P.T.A.

The South Wellington Intermediate School P.T.A. is a friendly group of parents interested in helping our school by acting as a sounding board for new school ideas, fund raising and/or providing manpower for an occasional event.

The P.T.A. meets once or twice a term. Meetings usually last just one hour. They would love to contact new parents who could give up a little of their time to help the school.

The P.T.A. asks all parents to complete the Parent Help form with the enrolment pack and return it with your child’s enrolment form.

Enrolments

Most enrolments are completed before the end of the previous school year. We ask they be completed as soon as the decision is made so the student is placed in the most appropriate homeroom. We contact the previous schools for extra information on your child.

The Principal will be available at school in January before school starts, to take any further enrolments. These times will be advertised in community newspapers.

Open Door Policy

Parents/caregivers who wish to see a teacher on any matter are welcome to make an appointment. Parents/caregivers are very welcome to attend any sporting, cultural or social events.

Parents are also welcome to be involved in the school through the P.T.A., sharing skills and talents for the benefit of students.

Reporting to Parents

We keep parents informed of their child’s progress and achievements throughout the year:

Early in Term One parents have the opportunity to meet their child’s teacher and shortly after be involved with their child and teacher in a goal-setting interview.

Mid-year reports to parents go home before the end of Term Two and parent interviews are held at the beginning of Term Three. These will give an honest appraisal of your child’s progress and achievements to date.

An end of year report goes home in December.

Apart from formal reporting dates, staff contact parents if there is any concern over the child’s progress, work habits or behaviour.

Students will also keep a Home Diary that is used for daily contact between home and school.

Classroom Organization

All classes are arranged as mixed Year 7 and Year 8. Each class has an even distribution of children of differing academic ability and work habits. For Mathematics, Technology, Music and Performing Arts, students work in their own year groups. (i.e. Year 7 or Year 8)

Students are grouped in ability classes for Mathematics.

The needs of the emerging adolescent are met by a system of increased specialization.

We retain a homeroom atmosphere with a strong link to one teacher. The homeroom teacher is responsible for the English curriculum that includes oral language, spelling, written language and reading. The homeroom teacher also takes their own class for the Health, programme. For other subjects students may move around the school, being taught by several teachers during the week. In this way teachers are able to teach to their special  strengths.

This increased specialization is an ideal preparation for High School.

Children with special needs or abilities are catered for in a number of ways. This depends on the child’s need and the resources available.

At the beginning of the year students stay with their homeroom teacher for the first two weeks as an orientation period. In week three, we have our school camps. Specialization begins in week four.

Educational Experiences and facilities offered by South Wellington Intermediate School

Fully equipped Technology rooms with specialist teachers.

Fully equipped Art room with specialist teacher.

Strong Music and Performing Arts programmes.

Science laboratory.

ICT suite.

Multi-purpose hall.

Excellent asphalt areas.

Wide range of sporting activities

School Speech Contest.

Emphasis on teaching the basics well.

Choice of tuition in nine international languages.

Extensive Pupil Support programme.

Variety of extension programmes.

School camps, ski trip, wilderness experience.

Orchestra, Choir, Multi-Cultural group, Stage Challenge, biennial musical production and Cultural Festival.

Chess  club.

Providing essential educational opportunities for emerging adolescents.

School Hours

Staff will be in classrooms to greet students at 8.30 a.m. The school day operates from 8.55 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

Lunchtime is from 12.35 p.m. to 1.30 p.m.

Permission to Leave School Grounds

Once students arrive at school, they are not allowed to leave without the permission of the Deputy Principal. Permission for one day is granted with a signed note or a telephone call. Children who go home regularly for lunch will have a permanent lunch pass, on receipt of a note, at the beginning of the year.

Absences from School

We ask that parents/caregivers contact the school explaining their child’s absence. The school will follow up any absences not appropriately reported.

Health of Pupils

All Year 7 pupils will have sight and hearing tests. They will also have MMR inoculations with your signed approval.

Any child who becomes ill at school will be cared for to the best of our ability. If we consider the pupil would be better at home, parents will be contacted and asked to collect the child. In the case of an accident requiring medical treatment, appropriate action will be taken and parents notified immediately.

