Information for Parents

Kaikōura Suburban is the dynamic school that provides a rich learning environment to develop children with vision, a good work ethic and skills to further their achievements.
Our school is a Year 1 – 6 community based school in a picturesque rural environment where you’ll find up to 50 self managing, reflective and enthusiastic learners having fun.

Our School Vision

Fyffe FORCE Learners commit to climb the mountain of learning for life.

 Our School Values

Our VALUES which originate from our vision and the New Zealand Curriculum Key Competencies (Managing Self, Relating to Others, Participating and Contributing, Thinking and Using Language, Symbols and Text) are as follows:

Fun – every student needs to experience fun in everything they do to nurture and maximise their learning,

Organisation – every student needs to be organised with their thinking,  setting goals, reflecting on their learning and having the necessary tools for day-to-day learning.

Respect – every student needs to respect their own learning, their peers learning and show respect for their property and environment.

Communication – every student needs to be able to communicate in many ways using a variety of tools.

Excellence – every students has the right to excel in all areas of the curriculum.

These values link to the acronym Fyffe FORCE learners.

Learning For Life, L4L (Inquiry learning).

We choose to teach our Kaikōura Suburban School curriculum, that originates from the New Zealand Curriculum, through L4L.

Our L4L journey starts with a 5 week programme immersing and exciting our learners with many different activities linking to the L4L unit.

The following 5 weeks learning is created from the children’s ‘wonderings’ (the questions and the learning they would like to pursue to enhance their knowledge and learning).

For example, one of our L4L was based on ‘Physical activity in the Kaikōura district.’  The immersion involved whole school bike trip, surfing, boogie boarding, kayaking, orienteering and tramping.  The activities that we believe are important for our students to be immersed in.

From this the children decided to hold a Go Kart derby.  The children were then asked to choose from a selection of activities: construction, sales, marketing and inventing.

Each 10 week L4L unit is recognised with a learning celebration. This is an evening celebration where the venue changes depending on the theme of the celebration.  See event calendar and school newsletters for further information.

What We Offer Your Child…

• We believe it is our core responsibility to encourage students to achieve to their highest potential – academically and socially.
• As well as offering a strong literacy and numeracy programme we focus on Te Reo Maori, Health & Physical Activity, Social Sciences, Science,  the Arts and Environmental Education.
• We encourage creativity, curiosity and diversity across the curriculum.
• We have a strong outdoor education curriculum – sports coaching, school camps and outings.
• 1:3 ratio of Chrome book computers to learners, high speed wireless internet network. We encourage and support children to use their own device.
• We have a zero tolerance to bullying. It is every child’s right to learn in a safe environment.
• We have a strong partnership with the community.
• An enthusiastic and dedicated Home & School committee.

General Information…

Unique Features Of Kaikōura Suburban School

We are fortunate to be in one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand – five kilometres northwest of Kaikōura, at the foot of majestic Mt Fyffe.

We celebrate and are proud to recognise a range of different cultural groups.

Timetable

The school day starts at 8:50 a.m. The morning interval is 10.20-10.50 am. Lunch is eaten at 12:00-12.15 pm, outside play is at 1:05- 1:25 pm, and munch crunch is at 1:25- 1:45 pm. School finishes at 2:55 pm.

Healthy Living

The children are encouraged to make healthy eating choices – ‘Five Plus a Day’.

We encourage ‘nude’ lunch boxes. This means we encourage our students to bring along lunch boxes that contain no packaging.

In the winter months (Term 2 and 3), we operate a Healthy Heater, where children can bring suitable items wrapped in tin foil to be heated for their lunches.

Daily fitness delivered every day.

We have a swimming pool which is used regularly during the summer. Keys will soon be available to school families.

School Features

The school buildings include five classrooms, a library and an administration building.

We have a swimming pool, tennis court, bike track, adventure playground and a large playing field.

How We Show You Our Learning

School assemblies take place tri-weekly during the term. Check the events calendar for assembly dates. Parents are encouraged to attend assemblies to observe their children’s learning.

We also hold parent teacher interviews and in class observations, so we can connect with you about your child’s learning.

