General Policies and Procedures

The School Day: The bell for morning assembly goes at 8:25. There are then two periods of 45 minutes each from 8:45 to 10:15. Morning interval is from 10:15 to 10:35. This is followed by one 50 minute period and one 45 minute period from 10:35 to 12:10. Lunch time is then for 50 minutes. In the afternoon there are two 50 minutes periods from 1:00 to 2:40. All primary and college classes should be finished by 2:50 pm, after closing the day with Bible reading and prayer in their home class.

Although the college classes keep fairly strictly to the above times, there is some flexibility for the younger primary classes at the discretion of the teacher.

Attendance: It is a legal requirement for all students aged 6-16 to attend school, and the school principal is mandated by the Education Act to uphold this. Unless the student is ill on the day, school release is needed for a student to be legally absent. Failure to comply with this is breaking the law. Absences from school must be explained by some form of communication with the school office before 9am.

Generally speaking, no reputable school or association will knowingly allow students from another school to participate in an activity during school time unless school release has been obtained from the student’s principal. Wairarapa school principals work together very well on this issue. Please ask the principal prior to any such event.

Weekly Text: All students are given a weekly text from the Authorised (King James) Bible to learn by heart. It has been found that the increased academic ability of senior students to retain notes in their heads alone justifies this policy. However the main reason is that we hope and pray that the LORD may be pleased to bless the substance of the verse to the hearts of the young people. The length of text varies from a few words for the young primary to longer texts for the college students who could also be building up gradually the knowledge of a reasonably long passage.

Homework: Other than the text, the very young primary students regularly have some reading for homework. This is possibly the most important academic time for each student and we hope that parents have the time to go through the reading book with the little ones. Older primary students should not average more than 30 minutes homework per night. Y9&10 should not average more than one and a half hours per night. Senior students should not average more than two hours per night. Usually the homework is less than this amount. If the student is regularly working longer hours than this and it is not approaching exam time then something is wrong. For example the student may be leaving too many things for the last possible night or may be working too slow in class and has to catch up for homework.

Reporting to Parents. Y1-10 students are given an assessment folder to take home at the end of terms 1, 2, and 3. These contain actual samples of work and assessments done by the students. From these assessment folders, parents should have an indication of achievement and effort of the student in every subject. Y11-13 students receive an update of NCEA progress at the end of every term to share with their parents.

All students receive a formal report at the end of the year. From 2010, all primary students will be receiving a report on National Standards at the ends of tem two and term four, the Lord willing.

New Entrants. New Entrants to the school generally do not start until the first day of the term after their fifth birthday as requested by the BOT. But parents do have a legal right to send a child to school from his/her fifth birthday. Children must start school by their sixth birthday. The BOT is adamant that no child starts school before his/her 5th birthday, although one “orientation” day just before the birthday may be allowed by negotiation with the classroom teacher.

Promotion to the Next Class. This is not automatic at the end of each year. It is not unusual for a student to be held back for one year if it is in the best interests of the student. This is unlikely to happen more than once in the life of a student as it is also important than the student feels socially comfortable with the group he/she is working with.

On the other hand exceptionally gifted or diligent students may be promoted if it is obvious that there is a need to be motivated by a greater challenge. This is only done after careful analysis to ensure that we are not turning a strong student into an average student by such a promotion.

Stationery.

All items of essential stationery can be purchased through the school at virtually cost price. Purchases may be on credit, with accounts regularly going home.

Money.

We prefer it if students do not carry money on them during school time.

Confectionery.

Confectionery is not permitted at school except in the senior common room or birthdays when some may be shared around the class. Confectionery includes soft drinks, lollies, chocolate and chocolate coated bars and chips. From 2010 all “energy drinks” are included within the ban on confectionery, and furthermore, energy drinks are not permitted on school trips.

Health Services.

The school has access to hearing and vision testing services, psychological services, and vaccination services. In all cases it is health department policy to obtain written permission from the parents before any health professional works with a student. In all cases parental values are respected by the school.

Every year all new Year 1 students are screened for vision and hearing, and Year 7 students are screened for vision including possible onset of colour-blindness. In addition any student due for a retest is screened, as is any student recommended by the parents or school (with parental permission). Parents receive a report on any concern detected.

Video.

