Newsletter 27 April 2010

27 April 2010 Term 2 Week 2 10/11
Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa
The weather is reminding us of the impending onset of winter. This morning the city looked bleak and miserable, and as the day progressed the rain and cold drove home the message - keep inside and stay warm.

Luckily we have an effective heating system at school and our hard working caretaker Ken ensures the place is warm and cosy when we arrive in the mornings. Luckier still is the fact that the Government pay our heating bills regardless of how high they climb so we don’t scrimp in this area.

I wish we could say the same about our homes - many of us live in old and poorly insulated houses and the cost of heating them can be depressing and for some out of reach.

In 2008 the school organised a heating expo for Valley residents - the speakers showed how to insulate and heat our homes cheaply and effectively.

If you have any insulation or heating queries, contact the local DCC Energy Manager, Neville Auton on 477 4000. He will offer good solid advice.

Ma te Atua e mannaaki tiaki tatau katoa.

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


Welcome
A very warm welcome to Hayden who has started in R3 and Rachel who has started in R11. We also welcome their families to our school community.

School Swimming
The swimming block continues this week and will finish on Friday. The cost of this swimming block is $20 per child which is paid out of the school activity donation. If your child’s activity donation has not been paid up to Term 2 at least please make payment at the school office. Thank you.

Rainbow Class
Rainbow class for 4 year olds is being held this Thursday 29 April from 1.15 to 2.45pm in R11.

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

Smart Food School Lunches
Smart Food lunches are available 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 for $2.50; larger lunch with two extra sandwiches for $3.50. Orders and money need to be in to the School Office by 9am.

Scholastic Book Club
Leaflets for Issue 3 have been sent home today. Orders with money need to be handed to the office by Friday 7 May. Please make cheques payable to Scholastic NZ.

Annual Whanau Hui
He Panui Ki Nga Matua
He Hui
Parents and caregivers are invited to attend the annual whanau hui consultation meeting to discuss the future of Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga this Thursday 29 April
from 4.30pm-6.30pm in the school staffroom. The agenda will include a report on the recent visit to the Te Reo classes at St Albans school in Christchurch.
All Whanau Welcome, Maori and Non Maori

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

Dates to Note
April
29 Rainbow Class 1.15pm
30 Swimming block ends

May
3 BOT Meeting 6pm
5 Elelgro Cool Kids Show 9.15am
7 Wide Horizons Trip R8
12 Wonky Donkey Show R8 & R10
13 Rainbow Class 1.15pm
21 Wide Horizons Trip R3
27 Rainbow Class 1.15pm

June
3 Marae Visit
4 Wide Horizons Trip R5
10 Rainbow Class 1.15pm

PTA News
Easter Raffle – Term 1
The total money raised from this year’s Easter Raffle was $737.50! Thank you to all those that participated.

Jack’n’Jill Portraits
The photo shoot will be on Saturday 8th May. Vouchers and money need to be into the office by the end of Monday 3rd May. There is a maximum of 50 families being booked for the day, so be in quick with your booking!

Next PTA Meeting
The next PTA meeting will be held on Tuesday 11 May at 3.15pm in the Parents Room. All welcome to attend.


Board of Trustees Election 2010

Declaration of Parent Election Results

At the close of nominations, as the number of valid
nominations was fewer than the number of vacancies
required to be filled, I hereby declare the following duly elected:

Howard, Jo

Jones, Jesseme

McDowell, Paul

O’Connor, Steve

Signed
Sara Lindsay
Returning Officer

Influenza Vaccine and Eligibility
The Ministry of Health is encouraging as many people as possible to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza. This year the pandemic strain (H1N1 or also known as Swine Flu) is included in the seasonal influenza vaccination.
It is free for all those who:
are pregnant
are significantly overweight
use asthma preventers
have diabetes
are aged 65 years or over
have heart disease
have kidney problems
or have a serious medical condition

If you do not have one of these eligible conditions you can still benefit from an influenza immunisation available at a small cost from your family doctor.

The NEVN Public Health Nurse is: Julie Buxton.
Contact details: Phone 4769853. Cell 0273322784.


Community News
Catholic Social Services: Parents Inc Toolbox Parenting Courses: Game On - Dads/Parent Support Group – Mums. 0-6 years/6-12 Years/Teenage. Day and evening courses. 6 sessions cost negotiable. Contact Sue 477 3403 or sue@cathsocialservices.org.nz

Otago Wildlife Photography Competition: for amateur photographers. Entry forms are available at the office.

The Blue Lagoonies Kick-Off Party: Youth Group for Y5 to 8 children on Saturday 1 May from 4-6pm at the Blue Lagoon Church (NEV Presbyterian) cnr James Street and North Road. Contact Cameron 027 3416878 or Alice 027 3156992.

Affordable guitar lessons! For more information contact Matt Stuart on: Ph: 021 0322 486. Email: matthew-stuart@hotmail.com

New Zealand Football are keen to get the opinions of girls and their families about being involved in football. Therefore they are running a survey about Females In Football, as a follow up to their recent ‘have a go’ promo. They would like as many 6-12 year old girls to take part as possible. The link to the survey is on the front page of the Sport Otago Website www.sportotago.co.nz. There are good prizes for those that take part, including a visit from one of the Football Ferns.

Otago Museum After School Activities:T 2 RoboClub: Robolympics every Wednesdays 3.30-3pm 28 April to 16 June .Age 8+
Discovery Club: The L.I.F.E. Agency every Thursday 3.30-5pm 29 April to 17 June. Age 8+. Puppets Galore!: Time travelers Club every Tuesday 27 April to 15 June. Ages 7-12.
$10 per session or $65 for the term for each activity. Contact Information Club 474 7474.

Autism Awareness Week: Amazing Race Around Dunedin: Sunday 13 June 1pm car rally around the streets of Dunedin with a few challenges on the way! $20 a car load or $5 per person. Register your team 474 9640 by 30 May.

Manchester Unity Friendly Society: save2learn.co.nz investing in your child’s future. Save for secondary and tertiary education from .74c per week. Contact Lynette McKnight 0508 728325. A leaflet with further information is available at the office.