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INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Useful Information for Parents & FAQs

Info for Parents

Friends of Lumsden School

Friends of the School is a parent group supporting all aspects of school life.
Formalities are kept to a minimum with sub committees often working on specific tasks. These include—Grounds, Fundraising, Education, Catering and Social. We invite families to indicate which sub group they would like to be involved in at the beginning of each year.



Board of Trustees

Monthly Board meetings are held on Tuesday evenings in week 3 and 8 each term.

WHO ARE YOUR BOARD MEMBERS? Amanda Russell (Chairperson), Trish Gill, Jeff Keen, Angela Reid, Sarah Falconer (Staff Rep.), Callum Tytler (Acting Principal).



Bus Routes

For all information regarding school buses please go to http://dome.easybus.nz

Our bus controller is Andrew Watson. As a courtesy we ask parents to contact the bus driver if their child is off the bus in the morning.



School Stream App

HOW TO GET THE SCHOOL STREAM APP ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE.

iPHONE / iPAD iOS

1. From your mobile device go to the App Store search for School Stream

2. Tap the FREE/GET button to the right of the School Stream listing

3. Tap the INSTALL button

4. Enter your Apple ID and password & tap OK

5. Wait for the install icon to change to OPEN

6. Tap the OPEN button

7. You will be prompted to accept push notifications and you will need to select OK

8. Start typing Lumsden School into the search then SELECT Lumsden School

ANDROID / TABLET

1. From your mobile device go to the Play Store search for School Stream

2. Tap the School Stream listing

3. Tap the INSTALL button

4. Tap the ACCEPT button

5. Wait for the app to install then tap the OPEN button

6. Start typing Lumsden School into the search then SELECT Lumsden School

7. Tap the DONE button in the top left



Absences

If your child is away from school please notify us either by:

  • Visiting or phoning Sharon at the office

  • Using the School Stream App

  • Emailing a message to office@lumsden.school.nz



Assembly

Assembly is held in Room 2/3 every Friday at 2.30pm. The children present class items, school and sports reports, as well as singing. Everyone is most welcome to attend.



Camp Procedures

This procedure supports National Administration Guideline 1.

<h4 class="font_4">PURPOSE</h4>

To ensure the students learning is enhanced through first hand experiences.

To involve parents in EOTC to ensure all students are able to participate in the programme the school is proposing.

To ensure parents are committed to supporting the school camp.

<h4 class="font_4">GUIDELINES</h4> 1. Year 5 & 6 students in the school will have the opportunity to participate in a school camp experience on an annual basis. 2. A parent meeting will be called to discuss all aspects of the camp at the initial planning stage. 3. Teachers will prepare a proposal based on the particular student’s needs and an experience that will link the curriculum to the experience. Traditional camping options will be considered but not necessarily followed if they are not appropriate for any particular group of students. 4. Parents will give staff feedback on the proposal. Funding must be a priority and the Principal, Staff and BOT must carefully consider the financial implications for all families involved. 5. Parents will take responsibility for organizing fundraising. School staff will support this in any way they can. 6. Parents are an integral part of school camps and without parental support and participation the EOTC experience cannot proceed. 7. After initial consultation with the parents/caregivers the class teacher will be responsible for the planning of the camp. The Principal will be closely involved with a particular emphasis on the safety of the children. The BOT will be kept informed of the proposal, funding arrangements, venue etc. The BOT will in fact give permission for the planning to proceed. 8. The proposal will go the BOT for formal final approval at least one month prior to the camp.



Enrolment of Students Procedures

This procedure supports National Administration Guideline 6

PURPOSE

To ensure that correct procedures are followed when enrolling students, and that all relevant information concerning the enrolled student is gathered.

To inform parents /caregivers /whanau about the school and their child’s class and teacher so that the transition to Lumsden School is a positive, happy experience.

