Newsletter 2 February 2010

2 February 2010 Term 1 Week 1 10/1

Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa

Welcome to all children and families to the new school year. I can’t believe as I get older how time zooms by - we are already ten years into the new millennium!

We live in a quickly changing world - no sooner do we become familiar with a new cellphone and it is replaced with a better model; flat screen TVs have to be HD now; what is fashionable last year is now on the sale rack.

It is a good time to remember that schooling is not about what is fashionable but what is enduring. Our aim is not just to teach children ‘stuff’ but to tune their minds to the learning process. One way of ensuring success in this process is to always work with the parents closely. So I urge parents to get to know the teachers. Never be afraid to ask them about your child’s progress.

Best wishes for a great 2010!

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

Welcome
A warm welcome to North East Valley Normal School to Georgia who has started in R3. We welcome her family to our school community.

Behaviour Guidelines
The School Behaviour Guidelines are included with the Newsletter for parents/caregivers to read with your child/ren. These guidelines also form the basis of the class contracts the teachers will be discussing with the children at this time of the year.

Sun Hats ‘No Hat No Play!’
Named sun hats must be brought to school. The wearing of sun hats is compulsory for all children when outside during T1 & T4. Children without sun hats will sit in the shade during break times. Sunhats can be purchased from the School Office for $12.0.

School Activity Donation
School activity donations for 2010 are: 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 activity donation is requested for extra curricular activities such as trips to museum & art gallery, bus transport to & from school swimming, performances by various groups at school. This donation is of high value and is one of the lowest in the country. All children benefit from these extra activities and prompt payment will be appreciated. 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.

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

School Newsletter, Website and Blogs
The school will continue this year with the use of the school website for publishing the newsletter and blogs giving updates of happenings in the school and in individual classrooms. Photos of children and their first names will be used. If you do not want your child’s name or image to be used please let us know.

Smart Food School Lunches
Smart Food lunches will be available from Monday 8 February 2010 on 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. The cost is $2 or $3 for a larger lunch with two extra sandwiches. Orders and money need to be in to the School Office by 9am.

Scholastic Book Club
Leaflets for Issue 1 have been sent home today.
Orders with money need to be in to the office by Wednesday 17 February.

Road Patrol
If you are able to assist with supervising the road patrollers before or after school for 15-20 minutes please contact Mrs Staynes or the school office. Teachers really appreciate this help as it is difficult to leave the classroom before school and at 3pm. Many parents/caregivers like to speak to the class teacher at this time and the children often need this time with the teacher.

Road Safety & Parking Around the School
When walking children to or from school please actively use the patrolled crossing to get children across North Road. The instruction is to wait for the second whistle and the barrier arms to go out across the road before stepping off the footpath. This is teaching children safe road crossing skills.

There is currently a campaign encouraging motorists to drive slowly around school zones, which is being monitored by the Police. Drivers exceeding the speed limit by 4km/hour will be ticketed. In the interests of the children’s safety please do not park in the School grounds during school hours. Would parents who pick up children from the Longworth Street entrance please not park in the residents’ driveways or on the yellow no parking areas.

Advance Notice
During the week of 22 February the 3 way teacher/child/parent conference will be held to discuss goals for your child this year. Further information on dates and times will be sent home shortly.

Update Contact Details
Please let the office know if you have changed your landline or mobile numbers and you emergency contact names and numbers.

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

School Hours
School opens 8.30am Classes start 9.00am
Morning break 10.40-11am Lunch break12.30-1.30pm
School ends 3.00pm Office closes 3.30pm

A fridge magnet, donated by the PTA, with the 2010 term dates are available from the Office if you did not receive one.

Dates to Note
February
8 Vision & Hearing Testing
15 BOT Meeting 6pm
16 PTA Meeting 3.15pm
17 Scholastic Book Clubs orders close
17 Bikes for Fun
22-23 3 Way Conferencing goal setting
23 School Cross Country

Community News
Montessori @ the Gardens: Short and long day enrolments options available. Opening hours 8.30am-4pm. $60 enrolment fee waiver and 50% fees for 3 and 4 year olds till the end of February 2010. Enrolment packs available at 5 Chambers St or ring 473 7630.

Chipmunks After School Care: Children are picked up from school, and taken back to Chipmunks. We are open until 6pm and are OSCAR approved and WINZ funded. Phone: 03 477 6762.

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.

MA-FI Arts After School Programme: Children’s art classes in drawing, design, painting, sculpture, print-making,pottery, mask making. At King Edward Court. : Open: Monday-Friday 3:00-6:15pm, Sat. 9:00am-12:00 Noon & 2:00-5:00pm Fees: $20 for 2hrs &/or up to 3hrs. Contact Matthew or Fiona 477 6112, email ma-fiarts@clear.net.nz or www.ma-fiarts.co.nz

Sharlotte’s School of Arts: Vacancies available for students in piano, flute and speech and drama. Contact Sharlotte McKenzie 0274848206.
4th Otago Southland Battalion Group 150th Celebrations Open Day: Extensive display of military equipment and vehicles on Friday 26 February at Kensington Army Hall, Bridgman Street from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Entry by gold coin donation.

Southern Gymnastic Academy:
Gymnastics is a fantastic sport for anyone who loves to jump, swing, run and spin. Children can build strength, flexibility and confidence at gymnastics as well as developing skills that are fundamental to all sports. Classes to suit everyone - Sportgym on Monday and Fridays for school age children, classes for under 5s on Thursday and Saturdays, tumbling on Fridays and competitive classes for boys and girls throughout the week. Contact us by phone on 4775885 or email on
dunedin@southerngymnastics.co.nz website www.southerngymnastics.co.nz for more information.

Northern Gymnastic Club: Fun and affordable gymnastics and trampoline classes at a recreational or competitive level for girls and boys. Open Days: 2-4p.m.Sunday 7th February, 3-5p.m. Sunday 14th February. Burt Hall, King Edward Court (car park entrance off Tennyson St). Contact us: Erin ph. 477 1410, Alison ph. 453 6065, northerngym@gmail.com