Newsletter
16 February 2012 Term 1 Week 3 12/3
Wheels Day
Tomorrow, Friday, will be our first ‘wheels’ day where the senior children will be allowed to ride their bikes, scooters, skateboards etc during the lunch break.
Bike riders (helmets compulsory) will ride their bikes around the middle field playground and all other ‘wheels’ (helmets optional) will be ridden around the asphalt by the hall area.
The junior classes will have an opportunity to have a ‘wheels’ day soon.
Assembly
Assembly will be held on Friday at 2.20pm in the hall. The assembly will be led by R2 with items by R5 and R8.
Smart Food Lunches
The menu for the term for lunches is on the back of this newsletter.
Wednesday Breakfast Club
Mrs Hesson is continuing with her Wednesday morning breakfast club. Children enjoyed waffles, toast and cereal yesterday. Many thanks to the PTA who have been supporting this initiative with lovely fresh fruit and food purchases.
Wanted
Do you have a couple of tidy chairs and a dining table and chairs for the front room in the hall? It is being set up as a space for interviews and counselling. Please let Mr McKenzie or the office know if you can help.
Sports Results
Flippaball
The first flippaball games for the year where held on Sunday at Moana Pool. The junior Silver team started well with a good win 5 goals to nil. The senior Gold team lost 0 goals to 10. Good luck for next week. Many thanks to Mrs Hesson who organises and coaches the teams. The $25 fee for playing flippaball needs to be paid as soon as possible. Flippaball is not included as part of the school activity donation.
Dates to Note
February
Friday 17 Wheels Day for senior school
Tuesday 21 Senior classes visit the Museum
Tuesday 21 PTA Meeting 3.20pm
Thursday 23 Rainbow classes R11 1.15-2.45pm
Monday 27 BOT Meeting 6pm
Wednesday 29 Junior classes visit the Museum
PTA News
The next PTA meeting will be held next Tuesday 21 February in the school staffroom at 3.20pm. New members are very welcome to attend.
Community Notices
• Otago School of Piping and Drumming: Free beginner classes for primary and intermediate school pupils: Bagpipes begin Thursday 23 February 4.30pm; snare drumming begins Tuesday 21 February 5.30pm; bass and tenor drumming begins Tuesday 21 February 5.30pm. Contact Mark McNoe 489 1650 or www.osd.org.nz
• NEV Community Garden: come and join us at one of our regular working bees either Saturdays 9am to 12pm or Sundays 1-4pm alternate weeks for meeting people, growing food, sharing knowledge and healthy exercise. Contact Richard 473 0139 or email garden@northeastvalley.org
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Newsletter 7 February 2012
7 February 2012 Term 1 Week 2 12/2
Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa
Happy Waitangi Day
Welcome
This morning we welcomed two groups who will use our facilities for a time:
Pakiki Kids: these are the gifted and talented children from across Dunedin who attend classes at our school. They are here Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with a different age group attending each day. Over 40 children attend over these 3 days. NEV Normal has 2 children who are part of this initiative.
Ka Puanani: these are children who are reasonably proficient in Te Reo Maori. They too come from schools around Dunedin and like Pakiki Kids they attend their special programme for one day a week. There are around 12 children in the Puanani group, one of whom is from NEV Normal. These children are based in Room 4 on Tuesdays which is upstairs in the Senior block.
We welcome Mrs Janice Tofia, former principal of Forbury School (now closed) and former Education Review Officer, who will do some work with special needs children. We also welcome Melita Liu, who is a 3rd Year College student working in R10.
Kia Kaha tatou Katoa ki te tautoko o tatou tamariki, mokopuna hoki.
John McKenzie
Principal
Vision and Hearing Testing
Letitia Bootten, our Vision Hearing Technician, will visit school tomorrow, Wednesday, to carry out the screening for vision and hearing.