GUIDELINES

1. New Entrant children on our pre-enrolment list will be sent an enrolment pack approximately one term before enrolling at school. This will include: - Parent Information Booklet - Personalised Child Information Booklet - General Information about the school or anything specific at the time 2. Prior to the students fifth birthday, a pre-enrolment may be completed. The student’s parent / caregiver will liaise with the New Entrant teacher to arrange visits to the classroom as indicated in the booklet. 3. On the students fifth birthday they will be enrolled. The enrolment form will be completed by the parent /caregiver ensuring that the following items of information are noted:
  • Ethnicity
  • Birth Certificate so that we can copy and attach to enrolment form
  • Immunisation Certificate to be sighted and information recorded on the Immunisation Register
  • For students not born in New Zealand we need to keep a copy of their passport showing their residency status and student permit
  • All other sections on the enrolment form to be completed
4. Parents / Caregivers and/or Whanau will receive an enrolment pact consisting of:
  • School Information Booklet
  • Prior School Newsletters
  • Internet Agreement Form
  • School Transport Application
  • Relevant Health Forms
  • Bus Notification Forms

5. Enquiries regarding possible future enrolments will be recorded on the New Pupil Enrolment form. Anyone making an enquiry is encouraged to meet with the Principal and view the school in operation.

6. The Teacher’s will make contact with the family and student within the first few days to ensure the student and family are settling into school life and answer any questions.

7. The Office Administrator will enter all relevant details into the Register of Admission and Withdrawal/Ministry of Education - ENROL.

8. The Office Administrator will enter all relevant details into Pupil Files/Student Management System.

Facebook Procedure

<h4 class="font_4">RATIONALE</h4>

Maintaining an online presence is vital for schools, not only in terms of keeping the school community up to date with what’s happening in the school, but also in terms of attracting potential enrolment. Having a school website is an essential part of this, but web users must specifically visit the school website regularly to receive the information.

By having a Facebook page, the school is feeding school information, news and notices directly into the personal news feeds of parents and the wider school community.

AIMS

The purpose of having a school Facebook page is:

  • To continue to advance our school communication system with information shared via Facebook, along with the existing methods of paper notes, newsletter, Twitter, and the school website.
  • To publicise school events, and increase awareness about school fundraising.
  • To announce any updated information that appears on our website via Facebook.
  • To highlight positive school achievements in a forum where they can be shared by the school community.
  • To make school announcements (e.g. school closure due to snow).
  • To use facebook as a means of reaching a wider audience.
  • To have a Facebook Feed embedded on the homepage of the school website.

GUIDELINES

  • Lumsden School teachers will be administrators. All other ‘posts’ have to be approved by these administrators.
  • Anyone is able to comment, but administrators can delete spam.
  • No sharing of any information about any student (including pictures, videos, work samples etc.) without consent from the children’s guardian. Sharing of last names will be avoided as a safety precaution.
  • Consistency is key – Consistent updates will develop a user expectation that they can rely on the Facebook page for current information.
  • Adminstrators may choose to use the ‘no comments’ option.
  • To be reviewed after first six months, then annually.



General Emergency Lockdown Procedure

STATEMENT

The Board of Trustees believes that the safety of students and staff in our school is paramount and takes every precaution to ensure the safety of all.

The Board believes that the school needs to be secured in an appropriate manner when dealing with a perceived or actual threat to the school community.

RATIONALE

The Board of Trustees is committed to providing a safe and caring environment for students and staff.

Therefore, the school has developed this procedure to respond to a perceived or actual threat to their school community.

INTRODUCTION

A lock-down of the school will be implemented anytime students need to be contained and protected inside school buildings, for example:

  • A chemical spill, which could put students and staff at risk of toxic inhalation if allowed outside
  • A person on the school site who could pose the risk of a hostage situation
  • An unarmed intruder inside the building.

In all these cases the police would request a lock-down of the school to prevent putting students and staff in danger separating them from the risk.

The lock-down may also help to prevent confusion, and to make it easier for staff to account for all students as it is simpler to determine if a student is missing when the students are at least standing still.

When the ‘lock down’ signal is given, staff will go to their classroom doors, listening, and then looking for a sign of imminent danger. If it’s safe to do so, they will take in any students not already in a classroom, then close and lock the door and turn off the lights.

