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SCHOOL RULES ​ The school has a number of rules about what can be brought to or worn to school. This is to keep our uniform tidy and to prevent competition and distraction amongst students. Following school rules is an opportunity to learn to obey and build character. Whatever we do later in life, it is governed by rules which we must learn to follow or face the consequences. Please help to keep up our school’s standards by supporting our rules. Non-Uniform Clothing Increasingly students are wearing non-uniform items to school. Non-uniform clothing worn at school may be confiscated for the rest of the term, and children may be sent home. ​ Hair Students hair must be clean and tidy at all times with no extremes of fashion acceptable, e.g. Mohawks, dreadlocks, corn rows, rat’s tails, man buns, unnatural coloured hair, shaved sections etc. Long hair must be tied back away from the face. All hair ties must be school colours. The way students present themselves must be of a business office setting. ​ Electronic devices Any student bringing a cell phone or Ipad to school must give it to Mr Bell to lock in the drawer until after school. Students found playing on devices during school will have them confiscated. ​ Make Up, Nail Polish and Jewellery No makeup or fingernail polish is to be worn to school. Students wearing makeup will have to wash it off with soap and water. Students needing to use the schools nail polish remover will be charged a dollar towards replacing it. The only Jewelry allowed at school are small gold or silver ear studs that can have a stone of the school colours (red, white and navy blue) or a necklace with a small cross. Incorrect Jewelry will be confiscated. ​ UNIFORM Please click here for information on uniforms. For more information, or to order, please contact the school office.

Our Point of Difference Excellence! Excellence! Excellence! Psalm 121:1-2 King James Version (KJV) I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, Which made heaven and earth. ​ What is the point of difference of Otamatea Christian Schools Distance Learning? The answer is....Excellence! Excellence in Growing our Christian Faith, Excellence in Growing Academically, Excellence in Growing our Giftings to serve the Kingdom. . Why do all things with excellence? “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men …” Colossians 3:23. Such a simple scripture – yet with such an incredible, liberating message! When I do everything heartily (i.e. from the heart) for the Lord, this overrides all ambitions of wanting to make a good impression on other people. ​ What is God's standard of excellence? On graduation it is God's desire that students be meek, humble, gentle, patient, peacemakers, seekers of justice, righteous, examples of integrity, compassionate, forgiving, faithful in marriage, loving, other- directed, and fishers of men. Citizenship, ethics training, academic knowledge, understanding wisdom. We are not a home schooling agency that specialises in administration or a hub where students engage when they choose. We are offering a specialist, private, distance learning school, with the resources, expertise, and expectations to generate success and excellence in all areas. We aim to enable all students to reach their full potential and to discover their God given talents. ​ Our fees are set to provide the staff and resources needed to provide students with what they need to become the leaders of the future in their chosen fields. ​ If you are looking for a top notch education from the comfort of your home join our school family. ​ Our distance learning is not a replacement for those who are enjoying home schooling but an opportunity for those who are looking to Accelerate their child learning to its full potential regardless of their ability. ​ For more information contact the school: otamateachristianschool@gmail.com ​ ​

