Attendance

Regular school attendance is vital for the success and well-being of our tamariki. Attending
school every day supports our tamariki to build strong foundations for their learning and
social development. Regular attendance also promotes achievement success as tamariki
are able to consistently build on their learning.

Our government has set a national target of 80% of students attending school at least 90% of
the time. This means that tamariki should be absent for no more than one day a fortnight to
ensure that they can have continued success at school.

If your child will be absent for any reason, you must let us know as soon as possible. You must confirm your child’s absence and provide a reason for the absence.

We acknowledge that there are genuine reasons students may occasionally be absent. However, without regular attendance, your child will struggle to make progress. If your child is absent regularly or for extended periods, we will reach out to you to discuss the situation. We are committed to supporting your child in attending school.

We are unable to approve absences due to travel or holidays, as legislation states that every child enrolled at a registered New Zealand school must attend each day the school is open. We have to follow the Ministry of Education guidelines, and your child's attendance records and reports will show their absence due to travel or holidays, as explained, but will be considered unjustified. Please note that any absence of 20+ days will impact a learner's enrolment at school.

Attendace Management Plan and STAR Procedures (Click Here)

Reporting Absences

If your child will be absent for any reason, you must let us know as soon as possible. You must provide a reason for the absence.

In the event of illness or lateness, please report the absence before 9.00 am. If your child is unwell, you must report their absence each day they are away.

If your child is unwell or will be late to school , the easiest way to let us know is either:

HERO via the 'Report an Absence' button
Phone 09 553 6810 and leave a message on the absence line.

In cases of illness

You may be requested to provide a medical certificate if your child is unwell for more than three days.

If you are unsure if your child is well enough to go to school, guidance for parents and caregivers

Extended absences for holidays or other reasons

These must be notified in advance by email to admin@scottpoint.school.nz

We must follow the Ministry of Education guidelines; we are unable to approve absences due to travel or holidays, as legislation states that every child enrolled at a registered New Zealand school must attend each day the school is open.

Bereavement and/or exceptional family circumstances

We understand that events like these are difficult and take time. Please inform us about these situations. Based on the information you provide, we will advise you on how the absence will be recorded.

We are an Apple Device School

Bring your own device (BYOD), recommended for learners in years four and above.

Why?

At Scott Point School we believe that creativity, collaboration, and innovation are vitally important skills for our learners to be active participants in the fast-changing world that we live in. We want our learners to move beyond being technology consumers to becoming digital content and tools creators. Through this process, they will develop the skills to be competent digital problem solvers ready to tackle the challenges they will be presented with now and in the future.

Education

As educators, we are excited to implement the digital technology curriculum in a meaningful and engaging context. This means that we will provide our learners with real-life contextual problems where they are encouraged to research and then develop a solution using the tools they have available. This may include creating an app, making a promotional video, creating a website or designing something new and innovative.

The possibilities are endless.

What We Will Do

In order to achieve this, we believe that our learners need a robust, reliable, and intuitive device that will enhance their current learning program. This is why we have chosen to be an Apple device school. The benefits of using an Apple device are:

More time spent on teaching and learning as they are a reliable device
Increased creativity and engagement
Intuitive device that allows access to a wide range of educational apps and websites
Able to use Google apps for education
Teachers can monitor the learner’s device activity through Apple Classroom

What We Won't Do

We believe really strongly that technology is another tool that we use to enhance learning and that there should always be a purpose for how it is used. Therefore we will not promote:

using technology for busy work
playing non-educational games
using social media (this is banned through our managed network N4L
Cyberbullying (this will not be tolerated and may result in a device being removed from a student for a period of time)

.

Supporting Material

Digital Curriculum

Technology & Creativity

Purchasing

You are welcome to purchase your Apple Ipad or Macbook from any supplier you choose.

You can purchase any model of Ipad or Macbook to suit your child's needs (We do not recommend the iPad Mini).

Cyclone, our IT provider, has created a portal for purchasing Apple products suitable for school use. Please follow this link to explore all available purchasing options.

Cyclone Purchasing Portal

School Donation

For 2026, a donation of $125 to the school for one child or $175 for a family is appreciated. Donations to the school are considered charitable donations, so you should retain your receipt for tax purposes.

Online Learning Portals

Learners in years 0 to 2 will be subscribed to the Little Learners Love Literacy online portal. The cost is $15 a Year.

Learners in years 5 to 8 will be subscribed to the Writer's Toolbox online portal. The cost is $48 a Year.

Trips and Activities

During the year, your child may participate in various trips and activities; we will provide more information as these events occur. Trip and Activity contributions are usually between $25 and $50 per Term.

Education Outside the Classroom / Camps

Every other year (next 2027), learners participate in an Education Outside the Classroom event. The estimated costs for Learners in years 0 to 2 are between $50 and $100

Learners in years 3 and 4 are between $200 and $300

Learners in years 5 and 6 are between $400 and $500

Learners in years 7 and 8 are between $650 and $750

Student Accounts

Student accounts can be viewed at any time using the HERO App. Statements of account will be issued by email at the start of each month.

