Enrolment Booklet-Welcome to Kaikorai School

5/13/2018 Enrolment Booklet-Welcome to Kaikorai School - slidepdf.com

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/enrolment-booklet-welcome-to-kaikorai-school 1/20

1



2

Welcome to

Kaikorai Primary School

Starting school is a special and important time for any child.

It is vital for their future educational well-being that their firstschool experiences are positive.

At Kaikorai Primary School we strive to ensure that your child iswarmly welcomed and feels secure within their new class.

We place great value on working with parents of our newentrants in order to make this transition an easy one for thechildren. Communication between the parents and your child’steacher is vital. Please feel free to approach any of our staff ormyself to arrange a meeting to discuss your child’s progress.

Our school values of Kindness, Aspiring, Independence andKeenness are encouraged through all aspects of our student’sdaily life.

At Kaikorai we pride ourselves on our interesting and innovative programmes. Considerable emphasis is placed on the keylearning areas of English and Mathematics. I.T. is usedthroughout the curriculum and children are taught andencouraged to develop their own questions, find information and present new learning in a meaningful way.

We also understand the importance of developing students as a

whole. We encourage children to be ‘well rounded’ and offer amyriad of sporting, cultural and social opportunities to developtheir skills and interests.

We look forward to meeting you and your child. Please contactme if you would like further information or a guided tour of theschool.

Simon ClarkePrincipal



3

Staff:

Principal Simon Clarke

Deputy Principal Linda MartinSenior Teacher Sue GrahamSenior Teacher Susan Oldfield

Teachers Kirsty AndersonAlison Baker

Dale BlackieCourtney DunnPaula Fisher Nicky GardenJan KernaghanJill KumarEmily LarkinsAmy McBeath

Shane MelroseTony Reid

Secretary Sharon Fitzgerald

Teachers’ Aides Margaret GalbraithKelly MackaySue Reid

Renae BarnesDarcy Knox

Caretaker Michael Bradshaw



4

School Transition Programme:

A smooth transition to school is vital to positive educational outcomes.

There are many stages we encourage children and families to go through but we also acknowledge that all children are different and may need moreor less visits to ensure they feel comfortable about starting school.

Here are some possible stages that you may like to follow to get your childoff to the very best possible start

Stage 1:

By the time your child has turned four you will want to start consideringwhat school they will attend.

To help you make this decision we are happy to provide you with a personal tour of the school with the Principal, Simon Clarke. You willhave a chance to visit the new entrant classrooms, watch senior classes inaction and ask any questions you may have. To organise this simply ringthe school office on 4640065

Stage 2:

Attend our “Kaikorai Kiwi’s” programme every second Wednesday. Yourchild will get to experience a snapshot of what school is like. The sessions

start at 1.30 and finish at 2.45. Please phone the office or [email protected] to book a place.



5

Stage 3:

If you decide to enrol your child at Kaikorai Primary School. You need tofill out the attached enrolment form in the pack. You will also need to present to the office a copy of your child’s :

• Birth Certificate

• Immunisation Certificates• The completed enrolment form

• Acceptable Use Policy and Likeness permission form

Stage 4:

The new entrant teacher will contact your child’s early education centreand discuss important information that will ensure we have a clearunderstanding of your child’s interests, needs and strengths.

Stage 5:

Susan Oldfield, the Juniors Syndicate Leader or your child’s class teacherwill contact you to organise class visits.

Stage 6:

Purchase the school stationary pack from the office and name all booksand equipment. Naming your child’s clothes, lunchbox and drink bottle isalso immensely helpful.

First Day Organisation

Most children start school on either their 5th birthday or soon after.

It is important to arrive at school before 8:45am to ensure your child issettled into the class before the first bell rings at 9.00am.

Encourage your child to hang their coat/bag together on a peg outside ofyour child’s class and come into the classroom to meet the teacher.

Once the morning session has started, please use the teacher’s guidance as to

the best time to leave.

