2012 Fraser Crescent School Prospectus
We extend a warm welcome to parents and children who are commencing an association with Fraser Crescent School.
STAFF
Principal: Mr John Channer – Dip. Tchg, MEdL
Deputy Principal: Mrs Michelle Picard - Adv. Dip. Tchg. BchTLn, MEdL
Deputy Principal: Mr Glenn MacPherson B.Ed
Teachers: Mrs Lorna Cowell – CE, High Dip Tchg
Mr Jade Stent – B.Ed
Ms Angela Roberts
Mrs Nycki Proctor
Miss Heather Williams
Mrs Robyn Stent
Miss Zoe Seccombe
Mrs Lesley Ennis
Reading Recovery: Miss Heather Williams
Part Time Teachers: Mrs Elizabeth Grant
Mrs Vanessa MacPherson
Office Manager: Ms Kathie McMahon
Librarian: Mrs Marian Juliff
Teacher Aide: Mrs Derryn Nickless
Mrs Jane Murphy
Miss Louisa Parker
Caretaker: Mr Bevan Brown
Cleaner: Mrs Lhakphutti Sherpa
Phone Numbers: School: Phone 528-5412
Fax. 528-5435
Absence Mobile(text) 021 0225 6818
Email office@frasercres.school.nz
Website: www.frasercres.school.nz
About our School
Fraser Crescent School was opened in 1956. The school uses elements of the Fraser Clan crest and motto ‘Je suis prêt’ which means “I am ready”. This is appropriate because we see our purpose as preparing our students for the future.
Mission Statement - Connecting today's children with tomorrow's learning.
Our School Vision
Fraser Crescent School is a learning community where we are Future Focussed, Respectful, Active Adventurers, who are Striving for Success, Enthusiastic and Resourceful.
Our FRASER Curriculum underpins everything that we do at our school. It ensures that our students receive an education that is challenging, exciting and meaningful for today, whilst preparing our students for the future.
Fraser Crescent School promotes a learning lifestyle amongst our students and staff. We believe that learning occurs not just at school, but in all environments, including the home and the community. We strive to provide a programme that allows our students to maximise learning in all aspects of their lives, anywhere and anytime. For our students this may mean participating in an organised school activity before the start of the school day, getting involved in the many lunchtime programmes on offer, or participating in some of the activities which we offer students after school. Furthermore, our students can continue their learning journey at home by getting involved in our FRASER Quest challenge, or enhancing their learning through their own e-learning portfolio accessed via the internet.
We regularly engage with parents and caregivers, supporting them in ways in which they can encourage and assist with learning at home. To further support learning, we send home a written report at the end of each term, identifying attainment, next learning steps and advice for parents and caregivers.
To get a better understanding about our school, have a complete look through our website. Better still, call into the school and we will happily show you around.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards
John Channer
Principal
NEW ENTRANT CHILDREN
1. When enrolling new five year olds, a birth certificate is required. Evidence of immunisations is also required.
2. Please help us by teaching your child to put on her/his own shoes and tie the laces as the children put their shoes on racks outside the classrooms.
3. All belongings including clothes must be named.
4. Reading books usually come home every night in the child’s book bag and should be returned the next day please.
5. Toys - we would prefer these to be left at home as accidents or loss can cause upsets. In no circumstances can teachers be responsible for toys brought to school.
6. Your child should come to visit weekly, at least three or four weeks before they are to begin formally. At Fraser Crescent School Friday is the starting visiting day. It is suggested that you bring your child at 8.55am and try to stay until 1.00pm. This involves playtime, our language period and the Discovery Programme.
7. It would be really useful if your five year old is able to do these things:
· hold a pencil
· know their colours
· recognise their written name
· write their name in small letters e.g. Tania
· count to 10
· can sit still while a book is being read
When your child is nearly ready to begin school please phone or call in to see us to let us know you are coming so we are prepared and expecting you.
We look forward to a long and happy association with your family at Fraser Crescent School.
