Kia Ora, Talofa Lava, Greetings, Malo e Lelei, Kia Orana
A very warm welcome to Eirinn Houston, Neo Skelton, Zak Moore, Charlotte Belliss, Leon Clench and Troy Clench and their families as they join our school family.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
What an eventful few days we have had this week! I hope you and your family have now managed to get some sleep after the never ending aftershocks and spending time on higher ground due to the tsunami risk. I also hope that your homes and valuables have not suffered too much damage.
Nigel Latta wrote an article for parents entitled ‘Helping Children Through Trauma Post Earthquake.” The following is an excerpt from the start of the article - “The family is the most important part of a child’s life. Parents give them their security and confidence. What trauma means to children depends to a large extent on how their parents react to it.” If you wish to read the rest of the article please email me.
The week has continued of course with the non stop torrential rain causing flooding and disruptions ….. I wonder what will be next …. I am hoping it is lots of sunshine as the countdown to CARNIVAL has begun. This major fundraising event is just days away and we need everyone to help in some way as the funds raised will be going to purchases in Science and Technology gear, which all our students will benefit from when they are learning in the STEAM room. Please put your name up on the rosters in the foyer. It’s been a hive of industry at the office. I know the Carnival team have been hard at work attending to an enormous amount of detail to ensure everyone will have an awesome day.
Thank you to those of you who attended the farewell for Andrew Bird and generously donated towards a gift for him. He was very humbled and we know that Kelburn School will flourish under his leadership.
We are going to welcome our new principal, Bec Power, on Friday December 2nd at 9.30 a.m. We will be having a powhiri in the hall and parents and caregivers are very welcome to join us. Please be seated by 9.20 a.m. Following the official welcome, we will be having an early morning tea, which will be a chance for you to meet and greet Bec over a cuppa in the library. She is really looking forward to meeting the students, staff and parents.
Since the last newsletter, all of our students have been involved with a presentation from Oliver about ‘Sustainable Coastlines.’ They took part in a ‘Love your coast’ litter awareness programme which introduces the effects of rubbish on the marine environment and teaches simple steps that we can all make to prevent litter from getting to the coast. This was then followed by a cleanup of areas at our local beach. Thank you to those parents who joined us for this.
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Our Junior School attended the Mr Yipadee show and thoroughly enjoyed the performance. He read them a newly published story and another one which will be released early next year. He also did lots of singing and dancing peppered with lots of humour. Special thanks to Mrs Christa Pitman for her wonderful portrayal of Rudolf. The cost of this show came from your child’s activity fee.
I had a visit from Ava and Cameron, who had made these incredible maps as part of a response to a text that they had been reading. Their creativity and the level of detail was amazing. Their explanations were also fantastic. Awesome effort!
Our Year 3 to 8 students had a wonderful Athletics day and it was lovely to see so many parents supporting their efforts. We are hopeful the weather will improve and that the grounds will be open for further events.
The Junior School have been making pictures and models out of plasticine as part of their current Visual art unit. Here are a few examples from room 6.
Warmest congratulations to the following students who scored well in Mathematics in the recent ICAS tests. Those awarded High distinction were Sage Pettus, George Walker and Leon Medcalf. The following students achieved Distinction; Quincy Buckley, Jessica Park, Barney Cass, Myles Caughley and Alexandra Irvine.
In the English ICAS High Distinction was attained by Jessica Park, Sage Pettus, Ned Sykes, George Walker and Leon Medcalf. Distinction was attained by Quincy Buckley, Devon Reddaway, Risha Smuts-Kennedy and Amber Reid.
Naomi from Food for Thought, an educational programme about healthy eating and packaging run by Food Stuffs is coming to school to work with year 5 and 6. They are learning about the food pyramid, the importance of a balanced diet, food packaging and ingredients.
The Eastbourne Pool has opened so when the weather warms up our students will be going swimming. Teachers will notify you with details of when your child’s class will be going swimming.
Parents of preschool children about to start school next year are cordially invited to a ‘Starting School at Five’ Information evening in room 3 next Wednesday November 23rd from 7 p.m. If you have a neighbour whose child attends preschool out of our area please let them know about the evening.
Thank you all for your continued support of our students and school.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Carnival.
Take care
Maureen Buckley
Acting Principal
FROM THE SCHOOL
SCIENCE PLANNING
Melissa Coton, Barbara Ryan, Annette Borgonje and Maureen Buckley are at a Science planning day for 2017. They are involved in lots of fun experiments that they will be bringing back to do with our students as part of our programmes next year.
