Prospectus
Dear Parents / Caregivers
Welcome to Pinehill School.
We look forward to working with you in providing the best quality education for your child. We strive to build the partnership between home and school and expect there to be close involvement from you in our activities.
We offer opportunity for this in a variety of ways ranging from classroom help through to Friends of Pinehill School and the Board of Trustees.
One of the underpinning features of our school is the emphasis on values based education. We actively promote and teach social skills and expect the highest standard of personal behaviour from our children at all times. We call this the "Pinehill Way"
This extends into our playground and on to our sports fields too. We do not accept bullying of any type whether it be physical or verbal. Children are taught strategies for dealing with bullying should it occur.
Our approach is to accentuate the positives by providing stimulating classroom programmes and reward children who are doing things right.
Every teacher has a right to teach, every child has a right to learn and this is promoted through all our activities. You as a parent can expect to be involved if you child's behaviour gives us concern.
One of the special features of Pinehill is the access to information and communication technologies available in all our classrooms. We use the ICTs to teach higher level thinking skills and provide high motivation learning activities. Our staff are highly skilled at using technology and teaching the children the skills in using it.
I trust you find this information helpful in providing the answers you require. Should there be anything else you wish to know please contact the office. We are here to assist in any way.
Once again welcome to our school - I look forward to working with you as your child moves through Pinehill.
Julien LeSueur
Principal
At Pinehill School our vision is to seek to provide a sense of worth, achievement and belonging for every child through ;
A child centred education
A stimulating environment aimed towards getting children to be confident and happy to “have a go”
A team approach where everyone involved in the school -children, parents, staff and Board are working for the school and all are clear about their respective roles
Pinehill School will ensure that every child’s needs are met through;
Special Features of our School
Our School Provides
Absences
A written note explaining all absences is required. You may also phone the school office before 9.00 am to inform us if your child is absent from school due to illness. An answer phone is available for this purpose.
If you are collecting your child during school hours, please come to the school office and sign them out in the school register before going to their classroom.
Addressing Concerns
If you have a concern of any kind we encourage you to make a time to see us so we can work it out together. The school is managed as a partnership between staff and parents and we value open communication.
Please see your child's teacher as a first point of call for matters regarding class programme.
Any other concerns should be addressed to the Principal.
Assembly
Our whole school assembly is every Tuesday afternoon at 1.30 pm. Classes take turns at presenting items and class excellence shields are given out at this time. Children receive the shield to acknowledge good performance. Please return the shield by the Friday preceding the next assembly. You are most welcome to attend. Please be seated by 1.30
Board of Trustees (B.O.T.)
The Board of Trustees is elected by parents. We have 2 positions elected mid term and 3 positions at end of term to ensure continuity on the Board
Trustees are responsible for the governance of our school. Their important role ensures that the needs of the children and their learning are paramount. Board meetings are open meetings and are held twice a term at 7.30 pm.
Notification of each meeting is via the school newsletter.
Car Park
We are fortunate to have extensive parking and collection areas for our children but they are only as safe as we make them. Please help us ensure that your child is safe by undertaking the following
Use the correct entrance and exit areas
Use the drop off zone in the car park for children to move quickly and safely from cars. If you wish to walk with your child to their classroom please park in a designated area.
Watch for smaller children crossing.
NB: The car park is closed at 2.45 pm daily to incoming traffic.
Classroom Involvement
Parents / Caregivers are welcome to be involved in classroom programmes. If you would like to be one of our valued classroom helpers, you need to attend a training session so you have an understanding of what is involved. This session will enable us to give you the skills needed to work with the children in a directed and supported manner.
Our Associate Principal runs these session once a term. Look in the newsletter for details.
Dental Service
Our school is serviced by mobile dental therapists. Children are checked here at school and if work is needed they will make an appointment time for your child to attend the clinic they are currently attached to. The clinic can be contacted on 478 3347
Enrolment Policy
This Enrolment Scheme is designed to cater for the local community by offering Priority Entry to all pupils who live inside the geographical boundaries. A map showing the general boundaries of the zone can be found on the Pinehill Zone map link.
