Matangi School – Caregiver handbook

Dear Families,

We’re thrilled to welcome you to Matangi School, a close-knit and welcoming community located just five minutes southeast of Hamilton City. With just under 200 students, we pride ourselves on offering a supportive and stimulating environment where every child feels valued, challenged, and inspired to grow.

About Our School

Matangi School is proud to offer nine learning spaces designed to cater to different year groups and a 25-meter heated swimming pool that supports both lessons and recreational swimming. Our grounds feature expansive grass areas, native planting zones promoting environmental awareness, and adventure playgrounds that encourage physical activity and social interaction for all ages.

Most of our students begin their journey here at age five having come from local early childhood centres such as kindergartens and playcentres. After completing Year 6, most children transition to Berkley Middle School, where they continue their educational journey.

Learning Hubs and Curriculum

We organize our school into three vibrant hubs to provide targeted learning experiences:

Tōtara Hub (Years 0-2): Focuses on foundational skills through a blend of play-based and structured learning, nurturing early literacy and numeracy in a nurturing environment.
Rimu Hub (Years 3-4): Builds on those foundations with increased independence, engaging students in inquiry learning and broadening their knowledge across subjects like science, social studies, and the arts.
Kahikatea Hub (Years 5-6): Prepares students for the next stage of schooling with opportunities for leadership, problem-solving, and deeper project work.

Our curriculum aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum framework, aiming to develop confident, connected, and actively involved learners. We offer rich learning opportunities in literacy, numeracy, science, technology, the arts, and physical education, always embedding the values of respect, responsibility, resilience, relationships and reflection.

Daily Life and Wellbeing

Each day begins at 8:55am with mat time helping students settle and feel connected. Learning blocks in the morning focus on literacy and numeracy, balanced with brain breaks and physical activity to maintain focus and energy. Afternoons are for inquiry learning, arts, science, social studies, and PE.

Lunch and morning tea breaks offer vital social time, with plenty of space for running, playing, and enjoying our natural environment.

Attendance and Communication

Regular attendance is crucial for your child’s learning and wellbeing. If your child is absent, please notify the school before 9am via our Hero app, phone, or email. For families needing after-school care, our onsite Tui House programme provides a safe and fun environment until 5:30pm, with supervised activities including arts, games, and sports. Afternoon Tea is provided.

We maintain open and transparent communication with families. Teachers are happy to meet to discuss your child’s progress, and we keep you informed through weekly newsletters, our Hero app, website updates, and social media channels.

Health, Safety, and Wellbeing

Your child’s safety and wellbeing are paramount. Please inform us of any allergies, medical conditions, or special requirements at enrolment or as they arise. If a child becomes unwell during the day, we contact parents promptly.

We promote sun safety with a hat and sunscreen policy during Terms 1 and 4 and encourage safe play around our playground, bike track, and swimming pool. Helmets are compulsory for all wheeled activities such as scooters and bikes.

Our school follows a restorative approach to behaviour management, focusing on understanding, repairing relationships, and supporting positive growth. We work closely with families to ensure a consistent and nurturing approach.

Uniform and Equipment

Matangi School requires a uniform to foster a sense of belonging and pride. Uniform items are available through NZ Uniforms in Hamilton. Please ensure all clothing and personal items are clearly named. Students should also bring a named water bottle and wear appropriate footwear for daily physical activity.

Support and Enrichment

We are committed to meeting the diverse learning needs of our students. Our support team includes learning assistants, speech therapists, and visiting specialists who collaborate with teachers and families. For students excelling or with special talents, we will help and support them to provide enrichment opportunities in areas such as music, sport, and cultural activities.

Community Involvement

We believe families are vital partners in education. We warmly invite you to be involved through volunteering, attending events like our Book Fair, Agricultural Day, and cultural celebrations. Your participation enriches our school community and supports your child’s sense of belonging.

We look forward to working alongside you to provide an engaging, supportive, and joyful learning journey for your child. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, ideas, or just to say hello!

The Matangi School Team
Contact us at: office@matangi.school.nz | Phone: (07) 858 1234
Visit: www.matangi.school.nz