Newsletter Term 1 Week 1 - Friday 4 February 2011
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 back to all returning students and their families and 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 new staff this year. Miss Kelly Moretti (Room 9) Y5, Mr Neil Ackermann (Room 22) Y6, Team Leader. Mrs Monica Meikle will be teaching in Room 20 until week 3 and then Mr Ben Coaton will be taking over as Miss Natalie Lucas has relocated to Orewa and has a teaching job at Pine Hill School. Mrs Tetupu has had her wee baby boy Braydon, a little earlier than expected.
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 two days of Professional Development at Elm Park. We looked closely at our Numeracy and Literacy (Reading) data from last year’s assessments. 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.
ICT PD - Elm Park has completed the ICTPD contract funded by the Ministry. Staff and students have all benefited enormously in the e-learning area of the curriculum from this project. This year our school is involved in another contract with Evaluation Associates. A facilitator will work with staff and children to improve the student outcomes in written language throughout the school. 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 2 years we have trialled 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 21st Century and the methods of reporting that are fast becoming the norm. Children 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 6 children will receive a written report Mid Year that can be used to support applications for Intermediate. Those children who may leave during the year will receive a saved copy of their e-portfolios.
We will have 2 sessions of collaborative 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 - 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 week 2.
Wednesday 9th February Years 4, 5, 6
Thursday 10th February Years 1, 2, 3
We look forward to meeting with you. Please assemble in the Auditorium by 6.30 pm.
Elm Park Curriculum - Our school wide Curriculum focus this year is “Guardians of the Water” . You will receive more information about what this involves from the teachers during the parent evenings. At Elm Park School we continue to include Values and the Key Competencies in our daily programmes, these concepts form the basis of the National Curriculum. I have visited a number of classrooms already this year and witnessed great discussions and role-modelling taking place as part of this programme. We would really appreciate your support in this area of your children’s 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.
Parent Contribution & Annual Trips and Cultural Activities Payment - Thank you to all the parents/caregivers who have paid the parent contribution, 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.
Annual Trips/ Cultural Activities $80.00 per year ($20 per term)
Parent Contribution
First Child $160.00 Second Child $150.00 Third Child $130.00
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.
Stationery can be purchased from The Learning Tree, Ti Rakau Drive (opposite Chipmunks) .
Existing students Y1-4 (students returning to Elm Park) $48.00
Existing students Y5-6 (students returning to Elm Park ) $50.00
New Enrolments (First time enrolled at Elm Park) $65.00
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 Please ensure you keep your parent contribution receipts in a safe place as our software does not always allow us to produce copies of these.
Uniform - All children are expected to wear correct Elm Park School Uniform every day. The Uniform Shop is open Monday – Friday. The hours are 8.15 am – 9.00 am and 2.30 pm - 3.00pm (Sheree Houghton is in charge of the uniform shop).
Year 6 Camp - The children will be attending Camp MERC at Long Bay on the North Shore in Term 4, Week 2, Wednesday 2 November – Friday 4 November. The Term 1. A significant amount of money was raised by the teachers and children in Year 5 last year which has been donated to the overall Camp fund to reduce the total cost for parents. However, this is an extremely valuable experience for everyone and we encourage all children to be part of this Camp. You will be notified of the exact costs later.
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 5 Wednesday 2 March at 1.30 pm. 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. We still need parents for morning and afternoon sessions. If you are available please contact Catherine Holdom in Rm26. 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.
TERM DATES FOR 2011
Term 1 Tues 1 February to Fri 15 April 11 weeks
Term 2 Mon 2 May to Fri 15 July 11 weeks
Term 3 Mon 1 August to Fri 7 October 10 weeks
Term 4 Tues 25 October to Wed 14 December 8 weeks
Auckland Anniversary Day Monday 31 January, Queen's Birthday Monday 6 June, Labour Day Monday 24 October.
All other holidays fall within school holidays.
