Absences should be notified to the school office 357 9950 or texting 027 753 4239 before 9.00am each morning. A note is also an acceptable way of explaining an absence, prior to the absence if possible. Children should not be absent from school for any reason other than illness. In cases of unexplained absence or lateness, we will try once to make telephone contact where we have a current contact number. Unexplained on-going lateness or non-attendance is referred to the Palmerston North Truancy Service.

 

Children may arrive at school between 8.15 and 8.45am. It is important that children are at school before the 8.45am bell. Late entry into the classroom distracts teachers and pupils. It also leaves your child not knowing what the day's plans are or the current learning focus.

 

Assemblies are held every second Friday at 2.15pm. Each class takes part in running an assembly, so it is a great opportunity for parents and families to share in their successes. Check the school newsletters for the fortnightly assembly times.

 

Children in Year Four (aged 8/9) or above may ride bicycles to school. This is in line with Police recommendations. Cycle helmets must always be worn. Bicycles should be locked securely with a chain and padlock and kept in the Bicycle Shed which is locked during the school day. Bicycles are not to be ridden in the school grounds.

 

The Board is made up of interested parents/caregivers who have been elected to represent the school community on the Board of Trustees. They have the overall responsibility for the school and meet for formal board meetings every month. Members of the school community are more than welcome to attend. As school policy is developed and new roles are established, the Board welcomes parental interest and comment. The school newsletter will contain notice of meetings and items of interest – be informed.

If you are interested in serving on our Board, please let the Principal or any Board member know so that we can follow up your interest.

 

Terrace End School has been part of Duffy Books in Homes for over three years now.  This has meant that all our students have been able to take home books at no cost to families.  We  believe in encouraging reading at home and have made a choice to fund this for 2009.  We have welcomed special visitors to our school to present the books to the children at special assemblies.

 

It is essential that we keep up to date contact information for your child i.e. correct address, telephone number and emergency contact details. These are required if your child should feel ill, etc or if there is a Civil Defence emergency. Please let the school know if your details change after your child has enrolled at school.

 

“Enter to Learn and Learn for Life” is our Mission Statement and meeting the needs of our students is our focus. The Seven essential learning areas (English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, Technology, The Arts & PE and Health) are all covered over the year with a strong focus on Numeracy and Literacy.

We have a dedicated staff who are continually upskilling to meet Ministry requirements. We strive for excellence and our flexible student grouping allows for teachers to meet the needs of all our students.

 

The Dental Clinic is situated behind Rooms 3 & 4. You can contact the Dental Health Therapist, Denise O’Brien, on Ph 357 9933. Preschoolers can be enrolled at the clinic from 6 months of age for their first official check at 2 1/2 years.

 

It is with pleasure that we host the George Parkyn Centre for Gifted Children, which operates at the Kauri Street end of the school. One of the great benefits of having the George Parkyn Centre (One Day School) here is the opportunity of having one subsidised placement from Terrace End School. http://www.georgeparkyncentre.org/

 

Talk with your child about people who may approach them and make sure that they know what to do if approached by anyone on the way to or from school. School finishes at 2.45pm and a clearing bell is rung at 3pm. We encourage all children to go straight home from school and not to go and play with friends without parental permission. Please report any incidents to the school and/or police immediately, of anything which concerns you.

 

If you are dropping your child off at the Ruahine Street entrance please use the parking bay on the roadside outside the hall. There is a pedestrian entrance to the school by the pedestrian crossing. The other entrance is for vehicles, and should not be used for walking traffic. If cars are brought into the school grounds they should be parked in the designated areas, driven slowly and parked with care. Please be considerate of other car park users and don't park on the yellow lines—the school grounds are a busy place before and after school. The Kauri Street entrance is for pedestrians only.

 

Each class has its own library timetable and every child is able to borrow books during this time. The Palmerston North City Council Mobile Library bus also visits every third Tuesday for student borrowing.

 

There are lost property containers situated outside "the Hub" in the Administration Block. Please check these regularly as there is always plenty to sort through. Named items are returned immediately to their owners. At the last assembly of each term, the lost property will be displayed for children and parents to reclaim.

 

PTA Fund-raising lunches may be offered in the weekly newsletters from time to time. Ordering will be the same as for general lunch orders.

