General Information
For staff photos and bios please click here click here
Principal: Paula Malins
Deputy Principal: Semonne Hogg
Teacher (juniors): Sarah King
Teacher (juniors): Chantal Behr
Teacher (juniors): Rowena Crowhurst
Teacher (juniors): Cynthia Lickfold
Teacher (middle): Mary-Rose Olson
Teacher (middle): Lucy Adamson
Teacher (seniors): Semonne Hogg
Teacher (seniors): Danette McLeod
Teacher (Y7/8 technology): Carol Carlson
Release Teachers: Steve Horne, Charlotte Hablous and Cathy Trueman
Office Administrator: Kellie Priest
Teacher Aide: Gena Hall and Kim O'Brien
Caretaker: Gordon Radford
Martin Kroon (PRESIDING MEMBER)
Paula Malins (PRINCIPAL)
Katie Richardson (TREASURER)
Graham Hill
Andrea Horton
Jay Crowhurst (PROPERTY)
Semonne Hogg (STAFF REPRESENTATIVE)
After school, we encourage parent/caregivers to wait until after 2.45pm before picking up their children to maximise the safe use of our car park. We do understand that sometimes families have to pick up children earlier, however, it is helpful when we all make the effort to give the buses priority until 2.50pm. The metal driveway is for staff and service vehicle use only. Children waiting to be picked up from school are expected to wait in the area by the senior classrooms and library. We ask that all children are collected no later than 3:00pm, unless a prior arrangement has been made.
Smartwatches shoud not be used to communicate with parents/caregivers during classtime. If a parent/caregiver needs to contact their child urgently during the day, they should call the office.
If a student brings a personal digital device to our school, the following guidelines apply:
- The school does not accept responsibilty for lost, damaged, or stolen personal digital devies brought to the school but investigates any issues as appropriate.
- Students must hand in their device to the office at the beginning of the day, and can collect the device at the end of the day.
Our school provides devices when required for online learning.
Newsletter: A digital newsletter informing you of school happenings and upcoming events posted on Hero home fortnightly on a Thursday, during term time. This digital newsletter is also published on our website and facebook page. We encourage you to read this information each week to keep up to date with school news and happenings.
Contact Details: Please advise us promptly of any change in your contact details. It is important that our records are always kept up to date.
Student Achievement: At any time you are welcome to arrange a meeting with your child's teacher to discuss your child's learning progress. Sometimes you may prefer to communicate via a phone call, e-mail or in writing.
Student Phone Calls: Children will not be permitted to call home unless it is urgent or for a change of arrangements.
Hero: We communicate to parents/whānau via Hero
The school's computer network, internet access facilities, computers, along with other school ICT equipment, bring great benefits to the teaching and learning programmes and effective operation of our school. Our school has introduced rigorous cybersafety practices in place which include 'Cybersafety Use Agreements' for all staff and students. The overall goal of the school in this matter is to create and maintain a cybersafety culture which is in keeping with the values of the school, and legislative and professional requirements. The 'Cybersafety Use Agreement' includes information about your obligations, responsibilities, and the nature of possible consequences associated with cybersafety breaches which undermine the safety of the school environment. The staff does not engage in Social Networking with students.
All students will be issued with a 'Cybersafety Use Agreement' and once signed consent has been returned to school, students will be able to use the school IT equipment.
As part of the Education (School Donations) Amendment Act 2019 the Board of Trustees decided to opt into the Ministry of Education Donations Scheme. A donation payment will be received as part of the January 2023 operational funding instalment.
At Te Uku School we do not set formal home learning.
We encourage our students to be active outside school hours, and our parents to help their children by:
- encouraging reading for pleasure and information
- listening to them talk about things that interest them
- engaging with what they're doing at school
- encouraging them to be physically active
- giving them the opportunity to help at home
Students requiring extra support with learning may be given the option to complete relevant activities in the home setting.
We encourage children to use the school library and to take books home to read (in their Book Bag). We also expect children and families to take responsibility for the books and ensure that they are returned to the school on or before the return date given. The school will seek payment from families for lost or damaged books.
Please label your child's property clearly. All unclaimed, unnamed items will be donated to charity two to three times a year.
Wednesday is Sushi Day. Sushi can be ordered via a Google form that is sent out each week. The form contains the account number for Aroha Sushi along with a menu.