This powerful medium is treated with caution as a teaching tool. On one side there are many useful education videos (VHS or DVD format) and on the other side we are wary of using a medium which is more powerful than the medium chosen by God for His Word. We do not want to compromise the ability of students, especially at primary level, to concentrate upon the more traditional media forms of the written and spoken word. (Bear in mind that many of these children don’t have T.V. at home.) Video can also compromise critical thinking if introduced unwisely, or shown to the students in long uninterrupted periods. DVD format, on the other hand, is very useful for classroom teaching because of the capability of immediate access to any part, rather than the sequential access of VHS format. DVDs can also be produced very cheaply and are easy to store.

Some distance education uses video for some lessons, and some of our own courses may use a video for important parts of the curriculum for which there is no easy alternative, eg: workshop safety demonstrations, first aid training, some hi-tech science demonstrations, nature or social studies scenes which are difficult or impossible to view on field trips, and computer animation of molecular biology. The school also has a small number of DVDs to enhance English literature studies, and several DVDs on creation/evolution which can be used as a powerful teaching tool in either science or religious education. (This is one area in which we are happy to make a strong impression through this powerful medium, as God is glorified and held in awe thereby.) These creation/evolution DVDs can also be lent out for home use. See the principal. All DVDs used at school must be previewed by the teacher, and if there is any hint of unsuitability, it must be approved by the principal before being used. To put DVDs and videos in perspective, in the course of a year it would be unlikely that any students would average more than one DVD based lesson per week, and the true average is probably much less. We also expect the DVD to be used interactively with teacher input, and not be viewed continuously through a lesson.

Students’ Rights.

It is school policy to avoid all physical contact between staff and students unless it is absolutely necessary. This is to avoid possible misinterpretation of intentions.

The school respects the Privacy Act as regards the transfer of information about a student to any person or party not directly associated with the student at school (i.e., anyone other than parent or other teacher).

To uphold the dignity of the student, there shall no search be made of the person of a student by a staff member without permission from a parent. The Principal may give permission only if every reasonable effort has been made to contact a parent by phone.

Searches of students’ property by a staff member can only be carried out in the presence of the student.

In general we expect all staff members to be professional enough to relate to a student in a manner that upholds their personal dignity and makes them feel secure in their learning environment. This is especially important for students in their teenage years.

Prefects.

Each year some senior students are chosen for this important task. Every interval and lunchtime there should be one teacher and one prefect on playground supervision at any one time. Prefects also have an important role at the bus stops, on the bus, before school, and at interval. They work according to a set of guidelines, and from their side are expected to act in a manner that makes it easy for younger children to respect them. The prefects have regular meetings with the Principal. We expect all students to obey the prefects at all times. One of the prefects is chosen to be the head prefect for the year. His/her main duty is to organise the other prefects.

Complaints Procedure

We often make mistakes and sometimes big ones. There are times when our perceived failings are genuine and ought to be addressed to prevent repetition and increased frustration. Genuine wrongs should be put right as far as possible. It is important that addressing our failings is done in a constructive manner, which has the Principal, staff, and parents working together as a team.

When you feel that it is necessary to raise an issue, particularly in regard to discipline imposed upon your child then please proceed in the following manner:

Step 1: Discuss the issue with the teacher concerned (phone will do), away from the hearing of the child. Often this will already shed a different light on things.

Step 2: If not satisfied then contact the Principal.

Step 3: If still not satisfied then approach a BOT member.

Please avoid the following practices which lead to division and are counter-productive for school discipline:

Making a conclusion before consulting the teacher, and worse still, reacting to this in front of the student and/or “over ruling” the discipline imposed by the school. (Any change to discipline imposed must come through the proper channels, otherwise it may be re-imposed by the Principal before the child is allowed back in the class.)

Comparing the discipline imposed in one case to that of another in which you are not involved as a parent and not aware of all circumstances.

Directing a complaint about one staff member to another staff member who is equal or below the one you wish to correct.

Damaged Equipment and Broken Windows, etc.

Generally speaking, if a student breaks or damages property while performing a routine task or doing an activity allowed by the school, then the school pays for the damage. However if the student was disobeying instructions at the time, or acting in an obviously careless manner then the student has to pay for the damage.

Damage to Text Books and Library Books.

