welcome
Information Booklet
Find out more at www.myrossbush.school.nz
Welcome to Myross Bush School... Myross Bush School is situated on the outskirts of Invercargill in rural farmland. The school site covers 4 hectares (approximately 10 acres) giving space for 2 fields, staff and parent carparks, a tennis court, PE shed, large adventure course and smaller playground, numerous covered sandpits, aviary, Activity
Centre (hall/gymnasium), office administration block, Library and 4 innovative learning environments (equivalent to 8 classroom spaces). We cater for students Year 1-6 and employ 8 full time teaching staff each working in pairs in our collaborative team teaching environments. Our roll peaks each year at approximately 200 students. Every child has something to offer, a unique capability, a special contribution that only they can bring. As psychologist Carl Rogers once argued, all children should be unconditionally accepted with positive regard. Children need to know that they are valued for who they are, not just for what they do, and that they are accepted into the community of learning. They need to know that school is just the start of their journey of discovery and that failure is just another way of learning how to get it right in the end.
Our Vision
We promote an open family environment and invite you to visit us so you can see the school in action for yourself. I am happy to answer any questions you may have and to show you around. Myross Bush School is a special place!
Regards Jamin Lietze Principal
From strong foundations we grow and stand tall together Kia tu Pakari
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Teaching them tenacity, patience, the ability to apply creative solutions to problems and positive regard for their peers, is infinitely more rewarding and important than basic cognitive skills. Getting that balance right is our challenge as educators and while our school buildings might look traditional outside what we do inside them is not.
Our school values
Our Vision for Learning
are the foundation is toofdevelop ACTIVE LEARNERS. our
Myross Bush School School Culture Our community have expressed the following beliefs in the way they wanted their children to be supported at Myross Bush School throughout their schooling. # Well supported, highly skilled and enthusiastic staff is our school’s most valuable resource. # A good grounding in Literacy and Numeracy will give children a sound basis for future learning.
Bush area. It grows up to 60m tall and is also known as ‘white pine’.
# Children should take increasing responsibility for their learning to enable them to be life long learners.
Kotahitanga “Getting along together”
# The diverse nature of individual children will be acknowledged and catered for.
Ngakau Tapatahi “Doing the right thing even when no one else is looking”
# An acceptance that risk taking and making mistakes are part of learning. # Children are more able to reach their potential in a physically and emotionally safe environment. # An attractive and orderly environment inspires pride and a sense of achievement.
Whakapai Ake “Be the best you can be”
# Access to quality, relevant resources and facilities enhances learning. # Positive working relationships between parents, staff, Board of Trustees, Friends of the School and the wider community will be promoted. # All students will be given the opportunities to gain knowledge and skills across all curriculum areas. These beliefs are supported by our vision statement which is centred around the picture of the Kahikatea Tree. This was selected because it is the tallest growing tree in our local Myross
Our School Values
By using the image of the Kahikatea Tree this helped inspire the development of our vision statement which draws on the context of being strong, confident and being prepared to stand above the crowd to be the best you can be!
SCHOOL HOUSES - We have 4 school houses for students to be a part of. This encourages our caring school culture with each house being made up of family groupings from across all year groups. Our house names are based on some of the long standing families that settled this area and/or have made significant contribution to our schools life. These are Myers House, Ross House, Johnston House and Kerr House.
Te Papa Atawhai “Reduce, reuse, recycle and restore, replenish”
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A to Z of School Guidelines ASSEMBLY - School assembly is held every second Friday (notified in newsletter and in the school online calendar) from 2.15pm onwards in the Activity Centre. Parents are welcome to attend. ATTENDANCE - To ensure children arrive at school safely, teachers are required to enter daily absences on to the MOE School Management system. Parents will be contacted by the office for any child who is absent when school commences if we have not received a note or a phone call to say they will be absent or late. The reason for the absence is to be stated. Children who are absent from school for any reason are expected to notify us on the school app or ring the office. If your child’s absence is planned, please notify the school by email prior to the absence. AVIARY AND NATIVE GARDEN - The school aviary is run by a committee of Year 4-6 children who care for the budgies and cockatiels on a roster system under the guidance of our Office Manager. The aviary is a special place for children. It has an outdoor flight area and is set in a native garden space. Small fundraising activities are run by the committee to fund the seed, ongoing care of the birds. The aviary concept was developed, built and fundraised for in 1999. Irene Tresidder, the school Office Manager, oversees the health and welfare of the birds.
CAR PARK - For safety reasons, we ask you to use the car park on the north side of the school when dropping off or collecting children.
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Safety Vest - bus children will be issued with a numbered hi viz vest. A charge will be made if the vest is damaged or lost.
As it is difficult to see some of the smaller children when parking and reversing from the far side of the car park, all parents are to come and meet their child at the gate. Children will not then feel the need to dash to the car.