Rainbow Class
The first Rainbow Class for 4 year olds will be held this Thursday 9 February from 1.15 to 2.45pm in R11. This is a fun transition to school class which is taken by the new entrant teacher Mrs Will. If you have a 4 year old who would like to join this class, 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 R3 with items by Rooms 2 and 11. Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend.
Advance Notice
The 3 way teacher/child/parent conference will be held on Monday 5th, Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th March to discuss goals for your child this year. Further information will be sent home shortly.
School Activity Donation
Thank you to those families who have paid some or all of the school activity donation. School activity donations for 2012 are: Senior School $85, or $21.50 per term; Junior School $75 or $19.00 per term. The family discount donation for a 2 child family is $130, or $32.50 per term; and a 3 child family is $160, or $40.00 per term.
Payment may be made in full at the start of the year, termly, by automatic payment or by internet transfer to account 03 1726 0055515 00, or by other arrangement with the office staff.
Stationery
Children should have their school stationery by the end of this week. Stationery is available from the office.
Smart Food School Lunches
Smart Food lunches will resume on Thursday 9 February 2012 and 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. The cost is $3.50 or $4.50 for a larger lunch with two extra sandwiches. Orders and money need to be in to the School Office by 9am.
Road Patrol
Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to help with road patrol. We still have vacancies for Friday morning and Mon to Thursday afternoons. If you are able to assist with supervising the road patrollers before or after school for 15-20 minutes please contact Mrs Staynes or the school office.
Update Contact Details
Contact details have been included with this newsletter for updating. Please make any changes and return to the office as soon as possible.
PTA News
School BankingBanking day is each Wednesday. At the end of each term all children with active (minimum of 6 deposits per term) accounts will be mailed a Hoyts movie voucher. Banking is fun and teaches your child the merits of putting some money in the bank regularly and watching the total grow!
EZ covers
These are a selection of New Zealand designed and made re-usable book covers for school exercise books. Each cover costs $1.30 and comes in sizes to fit all NZ exercise books. You place orders online and for each cover you buy the PTA will receive 5c. If you enter our special code (XFC186) when ordering, our donation will be doubled to 10c per cover. Every order also receives 12 stick on book labels. Some samples of the covers will be available for looking at in the office.
PTA Meeting
The first meeting for the year will be held on Tuesday 21st February at 3.20pm. We will meet outside the senior block. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The Green Paper for Vulnerable Children:
Norm Hewitt asks us to “Say something and change children’s lives.”
Like me, as parents I’m sure you feel angry and sad every time another child is deliberately hurt, or worse, by their caregiver. Each year, around 10 of our children – our own tamariki – are killed by the very people they are supposed to rely on for protection, while at least 160,000 children are living in conditions that mean they are unlikely to reach their potential. We know the factors that make these children vulnerable – the big question is how can we fix them? What needs to change to make New Zealand a great, safe place to bring up kids?
These are the types of questions the Government’s Green Paper for Vulnerable Children asks. Released in July last year, this discussion document is asking what we think should be changed to ensure all children reach their full potential. We need as many New Zealanders as possible to answer – it doesn't matter what you say; you just need to say something. We aren’t powerless to stop child abuse – this is something we can all do to help.
Please take the time to go to www.saysomething.org.nz and have your say. You can also mail in a submission, or post comments on Facebook or Twitter. After the submissions are read, a Children’s Action Plan will be developed and released during 2012. As parents, you know what it’s like to raise a child in New Zealand; you are the experts. So, please, do your part to become part of this critical conversation. Submissions close on February 28.
Nāku noa, nā
Norm Hewitt
Champion. Green Paper for Vulnerable Children
Community News
Sinfonia Academy: provides an orchestral & ensemble experience for late-primary and secondary school students who play their instrument at a grade 3–6 level. The academy has a string section & woodwind section which rehearse both together and separately. It will meet on Thursday evenings between 7 and 8.30pm for school terms 2 and 3. For further information, or to book a place, contact sandy@garner.net.nz or phone 4822 764 (Anthony Ritchie and Sandy Garner.
