Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Another busy week has raced by leaving only one more week until school closes for the summer break.
Thank you to all those families who supported the 'Silent art auction' evening last Friday. It was an amazing event with lots of people mingling whilst bidding and eating. To those people who managed to purchase an artwork we hope that you and your family gain much pleasure from it in the years to come.
Our Junior athletics was thoroughly enjoyed by the children. Congratulations to everyone who tried their best at the different events. They made up the class relay teams with rooms 1 and 5 being the winners. Special congratulations to the following students who got in the first four placings to make up the relay teams.
Year 2 -
Henry Evans, Jack Evans, Ryan Swift, Lachlan McFarlane, Lucy Mirfin-Newman, Alexandra Irvine, Amy Schoenborn, Mia Schoenborn, Evie Wilson, Chelsea Summers, Esme Cochrane, Gemma Grant, Maui Morrison, Finley Morley, Jasper McLaren, Sebastian Campbell, Alana Grant, Holly Churchman, Grace Manson, Emily Jones, Kahu Rolfe, Lachlan McLachlan, Rory Moffat and Maz Cameron.
Year 1 -
Joe Dickson, Ben Drummond, Daniel Brownsword, Harry Rookes, Sarah Caddis, Harriet Travers, Ruby Wells, Poppy Neal, Abigail Miller, Amelia Swift, Amber Reid, Maija Berry, Alexa Knowsley, Ana Zuijderwijk, Ted Woolley, Felix Pummer, Fraser Neilson, Harrison Allen, Seren Lewis, Pania Rolfe, Elsie Wilson, Frances Penney, Theo Potter, Cameron Bentley, Barney Cass and Kieran Kerr.
Our annual Christmas concert was extremely well supported on Wednesday afternoon. The children looked great dressed in an array of Christmas costumes and they performed the songs superbly. We hope that everyone enjoyed themselves. Thank you to everyone who supplied food towards the party and a big thank you to Lisa Caddis and Emma and Molly Daley for kindly giving up their time to make copious cups of tea and coffee.
Every Friday some of our Year 2 children attend speech classes. The following children sat speech examinations recently and should be very proud of their efforts and of course the results. They took part in preliminary and gained high distinctions. Congratulations to
Ryan Mahoney, Lucy Harris, Dan Walker, Pippa Geldermans, Lucy Mirfin-Newman, Leon Medcalfe and Olivia Morphew.
Your child's report, portfolio and a letter containing classlists for next year came home with your child today.
On the report forms for Year 1 and 2 you will notice that we have added National Standards information. Some of our year 1 children have not been at school for a year as yet so their placement is based on working towards where they will be placed after one year at school. Those children who have been at school for one year are placed according to after one year at school while those in year 2 are placed according to after two years at school. As children start school at different times throughout the year the placement is based on the level they were at when they turned six or seven.
Most of our children are working at or above on the National Standards and those that are below are only just. e.g. in reading, when your child turns six to be at the standard they need to be reading at Level 12. A few of our children are at Level 11 so are just below. If your child is at Level 13 or more then they are above. Year 2 children need to be at Level 16 to meet the standard.
With the tick system to gain 'always' they must be consistently doing that aspect. Some children will get marked in 'not yet' or 'at times' often because they are not at that stage as yet or are just beginning that stage in their learning. The report is also graded according to development. For example in mathematics the children move through each of the stages from solving problems using materials, then solving problems without materials to bein able to count on or count back to solve problems. This process takes the children two years to work through. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. I am available next week so please email me or phone the office to make an appointment.
Throughout the year I test each child as near to their sixth birthday as possible on a range of literacy tasks called the Observational Survey. I have met with most parents throughout the year to share your child's results with you. If you have not been able to meet with me can you please email me or pop into room 3 if you would like to meet me after school before the end of the term so I can arrange a suitable time with you?
Next week
On Monday all children from throughout the school will move to their 2012 classroom to meet with their new teacher. They will then return later to their usual classroom for the remainder of the year. This meeting is a way for the children to mix with both new and old friends so that over the holidays they do not stress about who their teacher will be and who will be in their class next year.
