Tena Kotou Katoa, Talofa, Greetings to our school families
Mid year reports come home today. I have read them all and am very impressed with the half year results of all of our students. For parents of children in Years 1-3 and some in Year 4, we are moving on to ‘anniversary reporting’ in the next six months. When you look at your child’s report you might see that the ‘dot’ on their graph for the National Standards achievement has not changed since last year. This will be because your child has not reached his or her next anniversary yet. At these levels, we are required to make these National Standards judgement after 1, 2 and 3 years’ attendance at school – at whatever anniversary point that is. Until then, the students remain on the judgement that was made at the previous anniversary. In the next six months, some of you will therefore receive an update when you child reaches the next anniversary point. Remember that parent teacher interviews are on Wednesday 24 June. Your child’s teacher can help explain the anniversary reporting to you then.
Resignation of Mrs Amanda Bradshaw – Sadly we have received and reluctantly accepted the resignation of Mrs Bradshaw who is leaving at the end of this term to work in a commercial environment for a company that produces education resources. As Team Leader of the middle school and foundation staff member of Snells Beach School she has given great service to our school since 2009 and we are very sorry to see her go. I am sure you will join with me in wishing her well for the future. A special farewell assembly will be held for Mrs Bradshaw at 2 pm on Monday 29 June. All are welcome to attend.
Miss Ramel will take over from Mrs Bradshaw for the remainder of the year in Puriri 1 and she will also assume team leadership of the middle school over that time. I am grateful to her for being willing to step into this position.
Two of our teachers are off travelling the world and we wish them both a safe and enjoyable journey. Mrs Gore leaves today for her trip overseas and will return to us at the start of Week 2, Term 3. Mrs Decima Freckleton will be standing in for Mrs Gore from next week onwards in Totara 2. Ms McDonald also leaves at the end of this term to travel overseas for a term. Her place will be filled by a teacher new to our school – Mrs Erica Mainwaring.
Cases of Croup and Whooping Cough in the school. You should have received a separate notice about this today – and it is reproduced below for you. We have been hit hard already this winter with illness, both in the staff and amongst the children. It is extremely difficult to restrict the spread of viral diseases if children get sick and come to school during the infectious phase. I would ask that you please help us by keeping your child home if they are at all unwell. Both of these diseases start with symptoms that look like the common cold. Please do not send children to school, knowing they are unwell, and just wait to see what happens. This is when the spread can occur and it is too late once it has been passed on. We would really appreciate your support with this, thank you.
Thank you to the PTA and all the parents who came to help with the DISCO last week! And thanks to Barfoot & Thompson for their support. A great time was had in the dark and the glo sticks were a big hit.
Regards
Jill Corkin
Principal
Welcome to Our New Students – we hope you enjoy your time at our school!
Ryder Ashton, Kahikatea 1 & Gemma Ashton, Totara 2
School Diary
Week 10
- Tuesday 23 June Inter School Soccer. PTA selling food as fundraiser.
- Wednesday 24 June Parent Interviews
- Thursday 25 June BOT Meeting 6:30pm (Note change of day due to Parent Interviews)
- Friday 26th June Midwinter Feast – see below for details
Week 11
- Wednesday 1 July Trees for Survival Planting – see below for details
- Friday 3 July Full School Assembly – Kauri 2/Cutters House Captains. Term Values Certificates to be awarded.
- Friday 3 July Last Day of Term.
Important Health Notice for all Families
We have had a diagnosed case of Whooping Cough in year 4. Whooping Cough can be very serious for babies and children – especially those under 1 year old.
When it’s infectious:
The disease is most infectious in the first couple of weeks, when symptoms are like a normal cold. Whooping Cough continues to be infectious 3–4 weeks after the cough starts, unless you’re treated with antibiotics. Many babies catch whooping cough from their older siblings or parents – often before they’re old enough to be vaccinated.
Whooping Cough passes through 3 stages but during the Initial Stage symptoms include:
- a runny nose
- sneezing
- slight fever
- a mild irritating cough.
