4 March 2010

SWIMMING POOL – There will be large groups using the Pool/BBQ on Saturday and Sunday however Key Holders are still welcome to use the facilities.

MUFFIN the school cat is running out of food – any donations would be very welcome at the school office.

ACROSS THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Homework & Home Learning Programme - This week the Home Learning Programme has been introduced to students and it has been positively received by students and parents. Participation is optional and we expect that it will take a while for it to become fully established. We expect the programme to be a long term venture that will be developed and refined over time. Details of the programme are now posted on our website (www.plimmerton.school.nz).

Camps - I visited Rooms 11 & 13 camps in the Rimutaka Forest Park (Wainuiomata end) this week and stayed overnight with Room 11 in the Orongorongo Valley on Wednesday night. The Year 7/8 camps are reasonably demanding and I must say that all participants have risen to the challenge and done extremely well. Some senior citizen hikers stopped a parent at the rear of the group walking out of the Orongorongos yesterday to describe the groups they had been passing as the most polite children in NZ! Room 13’s return this afternoon will signal the end of the Taupo Syndicate camps for the season. I congratulate the students on their achievements and salute the staff and parents for their skills and commitment. Thank you all very much.

The Hongoeka Syndicate camp programme commenced this week with Room 15 at camp at Paekakariki Wed/Thur/Fri. I visited Room 15 last evening and they had had a very busy day and were having fun. We are truly fortunate to have such great parent support at these camps. Thank you again. Rooms 17 & 16 will be off to camp next week – we wish them well.

NZEI Paid Union Meeting Postponement - Parents are reminded that the Primary Teachers Union (NZEI) has now postponed the Paid Union Meeting that was scheduled for the afternoon of Thursday, 25 March. School will finish at the usual time on that date.

Maurice Laird, Principal

MANA SYNDICATE - On February 22^nd twelve Year 3 and 4’s from Mana Syndicate went to Petone Rec. for a Rippa Rugby Tournament. We went so we could have a good time and meet 38 other teams but we only played 5. We played hard out on them. The field was easy to play on. The whole team felt great because we only lost one game. At the end we all got a card and a poster from Captain Hurricane. By: Jamie and Ronan, Room 1

KOWHAI SYNDICATE - “The Five Basic Needs” - One of the needs is fun. You need friends to have fun. To make friends you have to be clean and smell like strawberry. Or you can have a different smell like any smell but you have to smell yummy. The second basic is survival. Survival is having water and food and sleep and shelter. Shelter is a home. Everyone has a shelter but some people in another country are poor. I love them. By: Cullen, Room 5

TAUPO CAMP - Today Room 12 are recovering from Camp! We are all tired, sore and blurry eyed. The camp was a great experience as we learnt how to tramp with a large pack, how to pitch and strike a tent, and how many chicken nuggets can be eaten in one night! The activities included a hike to the seal colony where we saw at least six seals sunbathing on the rocks, cooking all our own meals (some were great and some were a disaster – especially the pancakes!)

We spent one night in the tents and then the second night in the Huts in the Orongorongo ranges. The boys hut was full of snores, smells and scary spiders.

Overall camp was a rewarding trip that was good for class bonding and getting to know each other. Many thanks to the parents that helped us with transporting and the camp. By Rihari and Josh, Room 12

GIRL GUIDE BISCUITS - On sale now in the local community, Sat 9:30am – 3:30pm at Palmers Garden Centre or contact Sarah Semple on 233 9972

LOST – Pink Tupperware lunchbox with ice-pack, named Isabella Gilmore, please return to Room 6.

FOSTER PARENTS GET-TOGETHER – a large group of foster parents will be using the School Pool and BBQ on Saturday 6th march 11am onwards to celebrate children’s day. Please feel free to bring a picnic lunch and join the fun. For further info ring Amy 233-6375.

PAREMATA PLAYCENTRE Walks and Run - Sunday March 21: 2 & 6 Walking options - Ngati Toa Domain - Pauatahanui Inlet Beach and Ngati Toa Domain - Camborne Walkway-loop walk and run. Registrations from 8.30am. Run starts 9am & Walks 9.30am. Family groups $10 Entry. Lots of spot prizes. Further information ph Mel ph: 528 5575.

