Students are expected to leave the school grounds by 3.10 pm each day unless under the direct supervision of a teacher for a specified reason.

These must be left in the allocated bike and scooter enclosures.  For security, students must lock their bicycles and scooters.

We recommend the purchase of a wireless device that your child can bring to school and take home again at the end of each day.  Although the school provides a limited number of devices for use in the classroom, we would ask that you consider the numerous benefits of purchasing a device that is personal to your child/family if possible. We strongly recommend purchasing a durable case.

Camera surveillance in schools operates to discourage undesirable behaviour and help identify and resolve security issues. The system operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Our full CCTV policy is available via Schooldocs (see Policies).

 

From time to time the CCTV footage is used to resolve disputes between students.

We recommend cellphones are left at home. If a student brings a phone to school, it must be handed to the teacher each morning, and we want phones away on arrival at school before they are handed in. It will then be stored securely. All students must hand their cellphones to their classroom teacher at the beginning of the day and these are redistributed at the end of the day. Each class has a secure, lockable solution for holding the phones.

Alternatively, you can phone the office and the office staff will do their best to relay any important messages to your child or you could email your child’s teacher.

All personal property brought to school by a student is the responsibility of the student. The school is not responsible for the loss or damage to phones or devices.

We have a team of representatives within our school who work through a lengthy, detailed and robust process to allocate over 320 students to classes.  This involves reviewing the components of the entrance test, meeting with and receiving written information from teachers from Burnside, Fendalton, Waimairi, Wairakei, Roydvale and Ilam schools and requesting written information from other schools (followed by phone calls to teachers at these schools if necessary).  This information is then analysed and students are placed with teachers and in classes that are the best fit possible with the cohort of students in the current intake.

 

Class placements are final. Unless we recognise that, based on data and/or specific information, we have made an error we will not change any placements.  Becoming a Wairarapa Cobham student is about embracing change and opportunities, building resilience and stepping up to new expectations. This applies to class placements. At Wairarapa Cobham, as is the case at secondary school, you cannot choose your teacher or class and need to develop the skills required to work with multiple teachers and their different personalities each and every day.

 

Sometimes we click with people straight away, sometimes we don’t. That is life and the ability to cope and work through that is a skill worth mastering. We encourage you to discuss this as a family in preparation for next year. Our teachers work hard to ensure a smooth and successful transition for your child and feedback from students tells us that this is done well, they make new friends quickly and that staff are friendly and helpful.

When arriving at school, parents/caregivers are requested to report to the office first.  This courtesy enables class programmes to function as they should.

Our office staff are here to help. Office hours are 8.10 am to 3.10 pm.

Full Contact Details

Full Staff Contact List

Effective and timely communication is a vital aspect of a successful partnership between a school and its community. Our primary form of contact is via email.  Through this medium you will receive communication from a range of Wairarapa Cobham staff.

We value your input, ideas and feedback and encourage you to make contact with us should you have anything you wish to share or discuss. Your homeroom teacher will provide you with their contact details and all staff have an email address that follows the pattern:  firstinital.surname@wci.school.nz

If this is your first experience at an intermediate, you will quickly pick up on the fact that, unlike primary schools, parents are not often seen in and around the school. This is most definitely not something we desire, but is a natural progression for this age group as a new level of independence, being ‘cool’ and not having mum and dad walk me into school and give me a kiss goodbye kicks in!  Another progression towards secondary school!

However, this means the quick informal chats with teachers that you will be used to, tend to no longer happen. Email is a good way of keeping in contact with teachers. Other options are leaving a message at the office for a teacher to call you to make a time for an appointment. We very much appreciate you informing us what you wish to discuss prior to these meetings so we can ensure we are prepared and have the information/answers required.

Should you have any concerns or queries regarding your child(ren) the first person you should make contact with is your child’s homeroom teacher. Should you feel after this that you need to take it further or require further clarification, then please contact the leader of your child’s team (this will be communicated to you at the beginning of the year).

Peter Fowler, Rachael Cooper (Deputy Principals) and Eddie Norgate (Principal) are happy to meet with you and discuss your concerns or queries also, but it is important that the people closest to your child(ren) in our school setting have the opportunity to meet with you first.

Damage caused intentionally or due to inappropriate behaviour may result in the student(s) and/or their family or families being required to cover the costs of such damage, or the cost of the insurance excess.

