Wainuiomata High School – Additional Information

Information A to Z
(A to W actually)

• A   Absences, Attendance
• B   Behaviour Code, Bell times, Bicycles, Breakages
• C   Canteen, Care of your possessions, Cultural activities
• D   Deans
• E   Enrolment forms, Examinations
• F   Fees, How much will it cost a Year 9 student in 2010?
• G   Guidance
• H   Help, Homework
• I    Illness
• J   Jewellery
• L   Leaving School, Library, Lockers, Lost (and stolen) property
• M   Magazine, Mobile phones, MP3 players & Ipods, Money
• P   Parent-teacher interviews
• R   Reports
• S   Skateboards, Sports, Staff, Stationery, Student Council, Student Services, Study skills
• U   Uniform
• V   Vibe Health Clinic
• W   Who should I see if I need Help?, Withdrawal from class

Absences

Students should be at school between 8.40 am and 3.00 pm. (The first bell in the morning is the time expected for arrival.) The usual reasons for absence from school are dental or medical appointments, bereavement or an emergency.

A note for absence should be given to form teachers on the day of returning to school. Notes must include:

• the date of absence
• the reason for absence

Students who are out of class without permission should expect to make up the time and their parents will be informed. More severe penalties such as Daily Report may also be given.

When a student is likely to be absent for a number of days parents/caregivers are asked to telephone Te Matariki office (Student Services): 938-3224 x 7015. Students leaving the school for appointments, e.g. dental, medical, etc. must sign out at Te Matariki office. Signing in is required on return.

Parents/caregivers who wish to remove students from school for a period of time should inform the school in advance. This is especially important for NCEA courses, because the New Zealand Qualifications Authority requires full attendance for course completion. It should be noted that students who are absent from aspects of Unit Standards courses, or assessment tasks for internally assessed credits, cannot be given estimated grades.

Attendance

Wainuiomata High School honours those who attend regularly. To succeed at school you must attend. Each term certificates will be awarded to the students who have 100 percent attendance (some exceptions may be allowed in special cases). One term of full attendance earns a Merit Award, two consecutive terms a Bronze, three terms a Silver and four terms a Gold Award. Juniors who achieve Gold also have a "Day Out” from school, Ten Pin Bowling and a movie. Seniors will be taken out to lunch.

Behaviour Code

This behaviour code was developed by students from Parkway and Wainuiomata Colleges in preparation for the merger of the two colleges in 2002.

Bell Times 2010

Wainuiomata High School runs a 10 day timetable - Week A and Week B. There are 5 periods a day, each one an hour (or almost an hour - 45, 50 or 55 minutes) long, and extra time-slots for Form Periods, Staff Development, Assemblies and Silent Reading or the Aspire programme.

For staff the normal start time is at 8.25 am (Staff Meeting). For students the normal start time is at 8.45 am (Form Period), except on Wednesdays, when staff meet at 8.15 am for Professional Development and students start at 9.30 am for Form Period. School finishes each day at 3.00 pm. Details are below:

Bicycles

Bicycles are to be parked in the racks provided. Students should lock their bicycles. The bike stands are out of bounds during class time. No cycle may be ridden through the school grounds. Cycle helmets must be worn.

Breakages

All breakages, e.g. furniture, windows, etc. must be reported to the teacher occupying the room or a Deputy Principal. Pupils who damage school property are liable for the cost of replacement or repair. Bills to cover breakages will be sent via the Business Manager.

Canteen

The canteen will be open daily at intervals and lunchtime. It stocks a wide range of food and drinks. Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds at interval or lunchtime.

Care of Your Possessions

All clothing and equipment should be clearly named. Students must take care of their possessions. This includes books, bags, pencil cases, PE gear, jackets. All students are warned against leaving their possessions unattended during lunchtime and interval. Please don't bring valuable items to school. Money may be handed to the school office or form teachers for safekeeping. Any missing items should be reported immediately to the school office.

Cultural Activities

Wainuiomata High School provides a considerable number of cultural and leisure activities. Others may be established as student needs are known. Groups currently active include:

Deans

Each form level has one or two deans. They play a very important part in student lives, counselling and advising them about problems associated with school. Deans also have a discipline role and carry out administrative tasks. If students have a problem with an aspect of school their Deans are there to help. Information on how to contact them is on our Contacts page

• Year 9 - Sandra Beaubien & Richard Hatcliffe
• Year 10 - John Paul Powley & Fiona Waitere
• Year 11 - Nick Gartell & Lauren Percy
• Year 12 - Simon Croft
• Year 13 - Simon Younger

Enrolment Form

Enrolment forms are available from the High School office. Or you can download the enrolment form as an MS Word file from this link: Enrolment Form

Please print the document, fill it out and return it to Wainuiomata High School for processing.

