Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa – warm greetings to everyone

Future focus teaching towards ‘Student Agency’:

Yesterday I spent some time in Rotorua with staff at Ngapumanawa e Waru working on our goals towards developing Future Focused learners and student agency. This is very important work which feeds our direction as a school. It was timely as it relates to the work the staff and BOT engaged in last week in their design thinking session, and also the work we will be engaging in as a COL (community of learning). It also feeds into our strategic aims as a school for the next 3 years.

What is STUDENT AGENCY?

To put very simply, it is the opposite of helplessness.

A student who understands:
• Their own identity and individuality that they bring to their learning – Tōna tuakiri ake me tōna takitahi e haria rā e ia ki tana momo ako

• Their own data – Ōna anō mōhio-tanga

A student who has strategies for:
• Getting “unstuck”- Whakaea i ngā raru
• Coaching others in their learning -Whakaako i ētehi atu
• Identifying and tracking next steps -tautuhi e anga whakamua ai

A student who has a voice in their learning about:
• Next steps – Ki hea haere ai
• What success looks like -Te āhua o te angitū
• Choices and contexts – Ngā whiringa whakaaro me ngā horopaki

Camp:

The teachers at camp have been checking in with me and feedback is that everything is going well. Your children are having a great time and will arrive back at school at about 2pm today (Wednesday).

Thank you morning tea:

On the 5th of December at 10:30am we are planning on having a thank you morning tea for parents who have helped us throughout the year. This is by invitation, however I am aware that often these things end up at the bottom of your child’s bag and don’t get delivered! If you have helped us out this year by being involved in the whanau group, on the treemendous committee (not just turning up on the day), coming on a camp or trip, being a parent helper in class, bus drivers, or taking a sporting team, please come along to our thank you morning tea. We would like to show you our appreciation!

Do you need internet? Introducing “Spark Jump” Subsidised Broadband for Learning.

Star of the week:

Ka Rawe te mahi (awesome work) to Mason for super writing this week and Logan for excellent progress in his work with Mrs Dobson.

Sports:

Athletics

Congratulations to the following students who have qualified for the BOP athletics competition:

Tyler Phillips – 100m, Relay, Discus

Adeline Hohua – 100m, 200m, Relay, Long Jump

Mikayla Prentis – 100m, Long Jump

RJ Katene – 400m

Gemma Werahiko – 400m, Relay, Long Jump, High Jump

Jack Brennan – Shot Put, Discus

Jaxon Graham – Discus

Notices will come home today with details. Please return to school asap so I can organise the event.

Triathlon:

Traditionally on the last day of school we have held a triathlon. Unfortunately due to a broken pool pump (which we are working as fast as we possibly can to replace) we may not be able to use our pool. We are looking at some options to still run an event but will need adult helpers on board. If you are interested in helping please leave your name at the office. We need 20 helpers. If we do not have enough, the event will not go ahead.

Calendar:

Bake Sale:

In Rooms 5 and 6 as part of our Money Smart inquiry learning this term we have been looking at how we can use money to help others. As part of this learning we would like to make a donation to the K Mart Giving Tree project. We will be having a bake sale to raise money to do this on Tomorrow the 30th November at morning tea (and lunch time if there are leftovers!) Please support us by bringing in baking to sell or money to purchase 🙂

Back to School Stationery Orders:

We will be going with OfficeMax My School again this year.  Teachers are busy planning their stationery requirements for next year now. Stationery lists will be online December and can be purchased online myschool.co.nz or instore.

1st – 31st Dec Buy now, Pay later! Get Back to School stationery sorted early so you can relax these holidays. When you order online in December you won’t be charged until they deliver – you choose when and where. Plus, you’ll receive a FREE magnetic family organiser.

Order your back to school supplies between 1st Dec 2017 & 18th Jan 2018 and be in to win a $10,000 Flight Centre credit.

Found Property:

We have a huge pile of found property at school. We will be putting it out on display Friday,  come down and check. All named clothing will be returned to the students, all unnamed clothing will be cleared at the end of term.

Swimming Pool Update:

We are working hard at getting the swimming pool up and running. Unfortunately we need a new pump, but we have been told they will be installing it next week. So will update you in next weeks newsletter.

Nãku i runga i aku mihi ki a koe – Yours with thanks

Richelle McDonald

and our team –Jill, Phil, Susannah, Esther, Rachel, Julie, Maureen, Heather, Tina, Mary, Kim, Ross & Nikki.