FamilyHandbook

Your guide to Rangi Ruru Girls’ School

Family

Handbook

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ContentsWelcome ..................................................................................................... 3

Key Contacts 2016 ...................................................................................... 4School Office Hours .......................................................................................... 4Term Dates 2016 ............................................................................................... 4Deans 2016 ....................................................................................................... 5School Administration ...................................................................................... 5Other Key Contacts ........................................................................................... 5School Timetable and Calendar ........................................................................ 6

Crisis and Emergency ................................................................................. 7Do We Have Your Correct Details? ..................................................................... 7Making Contact in an Emergency ...................................................................... 7Event Cancellation ............................................................................................ 7School Closure .................................................................................................. 7Emergency Situation During the School Day ..................................................... 8Release of Your Daughter in an Emergency Situation ........................................ 8Responsibilities of Parents ............................................................................... 8Updated Contact Details ................................................................................... 8Keeping Us Informed ........................................................................................ 9Helping Us to Keep Our Community Safe and Well ............................................ 9Pandemic or Contagious Disease .................................................................... 10Mental and Physical Wellbeing ....................................................................... 10Family Emergency .......................................................................................... 10

Daily Operation ......................................................................................... 11Attendance Procedures .................................................................................. 11Lateness ......................................................................................................... 11Special Leave .................................................................................................. 11Students Waiting After 5.00pm ....................................................................... 12School Motto ................................................................................................. 12Core Values ..................................................................................................... 12The Code of Behaviour .................................................................................... 12

Our Home and School Partnership Agreement .......................................... 13

School Community Expectations .............................................................. 13The Church and Church Services ..................................................................... 14Uniform .......................................................................................................... 14Buying the School Uniform - The Shop ............................................................ 15Personal Property and Lost Property .............................................................. 15Transport – Cars and Bikes ............................................................................. 15Parking ........................................................................................................... 16

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School Communications ........................................................................... 16Rangi.Life (formerly Ultranet).......................................................................... 16Newsletters .................................................................................................... 17Email and Text Message (SMS) ....................................................................... 17Publicity ......................................................................................................... 17

School Trips, Camps and Dances ............................................................... 18School Trips and Activities .............................................................................. 18Outdoor Education (EOTC) ............................................................................... 18Attendance on School Trips and Camps .......................................................... 18

School Dances ................................................................................................ 18

Use of Resources, Facilities and Technology ............................................. 20Textbooks, Library Books and School Facilities or Resources .......................... 20Fitness Centre ................................................................................................ 20Library - The Gibson Centre............................................................................. 20Flexi (Short term) Boarding for Daygirls .......................................................... 20Technology Usage and Access......................................................................... 20Personal Cellphones ....................................................................................... 21

Personal Developement Plans, Learning Support and Extension .............. 22Personal Development Plan (PDP) ................................................................... 22Learning Support and Extension ..................................................................... 22Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) ............................................................. 22Careers Advice ................................................................................................ 22

Academic Guidelines and Expectations .................................................... 23Homework ...................................................................................................... 23Subject Choices and changes ......................................................................... 23Assessments and Authenticity ....................................................................... 24

Reporting to Parents and Sharing Information ......................................... 25Reporting to Parents and Students ................................................................. 25Student Name Change .................................................................................... 25Privacy and Personal Information ................................................................... 26Health and Wellbeing ...................................................................................... 26Access to School Policies ............................................................................... 26

Safety, Support, Guidance and Student Welbeing ..................................... 26Student Health at School ................................................................................ 27School and Parent Responsibilities ................................................................ 27Guidance and Support Network ..................................................................... 28General Wellbeing ........................................................................................... 28

Discipline and Complaints ........................................................................ 29

Accounts, Terms of Trade and Withdrawal ................................................. 30

Parent Involvement and Wider School Community ................................... 32

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WelcomeWelcome to Rangi Ruru Girls’ School and the start of your journey with us.

The Family Handbook is a quick reference guide on aspects of school administration and what we expect from each other as members of the Rangi Ruru school community and partners in the education of your daughter.

Updates and more detailed information are available on Rangi.Life, the school’s community website. You will be issued with a password and login for the Parent Portal (accessed via the Useful Links on Rangi.Life) which is provides access to secure, student-specific information.

Other information and updates will be advised through InTouch, the school e-newsletter. Further information on how we keep you up to date is included in this Handbook.

At Rangi Ruru we take great pride in having strong links with our school family. Our students flourish with the help of our staff, students, parents, former students, wider school community and the relationship we have with each other.

We ask that you, as partners in this journey, are actively involved in your daughter's education, ensuring that when she comes to school she is prepared mentally, physically and emotionally to participate, to learn and to take full advantage of the opportunity you have offered her.

Rangi Ruru is a non-profit organisation. This means we are reliant on school fees and the generous support of our community. We encourage you to become involved in the school, to support school activities, events and other endeavours. There are many ways you can do this – at a minimum we ask that you support school policies and expectations, attend parent evenings and year group Church services, support school fundraising efforts and attend school events and activities whenever you are able. Some parents choose more active participation through joining a school committee such as the PTA, Board of Governors or other committees requiring volunteers.

Managing a school of around 600 young women can have its challenges, but the rewards are enormous. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to get to know so many wonderful young women, to share in their development and to catch a glimpse of the woman she will become.

Our objective is that each student, on leaving Rangi Ruru, will have the tools for her future and be an independent, resilient, confident, well-rounded and enthusiastic member of her community. We look forward to sharing this journey with you.

Dr Sandra Hastie Principal

Also refer to the Co-curricular Handbook and Boarder’s Handbook (included for Boarding families only) for further information. While the term ‘parent' is used in this Handbook, those rights, responsibilities and expectations also apply to guardians and/or caregivers.

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Key Contacts 2016

Address: 59 Hewitts Road Merivale Christchurch 8014 New Zealand

Office phone: 03 983 3700

Office email: office@rangiruru.school.nz

Fax: 03 983 3766

Absentee line: 03 983 3786

Rangi.Life: www.rangilife.school.nz

Website: www.rangiruru.school.nz

Facebook: Rangi Ruru Girls’ School

School Office HoursThe School Office is open 8.00am to 5.00pm school days, and 9.00am to 4.00pm during term break. It is closed during statutory holidays and for three weeks at Christmas.

Term Dates 2016Term 1 Wednesday 27 January - Friday 8 April

Term 2 Monday 2 May - Friday 8 July

Term 3 Monday 1 August - Friday 23 September

Term 4 Monday 16 October - Monday 5 December

Prize Giving Monday 5 December - all students are expected to attend

Leavers’ Ball Wednesday 7 December

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Deans 2016Years 7 and 8 Lead Teacher Years 7 & 8, Sally Fail (Ms)

Year 9 Janette Frier (Mrs)

Year 10 Angela Lidstone (Mrs)

Year 11 Hannah Clarkson (Miss)

Year 12 Lorna van den Ende (Mrs)

Year 13 Leigh Allan (Mrs)

International Students Louise Stanton (Ms)

School AdministrationPrincipal Sandra Hastie (Dr) 03 983 3717

Deputy Principal Stephanie Barnett (Ms) 03 983 3706

Assistant Principal, Curriculum Juliet Collins (Ms) 03 983 3716

Assistant Principal, Teaching & Learning Melanie L'Eef (Ms) 03 983 3762

Business Manager Neil Templeton (Mr) 03 983 3715

Marketing & Communications Manager Andrea Innes (Ms) 03 983 3760

Other Key ContactsChaplain Kirstie McDonald (Rev) 03 983 3707

Guidance Counsellor Jane Dickie (Mrs) 03 983 3767

Caretaker Rex Ward (Mr) 027 605 3519

Director of Sport Jo Fogarty (Ms) 03 983 3769

Director of Music Janet Kingsbury (Mrs) 03 983 3735

Director of Theatre Arts Peter Rutherford Mr) 03 983 3714

Boarding House

Director of Boarding Treena Ruwhiu (Mrs) 03 983 3708

Main House & House Managers 03 983 3732

Boarding House Manager (after hours) 03 983 3773

A full staff list is available on Rangi.Life.

