The Everyday Things
From school times and what to bring to getting here safely, this is where you’ll find the practical information that helps everyday school life run smoothly.
School day
Our school day begins at 8.45am and finishes at 2.45pm.
Children can arrive from 8am, giving them time to settle in and connect with friends before the school day begins.
Breaks and lunch
Children have opportunities throughout the day to play, eat and recharge. At lunchtime, children play before they eat, giving them plenty of time to be active and enjoy time with their friends before sitting down for lunch.
Reporting an absence
If your child is going to be away from school, please let us know through Hero. Reporting absences helps us know our tamariki | children are safe and accounted for.
What to wear
There is no school uniform at Te Kura Tātahi o Waihī | Waihī Beach School. Tamariki | children are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing that is suitable for the weather and the active, outdoor nature of school life. With plenty of opportunities to play and explore the environment, we recommend children bring a change of clothes each day.
During Terms 1 and 4, our sun smart policy requires tamariki | children to wear a bucket hat when they are outside. Children without a hat will need to play in designated shaded areas.
Swimming
Our school pool is part of life at school during Terms 1 and 4. When their learning community is swimming, tamariki | children will need to bring togs, a towel and a wet bag.
Stationery
Tamariki | children need stationery appropriate for their year level and learning community. We also encourage whānau | families to reuse stationery from previous years where it still has plenty of life left in it.
Valuables
We encourage tamariki | children to leave valuable items at home, as the school cannot take responsibility for them.
Mobile phones must be handed in to the school office during the school day. Smart watches are at the discretion of the school and may be permitted where appropriate.
If your child would like to bring something special or valuable to share, please talk with their kaiako | teacher first so arrangements can be made to keep it safe.
Getting to & from school
Where possible, we encourage tamariki | children to walk, bike or scooter to school, helping reduce traffic around the school and supporting active ways of getting around our community.
Our school can be accessed from both Beach Road and Hillview Road.
The Beach Road access car park is for staff parking. Whānau | families can use the parking near the community centre and netball courts, which also provides access to the school. There is also parking available at the Hillview Road entrance.
Parents and caregivers can use the bus bay for drop off and pick up, but please be mindful of bus arrival and departure times and ensure the bay is clear when the bus needs to park.
At busy drop off and pick up times, please take extra care and be mindful of tamariki walking, biking and moving through these areas.
School bus
School bus services currently support tamariki | children travelling from Bowentown, Athenree and Waiau.
Yellow Dairy at 3.10pm
Bowentown:
Athenree:
Waiau:
If your child would like to use the school bus, please contact the school office to arrange this. If your child normally catches the bus but will not be using it on their usual day, please let the office know so they can keep track of who is expected on the bus.
At the end of the school day, kaiako | teachers help ensure children make their way safely to the bus.
Children are expected to follow the bus driver’s instructions, remain seated while the bus is moving and behave safely and respectfully towards others. The same expectations for respectful behaviour at school apply while travelling on the bus.