GENERAL EMERGENCY LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES

COMMUNICATIONS

1. In the event of a critical incident requiring ‘Lockdown’, the person witnessing the incident must try to notify the school office so that the alarm can be raised. The office staff member receiving the incident call will notify the Principal. 2. The person-in-charge at the time of the incident will determine the need for a ‘Lockdown’ and sound the appropriate alarm. 3. An Emergency Lockdown will be signaled by continuous short blasts on the school bell (At least 5 blasts). Teachers will announce: “This is a LOCK DOWN” “This is not a fire drill” “Everyone is to stay in the room, remain seated and to keep calm and quiet”. 4. The person-in-charge or delegated person shall immediately contact the Police and provide as much information as possible. 5. Fire evacuation alarms are not to be sounded. LOCKDOWN PROCEDURE 1. If the ‘Lockdown Alarm’ is sounded before school, during morning tea or lunch time students and support staff are to move directly to the hallway as long as it is safe to do so. - Teaching staff are to stay in, or move to, their classrooms initially and ensure all children move quickly to hallway and go with them - Duty teachers, principal to direct children quickly to hallway from playground - The person-in-charge should stay in, or move to, the office area to facilitate the communication progress. 2. If outside, students should proceed to the hallway via the nearest classroom. 3. Staff need to be mindful that if students are outside they may enter via different classrooms. 4. As soon as possible lock the classroom and other doors. 5. Close and lock windows. 6. Staff and students should stay away from windows and doors, and remain low to the ground in the hallway. 7. Everyone is to remain quiet. Staff should take class roll and cell phone with them if accessible quickly and safely. 8. Staff with mobile phones should ensure they are turned on, and should check them frequently for messages. 9. No one is to answer the door under any circumstances. 10. Staff should take a head count and obtain the name of each individual in the room. When practical, text “all present and OK” or names of any missing students to principal. 11. Should the fire alarm sound, do not evacuate the building unless:
  • You have firsthand knowledge that there is a fire in the building, or
  • You have been advised by Police or the person-in-charge to evacuate the building.
12. Students and staff should stay where they are until official notification is provided by the person-in-charge or an identified police officer that the lockdown is over. 13. Where the lockdown lasts an extended period of time or extends beyond normal school hours, the person-in-charge should notify parents via local media and with the assistance of local police. 14. In conjunction with local police, the person-in-charge should arrange for parents to pick up students from school at a designated safe area. Download the Ministery of Education Toolkit - Intruder Outside Building Emergency Response Plan here.



Stand-down, Suspension, Exclusion, Expulsion Process Procedure

This procedure supports National Administration Guideline 5. PURPOSE
Participation in compulsory schooling carries with it various rights and responsibilities as outlined below: 1. The Right to a Free Education:
Participation in compulsory schooling carries with it various rights and responsibilities. These rights and responsibilities apply differently to the three key stakeholder groups involved – the students, the students’ families/whanau, and the schools. In addition to these rights and responsibilities, the other main stakeholder, the Government, has a number of requirements that it expects all parties to meet. Parent/Whanau Responsibilities
In New Zealand schooling is compulsory for children and young people aged from 6 to 15 years. Parents are required to ensure their children are enrolled at a registered school. School Responsibilities
Schools are required to ensure that all enrolled students attend school. School Rights
The Education Amendment Act 1998 (No 2) gives schools the right to stand-down, suspend, exclude or expel students in the event of gross misconduct or continual disobedience. Student Rights
The Education Act 1989 gives all children and young people, aged 5 to 19 years, the right to a free education. Student Responsibilities
A student’s right to attend school and be educated carries an implied responsibility to behave in ways that (i) do not disrupt teaching/learning processes, and (ii) do not pose a threat to the well being of other students. 2. The Principal’s Right to Suspend In the event of student gross misconduct or continual disobedience, especially when the well being of students is placed as risk, Principals may choose to either:

  • Stand down a student from attending school for a specified period, or
  • Suspend a student from attending school, pending a decision by the Board of Trustees about the student’s continued enrolment at that school.
In exercising the right to suspend a student, principals and boards are required to ensure that:
  • Provisions are made for the student to receive lessons during the period of suspension.
  • Any decision-making about the student’s future attendance at the school is made after seeking dialogue with the student’s family/whanau.
  • The principles of natural justice are applied in the decision to help ensure that all rights and responsibilities are understood in the decision-making process.
3. Definitions Suspension is the formal removal of a student from school until the Board of Trustees decides the outcome at a suspension meeting. Following a suspension, the Board may decide to lift the suspension with or without conditions, extend the suspension, or for the most serious cases, either exclude or expel the student. Only students of 16 years (the ending age of compulsory schooling) or older, may be expelled. Exclusion means the formal removal of a student aged under 16 from the school, and the requirement that the student enroll elsewhere. Expulsion means the formal removal of a student aged 16 or over from the school. He or she may enroll in another school. Stand-down is the formal removal of a student from school for a specified period. Stand downs of a student can total no more than five school days in a term, or ten days in a school year.
4. Procedures The attached flow charts identify the procedures to be followed.Further details are contained in MOE Publication Guidance for Principals and BOT’s on Stand Downs, Suspension, Exclusions and Expulsions July 1999.



Attendance, Absences and Truancy Procedure

This procedure supports National Administration Guideline 6. PURPOSE
To encourage regular attendance in order to promote teaching and learning.
To ensure the safety of all students. GUIDELINES 1. Attendance will be entered on MUSAC within the first half-hour of each morning and afternoon session. 2. For our school, the following circumstances will be accepted as justified: Sickness, Dentist/Doctor/Specialist Appointment, Special Family Circumstances e.g. emergency, bereavement, Representative Sports, Examinations e.g. speech, music, dance, Special events arranged well in advance with the Principal 3. “Irregular Attendance” is deemed to be when the student’s total half days of attendance is less than 90% of the total possible half days for any term. 4. If a child is absent the school must be notified of the reason, either by phone (recorded in phone log), in writing (notes filed), or email. 5. If the school is not notified the absence will be recorded in the day book as unexplained. 6. The Office Administrator will phone the home of the child concerned to find out where the child is. In the event of the family not being contacted the emergency contacts will be used. 7. If there is still concern for the child’s whereabouts the Office Administrator in consultation with the Principal will notify the Police. 8. In the event of there being a pattern/trend of unjustified absences, or no notification of absences, the parents will be approached in the first instance by the Principal. If the Principal’s approach does not lead to a reduction in the unjustified absences, then the school’s Truancy Officer will be notified.



Religious Education Procedure

We provide the opportunity for religious instruction for children whose parents approve of it. Parental approval is given or withheld at enrolment. The board approves that religious instruction may be held at the school for half an hour per week as allowed under the provisions of the Education Act, 1964, Clauses 77 and 78. Religious instruction develops children’s spiritual dimension by encouraging an understanding and appreciation of religious beliefs and values through a non-denominational programme of instruction. This programme is available for parents’ perusal. The following rules apply to our religious instruction programme: • All students in designated classes have the opportunity to receive religious instruction (given the availability of resources and the approval of parents).
• No student is excluded because their parent is unwilling or unable to pay any costs associated with the programme.
• Non bus students not taking part in religious instruction arrive at school at 9.30 am. Supervision is available for students who travel to school by bus (in school library).
• Classes participating in this programme are deemed to be closed during the period of instruction, as required by the Act.
• All religious instruction teachers follow the programme of instruction as made available to the board and parents before the start of the year’s programme.
• All teaching avoids putting pressure on the children to adhere to particular religious beliefs or views.
• No Full-time Classroom Teachers may conduct religious instruction.
• The board is kept updated (annually) regarding programme information.



