Kia ora koutou
Welcome to our new enrolments who join the Muritai School family -
Zali (R13) and Ella (R9) Young, Samuel Jamieson (R3) and Edith Janssen
(R3).
Our long term one is drawing to a close and what a successful term it
has been. There is a lovely energy within the school and classrooms and books
are filling up with quality work. Certainly the finish of daylight saving and
the turn of the weather has changed our outlook considerably.
This week parents of year 3-8 children have been receiving feedback from
teachers about children's achievement and progress. We are very lucky at
Muritai with such excellent parent attendance at the conferences, which runs at
around 90%. Research shows that when parents have good engagement with the
school, in particularly the classroom teacher, it helps children progress with
their learning. One thing we try to do when we make contact is to make sure you
know exactly how children are progressing. Children are all built differently
and we know that learning is tricky for some children. Understanding children’s
progress and what they find challenging or difficult, helps to set their goals
to achieve.
Staffing
We are very sad to accept the resignations of Kirsten Berry (R14) and
Hayden Ray (R7). They have accepted positions in the teaching team at the Epuni
Residential Care Facility. This is very different from what they are doing now and
both Kirsten and Hayden are excited about this new challenge in their teaching
career. They have both provided excellent service to the school and will be
sorely missed by the children and their colleagues. We are currently in the
process of recruiting replacement teachers and an announcement will be made
shortly.
Road safety
We do need your help in providing a safe environment around Muritai
School. There is an increasing amount of cars double parking outside the school
entrance on Muritai Rd. This completely blocks the view of our 10 year old
children operating the road patrol looking south down Muritai Rd and forces
cars to move across the middle line to go round them. Coupled with parents
frequently walking across the road with their children to their cars parked on
the other side of the road, we see the road safety programme we do annually in
the junior school with the children completely disestablished. It is
frustrating really. Please don't double park, and please use the crossing.
School Donations
Thank you so much for your contributions so far this year. As always the
Board is running two extra classrooms than allocated by the Ministry of
Education and this is paid for by the school donation (additional teacher
subsidy). Remember there is a 33% tax refund on this donation. At this stage of
the year we are tracking appropriately and we are pleased with the increasing
amount of families taking the AP option to contribute across the year for the
time their children are at Muritai School.
In addition to this, one of our parents, Jon Harris has won a book prize
pack for the Muritai School library. This was part of the Telecom
Foundation’s Back to School campaign with Telecom parents able to double their
donation to their child’s school through the payroll giving and matching
programme. At Telecom, parents are encouraged to pay their school donation via their
payroll system and then their donation is matched dollar for dollar (up to
$1,000) by Telecom. In addition, Telecom committed to donating 20 prize packs
of books to schools that Telecom people have donated to. The schools were randomly selected and
Muritai was one of the lucky ones. Thanks Jon and thanks Telecom!
SLIPPERS
As we come into winter, children will need to keep a pair of slippers at school to wear inside the classrooms. Can you please ensure your child/ren bring a pair to school at the beginning of Term 2.
RAINBOW DAY
Our goodwill ambassadors have done a great job organising rainbow day
yesterday. There was lots of additional colour added to a very gloomy day. The
children raised $497.20 for KidsCan which will assist with the distribution of
jackets, shoes and lunches in KidsCan schools.
JACKET AND SHOE DRIVE
We are once again asking for donations of jackets and shoes to give to
less fortunate children in schools around the Hutt and Wellington Region not
assisted by the KidsCan charity. If you have any jackets or shoes in good
condition, please bring them to the office. At the end of this term we
will forward them to a school with a number of children in need.
CROSS COUNTRY
The second of our big school events
is on next week with the Cross Country for year 3 to 8 children. The big race
is next Tuesday the 15th with postponement day on Thursday 17 April. The rough
order of events looks like this:-
11.00am - Year 3-4
11.40am - Year 5-6
12.10pm - Year 7-8
We have gone for a change this year with children running a new
course at the Eastbourne Recreation Ground to enable students to run along
a flat track and provide a better viewing platform for spectators. This
means that our elder children can be seen as they run their competition.
We also have two grades, an open grade and a championship grade, which is for
our fastest runners wishing to qualify for the zone events.
VISITING ROYALS
After a successful field trip to Government House last month, some of
our Year 8 Leaders were invited back on Monday to be a part of the
official welcoming ceremony for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. We were very
honoured to attend this special occasion. It was touch and go as to whether the
event would take place due to the dicey forecast. It was well worth the long
wait in the wind and rain to get a glimpse of the the famous couple. After avery powerful powhiri, the National Anthem and 21 gun salute, the Duke and
Duchess made a beeline for us! We had a lovely chat about the weather and
the plans for the upcoming holidays. One of the most exciting parts of the day
was being interviewed by the masses of media from around the world covering the
event. Once again our leaders demonstrated exemplary behaviour and were
outstanding ambassadors for our school.
