Newsletter 16 February 2010

16 February 2010 Term 1 Week 3 10/3

Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa

Board of Trustees
The Trustees held their first meeting of the year last night and worked through a full agenda. Of particular importance was how the Board will respond to the implementation of the National Standards.

The Trustees acknowledge they have a legal responsibility to implement the policy but are unanimous in their wish that the standards will not undermine the successful practices already in place.

The Trustees also discussed the upcoming Board Elections. Any parent who wishes to know more about what the role of a Trustee entails should contact a sitting Trustee.

Special Visitors
Today we welcomed 57 Malaysian teacher trainees to Dunedin. The school has a large and visible Malaysian community and it was appropriate that the welcome was held here.

The children, parents and staff welcomed the visitors with mihi and waiata and these were replied to in kind. Then the children showed these aspiring teachers around the school. What great ambassadors our children are. I doubt the recently arrived
Malaysian trainees will forget such a warm welcome!

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


Teacher/Parent/Child Goal Setting
Notices have been sent home to book times for the goal setting interviews next week on Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 February. Please return the interview schedules to school by tomorrow. Anyone who has not returned their form will be slotted into free time spaces.

Scholastic Book Club
Orders for Issue 1 with money need to be in to the office by tomorrow Wednesday 17 February.

Assembly
Assembly will be held in the hall on Friday at 2.20pm. It will be led by Room 2 with items by Rooms 5 & 8. Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend.

Update Contact Details
Contact details changes need to be returned to the office as soon as possible please.

Tadpoles
Thanks to those people who have provided tadpoles.

Cross Country
The whole school cross country will be held on Wednesday 24 February between 12.45-2.45pm at Chingford Park. Postponement date is Thursday 25 February.

Road Patrol
There is only one vacancy left on Monday afternoon. If you are able to assist at this time (3.oo-3.15pm) please let Mrs Staynes or the office know.

School Activity Donation
Thank you to all those families who have paid the school activity donation for either the whole year or for T1 at least. The donation for 2010 is: Senior School $85, or $21.50 per term; Junior School $75 or $19.00 per term. The family discount donation for a 2 child family is $130, or $32.50 per term; and a 3 child family is $160, or $40.00 per term. The School continues to be happy for payment to be made in full at the start of the year, termly, or by arrangement with the school office. If you would like to set up an automatic payment please contact the office. Payment for Term 1 at least should be made as soon as possible please.

A receipt will be issued and can be used with the donations part of your tax return.

Smart Food School Lunches
Please note the change in prices for this year - $2.50 or $3.50 for a larger lunch. Smart Food lunches will be available Mondays and Thursdays at NEVNS. The lunch consists of two sandwiches, a piece of fruit, a home made biscuit or muffin and a jelly or milk pudding; larger lunch with two extra sandwiches.. Orders and money need to be in to the School Office by 9am.

BOT Elections
The triennial Board of Trustees elections will be held this year on Friday 7 May. School staff and parents elect boards every three years. All parents of students enrolled in a state school can and should vote in the elections for parent representatives. Nominations are now being called for. There are 5 parent representative positions on the Board as well as the principal and a staff representative. Some of our long serving trustees have indicated that they will stand down at the next elections. Trustees are parents, caregivers and people from the wider community. If you are interested in becoming a school trustee please contact the office, a board member or the principal.

PTA News
Next PTA Meeting
The first meeting for this year will be held today Tuesday 16th of February at 3.15pm. We would like to invite anyone who is interested to come along. If you have children with you, they can either play outside or come in and listen in.


2010 Term Dates
Term 1 Tuesday 2 February Thursday 1 April
Term 2 Monday 19 April Friday 2 July
Term 3 Monday 19 July Friday 24 September
Term 4 Monday 11 October Friday 16 December

Statutory Holidays Within the School Term
Otago Anniversary Monday 22 March
Queen’s Birthday Monday 7 June
Labour Day Monday 25 October


Dates to Note
February
16 PTA Meeting 3.15pm
17 Scholastic Book Clubs orders close
17 Bikes for Fun
19 Wide Horizons Trip R3
23/24/25 3 Way Conferencing goal setting
24 School Cross Country 12.30pm
25 Postponement day Cross Country
26 Rainbow Class 1.15-2.40pm

March
5 Wide Horizons Trip R5
11 Rainbow Class 1.15-2.40pm
15 BOT Meeting 6pm
18 Fortune Theatre Show 10am-12.30pm
19 Wide Horizons Trip R2
22 Otago Anniversary Day Holiday
25 Rainbow Class 1.15-2.40pm

April
1 Last Day of Term 1
19 Term 2 begins
20 Swimming Block Begins

Community News
Females in Football Fun Football Festival: to be held at the Oval on Wednesday 17 February from 5.30-7.30pm. Fun games, prizes and
giveaways.

Barnardos Parenting Programme: Conscious Parenting: Next course commences on 24th February. A six week programme that strengthens relationships through communication, self-awareness and strategies for positive parents. Week 1Consciously Parenting; Week 2 Understanding Behaviour; Week 3 Positive Attention; Week 4 Structure; Week 5 Communication; Week 6 Play/Celebrating. Enquiries to: Barnardos Ph 466 3075 otago.amu@barnardos.org.nz

Otago School of Piping and Drumming: Free bagpipe beginners class beginning Wednesday 24 February 5.30pm, Free snare drumming beginners classes begin Tuesday 23 February at 5.30pm, Tenor drumming beginners classes begin on Thursday 25 February at 5.30pm. To enrol or for more details contact Victoria 489 1650 or go to www.ospd.org.nz

After-School African Drumming Lessons: with David GRACE from Songbong at DNI on Wednesday from 3:00 to 3:40pm. Instruments supplied. Starting 17th Feb. Year 6 only. Contact David at 473 6488 or drums@songbong.co.nz for more info.
Rotary Park School Junior Duathlon: for children aged 4-13 Saturday 28 February. Entry forms available from www.rotarypark.school.nz, Edgar Centre, Moana Pool.

Port Chalmers Swim Club Junior ‘Try’athlon: Tuesday 23 February 2010(cancellation date 25 February). Entry forms available from NEVNS, Moana Pool, Port Chalmers Pool or contact Anne Marshall 4728323.