School Closure

Dear parents / caregivers

The school will be closed for all students tomorrow Wednesday 15^th May, due to continuing water problems.

School will resume on Thursday 16^th May for all students with timetable day 1.

The school cross country will be held on Friday 17^th May, weather permitting.

If there are any problems please ring the school tomorrow afternoon to listen to the school message or look at the school website / Blog.

Philip Keenan

Principal

Stratford High School

Weekly news

Parents taking students out of school
This is a perennial concern that raises its head regularly throughout the year. Parents have every right to withdraw their student for good reason. It does, however, become an issue when parents expect work to be set while their student is out of school. The general guidelines are as follows:

• If a student (at whatever level) has a serious illness and is expected to be off school for an extended period then we will most certainly set work and assist in their education as much as we can while they are convalescing.

• If parents decide to take extended holidays to benefit from lower fares and rates, then the school takes a slightly different view. While parents can withdraw their student on such occasions, students must take responsibility for the work they will miss by individually approaching their teachers to find out what work they should do in order to catch up.

These are just general guidelines and commonsense must prevail. Parents must always send a letter at least a week prior to the expected absence to The Principal, Mr Keenan to ask permission to take their student out of school. I ask that if you have any concerns about these guidelines. Please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mr P Keenan
Principal


Careers news
Victoria University Information evening Follow this link http://www.stratfordhigh.school.nz/careers/index.html
Faculty of Engineering, University of Auckland Information Evening
New Plymouth: Monday 15 August, Quality Hotel Plymouth International from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
You can link to http://www.engineering.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/events/template/event_item.jsp?cid=393416 for more information and the registration form (which will be up shortly).

Latest Newsletter
The latest newsletter has been sent home to parents and caregivers of junior students. Senior students without a junior sibling will receive a newsletter on Friday 10th June. A copy can also be viewed on the school website. http://www.stratfordhigh.school.nz/newsletter/index.html#1

Term 3 commences

PTA Meeting this week.
The SHS Parent Teacher Association will be meeting this week on Wednesday 21st July at 6.30 pm. They are meeting early to have a tour of the recently upgraded and remodelled A and T Blocks of the school. Come along and see the wonderful new facilities for our Home Economics, Fabric, Maths, Health and Physical Education rooms as well as the new offices for Careers, Gateway and Sports Co-ordinator. The regular meeting will follow the tours with supper to follow.

Congratulations to the Rugby Tourists
Jeff Walker returned home early this week with a second place in the Gold Coast Canterbury Rugby tournament. He reports that all students and accompanying parents were thrilled with the win and the time away. Thank you to all sponsors, supporters and parents for assisting with the fundraising to make this trip successful.

Parents are asked to contact the school if their student has had success over the holidays.

Absence Process

With the winter term coming to a close, it has been noted that a large number of parents/caregivers are not ringing to report an absence.
Please phone the school at any time on 06 765 6039 and choose Option 1 on the phone message. State the name of the student (s) and form classes as well as a short reason.
Thank you for assisting the school in this.

We are looking at a method of receiving a text message for absences and parents will be advised when this system is working satisfactorily.