Key Events For Your Diary
Wed 9 Feb....... Y4-6 Parent Info Evening....... 6.30 pm
Thur 10 Feb....... Y1-3 Parent Info Evening 6.30 pm
Fri 18 Feb....... ....... Food and Family Evening
Wed 23 Feb....... PTA Meeting 7pm
Wed 2 March....... Headstart Begins
Thur 3 Mar....... BOT Meeting
Fri 11 Mar....... Principal’s Afternoon Tea
Thur 7 April....... BOT Meeting
Fri 15 April…….. ....... Term ends
ERO Feedback
ERO’s feedback following their recent visit was overall very positive. It will be available on line for you to view at your leisure. Their comments included
“The students receive sound learning opportunities and are well supported by well established pastoral care systems”
“Students are articulate and confident”
“Teachers create interesting learning environments with displays of student work “
“Classrooms are settled, focused and give students good access to a wide range of appropriate learning resources.”
Kids Korner (Before school & After school care).
Just to remind you that we have this facility available.
Before school 7.00 am – 8.30 am
After school 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm
NEWSLETTERS - School newsletters are published once a fortnight. These are available on our website www.elmpark.school.nz 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 23 February. New members are very welcome. Hope to see you there.
FOOD AND FAMILY FUN EVENING – This is to be held on Friday 18th February at 5.00 pm till approx 7.00 pm. Bring your dinner / picnic / takeaways. 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!
Teachers / Rooms
Rm1 Y1 Mrs Koroa
Rm2 Y1 Mrs Grainger Team Leader
Rm3 Y1 Mrs Afreddy
Rm4 Y2 Mrs Olsen
Rm5 Y1 Mrs Worsfold/Mrs Scott
Rm6 Y1 Miss Charlesworth
Rm7 Y1 Mrs Kerr
Rm9 Y5 Miss Moretti
Rm10 Y2 Mrs Darukhanawalla Team Leader
Rm11 Y3 Mrs Rist
Rm12 Y4 Mrs Howard
Rm13 Y4 Mrs Hodge Team Leader
Rm14 Y4 Mrs Dane
Rm15 Y4 Mrs Venter
Rm16 Y3 Mrs Melville
Rm17 Y3 Mrs Richards
Rm18 Y3 Mrs Bezuidenhout Team Leader
Rm19 Y6 Mrs Taljaard
Rm20 Y6 Mrs Meikle
Rm21 Y6 Miss Adamson
Rm22 Y6 Mr Ackermann Team Leader
Rm23 Y5 Mr Fitzgerald
Rm24 Y5 Miss Hughes Team Leader
Rm25 Y5 Miss Wesseling
Rm26 Y2 Mrs Holdom
Rm27 Y2 Mrs Graham
Looking forward to a wonderful year.
Kind Regards
Trish Plowright
PRINCIPAL
Elm Park School
LUNCH ROOM MENU
(Combo includes fruit, a sandwich and a juicie/moosie)
Sausage Roll $2.50 only
Sausage Roll $5.50 combo
Pie (mince) or (chicken) $2.50 only
Pie $5.50 combo
Chicken Noodles $3.00 only
Chicken Noodle $6.00 combo
Pizza $3.00 only
Pizza $6.00 combo
Murphy mince & Mash $3.00 only
Murphy $6.00 combo
Volcano (spag & Cheese) $3.00 only
Volcano $6.00 combo
Hotdog $3.00 only
Hotdog $6.00 only
Shepherds Pie $4.00 only
Shepherds Pie $7.00 combo
Macaroni cheese $4.00 only
Macaroni cheese $7.00 combo
Butter Chicken $4.00 only
Butter Chicken $7.00 combo
Spaghetti Bolognaise $4.00 only
Spaghetti Bolognaise $7.00 combo
Quiche vegetarian $4.00 only
Quiche vegetarian $7.00 combo
Please order from 8.30am in the lunch room.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Howick Plunket Baby Fair Saturday 5th March 2011, 10am – 12noon Howick Recreation Centre, 563 Pakuranga Rd, Howick. Come along for great bargains on new and used baby/children’s books, clothes, toys, nursery items and accessories and much more. Cash only (no eftpos). Entry by gold coin donation. www.howickplunket.org.nz
Zumbatomic - Term 1 Latin and Zumbatomic dance classes start up again 17th Feb with limited spaces, enrolments must be handed into the office before 11th Feb,information sheets will be sent home today with your child.Any further questions call Natasha at Dance It Ltd on 021793018.
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