Information

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A

Annual Reports

Financial reports
2025 Audited report
2024 Audited report
2023 Audited report
2022 Audited report
2021 Audited report
2020 Audited report
2019 Audited report
2018 Audited report

Absence

There are multiple ways of letting the school know your child is going to be absent due to sickness, appointments, or other reasons. Our preferred method of communication is through the HERO app.

Please notify the school office before 8.50am using one of the following methods:

Use the HERO app (you should have access to your child/ren through the app)
Ring the school office and leave a message on the absentee line

If your child will be away for more than three days, the reason and length of absence must be provided in writing and emailed to the office HERE!

Attendance

Attendance is one of the Ministry of Education’s key priorities for this year. We have developed an Attendance Management Plan for our school and the visual below outlines the steps our school takes to ensure regular attendance remains a priority and to support our tamariki to be at school, learning every day.

Attendance Management Plan

Attendance Dues – Issued by the Catholic Office, Hamilton

When you enrolled your child at St Mary’s School, you signed a legal contract with the Catholic Integrated Schools Office to pay Attendance Dues.

Attendance Dues are a compulsory charge invoiced by, and payable to, the Catholic Integrated Schools Office. They are administered and collected by the Hamilton Diocese Office. Currently invoices are posted home, with plans for email delivery in the future.

2026 Attendance Dues: $536 per student (Years 0–6)
Catholic Character Contribution: $60

For more information, please click HERE!.

B

Before & After School Care

St Mary’s School operates an on-site Before School & After School Care Service from the Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey Centre.

Service hours:
Before School Care: 7.00am – 8.15am
After School Care: 2.55pm – 5.30pm

Children remaining onsite after 3.15pm are expected to be enrolled in After School Care.

Enrolment is completed through the online booking platform ENROLMY.
Bookings for Term 3, 2026 can be made via this link.

Bookings can be made up to midnight the day before.

For more information, please contact Theresa on 021 036 3753 or email here.

Before School Care (Breakfast Available)

7.00am – 8.15am: $9.00
7.45am – 8.15am: $7.00

After School Care (Afternoon Tea Provided)

2.55pm – 4.00pm: $12.00
2.55pm – 5.00pm: $18.00
2.55pm – 5.30pm: $22.00

Discounts apply if your child is booked every day of the week until 5.30pm.

A $5.00 late booking fee applies after bookings have closed.
A $5.00 administration fee applies if the finance manager needs to follow up late payments.

Bus Services

We have eight school buses transporting students to and from school. The Tauranga Network Transport Group oversees rural services provided by EasyBus, while the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Tauranga manages the urban routes provided by NZBus, Bethlehem Coachlines, and others.

Rural Services

There are three rural bus services currently coming to St Mary’s. A number of additional services are available to St Mary’s students; however, not all routes currently have St Mary’s students onboard.

For information on all routes, please click HERE! If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

Urban Services

There are six urban bus services currently servicing St Mary’s School. If you would like your child to use one of these services, please contact the school office so they can be added to the bus list.

This service is currently free. For more information on routes, please visit Bay Buses HERE!.

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Cluny Foundation

The Cluny Foundation Trust established to assist and advance students and other members of the St Mary’s Catholic community in Tauranga. Specifically, the purpose of the Trust is to help students who are in need of assistance.

Key functions of the trust are to assist;

Students who are in need of essential items necessary for school life
Students to participate in extracurricular activities
All members of the St Mary’s School community to fulfil our mission statement

Examples of assistance could be for;

Cultural and sporting enrolment and tuition fees
The purchasing of essential equipment for cultural or sporting pursuit
Access to or the provision of specialist personnel or support

Apply HERE!

Chapel

For many years, our school community had dreamed of having a chapel on our school grounds. That dream became a reality on Sunday, 27 February 2005, when Bishop Denis Browne officially blessed the new Cluny Chapel.