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School Timetable and CalendarRangi Ruru operates on a ten day timetable (weeks A & B and days 1 to 10). The same times (below) applies to both weeks. Professional Learning for staff and student community time (ICE Time) occurs three times a term (Terms 1-3) and once in Term 4. You will be advised of changes to the timetable which may affect the day.

In addition, the School Calendar is available on Rangi.Life and contains up to date information on key dates, events and activities. Key dates are also included in InTouch.

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

P1 8.30 – 9.30 P1 8.30 – 9.30 P1 8.30 – 9.30 P1 8.30 – 9.30 P1 8.30 – 9.30

a a a a a

b b b b b

P2 9.30 – 10.30 P2 9.30 – 10.30 P2 9.30 – 10.30 P2 9.30 – 10.30 P2 9.30 – 10.30

a a a a a

b b b b b

Interval 10.30 – 10.50 Interval 10.30 – 10.50 Interval 10.30 – 10.50 Interval 10.30 – 10.50 Interval 10.30 – 10.50

P3 10.50 – 11.50 P3 10.50 – 11.45 Chapel 10.50 – 11.10

P3 10.50 – 11.45 P3 10.50 – 11.50

a a P3 11.10 – 12.05 a a

b b a b b

P4 11.50 – 12.50 P4 11.45 – 12.40 b P4 11.45 – 12.40 P4 11.50 – 12.50

a a P4 12.05 – 1.00 a a

b b a b b

Lunch 12.50 – 1.45 Lunch 12.40 – 1.30 b Lunch 12.40 – 1.30 Lunch 12.50 – 1.45

Tutor Time 1.45 – 2.05

Tutor Time 1.30 – 1.40 Lunch 1.00 – 1.35 Tutor Time

1.30 – 1.40Tutor Time 1.45 – 2.05

Assembly 2.05 – 2.30 P5 1.40 – 2.35 P5 1.35 – 2.30 P5 1.40 – 2.35

Assembly 2.05 – 2.30

P5 2.30 – 3.30 a a a P5 2.30 – 3.30

a b b b a

b P6 2.35 – 3.30 Years 7 & 8 only P6 2.30 – 3.30 P6 2.35 – 3.30 b

a a a

b b b

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Crisis and EmergencyAt Rangi Ruru we take the safety of our students and staff very seriously. Our responsibility for our school community includes identifying and mitigating potential hazards, preparing for and responding to emergencies, and managing the recovery from crisis situations that affect our students, staff and the school environment.

It is prudent for the school to plan for emergency events so that you will know where your daughter will be and how we will be looking after her. During the year we undertake a number of fire, earthquake and lockdown drills. We also have processes for dealing with severe weather and personal crises involving our students, staff or people close to the school community.

Further information on Crisis and Emergency procedures can be found on Rangi.Life.

Do We Have Your Correct Details?We need your help in ensuring that we have up to date information on any issues that may affect your daughter’s wellbeing or that of our school community, and how to get hold of you in the case of emergency or school closure. You should notify us of:

• Changes to your contact details to the School Office

• Medical information to the School Office, your daughter’s tutor or Dean

• Emotional concerns to the Guidance Counsellor or your daughter’s tutor or Dean.

Making Contact in an EmergencyContacting You

In the event of an emergency we will contact you in the first instance via text message. We will also place a message on Rangi.Life and where necessary advise local radio stations (Newstalk and MoreFM).

Contacting Us

If possible, do not phone the school as lines may be needed for emergency communication.

Event CancellationCheck the Rangi.Life homepage for details of school cancellations or closures. Depending on the situation, we may also contact you by text message and/or email. Notice will also be given on radio cancellation services.

School ClosureSchool will be closed when we believe there is a risk to student and staff health and safety either within the school or in getting home from school. This includes an outbreak of a contagious disease or illness.

Where possible, we will notify parents prior to the beginning of the school day. In the first instance notification will be via text message and/or email (depending on how much notice we have) and we will also place a notice on Rangi.Life. Where necessary we will also post cancellations on local radio stations (Newstalk and MoreFM).

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Closure is generally due to extreme weather or the threat of extreme weather, if the school environment is dangerous to students, or we have no essential services for an extended length of time.

If we close during the school day, when time allows and it is safe to travel, girls in Years 10-13 who have a means of transport may be released to return home. Senior students will not be released independently if we believe it is unsafe for them to travel or they will be safer at school.

Girls in Years 7-9 are kept at school until collected by you or an adult nominated by you.

Emergency Situation During the School DayIn the case of a civil defence or local emergency at whatever level, your daughter will be kept at school in our care until you can be contacted and can arrange to have her transported home safely. In the first instance you will be notified by text message and then contacted directly by telephone.

Should an emergency or disaster situation arise at school while students are on site, we want you to be aware that our first priority is to keep our school community safe and at school until they can be released safely. We have regular practice drills to ensure everyone is aware of emergency procedures and will respond quickly and effectively.

Release of Your Daughter in an Emergency Situation

Decisions regarding the release of students will be made by the school, dependent on the level of risk to student safety, her year level, proximity to home and her access to safe transport. If there is any foreseeable risk, students will be cared for at school until collected by you or a person identified by you as being able to collect her on your behalf.

In the event of a local or regional civil defence emergency, for example earthquake or flooding, when school is the safest place, all students will be kept at school until collected. Please impress upon your daughter the need for them to follow the directions of any staff in times of an emergency and not to leave the school grounds until officially signed out.

In some situations it may be difficult to communicate and we may not be able to release students to persons other than those you have identified on the school emergency contact information (filled out by parents at the beginning of every school year and updated at your request). Please advise the School Office if both primary contacts (parents, Christchurch guardians) for your daughter are out of town and whom we should contact in your absence in an emergency.

During an extreme emergency, students will be released from a designated collection point. This is the Dining Room at the Boarding House. If the Dining Room is damaged the collection point will be the Gymnasium.

When the incident is over the all-clear will be advised.

Responsibilities of Parents

Updated Contact Details

Whether a school emergency is of a personal or environmental nature, it is essential that we are prepared, able to contact each other and you know where your daughter will be.

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To ensure that this can happen we require:

• Up to date contact details for you – address, phones and email addresses; and

• If we cannot contact you that you have identified and advised us of a Christchurch based contact who has your authority to make decisions relating to your daughter in an emergency situation. Please ensure that your daughter and the crisis contact are aware of this.

It is essential that, if you live outside Christchurch or are based or visiting overseas, you have guardians and caregivers based in Christchurch who will look after your daughter(s) should the school close.

Please discuss these matters with your immediate family. Planning ahead will help alleviate concern during emergencies.

