General Information

Roll checks are a regular part of every period.  If you are away from school, your parent or caregiver will have to let us know.  Our preferred method for whānau to let us know you’re away is to use the School App. 

If you are marked as absent and no explanation has been given, your whānau will be contacted by the school office.

Do your parents or caregivers need a hand with the App?  You can point them towards the download here – DOWNLOAD APP

Students may not leave the school grounds during the day, including at lunchtime, without permission. This includes going out to buy lunch, so please make sure to bring your lunch or buy something from the Canteen.

If you need to leave school for an appointment please make sure your parent or caregiver lets the school office know.  When it is time to leave for your appointment, come to the ‘Student Slide’ entrance of the main office and let the staff there know that it is time for you to go, and they can confirm that it is okay and sign you out.

All students are expected to be inside the school gates and on their way to class by 8.55am. Class hours are 9am – 3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday, first period starts at 8.55am and last period finishes at 2.25pm so that our sports teams can compete against other schools.

You are expected to look after your own property, as well as that of others. 

If you damage or lose a textbook or school library book, there will be a charge to repair or replace the item. If you wilfully damage school property or another student’s property, you will be expected to meet the full cost of repair or replacement. 

If you accidentally damage school property, there may be a charge to repair or replace the damaged item. This will depend on your involvement in causing the damage.

Introduction to ‘Phones away for the day’

Schools across Aotearoa have been tasked with ensuring that cell phones are absent during school hours. This is a compliance level requirement for schools, and the initiative stems from international research highlighting challenges associated with cell phones in educational settings, primarily as a significant distraction for students. 

The rules we’ve developed, in consultation with our school community, aim to maximise student learning, while minimising potential distractions and additional workload on staff. To summarise our goal, cellular devices should not be brought to school by students, or if brought, they are to remain switched off throughout the entire school day.

Provisions for exemptions are available for emergency contact or health-related reasons, with the criteria detailed below.

The following outline of our ‘phones away for the day’ procedures is intended to ensure that parents, students, and staff have a unified understanding of the expectations and potential consequences right from the start of the school year.

Expectations and Consequences

Cellular devices are not to be seen during the school day – this means they do not come with the student to school or are in their bags and switched off. This rule is for students of all ages and at all times. It includes the time between classes and during breaks. In this context, the school day is defined as the time from the bell that marks the beginning of period 1 to when students are dismissed from their final class at the end of period 5.

Any use of a cellular device will result in confiscation of the device: 

1. In the first instance of the phone being seen, the student may pick up the confiscated phone from the office at the end of the day.
2. In the unlikely event of a second incident, a caregiver/parent will be required to pick it up at their convenience.
3. A third incident will require a caregiver/parent and student meeting with their dean or deputy principal. 

Note – Until the 1st of March, 2024, we will have an introductory phase of this programme. During this period, if a cellular device is seen or heard, teachers will provide a verbal reminder to put the phone away. This reminder will be recorded by the teacher. Should a second reminder be noted, the phone will be confiscated – as outlined in step (a) above. After March 1st, no verbal reminders will be issued.

If a parent or caregiver needs to contact their child urgently during the day, they should call the office. Alternatively, they can contact their child via their school email address. Students will also be able to check messages on their devices at the end of the school day. 

Teachers are not permitted to make exemptions for cellphone usage for learning activities.

Exemptions

In some cases, exemptions from the ‘phones away for the day’ rules may be made. Here are the three exemption categories: 

• Select School Trips: Students may be permitted to take certain digital devices on EOTC activities. Approved use of cell phones during these activities will be clearly communicated ahead of time by the teacher in charge of the activity. 
• Health and Safety Concerns: In matters related to a student or student’s immediate family’s health and safety concerns, a parent/caregiver can apply to the principal for a period of exemption. This could include situations like medical conditions or protection issues.  Please be aware that, for the safety of our students, emergency communications should continue to be initially directed to school staff. 
• Accessibility or Learning Needs: Students with additional accessibility or learning needs who use cell phones in class to increase or improve their ability to participate and learn can apply for an exemption from the principal.

Please contact the school office for an exemption form. A register of students who have an approved exemption will be made available to all school staff. The register will keep the reasons for the exemption confidential and will only detail the level of the exception, e.g. In the case of a student with a critically ill family member, the exemption may state: Jane Doe – permitted to have sound notifications on and receive messages and calls. 

In conclusion

We thank you for your support with this process. Some students will find the transition difficult as we get used to traditional (old) ways of communication.  ‘Phones away for the day’ has the potential to benefit our students greatly, and we look forward to making the most of this transition. 

After a student-led consultation, the student body decided on two key elements to the uniform:

•         A uniform that reflected the pride that they have in their school
•         One single uniform that would be flexible, dependent on the weather

The same uniform is worn all year round. During the winter months, a white thermal can be worn under the blouse/shirt.  Hoodies are not part of our uniform and if you wear one you will be asked to take it off.

Sports uniforms are provided by the school and returned at the end of each game. There is no Physical Education uniform, simply wear appropriate sports clothes.

All students can pick and choose what part of the uniform they would like to wear as there is no specific gendered uniform. 

Choose from the following list:

• Short Sleeve Blouse
• Short Sleeve Shirt
• Navy Zip Cardigan
• Navy Jersey
• White Thermals
• Pleated Skirt
• Black Trousers
• Navy Shorts
• Soft Shell Jacket (optional)
• Blazers are optional and must be ordered through the school office
• Black socks – short or up to calf length
• Footwear is required to be fully black, closed-toe shoes. No high tops or boots allowed.

In addition, further items can be purchased from the school canteen once a student begins at Kaiapoi High School.  

KHS Beanies $10

Caps $15

Bucket Hats $15

Scarves $5

Hair and piercings 

Extreme hairstyles are not appropriate, and hair must be a  natural colour. Long hair must be tied back for safety and hygiene purposes in some rooms, like the science labs, food room and technology rooms.  Ear piercings are allowed.