ALL STAR CHEERLEADERS is running Free American Style Cheerleading Classes in your area. Everyone is welcome no experience necessary.  For more information call 0800 CHEERLEADER or www.allstarcheerleaders.co.nz.

ST.OHN’S AMBULANCE “OPEN NIGHT” – come along and see what it’s all about. Next Tuesday, 9 March - 6.30-8.00 pm at the St.John’s Ambulance Building, Porirua Park.

25 February 2010

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES met on Wednesday, 17 February. At that meeting the Board:

· Approved the Taupo and Hongoeka Syndicate Camps for 2010.

· Noted that the “Home Learning Challenges” will be introduced to students in Week 5 (1 March) and that there would be a Parent Information meeting on Wednesday, 23 February.

· Noted that the concreting part of the playground upgrade outside the Taupo block and been completed and that planting would take place early in Term 2.

· Agreed to hold an “information meeting” for anyone interested in standing as a candidate in the Board of Trustee elections. The meeting would be held at 7 pm prior to the next Board meeting on Wednesday 24 March.

· Congratulated the PTA on their outstanding contribution to the school during 2009 - $41,000 was donated.

NETBALL – The netball season will start soon and Parent Helpers are needed. We are short of parents of Year 5 & 6 pupils but any help is welcome. Please contact Joanne: 233-8845.

ACROSS THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Homework & Home Learning Programme

Approx. 70 parents attended last night’s Parent Information Evening held in the school library on Homework and the new Home Learning Programme. The background and details of the programme were outlined and parents asked questions. The programme received a great deal of support from the parents in attendance and it will be introduced to students next week.

Participation in Home Learning Challenges is purely optional and though it will be launched as a positive thing to do with a “wow’ factor. There will however be no expectation or pressure on students to participate but we do anticipate a certain amount of introductory fervour before things settle to a comfortably manageable level. The programme is in its’ infancy and it will be developed and refined throughout the year. Details of the programme will be posted on our website (www.plimmerton.school.nz).

Camps

Room 12 returned yesterday from a very successful 3 day camp in the Rimutaka Forest Park (Wainuiomata end) and Room 10 is due back later this afternoon. I visited both classes at the Catchpool Valley on Tuesday and students looked to be well prepared and to be enjoying the experience. The wonderful parent support was again a feature of the camps and I thank the staff and parents for their great work. Rooms 11 and 13 are scheduled to undertake their class camps next week and Room 15 will commence the Hongoeka Syndicate cycle of camps at Q.E.2 Park, Paekakariki on Wednesday. The long range weather forecast shows the weather improving through the week and we wish all involved a positive experience in the outdoors.

Reminder - NZEI Paid Union Meeting

The Primary Teachers Union (NZEI) has called teacher members to a meeting on the afternoon of Thursday, 25 March. School will finish at 12.20 pm on the 25 March and parents are asked to make arrangements to look after their children from 12.30 pm.

Maurice Laird, Principal

BOARD OF TRUSTEE ELECTIONS – Information evening 7 pm Wednesday, 24 March. The current Board of Trustee members are:

Chairman	Neil	CORNWELL	Tel:	233-9238
	Nigel	BLAIR	Tel	234-6920
	Dave	CLARKE	Tel:	233-8643
	Lesley	THOMPSON	Tel:	233-1221
	Murray	WELLWOOD	Tel:	233-9578
	Karen	WHITE	Tel:	233-0176
	Brian	PARATA	Tel:	233-9706

MANA MUSIC CENTRE - Vacancies in Piano/Keyboard, Violin and Flute classes. Tel: Sandra 235-9019.

GIFTED CHILD?  Here’s your chance to come and try out One Day School, New Zealand’s longest running programme for gifted learners.  On Friday 19th March 2009 Mind Adventure Day (MAD) sessions will be held 9.00 - 11.45am for children aged 6-8 years, and from 12.45 - 3.30pm for children aged 9-12 years.  Sessions will be held in our One Day School classroom at Rangikura School, 95 Conclusion St, Ascot Park, Porirua. The cost is $30 per child.  Parents and teachers welcome too. For more information, or to book a place for your child, please phone Shirley on 232 3523 or email shirley.lawn@giftededucation.org.nz

BABYSITTER AVAILABLE – mature, experienced university student available – full licence and car – refs available. $12.00 per hour. Tel: 233-1398 or 027-464-4455