Glenbrook School General Information
| Phone | 09 – 2353888 |
| admin@glenbrook.school.nz | |
| Website | http://www.glenbrookschoolnz.com |
| Address | 459 Glenbrook Rd, R.D.1 Waiuku |
| Office hours | 8:30am – 3:30pm |
SCHOOL HOURS
Monday -Friday
8.15 am School gates open
9.00 am Classes begin
10.30 – 11.00 am Morning interval – Teams Pouakai & Piwakawaka
11.00 – 11.30 am Morning interval – Teams Kereru
12.20 – 1.00 pm Lunch – Teams Pouakai & Piwakawaka
1.00 – 1.40 pm Lunch – Teams Kereru
2.30pm School Ends
2.30 pm First bus departs (1)
3.00 pm Second bus (2A) departs
We do not close early on wet days.
Absences
If your child is away from school at any time we require a note, phone call (or school answer phone), or email from you explaining your child’s absence.
Phone: 235 3888
Text: Respond to absence text
Website: Fill in form online
Email: admin@glenbrook.school.nz
Students should not be absent from school for reasons other than sickness or exceptional family circumstances. Families wishing to withdraw students for term time holidays must first seek written permission from the Principal.
Accidents at school
The Board completes regular inspections of equipment to ensure safety. However, accidents do occur. In the case of an accident the initial focus is on the safety of the people involved. The staff member involved will fill in the Incident register.
The Board will complete an investigation into any accidents and will address any issues to ensure the ongoing safety of the school community.
Appropriate viewing material – censorship
All media with a rating above G needs parental permission prior to any student viewing the material.
Assemblies
- A regular assembly is held to share work, celebrate success and to engage in community activities. Parents or caregivers are welcome to attend these assemblies which are held on Friday afternoons, usually beginning at 2.00pm
- Special assemblies for important notices and organisational details are held when necessary.
Assessment
- All children will be involved in assessment throughout each year.
- Teachers will use a variety of forms of assessment including:
Formative (EasTTles, ICAS, Canterbury exams, Schonell)
Self-assessment (Success Criteria, reflective statements, prompts)
Peer assessment (Success Criteria, reflective statements)
Summative (Gloss, PROBE, Running Records, JAM, School Entry (5.1), 6 year Nets)
- Assessment data will be used by teachers to develop the next learning step for each student, to report and develop cohort and schoolwide goals in order to accelerate student achievement.
Attendance
- Every student is expected to attend school every day. Glenbrook School is open for teaching 9.00am – 2.50pm Monday to Friday.
- Holidays out of term time, haircuts, buying clothes, birthdays, visiting relatives etc are NOT acceptable reasons for an absence. In these circumstances permission needs to be sought in writing from the principal.
- Glenbrook School keeps electronic daily attendance on our student management system (E tap).
- All staff must enter appropriate attendance codes daily for their class.
- The office will follow up all unexplained absences in the morning once the class rolls and bus lists have been returned to the office.
- The sheet recording Ministry absence codes is available to staff from the office or on Etap.
- This system allows us to track attendance and to analyse patterns of attendance. Parents who do not have genuine reasons for absence will, in the first instance, be reminded of the legal requirement to have children attend school via school communication. If poor attendance continues we will seek support from outside agencies – this will include the Schools’ Attendance Service. There is a strong correlation between student achievement and attendance.
- The Principal will present a yearly report on Attendance to the Board in December.
Behaviour
Glenbrook School is a PB4L school (Positive Behaviour for Learning). Behaviour is linked to learning and through common themes and positive rewards systems a culture based on our four core expectations, Respect for self, others, learning, and property/environment is established. Students will be educated on appropriate behaviour through a variety of methods and are rewarded with Realising Potential slips for demonstrating the school expectations (PB4L matrix).
Bicycles
We do not allow children to cycle to school. Glenbrook Road is too busy and dangerous for children to cycle.
