Tena koutou katoa
We welcome new students Henry Bennett (Rm 15) and Anthony Bennett (Rm 9) to Muritai School.
NATIONAL STANDARDS MAKING GOOD PROGRESS!
Muritai has made good progress with the recently introduced Ministry of Education developed National Standards for Reading, Writing and Mathematics.
The teachers deserve much praise for their commitment to the challenge presented to them in 2010, and to their ongoing work this year to enhance reporting procedures. Their approach continues to be proactive and improvement focused. They certainly appreciate the positive support, acknowledgements and constructive feedback provided by parents. At the March meeting of the Board, senior management provided a detailed report to share the achievement data summaries from 2010 and the first 6 weeks of 2011. This report identified trends and next steps for Reading, Writing and Mathematics and the school-wide priorities for 2011.
At the end of 2010 achievement data information of National Standard achievement showed that most Muritai students were reading at or above the standard for most age or year groups with large groups of students reading well above the Standard. A large majority of our Y6 and Y8 children who left the school at the end of their time with us were reading material graded three or more years in advance of their chronological age. For the students who are reading below the expected standard, and need the most help, we are continuing with our endeavours to provide learning support in addition to their classroom teaching and learning programmes.
In Writing the results were similar but showed a wide disparity of those children who were 'comfortable' writers and those that had real difficulties with writing. This gives credence to continued Board of Trustee investment in our learning support programmes to try to enable those students to experience success. There were improved progress patterns as the children moved towards the Y8 level where our end of year data indicated the largest group of students writing above expectation.
In Mathematics, again sizable groups of children achieved above the National Standards. Children are streamed from year 3-8 and teachers are using strategy grouping throughout the school to assist them to focus on the specific learning needs of the children.
This approach is making a big difference to their teaching success. We are still keen for the children to have better recall of their basic facts so please continue to practicse at home, in particular using online games that are widely available. This is vital for success in maths.
Parents can expect to receive a mid-year report, student work sample portfolio, and a parent interview during weeks 10-11 of this term. This information will report on how students are tracking towards achieving the National Standards at the end of the year. This report and portfolio will be updated in December.
Teachers report on whether the child is working At, Above, Below or Well Below the expected level for their age (Y1-3) or class level (Y4-8).
As a general guide the children working at their expected level will be working within the standard for their age or class level. This does not mean that the child has mastered all objectives or parts, but does mean they can successfully "do the work" within the standard. The most valuable aspect of the reporting process will be the sharing of what the child can really do, the next steps and how parents can help at home. Teachers will be able to show parents the work samples and explain progress, trends and future learning focus areas.
Many thanks to parents who continue to acknowledge our efforts to 'do the best we can' in working through the issues related to National Standards, we are pleased with our progress to date.
Last Thursday our Y5-8 students participated in a school cross country event at Williams Park, Days Bay. This event was supposed to be held on Tuesday but had been postponed due to bad weather. Although the sun shone for us on Thursday the heavy rain earlier in the week had caused the zig-zag track to be too slippery for the children to run down, so the decision was made to have the students run up this section of the course instead. I was very proud of the high levels of determination shown by all our runners but special mention needs to go to those who find such long distance running a ‘big’ challenge. These children worked very hard training leading up to the cross country and felt a real sense of achievement as they crossed the finish line. Thank you to all those who came along to support the children, your cheering definitely lifted their spirits and helped make the day special.
Congratulations to the following winners:
• Year 5: Charlotte Wilson (girls) and Jack Healy (boys)
• Year 6: Maya Hahn (girls) and Matthew Sutcliffe (boys)
• Year 7: Hailey Griffiths (girls) and Gus Reece (boys)
• Year 8: Tessa McFarlane (girls) and McLeod Harrison (boys)
Unfortunately the grounds were closed for our younger runners so a separate cross country event will be held at Bishop Park on Tuesday 21st June.
YEAR 4-6 CENTRAL ZONE CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS
Yesterday we took 60 of our finest Year 4-6 cross country runners to compete at the Central Zone Cross Country. The event was held along the riverbank near Connolly Street, Lower Hutt and was organised by Boulcott School. The track was very heavy underfoot and in some places was so muddy that it sucked the shoes off many of the runner's feet!