Starting from the intersection of Oteha Valley Road and State Highway 17 travel east along the centre of Oteha Valley Road until the Northern Motorway. Turn south along the motorway until the McClymonts Road overbridge. Head east along McClymonts Road and north into Medallion Drive (numbers 79, 82 and above), include numbers 61-75 and 48-60 of Masons Road and Lavendar Garden Lane. Turn east into Fernhill Way (numbers 67-86 and below), as far as Crimson Park (excluded), then proceed along the centre of Fernhill Way turning right along the centre of Ponderosa Drive to East Coast Road (numbers 489-721, 586-812). Head north until St Clair Place (included) and south as far as Rosedale Road. All no exit roads on the eastern side of East Coast Road between St Clair Place and Rosedale Road are included. Oaktree Avenue (numbers 101, 102 and above), Arran Road (99, 98 and above), Weetman Drive and associated no exit roads from these roads are included. Travel west along the centre of Rosedale Road until Tawa Drive then continue north along State Highway 17 back to the starting point including Bushlands Park Drive and all roads accessed via Bushlands Park Drive.
All properties inside these boundaries have automatic right of enrolment at Pinehill School.
The school will accept all children who satisfy the Principal (as the Board representative) that they are permanent residents of the defined residential zone.
Parents who live within this geographical zone are encouraged to complete the Application to Enrol form at the earliest opportunity should they wish to enrol their children at Pinehill School.
Siblings of children attending Pinehill School have priority entry.
Selective Entry
Children who live outside the zone may be accepted for enrolment dependent on a place being available at their class level at the time of enrolment application.
Friends Of Pinehill School (F.O.P.S.)
“The Friends” is a group of parents and caregivers who are involved in supporting the school. We seek to be representative of the whole school community, and our primary thrust is to support the Board of Trustees and the staff in providing top quality learning opportunities and experiences for our children.
We do this by meeting regularly to discuss educational issues, school events and programmes. We also fundraise for specific projects and for any “extras” that the school requires that may not be covered by our government funding.
Friends of Pinehill School meet once a month in the staffroom on either a Monday or Tuesday evening at 7.30 pm. Our meetings are advertised in the school newsletter and are open to ALL parents and caregivers. The format is fairly informal and lots of fun. Please come and join us at any time.
If you have any queries regarding the activities of “The Friends”, please feel free to contact a member of our committee.
Health Room
Minor injuries or illnesses are treated and logged by staff in our school Health Room. Parents are notified of any serious injury or illness. Please ensure we have up to date contact numbers for you in case of an emergency.
Homework
Teachers value the effort parents put into supporting aspects of the class programme at home. Homework is one positive way in which this can occur. This helps to foster a positive working relationship between home and school.
Year 1 & 2 children have a reading book, poem to share or a library book as their home activity.
Year 3 - 6 children have a weekly homework sheet.
We look forward to your support by ensuring that this work is completed.
Library
Classes are timetabled to visit the library every week. Children may borrow a maximum of 2 books which are issued for 2 weeks.
Every child must have a book bag to take their reading and library books home.
An account will be sent home for any books that are lost or damaged.
The library is open at lunchtimes for children to visit.
Lost Property
There is a lost property box outside Room 5 before school and at 2.45 pm each day. Please ensure that all clothing and other items are named. Items are only held until the end of each term.
Lunchtime
Children sit together for the first ten minutes of lunchtime so that teachers are able to supervise their eating. We do not have rubbish bins at school so children are asked to place all paper, etc, back in their lunch boxes and take it home. This has a dual purpose - it keeps our school and environment clean and tidy and also enables you to monitor what your child is eating during school time. We request that no sweets or chocolate bars are included in your child's lunch.
During the lunchtime break there are three teachers out on duty supervising the playgrounds.
Music and Cultural Activities
We have guitar and keyboard tutors who works in the school . See the office for details.
Our school participates in the bi annual Mid Bays Music Festival.