Board of Trustees
Glenbrook School is governed by a Board of Trustees (BOT). The BOT consists of elected parents representatives, a staff representative and the Principal. The BOT may co-opt additional people with expertise in various areas for specific purposes.
The Board of Trustees meet regularly throughout the year. Upcoming meetings are advertised in the school newsletter. Parents / caregivers are invited to attend the Board meetings. The agenda for, and minutes from Board of Trustees meetings are available at the school office.
The Board of Trustees have a staggered election process with elections every 18 months.
The Board of Trustees will provide regular communication to the parent community via PTA meeting, newsletters, the website and social media.
Bullying
Glenbrook School has a nil tolerance for bullying. All verbal / physical bullying is dealt with seriously according to our Behaviour Management plan.
Bullying Prevention and Response defines, :Bullying behaviour is not an individual action”.
-Bullying is deliberate
-Bullying involves a power or imbalance
-Bullying has an element of repetition
-Bullying is harmful
Bullying behaviours can be physical, verbal, or social and can take place in the physical world or digitally.
Bullying is not an individual action. It involves up to three parties: initiators (those who do the bullying), targets (those being bullied) and often bystanders (those who witness the bullying).
Bullying behaviour is complex. It can take many forms, including physical, verbal or social bullying. It can take place in the physical or online world, and causes damage and harm. Verbal and social bullying can be as harmful as physical bullying, (moe.govt.nz) An anti-bullying programme is taught by the Principal in the Principal’s Assembly on Mondays.
Buses
Glenbrook School is part of the Waiuku Bus Network. Glenbrook School runs two bus runs and adheres to Ministry of Education requirements for eligibility for bus pupils.
Run One: Glenbrook Beach and Wymer Road areas. Run One is a Ministry of Education (MOE) funded run. This run leaves school at 2.40pm.
Run Two: Waiuku area. Run Two is a parent pay service. Payment must be made to the office each term to allow the service to be used. This run leaves school at 3.15pm.
The ‘Bus Code of Conduct’ must be signed by all students and their parents, who use the bus service. This outlines the behaviour expectations and consequences for poor behaviour.
Catering for student’s needs
Glenbrook School has a long and proud history of serving families in the Franklin District, a history where the former school motto of “faith and work” resonated in our families and community, forming the backbone of our school heritage.
Glenbrook School is bound strongly to our rural community and we are very passionate about our school.
Our students are friendly, aspirational and engaged. They love coming to school and they love learning.
- At Glenbrook School we develop the whole child.
- We aim for excellence in English, Mathematics and Science.
- We provide a range of opportunities and experiences for all our students across all curriculum areas- including in sport, outdoor education, culture, STEAM community events and the Arts.
The curriculum is balanced through our Glenbrook Model of Inquiry. Senior students are able to discover pathways within our Careers Education programme whilst our younger students explore the importance of play and discovery within learning.
High expectations are held for every student and we love to celebrate success. We use the Qualities of Learning to describe our thinking and learning as an action.
We are respectful and show this through our respect for others, learning, environment and self (ROLES). Glenbrook School is an inclusive school where the well-being of all is key, and contributes towards our aspirations.
Additional Learning Support
Every student from the age of 5 – 14 has the right to attend Glenbrook School. Teachers will identify students who are achieving below their expected level. Teachers may develop an IEP (Individual Education Plans) and develop programmes to address their learning and / or behaviour. A quality classroom programme involving targeted teaching, differentiation and knowledge of how the student learns will often allow a student to accelerate in their learning.
Cellphones
Students who bring a cellphone to school must hand it into the office or classroom teacher where it will be held until the end of the day. Every endeavour will be made by the staff to ensure that the property is looked after while it is at school. We will not accept any responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged property. Cell phones are not permitted to be used as a learning device during the school day. Cell phones are not be used on the school bus or in the bus lines.
