Info Central

Looking for key information—like bus details, school device use, or sun hat requirements? You’re in the right place.

For more information, call reception on 574 2106 or access our school policies via SchoolDocs.

SchoolDocs provides up-to-date, tailored policies for New Zealand schools. Policies are regularly updated to reflect changes in legislation, Ministry guidelines, and school needs.

To access Havelock School Policies

username: havelock password: dolphin

Absences & Attendance

Regular attendance is essential for learning and sets lifelong habits. The government’s target is for students to attend school more than 90% of the time. In 2023, New Zealand’s Term 2 regular attendance rate was only 47.1%, compared with 80.6% in England and 61.6% in Australia, highlighting the importance of good attendance.

Parents and caregivers must notify the school by 9:15am using the HERO app if a child will be absent, and provide a reason. Simply saying a child is away is not enough, as the school is required to record absences using Ministry of Education attendance codes. Holidays during term time are coded as unjustified and require prior permission by emailing principal@havelock.school.nz

Havelock School uses the STAR (Stepped Attendance Response) plan, which ensures no child is left behind. Every student, parent, teacher, and school has a role to play. Daily attendance is recorded in HERO each school day, and absences without proper information are marked as unjustified or truant.

Justified absences include: illness or medical reasons, justified overseas posting, or absences approved by the Principal.

Unjustified absences include: truancy, unexplained absences, or holidays during term time.

Even a few days away each term can add up over the years, so absences should be limited to illness or unavoidable reasons.

Communication & HERO

Havelock School uses the HERO app as our main communication tool. Download it on iOS or Android to receive instant notifications, view school notices, term dates, and the calendar of events (linked to the school website). HERO also gives you access to your child’s learning, work samples, and curriculum updates.

Contacting Staff & Administration:

Caregiver Communication: Use HERO to message your child’s teacher for non-urgent matters. Teachers usually respond within 48 hours during school days.

Direct Messaging to Admin & Principal: Use this HERO page to request meetings, ask questions, or share concerns, including pick-up/drop-off arrangements. This isn’t for urgent matters—call the office at 03 5742 106 if you need a quick response.

Email: Teachers can also be contacted via email (firstname@havelock.school.nz). Contact details are under Our People on the school website.

During the School Day:

Urgent messages can be sent via HERO or by calling the office (Mon–Thu, 8:00am–2:30pm; Wed/Thu until 1:30pm; closed Fridays). 03 5742 106 The office answer machine is checked regularly.

HERO keeps parents connected, informed, and involved in their child’s learning journey—making it easy to stay up to date and engaged.

Digital Learning & Cybersafety

Digital learning is an important part of the Havelock School programme in all classes. It also allows students in Wakamarina and Pelorus to continue learning and stay connected when they are away from school for extended periods. While digital tools support learning, they are just one part of our approach, which also includes many hands-on, classroom, and outdoor experiences.

All students and families are expected to follow our cyber safety guidelines when using school devices or participating in online sessions. Online learning is designed to keep students engaged, maintain social connections, and complement classroom learning—not replace it.

We aim to help students become confident, capable, and responsible digital citizens by using technology safely and effectively while respecting privacy, copyright, and online etiquette.

Key points:

Students access learning through digital tools alongside offline and hands-on activities
Cyber safety guidelines must be followed at all times
Online learning supports connection, engagement, and learning continuity
Serious breaches are addressed according to school policy and, if needed, with advice from Netsafe or relevant authorities

By combining strong cybersafety practices with digital learning, Havelock School ensures students can learn, connect, and grow safely in a digital world.

Dress Code and School Uniform

Students should dress appropriately for school so they can take part fully in all indoor, outdoor, sports, and PE activities. Comfortable clothing such as shorts, polo shirts, and sweatshirts are ideal, with longer trousers or tracksuit pants for cooler weather.

Clothing should also suit the activity at hand—for example:

Cross country or outdoor activities: suitable shoes and sun-smart clothing that covers the shoulders.

Technology classes (Yr 7/8): long hair tied back and closed-in shoes (not gumboots) for safety.

Makeup, including nail polish, is not worn at school, and jewellery should be minimal and safe. Hair should be tidy and not interfere with participation in school activities.

When representing the school at sports days, performances, or other events, students are required to wear the blue school shirt and black shorts. Blue school shirts are available from the school office at cost or via an easy payment option—just ask. Sometimes secondhand school t-shirts are available.

