About Us

Information A-Z

Values at St Francis de Sales

It is expected that the behaviour of the students will reflect the Gospel message of ‘love one another,’ living out the school motto of ‘the measure of love is to love without measure.’

All those at St Francis de Sales live by the fruits of the Holy Spirit, our school values.

Ngā Hua o te Wairua Tapu – The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

  • Aroha - Love
  • Harikoa - Joy
  • Rangimārie - Peace
  • Manawanuitanga - Patience
  • Atawhai - Kindness
  • Piripono - Faithfulness
  • Hūmārire - Gentleness
  • Tikanga whakahaere - Self-Control
  • Ngākaunui - Generosity

Syndicates and Classes

Our Syndicates

St Francis de Sales is organised into three learning teams. This structure helps us build strong relationships, support smooth transitions between year levels, and ensure learning is well-supported at every stage of a child’s journey.

Each syndicate is named after important figures in Te Ao Māori, reflecting our connection to te taiao (the natural world) and the values we hold as a school.

Tangaroa (Junior Syndicate Year 0-3)

Tangaroa is our Junior Syndicate, named after Tangaroa, the god of the sea. This reflects the ocean and its life-giving qualities. Our junior classes (Rooms 2,3,5 and 6) are all named after things from the moana, creating a strong sense of connection to the sea. In this syndicate, we focus on building strong foundations in learning, developing social skills, and helping our youngest learners feel confident, safe, and excited about learning.

Papatūānuku (Middle Syndicate Year 4-6)

Papatūānuku  is named after Papatūānuku, the earth mother, representing growth, strength, and connection to the land. In this syndicate (Rooms 7, 8, and 10), students are encouraged to grow their independence, deepen their learning, and work collaboratively. There is a strong focus on building solid foundations while supporting students to take more responsibility for their learning.

Ranginui (Senior Syndicate Year 7-8)

Ranginui is our Senior Syndicate, named after Ranginui, the sky father.

This syndicate includes our Year 7–8 students (Rooms 13 and 14) and focuses on leadership, independence, and preparing students for the transition to secondary education. Students are given opportunities to lead, mentor others, and take ownership of their learning as they reach for the “sky” in their aspirations.

 

Full list of class names and numbers

 

Please see below an A to Z guide of all our school information. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, please contact Suzanne or Francesca in the school office.

A to Z Directory

Absences

According to New Zealand law, all children enrolled at school must attend unless they are sick. If your child is sick, please phone the school office before 8:55am. Please also let us know if your child will be arriving later than 9:00am.

We have a system in place to follow up on any child who is not present for roll call if parents have not phoned the office. If you need to collect your child before 3:00pm (e.g., for a medical appointment), please call into the school office and sign them out on our tablet.

Family holidays during school time: Parents and caregivers are asked to seek approval from the Principal for any absences arising from family holidays taken outside normal school holidays. Any absence longer than 2 days must be notified in writing. Please email office@sfds.school.nz or send a note to the office.

After School Care and Before School Care

sKids is an accredited and established out-of-school care provider and operates before and after school at St Francis de Sales School.

  • Before school: 7:30am – 8:30am
  • After school: 3:00pm – 4:30pm or 3:00pm – 6:00pm

They offer a great range of activities including cooking, sports, art, crafts, games, STEM, and more. Breakfast and afternoon tea are included in their programmes for all children. For more information, to book, or to view the term plan, please search for sKids St Francis de Sales or email admin@skids.co.nz.

Arriving at School and Collection After School

We prefer children to arrive between 8:30am and 8:45am. We ask parents not to drop children at school earlier than 8:30am as the playground is not supervised before then and teachers are unavailable to supervise children in the classroom. Please ensure your child arrives at school by 8:50am at the latest.

School finishes at 3:00pm. If you are unable to collect your child/ren, please ensure that alternative arrangements are made. Teachers and school staff are not available to supervise children after 3:00pm. Children are encouraged to go home in groups, not alone.

Assemblies

Whole school assemblies will be held twice each term. Dates and times will be posted on the school website and weekly school newsletter.

Each group of classes will also hold at least two hui each term, and the dates of these can also be found on the school website, weekly school newsletter, and syndicate blogs.

  • Whole school assemblies are formal occasions when we meet to sing, congratulate students who have represented St Francis de Sales School or have achieved particularly well, and occasionally to listen to a visiting speaker.
  • Team hui are more casual affairs where students might share their learning and applaud members who have achieved their goals.