Change of phone number and or address
Teacher, parents or caregivers need to inform the school office of any changes to personal details and this includes emergency contacts. This ensures accurate and up to date information is held by the school at all times. A copy of the latest parenting order needs to be kept with the school.
Charter
The Charter and Strategic Plan is the guiding document for any school. The Board develop and review the Charter and Strategic Plan annually. A copy of the Charter and Strategic Plan is available from the school office or on the school website.
Class Help (Whanau)
From time to time we ask parents or caregivers to help with in school activities (this may include library book maintenance, sports days, transport or crafts). Offers of assistance with in-class programmes are very much appreciated. Teachers need to be clear about their expectations of parent helpers particularly in the classroom environment. All regular volunteers at Glenbrook School require a police vet.
A regular volunteer is defined as someone who is in the school more than 3 consecutive days or on a recurring pattern.
Class levels
Glenbrook School will endeavour to place each student into the classroom that will best suit their needs. Factors that are taken into account when considering class levels are
Age of student (including months) Maturity of child
Peers Academic ability
Numbers of children in that year level Staffing allocation
Teaching and learning style
Class Trips, Visits and EOTC
As part of the class programme, day visits (or in some cases, overnight camps) are undertaken by classes. These are a valuable extension of the class programme and involve a large amount of work and organisation. However, their value is immeasurable. Parent or caregivers who help on such excursions are essential and any offers of transport or supervision at these times are greatly appreciated. All new trips need to be planned six weeks ahead giving enough time for permission, RAMS and payment to be put in place.
Parents or caregivers offering transport are requested to provide seatbelts for all passengers in a car with a current warrant of fitness and that is registered. Parents who are transporting must have a clear full licence. Teachers must complete RAMS for each excursion/camp. Any adults attending overnight camp or excursions require a police vet.
Classroom Release Time (CRT)
All classroom teachers are entitled, by legislation, to ten hours non-contact (CRT) days per term. These CRT days are used for a range of activities including planning, assessment, report writing, meetings and developing their teaching programmes. At Glenbrook as part of our collaborative culture, classroom teachers have at last one hour a week per term.
Collecting students from school
Students leaving school during school hours to attend a doctor’s appointment etc must be signed out of school at the school office by their parent.
At the end of the day all students are to be collected by an adult from the court area or the multipurpose shed (on wet days) outside the school hall at 2.50pm by their parent or caregiver. If students have not been collected by 3pm the class teacher will ring the parents or caregivers.
Please note that no vehicles are allowed in the school grounds to collect students except in cases of emergency or disability.
No students are allowed to cross the road unaccompanied to a vehicle. Please park safely in the school carpark and be aware of all students when driving around the car park and school.
Common Diseases
Period of exclusion from school:
Measles For at least 7 days from the appearance of rash until recovery. Contacts not
excluded.
Chicken pox For 1 week from the appearance of rash until ALL scabs are gone.
Contacts not excluded.
Diphtheria Medical clearance required to return to school. Contacts to be excluded for
at least 5 days from onset.
Whooping Cough For at least 3 weeks – bed rest. Contacts not excluded.
Mumps Until all swelling has subsided and child has normal health. Contacts to be observed for at least 28 days but can attend school.
Ringworm Nil, if under treatment.
Headlice Nil, if under treatment.
Scabies Nil, if under treatment.
School sores Nil, if under treatment. (No swimming until completely healed)
Doctor’s advice should be sought in all these matters where information is unavailable from the school or the Public Health Nurse. (Except headlice).
Community Consultation
The Board value parents or caregivers input into developing the strategic direction of our school. There are opportunities for you to do this through surveys, community consultation meetings and at other school events or meetings. A copy of the 2018-2021 Glenbrook Strategic plan can be obtained from the school office.
Complaints or Concerns
Often unnecessary worry can be caused by unfounded rumour or misinterpretation. If the issue is ‘whole school’ parents are encouraged see the Principal. If parents have any classroom concerns they are encourage to contact the classroom teacher in the first instance. If the matter is not resolved satisfactorily, then the following are contacted:
* the Team Leader for that area of the school
* the Principal
* the Board of Trustees …………..IN THAT ORDER please.