We also have a music specialist providing lessons for all classes on a regular basis.
Other musical and cultural activities are included in classroom programmes.
New Entrants
Children may start school from their 5th birthday and must attend school after their 6th birthday.
To assist children in developing a sense of belonging we operate a pre entry programme, one visit per week for 2 weeks before their starting date. Our school secretary will arrange these for you.
Newsletters
The ‘Pinehill Press’ is sent home with every child in the school on a Wednesday afternoon. This is our official form of communication of the events taking place in the school and includes children who receive awards and various aspects of classroom programmes.
Please fill in the return slip at the base of the newsletter and send it with your child to school the following day. The class earns a certificate for 100% return and more importantly, it assists us in knowing that you have received and read the newsletter.
Office Hours
8.15am - 3.30pm
Our office staff are available to assist you during these times.
Pupil Safety
For the general safety of our children we request the following items are not brought to school - glass containers, sweets, jewellery, money, walkmans, expensive toys, matches or any other flammable materials.
School Donations & Activity Fees
To maintain the high standard of facilities and resources, it is necessary to request a donation from parents to supplement the Ministry of Education grant.
Donations are $150.00 per year per child . This can be paid to the office at the beginning of the year or on a term by term basis. These donations are tax deductible.
There is an Activity Fee of $60.00 for years 1 and 2 and $90 for years 3 -6. This covers all trips, school visits and whole school or team activities that occur throughout the year. In addition the school swimming programme for years 3 -6 is funded through the activity fee.This is to be paid to the office at the beginning of the year.
School Hours
Classes start 8.50 am
Morning Tea 10.30 am - 10.50 am
Lunchtime 12.30 pm - 1.30 pm
Classes finish 3.00 pm
Any variation of closing time is notified to parents through our newsletters.
Children are allowed into the classrooms from 8.15am. Before this time they are to wait at the main entrance to the school grounds.
We ask you to wait outside your child's classroom at the end of the day so that the children's attention is not disrupted at this time please.
School Houses
Upon enrolment children are placed in one of our four school houses - Kawau, Motuihe, Rakino, and Waiheke. The house system encourages interaction between all children in the school and provides leadership opportunities for our Year 6 children who are elected as house captains. Families are grouped in the same houses.
School Phone, Fax, E-mail
If you wish to make contact with staff during the day the most suitable times to call are:
prior to 8.50 am, 10.30 am - 10.50 am, 12.40 pm - 1.30 pm and after 3.10 pm.
School contacts are:
Phone 478 0301
Fax 478 0301
E-mail info@pinehill.school.nz
All staff and classrooms are accessible via E-mail. Click here to go to the staff list
Sport & Fitness
Daily fitness activities are programmed school wide at 10.15 am.
We are always keen to involve as many children as possible in our sports teams. We have miniball, netball, hockey, teeball and soccer teams playing in regular competition.
We also offer opportunity for other children to play for the school at various times through our lunchtime sports exchanges with our neighbouring schools. You are notified through the school newsletter of any information to do with seasonal sport teams .
We expect the highest standards of sporting behaviour from our children both on and off the field. Pinehill School is a Fair Play school.
Stationery
A stationery list is supplied at the beginning of each year and upon enrolment. Supplies may be purchased before school at the office.
Sun Protection
We have a “no hat no play” policy for sun protection during terms 1 and 4. If a hat is not worn children must stay in the covered walkway areas. They may wear a hat of their choice as we have not included this item as part of our uniform. It is also beneficial if they are able to have suntan lotion with them at school during the hot months.
Uniforms
Pinehill has a compulsory school uniform. Sales of uniform are made through Janbelles Drapery in Mairangi Bay - phone 478 3450.
Click here to go to the uniform page for a full description of our uniform
Welcome to Pinehill School.
We look forward to working with you in providing the best quality education for your child. We strive to build the partnership between home and school and expect there to be close involvement from you in our activities.
We offer opportunity for this in a variety of ways ranging from classroom help through to Friends of Pinehill School and the Board of Trustees.
