Reporting to Parents:
Parents are welcome to make an appointment to meet with teachers or the principal at any time. Parents are invited to attend an interview with classroom teachers near the end of the first term and again in the second term. A brief written report is sent home at the end of Term 2 and a more detailed report at the end of Term 4. If parents wish to discuss the reports they are welcome to make an appointment

Board of Trustees, PTA & Parent Support:
The school is governed by an elected Board of Trustees (BOT), which also co-opts members as required. Board elections are held every three years. The board generally meets on the fourth Monday of each month. Parents are welcome to attend meetings as observers.

We have a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) which acts as a fund-raising body and provides opportunities for links between home and school. The PTA generally meets on the second Tuesday of each month. All interested parents are welcome to come along and join in.
Many parents also help in classrooms and become involved in special activities such as trips, sports events and camp days. Offers of help are always welcome.

Special Needs Pupils:
We try to make our school as inclusive as possible and put a considerable amount of energy and resource into meeting the needs of our special needs pupils. This is co-ordinated by a teacher who is allocated release time for this purpose. Sometimes this support is in the form of teacher-aide hours. At times, outside agencies such as the Ministry of Education Group Special Education (GSE) and Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) are able to provide expert advice and support. We are also supported by the Public Health Nurse and Speech Language Therapist.

Gifted & Talented Education:
We provide opportunities for extension for pupils with superior ability in a variety of ways. Classroom teachers seek opportunities to extend these pupils. Some have the opportunity to attend a One Day School - GKP. We also run our own Gifted & Talented withdrawal groups for identified students who would benefit from enrichment programmes.

School Library & Amenities:
The library is computerised, which makes issues, returns and records very efficient. Classes are timetable to visit the library. Pupils can also use the library during lunchtimes, with staff on hand to provide supervision. We have a very good collection of books and the library is a very attractive environment. Our new Library Information Centre was completed in July 2002. We have a full-time teacher aide, trained in library management, who is available to support teachers and students with research and literacy.

There is a Dental Clinic on site. However, as we share the nurse with two other schools, the clinic is only open for part of each year. The dates vary. Parents can get in touch with the nurse by phoning 579 6902.

We have a large well-appointed School Hall which is available for hire outside school hours. The hall has a kitchen and stage. The school hall redevelopment is our next major project.

There is a Sunshine Coach (a ten seater van) based at our school, which is available for use by various groups in the community for transporting youth. This wonderful amenity has been provided jointly by the Variety Club and The Ellerslie Sunshine Rotary Club.

School & Extracurricular Activities :
School Newsletters are sent home with the 'eldest' child once a fortnight, on Thursdays. Extracts are available on this website and parents can be put on an email list to receive it direct to home by contacting: principal@stanhope.school.nz

Pupils in Teams 1 & 2 have the opportunity to attend religious education classes for 30 minutes, once a week. If parents do not wish to have their children attend they can inform the teacher with a note.

Most years we have a major School Production which could be drama, a musical or dance. We try to involve as many pupils as possible. Performances are usually sold out.

At times we have Dance Groups which practise and develops dance routines for special performances. Our Indian Dance Group regularly performs at assemblies and in the community.

There are gymnastics clubs which run for the second and third terms. Some years, pupils can opt to go on to inter school competitions.

We have a Senior Choir which trains all year and then performs at the APPA Massed Choir Performance Evening at the Town Hall each year.

We have arranged for Itinerant Music Teachers to provide instrumental tuition during the school day at a nominal cost. Children can learn keyboard, drums, violin and guitar. This is optional and provided for pupils whose parents wish to take up the opportunity.

The Kapa Haka Group has training sessions weekly with a very skilled tutor. We are proud of the way that they perform on many occasions. When the opportunity arises they perform in festivals and competitions .