Middleton Grange Primary School Update

Dear Parents,
Last year was a very positive one. It was great to end the year so well with our final assembly. Thank you to those parents who gave such positive feedback about the year and the final assembly in particular.

That positive feeling has flowed through to 2006! We have had a very smooth beginning to the year with the children slotting in well to their new classrooms. We do give a very special welcome to families new to the school. There are about thirty new pupils this year so far with lots more new entrants to come.

It was lovely to spend time together as a school on Tuesday with a brief assembly in the morning. A number of parents were present, including parents of children beginning at Middleton Grange, their first day being a very special time. When I spoke to parents and children I stressed the importance of prayer - praying with your children for the schoool. We cannot underestimate the power of prayer in building up the school. So keep on praying!

An aspect of the school I am very conscious of is to keep our doors open. We want the idea of partnership with the parents to be a reality. We want you to feel part of the school and not to be excluded from your child’s education. As a staff we are regularly looking at this aspect of the life of the school.

We do offer “formal” or “set” times in which you are encouraged to come in, but we want you to naturally feel that way about the primary school all the time. As teachers we try to make ourselves available to you so that communication is clear, easy to establish and regular.

Meet the Teacher evening … Tuesday 21 February - a chance to learn more about the school, your child’s teacher and the classroom programme.

Initial Parent/Teacher discussions … Tuesday 7th and Thursday 9th March. These will be timetabled. The Primary School will finish early on those days at 2.00 pm. Supervision of children will be offered until 3.00pm on these days but it would be very helpful to us if children could be collected at 2.00 pm. Interviews will start at 2.30 pm.

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW SOON regarding these two opportunities to be involved in your child’s education.

Psalm 125 reminds us … “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.”

PRIMARY SCHOOL STAFF LIST 2006:

Syndicate Leaders: Years 0-2 Mrs Marion Gudsell

a Years 3-4 Mrs Heather Kench

a Years 5-6 Mr Brent Langford

CLASSROOM TEACHERS

New Entrants Year 4

Mrs Donna Smith Rm4 Mr George Brown Rm 10

a Mrs Heather Kench Rm 11

Year 1 Year 5

Mrs Annesley Wiggins Rm 1 Miss Stephanie Smith Rm 12

(from later in Term 1) Mr Brent Langford Rm 13

Mrs Marion Gudsell Rm 2

Year 2 Year 6

Mrs Pauline Kau Kau Rm 6 Mr Nick Pomare Rm 14

Miss Jan Kennedy Rm 7 Mrs Kay Lawn Rm 15

Year 3 Release Teachers

Mrs Michele Woollands Rm 8 Mrs Karen McCormack Rm12

Mrs Linda Bucknell Rm 9 Mrs Linda Domigan Rms 13, 11, 2

PRIMARY SUPPORT

Mrs Margaret Daly - Learning Support Teacher (Special Needs) Mr Peter Larsen

Mrs Clare Ferguson - Reading Recovery Mrs Karen McCormack

Mrs Linda Domigan - Part-time Special Needs Teacher Extension Programmes Teachers

- Part-time Teacher Release

Mrs Clare Bosma Mrs Sherie Dirkze

Mrs Glenise Dodge Librarian

Mrs Denise Hanna

Mrs Gwenda Ligeti Mrs Jan Pelvin

Mrs Averill Marshall Personal Assistant to Head of Primary

Teacher Aides

Jan Pelvin, the Primary School Secretary, mans the office in the Old House (next to John’s office) daily from 9.00 -12.00 midday. When telephoning the school, Jan’s extension number is 781. When phoning in with absences however, please continue to leave a message at the main office.

· Assessment - a perennial focus. We are always wanting to assess children accurately so we can provide for their needs!

There will be many other initiatives in the Primary School through this year which you will become aware of.

PLEASE NOTE: We presently have a number of plates left over from last year belonging to parents who have kindly brought morning tea on various occasions. If you are missing any plates please contact John or Jan Pelvin to collect them.

