THURSDAY 5 MARCH 2015

Kia ora koutou katoa,

We welcome Willa Velvin who has joined Muritai School in room 1.

As we enter week 5 the school has a very busy feel to it. Classes have really settled into a nice momentum. Time is ticking on with year 5-6 heading off to Forest Lakes camp next week which always indicates that the run into the first holiday break is here. There is much to do before then.

Towards the end of this term we have our first reporting to parents phase. For parents in year 3 - 8 we will share results from term 1 'assessments' and feedback progress the children are making this year. For the year 3 children requiring anniversary reporting on national standards this will be done at this time. These will be held in week 8 and are set for Monday the 23rd and Tuesday 24th March.   Booking times will be available in the next newsletter.

We are pleased with how much dialogue we have with parents on student progress. This is a key issue nationally - parental engagement. While Muritai has plenty, some schools have very little. Evidence shows that when parents show a strong interest in their children's education, children progress well. Some staff receive daily emails from parents, which is probably a bit too much engagement, but generally the odd touch base here and creates a team approach to enabling our children to be the best that they can be and helps you be informed as to how they are progressing and how together we can continue to make gains. 

We appreciate the children being well prepared for school and keeping up the other aspects of learning after school, such as playing sport, doing things as a family and being active in their community. Please keep an eye on their tiredness. Kids do get tired very easily and we need them fresh and focused at school to progress in their learning. School is very busy and the children do a lot during the school day.

As you can see from this newsletter the event schedule is starting to build up.  A date to book into your diaries is the Muritai School Cross Country which we are holding at the end of this term on Tuesday 31st March at the Eastbourne Rec.  With swimming finishing this week we move into cross-country training soon. For many children these special events are the things they love the most and provide a good chance for the children to 'grow' in different ways. We do try to manage opportunities so they don't impinge too much on classroom learning.

Overall we are thrilled with how the children and the school is sitting after the first half of this term and we look forward to a successful run through to the holiday season at Easter.

SCHOOL LEADERS

We are pleased to announce that for 2015,  Helena Cvitanovich and Callan Hughes have been chosen to be our school leaders and they will be supported by Eva Oliver and Tom Flynn. These four students have been excellent role models in their time at Muritai and we are confident they will represent the student group with distinction.

Across the senior school all our Y7-8 children have put their names forward for many roles to provide leadership across the school. This programme works well and enables our oldest students to share their ideas in further developing the school and allows them to give back to the younger students before the head off to secondary school. We have been so impressed at how committed our oldest students are this year and are making the most of putting this real life extension opportunity into action.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

Photo order forms were given to all children in the school last week.  If you haven’t seen your child’s, please have a good look in their school bag.  Orders need to be returned to the school office by next Wednesday 11 March and photos will be taken in the week beginning 16 March.  A timetable will be sent home from

SWIM SPORTS

This was a very busy and successful event. We managed to complete over 100 races in such a short time, so while it was a squeeze and a bit frenetic at times, we got there in the end. Congratulations to King on winning the house relay this year. The quality of the swimming was excellent and families and children are to be congratulated on developing this life skill amongst the Eastbourne community.

Our school champions were -

Year 4 - George Baird and Rosa Blair

Year 5 - Ted Woolley and Ella Young

Year 6 - Kahu Rolfe and Emily Jones

Year 7- Tom Griffiths and Zali Young

Year 8 - Arie Rasmussen and Helena Cvitanovich

Next Tuesday we have the junior school sports at Eastbourne Pool.

BUTTERFLY GARDEN

So far this year we have successfully raised over 100 Monarch butterflies in the enclosure outside Room 3.  From March onwards we tag the butterflies with a numbered sticker and record their details on a national data base before we release them. Some of these late season butterflies winter over in trees and delay laying their eggs until next Spring. We want to track where they winter over.

Please do not let the butterflies out of their enclosure before they are tagged. They have all the nectar and water they need. If you see a tagged butterfly outside the school grounds please let Mrs Ryan know via email ryan@muritai.school.nz or register your sighting at http://www.mb.org.nz

We raise our swan plants from seed and we collect from the enclosure so it is important the swan shaped seed pods stay intact and are not touched.  