Keeping us InformedIf you are aware of a situation that relates to the safety of the students or staff at Rangi Ruru please contact the School Office or your daughter’s Dean. They will then advise appropriate people within the school.

In cases of injury or death of a member of our school community, the school’s first responsibility is to check the accuracy of information. We will then advise relevant members of the school community as appropriate.

Information relating to your daughter’s physical or mental wellbeing. Contact the School Office, your daughter’s Dean or Guidance Counsellor as appropriate. Boarder parents should advise the Boarding House.

Helping Us to Keep Our Community Safe and WellCases of illness and contagious or infectious illness occur from time to time in schools. Their importance depends on several factors:

• Theseverityoftheillness

• Thenumberofstudentsandstaffaffected

• Themodeoftransmission

• Theamountoffeartheygenerate

• Whetheranyspecificactionisnecessarytostopfurthercases(eg.immunisation,improving food-handling practices).

Please consider the other members of our school community when deciding whether your daughter should be attending school and do not send your daughter to school if she has a contagious illness.

For example, students should not return to school until 24 hours after their last bout of sickness or diarrhoea. Where there are three or more cases in the school, this is considered an outbreak and those students affected must not return to school until 48 hours after their last bout of sickness or diarrhoea.

We will notify your by email in the event of an outbreak of a contagious or infection illness that may affect your daughter.

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Pandemic or Contagious DiseaseThere will always be the threat of pandemic on a local, national or global scale. In the early stages of any threat to student safety we will communicate the risks and school procedures to you. These will range from hygiene and sickness strategies to school closure.

If there is an outbreak of a contagious disease in or around a country or region your daughter of family members have visited, we ask that parents consider the other members of our school community in determining whether their daughters should have a time of isolation from others at school.

If there is a high perceived risk to New Zealanders of a contagious disease we will follow the recommendations of health professionals and government agencies.

Parents travelling or living overseas should ensure they have personal plans for the care of their daughter should there be a need to close the New Zealand border and/or the school.

Mental and Physical WellbeingWhen you enrolled your daughter, you provided information on how to contact you and the name of an emergency point of contact in case we cannot contact you. Your daughter should know who you have listed as your alternative emergency point of contact.

Please ensure that the school is kept up to date with any medical or personal issues or treatments that may affect your daughter's mental or physical wellbeing, notify us immediately of any changes to your contact details, emergency contacts and your daughter's health information, and advise us if you are uncontactable for more than a week during the school term.

In the case of personal injury to your daughter, the school will contact the appropriate people and contact you immediately.

If a student becomes very unwell and parents cannot be contacted, the school will arrange for the student to be seen by the school doctor, or to be taken to the local accident and emergency department. The cost of such a visit is met by the family.

Family EmergencyIn the event of a family emergency during the school day, the best way to get in touch with your daughter is to contact the School Office.

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Daily Operation

Attendance ProceduresStudents are expected to attend all sessions when school is open (including Prize Giving and Church Services) except in the case of illness.

If your daughter is unwell, it is the responsibility of a parent to phone or email the school before 9.30am.

All other absences need to be advised by a parent either by phone, email or letter. The reasons for the absence and the period away from school must be stated. Notification of absence should go to the office and the tutor.

The school may contact you if a student is absent without explanation. It is therefore important that contact phone numbers are up to date in the school records.

We urge that all non-urgent appointments, for example driving lessons and driver's license tests are set up for times after school. Dental and medical appointments should also be made outside school times unless it is absolutely unavoidable.

LatenessPunctuality is actively encouraged. Students who are late for school should have a note from home explaining the reason. Alternatively parents may phone the School Office. Students must sign in at the School Office to collect a late pass.

Frequent latecomers will be given a Dean's Study and may be put on a punctuality card which has to be signed each day. Girls will be required to make up their lost class time. Repeated lateness to tutor time or class can result in the accumulated time owing being made up at the end of term.

Special LeaveWhen a student has a significant reason to be absent from school for a period of more than one day, she will need to apply for Special Leave. Application form are available from the School Office, the House, in the Dean’s conference folders and on Rangi.Life.

Teaching programmes, learning and assessment issues are all factors to be taken into account before the leave can be granted. NCEA assessment is sometimes difficult to accommodate at another time if a student is absent on the designated date. In addition, issues of equity for other students in the same course must be considered.

Reasons for Special Leave usually involve events like a special family occasion in another part of New Zealand or a chance to travel overseas for a short time. A family holiday during term time is not grounds for the granting of compensatory time to complete an assessment. We strongly discourage holidays out of the 15 weeks already available except under very special circumstances. Being out of school can cause extra stress, especially for senior students.

Special Leave must be applied for in advance of the required date. The application form is completed and signed by you and your daughter and is returned to the Dean and Assistant Principal-Curriculum for approval.

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Students Waiting After SchoolStudents are able to wait after school in either the Gibson Centre (until 4.45pm) or the Boarding House foyer, rather than on the street.

School Motto, Core Values and Code of BehaviourRangi Ruru is a family school and every girl is important to us. She is encouraged to share and care for others, and to gain a sense of personal worth and achievement.

School Motto

The school motto ‘Whaia to te Rangi - Seek the Heavenly Things’ reminds us that education cannot be limited to physical, cultural or academic studies only, but must include our spiritual dimension if we are to find values that are really worthwhile in life.

Core Values

The Rangi Ruru philosophy is underpinned by a belief in and commitment to the five core school values. The following of this code of behaviour by the Rangi Ruru community will mean that a sense of personal worth and integrity will be fostered in each person.

The school’s five core values are spelt out in our name R A N G I:

Respect – for oneself, for others and for the environment

Aroha – a sense of inclusiveness, a sense of trust and belonging

ENdeavour and eNthusiasm – commitment, discipline and passion

Generosity of spirit – service to others, compassion, tolerance, unselfishness

Integrity and honesty

The Code of Behaviour

All people at Rangi Ruru are included as a valued part of the School community.

People will be accepted in their diversity of beliefs and opinions and the variety of their gifts will be celebrated.

Care and consideration will be taken in speaking and communicating with others.

Partnerships in learning will be nurtured and people will be supported and affirmed in their endeavours.

All members of the Rangi Ruru community will be encouraged to look beyond themselves into the wider community and to recognise and take responsibility for the care of other people and the environment.

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Our Home and School Partnership AgreementBy sending your daughter to Rangi Ruru we have become partners in your daughter’s education.

The school undertakes to nurture and support the mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural and creative health and development of all our students to the best of our ability. In a community of over 700 individuals, this requires clear expectations, systems, rules and policies. These form the basis of the school’s terms and conditions of enrolment.

The guidelines and policies pertaining to our community, are outlined in the enrolment contract and in this Handbook and are updated from time to time through school communications.

Rangi Ruru undertakes:• To support your daughter to reach her highest potential, intellectually, spiritually,

physically and culturally

• To provide a safe and nurturing environment

• To welcome, value and encourage your involvement as a parent

• To communicate fully on all matters of mutual concern and to give early warning of any significant problems, whether of a work, discipline, or relationship nature

• To formally communicate your daughter’s progress to you through parent teacher meetings, progress reports, school communications and formally arranged meetings with teachers

• To provide opportunities that will assist your daughter to develop lifelong skills, for example: time management, goal setting, leadership, team play and confidence

• To model behaviour that sets a good example for students and protects the reputation of the school

• To follow up and respond promptly to any concerns you may have about your daughter’s progress

• To make a set of all relevant school policy documents available on Rangi.Life and/or in the School Office.

