It is a pleasure to welcome you and your whānau to Tasman School.
One of the most important things about our school is that we are genuinely a community. As a small rural school, our tamariki are well known, relationships matter, and there is a strong sense that everyone has a part to play.
Our vision, E Tū Kahikatea, reflects this. Like the kahikatea, which stand tall and strong through root systems that spread and intertwine with those around them, we want our tamariki to grow with confidence in who they are, strengthened by their connections with whānau, friends, teachers, community and place. As they grow, we want them to recognise that they too have something to offer and can contribute to the strength of those around them.
Our connection to place matters too. Te Pouwhenua ki Te Mamaku provides an important connection to the whenua on which we learn and to the stories and history of this place. We acknowledge Ngāti Tama ki Te Tauihu as mana whenua and value our growing relationship with iwi. As a school, we are committed to giving meaningful expression to the aspirations and expectations outlined in Ngā Kawatau, supporting our tamariki to develop a strong sense of identity, belonging and connection to the people and place of Te Mamaku.
That same sense of connection sits behind the family-like feel of Tasman School. It has been built over many years by people who care about this place and choose to be involved. I encourage you to become part of that — whether through working bees, school events, fundraising, trips, sport, or simply being present and connected with what is happening at school.
We look forward to working in partnership with you to ensure your child feels safe, enjoys coming to school and experiences success in their learning. Good partnerships rely on open communication, so we will do our best to communicate proactively and clearly. We also welcome your feedback about what is working well and where we could do things better. If you are ever unsure about something, please ask.
What we enjoy here is pretty special. We hope that you and your whānau will feel that sense of belonging and, in time, make your own contribution to it.
Symon Beattie
Principal
Together we stand. Together we grow. Together we contribute.
Tū Tika - Doing what is right
Tū Ngātahi - Working together
Tū Māia - Being courageous
There is a lot to take in when joining a new school. These few steps will help you get connected.
Hero is our main communication platform and is where you will receive essential school notices, newsletters, reporting information and other updates.
Please make sure we have current phone numbers, email addresses and emergency contacts for your child.
Your child’s classroom teacher will be your main point of contact for their learning, wellbeing and day-to-day school experience.
Important dates and information are communicated through Hero. Our Facebook page provides an optional way to see and celebrate more of what is happening around the school.
If you are ever unsure about something, please ask. We are happy to help.
Regular attendance makes an important difference to children’s learning and their sense of belonging at school.
If your child is going to be absent, please let us know before 9.15am by submitting an absence through Hero or contacting the school office.
If we have not received an explanation for an absence, the school will follow up with you.
For planned or extended absences, please let us know in advance where possible.
If your child is injured or becomes unwell at school, staff will provide appropriate first aid and care.
We will contact you if an injury is significant, involves a head injury or fall from height, requires further medical attention, or if we believe you need to know about it promptly.
Please make sure the emergency contact details we hold for your child are always up to date.
Whole-school assemblies are generally held fortnightly and provide an opportunity to celebrate learning, achievement and our school community. Classes take turns to lead these assemblies.
Whānau are warmly invited to attend. Assembly dates are shared at the beginning of each term through Hero. Occasionally other school events take the place of an assembly.
Our preference is for payments to be made by internet banking.
Tasman School – NBS
03-1354-0498488-00
Please include your child’s name and the purpose of the payment as the reference.
Cash payments can also be made through the school office. We do not have eftpos.
School begins at 8.55am and finishes at 2.55pm.
We recognise that some families have work or travel commitments that mean children need to arrive earlier. As a support to these families, children may be on site before 8.30am, but this must be arranged and authorised by the school in advance. We keep a register of families who have an agreed early-arrival arrangement.
It is important that families understand that active supervision is not provided before 8.30am. Staff will usually be working on site, but during this time they are preparing for the school day rather than actively supervising children. Parents and caregivers remain responsible for confirming that a staff member is on site before leaving their child. While it would be unusual for no staff to be present, we are a small team and unexpected circumstances can arise — so please don’t assume; check.