TEACHER AIDE POSITION

We are looking for someone to work as part of a team providing Teacher Aide assistance for a child with autism.  This job share position begins on 20 April 2015.  Ideally you would have a positive attitude, be fit, energetic, flexible, have a sense of humour and a love of children.

Please email your details to bird@muritai.school.nz.

NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICES TO SCHOOLS 

You may have heard through various sources that the National Library announced at the end of last year that they will be transforming their services. Click here for the details on the change.   

Each term, as part of our inquiry/topic study we request a box of books on each topic for each classroom. Students can use these to browse and for part of their inquiry study. As part of this transformation the National Library will be cutting their print curriculum topic loan services to schools at the end of Term 2 this year. This will mean that when classes of students are researching topics we will no longer be able to request boxes of books on the topic. This is a service we have used extensively over the years to supplement our library collection when we have many students needing material on a specialised topic at their level of understanding. The reported cost savings are minimal (approx. $390,000). 

How will this impact on learning at Muritai and the services that we provide? When teaching students how to conduct effective research we encourage them to use a variety of sources (print and digital). Studies show that not all students are successful at processing and evaluating information from websites. We believe that relying solely on online resources is detrimental to the quality of the completed research. We will continue to use our budget to buy quality non-fiction at the levels required but will not be able to match the service we have become accustomed to. We already focus on reading for engagement and do not need the new book service they are offering. Print based topic loans are our main use of the National Library Services to Schools. 

What can you do? Join the voice of school librarians, teachers and the wider community who have been signing a petition by clicking here.. Or please contact your local MP or Peter Dunne, the Minister of Internal Affairs, to discuss these cuts.

CONGRATULATIONS

Ben Cass, a year 8 student, came second in the Intermediate Schools Fleet Racing Regatta at Paremata recently, representing Muritai School.  Well done Ben!

MAORIBANK SCHOOL VISIT

We enjoyed hosting Maoribank School yesterday from Upper Hutt for their 'out of school' day in Eastbourne.  

CAPITAL E - ON TV

“Once upon a time….in a galaxy far, far away….a group of children sailed the sea….to a land of adventure and excitement….Capital E!

Last Wednesday, Mrs Hooke’s technicraft group were lucky enough to have the opportunity to hop on the ferry over to Wellington, and spend the day at Capital E in the city, to find out what it was really like to be involved in the making of a T.V news program, and have heaps of fun along the way!

Capital E is at the heart of Wellington's creativity, it bases itself on expanding and enhancing the minds of young people in our quirky little city.   

It was a really hands on experience, some of us worked behind the camera, in roles such as director, studio manager, floor manager, visual effects and the camera man, and then there were the people in front of the camera, like the reporters, characters, weather girl, and the presenters. We weren’t a big group, so we all had to work pretty closely to make sure we had everything down to plan.  There was only one rehearsal, and after that we all met to talk about what we thought we could change and improve on, then it was time for the real thing!

I think we all expected it to be a bit manic, kids running round at the last second trying to find something to wear, or maybe a problem with the microphones,(after all we're not professionals)  but we all worked really well together, every single one of us were playing our part, and at the same time, making sure everyone else knew what they were doing. The teamwork was awesome, we pulled it together, not as easy as you might think, considering we had to record different sections in different studios, but the end result was a polished production that we are all proud of.

Thank you Captain Hooke (Mrs Hooke) for taking us on this creative adventure!

By Eva Oliver

MURITAI SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME 

The Muritai After School Care Holiday Programme will run from Tuesday 7th April - Friday 17th April. The schedule for the programme will be out next week and brochures will be available from the school office. Contact Mel if you have any enquiries.- masc@muritai.school.nz

