THURSDAY 28th FEBRUARY 2013

EDITION 01/2013

Dear Parents and Caregivers, Wow! What a great start to the year here at Gladstone Primary. The school year has begun smoothly with staff and children settling in quickly. A huge thank you to our fantastic staff for their hardwork and dedication and to all our children for their enthusiastic start. A warm welcome to all new families and students who have joined us over the past four weeks. At Gladstone Primary, schooling is about “passionately preparing people for life”, and providing a series of experiences and opportunities that will challenge, stimulate and enable all to achieve in an environment that fosters respect, differences and support. I hope that everyone who becomes involved with Gladstone Primary School will feel part of our school community. This is already being shown with the very real and practical support of our Outdoor Education weeks which were huge successes. Thank you if you were able to help out or if you offered and were not able to be accommodated. Your support of the school and your children is very much appreciated and valued. As mentioned in my initial letter our school has an “Open Door Policy”. This means that should you have any questions or concerns about anything please do not hesitate to contact us. If at any time you wish to see you child’s teacher about something specific please

telephone the school to organise an appointment. If you are wanting information on your child’s progress, it is advisable to book a time to see their teacher. This will enable them to have the time to have the proper conversation with you as classrooms are busy places in the mornings before school, and immediately after, and it is not always possible for the teacher to give full attention to your queries. The students at Gladstone always come first. You can expect your child to be well taught, well looked after and, in partnership with you, they will receive the

best possible education over the school year. The three keys to children making progress in their learning are PRACTISE, SUCCESS and ENJOYMENT, all these things we aim to provide here at school but encourage you all to do the same at home especially in regards to Reading and Numeracy. Listening to your child reading and/or reading to them daily provides the enjoyment and practice that is vital. The same applies with listening to their basic facts.

STUDENTS WHO MOVE OUT OF THE GLADSTONE ZONE a message

from the Board of Trustess We have recently had some queries around the policy for students who move out of the school zone. We have outlined the criteria below. This information will be included on the school website so it is clear to prospective parents.

Important information regarding school zones Children enrolling at Gladstone

School must live permanently

within the zone and will be asked

to provide proof of this (a power,

phone or gas bill; a rates demand;

Sale and Purchase or tenancy

agreement).

If a child moves out of zone while

they are attending Gladstone

School please let us know of your

change in circumstance

immediately. All cases will be

presented to the Board of Trustees

for discussion and consideration.

In most instances current students will

be allowed to complete their education

at Gladstone however, unfortunately

siblings will not be able to be enrolled.

OFFICE HOURS

The School Office is open 8.15am – 4.30pm Monday-Thursday and 8.15am – 4.00pm Fridays.

WELCOME TO THE FOLLOWING NEW STAFF

Julia Hanna – Rm 2; Yr 1 Sally Fraser – Rm 33; Yr 2 Megan Earley – Rm 15; Yr 5 Lynsey Yelland – Rm 45; Yr 6 Kyle Hattie – Rm 48; Yr 6

LOST PROPERTY Is on display every newsletter week Friday from 2.30 – 3.00pm in the Piazza. Please come along then to look at the clothing if your child has “misplaced” anything. The next “showing” is Friday, 1st March. You are also welcome to check the Lost Property Bins which are located in the mezzanine floor of the hall. Please leave all items in the bin when you have finished looking. After 2 weeks lost items are donated to charity. Swimming goggles are kept at the pool not in the bins so if you are looking for these please ask at Reception.

MEDICATION IN SCHOOL No medication should be kept in your child’s school bag. If your child has antibiotic/medication that needs to be administered during the school day please ensure you have filled out a permission slip at the office. No medication can be administered to your child without approval.

PLEASE NAME IT We make every effort to see students’ personal items are secure

so it would be very much appreciated if ALL ITEMS – INCLUDING SHOES, TOGS, TOWELS, SPORTS EQUIPMENT, JACKETS, JERSEYS, LUNCHBOXES, WATER BOTTLES, BAGS etc WERE ALL CLEARLY NAMED!! CARPARKING / DROPPING OFF

Please use the safer Seaview Terrace or Monaghan Ave entrances. Thank you to the huge majority of parents who park appropriately. The yellow lines around the school are “NO PARKING”/NO STOPPING.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Fakaalofa Iahi atu, Malo e lelei, Talofa lava, Taloha, Ki a Orana Ni Hao, Buenos Dias, Chao, Malo ni, Habari Dobar Dan, Namaste, Salam

OUR VALUE FOR THE FORTNIGHT

ENTHUSIASM – “doing something whole-heartedly – it is giving 100%, doing things with zest and excitement. It is being cheerful, happy and positive”.

THE SCHOOL DAY The school day starts at 8:45am. Please ensure your child(ren) are here by this time as otherwise they are missing important notices about their coming day.

