Principal report march2015 website

PRINREPMarch2015Website/BOT 1
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
25 March 2015
NAG 6: ADMINISTRATION
Roll Statistics Report:
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
Roll as at 17/2/15: 600 591 551 549 552
New Enrolments 21 8 7 13 14
Withdrawals 6 8 8 8 2
Total Roll as at 17/03/15 615 591 550 554 561
March 2 MOE Returns 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
Total Roll 608 586 552 546 551
Boys 323 334 316 309 308
Girls 285 252 236 237 243
Student Attendance: Overall, our attendance levels are high and greater than the
national data for schools indicates. There is little or no student truancy, but there is
a level of parent condoned absenteeism, and there are seasonal fluctuations which
are mainly health related, with some anecdotal evidence suggesting that a lack of
transport and warm clothing in winter can be a factor as can a lack of food
throughout the year for some families. Like most schools, there is a clear pattern of
higher absences on Mondays and Fridays. Recent examples of this include; Monday
11: 32 absent and 11 late. Friday 13: 20 absent and 10 late. These percentages of
absent children were approximately 5% and 3%. We did have 87 students away on
Monday 16 March – much higher than usual especially for this time of year, and a
number of parents reported that it was because of Cyclone Pam!
We have sound attendance monitoring systems, led by attendance officer Niru Hari
and a pastoral role taken by individual teachers, senior managers and community
liaison person Anne Boulton.
Equivalent Enrolments as at 19 March
Year Total Enrolments Total Roll

2004 46 498
2005 61 529
2006 63 516
2007 49 505
2008 68 554
2009 88 593
2010 53 596
2011 62 562
2012 79 554
2013 69 550
2014 76 591
2015
Compulsory Uniform: Overall the standard of uniform wearing by students is
satisfactory and there is good support from most families. Uniform checks by the
Principal find few students without the full uniform, although cleanliness, and lack
of more than one shirt for example, is a concern for some students. Those without
full uniform mainly relate to boys with incorrect shorts or students with non-
uniform tops over their shirts. Letters outlining uniform requirements are given to
children to take home in some instances. A large selection of second hand clothing
was available at the beginning of year, as many of our leaving Year 6’s donate
items when they leave. Several weeks of “Out they Go $4 sales” have seen most
second hand clothing sold. Newsletters continue to highlight “uniforms are us”
themes several times each term.
NAG 1: CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL CURRICULUM REPORT
Vision Statement and Visual Representation: This term has seen the continued
promotion of our Vision Statement and its visual representation. This has included
its explanation and use in newsletters. A version is presented in classroom and wall
displays, and the visual representation is part of signage around the school as well
as the vision statement panel prepared by Rooms 2 and 4 that is displayed on Room
4’s wall facing the swimming pool. An initiative this year is to have our Vision
Statement featured as a regular part of school assemblies.
“At Pukekohe Hill we are a community of lifelong learners committed to
achieving our best and making a difference”.
Heart symbol: Represents our virtues and
partnership with Maori.
Kohekohe leaves: Represents the skills for lifelong
learners and the kohekohe tree which is part of our
Pukekohe name.
Hill logo: Part of our identity and represents
striving to the top to do our best.

Sun and its Rays: Represents the many cultures of
our students.
Market Gardens: Represents Pukekohe Hill and how we can make a difference as
we move towards the future and recognise the past. It also reflects our connection
as an Enviro and Health promoting school.
ESOL Application: SENCO Anne Boulton (Special Needs Coordinator) has
completed identification, testing and funding applications for students who are
defined as English Speakers of Other Languages. A time consuming process
involving class teachers, support staff, and the Principal. A relatively small funding
component is provided by the MOE as an additional grant, which is paid into our
account on a 6 monthly basis. Several support staff work students who have English
as their second language, and Madhu Hari has a key role in helping these students
from her Learning Centre base which is set up as a visually inclusive learning area.
The May report will outline some statistics including numbers, ethnic backgrounds
and funding received data.
Swimming: Swimming has now finished for this term for most students. The
limitations of the small learner pool for a roll over 600 is very evident through the
class swimming timetables, and the need for only groups of children to be in the
pool at any one time. The work of caretaker Luke Hindt in maintaining the pool
throughout the day and the capacity of the twin filter unit system enables treatment
levels to be maintained despite the heavy loading.
This year, a number of teachers have had some professional development in
swimming from Counties Manukau’s Kay West, who also came to support some
classes at swimming time. Senior and Middle school students will also have a
series of lessons with tutors at the Rec Centre over the year which will take most of
the KiwiSports funding provided through the Operational Grant.
A squad of 12 senior swimmers represented
the school and had limited success at Group
Day with just 3 qualifying for Zone
championships. The overall school standard for
competitive swimming is not high, and
relatively few children are involved with local
swimming clubs or swim competitively at club
level.
Bible in School: Following on from the Board’s approval for Bible in School for
2015, classes have started for half an hour each Wednesday. This year, one Year 3
class does not have a Bible teacher. An initiative this year is for some senior classes
to meet together in the hall and be taken by a paid presenter and volunteer helper
through the Churches Education Commission. Their “Champions” programme has
begun with an anti-bullying focus and seems popular with our senior students.
Bible teachers include several staff members and parents.

