Newsletter 14 December 2010

14 December 2010 Term 4 Week 10 10/39

Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa

Prize Giving Assembly
Wednesday 15 December from 11am to 12.30pm when we will farewell our Y6 leavers.

Graduating Year 6 Students:
Jaani Allen Katelyn Andrew
Ellie Bardsley Jack Birchall
Briana Buijck Jorja Hall
Latiesha Hall Grace Hayward
Rory Henry-Osborne Jarrad Kennedy
Ben Knudson Hamish McKinlay
Cyprus Nitis Liam O’Brien
Jack O’Connor Alex Peck-Locke
Kyle Stevenson Mase Winder

There are some families for whom the end of this school year will mark the end of their formal relationship with the Valley School. The school would like to thank these families for their input and support over the years.

School Reports: Will be handed out to parents/caregivers on Wednesday after the final assembly/prize giving. Those reports not collected by a parent/caregiver will be posted.

Talent QuestWill be held on Thursday from 9.30-11.00am.

Classes for 2011 are currently being finalised.
Children will be informed of their class for next year on Wednesday afternoon and will spend a short time in that room. The make-up of classes in a school this size is never static. If we get more student enrolments than we anticipate, especially at the junior end of the school, students are often promoted. There is a policy about promotion which parents are welcome to view at any stage.

School Donations: are really important as they pay for things like the school swimming lessons and trips to the museum, art gallery and to performances. If you haven’t made your donation please try and contribute something! The school manages its finances very carefully and yet often ends the year in deficit!

Office Hours: The School Office will close Thursday at 1pm. The Office will reopen on Monday 23 January 2011 at 9am and be open until 3pm each day. Messages can be left on the school answer phone.

Return of School Books: Please ensure all school books: - library, journals and readers are returned as soon as possible.

Smart Lunches: will resume on Monday 7 February.

NEV Christmas Fiesta
What a great success the Christmas party was! It was estimated that up to 1000 people attended and enjoyed the bands, bouncy castle, food and stalls. Thanks to all who helped.

Security Over The Holidays
Please contact Chubb Security Ph 479 6367 if there is a security issue at school over the holidays. I suggest parents save this phone number on their
mobile phones.

2011 Term DatesA fridge magnet with 2011 term dates has been included with your child’s report.

On behalf of the staff best wishes to all school families for a family, fun-filled Christmas, safe travels for those on the move and a prosperous and healthy 2010.
Ma te Atua e mannaaki tiaki tatau katoa.

Cheryl Staynes
Acting Principal

Sports Results
Touch ResultsLast Thursday we played Forbury and won 7 tries to 4, which was a great way to finish the year! Justice was named player of the day.

2010 Term Dates
Term 4 Monday 11 October Thurs 16 December

Dates to Note
December
14 PTA Meeting - Filadelfio's 7pm
15 Prize Giving Assembly 11am-12.30pm
16 Talent Show 9.30-11am
16 Final Day of T4
School Finishes at 12.30pm


Members of Staff 2011
Mr John McKenzie Principal
Mrs Cheryl Staynes Deputy Principal
Mrs Fiona Will Assistant Principal
Senior School
Mrs Maria Kewene-Edwards Teacher R5
Mrs Judith Evans-Weir Shared Teaching R3
Mrs Jane Hesson Shared Teaching R3
Ms. Tracy Ballantine Teacher R2
Junior School
Mrs Fiona Will Teacher R11
Mrs Karen Sintmaartensdijk Teacher, Models R10
Mr Michael Andrew Teacher, Models R8
Part Time Teachers
Mrs Jan Probert Teacher ESOL/International
Ancillary/Support Staff
Mrs Sara Lindsay Office Administration
Mrs Jill Ferry Library Assistant
Mr Ken Harvey Caretaker
Mrs Beverley Geeson Cleaner
Mrs Lynne Buijck Cleaner


2011 Term Dates
Teacher Only Day Monday 31 January
Term 1 Tuesday 1 February - Friday 15 April
Term 2 Monday 2 May - Friday 15 July
Term 3 Monday 1 August - Friday 7 October
Term 4 Tuesday 25 October - Thursday 15 Dec

STATUTORY HOLIDAYS
Otago Anniversary Day Monday 21 March
Queen's Birthday Monday 6 June

Statutory Holidays not affecting the school term
Waitangi Day Sunday 6 February
Good Friday Friday 22 April
Easter Monday Monday 25 April
Anzac Day Monday 25 April
Easter Tuesday Tuesday 26 April
Labour Day Monday 24 October

PTA News

Christmas Raffle
Thank you to all of those that bought and sold raffle tickets. The prize winners will be announced during the final assembly this Wednesday. We would like to take this opportunity to also thank the following businesses for donating prizes:

Pet Planet, Paper Plus, Taieri Gorge Railway, Mannequin Café Bar, Gardens New World and Unichem Gardens Pharmacy.

Merry Christmas
The PTA would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a most enjoyable and safe holiday.


Community News
Nanny Available: 16 years experience, part time/full time. Excellent references. Experience with special needs, premature babies, toddlers and up. Ph Kirsten 0272922143.

Dunedin Neonatal Intensive Care ‘Santa in the Park Photo’: Avoid the Christmas rush 18 and 19 Dec 11am to 3pm at Dunedin Hospital Playground. Neonatal Nurses Conference fundraiser.

Otago Museum Discovery Squad: Monday 20-Friday 24 December morning sessions only 8.30am-1pm ages 5-12, fully supervised. Cost $29. Bookings on 474 7474.

Valley Oscar Holiday Programme: open 12.30-5.30pm on Thursday 16 December and 8.30am-5.30pm on Friday 17 – Thursday 23 December. Cost $30 per child and $25 for a second child. 2011 holiday programme from Monday 24-Friday 28 January. Contact Janette on 473 9413. WINZ subsidies may be available.

JC Swim School 2011 Classes: Holiday Blocks are DNI Jan 17 – 21 and Jan 24 – 28. Term 1 Classes start on the week of Jan 31.contact Jill on 4822813.

JC SWIM Water Safety Tips
As the school holidays draw nearer it is one of the most important times for people
to remain extra vigilant in and around water. A drowning is often quick, unexpected and is always a tragedy.

Maintain constant supervision. Watch children around any water environment (pool, stream, lake, tub, toilet, bucket of water), no matter what skills your child has acquired and no matter how shallow the water. A drowning can occur in a few inches of water.

Don’t rely on substitutes. The Swim School uses floatation devices for Endurance, Physical Development and Technique. Floatation devices are fun but they are not a replacement for Adult Supervision When participating in all boating activities Invest in a proper-fitting, approved flotation device (life vests).