|
WELCOME CELEBRATION!
Tomorrow, Friday 17 February from 10.00-11.00 am, all parents are invited to join
their children and teachers here at school to welcome our new children, families
and staff. The focus of this occasion is on bringing us all together as one
big family and enjoying a successful year together.
There will be a few speeches and waiata followed by everyone sharing morning tea
together.
To support this occasion our Learning Communities will be asking students to provide
a small plate of nice food to share.
|
PERFORMING ARTS ASSEMBLY AND INFORMATION
This year we are going to introduce
a range of different learning opportunities for our students on Fridays. We are going to start
with focussing on the Performing Arts. Peaches and Pickles are excited about the opportunity
to join with us in offering a broad range of options. If you want to find out more, come to
our assembly Friday 17 February at 2.15pm as Peaches and Pickles will be sharing their programme
information and you can meet the tutors. If you can't make it, we will get some information
to you. View presentation here by clicking on slide show.
PASSION FRIDAYS
As this year progresses we are aiming to introduce a range
of options on a Friday that will allow students to discover or develop a passion. Please note
that students do not have to choose these options, class programmes will still run. We are
starting with the performing arts and there is an assembly tomorrow at 2.15pm highlighting
the options. On Monday next week a flier will come home with information about the options
and your opportunity to enrol. Here is some information
WHY : To provide students with the opportunity to engage in a range of performing
arts options to help them discover or develop a talent.
WHAT :
Drama - acting, speech and drama, theatresports, film
Dance - hip hop, jazz, ballet, tap, Irish, stretch, leaps and turns
Music - junior and senior choir, orchestra, band jam, keyboard, guitar, music
production
WHERE : Whangaparaoa School
WHEN : The options will run over the first 2 blocks on a Friday. Initially there
will be a short 4 week course. After that, the options will run for a term. The exceptions
are choir, orchestra and band which will run for the year.
WHO : We are working closely with Peaches and Pickles. We will also involve staff,
students and members of our community in the future.
COST : There will be no cost for some options, but other options there will need
to be a charge to cover the costs of tutors. The costs will depend on the group size. Please
refer to the flier next Monday.
COMMUNICATION
Just a reminder that every week there are two ongoing communications.
The first is on a Monday when the class teacher, through the class blog will let you know the
things that are happening in the class that week. The second is on Thursday when the school
newsletter comes out with all the relevant schoolwide information.
E-LEARNING
Some parents have come to see us concerned with the complexity of
the cybersafety agreement for students. We have relooked at this and totally agree. Attached
please find a revised student agreement that aligns with our school values and is a lot more
user friendly. If you have already signed the agreement given at the start of year meetings,
great. If you didn’t like this agreement, hopefully this new one is better for you. Please
let your teacher know. Our apologies for this as we thought it best to use a standard Netsafe
form. View revised student agreement here.
Year 3 to 6 students are invited to start bringing their devices to school next Monday 20 February.
TREE MAINTENANCE
This is to inform you that the trees behind L-block have been
identified by a tree consultant as a hazard to children's safety (both in our environment and
the neighbouring kindy). We also have one tree close to the hall causing damage to cladding
that will need to be removed, and a Norfolk pine that is dead will also need to be removed.
(this is by the pedestrian access from the circle to the school). Removal of these trees will
happen over the next two weekends, weather permitting.
Since last October there has been an ongoing issue with the trees at the front of the school on
Ladies Mile. The school chose to seek professional advice including council consultants and
our own personal consultants/arborists. Following this advice the school has decided to remove
the large liquid ambers in front of B 3-4 and 7-8, and pedestrian access. These trees provide
a health and safety problem for the school due to the debris and limbs they can lose in inclement
weather. The tree removal will impact on the school so we intend to work with contractors to
identify the best time for removal. Please be assured there will be a replanting and landscaping
plan going forward.
LOCKDOWN
As a health and safety precaution schools must practice lockdown procedures
in the event that there is something or someone in our environment that poses a threat to our
school. We just wanted to let you know that we will be doing this next week, so if you wanted
to talk to your child about it, you could. Lockdowns can happen when there are bees, dogs,
weather, people and other things present in our environment that potentially make it unsafe.
Please feel free to view the Lockdown Procedure that staff follow.
LEARNING ASSISTANT POSITIONS
After a successful trial of learning assistants
at the end of last year, we are supporting our teachers and students with learning in the classroom
this year by employing a learning assistant between two classes.
Learning assistants will work up to 14 hours per week, preferably in the mornings and from Monday
to Thursday. A learning assistant is like a teacher apprentice - someone who will learn on
the job with their teachers and students. This year there will be professional development
most weeks to support our learning assistants to enable them to make a difference to student
learning. The main goal is to impact student achievement positively.
If this sounds like something you would love to do, then write a cover letter to kcronin@wgp.school.nz and outline a little about yourself, why you think this job is for you and list any experiences
or qualifications you have for the position. Please note you will be paid for this work, between
$18 and $20 depending on experience. The job will start in week 6 this term and finish in week
5, term 4.
Applications for learning assistant positions close on Monday 20 February 2017. If you have
any questions, email Kevin at the address above.
TREES
We would like our students to have the opportunity to climb trees on
our grounds that are identified as safe for climbing. We will mark these trees and talk to
the children about managing their tree climbing. If you do not want your child to have this
opportunity, can you let the office know via email by Monday 20 February 2017 please.
LUNCHTIME ACTIVITIES
This week the students have enjoyed the opportunity for
a lunchtime swim in their Vertical Learning Communities. Next week the water slide will be
up and running again. Children who would like to participate need to bring their togs, a rash
shirt and a towel.
ANY WORRIES OR CONCERNS
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE come and see us at the first
sign of any concern so we can work together to be informed and help stop niggles before they
grow into problems.
Any concerns in the classroom, please involve your child’s teacher straight away. Further concerns
would be directed to the team leader of your child’s learning community and then the deputy
principals.
If it is a school policy or school decision you are unhappy about or disagree with, bring it
straight to Kevin, Barbara, Gordie or Warren.
EDUCATION REVIEW OFFICE COMPLETE REPORT View complete ERO report.
Have a great week everyone!
From Kevin
|
