General Information
School Times
| 8.25am | Children have entry to classes and school grounds |
| 8.55am | School commences |
| 10.40-11.00am | Morning break |
| 12.30-1.30pm | Lunch break |
| 3.00pm | End of school day |
| 3.20pm | All children to be off the school grounds or in After School Care. |
Before School
Children are expected to arrive at school from 8.25am. The school provides a Before School Care service that children may attend from 8.00-8.25am in the school hall. Children attending this, must go directly to the hall with their bag where they will be supervised until 8.25pm. We appreciate that our teachers arrive early to prepare for the day.
Children must not arrive at school before 8.00am.
Classes start at 8.55am and therefore we would appreciate your support in ensuring that your child/ren get to school on time. Arriving at least 5 minutes before the first bell allows your child to interact with their peers and teacher and get themselves ready for their busy day.
Please remind your child that they must sign in at the office if they are late. It is important at all times that we know where our students are.
Absences
Parents should contact the school when their child is absent.
- Use the school’s online absentee form.
- Via the SchoolsApp
- Leave a message on the school answerphone: 07 856 6122 (ext 1).
- Send a text message to 021 859 916 stating name, room number and reason for the absence.
- Send an email to enquiries@hillcrestnormal.school.nz.
- Send advice by written note to the school office.
A text message is sent out by 9.45am to all parents/caregivers of children who are unaccounted for. This system has been established to ensure the safety of all children and to monitor attendance. If we do not receive a response, your child will be marked as truant.
If your child is late to school, they are required to sign in at the office.
Please remember to advise the office in the morning if you are planning on collecting your child during the school day. This way it is less distracting for the teachers during their lessons if they are aware and we can have the children ready waiting in the office for you.
After School Pickup Procedures
If a student has not been collected by their parents by 3.15pm at the end of the school day, they must go to the school office. We then contact parents and make the necessary arrangements. Please do not take any child other than your own off the school grounds without prior parental consent. At 3.30pm, After School Care staff check the school grounds and gather any children still on site and take them to After School Care. Depending on circumstances and length of time, there may be a charge incurred.
Phones and Smart Watches at School
If for any reason your child needs to bring a phone or smart watch to school, please note that our school policy is that the children drop them off to the office before school and then collect at the end of the day. This way, they are kept safe and secure for the day.
Appointments During School Time
It would be much appreciated if where possible, you could please make any appointments for your children outside of school hours. However if this is not possible, please advise the office in the morning. This way it is less distracting for the teachers during their lessons if they are aware and we can have the children ready waiting in the office for you. We also discourage lunchtime pickups as it can be extremely difficult to find the children during this time.
Thanks for your co-operation with this.