Information A-Z
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Scroll down or click on the links at the right to find all the information you need to know as a parent at Banks Ave.
Absences
If your child is going to be absent from school it is really important that you make contact with us and let us know the reason for the absence. There are a number of options available for you to do this. You can:
The school will make contact with home if a child is unaccounted for. Please make sure we have your current home, work and cell phone numbers. If your child is going to be absent for other than an educational approved activity (e.g. family holiday), a request must be made in writing or via email (office@banksave.school.nz) to the principal, outlining the dates your child/(ren) will be absent and the reason for the absence. Before and After School Care
Dallington Oscar run a before and after school programme here at Banks Avenue School. Please contact Michelle Lewis (Programme Co-ordinator) 386 3555 (after 2pm) or 0274382604. GenZ After School Programme also run a programme every day from 3:00 - 6:00pm. Pick up is from Banks Avenue School. For more information contact the Supervisor, Keren Tuirirangi on 0223509218 or 373 8277. Bicycles
Pupils who have not reached the age of ten are not permitted to ride to school on bicycles or tricycles. All cyclists must be registered with the Deputy Principal (see Cycling Policy). Each term new cyclists will undertake a week of practical tests. Cycles which must be locked are to be put in the cycle shed. Book Club
Twice a term, children have the opportunity to purchase paper-back books at a reasonable price. Catalogue forms are sent home. No pressure is placed on any child to purchase from these catalogues. Change of Contact Details
It is essential that the school is notified immediately of any change of address, parent’s place of work and/or telephone numbers. This applies also to emergency contact numbers. Please phone (03 385 4163), email or fill in the contact form below to update your details. |
Class Sizes
The new entrant class sizes are held at approximately 18. At the present time, the other classes range from 22-26.
The new entrant class sizes are held at approximately 18. At the present time, the other classes range from 22-26.
Cumulative Records
On-going records are kept throughout a child's time at school and this information is shared with parents at interview times. Each child, on entry to school, will be charged $1.00 for a cumulative record folder.
On-going records are kept throughout a child's time at school and this information is shared with parents at interview times. Each child, on entry to school, will be charged $1.00 for a cumulative record folder.
Home Learning
Home learning will vary with the age, class and needs of the child. The tasks set, while being purposeful, should not be onerous or take too long to complete. Please be positive and supportive with any home learning efforts and feel free to discuss any problem with the class teacher (see Homework Policy).
Home learning will vary with the age, class and needs of the child. The tasks set, while being purposeful, should not be onerous or take too long to complete. Please be positive and supportive with any home learning efforts and feel free to discuss any problem with the class teacher (see Homework Policy).
Leaving the School Grounds at Lunch Time
Children are not permitted to leave the school grounds at lunch time without written parental permission. The parent/caregiver who collects the child/ren must complete the “sign out/in register” in the school office before leaving the school grounds.
Children are not permitted to leave the school grounds at lunch time without written parental permission. The parent/caregiver who collects the child/ren must complete the “sign out/in register” in the school office before leaving the school grounds.
Library Information Centre
All children visit the school Library Information Centre as part of their normal classroom programme. Children are encouraged to take books home on a regular basis. Library bags can be purchased at the school office.
All children visit the school Library Information Centre as part of their normal classroom programme. Children are encouraged to take books home on a regular basis. Library bags can be purchased at the school office.
Lost Property
Senior lost property is located in the cloak area of Room 24. Junior lost property is located in the hallway of Room 15. Parents are welcome to check these areas for any lost items of school clothing. We strongly urge the labelling of all clothing and belongings.
Senior lost property is located in the cloak area of Room 24. Junior lost property is located in the hallway of Room 15. Parents are welcome to check these areas for any lost items of school clothing. We strongly urge the labelling of all clothing and belongings.
Medication
If your child is required to take medication during the school day please take it to the office. You will need to complete a “Request to Administer Medication” consent form. We will discuss with you how and when the medication is to be dispensed. While all care will be taken in administering medication and first aid, the final responsibility is with the parents.
