Policies & Procedures

 Attached are some of the most useful procedures and policies for families.  A full and comprehensive procedures folder is available at the office.

OPAKI SCHOOL SUN SMART SCHOOL

PROCEDURES

Opaki School has sufficient shade, trees and verandas and a ‘No Hat No Play’ policy providing a Safe and Healthy environment for it’s pupils and staff.

Procedures

v    Parents are actively encouraged to promote the Sun Smart message and act upon it.

v    The school will incorporate ‘being Sun Smart’ into the educational programmes using appropriate resources.

v    The school will request that parents provide their children with suitable clothing that protects the neck and shoulders during the high risk months and that they provide their children with appropriate sunscreen.

v    The school will provide a school uniform broad brimmed hat (minimum 7.5cm brim) that is worn between the hours 9am and 3pm during the danger months of the year.   Outside of these hours, children are encouraged to wear their own hats.

v    Each child will be allocated their own numbered hat that remains the property of the school.   The school, in providing the hat, has the authority to enforce it’s wearing whilst any child is in unshaded areas of the school.

v    During summer months all children will sit in the shade areas designated by the school or on the verandas for lunch.

v    Where possible outdoor activities and sports will be scheduled for the mornings during summer months.

v    SP30+ broad spectrum sun block will be available for staff and children and its use encouraged, especially on days of high risk.

v    Parents will also be actively encouraged to supply their children with SP30+ and teachers will remind and help children apply the sun block at lunch time on days of high risk.

v    The Board of Trustees and Principal review the Sun Protection Policy regularly, including making suggestions or improvements at least once every three years.

KA HIKITIA

Managing for Success – to ‘Step Up’

Opaki Schools Maori Curriculum Statement

All learners will be exposed to and understand the significance of the local community’s cultural heritage.   They will each have a role to play in nurturing our local environment.   Students, will have the opportunity to learn about Maori Culture, Tikanga and Te Reo, as an integrated part of the curriculum.

Success for Maori – A partnership between school and Whanau/Iwi

Ø     Use of the school newsletter as a vehicle to promote Maori activities and events being carried out as part of the School Curriculum e.g. Parents celebration of learning evenings, assembly, Kapa Haka group events.

Ø     The use of Maori parents to support Kapa Haka group, making of poi, art projects, local history, story tellings, coaching of sports teams and classroom parent help.

Ø     Yearly consultations with Maori whanau/iwi, Principal and DP on programmes, targets and achievement of Maori students.

Ø     Maori parents views and knowledge are valued, taken into account and acted upon.

Ø     All parents receive information twice a year on their children’s progress and achievements.   This is clearly set out in the children’s portfolios.   In Reading, Writing and Maths parents receive an overall teacher judgement against National Standards allowing parents and children to see progress and attainment.

Ø     As part of the Social Studies curriculum children will learn about the Treaty of Waitangi, it’s history and relevance today. “The Treaty of Waitangi is central to and symbolic of, our national heritage, identity and future”.   Managing for success/Maori Education strategy”.

MAORI CHILDREN’S ACHIEVEMENTS

Data is gathered on all children’s progress at Opaki School.   The Maori children are identified and their data analysed separately – providing us with information of their achievements.   This allows us to set goals and programmes for future learning with the aim of improving individual Maori children’s results.

Children’s successes and achievements are celebrated together during the school weekly assemblies.   Parents/whanau are made to feel welcome to attend.

MAORI LANGUAGE – TE REO MAORI AND TIKANGA MAORI

Ø     Students have access to quality Maori Language resources

Ø     Maori language is a fundamental part of the classroom environment visually and orally.

Ø     The use of basic Maori terms and phrases are used in the classroom.  Te Reo Maori and Tikanga Maori is taught through specific and integrated lessons, as set out in our Maori curriculum overview of learning, our values programme and buddy systems.

Ø     We use Maori focussed units of work that incorporate local Maori history, legends and the importance of local landmarks.

Ø     We have strong links with Pukaha and the Te Ore Ore Marae.

Ø     The Year 5,6,7 and 8 children have the opportunity to join the schools Kapa Haka group which is lead by parents and teachers.