Junior School
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Papakura Normal School, I hope this information will answer the many questions you may have about our Junior Department. If you are a new parent to our school and have not had the opportunity to participate in an orientation tour, you may find it beneficial to do so. Mrs Parry conducts these on Preschool visit mornings. Feel free to enquire at the office for the date of the next session.
Our Junior area ranges from Year 1 to Year 4, comprised of fourteen classes, including one Maori Enrichment class. This year we have two rooms receiving New Entrant children, Room 15 (taught by Mrs Linton) and Room 20 (taught by Mrs Vlaar).
We encourage children to be collected from their classroom during their first few weeks at school. After this, they are expected to enter/leave the class by themselves as we try to encourage them to follow set routines independently (e.g. putting their book bag away, collecting their school bags independently).
Lunches can be ordered from the Hall. We recommend money be placed in a named envelope with the order written on the outside, along with the child's room number.
We prefer that children do not go home for lunch. Please write a note if your child does need to go home at any time. To protect your child, we ask that you pick them up from their room. If you need to pick up your child during school hours please call at the office and sign them out, a "sign out slip" will be issued to you to give to the class teacher who will then release the child from class
During February, children will be swimming regularly as part of the physical education programme. Children quickly establish water confidence and skills improve steadily through regular lessons aimed at each child's individual ability level. Togs need to be in a named plastic bag. All clothes need to be clearly named - this is really important for uniform items. Swimming is an integral part of the school curriculum. A note is required if your child is unable to take part in swimming lessons. During summer, all children are expected to wear a sunhat outside.
We pride ourselves on the high standard of artwork at Papakura Normal School. Junior children will require an art shirt to protect their uniform - paint and dye does not always wash out!! An old adults T-shirt is ideal - the longer the better!
Most nights your child will bring home a reading book. Books will be at an independent level or already have been taught in class. Please greet this with enthusiasm and make the time you spend together enjoyable and positive. Books must be returned the next day so a new one can be issued. Our Junior School is well resourced with attractive new reading material and your assistance in ensuring they are well cared for and returned is appreciated.
We value and encourage parental assistance in our Junior School. We have a group of very hardworking mothers who come in on Tuesday mornings to do a variety of jobs. This is a good way to get to know other parents and preschoolers are welcome at these sessions. We also need parent helpers during the Reading, Language and Maths time. If you have any spare time available, we would love to hear from you.
Parents are invited to our ribbon assemblies once a term. Children enjoy presenting items and displaying their work to parents and these have become a real feature of our school. We look forward to seeing you there!
We hope your child settles into school quickly and happily, with confidence. Please feel free to discuss any queries, concerns or problems you may have with either your child's teacher or myself. Where possible, do make an appointment so you are ensured of the teachers full attention.
Yours sincerely
Cathy Wilson
Associate Principal