As always the Muritai team were amazing despite all being a little nervous before their races. There was very boisterous cheering in support while their peers were racing and they were greeted them on their return with high fives. Everyone in the team did their absolute best with many achieving personal goals.
Although we won 4 out of the 6 races we placed 3rd overall. This is an outstanding achievement and one the kids should feel very proud of. Special congratulations needs to go to the 11 runners who placed in the top ten and have now been selected to represent the Central Lower Hutt Team at the Inter-zone Cross Country on the 28th June. Those students and their placings are:
Y4 GIRLS: 1st = Macey Caughley, 7th = Ella Giles, 9th = Phoebe Evans.
Y4 BOYS: 4th = Andrew Sutcliffe, 7th Max Hahn.
Y5 GIRLS: 2nd = Charlotte Wilson, 9th = Grace Allan
Y5 BOYS: 1st = Jack Healy, 2nd = Liam Lamb
Y6 GIRLS: 1st = Maya Hahn
Y6 BOYS: 1st = Matthew Sutcliffe
SCHOOL INTERVIEWS
We will be holding Parent/Teacher Interviews at the end of term as follows:-
Wednesday 13 July from 2pm to 8pm
Thursday 14 July from 2pm to 6pm
School will be closing early on both these days at 1.50pm with the first interviews starting at 2pm. You can make a booking at School Interviews, putting in the code LZ83V and follow the prompts. Alternatively, come to the school office and Carole or Sue will make the booking for you.
Matt Skilton/Sally Velvin in Room 12 are holding their interviews a week earlier on Tuesday 5 July and Wednesday 6 July from 3pm to 6pm. Follow the same procedure as above.
If your child catches the bus, this will be at the normal time. Children waiting for buses or unable to be picked up at 1.50 will be kept in the school hall where a DVD will be shown.
SCHOOL BOOK FAIR
Each year Muritai School has a great opportunity to invite the Scholastic Book Fair to our school. Not only is this a great way for you to take a look at books for sale from Scholastic, it's also a fantastic way to support our school library.
By purchasing books from Scholastic, profits made from the book fair go back into purchasing books for the school library. We coordinate this event to run alongside the parent interviews. The library will be open from 2:00 on both evenings to allow you time to pop in and take a look at what's on sale.
There's no waiting for your order, you can take your purchase with you on the night and we will have Eft-pos available. Jo Salisbury is setting up a roster of parent helpers for the book fair so please email her if you have some time to spare on either of the evenings. Even 1 hour of your time would be greatly appreciated to help with book sales. salisburyjo@gmail.com
YEAR 7/8 KAPA HAKA
On Friday 10th June the year 7/8 kapa haka group visited Epuni School to perform at their assembly. This was a great opportunity for the group to get some much needed performance time in front of others. Epuni School was really receptive to the performance and as a show of support performed their own haka in response. The children were fantastic and were a credit to the school.
ASC
School holidays are fast approaching with the last day of school being Friday 15 July. After School Care are running a fantastic holiday programme with days out to the Movies, Te Papa, Carter Observatory, Weta Studios, Action Sport Arena, Karori Wildlife Reserve and Ten Pin Bowling, together with some exciting events at school. If you would like to book your child into the programme, please download a brochure or pick one up from the office. Cost is $40 per day or $180 for the whole week. Enrolment forms and payments must be delivered to the school by Friday 8 July at the latest.
CHOCOLATES
The chocolate fundraiser is now under way and we have already been busy in the mornings taking cash and handing out new boxes to sell. So a big thank you to the families that have already returned their boxes and taken new ones. It’s been great to see the kids so keen to sell. We are collecting the money in the office from 8.20 to 8.50 each morning.
They were doing a roaring trade at the netball courts on the weekend and I know that lots of you have taken boxes into your work places which is great. As the snakes, that are new this year, have been such a huge success we have ordered some more that will be available from Friday morning.
So far we have 48 people in the prize draw for the next assembly on the 24th June, where we’ll be giving out Rona Gallery book vouchers, Lighthouse cinema vouchers, Gelissimo ice-cream vouchers and The Beach Café vouchers. So try to return your money early to join them in the draw. Also, there will be an extra draw at this assembly for any children selling more than one box to win an MP3 player.
