Prospectus
Prospectus 2010
By M. Debney
10 Sep 2009, 15:10

SOUTH WELLINGTON

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

“Act well your part. There all the honour lies.”

Prospectus 2010

Staff

PRINCIPAL     Mr. Mike Debney        Chinese Language.

D. P.                 Miss Christine Sangster R.12: Mathematics, Music, French, FPS.

D. P.                 Mrs. Kathryn Smith  Rm 9: Social Studies, Mathematics, Chinese.

SNR TEACHER Mrs. Mary Tristram  Rm 6: Science, Mathematics, German, Library.

SNR TEACHER  Mr. Pat O’Connell   Rm 10: P.E., Mathematics, Spanish.

TEACHERS

Mr. Chris Hickey                 Rm 2,  Social Studies, Japanese, Mathematics.

Mr. Michael Stewart            Rm 3,  P.E., Mathematics, Spanish

Miss Mandy Carwell-Cooke   Rm 4,  Performing Arts, Mathematics.

To be appointed                 Rm 7, Social Studies, Mathematics.

To be appointed                  Rm 8,  Science, Mathematics, French.

Mr. Cameron Clarke            Rm 11 , Science, Social Studies, Mathematics, Latin.

Ms Rea Ropiha                   Art, Te Reo, Mathematics.

Ms. Cathie Gasson              Food & Fabric Technology, Mathematics.

Mr. Andrew Cannell             Hard Materials Technology, Mechanics, Mathematics.

NON-TEACHING STAFF

Mrs. Dianna Meates            Reception, Administration, Sec. Board of Trustees, Pupil Support.

Mrs. Gita Chhiba                 Financial Assistant, Administration, Reception.

Mrs. Fanaga Elesoni            Pupil Support, ESOL, Pacific languages.

Mrs. Jill Toseland                Library Assistant, Pupil Support.

Mrs. Anna Onofriou             Pupil Support, canteen, lunches.

Mrs. Helena Tihanyi             Pupil support.

Mr. Andrew Fawcet             Caretaker.

Board of Trustees

Parents are very welcome to attend Board meetings advertised in our newsletters and to contact Board members if you have any concern or suggestions.

Lynn McBain       (Chairperson)             027 241 4082

Lindsay Daysh                             027 261 5840

Eryl Jones                                  383 6235

Barry White                                        021 477 663

Greetings, Kia ora, Talofa lava, Namaste, Ciao, Kia orana, Yia sas, Fakaloa atu, Aloha, Bonjour, Konnichi wa, Marhaba, Hoi, Tei ho, Guten Tag, Hola, Nabad, Shalom, Jambo, An-Yeong-Ha Se Yo, Hosayo, Ni hao, Assalamu Aleikum, Skewran, Shlamalokhu, Malo e Lelei, Dobar Dan, God dag

The SWIS Intermediate School System

Targeting the Emerging Adolescent

The transition from childhood to adolescence marks one of the most significant stages in human development. These ‘middle years’ are a crucial time when the child has specific developmental needs.

South Wellington Intermediate School provides a learning environment that is dedicated solely to the special needs of this group. All of our school’s resources and the school organisation are focused on the needs of the emerging adolescent.

We continue the development begun in primary school but add a new range of learning opportunities to meet the broadening interests and developmental requirements of our students.

These learning opportunities involve in-depth teaching programmes designed to meet the needs of all emerging adolescents regardless of their intellectual ability. Slower developers are encouraged to reach their full potential before advancing to secondary school while other children will expand their knowledge in more specific areas in a wide range of fields.

The unique educational structure of South Wellington Intermediate School builds a solid foundation for the emerging adolescent by allowing increasing specialisation but retaining a strong link to a home room.

The needs of the child are always the focus.

Mike Debney

Principal

Academic Achievement

Ongoing Reading data analysis shows extremely high achievement levels overall and students make significant progress while they are with us. We remain concerned, however, that being a multi-cultural school, we have a significant group of students who need extra help. We have literacy as a professional development focus to ensure they get the best help available.

Each year data shows our students enter SWIS achieving above the national average and we take them further.

More details are available on our website under Annual Reports.

