Elm Park School Newsletter

Newsletter Term 1 Week 3 Friday 17 February 2012

2012-02-20T09:56:00.006+13:00

Value Focus for next two weeks: Initiative/Perseverance

From The Principal

Kia ora tatou katoa, Talofa, Malo e lelei, Bula vi naka, Kia orana Nga mihi nui ki a koutou, Namaste, Nihao, Greetings to you all.

We are at the end of Week 3 already. The children and staff have been working hard to get settled into their new classrooms and routines. At this time of the year the teachers are focussing on establishing expectations of behaviour and learning in their rooms and within the playground. We encourage children to understand and abide by Elm Park School Values, Caring, Independence, Perseverance, Respect, Tolerance, co-operation with others, Honesty, Initiative, Quality, Responsibility, Trust and Worth of the Individual. Each week there is a focus on a value.

Thank you to all of you who attended the Parent Orientation Evenings on Wednesday and Thursday last week. It was wonderful to see so many parents who came to meet the teachers. We are fortunate to have such enthusiastic teachers who are committed to providing the best possible opportunities for your children to experience. We “empower all our learners to achieve their personal best”.

The New Zealand Curriculum also aims to help children to live, learn, work and contribute as active members of their community. The key competencies that develop over time and are shaped by interaction with people, places and ideas are managing self, relating to others, participating and contribution, thinking and using language, symbols and texts. Our staff will be focussing on these capabilities as part of their programme.

Thank you to those parents who have purchased the correct uniform especially hats and black shoes. Please make sure that you name all the clothing clearly as it is very difficult to find when it is unnamed. Please encourage your children to look for their lost possessions in the lost property boxes as soon as possible as they are full already.

We are very concerned that some parents are not crossing their children on the crossing. There have been some near misses on the road outside our school, which as you know is an extremely busy road. Please assist us by crossing in the correct place so that our children have road sense and everyone is safe. Thank you to those parents who help out on the crossing.

We are looking forward to seeing you all at the Food and Family evening today (Friday) at 5.00pm. Join us with your picnic food, there will be coffee, snacks and Mr Whippy. Join in the Amazing Race, there will also be sports equipment and the pool to enjoy.

Have a great weekend

Trish Plowright

Principal

Key Events For Your Diary

Fri 17 Feb........... Food & Family Evening (Wheels Day) 5.00pm

Tues 21 Feb........ Interschool Softball field day

Thur 22 Feb........ PTA Meeting 7pm staffroom

Fri 2 Mar............. Whole School Assembly 2.00pm

Wed 7 Mar.......... World Maths Day

Fri 9 Mar............. Principals Morning Tea

Fri 16 Mar........... Whole School Assembly

Mon 26 March.... Y6 Camp (MERC) Long Bay

Fri 30 Mar........... Whole School Assembly

Wed 4 Apr........... Principal’s Awards Assembly

Thur 5 Apr........... Term 1 ends

Fri 6 Apr.............. Good Friday

Looking Ahead

The Incredible Years Programme for Parents – It’s the little things that really matter. This is a free programme for parents of 3 – 8 year olds. Problem behaviour in children causes enormous family stress, and parents can feel alone and helpless. But a positive and harmonious family life is possible. The Incredible Years parenting programme helps you develop strategies to build positive relationships with your children and to manage problem behaviours. It will help you:

Þ Enjoy your kids

Þ Overcome challenging behaviour

Þ Stimulate your child’s development

Þ Gain skills to feel more confident and positive about your parenting

Þ See changes for the better

Þ Establish better relations with your child’s teachers

Parent training remains the single most effective way to help young children with challenging behaviour problems. This programme consists of 14 2-2 ½ hour sessions, one per week. Manukau programme starting Tuesday 21^st Feb 10am – 12.30 pm or Wednesday 22^nd Feb 5.30 – 8.00 pm. Panmure programme starting 10 am – 12.30 pm TBC. There is no cost for this programme. Please contact: Manukau Programme – Ursula Ruakere, 260 4215 ursula@cls.org.nz or Panmure Programme – Keren Newnham, 260 4260 k.newnham@equipperschurch.com

Elm Park School Newsletter Options – A reminder that there are other ways to read your school newsletter. You do not need to wait for your child to unpack their bag. Find us here:

Elm Park School Blog:

http://elmparkschool.blogspot.co.nz/ (you can subscribe for updates)

Elm Park School Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/ElmParkSchool

Road Patrol helpers needed - If you are able to help with Road Patrol in the morning from 8.30 to 8.50am or in the afternoon from 3.00 – 3.15pm can you please see the office ladies or Mrs Holdom in Room 26. Thank you!

