It has been an interesting couple of weeks in education since the Budget announcements. The school newsletter is not the platform to discuss the politics of education, that comes through the Board of Trustees, but clearly there are some interesting times ahead. The Board has provided some commentary in their newsletter published on Friday and no doubt will keep you informed on developments affecting Muritai School as the details come to hand.
I talked to the school at assembly on Friday citing two examples of performance achieved through practice. Our cross country team, led by Mr McKay, trained hard everyday before the zone sports and were rewarded with the top school trophy. As the smallest school in the cluster it is incredible how Muritai consistently places in the top 3 overall team position time and time again. In training we noticed a healthy internal competition and collegial respect between the team members and this was commented on by teachers from other schools at the event - having a strength in numbers certainly!
The other example of performance is the gains we are making during classroom maths time. Maths is a core subject and not everyone's favourite (often commented on by parents about their understanding of maths). This year we know that the children are doing much more practice in maths using mathletics than last year and because of that we are seeing gains in their confidence and their accuracy in the classroom, just four months into the programme.
So while we think school is about learning new things everyday, often it is really about practising the things we have to know to make sure we have them entrenched before we move onto the next thing. You may like to have a discussion at the dinner table about this - the old saying that practice makes perfect is a little old fashioned in today's instant world, but it makes a difference in the long term. Our athletes preparing for the Olympics will show the benefits of hard work next term in London.
Housekeeping
From time to time it is good to remind everyone about things....
Late to school - as it gets colder we are noticing children are arriving later and later. Children should be at school by the first bell at 8.40. Our goal is to be learning by 9.00 but some children arriving at 9 are disrupting the learning environment with their late arrival. 20 children were late to school today (arrived after second bell of 8.50).
Lost property - this is a persistent problem at Muritai and our lost property bins are overflowing with 62 unnamed sweatshirts, jerseys and jackets. Please be tough on your children in regards to looking after their personal gear. We are also aware of items that have been in lost property and been taken by either children and/or parents, even though it is not theirs. Sometimes it takes a couple of days to realise that clothing is lost and it is sad when people search for expensive items and they are not there.
Short shorts - a recent fashion trend in young girls is to wear shorts that are extremely short. In the olden days we used to call them hot pants (I am not sure why!). Managing clothing is tricky for us as we don't have a uniform, but we are encouraging the girls to be modest in their clothing choices and so they may wear the 'short' shorts but with leggings underneath. We have spoken to the girls in year 5-8 about this.
PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS
We will be holding
Parent/Teacher Interviews at the end of term as follows:-
Wednesday 27 June from 2.30pm to 8pm
Thursday 28 June from 2.30pm to 7.30pm
School will be closing early on both these days at 2.15pm with the first interviews starting at 2.30pm. You can make a booking at School Interviews, putting in the code WGFAJ and following the prompts. Alternatively, come to the school office and Carole or Sue will make the booking for you.
If you have a child in Room 2, you will have been contacted by Margs Mills or Maureen Buckley as interviews will be held over the next few weeks rather than on these two particular days.
If your child catches the bus, this will be at the normal time. Children waiting for buses or unable to be picked up at 2.15 will be kept in the school hall where a DVD will be shown.
SCHOOL DISCO FRIDAY 22 JUNE
Our wonderful Home and School Committee are organising a school disco for all year groups on Friday 22 June.
Year 1-3 5 - 6pm
Year 4-6 6.15 - 7.45 pm
Year 7-8 8 - 9.30 pm
Tickets $5 includes a glow stick and ice blocks. Other items available to purchase on the night. Tickets on the door only. Please note, all children must be collected from the school hall.
Parent Helpers Required for Disco
If you are available to help on the night of the Disco, please email Narelle Ferrier on ferrier@vodafone.co.nz. Please include details of which group you want to help with and your contact details. Thanks - Home and School.
COFFEE FUNDRAISER
Our Year 8's are fundraising for their Abel Tasman Camp which is taking place at the end of the year. The approximate cost for the camp is $400 for each child. For many families that is a big ask, especially when they have to pay for more than one child.
They will be selling coffee, tea, hot chocolate and home baking every Friday from 8.20 to 8.50 in the school foyer for the rest of this term and possibly Term 3. We would really appreciate if you are able to support them.
NETBALL FEES
The netball season is well underway with children playing in the second half of the season. Our teams are all doing well and hopefully getting a lot out of playing as a team.
