Thursday 17 October

Naumai e te whanau o te kura Muritai 

Tena koutou katoa

Welcome to our new students - Cohen and Lucas Meredith, Ella Rogers, Leo and Nadja Rohloff, Ben De Boeck, Quin Eldridge-Fright, Will Hobbs, Luke Butler who have all joined the Muritai School community. We begin the term with our roll sitting at 468 pupils. You may be interested to know that we have enrolled 105 children at Muritai this year!

Welcome to our new staff Hayden Ray (R5) and Karen Houghton (R4) who have joined our teaching team for term 4.

The term has begun quietly (apart from a very windy Monday). Students are well drilled, organised and in a nice rhythm from previous terms. The school is very settled and in good heart.

Term 4, and the run through to the end of the year, is always very busy. Our term plan looks very manageable but the teaching staff do have a number of administrative requirements to attend to as we close off 2013 and prepare for 2014. The senior management team is putting the finishing touches on our school structure for 2014 so if your plans are changing for next year please let us know as soon as possible.

Term 4 often passes very quickly. There is much to be done and over the next few weeks the children will be required to do their best work to show that they deserve a good quality report at the end of the year. This should not be too tricky as we always try to do our very best so 'we can be the best that we can be'. As always the work will be a little bit harder, and a little bit faster, to keep up with the momentum of progress and growth. There will be a healthy dose of fun, exploration, creativity and interest mixed in with it all to keep the children engaged with their schooling.

One thing remains important however and that is to keep in close contact with your child's class teacher. Our next reporting round is at the end of the year with learning celebrations and written reports but you may feel that it is necessary to touch base as the term goes along to get feedback on your child's progress. Our doors are always open for this to happen and it is actually a regular occurrence.

SPELLATHON

We had a wonderful assembly at the end of the term celebrating the Spellathon that raised over $16,000 for the school for important bits and pieces for our children at Muritai School. Because of the Spellathon the home and School is able to purchase for our children….

• Some additional Ipads
• Tents for the Abel Tasman experience in year 8
• Some specialised art supplies, including a printing press
• High interest reading texts for the junior school
• A portable sound system to used at outside events

Home and school organisers, Narelle, Michelle and Pauline supervised the prize giving and these children earned the top prizes….

1.    Kayak 1 – Mia McLeod

2.    Kayak 2 – Laura Hardy

3.    HP Tablet – Joss Patel

4.    Rebel Sports voucher – Kai Ellis

5.    Art voucher – Beth Brodie

Thank you to our school community for your support and efforts to raise funds for Muritai School. Thank you also to our sponsors as well as Number works who have offered a term’s tuition at Number Works and Words in Lower Hutt.  Also a very big thank you to our Home and School Committee for all their hard work in organising this very successful fundraising event.

  

INTER REGIONAL CROSS COUNTRY

At the end of last term we were excited to receive the news that 3 of our students placed in the inter-regional cross-country in Nelson.

Congratulations to –

• Maya Hahn – 4^th
• Macey Caughley – 2^nd
• Charlotte Humphries – 5^th

This is the result of some very serious extra training to enable them to perform at this very high level. A lesson for all of us about how hard work can bring the results we want. These efforts helped Wellington to win the Phil Costley Shield for the first time in a while.

ATHLETICS

Our school athletic sports (Y3-8) is on Monday November 11^th. It begins around 9.15 and goes through to 2.30.

TEACHER ONLY DAY

A reminder that school is closed on Friday 25^th October (Labour Weekend). The teaching staff will be attending a professional learning workshop with Kath Murdoch on Inquiry learning.

HOT DOGS

A reminder that hot dogs are continuing in Term 4 the year.  We would like to thank Gwyn Morphew for organising the roster, ordering the hot dogs and buns and ensuring that this fundraiser has worked so smoothly this year and to all the parents who helped prepare them. The children love this treat and it raises valuable funds for the school.

HATS
Term 4 signals warmer weather (hopefully) and the return of hats at school.  Can you please ensure your child comes to school this Term and Term 1 next year with a wide brimmed hat to be worn at all outside play times.  You may also like to consider putting sunblock on them before they come to school.  

EOTC WEEKS
Staff are currently planning our Education Outside The Classroom programmes for the end of year. Year 8 students are preparing for the big camp at Abel Tasman in week 9.

It may be helpful to add these dates in your diaries as you may like to join in the activities.  We can confirm that each syndicate will be on EOTC at the following times –

Year 1-2 - week 8 - December 2-6
Year 3-4 - week 9 - December 9-13
Year 5-6 - week 9 - December 9-13
Year 7-8 - week 9 - December 9-13

OPEN AND HONEST WORKSHOP (next Thursday 24^th October)

On Thursday 24 October, Muritai School will be hosting a parenting workshop called 'Open and Honest'. 

Do your children ask tricky questions about puberty? Do you want to feel more confident when answering your child’s questions? Are you worried that your young people aren’t getting accurate knowledge around sex and sexuality? The 'Open and Honest' workshop can help.

What happens at a workshop?

* Meet other parents and caregivers that may have the same worries and questions as you do.

* Update your knowledge on topics around sexuality.

* Clarify your own values and attitudes.