All parents and caregivers are welcome to attend assemblies and hui. Preschoolers are also welcome, but we ask that if they are noisy or unsettled, you please take them out for a break as our students need to be able to concentrate.

Behaviour Management @SFDS

Our approach is based on the following convention:

  • Teachers and students have the right to expect and obtain standards of behaviour appropriate to everyone's needs.
  • Teachers and students have the right to work in a pleasant atmosphere.

Our behaviour management system involves early whānau contact when difficulties arise. There are also incentives and awards which affirm positive behaviours. We work throughout the year to establish shared expectations for various school situations and to acknowledge children's positive behaviour. Parents are notified of any concerns regarding their child's behaviour. Please contact your child's teacher if you have any questions or concerns.

Board of Trustees

Please see the designated Board area of this website for up-to-date information, minutes, and annual reports.

Bus Services

St Francis de Sales School is very well served by public transport, both in and out of Island Bay. Buses stop just down from the school on The Parade. For maps, fares, and timetables, please see the MetLink website.

Cellphones

Cellphones should be treated as valuable items (like money) and can be given to the class teacher to be put into the Class Bag for safekeeping during the day. We cannot take responsibility for valuable items that are lost or damaged if they have not been handed in.

At times, especially in the senior school, it may be appropriate for a student to use their cellphone in class (e.g., using the calculator function or taking photos of a science experiment). In these instances, students are expected to take responsibility for caring for their phones and using them appropriately. Children using phones inappropriately at school will have them confiscated and parents will be contacted.

Strategic and Annual Plan

The School Strategic and Annual Plan incorporates our school Mission Statement and sets out a framework within which all school activities are conducted. It provides a benchmark against which we can measure our progress and performance. The plan is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant to the needs of our community. We encourage all parents to familiarise themselves with this document.

Communication

Children learn best when their whānau and school work together in partnership, with regular communication between home and school.

  • Website & Blogs: Our website is updated weekly with information about upcoming events, operations, and school news. Teachers regularly communicate with parents, caregivers, and guardians via email, phone, and team blogs.
  • Face-to-Face: Informal meetings occur both before and after school. You can also schedule a formal meeting with a teacher, Deputy Principal, or Principal at a mutually agreeable time.
  • Cancellations & Emergencies: Cancellations and postponements are communicated by both email and text message. Emergency communications, such as an early school closure, will be sent out via text. Emergency communication for an individual student is always made via a phone call.
  • Information Evenings: Parent meetings and information evenings are held throughout the year to share specific teaching programmes. These offer an excellent opportunity to meet staff, Board members, and other parents.

Dental Treatment

The mobile dental clinic visits the school once a year. The dental therapist is always available to answer any questions you may have. Contact the school office for information regarding the mobile clinic schedule.

EOTC (Education Outside the Classroom)

The Wellington region is rich in learning opportunities, and we take full advantage of these with visits to Te Papa, art galleries, plays, and concerts. We also bring in outside visitors to enrich teaching programmes. Parents' consent is sought at the start of the year for all EOTC trips. Parent help with travel and supervision on these trips is frequently needed.

EOTC opportunities are fully embedded into our curriculum programmes. However, funding provided by the Ministry of Education is not sufficient to cover the full cost. Your trips and visit donations pay for most of the EOTC experiences provided.

Emergency Preparedness

We are well-prepared for emergencies. Staff are trained in dealing with a wide range of emergency scenarios, and there is a robust school policy specifically dealing with emergency situations.

Emergency Contact Information

When enrolling your child, it is essential that you provide alternative contact numbers for emergency situations. It is also vital to inform the school about any special health needs your child may have, such as allergies or medication requirements.

If your circumstances change, you must inform the school office immediately regarding updates to your address, work/home phone numbers, emergency contacts, care/custody arrangements, or changes to your child's health status.

Enrichment Programmes

These vary from year to year depending on the availability of tuition. We currently offer lunchtime and after-school music lessons for all ages, including piano, ukulele, guitar, and drums.

Enrolment

To enrol your child at St Francis de Sales School, please contact the School Office to arrange a time to complete the necessary documentation. You will need to provide a copy of your child's birth certificate and immunisation certificate.

Closer to your child's start date, you and your child will be invited to a gathering to meet the teacher, alongside other parents and children starting in the following term. We also recommend scheduling two transition visits for your child through the school office to help them become familiar with school routines.