There is a cost for playing netball which is paid up-front by the school and reimbursed by the parents. Unfortunately, there are still some outstanding fees due to the school and would ask that if you have not already paid your child's netball fees, that you do so as soon as possible.
Wednesday 27 June from 2.30pm to 8pm
Thursday 28 June from 2.30pm to 7.30pm
School will be closing early on both these days at 2.15pm with the first interviews starting at 2.30pm. You can make a booking at School Interviews, putting in the code WGFAJ and following the prompts. Alternatively, come to the school office and Carole or Sue will make the booking for you.
If you have a child in Room 2, you will have been contacted by Margs Mills or Maureen Buckley as interviews will be held over the next few weeks rather than on these two particular days.
If your child catches the bus, this will be at the normal time. Children waiting for buses or unable to be picked up at 2.15 will be kept in the school hall where a DVD will be shown.
YOUNG LEADERS DAY
On Monday 28 May Year 7 and 8 students of Muritai
School had the opportunity to attend the National Young Leaders Day at the
Michael Fowler Centre. They had a group of inspiring speakers who talked to
us about being the best we can be and sparking our potential as leaders.
First was Nick Tuatasi. He served as a New Zealand policeman for 25
years and received many awards. His talk was very inspiring because he told us
about SPARK.
Next was Jamie Fitzgerald. Jamie
Fitzgerald taught us to find out what keeps you going when you want to stop. He
said, “The first steps should always be harder than the last steps” He has
walked across Antarctica and rowed from New Zealand to Australia. He told us to
keep going because if you never give up you’ll get there eventually, it doesn’t matter
whether it’s first or last. You have got to get to the finish line and you should be
proud that you have accomplished whatever you were doing.
Speaker three was Cassandra Treadwell.
Cassandra Treadwell started up an organisation called “So They Can” for people
living in Kenya. At the young age of 16 Cassandra wanted to get involved with
helping kids in Kenya. She has helped so many people. She said that people were
trying to “hold her back” from doing what she wanted to do by saying “You will
never be able to help with your busy life” and “You have four kids, there is no
way you will be able to fit in any time for them” but look at her now! She’s
helping thousands of people in Kenya by rebuilding their village.
The second to last speaker was Cam
Calkoen. He was a funny and bubbly person with a disability (cerebal palsy), he
overcame his fear of public talking, he was scared because of the way he talks.
Cam was really inspirational.
The last speaker was Dave Atkinson.
Dave was really funny, but while he was being funny he actually gave some
advice that was really helpful. He made the talk enjoyable while he was
explaining what being a leader is about and being a good leader is really
important. He said this:
1: Stick up for what is right.
2: Choose good friends.
3: Live for others.
Dave Atkinson was my favourite
speaker; he really did put the words in the right way for kids to understand. Over all the day was a really good
and enjoyable experience. I would definitely love to go back as it really did
get through to me what they were trying to say.
By Elspeth Morley.
SCHOOL DISCO FRIDAY 22 JUNE
Our wonderful Home and School Committee are organising a school disco for all year groups on Friday 22 June.
Year 1-3 5 - 6pm
Year 4-6 6.15 - 7.45 pm
Year 7-8 8 - 9.30 pm
Parent Helpers Required for Disco
If you are available to help on the night of the Disco, please email Narelle Ferrier on ferrier@vodafone.co.nz. Please include details of which group you want to help with and your contact details. Thanks - Home and School.
COFFEE FUNDRAISER
Our Year 8's are fundraising for their Abel Tasman Camp which is taking place at the end of the year. The approximate cost for the camp is $400 for each child. For many families that is a big ask, especially when they have to pay for more than one child.
They will be selling coffee, tea, hot chocolate and home baking every Friday from 8.20 to 8.50 in the school foyer for the rest of this term and possibly Term 3. We would really appreciate if you are able to support them.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
The Scholastic book fair is coming soon. If you haven't already made a note of
the dates the book fair is open please do so now. We only have the Scholastic
books in our library to view once a year. This is a great opportunity to see
what you are purchasing and purchases can be taken on the day. The book fair
runs in conjunction with the parent teacher interviews, on both Wednesday the
27th, and Thursday the 28th of June. Scholastic give the school a percentage
from the sales made, enabling our library to provide new books for our
students.
We
are still looking for one person to help coordinate the book fair and also
helpers who can spare an hour on either Wednesday or Thursday between the hours
of 2:00 and 7pm to supervise and help with sales at the book fair. If you are
able to help in any way please talk to Carole or Sue at the office. Thank you
for your support.