All medication (except inhalers) that students need to take during a school day must be sent to the office. Please ensure medicines are in their original container with full written instructions on the label. Parents/caregivers will need to complete the form "Administering Medication & Consent Form". Please notify the school if your child is allergic to bee stings or anything else.
Newsletters are sent home electronically fortnightly on a Thursday via Hero. You can also access the newsletter online via our school Facebook page or website. Hard copies are available each week from the school office. From time to time, special newsletters are sent out with detailed information about a school event.
Payments are to be made by direct deposit, we do not accept cash payments. Please specify what the payment is for. Our account details are as follows: Acc Name. Te Uku School Board of Trustees Acc No. 12-3122-0389281-00
We welcome new enrolments to our school at any time during the year. Please ring the Office (8255815) to talk to or arrange a time to meet with Paula our Principal and to be shown around the school. Please click here to complete our online enrolment form.
Te Uku School is a 'full' primary school as we cover Years 0-8. Year 0 students are new entrants that start primary school in the second half of the year, and move into Year 1 the following year. This date is the 1st of July each year.
We encourage all our children to start on their 5th birthday or as close to this date as possible as this sets children up for success.
Children's year groups are based on their age and birthday, not their start date.
Starting school is an important milestone in a child’s life and like you, we want the transition from preschool to school to be a positive, fun and successful one for everyone.
We value the experiences and knowledge the children bring to school.
We value establishing strong and reciprocal relationships with our parents, so together we can support your child in their learning and wellbeing.
We encourage our children to have a can-do attitude and to be prepared to try new things. This can do attitude helps children to actively participate in learning and to develop resilience to cope well with the new challenges that school brings.
At Te Uku School our learning is based on current research and best practice. It involves Purposeful Play, Structured Literacy, life skills and academics across the curriculum to ensure they have a solid foundation and a love of learning.
To start, we will spend time helping your child to settle into the routines of school, make friends and learn new things. It is an exciting time and we will share their journey with you via HERO.
We foster the love of learning and play, and work hard to give every child the best start possible so that they feel safe and happy.
School Visits
Our school visits usually start with a meeting with the Principal and a walk around the school. It is the perfect time to ask any questions you may have. We typically offer multiple visits in the weeks prior to your child turning five. Our New Entrant teacher will contact you to arrange a date for the first visit.
It is a legal requirement for you to stay with your child. It is preferable to come without little ones, although it is ok if this is not an option.
If you have any questions or would like to come and see us in action, please contact our school office as we would love to help you.
We have a recycling system in place. We encourage families to use re-usable rather than disposable containers. We are continuing with our approach of asking children to take home their lunchbox waste.
All of Te Uku School is a smoke-free and Vape-Free zone.
Social Workers (SWiS) is a service provided at Te Uku School by Family Works Northern. The aim of SWiS is to provide support to children and their families/whanau before problems at home or school become more serious and difficult to overcome. SWiS can be accessed by anyone who has an interest in the welfare of a child at the school and can be contacted via the school office or on 0275631018.
School stationery is available at the school office for purchasing.
Children are required to wear a sunhat for protection during all outside activities, sporting events and school trips during Terms One and Four. There is sunscreen available in classrooms for children who require it. Parents and teachers are encouraged to act as role models and wear a sunhat at school events.
Swimming is an integral part of the Health and Physical Education Curriculum. All children should take part unless they have open cuts or school sores/impetigo, which are contagious. A written note from parents/caregivers is required to excuse your child from swimming.
Please do not allow your children to bring sweets, chewing gum or fizzy drinks to school. Water is available from drinking fountains.
Please do not allow your children to bring toys, collectors cards to school.
In order to help keep staff and students safe, all visitors to the school must sign in at the office before going elsewhere. Visits to classrooms are usually arranged with teachers. The visit is usually in connection with some aspect of the classroom programme.
In New Zealand, children can start school at age 5.
Please ring or email the office, by 9:00am if your child is going to be absent for the day. You also need to provide the reason why they are going to be absent.
You are welcome to leave this information the following ways:
- school phone (07) 825 5815 on the absentee message line (ext 1)
- text on (027) 419 6856
- HERO app
Late pupils need to report to the school office on arrival.
We expect children to attend regularly to ensure that the continuity of their learning is not compromised. We will be pro-active in contacting families when we think that attendance has become an issue for their children. More than 12 days of absence, in one year, is considered to be unsatisfactory attendance. If you need to have your child absent from school other than for health reasons, please inform the principal in writing.