FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

If your child is going to be absent from school you need to let us know either by phone: 232 5201, text: 027 420 1575, email: absent@tawaint.school.nz or using the mobile app.

A note from a parent to the teacher is required to explain any period of absence from school. For family holidays or travel during term time, please write to the Principal to request leave of absence: principal@tawaint.school.nz

A bike rack is provided for students cycling to school - and there are scooter racks as well.  Please make sure they have a correctly fitting helmet and lock their cycle or scooter when at school. The school is not responsible for theft or damage to bicycles or scooters.

We bank at ASB:

Tawa Intermediate School Board of Trustees 

12-3223-0110016-00

Students may bring cellphones to school but are not permitted to access them during the school day.  Phones are collected at the beginning of the day and returned just before school finishes.

All families receive an email to give details for logging onto the app where they can see their child's class, in the week prior to school starting. These details will be emailed to the people identified as Parent/Guardian 1 and 2 on the enrolment form. You will then have an opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher before the start of the year.

If there is specific information you want us to consider when placing your child then please tell us via the enrolment form If there is specific concerns around learning needs, please contact the SENCO: senco@tawaint.school.nz. We also talk to your child’s current teacher and get assessment information from their primary school.

Tawa Intermediate School engages the services of an independent company, Harrison Tew®, who specialise in emergency management planning for schools.  The procedures developed allow us to respond safely and quickly to a range of circumstances.
 
Every year, we conduct an annual audit of the implementation of the emergency procedures at our school, with specialised training conducted with senior management and our staff.  The students also receive training from Harrison Tew®.  The training consists of a low-key but detailed approach to potential threats, and has been successfully implemented in a large number of schools throughout New Zealand. We also practise earthquake and evacuation drills on a termly basis. 

In the event of an emergency, we will communicate with parents/guardians via the mobile app and school website. Please ensure you keep your contact details up to date, download the app, and ensure you have enabled notifications.

Due to the popularity of the school we have an enrolment zone which encompasses the Tawa Basin from the Takapu Bridge to the intersection of Kenepuru Drive and Raiha Street. A ballot is held for out-of-zone places. Any out-of-zone enrolments received after the closing date will not be considered for the ballot. Refer to our enrolment page.

School zoning in New Zealand is governed by the Education and Training Act 2020 (specifically sections 71 to 75 and Schedule 20). 

Students must sign in at the office if they arrive late for school or are returning from an appointment. They will receive a slip to take to their classroom teacher.

Students are not permitted to leave the grounds at any time during the day without permission; they need to advise the office and the classroom teacher if they are leaving school for any reason. In each of these instances, they must report first to the office and sign out.

All lunch orders must be ordered online with EZLunch and require payment on ordering. 

Orders can be placed up until 9:00am on the day of delivery and are delivered to the school office in time for lunch.

Teachers will send you a weekly email to update you about classroom happenings. The Principal will send a newsletter 2 - 3 times a term.  

Please let  office@tawaint.school.nz know if you do not receive one.

The office is open 8:00am - 3:45pm but closed during interval (10:30am - 11:00am).  To contact the office, email - office@tawaint.school.nz

The classrooms open every day at 8:30am and students should be in class by 8:50am. Students who are late must sign in at the student desk to avoid being marked as absent.

On Wednesdays, school finishes at 2:45pm because of staff professional learning.

We welcome parent involvement and there are many opportunities to be involved in the school, especially within classrooms, the library, sporting events and Board of Trustee activities.

As of 2023 the school has opted into the Ministry of Education scheme which means we do not ask for donations from families but a koha towards some transport and activities may be requested.

The school has a number of security cameras both externally and internally. These support us to manage our site safely and, at times, can assist us to deal with incidents that may occur. These are ONLY accessed by two senior staff as needed. Our full Camera Policy is on School Docs. 

Children who feel unwell are sent to the medical room and parents will be contacted by the office staff when it is necessary to pick up their child. In cases where serious injury is suspected, parents are notified and depending on circumstances, an ambulance may be called. If your child ever contacts you to tell you they are not feeling well please direct them to go straight to the school office and we will let you know if we think they are too unwell to stay at school.

Students need their stationery on the first day of school. Details of how to order your stationery will be on the website along with a stationery list. Refer to https://www.myschool.co.nz/tawaint.

All visitors to the school, including any family members or caregivers, must sign in at the office and wear a visitors tag to identify them.

Tawa Intermediate is a water-only school. Please do not send juice, milk, or fizzy drinks.

Tawa Intermediate School is a fully uniformed school. Specific details of the uniform are available here. 

Parents are asked to name all items.  Named items are returned; unnamed lost property is located on the rack outside the student office desk. We donate unclaimed items to The Community Centre at the end of each term.