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EDUCATION PIECE
In weeks coming up we are going to try and include an education piece. This could be highlighting why
we do things (there are many new families and keeping them informed is important), answering a
parent request topic, or reporting on something current that is happening in education. If you
have anything you would like to know more about, send an email through to the office.
An important place to start is with our school mission statement, learning vision, school values and
motto. These were decided on at the end of last year after consultation with parents, staff and
sections of our student community.
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Our Motto, Mission, Vision and Values
MOTTO:
To be the best we can be
Kia eke ki nga taumata tiketike
MISSION:
Together we inspire learning>
Whakahui, whakamanawa, tatou ako
VISION:
Connect - Challenge - Empower
Hono - Whakatara - Whakamana
Connect/ Hono - to build relationships = learner, whanau, teacher, school, community. Find
out about the learner (whanaungatanga), how they learn, what their interests are,
what gets them excited, their passions and talents, their curiosities!
Challenge/ WhakataraTaking the next steps to grow, learning from mistakes,
trying new things/ giving it a go and keep going (karawhiua), going into the learning
pit (out of my comfort zone), exploring, justifying, discovering, creating, extending
myself to go to a new level (persist, persevere, risk take), resilience.
Empower/ WhakamanaAs a teacher - to give the power to your students,
to work with them (not to give work to them) to create choice and help them be
self managing - taking responsibility for their next steps, what their learning
can look like, who they work with, where they work, when they do things - giving
them the power to plan, do and review in consultation with you.
As the learner - knowing yourself,setting goals, self discovery, future focus,
self discipline, self management, self motivated, taking responsibility, self
efficacy, self worth, self confidence, fuelling your passion, leading the way,
having the knowledge and using it.
VALUES: O R C A
Rangatiratanga OWNERSHIP
- I belong
- I am responsible
- I am self-managing
- I am honest
Manaakitanga RESPECT
- I have excellent manners
- I am kind and treat others the way I like to be treated
- I take care of myself, others and the environment
Whanaungatanga COLLABORATE
- I am helpful and supportive
- I work well with others
- I communicate well with others
- I listen to others and learn from others
Ako ACHIEVE
- I know my next learning steps
- I work hard to do my best
- I am willing to try new things (growth mindset)
- I celebrate my learning with others
GOAL: “ TO BE THE BEST WE CAN BE ”
With this information in mind, we are now at the point where we are thinking of
creating a visual to represent Whangaparaoa School. If you are a creative person
who is artistic and enjoys designing something like this, please give the office
your details. If you have anything you would like to know more about, send
an email through to the office admin@wgp.school.nz.
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STUDENTS WRITING
A4 have been learning to write explanations. We
have been writing to explain to parents why school uniform is important.
School Uniform is Important
It is very important that all the children at our school wear uniform because it's
very cool.
First, our school uniform shows that we are proud to be community members of
our school.
Second, we don't need to choose what to wear every morning so that saves time.
Third, it will make it easier if we are on a school trip. We can tell where we are if
we get lost.
So, please make sure that your children wear the correct school uniform every day.
Ka pai!
By Ava Sperling A4
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E-LEARNING MEETING
On Wednesday 31
May from 6.30 to 7.30pm in the school staffroom, there will be a parent information evening presenting how we are progressing on our journey with e-Learning. The agenda for the evening will be;
- What we have achieved so far!
- Teacher tools.
- Google Apps for Education.
- Student tools for learning - sites / apps
- The SAMR model for integrating technology
LOOKING AFTER OUR TEACHERS
We are very lucky to have committed
and hard working teachers in our school. We have systems and people in place to
observe, support and develop our teachers to be the best they can be. Every staff
member in our school has things they want to work on to try and be better at what
they do. Please realise, that as much as they want to, they can not be all things
to all people. To help them in their job, they have a buddy teacher, a team leader,
a management person and curriculum coaches. These people go into rooms regularly
to work with the teachers and these positions are held by staff who have considerable
experience and success in schools. These people also know the teacher and their
current workload and pressures. With this in mind they give our teachers feedback
and feedforward to help them grow.
