Absence from class
Parents are requested to notify the school office of their child's absence or lateness prior to 9am. An absence form on our website may also be used. Parents who require children to leave school during school hours should arrange to collect them from the school office and sign them out of the school.
Please make an application in writing to the Principal, in advance, if you need to take your child out of class for an extended period of time.
Afterschool care
MENPS does not provide 'in-house' before or after-school care, however two external care providers do currently offer this service from our school. Brochures are available from the office.
Assemblies and newsletters
School assemblies are an important part of school life. All parents are welcome to attend assembly, which is usually on alternate Fridays at 2.30pm. Assembly dates are advertised in the school newsletter, which is distributed each Thursday. The weekly newsletter informs you of future events and what is happening at school.
Change of contact details
In case of an emergency, it is vital that the school is able to reach parents. Please notify the school immediately of any change of address and phone number, including emergency contact numbers. You can update your contact details using the contact details form on this website.
Dental Care
The Dental Clinic provides a free service for eligible students at the school and local pre-school children from 2½ years. The clinic is open from 8.30am to 4.15pm with a dental therapist on site. The phone contact is 630 6335.
Discovery Zone
In addition to the classroom and Information Centre, the Discovery Zone is part of the ICT opportunities available to all students. The school also has a TV/Video facility. A cyber safety agreement will be distributed to you on enrolment for your completion.
Educational trips
Throughout the year, trips are organised to various places as part of the learning programmes. A general permission slip for each student is signed on enrolment, and information is sent home with details of each trip prior to the trip taking place. The cost of most trips is covered by the school donation. Parent help is usually required for trips in order to establish appropriate adult to child supervision ratios.
Health Nurse
The Public Health Nurse visits the school regularly. If a parent or teacher requests it, the nurse will follow up any matter needing attention.
Homework
Homework is a regular part of the school programme in Years 3-6 and generally should not last more than 30 minutes per day. Tasks may include spelling, maths, reading and gathering information. In most classes, a homework sheet is given to students at the beginning of the week and is expected to be completed by Friday. Year 1 and 2 students take home a reader every day, except Friday.
Illnesses and accidents
Accidents and illness at school are attended to in the sickbay by designated trained first aid staff. Visits to the sickbay are recorded in a logbook. Parents are contacted, except in the case of minor injuries or illness.
Parents should inform the school of any health or associated problems affecting their child. Arrangements must be made through the school office for children needing medication during school hours.
Information Centre
Each class has regular visits to the Information Centre (Library), which is organised to offer book and digital resources to assist the school's emphasis on inquiry learning. This resource is available to students during most lunch breaks. Parents are asked to encourage regular reading at home and to ensure that books are properly looked after and returned.
Lost property
Lost property is kept in an area in the stairwell outside Room 1. At the end of each term unclaimed items are donated to charity.
Lunch system
A tuckshop operates independently on school premises. Children are able to order their lunches from Tuesday to Friday between 8.30am until 9.00am.
Parent involvement
There is plenty of evidence to show that when parents and schools work together, children learn successfully. There are many ways you can be involved: through helping in the classroom, the Information Centre, attending school trips and events, assisting the school apply for grants, coaching/managing sports teams and participating in the PTA to name but a few. Parent participation in the MENPS school programme is actively encouraged. Please let us know if you would like to contribute in any way! PTA contact information is included in the 'Our People' section of this site.
Performing Arts
An increased emphasis has been placed on the performing arts recently. The Junior and combined Middle and Senior areas stage one production each during the year.
Tuition in a range of musical instruments is offered for Year 4-6 students through KBB Music on Fridays. There is a charge associated with this. We also have two choir groups, one recreational and the other, a festival choir, involving selected Year 5 and 6 students.
Playground support
A mentoring programme operates in the playground. Year 5 and 6 students are selected and trained as mentors to ensure that junior students are supported in this part of school-life.
Road safety
All the streets surrounding the school are hazardous. The two crossings in Sherbourne and Valley Roads are patrolled daily from 8.30am to 9.00am and 3.00pm to 3.15pm. Parents are asked to park considerately and observe restrictions in the vicinity of the patrolled crossings.
Parent help is critical for the operation of the patrols. If you are interested in helping please contact the office so your name can be added to the roster.
School Banking
School Banking, in conjunction with The National Bank, is available to students on Thursday mornings between 8.30am - 9 am in the school hall.
School Donation
Donations are an important source of school funds and are used to support all school programmes. The annual donation:
- covers most trips, events and the swimming programme
- applies to the first two children in a family, with a reduction for the third child, and
- is tax deductible
No child will be denied any experience should his or her parents be unable to contribute.
From time to time, there will be an extra charge to cover other approved outings. In the main these are Education Outside the Classroom events requiring off-site or overnight stays.
Sports
Opportunities are provided for students to participate in a wide range of sports, both during school and out of school hours. All students participate in cross country, athletics and the swimming programme. Selected Year 5 and 6 students compete in the Eden/Albert Zone Sports Events.
Stationery
All school stationery requirements can be purchased at school. Parents are advised at the end of each year of their child's stationery needs and cost for the following year. The stationery room is on Level 1 Block 1 and is open between 8.45 am- 9am for any ongoing stationery needs during the year.
Uniform
School uniform is compulsory at Mt Eden Normal Primary School. The uniform policy and details are available here or from the school office. Children are discouraged from wearing jewellery. All clothing should be clearly named and kept neat and tidy.
Lost property is kept in an area in the stairwell outside Room 1. At the end of each term unclaimed items are donated to charity.
Walking School BusesThe Walking School Bus operates similarly to a real bus, in that it leaves from designated ‘Bus Stops’ at specific times and follows a planned route. Parents/caregivers of participating families take turns to accompany Walking School Bus children to school.
We have five established walking school bus routes (four of which are currently active), each managed by a Route Coordinator. It’s free to participate on a Walking School Bus and is a great way to meet other parents and kids in your local area. For more information, including contact details and route maps, download a summary of the MENPS Walking School Bus programme