SCHOOL CHARGES & DONATIONS

Reminder that these are due for the year or term by term. Please note below what this includes: Technology and Specialist

Resources - $45.00 School Donation 1st Child $300 per annum 2nd & subsequent children $260 per annum Select your preferred payment option: (1) Pay the donation per term: (Reminders will be put in newsletters) 1st child $75 per term 2nd & subsequent children $65 per term If you are opting to pay by internet banking, please send Judith an email judith@gladstone.school.nz confirming a breakdown of the amount AND your child’s room number. This saves so much time at our end. There are several things you may be paying and we like to endeavour to get it right the first time! We prefer all school trips to be paid via

the classroom teacher, or by eftpos at the

office. Not only are they small amounts to

internet bank, they increase our workload

tracing them. Trips also need to be

recorded in the classroom notebook with

the teacher. Thanks for your

understanding.

THANK YOU To all of you who have paid your school fees, donations and camp charges. We realise it is an expensive time of the year and appreciate your support.

BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS There are an increasing number of students coming to school on bicycles and scooters and while fitness wise this is great it is also creating a few safety issues so we thought it timely to remind everyone about the school “rules” regarding these. Bicycles – if you would like your child to ride to school we require a letter from you to let us know and children Yr 1-4 MUST be accompanied by an adult. Also, all bike riders MUST wear a HELMET. Scooters and Bicycles – These MUST be walked when children reach the crossings or school gate as there have been several close calls over the last couple of weeks. Failure to do this will result in the scooter or bike being “impounded” and parents will be asked to come and pick them up. Scooters must be parked in the scooter bays behind Room 43. They can be chained there.

MESSAGES FOR/FROM STUDENTS There will be occasions when students need to contact members of their family during the school day. With the approval of their classroom teacher, students are

able to use a school telephone, in the foyer, to do this. Because of the demands of school management and school activities, these calls will be restricted to important matters . If you need to get a message to your child please phone the school BEFORE 2.45pm.

ENROLMENTS If you have a son or daughter turning 5 this year (or even next year) please contact the school office (Ph: 846-9744) to have them put on our Pre-Enrolment list. Around 6 weeks before they turn 5 you will be contacted to arrange an enrolment interview for you and your child. Thank you in advance.

AFTER SCHOOL PICK UP For safety reasons if children have not been picked up after school by 3.15pm they are taken to OSCAR in the hall. So if you are picking your children up and it is after 3.15pm please collect your son/daughter from the hall.

ARRIVING AT SCHOOL Any child arriving at school prior to 8.15am goes to “Pre OSCAR Care” in the Hall. All teachers are involved in admin meeting’s at 8.00am and are not in class until approximately 8.20am. Thank you for your support.

ABSENCE If your child is absent from school please remember to call the Office and leave a message by 9.00am. (846 9744 ext 1 )

COMING EVENTS February 28th – Newsletter No 1; Meet the teachers 6-7.30pm March 1st – Assembly Rm 25 4th – PATs all week 7th – Yr 3 Marae visit 8th – Assembly Rm 10; Year 4 Marae visit

11th – PATs all week; World of Maths Yr 0-4 Yr 3/4 - Swimming Carnival until lunch 13th – PTA mtg 7.30pm 14th – Newsletter No 2 15th – Assembly Rm 36 18th – New Entrant Intake 2 20th – Sausage Sizzle 22nd - Assembly Rm 49 27th – BOT mtg 7pm 28th – Newsletter No 3; Assembly Rm 32 29th – GOOD FRIDAY April 1st – EASTER MONDAY 2nd – EASTER TUESDAY 4th – Year 3-6 Cross Country 9am 5th – Assembly Rm 46

TERM DATES - 2013

FIRST TERM From: Monday, 4 February 2013 To: Friday, 19 April 2013

(102 half days ) SECOND TERM From: Monday, 6 May 2013 To: Friday, 12 July 2013 (98 half days) THIRD TERM From: Monday, 29 July 2013 To: Friday, 27 September 2013 (90 half days) FOURTH TERM From: Monday, 14 October 2013 To: Wednesday, 18 December 2013 (94 half days) HOLIDAYS/OTHER Good Friday: 29 March 2013 Easter Monday: 1 April 2013 Easter Tuesday: 2 April 2013 Anzac Day: Thursday, 25 April 2013 Queen's Birthday: Monday, 3 June Labour Day: Monday, 28 October

SUN HATS Reminder in Term 1 all students need to wear the school sun hat when outside. Also the use of sun block is recommended.

UPDATE OF INFORMATION If there have been any changes to the custodial arrangements, change of address, change of telephone number, change of emergency contact numbers, or any other changes we would be very grateful if you would inform us as soon as possible, so our records can be corrected.

HAPPY ROC CAFÉ The Happy Roc Café reopened on Monday this week. The menu is available at the kitchen area of the hall, it is posted on the school website, and a flyer has been sent home this week. We hope you will enjoy the menu this term!

