Naumai e te whanau o te kura Muritai
Tena koutou katoa
We welcome Lola and Mia Campbell to the Muritai School family.
There will be one more newsletter this term. We are fast approaching the end of the term, and are very pleased with our current progress. Children are producing good outcomes as we wrap up our learning activities and most are enjoying the added excitement of the Rugby World Cup. Next term is short with just 8 weeks so it will go very quickly.
Next Friday we will have a special assembly to farewell our deputy principal Matt Skilton who starts as principal at Tawhai School in term 4. Replacing Matt as classroom teacher in room 12 through to the end of the year will be Darren Scott. Darren is a very experienced teacher, recently returned from overseas. He will join Sally Velvin who is already teaching 2 days a week.
ARTSPLASH FESTIVAL
Our Artsplash Choir made up of children from Years 4-6 sang their little hearts out in their concert at the Wellington Town Hall conducted by Ella Hanify and Ruth Armishaw on Wed 21st Sept. This year there were 8 choral concerts in all involving over 4000 children! The theme was Rugby World Cup and the repertoire was made up with songs from the different participating countries eg Santa Lucia (Italy), Eres Tu (Spain), Siyahumba (South Africa), Wales Forever (Wales), Skye Boat Song (Scotland), La Vie En Rose (France), Consider Yourself (England), Sukiaki (Japan), My Boomerang Won’t Come Back (Australia), Danny Boy (Ireland), Poi E and Pokarekare Ana (New Zealand). The children had lots of words to learn as well as having to learn many in a foreign language. All the schools dressed accordingly and our children chose a mix of sporting colours which looked great!
We had 4 girls represent us on the stage for the small group item – Anya Hanbury Sparrow, Emma Kelly, Jasmine Stock and Olivia Seymour and they did us proud. The choir were accompanied by the Chilton/Gallery Orchestra for some items and a backing band for others.
The final item for the evening was Poi E with the boys doing actions and the girls using poi. A group of students from Koraunui School in Stokes Valley were up the front on the stage using long poi and they were amazing!
We also had artwork from our Year 7/8 and 3/4 children on display in the West Wing of the Wellington Town Hall. I have had many comments from teachers of other schools as well as parents, saying how impressive it was.
What great students we have!
Ruth Hooke, Performing Arts
WEARABLE ARTS
Next week we have our annual school production. This is our Wearable Arts, entitled Reboot 2100. It will be an amazing show. The costumes are stunning as children, parents, relatives and friends have all contributed to enabling concept plans and ideas to come to fruition. It is a lovely process and it was a joy to walk through the school through making week and see such hands on learning, construction and team work in action. This continues as children and teachers work together on the choreography to pass Kirsten Berry's critical eye. The show will be awesome. We have a high bar on productions and we will strive to reach it.
Performances are Tuesday October 4th (1pm and 7pm); Wednesday 5th (7pm) and Thursday 6th (7pm). Tickets are available at the school office.
Parents of year 5-8 children be aware that a lighter curriculum programme will be in operation next week because the children will be very tired.
CHILDREN’S PROGRESS
It has been so pleasing to see the increasing amount of interaction between parents and teachers this year. More parents are taking the time, between reports, to touch base and find our how children are progressing against learning goals. Remember teachers are available to meet with you at any time, but please notify them first so that a suitable time can be organized.
YEAR 7 AND 8 SPEECH FINALS
Last Thursday the Year 7 and 8's had their annual speech finals. In this year's competition the speakers had to develop a topic related to the self-esteem health unit being studied this term. Students had to create and present a speech that delivered a message of support or guidance, such as advice on how to make friends, be friends, health issues facing teens, drugs and alcohol, self image, confidence, consequences, difficulties or it could have be on an aspect about themselves. The key was that students challenged themselves as role models and to provide useful information for others.
