Question 1

Absences and Attendance

Accepted Answer

By regulation children are required to attend school unless prevented by illness or some special family circumstance. Please advise the school of any non-attendance by:
 
1. Through the HERO app
2. Email to absence@bps.school.nz
3. Drop in to the Office
4. Phone the school - 480 7365 - OPT 1.
 
Please leave a message by 8:45am. If we are not advised of absences, we will send a text via text stream. This system is a safeguard for your children.

Question 2

Bell Times

Accepted Answer

Our current bell times and timetable are:
8.50 am - School starts
8:55 - Whole school Whānau fitness
9:15 - Leaning Block 1 - With a FAVE break
10:30 - Morning tea play time
10:50 -  Morning tea eating time
11:00 -  Learning Block 2
12:10 -  Lunch play time
12:40 -  Lunch eating time
12:50 -  Learning Block 3
1:45 -  Afternoon play
2:00 -  Learning Block 4
3:00 - End of school day

Question 3

Dental Clinic

Accepted Answer

Our children are treated at the Cluster Clinic. This is located on the school site, but is not part of the school. The entrance gate to the clinic is located next to the lower gateway to the school, near the Warehouse loading bay. Birkenhead Primary children are escorted from class to the clinic, and returned to the school gateway. Contact number is 09-418-0043.

Question 4

Donations

Accepted Answer

Parents are requested to donate to the school to assist the school with its running expenses, and for school activities for the children - trips, visits, events etc. We really appreciate the donations make as it allows us to run programmes and provide opportunities to children and whānau that would not be possible based solely on government funding.

Question 5

Dress and Jewellery

Accepted Answer

Children are required to wear the school bucket hat during Terms 1 and 4. We like children to be able to express themselves - children are able to wear whatever clothing they like as long as it allows them to be active and does not interrupt their learning. We do ask that whānau please purchase their child's whānau shirt so that every student can actively participate in school events with a strong sense of identity, connection, and whanaungatanga (belonging).

Question 6

Enrolment

Accepted Answer

Legally, children are entitled to start school at the age of five, but do not have to start until they are six years of age. At BPS we operate cohort entry so child can start in the next cohort once they have turned 5. We must see the child’s birth certificate (for New Entrant children), immunisation record, and proof of address at enrolment. Please feel welcome to arrange school visits or see the school principal before your child formally starts school. To support a smooth and positive transition for our new entrants, we encourage children and whānau to attend our pre-entry visits. These visits help children become familiar with their teacher, classroom, and school environment.

For out-of-zone children, an application form must be filled in. Places will be balloted if there are too few places available. Please advise any change of address or phone number for emergency purposes.

Question 7

Food

Accepted Answer

Children require a nourishing lunch which will keep them focused for the school day. For FAVE (see bell times) children need a piece of fruit or vegetable that they can eat in five minutes. Children may have a water bottle in class. - these are stored in a sensible location which is easily accessible. To keep all of our students safe, especially those with severe allergies, please refrain from bringing outside food to share with your child's class for birthdays or special occasions.

Question 8

Health, Illness and Accidents

Accepted Answer

Minor Injuries: Staff members handle basic first aid at school.Emergencies: In a medical emergency, we will take your child to the nearest doctor or hospital/call ambulance and contact you immediately.Moderate Illness/Injury: For less severe concerns, we will reach out to parents or guardians as soon as possible.
To ensure we can reach you quickly, please keep your contact details including phone numbers, workplace contacts, emergency contacts, and home address up to date with the office. Please also inform us of any ongoing medical conditions or health needs.If your child wakes up feeling unwell, please keep them home to rest and recover. We do not have the facilities or staff to nurse sick children during the day, and home is always the best place to recover.Head lice occasionally affect school communities. We strongly encourage whānau to check their child’s hair weekly to help prevent them from spreading.All five-year-olds undergo routine vision and hearing screening shortly after starting school. We will inform you ahead of time if you wish to be present during the check.

Question 9

Library

Accepted Answer

The school library is the major resource centre of the school to which all pupils have access. Please assist us in the care of the library by seeing that books brought home are cared for and not damaged or lost. Please ensure that library books are returned on time. Books damaged or lost will be charged at the value of the replacement.

Question 10

Lost Property

Accepted Answer

All lost property found on school grounds is stored in the container outside the library. Named items like clothing, shoes, and lunchboxes are returned directly to students - please help us minimise lost property by labelling all belongings. Towards the end of each term, unclaimed items will be put on display before being discarded or donated at the end of term.

Question 11

Messages for Children

Accepted Answer

We are always happy to support students with the phone in urgent situations. However, to help children build responsibility and keep office lines free, school phones cannot be used to organise playdates. We ask that all social visits and after-school plans be arranged at home before the school day begins.

