Wellbeing, Health & Safety
Hauora and Wellbeing
We support the wellbeing of our students in many ways by:
- engaging students in a rich, purposeful curriculum connected to our vision, values and strategic priorities
- providing opportunities for students to make decisions about their wellbeing and to be active in leading their learning in agentic ways
- developing student’s voice, student agency and student leadership
- encouraging physical activities for healthy kids
- promoting healthy lifestyles
- supporting high health needs students
- developing a positive school culture
- strengthening the relationships and connections between all members of the school community
- developing personal skills (such as problem-solving, conflict resolution), and helping young people to build resilience in the face of life challenges
- targeting specific problem areas such as the transition between schools, behavioural challenges and relating to others
- using researched programmes that prevent and deal with bullying
- supporting ākonga to be mindful and developing strategies to support emotional regulation
- utilising the principles of Te Whare Tapa Whā
Sun Safety
During Terms 1 and 4 all children are required to wear a sunhat that covers their forehead and neck, when they are outside. Hats from home are fine as long as they provide full protection to the face, ears, and neck. Island Bay School sunhats are also available to purchase (in person at the office or via Kindo).
Please ensure your tamariki have a named sunhat in their bag every day. Students without a hat will be asked to play in the shade.
We encourage ākonga to apply sunscreen before coming to school each day. It can be useful to have sunscreen in their bag, too. The School also provides access to sunscreen in the learning spaces for ākonga to reapply during the day.
School Parking
We want to keep all students safe when children are being dropped off to and picked up from school.
Please ensure that you park considerately around the school, i.e. no double parking or parking on yellow lines.
Because so many children walk around the school entrance at drop-off and pick-up times, please do not use the main entrance as a turning point.
School Patrol
Our school patrol service is led by Year 6s and supervised by a roster of parents and teachers. Year 6s are trained termly by the Police School Community Officer.
Crossings on Clyde Street and Thames Street are patrolled from 8.30am to 8.55am and 3.00pm to 3.10pm.
We welcome parent assistance with patrols; if you can help, please email lizzie@islandbay.school.nz
Scooters and Bikes
Children are encouraged to walk or ride to school. Helmets should be worn when riding a bicycle or a scooter.
Bike and scooter stands are available next to the bottom turf or at the top block.
Wheels can be used during morning tea and lunch times, as long as a helmet is worn.
Medication at School
If your child requires medication while at school please see the office to complete a permission slip.
All medication is held in the office.
Please let the office know about any allergies or medical needs your tamariki has. Our Learning Support Coordinator, Andrea, is responsible for overseeing ākonga safety plans.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are not to be used by children during school hours.
If children need a mobile phone for safety reasons, parents need to make an arrangement with their guardian group kaiako.
Mobile phones should not be kept in school bags during the day. Phones must be switched off and handed in to the office or to the guardian group kaiako for safekeeping at the beginning of the school day; it will be returned to students at the end of the day.
During the school day, any messages for tamariki need to go through the school office.
Valuables
Valuables, especially toys or money, are also not permitted.
The school cannot be responsible for loss or damage to any property brought to school.
Safety
Children are not allowed to bring dangerous items to school e.g., matches, knives, razor blades, firecrackers, etc.
Dental Service - Bee Healthy
Bee Healthy Regional Dental Service is the community-based dental service providing free (publicly funded) dental care for children in the Greater Wellington Region.
The Bee Healthy mobile dental van visits us each year for Dental Therapists to provide our tamariki with their annual dental examination onsite, at school. If treatment is required, parents/caregivers are contacted by the Dental Therapist to make an appointment at their nearest Dental Hub.
You can contact Bee Healthy directly, by calling 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583) or visiting http://www.beehealthy.org.nz.
Click here for more information and how to enrol or book a dental appointment for preschool and school aged children.
Health
The Public Health Nurse
Nurses are available to visit the school to help with any pupil health problems. A hearing/vision test is administered to every child in their first year at school if they have not been previously tested at an Early Childhood Education Centre.
Head Lice
From time to time, like all schools, we get head lice outbreaks.
When this happens we will put a reminder in the newsletter for everyone to please check your child’s hair for small white eggs or live lice. Inspect your child’s clothes, particularly hats, shirts, scarves, and coats that have been worn during the past 48 hours, looking for lice and eggs.
See here for information on how to get rid of these nasty visitors.