Educational Outside of the Classroom - EOTC

At Havelock School, Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) includes camps, sports, cultural activities, and local or wider community visits.

EOTC gives students:

Hands-on learning linked to the curriculum
Confidence, teamwork, and social skills
Awareness of the environment and local culture
Opportunities to explore new places safely

Safety is a priority: all activities are planned, risk-assessed, and approved according to Ministry of Education guidelines. Every effort is made to include all students and support their participation.

EOTC experiences are designed to be memorable, enriching, and fun—helping students learn from the world around them.

Health, Safety and Welfare

Havelock School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, both at school and during school activities off-site. The Board sets policy and delegates implementation to the Principal.

Board Responsibilities

The Board ensures:

A safe physical and emotional environment for everyone
Compliance with legal health and safety requirements
Emergency planning is up-to-date
Food safety and healthy nutrition for students
Continuous improvement of health and safety practices

Implementation

The school:

Delegates day-to-day responsibility for health and safety management to the Principal, with oversight and support from the Board.
Ensures staff are trained, informed, and involved in safety procedures
Encourages staff to identify hazards and manage risks
Provides induction, training, and supervision for all workers
Consults and coordinates with contractors
Maintains clear procedures for supervising students, sun protection, machinery and hazardous substances, medication, chronic conditions, and visitor access

Code of Conduct

Havelock School maintains a Code of Conduct to ensure a safe, respectful, and positive environment for everyone. This applies to:

Staff – professional behaviour and interactions with students, colleagues, and the community
Visitors & Community Members – expected conduct while on school grounds or in the presence of kids during school activities
Board Members – upholding responsibilities and ethical standards in governance

The Code of Conduct supports health, safety, and welfare by setting clear expectations for behaviour and ensuring everyone in the school community contributes to a safe and supportive environment.

Tools & Procedures

We maintain:

Hazard register – risks are identified, eliminated, or minimised
Accident register – including first aid records; serious incidents reported to WorkSafe NZ
EOTC planning – all off-site activities follow Ministry of Education regulations and risk management guidelines
Emergency plans – drills and evacuation procedures are regularly tested
Digital technology & cybersafety policies – safe, responsible use of ICT

Minor Sickness & Injury

Temporary rest facilities are available
Staff trained in first aid handle bumps, scratches, sprains, and head injuries
Parents are informed by phone or text for injuries requiring follow-up

Medicines

Parents can provide prescribed medication and ensure it is in date
The office manages medication administration and logs all doses
Specific medical conditions should be communicated to the school

Dental Care

Children are able to be seen once or twice a year at the mobile clinic or Blenheim Community Oral Health Clinic
Parents attend appointments and support daily dental hygiene

Public Health Nurse

Visits the school regularly for consultation on individual health concerns
Parents can contact the nurse or school with any health-related concerns

Vision & Hearing Testing

Conducted periodically, typically in Years 1 and 7
Parents are informed if issues arise; referrals are made to family doctors or specialists

Vaccinations

Follow the New Zealand National Immunisation Schedule
Children are able to receive vaccines during school providing parents have given consent after receiving information prior to each immunisation

Homework

Homework at Havelock School supports and reinforces classroom learning and helps link home and school. It is not the parent’s responsibility to teach new concepts—tasks are for students to practice skills, consolidate learning, or finish incomplete classwork. Some activities, like reading together, may involve parent participation.

Teachers:

Set home learning that reinforces lessons and suits students’ age and ability - (reading each night and basic facts practice are common expectations.)
Communicate expectations, routines, and timeframes
Alert parents if there are concerns

Students:

Take responsibility for completing homework
Engage with tasks to the best of their ability

Parents:

Encourage and support their child’s learning
Communicate any concerns to the teacher

Homework is about practicing and consolidating knowledge, not teaching new content at home.

Lost Property

Please help us help your child by clearly naming all clothing and belongings. Lost items can be found on the rack out the back of Kaituna Class, which is regularly sorted to return named items to their owners. Any unclaimed items are donated to the local charity shop.

Meal Breaks

At Havelock School, we follow the Play, Eat, Learn philosophy: children play first, then eat while learning continues, then return to other activities.

Brainfood (9:00am): Healthy snacks such as fresh fruit, vegetables, dried fruit, or nuts are eaten while daily notices and attendance are completed.

Morning Tea play (11:00–11:20am): Children play first, then eat under supervision while the teacher reads or gives instructions.

Lunch play (1:00–1:40pm): Children play first, then eat under supervision while the teacher reads or gives instructions.

