General Information About our School

Bell times

Classes begin at 8.55 and finish 3.00
Morning interval is 10.35 -10.55
Lunchtime is 12.30 -1.30 (Lunch ordering scheme available)
The classrooms are open at 8.30 for children to prepare for the day.
There is a preschool and after school care programme 7am to 8.30 and 3.00 to 5.30 in our school hall.
Ask at the office for details.

Absences
If your child is away from school please contact the office and leave a message. As we have to account for all absences a message or note is important for us to comply with attendance regulations.
Phone: 8361213 Fax:8360618 email: admin@westernheights.school.nz If you have not contacted the school by 9.30am you may be called.

Bible in Schools
The school is closed on Thursdays from 9.00 to 9.30 for religious education. Children who are to be excluded from this are supervised in a class space to work independently. School is legally closed for the half-hour.

Bicycles
These may be ridden to school by year 4, 5 and 6 children. Helmets must be worn. A bike rack is located in the old boiler shed. Scooters and skateboards can also be ridden to the school gate. They can then be pushed or carried to the cloakrooms.

Class trips
Classes often have trips out of the school to support classroom studies. We inform you of these outings and the costs are keep to a minimum. To comply with safety policies we require parent help.

Communication with Homes
A newsletter comes home every Thursday containing information about most school activities. Information sheets come home during the term from your child's teacher and or syndicate leader. If you have any issues concerning your child please do contact the teacher or a senior member of the staff. You will enjoy the children's contributions to the newsletter. Downloads of weekly newsletters are available on this site.

Dental Clinic
Other schools in the area share the dental nurse and you can contact her by ringing 8364787.

Discipline
We use a positive model for behaviour management at school. The children are expected to accept responsibility for their own behaviour. Parents are kept well informed. Our behaviour policy is available at the school office.

Dress
We do not have a school uniform but do encourage sensible dress to enable children to take part in all school activities.
Can all clothing be named clearly. Lost items can be retrieved from the class take home boxes or syndicate baskets.
Hats must be worn over the summer to comply with our safety in the sun policy.
We cannot be responsible for valuables and money so please do discourage your child from bringing such items to school. Could any money sent to school for a specific purpose be in a named envelope.

Holidays
We follow the standard Ministry of Education term dates so the year is made up of four terms .
Dates are always in the school newsletter during the year.

Library
Each child has access to the school library during the week. Books are taken home in Library bags. It is important that these be returned each week.

Medical Problems and Medication
It is important that the school office is informed of any medical issues your child has and if it is serious you will be asked to supply a photo with information for the sick bay so that staff are informed of what to do in case of an emergency.

If your child suffers from asthma can you please supply the office with an up to date asthma plan and support medication for use at school. If your child requires medication please provide it in a container or envelope clearly marked with dosage and child's name. You must fill out a medication sheet giving us permission to give it to your child.
Where possible children who become ill at school are sent home after the parent or emergency person has been contacted.

Messages to Children
These can be given to the office to be passed on to your child.

Sports
The year 4 -6 children take part in inter-school sporting fixtures for major sports and minor games. Notices will come home to those involved. The children and staff appreciate parent support at these activities.
Watch in the newsletter for information about the Saturday sports programme, which is organized by the Western Heights Sports Club in partnership with the school.
Swimming is a compulsory subject and each class has swimming nearly every day during the summer term. (First term of the year)
Fitness is an important part of the schools Health and Physical Education programme and all children must take part. If your child for health reasons cannot participate on occasions please send a note to the teacher.

Traffic Wardens
There are wardens on the Sturges Road crossing before school (8.30 to 8.50)and after school(3.00 to 3.15).If you are driving past can you please take heed of the wardens signals.

Homework
Homework is a vital link between home and school and it gives parents an insight into what children are learning in class. Homework helps parents to be active in helping offspring learn and should be an enjoyable experience for all the family.
Each syndicate at Western Heights has a system for weekly homework and you are informed of the system when your child starts.
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Policies are available re homework, curriculum and safety.

Reporting to Parents
There are opportunities to meet with your child's teacher formally twice a year. At the end of February there is an initial meeting for a general information sharing. In June teachers report children's progress using a profile assessment system.
A written report comes home at the end of the year with supporting samples of work where available.
You are however welcome to make appointments to see the teacher as needs arise.
Children in their first year have a formal assessment after six weeks and again when they turn six. Parents will be contacted to discuss these.


All policies for the school are available in the school foyer.