NEWSLETTER 31 March 2014 Principal: Jennifer Horgan M.Ed, B.A, Dip Tchng, DipEdLead

Web: www.east-taieri.school.nz Phone: 489 6737

Dear Parents/Caregivers

PARENT/ TEACHER INTERVIEWS We hope that parents found the recent parent/teacher interviews as beneficial as staff did. Remember that you are able to make an appointment to see your child’s teacher at any time during the year if you have any concerns or issues to discuss. Our mid-year interviews take place at the end of next term.

APRIL 16 – MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR Wednesday 16 April is going to be a busy day! We are having a ‘Grandparents’ Morning’ between 11.30am and 12.30am, during which time grandparents are welcome to visit their grandchildren’s classrooms where children will have the opportunity to share their learning. Parents and grandparents can join children for lunch, then stay for our ANZAC Service at 1.30pm, followed by the opening of our new Learning Hub at 2pm. BOT PARENT SURVEY Thanks to parents who completed the Board survey recently. The following themes were evident: Strengths of East Taieri School – (Main Themes)

Excellent teachers

Approachable staff

Community ‘feel’

Focus on student achievement and targeted learning

Values programme

Extra opportunities for children – sport/cultural

Involvement/inclusion of parents

Opportunities for children to share learning with families

Parent Information Evenings

Buddy system

Enviroschools focus

TERM ONE DATES

APRIL

Friday 4 April Whole School Tirohanga Day

Sunday 6 April Working Bee

Wednesday 16 April Grandparents’ Morning/ ANZAC Service/ Opening of Learning Hub

THURSDAY 17 Term One ends

TERM DATES Term 2 – 5 May – 4 July Term 3 – 21 July – 26 September Term 4 – 13 October – 17 December

Est 1853

Uniform

Relationship with East Taieri Pre-School

Availability of After School Care Programme Areas for Improvement – (Main themes)

Home/School Communication – emailing of notices

Use of class blogs, emails, website to regularly update parents on class programmes, topics, etc

Website more regularly updated The Board was extremely pleased with such a positive response and staff will look at ways to address the areas identified for improvement. Please note that all comments were considered. Kathryn Brenssell Chairperson – Board of Trustees FEEDBACK REGARDING OUR HEALTH AND PE PROGRAMME

I hope that this view which was sent in from one of our new parents is shared by the rest of our

school community.

“Great comprehensive programme with broad appeal. It is excellent that active lifestyles are

encouraged at all levels and throughout the school day. We are enjoying the walk/scooter to

school and find it is encouraging of independence but also of safety. We love the school

grounds, with lots of fun areas to play in sun and shade.

The school is very friendly and the student council and PALS programme is working well to give

our daughter opportunities to learn new skills through play.”

NEW PARENTS’ WELCOME AFTERNOON TEA A big thank you to Katie Falcous, Nikki Kerruish, Suzie Daniel and Kelly Najafi for organising this event. Thanks also to Erin Hancock, Grace Cotter and Lily and Rosie Falcous for setting up and running activities. We would like to acknowledge Wals Nursery and Mosgiel $2 and Gifts for

donating lucky dip prizes. Thank you to Emma from Sport Otago for organising activities.

BRINGING TABLETS AND I-DEVICES TO SCHOOL: Children need to check with their parents and teacher if they are able to bring a device to school. The device must be given to the class teacher as soon as the child arrives at school, and they are not to be used during playtime or lunchtime (unless this is organised and supervised by the class teacher). The devices are to be used during

the day for work or specific activities. The teachers are not responsible if something happens to the device while at school. At the end of the school day the devices MUST be taken home. CONCERNS REGARDING THE USE OF INSTAGRAM, KICK AND FACEBOOK BY SOME OF OUR STUDENTS We would really appreciate your help to teach children how to be responsible ‘digital citizens’ by encouraging them to think about the effects and consequences that inappropriate comments may have on others. The internet offers your child a wealth of education and learning opportunities, entertainment, and exciting ways to connect to friends and family. Many children are now beginning to explore this exciting online world at a very young age. As teachers, we have growing concerns about the way some children are using the internet and engaging with their friends. They are often using sites like instagram, kick and facebook to make inappropriate comments or ‘put downs’ towards others. This is happening outside of school but is affecting school life as it then filters into the playground. We would really appreciate your help to teach the children how to be responsible ‘digital citizens’ by encouraging them to think about the effects and consequences that inappropriate comments may have on others.

VALUES STARS

PALs - for showing initiative and being great leaders

All swimmers who competed in the Otago Swimming Champs ~ for being great representatives of East Taieri School

CERTIFICATES

Congratulations to the following students who were presented with certificates at Room 2’s Assembly last Friday.

KEY COMPETENCY

VALUES

Honesty

EXCELLENCE

Room 1 Kaleb Holland –Managing Self

Destiny Crawford Kaleb Cooper-Gale

Room 2 Dessi Lungley –

Participating & Contributing

Maleena Taia Ben Irvine

Room 3 Nakeisha King

Managing Self

Nate Wisnesky Will Chalklin

Room 4 Anna Divers -

Managing Self

Shinae Stanley Ethan Pollard

Room 5 Aria Wilson -

Relating to others

Payton Graham Amelia Thorburn

Room 6 Luke Marsden - Ollie Brasier Kaitlyn Behr

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Participating & Contributing

