April 24

Naumai e te whanau o te kura Muritai 

Kia ora koutou 

Dear parents/caregivers,

We have a number of new children starting at Muritai this term. Welcome to Luca, Neve and Ella McKay, Hazel Devenport, Willis Guild, Paige Bangma, Caylie Robinson, and welcome back to Sam and Jack Roche. Our roll at the start of this term is 415.

TERM 2

Classes settled very quickly yesterday and so the children know the routines well and what is expected of them in the classroom environment. Teachers were able to get the learning underway first thing and they have high expectations to be able to deliver quality teaching and learning in the 'gritty' second term. 

On reflection we are very pleased with the way the children have settled into 2012. The children are working at new curriculum levels from last year and meeting more and more challenging activities as they engage in their learning experiences. Over the first term staff worked hard to understand where the children fitted within their class environment and developed learning plans and goals with the children. Term 2 is about consistently applying good teaching  practices around the needs of the children. This may mean quite a lot of repetition as the children practice the skills they need to produce work that shows improvement from the beginning of the year.

Soon the teaching staff will begin preparing their assessments for reporting to parents at the end of this term. I am aware many of you have met with the teaching staff already this year but please remember that our door is always open for parents to come and talk to us about their child's progress. These can range from a 5 minute catch up to a more indepth feedback session if required. It is vital that parents feel they have a good understanding of how their child is going at school. Just email the teacher to arrange an appointment.

At home we encourage you to continue the home reading, either with books provided by the school,personal books or books from the Eastbourne library. Children from year 5 up should be in the habit of reading for at least 30 minutes a night. This effort now makes it easier later on when children are at high school! We also encourage you to continue with Mathletics. We are getting very positive data from the programme that shows our children are significantly improving aspects of their maths performance. So for those using it consistently it is making a difference. It doesn't have to be only done in the weeknights while school is open. Our busy lives mean that it may be better to do mathletics in the weekend when more time is available.

ANZAC DAY

Tomorrow is Anzac Day and so the school is closed. Our kapa haka group is part of the Eastbourne Anzac Day ceremony which begins at 10.00. I am sure most of you will be at the service.

CROSS COUNTRY

The children are currently preparing for the school cross country which will be held for year 3-8 students on Tuesday 8 May at Williams Park. Sensible footwear will make training for this event more comfortable for your child.

TOUCH RUGBY UNIFORMS

Thank you to those parents who have returned the touch rugby uniforms. We still have 25% of uniforms issued to be returned. Your prompt response to this would be appreciated.

NETBALL UNIFORMS

This year our netball teams will play in new green tops funded by the Home and School. these have arrived and look very sharp. We have 8 teams playing this weekend and so uniforms will be issued this week in readiness for Saturday. 

HOOKED ON BOOKS
Maureen Buckley has had a good response from parents and friends of the school who are prepared to give up an hour a week or alternate weeks throughout the term to be part of the Hooked on Books programme. This programme is amazing and is very valuable as it supports the children's learning and is also very rewarding for the adults as they see how much progress the children make with their help. The programme runs during the mornings every day of the week depending upon the number of adults we have. If you are interested in doing this please contact Maureen either in person or by email. Maureen will meet everyone for a quick meeting this Thursday afternoon (26 April)  at 3 p.m in room 3 to explain what is involved. The programme will start next week.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOK

The new 2012/2013 Entertainment Book features many of the area's best restaurants, cafes, hotel accommodation, attractions and activities.  Books are packed with hundreds of up to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers.  Books will be sent home to families on 26 April.  Please take the time to look through the Book when you receive it and take as many orders from your work colleagues, friends or relatives.  You can pre-order a Book online by clicking here. 

HOT DOGS

These start next week as tomorrow is Anzac Day.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE NEXT 6 WEEKS

April

Wed 25 - Anzac Day

Fri 27 - Year 1-2 Football coaching starts

Mon 30 - Junior school show - Out of Africa - am

May

Fri 4 - School assembly 1.40

Tues 8 - School cross country - Williams Park - 10.00 (pp Thursday 10)

Wed 9 - Mime Artist Svargo at school - 9.00-12.30

Mon 14 - NZ Royal Ballet visiting 10.30

Tues 15 - Year 5-6 Football

Fri 18 - School assembly 1.40

Tues 22 - Year 7-8 Zone cross country

Mon 28 - Young leaders day - Year 8 students in Wellington

Wed 30 - Year 4-6 Zone cross country


COMMUNITY

Fire walking this Saturday

Eastbourne Scouts (which many of our children belong to) are looking to get the children understanding the reality of life for children in Africa by raising funds to build a classroom for the children in the school run by the So They Can trust in Kenya and the Orphans in Nepal. This event is at 11am on Saturday 28 April 2012 at Williams Park in Eastbourne.

If this sounds like you , or you want to cross off one of your items on your bucket list, then click here for registration to be part of the action.

Nitsy Pixies
Having trouble with head lice?  In-Salon Treatments or do it at home oil packs all 100% Natural and highly effective!  All Muritai School Families receive 10% off salon treatments and 5% off any products.  Please visit www.nitsypixies.co.nz for any queries 


Does your child want to learn another language?

• Fun French at Muritai, Tuesday lunch-time - taking registrations now for term 2.  A few places left.  Lots of games crafts, fun activities, to help us learn.
• Fun Mandarin for 5 to12 year olds, starting next term in Eastbourne.  After-school session.  Come to the trial class.  For more information ring Stefi Plimmer-Blattner on 562 8211, email stefi@lcfclubs.co.nz      

Kids Bike Jams

Thanks to Sport NZ and Bike NZ, the popular kid's mountain bike events are back on again in May.  These are a fun, participation based mountbain bike event specifically for primary/intermediate aged children aged 5 - 13 years.  No flash gear required - kids just need a two wheeler with brakes and a helmet.  PLUS there are skill areas for kids to play on. 

Event is on 13 May at Trentham Memorial Park. and early bird registration is before 30 April.   For more information contact is info@kidsbikejams.co.nz or fax 04 389 4754


Website:  www.lcfclubs.co.nz


Swiss Ball classes – Eastbourne Croquet club-rooms

Tuesday 7.30pm

Wednesday 9am

Friday 9am

Contact: Lynne Plimmer 562 8889 or lynne.plimmer@gmail.com