Board of Trustees
The governing body of the School is the Board of Trustees. They are elected every 3 years by a postal ballot as representatives of parents who, in consultation with the community and within the guidelines` set by the government, draw up the School Charter which determines the School's aims, policies, programmes and budgeting. The present Board of Trustees are as follows:
Mrs Rose Tait (Chairperson)
Mr John Channer (Principal)
Mrs Lorna Cowell (Staff Representative)
Parent Representatives:
Mrs Sharon May
Mr Bruce Fargher
Mrs Gina Wood
ERO REPORT SUmmary
The Education Review Office (ERO) visited Fraser Crescent School during March 2011. The confirmed report is now available either at the school office or by visiting the school website at www.frasercres.school.nz .
If you would like information regarding the Education Review Office and their work, please go to the ERO website - http://www.ero.govt.nz.
LEARNING AND BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT
At Fraser Crescent School we focus on the positives of learning, rather than the negatives of poor behaviour. We strive to provide a positive environment that engages children and develops enthusiastic learners. This document provides information regarding how we promote learning and positive behaviour at Fraser Crescent School.
Our philosophy on promoting a positive school is based on three principles.
1. Classroom programmes need to be engaging, challenging and enjoyable, catering to the needs of all students.
2. We provide a range of activities and opportunities for children to participate in during break times, set within a high trust environment.
3. Staff will demonstrate our FRASER values, whilst fostering positive relationships with both children and parents/caregivers.
Fraser Explorer Awards
Fraser Awards recognise and celebrate children who model the FRASER values and strive for success on our Pathways programme.
How Fraser Awards work: All children will be scored daily against a set of criteria based on our Pathways to Success. Working hard, showing leadership skills, being actively involved in learning, and positive behaviour will all contribute towards the children’s scores. At the end of the week, children who have maintained a high average (23 or more points out of a total 25) will be awarded a Fraser Explorer Award at assembly. The number of Fraser Explorer Awards collected over the term will decide the winner of our Fraser Kid. Children are presented with their first, fifth (bronze), tenth (silver), twentieth (gold) and thirtieth (platinum) Fraser Award at the school assembly.
In class, children who display behaviour or work habits which are considered ‘off track’ will usually receive a verbal warning. Children who continue to display unsatisfactory behaviour or work habits, will move down a level on the Pathways to Success Model. An improvement in behaviour or attitude to learning may see children move back up a level, at the teacher’s discretion.
Children who continue to score low results on the Pathways to Success (under 13) on a regular basis, will have their parents or caregivers contacted by the classroom teacher, in order to discuss how learning and behaviour can be improved at school.
Home Contact Cards
These are issued at the staffs’ discretion when a child has done something deemed inappropriate at Fraser Crescent School. The first contact card issued each term is followed up by a phone call to parents, by either the classroom teacher or the staff member who issued the home contact card. If a second home contact card is issued within the same term (or extremely inappropriate behaviour has occurred) the school principal will ring home to discuss the matter with the offending child’s parent/s. Depending on the issue, an action plan may be put in place to formally address any concerns.
Lunchtime – High Trust
At lunchtimes the children are welcome to use the hall, library and ICT room with minimal teacher supervision. We have two simple rules in relation to behaviour at lunchtimes. These are as follows:
1. Play nicely. This mean taking turns, including others, getting along and treating people as we like to be treated.
2. Look after the equipment. This means take care of the equipment, put it away after you have finished with it, and if you break or lose equipment - tell a teacher.
Children who are unable to follow the rules will usually miss out on being able to access these areas. Typically on the first occasion the children will miss out for a week, and on the second offence children may miss out for a month.
General Information
Stationery
This is sold in the office at retail prices. Children are given stationery lists at the end of each year for the following year.
School Lunches
These are sold through the School and are supplied by the Redwood Dairy. The child's name, room number and lunch order is written on the outside of an envelope and the correct money is sealed inside.
Money
Requests for money are usually through newsletters, or notes sent home. Money should be sent to School sealed in an envelope with the child's name, room number, amount enclosed and what it is for clearly written on the outside.
School Donation
The Board of Trustees ask parents to make a donation to help cover the cost of the many items used in the School which are not covered by government funding. These include reading material, sports equipment, musical equipment, library books and copying costs. The donation is currently set at $40 per family.
