Info for Parents

Bus Services:

The school is serviced by all school bus routes and children attending a Catholic School have the right to be transported to that school if they live on eligible routes.

Contact: Go Buses - 07 846 1975 for inquiries.

Eligibility

Criteria for preference for enrolment in Integrated Catholic School s is based on at least one of the following criteria being met:

5.1 The child has been baptised or is being prepared for baptism in the Catholic Church.

5.2 The child’s parents/guardians have already allowed one or more of its siblings to be baptised in the Catholic faith.

5.3 At least one parent / guardian is a Catholic, and although their child has not yet been baptised, the child’s participation in the life of the school could lead to the parents having the child baptised.

5.4 With the agreement of the child’s parent/guardian, a grandparent or other significant adult in the child’s life, such as an aunt, uncle or godparent, undertakes to support the child’s formation in the faith and practices of the Catholic Church.

5.5 One or both of a child’s non-Catholic parents/guardians is preparing to become a Catholic.

School Attendance Dues:

Catholic Schools are financed partly by the government and partly through attendance dues paid to the Proprietor (the Bishop of Hamilton).

Payment of attendance dues is required by law. A contract to pay attendance dues is a condition of enrolment at any New Zealand Catholic school.

Assistance is available should the payment of attendance dues become difficult due to personal circumstances. The school should be the first point of contact should difficulties occur.

School Lunches

St Mary's is fortunate enough to be part of the Ka Ora, Ka Ako - Healthy School Lunches. This means our learners receive a nutritious and delicious lunch each day. We are very thankful to the MoE for making this programme available to us.

Inclusive Learning

St Mary’s has a well-earned reputation for being a totally inclusive environment for children with all types of learning needs.

When required we have an experienced Teacher-Aide to work alongside students identified with learning needs in the class programme. External services such as Special Education Services, R.T.L.B.’s (Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour), RTLiT (Resource Teacher of Literacy) and Gifted and Talented Programmes are used appropriately.