TERM DATES

2 Mar               Seaweek

9 Mar               Year 1’s visiting Pataka

10 to 13 Mar    Year 5/6 camp at Forest Lakes

10 Mar             Junior School Swimming Sports at Eastbourne Pool

11 Mar             Festival of the Arts – Juniors

13 Mar             Assembly

16 to 20 Mar    School Photos

18 Mar             Year 4-6 Central Zone Swimming Sports

                        Year 2’s visiting Pataka

19 Mar             Year 7/8 Festival of Arts

                        Year 3/4 Festival of Arts

23 Mar             Parents Interviews for Years 1-8

24 Mar             Parent Interviews for Years 1-8

25 Mar             Year 4-6 Interzone Swimming Sports

27 Mar             Assembly

                        Year 8 Girls Gardasil Immunisation

                        Year 7 students Boostrix Immunisation

31 Mar             Year 1-8 Cross Country

1 April              Juniros school Grandparents day

2 April             LAST DAY OF TERM 1

20 April           FIRST DAY OF TERM 2

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Life Flight Open Day

Life Flight’s Open Day is a unique and fun educational opportunity.  There will be exciting demonstrations and emergency teams will be onsite to give a firsthand experience of what it takes to save lives in our community.  Plus, 12 people will win a flight on Life Flight’s Westpac Rescue Helicopter on the day!  It’s a kid’s dream, features include a helicopter, airplane, fire engine, ambulance, and sniffer dogs.  Food stalls, and loads of kids’ activities including face painters, and a dress up competition for children make this the perfect family event.

When:  Sunday 22 March 2015, 10am to 2pm

Where:  Life Flight Air Rescue Centre, 17 George Bolt Street (near the Warehouse, Lyall Bay)

Entry:  Children free, Adults $5 suggested donation.

Sing - Dance - Act classes for children

Children from 5 to 12 years old

Different aged group classes

Thursdays from 3.30 to 5.30

St Marks Church

Muritai Children could take Classic Coaches bus to Secret Heart and we pick them up from there.

Beauty and the beast auditions coming soon

www.musicalstars.co.nz

talita@musicalstars.co.nz

972-3352

Infinite Dance Crew presents ‘Lady Liberty’ 

An urban legend straight from the streets of New York City tells the tale of the real Lady Liberty. A woman who inspired the famous statue in the 1880’s and who still roams around the city she adores and protects, never growing, never changing and never seen.

Documentary photographer, Frankie Nichols, has been given the challenge to weave the streets of New York, track down the real Lady Liberty and capture her on camera.

Infinite Dance Crew present an original hip hop and contemporary dance performance combined with interactive projections and projection mapping.

With an inspiring cast of 50 Wellington dancers this high-energy show is an absolute must-see for all ages. 

***Infinite shows always sell out quickly so be in quick to secure your tickets!

Dates and Times: 

Monday 2nd March: 7pm show only.
Tuesday 3rd March: 7pm show only.
Wednesday 4th March: 7pm show only.

Thursday 5th March: 7pm show only.

Friday 6th March: 7pm show only. (SOLD OUT)

(Show runs for approximately one hour)

Venue: Whitireia Performance Centre Theatre, 25 Vivian Street, Wellington. (Unallocated seating)

Ticket Prices:
Child (12 and under) $10
Concession (with ID) $15

Fringe Addict $15
Full $20

Tickets available at http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2015/lady-liberty/wellington or by calling 0800 BUYTIX

(Please note that tickets are not available through the Infinite girls or Pump Dance Studios, it has to be through Event Finder)

Friday 13 March 6pm-7.30pm

ERFC Clubrooms, HW Shortt Park, Tuatoru St, Eastbourne

Junior rugby is for all boys and girls under 13 years old (as at 1 January, 2015).  The under 6 and 7 grades play rippa rugby (non-tackle), the under 8 grade moves to tackle during the season, and the under 9 and above grades play tackle. In the tackle grades children are graded by both weight and age.

Junior rugby is really fun and simple to pick up, and it helps you with ball-handling and passing skills. So get your mates together and join up for 2015. It’s a great way to learn ball skills, have fun, and be part of a team.

Enquiries email:

eastbournerugby@gamebreaker.co.nz

Give it a go - you’ll love it!

Local Wild Food Festival

The 7th annual Local Wild Food Challenge is back on Saturday March 7th at the Days Bay Pavilion.

The kids section grows every year & we're so happy to see young people so involved in the harvesting & preparing of good food & spending time in their natural environment.

The junior event is for kids 13 yrs & under, held between 3 and 5pm with a separate prize giving following.

The main Challenge will be running at the same time with a different judging panel.

The Challenge is to create the best dish with at least one wild ingredient, although the more wild ingredients the more points!

The judges will be looking for effort, ingredient, taste & presentation.

There are some fantastic prizes to be won from over 40 sponsors.

Entry is free for contestants & children.

For more details www.localwildfoodchallenge.com or email Bill Manson at info@localwildfoodchallenge.com