Need to know

My email:               elianam@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

School website:      http://www.stmarysrotorua.school.nz

School phone:        07 348 1701

Office Hours:         8:30am-3:30pm Monday- Friday

Attendance

Please contact the school if your child is going to be absent from school.

You can phone the office at any time and leave a message detailing the reason for your child’s absence. There is also a link on the school website for notification or absences. Please notify the school every day your child is away. If your child is going to be absent for any reason other than illness, please inform the school in advance, where possible, of the dates they will be away. A note to explain absences is required. Please note: Attendance rates are monitored by Senior Management.

Contact Information

It is very important to let the school know if you change address or phone number so that we are able to contact you, particularly if there was an emergency. Please contact the School Office if your address, telephone number, email or emergency contact details have changed.

Class Times

8.30     Students are allowed to enter their classrooms

8.45     Prayers 

             Morning learning block

10.30   Morning play

10.50   Morning tea

11.00   Middle learning block

12.30   Lunch play

1.15      Lunch

1.25     Afternoon learning block

2.50    Bus students leave class

3.00    School day finishes

3.15     Students need to have left school grounds unless supervised by an adult.

Communication

I like to have an open and positive relationship with my students and their families. Before school is when I plan and prepare for the day's learning and talk with my students, but I am available from 8.30am every morning for a quick chat or to make an appointment for a time that suits to catch up. 
You can also email me at any time, or send a note to school with your child. There may be times when you need to talk to me about something before school, which is fine. It is important to me that you feel you can approach me to discuss your child's learning, or voice any questions or concerns you may have.

The school newsletter is published every Wednesday. They are emailed to you and are also on the school website. Hard copies are available from the school office.

Mr Macmillan also tweets updates and messages on a regular basis.

Uniform

At St Mary’s all students are expected to wear the school uniform with pride. We currently have a uniform shop at school, located in the Hall Foyer and run by volunteer parents. It is open on Mondays and Fridays from 8.30 - 9am, and Wednesdays from 2.30 - 3pm. The Warehouse stocks most of our school uniform items, however the girls summer dresses are currently only available from our school uniform shop.

Lunches

Please ensure you provide a healthy morning tea and lunch for your child. A good lunch will help your child get the most out of their school day.  The Healthy Food Guide suggests you have something from each of these groups:

Energy food such as bread, crackers, rice or pasta.

Sustaining food such as cheese, milk, yoghurt, meat and hummus.

Fresh fruit or vegetables.

A treat. Try slightly nutritious treats such as apple, banana or carrot cake/muffin, date and walnut loaf, muesli slice or scroggin with nuts, raisins and a little dark chocolate.

A drink of water.

There are water fountains to drink from at school, but some children like to bring their own bottle of water. Tip: keep water cool by filling a drink bottle to 1/4 or 1/3 with water and freezing overnight. Top it up in the morning and it will keep the drink cool. If you freeze the whole bottle there is very little to drink before lunchtime.

Ordering Lunches

School lunches can be ordered between 8.30 and 8.45am at the school office Monday to Thursday. Menu/Price List 

The PTA run a sausage sizzle on a Friday. Orders are placed in the classroom at the start of the day. Sausage and bread is $1.50 and a Juicie is $1.

Lunches can also be purchased through the Lunchbox Club.   Orders close at 8am daily.     

Visit www.thelunchboxclub.co.nz to set up an account and order. 

Sun Safety

"No hat, No Play"- Children are not permitted to play out in the sun if they are not wearing a sunhat. Shaded areas are provided for children who forget their hat. I recommend that children apply sun screen before school, and I will provide a bottle for the class to use during the day.

Swimming

We will be swimming in terms 1 and 4. Children are expected to swim unless there is a medical reason not to. Children will need their togs, towel, goggles and a plastic bag for wet things. Children with long hair need to have it tied back. 

After School Care
After school we have meetings and planning and preparation requirements, so teachers are unable to look after children who are not picked up at 3:00. Maryanne Roling runs a before school programme from 7.30-8.30am, and after school care at Glenholme School from 3pm-5.30pm. Students are collected from St Mary’s at the end of the school day. Current prices are Daily Casual $7 per hour or $1.75 per quarter hour or $75 per week for regular children. There is a $5 per 5 minute charge for any students remaining after 5.30pm. Discounted rates are available for two or more students from a family.  Maryanne usually offers a programme for parents needing their child supervised on Teacher Only Days also. She can be contacted on 3470709 or 0211215599.