All children finish school at 3pm. Please discuss fully with your childwhere to meet, and who will be meeting your child at the end of the day.Please let the teacher know if arrangements change.



6

The A-Z of Life at Kaikorai Primary School

Absences:

A telephone call to the school office indicating that your child will beabsent or late is essential in order that we can account for all children.Please call the school office (phone - 464-0065) before 9:00am.

Accounts:

The school runs an account system. You will be informed of extra coststhat occur in the classroom programme such as field trips, sportingopportunities and fees, swimming etc through a classroom notice and thefee will go on your account. This can be paid as the events occur or as aregular payment.

Adverse Weather Conditions:

If in doubt about school opening time, please listen to any one of the mainlocal radio stations or check the schools web site. Notices affecting ourschool will be included in the General Notice for all Dunedin Schools.

As safety is the prime consideration, parents should use their owndiscretion when bringing their children to school.

APP:

The school has its own smart phone app. Search for Kaikorai Skoolbag ateither the Itunes store or the Google Play store. Please ensure you accept push notifications as important reminders will be delivered through thismedium including school closures due to bad weather.



7

Before/After School Care:

Kelly Club is operating its fun-filled programme from the Kaikorai School

Hall on Monday to Friday from 7.15am – 8.30am and 3.00pm - 6.00pm.

Kelly Club Kaikorai runs a well-structured programme with both indoorand outdoor activities (from Arts and Crafts to Sports), afternoon tea,homework and quiet time.

Any inquiries please contact: Andrew James (AJ)

Phone: 0218 KELLY (0218 53559)Email: [email protected]

Birthday Invites:

We ask parents to be considerate when inviting children to a birthday party. We understand that you can’t invite everyone to your child’s

birthday but it is a terrible feeling to be excluded. We ask that parentsthink of ways to invite children that won’t be opened at school.

Board of Trustees:

The Kaikorai School Board of Trustees consists of five elected parentrepresentatives, an elected representative of the school staff and thePrincipal.The term of office is for three years. The Board may at any time co-opt upto four members for either the whole term of office or to utilise a person’s

skills and experience for a particular purpose for a specific length of time.The Board and staff are guided by the Charter .

The Board is responsible for the maintenance and development of theschool facilities and is the employer of the school staff, having a majorrole, along with the Principal, in staff selection. The day to day running ofthe school, internal organisation of classes and teaching programmes, are

the responsibility of the Principal and staff.The Board of Trustees meets monthly and reports on a regular basis to thecommunity. Minutes of the monthly meetings are kept at the office andare available for viewing. Board of Trustees meetings are open to the public.



8

Trustees welcome approaches from parents who wish to express eitherconcern or appreciation.

Board Meetings:

The Board of Trustees meet in the staff room monthly on the thirdMonday at 5.45 pm.Dates are advertised in the School Newsletter.

Board of Trustees Members:

Chairperson: Ken Cochrane

Deputy Chair: Barb Long

Secretary: Sharon Fitzgerald

Melony Black

Simon Hornal

Gene Ollerenshaw

Staff Rep. Margaret Galbraith

Principal: Simon Clarke

Communication:

Effective Home/School communication is of critical importance to us.Our web site (www.kaikorai.school.nz) is kept up to date and should be

the first place to find information. Important information will also beemailed out to parents who are interested.

The School newsletter is sent home or emailed every 3rd

Friday. Thenewsletter contains important information as well as general items ofnews. The newsletter will also be emailed out and can be found on theschool’s web site. Extra copies are always available from the schooloffice.

Most importantly, we are always just a phone call or a visit away. We arehere to help. If you have a question or a concern please don’t let it growinto a problem.



9

Curriculum in the Junior Classes:

• Reading

Each week night your child will come homewith a reading book that they have beenintroduced to during the days reading lesson.This book should be read to you so that your child can practise theirreading skills. Your child will also come home with a list of important“sight” words that they need to instantly recognise.

