Naumai e te whanau o te kura Muritai
Tena koutou katoaDear Parents / Caregivers,
Welcome to our newest additions to the Muritai family - Amelia Cave and Robert Goddard.
PEER MEDIATION
One of our initiatives this year is to introduce Peer Mediation into our school. This initiative comes from conversations with our children and feedback from community surveys about the challenges that our children face in their relationships, either with their friends or with others at school. As we always look for positive experiences for our children, over the past term, the children and teachers in Year 5 and 6 have been taking part in Peer Mediation training. The Cool Schools Peer Mediation Programme teaches students and teachers how to use conflict scenarios as an opportunity to build positive relationships with others. Non-violent, constructive, co-operative, WIN/WIN solutions to a problem are negotiated. Agreements are made which are mutually acceptable to all parties concerned.
• Helps individuals develop life long conflict management skills.
• focuses on building positive relationships with others.
• Creates win/win situations for students, teachers, parents, caregivers and the wider community.
• Provides life skills for school, home and the workplace.
• Empowers students to help other students
• Is proactive, helping to prevent bullying and other levels of conflict.
• Provides a better learning environment.
• Fosters the development of self esteem and leadership skills.
• Enhances inter-personal and intra-personal communication skills.
The Cool Schools Programme develops key skills such as:
• Active listening
• Using "I" statements and affirmations.
• Recognising different types of responses to conflict.
• Effective questioning.
• The role of the mediator.
• The mediation process (including a process for junior students).
After completing the training Year 6 students have been invited to apply for a position as a Peer Mediator in the school playground. We are pleased to announce the following students have been accepted: Uma Cheyne, Gabriella Turner, Monica Sullivan, Kobe Luke, Bridie Sheedy, Imogen Lee, Oscar McClelland, Ella Littlejohn, Mason Pendrous, Harry Crawford, Emma Kelly, Jessica Taylor, Amber Rose Sales, Olivia Seymour, Hannah Moffat, William Bahler, Billy Richardson, Amy O'Shannessy, Oscar Sykes, Ella Schroder, Greta Brown, Frankie Middleton and Amy Flynn.
These students will work with classes and teachers on mediation processes and with duty teachers out in the playground.
EARTHQUAKE DRILL
We held an earthquake drill recently during playtime. Children were able to practise the 'turtle' to protect themselves. Our plan was executed smoothly and we were able to all congregate and be accounted for in around 3 minutes which was our aim.
NEXT MONDAY VISITORS
In the afternoon of Monday 4 April we have Year 1 and 2 Grandparents Day. Grandparents will share their memories of their early days with our youngest children as part of the year 1 and 2 Inquiry. Visiting Grandparents may like to attend the powhiri.Next Monday morning we are hosting 9 principals from Rotorua who are visiting Wellington to view some best practice schools - Muritai being one of their choices. We will begin with a powhiri at 9.15 to which parents are most welcome. Visiting grandparents may like to be welcomed to Muritai School as part of the powhiri.
STUDENT PROGRESS
If you would like to find out how your child is progressing at school, please feel free to make a time to meet with your child's teacher. We have an open door policy so please do not feel this is a burden for us - it is part of what we do. Interviews and reports are set down for the mid-year.
ASSEMBLY TOMORROW
Assembly is tomorrow at 1.40. The school band are hoping to make their debut performance.
REMINDER OF TEACHER ONLY DAY AT QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY
Please make sure that you have in your family diaries that school will be closed on Friday 3 June as staff will be having a teacher only day. This makes an extra long weekend for your family.
WHAT'S NEW ON OUR WEBSITE
Recent additions to our school website include an updated section called School Information, under OUR SCHOOL. You will find useful information there including our 2011 Charter, Muritai Curriculum, Prospectus (small version), ERO report; Assessment Glossary. It also has a growing list of 2010 Board of Trustees review reports and our evacuation policy.
In addition to this, Matt Skilton has started The Gateway blog, to communicate and inform how we cater for children with gifts and talents. This blog works in partnership with our learning support teacher Sarah Richardson's blog to help inform our parent community. Click here to access The Gateway.