Ice Cream Containers – The art room is in need of clean ice cream containers without lids please. These can be delivered directly to the art room or to room 9. Thank you.

This Week in Review

Value Focus for next two weeks: Initiative/PerseveranceElm Park is once again opening the National Bank for children to deposit their money into. We begin on Wednesday 22^nd February, before school in the library. We will be open every Wednesday morning during term time. Our bank tellers, Hayley, Maddison, Jenny and Emily have been for training at Pakuranga National Bank and are eager to work with established customers and any new people who would like to take part in school banking this year. We look forward to seeing you there. Mrs Kerr.

Focus on Children

Room 2 have done some swimming stories.

POSITIVE SOCIAL INTERACTION WINNERS
Congratulations to the following students who were selected and acknowledged this TERM for their responsible, friendly behaviour.
Room 2	Rafay Hayat
Room 7	Jayden Myburgh
Room 8	Tanzee Guo
Room 9	Shayaan Syed
Room 10	Diesel Folau
Room 11	Meilaniah Kelsall
Room 12	Toa Fonoti
Room 13	Aimee Turley
Room 14	Rlisha Kauraka
Room 15	Sophia Boysen
Room 16	Maree Nattrass
Room 17	Hannah Appleby
Room 18	Silva He
Room 19	Julia Fared Chua
Room 20	Stephanie McIntyre
Room 21	Ethan Birch
Room 22	Lupo Hall
Room 23	Maddison Hohneck
Room 24	Tyler Moran
Room 25	Sasha Sabeta
Room 26	Anmol Preet Kaur
Room 28	Charlie Wilson
Room 29	Nathan Ruhe
Room 30	Oliver Cao
PERSONAL PRESENTATION
The following students were voted as the overall winner in their year level for the most neatly presented in their uniform.
Year 1:	Emma Nicholson
Year 2:	Katie Howell
Year 3:	Elizabeth Davies
Year 4:	Calais Kaukau
Year 5:	Nadia Wilson
Year 6:	Bailey Ruoff

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Helen O’Grady Drama Academy – Kids Love Drama and Parents Love the Results. Students ages 5-17 to develop confidence and communication skills. They provide excellent preparation for growing up in today’s competitive world. They’ll just love it! Phone 836 0233 www.helenogrady.co.nz

The Parenting Through Separation programme is now running at Willowbank Primary School. The programme is facilitated by Triple P psychologists with a family court lawyer. It is free to all parents in the region who are going through separation or have already separated. Next sessions in the two part course are 29 Feb and March 7. Register at Triple P: 09 579 1794.

PAKURANGA UNITED RUGBY CLUB - THE ALL BLACKS WERE JUNIOR RUGBY PLAYERS ONCE...BECOME A PAKURANGA JUNIOR AND START YOUR JOURNEY TODAY! JUNIOR RUGBY REGISTRATIONS ON NOW! Grades: Nursery (Under 5-6s), Junior (Under 7-10s) and Intermediate (11-13s) Register online at www.purc.co.nz Registration Days: 17, 18 and 19 February, 24, 25 and 26 February Fridays: 3-7pm, Saturday/Sundays: 1-4pm and Weekdays: 3-5pm 78 Bells Road, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga. Phone: 09 576 7928

Piano and Theory Tuition Offered by a highly qualified and experienced Piano teacher recently returned to New Zealand after 15 years abroad teaching piano full time at the Vienna International school in Austria. From beginners to Diploma Level. Private and group tuition available in William Roberts Road. ABRSM Exam preparation if desired. Performing Opportunities throughout the year with regular informal piano recitals. For further information, please contact Mrs Joanne Klein (BMus; Dip Tchg: LRSM; LTCL; ATCL) Tel 09 576 6094 Mobile 021 122 4145 email jjsunderland@xtra.co.nz

Family Fun Evening

2012-02-17T14:50:00.001+13:00

Due to bad weather the Family Fun Evening tonight has been cancelled.

