Naumai e te whanau o te kura Muritai
Kia ora koutou
It is hard to believe that we are at the end of week 5, term 4. This is always a milestone in that we are 90% though the school year and the Eastbourne Pool opens this weekend which signals that summer is upon us. We welcome Helene Buckley and Rory Maxwell-Lamb into room 2, Grace Manson into room 15 and Fletcher Tornquist into room 23. Welcome to our Muritai family.
STAFFING CHANGE
Sadly we have received the resignation of Sarah Richardson. Sarah is leaving Muritai at the end of this year to pursue her Masters in Education Psychology and further her career. These are very 'big shoes' to fill. Sarah has been at Muritai for the last 8 years leading our learning Support programme and working with learners who find accessing the curriculum difficult. She has also worked extensively with staff to improve their teaching, and with parents as a support as they try to unlock reasons why children might be struggling as school. Sarah has been a very important part of our learning landscape.
Replacing Sarah in the Learning Support teaching role for 2016 onwards will be Lisa Allen. Lisa has shown, in her time at Muritai, a high level of expertise at working and accelerating the progress of children with learning needs. Lisa has strong, close relationships with the children she works with, excellent relationships with parents of children, as well as high levels of community respect. With over 20 years of teaching from new entrants to year 8 students she has the skill set and all the qualities of the person we need to take over from and continue Sarah's excellent work.
CLASS LISTS
We have begun the difficult task of creating draft lists as we try and fit our beginning 2016 school roll of 406 into 18 learning spaces. One factor that is often referred back to me is the friendship flower. We do not do the friendship flower anymore and haven’t for 2-3 years. Some teams (middle school) ask children to identify others they work well with and who they don’t work well with. There is a subtle and important difference in this and the focus is on creating an effective learning environment, not who the children choose to be with. It comes back to the fact that sometimes being with your best mates may not be the best thing for the learning environment for the children (or indeed other children in the class). Having said this we aware that our children know each other very well (most from kindy / playcentre days) so have good working relationships with most children.
SCARECROWS
Thank you to all the children who made a scarecrow and bought it to school last week.
As many children were away at the All Black Parade on Friday we will be having the Scarecrow parade next Friday instead.That means if you are still making your scarecrow you are not too late! We are looking forward to seeing your wonderful creations next week.
Thank you Ms Algar.
ENVIRO UPDATE
This week were were lucky enough to have Oliver from the Sustainable Coastlines come to talk to us about the harm that single use plastics are causing to the world’s beaches and sea life. We followed this up with a beach clean up. Although we thought our beach looked pretty clean, we managed to pick up 30 Kgs or 240 litres of plastic rubbish. WE WERE SHOCKED!
This follows very nicely on from our Nude Food and plastic free lunch boxes last term. Keep up the good work by choosing non single use plastics for lunches and keeping as much plastic as we can out of our waste. Our 'sea life' is too important to risk loosing to a plastic lifestyle.
CELEBRATION OF LEARNING
An important date for your diary is Monday 30 November. The children from year 1-6 will be hosting you for their celebration of learning that afternoon from 3pm until 6pm. Please place this date in your diary so you can join in the celebration.
Years 7-8 do not do celebration of learning but if parents would like to meet with their child’s class teacher then please do not hesitate to contact them directly.
YEAR 1-3 PROGRESS/ANNIVERSARY INTERVIEWS
As part of our end of year reporting requirements we will be holding parent interviews for our year 3 group to show how the children are either progressing towards or achieving against the end of year National Standard. These interviews will be held on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th of November from 3.15pm and you can book by going to https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz Enter the code Z8MPA and follows the prompts.
SPEED STACKING
It was great to see publicity about Mr McKay’s speed stacking. If you missed the Dominion Post article you can read it here.. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/73971935/hands-and-cups-fly-as-kids-try-for-sport-stacking-world-record
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Ensemble Music Classes for Children
Next year Priya Gain is offering itinerant music classes for juniors, middles, and senior school students at Muritai School on a Thursday morning. Classes will be based on the Orff approach to music education. The Orff approach is rooted in rhythm and integrates experiences of singing, movement/dance and ensemble playing experiences. It is centred on the playful exploration of the elements of music and opportunities to improvise. Classes will be taught to small groups and are a good support for students already learning instruments as well as for students who have not yet had the chance to learn music formally. For more information please email: priyagain@gmail.com
CIGNA KIDS WATERFRONT FUN RUN
Come and be a part of the Cigna Kids Waterfront Fun Run on Wednesday 16 December at Frank Kitts Park. Personalised race bibs, certificates, spot prizes and a Cigna Carnival including a BBQ, face painting and much more. Races for pre schoolers through to year 8s. First race starts at 4.30pm. Only $7 to enter at www.athleticshub.co.nz or contact Jo Murray for more info at jo@athleticswellington.org.nz. Enter before 8 December for your personalised bib and certificate and the chance to win spot prizes.
CHRISTMAS IN PETONE 2015
The Jackson Street Programme (JSP) is bringing the spirit of Christmas to Petone. After two very successful years, we're pleased to present this programme of fun activities for families and for those who love the magic of Christmas-time! There will be a Christmas Parade and Turning on of the Lights, Santa’s Grotto, Mail a letter to Santa (special red “Santa Mail” box) and Treasure Hunts. For more information go to http://www.jacksonstreet.co.nz/
GIRLS ONLY SOCCER – 9 AND 10 YEAR OLDS
Eastbourne Football Club is looking for additional players for its 9th/10th grade team in Capital Football’s girls only, five-a-side soccer competition.
If you have a daughter in Year 4 or 5 (9/10 year old) who would like to play please get in touch. There is no requirement to have played before, and is a good opportunity for girls to try the sport outside the normal season in a smaller sided game format.
Games are on Sunday mornings (approx. 10am) until 6 December and then start up again in mid-February and run to 20 March.
To find out more, email Andrew at clelandclannz@gmail.com Further information can also be found at:
EASTBOURNE SWIM CLUB
This fantastic local opportunity is available for children aged 5-12. Weekly 30 minute swimming lessons from trained coaches on Thursday night (between 5-6:30). Starts during the school terms from 19th November to the pool closure in mid March. The cost is only $30
Register now by filling in a form at the Eastbourne library or come along to pool this Sunday, 14 November from 10 am - 12 pm.
We look forward to seeing you at swim club. For more info email eastbourneswimclub@gmail.com
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