Southern Children’s Choir: for young people aged 8 to 18 who love to sing (boys with unbroken voices). Also a senior choir for experienced singers who can read music. The choir will be directed initially by Daniel Kelly, and meets at Marama Hall, University of Otago, on Wednesday evenings from 7pm until 8pm, senior choir until 8.30pm. Auditions for new members will be held on February 1st and 8th. For further information, or to book an audition, contact sandy@garner.net.nz or phone 4822 764 (Anthony Ritchie and Sandy Garner.
MA-FI Arts After School Programme: Children’s art classes in drawing, design, painting, sculpture, print-making, pottery, mask making. At King Edward Court. Open: Monday-Friday 3:00-6:15pm, Sat. 10am-12:00 Noon & 2:00-4:00pm Fees: $20 for 2hrs &/or up to 3hrs. Contact Matthew or Fiona 477 6112, email
ma-fiarts@clear.net.nz or www.ma-fiarts.co.nz
Chisholm Park Golf Club: Junior Golf Classes on Tuesday afternoons for 6 weeks starting 14 February: 30 minute lessons for boys and girls aged 7+. Equipment supplied. Cost $40. Parent and Child Classes on Saturday afternoons at 1pm starting 11 February for children aged 5+. Cost $60 for 6 x 1 hour sessions.
Contact 455 0565.
Netball Otago Future Ferns 2012: netball coaching for boys and girls Y5-Y6 at the Edgar Centre on Monday afternoons from 4-5.15pm from 27 February to 2 April. Contact Trish 455 1702.
Piano Tuition: Experienced piano teacher is taking on new students. Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate. All enquiries phone Maud Schroeder on 466-7548 or 022-153-7258 or email maudschroeder@aol.com
Catholic Social Services Parents Inc Toolbox Parenting Courses: Day & Evening courses: Game On-dads / Seasons for Growth. Register now for 2012: 0-6 years/6-12 years/Tweens & Teens(12+).6 sessions; cost negotiable. ph 4773403 txt 0276670890 sue@cathsocialservices.org.nz
Port Chalmers Swim Club Junior Tryathlon: Tuesday 21 February at the Post Chalmers swimming pool from 5pm. 5-7 years: 400m bike/400m run/ 30m swim; 8-10 years: 1km bike/1km run/60m swim. Cost $15 per individual or $10 per team member. Contact Licia Mihaka 472 8684. Entry forms are at the office.
Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa
Happy Waitangi Day
Welcome
This morning we welcomed two groups who will use our facilities for a time:
Pakiki Kids: these are the gifted and talented children from across Dunedin who attend classes at our school. They are here Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with a different age group attending each day. Over 40 children attend over these 3 days. NEV Normal has 2 children who are part of this initiative.
Ka Puanani: these are children who are reasonably proficient in Te Reo Maori. They too come from schools around Dunedin and like Pakiki Kids they attend their special programme for one day a week. There are around 12 children in the Puanani group, one of whom is from NEV Normal. These children are based in Room 4 on Tuesdays which is upstairs in the Senior block.
We welcome Mrs Janice Tofia, former principal of Forbury School (now closed) and former Education Review Officer, who will do some work with special needs children. We also welcome Melita Liu, who is a 3rd Year College student working in R10.
Kia Kaha tatou Katoa ki te tautoko o tatou tamariki, mokopuna hoki.
John McKenzie
Principal
Vision and Hearing Testing
Letitia Bootten, our Vision Hearing Technician, will visit school tomorrow, Wednesday, to carry out the screening for vision and hearing.
Rainbow Class
The first Rainbow Class for 4 year olds will be held this Thursday 9 February from 1.15 to 2.45pm in R11. This is a fun transition to school class which is taken by the new entrant teacher Mrs Will. If you have a 4 year old who would like to join this class, 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 R3 with items by Rooms 2 and 11. Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend.
Advance Notice
The 3 way teacher/child/parent conference will be held on Monday 5th, Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th March to discuss goals for your child this year. Further information will be sent home shortly.
