School prospectus

Pompallier Catholic School has a proud history of providing an excellent education in a caring environment for children from new Entrant through to Year Eight.

Pompallier Catholic School is an integral part of St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish and the Kaitaia community.

Pompallier Catholic School is conducted by lay teaching staff, in collaboration with the Parish Priest, the Board of Trustees, the school families and parishioners.

As a Mercy School, Pompallier upholds those traditions peculiar to that order and honours the spirit of the followers of Cecilia Maher.

Our Vision

That every child is able to learn and take risks in a safe Christ-centered environment that focuses on family and community values:

Love, Integrity, Truth, Mercy

It is through these words that we uphold our special character.

Pompallier Catholic School Goals 2008 - 2010

To achieve ‘our vision’ for our students, Pompallier Catholic School will develop the following goals for the three years: 2008 - 2010.

1. Success for All
To provide a learning community where ‘success for all’ is promoted.

• Teaching strategies and thinking tools are promoted to encourage and motivate students to succeed
• Early detection of learning difficulties and support given as needed
• Targeted teaching assistance is used with identified groups of children

2. Community
To promote Pastoral care aspects to the wider community and to
celebrate our special character at all times.

• Special Character committee is set up within the school/Parish
• Catholic School Days is celebrated more within our wider community
• PTFA are brought on board to pastoral care aspect of our school

3. Future
To provide career education and guidance to Year 7 and 8 students.

• Units are planned with Careers in mind at all times
• Careers week is developed where children go out of school to visit business
• Develop a careers information programme in the school for year 7 & 8 students

4. Culture
To provide positive cultural understandings through the involvement of the Maori community to enhance better outcomes for Maori students.

• Higher academic outcomes for Maori students
• There are visual signs in the school that acknowledge Maori culture
• Maori resource people from the parish are used regularly to support the school programme

5. Achievement
Student achievement information will be passed on to students, parents and the wider community and used to direct future learning steps.

• Regular assessment of numeracy and literacy areas in the school
• Formative assessment practices are developed further
• Targeted child’s parents are informed and brought on board early on to aid learning

6. Core
To provide priority on student achievement in Literacy and Numeracy.

• Students will develop speed and accuracy in basic facts and mathematical operations
• Students will be reading at or above their age level
• Students will develop the accepted conventions of written language in a range of genre appropriate to their age

7. Catholic Character
To provide an emotionally and physically safe learning environment, which embraces the Catholic Character.

• Staff to have regular staff reflection to focus on theology and Catholic Character development
• Gospel values are evident in the way we treat each other
• Regular interchange of teachers and classes for Religious Education programme and Prayer time

It takes a whole school community to create a ‘Great School’

Great Schools create ‘Great Children’ who are equipped with the necessary skills and strategies to deal with the many challenges that they will face as they grow.

Let’s make the next three years here at Pompallier Catholic School strong years where we walk together with our children supporting their faith and developing their academic abilities.

Staff

Pompallier school is staffed by a team of highly skilled and dedicated professionals who are committed to providing students with an excellent education in a nurturing environment.

Reporting to Parents

Teachers track student achievement throughout the year which is shared with parents as follows:

• Regular Parent / Teacher / Student interviews are held
• A written report is sent home to parents at the end of Term 2 and Term
• The midyear report is used as a guiding document to set goals with parents and teachers

Assessment tasks are varied to cover the school curriculum.

Teaching staff are available for informal discussions on student learning and well-being at any other times by request.

Learning Support

The classroom teachers are supported by a Teacher Aide and a Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour who offer learning support for students. Extension programmes are offered to cater for children with special abilities. Students are taught in a formative way so as to encourage their understanding of where they are at in their learning at all times.

Home Readers (Junior Students)

Daily reading material is sent home in Journal Bags. Families are asked to supervise the reading of this material and to encourage further reading.

Newsletters

A newsletter with events, policy changes and school happenings is sent home every second Wednesday ( the odd week of term) with the eldest child in the family. The newsletter is available to the church, local clubs and organizations as a means of conveying messages.

Children's Health

The Public Health Nurse provides Health Services to our school. The enrolment questionnaire and discussion with the New Entrant Teacher form part of an assessment of each child’s health when they start school. From time to time the school may ask the Health Nurse to see a child at school for running ears, vision checks, assessment of skin conditions, etc. please inform the school if you do not require this service for your child. You may contact our Health Nurse, through the school directly, or by phoning 408 3425.

Routine checks on eyesight and hearing are conducted at the school during the year. Cleanliness of hair and nails is a parental responsibility and is encouraged. The school needs to be informed if children are on regular medication. Antidotes for specific allergies can be kept in the School Sick Bay. Our attention should also be drawn to any ailments your child might suffer from while at school.

Dental Treatment

Inspection visits are conducted yearly, where all children on the school roll are seen. Parents whose children require treatment are contacted by the Dental Nurse. You can contact the Dental Nurse by phoning 408 0125.

Home Work

Homework is a vital continuance of classroom learning, Pompallier has a homework policy which is available for families on request. All teachers send homework home on a Monday for the week. This is returned every Friday. Families are encouraged to assist their children with homework assignments and to consult with teachers if assistance is required. Please make sure that homework becomes a regular feature in your child’s home life as it reinforces what is being taught in the classrooms. Children need to have a homework space that is clear of distractions and noise.

Parent Help

We rely on and encourage family support and parent help to assist us with School activities. We are grateful for the support we receive from families in transporting students and the like. Please feel welcome to support your child and the school to provide the best possible education for all.

Involvement in Parish Worship

There is a family/school Mass at least once a term on a Sunday, where children and parents are involved. The whole school attends Mass on Holy Days of Obligation. The school also provides and serves morning tea on the 4th Sunday of the month, thus encouraging a strong school / Parish relationship. Classes attend Friday Mass at 9.15 on a programme outlined by the Director of Religious Studies at the beginning of each term.

School Assemblies

A prayer assembly is held each Monday morning from 9.00-9.15 am. A School assembly is held fortnightly on Friday at 2.10 pm. Family, friends and the community are encouraged to join us.

School Fees

Attendance Dues: $89.50 per child per term.
(As a condition of enrolment in an Integrated School, there is a legal requirement for families to pay Attendance Dues, which helps to maintain the school)
Voluntary Donation: $10.00 per child per term (This is for services from the Catholic Education Office).

Voluntary Activity Donation: $13.00 per child per term (This assists your children and the school)

School Uniforms

Students wear the following school uniform with pride:

This is compulsory for Year 0 through to Year 8.

PE gear: Black shorts and House coloured T-shirt.

A Green hat is compulsory for all students during the summer months. (Term 1 and Term 4)

Please ensure that you clearly name all uniform items.

School Times

• 9.00 am: School commences (Line up bell – 8.55am)
• 11.00 - 11.30 am: Morning tea interval
• 1.00 pm - 1.45 pm: Lunch break
• 3.00 pm: School concludes

It is important to note that there is no driving to, through or from the car park area between 2.55 pm and 3.10 pm. This is for the safety of our students. This includes both entrances and exits.

Our Community

PTFA

Pompallier School has a strong PTFA which is always looking for new members. This vital school group raises money and supports the school in many different projects and ventures. The group meets regularly throughout the term.

Board of Trustees

Pompallier School is governed by a skilled and dedicated Board of Trustees who meet once a month to ensure that the school is effectively managed.