Question 12

Music

Accepted Answer

Andy Dwyer is our school’s music teacher, bringing energy and rhythm! He directs  lunchtime band sessions and leads opt-in ukulele groups for students eager to strum along.Whether you already play an instrument or are picking one up for the first time, all students are warmly invited to join.

Question 13

Photographs

Accepted Answer

​Class, individual and sibling photos are taken each year in July by Photo Life, and are then available for you to purchase online.​

Question 14

Reporting to Parents

Accepted Answer

We maintain a comprehensive reporting program to keep you fully connected with your child’s progress and learning journey:Whānaungatanga Day (Start of Year): Held before the school year begins, offering a dedicated space to meet your child’s kaitiaki teacher.Hero Learning Portal: Provides ongoing, real-time updates on your child's achievements and learning goals across core curriculum areas.Learning Stories: Every student receives two Learning Stories per year—one focused on Literacy and one on Maths. These capture a snapshot of learning in action and outline next steps, home support ideas, and key learning dispositions.Parent Conferences (Term 2 and 4): One-on-one meetings to discuss your child’s growth, strengths, and goals.Open Classrooms: An invitation to step into the classroom and celebrate the work your child has created.We welcome open communication at any time. If you wish to discuss your child’s progress during the year, please feel free to email their teacher to arrange an appointment.

Question 15

Road Safety

Accepted Answer

Pedestrian Safety: Please talk to your child about road safety, especially how to safely use the pedestrian crossings between home and school. Remind them to always stop and look both ways before stepping onto a crossing.Keep Patrol Lines Clear: If dropping off or picking up by car, please do not park outside the school entrances. Our road patrols need an uninterrupted view of traffic to keep students safe.Drop-Off & Parking: Please use the drop-off zone in the Mokoia Road carpark for quick and safe vehicle drop-offs. Please note that parent parking is not permitted on school grounds for drop-off or collection.

Question 16

Scooters

Accepted Answer

Students are welcome to scooter to school! For safety, please ensure your child always wears a helmet and, if joining the Walking School Bus, stays safely behind the WSB driver. During the school day, students should park their scooters in the designated spots provided in the school grounds.

Question 17

Sport

Accepted Answer

Our school provides diverse sporting opportunities through interschool competitions and KiwiSports programs. We work closely with community sports clubs to support weekend student participation. Parents are strongly encouraged to get involved, as your support helps maximise student participation. Please note that full school uniform must be worn at all sports events when representing the school.

Question 18

Stationery

Accepted Answer

The school office will inform you of the correct stationery pack your child needs at the beginning of the year or when they start school. For your convenience, complete packs can be purchased from Paper Plus in the Highbury Shopping Centre. Parents are also welcome to purchase the individual items independently if preferred.

Question 19

Supervision of Grounds

Accepted Answer

Ground Supervision: School grounds are supervised from 8:20 am to 3:15 pm. The school cannot accept responsibility for students on site outside of these hours.Before 8:20 am: Please note there is no indoor shelter or supervision available before 8:20 am, including during wet weather. Before this time, staff are in meetings or preparing classroom lessons. During the Day: Teachers are on duty to supervise students during morning tea and lunch breaks.Late Pick-Ups: If you are running late or unable to collect your child by 3:15 pm, please instruct them to go straight to the school office so we can keep them safe until you arrive.Before school-care: If you need to drop your child off at school before 8:20am, please ensure you are booking them into our Oscar program.

Question 20

Swimming

Accepted Answer

Swimming is a compulsory part of our school Physical Education (PE) curriculum, and all students are expected to participate.Junior Students (Years 0–3): Use our heated, on-site school pool for their swimming lessons.Senior Students (Years 4–6): Travel to the Birkenhead Leisure Centre pool at Birkenhead War Memorial Park for intensive swimming sessions.If your child cannot take part due to medical reasons, please provide a written note or email from a parent/caregiver.

Question 21

Visitors to School

Accepted Answer

Anyone wishing to visit a classroom must sign themselves in at the office and give the reason for their visit. Classroom teaching time is valuable and fewer interruptions will result in more quality time for the children.

Question 22

Walking School Buses

Accepted Answer

The school has some Walking School Buses, supported by Auckland Transport: Hinemoa Hikers and Collective Cruisers. Click the link for more information about our WALKING SCHOOL BUSES.

A-Z FAQs

Frequently asked questions

When will my child start school?

What is cohort entry?

Why does Birkenhead Primary School use cohort entry?

What year level will my child be when they first start school?

What is Learning Through Provocations?

Can my child and I visit the school prior to their start date?

Can I meet my child's class teacher?

What happens on my child’s first day of school?

What are the standard school hours?

Does the school offer before and after school care?

How will I receive feedback on how my child is progressing?

​Will my child have homework?

What should I give my child for lunch?

Does my child need a uniform?

When and where should I buy my child's stationery?

Will my child have swimming lessons?

What should I do if my child has health issues?

​How can I become involved in the school?