CLOTHING - Every effort is made to trace lost property. This is helped if clothing is clearly named. The box of unclaimed clothing is given to the 2nd hand shop at the end of each term and is always larger than we would like.
Please do not park outside the front gate as this area is reserved for the bus and staff car park entrance. This also ensures the safety of your children. A disabled park is available in the staff car park. All non bus children should be picked up at the gate in the parents car park. On wet days the children are encouraged to stand under cover or in the library.
All children walking or cycling home must wait in the bike shed until the bus has left, when their departure onto or across Mill Road North will be supervised. Safety Vests need to be worn.
These events provide an opportunity for you to catch up with what is happening in education and in our school in particular. It is a valuable opportunity to see your child in action.
Families are expected to speak with the Principal before children bike to school. Cycle helmets must be worn, please check that your child knows how to wear his/her helmet correctly and display confidence in use of road rules. From time to time children become confused as to whether they are to go home on the bus or wait to be picked up. To avoid delays while we sort out the confusion or children going to the wrong destination, please send a note or phone
Camp/Young Leaders (Education Outside the Classroom) The senior school benefits from a range of ETOC
the school if there is to be any change from their usual travel arrangements.
CONSULTATION EVENINGS - From time to time the school has special mornings or afternoons to which parents are invited.
We operate an ‘open door policy’ and welcome parents to make contact with the Principal for a friendly talk or hot drink.
❛ The value of children of all ages reading with their parents is well acknowledged ❜
LIBRARY - We are fortunate to have a library which is well stocked with up-todate fiction and resource material which children are encouraged to use. It is important that children treat library books with respect and we encourage them to use a library bag to transport their books to and from school. Parents of pre-schoolers are welcome to use the library. Please contact Cassie Watt for a library users card.
FRIENDS OF THE SCHOOL - This parent group was formed to support many areas of the school community. Fundraising activities are a priority due to the school being classed as a Decile 10 school (ie limited funding). Different subcommittees are formed for each activity so that the load can be shared as much as possible. See website for more information. GARDEN CLUB - A number of children participate in the School Garden Club. The children are responsible for the school gardens. With some parent help they keep our school looking neat and colourful.
SCHOOL HOURS - We ask parents to drop off and collect their children between 8.15am and 3.15pm. Unless they are bus children, children on the school grounds outside this timeframe are the responsibility of parents. If pickup timeframe is a challenge, we encourage you to enrol in one of the after school programmes held in town. Children are collected from school in their van. Contact the school office for information.
LUNCHES - Children may bring food to be heated in the pie warmer. (No fish fingers, plastic wrapping or plastic / crockery bowls). Food should be double wrapped in foil (or pie wrapper) and labelled with the child’s name and classroom. It will be delivered to the classroom at 1pm.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB - Books are usually available once a term. Orders are collated by a parent who has volunteered to do this. Instructions for payment will be included with the order form.
PET DAY - This is usually held around the beginning of November. Pet Day is a day for learning more about animals as well as a community get together. Most children bring a pet and activities are organised throughout the day. There are no formal classes on this day and the day is very well supported by the local community.
Pet Day is a very popular annual event. Grandparents, friends and members of the community are most welcome to attend.
Pita Pit Friday lunches are able to be ordered online from Pita Pit. SPORTS - There are numerous sport options that children can join, please look out for notices regarding sports teams and events. MONEY - Payments are able to be made by internet banking for most things. Please clearly reference what the payment is for ie sport, account, uniform etc
All money sent to school is to be in a sealed envelope, and should state the child’s name, amount enclosed and what it is for, e.g. school account, clearly written on the outside. The envelope is to be posted in the secure office letter slot. Receipts will be issued for all patments received.
STUDENT CONFERENCES - Opportunities are provided for interviews with teachers at regular intervals during the first year and in Term 2 and Term 4. If you wish to discuss your child’s progress at any other time please email your childs teacher and an interview time will be arranged. Please feel free to contact the school if you have any concerns.
TIMETABLE - 8.55am - 10.40am 10.40am - 11am Interval 11am - 12.30pm 12.30pm - 1pm Lunch 1pm - 2.45pm ZONE EVENTS - We combine with Woodlands, Rimu, Gorge Road, Tisbury, Halfmoon Bay, Ascot, Bluff and Tokanui for Southern Zone events which include Moffett Cup, Cross Country, Athletics, Swimming and Soccer.
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❛ During the season, children are able to participate in a variety of sports ❜ SPORTS - On several occasions during the year the school participates in sporting events with the Southern Zone Rural Schools. For these events children wear a Myross Bush School polo shirt which is available for purchase from the school office. During the season, children are able to participate in a variety of activies, depending on interest. These may include: • Netball • Miniball • Rugby • Hockey • Flippaball • Kiwi Cricket • Squash • Water Polo • Touch Rugby • Swimming • Aerobics If you have experience in a particular sport that you would like to share with the school, please contact us to discuss how you can become involved in assisting, organising or coaching a school team.