Muritai TV has posted some short articles recently with the latest being the Forest Lakes Camp Photostory. Click here to view.
There arealso plenty of classes to visit and activities that you can view that constantly change by scrolling down OUR LEARNING.
WEEK 11 WORKING BEE (from the Enviroteam)
In week 11 Muritai School are inviting you to be part of a community-working bee. It will be on Tuesday 12th, Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th April evenings from 4pm to 7pm. Come and go when you can on any day/s. Children are welcome, however supervision will be up to you.
We’re looking to revitalise the garden areas around the school by pruning, weeding, mulching and planting. Specifically, we will be creating a walkway through the poems near Room 2, weeding and mulching garden entrances and painting the new posts in the Senior school .
Many hands make light work so bring your own tools: shovels, spades, trowels, gloves…etc. Be great to have lots of bodies mucking in. If you have questions, feel free to email Hayden Ray: ray@muritai.school.nz
2011 ICAS ASSESSMENTS (INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS AND ASSESSMENTS FOR SCHOOLS)
The ICAS Assessment programme is an independent assessment programme for schools.
Every student who enters an ICAS exam receives a detailed diagnostic assessment, measuring their progress and acknowledging their level of achievement in five areas. Science, Spelling, Writing, English and Mathematics.
The competitions take place every year in schools throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region and are completely voluntary.
The competitions and dates for 2011 are:
1. Science – Wednesday 8th June
2. Spelling – Tuesday 21st June
3. Writing – Tuesday 21st June (Persuasive text)
4. English – Tuesday 2nd August
5. Mathematics – Tuesday 16th August
A notice has gone home with your child. If you are interested in your child being involved in one or more of these assessments please complete the form and included payment by the end of the term 15th April. Late entries will not be accepted.
TERM ONE DIARY
Fri 1 April – Assembly 1.40; Home and School mtg Beach cafe 2.00
Mon 4 April - Y1-2 Grandparents Day; Rotorua ICT cluster visiting
Wed 6 April - Y4-6 Inter-zone swimmingThur 7 April – Visiting artist Eddie Quansah
Fri 8 April - Year 7-8 Literacy Quiz at Muritai
Mon 11 April – Y5-6 Swim sports; Y7-8 Zone swim sports; BoT mtg
15 April – Final day of term; Assembly 1.40
AFTER SCHOOL CARE HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
Muritai After School Care will be running a Holiday Programme these holidays with lots of exciting events to keep your children occupied. The programme includes: Movie Day, Muritai Master Chef, Recycled Wearable Arts and Treasure Hunt, Walk to Lion Rock and Picnic, Ten Pin Madness, etc. If you would like to book your child onto the programme, please complete the brochure and return to the school office, with payment, before the end of this term. Unfortunately, After School Care cannot take bookings on the day. Click on the school website / noticeboard (page2) to see the programme
SHAKESPEARE AS YOU WRITE IT
Muritai Year 7 and 8 students were treated to a wonderful drama performance, ‘Shakespeare As You Write It’ from New Zealand Playhouse recently. Wellesley were hosting this event and our students walked round to Days Bay to watch it. There were 3 outstanding improvisers who collaborated with the audience to create a brand new Shakespeare play based on the ideas of the students. They introduced us to Shakespeare’s building blocks – similies, soliloquies, iambic pentameter and sword fights! They were incredibly clever and entertaining.
LOST PROPERTY
Once again our lost property bins are over flowing with clothing, hats, towels, etc. Please take the time to look through the lost property which will be on show outside Rooms 7 - 9 and take anything that belongs to you. Could you also please label all your children's clothing - it makes it so much easier for us to return clothing to the rightful owner. Any lost property remaining at the end of the term will be given to a charity.
YEAR 7 BOOSTRIX IMMUNISATIONS
The Health Nurses were at the school yesterday to talk to the Year 7 students about the Boostrix immunisation due to be given in May. Parents of Year 7 students will receive a pamphlet regarding the Boostrix immunisation with a tear off sheet which needs to be returned to the school this Friday 1 April. These forms need to be returned regardless of whether or not you give permission for your child to receive the immunisation.
