Kia Ora, Talofa Lava, Greetings, Malo e Lelei, Kia Orana
A very warm welcome to Leo Reed and Ruby Fenwick and their families as they join our school family. We also give a huge welcome to Bec Power and her family to Muritai.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Wow - it’s hard to believe that there are only two more weeks of the term to go. The time has certainly flown by and summer is finally here. Last weekend of course was the fantastic Carnival! A huge thank you to the committee for the tireless amount of work that they did to make it such a successful day in spite of the trying weather conditions that occurred during the morning. There was a lovely community feel and the students absolutely loved it and are still talking about what they did. We will now be able to purchase some amazing resources like robotics for example to use with students in our STEAM room, which will be very exciting indeed so thank you all very much.
Education Outside the Classroom programmes have been planned and are getting underway next week. There are a multitude of amazing activities for the students to do and classroom teachers will let you know the finer details. We wish our Year 8’s well as they are off on the ferry to Picton early on Monday morning for their Abel Tasman adventures while our Juniors are learning some songs in readiness for their annual Christmas Concert and afternoon tea next Thursday afternoon at 1.30 p.m. in the hall.
I have had the pleasure of reading over four hundred student reports in the past week and am delighted with the fantastic progress that students have made throughout the year. There are some comments regarding next learning steps for students to achieve so that they continue to attain their current levels and suggestions on what else they need to do to be above the National Standard. They will be bringing them home to you next Friday afternoon so please praise their wonderful efforts.
Thank you to all those parents and families who came to school on Monday night for the ‘Celebration of Learning.’ It was lovely to see the students so engaged in sharing their learning and is a very valuable part of our reporting process.
I would like to reassure our families that we have contingency plans in place for emergencies whether this is earthquakes, fire, tsunami, lockdown procedures etc and we do drills to practice these on a regular basis with all the students. When the fire alarm goes the students automatically drop to the ground like a turtle and cover their heads and can be seen doing this both inside and outside in the playground. We can get all our students safely up the McKenzie track within seven minutes if necessary. Classrooms have emergency supplies and we supervise your child until you are able to safely collect them from us however long that may be. The engineers did a thorough inspection of our buildings following the large earthquake and all was good. If you would like to see the report please don’t hesitate to contact me. Some parents have been a bit anxious about going to the pool. The council has had the Eastbourne pool and buildings checked so our swimming programme has continued. It is an opportune time, however, for everyone to ensure that Jo in the office has your correct cell phones numbers and emergency contact details. Please also read the notice further in this newsletter from the Eastbourne Community Board.
I have been working on the staffing for next year and this week reluctantly accepted the
resignation of Richard Dobson, one of our Associate Principals. He has taught here for the past ten years and will be greatly missed but we wish him congratulations on his new role in a Senior leadership position overseeing the Year 3 and 4 area at Kelburn Normal School. At the end of the year Mr Carl Woodhams and Mrs Carol Algar will also be leaving as they head overseas to teach for 2017 and return in 2018.
We also say farewell and a huge thank you to Lesley Lowe and Imogen Wallace who have been fantastic teacher aides supporting the learning of some of our students for many years. Lesley and her family are going back to Britain while Imogen and her family will be heading up to the Kapiti Coast allowing her more time to undertake further studies. I am in the process of interviewing for new staff and will let you know when these are confirmed.
Teaching staff have been sorting out the class placements for next year. This is a huge task and one in which learning needs for each child are carefully considered. It is an extremely difficult and time consuming task but we do accommodate everyone within the constraints that we have to work around to the best that we can. We try to get a balance of gender, academic abilities and strengths in sports, arts, ICT for example in each classroom. We are looking at the whole picture whereas some parents tend to focus just on their child’s friendship groups while others focus on their academic learning or particular teachers. We know initially that some students and/or parents may be disappointed when they get the lists but this is usually temporary. Teachers work with the students to build their resilience and create a wonderful learning environment together while parents can support them by continuing with play dates outside of school and discussing change in a positive way. Copies of the class lists will be coming home to you next Friday afternoon with your child at 3 p.m. along with their report and stationery requirements for next year. Please refrain from opening the letters in the school playground after school and do not ask teachers for them earlier. Any student who is absent will have theirs posted out on Friday.
