General Admin

Parent Information

Parent Handbook (2025)

Tackling Bullying. A Guide for Parents and Whanau

 

Parents must notify the school each day their child is absent. If your child has a prearranged appointment, please inform the office in advance. For extended absences, such as holidays or trips, the office requires the dates your child will be away.

Teachers and office staff mark attendance in the morning and afternoon. If a student is absent when the roll is taken, parents will receive a text message. This process helps us ensure the safety and whereabouts of all students. If there is a significant concern, the school may notify the police.

For the safety of all students, parents and caregivers must report to the office upon arrival, sign in before entering the school grounds, and sign out when leaving.

Students cannot be taken out of school by a parent, guardian, or family friend without prior permission. If a student arrives late, they must sign in at the office. Similarly, if a student needs to leave before the end of the school day, they must sign out at the office before departing.

Parent parking is available across the road from the school. To ensure student safety, we ask parents to avoid bringing vehicles into the school grounds unless it is an emergency.

For the safety of all students, children are not permitted to walk through the car park. Parents are expected to support this rule by using the designated walkway when accompanying their children.

Your cooperation helps us maintain a safe environment for everyone.

• All cell phones must be handed in at the start of the school day and collected at the end. Phones will be securely stored.
• If a student is found with a phone during the school day, it will be confiscated and handed to the office. Parents will need to collect it.
• The school is not responsible for any loss or damage to cell phones.

We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a focused learning environment.

Whenuapai School does not have an on-site dental clinic. A mobile dental unit will visit the school for initial examinations. If further treatment is required, parents will be notified, and arrangements will be made to visit a Dental Therapist. Parental consent is required for all treatments and is obtained upon enrolment.

 

We value the partnership between parents and teachers in extending learning beyond the classroom. While Whenuapai School does not assign weekly homework, home learning may be provided when necessary, ensuring it aligns with curriculum goals and classroom activities.

• Years 0-4: Students are encouraged to engage in junior reading, learning heart words, and reading with parents/caregivers—especially those needing extra support or acceleration. This will be arranged by the classroom teacher, but additional support can be requested.
• Project-Based Learning: Home learning may occasionally coincide with projects designed to extend classroom learning.

We acknowledge the importance of family time, sports, and extracurricular activities, which contribute to a child’s development. Parents are encouraged to communicate any challenges in managing homework commitments.

Lost property is an ongoing issue. All clothing should be clearly named to assist with identification.

• Lost items are displayed in the school hall foyer and periodically outside the main office building.

 

 

Our staff are approachable and always happy to discuss your child’s progress. To ensure availability:

• Teachers can be contacted by email, letter, or through the school office.
• Due to meetings and commitments before/after school, appointments must be scheduled in advance.

The School Newsletter is published every second Tuesday during the school term.

• Parents will receive an electronic copy via HERO.
• Additional family members can subscribe via the school website to receive newsletters electronically.
• Previous newsletters are available on the school website.

Whenuapai School values and appreciates parent involvement. Opportunities to assist include:

• Lunchroom help, coaching, classroom support, reading/maths tutoring, library assistance, uniform shop, working bees, discos, and fundraising.

If you are available to help, please inform the school.

The Airport Road crossing is supervised by school staff during the following timings:

• Morning: 8:30 – 8:50 AM
• Afternoon: 2:55 – 3:20 PM

Parents are asked to respect the role of the supervising staff member and follow their instructions for safety. Any concerns can be directed to the school office.

A Public Health Nurse visits the School regularly. Staff or parents can refer concerns to her. On enrolment, consent will be obtained.

 

Middle and senior school students take on various responsibilities, including:

• Senior Council, Librarians, Bus Monitors, Travelwise Team, Environmental Team, Junior Support Team, Cool Schools Peer Mediators, and PE Gear Monitors.

Strict codes of behaviour apply. Failure to meet expectations may result in losing the role.

Whenuapai School follows the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) Programme, developed by the Ministry of Education.

 

The school values are reinforced through the programme:

• Mana – Respect for self
• Kotahitanga – Respect for others
• Ako – Respect for learning
• Kaitiakitanga – Respect for the environment

For further information, visit the PB4L – School Wide website.

Note: A list of staff members who have completed restraint training is available at the school office.

School lunches are delivered daily and can be ordered online through Kindo: www.mykindo.co.nz. 

Students can collect their lunches from the school office at 1.15pm.

Time	Activity
8:30am	School Opens
9:00am	Learning Block 1 (Pupils arriving late must report to the school office).
10:45am	Morning Tea Play
11:05am	Morning Tea Eating
11:15am	Learning Block 2
12:45am	Lunch Time Play
1:15pm	Lunch Time Eating
1:25pm	Learning Block 3
3.00pm	End of Day
3:08pm	Tamariki to Bus Lines

 

Stationery lists/packs are available to view online through the Warehouse Stationery website and are also available to view through your HERO parent portal – https://www.warehousestationery.co.nz/lists/

 

Year 7 and 8 students attend Taupaki School Technology Centre every Tuesday. In Technology, students learn processes to create a solution for an authentic issue. This process includes learning knowledge, researching, developing skills, being creative and producing and evaluating the final outcome. 

• Year 7 students participate for half the year, rotating every six weeks through Hard Materials, Soft Materials, and Food Technology.
• In Year 8, students select two of these areas for deeper study.

The programme helps students develop problem-solving skills and technological knowledge.

The First Aid Room is located next to the school office.

• In the event of serious accidents or illness, parents will be contacted.
• Please ensure the school has up-to-date emergency contact details.
• If urgent care is needed, the school may take a child to an Accident & Emergency Clinic if parents cannot be reached in time.