Our Digital Agreement covers this – please read carefully.

Term Dates 2025

TERM 1 MONDAY 3 February – FRIDAY 11 APRIL

TERM 2 MONDAY 28 APRIL – FRIDAY 27 June

TERM 3 MONDAY 14 JULY – FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER

TERM 4 MONDAY 6 OCTOBER – WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER

Full Dates for 2025 Can Be Found Here

School Closed 2025

• Waitangi Day Observed – Thursday 6 Feb

• Teacher Only Day – Monday 10 March

• Good Friday – Friday 18 April*

• Easter Monday – Monday 21 April*

• Easter Tuesday – Tuesday 22 April*

• Anzac Day – Friday 25 April*

• King’s Birthday – Monday 2 June

• Matariki – Friday 20 June

• Teacher Only Day – Friday 22 August

• Labour Day – Monday 27 October

• Canterbury Anniversary Day – Friday 14 November

(*during school holidays)

Calendar:https://www.cobham.school.nz/term-dates-calendar/

A Mobile Community Dental Service will spend several weeks at Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate School each year and a dental therapist will check teeth and x-ray, clean and scale, apply fissure sealants and fluoride, if required.  

If your child requires further dental care such as fillings, they will be given a ‘Care Plan’ which will explain the dental treatment and ask you to phone the Call Centre 0800 846 983 to arrange a time to visit the community clinic for further dental care.

At Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate, we use digital technology to empower our students to become life-long, digital citizens who creatively use e-learning opportunities to enhance learning.  At the beginning of the year, all students will participate in a Digital Literacy Unit where they will learn about our expectations around devices, safety in an online setting, how to store their device safely, and how to keep themselves safe.  The unit links to our school Digital Agreement and we believe it is vitally important that we prepare our students for learning in online environments.

Please note, the school does not accept the responsibility for the loss, theft or damage to any personal property. Read more here.

Parents will be well aware that, unfortunately, modern education is not free and that schools need to call upon parents for financial assistance in order to meet the needs and expectations of 21st-century students and their families.  We were a Decile 8 school and as such we are not entitled to the $150 per child Government Funding support provided to Decile 1-7 schools.  (The Decile terminology has changed to Equity Index).

We rely on your donations so that we can continue to offer all the opportunities that we have available at our school.  A 33.3% tax credit can be claimed on all donations paid.  You can claim your tax credit by printing your receipt from Hero, or by requesting a copy of the receipt from the office.

We welcome regular automatic payments from families towards donations and fees (i.e. $5 or $10 per week).  Please remember to list your child’s name and room number when paying by internet banking.

All fees (excluding donations) must be paid before children can attend optional extra-curricular activities such as Paid Winter Sports Options, Year 7 Sailing, Year 8 Skiing, Year 7 and Year 8 Big Day Outs, or Year 8 formal etc.

Donations

Parent Donation

Parent donations for 2025 have been set by the Board of Trustees at $180 per student. The amount has remained the same for the last four years.  Alternatives are to pay $45.00 term by term, or to pay by regular automatic payments from bank accounts. 

These funds allow us to maintain the levels of extra staffing and resourcing which we are able to offer over and above what can be provided by the funds from the government.  The parent donation in 2024 was used for sporting equipment, iPads for classrooms, swimming lessons, our Guidance Counsellors, Behavioural Specialist, literacy classes, ESOL classes, additional teacher aides and library resources.

Technology Donation

At intermediate schools, there are material costs for the technology programmes (Food, Fabric, Hard Materials etc).  These costs go towards what the students make and most often these are kept.  These have been set at $140 for 2025.

Education Perfect Donation   

Education Perfect is a platform that we use for mathematics homework, languages, IT lessons and to teach our school values.

Science Donation

Our science programme provides a range of hands on experiences for students.  The science donation covers the costs for additional materials and consumables.

Camp Donation

Camp donation for Year 7 children at Glentui is $195 per child and these camps are held in March.  The location and costs of Year 8 camps vary for each classroom.  An approximate guideline is $420.  These are held in November.

Extra-Curricular Fees

Fees for additional extracurricular activities your child opts into will be charged to your account.  Examples of these activities could include:  Sports Academy, buses for sporting events, music, orchestra, chorale, kapa haka, AIMS Games, Future Problem Solving, Jump Jam, Hip Hop, Show Quest, Year 7 Sailing, Year 8 Skiing, Year 8 Formal, Big Day Out and International tests.

