Prospectus

School Information​
Phone: 027 333 6186 ​
Email: admin@tahunaschool.school.nz

School Hours
8.45 am – 2.30 pm

Morning interval 10.15 am – 10.40 am
Lunch 12.30 pm – 1.15 pm

Classrooms
Our classrooms are named after some significant ships – Endeavour, Endurance and Discovery. Resolution is our library/learning space due to the addition of our new classroom Maungaturoto.

Our newest classroom is named after the waka Maungaturoto. This very old waka was excavated off the banks of the Piako River by JW Headley in 1902 and given to the care of the Morrinsville Historical Society in 1968 by Ngati Paoa.

The Waka is 17 Metres long and constructed in the 1860’s. It was built from a Totara Tree about 800 years old. Originally it was an Ocean going and ceremonial waka. Later it was cut in half and used for transporting goods on the Waihou and Piako Rivers. It was also used to transport Flax to the Mills at Tahuna and Patetonga.

We are proud of our Maungaturoto Room and our waka. Our waka is on display at the Morrinsville Library.

Home Learning
Home learning is set at the teachers discretion, however all children are expected to do some reading, spelling and basic facts learning at home on a regular basis.

School Reporting
Written reports are given out twice a year. Parent conference’s are held once a year to set and review individual achievement goals.

School Uniforms
No daily school uniform exists but children will be supplied with a Tahuna School T-shirt / jacket / pants on sports days and special occasions. Children will need to provide their own black shorts to accompany the uniform. Term 1 and Term 4. Red School hats are compulsory for any outdoor activity including sport days, this is in keeping with our Sun-Smart Policy. 

Newsletter
A newsletter is placed on the School Stream App every fortnightly. A paper copy can be requested if preferred. A Community Newsletter is published once a term and distributed.

 

Absentees 
Parents / caregivers are asked to contact the school before 9 am and validate the reason their child/ren are not attending school that day. ​We monitor absenteeism and are affiliated to the truancy service. We emphasise the need for children to have the best attendance they can. In the event your child has had vomiting or diarrhoea, a 24 hour clearance is required since the last episode has occurred before returning to school. An answerphone operates if the office is unattended.

Withdrawal of Children During School Hours

Please consider school hours when arranging appointments for your children. Teachers have planned class time for the education of your child. In some cases appointments during school hours are unavoidable. In these cases, please let the school know prior to children being collected, or in times of urgency please telephone the school. When picking children up during school hours please report to the school office before collecting your child.  If someone else is ​collecting your child from school please inform the school ahead of time. ​

School Trips

The children attend a number of sporting, social and cultural activities throughout the year. To do this we may require parents to provide transport. When transport is required parents are notified through a notice. Permission from parents / caregivers for pupils to go on trips are requested each time. Generally a signed form is returned to school giving permission.

Stationery
Stationery at the start of the year is purchased through Morrinsville Paper Plus. The school purchases an small amount of stationary to have on site. Children can purchase replacement and incidental stationary from school throughout the year, a note will be sent home for payment. As Tahuna School is part of the government donation initiative scheme we don’t request donations however if you feel you would like to give to our school, this is always appreciated.

Parent Involvement

Involving parents, caregivers and community in the learning that occurs at Tahuna School is highly valued.  We hope you feel welcome in our school environment and encourage you to contribute in any way you feel willing and able. We have an open door policy and welcome your visits to the school.  Please sign in at the school office. To ensure the smooth running of learning programmes it may be necessary to make an appointment outside of school hours if you wish to speak more formally with teachers. We acknowledge that many members of our community have tremendous skills and strengths to share with us.  We value contributions that assist us to provide a quality learning environment for our students.

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