One of the underpinning features of our school is the emphasis on values based education. We actively promote and teach social skills and expect the highest standard of personal behaviour from our children at all times. We call this the "Pinehill Way"
This extends into our playground and on to our sports fields too. We do not accept bullying of any type whether it be physical or verbal. Children are taught strategies for dealing with bullying should it occur.
Our approach is to accentuate the positives by providing stimulating classroom programmes and reward children who are doing things right.
Every teacher has a right to teach, every child has a right to learn and this is promoted through all our activities. You as a parent can expect to be involved if you child's behaviour gives us concern.
One of the special features of Pinehill is the access to information and communication technologies available in all our classrooms. We use the ICTs to teach higher level thinking skills and provide high motivation learning activities. Our staff are highly skilled at using technology and teaching the children the skills in using it.
I trust you find this information helpful in providing the answers you require. Should there be anything else you wish to know please contact the office. We are here to assist in any way.
Once again welcome to our school - I look forward to working with you as your child moves through Pinehill.
Julien LeSueur
Principal
Mission
Quality Learning For Children
Vision
Vision
At Pinehill School our vision is to seek to provide a sense of worth, achievement and belonging for every child through ;
A child centred education
A stimulating environment aimed towards getting children to be confident and happy to “have a go”
A team approach where everyone involved in the school -children, parents, staff and Board are working for the school and all are clear about their respective roles
Pinehill School will ensure that every child’s needs are met through;
- Teaching and learning of the highest standard
- Providing the best possible resources
- Maintaining the architectural quality of the school
- The quality use of technology to assist learning
Special Features of our School
- 23 single cell classrooms
- A fully equipped hall with sound and lighting facilities
- Specialist art, music and ICT rooms
- A stand alone information centre / library
- Covered ways linking all rooms
- The latest in learning technologies to provide quality education for the 21st century
- A learning environment focused on individual children's learning needs
Our School Provides
- Quality teaching staff providing quality programmes
- The most up to date learning resources
- A safe child centred learning environment
Absences
A written note explaining all absences is required. You may also phone the school office before 9.00 am to inform us if your child is absent from school due to illness. An answer phone is available for this purpose.
If you are collecting your child during school hours, please come to the school office and sign them out in the school register before going to their classroom.
Addressing Concerns
If you have a concern of any kind we encourage you to make a time to see us so we can work it out together. The school is managed as a partnership between staff and parents and we value open communication.
Please see your child's teacher as a first point of call for matters regarding class programme.
Any other concerns should be addressed to the Principal.
Assembly
Our whole school assembly is every Tuesday afternoon at 1.30 pm. Classes take turns at presenting items and class excellence shields are given out at this time. Children receive the shield to acknowledge good performance. Please return the shield by the Friday preceding the next assembly. You are most welcome to attend. Please be seated by 1.30
Board of Trustees (B.O.T.)
The Board of Trustees is elected by parents. We have 2 positions elected mid term and 3 positions at end of term to ensure continuity on the Board
Trustees are responsible for the governance of our school. Their important role ensures that the needs of the children and their learning are paramount. Board meetings are open meetings and are held twice a term at 7.30 pm.
Notification of each meeting is via the school newsletter.
Car Park
We are fortunate to have extensive parking and collection areas for our children but they are only as safe as we make them. Please help us ensure that your child is safe by undertaking the following
Use the correct entrance and exit areas
Use the drop off zone in the car park for children to move quickly and safely from cars. If you wish to walk with your child to their classroom please park in a designated area.
Watch for smaller children crossing.
NB: The car park is closed at 2.45 pm daily to incoming traffic.
Classroom Involvement
Parents / Caregivers are welcome to be involved in classroom programmes. If you would like to be one of our valued classroom helpers, you need to attend a training session so you have an understanding of what is involved. This session will enable us to give you the skills needed to work with the children in a directed and supported manner.
Our Associate Principal runs these session once a term. Look in the newsletter for details.