* Gain a better understanding of sexual development and age appropriate behaviours.

* Learn tips and tricks on how to answer difficult questions.

This free workshop will be run by Family Planning Health Promotion Service and is open to all parents and caregivers of the school.

What: Open and Honest Parent Workshop

When: Thursday 24th October, 6.30pm

Where: Muritai School Library

DIARY DATES FOR FIRST 5 WEEKS OF TERM 4

Friday 18 Oct – Assembly 1.45

Tuesday 22 Oct – NE Vision and hearing testing

Wednesday 23 Oct – Junior school – Dog safety visit

Thursday 24 Oct – BoT mtg 7.30pm, Open and Honest community mtg at 6.30pm

Friday 25 Oct – Teacher only Day – school closed

Monday 28 Oct – LABOUR DAY

Friday 1 Nov – Assembly 1.45

Wednesday 6 Nov – Photos for R1, 3,16

Thursday 7 Nov – Year 8 testing at HVHS

Monday 11 Nov – Y3-8 Athletic Sports

Tuesday 12 Nov – Battle of the Bands

Wednesday 13 Nov – BoT mtg 7.30

Friday 15 Nov – Assembly 1.45

CALENDARS

Order forms for the Abacus calendars, cards and diaries were sent out with each child at the end of Term 3.  Your child's artwork has been completed ready for these and can be viewed in their classrooms.  They make excellent Christmas presents for grandparents, family and friends.  The cost is: -

$12 per calendar

$16 for a diary or a pack of 8 cards

Payment can be made by cheque, cash or on-line banking.  Please make cheques payable to Muritai School; on-line banking details are:

Muritai School Board of Trustees– Account No:  06 0545 0236275 000

All orders must be back at the school office by Friday 18 October.  Extra order forms are available in the office.  

SHWOP – ABEL TASMAN FUNDRAISER

Shwop is an eco-fashion event.  The idea is a simple one - you bring along your unwanted, barely worn, quality clothing, and exchange them for any of the other lovely threads on offer.  Re-fresh your wardrobe or completely re-invent your look, it’s completely up to you.  This coming Shwop in Eastbourne on the 2nd November we have a local fashion designer who will be avaiLable to discuss colours, what looks good on you and any questions you may have. 

Shwop is a total shwopping experience. So spend a day out with a bunch of your best friends, your mum, your daughter. Go home at the end of the day, with flash new threads completely guilt free, knowing that your fashion sense hasn't been sacrificed for the environment, and the environment hasn't been sacrificed for fashion either.  With Shwop you truly can shwop till you drop.  For more information visit www.shwop.co.nz

When:  2 November in the School Hall.  Drop off clothes between 9am and 10am.  Tea/coffee and baking available from 10am to 10.30 and then Shwopping shop opens at 10.30 with expected finish time being 12.30.  Shwop til you drop.

Tickets available from office at $15 each.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

FUNDRAISER – JACK GRIFFITHS AND NICK BIELBY

Please join Jack and Nick for a fundraising event featuring a screening of

THE HUNGER GAMES:

CATCHING FIRE

Wednesday 4^th December 6.30pm

Please arrive half an hour prior to film start

LIGHT HOUSE CINEMA, 52 BEACH ST PETONE

We are raising funds for a World Challenge trip to Java in 2014.  Price $20 – Includes a goodie bag.  Call Barb Griffiths for tickets- 5628677

St James Petone Keas - Sea Scouts

Places are available for boys and girls in years 1-3 to join our Kea Scouts Group in Petone. This is the first level before progressing to Cubs and then Scouts and beyond.  We meet every Monday evening during term time from 5-6pm at the Sea Scouts den by the river mouth.

Lots of outdoor activities, educational outings/visitors, challenge and award badges, team work and games.  Children are welcome to come along for a session or two to see if they like it before joining.  Please contact Kate if you are interested in your child coming along.

Website: https://sites.google.com/a/stjames.seascouts.org.nz/keas/ 

Contact katemcgoo@yahoo.co.nz  or text or phone 0277 33 9280 / 566 2004

DAYS BAY PLAY CREATIVE ARTS FOR 8-12 YEAR OLDS

This term we are offering a six-week paper art course with local artist Meg Prebble.  The course will get children involved in paper mache, marbling, and other paper art.  This course is for 8-12 year olds and anyone who did Meg's other course earlier in the year.  Check out www.daysbayplay.blogspot.com for all the details and enrolment information.  

KORU YOGA
Yoga Classes at Eastbourne Yacht Club on Wednesdays.  10.30 to 11.30 $8 all welcome - beginner to intermediate gentle iyengar/flow yoga with breathing and relaxation.  
New Class - Pre-natal yog in the Yacht Club Wednesdays 11.45 - $12.  An 8 week series starting 23 October to 11 Dec.  Drop in don't worry if you can't make every class in the series.
I am looking for interest in a mummy and baby class - bring your babies (0-2ish) along.  I would run this class 1.14 to 2.15 Wednesdays so please let me know if you are interested.  Also let me know if you are interested in a kids session Wednesdays 3.15 to 4.15.  I have 2 seven year olds very keen so far! 
Call Emilie 021 963 929 or email  emiliefleur7@gmail.com