School Activity Donation
Thank you to those families who have paid some or all of the school activity donation. School activity donations for 2012 are: Senior School $85, or $21.50 per term; Junior School $75 or $19.00 per term. The family discount donation for a 2 child family is $130, or $32.50 per term; and a 3 child family is $160, or $40.00 per term.
Payment may be made in full at the start of the year, termly, by automatic payment or by internet transfer to account 03 1726 0055515 00, or by other arrangement with the office staff.
Stationery
Children should have their school stationery by the end of this week. Stationery is available from the office.
Smart Food School Lunches
Smart Food lunches will resume on Thursday 9 February 2012 and 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. The cost is $3.50 or $4.50 for a larger lunch with two extra sandwiches. Orders and money need to be in to the School Office by 9am.
Road Patrol
Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to help with road patrol. We still have vacancies for Friday morning and Mon to Thursday afternoons. If you are able to assist with supervising the road patrollers before or after school for 15-20 minutes please contact Mrs Staynes or the school office.
Update Contact Details
Contact details have been included with this newsletter for updating. Please make any changes and return to the office as soon as possible.
PTA News
School BankingBanking day is each Wednesday. At the end of each term all children with active (minimum of 6 deposits per term) accounts will be mailed a Hoyts movie voucher. Banking is fun and teaches your child the merits of putting some money in the bank regularly and watching the total grow!
EZ covers
These are a selection of New Zealand designed and made re-usable book covers for school exercise books. Each cover costs $1.30 and comes in sizes to fit all NZ exercise books. You place orders online and for each cover you buy the PTA will receive 5c. If you enter our special code (XFC186) when ordering, our donation will be doubled to 10c per cover. Every order also receives 12 stick on book labels. Some samples of the covers will be available for looking at in the office.
PTA Meeting
The first meeting for the year will be held on Tuesday 21st February at 3.20pm. We will meet outside the senior block. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The Green Paper for Vulnerable Children:
Norm Hewitt asks us to “Say something and change children’s lives.”
Like me, as parents I’m sure you feel angry and sad every time another child is deliberately hurt, or worse, by their caregiver. Each year, around 10 of our children – our own tamariki – are killed by the very people they are supposed to rely on for protection, while at least 160,000 children are living in conditions that mean they are unlikely to reach their potential. We know the factors that make these children vulnerable – the big question is how can we fix them? What needs to change to make New Zealand a great, safe place to bring up kids?
These are the types of questions the Government’s Green Paper for Vulnerable Children asks. Released in July last year, this discussion document is asking what we think should be changed to ensure all children reach their full potential. We need as many New Zealanders as possible to answer – it doesn't matter what you say; you just need to say something. We aren’t powerless to stop child abuse – this is something we can all do to help.
Please take the time to go to www.saysomething.org.nz and have your say. You can also mail in a submission, or post comments on Facebook or Twitter. After the submissions are read, a Children’s Action Plan will be developed and released during 2012. As parents, you know what it’s like to raise a child in New Zealand; you are the experts. So, please, do your part to become part of this critical conversation. Submissions close on February 28.
Nāku noa, nā
Norm Hewitt
Champion. Green Paper for Vulnerable Children
Community News
Sinfonia Academy: provides an orchestral & ensemble experience for late-primary and secondary school students who play their instrument at a grade 3–6 level. The academy has a string section & woodwind section which rehearse both together and separately. It will meet on Thursday evenings between 7 and 8.30pm for school terms 2 and 3. For further information, or to book a place, contact sandy@garner.net.nz or phone 4822 764 (Anthony Ritchie and Sandy Garner.
Southern Children’s Choir: for young people aged 8 to 18 who love to sing (boys with unbroken voices). Also a senior choir for experienced singers who can read music. The choir will be directed initially by Daniel Kelly, and meets at Marama Hall, University of Otago, on Wednesday evenings from 7pm until 8pm, senior choir until 8.30pm. Auditions for new members will be held on February 1st and 8th. For further information, or to book an audition, contact sandy@garner.net.nz or phone 4822 764 (Anthony Ritchie and Sandy Garner.