As a parent, our expectation is for you:• To be active in your daughter’s education and to support the school in as many ways as

you are able

• To support the Rangi Ruru values and abide by the policies of the school

• To encourage your daughter in a positive attitude to both learning and the school

• To communicate fully with the school on all matters of mutual concern, and to inform the school promptly of any matters that may affect your daughter’s wellbeing and progress at school

• To respond promptly to any concerns raised by the school

• To ensure the school is advised of any changes to your contact information

• To ensure your daughter’s regular and punctual attendance during the prescribed school term and to plan absences such as appointments and vacations outside school term times

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• To support the school in ensuring your daughter’s compliance with the school rules and policies on discipline, behaviour and uniform, and to accept and abide by all disciplinary decisions made by the school pursuant to the rules and policies in respect of your daughter

• To model behaviour that sets a good example for students and protects the reputation of the school

• To pay school fees and disbursements by the due date.

School Community Expectations

The Church and Church ServicesRangi Ruru is a Christian school although we have students from many faiths. All girls are expected to take part in the spiritual aspects of the school, including the celebration of particular Christian ceremonies, church services, assemblies and the school’s Global Living programme.

Church services are compulsory for all students and include:

• Assemblies and special services for the whole school in school time.

• Services for a year group in school time.

• Sunday evening services including year group family services and carol services.

Each year level has one or two Sunday evening family services per year. These dates are advised in InTouch and should be noted by students and parents. There is an expectation that parents will accompany their daughters when possible to the family services.

Uniform

Uniform Requirements

Uniforms are important in that they set a tone for the school, give us pride in belonging and communicate our community expectations. The way a student dresses reflects the kind of person they are. Cleanliness, good grooming and appropriate attire all contribute to a healthy, productive learning atmosphere.

An essential requirement of good grooming is a clean, tidy, well-pressed uniform, which should be worn complete.

Students are expected to wear the appropriate uniform in a tidy and appropriate manner, and we greatly appreciate parent support in this.

Sometimes the unforeseen happens and your daughter may not have her complete uniform. In this case she needs to bring a note from home to the Deputy to the Principal or student receptionist who will issue her with an exemption, or provide items of clothing.

Temporary or long-term exemptions from uniform regulations require a letter from a parent and must be carried by the student. Students will need to see the Deputy to the Principal for a Uniform Pass.

The uniform code is regularly communicated to students, is written in the Student Handbook and is on Rangi.Life and it is strictly enforced.

The final decision on all matters relating to the uniform resides with the Principal.14

Buying the School Uniform - The ShopThe Shop, located at 41 Hewitts Road (next to the swimming pool), sells new and pre-owned school uniform items.

Regular opening hours during term time are:

• Tuesday 12.30 – 2.00pm

• Thursday 12.30 – 2.00pm

• Friday 12.30 – 4.00pm

For new season’s stock, The Shop opens on the last day of Terms 1 and 3 from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Other hours are published in InTouch and on Rangi.Life. Purchases can be gold sheeted or paid for by cash or cheque.

Refer to Rangi.Life for uniform guidelines and information on uniform requirements for each year level.

Additional Clothing for Teams, Groups, Activities or Events

Groups of Rangi students who wish to wear clothing which is not part of the Rangi uniform and is specific to her team, group, activity or event will need prior approval from the Principal or Communications Manager. Approval should be sought at the planning stage.

For additional items of clothing (eg. warm-up tops, sweatshirts and t-shirts) for Rangi Ruru teams or groups, these must be approved by the Director of Sport and the Deputy to the Principal.

Personal Property and Lost Property

While we strive to provide a safe, secure environment, your daughter is responsible for personal effects bought to school. The school cannot extend a guarantee of the security of every item of personal property at all times of the day. Girls are expected to keep their personal items secure and are advised to lock their lockers.

Your daughter should not bring valuable or precious items to school. If specific items are required at school they can be looked after during the day at the School Office and collected when required. Girls should not leave valuable or precious belongings unattended or in lockers.

Lost or mislaid items that are unnamed end up in Lost Property or School Office.

You can assist your daughter (and us) by ensuring she names personal belongings so that lost articles may be returned to her.

School insurance does not cover girls’ personal property. Please ensure valuable items are covered by your personal insurance cover.

Transport – Cars and Bikes

Private Cars

Students wishing to drive a car to school are required to provide their vehicle and driver details to the school and must abide by the school rules relating to use of cars. Cars must be registered with the school on an annual basis.

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Except in exceptional circumstances, only Years 12 and 13 students may bring cars to school. Only Year 13 Boarders are allowed cars at the Boarding House.

Parents are required to give their daughter permission to drive or be driven by others on school approved activities. This permission is given on the Personal Details Sheet or by emailing the School Office. No student may transport other students unless they have permission from the parents of the driver and the passengers. Drivers must have a full licence and be driving within the terms of their licence.

Girls who repeatedly fail to comply with these conditions risk losing the privilege of bringing a car.

Bikes and Scooters

Students riding bikes and motorised scooters must wear helmets and abide by the law at all times. We encourage the use of fluorescent tops.

Specific areas have been designated for the parking of bikes and scooters within the school grounds. While bike cages are locked, girls should also secure their bikes within the cage, especially when these are left at school after school hours. Loss or theft is not covered by school insurance.

Parking

Because of its residential location and Council parking restrictions we must be mindful of parking. At all times parking must be legal and considerate of residents, visitors and staff.

Students should not park in the following locations:

• Hewitts Road

• The school grounds

• Rhodes Street

• Rossall Street

Drop off and pick up times are very busy around the school. We expect students and parents to drive and park in a safe, responsible and law abiding manner. Parking Wardens regularly check the perimeter of the school and issue tickets.

School Communications

Rangi.Lifewww.rangilife.school.nz

Rangi.Life (formerly Ultranet) is the school’s community website and provides up-to-date information and reference material about the school. The site includes parent and student calendars, daily news and notices, links to publications, handbooks and school policies.

The Parent Portal, which provides access to secure, student-specific information, can also be accessed from the Useful Links on Rangi.Life. You will be issued with login details for the Parent Portal, if you do not have a login or are having difficulties with access, contact the IT Helpdesk on 03 983 3753.

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NewslettersInTouch is the school’s monthly e-newsletter to parents keeping you up to date on key news and events. InTouch is distributed via email on the first Tuesday of each month.

InHouse is the weekly email update for Boarding parents which covers House events and administrative issues.

EmailFrom time to time, the school sends important messages, invitations, updates and event reminders by email. Please ensure the school’s domain www.rangiruru.school.nz is not blocked to avoid it being rejected as spam.

Text Message (SMS)In the event of an emergency text message will be our first point of contact with you.

School MagazineThe school magazine is a wrap up of photos and articles from the year. It is published at the beginning of the following year and distributed to girls who were at school in that year.

Websitewww.rangiruru.school.nz

The school’s public website provides information about the school and is used as a promotional tool to help inform prospective parents and students. We also use the site to share news and keep the wider community up to date on activities taking place at school.

You can also access Rangi.Life from the school’s main website.

