Question 1

Attendance / Absences

Accepted Answer

Attendance at school is compulsory between 9.00am and 3.00pm each day the school is open. Parents should inform the school before 9.00am of a child's absence or intended lateness. Please telephone the school answerphone and provide the reason for the child's absence. All absences are checked and your message saves a lot of time. If we do not hear from you we will contact you to ensure your child is safe.   If a child is to be absent for non-medical reasons, the school must be notified beforehand. For absences of one week or longer, notification must be in writing and the date of return to school must be specified.   Please do not send your child to school if they are unwell. If you are worried about your child’s health please seek the advice of a GP before bringing your child to school. Please allow your child time to recover from illness before returning to school.   • No child with diarrhoea or vomiting should attend school. Children must be symptom free for 24 hours and in the case of diarrhoea have had at least one normal bowel motion before returning to school.

Question 2

Accidents / First Aid

Accepted Answer

First aid is given when your child is sick or has an accident. If the sickness or accident is such that the child should be sent home, we will contact the whanau / parents / caregivers for guidance on this. If the accident is serious, the child will be taken to the Emergency Department of Wellington Hospital. We will contact the whanau / parents / caregivers immediately. It is therefore important that we have accurate records of the address and phone numbers of all whanau / parents / caregivers at school. Please notify the school of any changes during the year.

Question 3

After School Care

Accepted Answer

A privately operated company, Technicolor Kids, runs an after school care programme, from one of the classrooms. It is open each day, 3.00pm to 5.30pm. Enrolment information is held at the school office. Contact numbers for the supervisor, Justine Fletcher are: 972 4099 or 027 381 3409.

Question 4

Assemblies

Accepted Answer

Assemblies are not being held during Covid Level 2

Question 5

Behaviour at School

Accepted Answer

The approach to student behaviour, policy and practice, are based on the following: Acknowledging and highlighting positive behaviour; Everyone’s right to an harmonious environment; Fair and consistent approaches when modifying or dealing with inappropriate behaviour; Understanding, that those children who never offend should not suffer because of those who do offend; No-one has the right to take up an unfair amount of teacher time. Through consultation with children, whanau/parents/caregivers and staff, we have also agreed that certain forms of behaviour are totally inappropriate at our school. These include: physical violence with intent verbal abuse sexual harassment vandalism racism teasing bullying   We endeavour to implement appropriate and consistent consequences for misbehaviour. We favour discussion and counselling, making the consequence match the behaviour where appropriate, such as isolation / time out until the child is ready to interact positively with others again and working with whanau / parents / caregivers. Stand-downs from school are an undesirable and final consequence only and, thank goodness, rarely needs to be used at Matairangi Clyde Quay School. We concentrate on the positive!

Question 6

Clothing

Accepted Answer

The amount of lost property we accumulate in the year is staggering. If unclaimed, the clothing gets sold or donated to charity. If however articles of clothing are named, they would be returned to their rightful owner. We would really appreciate your help in this campaign. All lost property is stored in the brown box at the back of the staffroom.

Question 7

Concerns

Accepted Answer

When you have concerns or worries about any aspect of your child’s development or time at Matairangi Clyde Quay School, please discuss them with the staff member who you consider most appropriate for the occasion. We will assure you of confidentiality and that you will be listened to most seriously.   If your concerns still continue, feel free to discuss them with the principal who will liaise between you and staff if necessary.   To contact the Board of Trustees for any concerns please email them.

Question 8

Dental Clinic

Accepted Answer

A mobile dental clinic visits the school once a year. The dental therapists will examine all children who are enrolled on their register.  Children who are identified at their examination as needing further treatment, such as a preventative coating or filling, will require this treatment at a dental hub located at Selby House, 175 Adelaide Road, Newtown. Parents/caregivers will need to ring 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583) to arrange a suitable time and attend this appointment with their child

Question 9

Enrolling Children

Accepted Answer

For information on enrolment see our Enrolment Page

Question 10

Hearing and Vision

Accepted Answer

All New Entrants will have their hearing and vision tested within 6 months of starting at school and rechecked at Year 7.

Question 11

Languages

Accepted Answer

Te Reo The school has a commitment to the teaching of Maori language. Staff undertakes professional development at different times in order to facilitate the te reo Maori programme.   French Our Year 7 students attend French lessons once a week throughout the school year.   Mandarin Our Yr 8 students attend Mandarin lessons once a week throughout the year.

Question 12

Library

Accepted Answer

We have done extensive work in upgrading our school library so that it contains not only an extensive selection of literature and research material, but also computers and software which allow children to extend their research and communication skills in an up-to-date way. Our library is fully automated.   All children have one library period per week and they can usually use the library during lunch times. Children are urged to borrow and return a variety of books on a regular basis.   We are very proud of our library and are continually upgrading its environment so that it is exciting,colourful and stimulating for children.

