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Parent Interest: Outdoor Camp ATHLETICS DAY 25th March Come And Join Us! This year we have the privilege of hosting our annual sports days joined with the local home-schoolers! Pray for fantastic weather and for the day to be injury free and a funday for all. Fun, Food, and Fellowship Cross Country 2021:

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.