Enrolling Your Child
Before your child starts school a number of pre-school visits can be arranged. These visits are designed to make the transition from home or early childhood facility to school as smooth as possible. Contatct Nicki Annan, our junior school teacher to arrange these visits.
When enrolling your five year old at Dorie School, you will need to bring a copy of your child’s birth certificate and a copy of their immunisation certificate. Leigh or Sarndy in the school office will provide you with an enrolment form to complete, or you can access the one on our website. If you have arrived from overseas you need to have a copy of your child’s current student visa or new resident papers. This information is a requirement from the Ministry of Education. If you are enrolling your child from another school in New Zealand, you will only need to complete the enrolment form. All information is treated in strict confidence.
Before your child starts school a number of pre-school visits can be arranged. These visits are designed to make the transition from home or early childhood facility to school as smooth as possible. Contatct Nicki Annan, our junior school teacher to arrange these visits.
When enrolling your five year old at Dorie School, you will need to bring a copy of your child’s birth certificate and a copy of their immunisation certificate. Leigh or Sarndy in the school office will provide you with an enrolment form to complete, or you can access the one on our website. If you have arrived from overseas you need to have a copy of your child’s current student visa or new resident papers. This information is a requirement from the Ministry of Education. If you are enrolling your child from another school in New Zealand, you will only need to complete the enrolment form. All information is treated in strict confidence.
Reporting to Parents
Teachers at Dorie report to parents in the following ways:
You are welcome at any time to talk with your child’s teacher about how your child is progressing at school and how you can help them at home.
Teachers at Dorie report to parents in the following ways:
- Meet The Teacher Evening - This takes place at the very beginning of the school year and involves a BBQ, socialising and mixing with other parents. Each teacher will outline their classroom programme, routines, etc. Parents have the opportunity to ask questions and speak to staff individually.
- 3 Way Learning Conferences – You and your child will meet with the teacher to discuss achievement, next step learning goals and how these will be achieved. Conferences are held in June/July.
- Written Reports – These are sent out at mid year and end of each year, giving a written summary on how your child is progressing at school.
- Informal Meetings – Teachers may contact you or you may wish to contact your child’s teacher to arrange a meeting to discuss their learning or any other issues.
- Informal Observations – You may have the opportunity to see, first hand, your child in learning situations when you come along to school for assemblies, parent help, or to take part in special school events.
You are welcome at any time to talk with your child’s teacher about how your child is progressing at school and how you can help them at home.
School Times
· School day commences at 8.50am
· Morning Tea break: 10.00 - 10.20
· Milk and Fruit break: 11.25 - 11.35
· Lunch break: 12.35 - 1.20
· School finishes at 2.50pm for buses to leave by 3.00pm
In general, children not travelling by bus should arrive at school no earlier than 8.30am to allow teachers their preparation time for each days lessons.
· School day commences at 8.50am
· Morning Tea break: 10.00 - 10.20
· Milk and Fruit break: 11.25 - 11.35
· Lunch break: 12.35 - 1.20
· School finishes at 2.50pm for buses to leave by 3.00pm
In general, children not travelling by bus should arrive at school no earlier than 8.30am to allow teachers their preparation time for each days lessons.
Parents Contribution
Parents are encouraged to be part of their child’s learning and we appreciate all support. It is proven that children are more likely to do well at school when their parents are actively involved. Learning is a co-operative effort between school and home, and a crucial part of all of this is communication. The teachers at Dorie are always happy to talk about and discuss any matters relating to your child’s learning. We always look forward to working with parents and caregivers as part of our school family.
Parents are encouraged to be part of their child’s learning and we appreciate all support. It is proven that children are more likely to do well at school when their parents are actively involved. Learning is a co-operative effort between school and home, and a crucial part of all of this is communication. The teachers at Dorie are always happy to talk about and discuss any matters relating to your child’s learning. We always look forward to working with parents and caregivers as part of our school family.
Accidents or Illness at School
Parents or caregivers will be informed of any accident or sickness at school as soon as possible. Please inform the school of a contact phone number or caregiver should you be unavailable. The Principal will act in place of the parent until you can be reached.
Parents or caregivers will be informed of any accident or sickness at school as soon as possible. Please inform the school of a contact phone number or caregiver should you be unavailable. The Principal will act in place of the parent until you can be reached.