Most importantly your child should enjoy reading. Reading is a greatchance for you and your child to spend special time together. Makereading:

• quiet and relaxing

• a time to sit close to your child• 10–15 minutes without interruption, away from the TV• an enjoyable, interesting and special time• a time to praise your child for making an effort.

TIP: Help your child to link stories to their own life. Remind them

about what they have done when a similar thing happens in thestory

.

• Writing

Writing lessons take place every day at school. These include creativewriting, spelling and handwriting.

Help your child write an alphabet letter, go letter hunting in your house orin a book to find that letter.

• Let your child see you writing – you can use your first language.• Encourage them to write shopping lists or make birthday cards.• Water and a paintbrush on a dry path and a stick on sand are fun

ways to write letters and words.

TIP: Don’t worry if your child’s letters or words are sometimes backwards

or misspelt at this age. The important thing is that they have fun writing athome and are making an effort.



10

• Mathematics

All students get approximately 60 minutes of mathematics per day. Yourchild will spend around 80% of the year focusing on developing theirnumber knowledge and strategies for solving problems. The remaining

20% of the time will be spent on geometry, statistics and measurement.

· Find numbers around your home and neighbourhood – clocks,letterboxes, speed signs

· Count forwards and backwards (microwave, clocks, fingers andtoes, letterboxes, action rhymes, signs)

· Make patterns when counting "clap 1,

stamp 2, clap 3, stamp 4, clap 5…"

· Do sums using objects or in their head(eg 2 + 3, 4 +1, 5 + 4, 6 + 2)

· Make up number stories – "you have 2 brothers and 2 sisters. There are 4 of them".

Dental Treatment:

Dental care in Dunedin was centralised in 2012. Children will be sent anappointment time and it is expected that you will collect them from schooland take them to their clinic at the Dunedin Dental School.

Discipline:

The aim of Kaikorai Primary School is to encourage self-discipline and

children are encouraged, at every opportunity, to develop forethought withregard to actions and possible subsequent outcomes.Both school and classroom climate are influential in developingacceptable standards of behaviour. Pupils are aware of these and theattitudes that are desirable.Poor attitudes and behaviour are seen as problems concerning both school

and home. For this reason, it is school policy to contact parents whenthere is a concern.



11

Donations:

To enable the school Board of Trustees to provide the necessary resourcesfor your child’s programme, we ask families to pay a donation $65 perchild per year.

Electives:

Children in the Middle and Senior syndicates are able to opt into different

electives throughout the year. There are a wide variety of electives onoffer including pet care, sculpture, arts and crafts and music to name just afew. Electives take place on a Thursday and run for 90 minutes.

Enviroschool:

There are 817 enviroschools in New Zealand and we are currently one ofonly nine school in Dunedin with a silver status. Projects have includedcreating bokashi composting in the school, developing our school ediblegarden and working with the Dunedin Environment Centre to improve theKaikorai Stream and Kaikorai Common.

Fun Fridays:

On Friday afternoons the Junior Classes are combined to take part in FunFridays. Not only do the children take part in fun and hands on activities, but more importantly, develop a range of social skills. Children get towork with each other across the age levels and this allows for

opportunities to show basic leadership, co-operation, communication andexploration. Working and developing confidence in this style of learninghas immeasurable benefits.



12

The values and attitudes that we want Kaikorai Primary Schoolstudents to be striving for are shown below.

These values and attitudes underpin everything that we do at

Kaikorai Primary School.

This includes how we interact with each other and the delivery ofthe curriculum.



13

Gifted and Talented:

Kaikorai Primary School is a founding member of the Pakiki Kids one day

school. Pakiki Kids is based at North East Valley School and some gifted

children from Kaikorai Primary School spend one day a week there.Pakiki Kids develops an understanding of themselves as giftedindividuals; explore and develop their gifts, talents, and interests; engagein abstract and complex learning; experience and embrace new challenges;create and innovate.

We also offer our own enrichment programme on a Thursday afternoonwhere children who show a particular strength or interest are providedwith a six-week programme to pursue their passion with one of ourtalented teachers. Courses include children’s philosophy, art, music androbotics to name a few.

