Welcome to Marsden
A warm welcome to Marsden in 2022! Please note this information will be updated at the end of 2022 for students starting in 2023! But, if you are starting Marsden midway through the year, most of the information below will still apply...
Marsden's direction
If you are not familiar with Marsden's Strategic Plan 2019-2023, you can view the details here. Our strategic goals focus on:
- Future focused Learning and Teaching
- Wellbeing
- Quality Teachers
- Future focused Learning and Teaching
- Wellbeing
- Quality Teachers
- Community Engagement
- Sustainable Operations.
Important dates
Please see the School Calendar for school event and activity dates throughout the year. You can find the Calendar at the bottom of the home page of MyMarsden - our website for parents and caregivers.
** PLEASE NOTE that our events will run under COVID-19 Protection Framework guidelines. We will update you with the requirements as they come to hand. **
Term dates
Please see our term dates here.
Parent Social Evening - 8 June
We look forward to welcoming all parents and caregivers (Preschool to
Year 13) to drinks, nibbles and chatter on Wednesday 8 June 2022 in
the Main Foyer, Te Manawa o te Kura, 7pm - 9pm. Vaccine passes are required and will be verified on entry to the school.
While there will be a welcome address from our Principal Paula Wells, this is primarily a social evening for parents to get to know each other and the school.
While there will be a welcome address from our Principal Paula Wells, this is primarily a social evening for parents to get to know each other and the school.
Preschool
Welcome to Preschool for 2022.
The Preschool teachers and I look forward to welcoming you all, and working alongside you in 2022.
Helen McConnell Head of Preschool
A special warm welcome to our new tamariki and whānau,
including our new Preschool teacher Mrs Kirsten Whitehead.
The Preschool day begins at 8.15am
and we encourage you all to arrive before 9am. Children are to be collected by
3.30pm.
We will contact you early in the new year with our updated
timetable for the term, including specialist lessons, excursions, and any
important dates.
Some events to be aware of are:
Parent
Social Evening – Wednesday 8 June 7-9pm, Main Reception of the school.
Sunhats are compulsory for outdoor play. Hats can be purchased from NZ Uniforms.
Please refer to the Preschool Handbook (flipbook version) or PDF for
further information.
If you have any questions, please
contact me at helen.mcconnell@marsden.school.nz
The Preschool teachers and I look forward to welcoming you all, and working alongside you in 2022.
Helen McConnell Head of Preschool
Primary School (Years 1-6)
Kia ora koutou Primary school whānau,
Welcome to the 2022 school year, and a special welcome to our new Primary School students, their whānau and our new staff.
Please refer to our Primary Handbook (flipbook version) or PDF. We ask all Primary school families read this.
The school day for Year 1-6 students begins at 8.45am and finishes at 3.15pm.
You will have the opportunity to meet our Specialist teachers and hear about your daughter's classroom programme. Pending COVID restrictions, tea and coffee will be provided in the Library after the classroom meetings.
The staff and I look forward to welcoming you to school, and working alongside you this year.
Ngā mihi nui
Jo Burns Head of Marsden Primary
Welcome to the 2022 school year, and a special welcome to our new Primary School students, their whānau and our new staff.
Please refer to our Primary Handbook (flipbook version) or PDF. We ask all Primary school families read this.
The school day for Year 1-6 students begins at 8.45am and finishes at 3.15pm.
You will have the opportunity to meet our Specialist teachers and hear about your daughter's classroom programme. Pending COVID restrictions, tea and coffee will be provided in the Library after the classroom meetings.
The staff and I look forward to welcoming you to school, and working alongside you this year.
Ngā mihi nui
Jo Burns Head of Marsden Primary
Years 7-13 students
Welcome to Marsden. You can find a copy of the Years 7-13 Student Handbook (flipbook version) here or download a PDF here. All Year 7-13 students will be given a hard copy.