Food & Drinks:

Drinks should be water only; no fizzy or energy drinks.
Heating of food may be done occasionally but cannot be guaranteed or relied upon.
Students are encouraged to bring healthy, balanced lunches (fruit, sandwiches, vegetables); treats like chocolate or lollies are discouraged.
Weekly sausage sizzle: On Tuesdays, a $2 sausage sizzle is available

Nude Food & Waste:

All packaging, wrappers, and leftovers are taken home (except very messy items like yoghurt containers)
This helps reduce waste and allows parents to monitor what their child eats
Reusable lunchboxes, wraps, and small plastic bags for messy items are recommended

By following Play, Eat, Learn, students enjoy active play first, refuel with nutritious food, and are ready to focus on learning for the afternoon. Learn more about Play, Eat, Learn here.

More healthy lunch ideas

Reporting & Connection

At Havelock School, we keep parents and whānau informed and involved in their child’s learning through a range of opportunities:

Start-of-Year Gathering: A casual BBQ at the pool for staff and whānau to meet and connect.
Whānau Sharing Evenings: Held in Terms 1 and 3, classrooms are open for parents to see what students have been learning. Children also have opportunities to share their learning and perform for the parent community.
3-Way Learning Conferences: Held twice a year (Terms 1 and 3) , giving parents, teachers, and students a chance to discuss progress and next steps.
Written Reports: Each student receives two written reports per year (July and December).
Assemblies: Each term has three assemblies—one led by each class—to showcase student learning to the school community.
Class Newsletters: Teachers provide weekly updates with highlights and a summary of the week’s learning.
Community Newsletter: Sent fortnightly to keep families up to date with events and news. This goes to the wider community - 600 recipients plus online.
End-of-Year Cultural Celebration & Prizegiving: Featuring a hangi and umu, shared foods from different cultures, and recognition of student achievements.
Year 8 Graduation: Students enjoy a dinner with staff and whānau, followed by the graduation ceremony.
Open-Door Policy: Staff are available to parents to encourage easy communication. Parents are welcome to drop by for a chat, though appointments are appreciated for conferences to respect teaching time. Staff have non-contact time scheduled, with Tuesday mornings set aside for staff meetings.
Other Opportunities for Connection: EOTC activities and events, including but not limited to - swimming sports, cross country, school camps, Pet Day, athletics day, Top Team, and other field trips.

School Transport - Drop off & Pick Up

School Bus

Our bus currently runs along the Kaituna Valley, from mid-way between Renwick and Havelock to the school. Stops and times are confirmed at enrolment. Safety is our top priority: students must follow bus rules, which are displayed in classrooms, and parents must wait on the same side as the bus when picking up or dropping off children.

⚠ Important: The bus service may be at risk of being discontinued if it is not used consistently—please consider this when arranging travel.

Bicycles, Scooters, Skateboards & Pedestrians

Helmets must be worn, and bikes parked in the designated racks. Riding in school grounds is only allowed in designated areas.
Walkers should wear high-visibility vests.
Scooters and skateboards should be wheeled or carried across roads and on school grounds.
Students should use the Main Road exit at the end of the day.
Supervision is provided for bus students, cyclists, and walkers to cross at the end of the day.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up

Please drive carefully in the car park. To avoid congestion, an alternative pick-up/drop-off point is available above the top field on Nicholson St, where older students can walk down through the field.

Special Education & Inclusive Education

Havelock School is committed to inclusive education, ensuring every student has access to learning that meets their needs. Class teachers, in partnership with the Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCo), identify students who may need extra support and plan how this can be provided using school resources, external services, or both.

Where helpful, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is created in collaboration with parents, teachers, teacher aides, and any specialist agencies to guide learning and support.

We work closely with Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) and other Ministry of Education services to support students with learning, social, or behavioural challenges. This may include tailored programmes or behaviour support plans.

As part of fostering inclusion, all students engage in Zones of Regulation learning, which teaches empathy, self-awareness, and strategies to manage emotions—building life skills that support positive interactions and inclusive classrooms.

Sports

At Havelock School, sport is about learning, fun, skill development, and social engagement, not just winning. We follow the Balance is Better philosophy, which promotes participation at a level appropriate to each child, developing confidence and enjoyment in a safe, fair, and inclusive environment. Students have the chance to explore a range of sports and learn teamwork responsibility, resilience, and respect.

