Our School
Our School
About Our School
Pukete School is situated off Te Rapa Straight and is located just a few minutes drive from both the Hamilton City Centre, The Base and Westfield Shopping Centre. Pukete School opened in 1973. We currently have a roll of around 420 and we are a uniform school. We do not have an enrolment scheme in place and the majority of Pukete students come from Pukete, Flagstaff, St. Andrews and Nawton with some children coming from further
outlying areas.
You will be greeted warmly by our front office staff. We have an attractive environment which supports learning. We are an Enviro-School.
Office Hours
The school Secretary is in attendance at the office from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. daily.
An Invitation
When we have visitors at Pukete School, they comment on the friendly atmosphere and welcoming nature of the school. They look at the positive interaction that students have with their teachers and each other.
At Pukete School we believe that building relationships and positive interaction are essential aspects of a quality learning climate. By valuing and supporting our students we create a positive relationship which fosters learning. The personal development of the individual is a priority. Pukete is an anti-bullying school.
A Safe Place to Learn
Every member of our school community has a right to feel safe and supported at school.
At our school, we believe that everyone has the right to be treated respectfully.
I invite you to visit Pukete and discuss with me or my staff how Pukete can support your child
Gavin Oliver
Principal
Our Beliefs
The learning and development of our students as young citizens of New Zealand is central to our philosophy, reflected in our mission statement, and our motto. We:
- believe all students have a right to high quality learning opportunities and take the responsibility to make good use of these opportunities.
- place great importance on Reading, Written Language and Maths as we believe these foundation subjects are the basis for all future learning.
- honour the Treaty of Waitangi.
- value our students, staff and community and respect their diversities of background. We believe that all members of our school community have the right to respect for their culture and practices.
Our Mission Statement
Pukete School aims to provide a positive, stimulating, and secure learning environment, catering for each child’s individual potential, while developing independence, confidence and acceptable social skills.
Pukete School Offers
- Support for the development of personal growth, independence and social interaction.
- A philosophy where opportunities are provided for all children to experience success.
- An educational climate that fosters high standards of work and behaviour.
- A highly qualified and experienced staff.
- Assistance programmes for children with special needs.
- A balanced curriculum including education outside the classroom.
- Many opportunities for parental involvement. Coaching in a wide range of summer and winter sporting codes.
- Tuition in cultural activities and out-of-school music classes.
School Times
School starts at 8.55 a.m. each week day morning and finishes at 3.00 p.m. Unless involved in Before School Programmes we encourage children not to arrive at school prior to 8.30 a.m.
Car Park
The school car park is a drop off/pick up zone only between the hours of 8.30 - 9.15 a.m. and 2.45 - 3.15 p.m. and outside these times you may angle park in this area. Please do not be offended when asked to observe these requests as it is the safety of your children that we are trying to ensure.
Enrolments
Parents of Year One children are asked to contact the school office for an enrolment appointment approximately 10 weeks prior to the child turning five. Enrolments are the responsibility of the Assistant Principal.
School Fees
School fees are an integral part of the school’s operation. Money obtained from school fees is used specifically for teaching related activities.
Stationery
All exercise books and stationery for use in classrooms are readily available through the school office at competitive prices. Book lists are sent home with pupils at the commencement of the year.
Newsletters
These are compiled weekly to keep parents/caregivers informed of all school activities. The oldest child in each family attending the school is given the newsletter on Friday. The newsletter is available via e-mail for those parents/caregivers who wish to use this option.
Reporting to Parents/Caregiver
Informal contact will be ongoing and formal opportunities will be organised by the school as follows:-
Term 1: Parent Teacher Conferences to share information and set learning goals.
Term 2 or 3: Parent Teacher Conferences to share information and set learning goals.
Term 4: A written report summarizing the child’s progress and performance.
Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in the education of their child(ren) by:
- Regularly reading to the children
- Helping with homework
- Supporting class teacher
- Attending interviews/meetings
- Attending new entrant introduction sessions
- Attending school functions such as gala and sports days
Parents able to assist in classrooms are asked to arrange this with the class teacher concerned.
Appointments to discuss important aspects of a child’s progress with the class teacher can be arranged at a time when he/she is free of classroom responsibilities.
Functions are organised where parents are invited to the school to share children’s achievements, while meetings are held periodically on curriculum areas and how these are taught. Notification of these events are directly relayed by the class teacher or through the weekly school newsletter.
Medical/Confidential Information
The confidentiality of all information relating to the medical status of children is respected. Parents/caregivers are required to inform school on the current medical status of a child where medication is a prerequisite to daily health. Consent from a parent/caregiver for the school to administer medication is required. Medicines are stored in a locked medical cabinet. In the case of asthma sufferers, however, children are encouraged to administer their own medication when and where required.
Leaving the School Grounds
Leave passes are available, provided a letter has been received from a parent/caregiver that has been directed to the class teacher or a senior staff member. For children who regularly have their lunch at home, one letter at the beginning of the year is sufficient. We encourage our children to have lunch at school.
Absences
In the interest of child safety, if a child should not be able to attend school then please phone 8494-352 and leave an absence message on the school answerphone or text 02102062046. Where no message is received the school office will endeavour to contact the home for an explanation of absence.
Buddy Reading
A unique Buddy Reading programme provides for senior children to have responsibility for a Year 1 child who has recently started school. The children meet regularly to share and participate in a range of activities. Our Year 6 children receive skills teaching in Pastoral Care.
