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INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

  • ARDLUSSA COMMUNITY BOARD
    Ardlussa Community Board, formerly the Balfour Community Council, came into effect in 1989, following the reorganisation of New Zealand local government. The Board represents the township of Balfour and is situated in the Ardlussa Ward. The Board has now amalgamated with Riversdale and Waikaia The Board performs functions as delegated by the Southland District Council, including the preparation of local budgets and the recommendation of local rate requirements and distributions. It is also responsible for determining the overseeing priorities for local works and services, amenities and utilities. Secretarial services are supplied by the Southland District Council. Contact – Rose Knowles, Ph 03 248 7307.
  • BUS INFORMATION
    If your child is travelling to school by Bus, please sign up via this website for further bus information: https://dome.easybus.nz
  • BUSINESSES IN THE DISTRICT
    JP MARSHALL ENGINEERING LTD Orders are being taken now for grain dryers, silo’s, elevators. Contact Gary Collins 0274 394 201 for more information. S BLACK CONTRACTING LTD We now have a 1.8 ton digger, which comes on a trailer and is now available for hire for all those small jobs or where site access may be difficult. We also have a ready supply of crushed rock and screened gravel for track maintenance, calf shed mix, an auger and post driver and a Drain cleaner. Farm Drainage with Laser Excavation work New Dairy Lanes and maintenance Farm Tracks Farm conversions Building Sites Air strip maintenance Root Raking Muck Spreading Gravel and Rock supplies Grading & bulldozing Tree removal with Grab * GRADER * TIP TRUCKS *VIBRATING ROLLER * TRANSPORTER FOR HIRE * TRACTOR & MUCK SPREADER * BULLDOZER * MOLEPLOUGH/AERATOR * TILE/DRAIN CLEANER We also have firewood for sale – Pine, Macrocarpa & Blue Gum which can be delivered at a small charge or you may pick up yourself. Phone Stephen on: 201 6317 or 021332841 or Callum on 0211503279 Email: blackcon021@gmail.com EWL LIMITED Brent & Kate Eaton Specialising in all your Silage and Baling requirements. Managing Director Brent Eaton 0274855994 Operations Manager Matt Muir 0272204000 Office (Kate) 2016386 or 0274284328ewl.balfouroffice@gmail.com EATON HEIGHTS FARMING LIMITED Your local Cultivation and Spraying contractor Cultivation and Drilling: Derek Eaton 0274375706 Spraying: Paul Eaton 0274838103eatonheightsfarming@gmail.com
  • COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND GROUPS
    BALFOUR CUBS AND SCOUTS Cubs Leaders & Keas Leaders - Kirsty Bryne phone 0273333779 Scout Leaders –Trevor Drake phone 021708514 The Cub Group meets at the Balfour Scout Den, Kruger Street, on a Wednesday at 6.30 pm – 8.00 pm. The Scout Group meets on a Friday from 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm. BALFOUR HALL BOOKINGS Available for hire at any time. Bar and catering facilities available. Contact Ziggy Roy, Phone 201 6058. BALFOUR LIONS CLUB Formed at a Charter presentation dinner on Saturday 7 April 1970 with a membership of 40 male members. Membership dropped to a low of 22 and at that time (1995) members invited females to join Lions with the result that the club now has a mixed membership which sits around the 30 mark. Main projects are aimed at improving the amenities of the district, with profits from work done, for example, town footpaths being put back into plantings in our park areas. Senior citizens are catered for with socials, coach tours and provision of firewood where necessary. The profits from the annual district hay competition are used for the youth of our district with an annual scholarship of $500 going to a local student for continuing study of their choice, and further finance being donated to youth for special study and youth sport. Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month with the get together at 6.30 pm and our meal at 7 pm, the venue being the Balfour Tavern. Contact – President Richard Dillon, Cell 027 2010418 or Secretary, Reg Dawson, Ph 03 201 6255 BALFOUR RSA – Men’s Section To be a member of the Balfour Returned Services Assn one must have served in the armed forces. This would include being returned service, regular or compulsory military training, in general, eligible service would come within one of the following: The Armed Forces of New Zealand The Armed Forces of some other Commonwealth county The Armed Forces of an ally New Zealand or Commonwealth Police Force (sworn officers) New Zealand Cadet Force Some Merchant Seamen Resistance fighters However the Gore RSA from which we are a sub branch, welcomes the public to join their association and that entitles the local members from Balfour and surrounding districts to join in our activities which include socials and pot luck dinners. Our main event is of course the Anzac Day celebration, which is very well supported by the public of Balfour. A member of the public who joins the Gore RSA becomes a ‘house’ member and is entitled to go into any RSA in New Zealand. Our club rooms are situated in the sports ground and are shared with the local bowling club. Contact Murray McKeown, President, Ph 0272016884 susan Roy, Secretary, Ph 201 6312 BALFOUR RSA – Women’s Section The Womens’s Section of the RSA meets on the 4th Thursday of the month at 2.00 pm at the RSA rooms in Balfour. Come along and join in our activities. Everyone welcome. Contact –Barbara Sharpe President phone 201 6200 Maree Black Secretary 0274332841 BALFOUR SWIMMING POOL - The Community Swimming Pool is situated in the School Grounds and is available through the summer months. Keys can be purchased for the season from the School during School hours or from Meghan Appleyard ph 0210458324 BALFOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE This Volunteer brigade meets at the Station every Tuesday evening at 7.15 pm for training. Monthly meetings are held every third Tuesday at 8 pm. The Brigade attends local fires, traffic accidents and other emergency situations, and is also your contact for smoke alarms and fire permits. Contacts: Stephen Black, Fire Chief, Ph 201 6317 or Cell 021 332841 CHURCHES Catholic: 11.00 am - Every Sunday (Balfour) 10.30 am - 1st and 3rd Sunday – Mass (Riversdale) Contact Parish Counsellors – Claire Muir, Phone 201 6395; Mark Whelan, Phone 201 6288; Pauline Solomon, Phone 201 6451. PRESBYTERIAN Balfour Service and Sunday School – 10.00 am each alternate Sunday. FEDERATED FARMERS For professional help and advice with such issues as Land Tenure, Resource Management, ACC, OSH, RMA, Employment etc. Federated Farmers are a nationwide organisation with local policy analysts keeping in touch with the issues that affect farmers in Southland. More information on joining can be obtained by phoning 0800 FARMING BALFOUR YOUNG FARMERS Young farmers caters for younger members of the community interested in rural activities. Meetings are held regularly through the year. Fun competitions and outings also. Contact:.Coral Single phone 0273906958 LIBRARY SERVICES The Book Bus calls at the Balfour Tavern Car Park every fortnight on a Tuesday. For renewals and inquiries, Phone 03 236 0476. NORTHERN SOUTHLAND DINERS A women’s group which meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month at the Balfour Tavern. The evening begins with a meal, then a speaker invited to talk to the group following the meal. New members welcome as permanent or “fill in” members. Contact –Karen Skevington Phone 02704679498 NORTHERN SOUTHLAND COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE CHARITIABLE TRUST Lumsden Resource Centre Clothing, Bedding, Grants ‘Supporting Individuals, Families and Whanau - Kara Colquhoun ph 03 2487885
  • CULTURAL GROUPS
    RIVERSDALE ARTS SOCIETY This group meets once a month on the second Wednesday at 8 pm in the Arts Rooms, situated in the main street of Riversdale. The group organises a mixed media exhibition that is held in the Riversdale Community Centre every July for ten days. The annual exhibition has grown to become one of the premier arts and craft shows in Southland and Otago. Approximately 80 artists display and sell their works annually, with over 500 pieces on exhibit. Many of the artists come from Southland and Otago provinces, but others come from as far away as Auckland, Masterton, Wellington and Hokitika, to name a few. All artists exhibit by invitation only. Contact – Jan Robertson, Email: riversdalearts@gmail.com BALFOUR THEATRE COMPANY INC This group is a non-profit society set up to provide and promote Theatre in the Waimea Area. Our main focus is a mid-winter Theatre Restaurant, but we do provide entertainment, make up artists and other back-up for various fundraisers and school productions. We also run workshops and training days for members. We have a hire wardrobe, for those costume parties and ‘special occasions’, located at Queen Street, Balfour. For viewing contact Ziggy Roy on Cell 0274448353 If you are interested in joining the company contact. Kerry Lee, Ph 201 6345.
