Newsletter 26 August 2013

26 August 2013   Term 3/Week 5   13/26

Dear Parents & Caregivers

Kia ora koutou katoa

A Note about Recent Parent/Teacher Interviews
Parents often comment that the parent/teacher  interviews are too short and that sometimes they have to wait when other interviews go over time.

I need to clarify that these interviews need not be the end of matters brought up during the interview: if you need more time, please organise to meet with the classroom teacher for a longer and more comprehensive catch-up. While this facility is available throughout the year, it is particularly useful after the interviews.

Teachers are expected to be in their rooms from 8.30am onwards and ‘til 3.30pm to answer the day to day ‘housekeeping’ type queries from parents. More serious issues, academic matters or pastoral concerns should not be raised at this time—there is no chance of privacy in that setting. Also, at the end of a teaching day, the teacher is usually still in teaching mode and needs some time to ‘come-down’ from the day. Best to signal to the teacher that you would like to catch up about a matter at a better time.

Most teachers are happy to be contacted via email. This is a good way to begin a discussion about your child’s schooling.

And finally, if you have expressed a concern to the classroom teacher and you feel nothing has been done, make an appointment to see me or Mrs Staynes.

Disco
Thanks to the students and parents who organised the disco that was held on Friday. What a fun night it was. The children were very well behaved and happy. It is certainly heartening to see a generation of good dancers coming through!!!

Stranger Danger
The man reported in last weeks newsletter as acting suspiciously about the Valley has been identified by the local police and he has been spoken to.

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

Stars on Stage Performance
The senior school will be performing “Lost In Space” at the Regent Theatre on Tuesday 3 September. The dress rehearsal will be held at school next Friday, 30 August at 11am, weather permitting (as it will be outside). Practices will also be held during the afternoons this week if you are not able to come to the show.

Tickets for the show are now on sale: $17/adult $7/child. Options to purchase tickets are as follows:-
Counter bookings at the Regent Theatre plus $2.50/ ticket.
Phone bookings 4778597 plus $3.50/ticket.
Online at http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz/ plus $1.50/ticket. $7 delivery fee/$5 pickup fee.

If paying by credit card there is a 2.5% cost on the total transaction (credit card fee).

Stars on Stage tickets are expensive. This is a matter out of our control. If parents struggle to pay the cost, but want to watch the performance, please let Mr McKenzie know and we will find a way to help.

There are Stars on Stage tee shirts available for sale. If you would like to purchase one please let Sara know at the office by tomorrow morning.

Activity Donation
There is over $2300 still outstanding in activity donation income. An activity donation statement has been sent home with this newsletter where payment has not been made up to T3. Prompt payment would be appreciated as the donation is used to pay for many extras that the children enjoy in support of their learning.

North Zone Cross Country
Good luck to Shay, Jack, Olivia, Kaci and Caitlin in R5 and Ben, Sam, Tayla and Emma in R2 who are competing in the North Zone cross country competition tomorrow at Balmacewen Intermediate.

O’Mathalon
Good luck to our team of Te Awa, Anna, Cameron O and RV who are competing in the O’Mathalon competition at the Edgar Centre on Wednesday. They have been practicing hard each day with Mrs Staynes.

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 R10 with items by R2. Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend.

Congratulations to Kainamu’s (Room 10) dad, Paul Whitinui, Associate Professor, Education, University of Otago.
Please join me in congratulating Paul Whitinui, who has been selected as the 2013 Lansdowne Visiting Scholar for the University of Victoria (Canada). This prestigious award will keep Paul very busy for one month, working with students and faculty, conducting research on indigenous education, and giving a public lecture.

Transport Needed
2 children who live in Pine Hill need transport to and from school each day. If anyone is able to help please contact the office for further details.

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 pizza buns with spaghetti, cheese and bacon for $2 and Milo .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.

BOT News
Dear Parents/Caregivers

We, the Board of Trustees (BOT), just wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves. Your current BOT has the following parent representatives: AJ Woodhouse (chair), Jesseme Johnston-Jones, Lynn Bosworth, Trevor Schaffer and Matt Thompson. We are here to do as the title suggests, represent the school
community on the school governance board. A teacher representative, Karen Sintmaartensdijk and the
principal John McKenzie, also serve on the BOT. The BOT has a number of roles and functions and we meet on a regular basis (approximately monthly).

One of the tasks undertaken is the review of school policies and procedures and the drafting of the annual School Charter and budget forecasting. As members of our school community, should you wish to have the Board undertake a review of any policy or procedure, you just need to speak to Sara Lindsay in the School Office and your requests can be reviewed/placed on the BOT agenda if necessary. A set of the school policies is available to view in the School Office.

We will provide information on items that may be of interest to you from time to time in the newsletter.

Included with this newsletter is a survey seeking your opinion on the after school programme.

Kind regards
Board of Trustees

Dates to Note
August
27   North Zone Cross Country
28   OMAthalon Maths 1.30pm Edgar Centre
30   Stars on Stage Rehearsal 11am

September
3    Stars on Stage Performance - Regent Theatre
5    Rainbow Class 1.15-2.45pm R11
5    Museum visit R10 and R13
6    Museum Visit R8 and R11
10  PTA Meeting 3.20pm
11  Bikes for Fun
11 Cricket Skills R3, R8, R10

PTA News
Senior School Disco
Thank you to everyone who helped with the disco; especially Brad (Tui’s dad), who provided the music and lights. It was an awesome night and think I can safely say everyone had fun – children and adults!

Next PTA Meeting
The next PTA meeting will be held on Tuesday 10th September at 3.20pm in the Teaching Room (beside the Library). New comers welcome to attend.

Sporting Success Netball Champions
Congratulations to our Y5-Y6 netball team who won their section of the interschool netball competition last Tuesday against St Bernadettes Aces 8 goals to 7. Team members are  Jessica, Matthew, Olivia, Lucy, Tui, Charlotte, Emma, Tayla and Annashae.

Thanks to Mrs Hesson who organised the team.