We are lucky to have caring parents in our community who are frequently asking what
they can do to help. Here are a couple of suggestions.
- If your child has learning concerns ask the teacher how you can help them and work
together as a team to help your child.
- If your child comes home with a worrying statement, please find out all sides of
the story before jumping to conclusions. Your child will see things from their
perspective which can be very different to others’ perspectives.
- When your child comes home and you want to ask about school, ask for a highlight
in the day or a positive thing they did to make someone else’s day,
what they thought their best effort was or did anything funny happen?
- Our teachers are all very different in terms of experience, curriculum strengths,
sense of humour, sporting expertise and personality. This is our strength as
a
staff and why we select them. Please celebrate this with us.
COMMUNITY OF LEARNING NEWSLETTER
Our school has been invited to work with other schools on the Hibiscus Coast and form
a Community of Learning (COL). Please find attached a newsletter that outlines
the reasons for forming a COL and information about our COL.
View newsletter here.
TERM 2 LEARNING CELEBRATION
On Wednesday 24 May, our school will finish at 12.30pm so we can have a learning celebration afternoon and evening with our parents.
We are offering parents the opportunity to choose a 45-minute timeslot. In this time
students will share their learning, their goals, their proud moments, examples
of their work and details of their classroom. The teacher will also schedule a
time slot per family (during the conference time) to answer any specific questions
the student or parents may have.
IMPORTANT POINTS
- Students will lead this celebration time.
- There will be between 5 and 10 minutes time planned for the teacher to share with
each student and family.
- If there are bigger matters that need discussing, these need to be deferred to
a separate meeting time.
- The student should be a key person in this time. Our belief is that if the discussion
is about the student, their learning and wellbeing, then they need to be involved.
- If there is something personal that you would like to discuss only with the teacher,
please let the teacher know.
- In the time, your child will have lots to share with you.
- There will be up to 5 other families in the room at the same time sharing their
child’s learning journey.
- If your child gives you all the information you need, it is your choice whether
you take up the time with the teacher, or not.
PLEASE CONSIDER
- Our staff are working from 12.30 to 8pm to provide this opportunity. Please look
after them.
- On a rare occasion when we have a parent come in who is upset about something;
our advice is – Respect the Person.“The problem is the problem; the person
is never the problem”
- Control your emotions and think “How can I help?”
- Book a separate time with the teacher.
HOW TO BOOK A LEARNING CELEBRATION TIME?
- Go to the website www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and enter our school code: k23pp
- You will need your child’s 2017 year, classroom, and name of teacher, to complete
your booking.
- Enter these details and choose a time that suits you. You will receive an emailed
confirmation of your booking.
- If you are unable to complete your booking online, please either:
- Email pa@wgp.school.nz with child/rens
names and preferred times or
- Call into the school office and fill out a booking sheet.
- A brochure outlining what to expect, frequently asked questions and how you can
make this a successful and positive experience can be viewed here.
PLEASE NOTE:
YOU MUST COLLECT YOUR CHILD AT 12.30PM UNLESS THEY ARE BOOKED INTO AFTER SCHOOL CARE
AFTER SCHOOL CARE
If you have a regular booking on Wednesday - you are automatically booked into After
School Care. There may be a few casual places on that day available - please contact
Karen on 021 705 804 to put your name on the list.
2018 DATES
The dates that have been approved by our Board of Trustees for the 2018 school year
are : February 5 and 7 - Teachers, students and families “getting to know you”
days. The first full school day will be Thursday February 8.
Term 1 ends April 13
Term 2 is April 30 to July 6
Term 3 is July 23 to September 28
Monday 15 October December 19
WESTPAC HELICOPTER ANNUAL APPEAL MUFTI DAY
On Friday May 26 we
will have a mufti day to raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter annual appeal.
Dress in mufti - wear a wig or facial hair - bring along a gold coin donation to
support this much needed service.
PAINTING WORKING BEE 
Thanks for all the offers of help so far with our outdoor painting working bee.