Your daughter will have a student buddy for her first few weeks at Marsden and we encourage her to ask questions. A good idea is for her to go through the school calendar for the upcoming week with her buddy, so her buddy can explain the events coming up. All staff and students are here to help her settle in. Things may be different at Marsden than at her previous school. Please assure her that she is not expected to know everything, she can observe and participate as best as she can to start with. For example, we don't expect her to know all the songs and actions straight away!
Uniform
The Marsden School uniform is available from NZ Uniforms. Their
store is located at 168 Thorndon Quay, Wellington, phone (04) 238 4727. The
store’s business hours are Monday – Friday 9am – 5.00pm, and Saturday 9am – 4pm.
Uniform can also be viewed and ordered online. For first fittings making an appointment is recommended.
We have a second-hand uniform Facebook group, ‘Marsden
Uniform Resale’, where good quality pre-loved uniform is offered for sale
to Marsden parents and caregivers. This is only open to Marsden parents and
caregivers and you need a Facebook login to access it.
Please find details of uniform for Preschool, Primary, Years 7-11 and Years 12-13 here.
Sun smart policy and hats
Marsden takes sun safety very seriously. Bucket hats are a compulsory uniform item for Preschool and Primary School students and the Marsden cap is compulsory for Year 7-13 students. The Marsden straw hat is optional. We recommend that Preschool and Primary School students wear a sun hat on their way to and from school. Hats are compulsory to wear outside during Terms 1 and 4 for all Preschool and Primary students. We recommend that students in other year groups also wear
a school hat or cap when outside during breaks, sport, excursions and other
outdoor activities during Terms 1 and 4. Hats and caps are available from the Uniform
Shop.
Stationery and Digital Devices (Primary and Years 7-13)
Stationery lists for Years 7-13 for 2021 can be found on the MyMarsden Stationery/Digital
devices page. You will find details about Digital Device requirements on
the same page, and details of the specials that PB Tech is offering
Marsden families. Year 7-13 students, please bring your stationery to school when you start, it can be stored in your locker.
Students from Year 7 upwards are required to bring their own digital devices for learning. We recommend a laptop for Years 7-13. If Year 7 to 9 students currently have a tablet or Chromebook they can continue to use these across their subjects. The iCentre has a range of devices that can be issued on a day to day basis. New students, please bring your device to school when you start so that we can organise logins for you.
Primary students are not required to bring stationery except for a pencil case. In Years 3-6 students are welcome to bring a device such as an iPad, or laptop to use in class. Please discuss with your daughter's teacher if you need further advice.
Students from Year 7 upwards are required to bring their own digital devices for learning. We recommend a laptop for Years 7-13. If Year 7 to 9 students currently have a tablet or Chromebook they can continue to use these across their subjects. The iCentre has a range of devices that can be issued on a day to day basis. New students, please bring your device to school when you start so that we can organise logins for you.
Primary students are not required to bring stationery except for a pencil case. In Years 3-6 students are welcome to bring a device such as an iPad, or laptop to use in class. Please discuss with your daughter's teacher if you need further advice.
Staying up to date
We have a number of ways of keeping you up to date with what is
happening at Marsden.
MyMarsden – This is the website for parents, caregivers and students for housekeeping information about the school. MyMarsden can be accessed from the top right hand corner of our main website. The direct link to MyMarsden is here. Please scroll through the menus to familiarise yourself with the school information available: The iSITE has much useful housekeeping information. MyMarsden is where you will also find the weekly message from the Principal, and all the day to day bits of information to help with life at Marsden e.g. Year group notices, the school calendar, school news, uniform details, stationery/digital device details, the link for the MyMarsden Portal, a link to the Marsden Sport website, exam information, career information, staff email addresses and more.
MyMarsden – This is the website for parents, caregivers and students for housekeeping information about the school. MyMarsden can be accessed from the top right hand corner of our main website. The direct link to MyMarsden is here. Please scroll through the menus to familiarise yourself with the school information available: The iSITE has much useful housekeeping information. MyMarsden is where you will also find the weekly message from the Principal, and all the day to day bits of information to help with life at Marsden e.g. Year group notices, the school calendar, school news, uniform details, stationery/digital device details, the link for the MyMarsden Portal, a link to the Marsden Sport website, exam information, career information, staff email addresses and more.