Payments

Donations, contributions and payments can be made by electronic bank transfer to the school account:

Scott Point School Board

12-3659-0050544-50.

When paying, please reference your child's full name and the line item ID number.

Outside providers run a variety of extracurricular activities before, during, or after school; the current opportunities are listed below.

Basketball X provide a fun and positive introduction to basketball for children of all abilities.

Our program covers a range of topics designed to provide players with the fundamentals of basketball. All programs combine a range of activities with hidden learning elements and the promotion of key traits such as teamwork, social skills and improved motor skills.

Tuesday

From 3:00 pm on the School Courts

For more information and to book, www.sports-x.nz

Kiwi Kick Stars has created a safe space with happy vibes where kids can grow their confidence and resilience while learning valuable physical, social and life skills. Kiwi Kick stars are passionate about football, seeing it as the most inclusive and accessible game in the world, regardless of who you are and where you come from.

Thursday

From 3:00 pm on the School Fields

For more information and to book, www.kiwikickstars.com

Imagine your child playing winning in the badminton social/competitive primary school competition or representing New Zealand at the Junior National Teams event in Palmerston North for Under 13, 15, 17 & 19 in the future.

The New Zealand Badminton Academy & Waitakere Badminton are working together to start a junior badminton training program at Scott Point School

Monday

Year 3-8 students, from 7:45 am in the school hall.

For more information and to book, click here.

Hero is our school's Student Management System and it allows us to create a secure online environment that enables teachers, students, and families to communicate, stay informed and view and share content. Hero allows you to read and comment on posts relating to your child, view information on your child’s progress and goals, read and respond to school notices, view term dates and the school calendar, notify the school if your child is absent or late.

Details on how to register for the App can be found below:

How to get the App

As a first-time user, follow the instructions below to get connected:

Select your preferred way to connect to HERO

Log in via a web browser
Log in via the HERO app – iPhone App Store
Log in via the HERO app – Android Google Play

Select “New User”

Your account will be activated by us during the enrolment process using the email address you provided when you enrolled your children; use this address to request a password.

Add your email address.

Select the “Request Password Link”

Check your email.

HERO will send you an email with a link to follow.

Follow the link.

This will take you to a secure page to enter your chosen password.

If you have problems logging in, please email our office at admin@scottpoint.school.nz to ensure that we have your correct email.

Setting up notifications

Each platform is different, but here is some information to assist you in receiving notifications from HERO.

In the HERO App

Click on your profile image (top right corner)

Select EDIT PROFILE

Scroll down to My Devices and select your preference from the following options:

Default - you will receive in-app notifications on any device logged into Hero with the mobile app. A list of these devices is shown below these options. If you have no listed devices, you will receive email notifications.
Email - you will receive email notifications from Hero
None - you will not be sent any notifications from Hero, but you can log in at any time to view updates from “The Bell”. See Accessing Unread Notifications via "The Bell"

On Apple devices

Go to the Apple device settings icon and select

Scroll down to HERO App and select

Select Notifications

Scroll down to banner style and select persistent.

As part of our school's commitment to reducing waste to landfill and minimising litter around the school, we ask our learners to have waste-free lunches. A waste-free lunch should have no throwaway plastic packaging, and the food is put into reusable containers in a lunch box or bag so that leftover food can be saved for later. Food scraps such as apple cores and banana skins will be collected and composted at school.

We work with ezlunch to provide the following delivered school lunches.

Tuesday - Subway

Wednesday - Chinese

Thursday - Pizza Friends of the School Fundraiser (Terms 2 & 3 only)

Friday - Sushi

2026

Term 1

Monday 2nd February to Thursday 2nd April

Closed - Friday 6th February - Waitangi Day

Closed - 1/2 Day Thursday 12th March - Parent Teacher Conference

Closed - Friday 3rd April - Good Friday

Term 2

Monday 20th April to Friday 3rd July

Closed - Monday 27th April - Anzac Day Observed

Closed - Friday 29th May - Teacher Only Day

Closed - Monday 1st June - King's Birthday

Closed - 1/2 Day Thursday 2nd July - Parent Teacher Conference

Term 3

Monday 20th July to Friday 25th September

Term 4

Monday 12th October to Tuesday 15th December

Closed - Friday 23rd October - Teacher Only Day

Closed - Monday 26th October - Labour Day

The Minister of Education has granted 2 curriculum teacher-only days. The dates are in Terms 2 and 4.

School uniforms are compulsory; school hats must be worn in Terms 1 and 4.

We encourage children to wear comfortable neutral-coloured shoes/sneakers that they can put on and take off themselves, with plain white, navy or black socks only.

In the winter, children can wear a dark blue or black skivvy under their polo shirt and dark blue or black tights under their skort/shorts.

A sports uniform is only required for children participating in sports teams. Children wear their school uniform when their class is participating in physical education.

Our uniform can be purchased online from Argyle Schoolwear. Samples are held at the school office if you need to check sizes before purchasing.