We will be starting work this Saturday 13th and continuing the following Saturday
20th May. There is still time to join in the fun, and if you would like to help
then drop Helen an email at hbrown3690@gmail.com or turn up on the day to lend a hand! We are meeting this Saturday at 9.30am outside
B Block, near the pool! Thanks again Helen and Rick.
MEDIA RELEASE PLEASE READ
Below is an article from the President of the New Zealand Principals Federation. This
is an issue all schools in New Zealand (including our schools on the Hibiscus Coast)
are facing. With election year it will be interesting to hear what solutions parties
are offering as this issue effects our children directly, or indirectly.
View article here
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UNIFORM REGULATIONS FOR THE COOLER WEATHER
For extra warmth, plain polypropylene or woollen thermal undergarments in plain navy blue, black or
white may be worn.
Black or blue tights (not leggings) may be worn with dresses and cullottes in winter.
Non School Jackets can be worn to and from school only.
Only plain black shoes, plain black trainers with plain black laces, or, plain black
sandals with heel straps, are permitted. High heel shoes and shoes above ankle height are not permitted.
Shoes must be worn to and from the school grounds and on school trips. Socks are to be plain black,
plain navy blue or plain white. See requirements below.
      
     
Any shoe with a white or any colour other than black rim is not acceptable. The shoe must be plain black as you look at it from the front, back and side.
To view full Uniform Policy Click here
Have a great week everyone!
From Kevin
REMINDER: SCHOOL DROP OFF ZONE
The school drop off zone is only for quick drop
offs and pick ups. Please do not park and leave your car in this area between 8.15 and 9.00am and
2.15-3.15pm. Thank you.
CHESS COACHING
We have a qualified chess coach available to come to school on Thursday
lunchtimes in B9. If you would like your child to learn new skills and tricks and practice their
chess game please fill in the form attached here https://goo.gl/forms/p7rItXyZYEmnIj5E2 or email dthompson@wgp.school.nz. There is a charge for the tutoring on
Thursdays to cover the cost of the coach - approx $12-$15 per week depending on numbers. This will
be confirmed by email once numbers are clear. Please note: This is separate to the free chess club
run at school on Tuesday lunchtimes - anyone is welcome then from beginners to experts. Children
can come to both if they want.
COGNITIVE SCREENING
The assessor from Educational Assessment Services will be in
school for three days this term - 30th May, 7th June, 14th June - to complete cognitive screening
on children identified earlier this year. Parents of selected students will be notified (or have
been last term). We apologise that due to unforeseen circumstances the screening dates are later
than originally planned.
SCIENCE CERTIFICATES /BADGES
Is your child interested in Science? These certificates
and badges are self-paced Science learning - choose activities to complete from a menu. Science
certificates aimed at year 5&6 but available for anyone keen on Science. $2 for the menu of
activities. Science badges are more complex and aimed at year 7-10 students, but available to keen
primary school scientists who have completed a Science certificate - $6 each for a menu of activities
to choose from, and a metal badge on completion. See Mrs Thompson if interested dthompson@wgp.school.nz
BASKETBALL TEAM
Does anyone have a space for a Year 5 student wanting to play basketball?
If you can accommodate this please contact the school office. Thanks.
DO YOU HAVE A CHILD STARTING SCHOOL IN 2017?
We have quite a few siblings of current
students listed to start school this year. It would be a great help to us for confirming staffing
for the rest of the year if you could complete an enrolment form for your child as soon as possible.
Please call into the office to pick up an enrolment pack.
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LOST SHOES
We have a large amount of shoes in our lost property
at present. Please come and take a look if your child's shoes are missing.Please
remember to label all uniform items clearly.
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UKELELE/RECORDER LESSONS
These are continuing in Term 2 on Fridays. However, these lessons now need to be self-funding.
Therefore, those children returning will need to be aware that payment of $30-00 per term will
be required. This can be arranged with Miss Truebridge once the children have registered their
interest this Friday when they meet for their first lesson of the term. For further details contact
Leigh Truebridge email: ltruebridge@wgp.school.nz
UNIFORM SHOP
The uniform shop is open every 2nd Wednesday from 10.15 - 11.00am
and on the New Entrant Orientation days from 10.15 - 11.00am.
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