MyMarsden Portal – This (login) portal gives you access to your child’s timetable, subject list, and reports. Your
accounts – invoices and receipts are also available here. Each parent/caregiver who has indicated to
the school that they wish to receive student/school information, will have
their own login. New families to the
school will receive login details via an email when they have enrolled. You can access the portal from the MyMarsden home page (green button with spider web on it).
School calendar and Term Dates – these are located at the bottom of the MyMarsden home page.
School App - Our School App allows for efficient and timely communications of school information. It is compatible with Apple and Android devices. Please download the 'SchoolApps NZ' App if you have not already done so. Downloading instructions can be found here. Please remember to choose your notification groups (and update them at the start of each year) - just go to the menu on your App, choose ‘Notice Subscriptions’ and tick the options to change.
Marsden Newsletter – We send out a weekly e-newsletter on Fridays, with a message from the Principal, school news, student achievements, and links to the Year group notices pages, the School Calendar and community notices pages. The Marsden Newsletter is the best way to keep up to date with information and events at school, which apply to your child. The Marsden Newsletter is sent via email and via the School App. Note: if you cannot open links from the school newsletter on your mobile device please check whether you have the latest operating system, or try opening in another browser e.g. Google Chrome. If you don't receive the weekly newsletter please check you spam or promotions folders, or contact us on 476 8707. Please find information about other ways we communicate with you here. These include our Facebook page, Youtube channel, Instagram, Preschool and Primary media galleries and more.
If your contact details change please update us by calling 476 8707 or emailing reception@marsden.school.nz
School calendar and Term Dates – these are located at the bottom of the MyMarsden home page.
School App - Our School App allows for efficient and timely communications of school information. It is compatible with Apple and Android devices. Please download the 'SchoolApps NZ' App if you have not already done so. Downloading instructions can be found here. Please remember to choose your notification groups (and update them at the start of each year) - just go to the menu on your App, choose ‘Notice Subscriptions’ and tick the options to change.
Marsden Newsletter – We send out a weekly e-newsletter on Fridays, with a message from the Principal, school news, student achievements, and links to the Year group notices pages, the School Calendar and community notices pages. The Marsden Newsletter is the best way to keep up to date with information and events at school, which apply to your child. The Marsden Newsletter is sent via email and via the School App. Note: if you cannot open links from the school newsletter on your mobile device please check whether you have the latest operating system, or try opening in another browser e.g. Google Chrome. If you don't receive the weekly newsletter please check you spam or promotions folders, or contact us on 476 8707. Please find information about other ways we communicate with you here. These include our Facebook page, Youtube channel, Instagram, Preschool and Primary media galleries and more.
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If your contact details change please update us by calling 476 8707 or emailing reception@marsden.school.nz
Operoo
Operoo is the parent driven system that we use to collect medical and emergency information, trip permission slips and forms for dissemination.
Please update Operoo if your child’s medical details change. If you have any login queries please contact us on ph: 04 476 8707.
The system provides parents with a secure way to share necessary medical information required by the school in the care of their child. If you are a new parent to Marsden you will have received an email from Operoo to register your details, as part of your enrolment process.
Please update Operoo if your child’s medical details change. If you have any login queries please contact us on ph: 04 476 8707.
We'd love to hear from you
If you have any questions for Preschool please contact Helen McConnell. For Years 1-6 please contact your daughter’s teacher and for Years 7–13 please contact your daughter’s Form/Tutor Teacher or Dean. Staff email addresses are in the format:
firstname.lastname@marsden.school.nz
Your daughter's achievements
We’d love to hear if students achieve in their activities outside of school. Please send an email to your child's teacher and to our Digital Specialist Juliette Rickman. This means we can share it with the Marsden Community and the media.
If you send images please email them in the highest resolution (largest size) option - we then have the option to publish the photos in our annual Word from Marsden magazine or use it in other print media.
