Parents wishing to discuss
their child's progress or any matter relating to the school should ring the school office
and make an appointment to see the appropriate Dean or a Deputy Principal, Associate
Principal or the Principal. Many routine matters can be answered by the office staff.
Parents Association
A very active Parents' Association is closely involved with many
aspects of school life. While largely funded through the school fee donation the
Association also organises a number of other 'fun' fund-raising events such as dances,
food stalls at school events and garage sales. The Parents' Association funds equipment
and facility purchases for the school. Another major revenue earner is the Canteen, run by
parents on a roster basis. This provides students with high quality, cheap lunches. A
monthly meeting of the Association is supplemented by a Newsletter regularly sent to all
parents by the Principal (approx. fortnightly). Parents are also involved in 'meet the
teacher' evenings and in assisting at school functions such as dances and socials.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is the controlling authority of the school and
comprises five elected parent representatives and up to four co-opted other
representatives, together with a pupil, a staff representative and the Principal. In order
to function the Board has a Charter approved by the Ministry of Education, and this
Charter sets out the aims and objectives of Hutt Valley High School. The drawing up of the
Charter was done in consultation with all parents.
Expenses
Acceptance of a student for enrolment at Hutt Valley High School may
involve the following expenses being incurred. (Amounts quoted will vary according to
G.S.T. charges).
Uniform
The school operates its own new and second-hand uniform shop and is the
sole official stockist.
Textbooks
Free textbooks are provided for all pupils and these remain the
property of the school. A deposit may be required to cover any loss or damage but in any
case pupils remain responsible for loss or damage to books. Parents will be notified
should a textbook deposit be levied.
Fee Donation and Parents Association Levy
As in all secondary schools, pupils pay a fee donation to cover the
purchase of sports and recreational equipment, affiliation fees, sports administration and
such other expenditure as the board may consider necessary and which is not covered by
government grants. It also includes the library subscription, subsidy to cost of school
magazine, membership of all clubs and participation in all organised extra-curricular
activities. A portion of the fee donation goes to the Parents Association to allow them to
avoid some of the more trivial fund-raising activities.
The fee donation is $41.25 per pupil per term. A second child also pays
$41.25 per term. Third and subsequent children at school at the same time are not expected
to make any fee donation. These donations are fully tax deductible.
Stationery
Students are strongly encouraged to purchase their stationery from the
school shop which is operated for us by Hewson's Office Supplies Ltd. In most cases this
is available at the beginning of the year.
Musical Instruments and Tuition
Tuition is available to students over a wide range of instruments. If
school instruments are available a hire fee is charged. Details of this can be obtained
from the Head of Department, Music, Mr Stevenson when tuition is being arranged. The
demand for this service exceeds the supply of tutors and instruments so parents are
requested to discuss this as soon as possible.
Miscellaneous Charges
From time to time pupils will need to provide money for additional
activities such as visiting musicians and theatre groups, and for outdoor activities
involving transport hire. These amounts vary year by year at different levels of the
school.
Remission of Charges
Any parent, whose circumstances are such that the payment of the
charges would create unnecessary hardship, should apply to the Principal for consideration
of a full or partial remission. |