MA-FI Arts After School Programme: Children’s art classes in drawing, design, painting, sculpture, print-making, pottery, mask making. At King Edward Court. Open: Monday-Friday 3:00-6:15pm, Sat. 10am-12:00 Noon & 2:00-4:00pm Fees: $20 for 2hrs &/or up to 3hrs. Contact Matthew or Fiona 477 6112, email
ma-fiarts@clear.net.nz or www.ma-fiarts.co.nz
Chisholm Park Golf Club: Junior Golf Classes on Tuesday afternoons for 6 weeks starting 14 February: 30 minute lessons for boys and girls aged 7+. Equipment supplied. Cost $40. Parent and Child Classes on Saturday afternoons at 1pm starting 11 February for children aged 5+. Cost $60 for 6 x 1 hour sessions.
Contact 455 0565.
Netball Otago Future Ferns 2012: netball coaching for boys and girls Y5-Y6 at the Edgar Centre on Monday afternoons from 4-5.15pm from 27 February to 2 April. Contact Trish 455 1702.
Piano Tuition: Experienced piano teacher is taking on new students. Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate. All enquiries phone Maud Schroeder on 466-7548 or 022-153-7258 or email maudschroeder@aol.com
Catholic Social Services Parents Inc Toolbox Parenting Courses: Day & Evening courses: Game On-dads / Seasons for Growth. Register now for 2012: 0-6 years/6-12 years/Tweens & Teens(12+).6 sessions; cost negotiable. ph 4773403 txt 0276670890 sue@cathsocialservices.org.nz
Port Chalmers Swim Club Junior Tryathlon: Tuesday 21 February at the Post Chalmers swimming pool from 5pm. 5-7 years: 400m bike/400m run/ 30m swim; 8-10 years: 1km bike/1km run/60m swim. Cost $15 per individual or $10 per team member. Contact Licia Mihaka 472 8684. Entry forms are at the office.
Newsletter 31 January 2012
31 January 2012 Term 1 Week 1 12/1
Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa
Happy New Year
The teacher in me loves the long summer break but the parent in me can’t wait till school starts again!
Welcome to the 2012 school year. I welcome especially families who are new to the area: John Paul from Christchurch, Leo from Invercargill and Gracie from the USA. These children remind us what a diverse and interesting mix of children attend our school: John Paul’s family are Filipino; Leo’s Dad, Oswaldo is from Mexico and plays soccer for Otago; Gracie’s Dad is researching water safety in NZ - the family hails from Tennessee.
It is a feature of our school that we celebrate our difference. We are from different backgrounds; we hold different views and values; we look different. Yet we respect each other and treat each other as we like being treated.
We also welcome the new entrants who start today: Sam, Jack, Riley; plus Ziggi and Harley who have started in R5, Tui and Jessica who have started in R3.
Grounds and Buildings
The school looks good. There appears to have been no vandalism over the break. Thanks to all who keep an eye on the place and to Ken for keeping the lawns trim and the litter removed.
Parents will see two carved ‘pou’ installed in front of the school hall. These are the first part of an art installation for this area. The DCC creative arts grant funded this work. I will publish more about the significance of these pou at a later date.
The school hall has been left in a very tidy state by the Kindy. Assemblies will resume in the hall each Friday at 2.20pm.
Staffing:
Welcome to Tom Undy, Luke English and Charlotte Wilson who join our team in varying roles.
Thanks to Mr Andrew who has agreed to move to the senior syndicate to work more closely with the boys in this area.
Classes have been arranged this year to avoid as much as possible shifts throughout the year. In theory each child from Y2 upwards should stay in the same class for the whole year. This is a departure from previous years.
After School Care
OSCAR starts on the school site this term both before and after school. Please see Andrew Bowen for details, contact 021982216.
Dental Service
The school dental service changes will take effect this year. We don’t know when yet but will let families know when we know!
