Question 1

Absences

Accepted Answer

Report absences with a reason before 9am via HERO appSchool messenger m.me/796262743896162School landline 03 3050 023School mobile 027 524 8580Remember to say why children are away so it is coded correctly.If your child is away sick for more than 5 days, we require a medical certificate.

Question 2

Assemblies

Accepted Answer

Assemblies are generally held every 2nd Friday at 2:15pm. Whānau welcome.
Whānau will be notified if their children are getting an award.
Classes take turns to present assembly. 
Keep an eye on the newsletter for updated information.

Question 3

Behaviour Management

Accepted Answer

Our school uses a values-based behaviour management approach that supports students to learn positive choices and take responsibility for their actions. Behaviours are addressed at three levels.

Low-level behaviours (such as being off-task, ignoring instructions, or not sharing equipment) are managed by teachers through discussion, reminders of school values, and simple consequences like apologies or brief time out.

Medium-level behaviours (including repeated low-level issues, unkind words, back chat, or minor damage to property) involve additional support such as reflection time, temporary removal from class or play areas, and communication with whānau.

High-level behaviours (such as physical aggression, serious defiance, vandalism, or vaping) are managed by senior staff and may include removal from class or playground, formal behaviour plans, family meetings, and stand-down procedures where required.

At every stage, the focus is on safety, learning, restoration, and supporting students to successfully re-engage with school life.

Question 4

Buses

Accepted Answer

Three routes (Owenga, South Coast/Waitangi, Northern).

Notify drivers of morning absences via the relevance messenger group.

Afternoon changes must be communicated to the office by 1:30 PM via  school messenger, landline or mobile.

All students must have hi vis and shoes when on the school bus.

Question 5

Communication Methods

Question 6

Daily Timetable

Accepted Answer

Daily Schedule
8:30am			Students can arrive at school
9:00am - 10:30am	Learning block 1
10:30am - 10:50am	Break 1 - including school kai
10:50am - 12:30pm	Learning block 2
12:30pm - 1:20pm	Break 2 - including own snacks, lunchtime swim
1:20pm - 3:00pm	Learning block 3
3:00 				Hometime

Question 7

Dental and Public Health Nurses

Accepted Answer

Annual dental checks are done at school in Term 4.

Public Health Nurse visits 3 times a year for hearing and vision screening, health concerns.

Question 8

Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC)

Accepted Answer

Our school follows set policies for EOTC. This involves different levels of permission and all include the requirement of a Safety Management Plan.
More details can be found on School Docs.
https://teone.schooldocs.co.nz/

Question 9

Fees

Accepted Answer

No fees as we are part of the Ministry of Education Donation Scheme.

Question 10

First Aid

Accepted Answer

Staff are trained in first aid.
Parents are notified of any head injury, or other serious injury.

Question 11

HERO app - essential for all whānau

Accepted Answer

HERO is the app which is used for the majority of school communications.
  - student reports and learning stories
  - class and schoolwide notices and newsletters
  - financial information
  - attendance data  and reporting attendance
  - school calendar

It is essential that all whānau are connected.

Question 12

Homework

Accepted Answer

The schools policy is that we do not issue compulsory homework.  Therefore we do give homework, but it is up to whānau to decide if it is something they want to do.

Question 13

Lost Property

Accepted Answer

Please label all items, including renaming hand-me-downs.
Unclaimed lost property is stored in the wheelie bin outside Rooms 1/2. 
Children and whānau are responsible for looking for any lost property, it is not the job of staff.

Question 14

Lunches

Accepted Answer

We are part of the Lunch in Schools programme. This provides a meal everyday for each child. We have our nutritious kai at the first break.

Please ensure that there is enough for food in your child's lunchbox for the afternoon break time.

The Den offers Friday lunches; order forms are shared Facebook.

Question 15

Medication

Accepted Answer

Stored in the office, except when inhalers are kept by the child.

Administered per parent instructions.

Permission to give panadol is requested on enroment. Parents are informed if any is issued.

Question 16

Newsletter

Accepted Answer

Newsletters are sent fortnightly, in odd weeks. 
They are shared on Facebook, via the HERO app, and emailed to those on our newsletter contact list.