​ SCHOOL PROCEDURES ​ SCHOOL TIMETABLE ​ ​ 8:45am School Starts ​ 10:30am - 10:45am Playtime ​ 12:15pm – 1:00pm Lunchtime ​ 3.00pm School closes ​ N.B On Wednesday school finishes at 2.00 pm ​ CHAPEL ​ Chapel is held every Thursday morning at the beginning of the school day. During this time there is a time of worship and a message from Pastor Paul Chambers. Weekly prizes such as the Congratulation Slips, Merit Shield, and other certificates are given out. Parents are welcome to join us for this. ​ LEARNING CENTRE Monitors and Readers The learning center not only has the supervisor but each day there is a monitor and a reader. They are both volunteers, parents, grandparents or friends of the school who are willing and servant hearted. The Monitor’s job is primarily administrative in essence. The monitor checks that the students carefully follow procedures and complete their work. They record what they find so that the Supervising Teacher can attend to the student’s needs. Readers have a very important role of listening to the younger students readings in their Paces. If you think that you could help with either being a Monitor or a Reader please contact Mr Bell. ​ Pace Tests At the end of each pace is a Pace Test. If the student is on pace 1037 or below or any Word Building Pace, a pass mark of 90 % is required to pass and move on to the next pace. If they are over 1037 the pass mark is 80 %. Each Monday morning at chapel the students are issued with a ‘Congratulation Slip,’ showing scores of their Pace Tests, which they should take home for you to see their progress. The Congratulation Slip also records the number of paces they have completed in that subject that year. ​ Score Keys The ACE programme requires students to regularly score their work. To score means to check the answers of a completed section of a PACE with the correct answers in a score key. Each PACE has a matching score key up to PACE 1036. From 1037 on three answer books are combined to make one score key i.e. 1037, 1038 and 1039 are combined to make one score key for these three PACEs. ​ Daily Goals Your child will set goals each day which must be completed. If they are not finished at school what is left must be completed for homework. The pages that need to be done for homework will be written in the Homework Notebook so that you can see what they need to do. The average number of PACES that is considered a full years work is 60 which is three paces in each subject each term. Some children will do more than this and some will do less but your child will be required to set at least 17 pages a day. Anything less is not enough to keep up. Children need to do 15 paces per term to achieve the 60 pace award. ​ Clear Goal Check Your child might come home and tell you that they got a clear goal check and be very pleased with themselves and so they should be! This means that when the monitor checked their work, they had followed all procedures correctly, scored correctly, done all their readings, checkup signed etc. They will receive extra merits for having a clear goal check. ​ Readings Each night your child will bring home reading for you to listen to. Please sit with them and make sure they are pronouncing the words correctly. Each page they have read needs to be signed by you and will be checked by the monitor the next morning. Readings not done will earn a demerit. Homework Notebook Each term your child will be issued a notebook to give you information as to where your child is at with their goals for the term and for communicating with you so together we can help the students in their achievements. At the back of the notebook are the requirements for your child to reach Honour Roll for each term. As students complete PACES this is marked on the chart so that students, parents and staff can monitor progress towards achieving Honour Roll. Likewise scripture learned and detentions are also recorded on the chart. Each day students set their goals. Any goals that are not completed that day become homework and are written in this notebook. The following morning, students’ goals are checked by the monitor and this is reported back to parents via the notebook. Parents should sign the notebook each day and encourage students to get clear goal checks and develop good work habits. A demerit will be given for no signature. There is also space provided for comments to be made by either parents or staff. Please use this notebook for sending notes to school and keeping open communication between home and school. Remember that if you have any concerns, make an appointment to see the supervisor so that together the problem can be worked through. ​ Merit Shield Merits are given out for different things throughout the week. On Monday morning at Chapel the student with the most merits from the previous week wins the Merit Shield. Merits can be earned in many ways. Each day they get merits for having their offices tidy, all procedures followed, good manners etc. ​ Demerits and detentions Demerits are given out for any misbehaviour and failure to follow procedures carefully. This includes talking in class, cheating, homework not done etc. If a child gets three demerits in a day they will be issued a detention slip for a 20 minute detention which will be sent home for you to sign and return to school. Ten minutes is added on for each demerit over the three and if the slip is not returned to school signed an extra 10 minutes is added. The detention will be done either at lunchtime or after school the next day. If it is after school parents are required to pick them up when the detention is completed. ​ Memory verses Each term the students are given memory verses to learn. These are a requirement for Honour Roll and are published in the homework notebook. Please help your child to learn these. Merits are given out for learned memory verses and more merits are given the sooner the verse has been memorised. ​ Honour Roll Each term, children who meet certain criteria, are eligible to go on an Honour Roll Trip, which is a special day trip planned by the supervisor for the Learning Centre. The cost of this trip is met by the school. Requirements each term will be specific to the pupil and set after consultation with the supervisor and student. Minimum stars per pace. Total stars each term. Memorize the monthly scripture passages by the deadline date. A maximum of five detentions per term. In the event of a double Honour Roll trip, (combining 2 terms into one trip) allscriptures for both terms need to be learnt, even if the students only qualifies for one term. NB: While completing this minimum set of requirements will enable a child to go on the terms Honour Roll trip, it must be remembered that this will not be sufficient to qualify for the 60 PACE Award, and thus complete the equivalent of a full ‘academic year’ in pace work. 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 Pace Awards Students who pass 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 paces, regardless of what subjects they are in will receive an award at prizegiving. ​ Tips for managing homework and readings Put in place at home a reward system for completing all work at school . At times it will not be possible for them to do all of their work at school so have a reward for doing their homework quickly. Good habits for life are formed when young. Keep the rewards small and manageable throughout the year. Quite simply I show the time on the clock and say you’ll be able to play for a certain length of time if you’re finished by then. Or a sticker chart, progress chart and follow with a prize. Afternoon tea at the local cafe is very special treat or play at the local park is free! Throughout the year there are quite a few readings so think outside the square. At home set a time for readings. Bed-time reading their readings. You read one paragraph they read one. Use a funny voice be creative. Model how to read – stop at full stops, break down words that are unfamiliar. The readings need to be done otherwise your child is disadvantaged the next day until the reader can hear them. So make an effort and make this time fun. You will be amazed at how much you yourself learn from the paces. Celebrate their success and encourage them in their failings. Re-present their certificates at home. Every one fails at one time or another so did the greatest Einstiens of this world so give tribute to their failings too. There is no such thing as failure just stepping stones to learning. We all travel at different speeds and take different size steps.