Healthy Eating & Lunchtimes

The school promotes healthy eating habits and enforces a water-only policy. Lollies, chewing gum, and fizzy drinks are not permitted at school.

  • Lunch Hour: 12:30pm – 1:30pm. At the beginning of lunch, children must sit down inside their classroom for the first 10 minutes (12:30pm – 12:40pm) to eat their lunch under teacher supervision. This is a health and safety requirement to ensure children do not skip meals. Once finished and the area is clean, they may go out to play.
  • Lunch Orders (via Kindo):
    • Wednesday: Subway (Orders close 9:00am Wednesday)
    • Thursday: Sushi (Orders close 9:00am Thursday)
    • Friday: Pita Pit (Orders close 9:00am Friday)

Homework

Homework involves parents more closely in their children's education, helping consolidate newly acquired skills and develop good study habits. We encourage parents to strike a balance between regular homework and leaving sufficient time for extracurricular activities (such as sports, music, or clubs) and family time. Teachers monitor and provide feedback on completed work but will not penalise children who do not complete it.

  • Junior School (Years 1–3): Home reading books (parents are asked to listen and provide encouragement) and daily word lists. Once reading independently, we encourage 10–30 minutes of independent reading daily.
  • Middle School (Years 4–5): Maths worksheets or recommended websites, at least 15 minutes of daily reading, and weekly spelling lists.
  • Senior School (Years 7–8): Inquiry research topics, weekly spelling lists, approximately 30 minutes of daily reading, and at least 3 weekly Mathletics sessions (aiming for over 1,000 points each time).

Injury or Illness

There is a first aid/medical room located within the administration area. Minor injuries will receive first aid treatment at school. In more serious cases, the Accident and Emergency department at Wellington Hospital will be utilised, and parents will be contacted immediately.

Children who become ill at school will not be sent home unless a parent or caregiver has been contacted first. Please keep your emergency contact details updated with the school office.

Late Arrivals

If you bring your child to school after 9:00am, you must call into the school office to notify staff BEFORE your child goes to class. This ensures your child is removed from the automated absence list before office staff begin contacting families to check on missing students.

Leaving the School Grounds

No child is permitted to leave the school grounds during the school day unless prior arrangements have been made between a parent/caregiver and the school, or they are participating in an approved EOTC activity. Students must explicitly check out at the office before leaving and check back in upon return.

Lost Property

Please ensure that ALL of your child's clothing and property (hats, shoes, socks, polar fleeces, coats, lunchboxes, drink bottles, and bags) is clearly NAMED. This allows us to return items promptly. Lost property is kept in a large box located in the office, which parents and students are welcome to check.

Medication

Where it is necessary for medication to be administered to your child during school hours, we require written and signed permission accompanied by detailed instructions (dosage and timing). Please complete the Medical Administration Form held at the school office for this purpose.

Meetings with the Principal, Deputy Principal and Staff

The Principal and Deputy Principal are usually available to speak with parents during and after the school day; however, making an appointment in advance is highly recommended.

Teachers are also happy to talk with parents as needs arise. To ensure availability, please email or send a note to your child's teacher to arrange a suitable time before or after school.

Staff Availability Notes: Teachers are not available during the following hours:

  • During school instruction hours (8:50am – 3:00pm)
  • Tuesdays from 3:15pm – 5:30pm (Team Meetings)
  • Wednesdays from 3:15pm – 5:30pm (Staff Meetings)

Money, Valuables and Toys

Children should not bring money, valuables, or personal toys to school. If money must be brought to school for purposes other than special lunches or book costs, it must be handed directly to the teacher for safekeeping during the day.

News and Information

We publish a weekly school newsletter every Tuesday, which is distributed via email and made available on our website. The school website is updated weekly and serves as your first port of call for operational news and upcoming events.

Office Hours

  • Office Manager (Suzanne Lek): Monday to Thursday, 8:00am – 4:30pm
  • Office Assistant (Francesca Peters): Tuesday to Friday, 8:30am – 3:30pm

To leave a message outside these hours, please call the school line at 939-7370 to use the answering machine.

Preference & Non-preference

As per the Education & Training Act, only 5% of our total student roll can be non-preference students where space allows. The remaining 95% must meet preference (Catholic) criteria. A waiting list is sometimes maintained for non-preference positions. Please refer to the Criteria of Preference and our Primary School Priority in Enrolment Procedure available at the office or on our enrolment page.