Question 17

Parents for Kids (PFK)

Accepted Answer

Our PFK group operates to help support the school with additional fundraising and support at school events.
The group was disestablished for a number of years but is restarting in 2026. We welcome any parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles who are keen to help us out.
Look out in the newsletter for opportunities to be involved in specific activities.

Question 18

Policies

Accepted Answer

Policies are available for viewing through the School Docs website.
https://teone.schooldocs.co.nz/

Policies are reviewed on a set schedule. Policies ready for review are shared in the school newsletter and can ge reviewed on the School Docs site or through the form attached.

Go to the SchoolDocs site for our school by clicking on this link: https://teone.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
This will take you to Current review and review instructions.
Enter the username (teone) and password (chathams).
The policies listed here are the key policies under review this term. Click on the policy you want to review.
Click the “Start your review” button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
Follow the prompts to submit your review.
Note that you can review any policy that has a “Start your review” button, not just the key policies listed in Current review and review instructions. There will be other related policies in that section of the site open for review.

Question 19

Reporting to Parents

Accepted Answer

We have 2 face-to-face conferences a year: Term 1 (goal-setting), Term 3 (progress update).We also provide 2 written reports annually, in Terms 2 and 4.We encourage parents to talk with teachers if they have any queries or concerns about their child's learning. In 2026, teachers will also be providing ongoing learning shapshots via the HERO app. More will be shared about this as it unfolds.

Question 20

School Board

Accepted Answer

Our School Board sets the strategic direction of the school, and assists the school at a governance level.

Our current board members:
Presiding Member: Jenna Hoverd
Principal: Mel Sutton
Deputy PM: Heidi Lanauze
Staff Rep: Amy Kamo
Parent Reps: Eugene, McCormick, Holly Standring, Jayal Lanauze, Nicole Brooke-Sadd

Question 21

Stationery

Accepted Answer

All stationery is provided to children at the beginning of the year.
Replacements required through lack of respect (loosing things, breaking things) is at the expense of the whānau.
Replacements due to reasonable wear and tear, running out etc will be provided by the school.

Question 22

Swimming

Accepted Answer

Terms 1 & 4, subject to pool availability. 
Goggles are provided at school, but students are welcome to bring their own.
Long hair must be tied back.
Appropriate swimweat must be worn for 
Wetsuits are fine for lunchtime swims provided the child can dress themselves. 
2 dry towels are recommended when they have both a class and lunchtime swim.

Question 23

Term Dates

Accepted Answer

Wednesday 4th February to Wednesday 1 April 2026Public holiday: Waitangi Day – Friday 6 FebruaryMonday 20 April to Friday 3 July 2026Public holidays: Anzac Day – Saturday 25 April (Anzac Day observed on Monday 27 April) and King’s Birthday – Monday 1 JuneMonday 20 July to Friday 25 September 2026Monday 12 October to Thursday 17 December 2026Public holidays: Labour Day – Monday 26 October and Chatham Island Day - Monday 20 November

Question 24

Toys and Valuables

Accepted Answer

Please let all toys and valuables at home.
We don't take any responsiblity for things brought from home.

Question 25

Uniform

Accepted Answer

Uniform is compulsory at Te One School.

Any PLAIN black or dark blue bottoms.
T-shirt and sweatshirt purchased through school.
First school hat, house T-shirt, and hi vis are provided free of charge, with replacements purchased through school.

T shirt (long $30 or short sleeved $25)
Polar fleece ($40)
Girls navy skorts ($15)
Sunhats ($20)
House T shirts ($25)
Hi vis ($10)

Question 26

Wheels

Accepted Answer

School has a seletion of scooters and skateboards, plus helmets for sharing.Tamariki are welcome to bring their own wheels, including bikes, however bringing them on the bus is by the discretion of the driver.Any wheels and helmets remaining at school can be housed with the school ones in the wheels shed - it is the responsibility of the owner to put them there.THIS IS ON HOLD FOR A SHORT TIME WHILE BUILDING WORKS ARE HAPPENING

Te One School

Essential Information for Whānau