Newsletter 23 February 2010

23 February 2010 Term 1 Week 4 10/4

Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa

Board of Trustees
At the recent meeting of the BOT Steve O’Connor was elected as the BOT chairperson until the Board elections 7 May 2010. Thanks are extended to Michael Gaffney for his work as Board chair over the past 3 years.

Included in this newsletter is a statement on the Board’s response to the requirements of National Standards, which will act as advice for staff. Also
included is a National Standards Fact Sheet written by Lester Flockton, from the University of Otago. Lester lectures in educational leadership and is co director of the National Education Monitoring Programme. Lester has a long background in teaching (as principal at DNI) and has assisted the Board of Trustees in its work on the new NZ curriculum.

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


Teacher/Parent/Child Goal Setting
Goal setting interviews commence today until Thursday. If you do not know your interview time please check with the office for confirmation.

Cross Country
The whole school cross country will be held on Wednesday between 12.45-2.45pm at Chingford Park. Postponement date is Thursday 25 February. Please ensure children wear suitable running shoes, a sun hat, sunblock and have plenty of water to drink!!

Assembly
Assembly will be held in the hall on Friday at 2.20pm. It will be led by Room 8 with items by Rooms 3 & 10. Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend.

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
A statement of the school activity donation is included with today’s newsletter if we have not received any payment for at least Term 1. Payment may be made termly, by automatic payment or by another arrangement made with the office.

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
Easter Raffle
We are looking for donations of non-perishable items to be used as prizes in the Easter raffle. Anything that you can spare would be greatly appreciated – chocolate, wine, crackers, preserves, canned goods, etc. There will be a box in the office where any donations can be left. Items can be left up until Wednesday March 24th. The draw will take place on Tuesday March 30th. Tickets will cost $1 each and these will be sent home with the children today for selling.

Other Term One Fundraisers
We have two other exciting fundraising ventures coming up this term. The first is selling spring bulbs from Blooming Bulbs and the other is selling ROADWORKS jackets (Designed to keep our kids safe and seen). Keep an “eye out” for these coming up soon.

Next PTA Meeting
Tuesday 23 March at 3.15pm.

Dates to Note

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



February
23/24/25 3 Way Conferencing goal setting
24 School Cross Country 12.45pm
25 Postponement day Cross Country
25 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
23 PTA Meeting 3.15pm
25 Rainbow Class 1.15-2.40pm

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

May
7 Board of Trustees Election

Community News
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

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.

Gymnastics Open Day on Children's Day. When: Sunday 7 March 10.30am - 12.30pm. Where: Southern Gymnastics Academy, 256b Vogel Street, Dunedin. Three 40 minute sessions. Active, fun and free!!

After School care in the CBD: We pick up your child and take them back to Chipmunks where we have a dedicated after school floor. They have afternoon tea, supervised home work time and heaps of fun both in the afterschool area and the playground. We are open until 6pm for easy after work pick up, close to work no rushing to the suburbs in peak traffic. OSCAR approved and WINZ subsidies.

Children’s Choir: The University of Otago College of Education is starting a children’s choir in the music suite of the College on Thursday 25 February at 4pm. The choir is for children aged 7 to 13 years. Cost $115 per child for the year. Contact Carole Randall 479 4243.

Seasons After School Programme: 9 week programme for children aged 5-12 years experiencing grief and loss through separation or divorce, death of a family member or other major change in their life. Contact Christine James 454 5852 or 027 4489690.

Oncology Day Unit Fundraising Day: Sunday 28 February 11am-4pm at the Model Train Club, Kettle Park, St Kilda. Bouncy castle, sausage
sizzle, raffles, ride on model trains, boats and cars.

Dunedin BMX Club: is hosting the South Island Titles, this weekend (27-28 February) There are 140 riders competing over the weekend. So come along and have a look at some awesome racing. Racing starts at 11am on Saturday and 9am on Sunday at Forrester Park, North East Valley.

Otago Hockey Under 13 Girls Training Camps: for Y5 & Y6 girls interested in playing and want to improve their skills. Saturday 6 March and Sunday 14 and 21 March from 9am to 12pm at the hockey turf, Harbour Tce. Contact Gerry O’Connell 021 2244550.