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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.

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.

Thank you for your interest in our school. I look forward to welcoming international students from all over the world who are motivated to experience New Zealand education and who will respond to the challenge of hard work along with involvement and participation in academic, sporting and cultural activities. Otamatea Christian School is a small, Christian, co-educational Year 1-13 school with a warm family atmosphere and an emphasis on character training, values education and high academic standards. Our school has a fine record of providing opportunities for all students who are determined to succeed and who wish to achieve to their full potential. Our senior students strive for the A.C.E Academic Year 12 and Year 13 certificate of Christian Education which is accepted as entry level into New Zealand Universities and Tertiary Institutes throughout New Zealand. We aim to assist our students to take full responsibility for their learning and behaviour and we know that quality learning comes from a close partnership between home and school. All students are encouraged to: • aim for excellence • work towards achieving their God-given potential in all areas • have enquiring minds, a sense of discipline, co-operation and responsibility. • develop an appreciation of their cultural background, a capacity for leadership, concern and respect for others. • demonstrate high standards of honesty, integrity, courtesy, tolerance and loyalty. • prepare for future tertiary and vocational opportunities and to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for their chosen career. I welcome you to our school and congratulate you on your choice of New Zealand as an educational destination and I hope that the association with Otamatea Christian School will be challenging and rewarding throughout your stay in our country. Mark James Bell - Principal

Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) curriculum is being used at all levels. ACE resources complement and enhance the New Zealand curriculum. Christian moral standards and truths are integrated throughout all subjects. Children are assessed and graded on the basis of their achievement level in each major subject, rather than on their age. This means less able students are not so likely to develop low self-esteem and more able students can be more fully extended. The educational philosophy of ACE is that children read rather than listen to gain knowledge, and that the “teacher” supervises that learning. Because the system is self-instructional, the supervisors can focus their attention on individual children and the specific areas where assistance is needed. ACE has an excellent program for teaching young children to read; “Reading Readiness” and ABC’s which use a phonetic approach to the alphabet. Once children are able to read, they are presented in each subject with a series of instructional workbooks (PACE’s). The concepts and knowledge in each PACE build upon each other. Each PACE is mastered before a student moves up to the next one, thus eliminating gaps in learning. Senior students , upon completion of a subject, receive credits, which when enough have accrued, qualify them for an ACE Certificate. Students from Year 7 to Year 10 are also extended in the afternoon into many areas to develop the gifts God has given them. They participate in National Student Convention and have a choice of participating in South Pacific Convention and International Convention competing against other A.C.E students around the world in a wide variety of disciplines in Academics, Athletics, Visual Arts, Manual Arts, Performance Arts, Media Arts, Music – vocal and instrumental. More about the Accelerated Christian Education Program The Accelerated Christian Education program is a total package, self-instructional curriculum covering all grade levels and core subjects from Kindergarten through to Year 13. For over 40 years the A.C.E. curriculum has been successfully used by thousands of students in NZ. It is now used in thousands of Christian schools in over 140 countries as well as being used by thousands of home schooling families. Each subject is presented in a series of self-instructional workbooks, called PACEs, progressively graduated so that new concepts and truths build upon previously mastered ones. An 80% pass mark is required in each PACE before a student is permitted to proceed to the next PACE. Twelve PACEs represent one year’s work in each subject. Christian World View All educational curriculum in its content and prescribed methodology presents a particular philosophical position or world view. Public education presents a secular or humanistic world view. The philosophy behind the A.C.E. curriculum is built on basic Biblical principles so that students are taught to see life from God’s point of view as they study the standard subjects of English, Science, Social Studies etc. Biblical values and concepts considered foundational to successful living are conveyed throughout the curriculum in such a way as to become life-shaping influences. A.C.E. is nondenominational. Built on Five Basic Laws of Learning The following five principals under gird the A.C.E system of learning: Students must be placed at the academic level in each subject where they can perform. Reasonable goals must be set each school day. Students must be controlled and motivated. Learning must be measurable. Learning must be rewarded. Meets Individual Needs One of the main principles of the A.C.E. curriculum is that students work at their own achievement level and this can differ from subject to subject. On completing diagnostic tests to determine learning gaps and achievement levels, each student is given an individual academic prescription that will meet his individual needs ensuring that he works at his own achievement level. The nature of the curriculum also allows students to work at their own pace according to their own ability. It is able to meet the individual needs of each student. Mastery Based Learning Advancement through the A.C.E. programme is attained only through learning. Only when a student has sufficiently mastered the contents of a PACE can he advance to the next PACE in the full scope and sequence curriculum. Procedures There are various procedures built into the A.C.E. programme. These procedures when properly utilised can produce the following results: Daily goal setting Students taking responsibility for their own learning A high standard of quality control Mastery of concepts Continual and consistent assessment of student’s learning Academic excellence Self-Instructional Good work habits Self-Instructional Initially the student learns to read using our phonics based programme. Then they read to learn. The student is responsible for setting goals and completing them. The Supervisor (Teacher) is there to clarify and assist the student as needed as well as encourage, motivate and discipline according to procedures if required. Work not completed goes home as homework and parents are expected to supervise their children to complete their work. Character Development One of the features of the A.C.E. curriculum is that it incorporates character building and wisdom principles. Christian truths and Biblical principles are integrated through all subjects. Each PACE promotes one of sixty character traits identifiable in the life of Christ and these are reinforced by a Scripture passage. A.C.E CERTIFICATE RECOGNITION Secondary Qualification A.C.E. offers several of its own secondary qualifications based on various credit requirements. The two highest of these have been assessed by the NZ Vice Chancellors’ Committee and are eligible to be considered for admission ‘ad eundem statum’ (at the same status) as NCEA Level 3, university entrance level by a NZ university. A student must complete 12 PACEs per subject commencing at PACE level 1085 to gain 2 credits towards an A.C.E. Certificate. NZ ACE Level 3 Certificates Approved as University Entrance A letter from the Chair of the New Zealand Vice-chancellor’s Committee’s Subcommittee on Entrance states: This is to certify that the New Zealand Accelerated Education (ACE) Level 3 Certificates are accepted by the New Zealand universities for admission ad eundem statum at entrance level” Students with an ACE Level 3 Certificate must have at least 4 credits in level 3 subjects including at least 3 subjects from 3 different subject domains. Students who achieve a High School Advanced Certificate or a Certificate of Achievement with 10 credits at Level 3 and with a minimum average of 93% in those 5 subjects will be awarded this certificate with honours. The A.C.E. Academic council of New Zealand considers this to be at least at an A Bursary level. Many students have also gained entrance into a number of overseas institutes of higher learning. The following is a list of the A.C.E. Certificates available in New Zealand: NZ Record of Attainment (minimum 10 credits) PACE 37+ NZ Certificate of Achievement Level (minimum 8 credits) PACE 85+ NZ Certificate of Achievement Level 1 (12 credits) PACE 85+ NZ Certificate of Achievement Level 2 (12 credits) PACE 97+ NZ Certificate of Achievement Level 3 (16 credits) PACE 97+ NZ High School Certificate Level 1 (30 credits) PACE 85-1108 NZ High School Certificate Level 2 (30 credits) PACE 85-1120 NZ High School Advanced Certificate Level 3 (48 Credits) PACE 85-1120 Level 3 Certificates can be awarded with honours. There are printed guidelines for each of these certificates.

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.