  • EDUCATIONAL GROUP
    BALFOUR SUB-BRANCH PLUNKET We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to use the services of our society. Our Plunket Nurse will call on you regularly at your home until your baby is 3 months and then you are encouraged to follow your baby’s progress by attending the Clinic at our Plunket Rooms. Through the Northern Branch of the Plunket Society we have available a mobile Karitane Nurse and a Home Help Service. To attend a Clinic please ring Jody Drysdale, Phone 201 6202 to make an appointment. Monthly meetings with speakers are held on the fourth Monday of each month. As well as a meeting we usually have an interesting speaker or activity and finish off with supper. Our meetings offer social contact as well as the opportunity to talk to other mothers in the same situation. Our booklet will show when our meetings are on and what is happening as well as providing some useful contact phone numbers. For further information please contact our President or Secretary or any Plunket member known to you. President: Monica Beaton, Ph 0273218147 Plunket Nurse: June Dean, Ph 202 6599 Plunket Nurse: Anne-Marie Tamblyn, Ph 202 6599 BALFOUR PLAYCENTRE (Located at Balfour School) Caters for all pre-schoolers. Well appointed facilities. Tuesday and Friday Morning Sessions 9:00 am – 12:00. Phone Julia Duff, Cell 027 6342724 BALFOUR PRIMARY SCHOOL New Entrants – Year 6. See our information booklet – included in this welcome pack or obtainable from the school – for more detailed information. Contact – Louise Stevenson, Principal, Ph 201 6042. PRE-SCHOOL VISITS Children approaching the age of 5 years are encouraged to visit the school for 2 half days and 2 complete days in the last month before they start school. Parents are encouraged to be independent of them during these sessions. Parents are asked to contact the school to set up the dates for these visits. SECONDARY SCHOOLING Our local secondary school is Northern Southland College, a Year 7 to13 College in Lumsden. Contact – The Principal, Phone 03 248 7121. SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE The clinic is open once a year. Children are seen at the Lumsden Dental Clinic situated in the grounds of the Lumsden Primary School, Maria Street Lumsden. Children are enrolled at six months of age and seen yearly after that. For any concerns/queries please Ph 03 248 7699 or Cell 0800 570 300.
  • ELECTRONIC INFORMATION
    Please download onto your smartphone our School App which we update with information regularly. Our school Policies and Procedures are updated regularly. Parent and community members are asked for their input into our policies at various times. Copies our our Balfour School policies and procedures are available on SchoolDocs. Type in your search bar: http:/balfour.schooldocs.co.nz/ and sign in to view our documentation.
  • FORMS
    Click on the form below to open and view it as a PDF. Blanket Consent Form Enrolment Form Permanent Bus Change Form Welcome to Balfour Booklet PVS Vetting Request Consent Form Cyber Safety Policy
  • MEDICAL FACILITIES
    Lumsden Medical Centre – 58 Garden Street, Lumsden. Dr Mathew Stokes GP, Ph 03 248 7146. Surgery Hours: Weekdays 9 am – Noon / 1.30 pm – 5 pm by appointment. Urgent after hours – Ph 03 248 7146 Emergencies – Ambulance 111. District Nurses/Public Health Nurse – Ph 03 248 7997 Elderly Day Care – Senior Citizens Rooms, Lumsden, Wednesdays from 10 am. Contact Joy 03 248 7736
  • SCHOOL UNIFORM
    Historically, the Balfour Lions Club and Andrews Transport have generously donated funds towards the Sports Shorts and Sports Tops at Balfour School. The Track-suit gear bags were purchased by Stephen Black Contracting . In recent years our Balfour School Home and School committee have generously added to our supplies of uniforms. We are extremely grateful and appreciate the support of these local businesses/groups. Your child will be issued with a sports top, shorts and/or tracksuit for various school sports or cultural events. Eg, Waimea Athletics, Agrikids, Kids Lit Quiz. Your child is asked to wear the sports top and shorts/tracksuit to the event and change out of it as soon as possible after the event. The sports uniform is to be brought back to school the following school day UNWASHED please. (We have groups of parents who wash our uniforms for us) These sports uniforms remain the property of Balfour School. Failure to return or damaging the sports uniforms will result in you being invoiced for the replacement cost. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office. Thank you for your support in helping to maintain our sports uniforms. Safety Vests The Balfour Lions Club have kindly donated High Visibility Safety Vests for each child at Balfour School. We are extremely grateful and appreciative of their support. The High Visibility Safety Vest will enhance the visibility of your child to ensure they are more readily visible. Your child will be issued with a School Vest when they begin attending Balfour School. Key information Your child is asked to wear the vest to and from school each day. All possible care must be taken to keep the vest in good condition. If the vest requires cleaning, please carefully follow the manufacturers directions on the care label. Please do not remove the manufacturers tags off the garment. Children are expected to wear their vest whenever they leave the school grounds. The vest remains the property of Balfour School. The vest must be returned to Balfour School at the end of the school year or if your child changes schools. Failing to return the vest will result in you being invoiced for the replacement cost. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
