SCHOOL INFORMATION

Kia ora and a very warm welcome to Takitimu Primary School

We are a small but vibrant rural school in Western Southland with the Takitimu Mountains as our backdrop. Our tamariki are culturally diverse which brings a richness of experiences and perspectives to learning. Students are encouraged to embrace every opportunity to be the ‘best that they can be’ alongside our key value of ‘kindness’. Localised curriculum is embraced, alongside student agency to pursue learning that is authentic and driven by the learner. A holistic approach which embraces haora underpins delivery of the curriculum. Students are exposed to many learning experiences both in and out of the classroom. The partnerships between students, parents and whanau are taonga with many opportunities to be actively involved.

STAFF

Mrs Geraldine Sumner - Tumuaki/Principal principal@takitimu.school.nz
Mrs Fungai Mabonga - Piwakawaka Classroom Teacher Y0-2  fmabonga@takitimu.school.nz
Mrs Jayne Ridley - Ruru Classroom Teacher Yr 3-4 jridley@takitmu.school.nz
Miss Paula Stewart - Ruru Teacher Yr 3-4 pstewart@takitimu.school.nz
Mrs Karen Crosbie - Tui Classroom Teacher Y5-6 kcrosbie@takitimu.school.nz
Mrs Candice Ehrman - Kereru Classroom Teacher Y6-8 
Mrs Raewyn Minty - Literacy Support Teacher rminty@takitimu.school.nz
Mrs Michelle Anderson - Technology Teacher manderson@takitimu.school.nz

Support Staff

Pavi Salpadoruge Learning Assistant
Jodi Baylis Office Administrator

Resource Teachers

Mr Terrence Waikato Learning Support Coordinator
Mrs Della Carr Resource Teacher Learning Behaviour
Mrs Pam Chilton Resource Teacher of Literacy

2024 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Paul Turner Presiding Member paulturner@takitimu.school.nz
Trina Kemp trina@takitimu.school.nz
Michelle Anderson manderson@takitimu.school.nz
Kylie Helman kylie@takitimu.school.nz
Dean Blair-Edie dean@takitimu.school.nz

The Board consists of Parent Representatives, a Staff Rep and the Principal. The Board meets on the last Thursday of every month. Everyone is welcome to attend the meetings.

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION

Louise Wallace President
Milton Helman Vice President
Louise Wallace Secretary
Jenna Shepherd Treasurer

2024 TERM DATES

Term 1 - 7 February - 12 April
Term 2 - 29 April - 5 July
Term 3 - 22 July - 27 September
Term 4 - 14 October - 20 December

BELL TIMES

School begins 9:00am-11.10am
Morning Interval 11:10am - 11:30am
Lunch 12:30pm - 1:30pm
School finishes 3:00pm

Supervision is between the hours of 8:30am and 3:00pm. Students can arrive at school from 8.30am

OFFICE HOURS

Our Office Administrator is at school Monday to Friday 8.30am - 3.00pm.

We have an answer phone service (03 225 7725) available when the office is unattended. Please leave a message. These are checked regularly.

A-Z of Life at Takitimu Primary School

Absence from School: By regulation, children are required to attend school unless prevented by illness or special circumstances. If your child is absent, please contact the school, explaining the reason for the absence. For reporting purposes we are required to record the details of the absence. Please contact the school via our school app, phone or email office@takitimu.school.nz to do this. If your child needs longer than three days to get better, a doctor’s certificate is required for our attendance records.

Accidents and illness: at school are attended to in the sickbay by designated trained first aid staff. Parents are contacted, except in the case of minor injuries or illness.
Parents should inform the school of any health or associated problems affecting their child. Arrangements must be made through the school office for children needing medication during school hours.
Children who have coughs and colds or tummy bugs that result in vomiting or diarrhea should remain off school for the first 24 hours after their symptoms end.

Appointments during school hours: if possible, please let us know in advance if your child has an appointment.

Bus Transport/Pick-up/Walking: Our bus contractors are South Bus and Go Bus. Students line up in their respective lines at the end of the day. Bus Monitors record students on their bus list which is checked by a staff member, who then takes the line to the bus or to meet whānau at the gate. If your child is not going home on the bus, please let the office know. You must contact the school if you wish your child to go home on another bus as some of the buses are quite full, so while every effort is made to accommodate changes, it may not always be possible due to numbers. Please remember to use the crossing area to keep safe when crossing to and from school.

