Newsletter 14 September 2010

14 September 2010 Term 3 Week 9 10/28

Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa

National Standards
I have voiced to you my opposition to the Government’s National Standards policy for over a year now.

My fear has been and continues to be that National Standards is driven by politics rather than what is best for children.

The decision to fully implement the Standards at NEV Normal in their current form rests with the Board of Trustees.

They share my concerns about the Standards and they have been cautious in their approach to implementation. They have engaged with the Ministry of Education and the Minister to address their concerns.

It is therefore pleasing to see that the Minister has acknowledged the worries Boards and principals have expressed and that she has initiated an advisory group to consider these concerns.

In the meantime we have asked Emeritus Professor of Education, Lester Flockton, to speak to parents and teachers and trustees about this controversial policy at a special meeting to be held in the school staffroom at 4.30pm Monday 20 September.
All welcome.

Ma te Atua e mannaaki tiaki tatau katoa.

John McKenzie
Principal

Visit the school’s website www.nevn.school.nz
Copy this link to our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-East-Valley-Normal-School-Dunedin/109990819044919

Welcome
Welcome to Ava and Thomas who have started in R11 and Amelia who has started in R2. We warmly welcome their families to our school community.

Otago Cross Country Championships
Congratulations go to Tarryn and Ellie who competed in the Otago Cross Country Championships held at Balmacewen Intermediate School last week. Ellie finished 12th in the Y6 girls event and Tarryn finished 35th in the Y5 girls event.

Assembly
Assembly will be held in the Hall this Friday at 2.20pm. It will be led by Room 2 with items by Rooms 5 & 8. Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend.

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

Sewing Help Needed
Volunteers are needed to help with a small sewing job on the Kapa Haka uniforms. If you are able to help please let the office know.

Scholastic Book Club
A sale leaflet has been sent home today. Orders with money need to be in by the end of term. Please make cheques payable to Scholastic NZ.

T-Ball for 5, 6 and 7 Year Olds
A few of the parents at the school are interested in starting up a fun T-Ball team for 5, 6 and 7 year olds. If anyone is interested to learn more, please contact Billie Drummond on 027 473 7203. Practices won’t start until after the beginning of next term.

National Standards Meeting
On Monday 20 September Lester Flockton will lead an information meeting on the National Standards for Board members and parents/caregivers. The meeting will be held in the staffroom from 4.30 to 6pm.

Lester Flockton is a respected academic who has worked for the University Of Otago; is a former school principal and has worked on the National Education Monitoring Project. He has a special interest in assessment and curriculum.

All parents and caregivers are welcome to attend.

2010 Term Dates

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

Dates to Note
September
15 PTA Meeting 3.20pm
17 Wide Horizons trip R3
20 National Standards Meeting 4.30-6pm
20 BOT Meeting 6pm
24 End of Term 3

October
11 First Day of Term 4
12-22 Swimming Block (8 days)
12 PTA Meeting 3.15pm
14 Rainbow Class 1.15pm
21 Kids for Kids Concert Regent Theatre
25 Labour Day School Closed
28 Rainbow Class 1.15pm

Vitamin D
We all need Vitamin D to help absorb calcium. Calcium is essential for bone growth and strength.

The best source of Vitamin D is from the sun. As we don’t always see the sun during our winter months it is
important to remember to get outside as much as possible when the sun is out!

You can also obtain Vitamin D from some foods. A good source of Vitamin D is found in fatty fish (salmon,
mackerel and sardines) and also in cod liver oil.

For more information or if you are concerned about your Vitamin D levels talk to your GP or Public Health Nurse.

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


PTA News
Maths-a-thon
So far we have risen over $1,300 from this fundraiser! Thank you to all of those that gave so generously and congratulations to all of the children that participated.

Hyndman Book Sale
Order forms and money need to be into the office no later than Monday 20th September. Orders will be delivered at the beginning of Term 4. These books make great birthday and Christmas presents.

Next PTA Meeting
The next meeting will be held Wednesday September 15th, at 3.20pm in the Parents Room. Please feel free to come along and join in.

Community News
Further details are available on the notice board in the school office.

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.

Zumba Fitness: has come to the Valley!! Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 5 to 6pm in the school hall. Wear appropriate footwear; bring a towel and a water bottle. Cost $5 per class.

North East Valley Junior Cricket Registration: Tuesday 14 September, 3:30 to 5:30 pm, Clubrooms, Gardens Ground, Bank Street. Boys and girls ages 5-14 welcome. For further information please see our website: www.wix.com/juniorcricket/nev-jcc

Valley OSCAR is running a school holiday programme Monday 27th September - Friday 1st October from 8:30 - 5:30 pm daily at the NEV Baptist Church Hall. For more information contact Janette 4739413 or drop in at the church office for an enrolment form. Cost $30 a day, WINZ subsidies available.

The NEV Community Development Project are selling raffle tickets for the Community Quilt at the New World supermarket this Friday. The beautiful quilt has been made and kindly donated by the Art Fibre group. The raffle will be drawn at the Spring dinner on Tuesday 21st September (270 North Rd Baptist Hall from 6:30pm). All proceeds of the quilt raffle towards North East Valley community development initiatives. We are still looking for 2 more volunteers to fill up the roster this Friday, if you can give one hour of your time, please contact Kate at 473 8614 or valleynews@actrix.co.nz

Science in the Sea Holiday Programme: at the NZ Marine Studies Centre & Westpac Aquarium Saturday 25th September - Sunday 10th October 2010. get hands-on experience of being a marine scientist. Daily activities during the holidays include science experiments, data collection to test your observation skills, whale songs, films, short talks and demonstrations. Board our yellow
submarine to discover how scientists explore the deep sea. Come along to our fish feeding sessions on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2-3pm and find out! Aquarium entry fees apply. Phone 03 479 5826 Email marine-studies@otago.ac.nz

NZ Short Track Ice Speed Skating
Championships: at the Dunedin Ice Stadium Friday 17th September 4.30pm – 7.30pm;,
Saturday 18th September 9.00am – 3.00pm. No entry charge. Contact 456 4556.

Campaign Launch + Fundraiser Help put Steve O’Connor onto the DCC
Friday September 17th 7pm NEV Baptist Church Tickets $10 or $20 family. Tickets at door or ph Steve 4544986 Advertisement.