Kia ora parents, caregivers and friends of the school,
Welcome back after the two week winter break. Also welcome to our new teacher in Room 1, Robyn Meisel, and Stefanie Tipi who is in Jodi Sparks’s room. Jodi is on maternity leave. Peta Buckingham is back after her maternity leave and replaces Isla Noakes who is on leave for travel for two terms.
We are having our own Western Heights baby boom here with three more staff members at school waiting to take maternity leave, plus one ‘almost’ Dad. All these teachers have been with us since their first year of teaching and so we do celebrate their upcoming babies.
I appreciated the time I had off last term as it has recharged my batteries and given me time to enhance my relationship with my family and visit many other schools in Auckland. Every Monday was spent with my daughters and two grandchildren exploring the city. Terry was quite envious as he received the photos during the day of us at the zoo , at Kelly Tarltons or on the train.
My research results assured me that we are doing very well in inducting our five year old students and monitoring their first year at school. We are fortunate that most students stay at Western Heights for all their primary school years as this does help in their continued learning and assessment results.
National Standards
We are very pleased with the positive feedback from our parent teacher interviews held at the end of last term where the National Standards were used in the reporting process. The Board of Trustees and staff are taking a professional approach to the National Standards implementation and, as we always had our own expectations for year levels, the transition has not been too great.
I have seen some pretty disturbing educational disasters in my travels overseas with National Testing for gauging standards, but hopefully the government will continue to take a sensible approach here leaving us to use our own nationally normed assessment tools along with overall teacher judgement.
Confucius Classroom Out West (As seen on TV One)
Last year, four schools in Henderson went through the process of establishing Mandarin classes in our schools with financial and resource support of the Confucius Society. We were successful and are now hosting a Chinese intern who comes to our school one day a week.
She is based at Holy Cross Primary which is a school Western Heights has worked alongside for a number of professional development initiatives over the last five years.
Tomorrow, we are involved in the official programme opening at Holy Cross where a group of very high profile dignitaries will be attending such as the NZ ambassador for China, Paula Bennett - Minister for Social Development, and other Waitakere City Members of Parliament and Council members. We will have an Indian dance group performing and Cameron Brown, a school council member, will take part in the ceremony.
We have a very enthusiastic group of children learning mandarin at school with the help of Mrs Daroux and the Chinese intern.
School Gate Chaos
We have noticed that parents and others collecting or delivering pupils to school are blocking the two staff car-parks before and after school. Please do not block these entrances at any time. Your support in this matter would be appreciated, especially by the teachers on duty and for the safety of our children.
School Website
www.westernheights.school.nz. Do check out this site for updated photos, newsletters and other school news.
Scholastic Book Club
Brochures went out today. Orders to be in by Thursday 5 August. Please make cheque payable to Scholastic New Zealand.
Dates to Note
Frid. 6 Aug.: 11a.m. Cultural Matinee for Grandparents
Frid. 6 Aug.: 7pm. Cultural Performance for families
Mon. 9 - Frid. 13 August: Art Week
Mon. 30 August: Teacher only day
Wed. 1 Sept.: Junior Folk Dancing Evening
Wed. 8 Sept.: School Netball Prizegiving
Thurs. 9 Sept.: Class Photos
Thurs. 23 Sept.: Wheels Day
Frid. 24 Sept.: Term 3 ends at 3p.m.
Mon. 11 Oct.: Term 4 starts
Thurs. 16 Dec. Term 4 ends at 12.30p.m.
School Cultural Permformance
We will be holding a cultural matinee performance for grandparents at 11a.m. on Friday 6 August. Koha at the door. A cultural performance for families will be held at 7p.m. Tickets will be on sale from Monday 2 August at the office for $1.00/seat. There are only 300 tickets available. Children who are performing in this will receive a notice with information about the evening.
Art Exhibition
There will be an art exhibition on Friday 20 August. The school will be open from 2.30p.m. until 7p.m. for viewing of the art works produced by the children during art week and also to view and purchase art work by local artists in the school hall. Sausage sizzle, drinks, chocolate, coffee van, ice-cream van and Devonshire teas will be available. We will also have a bouncy castle for fundraising by the student council. If you are able to help with any of these activities, please contact Jo-Ann 836 1213, ext 212 or email jo-anny@westernheights.school.nz.
Intermediate School Open Evenings
Glen Eden Intermediate School
Tuesday 3 and Thursday 5 August from 7 - 9p.m. Both evenings start in the Auditorium. Enrolments can also be taken on these evenings providing all necessary documentation is brought (Birth Certificate/Passport, Proof of Address for In zone Students, Copy of Mid Year Report).
Bruce McLaren Intermediate School
Wednesday 4 August at 7.00p.m. Phone 836 3175 or email: admin@brucemclaren.school.nz for further information.
Sunnyvale School 50th Jubilee
22 - 24 October 2010. Register now at www.sunnyvale.school.nz, email admin@sunnyvale.school.nz or phone Lynne or Janet 838 9248.
Sturges Road Kindergarten Garage Sale: Saturday 24 July 7.30a.m.
Cake stall, Clothing, Toys, bric-a-brac, books, household items, lucky dips.
Auckland West Dance Academy
358 West Coast Rd, Glen Eden. Ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, zumba for pre-school to adults. www.awda.co.nz. Ph: Kym 813 5459, 027 264 7287
ATTENTION PARENTS
Dyslexia Screening & Free Assessments
Kip McGrath Henderson is offering free assessments in Maths and English to students Y1 onwards so we can set up an afterschool study programme to fit their needs. We are also offering Dyslexia screening for Y1–10. This is a comprehensive and very accurate test that takes about 2 hours and is being offered at a bargain price of $50.For more information give Jo or Shelly a call on 836 9061.
SAUSAGE SIZZLE TOMORROW
PLEASE NOTE: DRINKS ARE NOW $1.50
DON’T FORGET WORLD VISION COLLECTION
