Kia ora parents, caregivers and friends of the school, At last the swimming pool is ready for the pupils to use! Due to vandals, the pool has been out of order since before school started at the beginning of February. Mud and other foreign objects had to be retrieved and the pool given a total clean not just once, but three times.
Poor Mrs Andrews, who takes such pride in the school and its tidy clean appearance, has been working all hours to get the pool right. Many of us have been visiting the school outside hours to try to keep outsiders in check. If you are walking past at any time do feel you can also check that the grounds are clear.
Working Bee Reminder
Time to spruce up the school. We will be doing touch-up painting throughout the school so bring any spare paintbrushes. We will also be weeding and mulching our native bush area, please bring spades and gardening gloves if possible. We will be starting at 9.30a.m. on Saturday 27 February and will be meeting by the swimming pool. We will be finishing at 12.30p.m. with a sausage sizzle. We would love to see you.
Wheels Day
Most children brought wheels of some kind to school on Tuesday. In fact, the Waitakere Sports’ staff could not get over the support that was given to the day. Avanti Bikes’ staff was on hand to give a demonstration and to do bike repairs during the morning. We also had Justin Watene and two top N.Z. skateboarders who gave up their time to take a skateboard workshop and demonstration. What a fantastic day! $350 for the Heart Foundation was raised.
Board Of Trustees
2010 is the year for the next BOT election. The board is made up of five elected members and one teacher representative. Every parent/caregiver of a child enrolled at the school will be sent through the mail, a nomination paper before 15 March. If interested in nominating anybody, or yourself, for the Board please fill in the signed form and return to Margaret Gray, Returning Officer at the office. Please advise Margaret of any updated contact details including new addresses and telephone numbers.
Nominations close – noon 23 April
Voting day – 7 May
Target Report
The BOT discussed and accepted the Analysis of Variance report at the BOT meeting last week. This is a document that goes to the Ministry via our annual accounts and it has two main strategic targets that are set using student learning data each year. The results showed a very pleasing shift in Maths Year 5 and Reading at the end of year 1.
National Standards
Staff and BOT have always had standards and they pretty well match the Government imposed ones. We have always been learning and teaching data driven, and will continue to use best practice in collecting data using nationally referenced assessment tools and plan programmes to suit students needs. The feedback on our student portfolios and reporting process has always been positive. The new changes means we will now be reporting to you using the National Standards against the reading and maths levels and ages.
The unfortunate aspect of the introduction of the National Standards is that the standards have not undergone a trial period and consultation has been lacking.
Scholastic Book Club
Orders close tomorrow, Thursday 18 February. Please make cheques payable to Scholastic N.Z.
Reminder to Parents for Middle and Junior Picnic
Please put sunblock on your children on Friday morning and make sure they have a hat, and plenty of lunch and drink for the day.
Dates to Note
Thurs. 18 Feb.: Parent/Teacher conferences. School closes at 12.30p.m.
Frid. 19 Feb.: Junior/Middle Picnic
Tues. 23 Feb.: Beach Education at Piha, Room 20 and 24
Wed. 24 Feb.: Beach Education at Piha, Room 21 and 25
Thurs. 25 Feb.: Beach Education at Piha, Room 22 and 23
Sat. 27 Feb.: Working-bee
Wed. 3 March: World Maths Day. Open day 9.30 - 10.30am
Thurs. 4 March: Interschool Swimming Sports - West Wave
Tues. 23 March: Interschool Softball field day
Mon. 22 March: World Water Day
Frid. 26 March: Senior School Disco
Tues. 30 March: Senior Basic Facts Competition
Thurs. 1 April: End of Term. School finishes at 3pm.
Frid. 2 April: Good FridayMon.
19 April: Term 2 starts
Western Heights Netball
Registration forms are now available from outside Adele Nummy’s office. These must be filled in and returned by Friday 5 March. If you are available to coach or manage a team this year, please contact Adele adelen@westernheights.school.nz asap. In 2010, all teams will be playing on a Saturday morning between 8.30a.m. until approx 1p.m. Yrs 1-3 will be playing at Trust Stadium and Yrs 4-6 at Te Pai Courts.
Girls Football Festival For 6 - 11 year olds - Free
Come and play small sided games, have fun, meet New Zealand Players (Football Ferns) and WIN PRIZES. No experience required. Parrs Park, Oratia on Saturday 20 February, 9.30a.m. -11.30a.m. Register at: youth@unitedsoccer1.org.nz
ASB Bank School Banking
Hey kids, kick start your savings for 2010 and you could get $50.00 added to your savings. Each week you make a deposit into your Headstart account during Term 1 through ASB’s School Banking programme you’ll be automatically in that week’s prize draw to win one of the 25 prizes of $50.00 on offer. The more weeks you make a deposit the more chances you have to win!
National Bank School Banking
Welcome back to school. School banking is up and running again on Wednesdays from 8.30 - 8.55a.m. in the school hall. Children can open bank accounts and make deposits at school. They receive an account book to record their deposits and keep track of their savings. If you’d like to know more, contact Vanessa at The National Bank in Westcity on 252 2173, or the school office.
Waitemata Seagulls Rugby League Club Muster Day
Saturday 20 February, 10a.m. - 12noon at clubrooms, Ranui Domain. Further information contact Fita Hala on 836 2682 or Club Secretary, Mark Rewa on 818 3266. ATTENTION PARENTSAfter school Tuition. Free assessment by qualified teachers. Maths, English, Reading, Spelling, Dyslexia screening. Call Amanda or Shelly on 836 906. www.kipmcgrath.co.nz
SCHOOL CLOSES 12.30p.m. TOMORROW
NO SAUSAGE SIZZLE FRIDAY
SAUSAGE SIZZLE RESUMES FRIDAY 26 FEB.
DON’T FORGET WORLD VISION COLLECTION
