Day 2 Tasks

Papatoetoe East Primary school is a decile 3 school with 500 pupils. Our ethnic mix is quite diverse consisting of Paficia, Indian, European, Maori and Asian children many of whom are recent immigrants to New Zealand and speak English as an additinal language.

Our community is very supportive of the school, and parents have very high expectations of their children's education. This is evidenced by over 90% turnout over the last five years for the twice yearly parent/child/teacher interviews. These interviews, which are largely child led, put an emphasise of literacy and numeracy for the children. During the interviews we explain the importance of reading to children at home and school, visiting the library and reading with the children on a daily basis.

We are a Duffy School and as part of this programme the children in the school receive a regular selection of books to keep and all the siblings who are under 5 years receive complementary books on their birthdays.

Our library, which opens daily at 8.30 and over both school breaks, is open to the parents and we have a special section that they are encouraged to use.

We have just completed a library weed with the support of the National Library advisors and are now in the exciting stage of purchasing new and replacement books to enhance our library collection. Our first purchase has been of a selection of graphic novels and comics. We are now looking at buying a selection of books in languages other than English. The buying of new books is in part funded by the community through the fundraising carried out by the Friends of School committee.

The opening of a new library is allowing us as a school to focus on the role of the library within the school and the broader community.

Sherryl & Brigid