Student Support

Healthy Lunches in Schools – FED

Healthy lunches will continue with the current provision for 2024.  Any changes will occure in 2025 in accordance with the new government guidelines.

 

About FED
Papatoetoe Intermediate School has been selected to receive healthy lunches in schools and FED has been selected by the Board to be our supplier.  FED, is a leading prepared meal business dedicated to delivering nutritious, quality means straight to homes across New Zealand and playing a significant role within the educational sector.  Through its partnership with the Ka Ora Ka Ako programme, FED. serves up 7,500 daily meals to schools across Auckland, underscoring its commitments to the community and to healthy eating.

Since 2021, FED. has been an integral provider to the school lunch program, founded on the mission to ensure every student has access to healthy and culturally respectful mean options.  FED. places a strong emphasis on catering to a wide range of dietary needs, including religious and vegetarian preferences, understanding the importance of diversity and inclusivity in meal preparation.

Partnership with Gate Gourmet
FED. has a production partnership with Gate Gourmet, allowing for the preparation of all meals in advanced commercial kitchens in Mangere, ensuring each meal delivered meets FED.’s stringent standards for cleanliness, food safety, and nutrition.

Commitment to Dietary Needs
FED. recognizes the significance of accommodating specific dietary requirements with the utmost respect and care.  Here’s how it ensures that every meal is prepared with meticulous attention:
Preparation Facility: FED. ‘s meals, including options for religious and vegetarian diets, are prepared in a facility designed to uphold the highest standards of cleanliness and food safety.
Halal Certified Meals: Understanding the critical nature of Halal dietary requirements, FED. lunches are prepared in a dedicated halal kitchen which has been certified by the Islamic Society of New Zealand.
Segregation and Certification:  To prevent cross-contamination, FED. implements strict segregation policies within its kitchen operations.  This includes designated cooking areas, utensils, and storage for Halal, vegetarian, and other dietary-specific meals.  The staff is thoroughly trained and made aware of the importance of these practices, ensuring each meal is prepared with the intended care and respect.
Strict Standards and Labelling: FED. prides itself on adhering to stringent standards throughout the food preparation process, from careful ingredient selection to precise preparation and cooking methods.  All meals are clearly labelled to ensure students receive meals that meet their dietary needs and preferences.

Lunches are delivered to classes right after morning tea (11.45 a.m.) and as all packaging is biodegradable and recyclable the rubbish is all collected by students and managed by FED.  Every meal is individually wrapped and clearly labelled with the choice option.  A lunch is delivered for every child, we do expect children to try their meals, we will not make them eat it.

Students will only need to bring a drink of water each day to school.  Students are also offered a health ‘brain’ snack at 9.30am and fruit each day in addition to these free lunches.
 
If you would like to specify which meal option your child will be delivered please complete the Healthy Lunch Survey in the enrolments section on our website or collect a form from the school office, once completed this can be delivered to our school office or emailed to student.rec@papint.school.nz.

Breakfast Club
Our school runs a ‘Breakfast Club’ every morning, in our Foods Room, from 8.00 a.m. to 8.25 a.m. Students who would like breakfast are welcome to visit the Club. There is no charge for these breakfasts. We encourage students to take advantage of this as we all know that breakfast sets our students up for the day.

If you would like to help with these breakfasts please email Nawinta Prasad (AP) – nawintap@papint.school.nz. Alternatively you can contact Linda Nicholls – lindan@papint.school.nz
From time to time we hold a special breakfast event and help is always appreciated on those days.

Kids Can/Fruit in Schools
We are very lucky to be supported by KidsCan and Fruit in Schools.  Our students have available to them all year round a black jacket, shoes and socks, fresh fruit daily and brain snacks.
Sanitary Products
We are very fortunate to be able to provide sanitary products to all students who require them.  These are available from the school office free of charge.
Uniform Support
At the end of each year we ask our leaving year 8 student to donate a piece of their school uniform.  We have variety of second hand uniform available at the start of each year and we have some still available throughout the year.  If you are needing uniform support please contact our school office or email student.rec@papint.school.nz and we can see what we have available.
Mana Kidz Registered Nurse

Here at Papatoetoe Intermediate School, we have a free Mana Kidz nurse led service that addresses health concerns for your tamariki. Healthcare is offered by a registered nurse who work throughout the year with schools, whanau, and health providers in the community. Please contact the school reception for our availability or discuss with your child’s class teacher.

At the centre of Mana Kidz is rheumatic fever prevention. This includes parental discussion and consent for your children who may need a sore throat assessment and medicine. But also offer, skin infection assessment and treatment, vision, or ear health assessments.

