Whenuapai School Newsletter June 13th 2016 [email protected]Phone 4168779 14 Airport Road, Whenuapai Dear Parents and Caregivers Term Two has certainly been very busy to date. Our children have certainly been engaged in a range of in-school and out of school learning experiences. We have had amazing feedback about how our children are conducting themselves beyond the school gate. Our teaching staff have also been engaged in a range of professional learning. Carla Veldman, Denise Lacassie and myself attended the New Zealand Principal’s Federation Conference in Auckland prior to Queens birthday weekend. There was an excellent range of speakers to inspire us and challenge our thinking. Our own Minister of Education in New Zealand – Hekia Parata gave a very inspiring speech about the state of education in New Zealand. I have included an infographic for your information. The whole teaching team continue to work with Kathy Wadsworth our Leadership and Assessment facilitator. As we continue this learning journey with her we can really see the impact Teams involvement in the contract is having on Teaching and Learning. Our children are thriving in learning enviroments, where student agency (student voice) informs the learning process. It was wonderful that so many of our families were able to attend the Puberty change information evening. The feedback we have had about the programme delivered by Nest Consultancy has been extemly positive. The programme is to be delivered to our Year 5/6 on Thursday and Year 7/8 on Friday. Winter ilnesses have certainly taken their toll on both the adults and children. Last week we had times when our sick bay eas absolutely full. We really appreciate the timely manner in which our families come and pick up sick children. Thank you for your on-going support of our school. Raewyn Matthys-Morris
My trip to the National Young Leaders Day conference on the 25th of May inspired me. Trying is one thing I got out of it. I can always think positively and just because you are different does not mean you can’t do what everyone else does. I am sure the other thirteen students benefitted to. Someone who stood out for me was a teenager, who did the forty hour famine to raise money for a boy from Africa who was not as lucky as us. We listened to many speakers throughout the day. Some children were lucky enough to ask questions.
Jorja Beale
Norwest Football Competition
Girls Soccer On Thursday 26 May, the year 7&8 girls representative soccer team went to their football tournament, located at Huapai Domain. We went there in hopes of sunshine, hard work and fun that day. We had been ready and excited for weeks and when the time finally came we represented our school with pride and dignity as well as playing some incredible games. All of us put 100% effort in how we played and always came off with a positive attitude no matter what happened. The team consisted of: Charlotte Graham, Krystal Beaumont, Charlotte Johnson, Charli Pringle, Chantelle Clark, Skye Mcewan, Kiera Sumner,
Akane Shibata, Georgia Hodges, Stacie Horne and Myah Somers had a very awesome day and I’m sure we were all exhausted afterwards. Everyone was playing and giving it all they got even some of us got injured a bit but that didn’t stop them from coming back on the field and giving it another go. In total we came 7th place and we were glad that we tried our best and had a good day. It was a fun experience and I know that I will be signing up for the next in zone sports event.
Boys Soccer Tuesday the 24 of May 2016,the school soccer team were at school at 8:15 and were going to play a soccer tournament against all of the schools in west Auckland. We went down to the school p.e shed to get the sport uniforms. When we got them on we got shorted into whose car we were going in. The soccer fields where we were going was in Huapai. When we got there we got our boots on and put our bags somewhere safe. The first game was at 9:15 and the opposite team were coming on to the pitch. We kicked of, the first half wasn't very long because they were only 10 minute halves it was 2:0 to us at half time. At the end of the second half it was 3:0 to us the next game was much harder, the game ended 0:0.The next game we were 2:0 up in the first half but the other team scored 2 goals in the second half and we scored none so the game ended 2:2. We were through to the quarter finals. We had a bad start to the game but then we scored 2 goals and went in front. But in the second half they scored another goal, so the game went to penalty shootouts and we won 2:1.In the semis we scored an early goal. But then they scored a goal in the middle of the second half, that game also went to penalties but we only had to take 2 penalties and the referee said we won and were into the final. They scored first then late in the second half we scored an equaliser it was a really good goal the ball went through to Jacob the keeper ran out and Jacob kicked the ball over the keepers head and into the goal. Then they scored another goal and just at the end of the game they scored from a corner kick, the person took the corner and then the wind pushed it towards the goal and it hit the keepers boot and went in. That was the end of the game we were happy that we got second but said that we lost in the final.
