If children are away from school for any reason we are, by law, required to have an explanation from parents. Unexplained absences will be referred to the Truancy Service.

Students who arrive after the 8.55 am bell must report to the office before heading to class.

To report an absence please message us and include the child’s name, room number and reason for absence.

You can find more information on theattendance page.

In the case of illness, the child/s caregiver will be notified. Minor accidents will be treated at school. More serious accidents may require further medical attention.

If your child has any special medical condition, or medication, please ensure we know about it. No pills or medicines should be placed in a lunch box or school bag. 

Behaviour Expectations

Behaviour Reporting Flow Chart

If something has been lost please feel free to come and look through the found items in the Lost Property Cupboard at the end of A Block (outside Room 3).

Newsletters can be found on our website.

We have a school Facebook group and encourage whānau to ‘join’ so they can be kept up-to-date with school events.

You can also connect via Seesaw, please speak to the classroom teacher.

Please inform the school if there are any changes that relate to the custody of your children and the rights of access to information about your children. We require a copy of any formal custody arrangements.

Digital Safety is very important to us at Ōtūmoetai Primary School.  To assist, we have partnered with an organisation called Linewize.  Linewize technology ensures a high level of safety for student devices at school by providing filtering and safeguarding. Alerts will be sent to senior staff and at times parents may be contacted. This helps reduce digital distraction and inappropriate use of technology.

Homework - Learning at home is important for children to help develop organisational and self-management skills, and to support the learning that happens at school.

Homework is an educational hot-topic and can be a very contentious issue. Some parents believe their children must have it, some believe that there is too much, some say there is too little, and others do not wish to have any at all.

It is Ōtūmoetai Primary School's policy to have a small amount of homework each day. We expect all students to:

• read for at least 10 minutes at home every day
  It would be great if children could also be read to and have the opportunity to answer questions and discuss the text they have read.

• spend at least 10 minutes on maths at home per day – number learning, basic facts, and/or tables.

Other home learning tasks may be given at the teacher's discretion. Parents will be encouraged to help their child succeed by providing learning experiences at home. Learning activity ideas and websites will be provided to all parents and will be available on the school website.Item description

Formal Parent Teacher discussions are held once a year and a written report is issued to most students at mid and end of the year.  We encourage parents to contact the class teacher if they wish to discuss their child’s progress or if they have any concerns.

OPS Bank Account Info

ANZ : 06-0433-0191076-00

(Please use child's name and what the payment is for in reference/particulars).

Monday: Subway

Wednesday: Sushi

Order here at Kindo!

Lunches will be delivered to the relevant classroom.

NB: if you had an account with Lunch Online you login will remain the same with Kindo.

Ōtūmoetai Primary School offers many opportunities for children to be involved in Sport. Please check the sports page for further information.

At the beginning of the school year stationery is sold in bulk packs. Children will receive a book list on their first day at school. The office stocks all stationery requirements.

Uniform is compulsory at Ōtūmoetai Primary School. Our contracted supplier, NZ Uniforms (94 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga; Phone 07 985 6213), stocks the full range. We have a small supply of second-hand uniforms available from the school office for $5 per item (cash only).

Core Items: The polo shirt and polar fleece must feature the OPS School Logo. Navy track pants, shorts or skorts must be plain navy with no logos, designs or accent colours.

Winter Layers: Navy tights/stockings may be worn under skorts, and navy thermals may be worn under the uniform.

Footwear: Any flat shoes or sandals may be worn. Please note that children must fasten their own footwear independently, and shoes are not permitted indoors.

Hats: A navy bucket or wide brimmed hat is compulsory for outdoor activities during Terms 1 and 4.

Non-Regulation Items:

• Non-regulation polar fleeces, sweatshirts or hoodies.

• Non-navy skivvies or thermals.

• Jewellery (except for taonga) and earrings other than studs or sleepers.

• Headbands with animal ears.

• Visible 'skins' (compression underwear).

• Bike shorts must be an appropriate length and provide adequate coverage.

We pride ourselves on the correct wearing of our uniform and appreciate parents ensuring their children are in the correct attire at all times.