If you have a concern about your child’s teeth please contact the Community Oral Health Service Hub Clinic Ph 471 6080. They are located on the 2nd floor of the Dental School.
No Hat No Play
Children must wear a wide brimmed hat this term. No caps please. Children without sun hats will sit in the shade during break times. Sunhats can be purchased from the School Office for $13.00.
Goals 2012
The teachers school wide goals this year are: moving some senior children’s maths levels from at to above;developing writing skills across the school; finding more creative ways to deal with the few consistent rule breakers.
Children’s Goals
Please reread your child’s end of year report and begin to formulate some academic &/or behavioural goals with him/her and share these with the classroom teacher.
That’s enough for now!
Kia Kaha tatou Katoa ki te tautoko o tatou tamariki, mokopuna hoki.
John McKenzie
Principal
Waitangi Day
School will be closed on Monday 6 February to observe Waitangi Day.
School Activity Donation
School activity donations for 2012 are: Senior School $85, or $21.50 per term; Junior School $75 or $19.00 per term. The family discount donation for a 2 child family is $130, or $32.50 per term; and a 3 child family is $160, or $40.00 per term.
The activity donation is requested for extra curricular activities such as trips to the museum & art gallery, school swimming, and performances by various groups at school. Prompt payment will be appreciated. Payment may be made in full at the start of the year, termly, by automatic payment or by internet transfer to account 03 1726 0055515 00, or by other arrangement with the office staff.
A receipt will be issued and can be used with the donations part of your tax return.
The Board of Trustees has not increased the donation this year in recognition of the financial demands on many families. However it is hoped that all families make a contribution as all children benefit.
Te Reo Class
The bi-lingual class will resume on Wednesday 1 February with Te Ao Marama Tawhara as the Kaiako. If your child would like to join this class please contact the office.
School Newsletter, Website and Blogs
The school will continue this year with the use of the school website for publishing the newsletter and blogs giving updates of happenings in the school and in individual classrooms. Photos of children and their first names will be used. If you do not want your child’s name or image to be used please let us know.
Smart Food School Lunches
Smart Food lunches will resume on Thursday 9 February 2012 and 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. The cost is $3.50 or $4.50 for a larger lunch with two extra sandwiches. Orders and money need to be in to the School Office by 9am.
Road Patrol
If you are able to assist with supervising the road patrollers before or after school for 15-20 minutes please contact Mrs Staynes or the school office. Teachers really appreciate this help as it is difficult to leave the classroom before school and at 3pm. Many parents/caregivers like to speak to the class teacher at this time and the children often need this time with the teacher.
Road Safety & Parking Around the School
When walking children to or from school please use the patrolled crossing to get children across North Road. The instruction is to wait for the second whistle and the barrier arms to go out across the road before stepping off the footpath. This is
teaching children safe road crossing skills.
There is currently a campaign encouraging motorists to drive slowly around school zones, which is being monitored by the Police. Drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 5km per hour will be ticketed. In the interests of the children’s safety please do not park in the school grounds during school hours. Would parents who pick up children from the Longworth Street entrance please not park in the residents’ driveways or on the yellow no parking areas.
Update Contact Details
Please let the office know if you have changed your landline or mobile numbers and/or your emergency contact names and numbers.
PTA News
Welcome back
The PTA would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone back to school for 2012. We hope this year will be filled with fun and laughter for all.
Farewell to Mary and Mick
Mary and Mick’s help will be sorely missed by the PTA. To recognize their huge contribution to the PTA and school, a plaque and voucher were given to them at the final assembly last year. These were donated as a combined effort by the school and PTA. Good luck to them both for the future!
School Banking
Banking day is each Wednesday. At the end of each term all children with active (minimum of 6 deposits per term) accounts will be mailed a Hoyts movie voucher. Banking is fun and teaches your child the merits of putting some money in the bank regularly and watching the total grow!
