Home-School Communication

Kia ora Whanau/Parents,

First of all a big welcome back to all our returning tamariki and whanau. A special welcome to our new tamariki and whanau starting at Redwood School… you now become members of our Redwood School community. It’s great to have you on board as part of the team.

Clear and regular communication is important. At Redwood Primary School, we use a range of platforms to support open communication channels and share key information. Communication is a two-way process and for communication to be effective both home and school need to be proactive communicators. Read on to find out how we can stay connected between home and school.

Keeping in Touch

Our staff are available to chat to you informally from 8:30-8:55am and then 3:00- 3:15pm each day, apart from Monday and Tuesday when we have Professional Development and meetings. Generally a staff member from each teaching hub will be in their rooms at these times.

If you need to make time for an individual meeting about your child, please reach out to your child's teacher in the first instance by booking a time to meet and chat.

Staff email addresses can be accessed from the school app (see below for details).

It is important that our staff have a life outside of school. If you email a staff member after 5:30pm, please do not expect a reply until the following day. It is a school procedure for our staff to reply to emails within 24 hours to ensure there is follow-up.

Please remember to keep conversations respectful and focused on your child's well being and learning.

School Website redwoodprimary.school.nz

Our school website is a great place to start when you are looking for information on Redwood School. From a map of the school, stationery requirements, links to previous newsletters, to the latest events and information, our website is a one stop shop for information. If you have a question - head to the website first!

Redwood Primary School App

We also have a mobile app for important school messages. This is our primary way to alert parents of important school information and for parents to notify the school if their child will be absent due to illness or an appointment.

In addition, parents and whanau can use our school app as a one stop shop to:

• Email staff

• Access links, calendars and term dates

• Read our latest newsletter

• Receive alerts and updates

How do I access the school app?

1. Simply follow this link and you will be redirected to your app store for a free download:

http://redwoodschool.apps.school.nz/share/

1. Open the app and select add school from the main menu.

2. Search Redwood School in the Search area.

3. From the menu, select Alert Subscriptionsand select the groups you wish to subscribe to. You will receive alerts relating to the groups you choose.

You will need to update these at the beginning of each year to ensure that you are receiving the alerts relevant to your child’s current class placement.

1. Familiarise yourself with the layout of the app by navigating through the buttons and content.

Now is a great time to check which alert groups you are subscribed to - especially if your child is in a new learning space for 2020.

We hope you enjoy using the App.

Newsletters

A newsletter is published electronically each fortnight. This is sent via email to the address(es) parents supplied at enrolment. Please make sure we have your current email address. Previous newsletters can be accessed from our website.

If you can’t find the information…

Please reach out to Pauline Prescott in the office if you are having trouble accessing any of the above channels and she will put you in touch with someone who can help.

Good communication is so important!

Thanks,

Redwood School Staff