Achievement data

Throughout the year student achievement data from standardised tests is collected and analysed.  This helps us to see how our students are achieving in comparison with other schools and provides us with teaching strategies that will help us to better meet the academic needs of our students.


Assemblies

Assemblies are held to share work, commend good work/behaviour, sing and so on.  Families are welcome to attend assemblies which are held in the hall.  Assembly times are advertised in the newsletter and on our Facebook page. Assemblies for important events are held when necessary.

 

Be ready for school

Does your child know:

·         His/her name, address and telephone number and how to repeat it if necessary?

·         How to put away play things when not using them

·         How to take off and put on outer garments without help?

·         How to tie his/her own shoelaces?

·         How to use a handkerchief and always have one?

·         How to wash and dry hands and remember to flush the toilet without assistance?

·         How to hold and use scissors?

·         The basic colours?            

·         How to count from one to ten?

·         How to sit and listen to a story?

·         The days of the week?

·         How to recognise his/her own name?

·         How to look after his/her own belongings?

·         His/her birthday and birth month?

·         Letters in the environment (M for Milo, P for Pizza Hut etc)?

           

Computer and internet use

We have computers in every classroom and a computer suite to give students opportunities to become familiar with ICT as a learning tool.  Computer use is an adjunct to the teaching programme and does not replace the child’s need to learn to read, write and compute.

 

Computers and internet are to be used for teaching/learning purposes only.  We do our best to keep student computer/internet use safe but students must:

·         Not download or pass on material (by copying, storing, printing, e-mailing) which is offensive (rude or pornographic), dangerous, inappropriate at school or illegal

·         Use the internet or e-mail at school only if there is a teacher supervising him/her

·         Be careful with furniture and equipment

·         Respect copyrights on software that prohibit copying

·         Use only school software on school computers

·         Share equipment

·         Not waste computer resources (eg. paper, ink)

·         Close the screen down immediately/tell the teacher if something offensive appears on the screen

·         Not give any personal details about him/herself (or anybody else) on the internet.

 

It is each student’s responsibility to have no involvement in any material that is dangerous, inappropriate, offensive or illegal.  If a student breaks these rules he/she might lose the right to use the school’s computers and the school may take other disciplinary action against him/her.

                           

Events

During the year students will participate in a variety of events: swimming, summer/winter sports, cross-country, athletics, cultural presentations etc.  You will be informed when these events are to be held.  We welcome families and friends to come along and join us on these occasions.

 

Homework

Students at all stages are encouraged to spend a regular period of time at home doing homework to develop their interests and/or reinforce ideas and understandings.

 

Junior class students will bring a book to read with parents/caregivers most Mondays to Thursdays. Please discuss the book with them and let them find any words they know. Sometimes the book will already be known but at other times it will not be known at all. Whatever the case, the book should be shared. Remember that reading is fun and should be a happy experience for everybody! From Year 3 onwards, homework may include reading for pleasure, learning basic maths facts and/or spelling words, worksheets and awareness of current affairs through newspapers, radio and television.

 

If difficulties arise with homework, the attempt should be noted, the homework left and the problem handled by the teacher the following day.

 

Information Centre

The Grace McPeak Information Centre is a well-stocked, attractive and valuable teaching resource. Students can access the centre to borrow books, find information, read magazines and books for pleasure and listen to stories as well as:

·         Use information technology  

·         See displays

·         Play games and puzzles.

 

Students may take home library and reading books but we like to get the books back in good condition.  Waterproof book bags are available from the office and it is desirable that every student uses one to help protect our reading resources.  The replacement cost for lost or damaged books must be reimbursed by the parents/caregivers of the borrower.

 

Matauranga Maori – Maori programmes

Jean Batten School acknowledges the place of Maori as Tangata Whenua through school-wide waiata, Powhiri and recognition of Treaty of Waitangi partnership obligations. All students learn aspects of Te Reo Maori and Tikanga Maori in classroom programmes. 

