Te Aroha College

What is the school uniform code?

TE AROHA COLLEGE UNIFORM CODE

The uniform must be worn by all year 9-11 students. Year 12-13 wear the senior uniform.   Parents and students may select items from the following list:

 

Tops - Girls and Boys

Maroon sweatshirt with school crest (new style is polar fleece);  Maroon or white short-sleeved polo shirt with Te Aroha College collar;  Jacket with crest;  Vest with crest.

 

Bottoms

Girls:

• Skirts       - Navy regulation style
• Shorts      - Navy regulation style only
• Trousers   - Navy regulation style only

Boys:

• Trousers - Plain navy regulation style only
• Shorts     - Navy regulation style only

 

OTHER ITEMS

• Footwear- Black flat-soled leather lace up regulation school shoes (shoes that take polish - not suede or fabric);  black or blue Roman sandals (summertime only)
• Long navy socks
• Black or navy opaque's or pantyhose - worn with the skirt and shoes only, i.e. not worn with socks or sandals
• College striped scarf with Te Aroha College crest (available through college only)
• College beanie (During term 2 and 3 only)
• The tops are unisex
• All items are mix and match
• Trousers must be worn with the regulation shoes and socks- not sandals
• There is no distinction between summer and winter

 

NB: Existing items of uniform may continue to be worn.

 

Explanatory notes to uniform

 

Items of clothing that are not listed may not be worn as part of the uniform. A written note from a parent must accompany any variation in the uniform.  A uniform pass will be issued by one of the Deputy Principals in certain circumstances only.

• All school items must comply with the uniform code.

1. Girls skirts are to be no further from the floor than 10cm when kneeling.
2. All uniform items are to be worn correctly at all times i.e. jackets and sweatshirts are not to be tied around the waist
3. No visible t-shirts are to be worn under polo shirts
4. When students are out of the College grounds, they must be in either the complete uniform or mufti clothes - not a mixture of both.
5. It is wise to name all clothing

 

Appearance

• Boys are to be clean shaven
• Jewellery: small sleepers or studs. A maximum of two in the lobe of the ear only.
• No obvious makeup
• No nail polish
• No visible body piercing or tattoos are permitted.
• Hair is to be clean, clear of the eyes, tidy and of natural colour. Extreme hair styles e.g. skinheads, dreadlocks, mohawks, undercuts are not permitted. Long or untidy hair styles are to be tied back.  Other hair adornments are not permitted i.e. fancy clips, flowers headbands etc
• Socks are not to be worn with sandals

 

Te Aroha College Senior Uniform

Boys:

1. Black pants - Dress pants with a zip, waistband in a polyester viscose/cotton type fabric
2. Black dress shorts- Knee length
3. Dress shirt - white - long or shorts sleeves - straight at the bottom so that it does not need to be tucked in
4. Maroon tie (optional)
5. Jackets
6. Junior jacket can be worn
7. Maroon blazer style jacket (Male cut)
8. Fleece vest (senior style)

Girls:

1. Black pants or dress shorts (knee length) - cut on the hip. Same as the junior girls cut.
2. TAC uniform style grey skirt
3. White shirt - short sleeves or long sleeves - straight at the bottom worn out.
4. Jackets
5. Junior jacket can be worn
6. Maroon blazer style jacket (female cut)
7. Fleece vest (senior style)
8. Shoes - black, plain, flat or maximum of 3cm heel or black sandals NOT sports shoes
9. Tights (natural or black) or plain black socks (not with sandals)

Senior uniform is compulsory for year 12 and 13 in 2010

Uniform items may be purchased from Snake Sportswear at the college in B Block Tuesdays and Thursdays 3pm to 4pm and Saturdays 10am to 11am.  

NB The boy's shirt may be purchased from anywhere but it must meet the criteria set, i.e. plain dress shirt (cotton or polyester not knit material), long or short sleeves, formal collar. If worn out it must have a straight cut at the hem.

 

What is the cellphone policy?

TE AROHA COLLEGE POLICY

Student Owned Interactive Mobile Devices (IMDs)

(Any technologies that can be used to communicate and/or record video and/or sound)

 

RATIONALE

Personal IMDs distract students who should be learning. They are disruptive to the classroom climate and have the potential to cause serious harm, through text bullying, harassment  and the distribution of inappropriate material. They are also at risk of theft at school. The school does not wish to be responsible for the safety of these items.

 

However it is now acknowledged that IMDs can be a useful teaching and learning tool.  Teachers who wish to use them as such should be able to do so within this policy.

