Staffing

At the end of 2009 the school roll was 255 pupils with 12 classes. The B.O.T. chooses its own staff and positions are keenly sought after. This is reflected in the number of applicants for each advertised position. The school is therefore able to target money into specific areas as needed.

Classes and teachers for 2010 are -

Mr. M. Kendrick Principal

Mr M. Robson Deputy Principal Year 6 Room 1

Mrs. K. Metcalfe Teacher Year 5/6 Room 2

Mrs. J. Baird Assistant Principal New Entrants Room 3

Ms. V. Templeton Teacher New Entrants Room 4

Mrs W. Rusk Teacher Year 1/2 Room 5

Miss N. Fisher Teacher Year 3 Room 6

Mrs N Tereu-Solomona Teacher Year 4/5 Room 7

Mrs J. Wilson Teacher Year 4/5 Room 8

Miss A Drollet Teacher Year 1/2 Room 9

Mrs. N. Nooroa Teacher Bi-Lingual Room 10

Miss I. Hasini Teacher Year3/4 Room 11

Mrs Ngaire Taikato - Maori Tutor, DP Release, Special Abilities

Part time teachers - Mrs V Clarke, Mrs A. Barrett,

Reading Recovery teacher - Mrs. S. Young

School Social Worker - Mrs Lynda Dickson

Teacher Aides - Mrs N Lindsay, Mrs S. Hawera, Mrs C. Brookes, Mrs C. Bridle, Ms K. Davy, Mrs J Shewry, Mrs A Vano, Mrs T Trainor.

School Librarian - Mrs. S. Mclntosh

School Secretary - Mrs C. Collier.

School Caretaker - Mr. N. Matangi.

Cleaning Staff - Ms. A. Speers and Miss N Papara

Strathmore School Board of Trustees 2009 -

Mr B. Nicholas - Chairman Mr M. Kendrick - Principal

Mrs. J. Baird - Staff Representative

Mr. R Brown, Mrs A. Treadaway, Mrs M. Turia, Mrs A. Henry, Mrs W. Wiki - Parent representatives

BOT meetings are held in the conference room or staff room at 3.30 on the second Monday of each month. Parents are welcome to attend these meetings

Classrooms - these are up to date with new decor and modern furniture. Each is resourced with a wide range of equipment and teaching aids.

Attractive Environment - the school buildings and grounds create an attractive environment for children to learn and play. There are two adventure playgrounds (the larger of these is for children 8 years or older), an assembly hall, extensive library, netball courts, paved areas, sunshades, large fields and a resource centre (incorporating the current Library and ICT Suite).

Computers/Internet - The school has up to date classroom computers and a computer suite managed by a very capable Teachers Aid. Children are able to get information from the Internet. Prior to being allowed access to the Internet caregivers and students will need to sign a Liability form with regard to Internet usage.

Pre-School Visits - Children are invited to visit Room 3 or 4 on a Wednesday morning between 9.00 and 12.30, three weeks prior to their 5th birthday. Please phone the school to arrange such a visit. On enrolment we need to see the child's birth certificate, immunisation record and if done Fit for School Certificate.

School Hours - The hours for instruction are from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Road Wardens are on duty from 8:20 to 8:50 and 2:55 to 3:15. These are on St. Andrews Drive and Strathmore Drive. Morning interval is between 10:30 and 10:50 and lunch is from 12:30 until 1:30.

Short Days - Terms 2 & 3 - In the second and third terms only, the lunch break is shortened by twenty minutes and the children will be sent home at 2.40.

Absences - If a child is absent from school, parents are requested to telephone (886 9765) or txt (027 304 9652) the office or to write a note to the class teacher. We will ring if a child is away without explanation.

Stationery - All stationery needed can be purchased from the school office. Activity fees should also be paid at the office. These are $20 per child or $30 per family per year.

Dental Clinic - The Dental Nurses are responsible for several schools in the Tokoroa/Mangakino districts. They spend a few months at different clinics each year. Please contact the school office if you would like a nurse to attend to your child's teeth at any time during the year.

Homework - Children in the Junior classes will bring a book home in their book folders each night from Monday through to and including Thursday. Each Junior child will have a Home Book containing familiar poems, songs or class work. The Home Book is taken home on Fridays or at other times of special interest and returned the next school day. Senior children should set aside a regular home work period each night for spelling and tables. Occasionally home work related to other subjects may be set. Home work should not be allowed to occupy more than half an hour and work not completed in this time should be left.

Lunches - Children may buy any of the items listed below (Prices as of 02/02/2010).

Hot Bites: Big Mince Pie $2.00

Murphies Mince Pie with Potato Top $1.60

Hawaiian Calzone $2.00

American Hot Dog $2.00

Volcano $1.60

All these products have a Heart Tick

Chocolate Milk $1.20

Moosies - Chocolate $1.10

Juicees - Orange .60

Filo Wrap - Chicken, or Ham $3.60 Club Sandwich -Chicken, Ham, Roast Beef $3.60

Lunches orders are taken in the Office from 8.30 every morning

Reading Recovery - All children are given a comprehensive test of their reading ability close to their 6th birthday i.e. after one year at school. Children who need additional assistance at this stage are placed into the Reading Recovery Programme. In this programme they receive intensive teaching on a one teacher to one pupil basis. Tuition is given by a specially trained teacher. The programme is discontinued when the children can maintain the average reading level for their age.

