Term 4, Week 9 - Wednesday 10 December 2014 Kia ora families As we come to the end of Waitākiri School’s inaugural year it is time to reflect on the year that has been. There is no question that heading into 2014 we were moving into uncharted and challenging territory. We had become the largest contributing primary school in the South Island overnight. We had been created out of a merger that neither community believed was in the best interests of the children, staff or community and we were still trying to move on as two schools from the trauma and ongoing challenges of living and working in the east post earthquakes. Add to that mix a dual site requirement and the need to get consensus from a divided community about how to best structure this, the urgent planning for a new school (and a design process that started on 14 January 2014!) and the subsequent move to co-teaching and 'modern learning environments'. And if that is not enough for a school community to cope with many families and staff had (and still have) considerable issues with EQC and insurers together with higher rates of stress and illness than pre earthquake times. With all of this as a backdrop our chances of success in improving outcomes and well-being were not that flash! However, despite all of these factors our children have had a successful year. The feedback from children (based on in depth surveys and interviews) show that they feel safe, happy, challenged, and motivated at school. They like their teachers and believe their teachers like them, they are proud of their new school, of their new uniform and they have made new friends. The majority are clear about what they are learning and how to be successful with their learning. Most report their parents are happy with the new school and 99% say they are learning to make sensible decisions about their learning. The leadership team will be reporting the academic results of the new school to the Board of Trustees tonight so while I cannot reveal specific details I can tell you that our achievement in reading, writing and maths is at very similar levels to what was achieved at Burwood and Windsor (between 80% and 90% of children 'at' or 'above' the standards in reading, writing and maths). Given all the odds stacked against us these results are really something to celebrate. My congratulations and acknowledgement to all the staff of Waitākiri School. Their selfless and tireless efforts have made a positive difference for your children. I cannot speak highly enough of the team at Waitākiri School despite the uncertainty with their own careers, their own challenges at home and the massive job of relocation (in some cases it will be three times in one year). They have gone way beyond what is asked of a teacher or support staff member in a New Zealand school.

I also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the Board of Trustees. They have been saddled with a job that no other Boards have had to cope with since the introduction of Tomorrows Schools in the late 1980's. I want to acknowledge the work of both Boards, the Ministerially appointed Board and the subsequent elected Board. Both groups deserve our thanks. We could not have achieved what we have this year without the input and support of the community, starting with the PTA, a small group of dedicated parents who have also given so much of their time to support teaching and learning. This team are amazing with the time they give so that your child can succeed. Finally, you our parent community. I want to thank those who were responsive not reactive, those who realised the staff were doing and are doing the best they could for your children and those who have worked with the school rather than in opposition to the school. We cannot and will not be successful unless parents and staff work together for our children - our results show that together we are providing a safe and supportive learning environment for our children. The future? The future is positive. We are setting up an awesome year in 2015 for your child. The learning opportunities will be engaging and exciting. Your child will have two or more teachers in 2015 (one will be their home teacher) so they will have the opportunity to have their needs met by more than one teacher. Teachers will have the benefit of working together to see that every child succeeds. We will have a new school at the end of 2015, at last a school built for children of 2015 not 1905 or 1995. What a pleasure it will be to see facilities finally catch up and move to the 21st century (better late than never!). We are fortunate - we will be one of the first schools in Canterbury (after Halswell) to be rebuilt following the devastating earthquakes. We have set up teaching teams in 2015 that take advantage of a wide range of skill sets, experience, and interests- the best scenario for your child. What a wonderful way to end 2014 by celebrating the outstanding achievement of our Year 6 leaders. Last night we farewelled 116 of our Year 6 students and those who were present would acknowledge that these children have represented both Burwood, Windsor and Waitākiri with pride.

Please keep an eye on our website and facebook for the video link of the night. I do hope you and your family have a very restful Christmas and happy new year, do take the time to laugh, play, walk, talk and swim with your children - such things memories are made of. Thank you Neill O'Reilly Principal

Waitākiri School Policies and Procedures As Policies and Procedures come up for review, staff and the community have the opportunity to review and comment on them. Improve Educational Outcomes for Maori Students and Credit Card Usage are currently up for review. These policies were the policies of Windsor School (as the continuing school this is the requirement) and they will be reviewed throughout 2014 to develop policies for Waitākiri School. To see these policies please refer to our website www.waitakiri.school.nz and look under General Information, Policies and Procedures.

OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTS ARE NOW OVERDUE. PAYMENT IN FULL IS REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY.

SCHOOL NOTICES

Payments can be made into our School account 03 1700 0622075 025

Oscar account 03 1700 0622075 026

Please ensure you are signed up to receive our texts. This is one of the main

forms of communication. Text: follow WaitakiriSchool to 8987

CHILDREN WHO ARE ATTENDING SCHOOL NEXT WEEK

15 - 19 DECEMBER

ALL CHILDREN TO BE DROPPED OFF AND COLLECTED FROM WETLANDS CAMPUS HALL

USUAL SCHOOL TIMES OF 8.25AM - 2.55PM MONDAY - THURSDAY

8.25AM - 12.30PM FRIDAY

Wetlands & River Campuses: phone: 03 383 2736

e-mail: office@waitakiri.school.nz

website: www.waitakiri.school.nz

OSCAR bookings: phone: 027 655 8104

School cellphone 027 202 3543

REMINDER: There are two school visits for children to visit their 2015 class and teacher - Thursday 18 December 2014 from 4 - 6pm, and - Thursday 29 January 2015 from 4 - 6pm.

We would love to see you there! Mrs Dell (Room 19) is away on sick leave and will not be able to meet children and parents until January 29th.

MEDICATION KEPT AT WETLAND AND RIVER CAMPUS Anything not collected will be sent home with your child on Thursday and Friday of this week. Ryan, Room 8 Congratulation to Ryan who won the Club Champs at Grass Carting.

PICNIC WITH THE PRINCIPAL - WETLANDS

WAITÁKIRI SCHOOL PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE For those of you who may not be aware, we have a Public Health Nurse (Sue Brown) allocated to our school. For confidential health concerns, please ring Sue on 383 6877 Ext 99626.

River library pre loved

BOOK SALE

TOMORROW Thurs 11 Dec 8.30 – 9am and

2.30 – 3.30pm

5 books for $2 ALL WELCOME!

See you in the library

2015 STATIONERY ORDERING

Dear Parent Community The manufacturer I work with has advised there is a fault with our current polo shirt. The fault relates to the anti-pill function of the shirts. Some polo’s that have been purchased have pilled. The manufacturer has agreed to replace all polo shirts purchased up to the end of Term 4. Parents can still purchase polo shirts up to the end of term 4 subject to stock availability. New stock of polo shirts will be available mid to late February. All other items will be supplied as normal. Replacement polo shirts will be sent out late February to the school, with your child’s name on them. We sincerely appreciate your understanding in this matter. Aly Maclean

IT IS IMPERATIVE YOU NAME YOUR NEW SCHOOL UNIFORM ITEMS. NEW JACKETS ARE TURNING UP IN LOST PROPERTY – UN-NAMED!

GIRAFFE "STANDING TALL" SOUVENIR GUIDE FOR SALE FROM THE OFFICE $5 per guide. Cash only please.

FROM OUR PTA PTA AGM – Monday 16 February 2015 We will be holding our AGM on 16 February at 7.00pm in the staffroom at River Campus. If you would like to be a parent representative on the PTA please come and join us, everyone is welcome. The AGM will be followed by our General Meeting at 7.30pm. Community Evening – snacks for sale The PTA will be selling a selection of mini Cookie Time cookies ($1.00), small chips (50c) and small popcorn (50c) at the community evening – please bring small change only - stock is limited, first in first served! Pita Pit The last day for Pita Pit lunch orders this year will be FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER. There will be NO Pita Pit available on Friday 19 December. In 2015 Pita Pit will be offered as a THURSDAY lunch option – instead of on a Friday – with the first Pita Pit day being Thursday 12 February. Reminders about this change will be sent out during the first week of Term 1. For more information on how to order, visit www.lunchonline.co.nz Online Trivia Quiz - Our School Project Do you like to challenge yourself with a bit of trivia? Our School Project offers a daily trivia quiz, where each correct answer raises funds for our school. The more people who play, the more funds we can raise – let’s get Waitakiri to the top of the leaderboard! www.ourschoolproject.org EZcover Book Covers Are you tired of fighting with the Coverseal? EZcover book covers are a great alternative, are available for almost all sizes of book, and they are recyclable. Order atwww.ezcover.co.nz Waitakiri School receives a rebate from every EZcover sold – to double the rebate enter the code XFC186 when you place your order online.