Family Fun EveningTonight

2012-02-17T12:52:00.000+13:00

5:30-7:30pm tonight - bring your own food! Mr Whippy and the Coffee Man will be here. Bring along your wheels to join in the Amazing Race. Great times for the whole family!

e-Portfolio Update

2012-02-09T08:49:00.001+13:00

At the moment students who have left Elm Park School are still able to access their e-Portfolios on KnowledgeNET by logging on and going to Learning Journals on the navigation bar. The 2011 Learning Journals have been archived but can still be accessed by clicking on the + next to the Learning Journal link. Unfortunately Caregivers no longer have access to the e-Portfolio but this is just temporary.

KnowledgeNET are currently in the process of exporting the e-Portfolios for students who have left Elm Park School and when this is finished we will be burning all the content to disk and sending these home. This should all be finalised by the end of Term 1.

We are very sorry for any inconvenience this has caused but if you have any further problems please contact belinda@elmpark.school.nz

Parent Orientation Evenings

2012-02-07T11:48:00.002+13:00

All parents/caregivers are welcome to attend our Parent Orientation Evenings this week.

Year 1-3: 6:30pm Wednesday in the auditorium

Year 4-6: 6:30pm Thursday in the auditorium

Newsletter Term 1 Week 1 Friday 3 February 2012

2012-02-03T10:18:00.002+13:00

Value Focus for next two weeks: Honesty / Independence

From The Principal

Kia ora tatou katoa, Annyong Haseyo, Talofa, Malo e lelei, Bula vi naka, Kia orana Nga mihi nui ki a koutou, Namaste, Nihao, Greetings to you all.

Welcome to all those who are joining our school community for the first time. Our first day was busy, particularly in the office with new children arriving. We are grateful to our wonderful office staff for remaining calm throughout. By 9.00 am everyone was in their room. The children have settled down into the school routine quickly and are participating in the classroom programme with enthusiasm, in spite of the heat. The Year 1-3 children are in luck having the privilege of using the swimming pool to cool off in this term.

A warm welcome to all staff this year. Mrs Kerry Tetupu is returning to us for Term 1 on a Thursday to work with our Pasifika students.

We have an exciting year ahead with a lot of activities planned. You may be aware that some of our staff have moved classrooms and levels. (see below for details of teachers and room numbers).

During last week our staff attended three days of Professional Development at Elm Park. We planned our Inquiry programme for 2012 Terms 2 & 3. The context is Globalisation with a focus on Being Connected. The teaching staff will discuss this with you on Parent Orientation evenings next week and in the Team Newsletter.

We analysed our programme and discussed ways to improve teaching and learning to provide ‘best practice’ and even better learning outcomes for all our students this year in these curriculum areas. Every year we strive to match our professional development for staff with the needs of the children so that it is a win-win situation for everyone.

Reporting to Parents - Over the past few years we have used e-portfolios at Elm Park School as a method of communication with parents/caregivers. This is an ongoing electronic form of collating information regarding the children, their progress and next learning steps in Literacy, Numeracy, Key competencies and achievements. This form of data collection is aligning our school with the 21^st Century and the methods of reporting that are fast becoming the norm. We are constantly refining the guidelines and format of these learning journals. Students are active participants in their own learning journey. They are aware of where they are at in their learning, what the gaps are and where they need to go next. The e-portfolio takes the place of the written report throughout the year.

Year 5 children will receive a written report at the end of the

year so that these reports can be used to support applications for Intermediate. Those children who may leave during the year will have continued access to their e-portfolios.

We will have 2 sessions of Student Led Conferences in Term 2 and Term 3 for parents and children to discuss achievement with the teachers. If you have any queries during the year please feel free to make an appointment with the class teacher.