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STATIONERY - Beginning of the year tationery can be purchased online from MySchool (Office Max) or from the list held at the store SUNHATS - Because of the danger of melanoma, our school has a sunhat policy that ALL children must wear sunhats when outdoors at lunch and for sports etc in Term 1 and 4. Hats in the school colour and with the Myross Bush logo will be issued to all new pupils at a cost of $20 and charged to your school account We also encourage parents to apply sunblock to their children before they come to school. A bottle of sunblock is also available in each learning space.
TENDERS & QUOTES - If parents have a business or trade and would like to be considered for quotes for school work they are asked to contact the office during office hours. Their name will be entered on a database which we update regularly and check before contracting work out. UNIFORM - Polo shirts (for cultural and sporting events) are available. Please contact the school office for prices, sizes and availability etc.
WORKING BEES - Are held in Term 1 to maintain the school gardens and buildings. Parents can choose either to attend working bees or take responsibility for certain ongoing jobs ie: spraying, cleaning spouting etc in their own time. Please contact the office if you would prefer to be given a job rather than helping at working bees.
SWIMMING - Swimming instruction is important because New Zealand has one of the highest number of drownings of children aged five and under among OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries. The more confident and competent our children can be in the water the better! School swimming is held during Term one every year.
Desirable experiences for pre school children • Talk to them about starting school, where they will meet new friends, play games, sing and make things. • Help them to learn to put on their shoes and do them up. • Give them duties to perform around home which require one or two simple directions. This will give them confidence to complete small tasks. • Take them to Auntie’s or a friends house to stay awhile so they will accept that they cannot always be with their parents. • Encourage them by admiring their work when they bring it home. Give their paintings and handiwork place of honour for a few days.
Myross Bush School Staff 2020
• Select stories, picture books and television programmes for them. Strike a balance between educational and interest experiences.
Jamin Lietze
Principal
• Read regularly to them.
Mel Lemin
Kawaka (Y3/4) Deputy Principal, Senior Team Leader
Natalie Findley
Kawaka (Y3/4)
Natalie Godby
Matai (NE/Y1) Junior Team Leader
Kathryn McCorkindale
Matai (NE/Y1)
• As a family, GO, SEE, DO, DISCUSS. These experiences are vital for building on at school. Children cannot speak or write unless they have something to speak or write about.
Amy Polaschek
Rawe (Y1/2)
Anna Moratti
Rawe (Y1/2)
Georgia Ashworth
Akotoa (Y5)
Amy Kerslake
Akotoa (Y6)
Cassie Watt
Special Education Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) /Librarian
Chantelle Brenssel
Maternity Leave
Tarryn Copland
Maternity Leave
Irene Tresidder
Office Manager
Sheena Smith
Financial Officer
Sue Blackmore
Teacher Aide
Philippa Horton
Teacher Aide
Suzanne McKenzie
Teacher Aide
Andrew McKee
Caretaker
• Encourage careful listening and clear speech. • Provide opportunities for your child to make things.
Enrolling 5 year olds
Myross Bush School Board of Trustees Nic Hill
Chairperson, General Legislation, Self Review, Health & Safety
Carl Hamilton
Property
Louise Rutledge
Personnel
Kelly Watt
Finance
Pip Munro
Friends of the School
Ash Burdon
Behaviour
Jamin Lietze
Principal
Staff Rep
Curriculum
Sheena Smith
Secretary
• By playing, a child is building up experiences and knowledge especially useful in mathematics.
The school organises a New Entrant meeting with parents. It gives parents an opportunity to meet the New Entrant Teachers and ask any questions about this important transition. It is usual for all pre school children to visit the school for part of 3 mornings prior to being enrolled. If you have not been contacted by the school would you please ring and make arrangements for a visit. When your child is enrolled the following are required: • Enrolment forms • Child’s birth certificate * • Immunisation Certificate * *The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health require the school to retain a copy of these documents - (we must sight the originals).
Board of Trustees Meetings are usually held on Mondays twice a Term at 7.30pm and are advertised on the school calendar. You are most welcome to attend. 7
School Map PARENT CAR PARK FITNESS
ACTIVITY CENTRE
STAFF ROOM SAND
OFFICE
PIT
MAT KAWAKA MA AI TAI 9 Y3/4
MILL ROAD NORTH
LIBRARY
STAFF CAR PARK
RAWE MAT Y1/2
NETBALL/TENNIS
MATAI MATAI 9
PRINCIPAL
NE/Y1
N STAFF CAR WATER TANK
Contact
MAT AKATOA AI 9NE/ Y5/6 PUMP SHED
Contact Details Myross Bush Primary School, 288 Mill Road, RD2, Invercargill 9872 Ph: (03) 230 4817 • Fax: (03) 230 4819 Email: principal@myrossbush.school.nz
www.myrossbush.school.nz 8
Office: office@myrossbush.school.nz