Cook Islands Maori Bilingual Unit - The school operates one classroom as a Cook Islands Maori Bilingual Unit. Children in this room are taught in both English and Cook Islands Maori. The teacher is assisted by a teachers aide who is a fluent speaker of Cook Islands Maori. Parents who want their children placed in this unit should ask for a request form from the office. Places in the unit are limited.

We do require new entrants to spend as least two terms in our junior reception rooms before entering the unit.

Religious Instruction - Children in years 4, 5 and 6 may have Religious Instruction for half an hour weekly. Lessons are taken by volunteers who have been selected by the local ministers, and are non - denominational. Parents have the right to have their children withdrawn from these lessons. At Strathmore School there is an understanding that the needs and wishes of all religious groups be respected.

P.T.A. - The school enjoys fabulous support from parents in the form of the P.T.A. A typical year will see $30,000 raised and spent on Strathmore School students. Examples of what this money has been spent on recently are , Sound sytsems, Video/DVD players and televisions, digital cameras, sun shade area, classroom computers, subsidising class trips and camps and classroom resources.

The P.T.A. meets once a term at 6.00 p.m. in the staff room. Upcoming meetings are noted in the newsletter. All parents are welcome.

Sports and Cultural activities - Strathmore School has a strong sporting tradition. Rugby, Cricket, Netball and Hockey teams are extremely successful and have great parental support. Equally popular are the Maori and Polynesian Culture groups, and the Choir which performs at a Music Festival every second year.

Swimming Programme - Swimming lessons are taken during the year for all children in the school.

Senior children, Y4 up swim every Friday in the morning for Terms 1,2, and 4 and need to bring $1.50 for each session.

Some junior classes also elect to swim on a Thursday. This is at the same cost. Parents will be notified if their child is in a class that is going swimming.

Discipline: SAFE- Strathmore's a Friendly Environment - Strathmore School believes in a positive approach to behaviour management. Behaviour problems are kept to a minimum by ensuring that:

rules and expectations are clear,

staff are positive yet firm and consistent,

children achieve success from an interesting programme,

children are engaged in constructive play at break times.

We have rules to protect students and to ensure that children's behaviour is of an acceptable standard so that the school environment can be a pleasant and secure place for all. We encourage parents to let us know if their child is being bullied so that we can deal with the issue and the children concerned.

Contact with Teachers - Should you need to phone the school to talk to a teacher it would be appreciated if you could do so either before school, during break, lunch, or after school Monday to Friday.

Teachers are happy to discuss pupils progress at any time during the year. However in order that a suitable time can be arranged, parents/caregivers are asked to make an appointment.

Concerns or Complaints from Parents - If you have concerns about your child's progress, well-being, or development you should discuss these in the first instance with your child's classroom teacher. If you are unable to get satisfaction you should approach the Principal. If you feel uncomfortable about these two options you are encouraged to contact a BOT member with your concerns so that they can bring them to the attention of the Principal.

Lost Property - If named, clothing can be returned to its owner. Otherwise it is kept in a box at school and put on display at regular intervals. Parents who are aware their child has lost clothing should check the lost property box in the hall.

We would encourage parents to name children's clothing.

Books in Homes - Duffy Books - The school supports the Duffy Books in homes initiative. Each child will be given books during the year which are theirs to keep. This has been extended to include pre-school children who have older brothers and/or sisters at school. We would encourage parents to share these books with their children.

Reporting to Parents - Parents are sent a formal report on their child's progress twice a year. The first report is sent out at the end of Term 2 with a final report being sent out at the end of the year.

Education Outside the Classroom - Year 5 and 6 students attend a week camp each year. In 2009 children are going to Wellington and will probably go to Ohope in 2010. These visits are action packed, educational and keenly looked forward to by all. Regular trips are also made by all classes to venues outside the school to support current studies

Social Worker in Schools - The Social Worker in Schools (SWIS) work in partnership with families/whanau in a voluntary (non Statutory) relationship which respects the family's right to participation.

SWIS role is -

• To work with families that may be experiencing difficulties with their children
• To assist parents/caregivers in maintaining positive relationships with their children.  
• To assist in maintaining positive links with the schools and advocate on behalf of the family to resolve any difficulties or misunderstandings arising for their or their children's relationships with the school.

Some of the reasons for referrals may include

• Family circumstances
• School attendance
• Behaviour
• Social skills/Peer pressure/Bullying
• Performance
• Sudden changes
• Information, advice and support

Please feel free to contact the Social Worker - Mrs Lynda Dickson anytime either by leaving a message here at school on 886 9765, or contacting her at David Henry School on 886 5234.

Terms and Holidays for 2010:

Term l Tuesday 2 February to Thursday 1 April.

Term 2 Monday 19 April to Friday 2 July

Closed Queen's Birthday - 7 June

Term 3 Monday 19 July to Friday 24 September

Term 4 Monday 11 October to Wednesday 15 December

Closed Labour Day - 25 October

School Address

Strathmore School

27 Strathmore Drive

Tokoroa

Phone/fax - 07 886 9765

Cellphone - 027 304 9652

Email: office@strathmore.school.nz

Website: www.strathmore.school.nz

Phone/fax - 07 886 9765        

Cellphone - 027 304 9652