Kia ora parents, caregivers and friends of the school,
The new sickbay is now open for business, so if you do have to collect any children from there please come into the new office area. It is all very exciting but still very dusty.
This week we hosted a group of teachers from China who are attending a course at UNITEC. The course requires them to be in a NZ school for three days to look at teaching and learning in action.What is very noticeable is the increase of the use of English with these groups. A number of countries in Asia are making a huge effort in teaching English as a second language. Not that long ago, we always required translators when hosting groups from China, Korea or Thailand but now they all seem to have a good basic grasp to cope here.
As a country we are so far behind with second language learning.
Building Report
The new staffroom has been started, with the hope that it will be completed by the end of term four.
Enviro Group
The group is in the process of setting up the vegetable garden area and many lunchtimes are spent moving soil and mulch into the fenced area.
If any parents have a spare day that they would be available to help with this task please email jo-anny@westernheights.school.nz
I know the group hope to get some vegetables planted very soon.
Dogs In School
We have had a complaint about the dogs coming in to school with parents who are collecting children at the end of the day. Please be aware the Board of Trustees do have a no dog on site policy.
School Holidays
School is closed for two weeks from 3p.m. Friday 25 September. We return on Monday 12 October.
Principals Awards
Alyssa Faddy Sonia Karmokar Breanna Kelly
Sam Goffin Renata Cakurdova Shane Marquis
Mark Lettice Joseph Munro Chelsi Green
Dylan Jenkinson Thomas McAuley Devon Merchant
Franchesca Spittles-jones Kiara Makaia-Hamblin
Dates to Note
Frid. 18 Sept. Loud shirt day
Frid. 25 Sept. Term 3 ends
Mon. 12 Oct. Term 4 starts
Wed. 16 Dec. Term 4 ends
Wed. 3 Feb. Term 1, 2010 starts
Ice-block Mondays - 21 September
We will be selling lemonade ice-blocks at lunchtime for $1.00 each to fundraise for middle school Animal Care workshops to be held in September.
Scholastic Book Orders
Book orders have gone out and are due tomorrow, Friday 18 September. Please make cheques payable to Scholastic N.Z.
Chocolate Sales
School councillors will be selling chocolate outside the junior classrooms on Thursdays from 2.45p.m. - 3.15p.m. for $2.50 a bar.
Towels Wanted
Our cleaners are desperate for old towels for cleaning. Please leave at the office. Thanks.
Children and money – the importance of goals
Contributed by The National Bank – our School Banking partnerSaving can be hard if you don’t have anything to save for. That’s why having a goal is important, even for small children. Encourage children to think about what they want and how much they need to get it – whether it’s a toy, new clothes, or whatever is important to them. That gives them something concrete to aim for. It also helps children understand the trade-off between spending money now or saving it for something more important. Remember school banking is in the school hall every Wednesday morning from 8.30 - 8.55a.m.
Junior Summer Soccer League
Registrations will be taken on Thursday 22 October from 5.30p.m. - 7.30p.m. at Oratia United AFC, Parrs Park. Season runs from Friday 13 November to Friday 18 December then restarts Friday 15 January 2010. Contact Ngaire Atherton on 818 8486 or 027 465 7545.
Chipmunks Before School Programme
We are calling for expressions of interest to set up a Chipmunks Before School Care programme. We will drop children to designated schools between 8.30a.m. - 8.50a.m. Operating hours 7a.m. – 9a.m.
Holiday Programme: Receiving enrolments now. For further information email henderson@chipmunks.co.nz. or call 838 2033. CYF/OSCAR approved.
Calling All Pirates Out West!
Enjoy interactive stories and games about loot, landlubbers, and pirate adventures at Ranui Library during the school holidays! Come dressed up as pirates if you dare. Tuesdays, 29 September and 6 October at 10.30a.m. Stories are especially suitable for 4 to 8 year olds
School Holiday Animal Care Workshops
Taught by vet nurses, students learn practical animal care and handling skills at the Animal Learning Centre, Herne Bay. Interact with a range of pets. Also covers animal careers and animal first aid.
Junior Petkeeper Safari for up to 7yrs ($49)
Monday 28 Sept 9.30 – 11a.m. or Wednesday 7 Oct 1 – 2.30p.m.
JPK 101 Animal Care Workshops: 2 day workshops for 8-14yrs ($125, 6 hrs total). Various dates and times. To book please phone Sally at Oracle Education on 376 2024, email sally@oracle.ac.nz or visit www.hippo.co.nz for more information.
Beginner and Elite Holiday Basketball Camp
U7 – U17, $50 each at Trust Stadium from 28 - 30 September or 5 - 7 October. 9a.m. – 11a.m. Beginners. 12 – 3p.m. Elite. Contact Nicky Fuaivaa at admin@bwc.org.nz or phone 021 657 786 or 966 3109.
St Dominic’s College
Currerntly accepting enrolments. For application packs please download from www.stdoms.ac.nz, collect from the college office, or email stdoms@stdoms.ac.nz.
DON’T FORGET
WORLD VISION COLLECTION AND
SAUSAGE SIZZLE TOMORROW
NO SAUSAGE SIZZLE ON FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER
