Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 1
Table of Contents Welcome Page 2
About Us Page 3
Our Staff Pages 4-5
The Buller High School Way Page 6
The Buller High School Values | The 4 Rs Page 7
What we offer Page 8
Subjects at a glance Page 9
Opportunities | Sport Page 10
Opportunities | Art amp Culture Page 11
A Culture of Excellence Page 12
Tikanga at Buller High School Page 13
Pastoral Care Page 14
Student Support Page 15
Communication Pages 16-17
Attendance Page 18
Important Dates Page 19
Transport Page 19
Uniform Page 20
New Uniform Items Page 21
Personal Property Page 22
Detentions Page 22
Financial Information Page 23
Health and Safety Page 24
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 2
Welcome Dear Parents Caregivers and Students
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Buller High School This is a fine school with a proud heritage of providing quality education in the Buller District since 1899
I look forward to working with students teachers and parentscaregivers to ensure that all students are given the best possible learning opportunities that we can provide and that students are supported ldquoto be the best that they can berdquo
How do we do this
bull We have a strong house-based pastoral system that provides a safe encouraging and supportive environment for our students We encourage regular contact between home and school
bull We provide a wide-ranging curriculum that enables our students to achieve their goals and provide pathways and careers advice that helps them decide what those goals are We set high expectations for our students and our staff work with students to assist them to achieve these expectations
bull We offer a broad range of extra-curricular activities that allow students to extend themselves in Sports Culture the Arts and Outdoor Education
We as a school look forward to working with the students of the Buller to ensure that they achieve their goals and leave school with their heads held high a credit to their school their family and their community
The Schoolrsquos mission statement is to prepare all students to be ldquoReady for the challenges of tomorrowrdquo We look forward to making this a reality for all students at Buller High School
Again welcome to our school Andrew Basher Principal Tēnā koutou katoa
The Board of Trustees warmly welcomes you on your journey through Buller High School
At Buller High we strive to recognise and celebrate the potential and individuality of all our students Our goal is always for them to do the best they can What success looks like will vary from student to student Whether it is representing New Zealand in a particular area which a number of our students have done or a more modest but equally valuable achievement all success is valued
But the number one goal is always to equip our students with the skills they will need in their adult lives That includes but is not limited to gaining the highest educational qualification they are able to achieve
Critical to studentsrsquo success is their wellbeing which we articulate through the ldquoBuller High Wayrdquo and the ldquoFour Rsrdquo of relationships respect responsibility and resilience Pastoral care is an area we work hard on to support our students at such an important and not always easy time in their lives
Studentsrsquo success comes from a partnership between the student the school and their families We encourage feedback from our students and families both formally and informally throughout the year to help us to provide the best possible experience for our students while they are with us Once again welcome to Buller High School we look forward to working together
Best wishes Eamon Ginley Chairperson
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 3
About Us About Us Buller High School is a modern co-educational multi-course
Year 9-13 Secondary School serving the town of Westport and
surrounding areas
First established as a District High School in Lyndhurst Street in
1899 the School moved to the present site in 1922 and
continues to provide quality education by developing and
maintaining a wide range of academic vocational
recreational sporting and cultural courses to meet the
changing needs of its community
The roll in 2018 will be approximately 330 with an average
Year 9 intake of about 80 pupils drawn from the four local
contributing Primary Schools (Granity School St Canices
School Westport North School and Westport South School)
Buller High School provides a safe and secure environment for
the general education of pupils in Years 9 to 13 following
National Curriculum Guidelines
Pupils are encouraged to value knowledge to develop
independent learning skills and good study habits to improve
skills of judgment decision-making and communication and
to take pride in high personal achievement They are
encouraged to develop respect for others to improve self-
esteem self-discipline and tolerance and to co-operate with
others in the interest of learning They are also encouraged to
participate in a wide variety of sporting and cultural pursuits
to develop individual skills and talents to the fullest potential
The School recognises its unique role in the community and
continues to encourage staff pupils parents and the local
community to become involved in achieving these goals
Education is the passport to the future for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today
Malcolm X
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 4
Our Staff Senior Staff
Mr A J Basher - JP BSc BSocSc Dip Tchg Principal
Mr B Forsyth - Dip Tchg Adv Tr Cert NZ Dip Spec Subj Deputy Principal
Ms K Wells - BSc Business Education (Summa Cum Laude) Assistant Principal
Mrs C J Batt - NZ Dip Bus Executive Officer
Student Services
Mrs A Duncan - BA Dip Tchg Guidance Coordinator
Mrs A Basher ndash BTchg PGrad Dip Ed
Heads of Departments - 2017
Dr M Caplen ndash PhD BSc (Hon) MSc Mathematics
Ms J Christie-Cumming - BPhEd (Distinction) Dip Tchg Humanities
Mr R Collins ndash Adv Tr Cert NZ Dip Spec Subj Technology Design and Visual Communication
Mrs M Comeskey - BSc MSc Dip Tchg Pathways and Futures
Mr R Curnow - BA Dip Ed Admin English (on leave)
Ms E Curnow - BEd English (acting)
Mr S Dorey - BSc Dip Tchg Science
Ms J Eakin ndash BA Grad Dip Tchg Technology Food amp Textiles
Mr G Haussmann - BA Performing Arts Dip Tchg Performing Arts
Ms S Hollis - Dip Tchg Technology Food amp Textiles
Mr S Jar - BEd Dip Tchg Health amp Physical Education
Ms J Sherpa ndash BA Māori Dip Tchg Cert OE amp ES Te Reo Māori
Ms A Szybowski - BFA Dip Tchg Visual Arts
Teaching Staff
Mr F Anderson ndash BPhEd MTchg Ln Physical EducationHealth
Ms S Anderson - BA Dip Tchg English
Miss M Basher ndash BHITHSc DipSciTech GDip Tchg Ln (Sec) Mathematics
Mr A Bonisch ndash BSc Geography Grad Dip Tchg Humanities
Mr C Collins ndash BEd PhD Dip Tchg Mathematics
Mr P Crawley BSC LTCL (Piano Performance) ORS Teacher
Ms L Griffin - BSc Dip Tchg Science
Rev R Halsall - ONZM JP LTCL FIRMT Music
Mr J Hollis - NZCE NZ Dip Spec Subj Mathematics
Mrs E Jar - BSc (Hons) Dip Tchg Science
Mr D Lindblom - BSc MEd Sec Admin English
Ms C Middleton - Post Graduate ORS Teacher
Ms R Miller - BPE amp Health Dip Tchg Health amp Physical Education
Mr N Neumann ndash Dip Ba Dip Music Humanities
Ms J Pottinger - BSc (Hons) Dip Tchg Science
Mr M Ratnam - BEd Technology Hard Materials
Mrs R Vaega ndash BFa Dig Tchg Visual Arts
Mrs J Wilkes - BBIM Dip Bus Dip Tchg Business StudiesComputing
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 5
Our Staff Support Staff
Mrs G Brett Receptionist
Mrs R Caplen Teacher Aide
Mrs D Coleman Teacher Aide
Mrs A Cargill Sport Fit Coordinator
Mrs N Cunneen Receptionist
Mr T Dalley Groundsman
Mrs K Dobson Library Manager
Mr R Fairbrass Technician (Hard Materials)
Mrs S Hackett-Van Der Krogt Teacher Aide
Ms D Hillier Gateway Coordinator
Mrs S Hogarth Technician (Science)
Ms K McGrath Teacher Aide
Ms C McLeman Teacher Aide
Mrs M Murphy Teacher Aide
Mr H Murray Network manager
Ms C Phillips Teacher Aide
Mrs D Sawyers Accounts Clerk
Ms M Simonson Teacher Aide
Mr J Smith Alternative Education Coordinator
Mrs D Straker Student Services
Mr C Townsend District Attendance Officer
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 6
The Buller High School Way Buller High School is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) School PB4L is made up of practices and organisational systems that help schools to develop a positive social culture It is an evidence-based framework that schools adopt that looks at behaviour and learning for all students To enhance the current behaviour management systems Buller Highrsquos school-wide behaviour management plan is to continue supporting the learning and engagement of all students by providing clear and consistent expectations for behaviour
At Buller High School we o Recognise learning as the most important thing we do
o Make good choices about learning and behaviour
o Strive for continual improvement to be the best we can be
o Are honest thoughtful co-operative tolerant and well-mannered towards all people including visitors
o Respect the rights of others to learn without interruption
o Keep our school clean safe and attractive
Self-Managing Behaviour Students who ldquomanagerdquo or ldquotake ownership ofrdquo their own behaviour are more likely to be self-directed learners
The Buller High School Classroom
Relationships | Whanaungatanga Respect | Manaakitanga
bull Working cooperatively bull Listening attentively
bull Maintaining positive attitudes bull Being considerate of personal space
bull Getting advice when needed bull Waiting for your turn to speak
bull Tolerating and accepting differences
bull Sharing teacher time
Responsibility | Kawenga
Resilience | Manahau
bull Bringing all your equipment bull Being confident strong and caring
bull Being prepared to learn bull Avoiding distractions
bull Being punctual bull Making good decisions
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 7
The Buller High School Values | The 4 Rs
Relationships | Whanaungatanga
with friends with your community
with boysgirls with your family
with your teachers
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini My prowess is not single-handed
rather it represents the efforts of many
Respect | Manaakitanga
for your environment for your teachers
for your family for yourself
for your friends
Aroha ki te tangata Show love to all people
Responsibility |Kawenga
for your behaviour for your environment
for your learning for your property
ldquoKo te amorangi ki mua ko te hapai o ki murirdquo The leader goes ahead while the supporters follow
Resilience | Manahau
for ability to bounce back showing strength
building confidence adapting to change
working well under stress
ldquoMā te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 8
What we offer Years 9 amp 10 bull To consolidate the core subjects ndash English Mathematics
Science Social Studies Health and Physical Education
bull To give all Year 9 students a lsquotastersquo of the range of other curriculum courses that Buller High School provides
bull To allow Year 10 students to explore at more depth a range of optional subjects
Years 11 ndash 15 bull To consolidate literacy numeracy and science skills for year
11 students
bull To offer as wide a range of subjects as possible
bull To prepare students for NCEA Levels 1 ndash 3
bull To equip students for tertiary education and the workplace
All pupils are working towards obtaining the National Certificate of Educational Achievement at Level 1 2 or 3 A mix of internal and external assessment is used depending on the subjects each pupil chooses
Special Assistance Some pupils require extra assistance with the basics Others need extension work to keep them fully engaged in their learning Buller High School identifies needs and provides programmes to cater for them For those with special needs teachers develop individual programmes and in some cases provide individual tuition especially in Reading
Homework Pupils are expected to do some work at home to reinforce and extend their learning For junior pupils homework can be an extension of class work a time to finish exercises begun in class a time for project or assignment work or to learn work covered during school hours It is important that juniors have a regular time and place for homework in order to develop good study habits early in their secondary school career The School provides Homework Diaries and these should be used by pupils to record details of homework set Senior pupils should be devoting much of their homework time to revision and study as well as for assignments and completion of exercises begun in class Seniors should ensure that they begin their revision programmes early in the year as regular organised study is necessary for examination preparation
It is expected that pupils in Year 9 and 10 will spend from 1-1frac12 hours per day on homework Pupils in Year 11 to 13 should spend from 2-3 hours per day on homework It must be emphasised that these times are guides only and parentscaregivers should contact the School if too much homework or a lack of it becomes a problem
Progress Reports Reports are issued at regular intervals throughout the year to allow parentscaregivers to check on the progress of their children In 2017 the School trialled a new system where reports were completed each term It is hoped that this more regular feedback will provide a timely and accurate picture of student achievement
One of our lsquotastersrsquo
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 9
Subjects at a glance Note These are the subjects that ran in 2017 Courses for 2018 will be based on student demand and selection and have yet to be confirmed
YEAR 9 YEAR 10 LEVEL 1 (Year 11) LEVEL 2 (Year 12) LEVEL 3 (Year 13)
English English EN101 English EN201 English EN301 English
EP202 Trades English
Mathematics Mathematics MA101 Mathematics MA201 Mathematics MC301 Maths with Calculus
MA102 Mathematics
Alternative
MA202 Mathematics Alternative MS301 Statistics amp Modelling
Science Science PS101 Physical Sciences PH201 Physics PH301 Physics
Environmental Studies BS101 Biological Sciences BI201 Biology BI301 Biology
HT101 Horticulture CH201 Chemistry CH301 Chemistry
Social Studies Social Studies GE101 Geography GE201 Geography GE301 Geography
HI101 History HI201 History HI301 History
Māori ordmMāori MR123 Māori (Combined Levels 1 ndash 3)
ordmInformation Management CP101 Computing CP201 Computing CP301 Computing
Business Studies Business Studies BS101 Business Studies BS201 Business Studies BS301 Business Studies
PW201 Pathways PW301 Pathways
PP123 Personalised Programme PP123 Personalised Programme
Design and Visual
Communication ordmDesign and Visual
Communication
GR101 Design and Visual Communication
GR201 Design and Visual Communication
GR301 Design and Visual Communication
ordmWorkshop Technology WS101 Workshop Technology WS201 Workshop Technology WS301 Workshop Technology
WM201 Workshop Technology - Metal
Technology Food and
Fabric ordmTechnology Food and Fabric
HS101 Hospitality HS201 Hospitality HS301 Hospitality
Visual Arts ordmVisual Arts VA101 Visual Arts VA201 Visual Arts VA301 Visual Arts
PD201 Photography Design PD301 Photography Design
Performing Arts ordmPerforming Arts PA101 Performing Arts PA201 Performing Arts PA301 Performing Arts
MU123 Music (combined Level 1 ndash 3 class)
Physical Education Physical Education PE101 Physical Education PE201 Physical Education PE301 Physical Education
Health ordmHealth HL101 Health HL201 Health HL 301 Health
Trades Academy (Automotive Early Learning Hospitality Agriculture Outdoor Education)
Other courses available on request via Distance Learning and Correspondence
SUBJECTS THAT ARE SHADED = compulsory subjects
= Year 9 Options These are compulsory and rotate every 9 weeks ordm = Year 10 Options
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 10
Opportunities | Sport Buller High School has a very strong tradition in a wide range of sports especially Basketball Hockey Netball Rugby Soccer Swimming and Rowing Many other sports are also catered for Regular inter-school fixtures are held on a home-and-away basis In 2017 the School took part in two major exchanges with Kaiapoi and Motueka High Schools There are a variety of activities available at lunch times including mini-competitions in individual and team sports and coachingumpiring sessions Sports equipment will also be issued at lunch times for group and individual activities
Exchanges The School has two major sports exchanges that sit along our regular fixtures with other local West Coast schools It is an opportunity to host students from other schools and in turn be hosted when travelling away Over the years many friendships have grown through both staff and students with our exchange schools The exchanges are a highlight of the school sporting and cultural calendar
Tournament Week Tournament week during Term 3 will often see Buller High School field up to eight teams travelling to various parts of the country This is a fantastic opportunity to compete against other schools build friendships and team spirit The School has a long tradition of competing to a high level at these tournaments Teams selected will have regular practice sessions and matches in the lead-up With the building of the Solid Energy Sports Complex we are now seeing local sports bodies hosting national tournaments during this week
House Sports Inter-House competitions in Athletics Swimming lunchtime sports and Cross Country are highlights of the school year The House Shield is awarded annually to the House that gains the most House points during the year Participation at these events allows the House spirit to develop House sports and the House Shield have a long tradition here at Buller High School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 11
Opportunities | Arts amp Culture Buller High School also has a strong tradition in Performing Arts Visual Arts Music and Kapa Haka Our goal is that throughout their school years our pupils will have opportunities to showcase their visual dramatic musical artistic and cultural skills in school and the wider community
Visual Arts As a subject Visual Arts is one of the most popular within the School This is no surprise given the excellent achievement results that have been achieved over a number of years Examples of student artwork can be found all over the School and feature on the diary cover each year
In recent times senior art portfolio work has been displayed in the local galleries The Visual Arts Department incorporates photography of schoolwide happenings into the curriculum and also into the School Yearbook
Performing Arts and Music Anyone who has seen either a variety concert or school show will know what talent there is within our community However to make this talent shine needs dedicated and skilled staff Our Head of Performing Arts oversees these huge undertakings each year to ensure that these showcase events provide entertainment in a polished and professional way Our students excel in Trinity music exams alongside their teachers under the excellent tutelage of Mrs Rona Halsall each year
The School also provides many opportunities for our musicians from classical violinists through to pianists and rock bands Buller High School has a proud tradition of producing talented vocalists musicians and bands In 2017 two bands and two soloists competed at the West Coast Regionals of Rockquest
Bollywood The School Bollywood group was formed in mid-2015 and provides students with an opportunity to learn about another culture and form of dance The group has been very successful winning a number of awards including the Trustpower Supreme Award National Trustpower Award and runner-up High School Bollywood Dance Competition The group has now been extended to include members from the community and local primary schools
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 12
A Culture of Excellence The School gives recognition to its students for achievements in a wide range of activities These achievements are recognised by
Principalrsquos Awards A Principalrsquos Award is given for exceptional performance or achievement at an outstanding level in a subject sport or community service When a student is to be awarded with a Principalrsquos Award
bull They will receive the Award at a full school assembly by the Principal
bull Parents will be contacted in time so that they can attend the assembly
bull The student will be mentioned in the next newsletter along with the reason for the Award
bull The Award will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Award will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Principalrsquos Award will earn House points towards the House Shield
Merit Certificates Students receive Merit Awards by teachers as a positive reward for exhibiting some positive behaviour worthy of reward This can be behaviour in or out of the classroom
Once a student receives 10 Merit Awards they
bull Hand them into the Office These get recorded as they arrive
bull Receive a Merit Certificate from the Dean of the studentrsquos House
bull The Certificate will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Certificate will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Merit Certificate will earn House points towards the House Shield
Prizegiving There is a senior and junior prizegiving which is an annual school and community highlight held each year to celebrate the many successes and achievements of our students over the year Awards include
Academic Awards Sporting and Cultural Awards Special Awards
Work and Progress Academic Leadership Excellence Performance Special Academic Awards
First Place (in class or level) Sports Championships Special Trophies Māori Achievement and Leadership
Contribution and Leadership Community Contribution
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 13
Tikanga at Buller High School
At Buller High School we see te ro Māori and learning ideas around tikanga and te reo Māori important for our students school and whānau (parentswider community) Tikanga is about principles values and spirituality which are integral parts of our schoolrsquos ethos and strategic plan Tikanga is also lsquoas much a comment on process as it is on fixed attitudes or knowledgersquo (Mason Durie) Māori beliefs values and concepts are inherited practised and passed from generation to generation This is clearly demonstrated at tangihanga (the mourning process before burial) Values also include the importance of Te Reo (language) Whenua (land) and in particular Whānau (family and extended family group)
Pōwhiri All new students in Year 9 and new staff to Buller High School will be welcomed with a Pōwhiri at the beginning of the year A Pōwhiri may also take place at an important gathering or special occasion Pōwhiri includes protocol involved in welcoming and caring for visitors The key elements to a Pōwhiri include
bull Karanga (the calling)
bull Haka Pōwhiri (action dance)
bull Whaikorero (formal speeches)
bull Koha (the gift)
bull Hongi (pressing of noses)
bull HakariKai (feast or spread of food) During the Year 9 orientation Year 9 students will learn more about the Pōwhiri protocol they will experience at the beginning of the year
Kapa Haka The Buller High School Kapa Haka group has been successful taking out virtually every section of the West Coast regional finals in 2013 and again in 2014 Several of the Kapa Haka members are involved in a West Coast group formed in 2016
ldquoMa te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo
With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 14
Pastoral Care
The School has an extensive Guidance Network to provide support and guidance to all pupils The Guidance Network is based on a House System that seeks to provide a turangawaewae or place to stand with confidence for all pupils throughout their time at school Each House Group has a House Teacher who is responsible for the overall guidance and pastoral care of pupils in that House Group At the head of each House is a Dean who assists the House Teachers with the pastoral care of their groups
House System The House System is designed to support pupils with a wide variety of matters such as relationships with teachers or other pupils careers advice subject selection and help them focus on their studies The four Houses also provide the basic structure for school sports and other competitive activities Each House elects two House Captains (boy and girl) to lead the House in these activities under the guidance of the Dean of House Parentscaregivers requiring appointments with any staff member should contact through the School Office
House Teachers and Deans Pupils seeking individual support or guidance should talk with their House Teacher or their House Dean At the beginning and throughout the year House Teachers and Deans will provide pupils with individual lsquoacademicrsquo guidance eg subject choice NZQA levelcredit goals Parentscaregivers are encouraged to make contact with the House Teacher or Dean should they want assistanceadvice about their child The School also has a Māori Dean who supports students across all houses and classes
Head of Student Services
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 15
Student Support The Principal is always available to discuss matters with parentscaregivers
School Council and
BOT Student Representative
Representatives from each House Group plus the Head
Boy and Head Girl meet regularly to discuss any
matters that pupils wish to bring up for discussion
Matters concerning the pupil body and suggestions for
improvements are included Each representative reports
back to their group and matters are discussed
CareersPathways Team
The CareersPathways Team
is available to any pupil or parentcaregiver for
assistance with goal-setting subject choices pathways to
careers and careers information The
CareersPathways Team also liaises with vocational
agencies and co-ordinates their visits to the School
DeputyAssistant Principal
Parentscaregivers can
contact the Deputy Principal (Mr Forsyth Yr 11-14+) or Assistant Principal (Ms Wells Yr 9-10)
about their childrsquos progress or welfare at school by
contacting them directly by phone email or leaving a
message at the Office
Head of Student Services
The Head of Student Services is available to any pupil or
parentcaregiver for help and consultation on personal
matters and school matters The Head of Student Services also refers students or parents
to other agencies or professionals
Prefects including Head Boy
and Head Girl
Prefects are senior pupils appointed to assist staff on
duty maintain a high standard of behaviour and provide leadership in pupil
activities such as the School Council and as leaders in
their Houses They are selected on the basis of their
leadership potential academic and sporting
aptitude
STUDENT
SUPPORT
Peer Support
Peer Support enables senior pupils normally Yr 12 or 13
pupils to assist Yr 9 pupils in making the transition to High
School Peer Support involves giving and receiving trust gaining a greater self-
awareness building resilience providing
information and improving the self-esteem of both the
leaders and younger pupils through mutual interaction
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 2
Welcome Dear Parents Caregivers and Students
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Buller High School This is a fine school with a proud heritage of providing quality education in the Buller District since 1899
I look forward to working with students teachers and parentscaregivers to ensure that all students are given the best possible learning opportunities that we can provide and that students are supported ldquoto be the best that they can berdquo
How do we do this
bull We have a strong house-based pastoral system that provides a safe encouraging and supportive environment for our students We encourage regular contact between home and school
bull We provide a wide-ranging curriculum that enables our students to achieve their goals and provide pathways and careers advice that helps them decide what those goals are We set high expectations for our students and our staff work with students to assist them to achieve these expectations
bull We offer a broad range of extra-curricular activities that allow students to extend themselves in Sports Culture the Arts and Outdoor Education
We as a school look forward to working with the students of the Buller to ensure that they achieve their goals and leave school with their heads held high a credit to their school their family and their community
The Schoolrsquos mission statement is to prepare all students to be ldquoReady for the challenges of tomorrowrdquo We look forward to making this a reality for all students at Buller High School
Again welcome to our school Andrew Basher Principal Tēnā koutou katoa
The Board of Trustees warmly welcomes you on your journey through Buller High School
At Buller High we strive to recognise and celebrate the potential and individuality of all our students Our goal is always for them to do the best they can What success looks like will vary from student to student Whether it is representing New Zealand in a particular area which a number of our students have done or a more modest but equally valuable achievement all success is valued
But the number one goal is always to equip our students with the skills they will need in their adult lives That includes but is not limited to gaining the highest educational qualification they are able to achieve
Critical to studentsrsquo success is their wellbeing which we articulate through the ldquoBuller High Wayrdquo and the ldquoFour Rsrdquo of relationships respect responsibility and resilience Pastoral care is an area we work hard on to support our students at such an important and not always easy time in their lives
Studentsrsquo success comes from a partnership between the student the school and their families We encourage feedback from our students and families both formally and informally throughout the year to help us to provide the best possible experience for our students while they are with us Once again welcome to Buller High School we look forward to working together
Best wishes Eamon Ginley Chairperson
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 3
About Us About Us Buller High School is a modern co-educational multi-course
Year 9-13 Secondary School serving the town of Westport and
surrounding areas
First established as a District High School in Lyndhurst Street in
1899 the School moved to the present site in 1922 and
continues to provide quality education by developing and
maintaining a wide range of academic vocational
recreational sporting and cultural courses to meet the
changing needs of its community
The roll in 2018 will be approximately 330 with an average
Year 9 intake of about 80 pupils drawn from the four local
contributing Primary Schools (Granity School St Canices
School Westport North School and Westport South School)
Buller High School provides a safe and secure environment for
the general education of pupils in Years 9 to 13 following
National Curriculum Guidelines
Pupils are encouraged to value knowledge to develop
independent learning skills and good study habits to improve
skills of judgment decision-making and communication and
to take pride in high personal achievement They are
encouraged to develop respect for others to improve self-
esteem self-discipline and tolerance and to co-operate with
others in the interest of learning They are also encouraged to
participate in a wide variety of sporting and cultural pursuits
to develop individual skills and talents to the fullest potential
The School recognises its unique role in the community and
continues to encourage staff pupils parents and the local
community to become involved in achieving these goals
Education is the passport to the future for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today
Malcolm X
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 4
Our Staff Senior Staff
Mr A J Basher - JP BSc BSocSc Dip Tchg Principal
Mr B Forsyth - Dip Tchg Adv Tr Cert NZ Dip Spec Subj Deputy Principal
Ms K Wells - BSc Business Education (Summa Cum Laude) Assistant Principal
Mrs C J Batt - NZ Dip Bus Executive Officer
Student Services
Mrs A Duncan - BA Dip Tchg Guidance Coordinator
Mrs A Basher ndash BTchg PGrad Dip Ed
Heads of Departments - 2017
Dr M Caplen ndash PhD BSc (Hon) MSc Mathematics
Ms J Christie-Cumming - BPhEd (Distinction) Dip Tchg Humanities
Mr R Collins ndash Adv Tr Cert NZ Dip Spec Subj Technology Design and Visual Communication
Mrs M Comeskey - BSc MSc Dip Tchg Pathways and Futures
Mr R Curnow - BA Dip Ed Admin English (on leave)
Ms E Curnow - BEd English (acting)
Mr S Dorey - BSc Dip Tchg Science
Ms J Eakin ndash BA Grad Dip Tchg Technology Food amp Textiles
Mr G Haussmann - BA Performing Arts Dip Tchg Performing Arts
Ms S Hollis - Dip Tchg Technology Food amp Textiles
Mr S Jar - BEd Dip Tchg Health amp Physical Education
Ms J Sherpa ndash BA Māori Dip Tchg Cert OE amp ES Te Reo Māori
Ms A Szybowski - BFA Dip Tchg Visual Arts
Teaching Staff
Mr F Anderson ndash BPhEd MTchg Ln Physical EducationHealth
Ms S Anderson - BA Dip Tchg English
Miss M Basher ndash BHITHSc DipSciTech GDip Tchg Ln (Sec) Mathematics
Mr A Bonisch ndash BSc Geography Grad Dip Tchg Humanities
Mr C Collins ndash BEd PhD Dip Tchg Mathematics
Mr P Crawley BSC LTCL (Piano Performance) ORS Teacher
Ms L Griffin - BSc Dip Tchg Science
Rev R Halsall - ONZM JP LTCL FIRMT Music
Mr J Hollis - NZCE NZ Dip Spec Subj Mathematics
Mrs E Jar - BSc (Hons) Dip Tchg Science
Mr D Lindblom - BSc MEd Sec Admin English
Ms C Middleton - Post Graduate ORS Teacher
Ms R Miller - BPE amp Health Dip Tchg Health amp Physical Education
Mr N Neumann ndash Dip Ba Dip Music Humanities
Ms J Pottinger - BSc (Hons) Dip Tchg Science
Mr M Ratnam - BEd Technology Hard Materials
Mrs R Vaega ndash BFa Dig Tchg Visual Arts
Mrs J Wilkes - BBIM Dip Bus Dip Tchg Business StudiesComputing
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 5
Our Staff Support Staff
Mrs G Brett Receptionist
Mrs R Caplen Teacher Aide
Mrs D Coleman Teacher Aide
Mrs A Cargill Sport Fit Coordinator
Mrs N Cunneen Receptionist
Mr T Dalley Groundsman
Mrs K Dobson Library Manager
Mr R Fairbrass Technician (Hard Materials)
Mrs S Hackett-Van Der Krogt Teacher Aide
Ms D Hillier Gateway Coordinator
Mrs S Hogarth Technician (Science)
Ms K McGrath Teacher Aide
Ms C McLeman Teacher Aide
Mrs M Murphy Teacher Aide
Mr H Murray Network manager
Ms C Phillips Teacher Aide
Mrs D Sawyers Accounts Clerk
Ms M Simonson Teacher Aide
Mr J Smith Alternative Education Coordinator
Mrs D Straker Student Services
Mr C Townsend District Attendance Officer
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 6
The Buller High School Way Buller High School is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) School PB4L is made up of practices and organisational systems that help schools to develop a positive social culture It is an evidence-based framework that schools adopt that looks at behaviour and learning for all students To enhance the current behaviour management systems Buller Highrsquos school-wide behaviour management plan is to continue supporting the learning and engagement of all students by providing clear and consistent expectations for behaviour
At Buller High School we o Recognise learning as the most important thing we do
o Make good choices about learning and behaviour
o Strive for continual improvement to be the best we can be
o Are honest thoughtful co-operative tolerant and well-mannered towards all people including visitors
o Respect the rights of others to learn without interruption
o Keep our school clean safe and attractive
Self-Managing Behaviour Students who ldquomanagerdquo or ldquotake ownership ofrdquo their own behaviour are more likely to be self-directed learners
The Buller High School Classroom
Relationships | Whanaungatanga Respect | Manaakitanga
bull Working cooperatively bull Listening attentively
bull Maintaining positive attitudes bull Being considerate of personal space
bull Getting advice when needed bull Waiting for your turn to speak
bull Tolerating and accepting differences
bull Sharing teacher time
Responsibility | Kawenga
Resilience | Manahau
bull Bringing all your equipment bull Being confident strong and caring
bull Being prepared to learn bull Avoiding distractions
bull Being punctual bull Making good decisions
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 7
The Buller High School Values | The 4 Rs
Relationships | Whanaungatanga
with friends with your community
with boysgirls with your family
with your teachers
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini My prowess is not single-handed
rather it represents the efforts of many
Respect | Manaakitanga
for your environment for your teachers
for your family for yourself
for your friends
Aroha ki te tangata Show love to all people
Responsibility |Kawenga
for your behaviour for your environment
for your learning for your property
ldquoKo te amorangi ki mua ko te hapai o ki murirdquo The leader goes ahead while the supporters follow
Resilience | Manahau
for ability to bounce back showing strength
building confidence adapting to change
working well under stress
ldquoMā te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 8
What we offer Years 9 amp 10 bull To consolidate the core subjects ndash English Mathematics
Science Social Studies Health and Physical Education
bull To give all Year 9 students a lsquotastersquo of the range of other curriculum courses that Buller High School provides
bull To allow Year 10 students to explore at more depth a range of optional subjects
Years 11 ndash 15 bull To consolidate literacy numeracy and science skills for year
11 students
bull To offer as wide a range of subjects as possible
bull To prepare students for NCEA Levels 1 ndash 3
bull To equip students for tertiary education and the workplace
All pupils are working towards obtaining the National Certificate of Educational Achievement at Level 1 2 or 3 A mix of internal and external assessment is used depending on the subjects each pupil chooses
Special Assistance Some pupils require extra assistance with the basics Others need extension work to keep them fully engaged in their learning Buller High School identifies needs and provides programmes to cater for them For those with special needs teachers develop individual programmes and in some cases provide individual tuition especially in Reading
Homework Pupils are expected to do some work at home to reinforce and extend their learning For junior pupils homework can be an extension of class work a time to finish exercises begun in class a time for project or assignment work or to learn work covered during school hours It is important that juniors have a regular time and place for homework in order to develop good study habits early in their secondary school career The School provides Homework Diaries and these should be used by pupils to record details of homework set Senior pupils should be devoting much of their homework time to revision and study as well as for assignments and completion of exercises begun in class Seniors should ensure that they begin their revision programmes early in the year as regular organised study is necessary for examination preparation
It is expected that pupils in Year 9 and 10 will spend from 1-1frac12 hours per day on homework Pupils in Year 11 to 13 should spend from 2-3 hours per day on homework It must be emphasised that these times are guides only and parentscaregivers should contact the School if too much homework or a lack of it becomes a problem
Progress Reports Reports are issued at regular intervals throughout the year to allow parentscaregivers to check on the progress of their children In 2017 the School trialled a new system where reports were completed each term It is hoped that this more regular feedback will provide a timely and accurate picture of student achievement
One of our lsquotastersrsquo
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 9
Subjects at a glance Note These are the subjects that ran in 2017 Courses for 2018 will be based on student demand and selection and have yet to be confirmed
YEAR 9 YEAR 10 LEVEL 1 (Year 11) LEVEL 2 (Year 12) LEVEL 3 (Year 13)
English English EN101 English EN201 English EN301 English
EP202 Trades English
Mathematics Mathematics MA101 Mathematics MA201 Mathematics MC301 Maths with Calculus
MA102 Mathematics
Alternative
MA202 Mathematics Alternative MS301 Statistics amp Modelling
Science Science PS101 Physical Sciences PH201 Physics PH301 Physics
Environmental Studies BS101 Biological Sciences BI201 Biology BI301 Biology
HT101 Horticulture CH201 Chemistry CH301 Chemistry
Social Studies Social Studies GE101 Geography GE201 Geography GE301 Geography
HI101 History HI201 History HI301 History
Māori ordmMāori MR123 Māori (Combined Levels 1 ndash 3)
ordmInformation Management CP101 Computing CP201 Computing CP301 Computing
Business Studies Business Studies BS101 Business Studies BS201 Business Studies BS301 Business Studies
PW201 Pathways PW301 Pathways
PP123 Personalised Programme PP123 Personalised Programme
Design and Visual
Communication ordmDesign and Visual
Communication
GR101 Design and Visual Communication
GR201 Design and Visual Communication
GR301 Design and Visual Communication
ordmWorkshop Technology WS101 Workshop Technology WS201 Workshop Technology WS301 Workshop Technology
WM201 Workshop Technology - Metal
Technology Food and
Fabric ordmTechnology Food and Fabric
HS101 Hospitality HS201 Hospitality HS301 Hospitality
Visual Arts ordmVisual Arts VA101 Visual Arts VA201 Visual Arts VA301 Visual Arts
PD201 Photography Design PD301 Photography Design
Performing Arts ordmPerforming Arts PA101 Performing Arts PA201 Performing Arts PA301 Performing Arts
MU123 Music (combined Level 1 ndash 3 class)
Physical Education Physical Education PE101 Physical Education PE201 Physical Education PE301 Physical Education
Health ordmHealth HL101 Health HL201 Health HL 301 Health
Trades Academy (Automotive Early Learning Hospitality Agriculture Outdoor Education)
Other courses available on request via Distance Learning and Correspondence
SUBJECTS THAT ARE SHADED = compulsory subjects
= Year 9 Options These are compulsory and rotate every 9 weeks ordm = Year 10 Options
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 10
Opportunities | Sport Buller High School has a very strong tradition in a wide range of sports especially Basketball Hockey Netball Rugby Soccer Swimming and Rowing Many other sports are also catered for Regular inter-school fixtures are held on a home-and-away basis In 2017 the School took part in two major exchanges with Kaiapoi and Motueka High Schools There are a variety of activities available at lunch times including mini-competitions in individual and team sports and coachingumpiring sessions Sports equipment will also be issued at lunch times for group and individual activities
Exchanges The School has two major sports exchanges that sit along our regular fixtures with other local West Coast schools It is an opportunity to host students from other schools and in turn be hosted when travelling away Over the years many friendships have grown through both staff and students with our exchange schools The exchanges are a highlight of the school sporting and cultural calendar
Tournament Week Tournament week during Term 3 will often see Buller High School field up to eight teams travelling to various parts of the country This is a fantastic opportunity to compete against other schools build friendships and team spirit The School has a long tradition of competing to a high level at these tournaments Teams selected will have regular practice sessions and matches in the lead-up With the building of the Solid Energy Sports Complex we are now seeing local sports bodies hosting national tournaments during this week
House Sports Inter-House competitions in Athletics Swimming lunchtime sports and Cross Country are highlights of the school year The House Shield is awarded annually to the House that gains the most House points during the year Participation at these events allows the House spirit to develop House sports and the House Shield have a long tradition here at Buller High School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 11
Opportunities | Arts amp Culture Buller High School also has a strong tradition in Performing Arts Visual Arts Music and Kapa Haka Our goal is that throughout their school years our pupils will have opportunities to showcase their visual dramatic musical artistic and cultural skills in school and the wider community
Visual Arts As a subject Visual Arts is one of the most popular within the School This is no surprise given the excellent achievement results that have been achieved over a number of years Examples of student artwork can be found all over the School and feature on the diary cover each year
In recent times senior art portfolio work has been displayed in the local galleries The Visual Arts Department incorporates photography of schoolwide happenings into the curriculum and also into the School Yearbook
Performing Arts and Music Anyone who has seen either a variety concert or school show will know what talent there is within our community However to make this talent shine needs dedicated and skilled staff Our Head of Performing Arts oversees these huge undertakings each year to ensure that these showcase events provide entertainment in a polished and professional way Our students excel in Trinity music exams alongside their teachers under the excellent tutelage of Mrs Rona Halsall each year
The School also provides many opportunities for our musicians from classical violinists through to pianists and rock bands Buller High School has a proud tradition of producing talented vocalists musicians and bands In 2017 two bands and two soloists competed at the West Coast Regionals of Rockquest
Bollywood The School Bollywood group was formed in mid-2015 and provides students with an opportunity to learn about another culture and form of dance The group has been very successful winning a number of awards including the Trustpower Supreme Award National Trustpower Award and runner-up High School Bollywood Dance Competition The group has now been extended to include members from the community and local primary schools
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 12
A Culture of Excellence The School gives recognition to its students for achievements in a wide range of activities These achievements are recognised by
Principalrsquos Awards A Principalrsquos Award is given for exceptional performance or achievement at an outstanding level in a subject sport or community service When a student is to be awarded with a Principalrsquos Award
bull They will receive the Award at a full school assembly by the Principal
bull Parents will be contacted in time so that they can attend the assembly
bull The student will be mentioned in the next newsletter along with the reason for the Award
bull The Award will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Award will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Principalrsquos Award will earn House points towards the House Shield
Merit Certificates Students receive Merit Awards by teachers as a positive reward for exhibiting some positive behaviour worthy of reward This can be behaviour in or out of the classroom
Once a student receives 10 Merit Awards they
bull Hand them into the Office These get recorded as they arrive
bull Receive a Merit Certificate from the Dean of the studentrsquos House
bull The Certificate will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Certificate will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Merit Certificate will earn House points towards the House Shield
Prizegiving There is a senior and junior prizegiving which is an annual school and community highlight held each year to celebrate the many successes and achievements of our students over the year Awards include
Academic Awards Sporting and Cultural Awards Special Awards
Work and Progress Academic Leadership Excellence Performance Special Academic Awards
First Place (in class or level) Sports Championships Special Trophies Māori Achievement and Leadership
Contribution and Leadership Community Contribution
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 13
Tikanga at Buller High School
At Buller High School we see te ro Māori and learning ideas around tikanga and te reo Māori important for our students school and whānau (parentswider community) Tikanga is about principles values and spirituality which are integral parts of our schoolrsquos ethos and strategic plan Tikanga is also lsquoas much a comment on process as it is on fixed attitudes or knowledgersquo (Mason Durie) Māori beliefs values and concepts are inherited practised and passed from generation to generation This is clearly demonstrated at tangihanga (the mourning process before burial) Values also include the importance of Te Reo (language) Whenua (land) and in particular Whānau (family and extended family group)
Pōwhiri All new students in Year 9 and new staff to Buller High School will be welcomed with a Pōwhiri at the beginning of the year A Pōwhiri may also take place at an important gathering or special occasion Pōwhiri includes protocol involved in welcoming and caring for visitors The key elements to a Pōwhiri include
bull Karanga (the calling)
bull Haka Pōwhiri (action dance)
bull Whaikorero (formal speeches)
bull Koha (the gift)
bull Hongi (pressing of noses)
bull HakariKai (feast or spread of food) During the Year 9 orientation Year 9 students will learn more about the Pōwhiri protocol they will experience at the beginning of the year
Kapa Haka The Buller High School Kapa Haka group has been successful taking out virtually every section of the West Coast regional finals in 2013 and again in 2014 Several of the Kapa Haka members are involved in a West Coast group formed in 2016
ldquoMa te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo
With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 14
Pastoral Care
The School has an extensive Guidance Network to provide support and guidance to all pupils The Guidance Network is based on a House System that seeks to provide a turangawaewae or place to stand with confidence for all pupils throughout their time at school Each House Group has a House Teacher who is responsible for the overall guidance and pastoral care of pupils in that House Group At the head of each House is a Dean who assists the House Teachers with the pastoral care of their groups
House System The House System is designed to support pupils with a wide variety of matters such as relationships with teachers or other pupils careers advice subject selection and help them focus on their studies The four Houses also provide the basic structure for school sports and other competitive activities Each House elects two House Captains (boy and girl) to lead the House in these activities under the guidance of the Dean of House Parentscaregivers requiring appointments with any staff member should contact through the School Office
House Teachers and Deans Pupils seeking individual support or guidance should talk with their House Teacher or their House Dean At the beginning and throughout the year House Teachers and Deans will provide pupils with individual lsquoacademicrsquo guidance eg subject choice NZQA levelcredit goals Parentscaregivers are encouraged to make contact with the House Teacher or Dean should they want assistanceadvice about their child The School also has a Māori Dean who supports students across all houses and classes
Head of Student Services
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 15
Student Support The Principal is always available to discuss matters with parentscaregivers
School Council and
BOT Student Representative
Representatives from each House Group plus the Head
Boy and Head Girl meet regularly to discuss any
matters that pupils wish to bring up for discussion
Matters concerning the pupil body and suggestions for
improvements are included Each representative reports
back to their group and matters are discussed
CareersPathways Team
The CareersPathways Team
is available to any pupil or parentcaregiver for
assistance with goal-setting subject choices pathways to
careers and careers information The
CareersPathways Team also liaises with vocational
agencies and co-ordinates their visits to the School
DeputyAssistant Principal
Parentscaregivers can
contact the Deputy Principal (Mr Forsyth Yr 11-14+) or Assistant Principal (Ms Wells Yr 9-10)
about their childrsquos progress or welfare at school by
contacting them directly by phone email or leaving a
message at the Office
Head of Student Services
The Head of Student Services is available to any pupil or
parentcaregiver for help and consultation on personal
matters and school matters The Head of Student Services also refers students or parents
to other agencies or professionals
Prefects including Head Boy
and Head Girl
Prefects are senior pupils appointed to assist staff on
duty maintain a high standard of behaviour and provide leadership in pupil
activities such as the School Council and as leaders in
their Houses They are selected on the basis of their
leadership potential academic and sporting
aptitude
STUDENT
SUPPORT
Peer Support
Peer Support enables senior pupils normally Yr 12 or 13
pupils to assist Yr 9 pupils in making the transition to High
School Peer Support involves giving and receiving trust gaining a greater self-
awareness building resilience providing
information and improving the self-esteem of both the
leaders and younger pupils through mutual interaction
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 3
About Us About Us Buller High School is a modern co-educational multi-course
Year 9-13 Secondary School serving the town of Westport and
surrounding areas
First established as a District High School in Lyndhurst Street in
1899 the School moved to the present site in 1922 and
continues to provide quality education by developing and
maintaining a wide range of academic vocational
recreational sporting and cultural courses to meet the
changing needs of its community
The roll in 2018 will be approximately 330 with an average
Year 9 intake of about 80 pupils drawn from the four local
contributing Primary Schools (Granity School St Canices
School Westport North School and Westport South School)
Buller High School provides a safe and secure environment for
the general education of pupils in Years 9 to 13 following
National Curriculum Guidelines
Pupils are encouraged to value knowledge to develop
independent learning skills and good study habits to improve
skills of judgment decision-making and communication and
to take pride in high personal achievement They are
encouraged to develop respect for others to improve self-
esteem self-discipline and tolerance and to co-operate with
others in the interest of learning They are also encouraged to
participate in a wide variety of sporting and cultural pursuits
to develop individual skills and talents to the fullest potential
The School recognises its unique role in the community and
continues to encourage staff pupils parents and the local
community to become involved in achieving these goals
Education is the passport to the future for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today
Malcolm X
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 4
Our Staff Senior Staff
Mr A J Basher - JP BSc BSocSc Dip Tchg Principal
Mr B Forsyth - Dip Tchg Adv Tr Cert NZ Dip Spec Subj Deputy Principal
Ms K Wells - BSc Business Education (Summa Cum Laude) Assistant Principal
Mrs C J Batt - NZ Dip Bus Executive Officer
Student Services
Mrs A Duncan - BA Dip Tchg Guidance Coordinator
Mrs A Basher ndash BTchg PGrad Dip Ed
Heads of Departments - 2017
Dr M Caplen ndash PhD BSc (Hon) MSc Mathematics
Ms J Christie-Cumming - BPhEd (Distinction) Dip Tchg Humanities
Mr R Collins ndash Adv Tr Cert NZ Dip Spec Subj Technology Design and Visual Communication
Mrs M Comeskey - BSc MSc Dip Tchg Pathways and Futures
Mr R Curnow - BA Dip Ed Admin English (on leave)
Ms E Curnow - BEd English (acting)
Mr S Dorey - BSc Dip Tchg Science
Ms J Eakin ndash BA Grad Dip Tchg Technology Food amp Textiles
Mr G Haussmann - BA Performing Arts Dip Tchg Performing Arts
Ms S Hollis - Dip Tchg Technology Food amp Textiles
Mr S Jar - BEd Dip Tchg Health amp Physical Education
Ms J Sherpa ndash BA Māori Dip Tchg Cert OE amp ES Te Reo Māori
Ms A Szybowski - BFA Dip Tchg Visual Arts
Teaching Staff
Mr F Anderson ndash BPhEd MTchg Ln Physical EducationHealth
Ms S Anderson - BA Dip Tchg English
Miss M Basher ndash BHITHSc DipSciTech GDip Tchg Ln (Sec) Mathematics
Mr A Bonisch ndash BSc Geography Grad Dip Tchg Humanities
Mr C Collins ndash BEd PhD Dip Tchg Mathematics
Mr P Crawley BSC LTCL (Piano Performance) ORS Teacher
Ms L Griffin - BSc Dip Tchg Science
Rev R Halsall - ONZM JP LTCL FIRMT Music
Mr J Hollis - NZCE NZ Dip Spec Subj Mathematics
Mrs E Jar - BSc (Hons) Dip Tchg Science
Mr D Lindblom - BSc MEd Sec Admin English
Ms C Middleton - Post Graduate ORS Teacher
Ms R Miller - BPE amp Health Dip Tchg Health amp Physical Education
Mr N Neumann ndash Dip Ba Dip Music Humanities
Ms J Pottinger - BSc (Hons) Dip Tchg Science
Mr M Ratnam - BEd Technology Hard Materials
Mrs R Vaega ndash BFa Dig Tchg Visual Arts
Mrs J Wilkes - BBIM Dip Bus Dip Tchg Business StudiesComputing
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 5
Our Staff Support Staff
Mrs G Brett Receptionist
Mrs R Caplen Teacher Aide
Mrs D Coleman Teacher Aide
Mrs A Cargill Sport Fit Coordinator
Mrs N Cunneen Receptionist
Mr T Dalley Groundsman
Mrs K Dobson Library Manager
Mr R Fairbrass Technician (Hard Materials)
Mrs S Hackett-Van Der Krogt Teacher Aide
Ms D Hillier Gateway Coordinator
Mrs S Hogarth Technician (Science)
Ms K McGrath Teacher Aide
Ms C McLeman Teacher Aide
Mrs M Murphy Teacher Aide
Mr H Murray Network manager
Ms C Phillips Teacher Aide
Mrs D Sawyers Accounts Clerk
Ms M Simonson Teacher Aide
Mr J Smith Alternative Education Coordinator
Mrs D Straker Student Services
Mr C Townsend District Attendance Officer
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 6
The Buller High School Way Buller High School is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) School PB4L is made up of practices and organisational systems that help schools to develop a positive social culture It is an evidence-based framework that schools adopt that looks at behaviour and learning for all students To enhance the current behaviour management systems Buller Highrsquos school-wide behaviour management plan is to continue supporting the learning and engagement of all students by providing clear and consistent expectations for behaviour
At Buller High School we o Recognise learning as the most important thing we do
o Make good choices about learning and behaviour
o Strive for continual improvement to be the best we can be
o Are honest thoughtful co-operative tolerant and well-mannered towards all people including visitors
o Respect the rights of others to learn without interruption
o Keep our school clean safe and attractive
Self-Managing Behaviour Students who ldquomanagerdquo or ldquotake ownership ofrdquo their own behaviour are more likely to be self-directed learners
The Buller High School Classroom
Relationships | Whanaungatanga Respect | Manaakitanga
bull Working cooperatively bull Listening attentively
bull Maintaining positive attitudes bull Being considerate of personal space
bull Getting advice when needed bull Waiting for your turn to speak
bull Tolerating and accepting differences
bull Sharing teacher time
Responsibility | Kawenga
Resilience | Manahau
bull Bringing all your equipment bull Being confident strong and caring
bull Being prepared to learn bull Avoiding distractions
bull Being punctual bull Making good decisions
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 7
The Buller High School Values | The 4 Rs
Relationships | Whanaungatanga
with friends with your community
with boysgirls with your family
with your teachers
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini My prowess is not single-handed
rather it represents the efforts of many
Respect | Manaakitanga
for your environment for your teachers
for your family for yourself
for your friends
Aroha ki te tangata Show love to all people
Responsibility |Kawenga
for your behaviour for your environment
for your learning for your property
ldquoKo te amorangi ki mua ko te hapai o ki murirdquo The leader goes ahead while the supporters follow
Resilience | Manahau
for ability to bounce back showing strength
building confidence adapting to change
working well under stress
ldquoMā te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 8
What we offer Years 9 amp 10 bull To consolidate the core subjects ndash English Mathematics
Science Social Studies Health and Physical Education
bull To give all Year 9 students a lsquotastersquo of the range of other curriculum courses that Buller High School provides
bull To allow Year 10 students to explore at more depth a range of optional subjects
Years 11 ndash 15 bull To consolidate literacy numeracy and science skills for year
11 students
bull To offer as wide a range of subjects as possible
bull To prepare students for NCEA Levels 1 ndash 3
bull To equip students for tertiary education and the workplace
All pupils are working towards obtaining the National Certificate of Educational Achievement at Level 1 2 or 3 A mix of internal and external assessment is used depending on the subjects each pupil chooses
Special Assistance Some pupils require extra assistance with the basics Others need extension work to keep them fully engaged in their learning Buller High School identifies needs and provides programmes to cater for them For those with special needs teachers develop individual programmes and in some cases provide individual tuition especially in Reading
Homework Pupils are expected to do some work at home to reinforce and extend their learning For junior pupils homework can be an extension of class work a time to finish exercises begun in class a time for project or assignment work or to learn work covered during school hours It is important that juniors have a regular time and place for homework in order to develop good study habits early in their secondary school career The School provides Homework Diaries and these should be used by pupils to record details of homework set Senior pupils should be devoting much of their homework time to revision and study as well as for assignments and completion of exercises begun in class Seniors should ensure that they begin their revision programmes early in the year as regular organised study is necessary for examination preparation
It is expected that pupils in Year 9 and 10 will spend from 1-1frac12 hours per day on homework Pupils in Year 11 to 13 should spend from 2-3 hours per day on homework It must be emphasised that these times are guides only and parentscaregivers should contact the School if too much homework or a lack of it becomes a problem
Progress Reports Reports are issued at regular intervals throughout the year to allow parentscaregivers to check on the progress of their children In 2017 the School trialled a new system where reports were completed each term It is hoped that this more regular feedback will provide a timely and accurate picture of student achievement
One of our lsquotastersrsquo
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 9
Subjects at a glance Note These are the subjects that ran in 2017 Courses for 2018 will be based on student demand and selection and have yet to be confirmed
YEAR 9 YEAR 10 LEVEL 1 (Year 11) LEVEL 2 (Year 12) LEVEL 3 (Year 13)
English English EN101 English EN201 English EN301 English
EP202 Trades English
Mathematics Mathematics MA101 Mathematics MA201 Mathematics MC301 Maths with Calculus
MA102 Mathematics
Alternative
MA202 Mathematics Alternative MS301 Statistics amp Modelling
Science Science PS101 Physical Sciences PH201 Physics PH301 Physics
Environmental Studies BS101 Biological Sciences BI201 Biology BI301 Biology
HT101 Horticulture CH201 Chemistry CH301 Chemistry
Social Studies Social Studies GE101 Geography GE201 Geography GE301 Geography
HI101 History HI201 History HI301 History
Māori ordmMāori MR123 Māori (Combined Levels 1 ndash 3)
ordmInformation Management CP101 Computing CP201 Computing CP301 Computing
Business Studies Business Studies BS101 Business Studies BS201 Business Studies BS301 Business Studies
PW201 Pathways PW301 Pathways
PP123 Personalised Programme PP123 Personalised Programme
Design and Visual
Communication ordmDesign and Visual
Communication
GR101 Design and Visual Communication
GR201 Design and Visual Communication
GR301 Design and Visual Communication
ordmWorkshop Technology WS101 Workshop Technology WS201 Workshop Technology WS301 Workshop Technology
WM201 Workshop Technology - Metal
Technology Food and
Fabric ordmTechnology Food and Fabric
HS101 Hospitality HS201 Hospitality HS301 Hospitality
Visual Arts ordmVisual Arts VA101 Visual Arts VA201 Visual Arts VA301 Visual Arts
PD201 Photography Design PD301 Photography Design
Performing Arts ordmPerforming Arts PA101 Performing Arts PA201 Performing Arts PA301 Performing Arts
MU123 Music (combined Level 1 ndash 3 class)
Physical Education Physical Education PE101 Physical Education PE201 Physical Education PE301 Physical Education
Health ordmHealth HL101 Health HL201 Health HL 301 Health
Trades Academy (Automotive Early Learning Hospitality Agriculture Outdoor Education)
Other courses available on request via Distance Learning and Correspondence
SUBJECTS THAT ARE SHADED = compulsory subjects
= Year 9 Options These are compulsory and rotate every 9 weeks ordm = Year 10 Options
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 10
Opportunities | Sport Buller High School has a very strong tradition in a wide range of sports especially Basketball Hockey Netball Rugby Soccer Swimming and Rowing Many other sports are also catered for Regular inter-school fixtures are held on a home-and-away basis In 2017 the School took part in two major exchanges with Kaiapoi and Motueka High Schools There are a variety of activities available at lunch times including mini-competitions in individual and team sports and coachingumpiring sessions Sports equipment will also be issued at lunch times for group and individual activities
Exchanges The School has two major sports exchanges that sit along our regular fixtures with other local West Coast schools It is an opportunity to host students from other schools and in turn be hosted when travelling away Over the years many friendships have grown through both staff and students with our exchange schools The exchanges are a highlight of the school sporting and cultural calendar
Tournament Week Tournament week during Term 3 will often see Buller High School field up to eight teams travelling to various parts of the country This is a fantastic opportunity to compete against other schools build friendships and team spirit The School has a long tradition of competing to a high level at these tournaments Teams selected will have regular practice sessions and matches in the lead-up With the building of the Solid Energy Sports Complex we are now seeing local sports bodies hosting national tournaments during this week
House Sports Inter-House competitions in Athletics Swimming lunchtime sports and Cross Country are highlights of the school year The House Shield is awarded annually to the House that gains the most House points during the year Participation at these events allows the House spirit to develop House sports and the House Shield have a long tradition here at Buller High School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 11
Opportunities | Arts amp Culture Buller High School also has a strong tradition in Performing Arts Visual Arts Music and Kapa Haka Our goal is that throughout their school years our pupils will have opportunities to showcase their visual dramatic musical artistic and cultural skills in school and the wider community
Visual Arts As a subject Visual Arts is one of the most popular within the School This is no surprise given the excellent achievement results that have been achieved over a number of years Examples of student artwork can be found all over the School and feature on the diary cover each year
In recent times senior art portfolio work has been displayed in the local galleries The Visual Arts Department incorporates photography of schoolwide happenings into the curriculum and also into the School Yearbook
Performing Arts and Music Anyone who has seen either a variety concert or school show will know what talent there is within our community However to make this talent shine needs dedicated and skilled staff Our Head of Performing Arts oversees these huge undertakings each year to ensure that these showcase events provide entertainment in a polished and professional way Our students excel in Trinity music exams alongside their teachers under the excellent tutelage of Mrs Rona Halsall each year
The School also provides many opportunities for our musicians from classical violinists through to pianists and rock bands Buller High School has a proud tradition of producing talented vocalists musicians and bands In 2017 two bands and two soloists competed at the West Coast Regionals of Rockquest
Bollywood The School Bollywood group was formed in mid-2015 and provides students with an opportunity to learn about another culture and form of dance The group has been very successful winning a number of awards including the Trustpower Supreme Award National Trustpower Award and runner-up High School Bollywood Dance Competition The group has now been extended to include members from the community and local primary schools
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 12
A Culture of Excellence The School gives recognition to its students for achievements in a wide range of activities These achievements are recognised by
Principalrsquos Awards A Principalrsquos Award is given for exceptional performance or achievement at an outstanding level in a subject sport or community service When a student is to be awarded with a Principalrsquos Award
bull They will receive the Award at a full school assembly by the Principal
bull Parents will be contacted in time so that they can attend the assembly
bull The student will be mentioned in the next newsletter along with the reason for the Award
bull The Award will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Award will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Principalrsquos Award will earn House points towards the House Shield
Merit Certificates Students receive Merit Awards by teachers as a positive reward for exhibiting some positive behaviour worthy of reward This can be behaviour in or out of the classroom
Once a student receives 10 Merit Awards they
bull Hand them into the Office These get recorded as they arrive
bull Receive a Merit Certificate from the Dean of the studentrsquos House
bull The Certificate will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Certificate will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Merit Certificate will earn House points towards the House Shield
Prizegiving There is a senior and junior prizegiving which is an annual school and community highlight held each year to celebrate the many successes and achievements of our students over the year Awards include
Academic Awards Sporting and Cultural Awards Special Awards
Work and Progress Academic Leadership Excellence Performance Special Academic Awards
First Place (in class or level) Sports Championships Special Trophies Māori Achievement and Leadership
Contribution and Leadership Community Contribution
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 13
Tikanga at Buller High School
At Buller High School we see te ro Māori and learning ideas around tikanga and te reo Māori important for our students school and whānau (parentswider community) Tikanga is about principles values and spirituality which are integral parts of our schoolrsquos ethos and strategic plan Tikanga is also lsquoas much a comment on process as it is on fixed attitudes or knowledgersquo (Mason Durie) Māori beliefs values and concepts are inherited practised and passed from generation to generation This is clearly demonstrated at tangihanga (the mourning process before burial) Values also include the importance of Te Reo (language) Whenua (land) and in particular Whānau (family and extended family group)
Pōwhiri All new students in Year 9 and new staff to Buller High School will be welcomed with a Pōwhiri at the beginning of the year A Pōwhiri may also take place at an important gathering or special occasion Pōwhiri includes protocol involved in welcoming and caring for visitors The key elements to a Pōwhiri include
bull Karanga (the calling)
bull Haka Pōwhiri (action dance)
bull Whaikorero (formal speeches)
bull Koha (the gift)
bull Hongi (pressing of noses)
bull HakariKai (feast or spread of food) During the Year 9 orientation Year 9 students will learn more about the Pōwhiri protocol they will experience at the beginning of the year
Kapa Haka The Buller High School Kapa Haka group has been successful taking out virtually every section of the West Coast regional finals in 2013 and again in 2014 Several of the Kapa Haka members are involved in a West Coast group formed in 2016
ldquoMa te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo
With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 14
Pastoral Care
The School has an extensive Guidance Network to provide support and guidance to all pupils The Guidance Network is based on a House System that seeks to provide a turangawaewae or place to stand with confidence for all pupils throughout their time at school Each House Group has a House Teacher who is responsible for the overall guidance and pastoral care of pupils in that House Group At the head of each House is a Dean who assists the House Teachers with the pastoral care of their groups
House System The House System is designed to support pupils with a wide variety of matters such as relationships with teachers or other pupils careers advice subject selection and help them focus on their studies The four Houses also provide the basic structure for school sports and other competitive activities Each House elects two House Captains (boy and girl) to lead the House in these activities under the guidance of the Dean of House Parentscaregivers requiring appointments with any staff member should contact through the School Office
House Teachers and Deans Pupils seeking individual support or guidance should talk with their House Teacher or their House Dean At the beginning and throughout the year House Teachers and Deans will provide pupils with individual lsquoacademicrsquo guidance eg subject choice NZQA levelcredit goals Parentscaregivers are encouraged to make contact with the House Teacher or Dean should they want assistanceadvice about their child The School also has a Māori Dean who supports students across all houses and classes
Head of Student Services
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 15
Student Support The Principal is always available to discuss matters with parentscaregivers
School Council and
BOT Student Representative
Representatives from each House Group plus the Head
Boy and Head Girl meet regularly to discuss any
matters that pupils wish to bring up for discussion
Matters concerning the pupil body and suggestions for
improvements are included Each representative reports
back to their group and matters are discussed
CareersPathways Team
The CareersPathways Team
is available to any pupil or parentcaregiver for
assistance with goal-setting subject choices pathways to
careers and careers information The
CareersPathways Team also liaises with vocational
agencies and co-ordinates their visits to the School
DeputyAssistant Principal
Parentscaregivers can
contact the Deputy Principal (Mr Forsyth Yr 11-14+) or Assistant Principal (Ms Wells Yr 9-10)
about their childrsquos progress or welfare at school by
contacting them directly by phone email or leaving a
message at the Office
Head of Student Services
The Head of Student Services is available to any pupil or
parentcaregiver for help and consultation on personal
matters and school matters The Head of Student Services also refers students or parents
to other agencies or professionals
Prefects including Head Boy
and Head Girl
Prefects are senior pupils appointed to assist staff on
duty maintain a high standard of behaviour and provide leadership in pupil
activities such as the School Council and as leaders in
their Houses They are selected on the basis of their
leadership potential academic and sporting
aptitude
STUDENT
SUPPORT
Peer Support
Peer Support enables senior pupils normally Yr 12 or 13
pupils to assist Yr 9 pupils in making the transition to High
School Peer Support involves giving and receiving trust gaining a greater self-
awareness building resilience providing
information and improving the self-esteem of both the
leaders and younger pupils through mutual interaction
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 4
Our Staff Senior Staff
Mr A J Basher - JP BSc BSocSc Dip Tchg Principal
Mr B Forsyth - Dip Tchg Adv Tr Cert NZ Dip Spec Subj Deputy Principal
Ms K Wells - BSc Business Education (Summa Cum Laude) Assistant Principal
Mrs C J Batt - NZ Dip Bus Executive Officer
Student Services
Mrs A Duncan - BA Dip Tchg Guidance Coordinator
Mrs A Basher ndash BTchg PGrad Dip Ed
Heads of Departments - 2017
Dr M Caplen ndash PhD BSc (Hon) MSc Mathematics
Ms J Christie-Cumming - BPhEd (Distinction) Dip Tchg Humanities
Mr R Collins ndash Adv Tr Cert NZ Dip Spec Subj Technology Design and Visual Communication
Mrs M Comeskey - BSc MSc Dip Tchg Pathways and Futures
Mr R Curnow - BA Dip Ed Admin English (on leave)
Ms E Curnow - BEd English (acting)
Mr S Dorey - BSc Dip Tchg Science
Ms J Eakin ndash BA Grad Dip Tchg Technology Food amp Textiles
Mr G Haussmann - BA Performing Arts Dip Tchg Performing Arts
Ms S Hollis - Dip Tchg Technology Food amp Textiles
Mr S Jar - BEd Dip Tchg Health amp Physical Education
Ms J Sherpa ndash BA Māori Dip Tchg Cert OE amp ES Te Reo Māori
Ms A Szybowski - BFA Dip Tchg Visual Arts
Teaching Staff
Mr F Anderson ndash BPhEd MTchg Ln Physical EducationHealth
Ms S Anderson - BA Dip Tchg English
Miss M Basher ndash BHITHSc DipSciTech GDip Tchg Ln (Sec) Mathematics
Mr A Bonisch ndash BSc Geography Grad Dip Tchg Humanities
Mr C Collins ndash BEd PhD Dip Tchg Mathematics
Mr P Crawley BSC LTCL (Piano Performance) ORS Teacher
Ms L Griffin - BSc Dip Tchg Science
Rev R Halsall - ONZM JP LTCL FIRMT Music
Mr J Hollis - NZCE NZ Dip Spec Subj Mathematics
Mrs E Jar - BSc (Hons) Dip Tchg Science
Mr D Lindblom - BSc MEd Sec Admin English
Ms C Middleton - Post Graduate ORS Teacher
Ms R Miller - BPE amp Health Dip Tchg Health amp Physical Education
Mr N Neumann ndash Dip Ba Dip Music Humanities
Ms J Pottinger - BSc (Hons) Dip Tchg Science
Mr M Ratnam - BEd Technology Hard Materials
Mrs R Vaega ndash BFa Dig Tchg Visual Arts
Mrs J Wilkes - BBIM Dip Bus Dip Tchg Business StudiesComputing
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 5
Our Staff Support Staff
Mrs G Brett Receptionist
Mrs R Caplen Teacher Aide
Mrs D Coleman Teacher Aide
Mrs A Cargill Sport Fit Coordinator
Mrs N Cunneen Receptionist
Mr T Dalley Groundsman
Mrs K Dobson Library Manager
Mr R Fairbrass Technician (Hard Materials)
Mrs S Hackett-Van Der Krogt Teacher Aide
Ms D Hillier Gateway Coordinator
Mrs S Hogarth Technician (Science)
Ms K McGrath Teacher Aide
Ms C McLeman Teacher Aide
Mrs M Murphy Teacher Aide
Mr H Murray Network manager
Ms C Phillips Teacher Aide
Mrs D Sawyers Accounts Clerk
Ms M Simonson Teacher Aide
Mr J Smith Alternative Education Coordinator
Mrs D Straker Student Services
Mr C Townsend District Attendance Officer
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 6
The Buller High School Way Buller High School is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) School PB4L is made up of practices and organisational systems that help schools to develop a positive social culture It is an evidence-based framework that schools adopt that looks at behaviour and learning for all students To enhance the current behaviour management systems Buller Highrsquos school-wide behaviour management plan is to continue supporting the learning and engagement of all students by providing clear and consistent expectations for behaviour
At Buller High School we o Recognise learning as the most important thing we do
o Make good choices about learning and behaviour
o Strive for continual improvement to be the best we can be
o Are honest thoughtful co-operative tolerant and well-mannered towards all people including visitors
o Respect the rights of others to learn without interruption
o Keep our school clean safe and attractive
Self-Managing Behaviour Students who ldquomanagerdquo or ldquotake ownership ofrdquo their own behaviour are more likely to be self-directed learners
The Buller High School Classroom
Relationships | Whanaungatanga Respect | Manaakitanga
bull Working cooperatively bull Listening attentively
bull Maintaining positive attitudes bull Being considerate of personal space
bull Getting advice when needed bull Waiting for your turn to speak
bull Tolerating and accepting differences
bull Sharing teacher time
Responsibility | Kawenga
Resilience | Manahau
bull Bringing all your equipment bull Being confident strong and caring
bull Being prepared to learn bull Avoiding distractions
bull Being punctual bull Making good decisions
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 7
The Buller High School Values | The 4 Rs
Relationships | Whanaungatanga
with friends with your community
with boysgirls with your family
with your teachers
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini My prowess is not single-handed
rather it represents the efforts of many
Respect | Manaakitanga
for your environment for your teachers
for your family for yourself
for your friends
Aroha ki te tangata Show love to all people
Responsibility |Kawenga
for your behaviour for your environment
for your learning for your property
ldquoKo te amorangi ki mua ko te hapai o ki murirdquo The leader goes ahead while the supporters follow
Resilience | Manahau
for ability to bounce back showing strength
building confidence adapting to change
working well under stress
ldquoMā te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 8
What we offer Years 9 amp 10 bull To consolidate the core subjects ndash English Mathematics
Science Social Studies Health and Physical Education
bull To give all Year 9 students a lsquotastersquo of the range of other curriculum courses that Buller High School provides
bull To allow Year 10 students to explore at more depth a range of optional subjects
Years 11 ndash 15 bull To consolidate literacy numeracy and science skills for year
11 students
bull To offer as wide a range of subjects as possible
bull To prepare students for NCEA Levels 1 ndash 3
bull To equip students for tertiary education and the workplace
All pupils are working towards obtaining the National Certificate of Educational Achievement at Level 1 2 or 3 A mix of internal and external assessment is used depending on the subjects each pupil chooses
Special Assistance Some pupils require extra assistance with the basics Others need extension work to keep them fully engaged in their learning Buller High School identifies needs and provides programmes to cater for them For those with special needs teachers develop individual programmes and in some cases provide individual tuition especially in Reading
Homework Pupils are expected to do some work at home to reinforce and extend their learning For junior pupils homework can be an extension of class work a time to finish exercises begun in class a time for project or assignment work or to learn work covered during school hours It is important that juniors have a regular time and place for homework in order to develop good study habits early in their secondary school career The School provides Homework Diaries and these should be used by pupils to record details of homework set Senior pupils should be devoting much of their homework time to revision and study as well as for assignments and completion of exercises begun in class Seniors should ensure that they begin their revision programmes early in the year as regular organised study is necessary for examination preparation
It is expected that pupils in Year 9 and 10 will spend from 1-1frac12 hours per day on homework Pupils in Year 11 to 13 should spend from 2-3 hours per day on homework It must be emphasised that these times are guides only and parentscaregivers should contact the School if too much homework or a lack of it becomes a problem
Progress Reports Reports are issued at regular intervals throughout the year to allow parentscaregivers to check on the progress of their children In 2017 the School trialled a new system where reports were completed each term It is hoped that this more regular feedback will provide a timely and accurate picture of student achievement
One of our lsquotastersrsquo
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 9
Subjects at a glance Note These are the subjects that ran in 2017 Courses for 2018 will be based on student demand and selection and have yet to be confirmed
YEAR 9 YEAR 10 LEVEL 1 (Year 11) LEVEL 2 (Year 12) LEVEL 3 (Year 13)
English English EN101 English EN201 English EN301 English
EP202 Trades English
Mathematics Mathematics MA101 Mathematics MA201 Mathematics MC301 Maths with Calculus
MA102 Mathematics
Alternative
MA202 Mathematics Alternative MS301 Statistics amp Modelling
Science Science PS101 Physical Sciences PH201 Physics PH301 Physics
Environmental Studies BS101 Biological Sciences BI201 Biology BI301 Biology
HT101 Horticulture CH201 Chemistry CH301 Chemistry
Social Studies Social Studies GE101 Geography GE201 Geography GE301 Geography
HI101 History HI201 History HI301 History
Māori ordmMāori MR123 Māori (Combined Levels 1 ndash 3)
ordmInformation Management CP101 Computing CP201 Computing CP301 Computing
Business Studies Business Studies BS101 Business Studies BS201 Business Studies BS301 Business Studies
PW201 Pathways PW301 Pathways
PP123 Personalised Programme PP123 Personalised Programme
Design and Visual
Communication ordmDesign and Visual
Communication
GR101 Design and Visual Communication
GR201 Design and Visual Communication
GR301 Design and Visual Communication
ordmWorkshop Technology WS101 Workshop Technology WS201 Workshop Technology WS301 Workshop Technology
WM201 Workshop Technology - Metal
Technology Food and
Fabric ordmTechnology Food and Fabric
HS101 Hospitality HS201 Hospitality HS301 Hospitality
Visual Arts ordmVisual Arts VA101 Visual Arts VA201 Visual Arts VA301 Visual Arts
PD201 Photography Design PD301 Photography Design
Performing Arts ordmPerforming Arts PA101 Performing Arts PA201 Performing Arts PA301 Performing Arts
MU123 Music (combined Level 1 ndash 3 class)
Physical Education Physical Education PE101 Physical Education PE201 Physical Education PE301 Physical Education
Health ordmHealth HL101 Health HL201 Health HL 301 Health
Trades Academy (Automotive Early Learning Hospitality Agriculture Outdoor Education)
Other courses available on request via Distance Learning and Correspondence
SUBJECTS THAT ARE SHADED = compulsory subjects
= Year 9 Options These are compulsory and rotate every 9 weeks ordm = Year 10 Options
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 10
Opportunities | Sport Buller High School has a very strong tradition in a wide range of sports especially Basketball Hockey Netball Rugby Soccer Swimming and Rowing Many other sports are also catered for Regular inter-school fixtures are held on a home-and-away basis In 2017 the School took part in two major exchanges with Kaiapoi and Motueka High Schools There are a variety of activities available at lunch times including mini-competitions in individual and team sports and coachingumpiring sessions Sports equipment will also be issued at lunch times for group and individual activities
Exchanges The School has two major sports exchanges that sit along our regular fixtures with other local West Coast schools It is an opportunity to host students from other schools and in turn be hosted when travelling away Over the years many friendships have grown through both staff and students with our exchange schools The exchanges are a highlight of the school sporting and cultural calendar
Tournament Week Tournament week during Term 3 will often see Buller High School field up to eight teams travelling to various parts of the country This is a fantastic opportunity to compete against other schools build friendships and team spirit The School has a long tradition of competing to a high level at these tournaments Teams selected will have regular practice sessions and matches in the lead-up With the building of the Solid Energy Sports Complex we are now seeing local sports bodies hosting national tournaments during this week
House Sports Inter-House competitions in Athletics Swimming lunchtime sports and Cross Country are highlights of the school year The House Shield is awarded annually to the House that gains the most House points during the year Participation at these events allows the House spirit to develop House sports and the House Shield have a long tradition here at Buller High School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 11
Opportunities | Arts amp Culture Buller High School also has a strong tradition in Performing Arts Visual Arts Music and Kapa Haka Our goal is that throughout their school years our pupils will have opportunities to showcase their visual dramatic musical artistic and cultural skills in school and the wider community
Visual Arts As a subject Visual Arts is one of the most popular within the School This is no surprise given the excellent achievement results that have been achieved over a number of years Examples of student artwork can be found all over the School and feature on the diary cover each year
In recent times senior art portfolio work has been displayed in the local galleries The Visual Arts Department incorporates photography of schoolwide happenings into the curriculum and also into the School Yearbook
Performing Arts and Music Anyone who has seen either a variety concert or school show will know what talent there is within our community However to make this talent shine needs dedicated and skilled staff Our Head of Performing Arts oversees these huge undertakings each year to ensure that these showcase events provide entertainment in a polished and professional way Our students excel in Trinity music exams alongside their teachers under the excellent tutelage of Mrs Rona Halsall each year
The School also provides many opportunities for our musicians from classical violinists through to pianists and rock bands Buller High School has a proud tradition of producing talented vocalists musicians and bands In 2017 two bands and two soloists competed at the West Coast Regionals of Rockquest
Bollywood The School Bollywood group was formed in mid-2015 and provides students with an opportunity to learn about another culture and form of dance The group has been very successful winning a number of awards including the Trustpower Supreme Award National Trustpower Award and runner-up High School Bollywood Dance Competition The group has now been extended to include members from the community and local primary schools
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 12
A Culture of Excellence The School gives recognition to its students for achievements in a wide range of activities These achievements are recognised by
Principalrsquos Awards A Principalrsquos Award is given for exceptional performance or achievement at an outstanding level in a subject sport or community service When a student is to be awarded with a Principalrsquos Award
bull They will receive the Award at a full school assembly by the Principal
bull Parents will be contacted in time so that they can attend the assembly
bull The student will be mentioned in the next newsletter along with the reason for the Award
bull The Award will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Award will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Principalrsquos Award will earn House points towards the House Shield
Merit Certificates Students receive Merit Awards by teachers as a positive reward for exhibiting some positive behaviour worthy of reward This can be behaviour in or out of the classroom
Once a student receives 10 Merit Awards they
bull Hand them into the Office These get recorded as they arrive
bull Receive a Merit Certificate from the Dean of the studentrsquos House
bull The Certificate will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Certificate will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Merit Certificate will earn House points towards the House Shield
Prizegiving There is a senior and junior prizegiving which is an annual school and community highlight held each year to celebrate the many successes and achievements of our students over the year Awards include
Academic Awards Sporting and Cultural Awards Special Awards
Work and Progress Academic Leadership Excellence Performance Special Academic Awards
First Place (in class or level) Sports Championships Special Trophies Māori Achievement and Leadership
Contribution and Leadership Community Contribution
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 13
Tikanga at Buller High School
At Buller High School we see te ro Māori and learning ideas around tikanga and te reo Māori important for our students school and whānau (parentswider community) Tikanga is about principles values and spirituality which are integral parts of our schoolrsquos ethos and strategic plan Tikanga is also lsquoas much a comment on process as it is on fixed attitudes or knowledgersquo (Mason Durie) Māori beliefs values and concepts are inherited practised and passed from generation to generation This is clearly demonstrated at tangihanga (the mourning process before burial) Values also include the importance of Te Reo (language) Whenua (land) and in particular Whānau (family and extended family group)
Pōwhiri All new students in Year 9 and new staff to Buller High School will be welcomed with a Pōwhiri at the beginning of the year A Pōwhiri may also take place at an important gathering or special occasion Pōwhiri includes protocol involved in welcoming and caring for visitors The key elements to a Pōwhiri include
bull Karanga (the calling)
bull Haka Pōwhiri (action dance)
bull Whaikorero (formal speeches)
bull Koha (the gift)
bull Hongi (pressing of noses)
bull HakariKai (feast or spread of food) During the Year 9 orientation Year 9 students will learn more about the Pōwhiri protocol they will experience at the beginning of the year
Kapa Haka The Buller High School Kapa Haka group has been successful taking out virtually every section of the West Coast regional finals in 2013 and again in 2014 Several of the Kapa Haka members are involved in a West Coast group formed in 2016
ldquoMa te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo
With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 14
Pastoral Care
The School has an extensive Guidance Network to provide support and guidance to all pupils The Guidance Network is based on a House System that seeks to provide a turangawaewae or place to stand with confidence for all pupils throughout their time at school Each House Group has a House Teacher who is responsible for the overall guidance and pastoral care of pupils in that House Group At the head of each House is a Dean who assists the House Teachers with the pastoral care of their groups
House System The House System is designed to support pupils with a wide variety of matters such as relationships with teachers or other pupils careers advice subject selection and help them focus on their studies The four Houses also provide the basic structure for school sports and other competitive activities Each House elects two House Captains (boy and girl) to lead the House in these activities under the guidance of the Dean of House Parentscaregivers requiring appointments with any staff member should contact through the School Office
House Teachers and Deans Pupils seeking individual support or guidance should talk with their House Teacher or their House Dean At the beginning and throughout the year House Teachers and Deans will provide pupils with individual lsquoacademicrsquo guidance eg subject choice NZQA levelcredit goals Parentscaregivers are encouraged to make contact with the House Teacher or Dean should they want assistanceadvice about their child The School also has a Māori Dean who supports students across all houses and classes
Head of Student Services
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 15
Student Support The Principal is always available to discuss matters with parentscaregivers
School Council and
BOT Student Representative
Representatives from each House Group plus the Head
Boy and Head Girl meet regularly to discuss any
matters that pupils wish to bring up for discussion
Matters concerning the pupil body and suggestions for
improvements are included Each representative reports
back to their group and matters are discussed
CareersPathways Team
The CareersPathways Team
is available to any pupil or parentcaregiver for
assistance with goal-setting subject choices pathways to
careers and careers information The
CareersPathways Team also liaises with vocational
agencies and co-ordinates their visits to the School
DeputyAssistant Principal
Parentscaregivers can
contact the Deputy Principal (Mr Forsyth Yr 11-14+) or Assistant Principal (Ms Wells Yr 9-10)
about their childrsquos progress or welfare at school by
contacting them directly by phone email or leaving a
message at the Office
Head of Student Services
The Head of Student Services is available to any pupil or
parentcaregiver for help and consultation on personal
matters and school matters The Head of Student Services also refers students or parents
to other agencies or professionals
Prefects including Head Boy
and Head Girl
Prefects are senior pupils appointed to assist staff on
duty maintain a high standard of behaviour and provide leadership in pupil
activities such as the School Council and as leaders in
their Houses They are selected on the basis of their
leadership potential academic and sporting
aptitude
STUDENT
SUPPORT
Peer Support
Peer Support enables senior pupils normally Yr 12 or 13
pupils to assist Yr 9 pupils in making the transition to High
School Peer Support involves giving and receiving trust gaining a greater self-
awareness building resilience providing
information and improving the self-esteem of both the
leaders and younger pupils through mutual interaction
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 5
Our Staff Support Staff
Mrs G Brett Receptionist
Mrs R Caplen Teacher Aide
Mrs D Coleman Teacher Aide
Mrs A Cargill Sport Fit Coordinator
Mrs N Cunneen Receptionist
Mr T Dalley Groundsman
Mrs K Dobson Library Manager
Mr R Fairbrass Technician (Hard Materials)
Mrs S Hackett-Van Der Krogt Teacher Aide
Ms D Hillier Gateway Coordinator
Mrs S Hogarth Technician (Science)
Ms K McGrath Teacher Aide
Ms C McLeman Teacher Aide
Mrs M Murphy Teacher Aide
Mr H Murray Network manager
Ms C Phillips Teacher Aide
Mrs D Sawyers Accounts Clerk
Ms M Simonson Teacher Aide
Mr J Smith Alternative Education Coordinator
Mrs D Straker Student Services
Mr C Townsend District Attendance Officer
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 6
The Buller High School Way Buller High School is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) School PB4L is made up of practices and organisational systems that help schools to develop a positive social culture It is an evidence-based framework that schools adopt that looks at behaviour and learning for all students To enhance the current behaviour management systems Buller Highrsquos school-wide behaviour management plan is to continue supporting the learning and engagement of all students by providing clear and consistent expectations for behaviour
At Buller High School we o Recognise learning as the most important thing we do
o Make good choices about learning and behaviour
o Strive for continual improvement to be the best we can be
o Are honest thoughtful co-operative tolerant and well-mannered towards all people including visitors
o Respect the rights of others to learn without interruption
o Keep our school clean safe and attractive
Self-Managing Behaviour Students who ldquomanagerdquo or ldquotake ownership ofrdquo their own behaviour are more likely to be self-directed learners
The Buller High School Classroom
Relationships | Whanaungatanga Respect | Manaakitanga
bull Working cooperatively bull Listening attentively
bull Maintaining positive attitudes bull Being considerate of personal space
bull Getting advice when needed bull Waiting for your turn to speak
bull Tolerating and accepting differences
bull Sharing teacher time
Responsibility | Kawenga
Resilience | Manahau
bull Bringing all your equipment bull Being confident strong and caring
bull Being prepared to learn bull Avoiding distractions
bull Being punctual bull Making good decisions
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 7
The Buller High School Values | The 4 Rs
Relationships | Whanaungatanga
with friends with your community
with boysgirls with your family
with your teachers
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini My prowess is not single-handed
rather it represents the efforts of many
Respect | Manaakitanga
for your environment for your teachers
for your family for yourself
for your friends
Aroha ki te tangata Show love to all people
Responsibility |Kawenga
for your behaviour for your environment
for your learning for your property
ldquoKo te amorangi ki mua ko te hapai o ki murirdquo The leader goes ahead while the supporters follow
Resilience | Manahau
for ability to bounce back showing strength
building confidence adapting to change
working well under stress
ldquoMā te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 8
What we offer Years 9 amp 10 bull To consolidate the core subjects ndash English Mathematics
Science Social Studies Health and Physical Education
bull To give all Year 9 students a lsquotastersquo of the range of other curriculum courses that Buller High School provides
bull To allow Year 10 students to explore at more depth a range of optional subjects
Years 11 ndash 15 bull To consolidate literacy numeracy and science skills for year
11 students
bull To offer as wide a range of subjects as possible
bull To prepare students for NCEA Levels 1 ndash 3
bull To equip students for tertiary education and the workplace
All pupils are working towards obtaining the National Certificate of Educational Achievement at Level 1 2 or 3 A mix of internal and external assessment is used depending on the subjects each pupil chooses
Special Assistance Some pupils require extra assistance with the basics Others need extension work to keep them fully engaged in their learning Buller High School identifies needs and provides programmes to cater for them For those with special needs teachers develop individual programmes and in some cases provide individual tuition especially in Reading
Homework Pupils are expected to do some work at home to reinforce and extend their learning For junior pupils homework can be an extension of class work a time to finish exercises begun in class a time for project or assignment work or to learn work covered during school hours It is important that juniors have a regular time and place for homework in order to develop good study habits early in their secondary school career The School provides Homework Diaries and these should be used by pupils to record details of homework set Senior pupils should be devoting much of their homework time to revision and study as well as for assignments and completion of exercises begun in class Seniors should ensure that they begin their revision programmes early in the year as regular organised study is necessary for examination preparation
It is expected that pupils in Year 9 and 10 will spend from 1-1frac12 hours per day on homework Pupils in Year 11 to 13 should spend from 2-3 hours per day on homework It must be emphasised that these times are guides only and parentscaregivers should contact the School if too much homework or a lack of it becomes a problem
Progress Reports Reports are issued at regular intervals throughout the year to allow parentscaregivers to check on the progress of their children In 2017 the School trialled a new system where reports were completed each term It is hoped that this more regular feedback will provide a timely and accurate picture of student achievement
One of our lsquotastersrsquo
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 9
Subjects at a glance Note These are the subjects that ran in 2017 Courses for 2018 will be based on student demand and selection and have yet to be confirmed
YEAR 9 YEAR 10 LEVEL 1 (Year 11) LEVEL 2 (Year 12) LEVEL 3 (Year 13)
English English EN101 English EN201 English EN301 English
EP202 Trades English
Mathematics Mathematics MA101 Mathematics MA201 Mathematics MC301 Maths with Calculus
MA102 Mathematics
Alternative
MA202 Mathematics Alternative MS301 Statistics amp Modelling
Science Science PS101 Physical Sciences PH201 Physics PH301 Physics
Environmental Studies BS101 Biological Sciences BI201 Biology BI301 Biology
HT101 Horticulture CH201 Chemistry CH301 Chemistry
Social Studies Social Studies GE101 Geography GE201 Geography GE301 Geography
HI101 History HI201 History HI301 History
Māori ordmMāori MR123 Māori (Combined Levels 1 ndash 3)
ordmInformation Management CP101 Computing CP201 Computing CP301 Computing
Business Studies Business Studies BS101 Business Studies BS201 Business Studies BS301 Business Studies
PW201 Pathways PW301 Pathways
PP123 Personalised Programme PP123 Personalised Programme
Design and Visual
Communication ordmDesign and Visual
Communication
GR101 Design and Visual Communication
GR201 Design and Visual Communication
GR301 Design and Visual Communication
ordmWorkshop Technology WS101 Workshop Technology WS201 Workshop Technology WS301 Workshop Technology
WM201 Workshop Technology - Metal
Technology Food and
Fabric ordmTechnology Food and Fabric
HS101 Hospitality HS201 Hospitality HS301 Hospitality
Visual Arts ordmVisual Arts VA101 Visual Arts VA201 Visual Arts VA301 Visual Arts
PD201 Photography Design PD301 Photography Design
Performing Arts ordmPerforming Arts PA101 Performing Arts PA201 Performing Arts PA301 Performing Arts
MU123 Music (combined Level 1 ndash 3 class)
Physical Education Physical Education PE101 Physical Education PE201 Physical Education PE301 Physical Education
Health ordmHealth HL101 Health HL201 Health HL 301 Health
Trades Academy (Automotive Early Learning Hospitality Agriculture Outdoor Education)
Other courses available on request via Distance Learning and Correspondence
SUBJECTS THAT ARE SHADED = compulsory subjects
= Year 9 Options These are compulsory and rotate every 9 weeks ordm = Year 10 Options
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 10
Opportunities | Sport Buller High School has a very strong tradition in a wide range of sports especially Basketball Hockey Netball Rugby Soccer Swimming and Rowing Many other sports are also catered for Regular inter-school fixtures are held on a home-and-away basis In 2017 the School took part in two major exchanges with Kaiapoi and Motueka High Schools There are a variety of activities available at lunch times including mini-competitions in individual and team sports and coachingumpiring sessions Sports equipment will also be issued at lunch times for group and individual activities
Exchanges The School has two major sports exchanges that sit along our regular fixtures with other local West Coast schools It is an opportunity to host students from other schools and in turn be hosted when travelling away Over the years many friendships have grown through both staff and students with our exchange schools The exchanges are a highlight of the school sporting and cultural calendar
Tournament Week Tournament week during Term 3 will often see Buller High School field up to eight teams travelling to various parts of the country This is a fantastic opportunity to compete against other schools build friendships and team spirit The School has a long tradition of competing to a high level at these tournaments Teams selected will have regular practice sessions and matches in the lead-up With the building of the Solid Energy Sports Complex we are now seeing local sports bodies hosting national tournaments during this week
House Sports Inter-House competitions in Athletics Swimming lunchtime sports and Cross Country are highlights of the school year The House Shield is awarded annually to the House that gains the most House points during the year Participation at these events allows the House spirit to develop House sports and the House Shield have a long tradition here at Buller High School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 11
Opportunities | Arts amp Culture Buller High School also has a strong tradition in Performing Arts Visual Arts Music and Kapa Haka Our goal is that throughout their school years our pupils will have opportunities to showcase their visual dramatic musical artistic and cultural skills in school and the wider community
Visual Arts As a subject Visual Arts is one of the most popular within the School This is no surprise given the excellent achievement results that have been achieved over a number of years Examples of student artwork can be found all over the School and feature on the diary cover each year
In recent times senior art portfolio work has been displayed in the local galleries The Visual Arts Department incorporates photography of schoolwide happenings into the curriculum and also into the School Yearbook
Performing Arts and Music Anyone who has seen either a variety concert or school show will know what talent there is within our community However to make this talent shine needs dedicated and skilled staff Our Head of Performing Arts oversees these huge undertakings each year to ensure that these showcase events provide entertainment in a polished and professional way Our students excel in Trinity music exams alongside their teachers under the excellent tutelage of Mrs Rona Halsall each year
The School also provides many opportunities for our musicians from classical violinists through to pianists and rock bands Buller High School has a proud tradition of producing talented vocalists musicians and bands In 2017 two bands and two soloists competed at the West Coast Regionals of Rockquest
Bollywood The School Bollywood group was formed in mid-2015 and provides students with an opportunity to learn about another culture and form of dance The group has been very successful winning a number of awards including the Trustpower Supreme Award National Trustpower Award and runner-up High School Bollywood Dance Competition The group has now been extended to include members from the community and local primary schools
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 12
A Culture of Excellence The School gives recognition to its students for achievements in a wide range of activities These achievements are recognised by
Principalrsquos Awards A Principalrsquos Award is given for exceptional performance or achievement at an outstanding level in a subject sport or community service When a student is to be awarded with a Principalrsquos Award
bull They will receive the Award at a full school assembly by the Principal
bull Parents will be contacted in time so that they can attend the assembly
bull The student will be mentioned in the next newsletter along with the reason for the Award
bull The Award will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Award will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Principalrsquos Award will earn House points towards the House Shield
Merit Certificates Students receive Merit Awards by teachers as a positive reward for exhibiting some positive behaviour worthy of reward This can be behaviour in or out of the classroom
Once a student receives 10 Merit Awards they
bull Hand them into the Office These get recorded as they arrive
bull Receive a Merit Certificate from the Dean of the studentrsquos House
bull The Certificate will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Certificate will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Merit Certificate will earn House points towards the House Shield
Prizegiving There is a senior and junior prizegiving which is an annual school and community highlight held each year to celebrate the many successes and achievements of our students over the year Awards include
Academic Awards Sporting and Cultural Awards Special Awards
Work and Progress Academic Leadership Excellence Performance Special Academic Awards
First Place (in class or level) Sports Championships Special Trophies Māori Achievement and Leadership
Contribution and Leadership Community Contribution
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 13
Tikanga at Buller High School
At Buller High School we see te ro Māori and learning ideas around tikanga and te reo Māori important for our students school and whānau (parentswider community) Tikanga is about principles values and spirituality which are integral parts of our schoolrsquos ethos and strategic plan Tikanga is also lsquoas much a comment on process as it is on fixed attitudes or knowledgersquo (Mason Durie) Māori beliefs values and concepts are inherited practised and passed from generation to generation This is clearly demonstrated at tangihanga (the mourning process before burial) Values also include the importance of Te Reo (language) Whenua (land) and in particular Whānau (family and extended family group)
Pōwhiri All new students in Year 9 and new staff to Buller High School will be welcomed with a Pōwhiri at the beginning of the year A Pōwhiri may also take place at an important gathering or special occasion Pōwhiri includes protocol involved in welcoming and caring for visitors The key elements to a Pōwhiri include
bull Karanga (the calling)
bull Haka Pōwhiri (action dance)
bull Whaikorero (formal speeches)
bull Koha (the gift)
bull Hongi (pressing of noses)
bull HakariKai (feast or spread of food) During the Year 9 orientation Year 9 students will learn more about the Pōwhiri protocol they will experience at the beginning of the year
Kapa Haka The Buller High School Kapa Haka group has been successful taking out virtually every section of the West Coast regional finals in 2013 and again in 2014 Several of the Kapa Haka members are involved in a West Coast group formed in 2016
ldquoMa te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo
With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 14
Pastoral Care
The School has an extensive Guidance Network to provide support and guidance to all pupils The Guidance Network is based on a House System that seeks to provide a turangawaewae or place to stand with confidence for all pupils throughout their time at school Each House Group has a House Teacher who is responsible for the overall guidance and pastoral care of pupils in that House Group At the head of each House is a Dean who assists the House Teachers with the pastoral care of their groups
House System The House System is designed to support pupils with a wide variety of matters such as relationships with teachers or other pupils careers advice subject selection and help them focus on their studies The four Houses also provide the basic structure for school sports and other competitive activities Each House elects two House Captains (boy and girl) to lead the House in these activities under the guidance of the Dean of House Parentscaregivers requiring appointments with any staff member should contact through the School Office
House Teachers and Deans Pupils seeking individual support or guidance should talk with their House Teacher or their House Dean At the beginning and throughout the year House Teachers and Deans will provide pupils with individual lsquoacademicrsquo guidance eg subject choice NZQA levelcredit goals Parentscaregivers are encouraged to make contact with the House Teacher or Dean should they want assistanceadvice about their child The School also has a Māori Dean who supports students across all houses and classes
Head of Student Services
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 15
Student Support The Principal is always available to discuss matters with parentscaregivers
School Council and
BOT Student Representative
Representatives from each House Group plus the Head
Boy and Head Girl meet regularly to discuss any
matters that pupils wish to bring up for discussion
Matters concerning the pupil body and suggestions for
improvements are included Each representative reports
back to their group and matters are discussed
CareersPathways Team
The CareersPathways Team
is available to any pupil or parentcaregiver for
assistance with goal-setting subject choices pathways to
careers and careers information The
CareersPathways Team also liaises with vocational
agencies and co-ordinates their visits to the School
DeputyAssistant Principal
Parentscaregivers can
contact the Deputy Principal (Mr Forsyth Yr 11-14+) or Assistant Principal (Ms Wells Yr 9-10)
about their childrsquos progress or welfare at school by
contacting them directly by phone email or leaving a
message at the Office
Head of Student Services
The Head of Student Services is available to any pupil or
parentcaregiver for help and consultation on personal
matters and school matters The Head of Student Services also refers students or parents
to other agencies or professionals
Prefects including Head Boy
and Head Girl
Prefects are senior pupils appointed to assist staff on
duty maintain a high standard of behaviour and provide leadership in pupil
activities such as the School Council and as leaders in
their Houses They are selected on the basis of their
leadership potential academic and sporting
aptitude
STUDENT
SUPPORT
Peer Support
Peer Support enables senior pupils normally Yr 12 or 13
pupils to assist Yr 9 pupils in making the transition to High
School Peer Support involves giving and receiving trust gaining a greater self-
awareness building resilience providing
information and improving the self-esteem of both the
leaders and younger pupils through mutual interaction
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 6
The Buller High School Way Buller High School is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) School PB4L is made up of practices and organisational systems that help schools to develop a positive social culture It is an evidence-based framework that schools adopt that looks at behaviour and learning for all students To enhance the current behaviour management systems Buller Highrsquos school-wide behaviour management plan is to continue supporting the learning and engagement of all students by providing clear and consistent expectations for behaviour
At Buller High School we o Recognise learning as the most important thing we do
o Make good choices about learning and behaviour
o Strive for continual improvement to be the best we can be
o Are honest thoughtful co-operative tolerant and well-mannered towards all people including visitors
o Respect the rights of others to learn without interruption
o Keep our school clean safe and attractive
Self-Managing Behaviour Students who ldquomanagerdquo or ldquotake ownership ofrdquo their own behaviour are more likely to be self-directed learners
The Buller High School Classroom
Relationships | Whanaungatanga Respect | Manaakitanga
bull Working cooperatively bull Listening attentively
bull Maintaining positive attitudes bull Being considerate of personal space
bull Getting advice when needed bull Waiting for your turn to speak
bull Tolerating and accepting differences
bull Sharing teacher time
Responsibility | Kawenga
Resilience | Manahau
bull Bringing all your equipment bull Being confident strong and caring
bull Being prepared to learn bull Avoiding distractions
bull Being punctual bull Making good decisions
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 7
The Buller High School Values | The 4 Rs
Relationships | Whanaungatanga
with friends with your community
with boysgirls with your family
with your teachers
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini My prowess is not single-handed
