Student Information

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8 Non-Negtioable Rules

Key Information

The Student diary which is issued to each student at the beginning of the year contains key specific information for students. Here is a summary of ‘what ifs' for students.

What do I do if …?

I have an appointment in town?

• Bring a note from home. Take this to you tutor teacher who issues town passes at tutor meeting. Check in and out at the office. During class time students should only be going to town for doctor and dentist appointments.

I do not have full uniform?

• Bring a note from home for the Deputy Principal explaining the circumstances. The Deputy Principal will issue you a temporary uniform variation card.
• Difficulties in obtaining the uniform should be discussed with Deputy Principal.

I am sick at school? Request a note from your class teacher before reporting to the school office.

I have money and/or valuables at school? Either see your tutor or hand into the office for safe keeping.

I have a problem?

•  Subject or learning problems should be directed to your tutor in the first instance. Your tutor may suggest you meet with your Dean or with the Faculty Leader concerned.

•  Personal issues: Opunake High School cares about students, If you have a problem of a personal nature approach your tutor, whanau leader, the Guidance Counsellor or any teacher for help. The Guidance Counsellor is trained to help and has strong networks with outside agencies who can also assist. Confidentiality is respected, remember “it's okay to ask for help”.

I am leaving school? See the Guidance Counsellor to obtain a leaving card.

I lose or find property?

Contact the office immediately.

NB: THE NAMING OF ALL PROPERTY IS IMPORTANT. The School takes NO RESPONSIBILITY for lost property.

I travel by bus? Buses leave school at 3.30 pm. Students are expected to behave responsibly on buses.

I wish to make a phone call? A pay telephone is available for student use in emergencies.

I need to buy my lunch? The canteen provides a variety of food e.g. bread rolls, pies, yoghurt, fruit. Purchases can only be made during interval and lunchtime.

STUDENT HEALTH POLICY

Rationale:

Young people at High school Level have special needs regarding their Health. The students Hauora or well being needs to be considered and catered for by the school. The Taha Tinana ( physical ), taha hinengaro ( mental / emotional ), Taha whanau ( social ) Taha wairua ( spititual ) aspects of Health and well being need consideration by the school community. A holistic approach to health and well being will be evident at Opunake High School.

The school delivers a comprehensive and thorough health programme, addressing a wide range of issues and involving a number of different health professionals.

Purpose:

• To increase students and community awareness of all aspects of health and well being.

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• To operate a professionally staffed health clinic in conjunction with Taranaki District Health Board.
• To provide a confidential counselling / guidance service for students, caregivers and staff who seek this. This provision can include the school Counsellor and a Chaplain.
• To keep our students safe from dangers including but not limited to drug use, abuse or neglect, sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault.
• Develop positive healthy life long attitudes and choices through effective health education programmes.
• To develop a partnership between students, teachers, principal and Board of Trustees through a student council. Students will initiate, develop and organise projects and activities for the student body though a formal meeting forum and democratic decision making process.
• To provide appropriate social functions for students.

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Procedures:

• Students have the right to gain access to the public Health Nurse ( Health Act 1956 )
• Students have the right to information on all aspects of public and personal health.
• Students have the right to advice on contraception regardless of age ( section 3 of the contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977, amended in 1990 to allow people under 16 to access contraceptive advice.
• Students aged 16, and “Gillick” competent children have a right to give consent to a medical treatment, without parental consent.   (Gillick competent refers to case law which determined that a minor’s capacity to make an informed decision could not be determined by any fixed age limit).
• Wherever possible and with the consent of the student the school will do what is in the best interests of the student. This may require consenting to a medical treatment without parents’ knowledge ( e.g. in the case of abuse )
• The school may deliver information on matters of public and personal health through its health programmes.
• The school (with the agreement of the board of trustees) provide a self referral clinic staffed by a Public Health Nurse on the school, grounds which students can self refer to.   Once a month a Doctor may be in attendance.
• The Public Health Nurse through the Health Clinic can give advice to sexually active students regarding contraception and sexual health.  The Public Health Nurse can give or sell contraception to students who are sexually active (through the self referral clinic).
• The school and Public Health Nurse will always try to involve parents.   When students refuse to agree to parental involvement medical treatment may be given without parental consent.
• Parents will be encouraged to notify the school of any drugs or medicine that the student must carry and use at school. These medicines should be left at the school office with a written explanation of usage.    Trained first-aid staff are to administer medications (as per instructions) but all staff are to be informed of these particular medical needs.
• When misuse of drugs is suspected, the suspicions must be reported to a member of the management team immediately. The Principal will contact caregivers to discuss this matter and to enlist support for the student.
• Where the Principal has reasonable grounds to suspect a person of supplying drugs to students, he must inform the police of that belief.
• The misuse of drugs on the school site or on school activities is a breach of school discipline and will be dealt with appropriately by the principal.
• School Counsellors are to protect confidential issues and to work within the ethical guidelines of the N.Z.A.C. (NZ Association of Counsellors).
• The School will take reasonable measures to keep students protected from excessive sun.
• The School does not supply any type of drugs including Panadol.
• The Opunake High School community will be consulted on the content and focus areas of the Health programme as taught formally in Years 9-11 through a statement about the delivery of the Health Programme.    The consultation process will occur biannually through the use of meetings and or questionnaires.
• Facial piercings pose a significant health and safety risk to young people in a school setting.   Facial piercings are therefore not to be worn at school (Refer to School Uniform Policy).
• Wherever possible we take a guidance approach rather than a disciplinary approach to inappropriate student behaviour including the bullying of other students.
• Bullying is not tolerated at Opunake High School in any form (including text and electronic bullying).   Bullying will continue as long as no action is taken to stop it.   Action to stop bullying will follow these steps:
• All students know Opunake High School stand on bullying.
• Investigation of incident
• Interview with victim
• Meeting between victim and bully to resolve issues
• Meetings may involve parents
• If bullying continues formal disciplinary actions may be taken.

