2010 PROSPECTUS

Tokoroa Intermediate School has developed a proud history since its opening in 1962. The school believes in setting high standards in all areas of school life and has gained a reputation for its academic, sporting and cultural successes. School programmes provide students with a wide range of opportunities and experiences to encourage them to develop as individuals and gain the confidence to face the challenges of an ever-changing world.

To attain high standards by providing successful educational, sporting, cultural and leadership experiences that ensures Tokoroa Intermediate remains the first choice for parents and students

TERMS AND VACATIONS - 2010
The following terms and vacations have been fixed for our School for 2010.

FIRST TERM
- Commences Tuesday 2^nd February (all children will attend this day) to Thursday 1^st April.
               - Vacation: Friday 2^nd April (Good Friday) to Sunday 18^th April.

SECOND TERM
- Commences on Monday 19^th April to Friday 2^nd July.
                - Vacation: Saturday 3^rd July to Sunday 18^th July.

THIRD TERM
- School commences on Monday 19^th July to Friday 24^th September.
                - Vacation: Saturday 25^th September to Sunday 15^th October.

FOURTH TERM
- Commences Monday 11^th October to Thursday 15^th December.

top

STATUTORY HOLIDAYS
Auckland Anniversary Day ..................................................Monday, 1^st February 2010
Waitangi Day ......................................................................Friday, 6^th February 2010
Good Friday .......................................................................Friday, 2^nd April 2010
Easter Monday (school holidays) .........................................Monday, 5^th April 2010
Easter Tuesday (school holidays) .........................................Tuesday, 6^th April 2010
ANZAC Day (school holidays) ...........................................Saturday, 25^th April 2010
Queens Birthday .................................................................Monday, 7^th June 2010
Labour Day ........................................................................Monday 25^th October 2010

There has been provision for two teacher only days to be included in the 2010 school year. These dates will be advised.

top

TOKOROA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL PROGRAMME

Our school has a number of programmes and activities which provide students with a wide variety of learning opportunities and cultural and sporting activities. Many of the cultural and sporting activities involve the children in out of school time.
There is balance between the academic, sporting and cultural programmes.

Organisation
On entering Tokoroa Intermediate School children are placed in a Year 7 (Form I) class. On occasions, because of numbers, it is necessary to have a composite class - a Year 7 and 8 (Form I and 2). Classes work together in groups ranging from 3 to 4 classes. These are called syndicates.

Curriculum Coverage
All children cover the National Curriculum requirements.
The children build on and extend the scope of the work carried out in the primary schools. There is special attention paid to the core curriculum areas of language, reading and mathematics. The establishment of sound work habits to equip the students for their further education is seen as important.

A number of new programmes are introduced to the students at intermediate. They include:

1. Technology - Arts.
             This is broken into 4 areas:

                    * Food Technology and aspects of Health.

                    * Materials Technology (Wood and Metal).

                    * Electronics and Computer Studies.

                    * Art and Music.



2. Elective programme in Terms 2 and 3 which utilise the strengths and interests of the teachers and the wishes of the students to provide educational, cultural or recreational activities.

Student Support Programmes
Programmes are also in place in reading and language to assist children who have learning difficulties in these subjects. Students are withdrawn from their class in small groups with teachers.

Teacher aides are also employed to work alongside some students in the classroom.

For students who require additional practise with their reading, voluntary Reading Tutors come into the school to work 1:1 with these students.

Extension Programmes
Students whose parents wish them to have Te Reo Maori (Maori language) are withdrawn from classes for this to occur.

There are extension and enrichment programmes in:

• Mathematics
• Language
• Te Reo Maori
• Information Communication Technology (primarily computers)
• Art and Music
• Japanese

Cultural
The school has very strong Kapa Haka and Polynesian groups. They participate in the Tokoroa Polynesian Festival as well as school activities. Recently they have performed in area cultural festivals.

During the 2 years students are at Tokoroa Intermediate they have the opportunity to be involved in an operetta. The next operetta is planned for 2010.

As the need arises other activities and programmes are introduced.

Sporting
There are a variety of summer and winter sports catered for during lunchtimes as well as during sports periods on Thursday afternoons in Terms 1, part of Term 2 and Term 4.

Inter-class sport, which creates a great deal of interest, takes place during lunch hours.

School teams participate in netball, hockey, basketball and soccer competitions.

