Newsletter 21 September 2010

21 September 2010 Term 3 Week 10 10/29

Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa

Te Reo Class Term 4 Trial
Mrs Kewene-Edwards will trial some afternoon bilingual classes next term. The scope and shape of this trial will be finalised tomorrow when the steering group meets at school at 3.15pm. All are welcome to contribute to this meeting. Once details are finalised, the parents of those registered to be part of this trial will be informed. Registrations are still open through the school office.

Principal’s Sabbatical
Last year I applied for and was granted a one term sabbatical. I chose to take the coming term, Term 4, for study leave. Mrs Staynes will be acting principal in my absence. A reliever will cover Mrs Staynes duties.

National Standards
Lester Flockton led a very interesting discussion on National Standards last evening. Thanks to all the parents, teachers and board members who attended.

On behalf of the staff I wish all school families a safe and restful holiday.

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

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.

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

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 $3.00; larger lunch with two extra sandwiches for $4.00 Orders and money need to be in to the School Office by 9am.

Scholastic Book Club
Orders with money for the sale leaflet 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 473 7200 or 027 473 7203. Practices won’t start until after the beginning of next term.

Polyfest Kapa Haka DVD
A DVD of the Polyfest is available for $25. It includes the 2 days of performances. An order form will be sent home with children who participated in the festival. Orders can also be made at the office.

Security Over the Holidays
We ask that school families be vigilant over the holidays and contact the Police or Chubb Security ph 479 6367 if there is a security issue. The contractors will be continuing work on the College Block over the holiday period.

School Activity Donation
Please ensure that your child’s school activity donation is paid up to the end of Term 3 at least. Contact the office if you are unsure of the balance.

School Swimming
The school swimming block for Term 4 starts on Tuesday 12 October for 8 days until Friday 22 October (excluding Thursday 21 October). Children will need to bring togs, towels and goggles to school each day. Swimming will be taught by the JC Swim School. The cost of the swimming block will be $25.00. This cost is included as part of the school activity donation. If your child’s activity donation has not been paid please sent $25 to school. The timetable is included with this newsletter.

PTA Donation
Thanks to the PTA who have donated $200 to each class for extra class resources. The PTA have achieved some great fundraising this term which is really appreciated by the staff and children.

BOT News
The Board of Trustees met last night following the National Standards meeting led by Lester Flockton. The Board endorsed a statement of no confidence in the Standards for use in setting achievement targets.

Other matters discussed included property issues; curriculum policy updates in line with the new NZ Curriculum; trial of the bilingual class in T4; plans for the gifted and talented class next year; plans for the 160th anniversary of the school in 2011; parent survey; and the principal appraisal process.

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

Dates to Note
September
24 End of Term 3

October
11 First Day of Term 4
12 Dental Therapist on site
12-22 Swimming Block (8 days)
12 PTA Meeting 3.15pm
13 Vision & Hearing Testing 9-12.30pm
14 Rainbow Class 1.15pm
21 Kids for Kids Concert Regent Theatre
25 Labour Day School Closed
28 Rainbow Class 1.15pm

PTA News
Maths-a-thon
The PTA have decided to use the money raised from the Maths-a-thon to benefit the children’s class room environments. As such we have given each class $200 to spend on whatever they think would improve their class room (to be decided on after consultation with their teachers).

Hyndman Book Sale
Orders for this have now finished. Thank you to Cameron Gascoyne’s family for their great fundraising.

Next PTA Meeting
The next meeting will be held Tuesday October 12th, at 3.15pm in the Parents Room. Please feel free to come along and join in.

NEV Community Development Project
Spring Community Dinner tonight! Tuesday 21 September, Come and listen to our wonderful Community Choir with director Clare Adams, be fooled by Terry Ebeling the Valley magician, congratulate our lovely Art Fibre Fairies for the 2010 Community Quilt, meet Nicole and Jacob, the 2 students who are organising Neighbours’ Week, tap your foot to the African rhythms of SHEbang!, an all female drumming group, and maybe do some French dancing with Les Belles Vilaines. All neighbours welcome at the Baptist Hall 270 North Road from 6:30pm. Bring a plate and a drink. Gold coin donation for the North East Valley Community Development Project.

Don’t forget the Folding Guild next Friday 1st October from 9am at the community room 248 North Rd. Delicious baking!

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

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.

Registration Day for Hill City Children's Athletics is between 10am and 12pm on Saturday 25th September at the Hill City Clubrooms (near the Caledonian Ground). Opening Night is Tuesday the 12th of October 2010 at the Hill City Clubrooms. Be there at 5:30pm to register if you missed registration day. A newsletter and registration form is available at the school office. Contact Tim Molteno 473 1368 tim@molteno.net

Northern Gymnastic Club: Fun and affordable gymnastics and trampoline classes at a recreational or competitive level for girls and boys. Open Day: 2-3.30p.m. Sunday 10th October. Burt Hall, King Edward Court (car park entrance off Tennyson St). Contact us: Erin ph. 477 1410, Alison ph. 453 6065, northerngym@gmail.com

Catholic Social Services Seasons For Growth Programme on Grief and Loss: is going to be open to 7-12 year old children who have lost contact with a family member or significant other person in their lives; through separation, divorce or death. It is a fun supportive group for small numbers of young people to develop skills to manage their grief experiences. The group begins Monday 1st Nov at Catholic Social Services. For more information contact: Sue Whyte or Adele Smith Catholic Social Services Ph: 477 3403.

Catholic Social Services Parents Inc Toolbox Parenting Courses: Day & Evening courses: Game On-dads/Seasons for Growth. Register now for 2010: 0-6 years, 6-12 years, Teenage =6 sessions; cost negotiable ph 4773403 sue@ cathsocialservices.org.nz

Free Holiday Activities at Dunedin Public Libraries: Information is available from www.dunedinlibraries.govt.nz or call 474 3690.
Northern Gymnastics Open Day: Sunday 10 October 2-3.30pm at Burt Hall, King Edward Court. Contact Erin 477 1410.