Stationery

All stationery is available through the school. Prices are heavily discounted for the first few weeks of school.

Canteen

We have a canteen available for students at morning interval. Our school policy is to supply nutritious foods.

Student Council

Each class selects two representatives to serve on the School Council. The Council meets weekly with the Principal to bring forward ideas from class meetings and to discuss matters of interest and concern to the pupils.

The Council is committed to “making SWIS a better place for students”. They make a positive difference to SWIS.

The Council organizes mufti days, giving it a budget of about $1,500, and advises on how Mufti Day funds are spent.

Lunch orders

Lunch may be ordered in the foyer each morning from 8.30 a.m.—8.55 a.m. Lunch orders are taken before school daily. A full list of available food is published in the school newsletter.

School Fees and School Donation

                                         one child     two children

Subject Fee (incl. Tech. Fee)   $  80.00          $110.00

School Donation                    $  60.00          $100.00

TOTAL                                  $140.00          $210.00

The school donation provides funding support for some of the many extras the school provides in a wide range of specialist teaching options and choices. The money is used for teaching resources, sports equipment and uniforms, additional library resources and ICT advances. Without it we would be very restricted in presenting our progressive teaching programmes. Instalment/direct debit facilities are available.

Education Outside the Classroom

Students are encouraged to attend our school camp  which takes place in about week three of term one. This will be a three-day outdoor experience covering a wide range of outdoor activities. The cost will be approximately $80.00. Money may be deposited at any time.

Ski Trip and Wilderness Experience

Depending on student interest and availability of staff, we hold two optional camps during the year. The first is a ski trip, usually held in October. The second is a wilderness experience in the Marlborough Sounds in December. Each trip costs about $200. Students will have the opportunity to undertake fundraising to contribute towards these.

 Term Dates 2008

Term 1            

Monday 4 February—Friday 18 April

Term 2            

Monday 5 May—Friday 4 July

Term 3            

Monday 21 July—Friday 26 September

Term 4            

Monday 13 October—Tuesday 16 December

Public Holidays

Waitangi Day 6 February

Good Friday 21 March

Easter Mon, Tues 24, 25 March

ANZAC Day 25 April

Queen’s Birthday 2 June

Labour Day 27 October

 Personal Belongings

Please clearly name all clothing and possessions your child has at school. Almost all un-recovered lost property has not been named.

Students are discouraged from bringing valuables to school. When it is necessary such items should be given to the teacher until the end of the school day. Valuables should not be left in school bags.

Cell phones are permitted at school but must be turned off from 8.55 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. It is strongly recommended they be given to the  homeroom teacher during school hours for safe keeping.

 Discmans etc. are not to be brought to school. If found at school, they will be looked after until the end of the school day by the principal.

School Office

The office staff (Dianna and Gita) are available from 8.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Messages for staff and students may be communicated through the office during these times.

If you wish to discuss a financial matter concerning school or hall hire, ask to speak to Heather.

When it is necessary to contact parents it is important we have the correct contact details on file. Please advise the school if your address or phone number changes during the year.

There is a phone in the foyer for student use.

Uniform

All uniform items are sold at school except shoes. Dates for holiday sales will be advertised in community newspapers. The school sells these items at a discounted price. Some second-hand uniforms are also available. These are not for sale but are given away where there is need.

Polar fleece jacket                       $40.00

Polar fleece sleeveless jacket        $35.00

Skivvy                                        $20.00

Polo shirt                                   $25.00      

Crew neck sweat shirt                  $30.00

PE shorts (black)                         $18.00              

P.E.  T shirt                                $20.00

Taslon track pants                       $38.00      

Lined taslon jacket                      $60.00      

School shorts                              $23.00      

Embroidered beanie                     $  8.00

Bucket hat                                  $12.00

Curriculum Features

Mathematics

There is a Mathematics period each day. Students are assessed and grouped according to their ability into two top ability and three mixed classes and by their year. Ongoing assessments during the year ensure each student is in the class most suitable for them.

We consider this the best way to meet students’ individual needs in this crucial curriculum area and one which facilitates precision teaching.

