Absences
Regular school attendance is important for children's progress. Please contact the school office before 9.00 am if your child is going to be absent - an answering machine is available during non-office hours to record children's absences.
A child needs to bring a note of explanation on returning to school for any absence not phoned in - this is to comply with Government regulations relating to school attendance.
PLEASE CONTACT THE SCHOOL OFFICE (not Seesaw, Facebook or teacher's emails).
Assemblies
Our school 'Celebration Assemblies' are held 3 times per term - usually in week 3, 6 and 9. They are held in the School Hall on Fridays at 2.15 pm. Usually there will be 2 classes sharing at each assembly. Parents, families and friends are always welcome.
Bicycles/Scooters
During school hours, bicycles and scooters are housed in stands provided inside the school grounds. Children are allowed to ride their scooters and skateboards on Wednesdays and Fridays during break times. Children are not permitted to ride their cycles in the playground area. Parents are reminded that bicycle helmets are compulsory.
Children's Safety
Please warn your child / children about:
- loitering to and from school
- visiting friends without your permission
- going anywhere with, or accepting sweets etc, from strangers
Please help us to keep your child safe by notifying the school if your child:
- is being picked up by someone else
- is to leave the school grounds
- has a change of address or telephone number
- will be absent from, or late for school
- has a notifiable infectious disease
Communication with Parents
This will be carried out on a regular basis through the use of a fortnightly newsletter and specific notices as required. These lines of communication will give parents information relevant to their involvement in school life as parents. The B.O.T. and PTA. Team will be encouraged to include items of information and interest, particularly in the school newsletter.
Discipline
The Tinwald School values are RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY and HONESTY.
The school operates a very successful Behaviour Management Programme, whereby children are encouraged to follow our school values. All families receive an information booklet on the school's Behaviour Management Programme upon enrolment - including a home / school partnership contract. Parents are contacted if there are serious matters of concern.
Homework
Tinwald school has no set policy on homework. In general, homework is set at the discretion of the classroom teacher. Junior school pupils will be given reading books to share with you. In the Middle school children are expected to read each night, continue to work on their Essential List spelling words and their basic facts. Senior pupils may be given homework over a two week period, focussing on reading, writing and basic facts as well as classroom learning.
House Colours
We have four house colours that are named after streets around Tinwald School
Jane- Red
Thomson- Green
Harland- Yellow
Graham- Blue
Children are encouraged to wear plain house colour t-shirts in interhouse carnival days (e.g. athletics, cross country). These are optional and are supplied from home.
Presently, children are allocated a house colour each year. This is to keep our house numbers as even as possible across the school.
Individual Education Plans
Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are compiled where it is seen that a child is in need of guidance and strategies to be put in place alongside those of the classroom teacher. The plans are written as a result of strategies determined at a meeting which include the teacher, the parents, and a member of the Learning Support committee - the principal is part of this Committee. IEPs are normally reviewed every six months.
Library
The school has an excellent library with a wide range of titles for the benefit of all children in the school, with new titles constantly being added to the shelves. All pupils spend some structured class time in the library each week, and pupils are able to use the library at lunchtimes. Pupils may borrow and take books, and parents are requested to ensure books are returned to school promptly and in good condition.
Lost Property
It is recommended that all clothing and personal items be named. All lost property is stored in the school library area (blue box). A lost property display is organised at the end of each term, with any remaining items donated to the local church's clothing support programme or laundered and sold as second hand uniform to school families
Music Lessons
Students may enrol for individual tuition during school hours. This is provided by outside agencies at a cost. Our school takes part in the Ashburton Schools Music Festival biannually with a Year 4-6 choir.
Office Hours
Our school (office) secretary is available from 8.30 am till 3.30 pm each school day, with an answering machine available for after hours messages as appropriate - especially to record children's absences from school.
Parental Involvement
Every encouragement will be given to all parents and caregivers to become involved in school life. Parents may become involved by volunteering their services, joining the PTA team or Board of Trustees, or on request by staff. Parents often assist in class programmes, sports events, hobbies, transport, and reading assistance.
Uniforms
Boys
Royal blue sweatshirt or school polar fleece Plain black track pants Royal blue polo shirt Plain black shorts above the knee Sneakers or black shoes Sandals Black socks |
Girls
Royal blue sweatshirt or school polar fleece Plain black track pants Plain black shorts above the knee Plain black skort (skirt like shorts) Royal blue polo shirt Black socks Sneakers or black shoes Sandals Jewellery, other than small studs, should not be worn to school for safety reasons. |
All students need a school sunhat which is compulsory in Terms 1 and 4.
Sweatshirts, track pants, polar fleece vests and jackets in school colours can be purchased online from The Warehouse, Ashburton.
Elite Embroidery, 108 Victoria St, are able to embroider Tinwald School on polar fleece vests and jackets.
Second hand uniforms are also available through the school office.
Please Note: The Board of Trustees expects school uniform to be worn by all students at all times.
Sweatshirts, track pants, polar fleece vests and jackets in school colours can be purchased online from The Warehouse, Ashburton.
Elite Embroidery, 108 Victoria St, are able to embroider Tinwald School on polar fleece vests and jackets.
Second hand uniforms are also available through the school office.
Please Note: The Board of Trustees expects school uniform to be worn by all students at all times.