Social MediaYou may also wish to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn - search Rangi Ruru Girls’ School.We are also on Instagram (rangiruru) and Twitter (@Rangi_Ruru). We regularly place photos and updates of the girls’ activities on these pages.

PublicityWe regularly take photos of students recognising the achievements and activities of individuals or groups in the school for school communications and promotion.

Our Confirmation Form includes a section that asks for permission to use these photos and details of student achievements for publicity purposes for example on our website, social media, in brochures, press releases or posters. If you wish to change your status contact the School Office.

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School Trips, Camps and Dances

School Trips and ActivitiesWe offer students many opportunities to learn outside the classroom. Rangi Ruru takes issues of student safety extremely seriously and each school trip is evaluated carefully in terms of risk and student need and resourced appropriately. In some cases students undertake adventures and experiences that do include an element of risk. We believe that these are important for students to develop confidence and leadership skills.

All these activities are optional and the school does everything in its power to advise parents and students and to ensure risks are minimised.

School procedures determine student/adult ratios on trips in order to best ensure the safety of students, and the school often relies on the support of parents to enable these trips to happen. The ratio will change depending on the level of risk involved in the activity, the nature of the programme, the time of the day, the ages of the students, the competency and experience of the staff and whether any students have special needs.

Outdoor Education (EOTC)Outdoor Education is an important and compulsory part of the curriculum. The experience of education outside the classroom enables students to develop strategies to overcome many personal fears, develop and practise skills such as cooperation, leadership and team play, problem solving, self-awareness and tolerance of others.

Outdoor education is beneficial for the full personal development of students; this instruction takes place under the strict guidance of trained instructors in a safe and controlled environment.

All students in Years 7 to 12 will at some stage during the year have the opportunity to go on school camps or similar experiences.

Your daughter’s tutor will communicate information on specific Outdoor Education events and equipment, clothing etc needs. Please ensure that the school is kept informed on any health issues that may effect your daughter’s ability to participate in any activities.

Attendance on School Trips and CampsIn some cases school staff may need to meet with parents to be assured about their daughter’s mental or physical readiness to return to school or attend school camps or trips The school reserves the right to decline attendance or inclusion in the best interests of the individual or others.

School DancesSchool dances are much anticipated and popular events. Information on expectations of the school and arrangements are sent to senior girls and their parents prior to the event. All school rules are in effect during co-curricular activities such as dances.

The school has strict guidelines on expected behaviours before, at and after school dances.

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These are clearly communicated to students prior to the event. Any breaches of these standards of behaviour may put an attendance, or the event, in jeopardy.

For Juniors

Year 8 has a dance in Term 4 each year and other dances may be arranged on an occasional basis. The school hosts one junior dance for Year 9 students to which boys from selected local boys’ schools are invited.

We also receive invitations to the junior dances of various boys’ schools, and because of the number and timing of these, we only select one or two per term to attend officially.

Girls are sometimes able to buy tickets to other schools’ dances from the office of the host school but parents need to be aware that if they have not signed a Rangi Ruru permission slip, our staff and senior students will not be in attendance.

While we use best endeavours, we cannot oversee student behaviour at all school dances hosted by other schools. We do, however, expect Rangi Ruru students to behave in accordance with our school expectations at all times when they are recognised or representative of the Rangi Ruru community.

More information on dances is sent home prior to the event.

For Seniors

It is traditional for Years 12 and Year 13 to hold a senior dance in Term 2. This is based around a fancy dress theme and is not a formal function. Year 11 have a semi formal early in Term 2. Once again parents of girls and guests will receive a letter explaining the guidelines for the evening.

Year 13 Leavers’ Ball

Organised by the Old Girls’ Association, this is a formal function attended by your daughter, her partner and you. Leavers are Rangi girls leaving formal schooling in Years 12 and 13. Students who left secondary school in Year 12 for tertiary study or exchange programmes may ask to attend the Leavers’ Ball with their cohort in the following year.

Girls are presented to the Principal and the President of the Old Girls’ Association by either her father or mother, or another nominated adult. Dancing and dinner follow.

Pre Ball and School Dance Parties

The school will be responsible for students while they are at the ball or dance venue. Before students arrive, and after they leave, they are the responsibility of their parents. We expect girls to behave in a manner of which we can all be proud.

The school respectfully requests that no post-dance parties or events be organised on the same night as school dances as these will inevitably become associated with the school.

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Use of Resources, Facilities and Technology

Textbooks, Library Books and School Facilities or ResourcesTextbooks, library books and other resources to support students in their studies represent a major investment and Rangi Ruru expects students to use this equipment, as directed, to avoid damage so they will be available for other students.

When your daughter completes her course or transfers from the school, please assist her in returning books and equipment. Any costs incurred to the school due to damage to facilities or loss or damage to textbooks or equipment will be charged to the student(s) responsible for the resources.

Fitness CentreWe offer use of a well-equipped Fitness Centre to all students at no charge. The Fitness Centre Coordinator will personalise a programme to meet the needs of the individual student, whether it be for competitive sport, rehabilitation or for a balanced healthy lifestyle. She is available at lunchtimes and after school for appointments for instruction.

For further information see the Co-curricular Handbook or contact the Fitness Centre Coordinator.

Library - The Gibson CentreThe Gibson Centre is open from 8.00am to 4.45pm Monday to Friday. For additional hours, girls should check with Library staff. Library staff are trained to assist students with research and they welcome the opportunity to work with girls, whether individually or in groups.

Cando cards can be used for photocopying and these costs are goldsheeted.

Flexi (Short term) Boarding for DaygirlsShort-term Boarding (or flexi-boarding) is available through the Boarding House. Contact the Director of Boarding to discuss.

Technology Usage and AccessTechnology is used extensively both inside and outside the classroom, and the school has invested heavily in a wide range of devices and applications where they support learning, collaboration and communication.

The school operates a compulsory Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy. This means that every student is required to bring a digital device that is capable of connecting to a wireless network and browsing the internet.

Information relating to use of personal digital devices and the connection to the network is available on Rangi.Life. For further assistance contact the IT Helpdesk.

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The school insurance does not provide cover for personal computers and technology. Parents will need to cover valuable items through their personal insurance. We have a very low incidence of theft at Rangi Ruru and this often leads to complacency about valuables. We strongly encourage girls to look after their valuables, and to secure their lockers. Items of value may be left at the School Office.

All students and their parent are required to have read and agreed to our usage guidelines as a prerequisite to using the school computers and network. It is important to us that parents are informed on cybersafety and other technology issues. If you have questions relating to technology safety, please contact the Information Services Manager.

Personal CellphonesGirls may have cellphones but they must be turned off during class (if requested by the teacher) and in any other school sessions such as assembly and tutor time, and cellphone free signs must be respected unless by staff permission. The school hopes that by allowing students to have access to their phones, these will be used appropriately and with respect for others.

Online bullying continues to be a worrying phenomenon. The misuse of devices, whether voice, text or pictures, to bully others is unacceptable. The school reserves the right to restrict or ban individual’s cellphones at school if the school believes they are being misused.

Girls should not use the camera or video capabilities of their phones at school without permission. Any photography taken within the school grounds belongs to Rangi Ruru Girls’ School. Photography or video taken of Rangi Ruru students or staff at Rangi Ruru must have the permission of the school and those who appear in the image.

