Nei te mihi ki a koutou katoa i tēnei wiki poto!
The year is flying by! I apologise that I have not been around much lately. We have had a lot on to start the term. Last week we attended the University of Canterbury Research Symposium. We have a close relationship with UC’s Child Wellbeing Institute. At present they have four interventions / pilots happening here. Two are structured literacy approaches (one in English, one in Sāmoan), one is a structured literacy approach to older students who may need it (school years 4-6) and the other is the Speech Language trainees working / practicing here. We are focused on having a research based approach to our learning so we know the students are getting the best deal.
Tomorrow I leave for Wellington with the UC team for the National Research Symposium. I have been requested to be on a panel speaking to the 300 lead researchers and ministers regarding localised research, the need for research and its place in schooling. I am so proud to have teachers here who are obsessed about science leading the way they teach, their ability to adapt and not just take the easy road! I also thank you, I am aware we have had a few relievers of late so our teachers could grow in their understanding of science based approach to spelling / reading as supported by UC. I also know some teachers have been out a bit more as some are redesigning our curriculum and planning for next year. I know the children prefer their own teacher, but doing things the best way we can is important and I know how much Teacher Only Days can be hard for our community. Thanks heaps team!!!
Language Obsessed
Yes, I’m language obsessed and it is time for your student to be. The Languagenut Challenge finishes in 16 days! Get them on there and working hard on Māori and/or a home language. I can see Tagalog is getting the most attention on the app at the moment which is great! HEAPS OF PRIZES!!!! We are also going to do a big test for each of the main languages with all questions coming from to see who has retained the most! A good opportunity to revise for anyone who has finished. No prizes for the highest in the test as not all of us test well, but certificates will be the go!
I translate the below to: My language is the path to understanding, my language is my living adornment, my language is my heart! (similar translation to the below)
Rubbish
A gentle reminder, we are waste free. Just some letting us down. The rubbish doesn’t come home because it blows out of the lunchboxes or is dropped and is left there. Don’t think they have disposed of it as they have to return it home. PLEASE, NO MORE RUBBISH/WRAPS ETC IN LUNCHBOXES!!!
Homework Challenges
You are running out of time! About three weeks left! They are on the school website if you have lost the booklet!!!
Filipino Language Week
Save the date: Monday 28 November – Friday 2 December
Senior students will lead the week and are meeting soon to discuss what they will do to make the week a great celebration of our Filipino students, culture and language.
Salamat!
Touch
A gentle reminder that touch is not part of the curriculum, it is an organised community competition that we help get teams together for. We continue to help get teams together and pay the majority of fees for to help our children get active. A big thanks to our parents and teachers that offer to help and who support on the sidelines, and to Penny single handedly makes it happen.
Process
Another gentle reminder, your child’s teacher is your first point in contact in all circumstances. If you have a problem, please contact them. They will listen, and follow it up. They will inform management where needed. If you are unhappy with the way it is followed up, then you contact senior management (Principal, DP, AP-whoever is available). A few people have come directly to me lately, and while I love helping, I need to follow this procedure as the teachers here are so good at helping, they deserve the opportunity to help first.
Swimming
This starts next week for Rooms 1-6. It runs for two weeks and it can be quite tiring for some students, so please get them to bed early! Please could you ensure all of your children’s uniform are named, they have named togs and a towel daily, named goggles and a bag to keep the dry and wet separated. Keep an eye on Seesaw as juniors may need parent helpers. We will have a timetable out soon. Just waiting on the organiser to send through exacts.
Dates to book in:
8 December Nativity (time to come)
13 December Prizegiving 5.30pm
13 December Leavers’ Dinner 7pm
Kia pai te wiki me te wīkene roa e haere mai ana!
Dallas Wichman
Principal