rather it represents the efforts of many
Respect | Manaakitanga
for your environment for your teachers
for your family for yourself
for your friends
Aroha ki te tangata Show love to all people
Responsibility |Kawenga
for your behaviour for your environment
for your learning for your property
ldquoKo te amorangi ki mua ko te hapai o ki murirdquo The leader goes ahead while the supporters follow
Resilience | Manahau
for ability to bounce back showing strength
building confidence adapting to change
working well under stress
ldquoMā te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 8
What we offer Years 9 amp 10 bull To consolidate the core subjects ndash English Mathematics
Science Social Studies Health and Physical Education
bull To give all Year 9 students a lsquotastersquo of the range of other curriculum courses that Buller High School provides
bull To allow Year 10 students to explore at more depth a range of optional subjects
Years 11 ndash 15 bull To consolidate literacy numeracy and science skills for year
11 students
bull To offer as wide a range of subjects as possible
bull To prepare students for NCEA Levels 1 ndash 3
bull To equip students for tertiary education and the workplace
All pupils are working towards obtaining the National Certificate of Educational Achievement at Level 1 2 or 3 A mix of internal and external assessment is used depending on the subjects each pupil chooses
Special Assistance Some pupils require extra assistance with the basics Others need extension work to keep them fully engaged in their learning Buller High School identifies needs and provides programmes to cater for them For those with special needs teachers develop individual programmes and in some cases provide individual tuition especially in Reading
Homework Pupils are expected to do some work at home to reinforce and extend their learning For junior pupils homework can be an extension of class work a time to finish exercises begun in class a time for project or assignment work or to learn work covered during school hours It is important that juniors have a regular time and place for homework in order to develop good study habits early in their secondary school career The School provides Homework Diaries and these should be used by pupils to record details of homework set Senior pupils should be devoting much of their homework time to revision and study as well as for assignments and completion of exercises begun in class Seniors should ensure that they begin their revision programmes early in the year as regular organised study is necessary for examination preparation
It is expected that pupils in Year 9 and 10 will spend from 1-1frac12 hours per day on homework Pupils in Year 11 to 13 should spend from 2-3 hours per day on homework It must be emphasised that these times are guides only and parentscaregivers should contact the School if too much homework or a lack of it becomes a problem
Progress Reports Reports are issued at regular intervals throughout the year to allow parentscaregivers to check on the progress of their children In 2017 the School trialled a new system where reports were completed each term It is hoped that this more regular feedback will provide a timely and accurate picture of student achievement
One of our lsquotastersrsquo
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 9
Subjects at a glance Note These are the subjects that ran in 2017 Courses for 2018 will be based on student demand and selection and have yet to be confirmed
YEAR 9 YEAR 10 LEVEL 1 (Year 11) LEVEL 2 (Year 12) LEVEL 3 (Year 13)
English English EN101 English EN201 English EN301 English
EP202 Trades English
Mathematics Mathematics MA101 Mathematics MA201 Mathematics MC301 Maths with Calculus
MA102 Mathematics
Alternative
MA202 Mathematics Alternative MS301 Statistics amp Modelling
Science Science PS101 Physical Sciences PH201 Physics PH301 Physics
Environmental Studies BS101 Biological Sciences BI201 Biology BI301 Biology
HT101 Horticulture CH201 Chemistry CH301 Chemistry
Social Studies Social Studies GE101 Geography GE201 Geography GE301 Geography
HI101 History HI201 History HI301 History
Māori ordmMāori MR123 Māori (Combined Levels 1 ndash 3)
ordmInformation Management CP101 Computing CP201 Computing CP301 Computing
Business Studies Business Studies BS101 Business Studies BS201 Business Studies BS301 Business Studies
PW201 Pathways PW301 Pathways
PP123 Personalised Programme PP123 Personalised Programme
Design and Visual
Communication ordmDesign and Visual
Communication
GR101 Design and Visual Communication
GR201 Design and Visual Communication
GR301 Design and Visual Communication
ordmWorkshop Technology WS101 Workshop Technology WS201 Workshop Technology WS301 Workshop Technology
WM201 Workshop Technology - Metal
Technology Food and
Fabric ordmTechnology Food and Fabric
HS101 Hospitality HS201 Hospitality HS301 Hospitality
Visual Arts ordmVisual Arts VA101 Visual Arts VA201 Visual Arts VA301 Visual Arts
PD201 Photography Design PD301 Photography Design
Performing Arts ordmPerforming Arts PA101 Performing Arts PA201 Performing Arts PA301 Performing Arts
MU123 Music (combined Level 1 ndash 3 class)
Physical Education Physical Education PE101 Physical Education PE201 Physical Education PE301 Physical Education
Health ordmHealth HL101 Health HL201 Health HL 301 Health
Trades Academy (Automotive Early Learning Hospitality Agriculture Outdoor Education)
Other courses available on request via Distance Learning and Correspondence
SUBJECTS THAT ARE SHADED = compulsory subjects
= Year 9 Options These are compulsory and rotate every 9 weeks ordm = Year 10 Options
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 10
Opportunities | Sport Buller High School has a very strong tradition in a wide range of sports especially Basketball Hockey Netball Rugby Soccer Swimming and Rowing Many other sports are also catered for Regular inter-school fixtures are held on a home-and-away basis In 2017 the School took part in two major exchanges with Kaiapoi and Motueka High Schools There are a variety of activities available at lunch times including mini-competitions in individual and team sports and coachingumpiring sessions Sports equipment will also be issued at lunch times for group and individual activities
Exchanges The School has two major sports exchanges that sit along our regular fixtures with other local West Coast schools It is an opportunity to host students from other schools and in turn be hosted when travelling away Over the years many friendships have grown through both staff and students with our exchange schools The exchanges are a highlight of the school sporting and cultural calendar
Tournament Week Tournament week during Term 3 will often see Buller High School field up to eight teams travelling to various parts of the country This is a fantastic opportunity to compete against other schools build friendships and team spirit The School has a long tradition of competing to a high level at these tournaments Teams selected will have regular practice sessions and matches in the lead-up With the building of the Solid Energy Sports Complex we are now seeing local sports bodies hosting national tournaments during this week
House Sports Inter-House competitions in Athletics Swimming lunchtime sports and Cross Country are highlights of the school year The House Shield is awarded annually to the House that gains the most House points during the year Participation at these events allows the House spirit to develop House sports and the House Shield have a long tradition here at Buller High School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 11
Opportunities | Arts amp Culture Buller High School also has a strong tradition in Performing Arts Visual Arts Music and Kapa Haka Our goal is that throughout their school years our pupils will have opportunities to showcase their visual dramatic musical artistic and cultural skills in school and the wider community
Visual Arts As a subject Visual Arts is one of the most popular within the School This is no surprise given the excellent achievement results that have been achieved over a number of years Examples of student artwork can be found all over the School and feature on the diary cover each year
In recent times senior art portfolio work has been displayed in the local galleries The Visual Arts Department incorporates photography of schoolwide happenings into the curriculum and also into the School Yearbook
Performing Arts and Music Anyone who has seen either a variety concert or school show will know what talent there is within our community However to make this talent shine needs dedicated and skilled staff Our Head of Performing Arts oversees these huge undertakings each year to ensure that these showcase events provide entertainment in a polished and professional way Our students excel in Trinity music exams alongside their teachers under the excellent tutelage of Mrs Rona Halsall each year
The School also provides many opportunities for our musicians from classical violinists through to pianists and rock bands Buller High School has a proud tradition of producing talented vocalists musicians and bands In 2017 two bands and two soloists competed at the West Coast Regionals of Rockquest
Bollywood The School Bollywood group was formed in mid-2015 and provides students with an opportunity to learn about another culture and form of dance The group has been very successful winning a number of awards including the Trustpower Supreme Award National Trustpower Award and runner-up High School Bollywood Dance Competition The group has now been extended to include members from the community and local primary schools
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 12
A Culture of Excellence The School gives recognition to its students for achievements in a wide range of activities These achievements are recognised by
Principalrsquos Awards A Principalrsquos Award is given for exceptional performance or achievement at an outstanding level in a subject sport or community service When a student is to be awarded with a Principalrsquos Award
bull They will receive the Award at a full school assembly by the Principal
bull Parents will be contacted in time so that they can attend the assembly
bull The student will be mentioned in the next newsletter along with the reason for the Award
bull The Award will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Award will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Principalrsquos Award will earn House points towards the House Shield
Merit Certificates Students receive Merit Awards by teachers as a positive reward for exhibiting some positive behaviour worthy of reward This can be behaviour in or out of the classroom
Once a student receives 10 Merit Awards they
bull Hand them into the Office These get recorded as they arrive
bull Receive a Merit Certificate from the Dean of the studentrsquos House
bull The Certificate will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Certificate will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Merit Certificate will earn House points towards the House Shield
Prizegiving There is a senior and junior prizegiving which is an annual school and community highlight held each year to celebrate the many successes and achievements of our students over the year Awards include
Academic Awards Sporting and Cultural Awards Special Awards
Work and Progress Academic Leadership Excellence Performance Special Academic Awards
First Place (in class or level) Sports Championships Special Trophies Māori Achievement and Leadership
Contribution and Leadership Community Contribution
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 13
Tikanga at Buller High School
At Buller High School we see te ro Māori and learning ideas around tikanga and te reo Māori important for our students school and whānau (parentswider community) Tikanga is about principles values and spirituality which are integral parts of our schoolrsquos ethos and strategic plan Tikanga is also lsquoas much a comment on process as it is on fixed attitudes or knowledgersquo (Mason Durie) Māori beliefs values and concepts are inherited practised and passed from generation to generation This is clearly demonstrated at tangihanga (the mourning process before burial) Values also include the importance of Te Reo (language) Whenua (land) and in particular Whānau (family and extended family group)
Pōwhiri All new students in Year 9 and new staff to Buller High School will be welcomed with a Pōwhiri at the beginning of the year A Pōwhiri may also take place at an important gathering or special occasion Pōwhiri includes protocol involved in welcoming and caring for visitors The key elements to a Pōwhiri include
bull Karanga (the calling)
bull Haka Pōwhiri (action dance)
bull Whaikorero (formal speeches)
bull Koha (the gift)
bull Hongi (pressing of noses)
bull HakariKai (feast or spread of food) During the Year 9 orientation Year 9 students will learn more about the Pōwhiri protocol they will experience at the beginning of the year
Kapa Haka The Buller High School Kapa Haka group has been successful taking out virtually every section of the West Coast regional finals in 2013 and again in 2014 Several of the Kapa Haka members are involved in a West Coast group formed in 2016
ldquoMa te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo
With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 14
Pastoral Care
The School has an extensive Guidance Network to provide support and guidance to all pupils The Guidance Network is based on a House System that seeks to provide a turangawaewae or place to stand with confidence for all pupils throughout their time at school Each House Group has a House Teacher who is responsible for the overall guidance and pastoral care of pupils in that House Group At the head of each House is a Dean who assists the House Teachers with the pastoral care of their groups
House System The House System is designed to support pupils with a wide variety of matters such as relationships with teachers or other pupils careers advice subject selection and help them focus on their studies The four Houses also provide the basic structure for school sports and other competitive activities Each House elects two House Captains (boy and girl) to lead the House in these activities under the guidance of the Dean of House Parentscaregivers requiring appointments with any staff member should contact through the School Office
House Teachers and Deans Pupils seeking individual support or guidance should talk with their House Teacher or their House Dean At the beginning and throughout the year House Teachers and Deans will provide pupils with individual lsquoacademicrsquo guidance eg subject choice NZQA levelcredit goals Parentscaregivers are encouraged to make contact with the House Teacher or Dean should they want assistanceadvice about their child The School also has a Māori Dean who supports students across all houses and classes
Head of Student Services
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 15
Student Support The Principal is always available to discuss matters with parentscaregivers
School Council and
BOT Student Representative
Representatives from each House Group plus the Head
Boy and Head Girl meet regularly to discuss any
matters that pupils wish to bring up for discussion
Matters concerning the pupil body and suggestions for
improvements are included Each representative reports
back to their group and matters are discussed
CareersPathways Team
The CareersPathways Team
is available to any pupil or parentcaregiver for
assistance with goal-setting subject choices pathways to
careers and careers information The
CareersPathways Team also liaises with vocational
agencies and co-ordinates their visits to the School
DeputyAssistant Principal
Parentscaregivers can
contact the Deputy Principal (Mr Forsyth Yr 11-14+) or Assistant Principal (Ms Wells Yr 9-10)
about their childrsquos progress or welfare at school by
contacting them directly by phone email or leaving a
message at the Office
Head of Student Services
The Head of Student Services is available to any pupil or
parentcaregiver for help and consultation on personal
matters and school matters The Head of Student Services also refers students or parents
to other agencies or professionals
Prefects including Head Boy
and Head Girl
Prefects are senior pupils appointed to assist staff on
duty maintain a high standard of behaviour and provide leadership in pupil
activities such as the School Council and as leaders in
their Houses They are selected on the basis of their
leadership potential academic and sporting
aptitude
STUDENT
SUPPORT
Peer Support
Peer Support enables senior pupils normally Yr 12 or 13
pupils to assist Yr 9 pupils in making the transition to High
School Peer Support involves giving and receiving trust gaining a greater self-
awareness building resilience providing
information and improving the self-esteem of both the
leaders and younger pupils through mutual interaction
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 7
The Buller High School Values | The 4 Rs
Relationships | Whanaungatanga
with friends with your community
with boysgirls with your family
with your teachers
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini My prowess is not single-handed
rather it represents the efforts of many
Respect | Manaakitanga
for your environment for your teachers
for your family for yourself
for your friends
Aroha ki te tangata Show love to all people
Responsibility |Kawenga
for your behaviour for your environment
for your learning for your property
ldquoKo te amorangi ki mua ko te hapai o ki murirdquo The leader goes ahead while the supporters follow
Resilience | Manahau
for ability to bounce back showing strength
building confidence adapting to change
working well under stress
ldquoMā te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 8
What we offer Years 9 amp 10 bull To consolidate the core subjects ndash English Mathematics
Science Social Studies Health and Physical Education
bull To give all Year 9 students a lsquotastersquo of the range of other curriculum courses that Buller High School provides
bull To allow Year 10 students to explore at more depth a range of optional subjects
Years 11 ndash 15 bull To consolidate literacy numeracy and science skills for year
11 students
bull To offer as wide a range of subjects as possible
bull To prepare students for NCEA Levels 1 ndash 3
bull To equip students for tertiary education and the workplace
All pupils are working towards obtaining the National Certificate of Educational Achievement at Level 1 2 or 3 A mix of internal and external assessment is used depending on the subjects each pupil chooses
Special Assistance Some pupils require extra assistance with the basics Others need extension work to keep them fully engaged in their learning Buller High School identifies needs and provides programmes to cater for them For those with special needs teachers develop individual programmes and in some cases provide individual tuition especially in Reading
Homework Pupils are expected to do some work at home to reinforce and extend their learning For junior pupils homework can be an extension of class work a time to finish exercises begun in class a time for project or assignment work or to learn work covered during school hours It is important that juniors have a regular time and place for homework in order to develop good study habits early in their secondary school career The School provides Homework Diaries and these should be used by pupils to record details of homework set Senior pupils should be devoting much of their homework time to revision and study as well as for assignments and completion of exercises begun in class Seniors should ensure that they begin their revision programmes early in the year as regular organised study is necessary for examination preparation
It is expected that pupils in Year 9 and 10 will spend from 1-1frac12 hours per day on homework Pupils in Year 11 to 13 should spend from 2-3 hours per day on homework It must be emphasised that these times are guides only and parentscaregivers should contact the School if too much homework or a lack of it becomes a problem
Progress Reports Reports are issued at regular intervals throughout the year to allow parentscaregivers to check on the progress of their children In 2017 the School trialled a new system where reports were completed each term It is hoped that this more regular feedback will provide a timely and accurate picture of student achievement
One of our lsquotastersrsquo
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 9
Subjects at a glance Note These are the subjects that ran in 2017 Courses for 2018 will be based on student demand and selection and have yet to be confirmed
YEAR 9 YEAR 10 LEVEL 1 (Year 11) LEVEL 2 (Year 12) LEVEL 3 (Year 13)
English English EN101 English EN201 English EN301 English
EP202 Trades English
Mathematics Mathematics MA101 Mathematics MA201 Mathematics MC301 Maths with Calculus
MA102 Mathematics
Alternative
MA202 Mathematics Alternative MS301 Statistics amp Modelling
Science Science PS101 Physical Sciences PH201 Physics PH301 Physics
Environmental Studies BS101 Biological Sciences BI201 Biology BI301 Biology
HT101 Horticulture CH201 Chemistry CH301 Chemistry
Social Studies Social Studies GE101 Geography GE201 Geography GE301 Geography
HI101 History HI201 History HI301 History
Māori ordmMāori MR123 Māori (Combined Levels 1 ndash 3)
ordmInformation Management CP101 Computing CP201 Computing CP301 Computing
Business Studies Business Studies BS101 Business Studies BS201 Business Studies BS301 Business Studies
PW201 Pathways PW301 Pathways
PP123 Personalised Programme PP123 Personalised Programme
Design and Visual
Communication ordmDesign and Visual
Communication
GR101 Design and Visual Communication
GR201 Design and Visual Communication
GR301 Design and Visual Communication
ordmWorkshop Technology WS101 Workshop Technology WS201 Workshop Technology WS301 Workshop Technology
WM201 Workshop Technology - Metal
Technology Food and
Fabric ordmTechnology Food and Fabric
HS101 Hospitality HS201 Hospitality HS301 Hospitality
Visual Arts ordmVisual Arts VA101 Visual Arts VA201 Visual Arts VA301 Visual Arts
PD201 Photography Design PD301 Photography Design
Performing Arts ordmPerforming Arts PA101 Performing Arts PA201 Performing Arts PA301 Performing Arts
MU123 Music (combined Level 1 ndash 3 class)
Physical Education Physical Education PE101 Physical Education PE201 Physical Education PE301 Physical Education
Health ordmHealth HL101 Health HL201 Health HL 301 Health
Trades Academy (Automotive Early Learning Hospitality Agriculture Outdoor Education)
Other courses available on request via Distance Learning and Correspondence
SUBJECTS THAT ARE SHADED = compulsory subjects
= Year 9 Options These are compulsory and rotate every 9 weeks ordm = Year 10 Options
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 10
Opportunities | Sport Buller High School has a very strong tradition in a wide range of sports especially Basketball Hockey Netball Rugby Soccer Swimming and Rowing Many other sports are also catered for Regular inter-school fixtures are held on a home-and-away basis In 2017 the School took part in two major exchanges with Kaiapoi and Motueka High Schools There are a variety of activities available at lunch times including mini-competitions in individual and team sports and coachingumpiring sessions Sports equipment will also be issued at lunch times for group and individual activities
Exchanges The School has two major sports exchanges that sit along our regular fixtures with other local West Coast schools It is an opportunity to host students from other schools and in turn be hosted when travelling away Over the years many friendships have grown through both staff and students with our exchange schools The exchanges are a highlight of the school sporting and cultural calendar
Tournament Week Tournament week during Term 3 will often see Buller High School field up to eight teams travelling to various parts of the country This is a fantastic opportunity to compete against other schools build friendships and team spirit The School has a long tradition of competing to a high level at these tournaments Teams selected will have regular practice sessions and matches in the lead-up With the building of the Solid Energy Sports Complex we are now seeing local sports bodies hosting national tournaments during this week
House Sports Inter-House competitions in Athletics Swimming lunchtime sports and Cross Country are highlights of the school year The House Shield is awarded annually to the House that gains the most House points during the year Participation at these events allows the House spirit to develop House sports and the House Shield have a long tradition here at Buller High School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 11
Opportunities | Arts amp Culture Buller High School also has a strong tradition in Performing Arts Visual Arts Music and Kapa Haka Our goal is that throughout their school years our pupils will have opportunities to showcase their visual dramatic musical artistic and cultural skills in school and the wider community
Visual Arts As a subject Visual Arts is one of the most popular within the School This is no surprise given the excellent achievement results that have been achieved over a number of years Examples of student artwork can be found all over the School and feature on the diary cover each year
In recent times senior art portfolio work has been displayed in the local galleries The Visual Arts Department incorporates photography of schoolwide happenings into the curriculum and also into the School Yearbook
Performing Arts and Music Anyone who has seen either a variety concert or school show will know what talent there is within our community However to make this talent shine needs dedicated and skilled staff Our Head of Performing Arts oversees these huge undertakings each year to ensure that these showcase events provide entertainment in a polished and professional way Our students excel in Trinity music exams alongside their teachers under the excellent tutelage of Mrs Rona Halsall each year
The School also provides many opportunities for our musicians from classical violinists through to pianists and rock bands Buller High School has a proud tradition of producing talented vocalists musicians and bands In 2017 two bands and two soloists competed at the West Coast Regionals of Rockquest
Bollywood The School Bollywood group was formed in mid-2015 and provides students with an opportunity to learn about another culture and form of dance The group has been very successful winning a number of awards including the Trustpower Supreme Award National Trustpower Award and runner-up High School Bollywood Dance Competition The group has now been extended to include members from the community and local primary schools
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 12
A Culture of Excellence The School gives recognition to its students for achievements in a wide range of activities These achievements are recognised by
Principalrsquos Awards A Principalrsquos Award is given for exceptional performance or achievement at an outstanding level in a subject sport or community service When a student is to be awarded with a Principalrsquos Award
bull They will receive the Award at a full school assembly by the Principal
bull Parents will be contacted in time so that they can attend the assembly
bull The student will be mentioned in the next newsletter along with the reason for the Award
bull The Award will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Award will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Principalrsquos Award will earn House points towards the House Shield
Merit Certificates Students receive Merit Awards by teachers as a positive reward for exhibiting some positive behaviour worthy of reward This can be behaviour in or out of the classroom
Once a student receives 10 Merit Awards they
bull Hand them into the Office These get recorded as they arrive
bull Receive a Merit Certificate from the Dean of the studentrsquos House
bull The Certificate will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Certificate will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Merit Certificate will earn House points towards the House Shield
Prizegiving There is a senior and junior prizegiving which is an annual school and community highlight held each year to celebrate the many successes and achievements of our students over the year Awards include
Academic Awards Sporting and Cultural Awards Special Awards
Work and Progress Academic Leadership Excellence Performance Special Academic Awards
First Place (in class or level) Sports Championships Special Trophies Māori Achievement and Leadership
Contribution and Leadership Community Contribution
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 13
Tikanga at Buller High School
At Buller High School we see te ro Māori and learning ideas around tikanga and te reo Māori important for our students school and whānau (parentswider community) Tikanga is about principles values and spirituality which are integral parts of our schoolrsquos ethos and strategic plan Tikanga is also lsquoas much a comment on process as it is on fixed attitudes or knowledgersquo (Mason Durie) Māori beliefs values and concepts are inherited practised and passed from generation to generation This is clearly demonstrated at tangihanga (the mourning process before burial) Values also include the importance of Te Reo (language) Whenua (land) and in particular Whānau (family and extended family group)
Pōwhiri All new students in Year 9 and new staff to Buller High School will be welcomed with a Pōwhiri at the beginning of the year A Pōwhiri may also take place at an important gathering or special occasion Pōwhiri includes protocol involved in welcoming and caring for visitors The key elements to a Pōwhiri include
bull Karanga (the calling)
bull Haka Pōwhiri (action dance)
bull Whaikorero (formal speeches)
bull Koha (the gift)
bull Hongi (pressing of noses)