EZ covers
With each stationery list this year you will receive an EZ cover brochure. These are a selection of New Zealand designed and made, re-usable book covers for school exercise books. Each cover costs $1.30 and comes in sizes to fit all NZ exercise books. You place orders online and for each cover you buy the PTA will receive 5c. If you enter our special code (XFC186) when ordering, our donation will be
doubled to 10c per cover. Every order also receives 12 stick-on book labels. Some samples of the covers will be available for looking at in the office.
*REUSABLE *RECYCLABLE *REAL EASY TO PUT ON
2012 Term Dates
Term 1 Monday 30 January - Thursday 5 April
Term 2 Monday 23 April - Friday 29 June
Term 3 Monday 16 July - Friday 28 September
Term 4 Monday 15 October - Friday 14 December
Statutory Holidays During Term Time
Waitangi Day Monday 6 February
Otago Anniversary Day Monday 26 March
Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April
Queen's Birthday Monday 4 June
Labour Day Monday 22 October
Statutory Holidays not affecting the school term
Good Friday Friday 6 April
Easter Monday Monday 9 April
Easter Tuesday Tuesday 10 April
Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa
Happy New Year
The teacher in me loves the long summer break but the parent in me can’t wait till school starts again!
Welcome to the 2012 school year. I welcome especially families who are new to the area: John Paul from Christchurch, Leo from Invercargill and Gracie from the USA. These children remind us what a diverse and interesting mix of children attend our school: John Paul’s family are Filipino; Leo’s Dad, Oswaldo is from Mexico and plays soccer for Otago; Gracie’s Dad is researching water safety in NZ - the family hails from Tennessee.
It is a feature of our school that we celebrate our difference. We are from different backgrounds; we hold different views and values; we look different. Yet we respect each other and treat each other as we like being treated.
We also welcome the new entrants who start today: Sam, Jack, Riley; plus Ziggi and Harley who have started in R5, Tui and Jessica who have started in R3.
Grounds and Buildings
The school looks good. There appears to have been no vandalism over the break. Thanks to all who keep an eye on the place and to Ken for keeping the lawns trim and the litter removed.
Parents will see two carved ‘pou’ installed in front of the school hall. These are the first part of an art installation for this area. The DCC creative arts grant funded this work. I will publish more about the significance of these pou at a later date.
The school hall has been left in a very tidy state by the Kindy. Assemblies will resume in the hall each Friday at 2.20pm.
Staffing:
Welcome to Tom Undy, Luke English and Charlotte Wilson who join our team in varying roles.
Thanks to Mr Andrew who has agreed to move to the senior syndicate to work more closely with the boys in this area.
Classes have been arranged this year to avoid as much as possible shifts throughout the year. In theory each child from Y2 upwards should stay in the same class for the whole year. This is a departure from previous years.
After School Care
OSCAR starts on the school site this term both before and after school. Please see Andrew Bowen for details, contact 021982216.
Dental Service
The school dental service changes will take effect this year. We don’t know when yet but will let families know when we know!
If you have a concern about your child’s teeth please contact the Community Oral Health Service Hub Clinic Ph 471 6080. They are located on the 2nd floor of the Dental School.
No Hat No Play
Children must wear a wide brimmed hat this term. No caps please. Children without sun hats will sit in the shade during break times. Sunhats can be purchased from the School Office for $13.00.
Goals 2012
The teachers school wide goals this year are: moving some senior children’s maths levels from at to above;developing writing skills across the school; finding more creative ways to deal with the few consistent rule breakers.
Children’s Goals
Please reread your child’s end of year report and begin to formulate some academic &/or behavioural goals with him/her and share these with the classroom teacher.
That’s enough for now!
Kia Kaha tatou Katoa ki te tautoko o tatou tamariki, mokopuna hoki.
John McKenzie
Principal
Waitangi Day
School will be closed on Monday 6 February to observe Waitangi Day.
School Activity Donation
School activity donations for 2012 are: Senior School $85, or $21.50 per term; Junior School $75 or $19.00 per term. The family discount donation for a 2 child family is $130, or $32.50 per term; and a 3 child family is $160, or $40.00 per term.