If your child is required to take medication during the school day please take it to the office. You will need to complete a “Request to Administer Medication” consent form. We will discuss with you how and when the medication is to be dispensed. While all care will be taken in administering medication and first aid, the final responsibility is with the parents.
New Entrant Enrolments
Children may commence school on or after their fifth birthday. Your child’s Birth Certificate must be shown on enrolment to verify their date of birth and their eligibility to enrol in a New Zealand school as a domestic student. Please also bring with you your child’s Immunisation Certificate. If you live in our home zone you will need to bring a utility account to confirm that you live in zone (eg a property/rental agreement, power or telephone account with your name & address on it). You are asked to make an appointment with the Principal to enrol children at least a month prior to their fifth birthday. It is usual for children to be present at enrolment time. For more information on enrolment, click here.
Children may commence school on or after their fifth birthday. Your child’s Birth Certificate must be shown on enrolment to verify their date of birth and their eligibility to enrol in a New Zealand school as a domestic student. Please also bring with you your child’s Immunisation Certificate. If you live in our home zone you will need to bring a utility account to confirm that you live in zone (eg a property/rental agreement, power or telephone account with your name & address on it). You are asked to make an appointment with the Principal to enrol children at least a month prior to their fifth birthday. It is usual for children to be present at enrolment time. For more information on enrolment, click here.
Newsletters
Regular newsletters are published so that parents are kept informed of any relevant events or matters. The school newsletter is distributed via email each Wednesday or by hard copy to the eldest family member, only if requested. You can also access our newsletter through our website by clicking here.
Regular newsletters are published so that parents are kept informed of any relevant events or matters. The school newsletter is distributed via email each Wednesday or by hard copy to the eldest family member, only if requested. You can also access our newsletter through our website by clicking here.
Parents Responsibility to the School When They Separate
When parents separate it is usual for one of them to be granted custody of the child. An increasingly common custody order is one for joint or shared custody. In this case both parents, although separated, share the custodial responsibility, largely making their own arrangements about the day to day care of the child. This order may be used where the parents live near each other and are still on reasonably good terms.
A parent who has custody does not, for that reason, have sole control over the child's education or have the sole right to regulate, supervise and direct the life of the child. That is a function of guardianship. Both parents, however, retain guardianship and the rights which belong to a guardian, regardless of the custody arrangements.
When parents have separated and custody arrangements have not been formalised, both parents have custodial and guardianship rights. If disputes over custody arise, it is not the responsibility of the school to arbitrate.
Unless the Court rules otherwise, both parents, as guardians are entitled to:
Parents are requested, therefore, to give the school the correct information regarding:
When parents separate it is usual for one of them to be granted custody of the child. An increasingly common custody order is one for joint or shared custody. In this case both parents, although separated, share the custodial responsibility, largely making their own arrangements about the day to day care of the child. This order may be used where the parents live near each other and are still on reasonably good terms.
A parent who has custody does not, for that reason, have sole control over the child's education or have the sole right to regulate, supervise and direct the life of the child. That is a function of guardianship. Both parents, however, retain guardianship and the rights which belong to a guardian, regardless of the custody arrangements.
When parents have separated and custody arrangements have not been formalised, both parents have custodial and guardianship rights. If disputes over custody arise, it is not the responsibility of the school to arbitrate.
Unless the Court rules otherwise, both parents, as guardians are entitled to:
- A copy of their child's reports.
- Discuss the educational progress of their child with the Principal and the teacher in the same way as any other parent.
- Contribute to major educational decisions affecting the child eg: decide which school the child attends, special class admission, religious instruction.
- Participate in P.T.A. and other parent functions at the school.
- See official records about the child as are normally shown to parents (eg: record cards).
Parents are requested, therefore, to give the school the correct information regarding:
- Custody
- Access arrangements
- Name and address of both parents
- Name of the lawyer appointed for the children (if applicable)
- Any other relevant information, e.g., non molestation order or non-violence order in force.