bull HakariKai (feast or spread of food) During the Year 9 orientation Year 9 students will learn more about the Pōwhiri protocol they will experience at the beginning of the year
Kapa Haka The Buller High School Kapa Haka group has been successful taking out virtually every section of the West Coast regional finals in 2013 and again in 2014 Several of the Kapa Haka members are involved in a West Coast group formed in 2016
ldquoMa te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo
With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 14
Pastoral Care
The School has an extensive Guidance Network to provide support and guidance to all pupils The Guidance Network is based on a House System that seeks to provide a turangawaewae or place to stand with confidence for all pupils throughout their time at school Each House Group has a House Teacher who is responsible for the overall guidance and pastoral care of pupils in that House Group At the head of each House is a Dean who assists the House Teachers with the pastoral care of their groups
House System The House System is designed to support pupils with a wide variety of matters such as relationships with teachers or other pupils careers advice subject selection and help them focus on their studies The four Houses also provide the basic structure for school sports and other competitive activities Each House elects two House Captains (boy and girl) to lead the House in these activities under the guidance of the Dean of House Parentscaregivers requiring appointments with any staff member should contact through the School Office
House Teachers and Deans Pupils seeking individual support or guidance should talk with their House Teacher or their House Dean At the beginning and throughout the year House Teachers and Deans will provide pupils with individual lsquoacademicrsquo guidance eg subject choice NZQA levelcredit goals Parentscaregivers are encouraged to make contact with the House Teacher or Dean should they want assistanceadvice about their child The School also has a Māori Dean who supports students across all houses and classes
Head of Student Services
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 15
Student Support The Principal is always available to discuss matters with parentscaregivers
School Council and
BOT Student Representative
Representatives from each House Group plus the Head
Boy and Head Girl meet regularly to discuss any
matters that pupils wish to bring up for discussion
Matters concerning the pupil body and suggestions for
improvements are included Each representative reports
back to their group and matters are discussed
CareersPathways Team
The CareersPathways Team
is available to any pupil or parentcaregiver for
assistance with goal-setting subject choices pathways to
careers and careers information The
CareersPathways Team also liaises with vocational
agencies and co-ordinates their visits to the School
DeputyAssistant Principal
Parentscaregivers can
contact the Deputy Principal (Mr Forsyth Yr 11-14+) or Assistant Principal (Ms Wells Yr 9-10)
about their childrsquos progress or welfare at school by
contacting them directly by phone email or leaving a
message at the Office
Head of Student Services
The Head of Student Services is available to any pupil or
parentcaregiver for help and consultation on personal
matters and school matters The Head of Student Services also refers students or parents
to other agencies or professionals
Prefects including Head Boy
and Head Girl
Prefects are senior pupils appointed to assist staff on
duty maintain a high standard of behaviour and provide leadership in pupil
activities such as the School Council and as leaders in
their Houses They are selected on the basis of their
leadership potential academic and sporting
aptitude
STUDENT
SUPPORT
Peer Support
Peer Support enables senior pupils normally Yr 12 or 13
pupils to assist Yr 9 pupils in making the transition to High
School Peer Support involves giving and receiving trust gaining a greater self-
awareness building resilience providing
information and improving the self-esteem of both the
leaders and younger pupils through mutual interaction
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 8
What we offer Years 9 amp 10 bull To consolidate the core subjects ndash English Mathematics
Science Social Studies Health and Physical Education
bull To give all Year 9 students a lsquotastersquo of the range of other curriculum courses that Buller High School provides
bull To allow Year 10 students to explore at more depth a range of optional subjects
Years 11 ndash 15 bull To consolidate literacy numeracy and science skills for year
11 students
bull To offer as wide a range of subjects as possible
bull To prepare students for NCEA Levels 1 ndash 3
bull To equip students for tertiary education and the workplace
All pupils are working towards obtaining the National Certificate of Educational Achievement at Level 1 2 or 3 A mix of internal and external assessment is used depending on the subjects each pupil chooses
Special Assistance Some pupils require extra assistance with the basics Others need extension work to keep them fully engaged in their learning Buller High School identifies needs and provides programmes to cater for them For those with special needs teachers develop individual programmes and in some cases provide individual tuition especially in Reading
Homework Pupils are expected to do some work at home to reinforce and extend their learning For junior pupils homework can be an extension of class work a time to finish exercises begun in class a time for project or assignment work or to learn work covered during school hours It is important that juniors have a regular time and place for homework in order to develop good study habits early in their secondary school career The School provides Homework Diaries and these should be used by pupils to record details of homework set Senior pupils should be devoting much of their homework time to revision and study as well as for assignments and completion of exercises begun in class Seniors should ensure that they begin their revision programmes early in the year as regular organised study is necessary for examination preparation
It is expected that pupils in Year 9 and 10 will spend from 1-1frac12 hours per day on homework Pupils in Year 11 to 13 should spend from 2-3 hours per day on homework It must be emphasised that these times are guides only and parentscaregivers should contact the School if too much homework or a lack of it becomes a problem
Progress Reports Reports are issued at regular intervals throughout the year to allow parentscaregivers to check on the progress of their children In 2017 the School trialled a new system where reports were completed each term It is hoped that this more regular feedback will provide a timely and accurate picture of student achievement
One of our lsquotastersrsquo
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 9
Subjects at a glance Note These are the subjects that ran in 2017 Courses for 2018 will be based on student demand and selection and have yet to be confirmed
YEAR 9 YEAR 10 LEVEL 1 (Year 11) LEVEL 2 (Year 12) LEVEL 3 (Year 13)
English English EN101 English EN201 English EN301 English
EP202 Trades English
Mathematics Mathematics MA101 Mathematics MA201 Mathematics MC301 Maths with Calculus
MA102 Mathematics
Alternative
MA202 Mathematics Alternative MS301 Statistics amp Modelling
Science Science PS101 Physical Sciences PH201 Physics PH301 Physics
Environmental Studies BS101 Biological Sciences BI201 Biology BI301 Biology
HT101 Horticulture CH201 Chemistry CH301 Chemistry
Social Studies Social Studies GE101 Geography GE201 Geography GE301 Geography
HI101 History HI201 History HI301 History
Māori ordmMāori MR123 Māori (Combined Levels 1 ndash 3)
ordmInformation Management CP101 Computing CP201 Computing CP301 Computing
Business Studies Business Studies BS101 Business Studies BS201 Business Studies BS301 Business Studies
PW201 Pathways PW301 Pathways
PP123 Personalised Programme PP123 Personalised Programme
Design and Visual
Communication ordmDesign and Visual
Communication
GR101 Design and Visual Communication
GR201 Design and Visual Communication
GR301 Design and Visual Communication
ordmWorkshop Technology WS101 Workshop Technology WS201 Workshop Technology WS301 Workshop Technology
WM201 Workshop Technology - Metal
Technology Food and
Fabric ordmTechnology Food and Fabric
HS101 Hospitality HS201 Hospitality HS301 Hospitality
Visual Arts ordmVisual Arts VA101 Visual Arts VA201 Visual Arts VA301 Visual Arts
PD201 Photography Design PD301 Photography Design
Performing Arts ordmPerforming Arts PA101 Performing Arts PA201 Performing Arts PA301 Performing Arts
MU123 Music (combined Level 1 ndash 3 class)
Physical Education Physical Education PE101 Physical Education PE201 Physical Education PE301 Physical Education
Health ordmHealth HL101 Health HL201 Health HL 301 Health
Trades Academy (Automotive Early Learning Hospitality Agriculture Outdoor Education)
Other courses available on request via Distance Learning and Correspondence
SUBJECTS THAT ARE SHADED = compulsory subjects
= Year 9 Options These are compulsory and rotate every 9 weeks ordm = Year 10 Options
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 10
Opportunities | Sport Buller High School has a very strong tradition in a wide range of sports especially Basketball Hockey Netball Rugby Soccer Swimming and Rowing Many other sports are also catered for Regular inter-school fixtures are held on a home-and-away basis In 2017 the School took part in two major exchanges with Kaiapoi and Motueka High Schools There are a variety of activities available at lunch times including mini-competitions in individual and team sports and coachingumpiring sessions Sports equipment will also be issued at lunch times for group and individual activities
Exchanges The School has two major sports exchanges that sit along our regular fixtures with other local West Coast schools It is an opportunity to host students from other schools and in turn be hosted when travelling away Over the years many friendships have grown through both staff and students with our exchange schools The exchanges are a highlight of the school sporting and cultural calendar
Tournament Week Tournament week during Term 3 will often see Buller High School field up to eight teams travelling to various parts of the country This is a fantastic opportunity to compete against other schools build friendships and team spirit The School has a long tradition of competing to a high level at these tournaments Teams selected will have regular practice sessions and matches in the lead-up With the building of the Solid Energy Sports Complex we are now seeing local sports bodies hosting national tournaments during this week
House Sports Inter-House competitions in Athletics Swimming lunchtime sports and Cross Country are highlights of the school year The House Shield is awarded annually to the House that gains the most House points during the year Participation at these events allows the House spirit to develop House sports and the House Shield have a long tradition here at Buller High School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 11
Opportunities | Arts amp Culture Buller High School also has a strong tradition in Performing Arts Visual Arts Music and Kapa Haka Our goal is that throughout their school years our pupils will have opportunities to showcase their visual dramatic musical artistic and cultural skills in school and the wider community
Visual Arts As a subject Visual Arts is one of the most popular within the School This is no surprise given the excellent achievement results that have been achieved over a number of years Examples of student artwork can be found all over the School and feature on the diary cover each year
In recent times senior art portfolio work has been displayed in the local galleries The Visual Arts Department incorporates photography of schoolwide happenings into the curriculum and also into the School Yearbook
Performing Arts and Music Anyone who has seen either a variety concert or school show will know what talent there is within our community However to make this talent shine needs dedicated and skilled staff Our Head of Performing Arts oversees these huge undertakings each year to ensure that these showcase events provide entertainment in a polished and professional way Our students excel in Trinity music exams alongside their teachers under the excellent tutelage of Mrs Rona Halsall each year
The School also provides many opportunities for our musicians from classical violinists through to pianists and rock bands Buller High School has a proud tradition of producing talented vocalists musicians and bands In 2017 two bands and two soloists competed at the West Coast Regionals of Rockquest
Bollywood The School Bollywood group was formed in mid-2015 and provides students with an opportunity to learn about another culture and form of dance The group has been very successful winning a number of awards including the Trustpower Supreme Award National Trustpower Award and runner-up High School Bollywood Dance Competition The group has now been extended to include members from the community and local primary schools
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 12
A Culture of Excellence The School gives recognition to its students for achievements in a wide range of activities These achievements are recognised by
Principalrsquos Awards A Principalrsquos Award is given for exceptional performance or achievement at an outstanding level in a subject sport or community service When a student is to be awarded with a Principalrsquos Award
bull They will receive the Award at a full school assembly by the Principal
bull Parents will be contacted in time so that they can attend the assembly
bull The student will be mentioned in the next newsletter along with the reason for the Award
bull The Award will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Award will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Principalrsquos Award will earn House points towards the House Shield
Merit Certificates Students receive Merit Awards by teachers as a positive reward for exhibiting some positive behaviour worthy of reward This can be behaviour in or out of the classroom
Once a student receives 10 Merit Awards they
bull Hand them into the Office These get recorded as they arrive
bull Receive a Merit Certificate from the Dean of the studentrsquos House
bull The Certificate will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Certificate will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Merit Certificate will earn House points towards the House Shield
Prizegiving There is a senior and junior prizegiving which is an annual school and community highlight held each year to celebrate the many successes and achievements of our students over the year Awards include
Academic Awards Sporting and Cultural Awards Special Awards
Work and Progress Academic Leadership Excellence Performance Special Academic Awards
First Place (in class or level) Sports Championships Special Trophies Māori Achievement and Leadership
Contribution and Leadership Community Contribution
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 13
Tikanga at Buller High School
At Buller High School we see te ro Māori and learning ideas around tikanga and te reo Māori important for our students school and whānau (parentswider community) Tikanga is about principles values and spirituality which are integral parts of our schoolrsquos ethos and strategic plan Tikanga is also lsquoas much a comment on process as it is on fixed attitudes or knowledgersquo (Mason Durie) Māori beliefs values and concepts are inherited practised and passed from generation to generation This is clearly demonstrated at tangihanga (the mourning process before burial) Values also include the importance of Te Reo (language) Whenua (land) and in particular Whānau (family and extended family group)
Pōwhiri All new students in Year 9 and new staff to Buller High School will be welcomed with a Pōwhiri at the beginning of the year A Pōwhiri may also take place at an important gathering or special occasion Pōwhiri includes protocol involved in welcoming and caring for visitors The key elements to a Pōwhiri include
bull Karanga (the calling)
bull Haka Pōwhiri (action dance)
bull Whaikorero (formal speeches)
bull Koha (the gift)
bull Hongi (pressing of noses)
bull HakariKai (feast or spread of food) During the Year 9 orientation Year 9 students will learn more about the Pōwhiri protocol they will experience at the beginning of the year
Kapa Haka The Buller High School Kapa Haka group has been successful taking out virtually every section of the West Coast regional finals in 2013 and again in 2014 Several of the Kapa Haka members are involved in a West Coast group formed in 2016
ldquoMa te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo
With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 14
Pastoral Care
The School has an extensive Guidance Network to provide support and guidance to all pupils The Guidance Network is based on a House System that seeks to provide a turangawaewae or place to stand with confidence for all pupils throughout their time at school Each House Group has a House Teacher who is responsible for the overall guidance and pastoral care of pupils in that House Group At the head of each House is a Dean who assists the House Teachers with the pastoral care of their groups
House System The House System is designed to support pupils with a wide variety of matters such as relationships with teachers or other pupils careers advice subject selection and help them focus on their studies The four Houses also provide the basic structure for school sports and other competitive activities Each House elects two House Captains (boy and girl) to lead the House in these activities under the guidance of the Dean of House Parentscaregivers requiring appointments with any staff member should contact through the School Office
House Teachers and Deans Pupils seeking individual support or guidance should talk with their House Teacher or their House Dean At the beginning and throughout the year House Teachers and Deans will provide pupils with individual lsquoacademicrsquo guidance eg subject choice NZQA levelcredit goals Parentscaregivers are encouraged to make contact with the House Teacher or Dean should they want assistanceadvice about their child The School also has a Māori Dean who supports students across all houses and classes
Head of Student Services
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 15
Student Support The Principal is always available to discuss matters with parentscaregivers
School Council and
BOT Student Representative
Representatives from each House Group plus the Head
Boy and Head Girl meet regularly to discuss any
matters that pupils wish to bring up for discussion
Matters concerning the pupil body and suggestions for
improvements are included Each representative reports
back to their group and matters are discussed
CareersPathways Team
The CareersPathways Team
is available to any pupil or parentcaregiver for
assistance with goal-setting subject choices pathways to
careers and careers information The
CareersPathways Team also liaises with vocational
agencies and co-ordinates their visits to the School
DeputyAssistant Principal
Parentscaregivers can
contact the Deputy Principal (Mr Forsyth Yr 11-14+) or Assistant Principal (Ms Wells Yr 9-10)
about their childrsquos progress or welfare at school by
contacting them directly by phone email or leaving a
message at the Office
Head of Student Services
The Head of Student Services is available to any pupil or
parentcaregiver for help and consultation on personal
matters and school matters The Head of Student Services also refers students or parents
to other agencies or professionals
Prefects including Head Boy
and Head Girl
Prefects are senior pupils appointed to assist staff on
duty maintain a high standard of behaviour and provide leadership in pupil
activities such as the School Council and as leaders in
their Houses They are selected on the basis of their
leadership potential academic and sporting
aptitude
STUDENT
SUPPORT
Peer Support
Peer Support enables senior pupils normally Yr 12 or 13
pupils to assist Yr 9 pupils in making the transition to High
School Peer Support involves giving and receiving trust gaining a greater self-
awareness building resilience providing
information and improving the self-esteem of both the
leaders and younger pupils through mutual interaction
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 9
Subjects at a glance Note These are the subjects that ran in 2017 Courses for 2018 will be based on student demand and selection and have yet to be confirmed
YEAR 9 YEAR 10 LEVEL 1 (Year 11) LEVEL 2 (Year 12) LEVEL 3 (Year 13)
English English EN101 English EN201 English EN301 English
EP202 Trades English
Mathematics Mathematics MA101 Mathematics MA201 Mathematics MC301 Maths with Calculus
MA102 Mathematics
Alternative
MA202 Mathematics Alternative MS301 Statistics amp Modelling
Science Science PS101 Physical Sciences PH201 Physics PH301 Physics
Environmental Studies BS101 Biological Sciences BI201 Biology BI301 Biology
HT101 Horticulture CH201 Chemistry CH301 Chemistry
Social Studies Social Studies GE101 Geography GE201 Geography GE301 Geography
HI101 History HI201 History HI301 History
Māori ordmMāori MR123 Māori (Combined Levels 1 ndash 3)
ordmInformation Management CP101 Computing CP201 Computing CP301 Computing
Business Studies Business Studies BS101 Business Studies BS201 Business Studies BS301 Business Studies
PW201 Pathways PW301 Pathways
PP123 Personalised Programme PP123 Personalised Programme
Design and Visual
Communication ordmDesign and Visual
Communication
GR101 Design and Visual Communication
GR201 Design and Visual Communication
GR301 Design and Visual Communication
ordmWorkshop Technology WS101 Workshop Technology WS201 Workshop Technology WS301 Workshop Technology
WM201 Workshop Technology - Metal
Technology Food and
Fabric ordmTechnology Food and Fabric
HS101 Hospitality HS201 Hospitality HS301 Hospitality
Visual Arts ordmVisual Arts VA101 Visual Arts VA201 Visual Arts VA301 Visual Arts
PD201 Photography Design PD301 Photography Design
Performing Arts ordmPerforming Arts PA101 Performing Arts PA201 Performing Arts PA301 Performing Arts
MU123 Music (combined Level 1 ndash 3 class)
Physical Education Physical Education PE101 Physical Education PE201 Physical Education PE301 Physical Education
Health ordmHealth HL101 Health HL201 Health HL 301 Health
Trades Academy (Automotive Early Learning Hospitality Agriculture Outdoor Education)
Other courses available on request via Distance Learning and Correspondence
SUBJECTS THAT ARE SHADED = compulsory subjects
= Year 9 Options These are compulsory and rotate every 9 weeks ordm = Year 10 Options
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 10
Opportunities | Sport Buller High School has a very strong tradition in a wide range of sports especially Basketball Hockey Netball Rugby Soccer Swimming and Rowing Many other sports are also catered for Regular inter-school fixtures are held on a home-and-away basis In 2017 the School took part in two major exchanges with Kaiapoi and Motueka High Schools There are a variety of activities available at lunch times including mini-competitions in individual and team sports and coachingumpiring sessions Sports equipment will also be issued at lunch times for group and individual activities
Exchanges The School has two major sports exchanges that sit along our regular fixtures with other local West Coast schools It is an opportunity to host students from other schools and in turn be hosted when travelling away Over the years many friendships have grown through both staff and students with our exchange schools The exchanges are a highlight of the school sporting and cultural calendar
Tournament Week Tournament week during Term 3 will often see Buller High School field up to eight teams travelling to various parts of the country This is a fantastic opportunity to compete against other schools build friendships and team spirit The School has a long tradition of competing to a high level at these tournaments Teams selected will have regular practice sessions and matches in the lead-up With the building of the Solid Energy Sports Complex we are now seeing local sports bodies hosting national tournaments during this week
House Sports Inter-House competitions in Athletics Swimming lunchtime sports and Cross Country are highlights of the school year The House Shield is awarded annually to the House that gains the most House points during the year Participation at these events allows the House spirit to develop House sports and the House Shield have a long tradition here at Buller High School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 11
Opportunities | Arts amp Culture Buller High School also has a strong tradition in Performing Arts Visual Arts Music and Kapa Haka Our goal is that throughout their school years our pupils will have opportunities to showcase their visual dramatic musical artistic and cultural skills in school and the wider community
Visual Arts As a subject Visual Arts is one of the most popular within the School This is no surprise given the excellent achievement results that have been achieved over a number of years Examples of student artwork can be found all over the School and feature on the diary cover each year
In recent times senior art portfolio work has been displayed in the local galleries The Visual Arts Department incorporates photography of schoolwide happenings into the curriculum and also into the School Yearbook
Performing Arts and Music Anyone who has seen either a variety concert or school show will know what talent there is within our community However to make this talent shine needs dedicated and skilled staff Our Head of Performing Arts oversees these huge undertakings each year to ensure that these showcase events provide entertainment in a polished and professional way Our students excel in Trinity music exams alongside their teachers under the excellent tutelage of Mrs Rona Halsall each year
The School also provides many opportunities for our musicians from classical violinists through to pianists and rock bands Buller High School has a proud tradition of producing talented vocalists musicians and bands In 2017 two bands and two soloists competed at the West Coast Regionals of Rockquest
Bollywood The School Bollywood group was formed in mid-2015 and provides students with an opportunity to learn about another culture and form of dance The group has been very successful winning a number of awards including the Trustpower Supreme Award National Trustpower Award and runner-up High School Bollywood Dance Competition The group has now been extended to include members from the community and local primary schools
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 12
A Culture of Excellence The School gives recognition to its students for achievements in a wide range of activities These achievements are recognised by
Principalrsquos Awards A Principalrsquos Award is given for exceptional performance or achievement at an outstanding level in a subject sport or community service When a student is to be awarded with a Principalrsquos Award
bull They will receive the Award at a full school assembly by the Principal
bull Parents will be contacted in time so that they can attend the assembly
bull The student will be mentioned in the next newsletter along with the reason for the Award
bull The Award will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Award will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Principalrsquos Award will earn House points towards the House Shield
Merit Certificates Students receive Merit Awards by teachers as a positive reward for exhibiting some positive behaviour worthy of reward This can be behaviour in or out of the classroom
Once a student receives 10 Merit Awards they
bull Hand them into the Office These get recorded as they arrive
bull Receive a Merit Certificate from the Dean of the studentrsquos House
bull The Certificate will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Certificate will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Merit Certificate will earn House points towards the House Shield
Prizegiving There is a senior and junior prizegiving which is an annual school and community highlight held each year to celebrate the many successes and achievements of our students over the year Awards include
Academic Awards Sporting and Cultural Awards Special Awards
Work and Progress Academic Leadership Excellence Performance Special Academic Awards
First Place (in class or level) Sports Championships Special Trophies Māori Achievement and Leadership
Contribution and Leadership Community Contribution
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 13
Tikanga at Buller High School
At Buller High School we see te ro Māori and learning ideas around tikanga and te reo Māori important for our students school and whānau (parentswider community) Tikanga is about principles values and spirituality which are integral parts of our schoolrsquos ethos and strategic plan Tikanga is also lsquoas much a comment on process as it is on fixed attitudes or knowledgersquo (Mason Durie) Māori beliefs values and concepts are inherited practised and passed from generation to generation This is clearly demonstrated at tangihanga (the mourning process before burial) Values also include the importance of Te Reo (language) Whenua (land) and in particular Whānau (family and extended family group)
Pōwhiri All new students in Year 9 and new staff to Buller High School will be welcomed with a Pōwhiri at the beginning of the year A Pōwhiri may also take place at an important gathering or special occasion Pōwhiri includes protocol involved in welcoming and caring for visitors The key elements to a Pōwhiri include
bull Karanga (the calling)
bull Haka Pōwhiri (action dance)
bull Whaikorero (formal speeches)
bull Koha (the gift)
bull Hongi (pressing of noses)
