General Info A-Z

Communications
We use the FlexiBuzz app to send out school news, general updates, reminders, events and much more. The app is available on iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android Phone, Android Tablet and Windows phone devices.  If you don’t have a mobile device, there is also an app available for computer, both Mac and PC.Please download FlexiBuzz to your devices, register for a free account then find and tick St Thomas’s School. When you are ticking specific boxes within our school account, please make sure you tick on the specific classes that apply to your family only.​Through the app you’ll receive all information, much like a text message, directly to your device, and everything we post can be translated into 90 languages.  You will also be able to submit student absences and permission slips via the app, electronically signed straight onto the screen with your finger.

The Dental clinic is based at Stonefields, corner Stonemasons Ave & Vialou Lane.  Please phone 5708915 for any enquiries.

Homework enables all children to learn the skills of independent study. It is also an appropriate time for children to learn spelling, basic facts and to read. Whilst homework is not compulsory, we strongly recommend it is done daily. The following are guidelines for the time to be spent daily on Homework:

• Years 1 – 3            Daily reading plus 10 minutes of another activity (spelling words etc)
• Years 4 – 6            20 – 30 minutes
• Years 7 – 8            30 – 45 minutes

Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds during the school day unless they are collected by an adult who has reported to the office and signed the appropriate register. Class teachers are advised that students are unable to leave with an adult unless the adult has the authorisation slip issued by the office.

During our building work the library has been relocated and we will only have a smaller collection for the children to borrow from.    Every class visits the library once a week during class time.  Books are issued to students for two weeks.  Junior classes can borrow one book each, Middle and Senior classes can borrow two books each.Our Librarians is Kororia Witika.

Please check out our library page on the school website for more information.

Our Maori Pasifika Support Group is available to support, celebrate and normalise cultures for all students at St Thomas’s School.  The group aims to empower our Tamariki to be all they can be and stand proud as Maori and Pasifika students at our school.Click here for more information about the Maori Pasifika Support Group

We have an online, real-time reporting system that allows parents to review their child’s progress at any time throughout the school year.  In terms 1 and 3 we hold Student Led Conferences which enable students to showcase their learning and progress towards set goals with their families. This combination of reporting methods ensures that parents and caregivers receive comprehensive information about the progress of their children.

All children must use the crossing supervised by Road Patrol Wardens and a teacher before and after school. We strongly recommend that parents set a good example for their children by using the crossing too.

Children are expected to be in class, prepared for the day by 8.55am. Please ensure you have your child at school in plenty of time. For safety and supervision reasons no child should be on the school grounds before 8.00am and we discourage children being dropped off before 8.15am.  Please Note:  Classrooms may be locked until 8.30am as teachers are involved in meetings and daily preparations.  School finishes at 3pm and for safety and supervision reasons children are expected to leave the school grounds promptly.

Subway orders are available on Fridays. Pre-printed Subway envelopes are available in the school office.

All sandwiches are made with meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato and cucumber on freshly baked white bread.

How to order:
1. Clearly write the child’s name, room number and order on the outside of an envelope
     e.g.  Joe Bloggs
Room 2
$4.00 Salami 4 Inch Mini Sub Sandwich
2. Place the correct money inside the envelope and seal it. Change cannot be provided.
3. Post the envelope into the Subway order box by 9.05am on Friday mornings.  The box is situated at the office.
4. Orders are sent to classrooms by 12.30pm.

​Sushi for Lunch
Sushi Spring will deliver Sushi for lunch time on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s.  If your child would like to have Sushi for lunch on either of these days they will need to bring correct money in an envelope or plastic bag with their name, class and choice clearly marked.  Please note: orders will not be processed by the office so no change or envelopes will be provided by the school.
Orders will need to be placed in the box in the office the day before by 9.30am.Chicken on Rice

• $6.00 – Teriyaki Chicken on Rice, Mayo
• $6.00 – Katsu Chicken on Rice, Mayo
• $6.00 – Tofu Katsu on Rice (VG)
• $9.00 – (Large) Teriyaki Chicken on Rice, Mayo
• $9.00 – (Large) Katsu Chicken on Rice, Mayo

Dumplings and Snacks

• $6.00 – Tempura Prawn (3pcs)
• $6.00 – Takoyaki Octopus Balls (5pcs)
• $6.00 – Homemade Dumplings (4pcs)
• $6.00 – Vegetarian Homemade Dumplings (VG) (5pcs)
• $5.00 – Edamame Beans (VG)

Note

1. After 9.30am the orders can be accepted at the shop (Shop 8, 138 Allum St, Kohimarama)
2. Orders must be processed THE DAY BEFORE, not on the same day.

Stationery
Stationery is sold at the school office between 8.30 and 9.00 daily.

The Board of Trustees has a Suncare Policy to ensure children’s safety during the spring and summer months. It is compulsory for all children to wear the St Thomas’s School hat during terms 1 and 4 whenever they are outdoors.  We ask for your support in ensuring your child brings an appropriate hat to school every day during these terms.

The Auckland Transport walking school bus programme is a parent lead initiative supported by the school.  The programme has been set up with the younger students in mind, offering a safe way for them to walk to school where the adult supervision is shared.  If there are enough students (passengers), then the theory is that the parents (drivers) can walk once a week while their children walk daily.Currently we have one route running on Tuesdays and Wednesday mornings, but we are keen to expand to more days and include the afternoons if we can get enough to join.

WSB: Cnr Gowing Drive (2 stops)
Bus Stop 1 is at the bus stop opposite 255 St Johns Road and will be leaving at 0815
Bus Stop 2 is outside 311 St Johns Road and will be leaving at 0825

More routes can be added too, you just need to rally some families together and we can provide support.

If you are interested in joining please take a look at the programme https://at.govt.nz/cycling-walking/school-travel/walking-school-bus/ and then fill out the following forms and send them to WSBstthomas@gmail.com (Hard copies can also be obtained from the office.)

1. The walking school bus consent form (parent): View Document
2. My walking school bus pledge (child): View Document (note this is also available in other languages)