The Rangi value of respect is important here, and the school will reinforce the message that cellphones do not take precedence over the person or people in front of you, that it is not necessary to reply immediately to texts, regardless of where you are or what you are doing, and that cellphones should be nowhere near dinner tables, formal occasions, celebrations or in any audience.

Cellphones may be placed in a ‘Drop Box’, and be retrieved at the end of the day. We urge parents to support us in ensuring that girls use their cellphones appropriately.

If you need to contact your daughter urgently during the school day, you may do this through the School Office as her cellphone should be turned off in class.

Other Telephones For Student UseToll calls or calls to cellphones can be made from the School Office.

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Personal Development Plans, Learning Support and Extension

Personal Development Plan (PDP)A Personal Development Plan (PDP) is a document formulated in a three way discussion involving the student, her parents and her tutor. It is designed to establish a common understanding of each student’s individual needs and expectations of the year ahead.

The process encourages girls to identify their strengths and weaknesses, to formulate realistic but challenging goals, to establish a balance of academic, co-curricular and out of school commitments, to promote development in all four dimensions of school life (intellectual, physical, cultural/creative and emotional/spiritual) and to identify strategies to develop girls’ key competencies.

The PDP process offers parents the opportunity to be involved in the decision-making related to their daughter’s education while helping to establish the vital triangle of cooperation between student, home and school. It also allows the tutor to get to know the student within her family context.

See Rangi.Life for more information on PDPs or speak to your daughter’s tutor.

Learning Support and ExtensionIt is important to us that students are successful and feel motivated and our learning support programmes offer support and extension for girls with specific needs.

Sometimes students require additional help with their studies. Through the Learning Centre, students are offered a variety of support including individual or small group tuition in reading and language skills and Mathematical Development Assistance. Support and specialist tuition is also provided for students having difficulty coping with the regular classroom programme. Tutoring can be arranged in all subjects.

Peer tutoring can be arranged in most subjects, and students can be helped with study skills and time management. Some students may need to have an adjusted timetable and assistance is available for students who have difficulty in sitting examinations. Where the school incurs additional cost for specific support, these may be passed on to the parents.

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)Rangi Ruru also provides for the needs of highly able students to ensure that ability is translated into high achievement. Support is provided through the GATE Coordinator who facilitates specialist support and extension.

Careers AdviceCareers counselling is available to all students and a careers education programme is offered to all students in Years 10 to 13.

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Parents are welcome to come in with their daughters or to phone the Careers Counsellor to discuss their daughter’s next steps. We would also like to hear from you if you can offer students work experience and the opportunity to gain knowledge on life outside of school.

Academic Guidelines and Expectations

HomeworkIt is important that students have appropriate time and a working space to do their homework. While parents can help by providing important things like support, encouragement and an appropriate environment, the work needs to be the students own.

The amount of homework students receive will vary from day to day and from subject to subject. For large amounts of homework, teachers recommend that students work in short bursts of time rather than attempting the long haul. As a general rule of thumb, the minimum time spent should be 1/2 to 1 hour a day for Years 7 and 8, Year 9 approximately 1 to 11/2 hours, and for Year 10, approximately 11/2 to two hours.

For senior students and those with external examinations, the minimum should be increased to about two hours a day; that is, 12 - 15 hours a week.

In special circumstances where a student cannot complete homework, parents should send an explanatory note to the subject teacher.

Your daughter's tutor or subject teacher can offer advice and support about studying and study techniques she may find useful.

Subject ChoicesSubject choices are made in Term 3 for the following year for students in Years 9 to 13.

Subjects offered to students are outlined in the Curriculum Handbook which is issued in Term 3 to each student enrolled for the next year. You can also find this on Rangi.Life. While we make every effort to meet the subject choices of all girls, this will not always be possible and there will inevitably be girls who do not get the combination they want. Similarly, if very few girls opt to take a subject, it could be that we simply cannot run it. This is always a difficult decision, but unfortunately a pragmatic one at times.

A Subject Choice afternoon is held for parents and students in Term 3. Alternatively you can discuss subject selection with the Assistant Principal-Curriculum or Careers Counsellor.

Subject ChangesSubject changes during the year are managed by the Deans and follow the process in the Student Handbook. Students are encouraged to remain in their chosen courses throughout the year unless there is a compelling reason for making a change. Parental permission and approval from the Assistant Principal-Curriculum are also required.

It is not recommended that students change a subject after the first few class periods of the school year. Students should consider their future career paths, teachers' and parents' advice and their achievements in the subject they wish to change from.

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Additional support is provided for students experiencing difficulties with a subject; changing to another subject is not always the best solution.

Changes are sometimes not possible because of timetabling or class sizes. Once students have sought their parents' consent for seeking a subject change they should consult their teacher and speak to the Assistant Principal-Curriculum, who will advise them on the likelihood of a change being permitted.

Assessments It is the responsibility of each student to fulfil assessment requirements such as meeting deadlines and avoiding absence from class unless unwell. A family holiday during term time is not grounds for the granting of compensatory time to complete an assessment.

A special leave form, obtainable from the office or online, should be completed for absences of more than one day.

At the start of each year, the Assistant Principal-Curriculum meets with the students to whom this policy applies to draw their attention to the key points and remind them of their rights and responsibilities. The School Assessment Policy, which has guidelines for both students and staff, is reviewed annually.

Authenticity As an increasing amount of information becomes available to students through the Internet and other electronic sources, the school emphasises to students that these works should be used only as reference for their thinking and all reference works should be attributed. The school takes acts of plagiarism very seriously.

Internal assessment for the purpose of NCEA qualifications requires assurance that a student's work presented for assessment is the student's own work and that any use of outside resources is acceptable for the standard and is acknowledged.

If the authenticity of a student's work is called into question, the matter will be referred to the Assistant Principal-Curriculum for investigation and discussed with the subject teacher.

If cause for concern is established, the student is consulted. Further evidence may be sought from student and/or teacher to establish the work's authenticity. In the light of conclusive evidence that the work is not authentic there will be a penalty imposed on the student.

The penalty for not meeting the requirements of the Authenticity Policy include that an award of ‘not achieved’ will be made for the assessment concerned. A formal record of the circumstances will be filed with the Assistant Principal-Curriculum.

The signing of an authenticity declaration to verify the work is their own is required of students and their parents at the start of each year. Parents are asked to read the Authenticity Policy and to sign their acknowledgement of its significance for students' work under NCEA.

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Reporting to Parents and Sharing Information

Reporting to Parents and StudentsThe school communicates regularly with parents and students concerning individual students and the school's progress and achievement in curricular and co-curricular activities during the year.

Written reports are issued to Years 7-10 students and their parents twice a year (the dates of which are published in the school calendar) and to Years 11-13 once a year, with an additional interview opportunity. Tutors or Dean will contact parents if their daughter's report or class work is giving cause for concern.

When a student leaves Rangi Ruru between Year 7 and Year 11 of her schooling, parents may request a testimonial from her tutor. This contains up to date information about the student’s academic and personal qualities.

When a student leaves school at the end of Year 12 or Year 13 she may apply for a Leavers' Profile, which sets out her achievements and senior academic results in her years at Rangi Ruru. An account of her personal qualities and work habits is included in the profile.

Oral reports are provided both on request by parents and at Learning Progress Interviews in Term 2, and for Years 11-13, also in Term 3. If parents feel their daughter is not making satisfactory progress during the year, they should communicate in the first instance with the year level Dean who will gather information from relevant staff and provide them with an oral report.