HOME AND SCHOOL
Sausage
Sizzle
Home and School are running a Sausage Sizzle on Wednesday 16th
April. Notices are being sent home and are required to be returned by Friday
11th April. Cost is $2.00 per sausage.
If you can spare 2-3 hours next Wednesday to help, please
contact Briar Bloomfield on justinandbriar@xtra.co.nz
Hot
Dogs
The Home and School Committee would like to offer hot dogs again for the
children every Wednesday during Terms 2 and 3. This is a very
popular fundraiser for the school. All of the proceeds go directly to the
school benefiting our children. The children love getting their
economical hot lunch every Wednesday ($3).
In order for us to offer this option, we need parent volunteers.
Last year, volunteers were only on duty one or two times per term. Being
on duty is very simple. There are detailed instructions, and volunteers
with less experience are partnered with someone who has done it before.
The time commitment is minimal from 11:30am to 1:30pm.
If you would be willing to volunteer during Terms 2 and 3, please email
Gwyn Morphew at gocinema@yahoo.co.nz . Unfortunately, if we don't have
enough volunteers, we will not be able to continue this important fundraising
event for our children.
Gwyn Morphew
UPCOMING DATES
Thursday 10 April - Y3-8 Parent/ teacher conferences. School finishes 2.15
Friday 11 April - School assembly 1.40
Tuesday 15 April - Y3-8 Cross country 11.00 onwards
Thursday 17 April – Cross Country postponement day
Thursday 17 April - Last day of term
Monday 5 May - First day of term 2
Monday 12 May - Y1-2 Parent conferences
Tuesday 13 May - Y1-2 Parent conferences
A reminder that we have teacher only day on
Friday 30 May, which is the Friday of Queen's Birthday weekend.
AFTER SCHOOL CARE HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
Enrolments are being taken now for the Muritai After School Care Easter
Holiday Programme. Forms are available from the school office or you can
book online at www.muritaiafterschoolcare.blogspot.co.nz (go
to the 'book online' tab to enrol).
Activities will include some great days at school such as the Clowning
Around day, Crazy Colours and Dress Up Party. There are also some outings
to The Movies, Junglerama and Frank Kitts Park, to name a few. Come join
us for some guaranteed fun these holidays!
SPORTS:
Cricket
Last Thursday the year 5/6 boys’ cricket team played their final pool
match against Our Lady of the Rosary. The boys set an imposing total of 117
with the bat and successfully bowled Our Lady of the Rosary out for 67. The
boys now go on to defend the Matthew Bell Trophy they won last year in the
semi-finals.
Netball
The netball season is almost upon us and we have had strong interest
across the school this year with 9 teams representing Muritai from Y3-Y8. A
special thank you to all of the coaches and managers who are helping out this
year, we can't do it without you! Coaches have been in touch with teams
and are organising training times. We wish all of the teams the very best
of luck this season.
The Netball
Team
Touch Rugby
Finals are over and all the teams should be proud of their efforts.
Thank you to all the parents and students that made it all possible. A big
congratulations to Muritai United for coming first in their grade, well done
girls.
Swimming
Students in our swim team have done superbly
over the last fortnight or so.
Firstly our zone team finished 4th overall in
the zone sports with the following places:
Alexandra Irvine - 2nd Y4 girls 50m free, 2nd Y4 girls 25m freestyle
Abigail Miller - 3rd Y4 girls 50m free
Myles Caughley - 3rd y4 boys 24m freestyle
Emily Jones - 2nd Y5 girls 25m backstroke
Kahu Rolfe - 2nd Y5 boys 50m free
Joshua Apaapa-Preston - 3rd Y5 boys 50m free
Ryan Mahoney - 3rd Y5 boys 25m freestyle
Abigail Brownsword - 2nd Open 100m freestyle, 3rd Y6 girls 50m freestyle
Georgie Allan - 3rd Open 100m freestyle
Samantha Woolley - 2nd Y6 girls 25m freestyle
Hamish Daziell - 2nd Y6 boys 25m breaststroke
Renee Caddis - 2nd Y6 girls 25m backstroke
Muritai also placed third in each of the boys and girls medley relay and
the school 25m freestyle relay
From there place getters were selected to represent the Central Zone
in the Hutt Valley Inter-Zone Swimming champs last
week. Congratulations to the following students on their results:
Alexandra Irvine - 3rd Y4 girls 50m free
Kahu Rolfe - 3rd Y5 boys 50m free
Hamish Dalziell - 2nd Y6 boys 25m breaststroke
Emily Jones - 2nd Y5 girls 25m backstroke
Renee Caddis - 1st Y6 girls 25m backstroke
Alexandra Irvine - 1st Y4 - 4x25m (team) mixed freestyle relay
Kahu Rolfe - 1st Y5 - 4x25m (team) mixed freestyle relay
Samantha Woolley - 1st Y6 - 4x25m (team) mixed freestyle relay
The Central Zone Swim team won the overall competition.
