29 January 2013 Term 1 Week 1 13/1
Dear Parents & Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa
Happy New Year
Our neighbours dropped off some apricots to our house last week. They had been to Roxburgh on their annual pilgrimage and kindly brought us back a bag of fruit. Apricots always remind me of my childhood. Our family would travel to Alexandra so Mum and Dad could get fruit for jams and preserves.
I have memories of impossibly hot nights, sunburn, swimming and of course juicy fruit. Mum and Dad were far more relaxed than usual and everything including curfews and tables manners seemed similarly more relaxed.
While my parents wouldn’t have realised it at the time, the yearly fruit gathering trip would become something memorable in the lives of their seven children. They were creating memories for us; good memories; memories we would find comfort and joy in.
These are precious times for us as parents - lets work at making good memories for our children and lets support each other, the school staff and the families so we can achieve the very best for our children.
After School Care
Kidz Inc OSCAR after school care is held in the school hall. Please see Andrew Bowen for details, contact 021982216.
Dental Service
Not all children were seen by the Dental School last year. 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. School bucket sunhats are on order and will be available in about 2 weeks. In the meantime please ensure your child has a bucket type hat with a full brim or a legionnaire type sun hat. Caps are not suitable.
School Wide Expectations
The school wide expectations are included with this newsletter for parents and caregivers to read with your child/ren. These expectations also form the basis of the class contracts the teachers will be discussing with the children during the week.
Kia Kaha tatou Katoa ki te tautoko o tatou tamariki, mokopuna hoki.
John McKenzie
Principal
Waitangi Day
School will be closed on Wednesday 6 February to observe Waitangi Day.
School Stationery
The class stationery lists have been sent home today with you child. Stationery packs are available from the office. We have had a delay on the school sun hats but hope to have them in shortly. We do not have eftpos so payment must be made by cash, cheque or by internet banking. It is expected that children have their stationery by the end of the week.
School Activity Donation
School activity donations for 2013 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
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.
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.
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.
Advance Notice
Our beach education days will be held at St Kilda beach during Week 3 on February 11th for the junior school and February 12th for the senior school. We will need parent help on these days as the children go in the water. A notice will be sent home shortly with further information.
School Lunches
There are no school lunches available this week.
Assembly
There is no assembly this Friday.
Wheels Days
This Friday lunchtime is the turn of the senior 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.
Te Reo Class
Tēnā koutou katoa,
Enrolment is still open for the reo class (Bilingual Unit) if your child or children are interested. The class begins on Wednesday 30th January. Our programme focuses on the development of Māori language and tikanga (culture) and is open to year 3 children and above.
Please contact the Office if you are interested.
Nga mihi nui
Whaea Marama
2013 Term Dates
Term 1 Monday 28 January - Friday 19 April
Term 2 Monday 6 May - Friday 12 July
Term 3 Monday 29 July - Friday 27 September
Term 4 Monday 14 October - Thursday 12 December
Statutory Holidays
Waitangi Day: Wednesday 6 February
Otago Anniversary Day: Monday 25 March
Good Friday: Friday 29 March
Easter Monday: Monday 1 April
Easter Tuesday: Tuesday 2 April
Queen's Birthday: Monday 3 June
Labour Day: Monday 28 October
Statutory Holidays not affecting the school term
Anzac Day: Wednesday 25 April
PTA News
End of Year Prizegiving Assembly Special Awards
Congratulations to all those students who received awards at the end of last year. The PTA would like to acknowledge those students who received the PTA sponsored awards: “Creative Arts Award” went to Chloe Robertson; “Xavier Award” went to Justice Harvey-Helsloot and the “Ben Wright Cup” went to Emma Andrew.
Thanks to Shelley Kennedy
appreciation for the amazing work she has done for the PTA over the years that her children have been at the school. Thanks Shelley and we know where you work when we need you again!!
Newly painted playground equipment
Thank you to Mr Harvey for overseeing the re-painting of the playground equipment that was undertaken during the holidays.
First meeting for the New Year
We would like to welcome anyone who might be interested, to come along to our first PTA meeting for the year. There will be lots of fundraising to be done this year (as with every year), so that we can provide additional financial support for our great school! Our first meeting will be held on Thursday 14th February at 3.20pm, in the Teaching Room (beside the Library).
School Banking
Banking day with NZCU South 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! Forms are available from the office.
Community News
HAN MA UM DUNEDIN OLYMPIC TAEKWONDO: A fun way for the whole family to make new friends, get fit and learn new skills in a safe and friendly environment. Experienced instructors with internationally recognised qualifications. Classes starting February 4 at North East Valley Normal School hall from 6-8pm. Ph: 0274125770 or Email: dunedinolympictkd@hotmail.co.nz
Port Chalmers Junior Golf: will resume Sunday 3rd February 2013 10.00am at Port Chalmers Golf Club, Reservoir Rd. Sawyers Bay. For any information please phone 4727611 or email fionamck@xtra.co.nz
Children’s Art Classes: All school terms 2013: Mon-Fri 3:00-6:15pm, Sat 10:00am-12:00pm & 2:00-4:00pm. $22.50 2-3hrs @ $225 10 week term. Enquiries/Enrolments: Ph 477 6112/Hm 472-8072/Cell. 021-114-7971. Tutors: Matthew Robertson BFA, Dip.Tchg, and Fiona Shaw-Robertson BFA. OSCAR approved.
Girl Guides at St Martin's 2013: Pippins 5 & 6 year olds. Brownies 7 & 9 ½ year olds. Guides 10 to 13 year olds. Meetings are on Mondays at St Martins Hall. All girls are welcome. Enquires to Emma Reeves
emmareeves12@hotmail.com or 0274 676 805.
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