FRIDAY 25 AUGUST 2017

Kia Ora, Talofa Lava, Greetings, Malo e Lelei, Kia Orana, Bonjour, Nǐ hǎo, Hallo, Hola, Kon'nichiwa, Namaste, G’day mate

A warm welcome to Barney Bourke and Thomas Enge joined Room 2 this week .

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Tena koutou katoa, warm greetings to you all

This week we hosted a large group of Assistant and Deputy Principals from Masterton who were interested to hear about our journey with STEM education.  Melissa Coton (STEM Leader) and Jamie Power (Digital Technologies Leader) and I shared some STEM related thinking, opportunities and activities with our visitors, as well as some of our senior students who presented their STEM learning.  

It’s always a treat to have visitors popping in to share our journey and future thinking with.  

11th September

Thank you for sending the yellow slips back to the office for our day with Mark Osborne on the 11th of September.  We still have a few outstanding, so if you can get those back ASAP it would greatly help our organisation .  If you need a new slip, we have extras at the office.   

Walk & Talk

Last week’s first Walk & Talk was a great success! Next week’s ‘After drop off Walk & Talk’ takes place Wednesday (30th August) at 9am. We wander from school up to Hinau street and back to Hive (2km’s total).  If you can’t make it for the walk, you’re welcome to join us as we meet at Hive at 9:30am for a talk.  

Road Patrol

Each Friday afternoon I am on road patrol duty and enjoy farewelling all happy pedestrians as you head off for your weekends.  Our road patrol volunteers help keep all of our children and parents safe when crossing the road throughout the week, and it makes us feel pleased about doing a great job when we see adults and children using the crossing correctly! Please avoid parking on the yellow lines or in the disabled parking allocations around our school, or crossing the road by sprinting out in front of traffic.  The extra minute you take to park or cross correctly sets a great example to your children.  

2018

The time of year is approaching when we begin to look forward to our next year’s organisation of classes.  If you have information around your child/ren that would be useful for us, please do officially let me know in writing ASAP so that we can be clear on our 2018 enrolment numbers.  Similarly if you have a child starting school in 2018 that we’re not aware of - please do let us know in the office.  Principal@Muritai.school.nz

Farewell Sandra

At the end of next week we farewell a very special staff member - Sandra Blair.  

Sandra has had a long association with Muritai School.  She has been involved for over 30 years starting as a student through to being a parent of two boys.  She ran the school lunch system “Muritai Munchies” for 25 years and for the last fifteen years has been co-ordinating programmes for our students with special needs. Sandra is taking on a new position in the village so I’m sure we will continue to see her smiling face around.  Congratulations Sandra!

Kind regards

Ngā Mihi

Bec Power

Principal

FROM THE SCHOOL

ARTSPLASH

Our Artsplash Choir will be performing on Wednesday 20 September at the Michael Fowler Centre.  A letter with a permission slip went home with every child who is participating in this yesterday.  Can you please return the permission slips to the office ASAP.  Tickets are on sale from the office for $5.00.  Each family can purchase up to 4 tickets.  Each child who is participating MUST wear a Muritai School T-shirt.  If your child does not have a t-shirt they are available to purchase at the office.  We may need to order some more in so we would appreciate if you could come and see us before Friday 11 August.

MURITAI SCHOOL BADMINTON TEAMS

We are pleased to have 2 teams (Yr5/6 and Yr7/8) entered into the HV Primary Inter Schools’ Badminton Competition. The competition was offered to primary schools for the first time this Term. The children have been practising each Thursday lunchtime in our school hall. After school, they compete against other primary school teams at Badminton Hall in Naenae. The children are enjoying learning a new sport and they have improved immensely. We have been fortunate to have Simone, from HV Badminton, coaching them during the first half of this Term.

FUTURE FERNS NETBALL

On Tuesday 15th August some of our Year 2 students participated in a Future Ferns Netball Tournament held at Walternash Stadium.

