FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER


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 Cooper Halford who joins us in Room 3 this week.  


FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Tena koutou katoa, warm greetings to you all

Tsunami
We had a superb Tsunami Walkout practice on Tuesday, if you’re out and about walking around Eastbourne this weekend, your child may like to show you where we evacuated to, and might even be able to explain what the blue painted lines mean on the road.  
Following our evacuation practice, we will work with WREMOnz (Wellington Region Emergency Management Office) who attended alongside us to check if our school emergency policy is current and robust, and review in line with recommendations alongside the Board of Trustees.




Staff News
It is with a mixture of celebration and sadness that we advise an exciting opportunity has arisen for one of our staff members, Melissa Coton.  Melissa has accepted a promotion as a team leader at Boulcott School in 2018.  
We wish Melissa all the best in this opportunity for promotion!
We will be advertising immediately for a senior school teacher for 2018.  
MADE Awards
It was with surprise and delight that we found ourselves in the audience of the national MADE Awards (Movie and Digital Excellence) in Tauranga last Friday night.  
It was the first time Muritai School had entered the awards, and as I mentioned in last week’s newsletter we were completely excited to receive 8 national finalist placings!
The surprises continued as the awards got underway, with Tilly Saunderson (& Mrs Ryan) gaining a third place and Ruby Fenwick (& Mrs Buckley) taking out the national award for first place in the years 0-3 Creative Digital Image Category!

 
Next up was Luke Butler (& Mr Power) winning the national Documentary Category in years 4-6!
Then Room 11 (& Mr Power) won the national Commercial Category in years 4-6!
Luke then also won the best actor award over all entries!

Our final award of the evening was an enormous surprise to us all with Luke (& Mr Power’s) documentary winning the Supreme Award for 2017 - across over 500 entries from all over New Zealand in every age group and category.  I must say we all squealed with delight when the video from WETA Workshop  announced the supreme award was going to Muritai School!
The evening earned some incredible prizes for our school with us bringing home a new video camera, an iPad pro, a Noel Leeming voucher and a new robotics kit.  For the supreme award we won an enormous Samsung curved UHD TV!

Congratulations to all entries, finalists and winners - what a wonderful success Muritai School!
FROM THE BOARD
The ageing playground next to the library has been closed due to safety concerns after inspection by school playground specialists. The cost of repair is high and the board has decided to demolish it. But what to replace it with? A new playground? An outdoor classroom? A sensory garden? A climbing, building or creative space?  
We will be discussing some ideas with children and staff  this term and next, and then invite you, our families, to join the conversation.  If you have any immediate suggestions, or something you’ve seen elsewhere for us to take notice of, please do pass your suggestions onto us via the school office.   
TERM 4 2017 DATES
24 Nov                  Assembly
27 Nov                 Y3/4 and 5/6 SE Zone Rugby
28 Nov                 Y4-6 Interzone Athletics
29 Nov                 Starting School at 5 Information Evening
30 Nov                 BOT meeting at 7.30pm
3 Dec                   Y8’s off to Abel Tasman Camp
4 to 8 Dec            Y3/4 EOTC Week
5 Dec                   Y4-8 Regional Athletics
6 Dec                   Y7’s at Mt Holdsworth overnight
8 Dec                   Y3/4 Trip to Te Papa
11 to 15 Dec        Y5/6 EOTC Week
11 Dec                  Junior Athletics
13 Dec                  Y8 Formal at 6.30
14 Dec                  BOT meeting at 7.30pm
14 Dec                  Junior School Xmas Concert and party at 1 to 3pm
15 Dec                  Assembly
18 Dec                  Y7/8 Days Bay Day
19 Dec                  LAST DAY OF TERM 4
                               EARLY FINISH AT 1PM
TERMS DATE FOR 2018
Term 1 - Wednesday 31 January - Friday 13 April
Term 2 - Monday 30 April - Friday 6 July
Term 3 - Monday 23 July - Friday 28 September
Term 4 - Monday 15 October - Tuesday 18 October
COMMUNITY NOTICES


