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Tēnā koutou
It is hard to believe that we are in Week 6 already as the weeks are simply flying by. Thanks to those parents that took the opportunity to meet with me for the Principal Chats, it was wonderful to hear your feedback and suggestions.
Thanks too, to the parents who attended our Whānau Sharing last Thursday to see Mathematics in action. The tamariki love having you come along so they can share their learning to an authentic audience. Our next time of sharing is next Tuesday, March 17 from 1.30 pm onwards. It is, of course, St Patrick’s day so we look forward to you joining in the fun of sharing of the learning and the scavenger hunt. On Tuesday, the children are invited to wear green in honour of St Patrick.
On Thursday (March 19) we have our ‘Learning in Action’ for Te Aroha and this is an opportunity for the Early Childhood Centres and others who are interested to come along and see our new innovative space. Please spread the word to anyone you feel would love to see our school in action. They can pop in anytime from 9 - 11 am. As part of our manaakitanga (hospitality), we plan to share fruit and mini muffins. If you can support us by baking some mini muffins, please email me.
The Board has accepted Yvonne Small's resignation from her role as Office Manager.
Readathon
We trust that the students have been busy gathering sponsors for the upcoming Readathon. The teachers have been gathering ideas to create reading challenges to expand the students understanding of the wide range of reading material and we hope you are also having some great discussions about this at home.
Wellbeing
We are looking at the various learning dispositions (learning dispositions are characteristics or attitudes to learning that are life skills) self- control being one of them. Here’s a video (thanks to Schoolzine) that might help you to discuss and work on self-control with your child/ren at home. How to Teach your Child Self Control We have reminded all the students that once they have arrived inside the school gate in the morning, they must remain on the school property as you, their parents consider them safely at school.
This afternoon I attended the Wellington Primary Principals Association meeting and the guest speaker was our Director of Education - Roy Sye. Of course, a major topic was the update regarding Covid19 and it was interesting the points that he made. The key messages were:-
- Please be calm! In 2009 with flu pandemic or swine flu there were 23 deaths in New Zealand from it.
- Each year approximately 500 die from the flu
- Agency in charge is the Ministry of Health and they will partner with the Ministry of Education to inform us
The 3 things we can all do are:
- Wash your hands and dry thoroughly- wet hands pick up bugs faster than dry ones
- Cough into your elbow
- Don’t be a racist
I personally thought the last point was a sad one that he had to make.
Roy also spoke about the work they are doing on the Tomorrow Schools Review and how they are looking to coordinate more effectively with the various agencies and work to support us more effectively. Please see below the latest Ministry advice.
Education Review Office
We look forward to welcoming ERO in Week 10, Monday - Wednesday and hope you will be able to join us for the welcoming Powhiri on Monday, April 6. I will let you know more details once the timetable for them is finalised.
Please take time to view our website as we have added the new pages for the introduction of Te Aroha as well as the pages to show “learning in action” for both the hubs. These will be updated twice a term so you can view the children as learners and the various opportunities that they have. You can find these pages under our Learning and Teaching tab.
Take care
Nāku, nā
Denise Johnson
Faith Reflection
From Father James:
reminder that none of us can make it through life on our own. We instinctively
know this, but we are also individuals, separate from one another. This
independence can easily get in the way of sharing, and of accepting
responsibility for others.
You can turn yourself into an island, with headphones that enclose you and
deny conversation; messaging allows you to keep your distance; Facebook
might link you to others electronically but it can cripple your social skills in a
face-to-face situation. All this as well as a consumer-focussed world that tells
you your own needs take priority!
Don’t lose the instinct that has you yearning for company and friendship.
Nurture it for all you’re worth. There is a time for privacy, but nothing like the
time you need for one another.
The Board have sadly accepted the resignation of Emma Blades. Due to a change in personal circumstances, Emma is no longer able to commit the time and energy to the Board that she has previously been able to throughout the past four years. We thank Emma for her amazing work and endless enthusiasm on the Board, particularly with Communications from the Board, school uniform consultation and being Deputy Chair for the past two years. We look forward to welcoming a new member to the Board very soon.
Role plays
In R.E. we have been learning about how we build relationships with others. We brainstormed all the ways we can do this. We thought of 26 different ideas to be precise (Shaun had to count them.) Some examples of these were: to be inclusive, show them you care, show the R.E.A.L values, respect others, be aware of your body language and treat others how you want to be treated.
Today we made up some role plays showing how we can do some of these things in class and in the playground. We acted out the bad version and then showed the class the good version. Te Moana, if you’re reading this, make sure you do the good version! Tune into assembly tomorrow to see two of the plays.
By Nadia, Shaun and Isabella
Year 6
Week 7 Friday Lunches
Coming up next for Friday lunches in Week 7 is Sushi. Make sure your orders are in on Thursday, 19th March so the order can be placed on time and delivered for Friday. Big thanks to Simone Meech and her Year 6 helpers Isabella and Shaun for organising this for everyone.