Celebration of Learning/Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) Assemblies
Special assemblies are held throughout the term to celebrate excellence and achievement. These are advertised via the school newsletter.

Cell Phones: any student cell phones are to please be handed into the School Office at the beginning of the school day for safe keeping. They are handed out from the School Office at the end of the day.

Concerns and Complaints: Please read the Concerns and Complaints Policy which is on our website. We encourage you to call to make a time to see us should you wish to discuss your child’s progress and/or if you have any concerns. In most instances, the classroom teacher is the first person to discuss your concern with.

Contact Details: Please notify the school immediately if your address or telephone number, home or work, changes. Also, if the contact details for your emergency contacts change too. This information is vital in case of an emergency.

Cycling/Scooters: If coming to school by bicycle or scooter we ask that you are 10 years of age and up or are accompanied by an adult, wear a helmet by law at all times and a hi-viz vest, which is provided by the school. Children are to dismount on the outside footpath and walk their bike or scooter into the school grounds.

Dental Bus: The dental bus comes to school each year, usually during Term 3 , and is at the school for about 3-4 weeks.

Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC): Educational visits and camps are planned as part of the teaching and learning programme. We endeavour to keep costs to a minimum. Senior students have a camp at Deep Cove every alternate year.

Enrolling: Please ensure that you have filled out our on-line enrolment forms. These can be accessed from here. For new entrants, we require a copy of a birth certificate or passport and an immunisation certificate. New entrants have school visits prior to starting. These can be arranged by contacting the New Entrant teacher either at school or through email office@takitimu.school.nz. If you wish to visit the school to discuss a pupil's transition and for a guided tour prior to a pupil starting please speak to the Principal regarding this.

Houses: We have four houses named after mines in the area. They are Linton (blue), Prendeville (green), Morley (yellow) and Wairaki (red). Each house has a House Leader and Deputy House Leader. Students are assigned to a house when they start school. There are lots of sporting and cultural events throughout the year, in which house colours are worn and points earned for the hotly contested House Cup.

Homework: Reading is encouraged every night. Other homework is assigned per classroom teachers.

Leadership Opportunities: Students are encouraged to develop their leadership abilities as they arise throughout the school. At the senior end of the school, our Year 8 students are the School Council. The Student Council organises events throughout the year, as ideas from the whole school are considered.

Library: Our Library is a focal part of the school and is available for use every day at lunchtime. It is very well stocked with current texts and games for students to enjoy. Our student Librarians help with selecting and issuing texts. Students may borrow two books at a time. Classes usually visit the library at least once a week.

Lockdown: in the event of a lockdown we will be in contact with you via our Hero app and facebook. We will endeavour to provide updates every 15-20 minutes.

Lost Property: Please name all student clothing and property.

Lunches in Schools, Ka Ora Ka Ako programme is in the school. Lunches are available for every student daily as supplied and made right here at School. Should students wish to take this offer up, please ensure that any food intolerances are noted on the enrolment form.

Medication: Any medication, other needs to be kept in the school office. Medication can only be administered written as per instructions from a parent. This must be signed and clearly state the name of the medication, the dosage and the frequency. Forms are available from the School Office.

Newsletter: A school newsletter is sent out every Friday via the School App, Facebook and email. Please read this for information and events.

Parking: Student safety is a priority. Please ensure that the bus parking areas are kept clear at all times, and be especially vigilant during busy pick-up times. All parents and students crossing the road should use the crossing area.

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Reporting to Parents/Caregivers/Whānau: Student Learning Conferences are held early in Term 1 and Term 3. Information and learning goals are discussed with student, whānau and teacher. Written reports go home at the end of Term 2 and Term 4.

School Stationery: School stationery packs can be purchased from the school office.

School Uniform: Our school uniform is compulsory.  There are many quality second hand uniform items available for purchase or by way of a koha at the school office. To purchase our uniform please visit takitimu.uniformnz.com.

Support Services: Specialist services such as the Public Health Nurse, Learning Support Coordinators, Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour, Resource Teachers of Literacy, Special Education Personnel, and Speech Language Therapists visit the school on a regular basis.

Swimming: In Term 4 students have two weeks of lessons at the Ohai pool with Johnston Waters Swim School. Classes travel to the pool by bus.

Vests: Hi-Vis Safety vests have been kindly donated by Bathhurst Mines. These must be worn to and from school and are worn on school outings.

Visiting the school: If you are visiting the school, please report to the office and sign-in first. We then know you are on-site in the event of an emergency.