 

 POLICY

1. Personal IMDs should not be seen or heard at school from when the students arrive at school until the end of the standard school day. If a device is seen being used or heard being used at school the penalty listed below will apply (in the hand will be deemed as being used).
2. Where students are away on school trips the teachers and other adults in charge of the trip will make it clear whether personal IMDs may be used and, if so, for what purpose and in what circumstances.   These expectations must be met by the students.  Students may be required to hand in their personal IMDs at various times on the trip at the teachers' discretion.
3. In the case of an emergency the staff involved have the discretion to adapt these regulations.
4. Where a teacher may wish to use personal IMDs as a teaching and learning tool this may take place with prior approval by the relevant HOD or a member of the Senior Leadership Team.   In such a case students will be informed with clear instructions that their IMD may be used as part of a specific lesson.  These instructions will include exactly when and where the device can be used within the lesson without penalty.  There will also be an offer of temporary safe keeping of the device should the student choose to use this option.

 PROCEDURES

1. If these IMD regulations are broken either at school or on a school trip the student will be asked to hand over their device for safe keeping. In their time at college a cumulative penalty rate will accrue. First offence: 5 weeks confiscation, Second offence: 8 weeks, Third offence: 12 weeks. IMDs will be returned to the student's parents or caregivers listed on the school database only.
2. Where specifically requested by a parent or caregiver the IMD could be returned for school holidays.  These holiday weeks will not then be included in the penalty weeks.
3. The college will clearly promote the ban on personal IMDs.  Office staff will relay messages to pupils.  The student land line phone is available for student use with permission.

 

 

What is the complaints policy?

COMPLAINTS POLICY

Te Aroha College is committed to providing the students and staff with a safe and secure learning and working environment.

 

 Procedures

1. If appropriate a complaint can be brought informally to any member of staff who will then follow standard procedures to resolve the complaint.
2. If appropriate a Complaint Form (available from outside the school office) can be completed. The Complaint Form is handed to an appropriate person.
3. The person receiving the Complaint Form will view the form and work to resolve the situation. Feedback is to be given to the person making the complaint.
4. Details of the resolution of the Complaint will be noted on the form and then signed and dated.
5. The finalised complaint forms will be filed with the Principal.
6. The Principal will report monthly to the Board of Trustees on complaints received.
7. Where the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of their complaint process they may take the complaint, in writing, directly to the Board of Trustees.

What is the behaviour management policy?

BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT POLICY 

Rationale

The School recognises that students and staff have a right to a safe and pleasant working/ learning environment. Students and staff need to be responsible for their own actions and to show courtesy and respect to others, for the property and rights of others as well as the environment.    The school seeks to assist students in developing appropriate social skills and personal behaviour.

 

 Policy

1. The school values and rules will be the basis of encouraging positive student behaviour.  They will be displayed prominently about the school and be available for members of the school community to read.
2. The discipline process will be co-operative and consultative between students, staff, parents and other agencies as required.
3. The discipline process shall encourage consistency in its application.
4. The discipline process will work within legal requirements, recognise the principles of natural justice and respect the rights of the individual.
5. The methods of discipline used will encourage positive development and change, and where possible identify and address reasons for misbehaviour.
6. Positive behaviours of students will be acknowledged and rewarded where appropriate.
7. The school will have a set of procedures to manage behaviour of students while they are at school. The School Management System Package will be used to record incidents.
8. Parents/caregivers will be informed and involved when a student's behaviour is causing concern.
9. Restorative justice procedures will be used where appropriate.
10. The whole school community will be regularly consulted about the behaviour management system.
11. Staff will be given professional development opportunities to develop the required Behaviour Management knowledge and skills.

 

 

What should my child be doing for homework?

Our expectations of the parent: student: school partnership

Homework  (learning at home) complements the teaching and learning that occurs at the college. By students doing homework independent learning habits are developed. There is an expectation that, when compulsory homework is set, it will be completed.

 

Junior School (years 9 and 10)

• Homework will be set where it is essential for reinforcing learning that is taking place currently in the class.
• Homework will not be set just for the sake of providing homework.
• Homework will be set where there are relevant tasks to be done at home. This may be finishing work not finished in class or preparing work for the next lesson.
• Some homework will be set that is optional. This is extension work for students who are interested in a particular topic or just want more.
• Homework will be set where some long term research or inquiry learning topics are underway. This is project work.
• Students can access www.anyquestions.co.nz to assist with homework.
• All students should watch or listen to the news daily (or read the newspaper).
• All students should read (not just page turn) a book for at least 15 minutes each school night. talking about what they have read afterwards is an even better idea.
• All students should discuss their day with a caregiver each school night.
• Students who have difficulty with writing skills should write a paragraph for their parents each night about how their day went. This opens up discussion and assists with spelling, punctuation and sentence construction.
• As time progresses more and more topic information will be available through our online learning environments KnowledgeNet and Moodle.