The day began with Mass at St Mary Immaculate Church on Cameron Road, celebrated by Bishop Denis alongside Fathers Joe and Gerard. Following Mass, the community gathered on the school grounds for the opening and blessing of the chapel, before coming together for a picnic to celebrate this special occasion.

D

Drop off/pick up

We would like to encourage parents to utilise the car park on Harvey St for the dropping off and picking up of students. This is a much safer option, especially when collecting your child and will hopefully reduce the high volumes of traffic we are experiencing on 13th Avenue. For those who still require dropping off and picking up students from 13th Avenue please ensure you collect your child from within our school grounds. For their own safety children are not permitted to wait outside the school gate on the grass verges. Please also use the gate adjacent to our school office. At the end of the day, this gate is used by those boarding school buses.

E

Latest Ero Report 29 May 2023

G

Google Classroom for Year 5/6

Aroha students use Google Classroom as a tool to enhance teaching and learning. Each student is provided with a login and password by their classroom teacher.

Google Classroom is used during class time to support real-time learning and collaboration between teachers and students.

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HERO – Student Management System

What is HERO?

Hero is our school student management system and enables us to share learning with students and their families.

These include the ability for parents and caregivers to:

Read posts relating to your child’s learning
View information on your child’s progress and goals
Read and comment on school notices sent to the class or groups your child is part of
Read newsletters
Respond to school notices such as surveys and trip permission requests
View school term dates
View the school calendar of events
Notify the school if your child is absent or late
Navigate to other school-related webpages
View financial information
Select how you wish to receive notifications

Staff and students will be posting rich content sharing your child’s learning journey.

Learning posts combined with curriculum information and goal-setting will form an online report designed to build year on year so that over time you will have access to written posts, images, video, work samples, and helpful resources all in one place.

How to Log in to HERO

Use the email address that you submitted on your child’s online enrolment application.
If you only used one email address at the time of application then that will be the only one that can access information, newsletters, notices and notifications regarding your child.

If you want to add an email simply contact the school office HERE!

Download the Hero App now! Search for Hero by LINC-ED in the App Store or Google Play, or log in to HERO
here.

Holiday Programme

A one-week holiday programme is offered during the first week of the Term 1, 2, and 3 school holidays. A two-week holiday programme is offered mid-January.

Prices vary depending on programme activities.

House System

The House System offers all children a teamwork-based approach to participating in school-wide activities.
It fosters a strong sense of belonging, interest, and purpose, while also providing senior students with opportunities to develop and exercise responsible leadership.

All students are allocated to one of the four House groups:
Viard (Green),
Pompallier (Red),
Cluny (Blue),
and Ryan (Yellow).

K

Kapa Haka

Our St Mary’s Extension Kapa Haka Roopu, Hato Maria, is a group of tamariki who meet every week with our wonderful Kapa Haka kaiako, Matua Tūmanako.

During our weekly sessions, we practise haka, learn new waiata and sing beautiful renditions of waiata we know well.

The group performs at a number of celebrations throughout the year, including our New Families Liturgies, Grandparents Concerts, Catholic Inter-school competitions, and at our End of Year Prize Giving.

In 2016 we hosted the Tauranga Moana Rā Whakangahau, a two day kapa haka festival for forty two local schools. The theme was ‘Kia Nui Te Aroha’ ‘Let there be great Love’.

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Music

Bek Whitlock moved to Tauranga in July 2023 with her husband, James (an Acoustics Engineer), and their two teenage children, Gabriel and Sasha. After many years teaching at King’s School in Auckland, Bek is excited to bring her knowledge and experience to St Mary’s and to continue enhancing students’ holistic learning experiences through the performing arts. Contact Bek HERE!

Guitar Lessons

Guitar lessons are available with Mike Nicholson on Monday and Tuesday mornings before school. Mike has been part of the St Mary’s community since 2004 and offers individual 30-minute lessons held in the music room.

To make a booking, please contact Mike HERE! or phone 021 208 3198.

P

Policies

St Mary’s School has a comprehensive and up-to-date set of policies and procedures that are regularly and collaboratively reviewed.