Learning Progress Interviews are held at the end of Term 1 for boarders’ parents, early in Term 2 for girls and parents and later Term 3 for Years 11-13 girls and parents . These are an excellent opportunity for parents to meet staff and other parents.

School communications are sent to those parties you identified on your Contact Details Sheet at the beginning of the year. If these details change, contact the School Office.

We are required to provide information to both parents (where possible) unless notified by court order. This includes school reports and information pertaining to attendance and student welfare.

Student Name ChangeAt enrolment, the school is required to obtain a copy of student's passport or birth certificate as proof of name and nationality for our files.

Due to changing family circumstances, we can be asked to change the school recorded name for a student. Legally the school position is that all formal school communications are provided in the legal name of the student. This name is the one that appears on a student's birth certificate. Girls' formal names are also used on certificates and school communications that girls may wish to use at a later date.

Contact the School Office for the appropriate person to speak to if you require further information or need to discuss a change of name for your daughter.

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Privacy

Personal Information

To ensure compliance with the Privacy Act 1993 in relation to the collection, storage, access and use of personal information about staff, students and their families or caregivers; in all aspects of gathering, storage, access and use of personal information the procedures of the school shall comply with legislative requirements and best practice guidelines.

For more information or to alter your authorisation, contact the School Office.

Health and Wellbeing

The reporting to others of an individual girl's issues or concerns is a difficult and complicated area. While ensuring that parents are kept informed on issues relating to their daughter's wellbeing, the school is also cognisant that sometimes all of us wish to have someone we can speak to without that information being shared with others.

Where the school becomes aware of information of a nature that affects the student's performance within the school or their or another individual's wellbeing, then, at the discretion of the Principal or her nominated representative, that information may be disclosed to parents of that student.

Information held by a health professional employed by the school shall be managed in compliance the Privacy Health Code of Practice.

Where the health professional becomes aware of information that puts the student's or another's wellbeing seriously at risk, then that information will most likely be disclosed to the students parents and other agencies. This is at the discretion of the health professional.

Information regarding a student's wellbeing and performance will be distributed as necessary amongst those staff requiring the information. Staff will be advised of its confidentiality.

For further information on privacy issues contact the school’s Guidance Counsellor.

Access to School PoliciesSchool policies, procedures and guidelines contain information you might find useful. Key policies relating to school management, teaching and learning, student rights and emergency procedures are available on Rangi.Life. Copies of policies and guidelines are available from the Deputy to the Principal.

Safety, Support, Guidance and Student WellbeingRangi Ruru takes its responsibilities to ensure the emotional, physical and mental wellbeing of girls very seriously. The school makes every endeavour to provide a challenging environment for its students, whilst minimising any risk involved.

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Student Health at School

School Responsibilities

Rangi Ruru undertakes to ensure that every effort is made to safeguard the health and wellbeing of students. The school will attempt to contact the parents or the identified emergency contact if a student becomes, or appears to be, sick while at school.

In the case of a crisis or emergency your daughter will be kept at school until collected.

If a student needs to be looked after at school, until she can be collected, a well-equipped and supervised sick bay is provided in the Boarding House. Students must go to the School Office first. In more serious cases, parents will be contacted as soon as possible.

If a student becomes very unwell and parents cannot be contacted, the school will arrange for the student to be seen by the school doctor, or to be taken to the local accident and emergency department. The cost of such a visit is met by the family.

Appropriate school staff will be available to discuss with parents, concerns about their daughter's health. When requested, appropriate schoolwork will be provided for students who, because of sickness, will be away from school for more than five school days.

Parents will be informed by letter, by email or through InTouch of any outbreak of a communicable disease affecting the school community, and any recommended action or advice.

Parent Responsibilities

Parents are expected to keep their daughters at home and notify the school if their daughter is, or appears to be, unwell. If your daughter becomes ill during the school day, and is unable to return to class, we will contact you to collect her from school.

It is important that the school can contact you in an emergency; please assist us by keeping your emergency contact details (parents, guardian, a delegated other person and family doctor) and your daughter’s health information details up to date. The Principal or Deputy Principal will need to give permission for treatment in an emergency if the parent or nominated person cannot be contacted.

Please inform the Health Coordinator if your daughter requires medication during the school day. The school will then arrange for appropriate arrangements for the administration of the dose or doses and will keep the school health records up to date.

Medicines

All drugs and medicines should be deposited with the School Office or a nominated staff member. Exceptions may be made only with the approval of the Deputy to the Principal, Guidance Counsellor, or by arrangement with the parent and GP (eg. in the case of allergies, asthma, diabetes or other condition).

A supply of approved first aid items, painkillers and plasters is kept in the School Office, specified faculty areas, and taken on school trips and outings. A comprehensive medicine cupboard is kept in the Boarding House and records are kept of the distribution of all medication, both prescribed and non-prescribed.

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Communicable Diseases

In dealing with the risk of communicable diseases, Rangi Ruru is committed to looking after the interests of all students and staff.

Parents must inform the school if a student has, or has been in contact with a person with, a communicable disease. The school recognises that people with some communicable diseases are often healthy and able to work and study. Where necessary for the protection of others, the school has the right to ask that person not to attend until a medical certificate of fitness is produced.

Information relating to persons with communicable diseases is confidential and will not be disclosed any further than is required to protect the health of that person and of others.

If a student affected by a communicable disease which could endanger the health of others wishes, and is able to sit an examination, the school will arrange for the safe, separate supervision of that student.

Any student who may be exposed to a communicable disease (as determined by the Ministry of Health or an international health group) may be required to remain away from school (and Boarding House) for the period recommended by the Ministry of Health.

Guidance and Support Network One of Rangi Ruru's significant strengths is the guidance network in the school. This consists of the Deputy to the Principla, Chaplain, Deans, Tutors, Guidance and Careers Counsellors and Special Needs Coordinators; one for gifted education (see GATE Programme) and two for learning support (see Learning Support section). These people have specialist training in the skills and abilities needed to help ensure that all students progress well through their years at school.

General Wellbeing

Use of Alcohol

Through various programmes in the school, students are given information and skills to help them establish responsible attitudes to the use of alcohol. The school Guidance Counsellor may be contacted at any time for information about alcohol and helpful guidelines for parents about teenage parties.

School Premises, Functions and Events

It is prohibited for students to possess or consume alcohol or be under the influence of alcohol - on the school premises, on school camps or trips, at school functions, at school sporting fixtures, when representing the school as a member of a sporting or cultural team or otherwise, when wearing school uniform, or otherwise identifiable as being from Rangi Ruru, in public view, or in circumstances that may damage the reputation of the school.

The school reserves the right to alcohol test students at school events. The Principal may give permission at her discretion to allow the consumption of alcohol on the school premises, at school functions, or on school trips in special circumstances.

Staff and parents who have designated responsibility for students will not consume alcohol.

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At school dances, the school will be responsible for students while they are at the dance venue. Before students arrive at the dance, and after they leave it, they are the responsibility of their parents.

Private Events

At private events held in association with school functions where students, parents and staff members are present, staff cannot be deemed accountable for students’ actions. On such occasions, parents or an adult member of their family or responsible adult (other than a staff member) nominated by the family will be in charge.

Licensed Premises

Where Rangi Ruru students are on licensed premises illegally and can be identified as Rangi Ruru students; this will be treated as a breach of school rules.