Welcome to South Wellington Intermediate School

The following information is to assist you in your dealings with the school and to make you aware of the many opportunities available to your child. South Wellington Intermediate School caters for the special needs of the emerging adolescent age group.

Students will be challenged with opportunities to participate in a range of academic, cultural and physical programmes. By increasing subject specialization, we provide precision teaching and prepare students for future learning.

We believe every student is unique and deserves warmth, respect and acceptance from others.

We believe every student has the right to equal opportunities.

We believe every student deserves to be challenged to reach their potential.

Our school is recognized as an educational leader in the scope and quality of the educational experiences it offers and as a national leader in international languages.

We are confident that students enjoy the South Wellington Intermediate experience and will leave with high expectations for their continued personal growth and educational success.

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 information on your child, and parents are welcome to contact the principal if they have further information that may affect their child’s successful placement. Each placement is carefully considered.

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.

Mission Statement:

“Developing the skills for life and learning.”

Open Door Policy

Parents/caregivers who wish to speak to a teacher or the principal on any matter are welcome to make an appointment. Parents/caregivers are also 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.

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 meet new parents who could give up a little of their time to help the school.

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 and School Diary that is used for notices, reminders and 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, Music and Performing Arts, students work in their own year groups. (i.e. Year 7 or Year 8). Technology has smaller mixed groups.

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 Health. 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 the child’s secondary education.

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.

Chess  club.

Choice of tuition in nine international languages.

Extensive Pupil Support programme.

Variety of extension programmes including Future Problem Solving.

School camps, ski trip, wilderness experience.

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

Mechanics teams constructing go-karts.

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.

There are two 40 minute breaks during the day; 11.00am—11.40am, and 1.00pm—1.40pm.

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 vision tests. They will also have DTA-IPV vaccinations with your signed consent.

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 the school year.

We have a canteen available for students at morning interval three days per week. 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. EFT-POS, 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 $110.00. 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 September. The second is a wilderness experience in the Marlborough Sounds in December. Each trip costs about $300. Students will have the opportunity to undertake fundraising to contribute towards these.

Term Dates 2010

Term 1     

Tuesday 2 February — Thursday 1 April

Term 2    

Monday 19 April — Friday 2 July

Term 3    

Monday 19 July   — Friday 24 September

Term 4    

Monday 11 October — Wednesday 15 December

Public Holidays

Waitangi Day             06 February

Good Friday                02 April     

Easter Mon                 05 April     

ANZAC Day                25 April             

Queen’s Birthday         07 June             

Labour Day                25 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 or pockets.

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.

 ipods, MPS players 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 Gita.

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 with teacher permission.

Uniform

All uniform items are sold at school. 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                       $45.00              

School shorts                              $25.00

Polo shirt                                    $25.00              

Taslon black longs                       $40.00

PE shorts (black)                         $20.00              

P.E.  T shirt                                        $25.00

V neck sweat shirt                       $35.00              

Embroidered beanie                     $10.00

Bucket hat                                 $12.00

Uniform Sale days:          

Saturday 5th December, 2009, 10.00am—3.00pm.

Thursday 28th January, 2010, 4.00pm—8.00pm.

Uniform may be also purchased during the school day. Contact the office.

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.

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, and 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. There is also a Maths homework sheet issued on Thursdays and marked the following Wednesday. Students also complete independent study projects such as the Science Fair and Speech Contest.

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

Discipline

Our discipline system is based on a system to “Student rights and Responsibilities”.  We believe that all students at our school are entitled to have their rights protected and we work energetically to ensure this.

Parents are immediately contacted if a disciplinary concern arises. The best solutions are found together. Our system leads towards self discipline.

SOUTH WELLINGTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

30 Waripori Street

Newtown

Wellington    

phone: (04) 939 9872

fax:              (04) 939 9870

E-Mail:          swis@paradise.net.nz

www.swis.school.nz

Vision

 At South Wellington Intermediate School we will provide a holistic approach to teaching and learning appropriate to the age of the students at our school. We believe all students should be given the opportunity to enable them to achieve to the best of their ability in a wide range of activities and learning situations. We will emphasise the development of self esteem, integrity, honesty and a positive attitude to learning.

School Charter