bull HakariKai (feast or spread of food) During the Year 9 orientation Year 9 students will learn more about the Pōwhiri protocol they will experience at the beginning of the year
Kapa Haka The Buller High School Kapa Haka group has been successful taking out virtually every section of the West Coast regional finals in 2013 and again in 2014 Several of the Kapa Haka members are involved in a West Coast group formed in 2016
ldquoMa te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo
With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 14
Pastoral Care
The School has an extensive Guidance Network to provide support and guidance to all pupils The Guidance Network is based on a House System that seeks to provide a turangawaewae or place to stand with confidence for all pupils throughout their time at school Each House Group has a House Teacher who is responsible for the overall guidance and pastoral care of pupils in that House Group At the head of each House is a Dean who assists the House Teachers with the pastoral care of their groups
House System The House System is designed to support pupils with a wide variety of matters such as relationships with teachers or other pupils careers advice subject selection and help them focus on their studies The four Houses also provide the basic structure for school sports and other competitive activities Each House elects two House Captains (boy and girl) to lead the House in these activities under the guidance of the Dean of House Parentscaregivers requiring appointments with any staff member should contact through the School Office
House Teachers and Deans Pupils seeking individual support or guidance should talk with their House Teacher or their House Dean At the beginning and throughout the year House Teachers and Deans will provide pupils with individual lsquoacademicrsquo guidance eg subject choice NZQA levelcredit goals Parentscaregivers are encouraged to make contact with the House Teacher or Dean should they want assistanceadvice about their child The School also has a Māori Dean who supports students across all houses and classes
Head of Student Services
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 15
Student Support The Principal is always available to discuss matters with parentscaregivers
School Council and
BOT Student Representative
Representatives from each House Group plus the Head
Boy and Head Girl meet regularly to discuss any
matters that pupils wish to bring up for discussion
Matters concerning the pupil body and suggestions for
improvements are included Each representative reports
back to their group and matters are discussed
CareersPathways Team
The CareersPathways Team
is available to any pupil or parentcaregiver for
assistance with goal-setting subject choices pathways to
careers and careers information The
CareersPathways Team also liaises with vocational
agencies and co-ordinates their visits to the School
DeputyAssistant Principal
Parentscaregivers can
contact the Deputy Principal (Mr Forsyth Yr 11-14+) or Assistant Principal (Ms Wells Yr 9-10)
about their childrsquos progress or welfare at school by
contacting them directly by phone email or leaving a
message at the Office
Head of Student Services
The Head of Student Services is available to any pupil or
parentcaregiver for help and consultation on personal
matters and school matters The Head of Student Services also refers students or parents
to other agencies or professionals
Prefects including Head Boy
and Head Girl
Prefects are senior pupils appointed to assist staff on
duty maintain a high standard of behaviour and provide leadership in pupil
activities such as the School Council and as leaders in
their Houses They are selected on the basis of their
leadership potential academic and sporting
aptitude
STUDENT
SUPPORT
Peer Support
Peer Support enables senior pupils normally Yr 12 or 13
pupils to assist Yr 9 pupils in making the transition to High
School Peer Support involves giving and receiving trust gaining a greater self-
awareness building resilience providing
information and improving the self-esteem of both the
leaders and younger pupils through mutual interaction
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 10
Opportunities | Sport Buller High School has a very strong tradition in a wide range of sports especially Basketball Hockey Netball Rugby Soccer Swimming and Rowing Many other sports are also catered for Regular inter-school fixtures are held on a home-and-away basis In 2017 the School took part in two major exchanges with Kaiapoi and Motueka High Schools There are a variety of activities available at lunch times including mini-competitions in individual and team sports and coachingumpiring sessions Sports equipment will also be issued at lunch times for group and individual activities
Exchanges The School has two major sports exchanges that sit along our regular fixtures with other local West Coast schools It is an opportunity to host students from other schools and in turn be hosted when travelling away Over the years many friendships have grown through both staff and students with our exchange schools The exchanges are a highlight of the school sporting and cultural calendar
Tournament Week Tournament week during Term 3 will often see Buller High School field up to eight teams travelling to various parts of the country This is a fantastic opportunity to compete against other schools build friendships and team spirit The School has a long tradition of competing to a high level at these tournaments Teams selected will have regular practice sessions and matches in the lead-up With the building of the Solid Energy Sports Complex we are now seeing local sports bodies hosting national tournaments during this week
House Sports Inter-House competitions in Athletics Swimming lunchtime sports and Cross Country are highlights of the school year The House Shield is awarded annually to the House that gains the most House points during the year Participation at these events allows the House spirit to develop House sports and the House Shield have a long tradition here at Buller High School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 11
Opportunities | Arts amp Culture Buller High School also has a strong tradition in Performing Arts Visual Arts Music and Kapa Haka Our goal is that throughout their school years our pupils will have opportunities to showcase their visual dramatic musical artistic and cultural skills in school and the wider community
Visual Arts As a subject Visual Arts is one of the most popular within the School This is no surprise given the excellent achievement results that have been achieved over a number of years Examples of student artwork can be found all over the School and feature on the diary cover each year
In recent times senior art portfolio work has been displayed in the local galleries The Visual Arts Department incorporates photography of schoolwide happenings into the curriculum and also into the School Yearbook
Performing Arts and Music Anyone who has seen either a variety concert or school show will know what talent there is within our community However to make this talent shine needs dedicated and skilled staff Our Head of Performing Arts oversees these huge undertakings each year to ensure that these showcase events provide entertainment in a polished and professional way Our students excel in Trinity music exams alongside their teachers under the excellent tutelage of Mrs Rona Halsall each year
The School also provides many opportunities for our musicians from classical violinists through to pianists and rock bands Buller High School has a proud tradition of producing talented vocalists musicians and bands In 2017 two bands and two soloists competed at the West Coast Regionals of Rockquest
Bollywood The School Bollywood group was formed in mid-2015 and provides students with an opportunity to learn about another culture and form of dance The group has been very successful winning a number of awards including the Trustpower Supreme Award National Trustpower Award and runner-up High School Bollywood Dance Competition The group has now been extended to include members from the community and local primary schools
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 12
A Culture of Excellence The School gives recognition to its students for achievements in a wide range of activities These achievements are recognised by
Principalrsquos Awards A Principalrsquos Award is given for exceptional performance or achievement at an outstanding level in a subject sport or community service When a student is to be awarded with a Principalrsquos Award
bull They will receive the Award at a full school assembly by the Principal
bull Parents will be contacted in time so that they can attend the assembly
bull The student will be mentioned in the next newsletter along with the reason for the Award
bull The Award will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Award will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Principalrsquos Award will earn House points towards the House Shield
Merit Certificates Students receive Merit Awards by teachers as a positive reward for exhibiting some positive behaviour worthy of reward This can be behaviour in or out of the classroom
Once a student receives 10 Merit Awards they
bull Hand them into the Office These get recorded as they arrive
bull Receive a Merit Certificate from the Dean of the studentrsquos House
bull The Certificate will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Certificate will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Merit Certificate will earn House points towards the House Shield
Prizegiving There is a senior and junior prizegiving which is an annual school and community highlight held each year to celebrate the many successes and achievements of our students over the year Awards include
Academic Awards Sporting and Cultural Awards Special Awards
Work and Progress Academic Leadership Excellence Performance Special Academic Awards
First Place (in class or level) Sports Championships Special Trophies Māori Achievement and Leadership
Contribution and Leadership Community Contribution
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 13
Tikanga at Buller High School
At Buller High School we see te ro Māori and learning ideas around tikanga and te reo Māori important for our students school and whānau (parentswider community) Tikanga is about principles values and spirituality which are integral parts of our schoolrsquos ethos and strategic plan Tikanga is also lsquoas much a comment on process as it is on fixed attitudes or knowledgersquo (Mason Durie) Māori beliefs values and concepts are inherited practised and passed from generation to generation This is clearly demonstrated at tangihanga (the mourning process before burial) Values also include the importance of Te Reo (language) Whenua (land) and in particular Whānau (family and extended family group)
Pōwhiri All new students in Year 9 and new staff to Buller High School will be welcomed with a Pōwhiri at the beginning of the year A Pōwhiri may also take place at an important gathering or special occasion Pōwhiri includes protocol involved in welcoming and caring for visitors The key elements to a Pōwhiri include
bull Karanga (the calling)
bull Haka Pōwhiri (action dance)
bull Whaikorero (formal speeches)
bull Koha (the gift)
bull Hongi (pressing of noses)
bull HakariKai (feast or spread of food) During the Year 9 orientation Year 9 students will learn more about the Pōwhiri protocol they will experience at the beginning of the year
Kapa Haka The Buller High School Kapa Haka group has been successful taking out virtually every section of the West Coast regional finals in 2013 and again in 2014 Several of the Kapa Haka members are involved in a West Coast group formed in 2016
ldquoMa te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo
With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 14
Pastoral Care
The School has an extensive Guidance Network to provide support and guidance to all pupils The Guidance Network is based on a House System that seeks to provide a turangawaewae or place to stand with confidence for all pupils throughout their time at school Each House Group has a House Teacher who is responsible for the overall guidance and pastoral care of pupils in that House Group At the head of each House is a Dean who assists the House Teachers with the pastoral care of their groups
House System The House System is designed to support pupils with a wide variety of matters such as relationships with teachers or other pupils careers advice subject selection and help them focus on their studies The four Houses also provide the basic structure for school sports and other competitive activities Each House elects two House Captains (boy and girl) to lead the House in these activities under the guidance of the Dean of House Parentscaregivers requiring appointments with any staff member should contact through the School Office
House Teachers and Deans Pupils seeking individual support or guidance should talk with their House Teacher or their House Dean At the beginning and throughout the year House Teachers and Deans will provide pupils with individual lsquoacademicrsquo guidance eg subject choice NZQA levelcredit goals Parentscaregivers are encouraged to make contact with the House Teacher or Dean should they want assistanceadvice about their child The School also has a Māori Dean who supports students across all houses and classes
Head of Student Services
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 15
Student Support The Principal is always available to discuss matters with parentscaregivers
School Council and
BOT Student Representative
Representatives from each House Group plus the Head
Boy and Head Girl meet regularly to discuss any
matters that pupils wish to bring up for discussion
Matters concerning the pupil body and suggestions for
improvements are included Each representative reports
back to their group and matters are discussed
CareersPathways Team
The CareersPathways Team
is available to any pupil or parentcaregiver for
assistance with goal-setting subject choices pathways to
careers and careers information The
CareersPathways Team also liaises with vocational
agencies and co-ordinates their visits to the School
DeputyAssistant Principal
Parentscaregivers can
contact the Deputy Principal (Mr Forsyth Yr 11-14+) or Assistant Principal (Ms Wells Yr 9-10)
about their childrsquos progress or welfare at school by
contacting them directly by phone email or leaving a
message at the Office
Head of Student Services
The Head of Student Services is available to any pupil or
parentcaregiver for help and consultation on personal
matters and school matters The Head of Student Services also refers students or parents
to other agencies or professionals
Prefects including Head Boy
and Head Girl
Prefects are senior pupils appointed to assist staff on
duty maintain a high standard of behaviour and provide leadership in pupil
activities such as the School Council and as leaders in
their Houses They are selected on the basis of their
leadership potential academic and sporting
aptitude
STUDENT
SUPPORT
Peer Support
Peer Support enables senior pupils normally Yr 12 or 13
pupils to assist Yr 9 pupils in making the transition to High
School Peer Support involves giving and receiving trust gaining a greater self-
awareness building resilience providing
information and improving the self-esteem of both the
leaders and younger pupils through mutual interaction
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 11
Opportunities | Arts amp Culture Buller High School also has a strong tradition in Performing Arts Visual Arts Music and Kapa Haka Our goal is that throughout their school years our pupils will have opportunities to showcase their visual dramatic musical artistic and cultural skills in school and the wider community
Visual Arts As a subject Visual Arts is one of the most popular within the School This is no surprise given the excellent achievement results that have been achieved over a number of years Examples of student artwork can be found all over the School and feature on the diary cover each year
In recent times senior art portfolio work has been displayed in the local galleries The Visual Arts Department incorporates photography of schoolwide happenings into the curriculum and also into the School Yearbook
Performing Arts and Music Anyone who has seen either a variety concert or school show will know what talent there is within our community However to make this talent shine needs dedicated and skilled staff Our Head of Performing Arts oversees these huge undertakings each year to ensure that these showcase events provide entertainment in a polished and professional way Our students excel in Trinity music exams alongside their teachers under the excellent tutelage of Mrs Rona Halsall each year
The School also provides many opportunities for our musicians from classical violinists through to pianists and rock bands Buller High School has a proud tradition of producing talented vocalists musicians and bands In 2017 two bands and two soloists competed at the West Coast Regionals of Rockquest
Bollywood The School Bollywood group was formed in mid-2015 and provides students with an opportunity to learn about another culture and form of dance The group has been very successful winning a number of awards including the Trustpower Supreme Award National Trustpower Award and runner-up High School Bollywood Dance Competition The group has now been extended to include members from the community and local primary schools
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 12
A Culture of Excellence The School gives recognition to its students for achievements in a wide range of activities These achievements are recognised by
Principalrsquos Awards A Principalrsquos Award is given for exceptional performance or achievement at an outstanding level in a subject sport or community service When a student is to be awarded with a Principalrsquos Award
bull They will receive the Award at a full school assembly by the Principal
bull Parents will be contacted in time so that they can attend the assembly
bull The student will be mentioned in the next newsletter along with the reason for the Award
bull The Award will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Award will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Principalrsquos Award will earn House points towards the House Shield
Merit Certificates Students receive Merit Awards by teachers as a positive reward for exhibiting some positive behaviour worthy of reward This can be behaviour in or out of the classroom
Once a student receives 10 Merit Awards they
bull Hand them into the Office These get recorded as they arrive
bull Receive a Merit Certificate from the Dean of the studentrsquos House
bull The Certificate will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Certificate will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Merit Certificate will earn House points towards the House Shield
Prizegiving There is a senior and junior prizegiving which is an annual school and community highlight held each year to celebrate the many successes and achievements of our students over the year Awards include
Academic Awards Sporting and Cultural Awards Special Awards
Work and Progress Academic Leadership Excellence Performance Special Academic Awards
First Place (in class or level) Sports Championships Special Trophies Māori Achievement and Leadership
Contribution and Leadership Community Contribution
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 13
Tikanga at Buller High School
At Buller High School we see te ro Māori and learning ideas around tikanga and te reo Māori important for our students school and whānau (parentswider community) Tikanga is about principles values and spirituality which are integral parts of our schoolrsquos ethos and strategic plan Tikanga is also lsquoas much a comment on process as it is on fixed attitudes or knowledgersquo (Mason Durie) Māori beliefs values and concepts are inherited practised and passed from generation to generation This is clearly demonstrated at tangihanga (the mourning process before burial) Values also include the importance of Te Reo (language) Whenua (land) and in particular Whānau (family and extended family group)
Pōwhiri All new students in Year 9 and new staff to Buller High School will be welcomed with a Pōwhiri at the beginning of the year A Pōwhiri may also take place at an important gathering or special occasion Pōwhiri includes protocol involved in welcoming and caring for visitors The key elements to a Pōwhiri include
bull Karanga (the calling)
bull Haka Pōwhiri (action dance)
bull Whaikorero (formal speeches)
bull Koha (the gift)
bull Hongi (pressing of noses)
bull HakariKai (feast or spread of food) During the Year 9 orientation Year 9 students will learn more about the Pōwhiri protocol they will experience at the beginning of the year
Kapa Haka The Buller High School Kapa Haka group has been successful taking out virtually every section of the West Coast regional finals in 2013 and again in 2014 Several of the Kapa Haka members are involved in a West Coast group formed in 2016
ldquoMa te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo
With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 14
Pastoral Care
The School has an extensive Guidance Network to provide support and guidance to all pupils The Guidance Network is based on a House System that seeks to provide a turangawaewae or place to stand with confidence for all pupils throughout their time at school Each House Group has a House Teacher who is responsible for the overall guidance and pastoral care of pupils in that House Group At the head of each House is a Dean who assists the House Teachers with the pastoral care of their groups
House System The House System is designed to support pupils with a wide variety of matters such as relationships with teachers or other pupils careers advice subject selection and help them focus on their studies The four Houses also provide the basic structure for school sports and other competitive activities Each House elects two House Captains (boy and girl) to lead the House in these activities under the guidance of the Dean of House Parentscaregivers requiring appointments with any staff member should contact through the School Office
House Teachers and Deans Pupils seeking individual support or guidance should talk with their House Teacher or their House Dean At the beginning and throughout the year House Teachers and Deans will provide pupils with individual lsquoacademicrsquo guidance eg subject choice NZQA levelcredit goals Parentscaregivers are encouraged to make contact with the House Teacher or Dean should they want assistanceadvice about their child The School also has a Māori Dean who supports students across all houses and classes
Head of Student Services
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 15
Student Support The Principal is always available to discuss matters with parentscaregivers
School Council and
BOT Student Representative
Representatives from each House Group plus the Head
Boy and Head Girl meet regularly to discuss any
matters that pupils wish to bring up for discussion
Matters concerning the pupil body and suggestions for
improvements are included Each representative reports
back to their group and matters are discussed
CareersPathways Team
The CareersPathways Team
is available to any pupil or parentcaregiver for
assistance with goal-setting subject choices pathways to
careers and careers information The
CareersPathways Team also liaises with vocational
agencies and co-ordinates their visits to the School
DeputyAssistant Principal
Parentscaregivers can
contact the Deputy Principal (Mr Forsyth Yr 11-14+) or Assistant Principal (Ms Wells Yr 9-10)
about their childrsquos progress or welfare at school by
contacting them directly by phone email or leaving a
message at the Office
Head of Student Services
The Head of Student Services is available to any pupil or
parentcaregiver for help and consultation on personal
matters and school matters The Head of Student Services also refers students or parents
to other agencies or professionals
Prefects including Head Boy
and Head Girl
Prefects are senior pupils appointed to assist staff on
duty maintain a high standard of behaviour and provide leadership in pupil
activities such as the School Council and as leaders in
their Houses They are selected on the basis of their
leadership potential academic and sporting
aptitude
STUDENT
SUPPORT
Peer Support
Peer Support enables senior pupils normally Yr 12 or 13
pupils to assist Yr 9 pupils in making the transition to High
School Peer Support involves giving and receiving trust gaining a greater self-
awareness building resilience providing
information and improving the self-esteem of both the
leaders and younger pupils through mutual interaction
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 12
A Culture of Excellence The School gives recognition to its students for achievements in a wide range of activities These achievements are recognised by
Principalrsquos Awards A Principalrsquos Award is given for exceptional performance or achievement at an outstanding level in a subject sport or community service When a student is to be awarded with a Principalrsquos Award
bull They will receive the Award at a full school assembly by the Principal
bull Parents will be contacted in time so that they can attend the assembly
bull The student will be mentioned in the next newsletter along with the reason for the Award
bull The Award will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Award will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Principalrsquos Award will earn House points towards the House Shield
Merit Certificates Students receive Merit Awards by teachers as a positive reward for exhibiting some positive behaviour worthy of reward This can be behaviour in or out of the classroom
Once a student receives 10 Merit Awards they
bull Hand them into the Office These get recorded as they arrive
bull Receive a Merit Certificate from the Dean of the studentrsquos House
bull The Certificate will be recorded in the studentrsquos pastoral record and a hard copy of the Certificate will be placed onto the studentrsquos file
bull The Merit Certificate will earn House points towards the House Shield
Prizegiving There is a senior and junior prizegiving which is an annual school and community highlight held each year to celebrate the many successes and achievements of our students over the year Awards include
Academic Awards Sporting and Cultural Awards Special Awards
Work and Progress Academic Leadership Excellence Performance Special Academic Awards
First Place (in class or level) Sports Championships Special Trophies Māori Achievement and Leadership
Contribution and Leadership Community Contribution
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 13
Tikanga at Buller High School
At Buller High School we see te ro Māori and learning ideas around tikanga and te reo Māori important for our students school and whānau (parentswider community) Tikanga is about principles values and spirituality which are integral parts of our schoolrsquos ethos and strategic plan Tikanga is also lsquoas much a comment on process as it is on fixed attitudes or knowledgersquo (Mason Durie) Māori beliefs values and concepts are inherited practised and passed from generation to generation This is clearly demonstrated at tangihanga (the mourning process before burial) Values also include the importance of Te Reo (language) Whenua (land) and in particular Whānau (family and extended family group)
Pōwhiri All new students in Year 9 and new staff to Buller High School will be welcomed with a Pōwhiri at the beginning of the year A Pōwhiri may also take place at an important gathering or special occasion Pōwhiri includes protocol involved in welcoming and caring for visitors The key elements to a Pōwhiri include
bull Karanga (the calling)
bull Haka Pōwhiri (action dance)
bull Whaikorero (formal speeches)
bull Koha (the gift)
bull Hongi (pressing of noses)
bull HakariKai (feast or spread of food) During the Year 9 orientation Year 9 students will learn more about the Pōwhiri protocol they will experience at the beginning of the year
Kapa Haka The Buller High School Kapa Haka group has been successful taking out virtually every section of the West Coast regional finals in 2013 and again in 2014 Several of the Kapa Haka members are involved in a West Coast group formed in 2016
ldquoMa te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo
With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 14
Pastoral Care
The School has an extensive Guidance Network to provide support and guidance to all pupils The Guidance Network is based on a House System that seeks to provide a turangawaewae or place to stand with confidence for all pupils throughout their time at school Each House Group has a House Teacher who is responsible for the overall guidance and pastoral care of pupils in that House Group At the head of each House is a Dean who assists the House Teachers with the pastoral care of their groups
House System The House System is designed to support pupils with a wide variety of matters such as relationships with teachers or other pupils careers advice subject selection and help them focus on their studies The four Houses also provide the basic structure for school sports and other competitive activities Each House elects two House Captains (boy and girl) to lead the House in these activities under the guidance of the Dean of House Parentscaregivers requiring appointments with any staff member should contact through the School Office
House Teachers and Deans Pupils seeking individual support or guidance should talk with their House Teacher or their House Dean At the beginning and throughout the year House Teachers and Deans will provide pupils with individual lsquoacademicrsquo guidance eg subject choice NZQA levelcredit goals Parentscaregivers are encouraged to make contact with the House Teacher or Dean should they want assistanceadvice about their child The School also has a Māori Dean who supports students across all houses and classes
