Kia ora Parents, Caregivers and Friends of the schoolThe children have made a good start to the term with most having their brand new stationery already in their tote trays. This year we have the school fees of $100 and an additional compulsory new copying fee of $10 per child. When reviewing the budget we saw that photocopying is over $12,000 and consumables for printers is over $12,000. With the modern teaching methods and the reliance on digitally produced resources now, the amount for photocopying and copying is increasing each year. Even at $10, this generates only $5,660 towards the $24,000 printing cost.
Current Topic: School Fees…We are really pleased that more families are realising the advantages that the school has when the school fee (donation) is paid. Last year we received $24,000 in parent donations which was more than previous years. You may have noticed in the Saturday Herald report this week that we have a fair school donation as compared with many of our high decile neighbours. I can assure you that this money is spent wisely to increase learning opportunities for your children. The Board of Trustees hope that we do even better this year with our fee collection. The Ministry of Education does not allow us to use the term ‘fee’ so we do have to make it quite clear that this ‘fee’ is a voluntary donation, but research has shown that all schools could not offer quality education without the community support. We await, in Anticipation, for the mid year budget announcements from the government.
BreakfastAnother ‘hot’ topic in the media just now is children who go to school without breakfast and are unable to settle and learn when in class.A number of children are responsible for getting their own breakfast in the morning and some of these pupils are not making the effort and are arriving hungry. Parents of these ’independent children’ do need to check that they have had something to eat. As you know yourself energy and concentration levels are low when children do not eat in the morning.
Board of TrusteesNomination forms have been sent to every person on the parent electoral roll. If you do not receive a copy before Monday, please pick one up from the office, as perhaps we do not have your current address. Nominations close at noon on Thursday 15 March.
Jump Rope for HeartThe Heart Foundation Awareness Week launch at Grey Lynn Park was a huge success for us. The children skipped in front of the crowd and got to dance with actors from Shortland Street and meet other high profile people. Our parents went away with three of the main lucky draw prizes, a huge barbeque, $1000 sports gear vouchers and a course of dance lessons. Thank you to the group who came, as it was a very worthwhile cause.The Valentine Day Wear Red money trail gathered $194.70 in small coins for the Heart Foundation. Excellent!!!
School HoursSchool starts at 8.55a.m. and teachers appreciate all children in class at this time because lessons start with a roll call. Our morning tea begins at 10.35a.m. and lunch is from 12.30p.m. to 1.25p.m. Our day finishes at 3 p.m. Any children arriving after 9a.m. must report to the office before going up to class. Please ring in absences by 9.30a.m. on extension 202. Thank you to those who do ring in or email. We have quite a formal system for attendance for all children’s safety. Attendance is one of the compliance requirements that has to be bought to a board meeting and the Ministry audit us.
New Entrant Orientation EveningPlease note this is on Tuesday 20 March at 7 p.m. at school.
Parent/Teacher Conferences - Thursday 8 MarchConfirmation of times will be sent home Thursday 1 March. Remember school closes at 12.30p.m. on Thursday 8 March.
Traffic Safety Around SchoolsA letter from the NZ Police points out the following:Drive slowly and with patience, especially on wet days. Keep the pedestrian crossing clear - stopping on a crossing is illegal and prevents the school patrol from doing their job. Never stop on the yellow ‘NO STOPPING’ lines—they are there to ensure children can see and be seen. Use the pedestrian crossing rather than calling children to meet you across the road.
Helpful Web SitesIt is important that children learn, by rote, their basic addition and multiplication facts. Play games in the car and have facts in cars or a wall chart. Here is a new web site to help: www.look4.net.nz. An absolutely fantastic site is www.rainforestmaths.com. I looked at Maths dictionary and Writing fun on this site and was so impressed. These sites can help support you and your children. If you do have trouble with searching on the web, call in and see me and I can help.
Principal AwardsFaaizah Hussain Rozelle Suyker Annalyse LeeTaner Kurtulus Rebekah Nelson Fin EardleyVanshika Singh Jayden Stallard Daniel MartinezJanos Meri Casey Leupolu Keren HollidayAshley Slater Caitlin Davidson Brandon MarrConnor Moore Rebecca Broadmore Abby BrookerDevon Merchant D’Zaiah Tumua Thomas RobinsonDan-Yel James Elijah Gilbert Peta BuckinghamAdele Nummy Bailey Buckingham Callum McNeilTeniah Ahlo Isaac Potae Christina WijlensScott Plumpton Prema Handa Finn JelicichChelsea Tomlin Mikayla Muller Alexander TonkinMichelle Chen Emma Hutchinson Yi Xuan LiRoderick Westerman Cassandra Pauling-Munro
Netball RegistrationsForms now available from Adele Nummy in CS14. Netball Waitakere have advised that probable game times this year are: Year 1/2: noon - 3.30p.m., Year 3/4: 8.30a.m. - noon, Year 5/6: 12/30p.m. - 3.30p.m. Registrations are subject to finding coaches for each team. See Mrs Nummy if interested.
The Learning PoolAn information evening about dyslexia and assistance providers who can help children with specific learning disabilities. Held at Macleans Primary School, Wycherley Drive, Bucklands Beach from 7.00p.m. till 9.00p.m. on Thursday 1 March. Hear from Jan Al Hadi, Learning and Behaviour Charitable Trust, Kerrie Palma, Picturethinkers, Jenni Wiles, Read Auckland, David Wardell, Irlen Diagnostic Clinic. This is a free evening for parents. Enquiries, contact Tristan Arthur 021 109 4504.
Waitakere Bears Softball Club - Garage Gala & Fun DaySunday 25 February at Starling Park, Glen Road, Ranui. From 10a.m. - 2p.m. Contact Debbie 838 2676 for stalls at $15.
Bike Wise Week – 24 February to 4 MarchFor more information about what’s happening in your region, check out the Bike Wise website: www.bikewise.org.nz