CARNIVAL SCARECROW CONTEST
Muritai School is holding another Scarecrow contest! The Scarecrows will be presented and judged at the school Carnival beside the orchard (small collection of young trees’ on the school field) at 13:20. If you would rather bring your Scarecrow to school before the Carnival you can drop them off at the orchard earlier. You have until then to create your masterpiece!
Many Thanks From The Enviro Team.
BEACH CLEAN UP
Thank you to all our parents and children that participated in the beach clean up on Tuesday. Interestingly the most common items picked up were plastic bottle caps and chupa chup sticks. The most dangerous items on the beach are the tiny pieces of plastic as bottles and sticks break down as this is what the birds and fish ingest with devastating results.
In just a couple of hours we picked up 300 litres of this tiny plastic waste.
I am pleased to say this was a reduction on last years efforts which has to be a good thing. Thanks again Carol Algar
YEAR 3 - 8 ATHLETICS
We had the ‘best day of the week’ recently when we held the Y3-8 Athletics day. The sun was shining and the kids were excited to get stuck into their events. All of the students did a wonderful job competing in the 6 different individual events (sprints, shot put, high jump, long jump, vortex and quoit). The finale relay races were very exciting with the competitive school spirit in full force.
ONLY 10 DAYS TO GO!!!!
We are sending out emails almost on a daily basis asking for your assistance with baking, jam and pickle making, donations for our clothes, books and toys stall. Please help us where you can!
DIARY DATES TERM 4 2016
22 Nov Y4-6 IZ Athletics
23 Nov Starting School at Five information evening 7 p.m.
25 Nov Y8 Girls Gardasil Immunisation
27 Nov CARNIVAL DAY!
29 Nov Y4-8 Regional Athletics
1 Dec PP Date for Y4-8 Regional Athletics
5 Dec to
9 Dec Y3-4 EOTC Week; Y7 EOTC Week, Junior EOTC Week
5 Dec to
10 Dec Y8 Abel Tasman Camp
7/9 Dec Y5/6 EOTC Week
9 Dec Y3/4 Beach Day at Days Bay
12/13 Dec Y5/6 EOTC Week
16 Dec Leavers Assembly, Early Finish at 1pm as LAST DAY OF TERM
TERM DATES FOR 2017
Term 1 = Thursday 2 February - Thursday 13 April (Easter)
Term 2 = Monday 1 May - Friday 7 July
Term 3 = Monday 24 July - Friday 29 September
Term 4 = Monday 16 October - Tuesday 19 December
We have a teacher only day at Queen’s Birthday on Tuesday 6 June
COMMUNITY NOTICES
EASTERN BAYS SHARED PATH
Completing Eastern Bays Shared Path is a high priority for Hutt City Council. We want to provide a safe and connected network. We know this path is important to the local community too. We would like to invite local people along to an open day to give feedback on options for the shared path. You will be able to find out more about the project and talk to members of the project team.
Where: Eastbourne Library
When: Saturday 19 November
Time: 10am – 2pm
You can keep up-to-date with the project on the Hutt City Council website: http://www.huttcity.govt.nz/eastern-bays
FOUND - One bright Orange Gnt Scooter. Please contact Chris on 021 216 0431 if you think it might be yours.
Te Omanga fundraiser
Te Omanga invite you to our Christmas fundraising event, Ten Christmas Tables for Te Omanga. This event was a great success last year and we are looking to replicate it as successfully again this year.
Ten Christmas Tables for Te Omanga is where 10 homes have kindly opened their doors to showcase their Christmas decorated homes with an emphasis on the Christmas dinner table, as well as some treats and festivities on the way. All homes are in the Lower Hutt region and maps will be emailed to attendees the week before the event.
Tickets are the same price as last year - $50 for an adult or $100 for a family pass which is 2 adults and up to 4 children. Tickets are on sale from our shops in Upper Hutt – 226 Main Street, Lower Hutt – 50 Queens Drive, and the Wakahuia (newly opened in Petone at 41 Fitzherbert Street) and from the Hospice – 136 Woburn Road.
Hutt City Libraries The Big Read 2016-17
Last year more than 7410 books were read by children signed up to the Big Read. It’s free and any child aged 5-12 years can join at their local library from Friday 16 December or pre register online from 1 December. The challenge is a great way for your child to read books, complete fun activities and be in to win prizes. The entire family can join in.
For more details go to library.huttcity.govt.nz or contact Eastbourne library