SUPERSTAR ACADEMY
Eastbourne Cricket Club welcomes years 0 - 2 and their families to register for Superstar Academy. Kids learn bat and ball skills followed by a sausage sizzle.  Registration fee includes giveaway pack and photo.
Starts:  Friday 10 November 2017 5:30 – 6:30pm
            HW Shortt Park
Register at www.eastbournecricket.org.nz    Any questions contact lauren.delaney@actrix.co.nz
Kula Kids Yoga classes continue at Hot Yoga Lower Hutt.  We're enrolling now for Term 4!
Yoga and mindfulness build skills that increase a child's sense of well-being, boosts the ability to self-regulate and sustain focus. Kids yoga is fun!  Ages 7-12
Saturdays in Lower Hutt
October 21 - 25 November
6 weeks
$80 for 6wks/$55 for 4wks/ $15 casual
Jeanne at kulakidsyoga@yahoo.com
JOIN MARANUI SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB - CLUB OPEN DAY - SUN, SAND & SURF -
Maranui Junior Surf season starts on SUNDAY 5th NOVEMBER 2017.
Summer is approaching, so now is the time to register with Maranui Surf Life Saving Club. Junior Surf is a great way for children to make friends, be active and enjoy the beach in a safe environment. Come along to our Registration and Club Open Day on Sunday 29 October, 12pm - 3pm. See what’s happening at the club this season, meet coaches, lifeguards and athletes, have a look around the surf clubhouse, register and become a member, information on junior surf, seniors, becoming a lifeguard and information on hiring the club. We look forward to seeing you all. Or join Maranui SLSC today
at www.maranui.co.nz/how-to-join.html
Eastbourne Junior Cricket Club
2017/18 Registration Open for Year 1-8 players
Online Junior Cricket Registration has opened for the 2017/18 season. All the details and online registration can be found at www.eastbournecricket.org.nz.
Speak Again Performance Development provides a playful and creative environment to nurture children’s speech and creative arts skills. We are excited to announce that Speak Again is taking limited registrations for Term 4. Small group coaching will be available to Muritai students; years 3 - 8. Each lesson will be 30 minutes and held at the school during the weekday lunch breaks. For detailed information and enrolment please visit www.speakagain.co.nz or call Emily Keddell on 0211885106.
EASTBOURNE SWIM CLUB
Our community Eastbourne Swim Club is looking for coaches and assistant coaches for the upcoming season (generally coaches are poolside and assistants in the water). We cater for all ages and abilities (5 to 12). The season starts mid November when the Eastbourne Pool opens and runs through to mid March when the pool closes. If you are interested please contact the club on eastbourneswimclub@gmail.com
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
Issue 8 of lucky book club will be coming home next week. This is the last issue for the year. Orders will need to be made by Friday the 1st of December. Please use the link: https://mybookclub.scholastic.co.nz/Parent/Login.aspx to make online orders. Orders made through school can only be paid by cheques made out to Scholastic NZ.
Issue 7 books should be on their way home next week. Thanks for your support through the year as we have been able to add many new books to our library catalogue for everyone to enjoy.
MISSING AUDIO BOOK

We are missing an audio books from school that need to be returned.  Has anyone got 'Grandpa's Great Escape'?  If so please return to either Lisa Allen or the School Office.

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FRIDAY 10 NOVEMBER 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 Alfie Orbell who has joined Room 2, Elsie Devenport Room 3, Hazel Devenport Room 24, Sadie Devenport Room 13, Poppy Edwards Room 12, Tabitha Edwards Room6 and Grace Manson who has returned to Room 23 recently.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Tena koutou katoa, warm greetings to you all
Thank you to all of those parents who have made contact regarding the class makeup organisation for 2018 following my last newsletter,  we will certainly take your thoughts and suggestions into account as we continue setting up the 2018 classes.  
We begin next year with a much higher roll than usual for the start of the year, and have designed our class makeup to ensure students and teachers are set up for success right from the get-go.  The higher start of the year numbers have meant we’ve needed to be quite creative when looking for solutions around class organisation. Every year we design school organisation in the way that best suits the needs of the particular group of learners.
We can never predict how many new students will move into Eastbourne and enrol at Muritai in any one year, this year some of our class numbers have been much higher than previous years with the unexpected enrolments that every public school welcomes over a calendar year.  
To remedy this, more of our classes will move to ‘composite’ classes which our Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership Team fully support.  Although this approach hasn’t always been the norm at Muritai, it is current practice across many schools in New Zealand and educationally sound.  All learners will be catered for at their current learning level. We strongly believe that no learner is disadvantaged from being in a composite class.

