MONDAY 20 APRIL 2015

Kia ora koutou katoa,

Welcome to term 2. I hope you all enjoyed a safe and enjoyable holiday break.

We thoroughly enjoyed delivering term one. It was a short term - just nine weeks so things were very compact, but we managed to complete all the things that we planned for. We have had feedback about the busyness of the term but we are very pleased with what we have achieved and what we have got through and the opportunities provided for the children at Muritai. Staff overall are pleased as to how the classes have formed into strong learning teams, expectations and systems are well understood and that relationships are strong to move forward. 

Term 2 is always our gritty term. It is a long term - 11 weeks,  and I can assure you that the children will be very classroom based building a strong, structured portfolio of work as we lead into learning celebrations and student reports at the end of the term. Our term plan looks quite different this term to last term.

Parent Interviews

Thank you for attending teacher interviews at the last week of term. Hopefully this was another opportunity to connect with your child's teacher and gain feedback as to how your child is progressing at Muritai this term. Staff have reported that this worthwhile experience further strengthens the bond between teacher, parent and child to work together to create success for the children.

Grandparents Day

We would like to say thank you to all the grandparents and grandfriends (over one hundred) who visited our Junior School at the end of last term for Grandparents Day. They had travelled from all around New Zealand and some even came from England. We also had some ex Muritai students among the audience. The children proudly shared their work with the visitors and were very impressed by the wide range of interesting memories and memorabilia that the adults shared. It was a very memorable occasion for both the adults and the children. 

Thank you also to Alan Thompson (Amelie's grandad) who brought his 90 year old vintage car to school. The children were delighted to be able to sit in the driver’s seat and were amazed by it's strange horn, rooftop and crank handle. 

Cross-country
Once agin the sun shone on Muritai in the last week for our annual cross-country competition. The kids were just great - putting in a big effort to train for and then compete in either the championship or open grade. Cross country running is not everyone's favourite sport but every child set their challenge goals and completed them to the best of their ability. We were all so impressed with our oldest children who ran as support runners for our younger children supporting them to the finish line. It was a nice way to finish the term events. - a good team effort.
School Champions ...
Year 3 = Sadie Devenport and Lachie Bellis
Year 4 = Rosa Blair and George Baird
Year 5 = Greta Woolloff and Fraser Bellis
Year 6 = Grace Manson and Henry Evans
Year 7 = Lea Pummer and Tom Griffiths
Year 8 = Macey Caughley and Matthew Jones
Opne grade winners -
Year 5/6 = Jasmine Leder and Matthew Cowley
Year 7/8 = Mila Van der Wilt and Fergus Hart

Speech and Language Support

Do you have any concerns regarding the speech and/or language development of your child/children? If so, we are very fortunate to have a private Speech and Language Therapist willing to come to school to do assessments and follow-up therapy if necessary. If a few parents would like to take advantage of this, her traveling costs would be shared. If you want more information or are interested in this please let Maureen Buckley know as soon as possible so that she can confirm the days and times. 

Hooked on Books

The Junior School is looking for parents, grandparents or other adults in the area who would be willing to help with our valuable 'Hooked on Books' programme.  This entails coming to the Junior School once each week Monday to Thursdays, preferably afternoons - 1.30 to 2.40 p.m. to listen to children read.  Can you please email Maureen Buckley if you are able to help and let her know which days you would be available.  Maureen is hoping to start the programme from the beginning of Term 2.

Capital E Arts Festival

The Capital E Arts Festival was on in Wellington recently. They had a junior and senior week and schools from the Wellington region were able to see three shows in a day at various locations around the city. This festival was subsidised by the Wellington City Council. WCC provided free buses for the students and we are most grateful for this.

On Thursday the 22nd of March the senior students saw three shows.  The first one was at the Paramount Theatre Orchestra of the Spheres, aimed at ages 5-13. This show was thoroughly bizarre.

