Mrs Kylee Manson Teacher
Mrs Karee Duncan: Teacher
Miss Hannah Boon: Teacher
Mrs Colleen Hurley: Principal Release, Reading Recovery, Special Needs
Mrs Celeste Cole: Learning Assistant
Mrs Larissa Morris: Learning Assistant
Mrs Lois Werder: Secretary
Ms Pipi Ngarewa: School Cleaner
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
The Board of Trustees provides laptops and ipads to support the learning in classrooms. We do not expect families to provide these for learning.
We have a Facebook page to share coming events and for parents to comment about events.
Please ‘like’ our page Kakaramea School to receive notifications.
FOOD ALLERGIES
Schools are required to provide a safe environment for students. At times we need your support to do this. Some students have allergies to food ranging from mild to severe. Parents and students are advised and asked not to provide the food concerned in student’s lunches. This avoids cross contamination or a child inadvertently eating a product that is harmful to them.
Parents of students with allergies are asked to provide an action plan arranged with a medical practitioner. Where required, epipens are provided by parents to school. Staff are trained to administer these.
HOME LEARNING
Children are expected to read each night. For Juniors this will be a Teacher selected book. Seniors are responsible for their own choice of book. Older children are also expected to practice basic facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division), spelling lists and any other homework set by the teacher. Homework should not exceed 30 minutes per night
INTERNET SAFETY
Our students have access to and are encouraged to use a variety of online tools for research, communication and collaboration. With this great opportunity comes the responsibility to act appropriately and be safe in online spaces. Throughout their time a Kakaramea School we deliberately and explicitly teach students the knowledge and skills they need to be able to participate and contribute safely when using the internet.
Our safety guidelines state that students must have a signed permission form before accessing and using the internet. There is a copy of this form included in the enrolment pack, and extra copies can be picked up from the office. We appreciate your support in returning these as soon as possible.
ISSUES/ CONCERNS / WORRIES
If you have any concerns regarding any aspect of your child’s school life, please feel free to contact his/her teacher or the principal. We very much value your input and look forward to working with you and your family.
KAPA HAKA
There is a Kapa Haka group in the school. This group meets and practices in the led up to the local Kapa Haka Festival and they work hard to get their standard to a level to share their skills in public.
LOST PROPERTY
The ideal is to avoid lost property and this is achieved by clearly naming all property so if it is lost or misplaced we can return it to the child.
Lost property is placed in a large clear container outside Fern classroom at the end of the school hall way. It is displayed for all to see after school and at the end of terms.
LUNCHES
Children bring lunches to school Monday-Thursday. A bought lunch can be ordered from school on a Thursday, it will be delivered by 12:30pm on Friday. Morning tea cannot be bought. Please contact the school office and they will help you with any enquiries about ordering.
MAORI LANGUAGE
Te reo Maori is taught in all classrooms.
MEDICATION
All medication is to be handed in to the school office, with the students name and specific details on how to administer it. A parent or caregiver must sign the medical administer form. The medication must be in the container provided by the pharmacy with the instructions of dosage required. We will do our best to administer medication, however at times this may not always be possible.
NATIONAL STANDARDS
Kakaramea School has implemented the National Standards from 2010. They are reported on twice a year in the School Report, (see Reporting to Parents). Student achievement is also discussed at the twice yearly parent teacher discussions. You can ask teachers at any time about results or if your child is on track to meet the Standards.
The standards are all included in the School Report and are available on the Ministry of Education website at www.minedu.govt.nz.
NEWSLETTER
A newsletter to the school community is sent home every 2nd week. If you have any items for the newsletter, please inform us on the Thursday before by 9.30a.m.The newsletter is available on our website www.Kakaramea.school.nz, on our facebook page and is also displayed on the noticeboard in the school hallway. Extra copies are available in the office.
PARENT HELP
All teachers value parent help in their programmes. There are opportunities to assist with spelling and maths basic facts checking on a weekly basis. Other opportunities include classroom help, assisting on excursions or camps. Check with classroom teachers to see how you can help.
PARKING
Please park in designated areas if possible. Also, the parking areas need to be clear at the times the bus arrives or the driver will not enter the grounds to pick up or drop off our children.
PRINCIPAL
Our principal is Andrew Retallick. Please make appointments through the office if you wish to speak to the principal. Alternately, he can be contacted by email: principal@kakaramea.school.nz
PRODUCTION
A whole school production is held every two years.
REPORTING TO PARENTS
Parent interviews will be held twice a year, for our Years 1-3 students at 6 monthly and yearly anniversary and Years 4-6 terms 2 & 4, where you can come in and talk about your child’s progress, your child’s next learning steps and what goals you would like to see set for your child’s learning. You will receive a formal report at these times.
DONATION
We ask for a donation of $50.00 per child at the beginning of each year towards the cost of photocopying, coloured pencils, felt tip pens and towel laundering. Payment of these is voluntary.
SCHOOL FACILITIES
The school has fantastic facilities which include an uncovered astroturf court, playground, large grass field and a concrete court. These are open and available after hours to our local community during the summer months.
SCHOOL SPORT
Students have a lot of opportunities to play sport in school teams. These include: cricket, touch rugby, rugby league, miniball, netball, swimming and hockey. We always need coaches and managers to help with teams. Watch the newsletter.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
Every year teachers share their talents with children in lunchtime activities. These may include:
gymnastics, running, sports, coding, ukulele, dance, and many others.
SUN SMART
The school has a sun smart policy. All students are required to wear a brimmed hat in Terms 1 and 4. Students without hats are restricted to shaded areas, generally outside the main block.
SWIMMING
During the summer months swimming is the Physical Education programme. All children are expected to participate. A note is necessary to exclude a child. Students also have a beach safety day with trained lifeguards during their time at the school.
TEACHER ACCESS
Our teachers are very approachable and we set aside some times when you can talk with them. All classroom teachers are in their rooms every day from 8:30am and again after school until 3:20pm. If you need a private meeting or more time you can make an appointment to meet.
TOYS AT SCHOOL
We strongly recommend that children do not bring toys or precious belongings to school.
WEBSITE
The school website can be accessed at www.kakaramea.school.nz The school site provides basic information about the school. Up to date newsletters can be found there.
If you require any further information about the school please feel free to contact the office or speak to classroom teachers.
WORKING BEES
These are held periodically to clean up the grounds, gardens, edges. Don’t wait to be asked personally, just come along on the day. You will be informed.