Newsletter 9 February 2010

9 February 2010 Term 1 Week 2 10/2

Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa

National Standards
There is a meeting tonight concerning National Standards at Macandrew Intermediate at 7pm.
Educationalist Lester Flockton will discuss “Why Parents Should Be Worried”. A panel question and answer session will follow. Tea and coffee will be supplied.

The NZEI have organised a bus tour to travel throughout the country warning people about the dangers of National Standards. The bus will visit NEV Normal tomorrow (Wednesday) at 3pm. We invite members of the school community to talk to those involved.

There is a petition calling for a trial of National Standards in the office if you wish to sign.

Parents Meeting Room
The BOT has established a parents/caregiver meeting/resource room in the kitchen of the hall. Parents are welcome to use this area for socialising or getting information about various social services. Tea and coffee are available. Many thanks to Jesseme Jones who has been instrumental in creating this area and the BOT for funding it.

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

Welcome
A warm welcome to North East Valley Normal School to Han Byeul, from Korea, who has started in R3. We welcome her family to our school community.

Newsletter Sponsors
WE wish to acknowledge all of the sponsors who help pay for the cost of our newsletter. Their advertisements are on the back of the newsletter. Please support those who support us.

Wanted: Tadpoles
Room 11 would like 3 or 4 tadpoles if anyone has a few to spare or knows where to get them.

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 $12.00.

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.

Smart Food School Lunches
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. Please note the change in prices for this year - $2.50; or $3.50 for a larger lunch with two extra sandwiches. Orders and money need to be in to the School Office by 9am.

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

Road Patrol
Many thanks to all those parents/caregivers who have offered to assist with road patrol. There is only one vacancy left on Friday afternoon. If you are able to assist at this time (3.oo-3.15pm) please let Mrs Staynes or the office know.

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
Contact details have been included with this
newsletter for updating. Please make any changes and return to the office as soon as possible please.

Assembly
Assembly will be held in the hall on Friday at 2.20pm. It will be led by Room 3 with items by Rooms 2 & 11. Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend.

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
The members of the PTA would like to welcome everyone to 2010. We hope that you all had a lovely holiday and are enjoying your time at school so far. Isn’t this weather we are having great! Long may it continue.

Next PTA Meeting
The first meeting for this year will be held next 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. The PTA is a great way to meet other parents and caregivers who are interested in raising and
distributing funds for the benefit of the children at this school. We look forward to seeing you next Tuesday.

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


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
9 EOTC trips for junior and senior school
11 Rainbow class 1.15-2.40pm
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
25 Rainbow Class 1.15-2.40pm


2010 Term Dates

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..

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

Presbyterian Support Otago: need part time and relief carers to help support older people living in their own homes. Full driver’s license required. Contact Kathy Clarke 466 4714

Valley OSCAR Afterschool Programme: has places available in it's after school programme for 2010. We are open from 3pm until 5:30 and are based at the NEV Baptist Church Hall, 270 North Road. WINZ Subsidies are available. For more information contact Janette at the church office 4763 943 or email:
valleyoscar@gmailcom

Catholic Social Services: Parents Inc Toolbox Parenting Courses: Day & evening courses: - Game On-dads/Parent Support Group-mums. Register now for 2010 0-6 years, 6-12 years, Teenage, 6 sessions; cost negotiable. Contact ph 4773403 sue@cathsocialservices.org.nz www.cathsocialservices.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.

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.

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.

St Paul’s Cathedral Choristers: invite children aged 7-11 years to join. No previous musical education is necessary. Instruction is given in singing, music reading and theory. Contact David Burchell on 477 2336.