Dental Service
Our school is serviced by mobile dental therapists. Children are checked here at school and if work is needed they will make an appointment time for your child to attend the clinic they are currently attached to. The clinic can be contacted on 478 3347
Enrolment Policy
This Enrolment Scheme is designed to cater for the local community by offering Priority Entry to all pupils who live inside the geographical boundaries. A map showing the general boundaries of the zone can be found on the Pinehill Zone map link.
Starting from the intersection of Oteha Valley Road and State Highway 17 travel east along the centre of Oteha Valley Road until the Northern Motorway. Turn south along the motorway until the McClymonts Road overbridge. Head east along McClymonts Road and north into Medallion Drive (numbers 79, 82 and above), include numbers 61-75 and 48-60 of Masons Road and Lavendar Garden Lane. Turn east into Fernhill Way (numbers 67-86 and below), as far as Crimson Park (excluded), then proceed along the centre of Fernhill Way turning right along the centre of Ponderosa Drive to East Coast Road (numbers 489-721, 586-812). Head north until St Clair Place (included) and south as far as Rosedale Road. All no exit roads on the eastern side of East Coast Road between St Clair Place and Rosedale Road are included. Oaktree Avenue (numbers 101, 102 and above), Arran Road (99, 98 and above), Weetman Drive and associated no exit roads from these roads are included. Travel west along the centre of Rosedale Road until Tawa Drive then continue north along State Highway 17 back to the starting point including Bushlands Park Drive and all roads accessed via Bushlands Park Drive.
All properties inside these boundaries have automatic right of enrolment at Pinehill School.
The school will accept all children who satisfy the Principal (as the Board representative) that they are permanent residents of the defined residential zone.
Parents who live within this geographical zone are encouraged to complete the Application to Enrol form at the earliest opportunity should they wish to enrol their children at Pinehill School.
Siblings of children attending Pinehill School have priority entry.
Selective Entry
Children who live outside the zone may be accepted for enrolment dependent on a place being available at their class level at the time of enrolment application.
Friends Of Pinehill School (F.O.P.S.)
“The Friends” is a group of parents and caregivers who are involved in supporting the school. We seek to be representative of the whole school community, and our primary thrust is to support the Board of Trustees and the staff in providing top quality learning opportunities and experiences for our children.
We do this by meeting regularly to discuss educational issues, school events and programmes. We also fundraise for specific projects and for any “extras” that the school requires that may not be covered by our government funding.
Friends of Pinehill School meet once a month in the staffroom on either a Monday or Tuesday evening at 7.30 pm. Our meetings are advertised in the school newsletter and are open to ALL parents and caregivers. The format is fairly informal and lots of fun. Please come and join us at any time.
If you have any queries regarding the activities of “The Friends”, please feel free to contact a member of our committee.
Health Room
Minor injuries or illnesses are treated and logged by staff in our school Health Room. Parents are notified of any serious injury or illness. Please ensure we have up to date contact numbers for you in case of an emergency.
Homework
Teachers value the effort parents put into supporting aspects of the class programme at home. Homework is one positive way in which this can occur. This helps to foster a positive working relationship between home and school.
Year 1 & 2 children have a reading book, poem to share or a library book as their home activity.
Year 3 - 6 children have a weekly homework sheet.
We look forward to your support by ensuring that this work is completed.
Library
Classes are timetabled to visit the library every week. Children may borrow a maximum of 2 books which are issued for 2 weeks.
Every child must have a book bag to take their reading and library books home.
An account will be sent home for any books that are lost or damaged.
The library is open at lunchtimes for children to visit.
Lost Property
There is a lost property box outside Room 5 before school and at 2.45 pm each day. Please ensure that all clothing and other items are named. Items are only held until the end of each term.
Lunchtime
Children sit together for the first ten minutes of lunchtime so that teachers are able to supervise their eating. We do not have rubbish bins at school so children are asked to place all paper, etc, back in their lunch boxes and take it home. This has a dual purpose - it keeps our school and environment clean and tidy and also enables you to monitor what your child is eating during school time. We request that no sweets or chocolate bars are included in your child's lunch.
