Frequently
Asked Questions

How many children will be in the class?

Class sizes are continually monitored to ensure optimum learning conditions.  They may grow towards the end of the term as we build in numbers.  New Entrant room numbers are kept as low as possible for as long as possible usually building to a maximum of around 22.  

School visits  

School visits are usually on the two Fridays before their start date.  Visits will begin at the start of the school day (8.55am) and conclude at morning tea time (10.55am), however we recommend arriving between 8.30am and 8.45am in order to allow your child time to settle. 

Please sign in at the school office on arrival to school and sign out when leaving.  We ask that you stay on the school grounds during these visits.  You are most welcome to go to the staffroom and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while you wait.  Feel free to pack a small snack so students can join their ‘classmates’ for snack break and morning tea.

First day of school

Children will start school the Monday after their 5th birthday.  If there is any reason this does not suit please get in touch with the school office. 

What year level will my child be?

Students are assessed on an individual basis, so this may vary especially for those students with different learning needs or those born close to the end of Term 1 cut off.  As a general rule students who start school in Term 1 complete the year as a 'Year 1' before moving into 'Year 2' the following year.  Students who start school from Term 2 onwards are classified as a 'Year 0' and become a 'Year 1' the following year. 

If I volunteer what will I be asked to do?

We are always more than happy to have helpers and use them in a range of ways, from filing books, to naming resources, to working in class with students.  Whether it is a one off block or a regular time, please see your class teacher.  Regular volunteers need to be police vetted as per the Vulnerable Children's Act requirements.  

When can I discuss my child’s progress with their teacher?

If you would like to talk about your child’s learning at any stage please just make a time to talk with their teacher.  Once your child has been at school for approximately one month Therese Visser will complete a one month at school assessment.  You will be invited to go over this with her.  We also do Meet the Parent Interviews in February and Learning Conversations in June each year.  

How do I let the teacher know of a change in pick-up time/or person?

If you know in advance that say Granny will be collecting your child one day, you can email that directly to the classroom teacher in advance.  If an emergency happens during the course of a given day, then we ask that you call through to the office so we can ensure that your message reaches your child's teacher (they may not see an email during the school day). 

Please let that alternative person know which gate your child would normally be picked up from, or if another gate/place is required let the office staff know those details when you call i.e. "Please get my child to meet nana across at Metro Park" 

When will my child start ESOL support?

All students whose first language is not English are entitled to free ESOL funded support.  This starts for children when they are in Year 2 because the rich oral language picked up during Wa Rapu and the Better Start Literacy Programme.  If you have not indicated that your child speaks another language at home, even if they are okay with English, please let the office know so we can ensure your child receives this funded support and 1:1 extra tutoring. 

What devices will my child be using?

In Year 0/1 the decision was made to have limited iPad per class so students could instead focus on developing their core skills.  In Year 2 iPads are used with groups of children to support their learning.  Years 3-6 students have 1-1 Chromebooks, kindly funded by the school and PTA.

Parking / pick up and drop offs...

We do not have onsite parking for parents, only school staff.  You will need to find a carpark in the surrounding streets.  We ask that you nominate a given gate in which to meet your child.  Students, especially our younger ones, will be brought out to you.  As you can imagine, having 850+ students families descending on our grounds makes for a lot of traffic congestion.  We also encourage those close enough to walk home, to do so.  

Collecting my child early (before the 3pm bell) / dropping them off late...

Early Pick Up 

If you need to pick your child up from school before 3.00pm please follow these instructions:

1. Email the teacher (all teacher emails are on the school website) and the office what time you need to pick up your child. office@silverdaleprimary.school.nz

2. You will pick up your child from the stop, drop, go area.

3. Please stay in your car and call or text this number 0273369199 telling us you are at school.

4. We will send your child to you, please stay in your car.

5. Please call or text this number 0273369199 telling us that you have your child.

If your child is going to be arriving late to school, they simply walk themselves straight to class and the teachers will mark them as being present.  You do not need to come to the office for this.