Families using a regular early-arrival arrangement will be asked to acknowledge these expectations and their responsibilities. Children using this arrangement need to be able to manage themselves safely and appropriately. If regular concerns arise, the arrangement may be reviewed with the family.
After school, children are expected to head home or be collected promptly unless they are participating in an organised activity. Staff have meetings and other professional commitments after the school day and cannot provide ongoing supervision.
We want Tasman School to be a place where every child feels safe, included and able to learn.
Our approach to behaviour is grounded in our school values:
Tū Tika — Doing what is right
Tū Ngātahi — Working together
Tū Māia — Being courageous
We teach positive behaviour and self-management explicitly, recognise positive choices, and respond consistently when things go wrong.
Our Behaviour Support System distinguishes between minor and more serious behaviours so that responses are fair and proportionate. Wherever appropriate, we support students to understand the impact of their actions, repair harm and make better choices in the future.
More detailed information about our approach is available in the Tasman School Behaviour Support System.
School starts: 8.55am
Morning tea: 10.30–10.55am
Lunch: 12.30–1.15pm
School finishes: 2.55pm
Families are responsible for deciding when their child is ready to travel independently to and from school. We encourage younger children to travel with an adult.
Students riding bikes or scooters must wear an appropriate helmet.
In the morning, bikes and scooters should be taken directly to the bike sheds using the pathway from the bus stop rather than the school driveway.
At the end of the day, students must walk bikes and scooters along the pathway until they reach the road because of the number of pedestrians using this area.
Every child has the right to feel safe and respected at Tasman School.
We encourage children to tell a staff member as soon as possible when something has happened. Early reporting helps us establish what has occurred and respond appropriately.
Bullying involves repeated behaviour where there is an imbalance of power and is different from one-off conflict, disagreement or unkind behaviour. All concerns are taken seriously and investigated before conclusions are reached.
If you are concerned about your child, please contact their classroom teacher in the first instance. We will work with the students and whānau involved to address the situation, repair relationships where appropriate, and support everyone’s safety and wellbeing.
Good communication between home and school is important to us.
Hero is our primary communication platform and is used for information families need to know, including notices, newsletters, reporting and absence notifications. We encourage all parents and caregivers to have access to Hero.
Our Facebook page is used primarily to celebrate school life, learning, activities and achievements. Following Facebook is optional; essential information will be communicated through Hero.
Please ensure the school office always has your current email address, phone number and emergency contact details.
We value the informal conversations that happen before and after school and you are always welcome to say hello, ask a quick question or touch base with your child’s teacher.
If there is something important you would like to discuss, particularly a concern about your child’s learning, wellbeing or experience at school, we ask that you make an appointment through the school office. This allows us to set aside appropriate time, gather any information we may need, and give the matter the attention and consideration it deserves.
Good communication is an important part of the partnership between home and school, and we would much rather hear about a concern early so we can work through it together.
We value open, respectful communication and encourage concerns to be raised directly and as early as possible. Our aim is to work together in good faith to understand concerns and find a constructive way forward.
Wherever appropriate, concerns should be addressed at the lowest level possible in the first instance. For most matters involving a child, this means talking with their classroom teacher or the staff member directly involved. Raising concerns early gives everyone the best opportunity to clarify what has happened, hear different perspectives and resolve matters before they become more difficult.
If a concern cannot be resolved at this level, or if the nature of the concern makes it inappropriate to approach the person involved, it can be referred to the Principal. More serious or unresolved matters may progress through the school’s formal complaints process.
The Board’s role is primarily one of governance rather than managing the day-to-day operation of the school. Where a matter is operational, the Board will generally expect the school’s concerns and complaints process to have been followed and appropriate opportunities for resolution with staff and the Principal to have occurred first. Complaints about the Principal, or matters that appropriately sit within the Board’s governance responsibilities, may be referred to the Presiding Member of the Board.
