FAQ/New Entrants
This section contains most of the information that you and your family will need to know as first time visitors to the School. Additional information is available from the School office upon request, or by making an appointment to see any of our staff.
Our staff welcomes visits by prospective parents and intending pupils. We welcome your thoughts and feedback and will make every effort to provide you with all the information you need.
We look forward to working with you and your family.
- Why is Woodlands School right for my family?
- How do I arrange a visit?
- How do I enrol our child?
- How do I keep in touch with Woodlands School?
- If I choose Woodlands School, do you have a place for my child?
- What is special about Woodlands School?
- What will my child learn in the first year?
- How will I know what my child has learned?
- When will I be given information about my child’s progress?
- Will I be able to come to school to help or be with my child in the classroom?
- What fees or donations does the school ask for?
- May I have a copy of the School’s Annual Charter & the Curriculum Plan?
- May I read the School’s last ERO report?
- Tell me about the School day? What time does the School day begin?
- What are the arrangements for the beginning of the day and for the collection of children after school?
- How are playtimes organised?
- What are the arrangements for eating lunch?
- Do you have a canteen?
- Where are the toilets?
- Do children have to ask to use the toilets during lunchtime?
- What are the arrangements if my child gets sick at school or has to stay home because of illness?
- Can my child access dental care?
- Can I find out more?
Why is Woodlands School right for my family?Woodlands is in the enviable position of being large enough to place children amongst others their own age but small enough to ensure a family atmosphere and individual attention. Our teachers are highly qualified, caring and interested in your child’s education. We have small class sizes, meaning more individual attention for your child.
Our school has excellent facilities, a covered swimming pool on site, a well stocked library to encourage your child to enjoy reading, computers in each classroom and a full Information and Communication Technology programme (I.C.T.) so that your child can learn essential skills for life long learning.
Your child is taught the New Zealand curriculum framework from the basics of reading, writing and maths, to other subjects, such as science, social studies, health and physical education, the arts (music, drama, dance, visual arts) and technology in order to receive a well balanced education.
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How do I arrange a visit?
By telephoning the school on 231-3198 we can arrange for you and your child to visit Woodlands, to see the classrooms and meet the teachers.
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How do I enrol our child?
If you have not already been in to visit the school, visit our office where you can meet Mrs Nicky Wallace, our secretary. Then meet our Principal, Miss Fiona Murray, who will talk to you and take you on a school tour where you will get to meet our friendly staff and see all our classrooms in action.
When you enrol you will be asked to complete an information form with details of your child, a contact address and phone number, emergency contacts etc. We will give you and your child a school information book, a health questionnaire to be completed and returned, and any other relevant forms.
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How do I keep in touch with Woodlands School?
Please feel welcome to phone or visit the school. Preschoolers are also welcome. We can arrange interviews at any time with the teachers.
School newsletters are sent home each Thursday with your child. You can receive the newsletter each week by email, or read it on the web site.
During the year our PTA hosts parent information evenings where, for example, maths and literacy initiatives are discussed. This is a valuable opportunity to get to know the teachers and meet and mix with other Woodlands parents.
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If I choose Woodlands School, do you have a place for my child?
Yes! Woodlands School will be able to make a place for your child. If you are new to our school or are enrolling a New Entrant we like to know in advance where they are attending pre-school and when they will be turning five. This will enable us to include them in our preschool/transition to school programme.
If you are transferring from another school a few days notice will enable us to adequately prepare a place and arrange for a smooth transition.
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What is special about Woodlands School?
Woodlands School has been teaching and preparing learners for life since 1871. Our current school has a family oriented environment that seeks to provide a quality education in a friendly personal environment.
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What will my child learn in the first year?
For New Entrants our goal is to firmly establish the key skills required for literacy and numeracy success, and to build upon the work you as parents and your child’s pre-school centre have begun. We know all children are different and as such we structure our New Entrant programme to cater to each individual child’s needs. Alphabet knowledge, essential words, concepts about print, emergent reading and writing, as well as a comprehensive numeracy programme provide the bulk of our junior class programme.
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How will I know what my child has learned?
If you are well informed about your child’s programme and progress you will be able to effectively support your child at home. You are able to have access to all records of achievement for your child by arrangement. Our teachers will sit and answer your questions and explain trends and patterns in your child’s performance. Areas of need and strength will be made clear to you. In cases of identified special needs we will act as a co-coordinator for the provision of specialist intervention by Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) or Group Special Education (GSE).
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When will I be given information about my child’s progress?
Woodlands School reports the progress and achievement of all its students in a variety of ways. From informal chats with teachers on a daily basis to portfolios of achievement, and from twice-yearly parent-teacher interviews to mid & end of year written reports. We also report publicly through curriculum reviews and student achievement reports to the Board of Trustees.