To view St Mary’s School policies, please visit the website below and use the login details provided.
http://stmarystga.schooldocs.co.nz
Username: stmarystga
Password: 1959

PTA

St Mary’s PTA has a proud history of fundraising, pastoral care, and providing a vital link between home and school. Many school facilities and resources have been made possible through the dedication and hard work of our parent community.

The PTA also organises a range of social activities, giving parents opportunities to connect with one another while working towards shared goals that support the school.

All parents are welcome to join the PTA. Meetings are usually held on the second Tuesday of each month. Please refer to the school calendar for meeting dates.

Visit the PTA Facebook page

Privacy

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, we collect, use, and manage personal information in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and the Education and Training Act 2020. We are committed to protecting the privacy of our learners, parents, caregivers, and staff.

1. What Information We Collect

To provide high-quality education, ensure student well-being, and maintain our school community, we collect personal information including:

Student Details: Name, date of birth, contact details, gender, ethnicity, and residency status.
Parent/Caregiver Details: Names, relationship to the student, phone numbers, email addresses, and emergency contact details.
Educational Records: National Student Numbers (NSN), academic progress, reports, attendance records, and learning support needs.
Health and Safety Information: Medical conditions, allergies, immunisation records, and dietary requirements.
Special Character Information: Religious affiliation and baptismal records (required for preference enrollment).
Visual Information: Photographs and video recordings taken during school activities, and CCTV footage around the school grounds for security purposes.

2. How We Collect Personal Information

We generally collect personal information directly from parents/caregivers during the enrollment process, through permission forms, and throughout the school year. We may also collect information directly from students during day-to-day school activities and learning.

3. Collection from Third Parties (Information Privacy Principle 3A)

In accordance with IPP 3A of the Privacy Act 2020, there are times when we may collect personal information about a student or family from a third party rather than directly from you. We will only do this if it is publicly available, authorized by you, or necessary to fulfill our educational and safety mandates.

Examples of indirect collection include:

Previous Schools or Early Childhood Centres: Retrieving historical academic records, official transfer files, and learning support data.
The Ministry of Education: Verifying enrollment history, funding eligibility, or National Student Numbers (NSN).
Health Professionals or Government Agencies: Receiving medical data, immunization details, or safety alerts from Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora), Oranga Tamariki, or the Police when required by law or to prevent a serious threat to health and safety.
The Catholic Diocese of Hamilton / Parish: Verifying preference status and baptismal records to confirm eligibility under our Special Character guidelines.

4. Why We Collect and Use It

We use this personal information to:

Support student learning, academic progress, and holistic development.
Maintain the safety, health, and well-being of all students while in our care.
Communicate school updates, newsletters, events, and emergencies to parents/caregivers.
Uphold and foster the Catholic Special Character of our school.
Fulfill our mandatory reporting and administrative obligations to the Ministry of Education and other government agencies.

5. Who We Share Information With

We only share personal information when necessary or permitted by law. This includes sharing with:

The Ministry of Education and NZQA for regulatory compliance and funding.
Health agencies (such as local public health nurses) to ensure student medical safety.
The Catholic Diocese of Hamilton (or relevant parish leadership) to maintain our school’s Catholic Special Character records.
Approved Third-Party Service Providers: Secure educational software and cloud platforms used strictly for learning and administration (e.g., student management systems).

Note on Safety: Under the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 and the Family Violence Act 2018, we may share information with child welfare or safety agencies if we believe a child or young person is at risk of harm.

6. Storage and Security

We take all reasonable steps to ensure personal information is kept safe and secure from unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. Digital records are stored in secure cloud systems with restricted access, and physical documents are stored securely on the school grounds.

Information is only retained for as long as required by law (under the Public Records Act 2005) or for the purposes for which it was collected.

7. Your Rights: Access and Correction

Parents, caregivers, and students have the right to request a copy of the personal information the school holds about them, and to request that it be corrected if they believe it is inaccurate.

