Carterton School is a full primary school for children from New Entrants to Year 8 (5 to 13 year olds). Our school roll fluctuates and in the middle of the year is usually about 270 children.

With a fantastic modern teaching environment in an outstanding setting, our learners are inspired and encouraged to explore their surroundings and make the most of our excellenct facilities including a hall, swimming pool, bike track, all weather turf, sports areas, playgrounds and sand pit.

Our school staff are a dedicated team who make a positive contribution to all aspects of school life. Staff share the curriculum responsibilities and are future-focused with their approach to teaching. The kaiako are assisted by high quality Support Staff who encourage students to reach their full potential. 

Carterton School operates in four learning teams: Kawakawa, Kōwhai, Kahikatea and Ākonga Māori. These learning teams foster friendships, supportive learning and a strong sense of connection and belonging.

The Board of Trustees (BOT) govern the school with outstanding commitment. The achievements of the Board and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) have been major factors in school development in recent years. Whānau support for the kura is strong and is enhanced by the open door policy and effective home/school communications.

Student Security, Attendance & Absence

Carterton School makes every effort to account for every child enrolled each school day. 

Please inform the school as soon as possible if you know your child is going to be absent. The school's system of checking on the attendance or absence of every child enrolled involves contacting the Primary and Secondary caregivers when a student is marked absent.

If your child has to stay at home (e.g. is sick in the morning) the best way to make the communication is by telephoning (06 379 4010) or texting (027 263 0770) the school office. 

Please state:

• who you are 

• the name of the student absent 

• their room or teacher and 

• the reason for absence. 

The school phone is answered from 8.30 am. We have a number of lines which often ring simultaneously at this busy time so you may need to be patient for a minute or two or leave a message.

Alternatively, you can personally come to school and speak to our school office team or visit the child’s class teacher with the information. We do not accept absence information passed on to us by other children.

If you know in advance that your child will be late to school or absent from school, there are five options.

• A written signed note given to your child's teacher or the school office

• A personal visit to your child's teacher or the school office

• A telephone conversation (06 379 4010) or text 027 263 0770

• Email to child's teacher and admin@carterton.school.nz

• Use the Hero app to submitt an absentee notice

While it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure the school knows that a child will be absent, we do have a back up system of phone calls or text messages where there is no explanation or where we have doubts.

If you collect or drop off a child at any time between 9am and 3pm please go to the school office before your child’s class to sign them in or out.

Once a year we ask all parents/caregivers to complete a contact information form. This provides us with your current contact details – we need the other alternative telephone numbers to cover cases where we cannot contact you on the first number. Please notify the school office when there is any of your contact details change.

The safety and security of every enrolled child is of paramount concern to us. Your assistance to help us keep accurate records is appreciated.

Remember that sickness and health matters are the only legally accepted reasons for absence from school. Frequent absences hinder the child’s ability to learn. Medical absences over 3 days will need a doctors note.