General Information

 

KAMO PRIMARY SCHOOL – A SHORT HISTORY

The name Kamo is a Māori word meaning “to bubble up” – descriptive of the hot springs in the area. Kamo’s first school opened in a Mr Rouse’s house in July 1873 with a roll of 40 pupils. In 1881, a permanent building was erected on the site in Hall Street (now Boswell Street). Additions were made to this as the district grew and the roll slowly increased over the next 60 years.

The school was relocated onto its present site in Bush Road in a new building, originally of four classrooms. This opened in 1946. In 1952, two more rooms were added. The present junior block of four classrooms was built in 1960. Other temporary and semi-permanent classrooms followed.

The 1960s saw a great increase in the school’s size. Despite losing its Form One and Form Two pupils when Kamo Intermediate opened in 1964 and other pupils when Kamo East (now Totara Grove) School opened in 1966, by 1968 Kamo School had 820 pupils, making it the 4th biggest school in the Auckland Education Board’s area. The school’s centennial year of 1973 saw a roll of 620 pupils. The school’s roll declined until it reached 230 in 1992. Since then it has steadily increased with marked growth over the 1995 – 2023 period.

Kamo District

In 1962 – Kamo Primary bottom centre of the photo (Photo courtesy of National Library of NZ – Whites Aviation Ltd)

In 1995 the Board embarked on a hall development project and by mid May 1996 a Hall was on site ready for use.The school was extensively upgraded and refurbished internally in the early 1980s and the exterior was repainted in 1992.

In 2000 the School was included in the Ministry of Education’s Five Year Property programme. This would see $560,000 spent on upgrading the Administration area, a new staffroom built, a replacement classroom and a number of small projects. As well the Ministry of Education provided further funds for two new classrooms.

2010 – 2012 the school has completed the following property projects…

Major power upgrade including the installation of a new transformer
Staff and student toilet blocks upgraded in main block
Re-roofing of main block
Re-build of Room 12Projects to be completed in 2013 include…
Ultra fast broadband – fibre from gate to server room
Install heat pumps in room’s 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, & 12. Pool changing sheds to be upgraded in the winter.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
Under the Education Act 1989 Boards of Trustees are elected from the local community. The main purpose of the Board is overall governance of the school. It is responsible for:

1. Approving school policy

2. Controlling finances

3. Appointing new staff

4. Liaising with the community

5. Maintaining school property

Board meetings are held on a Tuesday twice a term. Copies of minutes are available at the school office. Community involvement with the school is encouraged.

 

HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION:
The Home and School Association is a group of enthusiastic parents involved in a wide range of activities raising extra funds to supplement the school’s operating grant. Informal meetings are held regularly at the school and a committee is elected annually. The Home and School welcomes newcomers to its meetings. If you are interested please contact the school office.

TEACHING EMPHASIS:
Kamo Primary caters for pupils from Year One to Year Six, that is the first six years of Primary schooling. Children then move onto Years 7 and 8 at Intermediate School.

All pupils follow the New Zealand Curriculum. The New Zealand Curriculum is a statement of official policy relating to teaching and learning in English-medium New Zealand schools. Its principal function is to set the direction for student learning and to provide guidance for schools as they design and review their local curriculum. As well, programmes include opportunities for education outside the classroom, inter-school and district sports and cultural events. Child centred development in all areas – academic, physical, social and emotional is the teaching emphasis throughout the school.

READING RECOVERY:
Some children who have been identified at six years of age as needing extra support in reading and written language may be eligible to be included in the Reading Recovery programme. The success of this highly individualised programme includes involvement and support from those parents concerned. The school is fortunate in having several teachers trained in Reading Recovery techniques.

MAORI LANGUAGE:
As part of their operations grant, every school receives a sum of money to be spent on the enhancement of the Maori Language. The amount given is based on the number of Maori pupils on the school roll. The Board of Trustees decided to utilise these funds to employ a Kaiawhina (Maori language teacher). Parents of all pupils (not just Maori) have the option of having their children attend classes to experience the Maori language and culture. A rotational timetable enables the children to be withdrawn from class so this does not disadvantage them with regard to their other class work.

STATIONERY:
My School. Stationery can also be purchased directly from the Office Max store on Okara Drive. During the first week of the year a class list of stationery needed by your child will be uploaded to the My School website. Stationery for new entrant children can be purchased at the school office. A small amount of additional stationery is kept in the school office in case your child/children require a new book, pencil or pen etc…

SWIMMING:
During the swimming season each child swims regularly and requires named togs and towel. A note is required whenever a child is not swimming. Each teacher carefully considers the conditions each day. Children are free to leave the pool if they are cold. Children with open sores and head lice are not permitted to swim. It is important that all children with ear problems use the appropriate preventive measures when swimming and their class teacher is informed by the parent. It is a good idea, particularly for the younger children, to wear clothing that they can manage without requiring assistance when changing.

SWIMMING CAPS:
We strongly recommend that you provide a swimming cap . This has a number of advantages for children – longer hair is kept under control, children don’t get cold as quickly, the filter is kept free of loose hair and children have drier hair after their swim. These are available from the local Pharmacies.

BIKES AT SCHOOL:
We do not actively encourage these for reasons of safety on our busy roads and also because they can be the target of theft. No child below Year 4 should ride a bike to school. Bike riders must wear safety helmets, walk their bikes in and out of the school grounds and provide a tamper-proof lock. The bike rack is located behind the Kauri Syndicate block.

SUNHATS:
Our school is a Cancer Society – SunSmart Accredited School. All children are required to wear a brimmed hat at school when outside, during Terms 1 and 4. Children without suitable hats are required to play in the shade – please ensure that your children have their hat with them each day. Every child is issued with a school hat and these are provided by the Home & School committee. Hats are optional during Terms 2 and 3.

TRAFFIC PATROLS:
Please do not cross the road on the Clarke Rd/Bush Rd – Dental Clinic – corner. This is a very dangerous corner and many children would not be able to negotiate this area alone. As the school is situated on two very busy roads, it is essential that care is taken by children crossing when coming to and from school. Two children provide crossing management under the control of a duty teacher on the Bush Road crossing. This is manned between 8.30 – 8.55am and from 3.00 – 3.15pm approximately. All children should observe the rules and parents should likewise set a good example by observing the rules also. The Clark Road crossing is only patrolled after school – 3.00 to 3:15pm. Parents in cars waiting to collect children on Clark Road are reminded of the need to observe the yellow lines prohibiting parking on sections of the school side footpath. Cars parked illegally are reported to the police.