Our informative newsletter is sent home weekly on Thursdays (unless stated otherwise) during the term. We also have a Facebook closed group that the school community is invited to join.

How To Get To School

There is a Ministry of Education school bus service if you live locally – Enquire for details.

Uniform

Our school uniform promotes a sense of pride, responsibility, and identity within our school and wider community. We are really proud of it and expect all children to wear it. 

The school uniform is currently being re-developed and further information is due to be announced. Updates will be provided here soon.

Sunsmart School

We are a Sunsmart school. In Terms 1 and 4, wearing sun hats is compulsory. The sun hats are available from the school office. We provide a shaded area for the children to eat their lunch and play in. There is sun lotion available for the children.

In the winter terms, we encourage children to play out in the open areas as Vitamin K is important for well-being.

Enrolling Requirements

As of the beginning of the 2014 school year, the Ministry of Education has insisted that the school has an enrolment zone. The zone is west of Mount Fyffe Road to the Kowhai River and north of Hawthorne Road. Please contact the school to discuss enrolment options.

Future enrolments are encouraged to contact the school at an early age to aid with the planning of the school’s future.

Enrolment forms are available from the office, or you can enrol using this link.

A copy of the child’s birth certificate or passport and immunisation certificate are required to complete the enrolment process.

There are 5-6 school visits for children turning 5.  If you wish to pre enrol, please contact the school.

Absences Must Be Justified

The Education Act 1989 states that every student of a registered school shall attend the school whenever it is open. The Act states that it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that their child does attend. Section 29 states that – Every parent of a person who does not attend commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine.
An absence explained by a parent is not necessarily a justified absence. Parents do not have the right to excuse their child from school without just cause. For example – last day of school, sports day at school, meeting someone at the airport, dirty uniform, caring for a sick family member, birthday, etc. A child should only be absent from school for the following reasons – sickness, family bereavement and family emergency.

Parent Groups Within The School

We have an enthusiastic Board of Trustees who meet monthly. Parents are welcome to attend meetings.

The Home & School committee helps by instigating and managing the fundraising for the school.

Emergency Procedures

We have been advised by Civil Defence to remain at school during any natural disaster. Reasons for this are that the children are familiar with the environment, parents know where the children will be and children’s property will be here. In the unlikely event of an emergency, all families will be contacted via text, providing the phone lines haven’t been affected. If communication is lost, parents know that their child/ren will be here at school.

Kaikōura Suburban School Bank Details

Bank account details for payment of fees, subs and donations. Please label the payment with payment details.

Bank: Westpac

Branch: Kaikōura

Account: 03 1586 0013283 00

Associated School Costs

During the year, there may be associated costs with events and activities your child/ren participates in, which we endeavour to keep as low as possible for our whanau/families.  These costs will be provided with details of the event/activity through newsletters and notices throughout the year.

Assembly

Tri-weekly on Friday morning in the school term, starting at 9am and lasting generally 20-30 minutes. Check Event Calendar for assembly dates.

Common Questions And Answers About Suburban School

Q. Do I need to ring if my child isn’t attending school today?

A. Yes, please, the school must know all the children who are absent.  We have an electronic register where we need to categorise each absentee for the Ministry of Education.

Q. Are school uniforms worn?

A. Yes. The Warehouse stocks our school uniforms. You can order uniforms from the Warehouse online.

Q. Can I visit my child during lessons?

A. Of course, arrange a time with your child’s teacher.

Q. When do I need to enrol my child/ren?

A. It is helpful to the school to enrol your child as early as 2 or 3 years of age to allow for staffing and classroom planning, which will help the school be the best it can be to cater to the children’s learning.

Q. Does the school have an enrolment zone?

A. As of 2014, the school does. The zone is west of Mount Fyffe Road to the Kowhai River and north of Hawthorne Road.

Q. How do I know if a school event is postponed or cancelled?

A. You will receive a notification on the Skool Loop App or Hero and via the parents and whānau Facebook group page.

Q. What do I do if my contact details change?

A. Contact the school office immediately.