Latest Virtue: The latest Virtue is “Co-operation”, which following on from the
previous Unity virtue, complements the Community Concept.
Mathletics: This online maths programme is popular in many schools. Over 80
senior students have paid the $32 required and this programme will be available for
students to use both at school and at home.
Polyfest Visit: Mrs Chamberlain arranged a visit for the Enrichment Class to last
week’s Polyfest competition which was a wonderful cultural experience for our
tamariki in Room 14, and gave motivation to their involvement in our kapa haka
group.
Lunch with the Principal: This initiative has links to our Pipps programme and
health promoting schools focus. Rather than students who are entered in the
Consequences books by duty teachers for inappropriate behaviour spending 3
lunchtimes with the Principal, “Lunch with the Principal” is a celebration of
academic achievement and progress and excellent attitudes to learning and our
virtues. Teachers will choose a student from their class for the Principal to invite to
lunch, the lunch itself will be prepared and served by Mrs Smart and her Health
Promoting students and a certificate will also be presented to each student. Lunch
with the Principal this term is set for 27 March.
Technology Challenge: Once a term, we have a whole school Technology
Challenge. This year, Matt Craig is leading these challenges. A copy of the
challenge sheet sent out to teachers is included in the appendices.
Gifted and Talented: A data base is used for the selection of pupils to attend
Franklin Network and internal Gifted and Talented courses as well as teacher
recommendations. Malcolm Laurence leads CWSA in the school. As part of G and
T opportunities, Malcolm enters students for the NSW University Testing Centre’s
test competitions. This year, children will be entered in Spelling, English, Maths
and Computing.
Franklin Schools Multi Cultural Festival: On Sunday 29 March, teams will
represent Hill in the sports Touch Rugby tournament section, and our kapa haka
group has been entered in the cultural section and will perform a quite complicated
chant which describes the history of Pukekohe Hill School. Although partly a
fundraiser for Puni School, this event is now linked to Te Huarahi goals especially
around celebrating success.
Ambassadors: Our senior Ambassadors have now
been chosen and introduced to the school. The
ambassadors are mentored by Mr Laurence, wear a
badge provided by the PTA and have a number of
leadership roles in the school.

GetWise: Most classes will be involved in the ASB GetWise programme which is a
financial literacy programme aimed at primary age children and delivered through
classroom lessons delivered by outside presenters.
Classroom Highlights: Our Classroom Highlights reports this month come to us
from Room 11 Reception Class teacher Nicky Poirier, Jill Walters and Liezel
Cronje in Room 3 and Cheryl de Vries in Room 26. Nicky has invited us to view a
presentation in Rm 11 and Jill and Liezel have invited us to visit them in Rm 3.
Room 26 Highlights
Chosen Valley Camp
Welcome to Room Twenty Six class highlights. We started the year with Chosen
Valley Camp. The children were very anxious and excited to go. They overcame
their anxiety of being away from their families, and immersed themselves in all
activities enthusiastically. Some activities were a challenge, and with the look of
determination and perseverance they pushed themselves and overcame their fears.
Chosen Valley Camp
‘SPLASH’ went the water when, yet another person
fell into the murky, muddy, brownish water. I
thought “I do not want to fall in there!” It was built
to unlock your sense of adventure (that’s the
confidence course by the way!).
We were walking to the confidence course when we
saw it. Some people from our group tried it, but
others no. I tried red and completed it. Then I tried
yellow. I got really far but I fell off at the part when you have to climb a rope. It
was AWESOME!!! I thought it needed a star rating.
When it was time to leave I just couldn’t say bye. It was one of the best camps I’ve
ever been on. It was a privilege to go. When I got home with Mum, I was glad to be
home. When I got into bed at the end of the day, I remembered all of the things I
did at camp and how much fun I’d had.
By Cameron Richards
I couldn’t wait to get to camp everyone thought that it would be a lifelong memory.
We had arrived at the camp grounds it was totally different to what I had in mind.
We had to sort out our cabins and what position we would be in, that was a hard
job. Then we got into our activity groups and find out what activity we were doing.
My first activity was biking we went with the supervisor and went to the shed and
got all the equipment out. Rhys, Tahi and I went down a steep bumpy hill it was
awesome fun. After that we went to orienteering. We got into groups of four and
then chose one of the four maps. Then we had to learn
what all the symbols mean so that we could find our
way around the gigantic area. It was amazing fun all
though it was tiring. After my group had finished 2