Order Uniform Here

House T-shirts

We have introduced an optional house t-shirt. These t-shirts can be worn during school events, such as school cross country, athletics, and house days.

These shirts are only available for purchase via the school. We will place orders for shirts once per term in the second week and will notify you when it is time to place an order.

Pre-loved Uniform

We have a selection of pre-loved uniform for purchase in the school office; if there is any item you are looking for, please contact admin@scottpoint.school.nz, who can check availability for you.

Uniform donations are greatly accepted if you have a uniform that your child has grown out of or you no longer require. The items will either be sold as pre-loved uniform to help Friends of the School fundraise or as items to use for children who may need a clean set of clothes.

We offer our learners opportunities to participate in various sports at school, interschool events, and sports teams competing in leagues.

Enquiries regarding sports can be sent to sports@scottpoint.school.nz

School Teams

All opportunities to participate in school sports teams are advertised on HERO as they become available.

If your child enjoys running and handball sports, they may enjoy hockey. Each player has a hockey stick which they use to get the ball to the other end of the field and into the other team’s goal.

Winter Season: Terms 2 & 3 Summer Season: Term 4
Games are played at North Harbour Hockey, Rosedale.
Year 1&2: 30 min games, 1/8 turf, 4-a-side, played on a Monday at 4pm or 4:30pm, boys, girls or mixed
Year 3&4: 30 min games, 1/4 turf, 6-a-side, played on a Monday between 4pm and 5:30pm, boys, girls or mixed
Year 5&6: 30 min games, 1/4 turf, 6-a-side, played on a Monday between 4pm and 7:30pm, boys, girls or mixed
Year 7&8: 60 min games, 1/2 turf, 7-a-side, goalkeepers required, played on Mondays or Tuesdays between 4pm and 7pm, boys, girls or mixed
Training is held at the school at a time set by the coach.
Teams are coached and managed by parents or other volunteers.
The cost varies per age group and will be communicated before the season starts.
Uniform: SPS sports shirt purchased through Argyle, dark black or blue sports shorts/skirt and long dark blue socks
Children need their own hockey stick, shin pads, and a mouth guard to play.

The object of the netball game is to shoot the ball through a netted hoop to score goals, each player has a position on the court, the player receiving the ball must stand still until they have passed the ball to another player.

Winter Season: Terms 2 & 3
Games are played at West Harbour School on a Saturday morning between 8am and 12:30pm.
Year 1&2, 30 min games, mixed gender teams
Year 3&4, 30 min games, mixed gender teams
Year 5&6, 30 min games, mixed gender teams
Year 7&8, 45 min games, mixed gender teams
Training is held at the school at a time set by the coach.
Teams are coached and managed by parents or other volunteers.
Fees for the winter season are approximately $45 per player.
Uniform: SPS netball dress hired from the school for the season.

Summer Season: Term 4
Games are played at Pinehurst School on a Saturday morning.

Touch rugby is derived from rugby league. It does not allow traditional tackles, and instead, the players touch their opponent on their body, clothing, or the ball. The game's object is to move the ball up the field and score a try.

Summer Seasons: Term 1 and Term 4
Games are played at Moire Park, Massey on a Wednesday between 4 & 6pm
Year 1-4 Teams are 5-a-side, boys and girls combined
Year 5-8 Teams are 6-a-side, boys and girls separate
Training is held at the school at a time set by the coach.
Teams are coached and managed by parents or other volunteers.
Fees for the season are approximately $50 per player.
Uniform: SPS sports shirt purchased through Argyle, dark black or blue sports shorts/skirt

Basketball is an excellent team sport that helps children develop their cooperative skills and improve their physical fitness. The rules of the game are adjusted according to the age groups to ensure that all children have an opportunity to learn and understand the game's rules and requirements at their skill level.

Seasons: Season 1 is Terms 1 and 2 and Season 2 is Terms 3 and 4.
Games are played at the Y in Massey
Under 7s, play on a Friday
Under 9s, play on a Wednesday
Under 11s, play on a Monday or Tuesday depending on the teams grade
Under 13s, play on a Thursday
Training is held at the school at a time set by the coach.
Teams are coached and managed by parents or other volunteers.
Fees: The fees for are approximately: under 7s and 9s $130 per season. Under 11 and 13 $140 per season.
Uniform: SPS basketball singlet hired through the school for the season

The Ministry of Education has launched a new and informative webspace for parents and whānau, designed to help you support your children’s learning at home and strengthen the relationship between families, schools and kura.

It houses practical videos, activities and resources for supporting learning that are easy to understand, empowering you to take an active role in your child’s education.

An introductory video that walks you through the content is available here.

With the launch of the ‘parent-friendly’ versions of both our national curricula, you will know exactly what your child is learning, why it’s important, and when they’ll be learning it, so that you can actively support and complement your child’s learning at home and have meaningful conversations with your child’s teacher or kaiako.

admin@scottpoint.school.nz 09 553 6810

Information for Families