Mana Kidz can make referrals to GP clinics or other health specialists if needed. The Mana Kidz nurse would work with you to meet the health needs for your tamariki.

Parents/caregivers may request a referral to the nurse through the school office.  You may also phone their free Mana Kidz number on 0800 658326 to speak with a registered nurse.  Their business hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm.

Click on the link to see their services https://www.nhc.maori.nz/matou-mahi/our-programmes

This is their Mana Kidz facebook https://www.facebook.com/manakidz.nz for relevant community health messages.


Dental Clinic
A mobile dental clinic visits our school each year to provide dental services to our students, parental permission will be gained before any student is seen by this service.  If your child is needing dental care when the dental van is not on site you can contact the Puhinui Child and Adolescent Community Dental Clinic on 09 278 1975.
 
SWIS – Social Worker in Schools
SWiS is a qualified and registered Social Worker who work alongside students and whanau to support finding solutions to challenges that may impact on children’s education and well-being.  It is a confidential service that requires whanau consent. The social worker is employed by ATWC www.atwc.org.nz  and anyone can refer.
 
SWiS focus on ensuring children have the best opportunity to engage in education.  Their aim is to build on students’ self-esteem, social skills, confidence and inter-personal relationships to enhance their overall well-being.
 
Social Worker in Schools can:
– Work with individuals and also thier families
– Work with teachers, public health nurses and other school staff
– Assist with access to community support and networks
– Offer parenting support
– Discuss legal advice
– Support referrals to community-based services such as counsellors
– Provide group programmes to support students at school
– Offer advocacy and support to young people and families
 
Social worker can help with issues including bullying, peer pressure and relationships, family relationships, domestic violence and mental health issues such as depression, grief and self-harm.
 
The best way to contact this service is through school reception, or email: papintswis@papint.school.nz

School Counsellors

Our school counsellors are Sian Strachan and Jeremy Shroff. Sian is a qualified teacher who is completing her Masters of Counselling and Jeremy has been a teacher for over 20 years and will be furthering his studies by completing a Masters of Counselling in the future. We are fortunate to have Sian available on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Jeremy on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Sian and Jeremy’s counselling style is person-centred and they aim to accompany and support students as they navigate whatever issues they may be facing. They use a wide range of approaches, including Narrative Therapy and Sand Tray.

Students are able to access counselling through referrals via their teacher or by emailing Sian and Jeremy at papintcounsellor@papint.school.nz.

The school counsellor’s notes and sessions with students are strictly confidential. The purpose of the school counsellor’s notes are to assist the counsellor with counselling effectively. They are not a record of everything discussed in counselling sessions. The notes are kept in accordance with the NZAC (New Zealand Association of Counsellors) Code of Ethics.

If there is an issue of safety or a wellbeing concern, caregivers will be contacted and the appropriate supports will be provided.

Counselling can only be effective when the person wants to engage in it, so please talk with your child and get their permission before referring them.

Students are now able to enjoy our recently refurbished counselling space thanks to donations from the Warehouse Manukau.  The Warehouse donated to our school counselling space a new sofa, some beanbags, a rug, a side table, a throw, some cushions, a diffuser and a globe.  The space is now a comfortable and relaxing place for students to use and we are very grateful to The Warehouse for their generosity.

 

Transportation and Bus Information

Bus Travel
Bus services are currently organised through GoBus – website www.gobus.co.nz. A bus route schedule and contract will be issued at the beginning of the year. This can be subject to change several times during the year. School buses leave from Great South Road by 3.10 p.m. each day (except for specially notified occasions).

Students must not eat or drink on the bus and must maintain a high quality of behaviour.  Those who do not meet expectations may not be able to use this service.

Public Transport Update – 1st May 2024

Free travel for 5 to 12 year olds and half-price travel for 13 to 24 year olds on AT bus, train and ferry services will end on 30 April 2024, in line with the government’s decision to withdraw funding for these concessions.

This means that from Wednesday 1 May:

5 to 12 year olds will no longer travel for free on weekdays and will instead pay a child concession (at least 40% off adult fares). They will continue to travel for free on weekends. The child concession will apply to anyone aged 5 to 15, who has a registered AT HOP card with their correct date of birth.

13 to 15 year olds will stop receiving the half-price child fares discount and instead switch to paying full child fares (at least 40% off an adult fare during weekdays, and free travel on weekends) from 1 May. The child concession will apply to anyone aged 5 to 15, who has a registered AT HOP card with their correct date of birth.

16 to 19 year olds with a secondary student concession will stop receiving the half-price secondary fares discount and instead switch to paying full secondary fares (at least 40% off an adult fare). Students aged 16-19 should apply for the secondary student concession to ensure they are paying the cheapest fare possible.