Health:

If your child has any special conditions or factors affecting either health or behaviour, please inform the school. This is especially important in thecase of medication and chronic ailments such as asthma, epilepsy,

allergies etc.

Health Nurse:

The Public Health Nurse visits the school on a regular basis and can becontacted if you have any concerns. The health nurse visits the newentrant pupils in their classroom and is involved in aspects of the HealthProgramme.All children receive a vision and hearing test when they are 5 years old. Ifyou have any concerns at other times, please contact your child’s teacher.

Homework:

Homework can be a useful activity at primary school level. It may be inthe nature of completion of work, continuation of assignments or specificshort learning tasks but most homework will focus on the consolidation ofknowledge such as spelling or basic facts. Homework is also useful in providing an opportunity for parents to have conversations with their

children about topics or ideas being discussed at home.The type and amount of homework will vary considerably between classlevels as well as from child to child. In Junior Classes, the sharing of a



14

reading book with parents each evening, is of inestimable value and maytake only a few minutes. In more Senior Classes, learning of basicmathematical facts, spelling activities, completion and continuation ofassignment or class work and reading may take longer.Children are individuals. Some will WANT to spend longer than otherson school related or learning activities - concentration spans and staminavary considerably. At this stage children are children and need to haveother things to do. They grow and develop in body and mind by playingsports, learning to play musical instruments, interacting in organisationsthey join, watching TV, doing small amounts of homework, reading, andgetting to bed at a reasonable hour! If you would prefer that your child

receive no homework then please contact your child’s class teacher.

Information Technology:

We are well equipped with the latesttechnology and a skilled staff who provide high quality instruction and

can utilise the benefits of being ina “connected world”. Eachclassroom has a state of the artinteractive whiteboard and onaverage 4 computers per classroom.

We also have a large number oflaptops and ipads available forclassroom use.

Lost Property:

Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own belongings.In order to assist your child, we ask that all clothing and possessions be

clearly named. Unclaimed clothing is put in a box outside the library.

Please avoid sending valuables to school.

Lunches:

Children are actively supervised during while they eat their lunch. Dutyteachers check that children have eaten enough before being released to play.We encourage parents to provide healthy food choices in their child’s

lunchbox. Water has proven to be an excellent brain food.



15

Lunchonline:

Parents, caregivers and students can order school lunches using theLunchonline website, and your student’s food choices are delivered freshto the school in time for lunch. Our Lunchonline suppliers are:

Marlow St Pie Kitchen – available Fridays only.It’s simple, all you need to do is visit www.lunchonline.co.nz Register online and link to Kaikorai Primary School. You will berequested to transfer $20 to open your account and then you are set toorder from the menu provided. Healthy and treat options are available.

Easy Lunches:

Available on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday.

Small $3.50 or Large $4.50 (Includes extra sandwich or bun)Lunches contain: - Sandwich or pizza bun- Dessert- Piece of fruit- Homemade muffin- Bag of popcorn

To order you need the correct money in a named envelope, drop it off atthe office before 9am.

Pita Pit:

Available Wednesdays only. $4.00 & $5.00 options. To order collect anenvelope from the office, return to office by 9am on Wednesday with thecorrect money enclosed.

Mathletics:

Kaikorai Primary School has signed up to the www.mathletics.co.nz web

site for all children. This site is used within the classroom mathematics programme but it can also be used at home to support your child’slearning. Every child has their own specific login and the work is tailoredto the ability of your child. There is a cost of $20 for this programme.

Music:

There are many ways the children at Kaikorai Primary School canexpress themselves musically. It makes up an important part of theschools curriculum with daily singing in junior classes and all senior



16

students learn how to play the recorder. We also have class sets ofUkulele, Xylophone and Marimbas.

Children can also opt into the school Choir, Kapa Haka, orchestra andguitar lessons.