MISSING JERSEY: A size 32 Ballantyne’s “Student Body” jersey has been lost at the end of last year with the name “Nicola Fowler” marked on it. If you have taken it home by mistake, please return it to Student Services.

As one of the main stake holders in our service, parents must be active in ensuring their children attend school and understand their educational rights and responsibilities and those of their children. Your commitment in your child’s education is a vital ingredient to their success so it is important at this time of the year that you encourage them to get into a daily routine before bad habits creep in. Don’t hesitate to call me anytime if you think I can be of any assistance. Always remember “Children don’t care how much you know, if they don’t know how much you care.”

An after school programme is operating out of P9 (see the flag outside) every day after school.

We accept both casual and permanent appointments on a part or whole week basis. Cost is $7.50 per session. If you require any further information contact Brett Fleming on 348 9826 ext 732. Hours of operation 3.15 - 5.30pm.

Ballet - Beginners from 4 years of age; Modern/ Jazz—Pre-Grade beginners from 4 years of age; Hip Hop - beginners from 10 years. Adult classes. For more information please phone:

Rhythmic gymnastics is a fun and exciting sport for girls with elements of gymnastics and dance using equipment like the balls and ribbons. We have a rnage of classes at Roydvale School. For high quality coaching in a fun and safe environment please ph Kerri for more information Ph. 3585536 or email absolute.rg@gmail.com.

Vacancies are now available in popular trampoline and gymnastic after school classes. These classes enable your child to develop co-ordination, fitness and confidence at their own rate. Please ring 338 4566 for further information and bookings.

Deans District Pippins, Brownies and Girl Guides would like to welcome new girls into their Units for fun, friendship and to learn new life skills. For further information in regard to local meeting places, times, dates etc.
ph Jo. at 342 7492.

Soccer Players of all grades can register to play for the Cashmere Wanderers AFC at the Cashmere Club, Sunday 19th February 9.30am to 12.00am & Wednesday 22 February 6.00pm till 8.00pm. Mail registrations are also accepted with registration forms available online at www.cashmere-soccer.co.nz For more information please contact our club secretary Barbara Turner by email club secretary@cashmere-soccer.co.nz or phone 03 332 0722.

2006 trials start 12th February for all grades 10th and above for more details see our website at www.cashmere-soccer.co.nz or you can contact our full time player development officer Tim Bush by email timb@cashmere-soccer.co.nz
or by phone 03 930 3055 - mobile 021 062 5751.

If you want to have fun, make new friends, learn new skills and enjoy playing soccer then Avon United is the soccer club for you! Avon offers great coaching with regular practice(s) each week during the season, which runs from April through to August.

Avon runs its own internal competition at Avonhead Park (off Hawthornden Road) on Saturday mornings for children aged under 10. And for those 10 and older Avon have girls, boys, and mixed teams participating in inter-club competition with grades for all ages and abilities.

So come and introduce yourself at one of our registration days at our clubrooms—Riccarton Domain on Yaldhurst Road.

Thursday 16th February - 4.00pm - 6.00pm Saturday 18th February - 3.00pm - 5.00pm

For more details check out our website at www.avonunited.co.nz OR contact Michael Carding Ph. 341 6622 (home).

CANTERBURY SAILING SCHOOL
The National Sailing Scheme is a Learn to Sail programme developed by Yachting New Zealand. It covers the basic skills (Learn to Sail), through to more advanced racing skills (Learn to Race). This scheme is taught by qualified Yachting New

Zealand instructors with an emphasis on having fun. The cost for this course is $120. The course runs between 4pm and 6pm once a week for 6 weeks. Course starts Wednesday 22 February, Tuesday 28 February and Thursday 2 March. If you wish to enroll your young sailor in this practical and enjoyable after school sailing or just want some more information, please give Geoff a ring on 3288992 or 027 200 0711 or email lyt sailing@inet.net.nz