Wednesday 4 April 2012

Naumai e te whanau o te kura Muritai

Kia ora koutou

Dear parents/caregivers

Welcome to our new children  Rufus Conrad and Lachlan Wallace who have started at Muritai recently. Our roll at the end of this term is 410.

We also welcome our current teacher trainees - Anna Pringle (R11) , Grace Emmanuel (R4) and Caroline Hutton (R15) to Muritai School and hope they have a very successful teaching practice over the next 5 weeks of term 2.

Today is the final day of a very successful term. We had a wee juggle around at the end of last year with most teams experiencing significant personnel change. This has freshened up some areas and I have been very impressed with the teaching team and how they have grabbed at new opportunities and made them work well. Staff are very pleased at how the term has unfolded. As always it has been very busy but very enjoyable and the learning rhythms in each classroom are well defined. 

I spoke in assembly yesterday to the children about continuing the daily reading and Mathletics over the holiday period. The Eastbourne library is a wonderful resource for children to browse and choose a huge variety of books. Take a box so you have plenty of choice and variety to read at home. We are very pleased with the progress children are making through Mathletics. Those children using it the most are showing significant gains in achievement both in class and on Mathletics. Remember that it is not just drills, there are lots of games and whilst children are playing the games, they are also doing maths! Some of you, in particular those in years 1-4, may like to investigate the reading programme that partners Mathletics - Reading Eggs. It is excellent for developing word attack skills and comprehension and you may like to try the 2 week free trial. Click here to view.

When we return we have Anzac Day on Wednesday 25th April. The kapa haka group will take a leading role, performing the haka to welcome and challenge the service men and women and the team will also waiata for the guest speaker. Our students will also be in the community for Poppy day on Friday 20 April.

LITERACY QUIZ
Today we hosted 200 children from Wellington schools for the annual Wellington Literacy Quiz.  This fiercely contested competition, organised by the Wellington Literacy Association, was won this year by Brooklyn School.  Muritai placed 4th, a fine achievement.

NETBALL
A huge thank you to our Home and School team who have topped up our netball resources. We have two new hoops, nets and poles with two different heights for different grades as well as new balls for training. In addition to this the Home and School have purchased 80 new sports shirts that will outfit our netball and touch rugby teams throughout the 4 terms. This relieves the considerable pressure on our inter-school set. This enables us to retire some of the old, worn out clothing, in particular the old white netball shirts (we will play in green this year). Thank you so much for this Home and School!

We have 8 teams playing this year in the inter-school Saturday competition. Thank you to coaches and managers who have come forward to make this season happen for our girls.

CRICKET
This term Muritai School competed in the Milo Cup, Shield, and Trophy cricket tournaments. The teams played exceptionally well demonstrating a high standard of batting, bowling, and fielding skills. The year 5/6 boys and the year 7/8 girls were unlucky to not proceed past the round robin stage in the trophy and shield tournaments. The year 7/8 boys were successful in their game against Naenae Intermediate and then faced off against Hutt International Boys but unfortunately lost. Well done to all those students who competed in the games and thank you to all the parents and caregivers that supported the cricket teams in the tournaments.

TOUCH RUGBY 

Congratulations to the year 6 girls team 'The Muritai Sprint' who won their final on Friday night and to all the other teams who played touch for the school this season. As always a special thanks for the children's biggest fans - the parents -  who supported them  through the season substituting, managing, organising and positively cheering them on. Well done all.

TOUCH RUGBY UNIFORMS
Please return touch rugby uniforms to the office as soon as possible. 

ZONE YEAR 7/8 SWIMMING SPORTS

On the 2nd of April, the Year 7 and 8 zone swimming sports were held. We had some fantastic swimmers and results such as: 

• Hailey Griffiths coming 2nd in Year 8 50m Breaststroke and 3rd in 50m Freestyle.
• Gabriella Turner coming 3rd in Year 7 Backstroke.
• Yr 7/8 boys Freestyle relay team coming 3rd.
• Yr 8 Girls Freestyle relay team coming 3rd.