Note: Our school defines a concern as something expressed verbally and a complaint as written. Anonymous complaints are ignored. The complaints procedure is available from the school office.
Cool Schools
Glenbrook School is a Cool School. This programme is taught in all classrooms every second year. Cool Schools teaches the students a range of strategies to deal with conflict. It empowers students by following a specific process to finding a solution. This is often through a mediation process.
Peer mediators will be available in each class and in the playground. The playground mediators are identified by a green vest and will deal with minor playground issues. Please see Ms Davidson for any other information regarding this programme.
Dental Clinic
Free dental care is available from 2 ½ years for all students. Parents will be phoned by the therapists when your child’s yearly check ups are due. It is the parent’s responsibility to take their child to the therapist. If you need dental care or help outside of this time, contact View Road School (236 5180) where the dental therapists are based.
Digital Technologies
Digital Technologies are an important aspect of modern education. All students will use digital technologies to enhance their education. All students will sign a Digital Citizenship Contract annually reinforcing safe practices for digital use throughout the school. All students using a personal device will sign a BYOD agreement. All students in years 5 – 8 require a device for use at school.
All staff will be required to sign Staff Digital Contract giving clear guidelines for use of digital technology in their work environment and expectations for communication e.g. email, social media and texts. No staff member is to communicate with parents regarding school matters via text unless the parents and staff are attending an EOTC event on one particular day.
Emergencies
Regular emergency drills are held in the school to ensure that all students know what they should do should a real emergency occur.
In the event of an emergency (such as earthquake, fire or lockdown) students will remain at school, in the care of their teachers, until collected by their parent or caregiver. Students will not be released to any person other than their parent or caregiver unless permission requesting their release is given to the Principal.
Enrolment
Glenbrook School welcomes pre-enrolments as young as possible. This helps to plan for the future. The school encourages parents to complete documentation for enrolments at least four weeks before school begins. Students will have two introductory visits before starting school.
Glenbrook School requires a Birth Certificate and Immunisation Record Certificate (not required for children enrolled elsewhere) along with the completed enrolment form and proof of address if in zone. (If applicable, the most recent parenting order must be kept on file at the school office)
A meeting with the Principal will be scheduled for enrolment of students Year 2 – 8 to assist with class placement.
Enrolment Zone
The Board of Trustees has implemented an enrolment zone for Glenbrook School and all children living within the zone below are entitled to attend Glenbrook School.
Starting at the western most point of Waitangi Falls Road, follow the coastline around to Glenbrook Road (913, 946 and above included). Travel west along Glenbrook Road to Gearon Road, south on Gearon Road and then Glenbrook Station Road to Farm Park Road (included, Quinn Road excluded). From Farm Park Road across land to Morley Road. Travel west along Morley Road to the coastline (starting point).
Out of zone enrolment spaces will be advertised in the local newspaper each September after the Board of Trustees has determined out of zone placements for the following year.
EOTC (Education Outside The Classroom)
EOTC activities are linked to the curriculum and topics that are being studied. All EOTC activities involve risk management planning and teachers will complete RAMS for each excursion. EOTC events can be for part of a day or over a longer period. All EOTC activities will be planned for and timetabled by senior management for the school year.
Events
During the school year students will be participating in a variety of events; Swimming, Cross Country, Athletics, summer and winter sports, cultural presentations etc. Parents will be informed by newsletters, website, Facebook, parent portal or email when these events are to be held in a timely manner.
As a school we welcome all parents, caregivers, grandparents and friends of the school to come along and join us on these occasions.
Education for Sustainability
Glenbrook School is actively involved in caring for the environment. We are a Silver Enviro School. We have school gardens and students are encouraged to be responsible with their rubbish and the school environment. The Trees for Sustainability and Enviroschools programmes run in our school.