Examinations

School examinations are held:

• Term 3 for Years 11, 12 and 13
• Late in Term 4 for Years 9 and 10

Entries for National Certificates in Educational Achievement (NCEA) are organised for the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) by the school NZQA Liaison Teacher, Mrs Melrose, to whom any enquiries should be addressed. Students are warned that they must adhere to the various deadlines as penalties are charged by NZQA.

It is school policy to strongly encourage students to enter for NZQA examinations in all subjects they are taking at school.

Fees

1. General or Activity Fee - This fee covers part of the cost of sports equipment, library books, school magazine and other educational, cultural and recreational activities that aren't funded well enough by the government.
   Juniors (Yrs 9 & 10): $80 Activity fee plus $14 (for ID Card and Printer Credits). Year 10 Technology options will have additional fees.
   Seniors (Yrs 11-13): $80 Activity fee plus $14 (for ID Card and Printer Credits). Additional subject fees apply for some courses.
2. NZQA Fees - There are costs associated with the administration of external examinations and credits for the NZ Qualifications Authority's Units of Learning.

Details of various fees, and information on equipment and stationery required for courses at different year levels, can be accessed from our Fees page, or by clicking on the links below.

• Year 9
• Year 10
• Year 11
• Year 12
• Year 13

How much will it cost a Year 9 student in 2010?

More information on fees and stationery requirements has been sent out to the families of students who enrolled last year. You can also see it online here, or you can download it as an MS Word file from this link: Year 9 Fees 2010

More information is available from the High School office - ph.938-3224.

Guidance

The school provides a comprehensive guidance service to meet the various personal, academic and career needs of students.

The first link in the guidance network is the Form Teacher (phone 938-3224 to leave a message, and we will call you back). At each year level there are one or two Deans who allocate students to forms, confirm courses of study, counsel students and deal with discipline matters.

Students (or parents) who need counselling or advice may wish to consult:

• The Guidance Counsellor - Sue Mortimer
• The Social Worker - Mrs Liz Budd
• The Careers Advisor - Mrs Wilson

Help

Who I should see if I need help:

• Any problems - Dean, Form Teacher, Counsellor or Social Worker
• Buy Uniform - the Office
• Careers - Mrs Wilson
• Course problems/changes - Dean
• Drama and stage activities - Mr Hotter
• Extra help in subject - Class Teacher or Head of Faculty
• Fees - Business Manager
• Joining a sports team - Mr Cowan
• Lost property - Te Matariki
• Medical help - Te Matariki
• Music lessons - Mr Prowse
• NZQA - Mrs Melrose
• Organising my time - Form Teacher
• Sign in/out - Te Matariki
• Uniform Problems - Mrs O'Neill

Homework

All students are expected to do homework on a regular basis. This work complements the work of the classroom. It may take various forms, from the revision and finishing of class work to the completion of additional assignments.

Students should use their Student Diary to help record and plan homework commitments. This diary should be used at all form levels.

A Homework Centre is held in the Library, Tuesday to Friday afternoons, 3.30 to 5.00 pm. In this time students can do homework, study and use the resources of the Library (including computers and the Internet) with a teacher available for help.

Illness at School

If a student becomes ill at school they should report to Te Matariki, Student Services Office. If this is during class time they should bring a note from the subject teacher. Parents will be informed as appropriate.

Jewellery

Students are permitted to wear one small ring, a single small earring (up to 1cm diameter) or stud in each ear, and a necklace or taonga. Students will not, under any circumstances, be permitted to have any other jewellery. This includes no facial piercings, nose studs or eyebrow rings.

Leaving School

Students who wish to leave school during the year, either because they are over 16 or are going to another school, must obtain a Leaving Clearance form at the main office. The student must return all textbooks to his/her subject teachers, take books back to the library, pay any outstanding fees, etc. When all signatures are completed on the form, it is returned to the Dean.

At the end of each year students in Years 11, 12 and 13 are also required to sign out, and complete a similar process to that above - all textbooks and library books are returned or replacements paid for, and fees paid. The Form Teacher issues the sign out clearance. Students are warned that if they do not complete signing out they will not be enrolled again the next year until the process is completed.

Library Resource Centre

See our Library page

• Librarian: Mrs R. Carman
• Assistant Librarian: Mrs M. Carman

The library is open daily at interval, at lunchtime and after school. On Wednesdays the library will open at 8.45 am. The library is the resource centre of the school and as such offers all the facilities of a modem information/resource centre with qualified, friendly and helpful staff; hi-tech information retrieval systems; access to other libraries; up to date resources; well stocked fiction section; photocopier; computers and Internet access.