Science Fair

All students are required to present an exhibit in our school Science Fair. This gives students the opportunity to follow a personal interest beyond the Science curriculum. The best exhibits are entered into the Wellington Regional Science Fair.

Speech Contest

All students take part in the school Speech Contest. Class competitions lead to team finals and then school finals.

Physical Education & Sport

Students have one Physical Education lessons per week taken by a P.E. specialist. In addition there is a daily fitness programme. They are required to wear their P.E. uniform for these. Students will learn skills in a wide range of sports and undertake fitness programmes.

There is a double Sport period each week. We make use of the excellent community sports facilities available to give students opportunities to sample a wide range of sports. There is a small charge for the use of some of these facilities.

South Wellington Intermediate School is also involved in a wide range of Inter-Intermediate Sports days, some Wellington regional sports championships and the Rathkeale Sevens.

International Languages

We are a national leader in introducing students to international languages.

Students currently have one period per week in an international language. Students view this as an exciting academic challenge. Students are generally introduced to two international languages during their time at intermediate.

This is not a ‘taster’ programme. We expect students to be achieving at level 2 of the curriculum by the end of the year. Our goal is to engender a love of learning languages. It will also help our students make future study decisions.

A wide range of languages are offered depending on student interest. Current options are: Pacific Island languages, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, Italian and Gujarati.

For students new to New Zealand we have English for New Settlers during this time.

There is also an option of Maori language extension.

We celebrate all of our many cultures

Technology

Students attend a weekly lesson in Information and Communication Technology in our computer suite. It is a largely skills based programme covering word-processing, desktop publishing, database, the Internet and email, multi-media and graphic art.

Students have two 80 minute lessons per week of Technology.

For Hard Materials Technology students cover a variety of hard materials (wood, metal, plastics, electronics). They develop skills in the use of tools and design by making projects with a practical and decorative purpose.

For Foods Technology students  are instructed in the all basic aspects of food preparation, presentation and storage. Aspects of these lessons are related to the Health curriculum.

We have an inter-class Technology Challenge each year. Class teams compete against each other for a trophy and the right to represent the school at the Wellington regional competition.

Visual Arts

Students attend specialist Art classes weekly throughout the year. This is a programme of instruction and experimentation.

A major recent art project has been the construction of  a mosaic now on public display at Rintoul Street.

Performing Arts

All students have a single period of Performing Arts for two terms with a specialist drama teacher. There are also many opportunities for students to be involved in Performing Arts with a musical production, Festival of the Arts, Stage Challenge

Music

All pupils will have the opportunity to learn music with weekly lessons. Interested students may play in the school band or orchestra.

Private tuition is available for some instruments. Contact the school for information.

We have a school choir which practices weekly.

There is also school singing each week.

The school puts on a musical production every second year, alternating with the Festival of the Arts.

Extension Programmes

In addition to sporting and performing arts extension programmes, students are able to compete in the Australian Science, English, Writing, Computer and Mathematics examinations.

Future Problem Solving (FPS) is another option for those students with good oral and written skills and who also enjoy researching topics and thinking futuristically. This international programme can challenge the most gifted.

Some students can also take part in the scenario writing aspect of FPS. This involves short story writing.

Selected students are involved in the annual Mathswell competition.

For one week per term we depart from the timetable and focus on extension work in selected curriculum areas.

We continually seek other opportunities that may arise during the year.

Pupil Support

We have a team working to identify student needs and organize remedial programmes as appropriate. These programmes are in Language, Reading and Mathematics.

Students new to New Zealand and English take part in an intensive ESOL programme

Help is also available through counselling for students with social and/or emotional needs.

We work closely with the Specialist Education Service and parents in setting up and implementing individual education programmes for our Special Needs students.

The school also has a health nurse who holds a clinic each fortnight.

Homework

Students are expected to complete 20 minutes recreational reading each night and keep a reading log. We also have a requirement that class work not completed in class time will be completed at home. This ‘finishing off’ work has the advantage of being directly related to work done in class. This may include spelling and basic maths facts.

The main purpose of homework is for the student to develop a routine of independent study. Parent involvement is very welcome.