O.C.S DISTANCE LEARNING ​ Our Distance Learning option is an exciting new Ministry of Education approved way for students to attend school from the comfort, safety, and convenience of their own home in the care of their parents. BENEFITS OF DISTANCE LEARNING Distance Learning combines the benefits of schooling at home with the structure, accountability, support, and guida nce of a school. ​ Distance Learning lightens the load of parents as their children’s first teachers, for those who need to or wish to educate their children at home. Students enrolling in distance learning benefit from having a parent monitor their engagement throughout the day while the school takes the responsibility of providing the curriculum materials and teaching students as if they were at school. ​ O.C.S Distance Learning engages students with 1:1 learning and individualised tutoring, group engagement online and events where students throughout the country can compete with other students. Distance learning is portable and can be done from almost anywhere which is ideal for families at home, on the move, traveling the world, enjoying the beauty of New Zealand, or for students pursuing high performance activities. ​ Distance Learning is a cost effective way of gaining a private school education with traditional standards, and high expectations from the comfort and security of your home. ​ OUR POINT OF DIFFERENCE ​ ​ ​ Individual work plans At enrolment all students sit diagnostic tests to identify gaps in learning which need addressing. Students are prescribed individual programmes of work to accelerate their learning. Dedicated teachers work one on one with students teaching precept upon precept to build students understanding and knowledge. Students are accountable to their teachers on a daily basis to encourage them to do their best. Teachers will communicate with parents through school reports, conversations, notes, and progress cards to ensure you know how your child is achieving. Gifted students and students with needs ACE has the capacity to extend the most gifted student and a remedial programme to help those with needs. Students can be accelerated in one subject while getting remedial help in another to maximise their learning potential. Portable Education The ACE resources are fully portable and make up the bulk of the academic programme which is supplemented with a vast array of activities including sport, the arts, technology, and science. Blocks of work will be sent to students which are easily transported to wherever you need to study. Teachers can be accessed from almost anywhere online. OCS distance learning has the continuity to teach students from Year 1 to 13 with a variety of exit certificates that can be tailored to meet students end use needs including university entrance. A Christian School OCS is a Christian Community of learners where we accept students from all walks of life and faiths. We teach from a Christian world view alongside modern scientific theories. Students are encouraged to think for themselves, ask questions and use the teaching material to grow their knowledge and understanding. All students will be given the opportunity to participate in prayer and learn about Christianity. We expect students and parents to respect the school’s Christian character, but a Christian faith is not required. The wider school curriculum There will be opportunities to attend the school on camps or on home stay to meet the teaching staff and other students, to receive remedial or extension help, or to participate in school competitions and events. Throughout the year Distance Learners will be encouraged to meet other Distance Learners in their area and to participate in local activities which align with the school’s programme. Extracurricular activities like sports, dance and music are encouraged and some activities can be credited to certificates. Training Both students and parents will benefit from training to make the most of Distance Learning. This is done with information sheets, videos and through the teaching staff. Training is introduced in manageable pieces over the first few weeks of enrolment on an individual basis. Parental Commitment Parent are to be on hand to supervise their children daily to encourage and monitor their progress. Parents will receive educational resources which they will need to keep secure. Parents will have the control over student access to score keys and tests. Parents assist the school by sending completed tests back for marking and filing. Older students will quickly become independent learners while younger students will naturally present more opportunities for parental to assistance. During the first few weeks there will, be more opportunities for parental involvement as your child learns to work with their teacher. Students under 14 years of age must be under adult supervision at all times. Parents will be involved directly in the learning of their children, but will not be responsible for teaching students. Benefits of Distance learning with OCS OCS offers traditional values. Takes the effort out of schooling at home. Affordable private school education with high standards. Freedom from state social and political agendas. Have day to day input in your children’s learning. Know what your children are being taught. Be informed and make your own chooses. Respect for parents as their children’s first teacher. Consistency of education during disruptions. New Zealand recognised qualifications. New Zealand Christian Teachers. Safe family atmosphere free from bullying. School staff that really cares. Finding home schooling difficult and need support. Interested in home schooling but don’t believe you have the time, energy or expertise to do it. Truly Individualised learning. Mastery learning where students learn new concepts before they move on so nobody is left behind. ​