Matariki is a time for Maori to celebrate. It's a time for spending time with whanau, telling stories or Maori myths, flying kites and having feasts. Over the time of matariki, late May to early June, young children learn to weave and they eat yummy kumara over a gigantic bonfire. If pleiades shines brightly it means it will be a good year for growing and harvesting land crops. Pretty much all of the seven sisters mean something. Lots of families have a big feast and gaze at the sky for matariki, if you look up at the stars in winter time and look beyond orion's belt and look to the other side of the moonlit sky you will find matariki. It
is easier to find the cluster of stars at dawn. In Japan, matariki is called subaru, it is also known as pleiades. In New Zealand, matariki is called the seven sisters. The names of the all the seven sisters are Matariki, Tupuanuku, Tupuarangi, Waiti, Waita, Waipunaarangi, and Ururangi. At school, year three and four have been celebrating matariki in each classroom. We made and flew kites in Miss Dignan’s room, and in Miss Dawber’s classroom we made talking sticks (korero purakau). In Mrs Collins’ room we have been making cute little paper cloaks (korowai), and drawing matariki with white pastel colors. Last but not least, Mrs Pyne’s class we all drew on paper feathers, writing what is important to us on each feather. All our amazing feathers will be put on a big korowai. By Harriet Boot (Room 14)
Wednesday 31st May all our plants arrived. The garden team were super excited, and planted them carefully. We started planting them and then the rain came, and we thought “O no!” , but it didn’t stop us from planting them-infact the plants enjoyed the water because they were dehydrated. As we were really busy and wanting to get the gardens planted we had many helpers. Now we are keeping an eye on the plants to ensure they grow and make our school beautiful and colourful.
Scholastic Book Club
Scholastic have experienced difficulties with their new ordering system this year which is why we haven’t participated in their Book Club so far but we are now happy to be sending home Book
Club brochures, these were sent home with your children on Friday 10th June.
You may use Scholastic’s on-line ordering and payment system or the Credit Card option to pay, instructions are on the back inside cover of the brochure, with the order form. We can also take cash if you prefer, but please send the exact amount with the order form, in a sealed bag or envelope with your child’s name and room number clearly shown on the front. Orders will be collected by the classroom teacher.
Orders must be received by Friday at 3.00pm on 17th June. Sorry, but we cannot accept orders after this date; however the on-line system will still be available to use. Scholastic are very generous and our school will earn valuable reward points with each order to enable us to provide your children with new library books and school resources so we are very grateful for your support.
As well as the stamps, stickers and praise, pupils are also rewarded by receiving a Principal’s Award. This is a certificate (one per class per week) given by the classroom teacher to show a special achievement by a pupil.
As pupils accumulate these certificates they are eligible for the following:
3 certificates = Effort Badge 6 certificates = Achievement Badge 9 certificates = Excellence Badge 12 certificates = Outstanding Badge 15 certificates = Top Class 18 certificates = Number One 21 certificates = Extraordinary 24 certificates = A1 Quality Pupils
Have you been on the webpage?
We have a lovely video which has been put together of our classrooms, walk through the rooms.
We have been advised that a student at our school has been identified as having chicken pox. Chicken pox is highly contagious and easily spread. Unfortunately people are not always aware that they have chicken pox as the initial symptoms present like a cold, a fever, a headache, a runny nose, a cough, loss of appetite, feeling tired. A red rash follows 1 to 2 days later. It usually starts on the face and scalp, spreads to the chest, back and tummy and then to the arms and legs. We also have been advised of students with influenza and pneumonia. Parents please reinforce to students the importance of hand washing and hygiene. For further information on chicken pox, influenza follow the links below from the Ministry of Health http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/chickenpox http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/influenza
Student Organised fundraisers
Our prefects have organised to fundraising events for charity. This will be a gold coin donation
and students can come either dressed up or with a wig only. The money from the event will be
SWIMMING LESSONS Years 3 and 4 – RNZAF Swim School
Dates: 15 June, 22 June, 29 June, 27 July and 3 August – please note date changes – this is due to pool availability. Session 1, R11: Leaving school at 9.am with lesson starting at 9.30am and then returning to school – Athena Smith Session 2, R12: Leaving school at 9.30am with lesson staring at 10. am and then returning to school – Catherine Collins Session 3, R13 and R14: Leaving school at 10am with lesson starting at 10.30am and then returning to school – Denise Lacassie
SWIMMING LESSONS Years 5 and 6 – RNZAF Swim School Dates: 17 June, 24 June, 1 July and 29 July –please note date changes – this is due to pool availability, sixth date to be advised. Session 1: Leaving school at 9.25 with lesson starting at 9.45am – 10.15 and then returning to school – Maureen Mason with R7 and R8. Session 2: Leaving school at 10am with lesson staring at 10.15am – 10.45 and then returning to school – Denise Lacassie with R9 and R10.
Denise Lacassie
Netball Winter League Netball at Netball Waitakere. For fixtures and results http://www.netballwaitakere.co.nz/