  • SPORTS GROUPS (ADULTS)
    BALFOUR NETBALL CLUB Our Netball Club is currently in remission. We are always keen to hear from people interested in playing or helping with coaching and umpiring. More information is available from our president. Contact – Justine Williams, Ph 0274546134 BALFOUR GUN CLUB We meet monthly for competitions at our range located at the Balfour Racecourse. Two open days are held each year, one prior to duck shooting and the other at Christmas time. Contact – Gary Hoffman, Ph 027 2077806 BALFOUR HOCKEY CLUB Our Hockey Club welcomes new members as players, umpires, coaches or supporters. Contact – Nic Roy, Ph 201 6250 BALFOUR RUGBY CLUB The Balfour Rugby Club would like to welcome new players and supporters to the community. Our club has a combined Senior Team with Lumsden and currently play in the Southland Wide Division 2 Competition. We also have a combined Under 18 Team which plays in the competitive Southland Wide U 18 Competition. If you would like any more information please get in touch with us. Contact – Bevan Roy, President, Ph 201 6058 or Cell 0272227130 BALFOUR SQUASH CLUB Competition and Social League. Contact – Ben Allan, Ph 0278153465 BALFOUR TENNIS CLUB Team competitions and lessons. Contact Janine Donaldson, President, Ph 201 6418, Cell 0276239321 BOWLS If you are interested in Outdoor Bowls the contact person is President: Reg Dawson Ph 201 6255 Practise nights are held on Wednesday from 6.00 pm and Bowls played on Saturdays. Everyone welcome. GOLF Well maintained nine hole golf courses are situated at both Lumsden and Riversdale. Lumsden: Craig Collins, Ph 201 6191, Cell 0276433020 Riversdale: Stuart Riordan, Ph 202 5886, Cell 0212037547 NORTHERN SOUTHLAND TROTTING CLUB Contact – Paul Hailes, Ph 0212375131 SOUTHLAND OLYMPIC TRENCH CLUB The SOTC was opened on 18 July 1987 at the Balfour Gun Club grounds. It shoots under the rules of ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation). There are eight trench layouts in New Zealand. We are the furthermost south. We hold qualifying events for international competition eg Olympic and Commonwealth Games, as well as World Cup events. The event consists of 125 targets and the top 6 shooters get to shoot a final round of 25 targets. The competitor stands 15 metres back from where the target appears at ground level. The field has 15 traps set under ground level, and are pre set to differing angles, heights ands speeds. Each competitor will shoot at all the same targets but at different times. The computer controls the match of 25 targets. The targets are released by a voice activated mechanism. Double trap is also shot over this field. Two targets are thrown together from the middle traps. This event is held over 75 pair of targets and the top 6 shooters get to shoot a 25 pair final. Contact: Gary Hoffman, Ph 027 2077806
  • SPORTS GROUPS (CHILDREN)
    HOCKEY CLUB (Mini Hockey to Senior Level) The Balfour Hockey Club would like to welcome you to our community. If any members of your family are interested in playing, coaching or umpiring hockey please don’t hesitate in contacting Sue Clearwater for more information about our club. We look forward to meeting you. Contact – Nic Roy, Ph 201 6250 or Cell 0272334728 GOLF – Primary School Riversdale have a junior programme which operates each Friday after school during terms 1 and 4 and caters for pupils from Balfour and Riversdale from Y3 – Secondary School. Contact Stuart Riordan 202 5886. or 0212037547 MINIBALL Balfour School has miniball teams competing in the Northern/Eastern competition based in Gore during Term 2. Further information is available from Balfour School, Phone 201 6042. NETBALL Our Netball Club has school teams. We have some very dedicated parents, players and coaches. Primary school children play their games during the week, after school. We are always keen to hear from people interested in helping with coaching and umpiring. More information is available from our president. School Contact – Justine Williams, Phone or Cell 0276433040 NORTHERN JUNIOR TENNIS Contact – Michelle Elder, Ph 2016133 or Cell 0276197307 NORTHERN SOUTHLAND SWIMMING CLUB The Northern Southland Swimming Club in Lumsden, operates two nights per week (Monday and Thursday) from approximately November through to March – but only during the school terms. Lessons are available for those 5 years and upwards, but a waiting list operates, and is subject to the availability of coaches. Contact – Jeanna Rodgers, Ph 0276931394 Find us on facebook: Northern Southland Amateur Swimming Club JUNIOR RUGBY Junior Rugby starts around 5 years of age. Any boy or girl can play in Touch competition. They usually play this until they are 8 years old and then move on to Tackle Rugby. The Junior Rugby in Northern is played on a Saturday morning, in Mossburn starting at 11.30 am. A playing jersey is provided at the start of the season and returned at the end. The shorts are black and the socks are maroon and gold. These are purchased at your own expense. Mouthguards are compulsory and can be bought from me at $3 each. Some headgear is also available for purchase. If you have any further enquiries: Contact – Bevan Roy
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