 

Mutukaroa

Mutukaroa is a home-school partnership that seeks to accelerate learning progress and achievement for students in Years 1-3 by fostering the engagement of parents/caregivers in learning partnerships. Parents/caregivers work with a coordinator to develop the knowledge necessary for them to support the development of core skills in their children. They are provided with tools to support learning with their children. Mutukaroa is designed to foster the development of fully engaged parents/caregivers who understand assessment. It has several key components, including:

·         Learners are assessed at 5, 5 ½, 6 and 7 years to track progress during their time at school

·         At each stage the coordinator reviews the data, discusses any issues with the teacher, and agrees the next steps in the child’s learning journey. Next steps complement and support what teachers are doing in the classroom

·         Parents/caregivers are invited to a 45-60 minute meeting with the coordinator to discuss the assessment data and learning targets.

·        

The coordinator utilises a learning framework and tool set to offer parents/caregivers structured and specific advice about how to support their child’s learning. 


Photographic images

We occasionally use photographic images of school activities in the newsletter, on the school website and on our Facebook page. Your child’s images will only published if you have given consent on the enrolment form.

 

Physical education

All students must take part in physical education/fitness programmes unless a note is sent from home requesting exemption for health reasons. For the general physical education/fitness programmes, students are required to wear shorts (or, in especially cold weather, track pants) and they should bring these to school every day. Students wishing to play games on the field during the winter term should have a complete set of old clothes to change into.  The compulsory swimming component of the physical education programme is taught each year and students should bring their swimming togs/towels to school on swimming days.

 

Progress through school

Students progress through school according to their readiness and ability and it is unwise to compare one student’s progress with that of another.  Not only do students begin school at different times but they also progress, individually, at different rates.  Emotional barriers can be set up against learning if comparative, or unrealistic, demands are made of children before they are ready.  Even children in one family have differing educational needs and learning rates.

 

Reading

The following are suggestions you may like to use when listening to your child’s reading.

 

The Right Three

·         The Right Time (10-15 minutes when neither you nor your child is tired, hungry or keen to do something else and when you can enjoy reading together four or five regular times per week).

·         The Right Place (Choose a place as quiet, comfortable and as peaceful as possible, where you can be alone and free from interruption).

·         The Right Book (Choose material that is interesting for the child and is not too difficult).

 

What can your child do when he/she doesn’t know a word?

·         Go back to the beginning of the sentence.

·         Read again.

·         Say the first sound.

 

If he/she gets stuck again

·         Go back to the beginning of the sentence.

·         Read again.

·         Say the first sound, then...

·         Read on to the end of the sentence.

 

Now have a try

·         Does it make sense?

·         Does it look and sound right?


Reporting

Parents/caregivers are encouraged to contact the school at any time during the year if they have any concerns regarding the progress of their children.  If you would like an interview, please arrange a time, in advance, with the classroom teacher involved. 

 

The annual reporting process involves:

·         A ‘Meet the Teacher’ opportunity early in the year

·         A formal interview in the first half of the year

·         Two written reports (mid/end-of-year)

 

Parents/caregivers and teachers are encouraged to keep in constant contact with each other to create and effective home/school partnership concerning student well-being and achievement.

 

Study Support Centre

The Ministry of Education funds an after school study support centre. Year 5/6 students may apply to join the study support programme which is held Monday-Thursday afternoons from 3.00-4.30pm.  Enrolled students do homework and extension activities under the guidance of supervising tutors.

 

Trips/visits

As part of class programmes, day trips/visits are undertaken.  These are a valuable extension of the class programme and involve a large amount of work and organisation.  Parent/caregiver help on trips/visits is essential and offers of transport or supervision are appreciated.  Parents/caregivers offering transport must provide seatbelts (and booster seats, as appropriate) for all passengers.

 

Useful contributions

Items such as plastic ice cream containers, board games for wet days, buttons, magazines, materials and wool for collage, unwanted pot plants and cardboard and paper off-cuts are useful for teachers and would be gratefully received throughout the year.