Your child's safety
Police vetting
Volunteers include parents who volunteer to coach or manage a sports team or cultural group, who accompany a school field trip, accompany camps etc. The staff member involved with the activity will provide the appropriate forms to volunteers or these can be obtained directly from Alison McManus alison.mcmanus@marsden.school.nz
The names of accompanying adult volunteers will be made available to the parents of all students participating in any trip, excursion, sports, cultural activity or camp. This may be via a further letter or email to parents if a first letter is sent seeking volunteers. If a parent has concerns about the suitability of any volunteer (from a student safety perspective) they should raise this in the first instance with the staff member arranging the activity.
Safety around cars
The safety of our students and staff is paramount.
Please do not drive onto the school grounds when delivering or collecting
children. Students must be dropped outside the school grounds at all times unless exceptional arrangements have been made in advance and agreed with the Principal or Director of Primary. Our road ways are used throughout the day by pedestrians, including our younger students, so if you are driving onto the school grounds for any other purpose please use the Vera Street entrance only and adhere to the speed limit (walking speed only).
To maintain safe walking routes for students at the beginning and end of the school day:
- the Vera Street entrance is closed between 3pm and 4pm
- the Donald Street
entrance is closed between 8am and 4pm
- the Marsden Ave entrance is closed between 8am and 4pm.
Please also respect our neighbours and their rights to quiet enjoyment of their properties. Turning in, or driving onto, their driveways or garden areas should be avoided. Many roads adjacent to the school feature broken yellow lines - which means stopping or parking is illegal – doing so causes obstruction or danger to other road users, whether these are drivers, cyclists, pedestrians or buses. Please observe all such traffic signs at all times.
Civil Defence and Emergency
In an emergency the school will look after all students until they can be collected by an authorised individual. Please note that in a civil defence situation, only caregivers or those people specifically named as emergency contacts can collect a student from school. This applies to all students from Preschool to Year 13. It would be particularly helpful if one of your emergency contacts is someone who lives locally.
Each year you are asked to check and confirm your contact details, the emergency contacts you have provided, and relevant medical details relating to students. Please take the opportunity to update this information with the school so that it is accurate in case of a civil defence emergency.
Each year you are asked to check and confirm your contact details, the emergency contacts you have provided, and relevant medical details relating to students. Please take the opportunity to update this information with the school so that it is accurate in case of a civil defence emergency.
Emergency Procedure & Communication
In case of an emergency we will endeavour to contact parents/caregivers via email and provide updates on our website. See our Emergency Page for Emergency information and other ways we may communicate in an emergency.
Staff
We are very proud of the exceptional team of teaching and support staff we have at Marsden.
If you have specific queries throughout the year please contact your daughter's teacher (class teacher in Primary or Form/Tutor Teacher in the Upper School), or your year group Dean. Preschool families can contact Head of Preschool, Helen McConnell.
Staff email addresses are in the format: firstname.lastname@marsden.school.nz
You can find our Staff Directory here.
If you have specific queries throughout the year please contact your daughter's teacher (class teacher in Primary or Form/Tutor Teacher in the Upper School), or your year group Dean. Preschool families can contact Head of Preschool, Helen McConnell.
Senior Management Team 2022
Paula Wells - Principal
Margaret Adeane - Academic Director
Jo Burns - Head of Marsden Primary
Caroline Robertson - Head of Senior School
Dianne Smith - Head of Middle School
Hilary Fiennes - Chief Operating Officer
Deans 2022
Caroline Robertson - Year 13 Dean
Michelle Ferris - Year 12 Dean
Carolyn Towell - Year 11 Dean
Di Smith - Year 10 Dean
Andrea Stockwell - Year 9 Dean
Jane Hazelton - Year 8 Dean
Rebecca George - Year 7 Dean
Helen McConnell - Head of Preschool
Staff email addresses are in the format: firstname.lastname@marsden.school.nz
You can find our Staff Directory here.
The Health Team
Body,
Mind and Spirit - at Marsden we actively nurture and develop student wellbeing.
