Welcome to our new children and their families who have joined the
Muritai School community recently –
Nelly Schoenborn, Jacob Kerr and Louie Turner in Room 1, Hannah Lane in
Room 24 and Jacob Lane in Room 12. Our roll today stands at 441.
It is rare for the school to have to close but last Friday was one of
those occasions where safety had to prevail. With the road closed and no
heating we had little choice and realistically it was not safe to be outside,
certainly until lunchtime. Hopefully your properties weren't too adversely affected.
I am aware of some of our families who have been hit hard and our thoughts are
with them at this time.
We have lost a few trees on the field and quite a few limbs off trees
closer to the classrooms but generally the school is in good shape overall. Our
thanks to Steven D'Armes and his team for making themselves available to tidy
up the school so it was safe for children on the Monday. Also to our caretaker
Mark who has been working frantically to get things back to normal.
With just under 3 weeks to go until a very well earned holiday break. I
continue to be very impressed with the spirit of the school and the effort
being made by the children to improve their learning skills and be the best
that they can be.
Of late we have had a few niggles between children and some relationship
breakdowns of long term friendships. Although these are relatively few it is
worthwhile acknowledging it as a discussion point. This is part of life and
happens from time to time. As adults we know that life is no bed of roses and
as our children get older they find that they want to mix with a variety of
friends and differences between children can sometimes get accentuated.
The children do find it quite distressing however and in the heat of the moment
can be quick to apportion blame onto others. Things can get messy. The
important thing is to build a pathway forward and as always try and make sure
that relationships with others are positive and friendly, even if children try
and expand their friendship groupings. When things are not so good
children need to be guided through this so they can stay positive, keep
focussed and engaged on their learning. I do want to acknowledge the teaching
staff’s efforts, as working through these issues can be extremely time
consuming and each associate principal has spent extensive periods of time
recently working with children trying to get to the 'bottom' of each issue, and
create strategies for the children and then convey the information onto the parents.
We do not shirk on our responsibility to get things right but sometimes it is
very tricky to be teaching 25 or so children and smoothing the waters between
children who are upset with each other....at the same time!
When working with parents recently we have really appreciated the support of parents taking a pragmatic view of these situations and supporting their children through 'active' parenting to make sure their children have strategies to move forward. It is not about identifying who is innocent and who is guilty, but rather ensuring each child has a tool kit to draw on and a positive attitude moving forward.
STAFF
We have some staffing 'changes' of late.
- Karen Chao is currently on
sick leave until next term and Ruth Vaughan is in room 8 until the end of
term.
- Jess Savage is taking leave
to return to the UK for a wedding. Hayden Ray will be in room 15 until the
end of term.
- Carole Lowe is taking leave
to return to the UK for a memorial service for her father who passed away
recently. Sue McCormack and Narelle Ferrier will be holding the fort at
the front office while Carole is away.
- We welcome back Raewyn
O'Sullivan who will be working with children in years 2-3 next term for 3
weeks while Ruth Holmes returns to the UK to visit her elderly mother.
REPORTS / END OF TERM INTERVIEWS
Next Friday the 5th July reports will be issued for all students (except
Mrs Ryan's class). There has been a small change for year 2 and 3 students in
the written report due to the MOE requirement to report on the anniversary of
end of year 1, year 2 and year 3. Children who are around their
anniversary/birthday, and therefore have completed 1 year, 2 years or 3 years,
will receive an anniversary report indicating their overall attainment below,
at or above the national standard. All other children will receive a
progress report indicating how children are tracking toward achieving the
National Standard for the year that they are in.
Mid-year interviews are for year 1, 2 and 3 only (Rooms 2, 3, 4 ,5, 6, 9
and10) and will be held on Wednesday 10 July and Thursday 11 July between 3pm
and 7.30pm.
Children from years 5-8 will be having a learning celebrations evening
on Wednesday 10th July from 3pm until 7:30pm where you are invited into the
classrooms and your children will explain to you their learning
achievements so far this year, the progress they are making and show you
around their learning environments.
Please go to School Interviews to book an appointment.
The Event Code is LBFZV. Alternatively, you can contact Sue in the school
office who will make an appointment for you.
IMPLEMENTATION OF A ZONE FOR MURITAI SCHOOL
Late last year the Ministry of Education (MoE) wrote to the Board and
directed it to commence the development of a zone due to the growth in the
school role. The purpose of the zone is to allow the MoE to make the
best use of the existing network of state schools and avoid or reduce the
likelihood of overcrowding. The development of a zone and associated
policy provides the mechanism through which the selection of applicants for
enrolment at the school is carried out in a fair and transparent manner.
All children who live in the zoned area have an automatic right to
attend the school. Existing out of zone children who attend the
school will not be affected as it will only apply to new enrolments. The MoE
provides a priority list for students under a ballot. Priority for
Selection of students who live outside the school's home zone is outlined
below:
1) Students accepted for enrolment in a special programme run by the
school and approved by the Secretary; (Muritai does not run a special
programme)
2) Siblings of current students;
3) Siblings of former students’
4) Children of former students;
5) Children of an employee of the Board or Children of a Member of the
Board;
6) All other students.
