Welcome to everyone who will be associated with the school for 2011. A special welcome to new children and families joining the Muritai family for the first time The school opened today with a roll of 392. It is anticipated that the roll will climb to 435 by the end of the year as new entrants join the junior classes.
At Muritai we promote a happy environment where our values reflect quality citizenship, achievement, responsibility and effort. Our focus centres on high expectations, academic standards and the delivery of quality teaching and learning programmes. The children will experience a wide range of extra curricula and sporting opportunities, rich in challenge and fun and varied learning experiences. We promote the realization of individual potential through the theme “to be the best that we can be”.
Towards the end of last year the school hosted the Education Review Office as part of the triennial school audit process. ERO, in their reportng to the Board of Trustees were hugely impressed with Muritai and have consequently issued a glowing review of the school. As a teaching team we are very proud of this result, it reflects a lot of hard work and in my view it reflects strongly on what is a very stable, secure educational platform at Muritai School. ERO has issued a return date of 4-5 years, which places us amongst the 'top' 10% of primary schools across NZ.
ERO summary
Muritai School is a primary school that provides education for students in Years 1 to 8 in the Eastbourne area of Wellington. Strong leadership and low staff turnover have contributed to a useful period of consolidation since ERO’s 2007 review.
Significant developments include reviewing the school’s curriculum to reflect The New Zealand Curriculum and developing an assessment and reporting framework that aligns with the National Standards. Good progress has been made with building school-wide knowledge and understanding of te reo me ngā tikanga Māori. A policy and specific interventions for students who are dyslexic have also been implemented. The school is a Green Gold Enviro-School, demonstrating its commitment to environmental learning and action.
The school has a clearly articulated focus on student achievement and most students, including Māori achieve at or above national expectations in reading, writing and mathematics. Targets for these subjects are based on information from previous years and data collated in term 1.
Students’ progress is carefully tracked throughout the year. High quality collation and analysis of assessment information contributes to evidence-based decision-making about allocation of resources to improve achievement. Appropriate actions and interventions are in place to address identified individual learning needs and improve outcomes for students.
Management of the school is an area of strength. The principal and senior leaders work effectively as a team and demonstrate a commitment to the school’s strategic direction. They implement a distributed leadership model, comprising four senior teachers who are responsible for the quality of teaching and learning in their designated year level teams. Engagement of families and whānau in the life of the school is well supported.
Students are highly engaged in learning, in a well-resourced and safe environment. The positive school tone is characterized by mutually respectful interactions among students and staff. Teachers use effective strategies to actively involve students in their own learning, including the use of information and communication technologies. They set high expectations and work with students to develop class and individual goals. Learning programmes include a range of activities that provide for different levels of attainment. Students receive regular feedback on their progress and next steps for learning.
In the course of their self review, school leaders have recognised the need to continue to develop aspects of reporting, assessment moderation, provision for gifted and talented students and consistent integration of te ao Māori into the school’s curriculum. ERO’s external evaluation affirms these objectives.
Future Action
ERO is likely to carry out the next review in four-to-five years.
Parents and friends of the school can view the full report by clicking here.
Over the next few weeks, parents will be given opportunities to involve themselves in the school’s activities. The term diary at the bottom o the newsletter lists the important activities to be held throughout the term. For example, next Wednesday the 9th of February, the school invites the community to a family picnic commencing at 5.00pm and concluding at around 7.00pm. This event provides a chance to catch up with the school community in a relaxing, fun environment. Bring all the family as well as your picnic and a rug. Sausages will be $2 each.
Term dates for 2011
Term 1 – Wednesday 2nd February to Friday 15th April
Term 2 – Monday 2nd May to Friday 15th July
Term 3 – Monday 1st August to Friday 7th October
Term 4 – Monday 25th October to Friday 16th December
A reminder that over Queen's Birthday weekend there will be a 'Teacher Only' professional development day on Friday 3rd June. This allows families to plan a 'longer' weekend if they wish.
During 2011 parents will receive regular newsletters outlining the happenings in the school, listing the important events that are coming up and celebrating the successes of the children. Newsletters are e-mailed to parents every two weeks on a Wednesday (except for short weeks). Please be sure we have your up-dated e-mail address. Some people prefer a hard copy - just let Sue in the office know if you would like a paper version.
The school’s website www.muritai.school.nz also provides access to the newsletters and other items of interest. Teachers, through their class blogs, use the website to share the activities of the classrooms and school-wide events. Please note the website is the school’s main communication line to the community and we urge all parents to be regular visitors to it to gain the important information about the events of the school.