The school takes an active part in the Waikato Intermediate Schools Sports days. These are spaced at regular intervals throughout the year and include 17 sports. Our school has established a proud record in Waikato Intermediate sport during the last 13 years.

Sportsmanship is seen as an integral part of all sport the students are involved in, and we embrace the “Fair Play Charter” Code of Conduct.

Leadership
The fostering of leadership qualities is seen as an important part of the children's education. This takes place primarily through the School House system, School Council, cultural activities and sport.

Health and Student Welfare
A school Health and Physical Well-Being Programme has been developed to cover the requirements of the new curriculum. Parent consultation was a part of this process. The programme aims at developing the skills, knowledge and attitude required for students to cope with the ever-changing world as emerging adolescents.

Self Referral Clinic
The school has a self referral health clinic run by the Public Health Nurse on Tuesday afternoons. Students need to make an appointment through the school office.

top

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT
Physical education and sport is a compulsory part of the Health and Physical Wellbeing curriculum. Students who are unable to participate in this area of the curriculum must have a signed note from home explaining this.

If a child is unable to take part in phys-ed or sport for any length of time a student must have a note from his/her doctor.

For hygiene reasons students must change into their physical education uniform for physical education and sport.

EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM (E.O.T.C.)
This involves students being involved in programmes outside the school grounds. It may involve day trips around Tokoroa or programmes outside Tokoroa. On occasions it will involve overnight stays. All students will be involved in this programme.

• Year 7 students will have a class and syndicate bonding programme early in Term 1.  This will often include a science study.
• There will be other E.O.T.C. excursions during the year, which will have a curriculum (subject) focus.

The total E.O.T.C. programmes for 2010 will not exceed $120.00 per student. Parents/guardians will be advised of the Term 1, 2010 programme prior to the end of the 2009 school year and the full year’s programme will be supplied early in Term 1, 2010.

For safety reasons parent help is also required to enable E.O.T.C. trips to proceed.  It is also important that parents/guardians fill in permission slips and make the payments in the time frame provided.

top

REPORTS AND PARENT INTERVIEWS
"Settling In " Reports will be issued to all parents in mid March and parents will have the opportunity of meeting teachers after these are given out.

A Mid-Year Report and interview afternoon/evening to discuss half-year reports and progress of the children will take place at the end of Term 2. Interviews are of assistance to both parents and teachers as each has a knowledge that will help the other to a fuller understanding of the child's needs.

The final report for the year is given out in the last week of the school year.

Parents are welcome to contact the school at any time to discuss their child's progress or any problems which may occur.

This reporting is currently being reviewed in light of the National Standards and Reporting. You will be kept informed of any changes.

top

SCHOOL DISCIPLINE
A school wide discipline plan for both in-class and out-of-class behaviour is in operation to provide consistency throughout the school and to outline to the students and parents what the rules are and the consequences if they are broken. A reward system is an important part of the programme.

The majority of the rules are ones in operation in most primary schools and are aimed at enhancing learning, for the safety and well-being of all children and the protection of personal and school property.

Parents will be supplied with a copy of the rules early in the school year.

Finishing School (after school detention), which is from 3:15 -3:45pm, is a part of the school Discipline Plan and is a form of detention, under teacher supervision where the children are given school work to do. Attendance is the result of consequences as a part of the school discipline plan.

The students may phone home before going to Finishing School and will have a note to explain their late arrival home. Bus children will carry out their detention during lunchtimes if they are unable to do it after school.  To ensure parents are aware that their child has attended after school detention the Finishing School slip must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to school.

Parents of children who regularly attend "Finishing School" will receive a letter outlining the school’s concerns and inviting parents to contact the school to discuss the problems.

A time out area outside the staffroom is used for playground misbehaviour where students need to sit down for a short period of time to avoid more serious consequences.

Students, who are being disruptive during intervals/lunchtimes and are refusing to abide by school rules or show a necessary attitude change, are placed in an isolation area.

top

BULLYING
The school had developed an anti-bullying policy and programme in an effort to eliminate bullying in the school. This includes both physical and verbal bullying. We believe all children have the right to be safe when they come to school. Student surveys are also carried out in an endeavour to identify students who are responsible so appropriate action can be taken.

top

GRAFFITI
We have a Graffiti Policy aimed at eliminating graffiti at our school. Since the introduction of this policy there has been a marked reduction in graffiti. Personal gear, which includes clothing, books, bags etc which have graffiti on them are not allowed at school.

top

ASSEMBLIES
Assemblies are a regular part of the school programme and are used to:

• develop personal pride as well as pride in the school
• give leadership opportunities
• convey messages to all students
• to practise singing
• to recognise student achievement in academic, sport and cultural endeavours as well for desirable behaviour

PRIZE GIVING
At the end of the year the children are recognised for their achievements at school in the academic, sporting, cultural and leadership fields. There are also citizenship awards.

top

SYSTEM OF BELLS

• 8:50am - Commence Morning Classes
• 10:25am - Morning Recess
• 10:45am - Recess Ends
• 12:10pm - Lunch Bell
• 12:10 - 12:20pm - Lunch in Class
• 12:20 - 1:10pm - Students released for play
• 1:10pm - Commence Afternoon classes
• 3:10pm - End of School Day

PERMISSION TO LEAVE GROUNDS
To enable parents and teachers to know where all pupils are during the school day, students are not to leave the school grounds without authority. This will take place as a result of a phone call or written request from the parent to the school. Permission to leave during the lunch hour will be granted by means of a lunch pass which will be issued upon receipt of a written request from the parent or guardian. This only entitles the pupil to go to their home.

top

ATTENDANCE
To enable students to make the educational progress they are capable of, high levels of attendance are necessary.  Absence does not only hamper learning on the day students are away from school but also impacts on their learning once they return to school because of the work they have missed.

ABSENCE
It is the legal responsibility of parents/guardians to send school age children to school.  Illness and family bereavement are the only legal reasons students may be absent. Shopping, visiting relatives, inclement weather, getting out of bed late, etc, are not acceptable reasons.

It is the responsibility of the Principal to advise the Board of Trustees of absenteeism not satisfactorily explained as illness, based on Statute Law. The attendance regulations are necessary to enable your child to gain full value from the programme offered by the school.

As regular checks are made of absentees we would appreciate it if parents contact the school the day that children are away. This saves time ringing parents or having the Truancy Service visit home to check on reasons for absenteeism.

There is a Community Truancy Service which regularly patrol Tokoroa. They have authority to pick up truants they find. Schools also contact the Truancy Officers to carry out home visits of children not at school.

We are also working with the Ministry of Education on improving student attendance.  Attendance incentive schemes are in place and will be outlined in newsletters.

top

SCHOOL FEES / DONATIONS
A donation is required to supplement the Operations Grant paid to schools by the Ministry of Education to provide the programmes in place.

Approximately 70% of this money is allocated to the Technology Arts area of the school. These fees will cover the cost of all projects made by the students.

School Fees for 2010 are:

• 1 child $50.00
• 2 children $45.00 per pupil
• 3 children $40.00 per pupil

  If fees are paid before the end of Term 1 there will be a $5.00 discount.

WE DEPEND ON SCHOOL FEES IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE PROGRAMMES for your child as the Government Grant falls far short of the amount required.

A paper fee of $5.00 per pupil is charged to help offset the cost of the photocopying for the children. This is added to the stationery list.

Some parents/guardians find that paying school fees/donations and the Education Outside the Classroom money by automatic payment through their bank over several months the most convenient method. If you contact the school we can organise this. If the automatic payment process is in action in the first term you receive the $5.00 discount on school fees.

An up-to-date financial position is available from the secretary of accounts (school office) for parents who have automatic payments in place.

School T Shirts are available from the School Office for $20.00.

top

NEWSLETTERS
These will be issued every Wednesday and will keep parents/guardians up to date on what is happening at school.
The school web site (www.tokoroa.school.nz) includes school newsletters as well as other information on the school and examples of students work.

top

DAMAGE TO SCHOOL PROPERTY
Wilful damage or damage to school property as a result of misbehaviour will be a charge to the parents/guardians.

top

BICYCLES
All bicycles brought to school must have a lock to ensure their safe keeping at school . The school has erected a fence around the bicycle stands to minimise damage and interference to bicycles. The wearing of cycle helmets to and from school is compulsory.

top

CANTEEN
There is a canteen at School which carries a wide range of foodstuffs and drinks. The canteen complies with the Healthy Food criteria.  Staff have gone to considerable effort to source healthy, tasty options.

top

BOOK ROOM
For convenience the school operates a Book Room for all the usual stationery requirements. These items of stationery are sold at the ruling RETAIL PRICE of our local stationers, thus there is no reason why pupils cannot be fully equipped at all times for the classroom work.