If you wish to view or correct your information, or if you have any questions or complaints regarding privacy at our school, please contact our Privacy Officer:

Email: office@stmarystga.school.nz
Phone: 07 578 8066
Address: St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Thirteenth Avenue, Tauranga

Privacy Notice 2026

R

Raffle 2026: Terms and Conditions

Raffle 2026 (the raffle) is organised and administered St Mary’s Catholic School PTA (the PTA), 11 Thirteenth Avenue, Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112. PTA operates under the authority of the Board of Trustees.

Proceeds

The proceeds from the raffle will contribute towards essential upgrades to outdoor areas, prioritising the senior playground.

If you have any questions about the raffle, please contact the organiser and co-Chair of the PTA, Agnieszka Frear by email.

Email: pta@stmarystga.school.nz

The raffle is compliant with Class 2 requirements of the Gambling Act 2003 and in particular, the Gambling Act (Lottery) Game Rules 2004.

Terms and Conditions

By participating in the raffle, entrants agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions.

Tickets

The price of a Raffle 2026 ticket is $10. There is a maximum of 1,770 tickets.

Entry requirements

Raffle entry is by purchase of a ticket only.

The raffle is only open to people residing in New Zealand.

The organiser and members of the PTA must not hold a ticket.

By entering the draw, winners confirm their agreement to have their name published (and possibly a photo (photo is optional) in the School and PTA facebook pages and the School newsletter.

Prizes

1x $1000 Supermarket Voucher

1x 6-Month Membership to The GYM (location: 107 First Avenue, Tauranga 3110) (value $856.70)

1x $500 Mitre 10 Voucher

5 x $200 Petrol Voucher

1x Rotorua Skyline Gondola, including 2x Luge (2 adults and 2 children)(location: 178 Fairy Springs Rd, Rotorua Central)(value $185)

2x Tenpin Tauranga voucher (2 adults + 2 children 1 game of bowling or laser tag or minigolf (value $56)(location: 135 13^th Ave, Tauranga)

Vouchers are valid for the time specified in the voucher.

The prizes are not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be redeemed for cash.

Closing date

The closing date is Monday 14^th September 2026 at 5pm. Tickets returned to the School office after this date will not be entered into the draw, and monies will be treated as a donation.

Raffle draw
The winner will be drawn on Thursday 17^th September 2026 at 11am at St Mary’s Catholic School Tauranga, 11 Thirteenth Avenue, Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112.

The draw is open to the public.

The winner will be drawn by a person of standing in the community, who is independent of the PTA.

The winning entries will be selected from all entries received by the closing date and prizes will be awarded in order of selection.

Only tickets for which full payment has been received will be eligible to win a prize.

If the writing is illegible on the ticket and/or no contact details are given, a new winner will be selected on the day of the draw.

The PTA may reject an entry and/or award any prize to an alternative winner if it has grounds to believe that a ticket holder has breached these Terms and Conditions, acted fraudulently or illegally, or on any other reasonable grounds. The PTA and will have no liability to the ticket holder for any loss or damage arising from its exercising such rights.

PTA decisions are final and binding.

Notification of winners
The winners will be notified as soon as possible and within 10 working days of the draw date either by telephone or email.

The winner’s names will be published on the School and PTA facebook pages and in the School newsletter within one week of the winners being declared.

In the event that we cannot contact the winner(s) within 28 days after the draw, the prize(s) will be as awarded in accordance with instructions from the Secretary of Internal Affairs.

The winners’ contact details will not be disclosed. We are committed to respecting your privacy and your personal information will remain private and only be used for the purposes outlined in these terms and conditions.

Collecting the prizes

The person named on the raffle ticket stub is the only person entitled to collect the prize.

If a prize cannot be collected or mailed (whichever is applicable) using the details provided to the PTA after 3 months of the date of the draw this prize will be forfeited.

Refunds

Raffle tickets are non-refundable for change of mind.

