Newsletter 25 June 2012

25 June 2012 Term 2 Week 10 12/19


Dear Parents & Caregivers

Kia ora koutou katoa

Recent Local Research on ADHD
(Acknowledgement: Dr Dione Healey, University of Otago Department of Psychology)
Mrs Staynes and I attended a seminar on Friday updating clinicians and others about recent research on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. What we learnt can be applied to all children.

University of Otago researchers have found that playing simple memory and movement games over a sustained period, say once a day for a month, can reduce the severity of ADHD.

ADHD is typified by the inability of a child (or adult) to self-regulate. The criteria for ADHD can be:
A: six or more symptoms within a domain, for at least 6 months:
Hyperactivity
squirms and fidgets
can’t stay seated
runs/climbs excessively
can’t play/work quietly
always on the go
talks excessively
blurts out answers
can’t wait turn
intrudes/interrupts others

Inattention
careless
difficulty sustaining attention
doesn’t listen when spoken to
no follow through
can’t organise
avoids tasks requiring sustained effort
loses important items
easily distracted
forgetful in daily activities

B: onset before 7 years of age.

C: some impairment from symptons in 2 or more
settings

D: clear evidence of clinical impairment in social,
or emotional functioning

E: symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of PDD, Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder; and are not better accounted for by an other mental disorder.

Currently a child who is diagnosed ADHD is treated either by medication, which has some unwelcome side effects, or by behaviour management, which is costly. The problem with these 2 interventions is that if the course of medication or therapy is stopped, the child reverts to ADHD behaviour.

University of Otago researchers have found that ‘game playing’ therapy benefits the child well after the course.

Mrs Staynes and I were impressed with the results even though the research is in its early stage. We can see that all children, not just those with an ADHD diagnosis, can learn a lot from the games used in the research. They teach not only self regulation but other valuable skills.

Here are some of the games used in the research:

Executive Skills
Copy Me (attention and working memory)
Green-Orange-Red (inhibitory control)
“We went to the Park” (working memory)
Musical Statues (inhibitory control)
Simons Says (inhibitory control)
Snap (attention)
Motor Skills
Ball games
Puzzles
Leap frog
Threading
Ball and spoon
Try some of these games at home and see if your child’s behaviour improves!

On behalf of the staff I wish our school families a restful and safe school holidays.

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

John McKenzie
Principal

Scholastic Book Club
Orders and payment for the 50th Anniversary Sale need to be into the office by this Wednesday please. If paying by cheque please make cheque payable to Scholastic NZ.

Wheels Days
This Friday lunchtime is the turn of the junior classes to ride their bikes, scooters, skateboards etc at school. Children who bring their bikes will need to wear a helmet. It is recommended that children wear a helmet when riding their scooters or skateboards.

Assembly
Assembly will be held in the hall this Friday at 2.20pm. It will be led by R5 with items by Rooms 3 & 10. Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend.

Security Over the Holidays
Please contact First Security 0800347 787 if there is a security issue at school over the holidays. I suggest parents save this number on their mobile phones. The number is also on the 2012 fridge magnet.

Learning Power Tip of the Week

‘Learning Should be Fun and Interesting’

Dates to Note

June
29 Term 2 ends

July
16 Term 3 commences

Sports Results

Netball
The senior teams played last Tuesday. The Gold team won 12 goals to 7 against Opoho and the Bronze team won 7 goals to 5 against Sacred Heart.

The junior Silver team played last Monday and drew 3 goals each against GSNS.

Soccer
Our soccer team played against GSNS last Thursday and lost 0 goals to 4.

Smart Food School Lunches

Cold lunches are available on Mondays & Thursdays.
The lunches consist of 2 sandwiches/pizza bun, fruit, a cookie or muffin and a dessert. The cost is $3.50 or $4.50 for a larger lunch with two extra sandwiches.

Hot lunches are available on Tuesdays.
The menu is: Macaroni & Cheese, Spaghetti Bolognese, Shepherds Pie, or Mince Chow Mein. The cost is $4.50.

PTA Hot Lunches
This Friday the menu is one sausage in bread, onions optional, for $2.00, and a cup of Milo for .50c. Please bring a cup for Milo. Orders and money in a envelope with your child’s name and room number to the office by 9am please.


North East Valley Normal School

Board of Trustees
Casual Vacancy
A casual vacancy has occurred on the board of trustees for an elected parent representative. The board has
resolved under section 105 of the Education Act 1989 to fill the vacancy by selection. If 10 percent or more of the eligible voters on the school roll ask the board, within 28 days of this notice being published, to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy, then a by-election will be held. Any eligible voter who wishes to ask the board to hold a by-election should write to:

Chairperson
Board of Trustees
North East Valley Normal School
248 North Road
Dunedin 9010
by: Wednesday 18 July 2012

PTA News

Jack’n’Jill Portraits

Thank you to everyone who had portraits taken. The viewing day for these will be this Wednesday 27th June. If you have lost your appointment card and forgotten your time, please give Paula a ring on 473 7746 (or 027 2730932).

Fruit and Vegetable Fundraiser
We raised $273 from the recent fruit and pumpkin fundraiser. Thanks to all who supported it.

Jaffa Race
The PTA will be running a sausage sizzle and selling fizzy drinks on the day of the Jaffa Race, which is Friday 13th July. We will also be offering car parking in the school grounds for $2 per car. Come down, have a sausage and enjoy the day with us!

PTA Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 26th July at 3.20pm in the staff room. Everyone is welcome to
attend.

Community News

Café Hauora Our People, Our Health, Our Community: a free public seminar series hosted by DNI. The June speaker on Wednesday 27 June at 7pm will be Dr Sandy Mandic from the University of Otago on ‘Physical Activity and Health Benefits Across Lifespan: what do we know about health benefits of regular exercise in children, adolescents and adults, and how much is enough’. The talk will be followed by discussion time. There will be a limited number of childcare spaces available. Please register your child’s name and age at projecthauora@gmail.com with the subject: Café Hauora.

NEV Community Garden Matariki Celebrations:  for the NEV Community Development Project on Saturday 7 July from noon onwards. Look out for the colourful posters around the community. The hangi is free, but you need to get tickets for catering purposes. For tickets email voice@northeastvalley.org or phone Julie Cheyne 473 8614.

NumberWorks’nWords Holiday Programme: Learning doesn’t have to stop over the holidays. You could give your maths or English a boost before term 3 starts with 10 hours of tuition 9th to 13th July, 3.30 to 5.30 daily. Contact us to find out more. Phone 474 1104, email us at dunedin@numberworks.com

Nuggets Holiday Basketball Programme: to be held at the Edgar Centre during the second week of the holidays 9-12 July, 9:00am to 3:00pm for boys and girls ages 8 to 13. Coached by Tall Black Mark Dickel and other Otago players. Cost $150pp. For further information, please call Basketball Otago on 456 4063.