13 October 2009 Term 4 Week 1 09/31

Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa
Recent Events
The sad news overnight of the discovery of 2 year old Ashling Symes and the loss of life as a result of the Tsunami in Samoa and Tonga serve to remind us of the important things in life – to me they say: our futures are not able to be planned and nothing is for certain; what is important is each other and family and making the most of our lives.

This week the three Dunedin normal schools, NEV Normal, George St Normal and Tahuna Normal Intermediate, host the annual Normal And Model Schools’s Association Conference. We will be focusing on what we teach and how we teach; we will also be considering how we can best support the training of teachers.

One of the speakers at the conference is local businessman Ian Taylor. He told me what he has to say can be summed up in one sentence: Teach children how to think. Whilst I can see where he is coming from, I also think we need to teach children how to interpret this world in which we live. Whether we like it or not we cannot avoid
addressing the big questions of why are we here on this earth and what is the meaning of life; these are questions which spring to mind when we experience grief as well as when we celebrate success and milestones in life.

Mrs. Staynes and I were standing beside the school bell before school this morning and some of the youngest children in the school came up and started talking to us about Ashling Syme’s death – somehow as a school we need to be able to help children
explore these issues with children in an honest and authentic way, allowing them, as young as they are, to ask the awkward questions because surely such questions are the most important of all.

Na reira, ka mihi ahau ki te mokopuna kua hinga me nga tini mate o nga motu o Samoa me Tonga, haere ki te Rangimarie. Ki nga whanau pani, ka nui te aroha ki a koutou.

We express our sympathies especially to those in our school whanau who lost loved ones in the recent tragic events,

John McKenzie
Principal
Visit the school’s website www.nevn.school.nz


Welcome
A warm welcome goes to Dylan and Daniel starting in R11 and Rory who has joined R8. We welcome their families to our school community.

Keeping Ourselves Safe
The programme will be taught by the Police Education Officer, John Somerfield and the class teachers during the first two weeks of Term 4. There will be a homework booklet which the children will bring home for discussion with their families about keeping safe.

Smart Food School Lunches
Smart Food lunches are available on Mondays & Thursdays at NEVNS. The cost is $2 or $3 for a larger lunch with two extra sandwiches. Orders & money in a named envelope need to be into the office by 9am.

Assembly
Friday’s 2.30pm assembly will be organised by Room 2 with items by Rooms 5 & 8. Assembly will be held in the Hall. Parents/caregivers are welcome to attend.

School Photos
Order forms for the school photos have been sent home. Orders with money need to be into the office by this Friday 16 October.

Sun Hats
Children need to have a sun hat at school for use as Term 4 will be a “No Hat No Play” term. Sunhats need to have brims or legionnaires caps with a flap at the back.


Swimming
The school swimming block commences next Monday. Children need to bring togs, towels and goggles to school each day. The timetable is included with this Newsletter. Swimming will be taught by the JC Swim School.

School Activity Donation
Please ensure that your child’s school activity donation is paid in full. This donation helps to cover the cost of the swimming bus and the tuition. Statements were sent home yesterday.

Sports Success
Congratulations go to Rika Matsubara Park who competed in the 2009 New Zealand Synchronised Swimming National Championships held in Wellington from 25 - 29th of September with more than 100 best synchronized swimmers from around New Zealand and overseas. Rika was competing at Team routine, 12 and under solo, 12 and under duet and achieved the following results.
12 & Under Duet : Overall score Bronze Medal (partner with sister Momoka).
Team routine:Bronze Medal (10 swimmers). Well done on a fantastic result!!

Dates to Note
T4 Monday 12 October Friday 18 December


October
12-27 Keeping Ourselves Safe programme
13-16 Normal Schools Conference
19 School swimming block commences
20 PTA Meeting 3.15pm
21 Social Studies Quiz
26 Labour Day—school closed
30 School swimming block ends

November
2 Cultural Day

PTA News
Term 3 Fundraiser: Hyndman Book & Gift Sale
The orders have arrived and are now waiting in the office for collection. We would like to give a big “Thank you” to Lynda Dockerty who always makes a huge effort with getting orders for these fundraisers.

Term 4 Fundraiser:2010 Calendars
The children did some wonderful art work in Term 3 to go on their 2010 calendars. Art work can be viewed in their class room where you can also pick up your order forms. Each calendar will cost $12 and a pack of 8 cards will cost $12.50. The calendars and cards can either have your children’s art work or, a photo of your choice. All orders and money need to be back into the office by Friday 23rd of October. The finished calendars should be delivered within about 3 weeks.

Next PTA Meeting
A meeting will be held Tuesday 20th of October at 3.15pm.

Stars on Stage DVDs
Late orders for the 2009 Stars on Stage DVD need to be into the office by this Friday please. The cost is $15.00.

Community News
Hill City Dunedin Athletic Club Children’s Section: Opening night is tonight 6-7pm at the Hill City clubrooms at Logan Park. There will be a short
meeting for all parents at this time. Enquiries contact Tim Molteno Ph 473 1368 or tim@molteno.net
Petanque Booules to You Trophy: Primary schools doubles tournament, Wednesday 21 October at the Caversham Sports Club. 9am - 4.30pm. Free entry. Contact Terry 487 9118 or terry.holt@clear.net.nz
Wakari Kindergarten: are having a Family Fun Day fair this year at the Otago Model Engineering Society. Date: Sunday 22 Nov. Time: 10am – 3pm. Location: Otago Model Engineering Society grounds, John Wilson Drive.
House Wanted: from early December in North East Valley - 2 bedroomed house/ flat for a new family coming to our school. Furnished or unfurnished. Please email details to Jessica Lesley Pyarabon j.lesley3@gmail.com
RASA School of Dance: Mixed ability dance for young people with disabilities. Cost $15 per class or $115 per term. Held in the King Edward Court Building on Sundays 4-4.45pm, starting 18 October. Contact Lisa rasa@e3.net.nz or 477 8288.
Opoho Playcentre: is 50 years old and we would like to compile a history of the Playcentre. If you attended Opoho Playcentre either as a parent or child or know of anyone who did attend Opoho Playcentre we are interested in any historical information – names of life members, past presidents or stories and photos. Information can be emailed to opoho.playcentre@yahoo.com or sent to Opoho Playcentre 28A Signal Hill Road, Opoho. You are invited to celebrate Opoho Playcentre’s 50th birthday at an Open Afternoon on Sunday 29 November from 1.30pm – 4pm.
Athletes With Physical Disabilities Junior Sports: Track and field athletics, Boccia, Cycling, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, Sailing, Weightlifting, Table Top Sports. Tuesdays 4.30-5.30pm at the Caledonian Ground starting today. Contact: John Osborne 488 5950 or 027 372 0738stumpiee@hotmail.com