More information about the discounts and what you may need to do next can be found at AT.govt.nz/farechanges

Please note regarding student ID cards:
Unfortunately, Auckland transport not be supporting physical ID cards this year – all queries will need to be forwarded to Plasticard (or manufacturer of your choice). Digital IDs under the Yoti app will also be discontinued; schools currently using the MyMahi student ID will still be able to use this for verification when loading concessions onto their AT HOP card.

Public routes available

Bicycles/Skateboards/Scooters

Students are encouraged to cycle to school.  Safety checks are provided for every bike.  We have a secure compound to store these.  It is however the responsibility of students to chain their bike, scooter or skateboard to the stands provided.  Parents are expected to ensure their children have and wear helmets that meet the required safety standards.

Each morning students who ride their bike or scooter to school will drop off their bike or scooter to the bike shed. A monitor will sign them in and ensure that students have correct gear e.g. helmet and lock. Bike Shed Monitors will sign each bike and scooter in a book that identifies the students bringing their bike or scooter to school each day and ensure that there is no damage to the bikes or scooters.  The monitors will make sure that bikes and scooters are safe until the shed is locked up. In the afternoon students will collect their bike or scooter from the shed and sign out with the monitor.  These monitors work from 8:00am – 8:30am, 8:30am – 9:00am and 2:55pm – 3:10pm.

Bike Track
Our school is very fortunate to have a bike track and bikes for students to use.  The bike track is used as part of the PE curriculum and used at lunch break. Students are able to get a bike and helmet from the monitors to take on the track and have some fun.  We have our sponsors NZCT, Lotteries Board, Tu Manawa and Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board to thank for this.

Road Patrol
Road Patrollers monitor students crossing Motatau Road and do this in the mornings and afternoons each day.  These students wear hi vis gear provided and take the necessary equipment needed (eg. Lollipop signs and flags).  These students are here to ensure their peers get to and from school safely.

Cell Phones

International research indicates some key challenges with cellphones at school such as being a major distraction for our students. These rules are designed to ensure that the learning of all students is maximised, while minimising any potential for distraction and cyber-bullying.

Our approach is “away for the day”, meaning cellphones either do not come with the student to school, or are switched off and in the classroom’s security box during the full school day.

We strongly recommend students do not bring these devices to school with them. If a student does bring their cellphone for emergency contact or health reasons, these must be switched off and in the classroom’s security box at all times, unless directed by a teacher.

We understand that some parents like their children to have a phone to communicate with them after school, cellphones will be available for students to use after school hours, including pick up time. If a parent or caregiver needs to contact their child urgently during the day, they should call the office.

Papatoetoe Intermediate School expectations

We encourage our students to uphold our school values and to act responsibly with their devices.

If a staff member observes a student with a cellphone during school time, the student must hand it to the staff member immediately when asked. The phone will be put in the classroom security box held in the office and can be collected by the student at the end of the day.

Breaches of the cellphone rules occur when using the cellphone in a way that goes against the school values of:

  • Safety
  • Trust
  • Attitude
  • Respect

Cellphones ‘away for the day’ exemptions

Learning Activities
If cellphones are used for a learning activity, this will be at the teacher’s discretion and the phone’s use will be supervised by a staff member. Guidelines on appropriate usage still apply.

Health and emergency situations
Students with additional learning needs who use cellphones in class to increase or improve their ability to participate and learn will be granted an exemption. In matters related to a student’s immediate health and safety concerns, a parent or caregiver can apply at any time to the principal for a period of exemption (e.g., medical conditions or protection issues).

Education outside the classroom (EOTC)
Students may take certain digital devices on EOTC activities but should check whether their device is allowed before the activity commences. Usage will be at the discretion of teachers and other adult supervisors.

Please note with all exemptions and exceptions appropriate usage guidelines and other relevant school rules still apply.

It is important to note that if students do make the decision to bring a phone to the school grounds, they do so at their own risk. The school is not responsible for any loss or damage caused to any phone.

Uniform

The school has a very small number of second-hand uniforms, for sale.
 
We are very lucky to be supported by KidsCan.  Our students have available to them all year round a black jacket, black lace up shoes and socks.  If your child requires any of these items, they only need to ask at our School Office.
 
At the end of Year 8 students are encouraged to donate at least one item, in good condition back to the school.
 
Students must have ‘safe’ shoes; crocs, jandals and dress sandals are not allowed.

 

 

 

 

Stationery List

Stationery must be brought before the first day of school.  It is important that every stationery item is marked with your child’s name before school starts.  Stationery Packs are available from our School Office for $25.00.
 