Research, both in New Zealand and overseas, has shown many additional benefits:
-  enhanced social development
-  increased confidence
-  children can operate better as part of a group, are more assertive, become more independent learners and better problem-solvers
 - children make friends outside of their standard age-groups
 - older children get more leadership opportunities and frequently build self-esteem; they become role models to the younger classmates
In 2018 classes from year 3-8 will be composite, with as usual, one class in the Junior team a mixed year 1/2 class.  We will be providing ongoing professional development for our staff so that all classes are certain to have a teacher who is focussed on growing and progressing all learners, whichever age or level they may begin at.  Teachers design learning for the learners in front of them.  
Composite Classes
The key to understanding composites is realising that growth is determined in stages and not magically by ages. There is no hard and fast rule that says a single level class will meet a child’s needs any better than a composite class. Children all get there, the path may be different but the destination is the same.
Composite classes are not new. They are a common form of class organisation in schools in all nations’ education systems. In most schools that adopt the practice, while single level classes may operate from time to time the decision is often based more on a “numbers game” caused by uneven patterns of enrolments. By juggling the numbers of students, schools attempt to come up with the best solutions to provide an equitable and practical school structure in any one school year. This ensures that no one age group in a school has too many or too few children in each class.
Don’t we have a curriculum for each year group?
No, we never have. We have a curriculum separated into levels (children in Years 1-8 are expected to move
through levels 1, 2, 3 and 4). The NZ curriculum was designed in the knowledge that learning is not linear and
children, regardless of their age, have differing needs and learn at different paces.  The NZ curriculum is set up in developmental bands which range from 1-3 years per level.

It is an undisputed fact that in any class, whether composite or single level, there is a range of ability - with
children working above, at or below their age and expected curriculum level. All classes regardless of whether
they are composite or straight year groupings are based on recognising differences and not seeing students as
the same; children are taught according to individual need, not age.

New Zealand rates as one of the best educational systems in the world. New Zealand teachers teach to stage
not age. They teach what your child needs – not a curriculum from a text book.
If you would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Even better - do join me on an ‘After Drop off - walk and talk with Bec’, the next one is next Wednesday the 15th November.  Meet in the foyer at 9am, for a walk around the block and/or a coffee at Hive at 9:30.  
The current class structure for 2018 is as below - I am delighted to introduce our teaching team for 2018:
Year 7/8
Associate Principal - Annette Borgonje
Carol Algar
Jenny George
Melissa Coton
(Note: Due to high enrolments in year 7/8 in 2018, Annette becomes the fourth teacher across the 3 classes. She will work within all 3 classes instead of having her own separate class.)
Year 4/5/6
Associate Principal - Deane McKay
Jordana Phillips
Anton Norman
Kate Salisbury
(note: Due to high enrolments our year 4’s sit across two teams in 2018, some of our oldest year 4 learners are joining the year 5/6's, Bec has been in touch with these parents.)
Year 3/4
Associate Principal - Jamie Power
Janelle McKay
Kate McLean
Holli Williams
Year 0-2
Associate Principal - Maureen Buckley
Morag Roberts/Jo Salisbury
Michelle Hollard
Nicolette Fisher
Barbara Ryan
And
Lisa Allen - our Learning Support Leader

We also welcome back to our team: Ruth Hooke as our performing arts teacher, Gabrielle Heath teaching Reading Recovery and classroom release, Liz Sullivan as leadership release, Sally Velvin as leadership release, Hayley Crawford as classroom release, and Trish Theobald as leadership release.  Our support staff will be finalised in the coming weeks.  
We farewell Julie Small and thank her for her contribution to our school where she has worked for the past two years.  Julie is taking time to spend with her family and think about her next adventure.  
We farewell Karen Chao who is finishing her full time teaching career at the end of 2017, we will celebrate Karen’s ‘non-retirement’ in a future newsletter as we will have lots to share about her incredible educational career!
We congratulate Heather Mawby who has won a promotion as a Hub (Syndicate)  Leader at Trentham School in Upper Hutt - well done Heather!
Congratulations also to our new and returning successful teaching appointments at Muritai School, we look forward to introducing our new ‘line up’ to you in greater detail in term one.