Trees for Survival – children growing our future – is a programme designed to involve students in learning about trees and how important they are for our future. The objective of ‘more children planting more trees’ helps to control soil erosion, safeguard water quality, regulate stream flow, increase biodiversity, control greenhouse gases and to restore and beautify landscapes.
A feature of the programme is community partnership – bringing together different organisations and individuals working together to protect our environment. In the school community students, teachers, parents and grandparents work with a sponsor, the local council, and landowners – a partnership with the common goal of making a difference to our ‘at risk’ landscape. There are a number of organisations that work with Glenbrook School on the TFS programme. Please see Miss Shuker is you are able to assist in any way.
Akonui Hui
All students and parents will be involved in setting learning goals throughout their schooling. These goals will be reviewed and set at least twice every year. This will include Reading, Writing, Mathematics, and the Glenbrook Qualities of Learning. Students will also set aspirational goals.
Goal setting encourages students to take ownership and responsibility for their own learning. It also provides the students with an understanding of their own strengths and purposes. These goals and attributes form our Glenbrook Passport to Success.
Hats
We are a sun smart school. Every student must wear a school hat when outside during term one and four. A no-hat no-play procedure applies. Any student without their hat will be required to play in identified shaded areas. Glenbrook School wants to provide a safe environment and encourage the development of safe sun exposure practices by staff and students.
Health Nurse
The Health Nurse is available to be contacted for any area of concern in students. The office keeps copies of referral forms to be used in cases of hearing and vision concerns as well as any general health issues. The hearing and vision team will visit the school for Year 7 & 8 checks as well follow up for any preschool checks missed in new entrants.
Healthy Eating / Lunches
Glenbrook School provides an environment that encourages and supports healthy eating through unbiased classroom programmes that help students to clarify their ideas and make healthy eating choices.
Parents are expected to provide their children with healthy lunches. Parents are encouraged to discuss healthy options with their children and provide them with enough food for morning tea and lunch. The school does not allow any sweets, fizzy drinks, chewing gum and other ‘unhealthy’ food. Teachers monitor what is being eaten by students during eating times at lunch and interval.
Home Learning
Students at all stages are encouraged to devote a regular period of time at home during which they may develop their interests or reinforce ideas and understandings. If difficulties arise with home learning, the attempt should be noted, the home learning tasks left and the problem handled by the teacher the following day. At Glenbrook School all students use STEPS to support literacy and Mathletics to support mathematical learning at the child’s appropriate level. Education Perfect is being introduced in 2019 to assist with Te Reo Maori and Studyladder to assist with other curriculum. At times students in Teams Kereru and Haast will have tasks in google classroom. Please note that 2019 is a Science Fair year for senior classes.
Junior school students have access to Sunshine Classics and their Magic Words (High Frequency Words).
Illness at school
Students who become ill during school time are cared for in the sick bay which is located near the school office. Parents or caregivers are advised by phone and may collect their child from the sick bay.
Many of our teachers are First Aid certified and are able to administer First Aid and attend to minor injuries. Should it be considered that the student requires professional medical assistance a staff member will take the student to the nearest Doctor, if parents/caregivers cannot be located. Parents or caregivers are encouraged to regularly update their contact details.
Medication such as paracetamol will not be administered to students unless the school has contacted the parent/caregiver for permission or has written permission. Students with medication at school should hand it to the office. (This does not include inhalers for asthma).
Leadership Opportunities – Roles & Responsibilities
Glenbrook School endeavours to provide leadership opportunities to all students throughout their schooling. Classrooms provide opportunities through their daily programme that ensure the smooth running of the class.
Students in Team Haast and Team Kereru will receive targeted opportunities through the Glenbrook Roles and Responsibilities programme, Careers Education and student led learning.
Lost property
Problems with lost property are made considerably easier if all items are named. A large lost property box is kept in the multi-purpose shed. Parents or caregivers are welcome to look through it at any time. Articles remaining in the box at the end of each term are disposed of. All items should be carefully named.