Study In NZ New Zealand is a prosperous, modern country with a stable government. It’s a safe place to work and study while exploring our rich natural clean green environment and cultural heritage. New Zealand provides a wealth of opportunities at a competitive price to other first world destinations Student’s safety and care comes first. New Zealand has a strict code of practice for the care of international students. Picturesque Location Otamatea Christian School is set in a Rural Northland town of Maungaturoto on the shores of the Kaipara harbour between the cities of Auckland and Whangarei. The temperatures are subtropical with summer temperatures averaging 20°C (68°F) and mild winters of 11°C (51°F) making it a comfortable environment to study and experience the country. The air is clean and fresh, the land is green and the night sky is full of stars. The rural setting and close proximity to two coasts and two cities offers an exciting range of activities Study Our rural backdrop is the perfect place to focus on education without the distractions of a big city. The school is small so international students quickly become friends with the New Zealand students and quickly develop their conversational English. The school focuses on learning. Qualifications OCS has very high standards requiring students to score 80% to pass. Over the last 5 years 100% of our graduate students have gained university entrance. Students work on individual work plans with one on one teaching. International students language skills benefit greatly from our American phonic based educational resources. International Student Accommodation Students 10 years old and under must stay with a parent or legal guardian. There are homes to be rented or purchased in Maungaturoto. The school can direct you to local land agents if you require. Students over 10 years old can stay with a parent or legal guardian, living with a designated caregiver, or in a home stay situation organised by parents or the school. The student’s accommodation must meet the International Student Code of Practice requirements and will be checked regularly for student safety and wellbeing. Ministry of Education Code of Practice Otamatea Christian School has agreed to observe and to be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Ministry of Education and undertakes to comply with the accommodation provisions set out in part 6 of practice for the pastoral care of international students. Copies of the Code are available on request from the School Office or click on the following link to download a copy from the NZQA Website - http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/education-code-of-practice/ Copies in a variety of languages are also available on this link. Please click here for international school fees. ​ For more information on our international students programme, or to enrol, please contact our international students’ director – Lynette Bell at lynettebellteach@gmail.com or otamateachristianschool@gmail.com ​ Phone: 09 4318487 ​ Otamatea Christian School 98 Hurndall Street, Maungaturoto Northland New Zealand

