Kia ora parents, caregivers and friends of the school,
What a fantastic action packed three weeks we have had here at school.
All the classes are visiting the Auckland Art Gallery as part of the Art Focus for the term. The middle school are enjoying a programme at Arataki as part of the school enviro theme. The junior school are in rehearsal for the upcoming, famous folkdance display being held on the evening of September 1.
The whole school were very enthusiastic about the African drum workshops they had last week. The two presenters were from Ghana and were not only skilled in drumming but in entertaining and encouraging participation from everyone.
I went to an African drumming event in the holidays and came out so inspired I went to the city and bought one for home.
The Kahurangi Maori Dance Company were here this week for all the school. The very skilled group took the children on a ‘journey’ around the pacific through music, dance and language.
The arts are fostered here at school in many ways and visiting performers do enrich and support our programme.
Parent Survey
The results of our parent survey were reported on by Mrs Pasilic at the BOT meeting last week. We were pleased with the 33% response, as the last survey return was 21%.
The positive feedback to nearly all questions was over 90% responders agreeing and strongly agreeing.
The question about the sporting and cultural activities however showed 14% thought these areas in the school were lacking. This survey was done before our fantastic cultural assembly and concert.
There are lunchtime dance groups, orchestra and band who all entertain us at school assemblies. The large cultural group and huge Indian dance troupe (with Mrs Yukich) are senior school pupils only and they perform at the Pacifica event held in November. Practices are during lunchtimes and Mr McGreal is supported by Nano Nepia-Hill in taking the cultural group.
We realise that all these cultural opportunities need to be publicised more widely and as participation is voluntary, parents can encourage more participation.
Private providers offer piano and guitar lessons during school hours.
We had a similar response about keeping the community informed using our website as 13% strongly disagreed that the community were informed of current events and school activities. Every term each syndicate puts out a detailed newsletter about what is happening over the term. A school newsletter goes out every fortnight and all these documents are on our website. Our challenge is to get you all looking at www.westernheights.school.nz on a regular basis.
A community email contact list will be set up by the end of the term and each fortnight a link will come to you for the newsletter. Hard copies will continue to go home.Teachers will have more training to enable them to put more students work on the site.I am amazed each week by the number of ‘hits’ our website gets from people all over the world.
Sports
At present, we hold the trophy for top school swimming team in the area, beating Oratia for the first time for this honour for years. The latest addition to our awards is a rugby league shield made of wood from the old Carlaw Park stand. We are now the Auckland Primary School restricted weight northern-zone rugby league champions. Mr McGreal and Mr Baker spend most lunchtimes taking teams in a wide range of sports. All teams compete in inter -school competitions and after school sport is well catered for by local clubs with the exception of Saturday netball teams. These are coordinated by Adele Nummy at school. About one third (100) of our girls are involved with practices being held out of school hours and are managed and coached by committed parents. A huge thankyou must go to this group.
School Attendance
Thankyou to all the families who are calling in when children are away.
Huge Concern: We are very concerned about the increase of children who are arriving at school after 9a.m. Classes begin at 8.55a.m. Children who are here at the beginning of the day do settle into successful learning patterns. They have talked to their friends, got their books and pencils organised and have checked the timetable for the day.
We have all walked into a movie or show late and it takes a while to make sense of the theme.
Scholastic Book Club
Late orders will be accepted until tomorrow morning. Please make cheques payable to Scholastic New Zealand.
Dates to Note
Frid. 6 Aug.: 11a.m. Cultural Matinee for Grandparents
Frid. 6 Aug.: 7 - 8.30p.m. 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.
Principal Awards
Sam Colman Chelsi Green Elijah Gilbert
Alexandra Martinez Mike Tila Bruce Guan
Anna Jurasovic Dan-Yel James Olivia Alberts
Sydney Feau Dylan Gardner Lydia Majoe
Taine Waru Fatima Ameeri Hayden Askew
McKenzie Reid Rayhaan Ali Kristian Loncic
Terina Whaikawa-Gordon
Italian Language Classes
The Dante Alighieri Society is offering Italian language classes on Mondays from 3.15p.m. - 4p.m. in the school library. $30 per child for term 3. If you would like your child to attend, please contact Valeria phone 376 3853 or email info@dante.org.nzwww.dante.org.nz
Henderson Intermediate School Open Day/Evening
Thursday 19 August from 9a.m. - 2p.m. Thursday 19 August from 6.30 - 8.30p.m.
Glen Eden Intermediate School Open Evening
Thursday 5 August from 7 - 9p.m. in the Auditorium.
Hypnosis Night with Dave Upfold, International Hypnotist
Te Atatu Boat Club, Friday 20 August, 7.30p.m. Fundraiser for Lynn Avon 11th Grade Soccer team. Phone Alison, 836 7475 for tickets at $20 each.
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 for $50. For information phone Jo or Shelly on 836 9061.
WORLD VISION COLLECTION AND SAUSAGE SIZZLE TOMORROW
PLEASE NOTE: DRINKS ARE NOW $1.50