Stationery remains in the class over holidays and is used over the two-years students spend at our school.  Parents/Caregivers will need to replace items as they are used.

Timetable


Arrival
School gates open at 8.00 a.m.

Students need to be in their classrooms by 8.30 a.m. for the karakia and to start their school day at 8.45 a.m.

Bell Times

8.00 – 8.30 a.m. Breakfast Club in the Food Technology room from 8.00 a.m.
8.30 a.m. All students prepare for class
8.45 a.m. Start of school day – karakia
8.45 – 9.30 a.m. Period 1
9.30 – 9.35 a.m. Healthy Brain Snack
9.35 – 10.20 a.m. Period 2
10.20 – 11.05 a.m. Period 3
11.05 – 11.40 a.m. Morning Tea
11.40 – 11.50 a.m. Lunch eating – free lunches in schools
11.50 a.m. – 12.35 p.m. Period 4
12.35 – 1.20 p.m. Period 5
1.20 – 1.55 p.m. Lunch break
1.55 – 2.05 p.m. Lunch eating
2.05 – 2.55 p.m. Period 6
2.55 – 3.00 p.m. Pack up/Reflection/Notices
3.00 p.m. End of school day
3.00 – 4.30 p.m. Study Centre – Monday – Thursday

 

Term Dates

 

2024

 

Term 3

Monday 22nd July – Term 3 Starts

Friday 27th September – End of Term 3

Term 4

Monday 14th October – Term 4 Starts

Monday 28th October – Labour Day – School Closed

Friday 13th December – Final day of Term 4

Monday 16th December – Teacher Only Day – School Closed

 

2025

Term 1

Wednesday 29th January – Year 8 students return

Thursday 30th January – Year 7 and new Year 8 students start

Thursday 6th February – Waitangi Day – School Closed

Friday 7th February – Teacher Only Day – School Closed

Friday 11th April – End of Term 1

 

Friday 18th April – Good Friday – During the Holidays

Monday 21st April – Easter Monday – During the Holidays

Tuesday 22nd April – Easter Tuesday – During the Holidays

Friday 25th April – ANZAC Day – During the Holidays

Term 2

Monday 28th April – Term 2 Starts

Monday 2nd June – King’s Birthday – School Closed

Friday 20th June – Matariki observed

Friday 27th June – End of Term 2

Term 3

Monday 14th July – Term 3 Starts

Friday 19th September – End of Term 3

Term 4

Monday 6th October – Term 4 Starts

Monday 27th October – Labour Day – School Closed

Friday 12th December – Final day of Term 4

Friday 15th December – Teacher Only Day – School Closed

Attendance

Parents/caregivers by law, must ensure their children attend school.  Schools are required, by law, to check all absences from school.  Therefore we must have a note or medical certificate to explain a child’s absence.  A phone call, text or an email to your child’s class teacher or to student.rec@papint.school.nz or admin@papint.school.nz, advising us of an absence is appreciated because it helps us account for the whereabouts of students each day and increases the safety of your child.  Our school automatically sends texts (by 10.30 a.m. each day), to caregivers if a child is not at school and the family has not informed school of the reason for their absence.  This is to ensure student safety and we ask parents to be diligent in responding.

In cases of concerning attendance an Engagement Worker [EWIS] may visit your home to inquire how we can support your child to attend regularly.

Student attendance: A guide for parents and caregivers – Ministry of Education

Sickness and Accidents

Minor accidents are attended to by staff members who hold a current First Aid Certificate. In the cases of accident or illness of a more serious nature, parents are notified as soon as possible. In cases of extreme emergency, and on occasions when parents or nominated caregivers cannot be contacted, the staff will determine what should best be done to care for your child. All staff members receive regular first aid training to support their work with our students.

We ask that you ensure emergency contact details and medical information are reviewed and always kept up-to-date.

School Payment Information

For any payment to the school through internet banking please use the below details.

School Bank Account : 12-3028-0656566-00 (ASB)

Please use your child’s full name and description of what you are paying for in the reference field when making payment.

Papatoetoe Intermediate School does not ask for any school fees.  Our school uniform is designed to be as cheap as it can be for our families and we aim to keep trip costs to a minimum.

The only costs to families are travel expenses for trips, camps and EOTC [Education Outside the Classroom].  We aim to request no more than $20.00 per term [with exception of Camp Week and EOTC Week].  Our aim is to have all students attend field trips etc and so have some options regarding payments.  Our school does receive the MoE subsidy, and all costs are subsidised.

EOTC Week is held in each ‘odd’ year and Camp Week is held in each ‘even’ year.  The School Camp will therefore be held for all students in 2024.