It was a pleasure to welcome your children back today, and see their happiness and enthusiasm for their school.
STUDENTS
We have 22 new students beginning at Muritai today. A big welcome to our new students and their families ~
Year 1~ Christopher Wray, Dylan Mitchell, Matthew Cowley, Olivia Ogilvy, Emmylou Nickel, Logan Lewis, Frances Penny, Rebecca Blacker, Merlinde Mooij, Jacob Barnard,
Year 2~ Ryan Mahoney, Lachlan McFarlane, Finn Morley
Year 3~ Kai Ferrier, Charlotte McFarlane
Year 4~ Max Hahn
Year 5~ Liam Mahoney, Liam Ferrier, Charlotte Wilson
Year 7~ Jack Wellwood, Elspeth Morley, Rose Scott-Billing
STAFF
We welcome our new teaching staff to Muritai ~ Melissa Coton (Y5), Pippa Grant (Y3), and to Abby Wilton who joins our student support team.
STANDING TALL
This year the whole school theme is focusing on an overall concept of ‘Resilience' or 'Standing Tall'. All units of work will reflect back into the concept of how we can make a difference, how we can influence the world today and what change is necessary as we head for the future. This fits nicely in with the curriculum – technology, health, science and social studies and, specifically our attitudes to standing up for ourselves and others.
MEET THE TEACHER
There we will be a meet the teacher TOMORROW where parents share information about their child. Parent/teacher partnerships are vital for the success of our children so we do invite parents, who feel that it is necessary to discuss issues or share information with their class teacher click on www.schoolinterviews.co.nz. and enter the code Y9VQ4 to make an appointment. Alternatively, contact Sue or Carole in the office.
It is important that parents know they are able to meet formally with teachers to discuss children’s progress or other issues at any stage throughout the year but please contact the teacher first.
MURITAI MUNCHIES
Our school lunch system is on Monday and Friday. Please place the order in the box provided. These start this Friday. A new menu/price list is included with this newsletter
BELLS
A reminder that children should be at school when the first bell goes at 8:40. This bell tells the children to head to class as learning will shortly commence. School begins at 8:50.
The bell will ring at 2:40 which indicates to teachers and children that school will shortly finish and that things need to be tidied up in preparation for home time. School finishes at 2:55.
PARENT HELPERS AT MORNING/AFTERNOON ROAD PATROL
One way of helping out the school is to supervise road patrol, either in the morning or afternoon. If this is a way that you could help the school please let Matt Skilton know at skilton@muritai.school.nz
SUNHATS
All teachers and children are required to have a wide brimmed hat at school. Those without hats will stay in the shade between 10:30 and 3:00. Please make sure hats are named.
SWIMMING
We have the Eastbourne pool booked from next week so we can start swimming on Monday. Teachers are keen to start as soon as possible so be ready to have the togs in the bag. Now that summer has arrived a regular dip will be very satisfying for the children.
ABSENCES
Please contact the school if your child is absent or going to be away from school either through phoning on the day or in writing if you know that the absence is going to happen.
If your child arrives after 8:55 they must check in at the office to notify the office staff that they are here. This will save an unnecessary phone call.If we have not been notified we will ring as soon as possible to account for all children.
TERM DIARY
February
Wed 2 - First day of school
Thur 3 - Parent 'Meet the teacher'interviews
Fri 4 - Assembly / Powhiri 1.40pm
Mon 7 - Swimming starts
Mon 14 - Year 7-8 at Te Papa
Fri 18 - Assembly 1.40pm
March
Fri 4 - Assembly 1.40pm
Tue 8 - Y5-6 to Forest Lakes camp
Fri 11 - Swimming finishes
Wed 16 - Starting school at 5 7.00pm
Tues 22 - Year 4-6 Zone swimming
Fri 25 - Assembly 1.40
April
Mon 11 - Y5-8 School swimming sports at Huia
Fri 15 - last day of term assembly 1.40 pm
YEAR 2 AND 3 - SPEECH AND DRAMA
The Oral Assessment programme with Janet Avison will continue for year 2 and year 3 children this year. If you would like your child to develop oral language skills through language and drama games, storytelling, poetry, role-play and improvisation and sharing ideas and take part in these 30 minute classes each week please contact the office for an enrolment form and any further details.
No comments:
Post a Comment