As these extra-curricular activities become available, the information will be sent home for you to register your child’s interest to participate.  Individual costs will be advised at this time and these must be paid before your child starts the activity.

Winter and Summer Sports Programme

Children have a number of options for sport at Wairarapa Cobham.  Some incur additional costs.  The cost for these optional activities must be paid prior to the first session.

• Trialing for competitive sports teams (Rugby, Football, Hockey, Netball, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Badminton, Squash) to compete against other Christchurch Intermediate Schools.  The cost is approx. $60 to cover transport to the events.

•   Out of school paid options are available to children.  These include Multi Sports, Move X, Self Defense, Handball, Ice Skating, Ten Pin Bowling, Gymnastics, Trampolining, Golf, Archery and Fencing.  Costs will be advised once we have confirmed the options available.

•  We have a number of options at school which incur no cost.  These include Dance, Chess, Yoga, Rippa, Esports, Football, Netball and Wheels (Scooter/Skateboard taken over to Jellie Park Skate Park).

Finance Contact

If at any time you have any queries regarding our fees, or would like a copy of your statement printed and sent home, please contact Jo McGregor (finance@wci.school.nz).  Please do not hesitate to contact Jo if you have any issues with payment.

If you experience financial hardship please discuss this with us. We do have some supports available.

Our preferred method of payment is online banking. Please use the following Westpac bank account  03 1705 0007063 00.  Please ensure you include your child’s name,  room number and the activity you are paying for.  Eftpos is available at the office.  We do accept cash.  When sending cash to school, please ensure it is in an envelope clearly named and labelled as above.  This should be taken straight to the school office upon arrival at school. 

Specialising in the field of therapeutic guidance counselling, our counsellor is available to provide confidential and professional support to our students, our teachers and to our school community.

Sessions cover a broad range within the social, educational, developmental, mental health, emotional and behavioural areas.

The School Guidance Counsellor is involved in:

●      Supporting and being responsive to students dealing with personal issues important to them

●      Responding to referrals from classroom teachers or parents

●      Safety, child protection and crisis management issues

●      Parental education and support

●      Classroom involvement in well-being sessions

The School Guidance Counsellor has strong links with specialised child and adolescent and mental health agencies.  Our Counsellor can be contacted by email: counsellor@wci.school.nz.

Homework, which is relevant and appropriate, will be set and is expected to be completed. This will be set over a one or two week period to allow for students to plan for and accommodate other after school activities. Parent support is sought in providing time and space for homework to be satisfactorily completed.

Recognising different rates at which students work, an average of three hours per week (over four nights) is a reasonable guide. In 2025, students will be expected to complete one hour of mathematics homework over a seven day period.

Students are also expected to read in addition to this. Homework expectations of course will vary according to task, interest, class programmes and time of year. Where there is legitimate cause for non-completion of homework, communication from the student’s parent/caregiver is required.

Aggressive or hurtful behaviour towards others including bullying, hitting, harassing or abusing anyone verbally or physically will not be tolerated.  Established procedures are in place for dealing with these undesirable behaviours.

We have a number of itinerant and private tutors who provide specialist tuition in a wide variety of instruments.  These cater for students across the spectrum.

What is offered can change from year to year depending on availability of tutors.  For example; in 2024, we offered clarinet, saxophone, flute, violin, piano, drums, guitar, keyboard, voice, cello and brass.

Group tuition is free for some instruments through a government funded scheme. This too can change from year to year.

We own some instruments, which are hired at a fee of $160 for a year to students showing aptitude and interest in music.  Full details will be provided to you at the beginning of the school year.

Full details are available here.

Punctuality is valued at the school and lateness is regarded seriously.  All students who arrive late to school must sign in at the office.

❗️Please inform the school of any allergies or health needs.

Medication can be stored in the school office and if medication is to be administered at school, parents/caregivers will need to complete a Medical Authority Form.

We will email you a newsletter each fortnight.  Please inform your classroom teacher if you do not have access to the internet so alternative arrangements can be made.

School notices are read to classes each morning. We strongly recommend that parents keep an eye on these too.  Notices can be found here.

At the beginning of Year 7, all students will attend camp at Glentui.  The cost is $195.

Year 7 students will experience sailing, usually in the fourth term, and Year 8 students will have a ski day in the third term.

