Friday 15 May 2015

Kia ora koutou

Thank you so much for your help yesterday as we worked through the 'big wet' situation. We managed to clear the school by 3.10 which was beyond our expectations. We do get  a steady stream of information fed to us about what is happening and just have to reflect as we go along about what is best for the children at the time - for yesterday the children were best kept at school where they were safe and warm and dry. What was clear to us was how well organised and collaborative our community is in coping with the scenario presented. While many parents were stuck on the roads they were able to organise cover and care for their children. I attended the Eastbourne Emergency Management meeting the night before at the fire station and the message was quite clear that each family needs to have a plan that involves not just the immediate family but others as well.  In the first instance of a crisis focus on your family and your immediate neighbours. The Eastbourne Community Board will be following through with appropriate publicity but the best place to go to for resources and ideas is the Wellington Regional Emergency Management Organisation’s www.getprepared.org.nz

Facebook/Twitter

Yesterday I used Facebook to share messages. With many parents now on Facebook you can access information and school news events via Facebook. At present we have 295 'friends'. You can sign up to our page and get regular updates of events. Alternatively, if you are not on Facebook you can still receive these updates via Twitter. Simply text 8987 and type followMuritaiSchool and you will receive updates, simple messages, reminders and cancellations direct to your cellphone as a text message. It is all free.

Planting Bee

Tomorrow we will be planting out our new gardens and are looking for help from our community.  Please come and help with the planting, bring along your spade and plenty of enthusiasm.  We will be having a sausage sizzle at the end of the afternoon.  If you need any further information, please contact Kate Brownsword on 027 562 0177.

DIARY DATES FOR TERM 2

19 May        Central Zone Cross Country

20 May        Junior Workshop, Writing, Handwriting and Spelling at 7pm

21 May        Otago Problem Solving 2

28 May        Board of Trustees meeting

29 May        Y8 Gardasol Immunisations

29 May        Assembly

1 June         Queens Birthday – School Closed

2 June         Teacher Only Day – School Closed

3 June         Starting School at 5 evening (7.30pm)

12 June       Assembly

15 June       ICAS writing exam

16 June       ICAS Spelling exam

16 June       Interzone Cross Country

25 June       Board of Trustees Meeting

26 June       Assembly

3 July           LAST DAY OF TERM 2

20 July         FIRST DAY OF TERM 3

Teacher Only Day this term
A reminder that we have a teacher only day this term on Tuesday 2 June at Queen’s Birthday weekend. This is week 7 of this term. We also have a teacher only day on Tuesday 27 October which is the Tuesday after Labour Day.

'Walk with Joss'
Joss is ready to move into a new Hart Walker and the family and the Lions are fundraising to purchase one. This will allow Joss to walk amongst his peers. The first fundraising event is a 'Walk with Joss' NEXT Sunday 24th May at 1.30 starting at the RSA at the south end and walking along the coast to Lion Rock and back finishing with a sausage sizzle and Milo. $5pp or a team of $10. Dress up - prizes for best costume (team and individual).
You can view a Hart Walker here, they are incredible - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcNAUlpvlKI
If you (or your business) would like to make a donation there is a Givealittle page set up = https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/josshartwalker

40 hour famine

The world vision 40 hour famine is on next week and this year funds raised will go to Bangladesh where the rate of malnutrition is nearly the highest in the world. Funds raised will go to establishing emergency feeding programmes, teaching families to grow veggies and improving access to health and nutrition services www.worldvision.org.nz

Entertainment Books

Muritai School is pleased to offer parents the opportunity to purchase the 2015/2016 Wellington and Manawatu Entertainment Memberships again this year to help us raise funds towards our fundraising. 

You can choose from the popular Entertainment Books or the Entertainment Digital Membership which puts the value of the Entertainment Book into your iPhone or Android smartphone.  For only $60, you will be helping our fundraising with $12 from every membership sold contributing to our fundraising.  A copy of the Entertainment Book will be sent home with your child shortly.  If you do not wish to receive a book, please send an email to michelle.fisher@xtra.co.nz stating “I do not wish to receive a Book” in the subject line.  To purchase securely online or to order an Entertainment Digital Membership, visit www.entbook.co.nz/10409n4

Winter Coat, Curtain and Shoe Drive.

Thank you so much for donations so far of quality used winter coats and shoes and also curtains.  Please keep them coming as well as any old curtains this year which will be donated to Earthlink in Wingate who are involved in passing them on to low income homes in need of additional winter insulation.  So if you have recently renovated and wondering what to do with your old curtains, please bring those along to school as well. Donations can be bought to either Room 12 in the main school or to Room 21 in the intermediate. Muritai Enviro School and Charity Group

Junior School Curriculum Information Evenings

This week our junior team presented a worthwhile session on junior maths which was well attended.

Next week  - Workshop 3 - Wednesday 20 May - Writing, Handwriting and Spelling

Workshops are held in Room 3 at school from 7pm to 8pm.  Please contact Maureen Buckley, Deputy Principal on 04 562-8409 or buckley@muritai.school.nz for further details.