This musical based performance had numerous concepts and was hard to look at, and at times you felt almost dizzy. It was made up of 4 performers who would continually encourage us to stand up and dance, which isnt a bad thing, but when the music is something entirely out of this world (that should stay out of this world), it’s pretty hard. The show began by two big purple eyes, a nose and a pair of lips edging their way towards the centre of the stage, later on in the show proceeded to repeat the phrase “we are of all things”, first of all, what things?!  And then they moved onto rolling around on the floor whilst projecting their movements on to a  projector and as the show was coming to an end everyone was relieved.  

The second show was called “An Awfully Big Adventure”.  This play was on at Downstage theatre.  It was about World War One and what happened to the soldiers. It  taught us how it began and ended. It was a brief summary of what life would have been like during World War One. Waiting for us was boxes, wigs, unusual things you normally wouldn’t see in a war story, even teddy bears! The map they used was really astonishing, it was a light blue sheet of fabric, with different coloured shirts, shorts and everything else, glued into the shape of the counties!

I highly recommend this show because it is very educational and has a lot of humor and  it catches your attention with the funny stereotypical accents!   I think everyone enjoyed this very educational and funny show, Eva Oliver thought, “the performers use of alternative props was really something, and the amount of work put into it was outstanding I think its a great show for all ages, and I highly recommend it to anyone in need of information about WW1.”

By Orla Longdon and Sophia Cave

The third show we saw was ‘The Ballad of Pondlife Mcgurk’, aimed for ages 7-13 and this show was performed at the Wesley Church Hall in taranaki Street.  Andy Manley is the creator and actor of this one man show, The Ballad of Pondlife Mcgurk. In this show Andy characterizes a boy called Martin, a boy called Simon and everybody else in this 50 minute fabulous show. This show is brought to life on the floor with just four mats and four wooden boxes. Andy’s sounds are made just from his voice and a soundtrack that supplies whispers, outdoor noises, laughter and the occasional pop song. But, it’s Andy’s consistent physical and vocal work that transforms the room into a classroom, a park, an airport lounge, a school playground or even family home.

The main character that Andy performs is called Martin, an American Year 5 boy who betrays his new best friend Simon, horribly. It starts when Martin, who’s stronger, lets his friend take the blame for something he has done. The show grew when Martin realized that his own football talent was going to help him get through the harsh school days of not being popular.

We thought the show was outstanding, inventive, very good and breathtaking, because of the way he involved us by focusing in depth on the show and truly acting out the characters personalities and life.  The key message in this play is - it can be difficult to stay true to your friends. It is best to be loyal and kind.

By Mia Lowe

Road patrol . peer mediators, school responsibilities

Kids lit quiz

On Monday the 30th of March four students from the senior school went to the Wellington Kids Lit Quiz. The Kids' Lit Quiz is an annual literature competition for children aged 10 to 13. The students were asked a series of questions about a wide range of children's books. The team consisted of: Alexander Cox-Turk, Rachel Vass, Eva Oliver and Mila Van der Wilt. After battling it out at the quiz the teams final score was 75 out of a possible  110, 10 points off the winning score making them 11th out of 49 teams. But the team couldn't have done it without the lovely librarian Sue Fieldes, she helped the team practise and took the team to the actual competition which was all the way in Papakowhai.

By Rachel Vass

SPORTS

Year 5/6 Cricket

Our Year 5/6 cricket team have had a good season, playing in the semi-final against St Peters and Pauls. It ended in a tie but unfortunately they lost ob countback having lost more wickets and therefore lost the game. The boys played well and can be really proud of their effort.

Touch Rugby

Touch rugby has finished for this term. The year 3&4 teams had a good season with them both placing in their grades. I would like to thank all the parents who helped out this term and a special thanks  to Noah Daniel-Oakshatt of Room 24 who coached  a team this year.  See you all in term 4.

The Senior Inter- School Swimming meet was held this week with the children all doing well and with some great results. A special mention must go to Helena  Cvitanovich who placed 1st in 3 of her races.

Winter Coat, Curtain and Shoe Drive.

Last year the Muritai School community donated many bags of quality used winter coats and shoes to two Hutt Valley Schools.  They were warmly received.  This year we aim to do the same again.