Parent Orientation Evenings Week 2 Term 1 - This will be an

opportunity to be introduced to all the staff and your child/children’s teacher/s. The teachers will outline what they have planned for the class for this year and their expectations. Parents and caregivers are cordially invited to attend Parent Orientation evenings at Elm Park in the Auditorium initially.

Wednesday 8 February Years 4 – 6

Thursday 9 February Years 1 - 3

We look forward to meeting with you. Please assemble in the Auditorium by 6.30 pm.

Parent Evenings for Goal setting with your child/ren and teacher education. The key competencies are managing self, relating to others, participating and contribution, thinking, and using language, symbols and texts. Elm Park students are encouraged to value excellence, innovation, enquiry and curiosity, diversity, respect, equity, care for the environment integrity and community.

At Elm Park “we empower all learners to achieve their personal best”. This is a partnership between the school and yourselves. These will be held on Wednesday 7 March Years 1 -3 and Thursday 8 March for Years 4 – 6 starting at 3.30 pm.

Annual Trips and Cultural Activities Payment - $100.00 per year ($25 per term). Thank you to all the parents/caregivers who have paid the school donation, activity fee and purchased the stationery pack so promptly. This assists us in getting the learning programmes underway as quickly as possible and enables the routines to be established early.

Parent Contribution - Elm Park provides a quality education with a wide variety of opportunities for all students to participate, not just trips. This payment is very important to the school as many of our activities rely on this money. Enrichment groups such as Maths, Art, PE, Music, Chess, Swimming activities, Digikids (ICT). Please support the school by making this payment as soon as you are able to.

First Child $160 $40.00 per term

Second Child $150 $37.50 per term

Third Child $130 $32.50 per term

Payment can be made through the school office, during school hours or by internet banking. EFTPOS is available, and alternative payment options may be discussed with our Executive Officer Norma Foster.

Donation Receipts - Did you know that families with an annual income of $70,000 or less, may be eligible for a childcare subsidy. If you would like to apply, you can find an application form at your local WINZ office, or visit www.workingforfamilies.govt.nz If you require any replacement or duplicate donation receipts for tax purposes please request them at the front office before the end of the year. Our financial software cannot issue duplicates after the

start of the new year.

Stationery can be purchased online from Office Max.

www.myschool.co.nz or from the Office Max Store in Ronwood Ave, Manukau.

Uniform Shop - Hours are Monday – Friday 8.15 am – 8.45 am and 2.30 pm - 3.00pm (Sheree Houghton is in charge of the uniform shop). The new style shirt for the children will be available at a later date. All children are expected to wear sensible black shoes or sandals and a sun hat in Term 1 and Term 4.

Year 6 Camp - The Year 6 children will be attending Camp MERC at Long Bay on the North Shore in Term 1 Week 9, Monday 26 March – Thursday 29 March.

Some money was raised by the children and teachers in Year 5 last year which has been donated to the overall Camp fund to reduce the total cost for parents, this cost is now $200.00. This is an extremely valuable experience for everyone and we encourage all children to be part of this Camp. There is a focus around water safety skills and activities and team co-operation and collaboration. Further camp information will be available from the Year 6 teachers and Mr Dave Borcher.

Headstart is a pre-school programme for four year olds who

may or may not be attending Elm Park School. The purpose of this programme is to familiarise children with the school learning environment. This programme begins Week 6 Wednesday 7 March at 1.30 pm. This will be run by Mrs Pauline Grainger. Please contact to the office for further information.

Road Safety - Thank you to the wonderful parents who have

offered to help out at the pedestrian crossing, we really appreciate your time and effort. Thank you to Mr Munro for offering to co-ordinate this with Mrs Holdom. We encourage parents to help us by not parking on the yellow lines, making sure that the children walk safely across the crossing and up the path, not on the back driveway as it is a busy access to the school.

Kids Korner (Before school & After school care) - Just to remind you that we have this facility available before school from 7.00 am – 8.30 am and after school from 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm.