Child Motor Vehicle Passenger Restraint Procedure

This procedure supports National Administration Guideline 5. GOAL
Child Passenger safety is an important aspect of road safety education, which is a shared responsibility between the school and parents. This procedure guideline will support the school’s overall road safety procedure, help reduce children’s risk of injury, and support their wellbeing. PURPOSE 1. To support road safety awareness at all levels throughout the school. 2. To encourage road safety and injury prevention behaviours among children as they travel to and from school. 3. To encourage parents to model and reinforce messages taught at school. GUIDELINES
School staff, parents, caregivers and students travelling on school related trips will be guided by the following procedures: 1. Child restraints are mandatory for all children under seven (until their seventh birthday) when travelling on school related trips in privately owned motor vehicles, including minivans and shuttle buses. 2. For children who are 7 or older, but under the height of 148 cm, it is recommended by Safekids NZ that they also be in a booster seat. It will be Lumsden School parents’ responsibility to supply a booster seat should they wish to, for school related trips when travelling in privately owned motor vehicles, including privately owned minivans and shuttle buses. 3. Booster seats must meet an approved standard and be appropriately sized and fitted in the vehicle. 4. Children must travel in the back seats unless these are already occupied by other children. The tallest child should travel in the front seat, and the seat should be moved as far back as possible, and if possible the airbag should be turned off. 5. School staff will support drivers of any privately owned vehicles transporting children on school related trips to ensure that all children are seated appropriately in a child restraint if under 7 years old or:
● Child restraint if 7 or under (parents to supply)
● Booster seat if parents have requested (parents to supply)
● Three point seat belt if 148 cm or taller. 6. Children will remove packs whilst seated in the vehicle. Bags will be safely stored either on the floor or in the vehicle boot/storage facility. 7. Seat belts must remain fastened until the vehicle is safely parked. 8. If children are travelling in privately owned motor vehicles, completion of the school’s child passenger safety contract is part of the school trip planning procedure. 9. If parents don’t provide a booster seat for their child travelling in a private vehicle, then the child will be unable to travel to that event. Similarly if parents of children over 7 have stipulated that they wish their child to travel in a booster seat, but do not provide one, then their child will not be able to travel to that event.



Health and Safety Procedure

PURPOSE
Lumsden Primary School will take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of staff, students, visitors and contractors by complying with relevant health and safety legislation, standards, and codes of practice.
GUIDELINES
1. All staff having individual responsibility for health and safety.
2. All staff
● being informed of
● understanding, and
● accepting their responsibility for eliminating or minimising the potential for harm to people at their workplace, including contractors, other staff and visitors being informed of any results of our monitoring their work area. 3. Ensuring staff are consulted on, and given the opportunity to participate in, health and safety management.
4. Ensuring union and other employee representatives are consulted regarding health and safety management.
5. Ensuring the school has an effective method for identifying hazards. Significant hazards will then be controlled by:
● Eliminating or isolating any hazard that arises out of the school or school environment likely to cause harm to staff, students or other people.
● Minimising the effects of hazards, if they cannot be practicably eliminated or isolated.
6. Creating and maintaining a safe working environment.
7. Having in place plans and procedures for all foreseeable emergencies that may arise in the workplace.
8. Providing appropriate orientation, training and supervision for all new and existing staff.
9. Having effective procedures for the hiring and monitoring of contractors including police vetting of employees and being accountable for their safety and for that of other visitors.
10. Visitors must sign in and out at the office to ensure school knows of their whereabouts in an emergency. Bookmark referring to Health and Safety Policy/Procedures to be kept in Visitors Book.
11. Accurate recording, reporting and investigating injuries.
12. Board of Trustees commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety.
13. Board of Trustees commitment to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation.
14. Supporting the safe and early return to work of injured employees.
15. Ongoing evaluation, review and updating of our compliance with our health and safety programme and this policy.



