27 February 2006

A school is as strong as its community

Dear Parents,
The past few days have been busy ones.  Last Friday was our Primary School Swimming Sports at Jellie Park (results to follow soon).  It was great to see an excellent parent turnout for the  afternoon.  The children gained some excellent results both in their ability to swim and also in their enthusiasm/positive attitude!

Parent/Teacher/Pupil Swimming Relay Race

As final adjudicator on the day of the final, I announced that the parent team had won on the day but that the result was a provisional one.  I remarked that video footage of the event would be viewed carefully before final results were released.

An impartial team of analysts (myself, Mr Pomare, Miss Smith, Mrs Kench and  Mr Brown) have viewed the footage frame by frame and have decided the following …

1st … parents (Mrs Scully, Mr Hickson, Mrs Buter and Mrs Podmore)

2nd … teachers

3rd … pupils

4th … pupils

Well done to all teams involved.  Good to see the parent team did not try anything untoward this year!

Great fun, thanks to all parents who assisted on the day - without you the event would not be possible.  Also to staff a special thank you … especially Mr Pomare (chief organiser) and Mrs Kench.

Meet the Teacher evening

A great turnout last night (as I write) after a very hot day.  Staff remarked on the positive atmosphere!

Remember the challenge laid down at the beginning of the evening …

  Are you actively involved in your child’s education?

  An active way to support the school is to pray with your child(ren) for the school.  (See the little prayer card below) I would encourage you to show your support for the school regularly in this way. The Primary School Staff continue to be serious about the home-school links.  We do believe the best possible education is delivered with a team approach between home and school.

  Our next TEAM event comes up soon … you will have received notices and a booking form for our initial parent/teacher discussions:

It is important you return the feedback for to your child’s teacher before interviews because this forms the basis for discussion/goal setting etc. discussions.

John Stackhouse

Head of Primary School

PARENT/TEACHER DISCUSSIONS:

Tuesday 7 March,   2.30—8.30 pm.

Thursday 9 March,  2.30—8.30 pm.

We look forward to meeting with all of you on these nights.

J Special thanks … to Mrs Rosemary White for all her work in setting up the supper in the Primary Library for our recent Meet the Teacher  evening. 

PRIMARY SCHOOL OFFICE

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.

  ABSENTEEISM … A REMINDER ABOUT CHILDREN ABSENT FROM   SCHOOL

  Please telephone school and leave a message on the answer phone each day your child is away so we are aware your child is legitimately absent.  It would assist us greatly if messages were left   before 8.30am.  When rolls are called each day absentees are noted.

  When the child returns to school please send along an absence note explaining why your child was  absent and the dates of the absence.  We would appreciate it very much if this process was followed.

  Regular absences from School can be very detrimental to children’s learning.  We also need to consider very carefully the taking of ‘holidays’ during term time.

  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT A NOTE IS SENT TO SCHOOL GIVING REASONS FOR ABSENCE, even if   you have already rung in.

  Please phone absences through each day or if you know the duration of absence prior, please inform us of exact dates. 

  When the child returns to school please send along an absence note explaining why your child was absent and the dates of the absence.  We would appreciate it very much if this process was followed.

  Regular absences from School can be very detrimental to children’s learning.  We also need to consider very carefully the      taking of ‘holidays’ during term time.

  From our Parent Information Booket 2005/2006

School Notices  

LOST POLAR FLEECE:  Named on MGS Emblem inside with “Veitch”.  Please return to Rebecca Veitch Rm 12.  (Lost from last year)

CARMEL FULLER PRAYER GROUP

  All are welcome to our  prayer group which meets in the High School every Wednesday morning before school between 8.30 - 8.45 am and pray until approximately 9.30 am.  We meet in the interview room downstairs near Student Services.

KIDSTART HOME-BASED CARE & LEARNING

We are looking for committed people to become Caregivers for KidStart, the newgeneration of home-based care and learning for children from birth to five years.

If you would like to work from home and provide a quality environment for children to learn and flourish, we would love to hear from you.  We also offer quality, affordable, safe home-based childcare for the ages 0-5 yrs.  KidStart offers low ratios, flexible hours with trained and monitored caregivers.

Phone 3651842 or 0800 KidStart  (0800 543 782)

(Brochures available from Jan Pelvin ext. 781)

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

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