​ SENIOR PROGRAM OF STUDY ​ Year 11 to Year 13 Levels 1,2 and 3 ​ Pre-Requisites: Core Mathematics, Core English, Core Word Building and Core Literature, Core Science and Core Social Studies (Paces 1085-1096) ​ English: Etymology, Word Building, Speech, The Art of Story telling, English I, II, III, IV and V, English Composition I and 2, ​ Mathematics: Business Math, Algebra I and II, Senior Mathematics 1 and 2, Geometry, Trigonometry, College Math and Accounting ​ Social Sciences: Modern History, History of Civilisation, Collectivism, American Government, American History, World History Projects, World History, World Geography, New Zealand Social Studies ​ Science: Earth Science, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Bible and Science ​ Health: Nutrition Science, Health ​ Business Studies: General Business, Keyboard Skills, Economics, Business Mathematics, Accounting ​ The Arts: Visual Art, Music ​ Christian Studies: Christian Counselling Christian World View Biographies of Christians Missions Christian Growth Life of Christ NT Church History OT Survey Successful Living Other Curriculum Offered: (Additional charges will apply) ​ Languages: (Rosetta Stone) Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Dutch, English (American), English(British), Filipino (Tagalog), French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Persian(Farsi), Polish, Portuguese(Brazil), Russian, Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain), Swedish, Turkish and Vietnamese ​ The Arts: Singing (Trinity College Exams) Drama (Trinity College Exams) Guitar Lessons ​ Te Kura: New Zealand Correspondence School (Choice Manual 2017) http://www.tekura.school.nz/subjects-and-courses/ http://www.tekura.school.nz/assets/Publications-non-curriculum/Choice.pdf Note: There is no Christian Content in these subjects. The school does not take responsibility for the curriculum content. It is up to parents to discern whether the subjects are suitable for their child/children. If content in some subjects is not suitable to the character of the school, then the content will not be admissible at school. Students enrolled under the correspondence school are counted as ‘Dual Enrolement” students. This is supplementary to the A.C.E program. Students can study things we cannot offer at a senior level, for example – Te Reo, New Zealand Accounting and Business Studies, Home Economics, Legal Studies, Media Studies, Primary Production, Performing Arts etc. Please look online if you are interested and then let the school know for enrolement purposes. It is best to enroll at the end of each school year for the following year. Be aware that not all subjects can be or will be credited towards an A.C.E certificate as this needs to be applied for, however, they can be added to your child’s Academic Record and used as part of their Curriculum Vitae.

Please complete the online application below, or click here for the printable version. Application for Enrollment - Distance Learning Student's First Name: Student's Last Name: Student's preferred name: Address & Postcode: Postal Address (if different): Home Phone: Mobile Phone: Birth date: Age: Ethnicity: Iwi: Male/Female: Present Year Level: Last early childhood centre or school attended: Father's name: Occupation: Email: Personal Mobile: Address & Postcode: Mother's name: Occupation: Email: Personal Mobile: Address & Postcode: Person responsible for student at home: Previous experience using A.C.E Pace's (Yes/No) Father, Christian Y/N Mother, Christian Y/N When: Level: Church Attended: Does student have special needs / medical conditions: Please indicate general academic acheivement of student's previous work: Has your child ever been suspended, dismissed, or refused enrollment to any other school: Reason for choosing Otamatea Christian School's Distance Learning Programme: I agree that if my child is admitted for enrolment to Otamatea Christian School’s Distance Learning Programme, I will insist that he / She complies to the programme, discipline, and other requirements of the school. Signed Caregiver 1 (Father) Clear Date Signed Caregiver 2 (Mother) Clear Date Where did you hear about OCS Distance learning Send Your enrollment form has been successfully sent.

