Guidelinges to Being Part of the Tokomairiro High School Community

Aerosol spray cans (e.g. deodorants) (K.C. Managing Self)

These are banned from school. Students may bring roll-on deodorants. Aerosol spray cans will be confiscated and put in the school office for collection by a parent or caregiver.

Attendance/Absence (Key Competency [K.C.] Managing Self, Participating and Contributing)

(a) Students must stay in the school grounds unless they have permission to leave.
(b) Students must attend all classes.
Attendance at school is compulsory while enrolled. The school is required to know everyone’s location during the day. In the event of absence during school hours, students must bring note/appointment card to a Deputy Principal at the start of the day, obtain a ‘Permission to be out of School’ slip, and sign the ‘Sigh out book’ the School Office.
(c) Absence:
(i) Parents are expected to telephone absences to the School Office by 9.00am and leave details on the answer phone or with office staff, for safety reasons. After 9.00am, office staff will ring or text parents of missing students.
(ii) Students must bring a signed note from their parent or caregiver explaining their absence on their return to school. The note must be sighted by the student’s form teacher. Please use the space provided in the log book.
(iii) If prolonged absence is likely (beyond two days), work can be organised and sent home. Predicted absence should have the prior permission of the principal.
(d) If a student takes sick during the day, they must report to the School office, where it will be decided if parents/caregivers need to be contacted.

Care of Each Other (K.C. Relating to Others)

We want our school to be a safe and pleasant environment where students have the freedom to learn, contribute and achieve to the best of their potential.
We regard as unacceptable any behaviour which removes the rights of students and teachers to a safe place.
Therefore:
(a) Hurting other people physically or verbally or using offensive language is unacceptable.
(b) Litter must be placed in the bins provided.
(c) Any damage must be reported immediately.

Care of Property (K.C. Managing Self)

(a) School Property
We ask that students look after equipment and property so that it is handed on to future students in as good or better condition than now.
Damage to school property must be reported immediately to a Deputy Principal. Students who damage, deface or lose school property are liable for the cost of replacement or repair.
(b) Personal Property
(i) Students are fully responsible for the care of any property they bring to school.
(ii) To assist students in (i)

all belongings must be named clearly
valuable items should not be brought to school unless they are personally insured and handed in for safe keeping when not in use
items lost should be reported to the School Office
the bike stands are out of bounds unless collecting or returning your bike. We recommend that bikes be padlocked
Lockers are available upon request

Catch-up Class (K.C. Managing Self)

Supervised lunchtime class for students who
a) wish to do homework or study
b) have been referred by a class teacher for incomplete homework
Time: 12.30 - 1.10 Tuesdays-Thursdays
Students may eat their lunch in Catch-up Class, but must work in silence. If they have completed their work before the day of their Catch-up Class, they must take it to the supervisor and have their name checked off. Failure to attend will be dealt with by the Dean.

Cell Phones (K.C. Managing Self)

Students are permitted to bring cell phones to school for personal use once they have signed the Netsafe agreement. The following guidelines must be adhered to:

Students are permitted to use their cell phones to text and make phone calls before form time, interval and lunchtime
Cell phones are to be in silent mode or turned off during the class time, including form time and detentions.
Cell phones used as mp3 players may be used in class at the discretion of the class teacher providing they do not cause a disturbance to other students. It is the student’s responsibility to request permission to use such a device. Teacher’s classroom rules apply.
Cell phones may be used to access the web within range of the ‘wireless hot spot’; only once the device has been registered.
Students may enter or retrieve information from cell phones during class time only after requesting permission from the class teacher.
Students may not use a cell phone in an in appropriate manner, eg. To bully/harass other students.

Citizenships (K.C. Participating and Contributing)

These are awarded for special achievements or contributions by students. Parents or members of the community may recommend the award of a citizenship to the Form Teacher.

Complaints (K.C. Relating to Others)

a) Students who have a complaint or grievance should consult their Dean, the Guidance Counsellor or DP.
b) Parents may call at the office for a copy of the school’s Complaints Procedure.

Conduct Sheets (K.C. Managing Self)

Students are issued with 10 Conduct Points per term. The sheets are at the back of the Log Book. If 10 conducts are lost, a school Detention is given, and a special coloured Conduct Sheet will be issued by DP or Deans.

Contacting Students

Those who wish to contact students during the school day, whether in person or by telephone, must do so only through the school office. Non-enrolled students must register at the school office when coming onto school grounds.

