Please take a few minutes to catch up on what's been happening at school this week, coming events, or things to plan for with your children.

We are pleased to share with you that in 2019 we will be welcoming Kara the dog to our Whangaparaoa School family. Kara will be the family pet of one of our teachers but will come along to school each day. We see many benefits in this for our children. Having a dog at school can have a positive impact on the social, learning, emotional and behavioural needs of students. Children will be able to chat with Kara when they are feeling down, cuddle up and practice their reading on her and learn about animal care and safety with her help.

Kara is a Beagle x Whippet and has been adopted through The Saving Hope Foundation. She is very gentle natured and has been fostered with children, horses, goats, sheep, pigs and cats all with no issues. While she is already very well behaved and obedient we will be undertaking behaviour and obedience training with her to ensure she will be able to cope with the school environment and are currently investigating the best options for this. Kara will be leashed and under adult supervision at all times during the school day and there will be no obligation for children to interact with her if they do not want to, or are unable to due to allergies. She will be kept away from children when they are eating and will be toileted away from the children’s play areas. We will be educating the children on how to respond when Kara is near them and also about hygiene requirements such as hand washing after touching her. The safety and well being of both the children and Kara will be paramount and we look forward to this being a positive and rewarding experience for all.

Our current school policy of no dogs on school grounds without the express permission of the Principal will still apply to all other dogs.

If you would like to see an example of this working well in practice you can view this video of George - the Gulf Harbour School dog - in action on TVNZ’s Fanimals. We have consulted with staff at Gulf Harbour who all agree that George is a great addition to their school community. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/fanimals/episodes/s2018-e6

If you think there is anything else we need to consider as we begin this exciting journey, please email kcronin@wgp.school.nz

COLLABORATION COMMUNITY MEETING - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21 at 9am, 2pm and 6.30pm we invite our parents to meetings in the staffroom to find out more about Collaboration and Collaborative Classrooms. Come along and join us at these meetings and be well informed.

SABBATICAL
I have been lucky to be granted a Principals sabbatical. This is where the ministry gives a Principal 10 weeks paid leave. The aim of the sabbatical is to give people time to step outside the day to day busy-ness of their job, to reflect on where things are at in their school, to look at new learning and opportunities across New Zealand and abroad and to have some personal time. I will be taking my leave in Term 1, 2019. Warren Steel, Gordie Palmer and Jo Kember will take over leadership of the school in my absence.

COMMUNITY MEETING PRESENTATION
Below is the link to view the information discussed at last nights Community Meeting. Thank you very much to all the parents who attended and gave up some of their family time. It is much appreciated.  View the presentation here

GREAT DEAL ON DEVICES
Noel Leeming have once again given us a fantastic deal on a chromebook computer. If you are a year 2 parent or just looking for a great computer for your child, click here for an awesome device & deal.

Have a great week everyone.
Kevin

The PFA want to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone that has volunteered at any of our events this past year.

Whether you've helped out as security at the Halloween Disco, ran a games stall at Gala, handed out prizes at Quiz Night, been a Class Rep, or in any of the other dozens of ways volunteers have supported our events - we Thank You.

Please join us at the Thank You Social to be held on 28 November at 7pm in the staffroom. Send RSVPs to wgpprimarypfa@gmail.com by 25 November

Would you like to buy one or more of these beautiful reusable bags with the school name and logo on it?

• High quality, reusable cotton bags
• Use for your shopping, kids swim or sports gear, or anything that needs to go in a bag
• Roll them up and pop them in a pocket or your handbag to have ready when you need it
• They also make a beautiful Christmas stocking filler!
• Sample can be viewed in the school office
• Only $6 each

We are happy to deliver the ordered bags to your child's classroom once paid.

Click here to order and pay

HARCOURTS OPPORTUNITY

We would like to acknowledge Harcourts for the following generous sponsorship opportunity. Allan and Charlene are parents at our school.

STUDENT SUCCESSES

*Students Writing

*Travelwise Celebrating at the Cloud