Newsletter 24 August 2010

24 August 2010Term 3 Week 6 10/25

Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa

As I write the painters are scraping away on the window sills outside my office! Sometimes we have to put up with a bit of discomfort to enjoy the benefits of change.

The senior classes are now enjoying their refreshed and refurbished classrooms. The children and teachers alike have patiently endured the noise and disruption that has come with the building work. Now they can settle back into their permanent
learning spaces.

The senior block has not only been refurbished but has been strengthened to meet modern earthquake standards and has had all rot and leaks repaired. These blocks are over 40 years old so well overdue a bit of attention! The College Block, which includes the library, should be ready for occupation mid way through next term.

Other things to look forward to: -
The bilingual class - starting next term on a trial basis has already 9 children registered.
The Kapa Haka uniforms have arrived and they look spectacular - thanks to the PTA and the BoT who shared the cost of these! The Poly Festival is scheduled for September 9th.
A teacher has been appointed to teach the Gifted Kids Classes which we have agreed to host from 2011. This exciting city-wide project will have positive spin-offs for our children.
Plans have been submitted to move the two older classrooms which house the community project, to the back of the car park and to then re-gable the front of the hall. We are hoping to have this project completed by April 2011 at which time we celebrate the school’s 160th birthday.
New entrant enrolments have been strong lately and we have had a number of unexpected enrolments in the upper school.

Ma te Atua e mannaaki tiaki tatau katoa.

John McKenzie
Principal

Welcome
Welcome to Mixi who has started in R11. A warm welcome to her family to our school community.

Rainbow Class
This transition to school class for 4 year olds will be held this Thursday 26 August from 1.15-2.45pm in R11. If you have a 4 year old who would like to join this group, please contact Mrs Will or the office.

Assembly
Assembly will be held in the Hall this Friday at 2.20pm. It will be led by Room 5 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.

PTA Hot Lunches
There will be no PTA hot lunches this Friday.

Sports Results
R 3 and R5 children ran in the North Zone cross country at Balmacewen Intermediate today. Well done to all the children who participated. Congratulations to Tarryn Tree and Ellie Bardsley who have qualified for the Otago Cross Country Championships which will be held on 10 September.

NEV Normal Tops
We are missing a number of our NEV Normal tops which are used for sport and other school activities. Please check at home and in school bags and return all tops to school as soon as possible. Thank you.

Advertising on the Newsletter
Our newsletter cover is being updated. If you would like to advertise on the back cover please contact the office or phone Barry’s Newsletter Services on 0508 733 733.

Kids for Kids Concert
The North East Valley Normal School choir will be performing at the Kids for Kids Christmas Show with Suzanne Prentice on Thursday 21 October at 7.30pm. The tickets for this show are now on sale and can be bought at the Regent Theatre box office, or online at www.ticketdirect.co.nz. If your child is part of the choir, they will not need a ticket. If you have any questions see Mrs Sintmaartensdijk in Room 10.

Board of Trustees News
National Standards
Further to my letter sent home on Friday regarding National Standards reporting, I wish to let parents/caregivers know that the Board is continuing to work through how we report to parents in a safe and helpful manner.

We are currently discussing: -
The best ways to inform parents of the issues of concern that have been raised.
The best way to consult parents before and after we send home the first National Standards reports.

We welcome your feedback at anytime and we hope you will engage in the more formal processes of consultation that the BOT initiates.

Steve O’Connor
Board Chair

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

Dates to Note
August
24 North Zone X Country R3 & R5
26 Rainbow Class 1.15-2.45pm
30 R2 Cupcake Day 12.30-1.30pm

September
3 Wide Horizons trip R10
9 Rainbow Class 1.15-2.45pm
9 School Photos
9 PolyFest Edgar Centre
10 Otago X Country Championships
13 BOT Meeting 6pm
14 Maori Games Tournament
14 PTA Meeting 3.15pm
17 Wide Horizons trip R3
24 End of Term 3


PTA News
Maths-A-Thon
Congratulations to all the children for taking part in the Maths-A-Thon last Friday! Completed cards and money need to be returned to the school office no later than Friday 27th August. Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support of these PTA fundraisers.

Hyndman Book Sale
Brochures will be sent home soon for you, your family and work colleges to purchase some of these books at super prices. They make great birthday and Christmas presents!

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

Community News
Quiz Night Jonathan Rhodes Kindergarten: 4-6 people per term; $5 per person. $1 raffles. Great prizes. Bar open. Thursday 16 September 7pm for 7.30 start at the NEV Bowling Club 139 North Road. Ph 473 9107 to register.

Respiratory Hygiene
Term Three is usually when we get winter illnesses so here is another reminder about the importance of respiratory hygiene.

As one way of preventing the spread of viruses we are teaching children to cough and sneeze into their elbows or alternatively to cough and sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away. Also always remember to wash your hands after every time you sneeze or cough.

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