Newsletter

Kia ora, Malo e le lei, Talofa, Ni hao, Namaste, Bula, Kia orana, Mauri, Greetings.

Welcome to a new school year. A special welcome to our new students, parents and caregivers. I trust your association with our school will be both enjoyable and rewarding.

I am pleased to report that our school has begun very smoothly. New enrolments so far this year total 29 and these pupils have settled in very well. Class programmes are underway and I thank all our staff for their preparation prior to school opening.

I am pleased to welcome two new staff members. Miss Sachiko Sumner teaches in Room 15 and Mrs Janine Nguyen will teach across the whole school in her role as a full time release teacher. We also welcome back Mrs Trudy Simpson to Room 5 and we congratulate Mrs Demelza Zandbergen who was married during the summer break.

PARENT TEACHER MEETINGS

Thank you to the many parents who attended the first of our parent meetings last evening. The next meeting for parents of Year 5 and 6 children is on Monday 13 February.

I remind all parents and caregivers that we welcome your approach to the school at any time to discuss matters of concern. If you have something to ask about please simply contact your child’s teacher.

If you wish to make an appointment to see the appropriate team leader simply ring Mrs Sandy Griffin (Years 1 and 2), Mrs Ann Sowden (Years 3 and 4) and Miss Janice Lindsay (Years 5 and 6). The school phone number is 269 0250.

Discussion between home and school is important and we welcome your enquiries.

SCHOOL SECURITY

New people may not be aware that, in the interests of security our school gates are locked between 9am and 2.55pm. Day visitors to the school are asked to sign in at the school office and wear identification while in the school grounds.

Except in rare emergencies our school day always finishes at 3 o’clock. All children are expected to leave the grounds at 3pm and proceed home. You can therefore expect your child to arrive home at the same time every day.

I would also add that children are needed at school until the 3 o’clock bell. The end of day is a very important time for class teachers and children who leave early do miss an important time.

I therefore ask that parents do not pick up children early except in absolute emergencies. We want and need your children to have every opportunity to succeed. Please allow them to stay for a full school day.

BIBLE IN SCHOOL

This optional programme takes place from 9am to 9.30am each Wednesday from 7 March to the end of November. The programme is for Years 3 to 6 only.

The lessons are taken by accredited Bible in School teachers and are Christian based. They are optional.

If you do not want your child involved please inform your child’s teacher in writing before 7 March.

SCHOOL BANKING

We offer banking facilities with the ASB Bank. Our banking day is Tuesday. If you would like to sign up for the opportunity please pick up a form from the school office.

SCHOOL FUNDS

Each year I list major items of expenditure from our school budget. This gives parents an idea of how money is spent across the curriculum.

Examples from our 2012 budget include:

We can only commit such a high level of expenditure because of the support we receive with school fundraising.

This includes:

Our Board of Trustees is conscious of the cost of schooling and has kept the parent donation of $40 per child for the year ($10 per term if you wish). My thanks to those who have already paid.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Our school is governed by a Board of Trustees who has overall responsibility for school effectiveness.

Our Board consists of Chris Ward (Chairperson), Jane Beattie, Raj Singh, Ross Burr and this year we welcome Waru Clark as a new parent representative. The school staff is represented by Sandy Griffin.

Board of Trustees’ meetings are usually held monthly and members of the public are welcome to attend.

NEWSLETTERS

These are a very important part of our home/school communication.

You can expect a newsletter every three weeks usually on a Friday. Newsletters contain important information, dates for your calendar and classroom news. The classroom news provides an excellent overview of the many exciting activities and programmes happening at school.

Newsletters are placed on our school website, (follow the link through News)

It is possible to use this site to translate our newsletter into over 50 languages. If you know of someone who would benefit from this opportunity please assist them to do so. I am sure you will find our newsletter interesting and informative.

Thank you.
L Thew - PRINCIPAL

Next newsletter - March 2012