The school has invested a large amount of funds into text books and library books over the years. A student who loses or damages a school book, beyond fair wear and tear, is likely to be charged for it. A $10 processing fee is added for lost or damaged library books due to the work involved and the extra costs associated with purchasing and transporting single items.

Principal’s Cell Phone: 027 6342911

The Principal can be contacted directly through this number. Calls however can usually be directed through the school office. The Principal can be contacted after hours at home (06) 378 9405, but please respect the Lord’s Day and family hours 5 - 7 pm.

The Principal’s cell phone is available to the teacher in charge of a school trip, but read the actual cell phone number of the day should always be in a notice to parents.

Student Representative on the BOT.

Near the beginning of each school year the Y9-13 students vote for a student rep. The student rep is the student’s voice on the BOT and also the BOT’s voice to the students. The student rep may be approached by students who are concerned with matters around the school. (But not trivial matters of discipline.) Ordinarily the student rep will have a pigeon hole to assist in communication from other students.

Parent Access to Students during School hours.

In most cases the following guidelines apply:

A parent may phone a message for a child at any time, but the child may not always be given permission to personally come to the phone.

A parent may come to the school office to request access to student files, upon reasonable notice.

Parents may take their children away during lunch time upon informing the school office.

Parents are discouraged from meeting their children during classroom time. However, if the parent insists, then the child will be removed from class to meet the parent.

“Parent” means those who have legal custody of the child(ren). Any person who does not have legal custody of the child(ren) will not be given any access except with permission of the legal guardian. This is a legal requirement and can be a major issue in secular schools who regularly have to deal with the sad consequences of broken families and the “other” parent trying to see children at school.

Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse:

It is the policy of this school to fulfil its legal obligation in respect to the reporting of child abuse that may have occurred to any school pupil outside school hours. Hence the Principal has the responsibility to ensure that any suspected child abuse (whether physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect) is reported to either the Children, Youth, and Family Service or to relevant church elders. If reported to church elders and satisfaction is not reached then the case will be referred to CYFS.

The Principal and staff have the responsibility to ensure that the identity of any informant remains confidential to the staff member concerned and the office of the Principal.

Headlice:

Students with living headlice may not attend school. Such students are deemed to be absent for health reasons. When there is a suspected outbreak of headlice, any student in the affected class or whole school may be examined by office staff or other volunteers during school time. Any parent not happy with this policy must be available to come and inspect children on request or be willing to fund a medical practitioner to do so. If you wish to be a volunteer head lice inspector then please contact the school.

Regular head lice checks are carried out in the first week of every term.

First Aid:

Office staff have the primary responsibility for first aid. The office staff have current first aid certificates and have well stocked first aid supplies at their disposal. In the event of a student requiring further treatment, parents are informed, and, if necessary, the student will be taken to the Carterton Medical Centre, or an ambulance will be called. Teaching staff members have current first aid certificates which are renewed every two years, and senior college students also undertake formal first aid certificate training every second year.

Smoke Free Policy

School property, buildings and vehicles are out of bounds for smoking by all people at all times. This includes school time, outside school hours, and holidays. This policy covers all people, including visitors to the school and trades people.

Cell Phone Policy and Other Electronic Devices

Students must not have in their possession, or use cell phones, from the opening school bell, 8:25am, to being dismissed in the afternoon, around 2:50pm. Any cell phone caught during this time will be confiscated and kept secure for one week on the first offence and up to one term for a subsequent offence. Students needing a cell phone before or after school may keep it in their bag, locker, or hand it to the school office. Cell phones are permitted, and even encouraged, on school trips which extend outside school hours, or when senior students may be allowed to “wander off” in small groups for a limited time. In this case the student is expected to give his/her number to the supervisor.

Other than a calculator, or camera when given permission, students are not allowed any other hand held electronic devices (eg: ipod, MP3 players) during school time. This includes any time under school supervision and school trips, but excluding the exception, above, regarding cell phones.

Education Outside the Classroom

This is an important aspect of delivering school curriculum. The junior college traditionally have biennial trips to Kapiti Island and Cape Kidnappers, while the senior college traditionally have week long trips to Auckland, Rotorua, and the South Island in a three yearly cycle. School trips within the Wairarapa and to Wellington and the Manawatu, are common for primary students using transport provided by the School Proprietors and our own licensed bus drivers.