So keep on selling.
With thanks from The Home and School Team
ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS
Twenty-two Entertainment Books are still outstanding from our recent fundraiser. These must be returned immediately. You will have received a letter if you are one of the 22 people still holding an Entertainment Book. Please ensure these are returned to the office as soon as possible.
PEER MEDIATION
Peer Mediation Awards this week have gone to Megan Meates and Seren Lewis. Imojen Lee and Olivia Seymour chose two students who were being wonderful in the playground, so congratulations to both these girls.
FAIR TRADE SPEAKER VISITS THE SENIOR SCHOOL
On Wednesday the 8th of June the Year 7 and 8 were lucky enough to have Darren Frazer come and talk to us about international Fair Trade organisation.
His talk fits nicely with the current Year 7 and 8 sustainable living unit. Teaching the children about sustainable practices not only means protecting the earth's resources but also looking after people who are unable to protect themselves.
It was also a great opportunity to talk about Consideration which is one of the school 4 Cs (Consideration, Co-operation, Courtesy and Commonsense).
PERFORMING ARTS - ARTSPLASH CHOIR
Each Thursday, Year 4-6 students have singing with Ruth Hooke. During this time the children learn and practise songs for assembly and just enjoy singing together. Recently, they have also been learning some of the songs that will make up the 2011 Artsplash repertoire which this year focuses on music from different countries to tie in with the Rugby World Cup. This week, the children will be asked if they would like to be in the Artsplash Choir which will perform in the Wellington Town hall on Wednesday 21st September at 8.00pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to get together and sing with other school choirs. As of next week Thursday singing will be for the Artsplash Choir to rehearse rather than all Year 4-6 students.
SCHOOL PERFORMANCES
We have had two outstanding performances at Muritai School recently from Perform! Educational Musicals. The first one, ‘Jump To It’ was a Book Week musical in association with the NZ Storylines Festival. It featured a selection of the finalist books from the NZ Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults . The children were introduced to the books and songs prior to viewing it and the performance itself required some participation which they enjoyed. This was watched by Years 1-6.
‘We liked this show because it told you not to play video games all the time instead of doing homework and reading books. It had some cool songs’ (Maya and Frankie, Year 6)
After being exhausted by the Cross Country last week, Years 5-8 watched another musical show by the same actors called ‘My Friends.com’. This show was geared for the upper primary level and focussed on the dangers and possible problems with cyber bullying, posting messages on facebook and inappropriate use of cell phones.
It was very informative and made us all think! The acting and singing was outstanding. At the conclusion of the show the actors demonstrated a drama technique called ‘hot seating’ and then allowed the students to ask the characters questions which they answered ‘in role’. This was very powerful.
"Cyber bullying is real and can severely effect others. Posing as other people is a criminal offence and the consequences can be very serious’ (Caspian, Year 8).
COMMUNITY NOTICES
SPCA
The SPCA are also looking for people keen to Sew. We are in need of sewers! Can you help us cut and sew fabric for children to make catnip cat toys? Can you help us sew mini dog jackets for toy dogs to be given as part of a birthday present for children who book a birthday party with us? This job requires a sew machine and can be done from home whenever you have a spare moment. If you can help, please contact Jen jenniferr@wellingtonspca.org.nz
Does your child want to learn a new language in Eastbourne
LCF Clubs Fun Languages is looking to offer children from preschool age to 12 years old the opportunity to learn French, German and Italian (depending on demand). A huge variety of interactive and communicative activities - role play, crafts, activity sheets, lively games, board games, songs and drama. Professionally designed materials. Spanish, Mandarin and ESL also offered, subject to demand. To register your interest please contact: classes@lcfclubs.co.nz phone 0800 386 000 or visit the website http://www.lcfclubs.co.nz/
DORE INFORMATION EVENING
Dore is holding a free information evening which will be of particular interest to special needs teachers and the parents of students who have learning difficulties such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome. The Dore Programme is a highly effective drug-free exercise based programme for those with learning difficulties. The Information evening is being held on Wednesday 22 June at 7.30pm at The New Dowse, 45 Laings Road, Lower Hutt. To reserve a place phone 0508 520 000 or email info@dore.co.nz.
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