Alongside our teachers, Deans, Heads of Middle and Upper School, our Director of Primary and Head of Preschool, the Marsden Health team is committed to helping
students live their lives positively and in all its fullness. We are available
for students to catch up with as follows:
Sarah Richards is our registered Counsellor. Sometimes life feels overwhelming; being a teenager is
complicated. If your daughter is feeling anxious, lacking in self-confidence or
struggling in a friendship, talking to someone often helps. Sarah is experienced at listening and helping to understand emotions. For more
information your daughter is invited to confidentially contact Sarah at sarah.richards@marsden.school.nz.
Amanda Woodbury is our school nurse and she runs a drop
in clinic to meet the health needs and first aid requirements of students, from 9.30am – 2:30pm every day (term time). No appointment is necessary. For more
information call us on 476 8707.
Chaplain Sarah King is one of the people at school
that you can talk to about big questions like - How do I know God is real? Who
is Jesus? How do I pray? Wrestling with doubt and faith is all part of life’s
spiritual journey. Sarah is always willing to listen and help explore these
big, or smaller, questions. For more information contact Sarah at sarah.king@marsden.school.nz
Parents/caregivers are welcome to contact our Health team any time.
Cultural Programme
Marsden offers a wide range of cultural activities and
there are many opportunities for your daughter to get involved. Playing
and enjoying music at Marsden opens the door to a lifelong appreciation of the
performing arts. We have choirs, orchestras, a rock band, ensembles and
handbell ringing, as well as the academic Music curriculum which includes our
fun and innovative Year 7 Band programme. Specialist teachers are available
during the school day for students to have private tuition in the instrument of
their choice.
Our Composer-in-Residence programme gives music students
the very real opportunity to experience a composer at work. During their
residency, the composer takes workshops with the girls and composes a unique
piece of music for Marsden.
There are opportunities to perform in the Sheilah Winn
Shakespeare Festival, to debate, dance, join Kapa Haka or take Speech and Drama
lessons from our specialist tutors.
Cultural Handbook
The Cultural Book contains information on the range of activities at
Marsden and can be found on this page, along with the online registration forms. If you have any
questions, please email the Cultural Coordinator, Sarah Wilson at sarah.wilson@marsden.school.nz or call on (04) 476 8792 Ext 844.
Recognising achievements
Recognising achievements
It is really important to us to recognise the success of
our students in (school and external) cultural activities. Please email sarah.wilson@marsden.school.nz and
juliette.rickman@marsden.school.nz if your daughter has achieved something throughout
the year that should be celebrated. If you are able to send high resolution
photos that would also be much appreciated.
Private music lessons
Please see here for
private music lesson details and the registration form. Private music lessons
are available for Years 3-13 students.
Performance Diploma in Speech and Drama
Your daughter can leave school with a Performance Diploma
in Speech and Drama. She can start her journey at Years 7, 8 or 9.
Speech and Drama classes are also available for Years 3-6
students.
Classes are available at lunchtime or after school. There are no Speech and Drama classes in Term 4. For registration details and further information please visit our Speech and Drama page or contact Jan Avison on 021 446 600 or email janavison@gmail.com
Sport (Primary and Years 7-13)
Sports registrations (Years 1-13)
For students (Years 3-8) starting throughout the year, sport registrations can be made by contacting Director of Sport Eliott Brookes on 476 8707 eliott.brookes@marsden.school.nz
If you are starting school during the year in Year 7-13 and would like to join a non-trialed sports team please contact Director of Sports Eliott Brookes eliott.brookes@marsden.school.nz
For students (Years 3-8) starting throughout the year, sport registrations can be made by contacting Director of Sport Eliott Brookes on 476 8707 eliott.brookes@marsden.school.nz
If you are starting school during the year in Year 7-13 and would like to join a non-trialed sports team please contact Director of Sports Eliott Brookes eliott.brookes@marsden.school.nz
Sports Programme
At Marsden, we believe that sport teaches students about sportsmanship, teamwork, courage and healthy physical activity. We want Marsden girls to be gracious winners and good losers. We’d like all girls to take up a sport in 2022 and we have fantastic programmes to develop their sports skills.