Newsletters - School newsletters are published once a fortnight. These are available on our website at www.elmpark.school.nz, our blog http://elmparkschool.blogspot.co.nz/ and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElmParkSchool. The school newsletter is often our only means of communication with you at home so it is imperative that you read every issue to ensure you know what is going on within the school.

PTA meeting – The PTA meeting will be in the staffroom at 7 pm on Wednesday 22 February. New members are very welcome. Hope to see you there.

Food and Family wheels day” evening - This is to be held on Friday 17th February at 5.00 pm till approx 7.00 pm. Bring your wheels/ (skateboards, cars, bikes) dinner / picnic / takeaways. Coffee, snacks and Mr Whippy available. If you would like to have a stall to sell your delicious cakes, biscuits or other homemade goodies, please contact Mrs Allen. The sports equipment will be available and the pool will be open (parents are to supervise their own children). All children MUST be accompanied by an adult. Come along and have fun with your children and their teachers! Hope to see you there!

Elm Park School Amazing Race – Be In To Win!

This is an exciting, challenging, new event your family can take part in on Family and Friends night – (Friday 17 February). Every participating family will have the chance to pit themselves against the clock while going from one destination to the next gathering clues, seeing amazing sights and having the best fun ever! Please register your family team before Wednesday 15 February by putting your team names in the registration box at the front office. Every team registered wins a prize and you will be part of an awesome event never seen before at our school. (No passports required).

Teachers / Rooms

Mrs Pauline Grainger (Team Leader) Rm 2 Y1

Mrs Vanessa Koroa (on study leave) Rm 5 Y1

Mrs Cathy Gray Rm 7 Y1

Mrs Melanie Olsen Rm 8 Y2

Mrs Keryn Scott/Mrs Roseanne Worsfold Rm 9 Y1

Miss Andrea Charlesworth Rm 10 Y2

Mrs Susanne Kerr Rm 11 Y1

Mrs Kelly Field (nee Moretti) Rm 12 Y3

Mrs Sue Hodge (Team Leader) Rm 13 Y4

Mrs Sue Dane Rm 14 Y4

Mrs Tracy Venter Rm 15 Y4

Mrs Sara Melville Rm 16 Y4

Mrs Linda Richards Rm 17 Y3

Mrs Tina Bezuidenhout (Team Leader) Rm 18 Y3

Mrs Raenette Taljaard Rm 19 Y6

Mrs Anna Graham Rm 20 Y6

Miss Lucy Adamson (Boys class) Rm 21 Y6

Mr Neil Ackermann (Team Leader) Rm 22 Y6

Mr Nick Fitzgerald Rm 23 Y5

Miss Irma Hughes (Team Leader) Rm 24 Y5

Miss Lisa Biddick Rm 25 Y5

Mrs Catherine Holdom Rm 26 Y2

Music room/Kids korner Rm 27

Mrs Alicia Howard Rm 28 Y5

Mrs Darukhanawalla (Team Leader) Rm 29 Y2

Mrs Debbie Rist Rm 30 Y3

Mr Dave Borcher Deputy Principal Y4-6

Mrs Karen Allen Deputy Principal Y1-3

Term Dates for 2012

Term 1 Tue 31 January to Fri 5 April 2012 (10 weeks)

Term 2 Mon 23 April to Fri 29 June 2012 (10 weeks)

Term 3 Mon 16 July to Fri 28 September(10 weeks)

Term 4 Mon 15 October to Fri 14 December (9 weeks)