Sports 
Pukete School encourages children to be involved in out of school sports. While the management of teams in a weekend is supported by parents/caregivers, school staff are actively involved. All school teams have a staff member who coordinates children during the week with basketball, rugby, touch rugby, netball, miniball, cricket, soccer and hockey teams. These are represented in local competitions.
The Role of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees (B.O.T.) has the responsibility of governing the school. The Principal is the school’s leader in professional matters and in its day-to-day running. The Board of Trustees consists of elected parents and a staff representative, together with the Principal and co-opted members. The monthly B.O.T. meetings are open to the public and a copy of the agenda and minutes are available from the office.
The Role of the School Council
The School Council organises parent meetings and family functions, including an annual gala day and other fundraising activities. In consultation with the staff and the B.O.T. it designates the funds it raises for particular needs of the school. The School Council executive consists of parents elected annually and encourages parental involvement throughout the year.
Before and After School Programmes
The Pukete Neighbourhood House, which is situated at the Te Rapa Sportsdrome in Church Road operates a before and after school care programme (OSCAR), and holiday programmes.
Information regarding these programmes is available from:
Pukete Neighbourhood House
Church Road
Hamilton
Phone (07) 8491-115
School Lunches
A lunch system operates at the school on a daily basis with a copy of the lunch menu available from the office. Lunch orders and money are to be placed in an envelope in the white box outside the school office. Please ensure the student’s name and room number are clearly written on the outside of the envelope. Children are not permitted to leave the school grounds to buy lunch.
Swimming Pool 
The school pool opens in Term One and remains in use while the weather is favourable. The teaching of swimming is part of the curriculum and there is an expectation for children to bring their togs to school.
Public Health Nurse
The Public Health Nurse assists in monitoring health issues at the school by networking with social and health agencies in the community. The Public Health Nurse also works with individual children with known health problems, assesses health concerns from teacher referrals, and supports the teaching of the school health programme.
Vision and Hearing Test
All children have their vision and hearing tested in their first year at school. When the testers visit (each term), opportunities are given for teachers and parents to refer older children. Parents are contacted if there is concern. If parents do not wish their child to be checked, or their child is currently under specialist care, then the school needs to be informed.
Speech and Language Therapist
The Speech/Language Therapist regularly visits the school. Children are referred by the teacher in consultation with the parents. If help is to be given, programmes and home help guidelines are provided.
Book Club
Ashton Publishers provides the school with a selection of books suitable for children, twice a term. A brochure enables pre-selection by parents/caregivers and children, and orders with money are placed through the school. There is no obligation to buy. Books will be distributed 2-3 weeks after the closing of orders.
Support Services
- Resource Teachers Learning Behaviour (RTLB)
- Speech Language Therapist (Sp. Ed)
- Special Education - Behaviour (Sp.Ed)
- Child Development Centre (CDC)
- Resource Teachers of Literacy (RT Lits)
- Learning Support Teachers (LST)
- Moderate Physical Disabilities
- Ongoing Resourcing (ORRS)
- Child and Mental Health (CAMS)
- Parentline
- Child Youth and Family (CYF)
- Public Health Nurse
- Waikato University and School of Education Lecturers
- Hauora Health
- Hearing and Vision
- James Family
- Health Camp
- SPELD
- Strengthening Families
- Family Works
School Uniform
We are a uniform school and we expect our students to wear their uniform with pride. It is a simple, easy care, uniform and is available from the Resource Room between 8.30-9.30 a.m. Monday to Thursday and 2.30 - 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday. Along with many other schools the wearing of the wide brimmed school hat is compulsory. (Please help us to keep our children sun safe)
General Curriculum
The teaching of English and Mathematics takes place each day. Other essential learning areas of Science, Social Studies, Technology, Physical Education and the Arts are programmed as topics throughout the term. Te Reo Maori is implemented as an integral part of the programme.
Information Technology
In support of the curriculum all classrooms have a range of technological equipment. These include computers, overhead projectors and tape decks. Staff and children also have access to a video camera, television, video recorder, 35mm camera, facsimile machines, photocopier, e-mail, internet and audio conference facilities.
N.E.S.B. Students
An increasing number of children, for whom English is not their first language, have been enrolled at the school in recent years. Ministry funding is provided to support these children in their development of the English language.
Special Interests
Children with special interests are given the opportunity to participate in a range of enrichment programmes which include the school choir, kapahaka, and out of school music classes.
Out of School Music Classes
Tuition in guitar and violin is available from a specialist tutor for children in Years 0-6. These lessons take place before school and are dependent on Ministry funding.
Sport, Swimming and Physical Education
Sport and the teaching of Physical Education skills are a regular part of the school programme. A range of kiwi sports activities have been introduced and are practiced during class and leisure times.
Education Outside the Classroom
Time is set aside each year to assist children to appreciate their environment and to become involved in a range of learning situations outside the classroom. These experiences include, for example, bush walks, camping, abseiling and orienteering. Parent consent and involvement is essential.
Homework
The main purpose of homework is to reinforce knowledge and classroom learning. The homework will be relevant to the learning needs of the individual child and should be completed within a realistic time frame.
10 minutes for Years 1-3 children
20 minutes for Years 4-6 children
Our school emblem represents:
Top left is the Waikato River and the hill on which the old Pa site is located on Pukete Road.
Top right - the open book represents the sharing of knowledge.
Bottom left - represents our children eager and willing to learn.
Bottom right - the Koru represents our cultural diversity.