Sports Coordinator
Our Sports Coordinator, appointed annually, oversees all school sporting opportunities. This role ensures:

A balance of competitive and non-competitive experiences.
Planning and organisation of school sports lessons, interschool events, and team placements.
Clear communication with parents via HERO about events and volunteer opportunities.
Collaboration with nearby schools when teams need to be combined.

Team Selection & Participation

Teams are selected to promote student development, fairness, and enjoyment.
Placement is based on ability, attitude, and coachability, not simply to “win.”
Students generally compete in their own year group; moving up a grade only happens to meet participation needs.
Parents and students are expected to respect the selection process, coaches, and officials.

Parent & Community Guidelines
We ask parents to:

Encourage children to enjoy the game and celebrate all team efforts.
Respect coaches, teachers, officials, and volunteers.
Support school values of Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience in sport.
Understand that not all events may be entered, due to scheduling or school capacity.

Havelock School sports are about learning, inclusion, and enjoyment. While we value competition, winning is not the primary focus. Our commitment is to provide opportunities for all students, nurturing social skills and personal development through sport.

For more details, including the full team selection policy and Balance is Better philosophy, visit: Balance is Better or refer to our School Sport Policy

Any questions please email Havelock School Sport Coordinator sports@havelock.school.nz

Stationery

For school stationery we’ve teamed up with Office Max where you can get a full list of your child’s class requirements for the upcoming year. Simply search for Havelock school and the class, then you can then buy all the products you need online.

Once you’ve created your order, you can get everything conveniently delivered to your home or office for free for orders over $70! You can pay by internet banking, credit card or debit card. Laybuy* is also available, so you can pay in 6 weekly, interest-free payments and still get your order right away. Plus you’ll be helping our school earn school rewards* that we use to purchase much needed extra resources for our school.

Incidental stationery requirements during the year are available at school.

A materials fee for Year 7 & 8 students attending the Marlborough Technology Centre is included.

The stationery lists are also available on HERO nearer the end of the school year.

Sun Protection

Havelock School is a SunSmart accredited school. Sun protection is important to reduce the risk of skin cancer and eye damage, especially for children.

When sun protection is needed:

Between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm during Terms 1 & 4.
Even on cloudy or cool days, UV rays can be strong.

Our SunSmart practices:

Students wear hats (broad-brimmed or bucket) whenever outside.
Students without hats stay in shade under the shelter out front of the main block of classrooms.
Use of sunscreen (SPF30+) is encouraged; sunscreen is provided by the school.
Activities are planned to reduce UV exposure where possible.
Students are encouraged to drink water and use shaded areas.
Protective clothing such as long sleeves or rash tops is encouraged for outdoor activities. Clothing must cover shoulders.
Staff and parents are encouraged to model sun-safe behaviour.

For more information about sun safety, visit SunSmart New Zealand.

Sweets, Gum, Jewellery, Cell Phones & BYODs

Sweets and chewing gum are not encouraged at school or during any school-related activity. Chewing gum in particular often creates mess. Students should not have, buy, or eat sweets or chewing gum at school, while travelling to and from school, or during school trips, sports, or cultural events.

Jewellery, Make-up & Valuables

Jewellery, if worn, must be safe and suitable for school activities. Make-up, including nail polish, is discouraged. Only one small stud or sleeper is allowed in each ear lobe—no other facial or body piercings are permitted. Valuable items should be left at home.

Cell Phones and BYODs

At Havelock School, we support focused learning by limiting the use of personal digital devices. Students should not bring devices unless required for learning or health needs.

Cellphones are not to be used during school hours, in line with government regulations. Phones brought to school must be handed into the office at the start of the day and collected after school.

BYOD devices may be used under teacher supervision as part of a school-approved programme. All device use must follow our Digital Technology and Online Safety policy.

Swimming ~ School Pool

Swimming lessons are part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum. All students are expected to participate unless medically excused. Parents should provide togs and towels, usually daily. Inter-school swimming sports are typically held early in Term 1.

The school and community pool has been designed to provide a warm and inviting water experience. Parents of younger children are encouraged to support water confidence at home—a relaxed, positive attitude makes learning skills easier, as water confidence is caught, not taught.

After-hours pool access:

Pool season runs from Labour Weekend to approximately Easter.
Community members can apply to be a Season Key-holder via a google form which is shared closer to the pool opening.
Key-holders must be at least 20 years old and agree to the pool rules.
Fee: $80 per season (refundable $20 when the key is returned).
Casual keys may be arranged with the pool custodian/operator (see notice at the pool entrance).

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