Head of Student Services
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 15
Student Support The Principal is always available to discuss matters with parentscaregivers
School Council and
BOT Student Representative
Representatives from each House Group plus the Head
Boy and Head Girl meet regularly to discuss any
matters that pupils wish to bring up for discussion
Matters concerning the pupil body and suggestions for
improvements are included Each representative reports
back to their group and matters are discussed
CareersPathways Team
The CareersPathways Team
is available to any pupil or parentcaregiver for
assistance with goal-setting subject choices pathways to
careers and careers information The
CareersPathways Team also liaises with vocational
agencies and co-ordinates their visits to the School
DeputyAssistant Principal
Parentscaregivers can
contact the Deputy Principal (Mr Forsyth Yr 11-14+) or Assistant Principal (Ms Wells Yr 9-10)
about their childrsquos progress or welfare at school by
contacting them directly by phone email or leaving a
message at the Office
Head of Student Services
The Head of Student Services is available to any pupil or
parentcaregiver for help and consultation on personal
matters and school matters The Head of Student Services also refers students or parents
to other agencies or professionals
Prefects including Head Boy
and Head Girl
Prefects are senior pupils appointed to assist staff on
duty maintain a high standard of behaviour and provide leadership in pupil
activities such as the School Council and as leaders in
their Houses They are selected on the basis of their
leadership potential academic and sporting
aptitude
STUDENT
SUPPORT
Peer Support
Peer Support enables senior pupils normally Yr 12 or 13
pupils to assist Yr 9 pupils in making the transition to High
School Peer Support involves giving and receiving trust gaining a greater self-
awareness building resilience providing
information and improving the self-esteem of both the
leaders and younger pupils through mutual interaction
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 13
Tikanga at Buller High School
At Buller High School we see te ro Māori and learning ideas around tikanga and te reo Māori important for our students school and whānau (parentswider community) Tikanga is about principles values and spirituality which are integral parts of our schoolrsquos ethos and strategic plan Tikanga is also lsquoas much a comment on process as it is on fixed attitudes or knowledgersquo (Mason Durie) Māori beliefs values and concepts are inherited practised and passed from generation to generation This is clearly demonstrated at tangihanga (the mourning process before burial) Values also include the importance of Te Reo (language) Whenua (land) and in particular Whānau (family and extended family group)
Pōwhiri All new students in Year 9 and new staff to Buller High School will be welcomed with a Pōwhiri at the beginning of the year A Pōwhiri may also take place at an important gathering or special occasion Pōwhiri includes protocol involved in welcoming and caring for visitors The key elements to a Pōwhiri include
bull Karanga (the calling)
bull Haka Pōwhiri (action dance)
bull Whaikorero (formal speeches)
bull Koha (the gift)
bull Hongi (pressing of noses)
bull HakariKai (feast or spread of food) During the Year 9 orientation Year 9 students will learn more about the Pōwhiri protocol they will experience at the beginning of the year
Kapa Haka The Buller High School Kapa Haka group has been successful taking out virtually every section of the West Coast regional finals in 2013 and again in 2014 Several of the Kapa Haka members are involved in a West Coast group formed in 2016
ldquoMa te huruhuru te manu ka rererdquo
With the feathers of knowledge the bird will fly
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 14
Pastoral Care
The School has an extensive Guidance Network to provide support and guidance to all pupils The Guidance Network is based on a House System that seeks to provide a turangawaewae or place to stand with confidence for all pupils throughout their time at school Each House Group has a House Teacher who is responsible for the overall guidance and pastoral care of pupils in that House Group At the head of each House is a Dean who assists the House Teachers with the pastoral care of their groups
House System The House System is designed to support pupils with a wide variety of matters such as relationships with teachers or other pupils careers advice subject selection and help them focus on their studies The four Houses also provide the basic structure for school sports and other competitive activities Each House elects two House Captains (boy and girl) to lead the House in these activities under the guidance of the Dean of House Parentscaregivers requiring appointments with any staff member should contact through the School Office
House Teachers and Deans Pupils seeking individual support or guidance should talk with their House Teacher or their House Dean At the beginning and throughout the year House Teachers and Deans will provide pupils with individual lsquoacademicrsquo guidance eg subject choice NZQA levelcredit goals Parentscaregivers are encouraged to make contact with the House Teacher or Dean should they want assistanceadvice about their child The School also has a Māori Dean who supports students across all houses and classes
Head of Student Services
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 15
Student Support The Principal is always available to discuss matters with parentscaregivers
School Council and
BOT Student Representative
Representatives from each House Group plus the Head
Boy and Head Girl meet regularly to discuss any
matters that pupils wish to bring up for discussion
Matters concerning the pupil body and suggestions for
improvements are included Each representative reports
back to their group and matters are discussed
CareersPathways Team
The CareersPathways Team
is available to any pupil or parentcaregiver for
assistance with goal-setting subject choices pathways to
careers and careers information The
CareersPathways Team also liaises with vocational
agencies and co-ordinates their visits to the School
DeputyAssistant Principal
Parentscaregivers can
contact the Deputy Principal (Mr Forsyth Yr 11-14+) or Assistant Principal (Ms Wells Yr 9-10)
about their childrsquos progress or welfare at school by
contacting them directly by phone email or leaving a
message at the Office
Head of Student Services
The Head of Student Services is available to any pupil or
parentcaregiver for help and consultation on personal
matters and school matters The Head of Student Services also refers students or parents
to other agencies or professionals
Prefects including Head Boy
and Head Girl
Prefects are senior pupils appointed to assist staff on
duty maintain a high standard of behaviour and provide leadership in pupil
activities such as the School Council and as leaders in
their Houses They are selected on the basis of their
leadership potential academic and sporting
aptitude
STUDENT
SUPPORT
Peer Support
Peer Support enables senior pupils normally Yr 12 or 13
pupils to assist Yr 9 pupils in making the transition to High
School Peer Support involves giving and receiving trust gaining a greater self-
awareness building resilience providing
information and improving the self-esteem of both the
leaders and younger pupils through mutual interaction
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 14
Pastoral Care
The School has an extensive Guidance Network to provide support and guidance to all pupils The Guidance Network is based on a House System that seeks to provide a turangawaewae or place to stand with confidence for all pupils throughout their time at school Each House Group has a House Teacher who is responsible for the overall guidance and pastoral care of pupils in that House Group At the head of each House is a Dean who assists the House Teachers with the pastoral care of their groups
House System The House System is designed to support pupils with a wide variety of matters such as relationships with teachers or other pupils careers advice subject selection and help them focus on their studies The four Houses also provide the basic structure for school sports and other competitive activities Each House elects two House Captains (boy and girl) to lead the House in these activities under the guidance of the Dean of House Parentscaregivers requiring appointments with any staff member should contact through the School Office
House Teachers and Deans Pupils seeking individual support or guidance should talk with their House Teacher or their House Dean At the beginning and throughout the year House Teachers and Deans will provide pupils with individual lsquoacademicrsquo guidance eg subject choice NZQA levelcredit goals Parentscaregivers are encouraged to make contact with the House Teacher or Dean should they want assistanceadvice about their child The School also has a Māori Dean who supports students across all houses and classes
Head of Student Services
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 15
Student Support The Principal is always available to discuss matters with parentscaregivers
School Council and
BOT Student Representative
Representatives from each House Group plus the Head
Boy and Head Girl meet regularly to discuss any
matters that pupils wish to bring up for discussion
Matters concerning the pupil body and suggestions for
improvements are included Each representative reports
back to their group and matters are discussed
CareersPathways Team
The CareersPathways Team
is available to any pupil or parentcaregiver for
assistance with goal-setting subject choices pathways to
careers and careers information The
CareersPathways Team also liaises with vocational
agencies and co-ordinates their visits to the School
DeputyAssistant Principal
Parentscaregivers can
contact the Deputy Principal (Mr Forsyth Yr 11-14+) or Assistant Principal (Ms Wells Yr 9-10)
about their childrsquos progress or welfare at school by
contacting them directly by phone email or leaving a
message at the Office
Head of Student Services
The Head of Student Services is available to any pupil or
parentcaregiver for help and consultation on personal
matters and school matters The Head of Student Services also refers students or parents
to other agencies or professionals
Prefects including Head Boy
and Head Girl
Prefects are senior pupils appointed to assist staff on
duty maintain a high standard of behaviour and provide leadership in pupil
activities such as the School Council and as leaders in
their Houses They are selected on the basis of their
leadership potential academic and sporting
aptitude
STUDENT
SUPPORT
Peer Support
Peer Support enables senior pupils normally Yr 12 or 13
pupils to assist Yr 9 pupils in making the transition to High
School Peer Support involves giving and receiving trust gaining a greater self-
awareness building resilience providing
information and improving the self-esteem of both the
leaders and younger pupils through mutual interaction
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 15
Student Support The Principal is always available to discuss matters with parentscaregivers
School Council and
BOT Student Representative
Representatives from each House Group plus the Head
Boy and Head Girl meet regularly to discuss any
matters that pupils wish to bring up for discussion
Matters concerning the pupil body and suggestions for
improvements are included Each representative reports
back to their group and matters are discussed
CareersPathways Team
The CareersPathways Team
is available to any pupil or parentcaregiver for
assistance with goal-setting subject choices pathways to
careers and careers information The
CareersPathways Team also liaises with vocational
agencies and co-ordinates their visits to the School
DeputyAssistant Principal
Parentscaregivers can
contact the Deputy Principal (Mr Forsyth Yr 11-14+) or Assistant Principal (Ms Wells Yr 9-10)
about their childrsquos progress or welfare at school by
contacting them directly by phone email or leaving a
message at the Office
Head of Student Services
The Head of Student Services is available to any pupil or
parentcaregiver for help and consultation on personal
matters and school matters The Head of Student Services also refers students or parents
to other agencies or professionals
Prefects including Head Boy
and Head Girl
Prefects are senior pupils appointed to assist staff on
duty maintain a high standard of behaviour and provide leadership in pupil
activities such as the School Council and as leaders in
their Houses They are selected on the basis of their
leadership potential academic and sporting
aptitude
STUDENT
SUPPORT
Peer Support
Peer Support enables senior pupils normally Yr 12 or 13
pupils to assist Yr 9 pupils in making the transition to High
School Peer Support involves giving and receiving trust gaining a greater self-
awareness building resilience providing
information and improving the self-esteem of both the
leaders and younger pupils through mutual interaction
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 16
Communication Contacting the School by Phone
The School provides an excellent answering service It allows parentscaregivers to ring at any time to leave a
message or obtain information Please phone the School and take advantage of options such as recording a
student absentee contacting a teacher or advising of other information relating to your child The answer
service also allows parentscaregivers the option of listening to our community notices This is an up-to-date
message that summarises the events and activities at our school each week Please take advantage of the service
by phoning 789 7299 and making a selection from the options menu
School Newsletters
Keeping in touch with our parentscaregivers is a high priority for our school We have developed a three-weekly
newsletter which provides our community with up-to-date information and includes a wide range of topics such
as sporting and cultural activities school events such as swimming and athletics days curriculum information
staffing contacts and changes student achievement and the School calendar Our newsletter is posted home or
emailed every three weeks throughout the school year The Schoolrsquos preferred method of delivery is via email so
please ensure you keep the school informed if your email address changes at any time
Acknowledgement and celebration of student achievement is featured throughout the year in many ways and to
ensure that the wider community is kept informed the School commissions the local newspaper to run a feature
page twice during the year
School Links
School Links allows the School to connect and
communicate via email or text with parents and
caregivers about upcoming events or other key
dates It also allows the School to inform parents
in times of an emergency
Website
The School website (bulleracnz) has been redeveloped
and is a very useful source of information about our
school The newsletters are stored on this site as well
We would invite you to take time and have a look at our
site This is our window to the community Buller High
School achieves in a range of areas and we want to share
this with us
If you have any suggestions for improvements please
contact the School
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 17
Communication
Facebook | facebookcombullerhighschool
The School facebook page provides updates on
upcoming events as well as activities that the School
has been involved in
As we enter this brave new world we are using this
and many other ways to communicate what we do
when we do it and how well we are doing The
facebook page is also one way that we can inform you
of upcoming events
Parent Teacher Calendar App
The Parent Teacher Calendar App is available to anyone and
provides access to the school calendar newsletters notices and
absences It is a useful way of keeping informed of school events
and viewing the newsletter
BULLERTtin
The purpose of the student newspaper is to inform the
community about what has happened in the school over
the past term The first issue was published in Term 1 of
this year The local newspaper supported this venture and
acted as technical support for the students however it
was the students who were the driving force behind this
new venture
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 18
Attendance Under the Education Act which governs schools all children in New Zealand under the age of 16 years must attend school whenever it is open unless unable to do so because of sickness or accident danger of infection sudden and serious illness of a parent or severe stress of weather The Principal may approve an absence for a period not exceeding five days if satisfied that there is sufficient reason for that absence and that the programme to be followed is equivalent to the learning opportunities offered at school If it is known that a pupil will be away for an extended period of time (up to five days as noted above) parentscaregivers should contact the School and seek formal permission from the Principal Permission may be granted to leave the school grounds for a special purpose (Dentist Doctor etc) provided that we have received a note from the parentcaregiver seeking such permission and clearly stating the reason for the request Such requests will be considered carefully by the House Teacher and if approved the note will be countersigned for presentation at the School Office Pupils must go to the Office to get an Exeat Pass and sign out before leaving the school grounds After any absence from Buller High School a note from the parentcaregiver to the House Teacher is required stating clearly the date(s) of and reason for that absence This note is required on the day the pupil returns to school Where class activities outside the classroom are required by the curriculum pupils who are unable to take part must attend school where an in-school programme will be provided Pupils who live in town may not go home for lunch (unless the parentcaregiver has requested such permission) and must remain in the school grounds at all times If permission to go home for lunch is granted this will be noted and kept on file for duty staff Bus pupils must remain in the school grounds at all times
Absence Notification The School now operates a process that will notify parents via text message if a student is absent The parent will be notified via text at approximately 11am at the latest if their child is absent from house time and period one When parents enrol students and throughout the students school life it is important that up-to-date mobile numbers are provided
Lateness The School has a process for dealing with lateness and persistent lateness Students who are late to school are expected to sign in at the School Office Attendance Officer All of the local schools share an Attendance Officer This person supports the schools in returning students who are out of school without a legitimate reason In our school the Deputy Principal Mr Forsyth is the contact person for the Attendance Officer We know that by improving attendance better achievement will follow
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 19
Important Dates Term Dates 2018
Please Note Wednesday 24 January COURSE CONFIRMATION DAY all seniors required to attend Tuesday 30 January Year 9 students plus prefects and peer support leaders are required to attend Wednesday 31 January Year 9 and peer support leaders Thursday 1 February WHOLE SCHOOL
Other Holidays Waitangi Day Tuesday 6 February Good Friday Friday 30 March Easter Monday Monday 2 April Easter Tuesday Tuesday 3 April Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April Queenrsquos Birthday Monday 4 June Labour Day Monday 22 October
School Hours Morning 840am ndash 1220pm Afternoon 105pm ndash 310pm
Each day has five 1 hour periods On Mondays a period is used for assembly and extended pastoral activities In Term 1 all Year 9 students are involved in activities run by the Peer Support Team
Transport Buses
Buller High School is currently running the following bus routes
Cars and Motorcycles
Pupils may bring a car or motorcycle to school with the prior permission of
the Deputy Principal which will be granted with written permission from
their parentcaregiver Forms are available from the School Office
CyclesScootersSkateboards
Cycle and scooter stands are provided off Derby Street and should be used
for all cycles and scooters It is strongly recommended that all cycles are
locked The law requires that cycle helmets must be worn at all times when riding
Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April to Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July to Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October to Thursday 13 December
Charleston
Carters Beach
Cape Foulwind
Nine Mile
Seddonville
Granity (via Utopia and Garveys Road)
Waimangaroa (via Fairdown Straight)
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 20
Uniform At Buller High School we expect our students to wear the school uniform with pride The Board of Trustees
Principal and Staff appreciate the co-operation and assistance of parents in maintaining a high standard of dress
at school which helps to raise self-esteem and generate a sense of pride in our pupils The uniform and
guidelines for wearing it are strictly adhered to and breaches of these are treated seriously
The school uniform must be worn correctly at all times
This includes times when a pupil is attending school
travelling to and from school representing the School
on official trips and other functions
bull Any variation to the uniform for an individual pupil
whether emergency or long-term must have the
approval of the Deputy Principal (seniors) or
Assistant Principal (juniors)
bull Note Temporary exemptions in an emergency will
usually be granted by the DeputyAssistant
Principal (on behalf of the Principal) on request
from a parentcaregiver providing that a note
requesting exemption clearly stating the reason
and the length of time requested is presented to
the House Teacher before classes begin for the
day
bull Because of the vast range available in stores
parentscaregivers should be extremely careful
when purchasing shoes The Code for shoes is
designed to be as clear as possible without
specifying brand names but if in doubt
parentscaregivers should seek advice from the
School before purchasing
bull Additional non-uniform clothing worn for extra
warmth must not be visible
bull Kilts and skirts should be knee length or below
bull Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one pair of
small studs worn in the ears
bull Makeup must be discreet and in neutral tones
bull All items of clothing should be clearly named
Junior Uniform
Senior Uniform
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 21
New Uniform Items The new uniform items include
bull Soft Shell Jacket (Top Left and Top Middle)
bull Navy Blue Jersey (Top Right)
bull Girlsrsquo Trousers (Bottom Left)
bull Girlsrsquo Shorts (Bottom Middle) Please note The Jersey and Jacket must have the Buller High School Crest
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 22
Personal Property Personal Property All pupils are responsible for their own personal property at all times We would suggest that all items of clothing and personal property are named All students will be allocated a locker on their arrival to school These lockers may be locked and all areas where lockers are situated are under video surveillance
Valuables Generally speaking valuables should not be brought to school However when this is unavoidable such items should be left in the School Office for safekeeping Items such as watches taken off for Physical Education should be left in a valuables bag held by the teacher The School cannot accept responsibility for any valuables lost or damaged if they have not been handed in for safekeeping All books pens etc and articles of clothing are to be clearly marked with the owners name
Mobile Phone Use If students opt to bring their phone to school and it is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated The phone will be held at the office until a parent or legal guardian collects it A parentguardian may opt not to pick up the phone in which case the phone will be kept until the end of term Students may use their mobile phones at lunch time and break only Any use within the class would be at the direction of the teacher for educational reasons and in line with school process We would ask that parentsguardians refrain from contacting students directly throughout a school day and instead continue to use the School Office as a point of contact This number remains 789 7299
Lost Property To help reduce the amount of personal property that goes missing each year it is essential that all possessions be clearly labelled with the owners name If an item does go missing the pupil should take the following steps a) search the area of the School where the item was last known to be b) check with the School Office in case the item has been handed in c) report the loss to the Office
Detentions As part of our behaviour management programme the School runs an after-school detention programme This is incorporated into the homework club so that they can be encouraged to use this time to catch up on work missed or even to get ahead This takes place on a Wednesday and a Friday Parents will be informed at least 24 hours before the detention is due to be completed Parents will be responsible for collecting children after detention Detentions are held
bull Wednesday 310 ndash 410pm
bull Friday 310 ndash 430pm
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 23
Financial Information School Course Contribution School Donation and Optional Activity Fees A request for course contribution and school donation is made once-a-year in the month of March
Request for Course Contribution The funding received by schools provides for basic curriculum delivery The contribution allows us to offer enhanced opportunities to support learning These contributions are outlined in the school course booklet for seniors and on junior stationery lists
Optional Voluntary Activities Participation in optional activities outside of the classroom such as Year 9 and Year 10 camps sporting academic or cultural trips and performances by visiting drama groups is voluntary Optional activities for the most part incur a charge Advance notice from the teacher in charge of the choice to participate in a trip or activity and the likely cost will be sent home via a letter All fees for optional voluntary activities must be paid prior to the activity taking place The only exception to the rule is when a prior arrangement has been made with the School
School Donation The Buller High School Board of Trustees requests a donation from all parentscaregivers The Board has kept the request as low as possible at $45 per student or $65 for families with two or more students at school The donation is for the additional non-curriculum services that are made available to all students to maintain quality resources and learning opportunities that are over and above Ministry of Education funding and required to meet our community expectations
Options for Payment We provide a number of options for payment and parentscaregivers are not required to pay their course contribution all at once When you receive your request for contribution you may elect to
bull Pay the full amount by cheque or cash at the Schoolrsquos Office
bull Pay the full amount by direct credit
bull Pay by instalment on a regular basis at the Office or by internet banking
Please Note Parentscaregivers can claim a donation tax credit of 33 at the end of the tax year for any donations and contributions made to schools and other qualifying groups Please refer to Inland Revenuersquos website wwwirdgovtnz or ring 0800 775 247 for further assistance (form IR526) Pupils experiencing difficulties meeting course uniform or exam expenses should approach the HOD Student Services Arrangements can be made with the Principal or the Executive Officer to pay fees by instalment
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention
Striving for Excellence Through High Expectations | Me takakawe i ngā tūmanako ki te tihi o te matauranga - 24
Health and Safety Medical Conditions If a pupil suffers from any medical condition this must be made known to the School at the time of enrolment or as soon as the condition develops Caregivers of children who may need prescribed medication while at school must provide the Board (via the School) with
bull a written consent for a non-medical staff member to hold responsibility for administering the medication
bull a clearly labelled supply of the medication Children sick or injured for lengthy periods will be provided with a homework programme where appropriate This will depend on the content of the course and the difficulties of continuing without the presence of a teacher Absence from school on medical grounds for more than three days will require a Medical Certificate from a Doctor
Emergency Procedures There are established procedures in place for both personal and physical emergencies at the School Instructions within the Buller High School Management of Emergencies and Crises Plan are designed to safely manage any emergency situation and evacuation of the school buildings Staff students and parentscaregivers of Year 9 students are briefed at the beginning of each year on the types of emergencies they may face and the procedures that need to be followed This is also followed up in the Schoolrsquos newsletter each year which goes to all Buller High School families and members of the wider community Fire and earthquake are the two most likely major physical emergency scenarios and drills are held four times each year to ensure these situations are managed efficiently
Sick Bay
A pupil who becomes unwell during the day should report to the School Office The Office Staff will contact parentscaregivers and make arrangements for the pupil to go home or receive medical attention