Police Vetting Procedure

RATIONALE OF POLICE VETTING PROCEDURES
1. The Lumsden School Board is responsible for taking reasonable measures to protect students from harm (Vulnerable Children’s Act and NAG 5).
2. All “employees” of the school are required by the Education Act to be vetted every three years:
a) All teachers employed must hold a current registration with the Teachers’ Council which will have included a Police vet
b) Non-teaching staff, including teacher aides, secretary, administration, caretaker and cleaner, are vetted every three years.
3. When appointing a new employee a satisfactory police vet needs to be obtained before an appointment is confirmed or have unsupervised access to students. Ongoing employment will be subject to a satisfactory police vet.
4. Regular school contractors such as school lawn mowers are vetted.
5. Parents, caregivers or members of the community volunteering or working with students, i.e. electives, sport coach, overnight camps will be asked to undergo a police vet, where it is likely that they could have unsupervised access to students.
6. Parents and caregivers have the right to refuse to consent to a police vet, however this may result in that person not being able to be part of some school activities. PRIVACY PROCEDURES
The Principal shall be the designated person for receiving Police vet information (the “requestor”) and shall be responsible for ensuring the security and confidentiality of such information. If necessary the Board of Trustee chairperson and the school’s legal advisor may be privy to the information. Any discussion at Board level will be confidential. RETURNED VET
● If the results of a police vet raise employment concerns then the Principal and Board Chairperson will decide if the information gained indicates that they must act.
● The Board will consider whether the information obtained should affect employment at or access to the school.
● Care will be taken to ensure a fair and reasonable process is followed if the Board is considering any action.
● If the vet does not reveal any criminal offences or concerns by the police then the vet will be destroyed or handed to the employee or contractor. Reviewed: 13 September 2016 POLICE VETTING VOLUNTEERS
Dear Parents
The Vulnerable Children’s Act now imposes new responsibilities to the Board of Trustees with ensuring the safety of our children at school. To ensure we are complying with the requirements of the Vulnerable Children Act and to ensure the safety of our children the Board is requesting permission to Police Vet any person working or volunteering at Lumsden School or with Lumsden School children in any capacity e.g. parent helper, coach, overnight camps, day outings, clubs, driving children to events or any other activity where those volunteers are likely to have (or could have) unsupervised contact with students. We request that any parent/caregiver/volunteer who may wish to help as parent helper, coach, on overnight camps, day outings, clubs, driving children to events or any other activity as part of Lumsden School’s programs completes and returns page 2, signs the applicant authorization on page 3 of the attached document then returns these to school. Also please provide 2 forms of ID e.g passport, birth certificate, firearms licence, driver’s licence; one of these must be photographic. The ID can be shown to Sharon or I. This will allow us to be prepared before specific events. These are valid for 3 years. We will keep a record of all parents/caregivers/volunteers who have been police checked and this will be updated as required.
Police Vetting is a responsibility of the Board of Trustees and is undertaken through the New Zealand Police Licensing and Vetting Service Centre.
All information received will be confidential to the Lumsden School Board of Trustees.
Only the requestor – the Principal – will open the returned information.
Please read the attached application carefully, complete page 2 then sign and date the “consent to disclosure” on page 3, then return this to the school office with the documents required.
Please note these steps are being taken as advised as being good practice as per the Vulnerable Children’s Act 2014 with the safety of our children as the main priority.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries.
Andrew and Lumsden School Board of Trustees



Complaints Procedure

PURPOSE
To ensure that complaints go through the right channels and are dealt with satisfactorily. GUIDELINES
1. For an incident or problem concerning a child within class or playground, parents/whānau should first approach the class teacher.
2. If the matter is not resolved, then the parents/caregiver/whānau should approach the Principal.
3. For serious matters concerning abuse, cruelty or incompetence, or any ongoing issue, complaints should be put in writing and directed to the Principal.
4. Should the serious matter relate to the Principal, the complaint should be put in writing and directed to the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.
5. In all instances of a serious nature, the Principal will keep the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees informed. PROCEDURE
Parents/Caregivers/Whānau (Support person welcome to attend)
1. Contact the class teacher and arrange a time for an interview.
2. Make sure of your facts/concerns and have them ready.
3. Listen to the teacher, taking note of details.
4. Arrange a time for a follow up visit.
5. Contact the Principal if the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction.
6. Put complaint to Board of Trustees in writing if the matter is still ongoing. Teachers (Principal or another teacher may be present)
1. Listen to complaints from parents, taking note of details.
2. Explain the situation as it happened, if this is possible, or assure parents that you will investigate the matter.
3. Make a definite time commitment.
4. Investigate the problem.
5. Put steps in place to resolve/rectify the situation.
6. Notify the parents.



Annual Report

View here.