School Information

Welcome

Tamatea Primary School's Vision 'Connected, Curious and Confident' is important to all the individuals who make up our school: tamariki, staff and whānau. We have a nurturing learning envirnoment promotes wellbeing.

School Hours and Bell Times

We ask that children arrive after 8:00am - this is the time when the Road Patrollers are on duty at the crossing. Please have your child at school on time to ensure a settled start to the school day.

8:30am - Start of School

8:30am - 10:25am - Morning Block

10:25am - 10:35am - Kai Time

10:35am - 10:50am - Play Time

10:55am - 12:00pm - Middle Block

12:00pm - 12:35pm - Play Time

12:35pm - 12:55pm - Lunch

1:00pm - 2:30pm - Afternoon Block

2:30pm - End of school

Absences

Parents are asked to contact the school before 8:30am if their child is going to be absent from school. All absences will be followed up by office staff at the start of each day. You can do this by reporting an absences through the Hero app or ringing the school office.

The school newsletter will be emailed every 2 weeks and will be available on the school Website, Hero and Facebook.

Parking

For safety reasons parents are asked to use the Car Park at the Living Waters Church across the road from school when dropping off and collecting children. There is also plenty of parking at the Canterbury Street entrance to the school.

Please do not use the staff car park area as a drop off or pick up zone. The car park can be a busy place, especially before and after school.

Parent Contribution

We have opted into the Donations Scheme and comply with the Ministry's requirments, including that parents do not have to make voluntary donations except for any school camp.

After School Care

There is an OSCAR After School Programme at our school. It also offers a terrific action packed Holiday Programme! Check out their page on our Website or their Facebook page. For more details phone the AFCARE on 027 358 0848.

Lost Property

Lost property is kept on the blue trolley under the Learning Centre shelter. This may be checked by parents during school hours. We ask that parents name their child's clothing.

Hero app

We use Hero for school comunication, sharing of photos, work and absences. Please make sure you are signed up to the free app so you can stay up to date with what is going on at school.

Kapa Haka

Kapa Haka at Tamatea Primary gives our tamariki the opportunity to develop and demonstrate our mana values as they learn and perform a variety of waiata and haka. Many of these are from Kahungunu and some have been specifically written for us. We believe it is important that our tamariki also learn about the whakamārama (meaning) and tito (composers) behind the waiata and haka we teach alongside the protocols of pōhiri and performing.

For many years we have been involved in the Tamatea Schools festival which is held each year and includes the seven schools in our Kāhui Ako. Recently we started a Senior Roopū for our Year 5 and 6 tamariki, we meet weekly and focus on building confidence and leadership through Kapa Haka.

Taekwon-Do

We are extremely lucky to have Ben Evans, who is a qualified Taekwon-Do instructor, working in our school. All classes receive a weekly lesson from Ben during school hours. Children also have the opportunity to participate in grading and qualify for the various coloured belts.

Music

After trialing music session last year we are now providing music lessons with a specialist teacher for each class every week. The children are currently learning drumming, ukulele, glockenspiel as well as learning how to read music.

Swimming

All children participate in a swimming programme focusing on Water Safety and Water Skills for Life. We are lucky enough to be instructed by the Dolphin Academy Swim Instructors at the Green Family Pool in Taradale. All children are expected to take part unless there is a medical reason.

Stationery

Stationery packs are available at:

Office Products Depot

44 Wakefield Street

Onekawa.

Lunches

We are part of the Free Lunch in schools. These are provided by The Food Company. Please make sure your child has morning tea.

Dental Clinic

The Dental Therapist can be contacted on (06) 873 4864. They are based at Tamatea Intermediate Clinic.

Family Contacts

It is important for the benefit of the child that we are notified of any changes in family situations eg. Change of address, telephone number, emergency contacts, custody etc.

Reporting to Whānau

Reporting and keeping parents informed takes many and varied formats

* Assemblies - Every second Friday afternoon at 1:45pm.

* Material going home

* Social Events

* Sporting/cultural occasions

* Before and after school ‘chats’ etc.

Special opportunities are scheduled:

* Early Term One - Whānau Chats

* Mid-Year - Whānau Chats

* End of Term 2 and Term 4 Written reports

Complaints or Concerns

If you have a concern, we ask that you make an appointment with the classroom teacher and discuss the issue. If the matter is unresolved, please make an appointment with the Principal. If the matter remains unresolved, put your concern in writing addressed to the Presiding Member of the Board (Chairperson).

Finally

If you have any questions, would like more information, or would like to visit our school please do not hesitate to contact the school office on 06-843 2147.