Question 13

Lunches

Accepted Answer

Children need healthy lunches every day. This can include sandwiches, fresh and dried fruit, raw vegetables and crackers. Please avoid sugar and canned soft drinks. We do not permit chocolate, lollies or chewing gum at school.   Occasionally special lunches will be available, such as sausage sizzles. These will be advertised in the Wednesday newsletter.

Question 14

New Entrants - Getting Ready for School

Accepted Answer

Please help get your child ready for school by teaching them the following: Name and address The safest way to and from school and to go straight home after school Doing up their own shoe laces Taking off and putting on coat/jacket by themselves Using a handkerchief and always having one Washing their hands and flushing the toilet Putting away play things after using them Being respectful, considerate and kind to others Looking after their own belongings; jersey, lunch box etc. It is helpful if clothing is labelled . Please help your child to enjoy school by: Helping them to practise writing their name (not in capitals). Admiring their work when they bring it home. Listening to them and praising them when they bring a book home to read to or with you. Making sure they go to bed early and get plenty of sleep. Making sure they have a good breakfast and bring play lunch and lunch to school. Not sending toys to school – teachers cannot accept responsibility for them. Your child will need: A school bag that is big enough to hold lunch, a drink, a reading book folder, jersey and swimming togs.   Your child’s teacher will explain to you how you can help your child with the reading books they bring home. Please make sure they look after books at home and remember to return them each day. This is really important in their development as readers.

Question 15

Parking

Accepted Answer

We have very limited parking space here at school. The teachers, kindergarten staff, caretaker, secretary and teacher aides take up every available space! We would ask you please to park your cars outside on the street when visiting school or dropping off/picking up children. We also ask you to avoid double parking as we worry about the safety of children. Thanks for your co-operation in this.   Year 6, 7 and 8 children also perform very valuable road patrol duties. They assist children across the very busy Elizabeth Street crossing before and after school.

Question 16

Payment Options

Accepted Answer

We've set up myKindo online school shop to make it easy for familiarise to pay for school costs.  This is our preferred payment method for school expenses. Alternatively payments can be made direct to our bank account with ASB Willis Street.  The number is 12 3141 0350817 00. Please include your child’s name in the reference details. Eftpos facilities are available in the office.

Question 17

Policies

Accepted Answer

If you would like to view any of our policies, please contact the office and this can be arranged.  An index of policies is below.   Curriculum Curriculum and Student Achievement
Education Outside the Classroom
Health education/Curriculum consultation
Home Learning
Improving Educational Outcomes for Maori
Learning Support
Reading Recovery/Literacy Support
Recognition of Cultural Diversity   Documentation and Self Review Documentation and Self-Review
Reporting to Parents
School Planning and Reporting   Employer Responsibility Appointment Procedure
Appraisal of Staff
Appraisal of the Principal
Attestation
Classroom Release Time/Timetable
Complaints
EEO Policy
Employer Responsibility
Performance Management
Police Vetting for Non-Techers
Protected Disclosure
Provisionally Certified Teachers (PCTs)
Salary Units/Management Allowances
Staff Leave
Teacher Certification and Police Vetting   Finance and Property Management 10 Year Property Plan (10 YPP)
Finance and Property Management
Financial Control and Expenditure
SUE (Staff Usage and Expenditure)   Health, Safety and Welfare Abuse Recognition and Reporting
Alcohol, Drugs and Other Harmful Substances\ Animals in Schools
Behaviour Management
Child Protection
Digital Technology and Cyber Safety
Emergency Planning and Procedures
Evacuation Procedure/Emergency Kit
Harassment
Health, Safety and Welfare
Medicines, Minor/Moderate Injury or Illness
Physical Restraint (click here for FAQ)
Risk Management
Safety Management System
Separated Parents, Day-to-Day Care & Guardianship
Sun Protection
Surrender & Retention of Property and Searches
Visitors   Legislation and Administration Length of School Year
Privacy
Student Attendance

Question 18

Road Patrol

Accepted Answer

Year 6, 7 and 8 children can volunteer for road patrol. They assist children across the very busy Elizabeth Street crossing before and after school.

Question 19

Reporting to Whanau / Parents / Caregivers

Accepted Answer

Written reports are issued twice a year, with 1 set face-face meeting.  If you wish to discuss your child's progress at any other time, please contact the class teacher to arrange a suitable time.

