Tawa School - About Us

A place for living and learning

The original school, Tawa Flat was established in 1855 and for many years was the only school in Tawa. Over the years the school has changed. In the early years the school sat alone in a paddock. In time it grew to over 1000 pupils and space was at such a premium that some children were taught in a marquee on our present parking area. We are proud of the long tradition of our school and of the past pupils who have made important contributions to the New Zealand and global communities. Our school has members of staff who attended the school as pupils. We have the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of past pupils. Reflecting this tradition is an important part of our modern school.

Tawa School enrols children from new entrants (fantastic fives) to intermediate (year 8). The school has a strong tradition of quality education. This is achieved through an approach which focuses on the development of the whole child: academic, social, emotional and physical.

The school is friendly and well disciplined. A caring family atmosphere has been developed through the school, through excellent parent, child, teacher relationships.

The Principal

Questions are great, they help us to think. I think the biggest question for education today is how do we as adults help our younger generations to prepare for a fast moving and ever changing world where knowledge today may not be the knowledge of tomorrow.

It is a privilege to lead Tawa School. It’s a wonderful place for living and learning. A fabulous school where freedom and responsibility walk together so that the strengths of our staff are valued and the non negotiables are completed. A brilliant school where empowerment and diversity show that people and their creativity are key ingredients in a great learning environment.

I believe the most important way to know if a school is the right place for you to work or for your child to be educated is to spend time seeing, hearing and getting a feel for how the school operates. All prospective staff and children (and families) are welcome to ring our office, where the wonderful crew will organise a time for you to visit and have a tour.

Facilities

We are situated on 3 hectares of flat land

• a hall (available for hire - contact the school office)
• 14 classrooms and
• a music room
• an art room
• a technology room
• a teacher resource room
• a large library, whare kitea
• an ilab in our library
• an extensive field
• three court areas
• stage and shade sail
• ‘forest’ area - shady space
• playground

School Rules

People who attend and work in our school will:

• Respect others by treating them with dignity
• Value others and help them to develop self esteem
• Be courteous and behave with self control
• Respect the property of others and the school
• Resolve conflict in a peaceful way
• Follow the direction and instructions of teachers
• Bring only the correct materials for use at school and in class
• Dress in a tidy appropriate manner
• Share in the work of the school
• Children must stay in the school grounds during school hours to leave school grounds you must have written permission
• Bikes to be ridden on the field only
• Walk your bike into and out of the school grounds
• Play passing games only on concrete court areas
• Play kicking ball games on the field
• After 12.40 lunch you may move around the school
• Always sit down when eating food
• No sweets at school
• Leave other people’s bikes alone
• Stay out of the trees, no climbing

Board of Trustees

Board Meeting are held in the office/admin area on the third Wednesday of each month at 7.15pm. The meetings are open to the public, which means anyone may attend.

Our current board members:

• Graeme Smith - chairperson
• Dean Fleming
• Kerry Godfrey
• Rachel Dawson
• Wendy Potter
• AnneMaree Breen - Principal
• Neil Sargisson - Staff Rep

Enrolments

We welcome enrolments at all levels in our school. An enrolment form must be completed for each new child to our school. (This form can be found on this website under "how to enrol" which is part of "about our shcool"). The enrolment form requires copies of the child’s birth certificate/NZ residency, and immunisation records. Children enrolled to begin in new entrants may come along to our ‘Ready Steady Go’ programme for the six weeks prior to starting. Tours through our school happen each week, please ring the school office to book.

Enrolment Checklist:

• Enrolment form
• Immunisation certificate
• Birth certificate/passport
• Visa/permit if not NZ born
• Code of practice: privacy
• Web safety form
• Stationery fee
• Voluntary:
  • School donation
  • Telecom school connection sponsor sign up form

Funding for Learning

We receive most of our income from the government. This funding is used for administration, property, ancillary wages, teaching and learning resources, staff (teachers and ancillary) professional development. School donations are used to enhance and support curriculum delivery. Stationery/activity fees pay for: resources children will bring home including copying and photos, and the learning portfolio; visiting performances. This fee is compulsory, it is not the school donation We support the fundraising committee who gift our school donations of up to $15000 per year. Teacher salaries are paid directly from the government

Fundraising

How can you help?

• Join the fundraising committee
• Pay your school donation
• Support our fundraising efforts
• Join the gala committee
• Offer your time for specific projects

Parental Involvement

We gladly have parents helping in our school in the following ways:

• Meeting with teachers and/or children to discuss and plan for learning and behaviour outcomes
• Board of trustees, and its subcommittees
• Working at the discretion of the teacher in the classroom
• Helping the grounds staff with gardening/grounds work
• Participating in class / school trips
• Coaching sports teams
• Supporting sports teams in local competitions
• Attending performances/concerts/school wide celebrations and events
• On the fundraising committee