SPORTS
Sailing
Two of our Muritai students took part in the recent Wellington Primary School Sailing Championships in Plimmerton. Congratulations to Moss Grenfell who came 2nd and Harry Quinn who came 3rd. A great effort, well done!
COMING SOON: Year 4 20/20 Cricket Match - Muritai vs Wellesley at Muritai School next Friday at 12.30
Recently, the Year 4 cricket team challenged the Year 5/6 team. The Year 5/6s won the toss and batted. The Year 4s fielded tightly but could only restrict the big hitting Year 5/6s to 136 runs after 20 overs. The Year 4s batted bravely and with the help of quick running and smart batting almost chased down the target of 137, finishing with a total of 120 after 20 overs.
A game against Wellesley has been organised for the Year 4s who will play on Friday of next week (8th April). The Year 4 team will consist of: Tom Fynn, Callan Hughes, Lincoln Moffat, Alexander Cox-Turk, Ben Cass, Paige Schroder, Tom Griffiths, Max Hahn (reserves = Tobias Knight and Tomas Pajo). The two teams will eat lunch together at 12noon, before starting the 20/20 match at 12.30pm. Parents are welcome to come and enjoy the friendly rivalry. Go Muritai!
Zone Swimming Sports
The Zone Swimming Sports took place on a beautiful autumn day at Naenae Pool. Muritai took 32 swimmers ranging from year 4 children through to year 6 children. Competition was tough as Wellesley, Chilton, Eastern Hutt, Boulcott, Waterloo and St Peter and Pauls also attended. Muritai did very well and the children represented the school brilliantly. We are unsure just how well we did at present, but we will hopefully find out by the end of the week.
The Inter-Zones take place next Wednesday, so if your child makes it through, there will be quite short notice. Once again, thanks to the parents who came and helped out and the the parents who came in support. But especially well done to the swimmers who did a marvellous job.
Netball
We have had a fantastic number of children take up the opportunity to play netball this year with 72 children already signed up to play. At the present time we have a full Year 3 team. However, an ideal number for a team is 9 which gives the team a couple of reserves for rotating on the court or sickness. To make two full teams in Year 5 and 6 we need another one or two players and the same for Year 7/8 teams. If your child would be interested in playing, please see Carole or Sue in the office for a form.
The school will be holding trials in the next week or so to organise all the teams and then it will be over to the coaches to decide on practice days. It's all go from here on with grading games in Taita starting on 7 May.
COMMUNITY
Experienced Nanny
Experienced Nanny/Teacher Aide available for school holiday work. Please contact Abby on 027 739 6594 or abswilton@windowslive.com.
The Great Milk Run 2011
The Great Anchor Milk Run starts on Monday 4 April and over 80 days they will be giving schools and consumers the chance to win their share of $500,000 cash by simply purchasing any specially marked Anchor milk. Every litre of milk equals 1 entry into the draw, eg 1L = 1 entry, 2L = 2 entries. To be in to win, enter the unique code on the reverse of Anchor milk bottles by texting to 311 or enter online at 222.anchormilkrun.co.nz.
One lucky winner will be drawn each day to win $2,500 cash and $2,500 for the school of their choice. All entrants go in the draw to win the grand prize of $50,000 and $50,000 for their nominated school.
Home is where the art is
Art auction at the Lifeboat on Saturday 9 April from 5.30pm. Auction starts at 7pm sharp. Proceeds for Christchurch 'quake victims. Raffle tickets for prizes are $5 each, 5 for $20. Available from Catherine phone 562 7623 or email: cat.bailey1@gmail.com. Artists: Jacky Pearson, Annie Hayward, Stacey O'Neill, Janet Andrews, Lindsay Mitchell, Sue Allman, Alan Collin, Southlight Studio, Hillary Tipping. Raffle Prizes: Chocolate Dayz, Kevin & Ruby, Chocolate Hair Co, The Beach, The Eastbourne Deli, Sorrento, Gelissimo Gelato, Montage, For more info go to Facebook: Home is where the art is.