Lockers

Lockers are available. You must pay a $10 deposit/bond (see main office).

Lost and Stolen Property

All belongings should be named. Any item that is lost should be reported and searched for immediately. Report anything lost to the school office, and our Deputy Principals will be informed.

Magazine

The school magazine The Phoenix is an important record of the year's activities and student achievement. It is available for purchase in November.

Mobile Phones, MP3s, IPods

Mobile phones and portable music players are not permitted at Wainuiomata High School. Students found with phones or music players will have them impounded. They will only be returned when a parent or caregiver comes to school to collect them.

Money

Please don't leave money in bags or in classrooms, etc. If you have to bring money to school it would be best if it was looked after at the school office.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Caregivers are encouraged to attend these. They are held twice each year, after reports are issued. These are a valuable opportunity for caregivers to gain greater detail on, and insight into, student progress at school. Dates and times will be advertised.

Reports

Reports are issued for all students in Term 1 and at the end of Term 2. Reports for Seniors are issued at the end of Term 3 and for Juniors at the end of Term 4.

Skateboards

No skateboards are allowed at Wainuiomata High School. They should be passed to a Deputy Principal or to the Te Matariki office for safe keeping at the start of the day.

Sports

The school offers a very wide range of sporting activities. Students are encouraged to participate and parental assistance is highly valued. Activities include:

Contact the Sports Coordinator, Mr Peter Cowan, for more information (see our Contacts page).

Staff

See our Staff page

Stationery

A list of stationery requirements is issued when you enrol, or on the first day of school. Requirements for each year level and subject are available on this website here.

Student Council

This is a forum for the expression of ideas. It discusses problems and develops concepts to improve the school as a place of learning. It also plays a part in various activities and organises mufti days.

The Council structure is:

• The Student Leaders
• Two elected representatives from each year level.
• Two sports representatives.
• The Student Representative on the Board of Trustees.

The two Student Leaders share the position of Chairperson. Students are encouraged to pass ideas and concerns to members of the Student Council.

Student Services

See our Student Services page

This specially designed building is a unique feature of Wainuiomata High School. It brings together a wide range of services available for students and parents. By having all these services together we can better cater for the varied needs of all our students.

Study Skills

• Set specific, achievable goals - aim high.
• Plan to do homework at a set time.
• Do a five minute revision on each subject.
• Make your own notes.
• Use colour, signs, drawings - they can help you to remember.
• Have a place set aside for schoolwork only.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Have good lighting.
• Do at least an hour and a half each night.
• Read the newspaper.
• Watch the news.
• Tell someone else what you have learned - that helps you to understand it.
• Say affirmations like:
  - I am well organised.
  - I finish my work
  - I concentrate in class

School Uniform

Uniform is compulsory for all students. Wainuiomata High School insists on a high standard of uniform. All students will be expected to wear the uniform with pride including shirts tucked in for boys, and the tie to be worn correctly (at the base of the collar).

All uniform must be purchased through the school uniform shop (with one or two exceptions as indicated below). Parents purchasing uniform elsewhere risk it not being accepted by the school.

Full details of uniform requirements are available on our Uniform page.

Sports Uniform

The WHS sports uniforms have been partly sponsored by Canterbury NZ and almost all of our sports gear has been purchased through this company, including large numbers of tracksuits which all the premier sports teams wear for the season.

Jewellery

Students are permitted to wear one small ring, a single small earring (up to 1cm in diameter) or stud in each ear, and a necklace or taonga. Students will not, under any circumstances, be permitted to have any other jewellery. This includes no facial piercings, nose studs or eyebrow rings.

Who should I see if I need help?

• Any problems - Dean, Form Teacher, Counsellor or Social Worker
• Buy Uniform - the Office
• Careers - Mrs Wilson
• Course problems/changes - Dean
• Drama and stage activities - Mr Hotter
• Extra help in subject - Class Teacher or Head of Faculty
• Fees - Business Manager
• Joining a sports team - Mr Cowan
• Lost property - Te Matariki
• Medical help - Te Matariki
• Music lessons - Mr Prowse
• NZQA - Mrs Melrose
• Organising my time - Form Teacher
• Sign in/out - Te Matariki
• Uniform Problems - Mrs O'Neill

Withdrawal from Class

Students have a right to learn in an environment undisturbed by others.

If students do not behave in an acceptable manner in class they may be removed. Such students will be given a Class Removal Sheet and must report to the room indicated. Students must work quietly there as directed by the class teacher on duty.

Details of students who are sent out of class will be referred to Deans. Constant disruption may lead to a student being placed in the Time Out room, or given more severe penalties.