This year's finalists were - Ollie Evans, Kia Jewell, Louis Sutherland, Carlotta Fegert, Rose Scott-Billing, Gus Reece, Moss Grenfell, Sam Mitchell, Meg Sykes, Molly Hancock, Flossie Bleasdale, Jessie Berry.
The year 7 winner was Carlotta Fegert with her speech on ‘The Power of Words’ and the year 8 winner was Meg Sykes with her speech on ‘Cyber Bullying’.
2012
We are starting to put together the plans for 2012. If you are leaving the area, moving to another school or have a child starting at Muritai in 2012 please let either your class teacher or Sue or Carole in the office know. This helps us establish our numbers to help with staffing allocation.
MURITAI SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
Muritai Out of School Care are running a school holiday programme with lots of fun and exciting events with clowns visiting the school, a picnic at Days Bay beach, a walk to Butterfly Creek, visits to Capital E and Carlucci Land Mini Golf. Brochures are available from the school office or Mel Dowdall, the Out of School Care Manager. You can also check out their blog.
SCHOOL DISCO
Home and School will be running a school disco on the first Friday of term 4, 28 October. Tickets will be available on the door for $5 each which will include admission, an ice block and glow stick. A notice will be coming out in the first week of term with times, etc.
Home and School need some helpers on the night to sell tickets, help with drinks, etc. If you are able to come along for an hour or two, please let Narelle Ferrier know (0220 646 046 or ferrier@vodafone.co.nz) or Carole and Sue in the office.
ICAS EXAMS – MATHEMATICS
Muritai children sitting the ICAS exam for Mathematics did extremely well. Congratulations to the following children who received awards -
High Distinction (top 1% of NZ) - Andrew Sutcliffe (Y4) and Harry Crawford (Y6)
Distinction (top 10% of NZ) – Ella Tait, Matthew Sutcliffe, Kieran Cotter
Credit (top 20% of NZ) – Lucy Crawford, Tim Harris, Samantha Morphew, Liam Ferrier, Lauren Redpath, Harrison Summers, Max Woodnorth, Margarita Montes de Oca, Bridie Sheedy, Oscar Sykes, Jack Wellwood, Liam Brandwood, Marit Bruhn, Troix Kokich, Sean McElwain-Wilson, Hazel Sisson, Meg Sykes
SCHOOL-GEN AWARDS
Many of you will have seen the excellent Eco Houses in the foyer recently. The entire year 7-8 group were awarded a special prize for school performance in the nationwide SchoolGen competition and Hazel Sisson was awarded 2nd prize overall for her effort. Well done all.
CROSS COUNTRYCongratulations to Maya Hahn and Matthew Sutcliffe for their outstanding performance in the NZ primary school cross-country recently. Matthew was 2nd in the Year 6 boys race and Maya was 4th in the year 6 girls race. This is an exceptional achievement – well done.
WORLD VISION LEADERSHIP DAY
Because of our continued support of the 40-hour famine 4 of our senior students were invited to a leadership day at World Vision. Xanthe, Rose, Kia and Carlotta thoroughly enjoyed interacting with other schools and learning about the World Vision movement and how to make a difference.
MAIN DIARY DATES FOR TERM 4
October - Tuesday 25th – First day of term
November - Tuesday 15th – Year 3-8 Athletic Sports (week 4)
November - Monday 21st – Swimming starts (week 5)
December - Thursday 15th – Year 3-6 Christmas concert 1.45
December - Friday 16th – Final assembly – school closes 1.00
TERM DATES 2012
TERM DATES 2012
The term dates have been set for next year. We are starting after Waitangi Day next year so this is a very late start. We won't be having any teacher only days through the year
Term 1 Tuesday 7 February – Thursday April 5
Term 2 Monday April 23 – Friday June 29
Term 3 Monday July 16 – Friday September 28
Term 4 Monday October 15 – Thursday December 20
HOT DOGS
Next Wednesday is the last day you can order hot dogs for this year. Hot dogs are available on Wednesdays during Terms 2 and 3 only. A big thanks goes to Claire Allan for organising hot dogs again this year and to all the parents who have helped prepare them.Term 1 Tuesday 7 February – Thursday April 5
Term 2 Monday April 23 – Friday June 29
Term 3 Monday July 16 – Friday September 28
Term 4 Monday October 15 – Thursday December 20
HOT DOGS
HOME AND SCHOOL MOVIE NIGHT
The Home and School are holding a fundraising Movie Night on Tuesday 8th November. The film is The Whistleblower. Inspired by true events, Kathy (Rachel Weisz) is an American police officer who takes a job working as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia. Her expectations of helping to rebuild a devastated country are dashed when she uncovers a dangerous reality of corruption, cover-up and intrigue amid a world of private contractors and multinational diplomatic double talk.