Well done to all who competed, we are all very proud!

Written by Harry Crawford

UNDERWATER HOCKEY
Last Saturday, thirteen Muritai Students competed in an underwater hockey tournament.  The games were very physical and lasted for 12 minutes each.  Out of 20 teams (even from as far as Palmerston North) we came 5th.  Most of us had never played before.  There is a tournament once a month and we are all looking forward to doing it again soon.

Written by Jared Baines

PCT CHALLENGE

Two weeks ago eight Year 8 students represented Muritai School at the national PCT Challenge (Physical Competency Test) at Petone Rec.  This is an event organised by the New Zealand Police and provides an opportunity for students to take part in a series of physical tasks as a relay team.  Xavier Manson, Freijah Hawes, Zara Costello and Cahon Holden took out first place in the competition.

This gained them entry to the National competition which was held at the Royal Police College on Saturday.  This was a huge step and involved some gruelling tasks – including racing up flights of stairs while carrying anchovies in your mouth!  Overall they placed 10^th out of 24 teams!  Well done guys – we are very proud of your.

Kiri Alexander, from the Wainuiomata Community Policing Centre sent the following message "I just want to say congratulations to Muritai for their amazing achievement on Saturday at the National PCT Challenge day at the Royal NZ Police College.  Both teams were fabulous, their behaviour was exemplary and they were great representatives for your respective schools.  I hope they enjoyed themselves on the day and had a good time at the rugby on Saturday night."

HOOKED ON BOOKS

Maureen Buckley is looking for adults 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 on the first Thursday afternoon (26 April)  at 3 p.m in room 3 to explain what is involved. The programme will start in week 2 of next term.

HOT DOGS 
The Home and School are looking for someone to coordinate the Hot Dogs for term 1 and 2. Most of the organisation has been done and this requires a very small commitment.  The roster is complete (thank you to all the parents who have their names down to help) and the requirement is to remind parents they are on that week and to order the hot dogs and buns for the week. If you can help then email Narelle on ferrier@vodafone.co.nz

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS

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 going to https://www.entertainmentbook.co.nz/orderbooks/10409n4

SCHOOL DONATIONS AND PAYROLL GIVING

Payroll giving is a voluntary initiative that enables employees to make donations to charities, schools and other community groups through their employer’s payroll system.  In other words, you can pay your donation to the school as you earn.

Employees that donate via payroll giving receive an immediate PAYE credit of 33% of the donation amount.  This means if you donate $15, it actually only costs you $10.  You can pay your School Donation, receive your tax credits immediately and you don’t have to complete IRD forms at the end of the year.   No more obtaining receipts and waiting to file an annual claim form!

Muritai School is approved by Inland Revenue and has been granted organisation status.  If you would like to know more about Payroll giving, go to http://www.payrollgivinginfo.org.nz/about-payroll-giving.aspx

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COMMUNITY NOTICES
Basketball.  If you are interested in entering a basketball team, this is a reminder that the competition starts week 2 next term.  Wendy Manson is taking a Year 8 boys team which is full.  Any enquiries, please contact Wendy Manson on 562 8287.

Nanny Available
Experienced Nanny/Teacher Aide Available week one of school holidays for childcare. In your home or mine. Please Call Abby 567 6596 or 027 739 6594.

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% of any products.  Please visit www.nitsypixies.co.nz for any queries 

Capital Coaching Tennis Holiday Camps and Coaching

Venue:  Muritai Tennis Club.  Enrol Online.  www.capitalcoaching.co.nz  Mobile 027-4599-321; Ph 499-8190; Email andy@capitalcoaching.co.nz

Week 1 Tuesday 10 April to Friday 13 April

Full day 9am - 4pm      $210/week

Half day 9am - 12pm   $125/week

Half day 1pm - 4pm     $125/week

Individual half day        $35

Week 2 Monday 16 April to Thursday 19 April

Full day 9am - 4pm     $210/week

Half day 9am - 12pm   $125/week

Half day 1pm - 4pm     $125/week

Individual half day        $35

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              

Website:  www.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