Assemblies
School assemblies are usually held every second Friday from 2:15pm. Parents are most welcome to attend. At each assembly one class will be sharing some of the work that they have been doing with their teacher. Our assemblies are organised and run by members of the Student Council.
School assemblies are usually held every second Friday from 2:15pm. Parents are most welcome to attend. At each assembly one class will be sharing some of the work that they have been doing with their teacher. Our assemblies are organised and run by members of the Student Council.
Education outside the Classroom (E.O.T.C.)
Our teachers are well aware of the need to make learning experiences as real and relevant to the students’ world as possible. We are also aware of the need to expose our students to a variety of learning experiences outside the walls of the classroom. To help meet this goal we offer the following learning experiences;
Our teachers are well aware of the need to make learning experiences as real and relevant to the students’ world as possible. We are also aware of the need to expose our students to a variety of learning experiences outside the walls of the classroom. To help meet this goal we offer the following learning experiences;
- Toroa camp
- Science and Technology Road Shows
- Art Gallery and Museum visits
- Ski Day
- Agri Day – shared with Chertsey School
- Athletics, Swimming and Cross Country with Ashburton Christian and Rakaia Schools
- Speech Competition – with four other local schools
Health and Safety
The health and safety of the children in our care is paramount and we take all reasonable steps to ensure that everyone at Dorie School is working and playing in a safe environment.
If your child has any health problems or disabilities that may affect them at school, please make this known to the principal when you enrol. We have access to a number of health and helping agencies and are happy to assist where we can. Any medicines or prescribed drugs your child may need should be handed in to the office in a named plastic bag with instructions on dose and frequency etc.
Pam Eaden, our Public Health Nurse visits the school regularly, while dental nurses visit once each year.
Our school has a ‘Safe in the Sun’ Policy that states that children will wear school sun hats in the summer (Terms 1 & 4). These hats must be kept at school. We also have a shelter over the sandpit and shade sails for the eating area. Children are expected to have lunch in the sheltered areas and are encouraged to use these areas and other shade areas during sunny days. In summer, we recommend parents also ensure a daily application of sun-block before your child comes to school. We also have sunblock available at school.
Playground safety is a priority. All equipment is subject to regular safety checks.
The health and safety of the children in our care is paramount and we take all reasonable steps to ensure that everyone at Dorie School is working and playing in a safe environment.
If your child has any health problems or disabilities that may affect them at school, please make this known to the principal when you enrol. We have access to a number of health and helping agencies and are happy to assist where we can. Any medicines or prescribed drugs your child may need should be handed in to the office in a named plastic bag with instructions on dose and frequency etc.
Pam Eaden, our Public Health Nurse visits the school regularly, while dental nurses visit once each year.
Our school has a ‘Safe in the Sun’ Policy that states that children will wear school sun hats in the summer (Terms 1 & 4). These hats must be kept at school. We also have a shelter over the sandpit and shade sails for the eating area. Children are expected to have lunch in the sheltered areas and are encouraged to use these areas and other shade areas during sunny days. In summer, we recommend parents also ensure a daily application of sun-block before your child comes to school. We also have sunblock available at school.
Playground safety is a priority. All equipment is subject to regular safety checks.
Homework
Each classroom teacher will set home tasks that are appropriate to the needs of the class and individuals. This may include reading, spelling, basic facts, topical activities or current events. Reading at home is always useful to help build skills and develop vocabulary. Junior school children will have an emphasis on reading to and with you. Homework activities should be practicing skills learnt at school and a great time for you to share in and enjoy your child’s learning. Homework should not be “stressful”!
Each classroom teacher will set home tasks that are appropriate to the needs of the class and individuals. This may include reading, spelling, basic facts, topical activities or current events. Reading at home is always useful to help build skills and develop vocabulary. Junior school children will have an emphasis on reading to and with you. Homework activities should be practicing skills learnt at school and a great time for you to share in and enjoy your child’s learning. Homework should not be “stressful”!
Lost Property
Please ensure that all clothing is clearly marked with your child’s name. Any items of clothing doesn’t have an owner is put into the Lost Property Box, which is located in the school foyer and may be checked for missing articles at any time. Items of value should not be brought to school unless for special occasions and then should be given to the teacher for safe-keeping. The school accepts all care but no responsibility for lost property.