Payments

Payments to the school can be completed via:

  1. Our online payment platform, Kindo (accessible via the homepage link).
  2. Cash or EFTPOS at the school office.
  3. Internet banking to account number: 12-3141-0233071-00 (Please include your child's name and the payment reason as a reference).

Road Patrol

There are two pedestrian crossings near the school patrolled by senior students alongside a duty teacher or parent volunteer.

  • Morning patrol: 8:30am – 8:50am
  • Afternoon patrol: 3:00pm – 3:10pm

Students are formally trained by the Police Traffic Safety Branch. Parents are asked to cooperate with student instructions. If you can volunteer for a morning or afternoon slot once a week, please contact the school office.

School Hours

  • 8:55am: First Bell
  • 9:00am: School Starts
  • 10:45am – 11:05am: Morning Interval (Students eat inside for the first 5 minutes)
  • 12:30pm – 1:25pm: Lunch Hour (Bell rings at 1:25pm)
  • 3:00pm: School Finishes

School Photos

A professional photographer visits the school twice a year. Plenty of notice will be provided in the newsletter. Orders can be placed for individual, family, class, and sports team photos.

School Routines and Safety Rules

  • Wide-brimmed sunhats must be worn outside during Term 1 and Term 4.
  • During interval, children eat morning tea inside for the first five minutes before going out to play.
  • At lunchtime, children eat inside from 12:30pm to 12:40pm under teacher supervision.
  • We promote healthy eating; lollies and fizzy drinks are prohibited.
  • Children must not leave school grounds during the day without explicit teacher permission and checking out/in at the office.
  • Children may only play on the sports field when a duty teacher is actively supervising the area.

Smokefree Status

Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited inside all school buildings and throughout the school grounds at all times.

Spare Clothing for Accidents

Accidents and spills happen. The school maintains a small supply of spare clothes, particularly for younger students. If your child borrows school clothing, please wash and return the items to the office as soon as possible.

Special Education

The Ministry of Education Specialist Services assist children with specific learning, emotional, or social needs. Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) also work closely with our school to support individual students. You can learn more via the Ministry of Education website or by calling 0800 622 222.

Sports Programme and Sports Teams

Children participate in a comprehensive health and fitness programme. Our school enters local inter-school competitions across several sports, including netball, mini-ball, basketball, futsal, touch rugby, mini polo, and water polo. Parental assistance with coaching and managing is essential. Please contact our sports coordinator, Sarah Fountain, to get involved. All participants must adhere to the SFDS Sports Code of Conduct.

Class Stationery

Stationery lists detailing required exercise books, pencils, and rulers are provided at the start of the year and are posted on the website homepage. Stationery packs can be purchased directly from the school office throughout the year. If top-up stationery items are needed mid-year, a note will be sent home.

Supervision in the School Grounds

Our spacious grounds include the upper turf, the middle basketball court, the middle courtyard, and the bottom netball court.

  • Note: Only students in Years 3–8 are permitted on the bottom court.
  • Playgrounds are patrolled by two rostered staff members during morning interval and lunch break.

Support Services Available

All children have their vision and hearing screened by a vision and hearing technician during their first year of school. Parents will be notified if any potential issues are identified. A speech-language therapist also visits the school upon request to support children with speech difficulties.

Sun Protection

  • Sunhats: It is mandatory for all students to wear a wide-brimmed sunhat during Term 1 and Term 4 while outside. Hats can be purchased from the uniform shop. Year 7 & 8 students may choose to wear either the standard wide-brimmed hat or an official SFDS cap.
  • Sunscreen: Parents are strongly encouraged to provide their children with sunscreen for application before outdoor activities.

Swimming Tuition

All children participate in our compulsory Learn to Swim programme. Students are transported by bus to the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre in Kilbirnie.

We request a donation to cover pool entry, qualified instructors, and transportation. A parental note is required if a child must be excused due to medical reasons. On swimming days, students must bring their swimming gear (togs, towel, and goggles).

Toys

Children must keep personal toys at home to avoid loss, damage, or distraction during class time.

Uniform

Students are required to wear the official school uniform to help build community identity and school spirit. Our on-site uniform shop processes orders through Kindo every Friday. For uniform fittings, please email office@sfds.school.nz to schedule an appointment.