Thursday 18 August

Welcome to our new students and families to Muritai School – Ilya Kozintsov (R8) and Finlay Clark (R6).

The once in a lifetime weather phenomenon this week has certainly been a memorable experience for us all. We were lucky to be able to keep the school open and able to cover classes when some staff were snowed in.

CHARTER CONSULTATION
Today you will have received a hard copy of a very detailed Board of Trustee newsletter providing background to the charter consultation process. The Board is currently reviewing it's Charter goals and strategic direction and wants your input on a range of important aspects relating to the school’s effectiveness and next steps.

 You can help us determine the future direction of the school through our charter consultation. The School Charter is the formal statement of the school’s vision, strategic goals and educational delivery plan of action. The School Charter is annually reviewed and is approved by the Ministry of Education.

As part of this process, feedback from the parents in terms of student achievement, resources, the teaching, the qualities and suggestions for future focus would be very much appreciated. We believe most parents know the school pretty well through their high level of everyday participation in school life. Because of the good knowledge of the school and how it delivers education, we believe your feedback will be of great benefit to us.

Constructive feedback will assist the Board and the staff measure how people generally feel about the school and its future direction.  It’s all about hearing the community voice to identify the strengths that need to be maintained and to hear about ideas and suggestions for continued improvement and development.  We view “feedback” as an essential aspect of our planning processes.

On our website there are a number of resources that we have put together to inform parents and enable them to make a contribution. An excellent place to start is a Muritai TV interview with board member Craig Griffiths that introduces the charter.

TEACHER TRAINEES

We are very fortunate to have 2 excellent teacher trainees working at Muritai at present. Matt McDonnell (room 10) and Jono Laird (room 1) have 3 more weeks left and are thoroughly enjoying their experience teaching at Muritai.

Upcoming dates –

Friday 19 – Assembly 1.40

Monday 22 – BoT meeting

Tuesday 23 – Information evening regarding year 7-8 at Muritai 2012 (5pm)

Friday 26 – Assembly 1.40

DAFFODIL DAY
Next Friday, 26 August, is Daffodil Day.  Our Senior School Ambassadors will be selling fabric daffodils and stick on tattoos from the school foyer on this day.  Please bring along a gold coin donation for this very worthy cause.




ARTSPLASH CHOIR
Year 4 and 5 students have the opportunity again this year to be part of the Artsplash choir.  The performance will be at the Michael Fowler Centre on Wednesday 21 September with a full rehearsal that morning at the Wellington Town Hall.  The Artsplash choir went to Hutt Intermediate last week for a cluster rehearsal.  They sang beautifully and enjoyed the experience of harmonising with other schools.  A detailed notice will be coming home shortly regarding ticket sales and drop off/collection points at the Michael Fowler Centre. 


THANK YOU
We would like to say a big thank you to Mike Parker and the 'Menzshed' for building a new bike rack for the senior school.   They all did a fantastic job.

WORLD VISION FAMINE 2011
We have received an email extending a huge thank you to Muritai School for taking part in the World Vision 40 Hour Famine for 2011 and for raising $3222.20.  This was a remarkable achievement, especially given that Kiwis are still recovering from the Christchurch earthquake and a global recession. The funds raised will go a long way to helping eliminate extreme hunger in countries like East Timor.

We will soon be receiving a special certificate in the mail in recognition of Muritai School's fantastic fundraising efforts for the 40 Hour Famine and Ruth from World Vision will be attending our next Assembly on Friday.

In recognition of our being one of the top fundraising schools (per pupil), four Year 7 and 8 students and a teacher have been invited to attend a special workshop run by World Vision in a few weeks.

Thank you everyone for participating or supporting our students.   Karen Chao and Annabel Capper.


ICAS EXAMS
Several of our students have recently taken part in the ICAS exams which are optional for Year 4 to 8 students.  The top results from the Science and Spelling exams are as follows:-


Science
Distinction - Year 5 - Grace Allan, Ella Tait; Year 6 - Harry Crawford, Matthew Sutcliffe; Year 7 - Finn Connell, Kieran Cotter; Year 8 - Finn Janssens
Credit – Year 5 – Monty Daley, Jasmine Stock, Charlotte Wilson, Max Woodnorth; Year 6 - Margarita Montes de Oca, Oscar Sykes; Year 8 - Liam Brandwood, Hazel Sisson, Meg Sykes

Spelling
Distinction – Year 5 – Lauren Redpath, Ella Tait; Year 6 - Amy O’Shannessey, Matthew Sutcliffe; Year 7 – Rose Scott-Billing; Year 8 – Sean McElwain-Wilson
Credit – Year 5 – Liam Ferrier, George Mirfin-Newman; Year 8 – Liam Brandwood, Molly Hancock, Charlie Heath.

A special mention goes to Margarita Montes de Oca who was awarded a High Distinction in Spelling.

Well done to all the children who participated in these exams.

SPORT

Netball
Last Tuesday 9th August our top Year 5 and 6 netball players participated at the annual Central Zone Netball Tournament held at the Taita Courts. Muritai entered 4 teams, each competing in their respective grades. There were mixed results with some great wins and the odd loss. Everyone involved gave it their all, representing Muritai with pride and a commitment to each and every challenge. What was obvious was the continual improvement of all the teams as the tournament progressed.

Special congratulations goes to the Muritai Year 6 A team who finished second in their grade, the top division of the tournament. They will now go on to represent the Central Zone at an Inter-Zone competition held on Tuesday the 15th September. Also on behalf of all the players a big thank you to the parent helpers and coaches. Without these offers of transport and assistance with supervising teams such opportunities wouldn't be possible.


and Congratulations to ...  Levi Walton who has won a place on the Wellington Rugby Reps team - no mean feat!

COMMUNITY NOTICES
Work and Family Balance
Are you (or someone you know) a parent considering returning to work or have you returned to work but are struggling to find the right balance? If yes, BALANCEDYOU Ltd, a career consultancy specialising in work and family balance, could help you. To find out if this service is right for you, please contact Kerryn Parke on mob: 021 077 5160, e-mail: kerryn@balancedyou.co.nz or visit my website: http://www.balancedyou.co.nz/


Bonjour !
Would you like to learn some French?  If you are in Year 3 to Year 6, come and have fun with us after school.  A native French teacher from the Alliance Française will be happy to come and teach you. Courses are interactive and include learning, while playing and singing.


For any inquiries, please contact your school or the Alliance Française at 04 472 12 72 or schools@french.co.nz    We would need a minimum of 7 children to open a class, cost would be 105 dollars per term.)


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MID-WEEK TENNIS at MURITAI TENNIS CLUB
Tuesdays 9.30am at 356 Muritai Road
Summer and winter! Primary School Terms
Men and women welcome - beginner to advanced
Small playground for pre-schoolers
Lessons available through club
Enquiries: Merryn 562-0236 or Carol 568-5360
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