Nb:      Refer to: ‘Sexuality and the Law’ published by Family Planning Association 203-209 Willis
            Street Wellington.   (This resources is available through the Public Health Nurse.
            Competency and Age document outline key legislative definitions.

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School Uniform

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8 Non-Negtioable Rules

 

POLICY:   SCHOOL UNIFORM AND PRESENTATION

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Rationale:

Students at Opunake High School have a most attractive uniform.   The Board’s requirement that a regulation uniform be worn is a reflection of the opinion of a large majority of parents and is supported by students and staff.

Purposes:

1. To ensure that the school uniform, as determined by the Board, is worn by all students of the school to whom it applies

2. To maintain a standard of dress and appearance which engenders school – and self pride

3. To recognise that the onus for outfitting students in the correct school uniform lies with parents/caregivers.

4. To remove conflicts over the wearing of uniform and standards of grooming and personal appearance.

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Guidelines:

1. The Board will establish a set of detailed uniform regulations and will alter, add to, or amend them as appropriate.
2. Such regulations will be published in the school’s enrolment packs and newsletters and will be available from the school office on request.
3. The regulations will take into account the weather conditions of the district, so that no additional items of clothing need be worn at school.
4. Parents, students and staff will be consulted when major changes are made to the regulations.
5. Enrolment of students will not be accepted without an undertaking by parents/caregivers that:

• The school’s uniform regulations will be adhered to: and
• The responsibility for ensuring that students attend in the correct uniform is with parents/caregivers.

6. The principal and staff are responsible for monitoring the wearing of school uniform and may take all reasonable steps (including the confiscation of non-uniform items and exclusion from classes) to ensure that the policy is effective in practice.
7. Members of the Board will liaise with parents/caregivers to ensure that the policy is implemented.
8. Exceptions to the school’s uniform regulations may be given only by the senior management of the school and then only for brief periods of time.
9. Personal appearance and grooming will adhere to the following guidelines:

• Uniform must always be neat, tidy and clean
• Hair is to be neatly groomed in natural colours
• Any make-up worn must be unobtrusive
• Jewellery must be worn unobtrusively and safely ie: taonga and necklaces are to be hidden under polo shirts, sleeper earrings only, no facial piercing are to be worn.
• Tattoos must be covered by the usual school uniform.

10. The Board of Trustees and Principal may allow sun hats to be worn during lunchtime (outside only) in Term I and IV.   Hats of any other kind are not to be worn at anytime.

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Year 13 and 14 students may wear mufti of an acceptable standard – this is a matter for each year's group to decide in consultation with the Principal and Staff.

It is school policy, approved by the Board of Trustees, that students of Opunake High School wear the uniform determined by the Board. Parents are expected to be committed to reinforcing the school's uniform regulations.

ALL STUDENTS

	Shirt	Blue Polo shirt. – with OHS logo
	Trousers	Navy / black long dress trousers.
	Shorts	Navy dress shorts
	Shoes	Black polishable lace up shoes
	Sandals	Black or brown, low heel with some back support. (Summer only)
	Jersey	Regulation long-sleeved “V” necked navy blue with gold neck band. Y
	Scarf	Blue and yellow striped (Winter only) optional
	Jacket	Navy
	Polar Fleece	Blue with gold trim
	Socks	Black with gold bands
	Girls
	All season Skirt	Blue/Navy/Gold regulation plaid, Bromley Ref 172, about knee length Available from Karam's Drapery ready made
	Socks	White ankle socks
	Tights	Black to be worn with skirt only during winter.
	Hats	Unhats to be worn only outside during lunch time (terms 1 and 4 only)
	Physical Education and Games Wear	A suitable change of clothing, appropriate to the activity.
	Playing Uniform for Sports Teams	Regulation playing uniform (details available from coaches) must be worn for all matches. Students representing the school in sports teams need to provide royal blue shorts (unless some other alternative is supplied by the school).

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All these uniform items are available at Karam's Drapery.

OHS Relationship Management

Top|Student Health | Key Information | Uniform | Relationship Management |
8 Non-Negtioable Rules

Students of Opunake High School are expected to be supportive of each other in achieving their educational goals. No student has the right to impede the learning and teaching process.

SET EDUCATIONAL GOALS

TREAT OTHERS WITH RESPECT

MAKE THE MOST OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

PROTECT THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT AS A SAFE AND HEALTHY PLACE

PROTECT THE GOOD NAME OF THE SCHOOL

8 Non- Negotiable Rules

Top|Student Health | Key Information | Uniform | Relationship Management |
8 Non-Negtioable Rules

Preface to the 8 rules:

RESPECT YOURSELF : Do only those things that will help you to achieve a successful and healthy future.

RESPECT EACH OTHER : Treat everyone with courtesy, justice and truth.

RESPECT PROPERTY : Take care of your things and take care of those things we share.

The 8 non-negotiable rules:

1. Attend school regularly.
2. Be at class on time.
3. Bring the correct equipment to all classes eg. books, pens, rulers and whatever is required.
4. Copy homework into a diary and complete all homework set.
5. Work with the teacher and toher students to maintain a positive learning environnment.
   • listen respectfully to the teacher and other students.
   • follow instructions.
   • do not leave the classroom until told to by the teacher.
6. Wear correct uniform.
7. Behave safely at all times.
8. Actively participate in lessons.