Tawa School - What We Offer

Children with special abilities

Extension programmes are offered during the school year, parents are informed as appropriate our classroom programmes allow for each child to develop their abilities 2005 programmes may include English, Maths, Science, Art. Our CWSA committee meets regularly to talk with teachers regarding children in their classes and the programmes being offered. We welcome parents to talk with us about their children

Children with special needs

Children who have difficulty with learning and/or behaviour are supported through a variety of strategies including in class support, remedial programmes, working with teacher aides, liaison with specialist agencies. IEPs (individual education programmes) are developed with parents and those involved in the education of the child on an as appropriate basis we welcome parents to talk with us about their concerns and celebrations - please let us know. Our CWSN committee meets each week to talk with teachers regarding children in their classes and the programmes being offered

Children’s workbooks Criteria:

Work will be dated
Work is to be neat and tidy
Books are works in progress
Books used should be appropriate/specific
Some work displayed, some in clear files, some in books, some saved on technology
Children have guidelines for what setting up is required by teacher, models available in class
Children encouraged to keep books tidy, neat, and in good repair
All children will have a ‘learning portfolio’ which becomes our written report at the end of the year
Children bring the books they need to school
Stationery lists available in the office
One off stationery items can be purchased from the office

Dental Clinic

The dental nurse usually visits once a year. You need to fill in the enrolment form for the dental clinic should you wish your child to be seen by the nurse. The dental clinic is on school grounds (the building in the forest area).

External Competitions

We encourage our children to participate in these. There is usually a fee for parents to pay. You will be advised through school/class newsletters.

Information Communication Technology (ICT)

Our school is recognised as a leader throughout NZ in the use of computers and technologies in learning. We believe children need modern tools to learn with, computers are very much part of their world. All classes have computers, including the ilab in Whare Kitea

Internet

All computers in our school have access to the internet. We operate clear, strict guidelines that ensure children’s safety is foremost at all times - “Tawa School Internet Protocol”. All internet use by children must be connected to class learning and be supervised. There are severe consequences if children break protocol. The protocol is available to view from class teachers. Web safety form to be completed on enrolment.

Medical Room

This is monitored by office staff. Children are monitors during morning tea and lunch times. Children are trained, and will seek assistance from adults as appropriate. You will be notified of any serious injury your child has incurred.

Medication at School

If your child requires medication to be administered during the school day please contact your child’s class teacher or the office staff who will advise you of the appropriate procedure. Medication to be kept at the office, or with the class teacher in a secure place.

Montessori Class

Children aged 6 years to 12 years are welcome to apply for this class.
Preference is given to children who have attended a Montessori Preschool.
Please contact the office for an application pack. Parents are required to pay fees, there are no sponsorships available.

Newsletters

School newsletter comes out every second Tuesday - either paper copy or on this website. Expect class newsletters at least twice a term.

Office Duty

Children on office duty deliver messages, collect lunches, collate notices, post letters and other similar tasks. Permission for children to be on office duty obtained each year (years 5-8 only). Each senior class to have designated day for duty. Children on office duty are managed by Office Staff.

Private Teachers working at Tawa School

We have private music teachers working in our school, please contact the school office for details. SPELD teachers also work in our school, please contact your classroom teacher.

Reading Recovery

This programme is available for children considered at risk after they turn six the progress of all six year olds in our school is carefully checked and those children making slow progress in reading will be eligible to be included in the reading recovery programme. More information is available through class teachers. A limited number of places is available - decisions are made by the Reading Recovery teacher and the CWSN committee according to Ministry of Education guidelines

Ready Steady Go

This is our new entrant transition programme, ensuring that when your child is five they are eager to begin school and know what school is like. Children are eligible to attend when they are enrolled at our school and for the six weeks prior to starting school. The programme runs every Thursday afternoon, 1.30 - 3pm. Parents/caregivers attend with the child, no other preschoolers thanks.

Road Patrol

Each senior class has a designated day for road patrol. Children and parents trained each year by police. Road patrol operates on Oxford St and Main Rd. Road patrol operates 8.30-8.55am, and 3.00-3.15pm. We do need parents to help with supervision on road patrol. Please let the office know if you can help, a regular day is preferable.

Second Languages

Te Reo, French and Japanese are taught as class and extension programmes. To participate in extension, children must show aptitude and ability.

Spelling Programme

Children need strategies for learning to spell. Each class has a spelling programme. We keep parents informed and involved including providing strategies (eg flow chart) for learning new spelling words.

Sport/Fitness

Each class has daily fitness. During summer months, we try to take lessons before 11am. The sun is fierce! Hats are necessary. We take part in Interschool sports competitions. We have school netball teams taking part in the Ngatitoa and Aotea competitions. We participate in competitions at Porirua Rec including miniball and unihoc. We hold swimming sports each year. We hold school cross country each year.

Stationery

Your child will receive a stationery list when they start our school, or at the end of the school year for next year. Please make sure your child has what they need for school.

Sunsmart

The sun is fierce! During terms 1 and 4 all children must wear a hat (full brim) when outside. No hat, no play. No hat, go to the forest area. We encourage children to have sunblock on before they come to school and to have their own sunblock at school for use during the day.

Swimming

We use the local swimming pool and other council pools when appropriate to the needs of the children. You will be informed of swimming times and any cost prior to the lessons taking place.

Taha Maori and Te Reo Maori

Taught within the class programme. Junior and senior extension classes also available.

Teacher Aides

Our teacher aides work with children identified by our special needs committee. Their main task is improving English, Maths and behaviour. Their work is planned and supervised by teachers.

Trips and Camps

Our classes often go on trips and camps. You will be notified through class newsletters. The permission slip must be returned: no slip, no trip. Parents are needed on these outings to ensure adequate supervision. Often cars are needed, seatbelts must be worn. Cars must be warranted and registered. A fee is usually charged for all trips and camps. If you are unable to pay part or all of the fee, please talk with your class teacher, we will most probably be able to help.

Wheels Day - Wednesday

Children can bring wheels to use at morning tea and lunch time. The designated area for ‘wheeling’ is the area on the top courts (small wheels), and the field (bikes). Children must wear a helmet. Children walk their wheels in and out of the school grounds. Bikes stored in bike stand and scooters, skateboards, roller blades are stored in classroom/cloakroom.