Whataroa School

About Us

Welcome to the Whataroa School website.

Our Mission

Our mission is to gift our children the passion to be the best they can be in all areas of learning. Teachers use a range of effective teaching approaches to support students’ learning. We have an open door policy and encourage any questions, concerns or ideas you would like to share.

Our Staff

Teaching Principal - Jenny Bainbridge

Principal Release - Sonia Pettigrew

Junior Teacher - Hayley Donald

Tutor Teacher / CRT Release - Tracy Northcroft

Latin Teacher - Sherry Woodside

School Support Staff - Stephanie Bowater

Admin and School Support - Nicolina Nolan

Caretaker - Linda Philps

Our Board of Trustees

Chairperson - Sheila Julian

Principal - Jenny Bainbridge

Staff Rep - Sonia Pettigrew

Parent Representatives - Andrew Craig, Madeleine Dennehy, Barbara O'Neill-Nolan

Our School

Listen to the children's podcasts about the school.

Whataroa school has been around for 137 years. The school has been extended and moved many times. The office was the dental clinic many years ago. Whataroa school was built because there was not enough room in other schools on the West Coast. There is now a population of 300 people in Whataroa. There is a lot of people in our community that have been to our school. It is a very well known school on the West Coast and through the generations. The school has added a new bathroom/first aide facility in the first term of 2008. There are currently 34 students and 23 families at Whataroa School at the moment. There are 17 students in the senior class and 17 students in the junior class.

Services

School Hours

8:20am Children may enter school grounds

9:00am School begins

11:00 -11:30 Morning tea

1:00 -1:45pm Lunchtime

3:10pm School ends

Lunch Breaks - Please ensure that you let the school know if your child is going home for lunch.

Library

The school has an excellent library. The children may change their books weekly. We are very keen to see the library being used. Children are allowed two books at a time and are encouraged to transport their books in their class reading folders. The community also are able to use the library to access books. There is a large range of adult fiction and non fiction available. The library is open to the community 9.00-12.00 noon Monday to Thursday, and 10.30-11.30am on Saturday mornings.

Scholastic Book Club - Book Club leaflets are sent home regularly. Orders need to be returned to school as soon as possible. Please do not send money, but make cheques payable to SCHOLASTIC and place cheque and order in a named envelope.

Sports

Pool - The school pool is a shared community resource. It is a wonderful facility. The pool is usually operational in Term 4 until the end of February/ beginning of March. Pool keys are sold to the community.

Sports - All pupils are involved in a Sport skills teaching and games programme. Parent participation in coaching any of these programmes is always welcome.

Sun Smart - Pupils are actively encouraged to wear sunhats, sunscreen and suitable clothing during risk periods (Terms 1 and 4).

General

Newsletters - A regular school newsletter will be sent home with your child. Other notices are sent home on occasions. Newsletters be download in PDF format or can be emailed if you wish.

Dentist - A mobile dental caravan visits the school annually to check all the pupil’s teeth. Parents are sent information on any dental work that their child requires by the dental therapist.

Photographs - Once a year a photographer will make arrangements to take individual, family and class photographs. Financial arrangements are between to parents and the photographer. Parents will be notified via a newsletter prior to visit.

Enrolment

Enrolments

If you wish to enrol your child please ring the school to arrange an appointment. When you enrol your child please bring with you the birth certificate (5 years old only), an emergency contact number, immunisation certificates and any relevant information on health, medication and general development. Enrolling five year olds are encouraged to visit the classroom on 3/4 occasions before their birthday. This helps make the transition from home to school smooth and secure. Please contact the school to arrange these visits.

School Charter

This is the key document by which the school operates. It contains a number of formal requirements expected by the Ministry of Education, and a number of local policies approved by the Board of Trustees. Copies of the Charter and policies are available for the parents to download from the Links section below, or borrow from the school office.

Playgroup

The local playgroup operates in the school site on Monday & Wednesday between 10.30am and 1.30pm. Ages Birth to 5yrs.

Links

Contact Us

Phone: 03 7534061 Fax: 03 7534064

65 Scally Rd, Whataroa, Westland

P.O. Box 50, Whataroa,7857

Email: Please send the form below.