Newsletter 29 November 2011

29 November 2011 Term 4 Week 6

Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa

Yet More End of Year Updates
1. The New Look School Dental Service.
The school’s dental clinic has been closed by the District Health Board. This closure is part of the restructure of the school dental service.

Our school has been vocal in its opposition to the restructure but to no avail - 90 years of on-site clinics and dental nurses is over.

So most schools in Dunedin have only one option - parents will have to organise to get children to one of the new dental hubs. Our nearest will be at the University.

Our school has been offered an alternative - the children can be enrolled to attend the Dental School training clinic. Those who elect this option will have their children collected from school and driven to the Dental School, then later returned. A trainee dental therapist will accompany the children to and from school.

The above option will be helpful to parents who are unavailable during the day so I am pleased we have had this offer.

Parents can of course opt to organise to take their children to the dental hub or their own dentist.

2. Bi-lingual Class
The bi-lingual class has operated successfully throughout 2011. There have been around 18 students from Year 3 upwards attending.

One whanau group proposed to the Board of Trustees a whole day bi-lingual programme for 2012. This proposal was accepted at the recent Board of Trustees meeting so for 2012 Te Ao Marama Tawhara will teach a whole day bi-lingual programme. The likely day will be Wednesday.

Parents are urged to register interest in this class before the end of the year.

It is worthy to note that the class was over-subscribed this year and so don’t leave registration too late!

Apologies
I believe some R10 parents attended assembly on Friday because we had advertised R10 would be presenting an item. R10 did not present because of a swap with R11 earlier in the term. This arrangement was not conveyed to Sara in the office hence the wrong message in the newsletter. We are really sorry about this and we will endeavour to ensure this doesn’t happen again!

Kia Kaha tatou katoa ki te tautoko o tatou tamariki, mokopuna hoki.

John McKenzie
Principal

Scholastic Book Club
Orders with money for Issue 8 need to be into the office by tomorrow Wednesday 30 November. Please make cheques payable to Scholastic NZ.

Logan Park Performance
On Thursday morning the whole school (except Y6 children) are attending the annual performance at Logan Park. The cost for the bus will be $2 per child if you have not paid for the school activity donation. Please send the money to school with your child or pay at the office.

Return of School Books
Please ensure all school books - library, journal and readers are returned to school as soon as possible. The library will be closing and all books need to be returned for our annual stock take.

Sports Tops
We are still missing a number of our sports tops. Please have a good look around home and school bags! and return to school. The exception to this is those children playing touch.

Final Prize Giving Assembly
The final assembly for the year will be held on Wednesday 14 December at 11am to 12.30pm. We will be farewelling our Year 6 pupils and recognising contributions children have made during the year. The assembly will be held at the Baptist Church. Following the assembly the children will be treated to a barbecue lunch provided by NZCU South.

Talent Quest
On the final day of term Thursday 15 December, a talent quest will be held. It is open to all students, individuals and groups to perform in the areas of dance, drama, comedy, singing, instrument. Please discuss this with your child/ren and think about areas in which they might perform.

Sports Results
Touch
The school touch played last Thursday and lost 5 trys to 2.

Flippaball
Last Sunday the junior Silver Sharks won 7 goals to 1 and the senior Gold Fish drew their game 2 all.


School Lunches
Smart Food Cold School Lunches: are available on Mondays and Thursdays. The cost for the cold lunch is $3.50 or $4.50 for a larger lunch. Orders and money need to be in to the School Office by 9am.

Smart Food Hot Lunches
We have been advised that hot lunches will not be available until the start of Term 2 2012.

2011 Term Dates
Term 4 Tuesday 25 October - Thursday 15 Dec

Dates to Note
December
1 Logan Park Performance all classes
1 Road Patrol Training Y5s 1.30pm
2 Orange Day Parade Road Patrollers
7 Golf: Senior classes
7 Wide Horizons Trip R11
9 Assembly 2.20pm led by R11: Items R2/R11
12 Helpers Morning Tea 10.30am
12 BOT Meeting 6pm
14 Prize Giving Assembly 11am-12.30pm
15 Talent Quest 9.30-11.30am
15 T4 finishes 12.30pm

PTA News
Spell-a-thon
Thank you to everyone who supported this fundraiser. Over $1000 has been received so far. Please ensure all sponsorship money is returned this week. Thank you.

PTA Helpers Needed
The PTA are looking for people to help with future fundraising projects. For example; sausage sizzles, preparing hot lunches (which we hope to start again next year) and running raffles. You do not have to come to PTA meetings if this does not suit. There is a form in the office for you to write your details down if you are
interested.

Next PTA Meeting
The next meeting will be held today Tuesday 29th November at 3.15pm in Room 4.

Kidz Inc Christmas School Holiday Programme: at North East Valley Normal School. Enquiries txt 'info' to 021 982216 or www.kidzinc.co.nz

Kidz Inc Position Vacant Tutor:
at North East Valley OSCAR Programme. Must be good with children, Mature, Experienced, Enthusiastic, Organised.Enquiries and CVs to andrew@kidzinc.co.nz

Community News
Valley Oscar: toy sale to be held on Wednesday 14th December at 3.20pm at the church hall. 50cent, $1 and $2 tables.

Pinehill Children’s Centre has space for your child for next year. Situated just up the hill in the sun, our large, bright facilities and large natural outdoor environments are the perfect space for your child, no matter their age. We offer fully cooked meals, quality teacher to child ratio, flexible hours, easy parking and family discounts. For all enquires contact Claire on 03 4739263.

Dunedin Public Libraries Get Hooked…On Books - Summer Reading Programme 2011-12: Our hugely popular Summer Reading Programme doesn’t cost a cent, and every child who joins receives a fun-filled booklet, full of supportive ideas and activities, book lists and a diary to record and rate their progress. Every child who reaches their reading target is rewarded at the end of the summer; and if they exceed their target before the holiday’s end, they can simply come back in and set their goal a little higher! This year, we have teamed up with the NZ Marine Studies Centre, and members of the programme will get special treatment if they visit Portobello Aquarium over the holidays. Encourage your child to delve into
reading. Explore our shelves for their next summer adventure and develop a life long love of reading and learning. It’s free – and it’s fun! Join up at your local library today! Saturday 10 December - Sunday 29 January 2012.