School Values / Ngā Uara o te Kura

The Rotokawa School Values developed in consultation with our community: parents, whānau, caregivers, students and teachers.

Our Uara/Values are modelled, celebrated and fostered across every part of school life. The expected outcome of these values in action will be a community of people who work, learn and play together in harmony.

Rotokawa School is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) School

PB4L School-Wide looks at behaviour and learning from a whole-of-school as well as an individual child perspective. It works from a framework where we build a culture where positive behaviour and learning is a way of life and for us here at Rotokawa School, it stems from our School Values.

Within this PB4L framework, every class in the school plans and implements daily values lessons along with utilising the School positive incentive involves FIRST awards. Students can earn FIRST awards in the classroom, in the playground or any place that shows students modelling and exemplifies the School Values. Students can then be recognised at home and at Team and School-wide assemblies.

Term Dates

Term 1:
Tuesday 31st January 2023 –

Thursday 6th April 2023

Term 2:
Monday 24th April 2023 –

Friday 30th June 2023

Term 3:
Monday 17th July 2023 –

Friday 22nd September 2023

Term 4:
Monday 9th October 2023 –

Wednesday 13th December 2023

Bell Times

9.00 am – Block 1 – Learning starts

10.30 am – Morning – Kai

10.40 am – Morning – Play

11.00 am – Block 2 – Learning starts

12.30 pm – Lunch – Kai

12.45 pm – Lunch – Play

1.30 pm – Block 3 – Learning starts

3.00 pm – Home time

Dress Code/School Uniform

After community consultation and the Board of Trustees approval, we have some exciting news; we now have a new school uniform which all students will wear from 2023 onwards. This new initiative ties in with our local school curriculum based around identity and culture. By having a school uniform we are instilling a sense of belonging to our tamariki. This will give all our tamariki pride when they are wearing their uniform at school, on class trips and around the community. Below we have the costs for each item of uniform and the payment options that will be available. The school uniform items will only be able to be purchased through the school office. Please contact the office if you have any questions or would like to discuss payment plans. Payments for uniforms can be made now at the school office.

Uniform
2023
Compulsory from Term 1, 2023 for all students. Uniform will be compulsory for all students Year 0-6 .

Other Uniform notices

A bucket hat will be provided to each child in the school at the start of the school year. This hat is to remain at school and will need to be worn during outside activities/interval and lunchtimes. There is no cost to the whānau for this unless their child loses their hat. A $30 replacement fee may be requested.

Necklaces, bracelets and rings are not encouraged. Injuries may result during everyday play.

Pierced ears: Studs only please, no pendant styles or hoops which could catch and tear your child’s ear lobe.

Sports Teams – Students selected for sports teams may be given a uniform to wear for the day (or the season). It is expected that these uniforms are worn with pride, treated with respect and returned freshly washed to the office.

Lost Property – It is recommended that all items of clothing and property be named. All school uniforms will be labeled with last names. Lost property can be inspected at any time. Periodically unclaimed property is donated to a clothing bank.

Reporting to Parents/Caregivers

Below outlines a range of methods that Rotokawa School work to report to whānau/families.

Kōrero mai – Talk to me – To begin every year, Rotokawa School starts with a ‘Kōrero mai – Talk to me’ session which allows children, parents/caregivers and whānau/families the opportunity to come in and discuss their child’s likes, strengths, aspirations, family structures etc with the classroom teacher. It is a ‘get to know you’ time that allows teachers to be able to connect and therefore differentiate instruction within the classroom environment.

Formal Reporting – Twice a year (end of Term 2 and Term 4), Rotokawa School provides a written report for parents/caregivers. These reports are followed by Parent/Teacher Interviews in Term 1, which allow parents/caregivers to discuss the report. Booking for this is done via our SkoolLoop app.

Conversations – The staff welcomes contact with parents and caregivers. We also have an open door policy that allows parents/caregivers to come in to school from 8.00-8.30 to have a conversation with classroom teachers. Alternatively, if you require a conversation outside this time, meetings with the classroom teacher can be organised in person, via email with the classroom teacher, via Seesaw or through contacting our office administrator. We prefer you avoid 2.45 – 3pm during packing up times. It can seem chaotic and is a very busy student management time for the teachers. Please wait for your child outside the classroom.

Stationery

This year, Rotokawa has again opted into the government donation scheme and no longer requires whanau to purchase stationery books for their children. The school now provides these.

We do require a stationery pack (consumables) of pens, pencils etc to be purchased, and both the pack and a list of what is required is available from the School. Stationery consumables can be purchased from the school or from a location of your choice.

Communication

Rotokawa School has a range of communication methods that allow us to connect with our whānau/families and wider community.

Physical Communication – We welcome all to visit us at – Address: 6 Rotokawa Road, R.D. 4, Rotorua
Phone Communication – We welcome phone calls – Phone: 64 (7) 3456 129 Mobile: (027) 756 9225
Direct Email to staff
Rotokawa School Website –The school website has: Up to date news, e-newsletter, About our school – classrooms, staff, FOTS, BOT, and Sponsors, class options, curriculum, Calendar, and Community News
Rotokawa School Facebook – This page includes: Celebrations within the school, Photos and mentions of learning and lunchtime activities within the school, Notes and messages, and Links to our school website
Rotokawa School App – SkoolLoop – Head to the App store/Play store and download ‘Skool Loop’ . This is an app where you can connect with our school in regards to: Absentees, Calendar – school calendar/events, Notices, Newsletter, Permission forms – Key form of permissions and Contact information.
Seesaw – Seesaw provides an online learning portfolio that is specific to your child. It is a means in which home and school can have better communication via an online platform. Head to the App store/Play store and download ‘Seesaw Family’. If you already have this app, you should be able to see your child’s class. If you are new to our school or are not yet connected, your classroom teacher will be sending home a QR code and information for you to connect.

School Lunches

We are receiving free healthy school lunches from The Catering Company, for all of 2022 for every child in the school. Each lunch is nutritiously balanced and visually appealing to ensure full satisfied tummies. The 2022 menu is out now.

Please remember to let the school office know if your child has any food allergies.