General Info A-Z

Communications
We use the Hero 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 Hero to your devices.  For instructions on how to sign up for Hero see the attached document.  Hero Parent Communications App

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.

Our new library is looking fabulous with new furniture and display cases.    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. 

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.

 

Stationery
Please order stationery through Office Max or purchase items from Warehouse Stationery or Paper Plus.  The office has a small supply of stationery that can be sold as individual items during the school year.

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.  Sunscreen is to be applied at home before coming to school and to minimise communal use, sunscreen will not be supplied by the schoool.  If sunscreen needs to be re-applied during the day, students must to this themselves from their own supply.

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 no routes running but if you are interested in joining please take a look at the programme https://at.govt.nz/cycling-walking/school-travel/walking-school-bus/