Through our stationery supplier we are once again competitive with the Warehouse and other retailers at the beginning of the year. As we have committed ourselves to provide cheap stationery for parents, we hope you will support the school by purchasing your school material from us.  To maintain school-wide consistency the school has decided on specific books for each subject.  If you decide to purchase books from sources other than the school, make sure you obtain a stationery list to ensure your child has the correct books.

The stationery list will be provided to parents / guardians on the first day of the school year.

The initial book list at the start of the year is intended to cover most of the year's requirements. Any additional material will depend on usage.

top

ILLNESS AND ACCIDENTS AT SCHOOL
If a child becomes ill at school we shall endeavour to get in touch with parents.  If we are unable to make contact, we will then try the emergency person listed on the enrolment form.  If this fails the Principal will use his discretion about getting medical aid.  If parents change addresses, or phone numbers, we need to know in case of emergencies.  To avoid any unnecessary delays and misunderstandings, it would be appreciated if parents who know of any ill health in their children would let us know on enrolment. It is also necessary to know where parents can be contacted (if working).

top

Optional for all children

• Red & grey regulation school tracksuit – available from school for $115.00 (Jackets $75.00, Pants $40.00)
• Red V Neck woollen/acrylic jersey
• Regulation school monogrammed red polar fleece top

Compulsory for all children (Phys Ed)

• Red school T-shirt (with school logo) – available from school for $20.00 or plain red T-shirt
• Plain black shorts

Boys Summer

• White polo type (Bob Charles) short sleeved knit shirt
• Mid grey shorts
• Plain black Roman sandals (without socks) or plain black leather lace up shoes (not track shoes) and grey socks with two red bands.  Shoes need to be plain without labels or coloured stitching.

Boys Winter

• White roll neck skivvy or white polo type short sleeved knit shirt.
• Grey summer shorts or grey winter shorts
• Plain black leather lace up shoes (not track shoes) and grey socks with two red bands. Shoes need to be plain without labels or coloured stitching.

Girls Summer

• Red and white check tetron-cotton skirt or culottes (McCalls' pattern)
• White polo type (Bob Charles) short sleeved knit shirt
• Plain black Roman sandals (without socks) or plain black leather lace up shoes (not track shoes ) and white socks (above ankle - below knee) Shoes need to be plain without labels or coloured stitching.

Girls Winter

• Grey skirt or culottes in same pattern as the summer uniform
• White roll neck skivvy or white polo type short sleeved knit shirt
• Plain black leather lace up shoes (not track shoes) and plain white socks (above ankle - below knee) Shoes need to be plain without labels or coloured stitching.

School tracksuits for boys and girls can be worn during intervals and lunchtimes and for school sport trips. These can be worn as part of the winter uniform. Jackets can be worn all year but not inside the classrooms. Tracksuit pants are not part of the summer uniform.

Uniforms are available from Tokoroa Men’s and Boys’ Wear.

Summer uniforms are worn during the first term and fourth term. Winter uniforms are worn in the interim period. There is a two-week change over period. All students are encouraged to wear hats during the summer months.

 A second hand uniform sale will be held at the school - in the Cooking Room - on Tuesday 26^th January, 2010 from 10:30am to 1:00pm and Thursday 28^th January from 11:30am to 11:30pm.

ALL BOYS AND GIRLS ARE REQUIRED TO CHANGE FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT.

Technology-Arts Requirements:
Shoes which are of a closed type (not sandals) must be worn in these workshops. This is for safety reasons. Students without suitable footwear will not be able to carry out programmes in these rooms. Students must also have their hair trimmed to a safe length or wear a hairnet. These rules are for the students own protection and Ministry requirements.

All items of clothing should be clearly named.  It is also important that expensive starter jackets and caps are not brought to school. The school cannot be held responsible if they go missing.  School uniforms, which include phys-ed gear, are not to be written on - (signed by others).

The only jewellery that can be worn to school is a watch, signet ring, taonga. Children with pierced ears may wear a maximum of 2 studs. Taonga must be worn inside school uniforms.

Schools are not the venue for showing off the latest fashion and from time to time the Board of Trustees will advise parents of fashion which is not acceptable. Hair must be of the students natural colour and not have accessories which are a safety concern or to make a fashion statement.

Children are not permitted to bring walkman, iPods, MP3 players, ghetto blasters or other such personal items to school. The school will not accept any responsibility for them if they are stolen or broken.

If it is necessary for students to bring cellphones to school, they must be handed into the office on arriving at school and collect them on leaving school.

top