On Tuesday we would like all those parents and caregivers who have helped out at school throughout the year to come along to the hall and join us for morning tea. We really do appreciate all the support you give to the children in their learning.
On Wednesday, if it is fine, the instructors from Kelly sports will be here so our children can take part in a fun sports day. Some children were disappointed with the cancellation of the Cross Country so I organised Kelly sports to come to school instead. If it is wet on Wednesday we will carry this over to term 1 next year. On Wednesday your child will need to wear clothing and footwear suitable for the activities being held on our school field. Please ensure that they also have a sunhat and are wearing sunscreen.
On Friday there will an assembly especially for the Year 8 students as they leave our school and move onto secondary school. The assembly starts at 11 a.m. You are very welcome to attend along with the parents of the year 8's. The year 8's are currently having a fabulous time in Abel Tasman as part of their Education Outside the Classroom programme and on their return will have a special formal evening. At the assembly we will also farewell other students who will be leaving our school for other schools both around New Zealand and overseas. When the assembly has finished the children will return to their classrooms so that teachers can ensure that they are ready for you to pick up at 1 p.m.
At the end of the year there are still a lot of things to do. Teachers will be providing the Ministry of Education with information, updating achievement data, completing individual files containing your child's progress ready for their teacher next year and also planning for next year. They will also be repairing any items and doing stocktakes of equipment, resources and books. Your child will not be bringing home any reading books this week. If they have any books at home could you please ensure that they are returned before the end of the week? Reading books cost over $10 each so we really appreciate their return so they can be used in next year's programmes.
Another busy week has raced by leaving only one more week until school closes for the summer break.
Thank you to all those families who supported the 'Silent art auction' evening last Friday. It was an amazing event with lots of people mingling whilst bidding and eating. To those people who managed to purchase an artwork we hope that you and your family gain much pleasure from it in the years to come.
Our Junior athletics was thoroughly enjoyed by the children. Congratulations to everyone who tried their best at the different events. They made up the class relay teams with rooms 1 and 5 being the winners. Special congratulations to the following students who got in the first four placings to make up the relay teams.
Year 2 -
Henry Evans, Jack Evans, Ryan Swift, Lachlan McFarlane, Lucy Mirfin-Newman, Alexandra Irvine, Amy Schoenborn, Mia Schoenborn, Evie Wilson, Chelsea Summers, Esme Cochrane, Gemma Grant, Maui Morrison, Finley Morley, Jasper McLaren, Sebastian Campbell, Alana Grant, Holly Churchman, Grace Manson, Emily Jones, Kahu Rolfe, Lachlan McLachlan, Rory Moffat and Maz Cameron.
Year 1 -
Joe Dickson, Ben Drummond, Daniel Brownsword, Harry Rookes, Sarah Caddis, Harriet Travers, Ruby Wells, Poppy Neal, Abigail Miller, Amelia Swift, Amber Reid, Maija Berry, Alexa Knowsley, Ana Zuijderwijk, Ted Woolley, Felix Pummer, Fraser Neilson, Harrison Allen, Seren Lewis, Pania Rolfe, Elsie Wilson, Frances Penney, Theo Potter, Cameron Bentley, Barney Cass and Kieran Kerr.
Our annual Christmas concert was extremely well supported on Wednesday afternoon. The children looked great dressed in an array of Christmas costumes and they performed the songs superbly. We hope that everyone enjoyed themselves. Thank you to everyone who supplied food towards the party and a big thank you to Lisa Caddis and Emma and Molly Daley for kindly giving up their time to make copious cups of tea and coffee.
Every Friday some of our Year 2 children attend speech classes. The following children sat speech examinations recently and should be very proud of their efforts and of course the results. They took part in preliminary and gained high distinctions. Congratulations to
Ryan Mahoney, Lucy Harris, Dan Walker, Pippa Geldermans, Lucy Mirfin-Newman, Leon Medcalfe and Olivia Morphew.
Your child's report, portfolio and a letter containing classlists for next year came home with your child today.
On the report forms for Year 1 and 2 you will notice that we have added National Standards information. Some of our year 1 children have not been at school for a year as yet so their placement is based on working towards where they will be placed after one year at school. Those children who have been at school for one year are placed according to after one year at school while those in year 2 are placed according to after two years at school. As children start school at different times throughout the year the placement is based on the level they were at when they turned six or seven.