Marsden Sports website
The Marsden sports website is the best please to find all information about sport at Marsden. This site is dedicated to Marsden sport draws, registration information, news, results, details of the Swifts Talent Centre, our Physiotherapy Clinic and more. Please refer to it throughout the year: www.marsdensport.school.nz/
At Marsden, we believe that sport teaches students about sportsmanship, teamwork, courage and healthy physical activity. We want Marsden girls to be gracious winners and good losers. We’d like all girls to take up a sport in 2022 and we have fantastic programmes to develop their sports skills.
Marsden Sports website
The Marsden sports website is the best please to find all information about sport at Marsden. This site is dedicated to Marsden sport draws, registration information, news, results, details of the Swifts Talent Centre, our Physiotherapy Clinic and more. Please refer to it throughout the year: www.marsdensport.school.nz/
Arrowsmith Program
Many students have benefited tremendously from the opportunity to participate in this life changing, cognitive training programme.
Students in the programme work to strengthen specific cognitive areas, which in turn improve their academic learning and their sense of wellbeing and confidence.
The Arrowsmith Program is particularly effective for students with learning differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and auditory and visual processing difficulties.
Students in the programme work to strengthen specific cognitive areas, which in turn improve their academic learning and their sense of wellbeing and confidence.
The Arrowsmith Program is particularly effective for students with learning differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and auditory and visual processing difficulties.
Please refer here for more
information or contact Jennifer Ioannou on (04) 476 8792 Ext 848 or jennifer.ioannou@marsden.school.nz if you have any questions.
Subject selection - new students Years 9-13
If you are joining us in Years 9-13 during the year, please complete a subject selection form. This will be emailed to you by Enrolment Registrar Leigh McCathie leigh.mccathie@marsden.school.nz
Transport
Please refer to this close to starting school as information and routes may change.
Please find information about buses/transport to Marsden here.
We currently run a shuttle service from Eastbourne, with various pick up points. Demand for this service is high and we currently have a waitlist.
For further information please contact Jo Sherlock jo.sherlock@marsden.school.nz or call 476 8707 Ext 832.
Cafeteria
Cafeteria services are provided by Fine Cuisine. The Cafeteria is open between 8.00am - 1.30pm
during term time. The Cafeteria operates on a cash or EFTPOS system. Preschool and Primary families will be provided with a list of food available and ordering details.
Absences
Please notify the school by 8.30am of your child's absence or lateness.
Please email absences@marsden.school.nz or call ph: 04 476 8707.
You can also communicate your child's absence via the School App. Messages may be left 24 hours a day. Parents are asked not to request leave or time out of school for students during the term unless absolutely necessary. If an absence is required the request should be made well in advance, in writing, to the Principal. Dental and medical appointments and driving lessons should be made outside of school hours.
Student ID cards with snapper
Year 7-13 students new to Marsden will have their photo taken when they start school and will be issued a few weeks later with a Snapper enabled Student ID card. The card costs $20. If your daughter loses her ID card or is experiencing problems with her card please contact the school office on 476 8707. Please register the Snapper online by creating a Snapper account so that you can view the transaction summary and type of concession. The card can be topped up at dairies and other Snapper providers and through the Snapper App.
Note: Users must remember to tag on entering the bus AND tag off when leaving the bus to avoid penalty charges.
Houses
Marsden has six Houses in the Upper School (Years 7-13):
Baber - green
Hadfield Beere - purple
Jellicoe - yellow
Johnson - orange
Richmond - blue
Swainson Riddiford - red
In Primary (Years 1-6) the Houses are:
Fitzherbert - yellow
Innes - blue
Sprott - red
Houses are allocated to students on enrolment. If a student has a family member who has previously attended Marsden, she will be allocated the same House. Houses will otherwise be allocated to keep group numbers within each House even. Houses in the Upper School consist of students Years 7-13, with senior students looking after the younger girls. The girls quickly make friends within their House groups.