Newsletter 11/11/09

11 November 2009 Term 4 Week 5 09/34

Dear Parents & Caregivers

Kia ora koutou katoa
Cultural Day and other things…
Many thanks to all who contributed to Cultural Day - what a great experience for our children and our families! And the food - from Chinese dumplings to Russian chicken salad; from bucketsful of authentic Tandoori curry to Millie’s boil up! My waistline
certainly had its horizons expanded!! Thanks especially to Mrs Jan Probert who manages to collect an army of supporters on such occasions. Thanks also to Mrs Saroja Navaratne for her work behind the scenes.

We are a diverse group. Such events remind us of the things that make us different and that these differences can actually bring us closer together.

Food especially is a catalyst for conversation and developing relationships. Yesterday I attended a hui in Wellington called by the Families Commission. The topic was Schools Supporting Communities. One school promotes families sitting down to have their evening meal together on one night each week - things have certainly changed in this regard since we were young!

But a simple way to be more of a family - sitting down and talking with each other instead of eating in front of TV, or rushing off to some other activity.

Dickens said something like “wasting time on another is not wasted on oneself”.


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

Portfolios
Children’s portfolios which summarise their assessment work will be sent home at the end of this week for parents to view and comment upon. It is important that these portfolios are returned directly to school by Monday 16 November.

Assembly
Friday’s 2.30pm assembly will be organised by Room 5 with items by Rooms 3 &10. Assembly will be held in the Hall. Parents/caregivers are welcome to attend.

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.


School Activity Donation
Please ensure that your child’s school activity donation is paid in full as soon as possible.

Safety Issue
It has been reported that students riding on scooters and skateboards to school are not being considerate of pedestrians. If your child uses a scooter or skateboard please talk to them about giving way to pedestrians and taking care around older people on the footpath.

Dates to Note
T4 Monday 12 October Friday 18 December

11 Armistice Day Assembly
13 Wide Horizons Trip R8
16 BOT Meeting 6pm
17 PTA Meeting 3.15pm
19 Rainbow Class 1.15pm
20 Wide Horizons Trip
23-27 EOTC Week for Y6
26 Orange Day Road Patrollers Parade

December
1 Senior School Golf 9.30am-12pm
3 Rainbow Class 1.15pm
4 Helpers Morning Tea 10.30am
Wide Horizon Trip
7 BOT Meeting 6pm
8 PTA Meeting 3.15pm
10 Y6 Helpers Lunch
11 Wide Horizons Trip R11
11 NEV Community Christmas Party 3.30-6.30pm
17 End of Year Assembly 11am-12.30pm
18 Talent Quest 9.30-10am
School finishes 12.30pm

PTA News
Next PTA Meeting
A meeting will be held today after school Tuesday 17th of November at 3.15pm. All welcome.

Community News
Footballsouth and Andrew Boyens Summer Football Camps: Location 1: Sunnyvale Park, Dunedin Date: 6th, 7th and 8th of January, 2010. Location 2: John McGlashan College Date: 20th, 21st and 22nd of January, 2010. Time: 9am-3pm daily. Ages: 7-13. Cost: $110. Camps are limited to 60 children. For an enrolment form or more information please email: boyenssoccercoaching@hotmail.com

Girl Guides: Looking for something different to do this summer? Want to go camping, make friends and have fun? Try Girl Guiding! We have a group meeting weekly in the N.E.V. For more information contact Claire: womensrights@ousa.org.nz or 027 424 9711.

SONGBONG: is organising a pedestrian parade for the North East Valley Christmas Community Fiesta. The parade will bring together children and adults from the area. Bring a drum, a shaker, a squeaky toy, a saucepan, your little brother or anything that can make noise to the free public workshops in November. Learn the heartbeat of the noisy parade and decorate your mask to join the
parade on Friday 11th of December! Free Public Workshops on Saturday 21th Nov, 28th Nov. and 5th Dec at 1pm at the Community Centre 248 North Road. All welcome! Contact: drums@songbong.co.nz or 473 6488 - www.songbong.co.nz

Christmas Holiday Programme: Valley OSCAR will run a holiday programme from Monday 21st – Wednesday 23rd December if there is a need in the community. To make it viable for us we need to have ten children enrolled full time. Cost per child is $30 per day or $25 for a second and subsequent child. For more information contact Janette at the office at North East Valley Baptist Church at 270 North Road or on 473 9413. We need confirmed numbers before Friday 11th December. WINZ subsidies may be available.

2010 Holiday Programme: Valley OSCAR will run a hold a holiday programme from Monday 25th – Friday 29th January. Enrolment forms will be available early December. For more information contact Janette at the office at North East Valley Baptist Church at 270 North Road or on 473 9413. WINZ subsidies are available.

Open Morning for Saturday Morning Music Classes DN Soc Inc: interested parents and children wishing to commence classes in 2010 may observe classes in progress on Saturday morning, November 14th: George Street Normal School Centre - guided groups meet at the Main Block entrance between 9am and 10am.
Saturday Morning Music Classes Enrolments for 2010: Saturday, November 21 2010 at: George Street Normal School - 9am till 11.30am (follow the signs).