Starting the Year
Starting at a new school can be both scary and exciting. We have listed some things you can do to ease the nerves and help you make the best possible start at Berkley.
Uniform
The Berkley uniform can only be purchased from our supplier, The Brandmakers:
- In store: 6 Latham Court, Frankton, Hamilton. Open Monday–Friday, 8.00am–5.00pm.
- Online: shop at www.thebrandmakers.co.nz — find the Berkley Middle School logo and log in with username Berkley and password Uniform.
If you have any problems, please contact the office on 07 856 6537.
Stationery
Berkley issues a standard stationery pack to all students. You will receive this pack on your first day of school. You will need to bring your own pencil case filled with the normal things — pens (blue and red), pencil, eraser, ruler, glue stick — as well as some paper.
All school costs — the stationery pack, technology and school contributions, and camp — are listed on our Families page under Payments & School Costs.
The Night Before
Lay out your uniform
Remember that hundreds of other students will be wearing the same uniform
Pack your bag
Make sure you have got everything you need: hat, sunscreen, PE uniform, lunch, pencil case and paper.
Set your alarm
Give yourself enough time to wake up, to go through your morning routine and arrive at school between 8:15 am – 8:30 am. Often it’s hard falling asleep the night before. Give yourself time.
Getting to School
Bus
School begins at 8:45 am. Plan a route that will let you arrive between 8.15 am – 8.30 am. Only bus students use the Berkley Ave entrance. There will be a meeting for all bus students held in the Rec Centre (Block 4). It is at this meeting where you will be sorted into bus runs and bus lists will be made. It is important that you know the names of the streets or roads around where you live, as this will help ensure you are placed on the right bus.
Car
Students are dropped off at the Mullane Street entrance. Please keep the turning bays free.
Walkers & Cyclists
Remember to use the appropriate underpass and pedestrian crossings. Cyclists need to walk their bikes down Mullane Street.
The First Day
Before the school year begins, all students receive a letter welcoming them to our school, identifying who their teacher is, which room they are in, and which team they belong to. We also hold an open day in late January, before school returns — students can come in with their families, meet their teacher, see where their class is located, and go over anything needed for a successful first day.
When the bell goes at 8.45am on the first day of school, students go straight to their classes.
Worries and Fears
But what if I get lost!
At first Berkley seems like a big school so there will be easy-to-spot duty teachers out and about. Also there are hundreds of other students you can ask for directions. In time you’ll realise it’s easy to navigate your way round.
I’m hungry! When’s break?
This is probably the biggest adjustment you’ll have to make. Good advice is to eat breakfast. You’ll have two 15 minute breaks before lunchtime. The first break is at 10:05am, then another at 11:30am. Sit down lunch is from 1.00pm – 1:10pm, then ‘lunch break’ runs from 1:10 – 1:50pm. School finishes at 3:15pm. Use your breaks wisely. Try to eat and drink something each break. Also visit the restrooms during this time.
But I don’t know anyone!
Starting a new school can be scary and exciting. Try thinking of it as a new adventure. True, you may not know anyone at 8:45am but by 10:05am you will have started to get to know at least one classmate. The next break you will at least know two. Keep building up this number. Remember that friendships take time. Being ‘open and friendly’ helps too.
What can I do at lunch time?
Every lunch time at least two sports or game type activities are offered. We call these ‘promotions’. You need to wear your PE gear to take part, and a hat too, if you choose to be outdoors. Promotions can be a great way to get to know people. We have a very cool adventure playground that you could try out, or you could make your own games up on one of the astro-turfs. Or, if you want, you could simply sit and chat with people under the sun umbrellas in the food court. Don’t worry.