If you don't have the lunch form please follow the link below. There are also print outs in the office or you can find a link on our school website under FOSA that will take you to the form.
A couple of National Library books seem to be missing in action. Would you mind looking at home for these missing National Library book titles:
The Big Bang
Where Does The Sun Go At Night
It would be great if we could find them so other schools can enjoy them as well. Many thanks, Kirsten
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has now classified COVID-19 as a pandemic. The WHO Director-General when announcing this decision noted “describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by this virus. It doesn’t change what WHO is doing, and it doesn’t change what countries should do”.
The Minister of Health clearly reinforced this message stating this doesn’t change anything for New Zealand. He noted our Director-General of Health has been saying since January that COVID-19 is pandemic-like in all but name, and we have been working on that basis.
Border restrictions, a requirement to self-isolate on arrival in New Zealand from China, Iran, Italy and the Republic of Korea and immediate and detailed contact tracing of any confirmed cases have all been put in place to minimise risk to those in New Zealand. It is important to note those four countries account for more than 90% of cases globally and China and the Republic of Korea have significantly declining numbers of new cases.
While we have 5 confirmed cases in New Zealand, it is expected we will have more. However, the Ministry of Health says that with continued vigilance the chance of widespread community outbreak is expected to remain low in New Zealand. This has not changed because of the reclassification to pandemic status. We all have a role to play in this.
A reminder about handwashing and good hygiene as well as ensuring people who are sick don’t come to school. It is also important for adults to be sensible about physical distance.
Here are two very useful videos to help both parents and children better understand the virus:
- Nanogirl video clip with a great explanation for kids about coronavirus
- Watch the Prime Minister talk about coronavirus with Dr Michelle Dickinson and the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Juliet Gerrard,
Science Laboratory Technician
St Mary’s College is seeking a highly organised, reliable lab technician who shows initiative, works well independently and with others in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. The position requires a mix of practical and administrative tasks completed on a daily basis. Chemistry Lab experience is essential. The job involves purchasing and preparing chemicals as well as maintenance and preparation of science resources to be used in labs and classrooms.
An understanding of the Guidance to the Code of practice for School Exempt Laboratories, 2016, and current health and safety standards is an advantage.
The position is part-time, in school term-time only, for 20 hours per week. Remuneration is aligned with the NZEI Support Staff in Schools’ Collective Agreement and dependent on the candidates background and experience.
Upholding the special character of St Mary’s College as a catholic mercy college and being able to work collaboratively as part of our high performing Sciences team.
Applications close Monday 16 March 2020 at 12 noon.
Please send a letter of application and your C.V. to Principal@stmw.school.nz with a cc to Head of Science, Trevor Keough at trevor.keough@stmw.school.nz.
Click here for more informationEPI-interactive is looking for an Office Manager for our Miramar office. We are a consultancy company passionate about improving human, animal and environmental health. The role involves scheduling meetings, maintaining office policies and procedures, accounting and payroll assistance, running errands, and organising and supporting events and travel. Experience with Xero and Smartpayroll would be great, but are not essential. Hours are flexible (20-40 hours per week) and we are happy to work around school hours. This would be a great opportunity for someone keen to work locally or coming back into the workforce after family time.
If you are interested, please send your CV and cover letter to Shanna – shanna@epi-interactive.com
You can find more information about us on our website – www.epi-interactive.com
Come along to the Mission Expo at Bishop Viard College, Porirua, on 14 March between 10am and 4pm. Lots of free parking and public transport just across the road. While the children are having their faces painted, or playing some of the many organised games, adults can explore the booths and be entertained by a schedule of performances. The children may like to attend a workshop where they make and bring home either a bird box, insect motel, or planter box (they will need to register for the workshop with Ann Williams 496 1783 – leave a message with contact details). Come for lunch and enjoy multi-cultural food. Entry is free and there are door prizes.
A Samuel Marsden Collegiate School education for your daughter in Year 9, 2021
Key dates:
Open Morning (tour the school, ask questions and find out about Marsden’s Visible Wellbeing approach and programmes): Wednesday 18 March 2020, 8.45am-12pm.
Year 9 academic, cultural and sports Scholarships for entry in 2021 are now open, see details and apply online at marsden.school.nz/about/scholarships/ Applications close 14 May 2020, exam date 23 May 2020.
To organise a personal tour or day in class for your daughter please contact Enrolment Registrar Leigh McCathie on 476 8707. marsden.school.nz
Marudào Karate Organisation
Interested in taking up Karate. Click on the flyer link below to find out more information.
Seatoun School Community Fun Day
Pop along with the family for some fun and food at Seatoun School. Details in the flyer below.
Community Sports Bank
Community Sports Bank is looking for sports gear that is outgrown or sitting around unused. If you are interested in donating any items or accessing any of the donated sporting equipment and gear then please see the flyer below.