Most of our children are working at or above on the National Standards and those that are below are only just. e.g. in reading, when your child turns six to be at the standard they need to be reading at Level 12. A few of our children are at Level 11 so are just below. If your child is at Level 13 or more then they are above. Year 2 children need to be at Level 16 to meet the standard.
With the tick system to gain 'always' they must be consistently doing that aspect. Some children will get marked in 'not yet' or 'at times' often because they are not at that stage as yet or are just beginning that stage in their learning. The report is also graded according to development. For example in mathematics the children move through each of the stages from solving problems using materials, then solving problems without materials to bein able to count on or count back to solve problems. This process takes the children two years to work through. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. I am available next week so please email me or phone the office to make an appointment.
Throughout the year I test each child as near to their sixth birthday as possible on a range of literacy tasks called the Observational Survey. I have met with most parents throughout the year to share your child's results with you. If you have not been able to meet with me can you please email me or pop into room 3 if you would like to meet me after school before the end of the term so I can arrange a suitable time with you?
Next week
On Monday all children from throughout the school will move to their 2012 classroom to meet with their new teacher. They will then return later to their usual classroom for the remainder of the year. This meeting is a way for the children to mix with both new and old friends so that over the holidays they do not stress about who their teacher will be and who will be in their class next year.
On Tuesday we would like all those parents and caregivers who have helped out at school throughout the year to come along to the hall and join us for morning tea. We really do appreciate all the support you give to the children in their learning.
On Wednesday, if it is fine, the instructors from Kelly sports will be here so our children can take part in a fun sports day. Some children were disappointed with the cancellation of the Cross Country so I organised Kelly sports to come to school instead. If it is wet on Wednesday we will carry this over to term 1 next year. On Wednesday your child will need to wear clothing and footwear suitable for the activities being held on our school field. Please ensure that they also have a sunhat and are wearing sunscreen.
On Friday there will an assembly especially for the Year 8 students as they leave our school and move onto secondary school. The assembly starts at 11 a.m. You are very welcome to attend along with the parents of the year 8's. The year 8's are currently having a fabulous time in Abel Tasman as part of their Education Outside the Classroom programme and on their return will have a special formal evening. At the assembly we will also farewell other students who will be leaving our school for other schools both around New Zealand and overseas. When the assembly has finished the children will return to their classrooms so that teachers can ensure that they are ready for you to pick up at 1 p.m.
At the end of the year there are still a lot of things to do. Teachers will be providing the Ministry of Education with information, updating achievement data, completing individual files containing your child's progress ready for their teacher next year and also planning for next year. They will also be repairing any items and doing stocktakes of equipment, resources and books. Your child will not be bringing home any reading books this week. If they have any books at home could you please ensure that they are returned before the end of the week? Reading books cost over $10 each so we really appreciate their return so they can be used in next year's programmes.
Office staff will be doing end of year returns and ensuring all financial areas are completed so settlement of any accounts would be greatly appreciated. Parents will be checking the lost property please for any clothing items that may belong to your child. The clothes have been on display for the children to take but often they do not recognise their own clothing. If it is named we can easily return items to your child but any clothing remaining at school on Friday will be given away to charity.
The children will be bringing home all their artwork, tote tray contents and exercise books as well. Please make sure that they bring their school bag each day. On Friday morning every classroom will be packed up ready for cleaning and of course locked so any items that the children leave at school that day will not be able to be retrieved until next year. Please make sure that your child does not bring special items and toys to school this week.
The children will be bringing home all their artwork, tote tray contents and exercise books as well. Please make sure that they bring their school bag each day. On Friday morning every classroom will be packed up ready for cleaning and of course locked so any items that the children leave at school that day will not be able to be retrieved until next year. Please make sure that your child does not bring special items and toys to school this week.
Some children will be leaving for their holiday before Friday. If you intend to do this could you please let your child's teacher know?
The children from rooms 1, 2 and 5 were unable to go swimming today. The pool had been booked by another school and we were not informed of this earlier.
Have a great week.
Kind regards
Maureen Buckley
Deputy Principal
