2018 Information for

Families

15 Durham Street, Stoke, Nelson Ph (03) 547 3028 Fax (03) 547 3026

Text: 027 875 2443 Email: admin@birchwood.school.nz Website: www.birchwood.school.nz

Welcome to Birchwood

Welcome and congratulations for considering Birchwood School as the school for your child. We hope that you will become part of the school community and feel as much at home here as your child will.

It is our aim to provide a quality education within a warm, supportive and caring environment.

The school enjoys excellent support from the wider community. We welcome and encourage parents to play an active part in their child’s schooling. Parents assist in a wide range of activities including: sports coaching, resource maintenance, special project work, Board of Trustees, Home and School Committee, transport, classroom help etc. Please contact us if you would like to help.

Birchwood School has a focus on continuous improvement and student achievement and annually set student achievement targets in identified areas of the curriculum. The Board of Trustees also has a Strategic Plan which is updated annually to reflect developments at our school.

Our most valuable resource are our teachers, and we are fortunate to have a highly competent team with both experience and enthusiasm.

We like to work within a ‘consultative climate’ and welcome your feedback at any time. From time to time we will provide formal opportunities for you to give us feedback and I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities.

A warm partnership exists between home and school and we look forward to your support in the future.

Chris Herrick Principal

Vision

Together We Learn - Together We Grow Kotahi te ako - Kotahi te tipu

Values

Respect for self - valuing my learning and my behaviour Respect for others - valuing each other

Respect for the environment - valuing our world and everything in it

Birchwood School Staff

Principal Mr Chris Herrick Deputy Principal Mr Paul Butterworth Deputy principal Mrs Kim Donnelly-Greep Team Leader Mrs Georgia Eden Team Leader Miss Kelly Newlands COL / MST Leader Mrs Sarah Thomas

Teachers Mrs Jill Hawkswell Mrs Fleur Harpur Ms Jan Tennet Mrs Julie Heath Miss Anna Fitchett Mr Dave Pearson Mr Damian Hardman Ms Susan Richards Mrs Samantha Pearson

Special Needs Mrs Carolyn White ICT Support Mrs Laura Ferguson Reading Recovery Mrs Connie Sherlock Enrichment / GATE Mrs Fleur Harpur Chinese Experience Mrs Pauline Chan NZ Sign Language Mrs Cathy Gutschlag

Part Time Teachers Mrs Samantha Pearson, Ms Jan Tennet, Mrs Fleur Harpur and Mrs Laura Ferguson.

Support Staff Mrs Kiri Bascand Mrs Karen O’Regan Mrs Carol Hunter Mrs Wendy Little Mrs Helen Eyles Mrs Jan Thompson

Executive Officer Mrs Sue Langheim Reception Mrs Wendy Safey Property Manager Mr Andrew (Ferg) Ferguson Librarian/Resources Mrs Wendy Little Sports Coordinator Mrs Silone Williams Enviro Teacher Mrs Jill Hawkswell and Mr Dave Pearson

Board of Trustees

Chairperson Mrs Jessica Olander Trustee Vacancy Trustee Ms Rowena McGregor Trustee Mr David Smith Trustee Mr John O’Regan Principal Mr Chris Herrick Staff Trustee Mr Damian Hardman Secretary Mrs Sue Langheim

Board of Trustees’ Meetings are held in the school staffroom on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 5.30pm. Dates are advertised in the school newsletter. These meetings are open to the school community. Parents are most welcome to attend.

Mission Statement - Vision Together we learn, together we grow

Kotahi te ako, Kotahi te tipu

We make this happen when we challenge ourselves to: Take responsibility

Communicate effectively Solve problems Show creativity

Be physically active

Birchwood School interprets the Key Competencies through our Learners Qualities (above).

Values Respect for self – valuing my learning and my behaviour

Respect for others – valuing each other Respect for the environment – valuing our world and everything in it

School Procedures – A to Z

Absence from School A telephone call (547 3028) or text (027 875 2443) on the day of the absence or earlier is required to ensure your child’s ongoing safety. Please call any time up to 9:00am. If you know of a coming absence, e.g. dental appointment, doctor’s visit etc, we would appreciate advance notice. Inform your child’s teacher or the Principal if a long absence is anticipated, in writing.

Allergies For severe allergy problems children should have named personal medication in the school medical cabinet, or the school made aware of an immediate contact for action. Please organise this with the Office Manager.

Assemblies At 2:30pm every Friday a school assembly is held to celebrate children’s achievement. The highlight is the awarding of the Birchwood Cup, recognising excellence. You are encouraged to attend.

Banking Pupils can open a Westpac bank account through the school. Our banking day is Wednesday.

Book Clubs Scholastic New Zealand offers children the opportunity of buying selected book titles at a reduced cost. There are several issues each year. A box is provided at the office for completed orders.

Breakfast Club Birchwood School is part of the ‘KickStart Breakfast Programme’ sponsored by Sanitarium, Fonterra and the Ministry of Social Development. All students are welcome to attend Breakfast Club which operates each school day from 8.00am to 8.30am. We rely heavily on a team of parent volunteers who ‘staff’ the Breakfast Club on a roster. If you would like to help with Breakfast Club, please contact the school office.