Lunchtime activities
We encourage all students to be actively involved in activities during lunchtime.
The ‘Junior’ playground is available to all students from Year 0 – 2.
Both Junior and Senior playground for students Year 3 & 4.
The ‘Senior’ playground is available to all students from Year 5 – 8.
The field is available for all students.
Rugby is available but only when a teacher is present. Students must wear a mouth guard. A change of clothes is encouraged.
Medication at school
For safety reasons it is preferable that medication is not brought to school. If medication is required three times per day then before school, after school and in the evening, is favoured. The office must be informed of any medication (which must be clearly labelled) that is at school and it should be kept in the medicine cabinet (lockable) in the sickbay.
It is the parent’s responsibility to inform the school of any medical issues pertaining to their child. This should include allergies and emergency contacts.
Music lessons
Glenbrook School offers lessons for guitar and piano or keyboard. These are optional and parents will pay the tutors directly. Currently Gillian Salter is working on Thursday for keyboard and piano students – contact number 2358647 email thesalters@clear.net.nz On Mondays and Tuesdays for guitar contact Alison Terry on 0210 8164939 or email: clanterry1@gmail.com. On Tuesdays Nicho Lewis is working to provide drumming lessons contact 02102645174 email nicholewisdrums@gmail.com
Office hours
Our school office administrator (Debra Olson) works Monday to Thursday from 8.30 am until 3.30 pm. Darlene Goodall works in the office on Fridays 8.30 – 3.30.
Parent / Teachers Association (PTA)
This organisation plays a vital role in providing support for the students of our school. The Association involves itself in supporting curriculum evenings, organisation of social occasions, Calf Club, gala, involvement of special projects and fund raising. We are particularly fortunate in the dedication and enthusiasm shown by our PTA. Meetings of the PTA are held once a month in the school staffroom and are open to all parents or caregivers. New members are always welcome. Please contact our PTA on pta@glenbrook.school.nz
Physical Education
All children must take part in the school’s physical education fitness programmes unless a note is sent from home requesting exemption for health reasons.
The swimming component of the physical education programme is taught in the school pool and students should bring their swimming togs, rash shirts, goggles and towels to school every day during the swimming season.
Students engaging in PE on the fields during the winter term should have a complete set of old clothes to change into. Please ensure that all clothing brought to school is clearly named.
Policies and Procedures
The Board of Trustees have overall responsibility for setting the school policies and procedures.
Policies are the guiding documents for the governance of our school (eg: Financial Planning, Curriculum Delivery). Procedures relate to the day to day running of the school (eg: internet use, emergency evacuations, pupil assessment etc).
At Glenbrook School we use School Docs for our policies and procedures. A copy of a policy can be requested from the Principal, Miss Stuart or the school office.
Possessions of value
Students often bring possessions from home to school. Whilst we do not encourage this, many items may link into the learning that is occurring. Every endeavour will be made by the staff to ensure that the property is looked after while it is at school. We will not accept any responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged property. Please assist us by ensuring that all property is named and by discouraging students from bringing valuable possessions to school.
Progress through school
Children progress through school according to their readiness and ability and it is unwise to compare one child’s progress with that of another. Not only do children begin school at different times but they also progress individually at different rates. Emotional barriers can be set up against learning if comparative or unrealistic demands are made of children before they are ready. Even children in one family have differing educational needs and learning rates. Teachers and parents need to communicate about progress and any concerns.
Qualities of Learning
Everyone in the Glenbrook School community has a voice. All are partners in learning where connections, reciprocity and relationships are important. At the centre of our partnership is learning Ako.
Learning is central to our school purpose. We are focused on learning as an action, where our Qualities of Learning give us the key competencies for a connected, life-long successful future whilst retaining our rural heritage.
At Glenbrook School our learners work towards possessing the following Qualities of Learning:
- Collaboration – We work together.