Responsible gambling

The PTA and School are committed to operating the Raffle in a socially responsible way. If you or a family member feel you are experiencing gambling problems, you can seek advice and support from http://www. gamblinghelpline.co.nz/Home_ 452.aspx or call 0800 654 655

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School Terms

Term 1

Monday 2 February – Rā Whānau Mai
Children begin school on Tuesday 3 February
Term ends Thursday 2 April
Friday 27 March – Teacher Only Day

Term 2

Monday 20 April – Friday 3 July

Term 3

Monday 20 July – Friday 25 September
Friday 14 August – Teacher Only Day

Term 4

Monday 12 October – Tuesday 15 December

Public Holidays

Waitangi Day – Friday 6 February
ANZAC Day – observed Monday 27 April
King’s Birthday – Monday 1 June
Labour Day – Monday 26 October

S

Seesaw for Year 0–2

Tika and Māramatanga use Seesaw to share photos and videos of our day-to-day activities. These may include learning experiences, celebrations, and creative play with friends.

Whānau teachers will create an account for each child when they start school and will send home information to help you connect with your child’s learning. If you use the Seesaw app, you can receive notifications of new posts and leave comments for your child and their teacher to see.

Seesaw provides a wonderful opportunity to start meaningful conversations with your child about what they are learning and experiencing at school.

School Hours

Monday to Friday: 8:50am – 2:55pm

Morning Tea

11:00am – 11:20am: Morning tea play
11:20am – 11:30am: Eating time

Lunch

1:00pm – 1:30pm: Lunchtime play
1:30pm – 1:45pm: Eating time

Liturgy

Every Monday at 10:30am

Please ensure your child arrives at school on time for the start of the school day.
This allows for a calm, well-prepared, and settled beginning to learning.

As a general rule, students should not arrive at school before 8:15am
(excluding early bus arrivals) or remain on site after 3:15pm.

If your child remains on school grounds at 3:15pm, they must be enrolled in After School Care.

If your child is playing on the school grounds after school, parents or caregivers are expected to remain beside them and actively supervise.

For safety reasons, the estuary is out of bounds before and after school unless a parent or caregiver is standing next to their child/ren.

School Donation – Issued by the School Office via HERO

The St Mary’s School Board has agreed that the 2025 school donation will remain at;
$160 per annum for one child and
$240 per annum for families with two or more children.

The donation is applied to the eldest (or only) child in each family. Parents may choose to make a one-off payment for the full amount or pay smaller instalments throughout the school year.

While the school donation is voluntary, it plays an important role in supporting the school’s special character and helping us maintain high aspirations for our students as we work towards educational excellence.

These donations are fully tax deductible, and a receipt can be requested from Karen at the school office.

Please note that the school donation does not cover costs associated with specific classroom activities or education outside the classroom, which are charged separately.

Payment Information

Internet banking is the preferred method of payment. Our school bank account number is shown on your statement. Please ensure your child’s name is included as the payment reference.

An EFTPOS facility is available at the school office. Please note that we are unable to accept cash or credit card payments.

Thank you in advance for your generous support of St Mary’s School.

For any queries regarding your school account, please contact:

Karen Mulhern or Fay Warnock

Staff Car Park

For health and safety reasons, the staff car park is strictly out of bounds. Please do not drive into the school grounds unless you have been given permission by the principal.

Sushi Lunch – Thursdays

K Sushi now uses a new ordering system. Please note that the school office no longer accepts cash.

How to Order

Text your order to 021 02349239.
Example: Child’s name – 1 × Teriyaki Chicken on Rice + Orange Juice

If placing two or more orders, please use one child’s name only to avoid confusion.

Payment

After sending your order, K Sushi will reply with their bank account details.
Please make payment using your child’s name as the reference.

Order Deadline

All orders must be received by 8:00pm on Wednesday each week to allow time for payment confirmation and preparation for Thursday delivery.

Sports & Extra-Curricular Activities

St Mary’s offers a wide range of sports and extra-curricular activities throughout the year. These programmes are supported by our Sports Coordinator. For enquiries, please contact SPORTS HERE!