During the lunchtime break there are three teachers out on duty supervising the playgrounds.
Music and Cultural Activities
We have guitar and keyboard tutors who works in the school . See the office for details.
Our school participates in the bi annual Mid Bays Music Festival.
We also have a music specialist providing lessons for all classes on a regular basis.
Other musical and cultural activities are included in classroom programmes.
New Entrants
Children may start school from their 5th birthday and must attend school after their 6th birthday.
To assist children in developing a sense of belonging we operate a pre entry programme, one visit per week for 2 weeks before their starting date. Our school secretary will arrange these for you.
Newsletters
The ‘Pinehill Press’ is sent home with every child in the school on a Wednesday afternoon. This is our official form of communication of the events taking place in the school and includes children who receive awards and various aspects of classroom programmes.
Please fill in the return slip at the base of the newsletter and send it with your child to school the following day. The class earns a certificate for 100% return and more importantly, it assists us in knowing that you have received and read the newsletter.
Office Hours
8.15am - 3.30pm
Our office staff are available to assist you during these times.
Pupil Safety
For the general safety of our children we request the following items are not brought to school - glass containers, sweets, jewellery, money, walkmans, expensive toys, matches or any other flammable materials.
School Donations & Activity Fees
To maintain the high standard of facilities and resources, it is necessary to request a donation from parents to supplement the Ministry of Education grant.
Donations are $150.00 per year per child . This can be paid to the office at the beginning of the year or on a term by term basis. These donations are tax deductible.
There is an Activity Fee of $60.00 for years 1 and 2 and $90 for years 3 -6. This covers all trips, school visits and whole school or team activities that occur throughout the year. In addition the school swimming programme for years 3 -6 is funded through the activity fee.This is to be paid to the office at the beginning of the year.
School Hours
Classes start 8.50 am
Morning Tea 10.30 am - 10.50 am
Lunchtime 12.30 pm - 1.30 pm
Classes finish 3.00 pm
Any variation of closing time is notified to parents through our newsletters.
Children are allowed into the classrooms from 8.15am. Before this time they are to wait at the main entrance to the school grounds.
We ask you to wait outside your child's classroom at the end of the day so that the children's attention is not disrupted at this time please.
School Houses
Upon enrolment children are placed in one of our four school houses - Kawau, Motuihe, Rakino, and Waiheke. The house system encourages interaction between all children in the school and provides leadership opportunities for our Year 6 children who are elected as house captains. Families are grouped in the same houses.
School Phone, Fax, E-mail
If you wish to make contact with staff during the day the most suitable times to call are:
prior to 8.50 am, 10.30 am - 10.50 am, 12.40 pm - 1.30 pm and after 3.10 pm.
School contacts are:
Phone 478 0301
Fax 478 0301
E-mail info@pinehill.school.nz
All staff and classrooms are accessible via E-mail. Click here to go to the staff list
Sport & Fitness
Daily fitness activities are programmed school wide at 10.15 am.
We are always keen to involve as many children as possible in our sports teams. We have miniball, netball, hockey, teeball and soccer teams playing in regular competition.
We also offer opportunity for other children to play for the school at various times through our lunchtime sports exchanges with our neighbouring schools. You are notified through the school newsletter of any information to do with seasonal sport teams .
We expect the highest standards of sporting behaviour from our children both on and off the field. Pinehill School is a Fair Play school.
Stationery
A stationery list is supplied at the beginning of each year and upon enrolment. Supplies may be purchased before school at the office.
Sun Protection
We have a “no hat no play” policy for sun protection during terms 1 and 4. If a hat is not worn children must stay in the covered walkway areas. They may wear a hat of their choice as we have not included this item as part of our uniform. It is also beneficial if they are able to have suntan lotion with them at school during the hot months.
Uniforms
Pinehill has a compulsory school uniform. Sales of uniform are made through Janbelles Drapery in Mairangi Bay - phone 478 3450.
Click here to go to the uniform page for a full description of our uniform