CLASS REPORTS ROOM 10, YEAR 1; Our Hopes for the Future: I want to learn how do adults make food. Thomas Alsweiler

I want to learn how plants grow. Ethan Colegrave I want to learn how to write letters. Amelia Jones

I want to learn how to drive. Hamish Laycock I want to learn how to text. Sienna Johnston

I want to learn how to call people (on the phone). Ashton Covic ROOM 25,YEAR 4; Acrostic poems Magnificent marae Awesome food Relaxed sleeping Amazing string games Exciting activities Winta Tsegay

Manurewa Marae Amazing carvings Resting on our beds All playing together

Eating yummy Food Sunny Zhang

Hooks for our slice of life writing: The bat touched the wicket Tesimoni Splash! I jumped into the pool George I’m so hot it feels like I’m melting … Joshua Sanders

BIRTHDAYS The following students have had a birthday over the next 2 weeks. We wish you a Happy Birthday and trust you have a wonderful day. Happy Birthday to: 28th February Brooke Dougal Atia Leonhartsberger Dasha Leonhartsberger 1st March Bridgit Hay Alena Mcgill 2nd March Enhui Chen Lucia Nielsen Rashidah Rashidah Frazer Wright 5th March Aaron Guo Toby Naish Ayla Rusdhy 6th March Thomas Asnake Henry Douglas Jennifer Zhang 7th March Ethan Corbett Jake Westwood 8th March Khalifa Alamin Isabella Morrow 9th March Sebastian Auer 10th March Salina Tsegay 11th March Braiden Bylo Anagrace Poching Imiea Shillito

12th March Lucas Craig Benjamin Settle 13th March Vaine Abraham

Madeleine Stachurski George Stevenson 14th March Beniam Asnake Lucy Larnach Noah Pandagani Dave Shadbolt PRINCIPAL

COMMUNITY NOTICES

BOXING ALLEY Due to a large number of requests from our clients (some of who are mums of kids that attend your school) we have decided to start Kids Boxfit Classes. They have started already and run on Tuesday and Thursdays at 4.30-5.15pm. Check http://boxingalley.net/kids-classes/

PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES AT

TAPAC DANCE, ACTING, CIRCUS, SINGING, VOICE TAPAC is your local community

performance space offering a wide range of performing arts classes for kids, teens and adults in circus, acting, dancing and singing. All TAPAC’s classes are taught by skilled, active professionals. They are designed to support, nourish and develop our students’ creativity whilst learning new skills, encouraging confidence and developing personal growth.

“Logic will get you from A to B.

Imagination will take you

everywhere.” Albert Einstein Info and enrol now at www.tapac.org.nz or call 09 845 0295

SATURDAY MORNING DANCE

CLASSES FOR KIDS A fun relaxed dance class for age 5 years upward (Modern Jazz/Ballet) 9am-10am Saturday mornings at the Mt Albert Methodist Church,; 831 New North Rd (corner Alexis Ave & New North Rd) Call Natalie on 022 0822037 to find out more and to enroll.

PTA News The PTA had its first meeting last Wednesday and would love to see some new faces next month for our meeting on Wednesday 13th March at 7.30pm in the staffroom. This meeting also includes the world’s fastest AGM…. last year we had it down to two minutes, so we’ll see if we can match or beat that. Join us for a glass of wine or a cup of tea afterwards and have a chat to the team. You’re always welcome to come along and visit for a meeting or to see if the PTA is for you. This year our fundraising focus is the new senior school fitness trail which will be near the pool fence on the field. It looks like an exciting project and I’m sure it will be well loved and used by all the Gladstone kids as they go through school and also outside of school hours. We’ll be running some of our more popular fundraisers and community events in support of this and adding in some new things as well. PTA email The PTA now has a Gladstone email address to make it easier to get hold of us with ideas, suggestions and offers of help! We are at: pta@gladstone.school.nz and we’ll check those emails a couple of times a week. Friends of the PTA – please sign up With our new email address operational we’d love to gather a database of Friends of the PTA, who are happy to help out from time to time. Lots of people have said they are happy to give a few hours here and there, so the idea is that we’d email out a request for help and if you can do it, great, but if not, no pressure. Please just email the pta@gladstone.school.nz email address and let us know you’re happy to be included in these occasional emails. The more the merrier for this one, and we’d love to have you in our team of potential helpers. Thanks in advance for your support. Sausage Sizzle Thanks The PTA would like to again thanks John Covich from Anne Duncan Real Estate for his continued and generous support of our monthly sausage sizzles. With John covering the costs of our sizzles we are able to donate substantially more to the various curriculum areas and school projects. Our last sizzle saw $886.60 donated to the junior school, so thanks John for this great support. Thanks everyone Karen Burge PTA Chair