The students had loads of fun playing against other Year 2 students from local schools and participating in skill sessions.

Thank you to our parents who helped transport and supervise teams!

SCHOLASTIC - LUCKY BOOK CLUB

Scholastic Issue 6

The latest Scholastic catalogue will be coming home next week.  

Many of you are already making orders online through LOOP and this is now the only way you can order if you wish to pay by credit card.

LOOP is easy to use and all of the details for ordering on LOOP are included on the student order form inside the Lucky Book Club catalogue.

The student order form only needs to be filled in and returned to the school office if you are paying by cheque. Cheques need to be made out to Scholastic NZ.

Even though the order form offers a cash payment, due to orders being made directly to Scholastic we are unable to accept cash payments.

The close off date for all orders, handed into the school office or made online through the LOOP system is Friday the 15th of September

Issue 5 orders that have been made earlier this term will be coming home shortly once delivery has been received.

Thank you for your continued support of Lucky Book Club, which assists us in purchasing new Library books for everyone to enjoy.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS

We still have a few entertainment books outstanding.  Please note that all Entertainment Books must be returned or paid for as a matter urgency.

Please contact Michelle at michelle.fisher@outlook.co.nz should you have any queries.

SCHOOL DISCO

Home and School would like to thank the students and parents for coming to the disco ! It was great fun and really good to see everyone enjoying themselves. Also a special mention and thanks to all the parent helpers and also to Sinead Diederich from Tommy’s who kindly donated the ice blocks.

HOME & SCHOOL - BATTERY FUNDRAISER

Home and School are excited to share our main fundraiser for the year. ‘Spark yourself up with Batteries!’

On Monday the eldest child in each Muritai Family received a box of batteries to sell. Each box contains 15 packets which sell for $5 each. This fundraiser will go from Monday 21st August until Friday 8th September.  Students can sell as many boxes as they like and there are some awesome prizes up for grabs.

We are excited about this opportunity to raise funds for our school and if each family sells at least one box we stand to make a significant amount for our school.  Feel free to take them into your work places and to canvas the neighbours !

Thanks in advance of your support.

Home and School Committee.

ONESIE DAY - coming soon!

What: A day to wear your favourite Onesie and help raise money for St John Ambulance

When: Friday 8th September 2017

How: On Friday 8th September come to school wearing your Onesie. If you don’t own a Onesie please come wearing your Pajamas. Bring along a gold coin donation that will be collected from your classroom on Friday morning by the children organisers of Onesie day.

Why: Luke Butler wanted to raise money for St John Ambulance and thought a Onesie day would be a great idea. After meetings with Mrs Power, Charity Ambassadors and Mr Power, the team have made posters, movies and school notices to promote this wonderful event.

Onesie Day celebrates what it means to be unique. Like you. Like the Wellington Free Ambulance. They are the only ambulance service in Greater Wellington and Wairarapa, and the only ones in the country who are free.

The funds raised will go directly towards new ambulances, life-saving equipment, advanced clinical training and research, and much, much more.  

TERM 2 2017 DATES

31 Aug      Zone Y3-6 Basketball

1 Sept       Assembly at 1.45pm

5 Sept       Y7-8 Hockey

6 Sept       Starting School at Five Information Evening

7 Sept       PP day for Y7-8 Hockey                    BOT meeting at 7.30pm – anyone is welcome to attend

8 Sept                  Onesie Day

11 Sept              Children picked at 12pm for staff PD

12 Sept     Inter Zone Y3-6 Basketball

18 Sept     Art Exhibition in the hall

19 Sept     Art Exhibition in the hall                    Y7-8 Softball

20 Sept     Art Exhibition in the hall                    Artsplash Choir – Michael Fowler Centre

21 Sept     Art Exhibition the hall                    PP day for Y7-8 Softball

22 Sept     Artsplash Dance

29 Sept     LAST DAY OF TERM 3

16 Oct       FIRST DAY OF TERM 4

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

COMMUNITY NOTICES

It’s getting to that time of year when the Daffodil bulbs are popping up all over the Wairarapa district, a sunny little reminder that spring is almost upon us, bringing with it the annual Carterton Daffodil Festival on Sunday 10th September. What is now for many a time-honoured tradition, the festival includes the picking of daffodils at Middlerun, a historic property in Gladstone. As in 2016, there will be FREE buses departing  throughout the day starting at 10am from Broadway, to shuttle eager festival goers to and from Middlerun.