Parents Group:

The Parents Group is a group of parents who foster a link betweenfamilies/whanau and the school, organise social activities and raise fundsto help improve school facilities and provide our children with the“extras” not supplied by the Ministry of Education.

The Parents Group is run by a Committee and meets 1-2 times each term.Details about meetings are included in school newsletters and all are

welcome to come along and get involved.

For more information contact:Tor Devereux (4531108, 0276351512, [email protected]).



17

Perceptual Motor Programme:

Perceptual Motor is a programme that aims to develop children’s

perceptions and understanding of themselves and their world throughmovement and motor experiences.It is part of our junior physical education programme. Children have two

45-minute sessions each week.Parent help is essential as children need to understand the correcttechnique involved in each activity and also to ensure safety.

Religious Instruction:

The Board of Trustees approves religious instruction for half an hour eachweek for years 3, 4, 5 & 6 pupils. The programme is Christian based non-

denominational and led by volunteers who have undertaken training by theChurches’ Education Commission. This instruction is optional andchildren may be withdrawn from the sessions by arrangement with the

Principal.

Reporting to Parents:

There are many opportunities throughout the year to discuss your child’sacademic and social progress.

If your child has just started school as a new entrant you will be invited toget feedback from their class teacher after approximately six weeks atschool.

In mid March we offer parent teacher interviews to provide feedback onhow your child has settled into the new year and to set learning and orsocial goals. At the end of the second term you will receive a writtenreport, which includes information on Reading, Writing, Math and socialskills. This is followed by parent interviews at the end of term two. Asecond written report covering all essential learning areas is issued at theend of term four.



18

Road Patrol:

Our school community works really hard to ensure that crossing our roadsis made safe. Road Patrols operate on Highgate from 8:30 - 8:55 am andfrom 3:00 - 3:15pm. Wardens also supervise Roslyn Village crossing atthese times. Supervision is provided after school on Wright and Tyne

Street.

School Hours:

9:00 am to 3:00 pmMorning Break: 10:30 am to 10:50 amLunch Break: 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm

Children will be supervised from 8:30 am. No children are allowed intothe school buildings before this time. If you would like supervision before8.30 please contact the Kelly Club.

School Safety:

Teachers supervise playgrounds during playtime and lunchtime. We willtry and contact you in the event of any sickness or accident. Please makesure that the office has an up to date number for: home, work and analternative caregiver.

School Term Dates for 2014:

Term 1: 29 January - 17 April Term 2: 5 May – 4 July

Term 3: 21 July – 26 September Term 4: 13 October – 15 Dec

Speech Language Therapy:

The school has access to specialised speech therapists to assist with speech

concerns. If you are worried about your child’s speech please discuss thiswith the teacher so a referral can be made.



19

Sports:

We offer a wide rangeof sporting options. Including:

• Touch

• T Ball

• Flipperball

• Rippa Rugby

• Netball

• Futsal

• Hockey

• Basketball

Stationery:

A complete stationery pack, for new entrant children can be purchasedfrom the school office. Children can also purchase essential supplies from

the office before school.

Uniform:

Kaikorai Primary School does not have a compulsory uniform but theDunedin sun can be harsh in Term 1 and Term 4. All children are

expected to purchase and wear the school hat ($15) and wear it whileoutside. Children are also encouraged to put on sun screen and classeshave a small amount for those who forget to put it on in the morning.

A school top ($30) is also a compulsory purchase. These are to be worn tomost outside of the school events or while representing the school.

Walking Bus:A Walking School Bus operates every school morning from the corner ofHighgate and Belgrave Crescent (at the top of Ross St, just along fromRoslyn Kindergarten) to Kaikorai Primary School. Children can also join

the bus along the way. The Walking Bus allows children to walk toschool in the company of other children with at least 2-3 parent volunteersto ensure safety.

The Walking Bus leaves at 8.20am and all are welcome.

For more information contact Tor Devereux:



20

(Ph 4531108, Cell 0276351512, [email protected]).

Documents

Enrolment Booklet-Welcome to Kaikorai School