Detentions (K.C. Managing Self)

These are held after school on Tuesday and Thursdays, from 3.15 - 4.15pm.
24 hours notice is usually given to allow students to inform parents and after school employers, and for bus students to arrange alternative transport.

Emergency Closing (K.C. Using Language, Symbols and Texts)

In the event of storms or other circumstances requiring the school to be closed a cancellation notice will be broadcast over Newstalk ZB (AM 1044), 4XO Gold (AM 1206) and the local Clutha radio station between 7.00am and 8.00am. A text message will also be sent to caregiver’s cell phone.

Food (K.C. Managing Self)

(a) A canteen operates each day at interval and lunch time. canteen lunches are ordered in advance through our school office or brought over the counter.
(b) For health and cleanliness reasons:

food may not be eaten in classrooms
chewing gum/bubble gum is not allowed at school.

Guidance Counsellor/Deans (K.C. Relating to Others)

If you need support or advice when things are not going well for you either in school or out, you may like to consult the Guidance Counsellor or one of the Year Level Deans. You can be assured of a friendly reception and a sympathetic ear. If possible, make an appointment first.
Parents are also welcome to make appointments and may do so by phoning the school.
As with doctors, Guidance Counsellors must not disclose any information about their clients without the client’s permission.

Homework (K.C. Managing Self)

Failure to produce homework set is excused only on the production of a note from the parents to the teacher.
As a guide students are expected to devote the following ti,e to homework on each school night.
Years 7 & 8; 45 minutes - 1 hour
Years 9 & 10; 1 - 1 ½ hours
Years 11 & 12; 2 - 3 hours
If no specific homework has been set, there are always useful homework tasks, eg, reading, revising, and viewing TV documentary.

Illegal/Harmful Substances (K.C. Managing Self)

For the safety of all students and in accordance with the laws of our land, the following is our policy for students.
Possessing or using tobacco, alcohol or harmful or illegal drugs or substances in prohibited in the following situations:

while on school grounds at any time
while in school uniform at any time
while on a school activity at any time
while representing our school
while under the control of our school

Students who breach this policy are likely to face suspension.
It is also an offence to be associating with students who are breaching this policy.

Leaving School (K.C. Managing Self)

Students finishing their time at the school, either transferring to another school or going into the work force or to tertiary education, must obtain a Leaving Form from the office. This form must be signed by the student’s parents/caregivers.

Lost Property (K.C. Managing Self)

Your possessions MUST be clearly named. If an item does go missing, however, the following teps should be taken:
(i) Search the area of the school in which the item was last seen
(ii) Check whether the item has been handed in to the School Office or the Lost Property
(iii) Report the loss to a Deputy Principal

Merit Points (K.C. Relating to Others)

These may be given by Staff for meritorious work, helpfulness, etc. Every ten Merits gains the students a Citizenship.

Student Council (K.C. Participating and Contributing)

The Student Council is the students’ forum for change.
Student representatives are elected by every class and the Council meets regularly to hear the ideas submitted by the Form Representatives. It also raises funds for students’ activities, and is responsible for the organisation of Student Work Day.

Student Representative on Board of Trustees (K.C. Participating and Contributing)

Students have a direct input into the running of the school through their representative on the Board of Trustees. Their representative is elected in February and holds office for one year.
Any student from Year 10 to Year 13 has the right to seek this important position.

Testimonials (K.C. Managing Self)

These will be issued to all Year 13 students on request. Year 11 and 12 students may apply for a testimonial if it is requested by a prospective employer. Students requiring a testimonial are to apply to the office.

Vehicles at School (K.C. Managing Self)

Students who wish to bring motor vehicles to school must apply for special permission from the Deputy Principals. This will usually be granted upon completion of an application, the sighting of a suitable driver’s licence and subject to agreeing to the following conditions:
(i) The vehicle must not be used during school hours unless written permission has been requested by parents and as agreed by the deputy Principals
(ii) NO passengers may be carried
(iii) A letter of permission from parents/caregivers is supplied with the application
(iv) The school may request keys to be left in the school office
(v) Vehicles are driven in a safe and careful manner to and from school
(vi) Vehicles are parked in the Community Recreation Centre carpark

Wireless Hot Spot

A wireless hot spot has been created which is centred in the library. Students may use the wireless hot spot to access the net with their own portable wireless device once their device has been registered with the school and the student had signed the Netsafe agreement. For the device to be registered it must be handed to the school technical support person for the necessary access codes to be entered.