The activity donation is requested for extra curricular activities such as trips to the museum & art gallery, school swimming, and performances by various groups at school. Prompt payment will be appreciated. Payment may be made in full at the start of the year, termly, by automatic payment or by internet transfer to account 03 1726 0055515 00, or by other arrangement with the office staff.
A receipt will be issued and can be used with the donations part of your tax return.
The Board of Trustees has not increased the donation this year in recognition of the financial demands on many families. However it is hoped that all families make a contribution as all children benefit.
Te Reo Class
The bi-lingual class will resume on Wednesday 1 February with Te Ao Marama Tawhara as the Kaiako. If your child would like to join this class please contact the office.
School Newsletter, Website and Blogs
The school will continue this year with the use of the school website for publishing the newsletter and blogs giving updates of happenings in the school and in individual classrooms. Photos of children and their first names will be used. If you do not want your child’s name or image to be used please let us know.
Smart Food School Lunches
Smart Food lunches will resume on Thursday 9 February 2012 and 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. The cost is $3.50 or $4.50 for a larger lunch with two extra sandwiches. Orders and money need to be in to the School Office by 9am.
Road Patrol
If you are able to assist with supervising the road patrollers before or after school for 15-20 minutes please contact Mrs Staynes or the school office. Teachers really appreciate this help as it is difficult to leave the classroom before school and at 3pm. Many parents/caregivers like to speak to the class teacher at this time and the children often need this time with the teacher.
Road Safety & Parking Around the School
When walking children to or from school please use the patrolled crossing to get children across North Road. The instruction is to wait for the second whistle and the barrier arms to go out across the road before stepping off the footpath. This is
teaching children safe road crossing skills.
There is currently a campaign encouraging motorists to drive slowly around school zones, which is being monitored by the Police. Drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 5km per hour will be ticketed. In the interests of the children’s safety please do not park in the school grounds during school hours. Would parents who pick up children from the Longworth Street entrance please not park in the residents’ driveways or on the yellow no parking areas.
Update Contact Details
Please let the office know if you have changed your landline or mobile numbers and/or your emergency contact names and numbers.
PTA News
Welcome back
The PTA would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone back to school for 2012. We hope this year will be filled with fun and laughter for all.
Farewell to Mary and Mick
Mary and Mick’s help will be sorely missed by the PTA. To recognize their huge contribution to the PTA and school, a plaque and voucher were given to them at the final assembly last year. These were donated as a combined effort by the school and PTA. Good luck to them both for the future!
School Banking
Banking day is each Wednesday. At the end of each term all children with active (minimum of 6 deposits per term) accounts will be mailed a Hoyts movie voucher. Banking is fun and teaches your child the merits of putting some money in the bank regularly and watching the total grow!
EZ covers
With each stationery list this year you will receive an EZ cover brochure. These are a selection of New Zealand designed and made, re-usable book covers for school exercise books. Each cover costs $1.30 and comes in sizes to fit all NZ exercise books. You place orders online and for each cover you buy the PTA will receive 5c. If you enter our special code (XFC186) when ordering, our donation will be
doubled to 10c per cover. Every order also receives 12 stick-on book labels. Some samples of the covers will be available for looking at in the office.
*REUSABLE *RECYCLABLE *REAL EASY TO PUT ON
2012 Term Dates
Term 1 Monday 30 January - Thursday 5 April
Term 2 Monday 23 April - Friday 29 June
Term 3 Monday 16 July - Friday 28 September
Term 4 Monday 15 October - Friday 14 December
Statutory Holidays During Term Time
Waitangi Day Monday 6 February
Otago Anniversary Day Monday 26 March
Anzac Day Wednesday 25 April
Queen's Birthday Monday 4 June
Labour Day Monday 22 October
Statutory Holidays not affecting the school term
Good Friday Friday 6 April
Easter Monday Monday 9 April
Easter Tuesday Tuesday 10 April
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