Please ensure that all clothing is clearly marked with your child’s name. Any items of clothing doesn’t have an owner is put into the Lost Property Box, which is located in the school foyer and may be checked for missing articles at any time. Items of value should not be brought to school unless for special occasions and then should be given to the teacher for safe-keeping. The school accepts all care but no responsibility for lost property.
Music Festival
Every second year during Term 2 our senior children (usually Year 5-8) have the opportunity to participate in the Mid Canterbury Schools Music Festival, which is a massed choir event with other Ashburton schools. In 2025, our choir will be participating.
Newsletters
Our main newsletter is issued fortnightly on Fridays, with past and present happenings. Occasionally it is necessary to issue other newsletters and notices throughout the week. All newsletters and notices will be sent via Hero with a hard copy sent home if requested. You can also find our newsletter on the website.
Our main newsletter is issued fortnightly on Fridays, with past and present happenings. Occasionally it is necessary to issue other newsletters and notices throughout the week. All newsletters and notices will be sent via Hero with a hard copy sent home if requested. You can also find our newsletter on the website.
School Lunches
Generally children bring a packed lunch to school from home. There is a pie warmer available for heating food which the children are welcome to use. Items to go into the pie warmer must be wrapped in tin foil and clearly named.
School Office
The School Office is staffed by 2 secretaries: Mrs Sarndy Vanderweg and Mrs Leigh Collinge. Sarndy is at school Tuesday 9am - 5pm. Leigh works on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:45am - 12:45pm. The answer phone is on at all other times and is checked regularly.
Sports
There are many opportunities for developing skills in a variety of sports, often with other schools as friendly games or more competitively, as representatives at County or Zone fixtures. Swimming, Athletics, Tennis (‘O’Malley Cup’ at Rakaia), netball, soccer, rugby, miniball and cricket are some options available and coaching and/or Saturday games are available for some sports as well. Ask at school for more information.
There are many opportunities for developing skills in a variety of sports, often with other schools as friendly games or more competitively, as representatives at County or Zone fixtures. Swimming, Athletics, Tennis (‘O’Malley Cup’ at Rakaia), netball, soccer, rugby, miniball and cricket are some options available and coaching and/or Saturday games are available for some sports as well. Ask at school for more information.
Stationery
The school office has a small amount of stationery available for purchase – mostly pencils, pens etc. for when parents are not able to get into town.
The school office has a small amount of stationery available for purchase – mostly pencils, pens etc. for when parents are not able to get into town.
Swimming
During the swimming season the children are expected to bring their togs every day. Our pool is solar heated and teachers will use discretion regarding suitability of weather. Togs, towels etc must be kept in a bag and no togs, towels or combs are to be shared.
Technology
The school has a number of computers, laptops and iPads available in each classroom and our students have ’hands on’ from their entry to school. Our computer system is networked which enables consistent access throughout the whole school. We have a BYOD system for the students in Years 4 - 8, where they are encouraged to purchase their own Chromebook to use in the classroom. Our students are exposed to all facets of technology throughout the year. Year 7 & 8 students also attend Manual/Technology Education in Ashburton one day per week for two terms.
The school has a number of computers, laptops and iPads available in each classroom and our students have ’hands on’ from their entry to school. Our computer system is networked which enables consistent access throughout the whole school. We have a BYOD system for the students in Years 4 - 8, where they are encouraged to purchase their own Chromebook to use in the classroom. Our students are exposed to all facets of technology throughout the year. Year 7 & 8 students also attend Manual/Technology Education in Ashburton one day per week for two terms.
Uniform
The school uniform is compulsory at Dorie. It can be purchased from The Warehouse in Ashburton and is very reasonably priced. The colours are navy and red with the Dorie Logo. Red sun hats with Dorie School may be bought from the school office and must be kept at school. Second hand uniforms are available – please see Leigh or Sarndy in the office for details. We encourage our students to wear their uniform with pride.
You can view our uniform requirements here.
Support Systems
The school has access to a number of support services in education, health and welfare. Please contact the principal if you or your child requires help in these areas.
The school has access to a number of support services in education, health and welfare. Please contact the principal if you or your child requires help in these areas.