When sorting out your winter woolies for the coming season please bag  up the clean items and bring them along to school with any pairs of small shoes, and we would be glad to take them off your hands and pass them on.

We are also collecting curtains this year which will be donated to Earthlink in Wingate. They are involved in passing them on to low income homes who need added winter insulation.  So if you have recently renovated and wondering what to do with your old curtains, please bring those along to school as well.

Donations can be bought to either Room 12 in the main school or to Room 21 in the intermediate.

Thanks for your support

Muritai Enviro School and Charity Group

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Fun French for kids ​at Muritai School for ages 5-12

• Experience French learning the fun way
• Lots of interactive activities, role play, crafts, active games and music
• Free trial lesson
• To register your interest please contact Stefi  on Stefi@funlanuages.co.nz or phone 562 8211

visit the website www.lcfclubs.co.nz

Food for Thought – After School Cooking Classes next term!

Food for Thought is pleased to offer after school cooking classes for kids aged 10+ years in term two.

• These classes aim to empower children by giving them the knowledge and skills they need to cook for themselves, their friends and families in a supportive, fun environment.
• Along the way we will:
• Learn and practice cooking skills and techniques
• Learn about kitchen health and safety
• Learn about nutrition and healthy eating habits
• Learn clever ways to use leftovers
• Learn how to plan meals
• Create our own “recipe book”

Classes will be held at the St Alban’s Church commercial kitchen Thursday afternoons during term time 3.30 -5.30pm (2 hours)  Maximum of 8 children per session

Cost: $30 per lesson ($300 for 10 weeks) - includes all food and cooking equipment

To book, call or text Megan 022 HOT MEAL (0224686325) or send an email to info@fft.co.nz

Kids' Yoga in Eastbourne! 

Kula Kids' Yoga is a creative and fun yoga class just for kids!  We weave story, song and games into the ancient art of yoga.  Classes include the physical poses that develop strength, balance and flexibility and simple mindfulness activities while we move from stillness to activity and back.  Email Jeanne at kulakidsyoga@yahoo.com to book or for more information, and like us on facebook.  See photos, links and weekly postings

New Term Days and Times!

20 April - 02 July (no class 20-28 May)

AGES 5-9 Wednesday and Thursday  3:00-4:00 *walking taxi available from Muritai school

AGES 10-13 Thursday 4:15-5:15

Class size is limited to 6 students, so enroll for the term now to insure space! $10 per class...contact Jeanne kulakidsyoga@yahoo.com ----51 Oroua Street, Eastbourne, just down the street from Muritai School! 

Jeanne Balding-Weinstock is certified through Yoga Alliance with specialty training in Kids' Yoga.  She has teaching experience in Early Childhood, and teaching Yoga in private schools, clubs, and studios in California, US.  References available

Days Bay Play:   Bugs and Butterflies – Art of Insects

Art for 7 - 12 year olds

Fly into the weird and wonderful world of insects. Children will have the opportunity to sketch from life, attempt various styles and experiment with insect based patterns and designs. They will produce a number of sketches and finished artworks, and use pencils, aquarelles, pastels and paint. All materials provided.

Price $75 per Child; $140 for two in a family. 

Email: daysbayplay@gmail.com to register or visit www.daysbayplay.blogspot.co.nz for further info.

When: Term 2, Six Monday afternoons at Days Bay Playcentre.

With: Meg Prebble  

Meg also runs private art lessons in the Eastbourne area. If you are interested please contact her at dorapapersart@gmail.com

Food for Thought is pleased to offer after school cooking classes for kids aged 10+ years in term two.

These classes aim to empower children by giving them the knowledge and skills they need to cook for themselves, friends and families in a supportive, fun environment. See www.fft.co.nz for more details.

Classes will be held at the St Alban's Church commercial kitchen Thursdays 30th April to 25th June from 3.30 -5.30pm (2 hours) Maximum of 8 children per session

Cost: $240 per child for 8 weeks (includes all food and cooking equipment) To book, call or text Megan 022 HOT MEAL (0224686325) send an email to info@fft.co.nz or book via www.fft.co.nz