November 14, 2012

Bird's Eye View - 

November 14, 2012

Naumai e te whanau o te kura Muritai 
Tena koutou katoa

Welcome to our new students - Leo Cotsilinis and Sadie Devenport.

We have just passed the middle of term four and are now 85% through the year. Children are very busy with their class programmes and teachers are extremely busy completing their preparation for the end of the year.

As Carnival approaches it is worth recognising those people who play such a significant part in putting this huge event together. Thank you so much to the carnival committee members who have been fundamental in setting up everything superbly. As the big day looms we ask everyone to put aside a little time to help in some way.   With 290 families at the school we need at least one person from each family to make a contribution on the day, so if you have not made a commitment so far then please sign up on the board in the school office.  

We are hoping to raise enough money to inject some new ICT equipment into the school. Our current stock is very well used and ageing and due for replacement. The children have thoroughly enjoying learning with the new iPads donated by the Home and School. But we are a big school with two campuses and we need lots more  equipment as currently demand exceeds our ability to supply.

A big congratulations to Murray and Kate on the birth of their baby boy at the weekend and also to Pete and Anna Hull who also had a baby boy a few weeks ago.  

LIFE EDUCATION TRUST
We welcome Jo Manks and the Life Education classroom to the school until next Thursday. Jo is an ex Muritai teacher and has been working for the trust for a number of years. We see great value in the Life Education Trust and enjoy their programme being part of our school programme. Have a look at what the Life Education Trust is all about here.

ASB FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMME
Also this week we welcome the ASB financial literacy team who will be working with classes from year 5-8 on financial literacy.

ENVIRO COMPETITION - 'MEAN GREEN HOUSE'
Congratulations to Ella Tait, Eva Oliver, Grace Allan and Lauren Redpath for winning the SchoolGen "Mean Green House" competition for 2012.

Ella, Eva, Grace and Lauren put in a tremendous amount of work on the project which included a five minute movie they produced themselves. This is inquiry learning at its finest. The children were required to design an energy efficient house that uses solar energy efficiently. 

Guest judge - Jerome Partington, Sustainable Manager at Jasmax Architects, described the entry as 'outstanding' and 'absolutely exceptional'. Along with the house design the children had to research, design and build a scale model of their version of a 'Mean Green House.' Entries consisted of a 5 minute video and a portfolio documenting the research and development.

Check out their entry by viewing their movie...


CARNIVAL

Winter Wonderland
The carnival this year includes a UV Winter Wonderland -  a magical UV-lit party room.  There is music, UV lights and snow.  Make sure you bring your glow gear - anything that glows in the dark - including white and fluro clothes.  You can paint your face in UV glow paint at the face painting table on the day.  An entry fee of $2 gives you unlimited access to the room.

Plastic Bags
The Carnival need lots of plastic bags for the big day.  Please drop off any extra bags that you have at the school office.

Clothes, Books, Toys
We have received quite a lot of clothes, books and toys in the last few days.  If you have anything you would like to donate to the Carnival, please drop them off at the office.  Clothes can be delivered to 20 Tuatoru Street and left on the deck at the front door.

ATHLETIC SPORTS
What a wonderful day we had for athletic sports last Monday. The children were terrific and gave things a real go. Competition was tough but many children proved their athleticism in a variety of events, showing that there is something for everyone - either throwing, jumping or running. For the record Sanson won the house relay. The overall champion house will be announced in assembly.

Next Thursday the year 4-6 team heads off to the Zone sports at the Hutt Rec. We wish them well.

Ex - STUDENTS
It is nice to see our children succeeding beyond Muritai. Congratulations to Daranee Bolger who is Head Girl at Hutt Valley High School next year and to Kaio Malama (BOT rep) and Mae Brennan as sports captain. Stella Beck continues to excel in basketball, winning the Wellington Schools player of the year as part of the Under 19 NZ team.

PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN

Lucas Archibald viewing the Eclipse

This morning saw lots of excited children (and staff) out on the school grounds looking at the partial eclipse of the sun.  Room 7 were given special glasses by Sarah Rusholme who works at the Carter Observatory.  These were passed around to enable children and staff to view the eclipse safely.  They were also able to see the eclipse by cutting a very small hole in a piece of paper and viewing the shadow on the ground.  The eclipse started about 9.30 and, at its peak, covered approximately 75% of the sun seen from Wellington.  

TERM DATES 2013

The Board of Trustees have set the term dates for 2013.

We are starting the school year on Monday 4 February and our last school day will be Friday 20 December 2013.

Term 1 - Monday 4 February - Friday 19 April – 51 days
Term 2 - Monday 6 May - Friday 12 July      - 48 days
Term 3 - Monday 29 July - Friday 27 September   - 45 days
Term 4 - Monday 14 October -  Friday 20 December – 48 days

There are 2 teacher only days in 2013 - these are the Friday of Queen's Birthday and the Friday of Labour Weekend.

EOTC WEEKS
Each team is planning their EOTC weeks for the end of the year. Some teams have already communicated with parents about events. So far the schedule looks like this -
Week 8 - Dec 3- Dec 7 - Y1-2 EOTC week
Week 9 - Dec 10 - Dec 14 - Y3-4 and Y5-6 EOTC week
Week 9 - Year 8 at Abel Tasman / Year 7 EOTC week

UPCOMING DATES
Wed 14 Nov -   Life Education here
Fri 16 Nov -      Assembly 1.40
Mon 19 Nov -   Swimming starts
Thurs 22 Nov - Y4-6 Zone athletic sports
Sun 25 Nov -    Eastbourne carnival
Tues 27 Nov -  Enviro team Green Gold reassessment
Wed 28 Nov -   Starting school at 5
Fri 30 Nov -      Assembly 1.40
Mon 3 Dec -     BOT mtg
Mon 15 Dec - Y1-2 Athletics 'Sports'
Thur 13 Dec -  Y1-2 Christmas Concert
Tue 18 Dec -   Y8 Leaver's Dinner
Wed 19 Dec -  Y3-6 Christmas concert
Thur 20 Dec -  Last day - Assembly 11.00

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Staglands Summer Saver – upgrade and enjoy unlimited visits!

If you want to relax with friends and family, then meet at Staglands where this Summer, they are giving you the opportunity to visit as often as you like, with a very special offer!   For just $29 for adults and $12 for children the Staglands Summer Saver Pass entitles you to unlimited visits in December, January and February.  Tell your friends about this affordable way to occupy the whole family. Come as often as you like throughout the Summer and enjoy everything Staglands has to offer.   Buy online or at Staglands from 1^st Dec 2012.   Valid until 28^th Feb 2013.  Visit Staglands website for more details www.staglands.co.nz

The Salvation Army Petone Christmas is….. Competition! 

When Christmas rolls around – what’s the first thing you think of? Is it presents? Family? Santa? Holidays? Whatever makes Christmas – Christmas, we want to know! Draw a picture, write a poem or short story, make a piece of art, whatever you can think of to show us what Christmas is to you. Drop your entry into our Family Store at 288 Jackson Street and then come to our Christmas is…. Open day, December 16^th at 10am, 72 Cuba street and see your and other work on display – There are even prizes for the most engaging piece. This competition is open to all school aged children. 

After School Care / Holiday Care

Qualified Nanny, Teacher Aide and Mother available after school and holidays. Flexible rate and hours, in your home or mine.

Please contact Abby 0277396594 - home 5676596 or email abswilton@windowslive.com

DOES YOUR CHILD WANT TO LEARN FRENCH?

FUN French language club at Muritai School, lunch time

For 5 – 10 year olds

Lots of activities, drama, music & games, taught in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere

Language resources available to support parents at home.

Free trial available

For more information or to register your interest, contact Stefi Plimmer-Blattner on:

stefi@lcfclubs.co.nz    Phone 562 8211     www.lcfclubs.co.nz