SOLAR PANELS
Since the beginning of January this year the solar panels on the senior
side of the school have been quietly converting the sun's energy (photons) into
electricity we can use at school. In the past 3 months the solar panels have
generated 730 kWh of electricity, which is enough electricity to power a light
bulb for 10 months!
COMMUNITY
The Eastbourne Market is
on Sunday 13th April from 11am - 2pm. This "pre-Easter" Market is being held at The Pavilion, Days
Bay. There are some fabulous clever crafty folks showcasing their talent
with over 30 stalls. Come along to find some lovely Easter treats, have a
coffee and let the kids have fun on the bouncy castle. Check our website for
current updates www.eastbournemarket.co.nz
Would you like to host an Overseas Exchange Student
Learn about another culture, learn a new language or perhaps improve
your culinary skills. Student Exchange is looking for host families across
New Zealand to welcome overseas students into their home
or call 0800 440 079 for more information
First Aid Training
The Rotary Club of Pencarrow with financial support from the Eastern
Bays Community Trust is organising first aid training courses for residents of
the Eastern Bays.
The preliminary plan at this stage is to offer a 4 hour program covering
basic first aid.
This would cover.
·How to assess and respond to an emergency medical situation
·How to do CPR
·The use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
·How to respond to a choking incident.
·How to recognising and responding to a Heart Attack.
·How to deal with bleeding injuries.
This would give participants competence in unit standard 26551 related
to basic first aid.
We are planning to run 2 courses. One on the morning of 7
June and the other a week later on 14 June.
We would like to hear from residents in the Bays who are interested in
participating in this so that we can gauge the interest and finalise the
details.
The training would be provided at no cost to the participants. For further information please call Mark Rutherford on 04 562 7638.
Introduction to Fencing with Hutt Valley Fencing Club
Try something new these holidays - for fun & fitness.
2-day into course - only $100
Wednesday, 30 April & Thursday, 1 May: 9am - 3pm
Most suitable for 8+ years.
Email huttvalleyfencing@gmail.com
Ph: 021 916 911
Rathkeale College Information Evening
Open Evening will be on Tuesday 15 April at 7.30pm at St James' Church
Hall, 71 Woburn Road, Lower Hutt. Rathkeale College Open Day will be held
on Wedneday 14 May 2014. For more information and to register, visit
www.rathkeale.school.nz
Scots College
Scots College will be holding a Hands-On Open Afternoon for current year
8 students who may be interested in attending Scots College in 2015. This
will be on Friday 9 May 2014 commencing at 12pm and finishing at 2.30pm.
Transport to and from Scots College will be arranged and all boys will be
provided with lunch. Please telephone Sharon Brown on 803-0592 or brownsh@scotscollege.school.nz
by Friday 2 May.
Sunday Dividing Programme
Due to popular demand: Wellington High Performance
Aquatics SUNDAY DIVING Sessions are back this term! If you’ve
watched the divers at Kilbirnie pool & thought you’d like to give it a
try….now’s your chance!
· Time: 2.30-3.30
pm
· Place: Wellington
Regional Aquatic Centre
· Cost: $5.00
per session plus your pool entry
· Meeting
Place: Enrol at the 5 metre end of the pool
· Dates: Sunday
25 May, 1, 15, 22 and 29 June
· For more information
contact: Luvaine McDonald - Diving Director Ph: 021
443-984 info@whipa.org.nz www.whipa.org.nz
Synchronised Swimming Start-Up Programme
By popular demand Wellington Synchronised Swimming together with WHiPA
have a new SYNCHRO START-UP programme kicking off next term! This is a
really fun introduction for kids to an artistic sport that is growing in
popularity in New Zealand.
· Time: 2.30-3.30
pm (arrive at 2.15pm)
· Place: Wellington
Regional Aquatic Centre
· Cost: $65.00
for 6 sessions plus your pool entry
· Dates: Sundays 11
and 25 May, 1, 15, 22 and 29 June
· To enrol or for
more information: Contact sueedwards@clear.net.nz or Wellington.synchro.swim.club@gmail.com
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