5 December 2005

A school is as strong as its community

Dear Parents,

Recently I have been revamping the Parent Information Booklet.  This contains a wide range of information about the Primary School and its routines.  This was brought in a number of years ago to assist parents in understanding what goes on here.  It will be re-issued to all Primary School parents soon.

Inside the front cover there is the staff list.  I have watched this grow over the past few years as we have expanded our teaching and support staff hours.  I am very pleased that much of the growth in staff has occurred in learning support for children - both remedial and gifted and talented.  It remains my firm belief that the quality of a school and its ability to cater for children’s needs can be fairly accurately gauged by the way it treats children on the extremities … those with appreciable learning problems and those with giftings in certain areas.  No school is perfect at catering for those children, but I believe that Middleton Grange Primary School does a pretty good job!

But, it takes a real team effort.  And who is in the team …?

  All the staff … teaching and teacher aide!

  Our “specialist” staff in learning support … remedial and gifted   and talented

  Parents

  AND pupils!

We are blessed with great staff.  In fact the word has spread that Middleton Grange Primary School does a great job at both ends of the learning needs spectrum.  BUT we also have excellent support from you as parents and a will to learn from the children.  As staff we appreciate both of the latter and do not take these for granted!

Interestingly, did you know the Primary School now has 28 staff … these are a mix of part-time and full-time teaching and support staff!

As you can imagine, trying to cater for all requests is an impossibility.  However we do our best to take into account all valid requests/input from parents and we always focus on doing the best we possibly can for each child in our care.  

Reports and Class Placements

Oh boy, what a lot of work!  These are due out on Friday 9th December.  Class placements are not easy to do.  We take into account a wide range of considerations including parental input.  A number of parents gave an indication of preference for the placement of their children for 2006.  A wide range of reasons was given, some much more valid than others.  As I mentioned in the last Primary Update, the aspects of friendships/social needs and academic/learning needs were the two broad categories we would consider.  If your child said “they would like to be in Mrs ________’s class” because they like them, this would not be considered a high priority.

As you can imagine, trying to cater for all requests is an impossibility.  However we do our best to take into account all valid requests/input from parents and we always focus on doing the best we possibly can for each child in our care.

Christmas Soon

December 2005 is here!  Make this Christmas a special time by not getting caught up in the “crazy Christmas” scenario of buying and  eating!  Christmas commercialism has taken over and in the media we often focus on the financial advantages and financial mayhem of Christmas.  In our homes we need to focus on the core aspects of God’s love for us, the hope of salvation and the redemption that Jesus Christ brought.

Enjoy giving gifts, enjoy nice food and the company of others, but help your children not to lose sight of the key messages surrounding the Christmas season.

May God bless you richly leading up to a blessed Christmas season!

John Stackhouse,

Head of Primary School  

IMPORTANT NOTE:  LAST DAY OF TERM:

School will finish at 12.00 midday.  Buses leave school at 12.15 pm. 
 Please ensure you have made arrangements for your children. regarding transport on this day.

STAFFING 2006

Our staff is very stable in the primary school for 2006. 
  Classroom teachers will be as they were for 2005.

Y5-6 SYNDICATE

LEADER

We would like to publicly thank Mrs Kaye Lawn for fulfilling the role of acting Y5/6 Syndicate leader  for 2005.  We have appreciated her input and hard work.

Mr Brent Langford has been appointed Syndicate Leader for Year 5/6 from the beginning of 2006.

A PROUD MOMENT

We announced recently   Michael O’s (Year 4, Room 11) great achievement … a University  of New South Wales Mathematics medal for scoring 100% in their competitions.  This was a fabulous result.

Michael recently went up to Wellington to officially   receive his medal and here  he is, proudly displaying    his gold medal. 

Well done Michael!

Notices

2006 ART CLASSES at CoCA

- The Centre of Contemporary Art - in the city

The Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCA) is now taking enrolments for its popular 2006 children’s term art classes.  Catering for children aged 5—13 years a broad range of courses are available - drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture, print techniques—and even cartoon drawing!  Great classes, specialist tutors and facilities conveniently located at 66 Gloucester Street.  Student scholarships are also available.  Phone Karen or e-mail today for a free brochure or to enroll (03) 366 7261 or reception@coca.org.nz or visit our website. www.coca.org.nz.

 

BEYOND THE STAGE

Level 1, Years 5 and 6

A two day Theatre Course designed to find and develop the performer within you.
Venue:  Methodist Church Hall, Cnr of Papanui Road and Rugby Street, Merivale.
The programme includes movement, mime, voice, puppetry, improvisation and storytelling.
For further information contact Lynn Williams   (Ph 355 6303).

 

SHARP Breakfast Club and After School Programmes are filling up fast for next year.  Enrol or re-enrol your child/ren now for 2006.  You can collect an enrolment form from the school office or from Spreydon Baptist Church, 244 Lyttelton Street, Spreydon. 

Denali Lord - SHARP After School Programme Coordinator

 

 

Secondary School Teacher available for care and supervision of children throughout the School Holidays.  Please ph. Susette at 348 5968.

 

ART TUITION  - Children

Art Tutor—June Pearson, Halswell
Classes held after school daily,         including Saturdays, during school terms. 
Cost $12.50 per 1 1/2 hour session.
Please contact June Pearson ph. 322 8877 for further information.

 

 

"In thy light shall we see light." 
                                        Psalm 36:9

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