Everything You Need Before Day One

St Patrick’s is currently structured into two age-based syndicates, Year 0 to 3 and Year 4 to 6, with children taught collaboratively in hubs of two teachers. Some programmes involve cross-class grouping within syndicates. Starting year group depends on start date, and children may move classes at some point during the year depending on enrolment numbers.

Starting year group depends on start date, and children may move classes at some point during the year depending on enrolment numbers. As a guide:

Once your enrolment is confirmed, the school will be in touch about pre-school visits. These take place during the term before your child starts and give your child the chance to meet their teacher, see their classroom and become familiar with the school environment before their first day.

Your child will receive all their stationery on the first day, with an invoice issued for this afterward. All books need to be named. They’ll also need morning tea, lunch, a water bottle and, in Terms 1 and 4, a sunhat.

Bring along any portfolios or reports from preschool to share with your child’s new teacher. Visiting the school beforehand, meeting the teacher and showing your child their classroom and the junior playground all help. Pre-school visits are run in the term before your child officially starts, and staff will be in touch to arrange these closer to the date.

It’s normal for children, and parents, to feel emotional in the first few days. If your child is upset, saying goodbye and leaving them with their teacher tends to help more than staying, since children often pick up on a parent’s anxiety. If a child becomes extremely distraught, the school will call.

St Patrick’s signs up to the Government’s donation funding scheme each year, which means families aren’t asked for donations. The main costs to expect are stationery packs, sports team participation and overnight trips or camps. Payment can be set up as an automatic payment (details available from the school office), by internet transfer using your child’s name as reference, or by cash or cheque at the office.

The Archdiocese of Wellington’s Attendance Dues remain a separate legal obligation for families attending Catholic schools, paid directly to the Archdiocese.

School starts at 8.55am. Morning tea runs from 11.00 to 11.40am and lunchtime from 1.10 to 1.50pm, each beginning with a ten-minute eating slot. School finishes at 3.00pm.

There’s no formal list of banned foods, though the school asks that lollies and fizzy drinks stay home. Several students have nut allergies, so foods containing nuts are best avoided altogether. If your child has an allergy, a health form in the enrolment pack needs to be completed, and your child’s teacher and the school office should be informed directly.

All medicines are kept in the school office, and a consent form allows office staff to administer them. Asthmatic children are encouraged to use their inhaler independently where possible. If your child becomes unwell or is injured at school, you’ll be notified. Office staff hold current First Aid certificates and will assess your child before deciding whether they need to go home or need further medical attention. Keeping contact details up to date with the office is important for times like these.

For an absence, call the school anytime and leave a message, or notify through the Etap “@School Mobile” app. If a child isn’t marked present and no message has been received, the school will follow up by text or phone. For lateness, contact the office first, then sign in at the office on arrival before heading to class.

If your child needs to leave school during the day for an appointment, please sign them out at the school office using the iPad before leaving the school grounds. When they return, they’ll need to be signed back in. This helps the school keep an accurate record of where all students are during the school day.

Families are asked to use the wide path between the grass spaces when entering and leaving, and not to drive up the driveway unless arranged in advance. School patrol operates from 8.30 to 8.50am and 3.00 to 3.15pm, and gates stay closed during school hours.

A green polo shirt and green long-sleeve fleece jacket, both with the school badge, and black shorts, culottes or long trousers featuring the green “S K E” logo, standing for Strength, Kindness and Excellence. This is worn with short or knee-length black socks or black tights in winter, plain black shoes or sneakers in winter, and brown or black sandals in summer.

Summer uniform is worn in Terms 1 and 4, and winter uniform in Terms 2 and 3, each with a two-week transition period. Long hair needs to be tied up with brown, black, green or white ties. Jewellery isn’t worn unless it holds cultural significance, though one pair of stud earrings is allowed, and nail polish isn’t worn. Sun hats are compulsory over summer. Please name all clothing, since unnamed lost property is donated to the second-hand uniform shop at the end of each term.

Green school PE shorts and a green t-shirt with the school logo. PE uniform is compulsory from Year 4 up, and for any Year 1 to 3 child playing in a St Patrick’s sports team.

Homework may include reading, learning basic facts, spelling and occasional simple research. It’s meant to build learning habits and home interest rather than cause stress, and classroom teachers share expectations each term.

These are arranged around class programmes, with parent permission always sought before travel. The enrolment form’s agreement covers incidental trips like library, park or pool visits, with other visits arranged as part of the school programme.

Through teachers, parents, friends of the school and local sports clubs working together, children can take part in netball, hockey, rugby, mini-ball and soccer over winter, and t-ball, cricket, touch rugby and softball over summer. Athletics, cross-country and swimming sports are also held each summer, with teams entering inter-school competitions.

There’s plenty of room to contribute, from helping in your child’s class or hub, to coaching a sports team, to helping run the morning breakfast club. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) also fundraises for the school and welcomes new faces at its meetings, listed in the newsletter or on the front quad noticeboard. It’s a good way to meet other parents and learn more about the school with no obligation attached.

The main channel is the Etap “@School Mobile” app, which also delivers the weekly newsletter. The school website and Facebook page (St Patrick’s School, Masterton) are useful too, and families are invited to join their syndicate’s Facebook group once enrolled.

Whole-school masses are held each term for special events and Feast Days. In summer terms, classes take turns attending Mass at St Patrick’s Church on Wednesday mornings at 9.15am, with all whānau welcome. In winter terms, Mass is held at school instead.

Yes, in partnership with St Patrick’s Parish, covering Baptism, Reconciliation and First Communion. The Director of Religious Studies, contactable through the school office, can share further details.

The whole school gathers every second Friday at 9am to pray, sing, share achievements, welcome new students and celebrate birthdays, with hubs taking turns to present. All whānau are welcome to join.