Room 7 Caroline Quirey –

Participating & Contributing

Louise Lawson Connor Greeves

Room 8 Charlie Kelly -

Managing Self

Myah Tasker Jayla Duncan

Room 9 Leon Pollard –

Managing Self

Kody Lungley Lucas Sadler

Room 10 Caleb Iyer –

Managing Self

Jack Cameron Hunter Freeman

Room 11 Liam Tasker–

Participating & Contributing

Charlotte Horne Michaela Hincks

Room 12 Rania Najafi –

Managing Self

Jessica McBrearty Vann Marshall

OTAGO PRIMARY SCHOOL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS Congratulations to the following swimmers who competed in the Otago Primary School Swimming Champs at Moana Pool on Saturday. There was fantastic swimming from the whole team, with several new PBs. Thanks to Justine Cunningham for organising our East Taieri swimmers at the event. 10 years: Grace Cotter, Caleb Graham, Kate Hanna, Jemma Wilson 9 years and Under: Anna Divers, Jake Fowler, Riley Harris, Ella Hodgson, Harry Summers Results: Caleb Graham 6th 50m Backstroke 8th 50m Freestyle Jemma Wilson 7th 50m Freestyle Jake Fowler 6th 50m Backstroke

8th 50m Freestyle Harry Summers 4th 50m Backstroke 6th 50m Freestyle Relay Team of Anna, Jake, Riley & Harry – 2nd Relay Team of Caleb, Grace, Jemma & Kate - 5th ICAS The ICAS (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools) tests are coming around again! They are annual assessments which are taken in over 20 countries. Below is the timetable with dates and costs for these tests. If you are interested in your child entering, could you please fill in the tests your child will be participating in and return this note, with payment, to me at school. Please note – Year 3 children now have an English and maths assessment. If you have any further questions you can contact me at school or e-mail me at: natalie@east-taieri.school.nz. Natalie King.

NAME: Year: Class: Computer skills Science Writing Spelling English Mathematics

20 May 4 June 16-20 June 17 June 29 July 12 August

$8.50 $8.50 $19.50 $10.50 $8.50 $8.50

MIDDLE AND SENIOR STUDENT PARENTS/CAREGIVERS Next term we will be beginning our ‘Discovery Time’ sessions on Fridays between playtime and lunchtime (11.20 – 12.30) for the senior and middle school children. ‘Discovery Time’ has been a fantastic opportunity to develop the wonderful child leaders we have at East Taieri School and help students to develop the competencies to become lifelong learners and competent citizens. Discovery Time provides opportunities to help scaffold and extend students’ learning through a variety of different learning experiences, ranging from science and technology, to building and the arts. Many students have indicated they would like to run a session but we still require parents to come and support the children and also take small groups for activities. We really appreciate the parental support we had last year. Thank you so much to those parents who helped out. If you are available to come along, even once, and take a small group for an activity it would be hugely appreciated. Examples of activities you might like to take are cooking, art, craft, woodwork, sports skills, board game sessions, photography……….anything you like! There can be remuneration of costs of materials if necessary. Grandparents are also very welcome to come along as well. Please fill in the form below and return it to your child’s teacher. Any questions please contact Rae Parker or email her at rae@east-taieri.school.nz Regards The Middle & Senior School Team

Name: Contact phone number: E-mail address:

Date ( 11:20-12:30) I am available to come (Please tick)

Activity I will take and maximum number of children.

Friday 9 May

Friday 16 May

Friday 23 May

Friday 30 May

Friday 6 June

Friday 13 June

Friday 20 June

Friday 27 June

Friday 4 July

FLIPPA BALL East Taieri team won 3-2. Player of the Day – Max Stowell.

FANTASTIC ACHIEVEMENT FOR MARCHING GIRLS Olivia and Kate Earl competed in the recent New Zealand Marching Championships held in Wellington. The team was placed 2nd Technical, 2nd Display and overall won the Champion New Zealand team title. Congratulation girls.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulation to Rosie Falcous who competed in the recent Otago Junior Surf Lifesaving Championships. In the under 8 girls Rosie was placed 1st in the beach sprint,

1st in the beach relay, and 2nd place in the beach flags.

Bootcamps@East Taieri. ... Wednesday ( not monday as in previous newsletter) and Friday 6-7am. 'Exercise in the morning before your mind realises what your body is up to'. Females and males welcome. For details txt Philippa 021828706.

SPORTS NOTICES

MORE DADS WANTED! FOR WORKING BEE –

SUNDAY MORNING 6 APRIL

Thanks to those Dads who have contacted Jason or notified the school to say that they are available to help at this Sunday’s Working Bee. We could still do with a few more helpers. Jason Esplin, Board of Trustees member responsible for Property, is organising a working bee, along with Clayton Hessell our caretaker on Sunday morning 6 April, to have a general tidy up around the school, trimming branches, hedges, weeding, building a sandpit, spreading bark chips, etc. See attached list. If you can give some time on Sunday morning 6 April, either contact Jason at 021772560 or contact the school office.

JOBS TO BE DONE

Bark chipping – need wheelbarrows and 4WD ute

Hedge trimming – need own petrol powered trimmer

Sandpit building – need nailbag

Fence repairs/painting behind new Learning Hub – need nailbag

Carpark weedmat and barkchips – need wheelbarrow

Clear out Clayton’s vegetation dump, wild plums and sycamores – need chipper

Corner of cemetery Road /Gladstone Road Garden clean-up – Need trailer and secateurs

Remove tree stumps – need sledge hammer and crow bar WANTED a chipper to borrow for the morning – please txt Jason on 021772560

YOUNG AT ART

8 Week Art Class For year 4, 5 6 students

@ East Taieri School

8 week course $90

(This includes materials)

CONTACT - MARIE REID PHONE: 489 0377 OR 027 424 7760

COMMENCING 2nd TERM MONDAY 5th May 3.15 – 4.15 PM Or

Tuesday 6th May 3.15 – 4.15 pm (limited spaces available)