FAQ’s
Tinwald School’s FAQs address common queries about uniforms, behaviour, timetables, and more to keep families informed and prepared.
From school policies and daily routines to resources like second-hand uniforms and music lessons, the FAQs ensure clarity and accessibility. Stay informed about school events, guidelines, and parent-teacher communication options to support your child’s learning journey.
Can I still send my children to school if they don’t have a uniform?
Yes, of course. We would prefer your child still attend school than miss out due to not having a uniform.
What is the school uniform?
- Royal blue sweatshirt or polar fleece
- Royal blue polo shirt
- Plain black pants, shorts, skorts or skirts
- Black socks
- Sandals, sneakers or black shoes
- Sunhat
Sunhats
It is compulsory for students to wear a school sunhat in Terms 1 and 4. No hat, no play!
New entrants are gifted a sunhat in their first year, after that you can purchase hats from our school office.
Where do I buy a uniform?
T-shirts, sweatshirt and polar fleece jerseys can be purchased from;
- Tots to Teens Ashburton – https://totstoteens.nz/collections/tinwald-school
- Elite Embroidery – https://workoutfitters.co.nz/pages/branding
- The Warehouse Ashburton – https://www.thewarehouse.co.nz
Black pants, shorts, skorts or skirts can be purchased from most apparel stores.
- The Warehouse
- Farmers
- Kmart
- Postie Plus
- Tots to Teens
Second hand uniforms are also available through the school office.
Please Note: The Board of Trustees expects school uniform to be worn by all students at all times.
Can my child wear jewellery to school?
Jewellery, other than small studs, should not be worn to school for safety reasons.
Can my child wear makeup or nail polish to school?
We do not allow nail polish or makeup to be worn to school.
What does it mean when my child brings home a step two letter? With link to behaviour info
Your child has been spoken to about a behaviour incident. The letter is to inform you of the incident and request you return the slip at the bottom acknowledging you have been made aware of the incident. Your child will miss three consecutive breaks as a consequence of being placed on Step 2 of the Behaviour Management Programme.
What does it mean when my child says they have had to sit at the noticeboard?
They have been placed there for one of two reasons. 1. They are there while a teacher sorts out a behaviour incident. They would be there for a short period of time. 2. They are there because they have been placed on Step 2 and this is where they sit while they miss three consecutive breaks. They are still allowed to eat while they are sitting there.
What is a ‘gotcha’ card?
Every child is given a gotcha card, it is where they glue the paper Gotcha tokens we give out when we see them displaying positive behaviour at Tinwald School. When the complete a card of 20, they get a new card and are given a reward.
What is an Individual Education Plan?
Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are compiled where it is seen that a child is in need of guidance and strategies to be put in place alongside those of the classroom teacher. The plans are written as a result of strategies determined at a meeting which include the teacher, the parents, and a member of the Learning Support committee – the principal is part of this Committee. IEPs are normally reviewed every six months.
Why has my child got homework / not got any homework?
Tinwald school has no set policy on homework. In general, homework is set at the discretion of the classroom teacher. Junior school pupils will be given reading books to share with you. In the Middle school children are expected to read each night, continue to work on their Essential List spelling words and their basic facts. Senior pupils may be given homework over a two week period, focussing on reading, writing and basic facts as well as classroom learning.
How do I contact my child’s teacher?
We recommend you message your child’s teacher via Seesaw or email. While you may not receive a reply immediately we assure you that our teachers check their messages regularly. If your enquiry is urgent we encourage to you ring the school office on 03 308 4555 (leave a message after hours).
How do I report an absence?
Phone or email office@tinwald.school.nz
How does the school communicate with me, as a parent about general information?
This will be carried out on a regular basis through the use of a fortnightly newsletter and specific notices as required.
We also use an app called Seesaw https://app.seesaw.me where teachers will publish student work and results, as well as be able to message parents direct. Parents can also message their child’s teacher via the Seesaw app.
When are assemblies held?
Our school ‘Celebration Assemblies’ are held 3 times per term – usually in week 3, 6 and 9. They are held in the School Hall on Fridays at 2:15 pm. Usually there will be 2 classes sharing at each assembly. Parents, families and friends are always welcome.
What is the daily timetable for students?
- 8:55 am – School starts
- 8:55 am – 10.25am – Class
- 10:25 am – 10:45 am Morning Tea
- 10:45 am – 11:45 am – Class
- 11:45 am – 12:15 pm Lunch Break (15 mins eating, 15 mins playing)
- 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm – Class
- 1:15 pm – 1:45 pm – Play Break (or as the kids call it, ‘big play’)
- 1:45 pm – 3:00 pm – Class
- 3:00 pm – School ends
What are the term dates for 2024?
For a full breakdown of term dates please click here https://www.education.govt.nz/school/school-terms-and-holiday-dates/#dates-2024
Where is the Lost Property?
All lost property is stored in the school library area (in the big blue box). A lost property display is organised at the end of each term, with any remaining items donated to the local church’s clothing support programme or laundered and sold as second hand uniform to school families.
Do you provide music lessons?
Students may enrol for individual tuition during school hours. This is provided by outside agencies at a cost. Our school takes part in the Ashburton Schools Music Festival biannually with a Year 4-6 choir.
What are the office hours?
Our school (office) secretary is available from 8.30 am till 3.30 pm each school day, with an answering machine available for after-hours messages as appropriate – especially to record children’s absences from school.
Can we bring bikes/scooters to school?
During school hours, bicycles and scooters are housed in stands provided inside the school grounds. Children are allowed to ride their scooters and skateboards on Wednesdays and Fridays during break times. Children are not permitted to ride their cycles in the playground area. Parents are reminded that bicycle helmets are compulsory.
What are ‘house colours’?
We have four house colours in our school, these are Red, Green, Yellow and Blue. Your child will be assigned a colour at the beginning of the school year.
For events such as Cross Country or Athletics we’ll encourage children to wear their house colour clothes (e.g. red t-shirt and/or shorts), these are optional and are supplied from home.
Children also earn ‘house points’ as part of their classroom activities, these house points earnt contribute to an overall house point count.
Can my child bring their cell phone to school?
At Tinwald School, our policy on cell phones and other personal digital devices aims to enhance student engagement and achievement while adhering to government regulations.
Device Management: Includes cell phones, laptops, tablets, and smartwatches. Devices in the BYOD program have separate conditions.
Students are advised not to bring personal digital devices to school.
Cell phone use: Prohibited during school hours, including break times. Exemptions can be requested for:
- Specific educational purposes approved by a teacher.
- Health needs (e.g., monitoring insulin levels).
- Disability or learning support needs.
- Special circumstances approved by the principal.
Parents should call the school office to reach their child during school hours.
School Bylaw: The board sets and amends rules on digital devices in consultation with the school community, discussing these rules at the start of and throughout the year as needed
Can I bring my child to school early or let them play after school?
Students should arrive at school and leave school at reasonable times unless they are involved in supervised school activities. For student safety, we ask parents/caregivers to ensure their child arrives at school after 8:30 am and has left the school grounds by 3:15 pm.
If students need help to contact their parents/caregivers or emergency contacts after school, the school takes responsibility for their care until an appropriate arrangement is made. In exceptional circumstances, this may include contacting the police, and/or Oranga Tamariki.
School lunches
We offer a Pita Pit lunch every Thursday. These can be ordered via the Kindo App https://www.kindo.co.nz/
When are parent teacher interviews held?
We typically hold our parent teacher interviews at the beginning of Term 3.
Busses to school
Busses are run by the Mid Canterbury School Transport Service. You can enrol your child on the school bus here https://www.mcsts.co.nz
