Parent Information
Select an option below (or scroll down) for useful information about our school.
School Day
Our school day starts at 8.25am and finishes at 2.25pm.
We recommend that your child is at school by 8.15am, as this gives them time to hang up their bag, catch up with friends and have a run around before the day begins.
Bell Times
| 8.25am | School starts |
| 8.25 – 10.00am | Learning Block 1 |
| 10.00 – 10.30am | Morning tea |
| 10.30am – 12.30pm | Learning Block 2 |
| 12.30 – 1.15pm | Lunch time |
| 1.15 – 2.25pm | Learning Block 3 |
| 2.25pm | School ends |
After School
If you usually pick your child up from school and will be later than 2.35pm we appreciate if you let us know by calling the office or sending a message to the school mobile. If you do not speak to someone in person, or we do not reply to your message, please keep trying to ensure we have your message.
If you are going to be later than 3.00pm, you need to enrol your child in After School Care.
If your child is not catching their usual bus, or being picked up by the usual people please send a note with your child or inform the school office before 1:30pm.
Office Hours
Our office administrator is Mrs Vivien Anderson.
The school office is open Monday-Friday, from 8.15am to 2.45pm.
2022 Term Dates and Holidays
Term 1
Tuesday, 8 February – Thursday, 14 April
Public holiday
Waitangi Day observed – Monday, 7 February
School holidays
Friday, 15 April (Good Friday) – Sunday, 1 May
(Easter is in the first week of these holidays)
Term 2
Monday, 2 May – Friday, 8 July
Public holiday
Queen’s Birthday – Monday, 6 June
Matariki – Friday 24 June
School holidays
Saturday, 9 July – Sunday, 24 July
Term 3
Monday, 25 July – Friday, 30 September
School holidays
Saturday, 1 October – Sunday, 16 October
Term 4
Monday, 17 October – Tuesday, 20 December
Public holiday
Labour Day – Monday, 24 October
School holidays
Saturday, 21 December
Friday Pie-Day
On Fridays the PTA sells pies for lunch.
Pies are $4, and children must order in the morning and can choose from mince, mince and cheese, steak or steak and cheese.
Newsletters
Newsletters are sent home via email on Wednesday. (You can arrange to have a hard copy sent home with your child) You can also view all school news online, and you can also receive news and updates via the Pukekawa School Edge app (search Musac Edge in all app stores).
Parent Teacher Interviews and Reports
Parent teacher interviews are an opportunity to talk with your teacher about your child’s needs and progress. We have a meet the teachers informal school community gathering in February as a ‘Pool Party and Picnic.’ We hold parent/teacher interviews in July.
If you want to talk to your child’s teacher about any concerns throughout the year you are able to make an appointment with the teacher. via the office or contacting the teacher through their email.
We send written reports home with students in July and December.
Buses
Buses run daily to bring students to and from school. If you are interested in your child catching the bus to school, please enquire at the school office.
We have a Bus Code of Conduct which outlines behavioural expectations on our Pukekawa School Docs site https://pukekawa.schooldocs.co.nz/. Please type in the word ‘bus’ and you will see the code of conduct and any other relevant policies related to our school bus network readily available to you.
If there are changes to the bus your child is taking on any day please inform the school.
Below is the link to access the school bus routes and times. This is the most accurate information regarding the Pukekawa School bus routes.
https://www.northwaikatoschoolbuses.com/
Stationery
Some stationery items are available at the school office throughout the year but you are also able to purchase all of these elsewhere.
Stationery lists are available for each class at the office from 1 February or they are on the school facebook page.
Stationery can be ordered on the OfficeMax site. Type in myschool.co.nz and add the school name, and your child’s class list will be there on the site for you to check which items you wish to purchase.
Lastly add your address and payment details, which will then be delivered to you.
Ahi Ka – Piwakawaka and Kereru Stationery list 2022
Tui Stationery list 2022
Pukeko stationery list 2022
Kiwi stationery list 2022
School Trips
Education outside the classroom, and attending inter-school sports or cultural events are an important part of our curriculum.
When we have a school trip permission slips will be sent home with your child (often with the newsletter), these need to be returned to school as soon as possible.
While the school or PTA subsidise some trips, there are usually some costs that will need to be paid as they arise.
We always need parent help to make these trips happen, both for transport and supervision, and really appreciate when parents/caregivers volunteer to help out. All parents/whaanau assisting with transport will be asked for proof of their full drivers license and current WOF and registration.
School Donations
Our school donation is $20 per term per child. This is not compulsory, but is needed to ensure we can offer quality learning experiences and resources. However, as a small rural school, we rely on the school donations as an important component in our school budget.
Did you know you can claim tax credits on school donations? You can claim a donation tax credit on school donations, as long as they go to the general fund and you have a receipt with the word ‘DONATION’ written on it.
Uniform
Pukekawa School children wear a school uniform.
We sell uniform t-shirts, jumpers and hats at school, and students can choose their own black shorts, trousers, skirts and or tights. Download a uniform order form »
PLEASE NOTE- Prices may change. Please enquire at school office HATS- $20
Shoes and sandals must be black.
Some second-hand uniforms are also available at school.
We also supply a sports t-shirt for sporting trips.
Whaanau Groups
We have four whaanau groups at Pukekawa School – Rata, Rimu, Kauri and Kowhai.
When children start at school they are put into a whaanau group, siblings are in the same group.
We believe these groups help students develop a sense of belonging. The whaanau groups encourage the older students look after and guide our younger students, and provide our senior students with the opportunity to develop leadership and organisational skills.
After School Care
We have an after school care programme run from Pukekawa School. Learn more about our After School Care »
Complaints Policy
If you wish to make a complaint, please read our complaints policy which is available on School Docs.