HISTORY Background In 1986, the pastor of the Maungaturoto Congregational Church, Robert Steedman was experiencing the struggles of raising a family who attended the local school. Dissatisfied, he and his wife Lynelle figured there must be a better way to educate children to think and live Christianly. They searched and discovered schools starting up around the country using Accelerated Christian Education. Together with Malcolm Cullen, also of the Congregational Church, they met and were inspired by Ross Davies, Ken Francis and Dick Gordon who were operating a school at Kamo and Alan O’Neil at Dargaville. They decided to do the same. During the first term of 1987, Debra Windsor, who would be the first senior supervisor, lived at Kamo and worked with Ken Francis to learn all about how ACE operated. They proceeded to set up a school board under the church elders and began planning a school to operate at the church. In due course they opened Otamatea Christian School on April 22, 1987. The initial student body consisted of 14 primary school aged children, mostly from the Maungatoroto Congregational Church and the Assemblies of God. In the following year there were 28 students in the school. Gradually they extended the top age of the student body up into the secondary school. The Accelerated Christian education style was working well for them. There was a real sense that school was an extension of family life as parents were integrally involved in the running of the school. Additional Buildings In 1991 a building was brought in and attached to the back of the church to provide additional classroom space. In 2004 an attractive purpose built school building was constructed at the back of the property freeing up the church building. School Staffing The Steedmans left at the end of 1991 at which time Les Gribben became the principal. Les faithfully continued in this role until he handed the baton to Lynette Bell in 2009. Lynette Bell continued to ‘Stay the Course’ and grow the school to 43 students during her time as principal. She believed in releasing the talents and gifts students had been blessed with and opened the school to those that would not be able to afford Christian Education through the introduction of Scholarships and Sponsorship. She served in this role for 6 years until 2015 where she handed over the leadership of the school to her husband, Mark Bell. Mark Bell has been working in the school since 2011. Both Lynette and Mark are called to the Mission Field of providing a strong Bible based Christian Education in our area. They work as a team and hold a passionate vision for Christian Education in which all core subjects are infused with scripture and guided by the word of God. School Community During the time the school has been open, there has been a cross-section of Christian families and non-Christian families and children that have participated fully in the school community. Notably there have been families while based at the Youth With a Mission base at Paparoa contributing to the school community. There is a continuing warm and supportive relationship built up with the other churches in the district. The school has been a valuable contributor to the fellowship of ACE schools and home educators, being actively involved with conferences and conventions, and the local NZACS regional events. Teachers and volunteers from parents, to grandparents, to friends of the school, willingly give of their time and are a blessing to those lives they touch. Conclusion Otamatea Christian School still remains an independent school. Faith and Trust in God are paramount to its smooth running spiritually, physically and financially. Since the early days many students have passed through our school and have achieved outstanding results in their chosen paths including tertiary education. In recent years students that have been through our school have ended up studying medicine, law, physiotherapy, genetics. Some students have gone on to be teachers, nurses or linguists. Other occupations that our students are called to include engineering, building, architecture, social work and building. Otamatea Christian School has been a wonderful example of a community of faithful families educating their children in the knowledge of the Lord and a shining light to those members of the community that have come through its doors in times of storm and uncertainty. Especially in recent years non Christian children and families that have joined our school community have given their lives to Christ. Thus the school has transitioned from a school essentially focused on discipleship to a school also focused on evangelism of those that do not know Christ.

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

Contract of Enrolment

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.

To receive a yearly tax receipt for donation rebates, please click HERE to email us your details. Thank you again for your support!

Distance learning fees for the 2023 As an independent school, OCS is a non-profit organisation that operates independently of the government. Operating costs of the school are covered by tuition fees and donations. All fees are in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax of 15%. The School reserves the right to change fees at any time. Where possible, one term’s notice of the expected increase will be provided. Distance Learning: $6,250.00 per annum $1,562.25 per quarter Curriculum Resources and Stationery: $600.00 per annum $150.00 per quarter

Cyclone Gabrielle Our School was hit by Cyclone Gabrielle which raged its devastating blast in our small community of Maungaturoto. Power and Cell Tower transmission was lost but it has been restored to the main town of Maungaturoto. Children coming from outlying areas are still facing power lines down, and no way of communication due to cell towers being down, being cut off by slips on roads. Members of our school family have lost roofing on sheds and have had to deal with flooding, property damaged. Our farming families are without power for milking. The school has lost 3 class rooms due to the roof being blown off. We have lost our art/technology room, our music room and the junior afternoon room. There is a lot of damage to these rooms and the children have lost their playground for now as it has had to be cordoned off because the roof landed in it. The blessing is that we started school a week earlier than most schools so even though we have been closed for a week the students have not lost any learning time. The whole school is set up to operate from the main building, that was not damaged. We are insured and the rebuild would will take time. There may be disruptions and noise and more traffic as the re-build takes place. How Can You Help ? Please pray for the staff and children for a positive attitude, for patience, diligence and stewardship. If you want to partner with our school, which is in a growth cycle, press the Friends of the School button. Friends of the School