- Thinkers – We use metacognition and we problem solve.
- Self Managing – We are responsible for our learning, ourselves and others.
- Communicators – We are confident and effective communicators.
- Future Focused – We are preparing for our successful future selves.
Reporting
Parents or caregivers are encouraged to contact the school at any time during the year if they have any concerns regarding the progress of their children. If you would like an interview then please contact the classroom teacher to arrange a suitable time.
Our reporting to parents’ process is:
Term 1 Meet the Teacher Evening 9 February
Term 2 Akonui Hui Early in Term 2
Term 3 Akonui Hui Early in Term 3
School Council
Year 7 & 8 students are selected by staff to be year long student councillors. This is an important leadership role in our school. The students are provided with a job description. The students are selected for their leadership qualities, responsibility, initiative and confidence. Years 0 – 6 students are voted onto the school council each term, with representation from each class.
School Budgets
The Board receives three major sources of funding, an operations grant, property grant (5YA) and teacher salaries. The Board sets its budget in November for the next year.
The Operations grant is based on the number of pupils and the school’s decile rating. The Operations grant funds all aspects of school costs (other than capital property projects and teachers’ salaries). This includes basically everything, such as: power, rates, all teaching resources, water rates, ancillary staff costs (teacher aides, caretaker, office administrator), property maintenance, depreciation, computers, telephone / internet costs, accountant, auditor, photocopy paper, mower petrol, classroom furniture, sick leave etc. The Operations grant is paid quarterly to the school.
The property grant is allocated to schools for capital property projects ie: new work or property upgrades. This is allocated over five years and is managed by the Board and a project manager.
Teacher’s salaries are paid directly from the government to each teacher. However, the school works with the government to manage this. Glenbrook School operates on a positive school budget.
School Donations
Donations are a vital component in the financial functioning of the school. These are set annually by the Board of Trustees and a request is made to parents or caregivers for the amount on a term-by-term or an annual basis. Our school donation is $100 per student or $250 for more than two.
School grounds
Families are welcome to use the school grounds during out-of-school hours. However, parents or caregivers must accept responsibility for the behaviour of their children and the sensible use of the facilities.
School Rules
Students are encouraged to demonstrate our Values and Qualities of Learning. We expect that by giving students the guidance, trust, responsibility and a framework of acceptable behaviour, they will develop independence and self-management.
At Glenbrook School our teachers have the right to teach and students have the right to learn. Each class has a classroom treaty, all students are aware of the rules and expectations within the PB4L respect matrix. Students are expected to apply their WITs (Walk away, Ignore, Tell someone, and say an ‘I’ statement).
Serious breaches of behaviour are managed using Ministry of Education guidelines for stand-downs, suspensions, expulsions and exclusions.
School Uniforms
It is expected that all students wear the school uniform and that it is worn correctly. The following guidelines should be adhered to:
- Jewellery should be kept to a minimum (and inexpensive). Earrings are to be sleepers or studs.
- Any special jewellery which is cultural can be worn only with the permission of the Principal. A letter of explanation will aid this decision.
- Black shoes should be worn.
- Shoes should be removed while inside during winter.
- A change of clothes is encouraged for lunch time activities on the field during winter.
- All uniform items must be named.
If for some reason the uniform is not worn on a particular day, then a note must be sent to the teacher explaining the reason. Uniform items can be purchased through the school office.
Smoke free
Glenbrook School buildings and grounds is smoke free environment. This is a legislative requirement.
Sports
Glenbrook School encourages all students to participate in sports team (as well as our school PE programme). The emphasis is on participation, sportsmanship and the development of techniques. At times, a competition component will also be a factor.
Students and their parents will be expected to display sportsmanship while competing and on the sideline. Some sports will be catered for via local sports clubs.
Staffing
Every school receives its staffing entitlement for the following year in October. Staffing is allocated by a Ministry of Education calculation based on the number of enrolled students. Schools are then able to work out how many classroom teachers they have and how much additional staffing is available for reading recovery, management release, additional extension or support programmes.
