ATTACHED UNITS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMMES

When funding permits Thorndon School employs a Speech Language Therapist who provides programmes for children with severe communication disorders. The therapist also works with children for whom English is a second language and co-ordinates all our Special Needs programmes. There will be a part-time SLT in 2009.

The school has an attached Literacy Centre staffed by a Resource Teacher of Literacy. This centre, which caters for children who have failed to make expected progress in reading through the normal classroom programme, can be accessed by 32 schools in the northern suburbs. The RT:Lit takes children for 1-1 tuition at the clinic as well as working in other schools in the catchment area. She also assists classroom teachers in setting up programmes for these children.

Reading Recovery operates in the school for 6 year old children who have not progressed at the same rate as their peers in acquiring reading skills.

The school also provides, through locally raised funds, some extra teaching hours for extension and remedial programmes.  Programmes are offered in remedial reading, language and maths for children who have been identified as needing a boost.  A comprehensive enrichment programme is in place and children are given the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities designed to promote excellence in curriculum areas as well as providing opportunities for leadership.

 

AFTER SCHOOL CARE

After School Care runs every school day from 3:00pm until 6:00pm. On days when the school closes early the programme generally runs from the earlier time. If this is not going to happen parents are informed.

The children are given afternoon tea and have plenty of activities and equipment to become involved with.

The programme has never been seen as an extension of school and for this reason the activities are not academic. There is a lot of creative activity and outside play. Our belief has always been that children have been at school for 6 hours or more and that, while they might still be on the school grounds, they should be engaged in something different from their school programme.

The programme is staffed at a ratio of 1 supervisor to 10 children.

Costs are $12 per day or $55 per week for the full week. The $55 weekly fee is discounted to $50 if payments are made in advance.

There is a $10:00 late fee if children are picked up after 6:00pm

Payment for After School Care is made following invoice from the school.

A school holiday programme may be run from the school during the four main holiday breaks though we encourage parents to enrol children in holiday activities away from the school.

There may also, from time to time, be a number of other after school and holiday activities on offer. These include Art classes, Music classes and Language classes and details will be given in the newsletter. The phone number for both the After School Programme and the Holiday Programme is 472 8183.