Parking in School Grounds
There is insufficient parking space on the School grounds. Cones will be placed across the driveway each day from 8:30am – 9:00am and again from 2:45pm – 3:15pm. Any vehicles which arrive before the cones are out, either in the morning or the afternoon will be asked to remain in the school grounds until the cones are removed. Parents bringing their cars on to School property at other times must not enter the staff parking area (by the main entrance to the School), but may park cars in the tar sealed area by the bike sheds behind the Junior School, class rooms 1 to 4. Turning and reversing cars are a great danger to young children and parents are asked to take special care.
School Hours and Terms
School Commences - 8:55 am
Interval - 10.40 – 11.00 am
Lunch - 1.00 - 1.50 pm
School Finishes - 3.00 pm
Staff are at School for much longer than the hours that the School is open, but we cannot accept responsibility for children before 8.30 am or after 3.30 pm.
2012 Terms are
Term 1 31st January - 5th April
Term 2 23rd April – 29th June
Term 3 16th July - 28th September
Term 4 15th October – 17th December
Absence of Pupils
In the interests of your child's safety, we request that you phone the School before School starts in the morning to tell us if your child will be absent. We phone the parents of absent children to make sure they are safe. If we have not heard from parents, a brief note explaining the absence is requested when the child returns to School. The law makes parents liable if school age children are absent unless ill. Also as a safety measure, children must not leave the School grounds between 9 am and 3 pm including lunch time unless accompanied by their parent, or a teacher, or with written permission from their parent.
Possessions
We do not take responsibility for children's possessions, so items of value should not be brought to School. Clothing should be named so it can be returned when lost. Anything which is a danger to others is strictly forbidden at School.
Mobile Phones
Students may bring their mobile phone to school. Our school policy requires all students to hand in their mobile phones to the school office before school starts and they can be collected at the end of the school day (at 3pm). Students are able to come to the office during break times to check their phone if they are expecting a text message.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Medical & First Aid
First aid for minor injuries is provided at School. Head injuries and other serious accidents are reported to parents. For this purpose we must have your home phone number, work phone number and an alternative contact. Please notify us of any change of address or telephone number. It is also important that you notify us of any medical condition and treatment that may be required at School - particularly allergies and asthma.
It is school policy that teaching staff do not administer medication to children.
Speech Therapy
The Speech/Language Therapist visits the School each year and children with serious defects may be asked to attend the Upper Hutt Speech Clinic. Hearing and vision of all new entrants is tested prior to beginning school. Those with noted weaknesses are monitored each year but parents or teachers may make a referral if they suspect a problem.
Support Services
The Public Health Nurse visits the School periodically through the year and on request. Should any parent have a concern about their child’s health, they can approach the nurse who will initiate or advise a course of action, e.g. concern about sight or hearing.
The Specialist Education Service provides support for those who have on-going special needs and we refer to the Resource Teachers for Learning and Behaviour for those children who require extra support in these areas.
Sun Protection Policy
Parents are requested to ensure they put a suitable hat and SPF15+ water resistant sun screen in their child’s school bag during summer months. Any allergies to sun or sun screen should be made known to the teacher.
Copies of our Sun Protection Policy are available from the school office.
Dental Clinic
The Dental Clinic is no longer open full-time. To contact the Mobile Dental Service please ring 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 8255 83384)
HELPING YOUR CHILD
School and Community
We see education as a partnership shared by parents, children and teachers so we value information from parents and their help at School. Ways of helping include helping in classes at all levels, helping with classroom visits (supervision and transport), coaching sports, taking clubs, providing items we can use (such as computer paper), joining the Home and School Association (and supporting their activities) and above all, showing an interest in what your child is doing at school.
Part of our partnership with parents includes exchange of information. We communicate with parents formally by means of a fortnightly newsletter, and other newsletters and notices as required. We report to parents by sending home a written report and samples of children’s work once a term and holding child/parent/teacher interviews in terms 1 and 3.
Parents are welcome at School but for anything more than a short visit to a classroom, please call at the office to make an appointment to see a teacher.
Homework
Fraser Crescent School introduced a new Home Learning Programme in early in 2010. This programme has been put together after consultation with teachers and parents. Your child’s teacher will be happy to discuss this programme with you.
Home and School Association Committee
This Committee is active in fundraising and in the social side of School life. They are a very important link between the School, our parents and the local community. Please contact the School if you would be interested in joining. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month in the staffroom.