As part of the development of the zone the Board is required to consult
the community on the proposed boundaries for the zone, and the Board will
commence this process in July. The implementation of a zone is not
optional but there are a number of important decisions to make to ensure it
meets its objectives. The Board is committed to working through this
process to ensure that everyone is well informed and has the opportunity to
provide feedback on the policy.
ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS
If you have not already done so, please return your Entertainment Books
or purchase accordingly.
WORLD VISION FAMINE
We have raised $2913.60 to date and are awaiting final sponsorship money
from the children who participated. Please ensure money is returned to
the school office by the end of the week. Well done everyone!
BOOK FAIR
This term we are holding our annual Scholastic Book Fair to coincide
with the school interviews. The Book Fair will be held in the library on
Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th July from 2.40pm - 3.30pm. Then on Wednesday
10th and Thursday 11th July from 2.40pm - 7.30pm.
Please contact Carole or Sue in the office if you can help in any way on
any of the days. Thank you so much to Liz Alderson who is co-ordinating
the Book Fair this year.
DIARY DATES
June / July
Fri 28 June - Assembly 1.40
Mon 1 July - Fri 5 July - Maori Language week
Thur 4 July - BP Technology challenge
Fri 5 July - Progress/anniversary reports go home
Wed 10 July - Year 1-3 parent interviews and year 5-8 learning
celebrations
Thurs 11 July - Year 1-3 parent interviews
Fri 12 July - last day of term
TERM DATES
Term 3 - Monday 29 July - Friday 27 September - 45 days
Term 4 - Monday 14 October - Friday 20 December - 48 days
A reminder we have our second teacher only day - Friday 25 October
(Labour Weekend)
SPORTS
Inter-zone Cross Country
Congratulations to Macey Caughley and Charlotte Humphries who won their
categories in the Cross Country yesterday.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Family Pantomine
Butterfly Theatre Troupe latest production is Beauty and The Beast. This
production opens next Thursday 4 July and runs through to Sunday 14th July with
a 2.30 matinee on Sunday 7 July. Tickets available at Rona Gallery and
www.bctt.org.nz
Garage Sale
Garage sale this Saturday 29 June at 13 Marine Parade 8am. bikes,
car seats, toys, clothing, and much more.... two household lots all pre-loved
including new items from the last Eastbourne Market!!!
Helen O’Grady Drama Academy
Our internationally acclaimed programme for
children enhances Confidence and Creativity, Communication,
Presentation Skills, Public speaking, and Performance skills
CLASSES ARE HELD IN: Khandallah, Lower Hutt, Whitby, Hataitai,
Tawa. Telephone: (04) 388-9710, www.helenogrady.co.nz
School Holiday Computer Classes
For years 1 to 12. From Essential Skills to
Creating 3D games, Web Design, Animations, Video Editing, Programming and Build
a PC. Free transport from Lower Hutt and Petone. For further
information call Ed Brown on 499-2211 or www.grandtraining.co.nz
STAGLANDS - Mad for toasted marshmallows
Make sure you visit Staglands these July school holidays as they will be
giving away free marshmallows for everyone to toast on the
campfire. Who doesn’t love a marshmallow freshly toasted on an open fire?
Well the generous people at Staglands thought they would treat all their
visitors by offering them the chance to enjoy their own toasted marshmallows on
the cosy camp fire down by the Barn whilst enjoying nature in all her
glory.
Competition time
How mad for toasted marshmallows are you? Fancy winning a year’s
supply of marshmallows plus an annual family pass to Staglands - Visit www.staglands.co.nz to
enter.
NETBALL HUTT VALLEY
After School Coaching Series - Term 3 2013:
Years 3 and 4 - 3.30pm to 4.30 pm
Years 5,6,7,8 - 4.45pm to 6pm
Walter Nash Stadium - 6 week Series
Tuesday August 6/13/20/27 and September 3/10 2013.
School Holiday Programme:
Week One
Fun Ferns Year 3 and 4 9am to 10.30 am $75.00
Future Ferns Year 5 and 6 11am to 1pm $100.00
Mini Ferns Year 7 and 8 1.30pm to 3.30pm $100.00
Walter Nash Stadium - 1 week Programme - 15 to 19 July 2013
Kapiti Island For Kids (aged 9-15) – exciting school holiday
programme
A uniquely New Zealand holiday experience in one of our most precious
nature and marine reserves.
- 2
nights’ accommodation at Kapiti Nature Lodge
- night
kiwi-spotting adventure
- up
close with endangered birds like Tākahe
- wild
food: fishing & foraging
- seal
colony visit
- nature
awareness games
- guided
walks to the lookout & lagoon
- see
how nature conservation works
- kayaking
- 24
hour experienced adult supervision and guidance
DATES: July 15-17 (girls), July 18-20 (boys), Oct.
8-10 (girls), Oct. 11-13 (boys)
COST: $490 for 3 days, includes: accommodation(quad
share), conservation programme, tours/talks, activities, all meals and snacks,
ferry and DOC permits.
The staffing ratio will be in keeping with current outdoor education
best practice. Activities are weather dependant.
CONTACT: bookings@kapitiislandnaturetours.co.nz
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