The Daffodil Express Steam Train, enroute from Wellington, will be arriving at 10.40am at the Carterton Railway Station before proceeding to Masterton. The short trip between Carterton and Masterton offers local residents and visitors a taste of the historic steam train, whilst still making the most of the festivals activities. To book a round trip Carterton to Masterton return email: carterton.rail.museum@xnet.co.nz to book a Wellington return trip visit http://www.steaminc.org.nz/ .

The festival will be as wonderful as ever with the Big WaiArt Sale, live music, the Daffodil Express Steam Train excursion and all the fun of the fair!

Fun French for kids ​at Muritai School at lunch time

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 021 178 2099

visit the website www.lcfclubs.co.nz

FRIDAY 11 AUGUST 2017

Kia Ora, Talofa Lava, Greetings, Malo e Lelei, Kia Orana, Bonjour, Nǐ hǎo, Hallo, Hola, Kon'nichiwa, Namaste, G’day mate

A warm welcome to Barney Cauldwell joined Room 2 this week as well Rereahu Wehipeihana-Reihana in Room 15, Reikura Wehipeihana-Reihana in Room 1, Charlea Salisbury-Metcalf in Room 8 and Rio Salisbury-Metcalf in Room 16.

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Tena koutou katoa, warm greetings to you all

We are pleased to share with you the What Now video that screened last month here: https://youtu.be/0TRkJ-wjpmY and on our school Facebook page via YouTube: https://www.facebook.com/MuritaiSchool/

It’s captured some of what makes Muritai such a special place - we as a staff felt very proud to see all of the snippets of our learners ‘Being the best they can be’ shining through.  Congratulations again to the talented staff team who took out the gauntlet - Mr Norman’s dedication in getting across the slippery pole was certainly one of my highlights of term two!  

We are working towards our readiness for the Digital Technologies Curriculum in a wide variety of ways - one way is growing our knowledge and understanding around future focused learning from a variety of experts.  One such expert is Mark Osborne, who travels internationally, presenting on and assisting educationalists around future focussed teaching and learning.  We have managed to secure a day with Mark this term, and to make it accessible to all teaching and support staff, we ask that you support us by picking up your child/ren at 12pm on Monday 11th September.   Staff and Board members will be meeting with Mark, and learning alongside each other to build our capacity as we ensure our school and learning opportunities are the ‘Best we can be’.  

Keep an eye out in school bags on Monday for the important return slip outlining this.  We can support anyone who is having difficulty finding alternative arrangements for the afternoon session, however your child will need to be booked in so that we’ve arranged enough cover for them.  

Look for our new whiteboard in the foyer which will have an update on the next ‘Walk & Talk’.  This is a new initiative I’ll be starting next week which enables us to connect fortnightly for an informal chat.  The Walk & Talk doesn’t have a particular topic, nor is it a time to discuss individual learners, however it is a time to discuss anything with a school, local or education focus.  For those who can’t make the walk, we will finish at Hive - where those who would like to,  can join us/stay on for a coffee and a natter.

Next week’s ‘After drop off Walk & Talk’ takes place Wednesday (16th August) at 9am.  I envision we might wander from school up to Hinau street and back to Hive (2km’s total) but each group can choose their own route!  

See you at the disco tonight!  