To view the trailer, click on the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al3anBiHwmI
The film will be at the Lighthouse on Tuesday 8 November starting at 8:00pm. Tickets are available from the school office for $20 each.
SPORTS
Year 7-8 Soccer
Yesterday four year 7-8 teams from Muritai travelled to Petone Memorial Park to compete in the HRSA football tournament. There was a lot of determined play and skill displayed on the pitches. Muritai was able to field very competitive teams and were able to secure the needed goals to place 1st and 3rd in the girls and 3rd in both boys grades. Well done to our senior children.
Interzone Netball
Interzone Netball
One of our netball teams made it through to the Interzone competition held on Thursday 15 September. The girls played in the B grade pool and were then promoted to the final against Eastern Hutt School who were in the Y6 A grade division. They lost but dramatically improved on their last performance (when they last played at the zone event). They came second overall in the Year 6 A/B grade combined in the whole of Lower and Upper Hutt! Well done girls!
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Wellington College Induction DayCOMMUNITY NOTICES
Wellington College will be holding an Induction Day for Year 9 students who have enrolled for 2012. This will be on Thursday 24 November 2011 from 9am until 3.15pm. If you have any queries, please call Lynda Woods, Enrolment Officer on 802 2520, Ext 721 or l.woods@wellington-college.school.nz.
Ball Tickets
As part of the Eastbourne Rugby Club's 90th anniversary celebrations, a ball is being held at The Pavilion, Days Bay on Saturday 12 November, and promises to be a great community night out. Tickets are $100 (inclusive of supper, live band and refreshments), and are selling quickly. For ticket enquiries please email Hayley Crawford hayley.gary@xtra.co.nz
Have fun and play cricket for Eastbourne this summer
The sun is out, the days are getting longer, and as soon as we can drag ourselves away from the rugby world cup thoughts will start to turn to summer. Why not have some fun this summer and play cricket for Eastbourne? Girls and boys from 4 to 13 years old are welcome and encouraged to play whether or not they have played before. Our aim is to provide cricket for all.
Junior Registration is available now on the club website www.eastbournecricket.org.nz as well as at the Eastbourne Cricket Clubroom on Saturday 24th September 2-4pm.
Cricket Wellington is once again providing free Junior Firebirds Membership to junior players with free access to ALL Firebirds games at the Basin Reserve!
We play cricket in a variety of formats to help everyone to enjoy themselves:
• 4 to 6/7 year-olds can “Have a Go” for an hour at HW Shortt Park on Friday evenings with skills, drills, modified games and a sausage sizzle to finish;
• School years 3 and 4 can play in Hutt Valley competitions using a soft cricket ball;
• School years 5 to 8 can play in Hutt Valley competitions using a standard cricket ball.
New for 2011/12 there are also Sunday afternoon Twenty20 competitions from 3pm for years 6, 7 and 8.
We are a friendly club with goals that
• Children will enjoy cricket and want to return to play the following season;
• Children will be given the opportunity to develop the skills to participate successfully in the game at an age appropriate level.
For more details go to www.eastbournecricket.org.nz or e-mail juniorconvenor@eastbournecricket.org.nz