Throughout the process, we ask everyone involved to communicate respectfully, protect the privacy and dignity of others, be open to hearing different perspectives, and work in good faith towards resolution.
Our full Concerns and Complaints Policy and Procedure sets out the process in more detail and is available through our school policies.
School dental services are provided through the Community Oral Health Service. Families will be contacted directly when their child is due for an appointment.
Students have access to school-owned digital devices and managed Wi-Fi to support their learning. Tasman School has sufficient devices for students, so families are not expected to provide a personal device.
Internet access is managed through Network for Learning (N4L), including filtering designed to reduce access to harmful or inappropriate material.
Students are taught to use digital technology safely, responsibly and respectfully.
Tasman School has procedures for a range of emergencies, including evacuation, lockdown and shelter-in-place situations.
Staff and students practise emergency procedures during the year. In a significant emergency, our first priority is the immediate safety of students and staff. Families will be contacted through our established communication channels as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.
Please ensure your contact and emergency contact information remains current.
We welcome enquiries from families considering Tasman School.
Children starting school for the first time are invited to take part in transition visits before their first day. Please contact the school office to arrange these.
From 2027, Tasman School operates cohort entry for children beginning school. Children who have turned five will start on one of two designated entry dates each term, generally at the beginning of Weeks 1 and 5. We will confirm your child’s appropriate starting date with you.
When enrolling, families will be asked to provide the documentation required to confirm their child’s identity, age and eligibility to enrol in a New Zealand school.
Tasman School operates an enrolment scheme. Please contact the school if you are unsure whether your home address is within our school zone or would like information about out-of-zone enrolment.
Fundraising is supported by a dedicated group of parents and community members. New helpers and ideas are always welcome.
Our major annual community fundraising event is the Tasman School Muddy Buddy, usually held in March.
Fundraising makes an important contribution to the additional resources, facilities and opportunities our students enjoy.
Please let us know about any health, allergy or medical information that may affect your child at school.
Medication that needs to be administered during the school day must be provided to the school office with the appropriate information and authorisation.
Please contact the office if your child’s health needs or medication change.
Hero is our main school communication and reporting platform.
Through Hero you can receive notices and newsletters, report absences, access learning and reporting information, and complete other school processes.
Your Hero account is linked to the email address supplied when your child enrols. Once your enrolment has been processed, you can download the Hero app and create your account using this email address.
If you have difficulty accessing Hero, please contact the school office and we will help get you connected.
Home learning will vary depending on children’s age and learning needs. Reading regularly with and to children is one of the most valuable ways families can support learning.
Teachers may also provide home learning activities where these support classroom learning or an individual student’s needs.
If you have questions about how best to support your child’s learning at home, please talk with their teacher.
Children are encouraged to borrow books regularly from our school library and may generally have up to two books issued at a time.
Please return damaged books rather than attempting repairs at home — we have people who can take care of these.
There are no fines for overdue books, but we appreciate books being returned regularly so they remain available for others.
We welcome parent and whānau help in the library. Please contact the office if you are interested.
Please name your child’s clothing and belongings wherever possible.
Lost property is kept on the deck outside Kererū Class during the term. Unclaimed items are cleared at the end of each term.
Encouraging children to take responsibility for their belongings is greatly appreciated.
Special lunch options, sausage sizzles and other fundraising food days are offered from time to time.
Details, prices, ordering information and payment arrangements are communicated through Hero.
Year 7 and 8 students attend technology education at MOTEC at Parklands School on Tuesdays and travel to and from the programme by bus.
Students need to wear closed-in footwear for safety and long hair must be tied back. MOTEC teachers will advise students and families of any additional requirements for particular classes.
An annual fee is charged to cover materials used as part of the programme. Current information is provided to Year 7 and 8 families.
Our school newsletter is generally published fortnightly on a Friday and shared through Hero.