Bullying We have intolerance to both emotional and physical bullying at Birchwood. Annually, all children participate in an anti-bullying intervention programme. A ‘telling’ culture is actively promoted which you can assist by informing your child’s teacher if there are any problems.

Clothing / Lost Property Please ensure your child’s property is named to ensure prompt return. Unclaimed property is stored in the hall foyer.

Computers / eLearning There are computers in each classroom. Our software library includes word processing and interactive fiction programmes. We also have digital cameras with video, still, data projectors, interactive white-boards and large screen televisions. School computers are networked, with access to email and the Internet. Children are directed to sites rather than given the freedom to ‘surf’ – a safety precaution. We have 16 laptops in our ‘COW’ (computers on wheels), and two pods of 6 iPads.

Crossing – Durham Street Durham Street is very busy after school. Year 6 pupils, who are trained as Safety Wardens, and the Principal assist children to cross the road safely. Children are to use the crossing. Drivers are requested to be especially vigilant at the end of the school day.

Cycling (including scooters) Parents are urged to ensure that children are not only proficient cyclists but that they also have an understanding of basic road rules before allowing them to ride to school. Annually, classes participate in road safety lessons with the N.Z. Police Road Safety Instructor. Cycling is not permitted in the school grounds between 8.30pm and 3.30pm. Only Year 5 and 6 children are to cycle to school, unless accompanied by an adult. All students may scooter to school with parent permission.

Dental Clinic The dental therapists are located at the clinic adjacent to Nayland School. All children are treated at least once a year. Parents are notified of treatment required. The dental clinic’s phone number is 547-0132.

E-Learning / ICT The school is very fortunate to be very well equipped for Information Communication Technology (ICT) to facilitate E-Learning. Four of our classes have Interactive Whiteboards installed, we have a ‘pod’ of 12 iPads, a ‘pod’ of 15 cameras and another ‘pod’ of 16 laptops. All classes have laptops available and a digital camera.

Enrolments Children are entitled to start school on their fifth birthday. It is important for children to visit the classroom before they turn five. At Birchwood we organise three visiting days prior to starting school, one morning, one afternoon and one full day. Parents are asked to contact the school office for an appointment with the principal at least one month before their child’s fifth birthday.

Please bring: 1. Your child’s birth certificate to verify date of birth. 2. An immunisation certificate.

The formalities to be completed on enrolment include: 1. An enrolment form for school records, e.g. names, address, emergency contact

numbers etc. 2. Cybersafety Agreement and Permission to print and/or publish student photos 3. School Banking account forms for Westpac Bank are available. 4. Stationery and School Uniform requirements.

Hats During Terms 1 and 4 it is compulsory for children to wear a hat for sun safety. A Birchwood School hat is available from the office.

Health Nurse The school has regular visits from the Public Health Nurse who can assist teachers or parents with any queries.

Homework Children in all classes will have homework. The amount of homework will vary from class-to-class. Consult your child’s classroom teacher if you have any queries or concerns.

Illness or Accident Minor injuries are dealt with at school. In the event of illness parents will be contacted. If this is not possible your emergency contact will be notified. Please assist with keeping our records as accurate as possible by informing us of any changes that occur.

Library We have a fully computerised library. All children are able to borrow books from the school library. The library is open at lunch times.

Literacy Achievement in literacy is critical to a child’s success in education and throughout their lives. Engaging in literacy practices at home will support your child’s learning and help build effective home-school partnerships. Evidence suggests a strong home-school partnership can significantly impact on a child’s learning and achievement.

Effective home literacy practices could be: ! Expect that your child will become a successful reader and writer. ! Read to your child in a range of print. ! Provide positive support and encouragement when your child reads or writes. ! Model reading and writing – show how reading and writing are useful to you and that

you value and enjoy reading and writing. ! Read your child’s books so you can talk to them about their reading. ! Visit the local library regularly. ! Finally, liaise with your child’s teacher regularly to help build on success or find ways

to overcome difficulties.

Lunches Every Wednesday (Stoke Bakery) and Thursday (Sushi). Lunch orders are taken in the school office. On Fridays, for terms two and three, we have a sausage sizzle with orders also being taken at the office.

New Entrant Meeting for Parents Meetings for parents of New Entrants and prospective New Entrants are held each term. The aim is for parents to be well informed about the programme and routines of school as well as to feel welcome and a part of their child’s transition to school.

Newsletters Newsletters are published weekly on a Monday and are sent home with the oldest or only member of each family attending Birchwood School.

Outdoor Education Children participate in EOTC (Education Outside the Classroom). School trips are planned throughout the year and parents are often asked to assist with transport. Year 5 and 6 children attend a school camp in Kaiteriteri every odd year.

Permission Slips For a class trip or sports events, which involve leaving the school grounds, a permission slip is sent home with your child for consent.

Photos

In Term 1 a photographer will take classroom, individual and family photos for the school.