Tsunami Drill - 14th November

Long OR Strong, we’re gone!

To mark the one year anniversary of the Kaikoura Earthquake, WREMO is encouraging coastal schools to practice a tsunami evacuation drill to ensure teachers, students and parents know exactly what actions to take should another large earthquake strike the region in the near future.
Our School is in a tsunami evacuation zone. This means that we have made plans to evacuate your children in the event of a potential tsunami threat. If an earthquake is long OR strong, we will evacuate the school to our safe gathering place outside the zone. This is located at McKenzie Road. On November 14 we will be practicing our evacuation as part of a region-wide drill #TsunamiWalkOut.

We know that practice puts memory into muscles. The more we practice, the quicker we will be able to respond should it ever happen. The Wellington Region is marking the anniversary of the events of November 14th with a region-wide campaign called#TsunamiWalkOut - to encourage all schools, businesses, and homes in the tsunami zone to practice evacuating to their safe gathering point.
You are very welcome to discuss with your child/ren that we are practising on this day, as we will also be talking about it in classes.  It is not meant to be a surprise, it is a planned activity to become prepared should a large earthquake happen
Here are some key points we will be sharing with our classes
·        When an earthquake happens take the appropriate precautions – Drop, Cover, Hold
·        If an earthquake is long OR strong, Get gone! If you are near the coast and the earthquake lasts longer than a minute or is strong enough that it is hard to stand up, the earthquake is your only warning, immediately leave for higher ground or go as far inland as possible.
·        Biking or walking/running is likely to be faster than trying to go in a car/drive
·        Do not wait for an official warning or message to evacuate
·        Avoid going towards the coast or inland water sources like rivers
·        Take note of where the blue tsunami-zone line markings are on our roads. The blue lines show the safe places to evacuate to, go beyond these if there is a long or strong earthquake.
On November 14th, practice where you need to go if an earthquake is long or strong.


Ngā Mihi
Bec Power
Principal


FROM THE SCHOOL
AVALON SCHOOL VISIT
On Wednesday of this week Room 15 from Avalon School visited with Room 16 as part of the growing partnership between the two schools.  The students had an amazing day filled with fun activities, such as a Lego challenge led by Matt (one of our Eastbourne librarians) and an opportunity to explore some of the latest technology we have at school, the Spheros (a spherical robot).  

The students were also able to enjoy a sausage sizzle for lunch with the sausages supplied to us by our local butcher (Eastbourne Village Meats) and cooked by one of our parents, Ash Wilson.  We are so very grateful for all of the community support.

EpRo8 COMPETITION
The Y5/6 ePro8 teams competed in their engineering and problem solving race on Thursday 9th November and came away with a 1st and 2nd (equal) placing...OUTSTANDING!
Muritai Omega - 1st place Muritai Mega Minds - 2nd place
Toby Burton-Wood Curtis Caughley
Marcus Ruane Jacob Beckett
Theo Thompson Isabelle Buchanan
Fraser Neilson Jessica Park
Our Year 7 and 8 teams also did exceedingly well placing 1st and 4th at their challenge on Monday.  
1st place 4th place
Oscar Zuijderwijk Halina Smith
Dan Walker Ming Bao
Luke Thomson Sam McRobbie
Flynn Cook Lachlan McLachlan
LEARNING AMBASSADORS
Last week our student Learning Ambassadors visited the classrooms across the entire school to gather student voice around what student's were keen to learn or do in 2018.
They got some fantastic responses!  Their next job is to collate these so that we can use them to guide our thinking in designing the learning for next year.  Exciting stuff!

SCHOLASTIC BOOKS
Issue 8 of lucky book club will be coming home next week. This is the last issue for the year. Orders will need to be made by Friday the 1st of December. Please use the link: https://mybookclub.scholastic.co.nz/Parent/Login.aspx to make online orders. Orders made through school can only be paid by cheques made out to Scholastic NZ.
Issue 7 books should be on their way home next week. Thanks for your support through the year as we have been able to add many new books to our library catalogue for everyone to enjoy.
MISSING AUDIO BOOK
We are missing an audio books from school that need to be returned.  Has anyone got 'Grandpa's Great Escape'?  If so please return to either Lisa Allen or the School Office.