Question 20

School Board

Accepted Answer

Schools and kura in New Zealand are self-managing and governed by the School Board, who include elected members from their local community. The CQS Board governs the school and is tasked with ensuring that everything that needs to be done, gets done - in the best interests of its students, whilst meeting legal and ethical obligations. Liz Patara as our school principal, is the ‘chief executive’ who manages the school and kura in line with the Board’s direction and policies. Our Board is made up of trustees elected from the community, as well as appointed members to represent staff.   The membership of the CQS Board includes the following appointed members: Liz Patara (Principal) Mel Sutton (Staff Representative) In addition our Board has the following elected members from our community: Dave Woods David Phipps Grant Manson Johnny Tripe Michelle Little Paul Venning-Slater Thorsten Engel (Chair)   If you would like to find out more or get involved, then please also check out the information available from the Ministry of Education on this Website: Click here

Question 21

Special Needs

Accepted Answer

Every child at our school has a special need and some children have more than others. This may be because they are very able and need extending in their learning or conversely have a specific learning difficulty and need accelerating. Others have behaviour, health or language challenges. At times, it requires considerable effort from staff however it is also what makes life so rich and rewarding for us at Matairangi Clyde Quay School.   An innovation at the school is the variety of opportunities we explore to meet the needs of our children. These include: 1:1 reading recovery, small group tuition, programmes for children with special abilities, kapahaka, and language tutors (finance permitting).   Teachers meet regularly to discuss the special needs of children and to put in place appropriate strategies. It is here that we also devise interventions for behaviour modification.

Question 22

Stationery

Accepted Answer

To ensure that students have the correct exercise books, all students need to purchase a class stationery pack from the school. Books have been sourced from our regular stationery supplier at very competitive prices. If your child transfers to Matairangi Clyde Quay School, the stationery they bring with them from their previous school is perfectly acceptable to begin with. Their class teacher will advise if further books are required.

Question 23

Student Behaviour

Accepted Answer

The approach to student behaviour, policy and practice, are based on the following: Acknowledging and highlighting positive behaviour; Everyone’s right to an harmonious environment; Fair and consistent approaches when modifying or dealing with inappropriate behaviour; Understanding, that those children who never offend should not suffer because of those who do offend; No-one has the right to take up an unfair amount of teacher time. Through consultation with children, whanau/parents/caregivers and staff, we have also agreed that certain forms of behaviour are totally inappropriate at our school.   These include: physical violence with intent verbal abuse sexual harassment vandalism racism  teasing bullying   We endeavour to implement appropriate and consistent consequences for misbehaviour. We favour discussion and counselling, making the consequence match the behaviour where appropriate, such as isolation / time out until the child is ready to interact positively with others again and working with whanau / parents / caregivers.  Stand-downs from school are an undesirable and final consequence only and, thank goodness, rarely needs to be used at Matairangi Clyde Quay School. We concentrate on the positive!

Question 24

Support Agencies

Accepted Answer

The school liaises with support personnel from other agencies in order to cater to the needs of all our students. Examples of available support: Hearing & vision technicians Resource Teachers of Behaviour & Learning Counsellors Group Special Education workers

Question 25

Swimming

Accepted Answer

Clyde Quay School has a regular swimming programme for all Y1 – Y8 children during February and March. This takes place at the Kilbirnie Aquatic Centre. All children are expected to take part in swimming lessons. They are an important part of the school curriculum and the school subsidises part of the cost.

Question 26

Technicraft Lessons - Year 7/8

Accepted Answer

All Year 7 and 8 students attend technology lessons once a week to learn: Food technology Electronics Information Communication Skills using a variety of textiles Technology lessons are held at Mt Cook School and children walk there and back - an easy 15 minute walk. Children must wear suitable footwear to protect their feet because of the tools used during lessons.   There are associated costs to cover the use of materials and families are advised of these at the beginning of the year.

Question 27

Voluntary Donations

Accepted Answer

The government funds schools for teacher salaries and general operations. However, we find that we have to raise money to supplement the purchase of resources to further enhance our classroom programmes. We appreciate the support whanau/parents provide through voluntary donations. It means children have access to a wider range of resources and facilities as a result of the school community’s efforts. We raise this money through: family voluntary donations and fundraising activities. In past years,funds raised have helped with the upgrade of the school library, enhancing the school environment, financing teacher aides in classrooms, supporting the cost of computers, the internet, digital cameras, and much more. Currently, the amount requested for family donations is: $350 per child, with a maximum of $700 per family. These may be paid as a lump sum or in instalments. Payments can be made through myKindo (the online school shop),  directly to the school’s bank account or by eftpos, cash or cheque at the school office.

Question 28

Whanau / Parent / Caregiver Help

Accepted Answer

The school is always in need of whanau/ parent / caregiver help for trips and making equipment. Whanau/ parents / caregivers are encouraged to indicate, near the beginning of the year, how they can assist the school. Such assistance may include sewing of cushions/curtains, technology advisors, coaching sports teams, reading to small groups of children, dance and singing support, helping with fundraising. This help may be on a regular basis or on one-off special occasions. Any help is very much appreciated.