Parking on Banks Avenue
Because of the acknowledged difficulties associated with picking children up at 3.00pm and the lack of parking facilities, parents are asked to observe EXTREME CAUTION. Remember that there are four entrances to the school - two on Banks Avenue, and one each on Bramwell Street and Strathfield Avenue.
Because of the acknowledged difficulties associated with picking children up at 3.00pm and the lack of parking facilities, parents are asked to observe EXTREME CAUTION. Remember that there are four entrances to the school - two on Banks Avenue, and one each on Bramwell Street and Strathfield Avenue.
Picking Up Children From School
If parents wish other adults to take their children from school, please inform us in writing or email. It is essential also for us to have a copy of any documents in cases of legal custody being granted, plus non molestation and non violence orders issued by the Court.
If parents wish other adults to take their children from school, please inform us in writing or email. It is essential also for us to have a copy of any documents in cases of legal custody being granted, plus non molestation and non violence orders issued by the Court.
Pre Enrolment Visits
If a child is on our pre-school list, a letter about pre-school visits will be sent to them about a month before they start. Most children have two visits.
If a child is on our pre-school list, a letter about pre-school visits will be sent to them about a month before they start. Most children have two visits.
Reporting to Parents
Learning Conversations are held in February and July. This is an opportunity for all parents/caregivers and their children to meet with their teacher. A discussion document will be sent home before the February and July conferences.
Parent/caregivers of new entrant children have a meeting with the class teacher when their child has attended school for six weeks.
At Banks Avenue School we report on both the progress and achievement of our students in relation to the National Standards. These reports are scheduled differently depending on the school year of the child. From Years 1-3 we have ‘anniversary’ reporting which means that you receive a report dependent on the number of weeks your child has been at school. These reports can come home at the end of Terms 1-4 and run on a cycle where your child will either be Terms 1 and 3 or Terms 2 and 4. Year 4-6 children receive reports at the end of Terms 2 and 4. A table outlining this information will accompany your child’s report.
Learning Conversations are held in February and July. This is an opportunity for all parents/caregivers and their children to meet with their teacher. A discussion document will be sent home before the February and July conferences.
Parent/caregivers of new entrant children have a meeting with the class teacher when their child has attended school for six weeks.
At Banks Avenue School we report on both the progress and achievement of our students in relation to the National Standards. These reports are scheduled differently depending on the school year of the child. From Years 1-3 we have ‘anniversary’ reporting which means that you receive a report dependent on the number of weeks your child has been at school. These reports can come home at the end of Terms 1-4 and run on a cycle where your child will either be Terms 1 and 3 or Terms 2 and 4. Year 4-6 children receive reports at the end of Terms 2 and 4. A table outlining this information will accompany your child’s report.
Religious Education
A programme following the approved syllabus is conducted in classrooms for thirty minutes each week. Under the Education Act, parents have the right to withdraw children from this programme. All we ask is that you notify the Principal in writing. Roto are participating this year. This is subject to change yearly.
A programme following the approved syllabus is conducted in classrooms for thirty minutes each week. Under the Education Act, parents have the right to withdraw children from this programme. All we ask is that you notify the Principal in writing. Roto are participating this year. This is subject to change yearly.
School Chaplains
During 1995 the Board, together with the Churches Education Commission, appointed Mr Bob Jaeger and Mrs Dianne Jaeger as our School Chaplains. Dianne resigned last year so we currently have Bob.
The chaplains are in the school on Wednesday mornings or at other times by arrangement. Children, staff, and parents are encouraged to use this service. Please ring the school for further information.
During 1995 the Board, together with the Churches Education Commission, appointed Mr Bob Jaeger and Mrs Dianne Jaeger as our School Chaplains. Dianne resigned last year so we currently have Bob.
The chaplains are in the school on Wednesday mornings or at other times by arrangement. Children, staff, and parents are encouraged to use this service. Please ring the school for further information.