Dear Parents

We look forward to seeing you and your children at our event on Thursday evening.

FINGERS CROSSED THE WEATHER IS KIND TO US

Children can wear mufti (unless specific clothing has been asked by teachers) and will

need to be supervised on the night, they cannot be dropped off and left without supervision.

The selection of food vendors will be on the field and it will be predominately cash only sales, no eftpos.

Student Councilors will be announcing when the teams/groups are ready to perform and they will need to assemble

in the area between the pool and the staffroom (on the front court) approximately 20 minutes before the

performance times below. Please note these times are approximate only.

• 6:00 Senior Kapahaka

• 6:10 Middle Kapahaka (Year 4/5)

• 6:18 Team Manu (Rooms 3, 6, 12, 13 & 22)

• 6:26 Junior Kapahaka

• 6:34 River Choir, Orchestra and Claire’s singers

• 6:50 The A Team (Rooms 1, 2, 4, 5 & 15)

• 6:58 Team Piko Piko (Rooms 10, 11, 14, 16 & 17)

• 7:06 Team Toru (Rooms 7, 8, 18, 19, 20 & 21)

• 7:14 Jump Jam Team

• 7:22 Learnatics Team (Rooms 26, 32, 33, LS1, 39 & 40)

• 7:30 Dance Crew

• 7:35 Team Wonderopolis (Rooms 27, 28, 29, 31 & 35)

• 7:43 Rock Band

• 7:51 Team Tu Meke (Rooms 25, 20, 36, 37, 38 & 42)

• 7:59 Finale- everyone- Te Aroha

SEE YOU THERE!

LET’S CELEBRATE 2014!

Community Celebration Evening At Waitākiri School, River Campus

255 New Brighton Road, Burwood

THIS THURSDAY 11 December 2014 WEATHER PERMITTING

5.30pm – 8.00pm approx Come to celebrate all that is wonderful about Waitākiri!

Open to our local community, friends, family and staff

Performances by students from 6pm

Bring a picnic and chair/rug (some food vendors on site)

SPORTS NEWS

2015 SPORT: Please ensure you fill out ALL the details on the return slips. Notices are available from both offices for the following sports/events. These all need to be returned by Friday 19 December or if your child is NOT attending OSCAR in the last week they are due back Friday 12 December (apologies for the short notice). NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED. Canterbury triathlon (Yr 5&6) School swimming sports (yr 5&6 and any 8 yr olds keen) Rawhiti Touch (Yrs 2-7...2014's yr 6's if they wish to continue to play) Minijammers basketball (Yr 3&4) THANK YOUS: A huge thank you to all the parents who have helped at Hagley and Rawhiti Touch this term. It has been greatly appreciated. The kids have all had a great season of playing and learning lots. YEARS 3 & 4 COWLES MINIBALL BASKETBALL Draw for FINALS Thursday 11 December 4.00pm Waitākiri Breakers v St Pauls Hawkes Court 1 4.00pm Waitākiri Raptors v Shirley Rockets Court 2 4.30pm Waitākiri Lakers v Eastern Eagles Court 1 4.30pm Waitākiri Mavericks v Queenspark Stars Court 1 5.00pm Waitākiri Nets v Queenspark Legs Court 1 5.00pm Waitākiri Celtics v Waitākiri Hornets Court 2 5.30pm Waitākiri Blues v Freeville Flyers Court 1 CANTERBURY PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ ATHLETICS COMPETITION On Wednesday 3rd December 26 children represented Waitākiri School at the Ashburton Domain. There were some fantastic results. Justice 1st High Jump 10 Year Girls Lily-Kate 1st Discus 10 Year Girls Lily-Kate 1st 60 metres 10 Year Girls Ben 2nd 4x50m Relay 10 Year Boys Jack 2nd 4x50m Relay 10 Year Boys Patrick 2nd 4x50m Relay 10 Year Boys Josh 2nd 4x50m Relay 10 Year Boys

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Christmas in the Park

Sunday 14th December, 4pm - 7pm Parklands Reserve, Queenspark Drive (opposite Fresh Choice)