COOKIE TIME BISCUITS FUNDRAISER
Muritai School has been chosen by Cookie Time to sell their very popular Christmas Cookie buckets as a fundraiser.  We will be sending out details next week on how you can purchase your Christmas cookies through us.
Home and School
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE - ABEL TASMAN FUNDRAISER
The Senior School has been lucky enough to be donated some wonderful Christmas treats which the students have used to put together a raffle as a fundraiser for all the Year 8 students Abel Tasman camp.
Prizes include a unique 'Karen Chao' handmade Christmas doll, a $500 voucher for Specsavers - Wellington as well as numerous other Christmas goodies.
Tickets are $3 each and are on sale at the office before and after school from Monday 30th October until Thursday 23rd November.  The raffle will be drawn in our whole school assembly on Friday 24th November.
We really  hope you are able to support our Year 8 students with this venture!
4 2017 DATES
31 Nov               BOT meeting at 7.30pm
3 Dec                  Y8’s off to Abel Tasman Camp
6 Dec                  Y7’s at Mt Holdsworth overnight
19 Dec                LAST DAY OF TERM 4
                            EARLY FINISH AT 1PM
TERMS DATE FOR 2018
Term 1 - Wednesday 31 January - Friday 13 April
Term 2 - Monday 30 April - Friday 6 July
Term 3 - Monday 23 July - Friday 28 September
Term 4 - Monday 15 October - Tuesday 18 October
COMMUNITY NOTICES


SUPERSTAR ACADEMY
Eastbourne Cricket Club welcomes years 0 - 2 and their families to register for Superstar Academy. Kids learn bat and ball skills followed by a sausage sizzle.  Registration fee includes giveaway pack and photo.
Starts:  Friday 10 November 2017 5:30 – 6:30pm
            HW Shortt Park
Register at www.eastbournecricket.org.nz    Any questions contact lauren.delaney@actrix.co.nz
Kula Kids Yoga classes continue at Hot Yoga Lower Hutt.  We're enrolling now for Term 4!
Yoga and mindfulness build skills that increase a child's sense of well-being, boosts the ability to self-regulate and sustain focus. Kids yoga is fun!  Ages 7-12
Saturdays in Lower Hutt
October 21 - 25 November
6 weeks
$80 for 6wks/$55 for 4wks/ $15 casual
Jeanne at kulakidsyoga@yahoo.com
JOIN MARANUI SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB - CLUB OPEN DAY - SUN, SAND & SURF -
Maranui Junior Surf season starts on SUNDAY 5th NOVEMBER 2017.
Summer is approaching, so now is the time to register with Maranui Surf Life Saving Club. Junior Surf is a great way for children to make friends, be active and enjoy the beach in a safe environment. Come along to our Registration and Club Open Day on Sunday 29 October, 12pm - 3pm. See what’s happening at the club this season, meet coaches, lifeguards and athletes, have a look around the surf clubhouse, register and become a member, information on junior surf, seniors, becoming a lifeguard and information on hiring the club. We look forward to seeing you all. Or join Maranui SLSC today
at www.maranui.co.nz/how-to-join.html
Eastbourne Junior Cricket Club
2017/18 Registration Open for Year 1-8 players
Online Junior Cricket Registration has opened for the 2017/18 season. All the details and online registration can be found at www.eastbournecricket.org.nz.
Speak Again Performance Development provides a playful and creative environment to nurture children’s speech and creative arts skills. We are excited to announce that Speak Again is taking limited registrations for Term 4. Small group coaching will be available to Muritai students; years 3 - 8. Each lesson will be 30 minutes and held at the school during the weekday lunch breaks. For detailed information and enrolment please visit www.speakagain.co.nz or call Emily Keddell on 0211885106.
EASTBOURNE SWIM CLUB
Our community Eastbourne Swim Club is looking for coaches and assistant coaches for the upcoming season (generally coaches are poolside and assistants in the water). We cater for all ages and abilities (5 to 12). The season starts mid November when the Eastbourne Pool opens and runs through to mid March when the pool closes. If you are interested please contact the club on eastbourneswimclub@gmail.com
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

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