Principal's Patch
Kia ora e te whānau
The big and obvious change around the school this week has been the final stage of our fencing project. We did note, back in Term 1, that this latter stage of the fencing would be happening, however, the speed at which it was suddenly installed caught all of us a little by surprise this week!
We appreciate that there are mixed feelings within our community about the fencing and gates, and that understanding the purpose of this change is really important.
From the time that we put in the Treemendous area down on the Eastern Tce boundary, it became evident that fencing at that end of the school was necessary. As we explored this option, we recognised that, over recent years, we have increasing numbers of students joining the school who have needs that require a higher level of monitoring and support to enable them to remain safe in a school environment. The school is positioned with significant potential hazards on it's doorstep with the ponds and the river, as well as the roads. At the start of this year, the Ministry of Education determined that the needs of our students had reached a risk threshold, resulting in the Ministry funding and procuring this full fencing project.
We are working through the obvious challenges that having tall fences and gates now provide, and we are putting in place new processes for managing and supporting our children to access the park safely at break times, and to support adults and students to access the school when they need to. As part of this, we will need to get an intercom installed at the front gate so that anyone who can't unlock the gate to enter the school during school hours can buzz into the office and request that the gate be unlocked.
The main gate on Sandwich Road will be open from 8:30-8:55am each morning. If you are dropping children to school after 8:55am, you will need to make sure that you open the gate for them (and remind them to come and sign into the office). As always, please don't send children to school before 8:30am.
We are very aware at school of making sure all of our children are safe and that they understand that the fences and gates are there to promote the safety of all, especially our newest and our most vulnerable children. Your help in reframing any concerns your children may have about the fences in a positive, caring and inclusive way is very much appreciated.
We are reminded of the words attributed to Mahatma Gandhi:
"The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members."
We do know that it may take a little while to get these new processes working smoothly. If you have any questions or concerns, we would appreciate you letting us know.
Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal
Important Dates
Fri 12 Aug- Staff Only Day (School Closed)
Thu 18 Aug - BOT Meeting (5.30-7.30pm in te Rūma Kaimahi)
Fri 19 Aug - Book Character Day (dress up)
Wed 24 Aug- PTA Meeting (7.30-9.30pm in the Green Room)
Wed 7 Sep - School Photos
Wed 7 Sep - Board Election Day
Mon 19 Sep - Staff Only Day (School Closed)
Thu 22 Sep - BOT Meeting (5.30-7.30pm in te Rūma Kaimahi - Staffroom)
Fri 23 Sep - PTA Disco (TBC)
Wed 28 Sep - PTA Meeting (7.30-9.30pm in the Green Room)
Fri 30 Sep - Last day of Term 3
Mon 17 Oct - First day of Term 4
Term Dates
Citizen of the Week
Maximus Olykan - Year 3
Max, you are a ray of sunshine in our team. You always give new learning tasks a go with a can-do attitude and are super engaged with them. You are a fantastic role model to other students, and show kindness and empathy whenever you help a classmate with their work. Ka mau te wehi, Max! School Notices
Reminder - Staff Only Day - this coming Friday 12 August - school closed.
Tuning Into Kids - Parenting Workshops
Mana Ake are offering a 6 session parenting programme during Term 3 called "Tuning into Kids - Emotionally Intelligent Parenting". These groups will be starting in the next 2 weeks with the potential for spaces to still be available at the discretion of the facilitators. To register, email the facilitator of the course that you wish to attend.
There is still space in the programme running on Wednesdays in Linwood, so if you would benefit, please contact the facilitator to find out more.
If you are interested in attending a "Tuning in to Kids" course, but these dates or locations don't suit please email: manaakefeedback@cdhb.health.nz.
Here’s some feedback we received last term from a parent:
“From this programme, I learnt a lot. I pay more attention to the emotional intelligence education of my daughter than before, and understand her emotional changes better. Good emotional communication makes our relationship much closer than before. And I'm happy to see that my daughter was using the way I learned in the course to help her friends with their emotional problem.” – T2 2022
Parents going to this site can be assured of finding up-to-date and quality information on wellbeing and parenting skills. The website provides information on what Mana Ake does and how they work. Special mention to the ‘contacts for housing support’ section found under ‘challenges families face’ as we keep in mind how our current social landscape displays.
Lunch Orders Update
Characteristics of Gifted learners
Last term's newsletter discussed some of the different categories that can be used to support the definition of giftedness. As with all learners, students who have been identified as gifted come with both areas of strengths and growth. Not all gifted students have had opportunities to demonstrate their gifted learning aptitude. Some gifted learners may have significant learning and social difficulties that can mask their true potential. Some gifted young people may mask their giftedness and develop alternative identities which are perceived as more socially acceptable.
Below is a table showing clusters of characteristics that gifted learners may demonstrate. This research was undertaken by Don McAlpine and Neil Reid through their work with New Zealand teachers.
Headlice
We have had a few cases of headlice reported in the Junior School. Please check your child's head for eggs and live nits. If you find any evidence of headlice please treat your children before sending them to school. Thank you!
Sports News
Congratulations to our Volleyballers...
... who are the new Year 7/8 Canterbury Champions! They participated in the Canterbury Volleyball championships at Hillview Christian School on Monday 1st August.
PTA News
Readathon Fundraiser
We are halfway through the Readathon! Hopefully, all your wee bookworms are enjoying reaching their daily reading goal. Don't forget to talk to Aunties, Uncles and Grandparents to see if they want to sponsor us.
There is a Book Character dress-up day on Friday the 19th of August, this is usually heaps of fun- so start raiding the dress-up box now!
PTA Uniform Shop
Just a reminder that the uniform room is open every Monday and Friday. We welcome donations - drop them at the office or bring them along to the Uniform room when we are open, Monday & Friday 2:50-3:15pm
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
Junior Indoor Sports
If anyone has any questions they can contact Action Indoor Sports on;
Ph 03 3666601
Email football@actionindoorsports.com
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