Newsletter 18 August 2010

18 August 2010 Term 3 Week 5 10/24

Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa

National Standards Testing
The ODT reported today that our school is not producing a mid year report as a protest against the Government policy on National Standards. This is not the case.
We do not usually publish a mid-year written report;
The Board of Trustees asked the teachers to prepare a trial mid-year report based on the National Standards; the teachers did so;
These reports do not accurately portray the children’s achievement;
The Board of Trustees decided they should not be published because of the teachers’ concerns about then;
The Board of Trustees have written to the Secretary of Education explaining why these reports will not be published and asking for her comment.

So, the reports have not been sent home because they are not seen as useful, not as a protest! Most principals I know are experiencing similar problems as they find the National Standards levels do not match other more reliable and tested assessment tools. Until these ‘mismatches’ are sorted, the worth of the Standards will continue to be debated.

Hopefully, someone in Wellington will see sense and go back to the drawing board with these standards and either chuck them out altogether, or reset them using more reliable processes.

Behaviour Initiative
The Ministry of Education have invited NEV Normal to be part of a small pilot scheme
introducing an American behaviour model into NZ schools. We need a couple of parent volunteers to be part of this pilot. It will require attendance at training during the day for 1 or 2 days every now and then. If you are interested, please leave you name with Sara at the office.

Bilingual Class Trial
During Term 4 we will trial a bilingual class in the afternoons. Mrs Kewene-Edwards will teach this class. Parents who wish their child to attend should register at the office. Mrs Kewene-Edwards class will be covered by other teachers during this trial period.

Ma te Atua e mannaaki tiaki tatau katoa.


John McKenzie
Principal

Welcome
Welcome to Holly who has started in R3 and Ellie who has started in R5. A warm welcome to their families to our school community.

Assembly
Assembly will be held in the Hall this Friday at 2.20pm. It will be led by Room 10 with items by Rooms 2 & 11. 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.

PTA Hot Lunches
Hot lunches this Friday are: -
1 x slice of pizza and a sausage roll for $1.50.
Hot Milo for 0.50c. Please bring a cup for Milo.
Orders with money in a named envelope with the room number to the office by 9am please.

Sports Results
The final game was held yesterday against College Street School and we won 8 goals to 7!!! Jaani was the player of the day. Congratulations to all the children who participated in netball and thanks to Mrs Hesson and Jess Hannah-Brennan for organising and coaching.

Volleyball
A number of children participated in an interschool volleyball tournament in the school hall yesterday afternoon. Thanks to Mrs Hesson for organising the competition.

Mathletics
Congratulations to our Mathletics team of Hamish, Cyprus, Jack O and Alex who
competed in the Mathletics competition on Monday at the Town Hall. They
performed with credit! Thank you to Mrs Staynes who has been coaching them.

PTA News
Maths-A-Thon
Maths-a-thon fundraising cards need to be back to the classrooms by this Thursday 19th. The test will be held on Friday 20th. Cards will then be sent back home for money to be collected and returned to the school office no later than Friday 27th August. Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support of the PTA fundraisers.

Next PTA Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday September 14th at 3.15pm in the Parents Room. Please feel free to come along and join in.

Hand washing
The spread of illness is most common in the third term of the school year. This is a reminder of the importance of hand washing. Children who wash their hands regularly have fewer sick days with colds and flu’s, and less time off with ‘tummy bugs’.

It takes 20 seconds to wash your hands properly and teaching children to get into a habit of washing their hands will help control the spread of disease. Hand drying is also very important as wet hands will attract bugs like a magnet.

The Public Health Nurse for our school is:Julie Buxton. Contact details are: 4769835

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

Dates to Note
August
20 Wide Horizons trip R5
PTA Maths-A-Thon
24 North Zone X Country R3 & R5
26 Rainbow Class 1.15-2.45pm

September
3 Wide Horizons trip R10
9 Rainbow Class 1.15-2.45pm
9 School Photos
13 BOT Meeting 6pm
14 Maori Games Tournament
14 PTA Meeting 3.15pm
17 Wide Horizons trip R3
24 End of Term 3

Community News
Watoto Children’s Choir
Rescue a child Raise a leader Rebuild a nation. The wonderful Watoto Children’s Choir – 22 beautiful boys and girls from Uganda – are performing at the Dunedin Town Hall on Friday 17 September at 7pm. Be inspired by this group of parentless children, who will share their unique blend of native African rhythms, contemporary gospel music, ethnic dance and costumes along with a message of God's love. This concert is free with an opportunity to make a donation to the work of Watoto.

Brought to you by TEAR Fund NZ.