Kind regards

Ngā Mihi

Bec Power

Principal

Board of Trustees - August Update:

Future-focused learning:

Innovative and future-focused learning is a real focus for Muritai, and many schools today, with a new digital technologies strand becoming part of the primary curriculum from next year. To support our educators in this rapidly-evolving space, leading Australasian consultant Mark Osborne will be providing professional leadership development to Muritai teachers in September, on innovative learning environments, future-focused teaching and learning and collaborative teaching. The school board asks families to support our teachers access this valuable training by picking up your child at midday on Monday September 11.

We acknowledge the inconvenience but appreciate this is a significant opportunity and will benefit our children.

Student achievement:

Again, we would like to congratulate our fabulous students and teachers on the terrific progress results we are seeing after mid-year, where across the entire school we have 87.8% At or Above in Reading, 84.3% At or Above in Writing, 83.5% At or Above in Maths, all well above national averages and progressing well towards our meeting our annual targets.  

Cohort entry:

An education act amendment allowing schools to take new entrants together in a group, or cohort, in a term closest to their fifth birthday, is now in effect.

The Board has decided to take a 'wait and see' approach as a few schools begin adopting this in 2018, with a view to considering it for 2019 if supported by the community. Under cohort entry, families can choose start their child at school before or after their child is five, in the term closest to their birthday.

Opinions on cohort entry are divided, with positives for the children starting in a group rather than alone, but questions over the readiness of children starting structured learning earlier than five.

This is an important conversation and would like to take the time to consult with our teachers and families throughout 2018 before making the decision on whether this is right for Muritai. As always, the well being of the child will be our guiding principle.

Donations 2017:

We have received an encouraging 80 percent of our donations target and warmly thank all of those families who have been able to support our school to maintain current teaching levels.  We would love to reach close to 100 percent this year to allow us to plan for ongoing extra staffing and resourcing, so please keep those final payments coming, if you are able.

Muritai School Board of Trustees

August 2017

FROM THE SCHOOL

ARTSPLASH

Our Artsplash Choir will be performing on Wednesday 20 September at the Michael Fowler Centre.  A letter with a permission slip went home with every child who is participating in this yesterday.  Can you please return the permission slips to the office ASAP.  Tickets are on sale from the office for $5.00.  Each family can purchase up to 4 tickets.  Each child who is participating MUST wear a Muritai School T-shirt.  If your child does not have a t-shirt they are available to purchase at the office.  We may need to order some more in so we would appreciate if you could come and see us before Friday 11 August.

The Year 3/4 children are taking part in Chapter Chat over the next 5 weeks. It is a nationwide novel study where we read the book 'The Sasquatch Escape', complete comprehension activities and share learning with other classes across New Zealand. We are loving the story and the follow up activities. We can't wait to connect with other classes and discuss our learning!

LUCKY BOOK CLUB

The new Scholastic catalogue is now available.  We would like to let you know about a change that Scholastic have made to their ordering system.

Many of you are already making orders online through LOOP and this is now the only way you can order if you wish to pay by credit card.  LOOP is easy to use and all of the details for ordering on LOOP are included on the student order form inside the Lucky Book Club catalogue.  

The student order form only needs to be filled in and returned to the school office if you are paying by cheque. Cheques need to be made out to Scholastic NZ.  Even though the order form offers a cash payment, due to orders being made directly to Scholastic we are unable to accept cash payments.

The close off date for all orders, handed into the school office or made online through the LOOP system is Friday the 18th of August.

Thank you for your continued support of Lucky Book Club, which assists us in purchasing new Library books for everyone to enjoy.

WORLD VISION FAMINE 2017 - If your child participated in the World Vision 40 Hour Famine and have not yet returned their sponsorship money, could you please do so as soon as possible.  Thanks very much.

HOME AND SCHOOL - DISCO

The school disco will be held on Friday 11 August.  Entry is $5 which includes an ice block.  There are other items for sale on the night!!  Children must be picked up by a parent please.

Year groups can attend as follows:

Year 1 – 3       5pm to 6pm

Year 4 – 6        6.15pm to 7.45pm

Year 7 – 8 8pm to 9.30pm

ONESIE DAY - coming soon!