On Monday December 12th, all students will go to their usual classes and then they will spend time in the classroom that they will be going into next year to meet their next teacher and do an activity with their old and new classmates before returning to their usual class for the rest of the week.
On Tuesday December 13th I cordially invite all parents, families and members of our community who have helped with any of the learning programmes this year to join the staff and myself for morning tea at 10.30 a.m. in the library so we can thank you for your wonderful ongoing support.
We are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning at 9.20 a.m. as we welcome Bec.
Have a great weekend.
Maureen Buckley
Acting Principal
FROM THE SCHOOL
EARLY FINISH LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
We will be closing at 1pm on Friday 16 December. There will be no school buses. Please ensure you pick up your children at this time and have a wonderful Christmas holiday.
EPRO8 CHALLENGE
Muritai School are incredibly proud of all our Epro8 teams. One Year 5-6 and both Year 7-8 teams made it all the way through to the grand final! The Y7-8s placed 1st and 2nd in both the first round and semi-finals. These students displayed unwavering determination, resilience and sportsmanship. They gave it their all in the finals against incredibly tough competition from all over the Wellington region, which included teams all the way up to Masterton. There were 150+ teams competing in this tournament, with three Muritai teams placing in the top 12 of their respective tournaments.
REGIONAL ATHLETICS
Muritai School had a number of athletes (13 in total) compete at the Regional Athletics event on Tuesday. It was a tough day with the best results being our Year 5 Girls relay team and our Year 6 Boys relay team placing 2nd in their races.
Full results can be found here: http://www.sporty.co.nz/lhpssa/Regional-Events/Athletics-6
Y6 Boys Relay team: Jack Roche, Fraser Belliss, Joe Dickson, Luca McKay
CONGRATULATIONS SAGE!
Congratulations to Sage Pettus who gained Distinction for her ABRSM Grade 3 piano exam. Sage gained 138 marks out of the possible 150. This is an extraordinarily high result. Awesome achievement Sage!
SCHOOL TRAPS
If you have a school rat trap at your home, could you please return it to school before the end of next week.
Thank you, Carol Algar
SOUTHERN RIMUTAKA AERIAL PROJECT
We have received information from the Greater Wellington Regional Council regarding the Southern Rimutaka aerial possum control operation. This will be carried out from late November onwards in the area located south of Wainuiomata in the Rimutaka Ranges and the East Harbour Regional Park. The operation is being undertaken by TBfree New Zealand, by BioWorks, part of the Greater Wellington Regional Council.
One application of prefeed baits will occur from approximately 28 November onwards. This will be followed approximately one to two weeks later with an application of 1080 pellets. However, both applications can only occur when suitable weather conditions exist, so some delay may occur.
Baits will be applied by helicopter. Prior to the application of 1080 baits, warning signs will be erected at all entrance ways where poisons are laid. You are requested not to touch or remove any baits. If you consider poisoning has occurred, please seek medical aid or call 111.
Do not bring dogs into the area until the warning signs have been officially removed. Dogars are particularly susceptible to 1080. They must not be allowed access to bait or poisoned carcasses which remain toxic to dogs until they have fully decomposed. Free dog muzzles will be provided on request. Please contact OSPRI on 06 353 2710 to obtain a muzzle.
If you require further information please don’t hesitate to contact
Debbie Viner, TBfree New Zealand, PO Box 9078, Terrace End, Palmerston North 4441, Phone 06 353 2712 debbie.viner@tbfree.org.nz
Graeme Butcher, Greater Wellington Regional Council, PO Box 41, Masterton 5740
Phone 06 826 1520 graeme.butcher@gw.govt.nz
DIARY DATES TERM 4 2016
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
Do you want to learn to play guitar? 2017 Guitar Lessons at Muritai School
There are places available for new pupils from Years 3-8
Lessons will begin in Week 2, on Monday or Friday
The lessons are 30 minutes long, and will take place in groups of up to 4 pupils
The cost is $12 per lesson, and there are 9 lessons scheduled for Term 1
Each pupil will need a guitar to use at home, and a clearfile to bring to school
Please contact:
Charles Hazlewood
music.box@paradise.net.nz
(04) 934-2759, 029-9392759
Drum Tuition at Muritai 2017
There are spaces available for students (year 4 and older) who want to have a go at learning the drums at school, starting in term 1 2017. Please contact Andy via andyrussellmusic@gmail.com for more information.