maps half my group chose to stop so Mervil and I carried on. Then I met up with
my cabin group and tidied up our messy cabin. So we could have free time. I went
and did balance island. It was very fun. Then I went swimming with Rhys and Tahi.
We had the best time. I was proud of all the things I had achieved and made myself
do. I can’t wait until the challenges of next year’s camp. I was so tired when I got
home from camp I jumped in my bed.
By Joel Mowbray
Super Heroes
At the beginning of the year goal setting and working out the steps to be successful
were set, and they have the confidence to be able to peer assess and give positive
feedback with each other effectively.
The children have been able to identify areas that they need to work on to help their
learning. The classroom is rich with learning language. Cross grouping for math has
been started and this has proven to be successful as all classes are grouped to the
same ability and target the needs specifically for those groups.
We look forward to a very busy and exciting year.
Cheryl de Vries and Room 26.
NAG 2: DOCUMENTATION AND SELF REVIEW
International Student Code of Practice: The school has been a signatory to the
Code of Practice for International students for over 10 years. In this time there have
been a considerable number of changes to the Code which have all added to the
paper work and annual review requirements. The responsibility for administering
the Code has also moved from the MOE to NZQA although ERO still include an
audit of Code documentation as part of their school reviews.
Over these 10 years we have only had one international student who stayed with us
for several years and 4-5 who have paid short term fees until their parents either
obtained work and student visas or left the country when these were declined.
I have contacted several local schools who were both Code signatories – Patumahoe
and Valley – and they have both relinquished their Code status.
The Leadership Team have discussed our position as a Code signatory and I now
recommend that
1. The Board agree to withdraw from the Code of Practice for International
Students
2. Advise NZQA of this decision.
3. Archive the related policy statements and procedures relating to the Code.
Reporting to the Board: A term based Assessment Overview is used as a guide for
teachers on assessment requirements and timeframes. It also includes a “Reporting
to the BOT” section as a reference for Wendy and Malcolm as they prepare student
achievement data to present to the Board. Currently, Malcolm and Wendy are
reviewing this document. Senior students are completing PAT, spelling, e-AsTTle
reading and maths, Year 3-4’s take STAR tests and it’s intended this data will be
presented at our May meeting.

Charter and Strategic Plan: Our planning has now been sent to the MOE. To date
no comment has been received.
NAG 3: PERSONNEL
Syndicate Meetings: Usually held weekly after school, depending on professional
development and other commitments. There is also frequent e.mail contact
regarding syndicate matters throughout each week, and sometimes syndicates have
e.mail meetings when other events prevent after school meetings. Syndicate
meetings are important in terms of planning, syndicate and school organisation.
Action Minutes are prepared from each meeting and relevant issues raised are
considered at Leadership Team meetings. The minutes of a recent Junior Syndicate
meeting led by Shirley Smart are included in the appendices.
Performance Management Systems: The classroom teacher performance
management process has begun with interviews, goal setting and related appraisal
documentation. Wendy Bates and Malcolm Laurence effectively lead this area of
PMS. Later in the year, the Senco will undertake a self appraisal and appraisal
process with Support staff who work with students. Exec Officer Vicky Keary will
carry out a similar process with other Support staff as part of their performance
management process. The Principal undertakes an appraisal process with our
Assistant Principals and the Executive Officer. The Principal’s appraiser is an
external consultant Paul Mawhinney.
Professional Development: As previously reported, the major focus for whole
school development is the Assessment and Leadership contract being led by
Barbara Anne Alexander. Although this has a focus on writing including the use of
the writing easTTle assessment tool, it has a much wider impact in terms of
teachers clarity with students and the successful use of learning intentions and
success criteria as part of the learning process.
Some recent opportunities this term for personal professional development and
learning, other than this development, are noted below:
 Performance Management interview and observation process begins for
classroom teachers.
 Principal attends Franklin Principals Association and APPA general meetings
and AGM
 Principal attends meetings of the APPA Council as the representative for the
Franklin Principal’s Association
 Meetings of Te Huarahi including general hui, Te Huarahi Trust Board and
ECE and Raising Achievement subcommittees
 Principal meets with appraisal consultant re 2015 goal setting
 Project Energiser leader Megan meets with Malcolm
 Swimming workshop
 Pip and Wendy at EFS cluster meetings