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Will I be able to come to school to help or be with my child in the classroom?
Woodlands School thrives upon great community support. We welcome parents and
caregivers to our School to work alongside our children under the direct
supervision of our staff. The more common opportunities to help are as support
on school trips & camps, with swimming instruction, and in our Art & Technology programmes. We welcome your support and interest.
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What fees or donations does the school ask for?
Parents are responsible for the purchase of all their child’s classroom books and equipment. Stationery lists are provided well in advance to enable families to budget and purchase these items. Many of the items are available on site from the School office.
Curriculum based education in New Zealand is free; however certain additional activities incur costs and, accordingly, a fee is charged. These include:
• Senior children are charged a fee for technology materials i.e. food items, fabric etc.
•Other activities may be undertaken during the year whereby a small amount of $5 per child per term is requested e.g demonstrations by musicians or artists. Bus fares to these events are usually covered by the profits from our weekly “sausage sizzle”.
We do ask that, if possible, three donations be made: a general donation of $15 per term for each child (this is used to meet some of the costs of photocopying of class materials, extra resources etc) up to a maximum of $150 per year per family, and a grounds donation of $10 per term for each family (this is used to meet some of the costs of employing a caretaker and eliminate the need for working bees).
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May I have a copy of the School’s Annual Charter & the Curriculum Plan?
Yes. Copies of the School’s Charter and Curriculum Plan will be available upon request. Public viewing copies are available from the office.
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May I read the School’s last ERO report?
Of course. The confirmed report for our last ERO visit (May 2010) is available from the Education Review Office, 9th Floor, John Wickliffe House, or by telephoning 03 479-2619 requesting that it be sent. Alternatively, it can be read online here. We are happy to talk to you about our report.
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Tell me about the School day? What time does the School day begin?
• Bus children generally arrive about 8:45am. Locally transported children are welcome and under onsite supervision from 8.30am.
• Lessons commence at 9am.
• Our morning break is from 11:00-11:20am.
• Lunchtime is from 12:30-1:25pm*.
• At all times during the day all breaks are fully supervised with rostered teachers on duty.
• Children are expected to go straight home after school. The buses leave at
3:05pm*.
*these times are 15 minutes earlier in Terms 2 & 3.
The LTSA advises parents that children under the age of ten should not be
permitted to bike to school. Where possible please drop your child directly or
arrange for them to walk with an older sibling or neighbourhood buddy.
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What are the arrangements for the beginning of the day and for the collection of children after school?
Children are expected to arrive and be prepared for their lessons before 9am. Each teacher will have a routine for getting ready for the school day. This will generally involve the unpacking and returning of reading books and/or homework. Some teachers have activities available for children to do before the bell at 9am but in general children are free to play in the playground until lessons commence.
At the end of the day all children are expected to go straight home before returning to the school playground to play, unless supervised by a parent or care-giver.
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How are playtimes organised?
Playtime is from 11:00am-11:20am. Children are permitted to play in the school grounds and on the two adventure playgrounds. Each class has a set of play equipment including balls and skipping ropes to use. If it is wet children play quiet inside games in their classrooms under direct teacher supervision.
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What are the arrangements for eating lunch?
On fine days all children sit outside and eat their lunch with their class teacher before being allowed to go and play. On wet or very cold days they eat and play inside.
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Do you have a canteen?
Yes. Our PTA operates a small canteen, administered by senior children, in the office area where a small variety of morning tea and lunch items are sold. There is also a pie warmer for heating foil wrapped food.
On Fridays we have a sausage sizzle where children can buy a barbecued sausage, bread & sauce except in winter when they can buy a chicken or beef burger.
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Where are the toilets?
Toilets are centrally located near each classroom in the main block.
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Do children have to ask to use the toilets during lunchtime?
No. Children may use the toilet at anytime during play and lunchtimes.
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What are the arrangements if my child gets sick at school or has to stay home because of illness?
If your child falls ill at school we will contact you or your nominated care-giver and ask that you come and collect them. In the case of a serious accident you will be informed immediately and briefed about our first-aid care and action plan.
If your child is going to be absent from school we would ask that you phone the School office before 8.45am each day to let us know. Unexplained absences will be followed up by a phone call following the roll call at 9am. Your co-operation in this matter will ensure the safety of all our children.
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Can my child access dental care?
Yes. Contact the Waihopai Dental Clinic on 218-7744 Mon - Fri between 8am - 4:30pm.
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Can I find out more?
If you have any further questions you think would be a useful addition to this page, please feel free to contact me.
Fiona Murray
PRINCIPAL
fiona@woodlandsfp.co.nz