LEARN TO PLAY TENNIS
Holiday Programme For Children From 5 years- 13 years - Supported by HVTA
Dates: Wednesday 25, Thursday 26 and Friday 27 January, 2017. (wet or fine)
Venue: Mitchell Park (Mitchell Street, Lower Hutt)
If wet the programme will be held in the squash courts.
Timetable: 9.00am-10.00 am- Girls from 5-8 years old
10.00am-11.00 am- Boys from 5-8 years old
11.00am-12.00 noon- Girls from 9 years +
1.00pm-2.00 pm- Boys from 9 years +
Cost: $33-00 for the 3 days. Money to be paid on the first day.
Registration: Contact Gary Nelson –Ph. 5897178 or Email - a.nelson@xtra.co.nz
Note: Enrolments must be received by- Wednesday 11 January, 2017.
EARLY ENROLMENT is advised as this programme is very popular and the first 12 enrolments in each age group will be accepted.
Notice from Eastbourne Community Board
EARTHQUAKE OR TSUNAMI IN EASTBOURNE
BE PREPARED!
Have a Get Up and Go Bag ready for each member of the family
Keep a torch and radio by your bed. Have warm jacket and sturdy shoes handy.
Know your zone
You can find a good clear map at
Where can you find out what’s happening?
Radio – make sure you have a battery operated or wind up radio.
Red Cross Hazards App – download onto your phone from the App Store or Google Play. Keep your phone charged!
WREMO Facebook – you do not need to log on to get access. Eastbourne Community Notice Board (Facebook) – locals post information
These will also let you know when emergency is over.
When to evacuate to higher ground
Sirens will NOT be used to signal evacuation or the all-clear. A siren, if it sounds, means something is happening. Turn on your radio or other information source.
If it’s a LONG (60 seconds or more) or STRONG earthquake (you’re knocked off your feet) you need to MOVE ON (above the Yellow zone). If you are unsure GO.
Who needs to go?
In Eastbourne, those on the coastal flat or red should go to higher ground. No need to go to the top of hills. Above 2 storey houses on the flat will be fine in most cases. Use your common sense.
If you are can, walk. Other Eastbourners will give you shelter
Leave car spaces for those with young children, elderly, infirm, immobileIf you are a “highlander” who lives above the coastal flats try to find a way to signal that evacuees are welcome to shelter at your place e.g. a light by the door (if you have power) yellow ribbon tied round your letter box, torch by the gate. If you are a “lowlander” don’t hesitate to knock on someone’s door, particularly if it’s cold or wet.
* Please don't drive if you can walk to a safer level
* Streets or right of ways - if possible get together and arrange to let your neighbours know if you will be away so they don't spend time checking you if you are not home
* "Highlanders" those above the zones that need to evacuate do let "lowlanders" in your street know they are welcome to come to you for shelter if needed
* What about a higher street linking with a street on the flat as their "safe zone"? Bays could do the same.
Everyone’s Adventure wants to make outdoor adventures free for as many Wellington families as possible this summer. You can help them reach the target buy booking a fun kayak or bike experience for your family (child size available!), or buying vouchers for family and friends for Christmas.
Here’s how it works:
1. Make a booking at The Boatshed - Days Bay, The Bike Shed - Pencarrow, or Cycle Rimutaka, or buy a voucher for someone else to enjoy an adventure. Every dollar spent there counts - including drinks, ice creams and snacks.
2. The owners have calculated how much it’ll cost to safely operate those businesses over summer, and pay staff - it’s $300k.
3. Once the business' $300k summer costs are reached through your purchases, gear hire is FREE for everyone, for the rest of summer - til Easter weekend 2017.
If Wellington families get behind Everyone’s Adventure now, adventures will be free by the end of the summer holidays!
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