Year 8 classes attend a camp at one of a range of venues, based around different learning outcomes, usually later in the school year. Costs vary according to venue but are approximately $420.

Wairarapa Cobham subscribes to SchoolDocs who maintain, update, and review our policies and procedures. SchoolDocs provides us with a comprehensive core set of policies that have been well researched and are tailored to our school. 

To view the policies go to www.schooldocs.co.nz.

Username: Cobham

Password: bullrush

Students are not permitted to bring to school matches, lighters, vaping devices, cigarettes/tobacco, alcohol, zero percent beer or wine, potentially dangerous goods or substances, chewing/bubble gum.

The school reserves the right to confiscate any item or substance which may be dangerous to persons or property.  Such items/substances would need to be uplifted by a parent/caregiver of the student who brought them to school.

We have a wonderful group of parents who work very well together to support our school in a number of ways. These include raising funds for targeted resources and/or projects, supporting staff, providing a link between staff and parents/caregivers and adding value to our school culture.

 

The PTA communicates regularly with updates and requests, and very much encourages new people to come along to their monthly meetings. If you cannot commit to these meetings but wish to help please contact them at pta@wci.school.nz and they can contact you when needed.

The culture of Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate is built around four values that are evident in all aspects of the school.  Respectful, Responsible, Resilient and Positive are values that are promoted widely as 3RP to promote appropriate behaviours and to encourage lifelong learning. 

What is SW-PB4L at Wairarapa Cobham?

The best way to answer this is to use an analogy – in this case a road.  A road environment is designed to ensure maximum driver engagement  and safety, a positive experience and pave the  way for ultimate success with a journey. Likewise  SW-PB4L aims to do the same at Wairarapa Cobham – enable maximum student engagement, a positive experience and success with their journey of learning.

The four values below (3RP) are our lines, signposts etc. initially indicating what we  expect of all people in our learning environment. As with yellow lines on a road though, there  is more meaning to each value therefore students need to understand what each one means in each setting of the school. Therefore, students are taught how to show 3RP in every  aspect of their lives at school (and hopefully beyond). For instance – What do respectful,  responsible, resilient and positive people do when using a digital device for learning?  

How are values/behaviours taught?

Think of behavioural problems as a gap in a child’s learning – we teach to fill the gap. To learn  to behave appropriately, students must be directly taught replacement behaviours, that is,  missing social skills or appropriate ways of responding. To retain new behaviours, students  must be given specific feedback and opportunities to respond in a variety of settings. Just like  learning the road code and then applying it on the open road with a driving instructor.

How are appropriate behaviours/values acknowledged?

When a student exhibits one of our school values (3RP), they can earn a Gotcha. The issuing of a Gotcha recognises and rewards a behaviour we value at Wairarapa Cobham. Students can also earn 25 Gotchas for specific responsibilities and representations within the school, for example, representing a Wairarapa Cobham sporting team.

What happens with the Gotchas?

Students record their Gotchas on a recording sheet. When a student receives a certain number of Gotchas (see below), they can earn a 3RP badge that will be awarded in class or at an assembly. In addition, students who earn gotchas each week are entered in a weekly draw for  prizes (vouchers etc.) presented at assemblies. Major prizes are awarded at end of term assemblies.

It is essential that the school be made aware by parents of any health problems or other issues, which may affect a student’s wellbeing.

Every care is taken of students who become ill at school or suffer an injury. The medical rooms are places for short term care or first aid treatment. Parents/caregivers are advised as soon as is practicable, so that ill or injured students can be taken into their care. If urgent medical attention is required, and parents/caregivers cannot be contacted, the school will act in the best interest of the student.

All students with specific and potentially life-threatening conditions have their details, and the appropriate processes and procedures recorded and shared with staff.

We will contact you for permission before administering Panadol and/or antihistamine.

If your child has received a knock to the head or any other significant injury during the day, we will phone to inform you.

All students are expected to have their complete set of stationery all named and labelled, at school on their first full day.

Year 8 – Monday 3 February 2025

Year 7 – Tuesday 4 February 2025

Hero by Linc-Ed

Hero by Linc-Ed is Wairarapa Cobham’s student management system that allows us to:

 

●      Communicate via email    

●      Share school accounts with parents

●      Report on your child’s progress

●      Post samples of work (students and teachers)

 

In late January, you will be able to access your child’s account where you can view your school statement and child’s progress as it becomes available. Please download the Hero by LINC-ED app or go to https://go.linc-ed.com/ to view this. Log-in instructions can be found here

 

If you have any problems with access, please contact office@wci.school.nz or r.waters@wci.school.nz

 

Addresses of Students and Parents

Parents and caregivers are required to inform the school office of any change of email, postal address, telephone or mobile number.