NETBALL FEES
The netball season is well underway with children playing in the second half of the season. Our teams are all doing well and hopefully getting a lot out of playing as a team.
There is a cost for playing netball which is paid up-front by the school and reimbursed by the parents. Unfortunately, there are still some outstanding fees due to the school and would ask that if you have not already paid your child's netball fees, that you do so as soon as possible.
MURITAI SCHOOL WINS THE ZONE CROSS COUNTRY
Last week our Y4-6 Cross Country team won the Central Zone team award held at Boulcott School. It was an AWESOME day with all of the team performing well.
We had great success with a few of our students placing in the top 3 of their races.
Year 4 Girls: Charlotte Humphries - 2nd place
Year 4 Boys: Flynn Healy - 2nd place, Theo Jones - 3rd place
Year 5 Girls: Macey Caughley - 1st place
Year 6 Boys: Liam Lamb - 2nd place, Ben Grenfell - 3rd place
These students will be going on to represent the Central Zone at the inter-zone cross country championships on 12 June along with the following students who finished in the top 10.
Year 4:
Bruno Penny
Monty Rookes
Year 5:
Andrew Sutcliffe
Max Hahn
Lachlan Bourgeois
Year 6:
Grace Allan
Jack Healy
WATERPOLO AND FLIPPERBALL
Primary and Intermediate Waterpolo has begun and with grading games over it is time for the competition proper to begin. Both teams have markedly improved as the grading games progressed and it will be good to see both teams achieving success in the water during terms 2 and 3.
WELLINGTON OPEN SPORTS STACKING CHAMPIONSHIP
Sport Stacking with speed stacks is an exciting individual and team sport where participants of all ages and abilities stack and unstack twelve specially designed cups (speed stacks) in specific patterns with amazing precision and dexterity. Stackers race against the clock for individual times and compete in team relay events.
The
Wellington Open Sports Stacking Championship is an opportunity
for anyone (no age restriction) to experience Sports Stacking at competition
level. It will be the first time that a
Sport Stacking championship has been hosted in the Wellington region.
We are expecting a high number of
entries to the championships and are seeking sponsorship from businesses, to
assist in meeting the costs. The
expected costs include: Venue hire, trophies, ribbons, team information packs
and general overhead costs.
If you are interested in sponsoring this exciting event, please contact Deane McKay (Tournament Director) for further details on 562-8409 (during school hours) or email Deane: mckay@muritai.school.nz
AFTER SCHOOL CARE STAFF REQUIRED
After School Care are looking for an enthusiastic, calm and caring person to help look after children on a Tuesday afternoon and/or during the school holidays. If you like working with children and are willing to work from 2.30 to 6pm on a Tuesday and/or some holiday hours we would love to hear from you. Please contact Mel Dowdall at masc@muritai.school.nz or 562 7718
UPCOMING EVENTS -
June
Tue 12 - Junior school maths parent meeting; Y4-6 Inter Zone cross country
Fri 15 - School assembly 1.45
Mon 18 - ICAS writing
Thur 21 - Waikato principals visiting Muritai
Fri 22 - Reports go home; School Disco
Tue 26 - Y7-8 Regional cross country; Teachers from Tempe, Arizona visiting
Wed 27 - Parent interviews - 2.30 -8
Thur 28 - Parent interviews - 2.30-7.30
Fri 29 - School assembly 1.45
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Cultivate a love for languages in your child!
LCF Fun Languages offers the opportunity to learn another
language for children from 5 to 12 years. Experience a new language the FUN way! A big variety of
interactive and communicative activities – role play, crafts, activity sheets, lively games,
songs and drama. Professionally designed materials.
Fun French at Muritai, Tuesday lunch-times
- taking registrations now for term 3. Lots of games crafts, fun activities to help us learn. Free trial
available.
For more information or to register ring Stefi
Plimmer-Blattner on 562 8211, email stefi@lcfclubs.co.nz , Website: www.lcfclubs.co.nz
Hutt Valley Riding for the Disabled Open Day
On Sunday 17 June 2012 at County Lane, Silverstream between 11am to 2pm, wet or fine. $5 pony ride, Sausage Sizzle, Coffee/Hot Chocolate and home-baking, Raffle.
Come along and learn about HVRDA and have some fun!!!!
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