Playground Supervision Teachers supervise the playground from 8:30am to 3:15pm. We have two teachers on duty at interval and lunchtimes. Duty teachers are easily recognised by the fluorescent vest they wear while on duty. Children are not to be at school before 8:30am and should clear the school grounds by 3:15pm. While children are encouraged to use the playground outside school hours they must go home and seek parental permission. Children are the responsibility of their parents outside of school hours. Children are permitted to stay immediately after school if attending an organised sport or cultural practice.

Reporting to Parents - please note that this area is being reviewed in 2017 and may change. The school reports to parents throughout the school year. A combination of three-way conferences (student, parent and teacher), student-lead conferences, written reports and Learning Journals are used.

Parents are encouraged to contact teachers at anytime throughout the year. You do not have to wait until formal interview times.

Term 1 ! Meeting for parents. Teachers will outline class routines and programmes of work. ! A three-way conference – goal setting (student, teacher and parent) ! National Standards Reports for some students (Year 1 to 3)

Term 2 ! National Standards Interim Report

Term 3 ! Student-Led Conferences (student, parent and teacher) ! National Standards Reports for some students (Year 1 to 3)

Term 4 ! National Standards Final Report ! Interviews by request

New Entrant Children will have a report after 2 weeks of schooling.

National Standards Students in Years 1-3 receive a report at the end of the term 6 months after their birthday and at the end of the term in which they have their next birthday; Students in Years 4-6 receive a report at the end of Terms 2 and 4.

Resources We have access to: Resource Teacher - Learning & Behaviour Health Nurse – Vision/Hearing tests Resource Teacher – Literacy Group Special Education Advisor of the Hearing Impaired Speech language Therapist Itinerant Teacher of the Sight Impaired Educational Psychologist Reading Recovery Behaviour Specialist / Counsellor Teacher Special Education Special Education Advisor Advisory Service Public Health Nurse Dental Therapist Sports Co-ordinator

School Donation (This area is being reviewed in 2018 to reflect Government Policy)

The Board of Trustees sets an annual voluntary donation of $50 for one child, $70 for two or more children. The donation reduces each term. A $25 Activity Fee is payable by all children to cover educational visits (one each term) and swimming in Term One at Nayland Pool. Other trips by individual classes are extra. Donations and other fees e.g. sports, stationery, camps etc can be paid at the school office by cash, cheque, Eftpos and Internet Banking (03 1709 0015749 00). Parents are encouraged to pay all amounts outstanding as soon as possible. If payment is a problem, please discuss with the principal in confidence as there are often ways that we can help you.

School Uniform School Uniform is compulsory at Birchwood School.

Our preferred supplier is: Dot Neiman Leisurewear 35 Forests Road, Stoke Phone: 547 6318

Second-hand school uniforms are on sale in the school office.

Summer Winter Short Sleeve Bottle Polo Tops or Short Sleeve Sports Top Bottle Bucket Hat Black Cargo Short or Black Brunner Track Pants or Black Slimline Short or Black Long Drill Pants Black Casual Short or (shorts/skort may also be worn) Black Sport Short or Polar Fleece Vest Black Skort Polar Fleece Jacket (full zip, half zip can be ordered) Sensible shoes/sandals Sensible shoes/sandals Please note that during Terms One and Four children are required to wear the school hat when they are outside.

During the winter, girls may wear black tights if track pants are not worn.

Children may be required to change into other clothes for physical activity.

Special Education Programmes Birchwood School provides a variety of programmes to support children’s special needs. These programmes include: ! Look & Listen Reading Programme ! Reading Recovery ! Remedial / Learning Enhancement Children either work individually or in small groups. Children may be withdrawn or work inclusively in classrooms.

Sport / Sports Coordinator During the year your child will be involved in a wide range of sporting activities such as softball, cricket, netball, rugby, soccer, athletics, hockey, kiwi cricket, tabloids, gymnastics, swimming, miniball, tennis and soccer. These activities generally apply more to the senior classes. Support on the sideline or with transport is appreciated. There is also opportunity to coach a team. Birchwood’s Sports Coordinator assists in the management of sport throughout the school in consultation with the Health & Physical Education team.

Stationery Classroom stationery is provided in pre-packed packs at very competitive prices. This ensures that children purchase the correct items for their classes programme. Parents find this much better than having to purchase individual items from retail outlets in Nelson. Packs can be purchased from OfficeMax either at their retail store or online. New Entrant Packs and Individual stationery items can be purchased from the office between 8:30am and 9:00am.

Swimming Swimming instruction takes place for all pupils during Term Three at the ASB Aquatic Centre in Richmond. Children are grouped and taught by qualified instructors. All children participate in the swimming programme. There is a cost to parents for this programme although there is a subsidy by the BOT. Children should bring their togs and a towel (clearly named). Please supply a note if you wish your child to be excused.

FOR MORE INFORMATION - PLEASE CONTACT THE SCHOOL OFFICE or VISIT OUR SCHOOL WEBSITE AT www.birchwood.school.nz

or check us out on Facebook

BIRCHWOOD SCHOOL 15 Durham Street, Stoke, Nelson

Ph (03) 547 3028 Fax (03) 547 3026 Text: 027 875 2443

Email: admin@birchwood.school.nz Website: www.birchwood.school.nz