🚦 Ilam Road and Sunningvale Lane do become congested before and after school.  Many parents drop students within walking distance, avoiding congestion at the school gate.

 

🚲️ Cyclists may use either the cycle way on Ilam Road or Sunningvale Lane (off Gleneagles Terrace) entrances and take their cycles directly to the enclosures.  Cyclists must wear an approved safety helmet whenever using a cycle.  A suitable lock to secure the cycle or scooter in the stands is essential. 

 

🚘️ Parents transporting students by car are requested to consider pedestrian and cycle traffic, as well as obeying all road markings, when delivering or collecting students.  Parents are not to drive into the school grounds to drop off or collect their children.  Vehicle access is for Allenvale children only, or those with medical requirements, e.g. wheelchair, crutches etc.

🚸 Students can cross Ilam Road at the signalled crossing.

We allow children to climb specifically marked trees that are in our school grounds. Students can make their own decisions about climbing trees.

A PB4L lesson regarding safe tree climbing is given to classes at the beginning of the year. Specific climbing trees have been marked to indicate that they are safe to climb. If you prefer your child not to climb trees, please discuss this with them.

All students must wear the full and correct uniform at school, to and from school and on all school visits/activities. Application for short-term exemptions should be made in writing to Mr Peter Fowler (Deputy Principal). Uniform information can be found on our website

Please name all uniform. There are 630 students in our school. It is like a needle in a haystack if lost!

On Tuesdays all students wear their PE uniform to school. We expect them in their full school PE uniform, not a hybrid version. 

Monday – all students wear the correct school uniform

Tuesday – all students wear their PE uniform to school

Wednesday – Year 8 students wear their PE uniform and Year 7 students wear their full school uniform.

Thursday – Year 7 students wear their PE uniform and Year 8 students wear their full school uniform.

Friday – all students wear the correct school uniform

For wet/cold days, students may wear an appropriate jacket to suit the weather conditions, in addition to the Wairarapa Cobham jacket. 

If you need financial assistance with purchasing school uniform, please contact c.lambie@wci.school.nz.

Uniform Suppliers

Our uniform suppliers are New Zealand Uniforms

455 Blenheim Road, Sockburn.

Please note the photos above are of the appropriate school shoes as detailed to the right.  There are NO other type of black leather shoes (sport, casual etc) that are permitted to be worn.  Non-uniform shoes will not be allowed.  It is important that students have the correct uniform shoes as it is a safety issue in our technology rooms and also indicates a preparedness, as a family, to follow school expectations. 

We thank you in anticipation for ensuring your child(ren) have the correct shoes – don’t be swayed by what your child or suppliers may say is acceptable.

Hair

●      Should be clean, well groomed, neat and tidy, clear of the face and eyes and tied back if shoulder length or longer

●      Hair ties must be neutral, blue or red

●      Hair should be a natural colour.  Dyed hair and extreme hairstyles are not permitted at school.

Jewellery

The only jewellery permitted is a watch and one small plain stud in each ear. No objects, including studs or rings are allowed to be worn in any part of the body, not covered by school uniform.  This includes nose, lip, chin and eyebrow studs or rings, made of any materials.

Students wishing to wear a necklace for cultural or religious reasons need to supply a letter from their parents stating this. This will be placed on the student’s file.

Makeup

Makeup is not to be worn

Moisturisers, sunscreens and lip balms must be clear

Nail polish is not to be worn

Personal Property

All personal property must be clearly named.  All lost items will be kept in the office.   Please ask at the office regarding this.

Phones – should students bring phones to school, they are to be handed into the teacher at the beginning of the day.

Money and valuables should not be left in bags, desks or changing rooms.  Lockable storage is available in each classroom for devices.  The school does not accept responsibility for the loss/theft of or damage to any personal property.

Hats

Our school sun hats are compulsory and must be worn during terms 1 and 4.  There are two styles to choose from (wide brimmed and bucket).  These can be purchased from New Zealand Uniforms, or we have a small supply at the school office for $20 each.