Lunch at Home: Children going home for lunch will need to bring a written permission note.

Parents bringing children’s lunches to school are asked to leave them at the office.

 

Should your child become unwell or have an accident at school, we will make the child comfortable in our Medical Room and ring you or your emergency contact if necessary. Should we not be able to contact you, or if it is an emergency situation, the appropriate medical services will be contacted.

If your child has a medical condition which requires special medication, eg allergy to bee stings, asthma, etc, please ensure that the school has been provided with this information and supplied with the appropriate medication. A separate medical consent form will also need to be completed.

 

Any money brought to school should be cared for by the class teacher. Children should be encouraged to hand money that they need for after school use to their teacher and then to collect it at the end of the day. No responsibility can be accepted for money held by children or on their behalf – we will do the best we can. We can take no responsibility for children’s personal items such as toys, we prefer that these be left at home.  Cellphones need to be left at the Office and collected after school.

 

Newsletters are one of our best ways of communicating with families. These are sent home with the eldest child in the family every Friday and contain information about upcoming events, etc. Weekly and Board of Trustee newsletters can also be accessed on the website. Class newsletters and notices may also be issued from time to time.

 

You are invited to help with sport, library or generally in the school. Please contact the Principal, class teachers or the office if you feel you can help us in any way. For general classroom help - just arrange with each class teacher as to how your help would be best used. Thank you.

 

Our school has high expectations of behaviour on the part of pupils and our behaviour system has an emphasis on the positives.

Each classroom has a reward system set in place, and the opportunity exists for all pupils to receive a ‘Good Choice Award’ ticket during morning break, lunch or during class time. One winner from each class box will be drawn at the fortnightly assemblies. At the end of each term all tickets are collected for the major prize draw. 

At Terrace End School we pride ourselves on being a “No Bullying School”.

 

Parents are invited to take an active part in the Parent Teacher Association. Regular meetings are held and this group makes a considerable contribution to the welfare and equipment of the school. The Annual General Meeting is held early each year - we need a strong committee of parents. Please let us know if you are interested in being a member of this committee.

 

Come into the school foyer and celebrate with us our Superstars. These pupils are selected at the end of each month by their class teacher and are rewarded with a certificate at assembly, and have their photo displayed in the foyer for the following month.

 

Meet the Teacher interviews for parents and caregivers of all children will be held early in the year and again mid-year with a written report being sent home in December. We are happy to discuss your child’s progress at any time during the year, but ask that you telephone or make contact for an appointment. The Principal is always prepared to meet with you and to discuss any concerns as they arise.

 

The school donation has been set at $50 for the first child and $90 for two or more children (family). We use this money to enhance our delivery of the curriculum for your child. You may prefer to pay on a term-by-term basis or by automotic payment.

 

The school does not have a school uniform for everyday wear. A Terrace End school hat is provided for each child during the summer months and this is laundered at the end of each term use. You may wish to provide your child with their own hat. Please ensure that this hat has a brim all round.

Children should come to school sensibly dressed. Tops with sleeves protect from the sun so are more appropriate for outdoor activities at school. Please name all children’s clothing and encourage children to be responsible for their own belongings.

The school encourages the use of sunscreen products.

 

There are many sporting activities held during the year, including athletics, cross country and swimming. There are also out-of-school sports opportunities available. We would appreciate parent helpers for any of our sports activities—please contact us if you would like to help.

 

All stationery items are available from the Office. We try to keep our prices very reasonable with stationery packs available at the beginning of each year.

Time payment can be arranged through the office for all school related charges.

 

Swimming is as much a part of the curriculum as any other subject, and as such no child is excused from swimming unless medically unfit. Children must have a note to be excused. Because the weather is so changeable we ask that children bring their swimming gear daily throughout the swimming season. Please trust us to make a decision on whether it is warm enough to swim.

 

All visitors are welcome and will need to sign in and out of our Visitors Book at the Office. Formal visits need to be arranged with teachers or the Principal. Calling in informally to classrooms unexpectedly can disrupt classroom routines, so when possible, help us by making prior arrangement. Items or articles for children should be left at the office.

 

Children are expected to have either a waterbottle or a cup to allow them to drink water during class time.  Juice or sugared drinks are for breaktimes only.