It includes upcoming dates, school news, important notices and information about what is happening across the school.
The Tasman School office is generally staffed each school day from 8.15am to 3.00pm.
If we are unable to answer your call, please leave a message. The school answerphone is checked regularly.
Our community contributes enormously to the opportunities we are able to provide our tamariki.
There are many ways to be involved, including helping with classroom activities, trips, sport, working bees, fundraising and special events. Please speak with your child’s teacher or the school office if you would like to help.
Some roles involving regular contact with children or overnight camps require police vetting in accordance with school procedures.
We genuinely value whānau involvement. It is an important part of what makes Tasman School the community it is.
Please take particular care around the school entrance at the beginning and end of the day.
Drive slowly, watch carefully for children walking and cycling, and follow parking and traffic directions around the school.
Where possible, please reverse into designated parking spaces so you have better visibility when leaving.
During the year we celebrate learning and school activities through Hero, our website, newsletters and, where appropriate, our public Facebook page.
Families are asked to indicate their permissions regarding the use of their child’s image when enrolling. You are welcome to review or change these permissions at any time by contacting the school office.
We take children’s privacy seriously and aim to share images and information in ways that are respectful, appropriate and consistent with the permissions families have provided.
We see reporting as an ongoing partnership between students, whānau and teachers.
Formal reporting takes place at three key points during the year:
Term 1 — Goal-setting meetings
Parents, students and teachers have an opportunity to connect, discuss how the year has begun and agree on learning goals.
Late Term 2 — Mid-year report and parent conference
Mid-year reports are shared with families and followed by parent-teacher conferences to discuss achievement, progress and next steps.
Term 4 — End-of-year report
Families receive a final report summarising their child’s achievement and progress across the year.
You are always welcome to contact your child’s teacher if you have questions or concerns about their learning or progress. There is no need to wait for a formal reporting point.
The Tasman School donation is $75 per child per year.
This is a voluntary donation and helps us provide additional resources, experiences and opportunities for our students beyond what our operational funding covers.
We greatly appreciate the support families provide to our school.
Tasman School does not have a compulsory uniform.
We encourage students to have a Tasman School sports shirt for representing the school at sporting and inter-school activities.
School sports shirts and hats are available for purchase through the school office. Current prices and sizes are available from the office.
Stationery requirements are provided to families and updated each year.
Current stationery lists are available through the school website. The school stocks some specialised items, particularly for children beginning school.
Please contact the office if you are unsure what your child needs.
Tasman School promotes sun-safe practices during the warmer months.
Students are expected to wear an appropriate sunhat when outside during designated terms. Our approach is no hat, play in the shade.
Bucket-style hats provide better sun protection than baseball caps and are our preferred option.
Our school pool is an important part of our summer learning programme. School swimming generally takes place during Terms 1 and 4 when conditions allow.
Swimming and water-safety learning form part of our school programme. If there is a medical or other reason your child cannot participate, please contact their teacher.
The pool may also be available to school families outside school hours through our seasonal pool-key system. Information about availability, expectations, current costs and responsibilities for key holders is communicated before the summer season.
We encourage children to leave valuable or special toys and personal items at home unless these have been arranged with their teacher for a particular purpose.
The school cannot accept responsibility for personal items that are lost or damaged.
Tasman School does not have a compulsory uniform.
Children should come to school in comfortable, tidy clothing that allows them to participate fully in learning, play and physical activity.
Students representing the school at some sporting and inter-school events may be asked to wear a Tasman School sports shirt.
Starting at a new school is a transition for the whole whānau, not just the child. Please don’t feel that you need to know how everything works straight away.
Your child’s teacher and our office team are good first points of contact, and you are always welcome to ask questions.
We value the relationships we build with our families and look forward to having you as part of the Tasman School community.
E Tū Kahikatea
Together we stand. Together we grow. Together we contribute.
Updated September 2026
Next review: September 2027
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