Smoking and Non-prescribed Drugs

Apart from being against the rules of the school, use of tobacco or other non-prescribed drugs is illegal on school grounds. Use of non-prescribed drugs on school grounds or when identifiable as a Rangi Ruru student will be considered a serious discipline issue.

Nutrition, Health and Wellbeing

Information relating for food and nutrition, lunch, Boarders' lunches and Dining Room charges can be found on Rangi.Life.

Sunsafe

Melanoma awareness is part of health education in the school and students are expected to provide their own sun hat and sunscreen in Terms 1 and 4. Emergency sunscreen is available from the Boarding House office, the Sports or Physical Education office.

Backpacks

As a rule young people should not carry more than 10% of their body weight. We do our best to provide convenient lockers and encourage a reduction in the amount that is carried.

Discipline and ComplaintsWe are proud of our school and we know that many parents send their girls to Rangi Ruru in part because of the school's high standards and expectations. These act as a guide for our expectations of behaviours toward and of one another.

The school has the responsibility to ensure the safety, welfare and educational progress of all students in its care. High standards of behaviour and self-discipline are necessary in order to achieve this. On the whole, our community is exceptional in their support of the school rules. As parents, it is important to us that you understand and agree to the set of standards we expect from Rangi Ruru students and assist us in communicating their importance to your daughter and other members of our student community.

Contact the Deputy to the Principal for further information on discipline and complaints.

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Managing Discipline at SchoolStudent discipline is not an easy or pleasant task, yet we recognise it is our responsibility to assist students in this area of development and to create an environment for our entire community that is happy, safe and a pleasant place to learn and have fun.

Effective discipline is a three-way job: parents-school-students. When we contact you about behaviour concerns, we are really seeking support and follow-up in helping the student realise that certain actions and/or attitudes are not appropriate. These actions make learning difficult or impossible, or may affect the emotional or physical wellbeing of self or others. Students rapidly adopt socially acceptable behaviour when they realise that the home and school share the same standards.

If you feel that discipline has been unfair or would like to discuss the situation, contact the staff member concerned or tutor in the first instance. This way we can ensure that the information we have is correct and discuss both the cause and effects of the action.

Any reports of harassment or bullying should be reported to the Year Level Dean, Deputy to the Principal, the Guidance Counsellor or the staff member the student feels most comfortable to talk to.

Parent Concerns, Complaints and IssuesLife is easier and issues a great deal more manageable when we have open dialogue between school and home. We encourage and expect parents and students to contact and discuss concerns and issues with the school in the first instance.

A complaint is defined as any issue of complaint against a student or staff member that has been formalised by a letter or email to the school, or a concern or problem involving a parent, guardian, student or another staff member that remains unresolved and requires formal notification. Particularly where a prior approach has not produced an improved outcome, or this concern or problem is affecting progress and/or wellbeing at school of a student or staff member.

The school requires that complaints against a staff member or student are dealt with in a manner which is fair to all parties, consistent and flexible enough to take account of individual circumstances. We undertake to respond to parental concerns and complaints as promptly as possible and keep those involved advised on progress on their complaint or issue. The person complained about will be informed and have an opportunity to present his/her point of view.

A parent or student's first contact should be the staff member/s involved or responsible for that student. Parents can contact staff by phone or email through the School Office. For more formal issues or complaints, parents and students should document their concerns to provide a clear record of the complaint for the school to investigate.

Accounts, Terms of Trade and WithdrawalThe school requires that all accounts are paid in full when due. A student’s position in the school becomes at risk if an account becomes more than one term overdue and an interview with the Principal will be required. Overdue accounts are reported to the Board on a monthly basis.

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Disbursements (“Gold Sheet”)The phrase “gold sheet” is a general term for charging of disbursements and relates to when they were once actually charged on a gold sheet of paper. Disbursements will be charged monthly. The disbursements are shown with some brief detail on each statement.

These include the charges for stationery, music fees, camp fees, sports fees, canteen and several other incidentals that relate directly to your daughter’s activities. For the large items, we endeavour to get your consent first as it is realised that the extras can add up.

We estimate that the average is around $1,500 to $2,000 per year but this varies depending on the activities your daughter takes part in. Speech and drama and music lessons are charged through the disbursement system.

Payment is expected on receipt of each statement and no later than the 20th of the month.

Refund PolicyFor many school events and activities, all or part of the cost is charged on a user pays basis allocated to the student participants. If your daughter is unable to attend or participate in an event or activity for any reason, please advise the Teacher in Charge as soon as possible and we will attempt to cancel her involvement or reallocate costs. If this is not possible, parents may be gold sheeted and expected to pay all or some of the costs incurred.

Terms of TradeAll accounts must be paid by direct debit by the due date (tuition, boarding fees and any disbursements). A late payment charge of 1.5% compounding per month on the overdue balance will be added to the account.

The use of a collection agency is a last resort for the School, but if the account is not paid within sixty days after that due date then the School may pass that account to a debt collection agency or solicitor to collect. Our debt collection agent will charge a fee for collecting the account. Where the total collection costs including legal and other costs exceeds the debt collection fee charged, our debt collection agent is also entitled to recover such additional costs from you. This clause is intended to be for the benefit of and enforceable by our debt collection agency under the Contracts (Privity) Act 1982.

Where accounts are consistently overdue and no effective repayment arrangements have been made, your daughter’s place in the School may be at risk.

If you have any queries regarding the payment of fees, terms of trade, disbursements or other items related to the business aspects of the school, contact the Business Manager.

WithdrawalThe majority of Rangi Ruru students leave school at the end of their Year 13 school year, however, due to family circumstances or training opportunities some students do leave school at earlier stages. If you can possibly manage to plan your move, it is worthwhile for students to see through their year of study.

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If you feel you must withdraw your daughter earlier than the end of an academic year, please put the request in writing to the Principal as early as possible. The Principal will notify the staff involved.

Students and their parents will need to work with teachers to arrange for the return of all books and equipment. Teachers will report grades to date and we will mail report cards to you after proper leaving procedures are completed.

PenaltiesIf the prescribed notice for withdrawal of one term is not adhered to a penalty, the equivalent of one terms fees, may apply. Contact the Principal’s Executive Assistant for further information on withdrawal.

Parent InvolvementParents support the school in many ways. Some give their time and commitment to school events, activities and committees or help when volunteers are called for, such as school camp, the second hand uniform shop, serving morning tea or supper at special events, or reader/writers for examinations. Some parents are able to assist with fundraising activities by giving their time, expertise, or donating goods to fairs and auctions.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)The PTA is an active and enthusiastic group who work to assist with fundraising for the school and to provide fellowship for parents and staff. They meet monthly and support special functions such as new entrant and parent education evenings, father/daughter dances and other social and fundraising events for parents.

Contact the School Office or visit Rangi.Life for further details on the PTA.

Board of GovernorsThe Board of Governors was established in 1946 when the Presbyterian Church purchased Rangi Ruru. The Board is comprised of at least 15 people, nine ordinary members of which at least four are current or past parents, the Principal, a nominee of the Old Girls, a nominee of the teaching staff and at least three honorary members. Board terms are generally for three years. The Board functions through several committees, the Principal being an ex officio member of all as well as being a full member of the main Board.

Parents interested in being involved as a Board member can send a CV to the Board Secretary, see Rangi.Life for details.

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