 ICT Chill out sessions led by Rick de Kock and Julie Brook for staff
 Autism workshop attended by 7 teachers and support staff
 Wendy and Malcolm attend Maths meeting in Waiuku
 Three teachers attend AFL workshop
 Lead teachers meet with Wendy and Malcolm re their roles
 Lead Teachers meet with Barbara Anne Alexander
 Teachers take part in teaching as inquiry conversations with Lead teachers
 Anne Boulton leads ESOL cluster group meeting hosted at Hill
NAG 4: FINANCE AND PROPERTY
Annual Accounts for 2014: A set of draft accounts are expected shortly from Ed
Tech and will then be looked at by the Finance Committee and presented to the
Board so that the Board can formally receive these accounts and that they are then
sent to our auditors before 31 March.
PTA Donations 2014 and Wishlist 2015: Over 2014, through its fundraising
activities, the PTA donated over $23 000 to the school ($11400 in 2013) and ended
the year with funds on hand of $17 695 ($32 900 in 2013).
The PTA has a healthy cash balance, and at its first meeting for 2015 it was agreed
that preparation of a “wishlist” from staff and the community for discussion be
organised to give a focus for future fundraising. The current wishlist is included in
the appendices. Trustees are very welcome to suggest ideas to present to the PTA.
(See also Community Partnership item)
New Furniture and Donation to Butterfly Trust: With the damage to Vanuatu by
Cyclone Pam, there is probably a need for new schools more than our desks and
chairs! Kiwanis have now picked up our surplus furniture and will store it in a
container that will be shipped out later this year.
Room 21 has also now received a complete upgrade of their class furniture which
looks very smart.
Completion of Leaky Building Project: This project has begun well, with stage
one being completed inside the planned time and Rooms 20, 21 and 22 are now
back in their rooms. Rooms 23 and 24 have moved to Rooms 29 and 27. The
second stage is to work on Rooms 23-24 which have been completed enclosed so
that the roof can be removed and work has begun on removing wall cladding. The
most recent site meeting minutes are included in the appendices.
Senior Adventure Playground: The senior adventure playground has just been
installed. We received over $46 500 through insurance, a Fuji Xerox donation of
$15 000 and a small donation from the PTA and the family of one of the arsonists.

Costs to date are likely to be approximately $58 000. Earlier last year, the Board
approved a “ballpark” figure of up to $68 000, with any shortfall from monies
received to come from our reserves.
An opening is being planned for Friday 27 March at 1.30pm and Trustees are very
welcome to attend.
Property Modification Project: An extensive project is underway at the planning
stage to cater for a student with physical disability. This is likely to include
additional ramps, entrance way changes, pathing and toilet modification. David
Bowes has been asked by the MOE’s consultants to project manage this
development. Several on-site meetings have been held, an architect is to be
appointed to prepare drawings, and it’s hoped the project will fall under $100 000.
This is an MOE project and not part of our 5YA.
Health and Safety Committee: The H and S Committee met on 13 March and has
both Board and staff representation. The Committee has responsibility for health
and safety issues and related policies, updates a hazard list each term, provides H
and S spots in Cross Connections, and has close links to the Property Committee.
Hazard Identification Lists: The Health and Safety Committee update the current
Hazard Register and review progress made as part of their meeting. Staff feedback
is also invited, and a copy with room for additional entries notified to staff and
displayed in the staffroom.
Emergency Evacuation: The first emergency evacuation practice for 2015 was
held on 17 March. It was decided to have a standard fire drill and evacuation.
Details of evacuations are sent by the Principal to NZ Fire Service. Other
emergency procedures held throughout the year include: Earthquake and Intruder
alert/Lockdown
Community Picnic: The community picnic was held for the fifth year, and is
aimed at providing a family friendly and informal opportunity for families to meet
together. There were a variety of stalls, external groups provided food, the PTA
provided a sausage sizzle, lollies, chips and drinks. A change was to hold the picnic
on the main field and this seemed to work well. The turnout was high with an
estimated 700 plus attending, there was a very positive and relaxed atmosphere, and
good feedback from both staff and families.
NAG 5 HEALTH AND SAFETY
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Transition to School Meeting: Wendy Bates, Nicky Poirier and Anne Boulton
held a successful meeting recently with 9 ECE groups attending. A copy of the
invite in the appendices outlines the aim of this meeting which also meets out Te
Huarahi goal around both community engagement and ECE participation.
PTA for 2015: The PTA’s AGM was attended by about 12 people, including 5
staff. The PTA overall is in good heart, although numbers at the AGM were
disappointing. The partnership between Board and PTA has always been strong at
Hill School. Mandy Seabrook continues as President, Donna Morgan as Treasurer
and Jo Mould as Secretary.
I recommend that the Board congratulate the office holders for 2015, and thank the
PTA for their excellent fundraising results and overall support during 2014.

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