School Trips
As a school we appreciate the value of educational trips and visits, and all classes are involved in these to some degree. While we hope that all children can participate, parents have a right to withhold permission for involvement in any activity which takes place outside the school property.
As a school we appreciate the value of educational trips and visits, and all classes are involved in these to some degree. While we hope that all children can participate, parents have a right to withhold permission for involvement in any activity which takes place outside the school property.
Specialist Services
Some specialist services are available through the school:
Hearing and Vision Tests
These are conducted by Healthlink South at frequent intervals throughout the year. New Entrants are seen automatically and children who fail tests are re-tested and the appropriate action taken.
Dental Service
With the changes in the New Zealand National School Dental Service, this school is now part of the Shirley Intermediate/Paparoa Street/Banks Avenue area served by a team of two dental nurses. You will be notified through the school newsletter when they are working at this school. If your child needs emergency treatment and the team is at another school, you are asked to make contact with any school dental clinic, where your child can be attended to. Please note that when the school dental team is away from this school you may still ring the clinic number and leave a message and they will ring you back.
Other specialist services available through the school include:
Usually, the school initiates contact with the above (except Dental Services). However you are welcome to make enquiries to the Principal if you consider referrals to any of the above are required for your child.
Parents may also contact the following people directly:
Some specialist services are available through the school:
Hearing and Vision Tests
These are conducted by Healthlink South at frequent intervals throughout the year. New Entrants are seen automatically and children who fail tests are re-tested and the appropriate action taken.
Dental Service
With the changes in the New Zealand National School Dental Service, this school is now part of the Shirley Intermediate/Paparoa Street/Banks Avenue area served by a team of two dental nurses. You will be notified through the school newsletter when they are working at this school. If your child needs emergency treatment and the team is at another school, you are asked to make contact with any school dental clinic, where your child can be attended to. Please note that when the school dental team is away from this school you may still ring the clinic number and leave a message and they will ring you back.
Other specialist services available through the school include:
- Special Education Service including Psychologist
- Truancy Officer
- Behaviour Education Support Team members
- Speech Language Therapist
- Itinerant Teacher of Special Classes
- RTLB
- Hearing Impaired Advisor
- Public Health Nurse
- Police Education Officer
- Dental Therapist
- Field Worker in Schools
- Elmwood Vision Advisor
- Chaplains
- Reading Recovery and Special Needs Programmes are also undertaken at the school.
Usually, the school initiates contact with the above (except Dental Services). However you are welcome to make enquiries to the Principal if you consider referrals to any of the above are required for your child.
Parents may also contact the following people directly:
- Public Health Nurse - Abbie Cameron - Ph: 3836877x99628
- Vision and Hearing Tester - Kay Jefferies - Ph:383 9498x99909
Swimming
Every child will attend swimming lessons. The children receive ten, thirty minute lessons with a qualified instructor, in a group of ten or less. The cost is approximately $68.00; this includes tuition and transport. Costs and dates will be advised by the class teachers.
Every child will attend swimming lessons. The children receive ten, thirty minute lessons with a qualified instructor, in a group of ten or less. The cost is approximately $68.00; this includes tuition and transport. Costs and dates will be advised by the class teachers.
Toys At School
Children are not to bring toys to school unless for a special purpose. The teacher is not responsible for the loss of children's property in normal circumstances.
Children are not to bring toys to school unless for a special purpose. The teacher is not responsible for the loss of children's property in normal circumstances.
Use of School Grounds Out Of School Hours
Children are welcome to use the school grounds and facilities out of school hours. However, as most of our grounds are not visible from the street, it is recommended that children come in groups or have an adult with them. It is expected that behaviour will be sensible and the environment will be looked after. Bicycles are not to be ridden in the grounds at any time.
Children are welcome to use the school grounds and facilities out of school hours. However, as most of our grounds are not visible from the street, it is recommended that children come in groups or have an adult with them. It is expected that behaviour will be sensible and the environment will be looked after. Bicycles are not to be ridden in the grounds at any time.
