Newsletter 20 May 2013

20 May 2013             Term 2 Week 3                 13/14

Dear Parents & Caregivers

Kia ora koutou katoa

The Life Cycle of a School Teacher

When I went to training college, the international hero of good teaching was Jean Piaget. Piaget was a Swiss developmental psychologist and a philosopher. He believed strongly in the power of education. He declared “only education is capable of saving our societies from possible collapse, whether violent or gradual”.

Piaget believed that the way children learn was by “an upward expanding spiral in which children must constantly reconstruct the ideas forming at earlier levels with new, higher order concepts acquired at the next level”.

I have not heard Piaget’s name much in the last three decades. Other names and philosophies have come and gone.

Well, guess what? Just last week I attended a seminar in Gore (of all places!) where the theme was co-constructing the curriculum!

Co-construction in this context refers to the child and the teacher working together to develop the learning pathway. Piaget’s theories are alive well!

Here at NEV Normal teaching is inquiry based. This allows for considerable opportunities for children to be part of the construction of the curriculum. Inquiry is basically finding answers to questions. Lehmann says “Inquiry means living in the soup. Inquiry means living in the uncomfortable space where we don’t know the answer”.

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

John McKenzie

Principal

Welcome

We welcome Jasmine who has started in R11 and Zane who has started in R3. We welcome their family to our school community.

Rainbow Class

Our transition to school class for 4 year olds will be held this Thursday 23 May from 1.15-2.45pm in R11. The class is taken by Mrs Cleland the new entrant teacher. If you have a 4 year old who would like to join in, please contact Mrs Cleland or the office.

Scholastic Book Club

Orders for Issue 3 with money need to be in to the office by this Friday 24 May. If paying by cheque, please make payable to Scholastic NZ.

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.

Assembly

Assembly will be held in the school hall this Friday commencing at 2.20pm. Assembly will be led by R11 with items from R8. Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend.

Learning Power Tip of the Week

“People learn from their mistakes

and it’s ok to ask for help”.

Making Sense of Maths

WHEN: Monday 27 May 9.30 - 11.30am

WHERE: NEV Community Rooms

ALL WELCOME

So as we can have some catering on hand, please let the school office know by Thursday 23 May if you would like to attend and also if you need transport to/from the venue.

For more information contact: Stephen Alexander, Child & Family Facilitator, Education Council, 0274 700024 or 4738246, email: stephen@nevn.school.nz

Sports Results

Netball

Our netball teams had their first games last week. The initial games were grading games. The junior and senior teams both had the same results: won 1 goal to nil and drew 1 all. What a positive beginning. It must have been all the great coaching!

Soccer

Our school team played Sawyers Bay last Thursday at school and had a good win 2 goals to nil.

School Lunches
Easy Lunches are available on Mondays & Thursdays.
The lunches consist of sandwich or pizza bun, fruit, a muffin, popcorn, and a dessert. The cost is $3.50 or $4.50 for a larger lunch. Orders with money need to be into the office by 9am.

Friday PTA Hot Lunches
PTA hot lunch this Friday is 1 sausage in bread with onions for $2.50 (extra sausage is $1) and Milo $0.50c. Orders with name, room number and money need to be into the office by the start of school each Friday. Please bring a cup for Milo.

Dates to Note
May
23   Rainbow Class 1.15pm
27   Maths Workshop 9.30-11.30am
30   BOT Election voting closes noon.

June
6    Rainbow Class 1.15pm
10  BOT Meeting 6pm
13  Elgregoe Show 1.40pm
13  PTA Meeting 3.20pm
20  Rainbow Class 1.15pm
24-26 Life Education
July
4   Rainbow Class 1.15pm
8   BOT Meeting 6pm
10  School Photos
12  End of Term 2
29 Start of T3

BOT Elections

There has been 7 nominations received for the 5 parent representative vacancies on the Board of Trustees.

An election will now be held. Voting papers will be posted tomorrow along with candidate statements. The poll closes at 12noon on Thursday 30 May. The highest polling 5 candidates will be elected to the BOT.

Your vote will not be counted unless this paper is delivered or posted to the Returning Officer in the addressed envelope which will be included with the voting paper.

1. If you post this paper your vote will not be counted unless it is posted in the enclosed envelope to: North East Valley Normal School, 248 North Road, Dunedin 9010 and postmarked before noon on the day of the election and received by the Returning Officer not later than 5 days after the day of the election.

2. If you deliver this paper or have it delivered your vote will not be counted unless the paper is delivered in the enclosed envelope to: The School Office at North East Valley Normal School, 248 North Road, Dunedin before noon on the day of the election.

Sara Lindsay
Returning Officer

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. Classes are held in the North East Valley Normal School hall from 6-8pm. Ph: 0274125770 or Email: dunedinolympictkd@hotmail.co.nz

Weight Loss: Don't lose weight and put it all back on. Lose it and keep it off! Affordable weight loss that really works. Free Wellness Evaluation and sample. PH Kathy 0800 401 828 or go to wwwsupershapeupnz.com

Catering for all occasions: contact Leanne, Cordon Bleu Catering 477 3330.

Hagar Ozri The Organic Cook will teach you how to stir children toward healthy eating: school lunch ideas, dinner, breakfast and some healthy treats. Come to an evening at the Community Rooms next to the school on Monday the 17th June at 6pm - 7pm. kids are welcome. Cost is $20. To register please contact Hagar Ph 472 7014 email:hagar@hagarozri.co.nz mobile (txt is ok) 022-1723620.

Dunedin Ice Stadium Open Day: Have a go at ice skating Sunday 26 May 10am-2pm. Free admission. 101 Victoria Rd, St Kilda. Ph 456 4556.

Evening and/or weekend babysitting work: Contact Anna Dollimore 027 870 6839.

NEV Normal School Banking

is Proudly Sponsored by Credit Union South

NZCU SOUTH

26 Filleul Street

Dunedin 9059

Ph 03 4771473

www.nzcusouth.co.nz

email enquiries@nzcusouth.co.nz

Remember School Banking Day is Wednesday

Application forms are available at the school office