Senior School (years 11, 12 and 13)

• All students should have a suitable place (desk, light and few interruptions) to do their school work at home.
• It is senior students' own responsibility to make sure that they are prepared for their next lessons by doing the requested preparation and reviewing learning covered the lesson before.
• All students will have assignment work in progress most of the time.
• Students can access www.studyit.org.nz to assist with Mathematics, English and Science at NCEA levels 1,2 and 3.
• Students can access www.anyquestions.co.nz to assist with homework.
• All students should watch or listen to the news daily (or read the newspaper).
• All students should read (not just page turn) for at least 15 minutes each school night.
• All students should discuss their day with a caregiver each school night.
• Before examinations in terms 3 and 4 all students should prepare a written study programme giving time to each subject being examined. Revision means learning facts, practising essay writing, and re-visiting work covered previously in the year.
• As time progresses more and more topic information will be available through our online learning environments KnowledgeNet and Moodle.

 

What is the Te Aroha College Code of Conduct?

Te Aroha College Code of Conduct

 

1. Students are to be punctual to class, tidily presented and prepared for work.
2. Students are to be polite in all responses to each other and staff.
3. Students must let the teacher teach:
   • they should remain quiet when the teacher is addressing the class
   • they should be quiet when requested by the teacher
   • they should put their hand up before answering when requested to do so by the teacher
   • they should be quiet when another student is answering a question
4. When asked to do 'seat work', students must remain seated unless they obtain permission to move around the room
5. Students are not permitted to bring chewing gum, alcohol, tobacco or drugs to Te Aroha College
6. Students are not permitted to eat in class.
7. Students must respect the safety of others at all times - this is especially important in laboratories and workshops.
8. Students are to make a reasonable effort to complete work set in class for homework.
9. Students will continue working until the teacher asks them to pack up.  The bell merely signals the end of the period.  Students remain in class until the teacher has dismissed it.

These rules provide the basic guidelines for standards of behaviour in the classroom.    Staff are expected to enforce these rules.

 

What curriculum opportunities are available at the school?

Health

Health and Life Skills are taught at all levels from Year 9 to Year 13.

 

Outdoor Education

Programmes are implemented in Year 9 (Motutapu Island); Year 10 (Activities);   in Years 12 and 13 skiing and kayaking are part of the physical education curriculum.

 

Co-Curricular Opportunities

We offer a wide range of activities for the keen and eager.

 

Sport

Te Aroha College is traditionally a strong sporting school with a heritage to be proud of.   Our facilities are superb and the grounds, pool and Don Beard pavilion are envied by other schools.   At Te Aroha College we are proud of our sporting heritage, culture and success.    We rely on parent and community volunteers to assist us here.

 

Leadership Training

At Te Aroha College we actively train for leadership.  The College involves students in systems that affect them, including the discipline of the school.

 

What are the rules and regulations of the College?

 

School Authority

Relates to all students wearing the college uniform from the time they leave home until they return.    The school stands legally as the parent during this time and exercises its authority as a reasonable parent would.    Authority may from time to time be exercised in the best interests of the school and the security of its staff and pupils.    Bag searches, locker searches and clothing searches are sometimes necessary.    Consent is sought from pupils to carry out the search by senior staff.

 

Attendance

All students, unless detained by illness, are expected to attend punctually and regularly.    Absences must be explained promptly by parents or caregivers.

 

Students arriving late bring a note, sign in at the student centre and receive a Late Pass.  Late arrival without a note or phone-in may result in a detention.

 

Discipline

All students are expected to obey the rules set out in the Classroom Code of Conduct and the Anti-Harassment Code.    These codes are central to our school culture.

 

Cycle Helmets

All cyclists must wear a helmet.

 

Signing Out

All students must supply a note signed by parents or caregivers and must sign the official Leave Book if leaving for appointments (doctor, dentist, etc.) 8.40am-3.30pm.    A leave pass will be issued at form class.  Appointments should be made outside College hours if possible.

 

Bus Students

Regulations gazetted by the Ministry of Education cover bus travel, conduct and road safety.

 

Smoking

Smoking by students at the school, or in public in school uniform, or on school trips, is strictly forbidden.    Cigarettes and matches or lighters are not to be brought to school.

 

Alcohol and Drugs

 Policies available on request from the Office.

• Alcohol - No alcohol is to be brought to school, possessed at school or consumed at school or while engaged in activities associated with the school.
• Drugs - No drugs are to be brought to school, possessed at school or consumed at school or while engaged in activities associated with the school

 

Chewing

Gum is not permitted at school.

 

Cellphones, Ipods, Digital Cameras and MP3 Players

Should not be seen or used at school except when pre-arranged by a teacher as part of a teaching programme.

 

Student Drivers

Student drivers and passengers of students must apply for a "permit" to travel by car to or from the college.