What: A day to wear your favourite Onesie and help raise money for St John Ambulance

When: Friday 8th September 2017
How: On Friday 8th September come to school wearing your Onesie. If you don’t own a Onesie please come wearing your Pajamas. Bring along a gold coin donation that will be collected from your classroom on Friday morning by the children organisers of Onesie day.
Why: Luke Butler wanted to raise money for St John Ambulance and thought a Onesie day would be a great idea. After meetings with Mrs Power, Charity Ambassadors and Mr Power, the team have made posters, movies and school notices to promote this wonderful event.

Onesie Day celebrates what it means to be unique. Like you. Like the Wellington Free Ambulance. They are the only ambulance service in Greater Wellington and Wairarapa, and the only ones in the country who are free. The funds raised will go directly towards new ambulances, life-saving equipment, advanced clinical training and research, and much, much more.  

PEACE WEEK

Last week a group of children from Room 11 attended the Wellington Tumanako Art Exhibition opening at the War Memorial Library. All of Room 11 took part in the creation of a large mural called ' Hope not Hate' to remember that we want more caring behaviours in the world, not ones that cause war, hate and destruction.

The Exhibition is on for another 2 weeks, so if you happen to be in the area pop in to see some amazing children's art!

NO TO BOOING

A group of children from Year 3/4 have had their voices heard and are making some big noise against booing. Stuff came and interview 5 children about their thoughts of booing at sport games. If you haven't read the article here is the link.  https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/95421337/primary-school-kids-make-big-noise-against-booing

TERM 2 2017 DATES

11 Aug      School Disco

15 Aug      ICAS Maths

16 Aug       Walk & Talk with Bec 9am

18 Aug      Assembly at 1.45pm

31 Aug      Zone Y3-6 Basketball

1 Sept       Assembly at 1.45pm

5 Sept       Y7-8 Hockey

6 Sept       Starting School at Five Information Evening

7 Sept       PP day for Y7-8 Hockey                   BOT meeting at 7.30pm – anyone is welcome to attend

8 Sept         Onsie Day

11 Sept      Children picked at 12pm for staff PD

12 Sept     Inter Zone Y3-6 Basketball

18 Sept     Art Exhibition in the hall

19 Sept     Art Exhibition in the hall                    Y7-8 Softball

20 Sept     Art Exhibition in the hall                    Artsplash Choir – Michael Fowler Centre

21 Sept     Art Exhibition the hall                    PP day for Y7-8 Softball

22 Sept     Artsplash Dance

29 Sept     LAST DAY OF TERM 3

16 Oct       FIRST DAY OF TERM 4

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

Once again Eastbourne’s Party of the Year will be taking place at the Muritai School Hall on Saturday 19 August from 7pm till midnight.  Tickets are $80.00 which include a bubbles on arrival, + 2 free drinks, canapes, dinner, by Blue Carrott Catering, and sweets and a great band!  This year we are fundraising to upgrade the outdoor space at the Eastbourne Sports and Services Club.  Tickets are available to purchase at the Office or by contacting Jo 021 025 19479.  Tickets are nearly sold out, get in quick so you dont miss out!

Fun French for kids ​at Muritai School at lunch time

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 021 178 209

visit the website www.lcfclubs.co.nz

KULA KIDS YOGA TERM 3 - ENROLLING NOW!

Kula Kids' Yoga classes are playful and creative. Our experienced teacher, Jeanne, weaves story, song and games into the ancient art of yoga.

In this eight-week course, your young yogis will build strength of body & mind, balance, and flexibility guided by the yoga principles of kindness, honesty, commitment, and contentment.

New Wee-yogi story yoga class for 5-6 year olds - Monday 3-3:45 pm and Teen Yoga, too!

Timetable for ages 5-17 at https://www.facebook.com/KulaKidsYoga/ or email kulakidsyoga@yahoo.com