Holidays

Term 1 Waitangi Day - Monday 6 February

Term 1 Easter (Good Friday) 6 April

Term 2 ANZAC Day – Wednesday 25 April

Term 2 Queen’s Birthday - Monday 4 June

Term 4 Labour Day - Monday 22 October

TERM ONE KEY EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY

Mon 6 Feb – Waitangi Day SCHOOL CLOSED

Wed 8 Feb - Y1-3 Parent Info Evening 6.30 pm

Thur 9 Feb - Y4-6 Parent Info Evening 6.30 pm

Tue 14 Feb - Interschool Cricket field day

Wed 15 Feb - Headstart Programme commences 1.30pm

Thur 16 Feb - BOT Meeting 6pm

Fri 17 Feb - Whole School Assembly 2.00pm

Fri 17 Feb - Food and Family Evening (Wheels Day) 5.00pm

Tues 21 Feb - Interschool Softball field day

Thur 22 Feb - PTA Meeting 7pm staffroom

Fri 2 Mar - Whole School Assembly 2.00pm

Wed 7 Mar - World Maths Day

Fri 9 Mar - Principals MorningTea

Fri 16 Mar - Whole School Assembly

Mon 26 March - Y6 Camp (MERC) Long Bay

Fri 30 Mar - Whole School Assembly

Wed 4 Apr – Principal’s Awards Assembly

Thur 5 Apr – Term 1 ends

Fri 6 Apr – Good Friday

Looking forward to a wonderful year.

Kind Regards

Trish Plowright

PRINCIPAL

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Kelly Sports at Elm Park Primary School

Kelly sports offers sports after school programmes at Elm Park Primary School on Tuesdays from 3.10pm to 4.10pm. Our programmes are for year 1 to 6 children who learn a variety of skills and sports through the eight week program in term 1. Kelly Sports encourages kids to have fun,build confidence and choose a sport to participate in the future. Player of the day ribbons awarded each session and certificates are given at the end of the term.. Please contact Lyn Flavell on 2922224/0228821164 or pat@kellysports.co.nz for an enrollment form.

Howick Hornets Rugby League Club

Registrations - all ages - new members welcome. Thurs Feb 16 from 5-7.30pm, Weds Feb 22 from 5-7.30pm at Paparoa Park, Paparoa Rd Howick. Email - howickhornets1@gmail.com.

Pakuranga Rugby League Club

Your local Rugby League Club has League Musters for all ages from Under 6 Year Olds upward. Junior muster dates - Thursday 9^th Feb @ 5pm, Thursday 16^th Feb @ 5pm, Thursday 23^rd Feb @ 5pm www.myclub.co.nz/pakurangarugbyleague Ti Rakau Park Cnr William Roberts Rd & Reeves Rd, Pakuranga

CARLSTON NETBALL CLUB

is seeking year 5 and 6 players for the 2012 season. Musters will be held on Tuesdays the 7th and 14th February between 5 and 6pm at the HPNC courts Lloyd Elsmore Park. A non-refundable registration fee of $20 is appreciated and will be deducted from club fees. For more info please call Heather 021 134 7529 or Kristin 265 1625.

Howick Baby Fair

Sat 11 Feb, 10am - 12pm Howick Rec Centre, 563 Pakuranga Rd Come along for great bargains on new and used baby/children's clothes, toys, books, nursery equipment, maternity items and much more! Entry by gold coin donation
For more info contact babyfair@howickplunket.org.nz

Friday Dance Classes-Feb 10th 2012 - 8 lunchtime lessons. 40 minutes long. Spaces are limited. Years 1 –6. $52 for 8 lessons

Thursday Zumbatomic class-Feb 9th 2012 - 8 lunchtime lessons. 40 minutes long. Spaces are limited. Years 1-6. $52 for 8 lessons Please book via email/internet payments must be received before 9^th February. Bank acc:031508 0601741 00 Natasha Sharp 021 793018 danceit@xtra.co.nz

e-Portfolio Update for Students Leaving EPS

2011-12-20T09:19:00.000+13:00

KnowledgeNET are currently working on a solution to export the e-Portfolios/Learning Journals of students who left Elm Park School this year. This means students will have copies of all their work to keep. The expected timeline for this is February 2012 but in the meantime students and parents are able to continue logging into KnowledgeNET as usual. Any issues please contact belinda@elmpark.school.nz

Photographer Coming to Elm Park School

2011-11-21T13:56:00.000+13:00

On Monday 28 November and 5 December a professional photographer will be at Elm Park School taking photographs for publicity purposes (including our website, brochures etc).

If you do not wish your child to be in any of these photos please let the school office know before these dates (secretary@elmpark.school.nz).

If your child is included in a photo selected for publication we will seek caregiver permission beforehand and no personal details will ever be divulged.