by Dio Communications
From the Pastoral Team
Sonja Maree — January 25, 2024
With great anticipation, we welcome you and your daughters to Waikato Diocesan School for Girls for the upcoming academic year. We warmly greet returning families and those joining us for the first time.
Our commitment to fostering a vibrant learning community remains unwavering, and we are excited about the possibilities for the new academic year. The collective efforts of our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and eager students contribute to the unique and dynamic educational environment that defines Dio. Below is some important information about the upcoming school year.
A link to our online School Handbook can be found here.
Attendance
All students are expected to be at school by 8:25 am, on time for Period 1, which begins at 8:30 am sharp. They must attend all their classes, including Chapel, Assembly, Special C and form time. A huge amount of information is dispersed during form time, which assists in clear communication channels between staff and students, ensuring our school's smooth functioning.
Please make every effort to schedule any appointments outside of school hours. Students who are continually absent (without good reason) or late for class can expect consequences. This may include not granting permission to attend an event or represent the school. A minimum of 90% attendance is expected throughout the year as stipulated by the Ministry of Education. We suggest that our students aim for 95% to maximise their learning.
Behaviour Expectations and Responsibilities: The Dio Way
At Waikato Diocesan, every teacher has the right to set classroom expectations, and every student has the right to learn in a friendly and respectful environment. It is your responsibility to:
Be in class on time and come to class prepared: bring the correct equipment, work to deadlines and complete homework.
Wear the correct uniform. (Do not chew gum at school).
Respect others and the classroom environment, and encourage and support each other. We have zero tolerance for bullying and expect our Dio whaanau to treat each other as they would like to be treated. Luke 6:31: And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Students who cannot meet the expectations above can expect their classroom teacher to talk with them about areas of concern. If no improvement is noted, a student’s parents will be contacted, and the year-level dean will be informed. The classroom teacher may issue a consequence due to the inappropriate behaviour.
Uniform Expectations - Our Dio Difference is YOU!
Please wear your blazer to and from school each day, weather permitting. Students are exempt from wearing their blazers on hot summer days. Blazers are to be worn when entering the Chapel for services and assemblies.
Remember our jewellery and hair expectations: natural hair colours, no extreme styles, permissible piercings include the wearing of a single pair of stud earrings worn in each ear lobe, approved necklaces only, i.e. cross/pounamu taonga.
The school skirt length must be adjusted to sit on the knee (not rolled up at the waist), hair worn off the face and tied back if it reaches the collar, and no excessive makeup (including eyelash extensions) or coloured nail polish is permitted.
Earpods are not to be worn without permission from a teacher.
Wear your uniform with pride. Remember that we represent our beautiful school wherever we go.
Students who repeatedly do not respect the uniform code will face consequences. We ask for parental support to maintain our Dio standards and encourage our students to take pride in their school and uniform. If a student chooses to breach the rules and wear the incorrect jewellery, the item/s will be confiscated. These items can be collected from Student Services at the end of the day. Continual breaches will result in a referral to the year-level dean, further consequences, and an extended confiscation period.
Cellphones
Students in years 9 to 11 are prohibited from using their cell phones during school hours (8:30 am - 3:20 pm). Please see the chart below for further clarification.
Years 12 and 13 students can use their phones during breaks and at the discretion of a staff member. Cell phones must be turned off during form class, scheduled class periods, study periods, chapel and assemblies. If a student chooses to breach the cell phone policy, their cell phone may be confiscated.
New Lockers
New lockers have been installed in A Block. These new lockers come with one free key. The school will hold a second key. If a student loses their key, they must purchase a new key from Student Services. Form teachers will allocate these lockers to students when they return to school.
Pastoral Support
Our school guidance counsellors, deans and form teachers are there to support our students and their whaanau. Please feel free to contact them should you have any concerns. We pride ourselves in providing wrap-around support for our young women and rely on families to keep us updated and in the loop. Please get in touch with Sonja Maree, Associate Principal - Wellbeing smaree@wdsg.school.nz, should your daughter have any confidential or sensitive issues requiring additional support.
Counsellors:
lizzie.upperton@wdsg.school.nz
Nurse:
Director of Boarding:
We look forward to a positive 2024 and to meeting families throughout the year.
Mrs Sonja Maree / Associate Principal - Wellbeing