WHAT WE OFFER ​ 1. Enrolment in a private school with New Zealand University Qualifications 2. Diagnostic tests overseen by experienced staff who will create individual prescriptions that meet each students’ actual needs rather than being given generic prescriptions. 3. One on one teaching to quickly fill small learning gaps. 4. Curriculum resources delivered to your door without the need to order. 5. An online platforms flag system to request one on one teacher help like in a classroom. 6. Regular teacher interaction to encourage and monitor progress and provide accountability. 7. High expectations and success rates. 8. Becoming part of an online class and school. 9. Access to a wide variety of certificates and the experience to help chose the best certificate for your child and their chosen career. 10. Support to attend Student Convention as part of the school where students gain confidence in developing their gifts and talents and exploring new areas of development. 11. Invitation to join school events and activities. 12. Access to staff with experience in helping students to excel.

Friends of the School Notification HOW TO DONATE Otamatea Christian School is a small, rural based Northland private Christian school which relies on donations to operate. We are passionate about providing the opportunity for children in our area to receive a sound Biblically based education. We are aiming to provide an education system that works alongside parents in the education of their children and that creates opportunities for all children to attend and flourish no matter what their socio economic background or education level is. Regular donations, lump sum donations or bequests, will be warmly accepted as a blessing and will go toward the day to day running of the school, staffing, meeting the the educational, and learning needs of our students. It will also be put towards development of the giftings some students show as well as to help fund families that struggle financially with fees, uniform, school trips, workbooks and other school related costs. If you wish to donate you can donate by pressing the icon above through Friends of the School.

SCHOOL FEES

International Student Testimony "Please believe that Otamatea Christian School is the start to your dreams and aspirations" - Fiona Yue ​ My name is Fiona, and I’m a freshman in high school. When I was just 8 years old (Year 3), my family moved to New Zealand from China. I took the diagnostic test of the Otamatea Christian School when I first started. I was startled by the fact that I couldn’t even read the term “brother” correctly. My principal, Mr. Bell, at that time told me that it would take me six months to learn English and a year to be able to speak with others without a language barrier, and sure enough, his predictions were true. For five years at Otamatea Christian School, I learned to comprehend, read, and write and excel in all of them. I was a top-class student when I entered secondary school (Epsom Girls Grammar School). My teachers thought highly of the talks and presentations I presented. Excellent and really engaged, according to my report. These were all only made possible with the assistance of Mr. and Mrs. Bell. My foundation was so strong that my Math teacher, English teacher and classmates all inquired as to whether I attended a prestigious school. They all questioned me about my school’s name. I am very proud to have studied at Otamatea Christian School. The school has helped me adjust to high school successfully. Over the course of my five years at Otamatea Christian School, I also have learned appropriate behaviour and manners. My family was significantly helped by the school as well. My family and I adapted well to life in New Zealand thanks to the principal’s wife and his kind invitations to parties and fishing trips. My family is really appreciative of what they have done. I’d like to express my brother Eric’s gratitude on his behalf to Mrs. Bell, the wife of the principal, and Director of International Students. She worked one-on-one with my brother to help him adjust to school life. She also helped him with social skills while supporting him with a positive outlook. Overall, I’m very appreciative of a school that feels like a family. Please believe that Otamatea Christian School is the start to your dreams and aspirations. Fiona Yue.

SCHOOL POLICIES The school policies can be found by clicking on the following links. Please contact the school for more information. Attendance Policy Enrolment Policy E.O.T.C (Education outside the classroom) Policy Equal Employment Opportunities Policy Internet Safety Policy (incl. internet bullying) Physical Restraint Policy Child Protection Policy Health & Safety Policy Privacy Policy Stand down & Suspension Policy Vulnerable Children Policy