Stationery
All stationery is supplied by the school for a one off payment of $65.00. This includes STEPS and Mathletics for the school year.
Strategic Plan
Is available from the school office.
Sun Sense
Our health teaching programmes make constant reference to the need for sun sense and the children are frequently reminded to wear hats, shirts and sun-block creams when playing outdoors. Sun block is available in all classrooms. Our school has adopted a ‘no hat, no play’ policy for terms one and four. Each student is required to purchase a blue sun hat from the school office to wear.
Swimming
As part of the school’s aquatic programme students are expected to bring named togs, rash shirt and towel, in a plastic bag, to school each day during the swimming season. If students are unable to swim for medical / health reasons, a note to the class teacher in explanation is expected.
The swimming programme may begin in term four and could extend for up to the first eight weeks of term one, weather permitting. Students are not allowed to swim if they have open cuts or school sores.
The school sells pool keys for out of hours swimming. The Board of Trustees sets the cost annually and the school office maintains the register and distributes keys.
Technology
The Year 7 & 8 students are involved in Technology throughout the year. The student’s Technology lessons are held at View Road School and timetabled to accommodate class numbers. Students will attend technology every two weeks. Technology skills that the students learn include art, cooking (food / bio technology), sewing (textile technology) and hard materials and electronics.
Te Ao Maori
All students will have the opportunity to acquire knowledge in Maori language. Teachers integrate Maori language and culture across the curriculum. The school has a Kapa Haka group and Te Reo Teacher. All students are expected to participate in whole school kapa haka each week.
Teacher aides
The Board employ quality teacher aides to work in our school. The teacher aides work under the guidance of the teachers to support the learning programme in each class.
The teachers plan the programme that the teacher aides deliver. The teacher aides will work with a range of children to ensure access to the curriculum, learning and participation.
Teacher duty
At all times there will be a minimum of two teachers in the playground during break times.
Visitors to school
All visitors are required to sign into school at the school office and are issued with a pass.
Wet days
The length of our school day does not change on a wet day.
Senior students will act as wet day monitors in classes. Class teachers monitor their own classes. Lunchtime clubs and reflection will not operate on these days.
Whanau (house) competition
At Glenbrook School we run a year long whanau competition involving all children. Whanau points are allocated for schoolwide events and as part of the classroom management. Every child will be in a whanau group with their siblings.
The whanau groups are:
Totara (red), Kahikatea (yellow), Taraire (blue) and Puriri (green). Children are encouraged to wear their whanau colours to school events
Whanau leaders
Year 8 students are selected by their peers and senior teachers to be Whanau leaders. Two Whanau leaders will be selected for each Whanau. This is an important leadership role in our school. The students are provided with a job description.
The students are selected for their leadership qualities, responsibility, initiative and confidence. Whanau leaders help with sport and the Whanau (house) groups.
What can I do to help my child’s learning?
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Arrive at school before school begins. |
Keep informed through the Parent Portal
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Spend time with your child – ask them about their day. Be involved and interested. |
Provide positive support for their learning and effort.
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Give them lots of hugs and love! |
Provide healthy and enough food.
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Experts recommend a minimum of ten hours sleep per night. . |
Ask the school if you are not sure about what is happening. |
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Read your child lots of books. |
Provide appropriate clothing.
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Read and return notices urgently. |
What do I do if I want to see my child’s teacher?
We encourage parents to arrange a meeting with their child’s teacher. However, you will need to:
- Ring, send a note or email the teacher to arrange a meeting for either before or after school.
- Teachers are responsible for all of the children in their class between 8.55am and 2.50pm. Please do not interrupt.
- Common courtesy is required by all involved in a meeting.
Please remember we are a team and we work together for the sake of all our children.
Whakawhanaungatanga: At Glenbrook School we work as a community together.
Glenbrook School 