This stage is when you’re most infectious. It lasts 1 or 2 weeks.
PLEASE – if your child has these symptoms, keep him/her at home & seek medical advice.
We have been told that the strain of Whooping Cough that has been diagnosed is not one that can be immunized against, so we do want to be cautious and restrict the spread of this disease through the school if we can.
Year 6 Camp Tongariro
Our Year 6 students had an amazing trip down to Tongariro National Park last week. Officially nicknamed the “Wet Camp”, this year saw three days of heavy rain, before the clouds finally lifted on the final day to reveal the mountains at their beautiful best. Undeterred, and fashionably attired in polypro and PVC, our Year 6’s carried on without so much as a moan, still completing the High Ropes Course, White Water Rafting, Tramping and other challenges. Huge thanks to our parent helpers – John “I see Blue Sky” Bettridge, Reuben “Scary Bedtime Stories” Gwyn, and Zoe “Queen of the Kitchen” Heslop. Special mention must also go to Kerry “Princess of Porridge” Gore, and Erena Williamson, who may never recover from her experiences of trying to organize the boys drying room. Keep an eye on our website for the Camp Movie coming shortly.
Something’s hiding in Nikau 1!
While the Year 6 Campers were gallivanting around the central North Island, our Year 5 students were working on a Top Secret project in Nikau 1 with Mrs Bishop. Their hard work has produced an amazing, and massive , elephant from chicken wire and paper mache. The detail and quality of finish is impressive, and definitely worth popping in to see if you have a chance.
Keep an eye on future newsletters for updates on this project….we have heard rumours involving the ASB Bank and Auckland Zoo….watch this space!
Trees for Survival Planting Day
TREES FOR SURVIVAL – PLANTING SAPLING NATIVE TREES AT 591 SANDSPIT ROAD ON WEDNESDAY 1 JULY DURING NORMAL SCHOOL HOURS
We will be taking our Year Four pupils to the farm at 591 Sandspit Road on Wednesday 1 July to plant sapling (baby) trees that the students have grown at our school. We will leave school at 9:35am and return by 2:00pm.
We would like to invite parents, grandparents and any interested supporters from across the school to come and help.
For further information contact Mrs Mackay cmackay@snellsbeach.school.nz or Mrs Bradshaw abradshaw@snellsbeach.school.nz
Mid-Winter Feast and Mufti Day
All students of Snells Beach School are invited to embrace the winter weather and celebrate the second half of 2015 with a Mid-Winter Frozen Feast.
This will be held in the school hall on Friday 26th June.
All students are to please bring a plate of savoury-only finger food!! Plates should be taken to the hall on the morning of the feast. More notices will follow regarding suitable food to bring. Please let classroom teachers know of any special dietary requirements of which they may not be aware.
Our Year 4 students from Puriri 1 with Mrs Bradshaw will be providing the frozen dessert treat!
Dress in your favourite wintery/Frozen clothes!!
Sadly we do not have room to accommodate parents and other family members at this event, but we appreciate your support!
A Message from the PTA
Next week Tuesday is the Interschool Soccer Tournament in Warkworth, at Shoesmith Domain, which Mr Morley has been organising.
To make this event even more fun, the PTA would like to be there to have a sausage sizzle, sell lollies, baking and drinks.
Our questions to you are:
- Could you help us out by doing some baking for us and bringing it to the school hall by Monday school pickup(3pm)..
- And are you available to help cook/sell sausages etc at the event?
Please contact Tanja if you are available to help, it will be much appreciated!
Email Tanja at: tanja@littledoves.co.nz
Community Notices
Kip McGrath Warkworth – English and maths tuition aligned to the NZ curriculum. Programmes designed to suit individual learning styles for Years 1-12. Phone Ann Cook on 09 422 2305 for a free assessment.
A KIDS’ HOLIDAY PROGRAMME is available from Monday, July 13 to Friday 17 from 9.15am -12.30pm. The theme is “SAFARIS”. The venue is Mahurangi Presbyterian Church, 5 Pulham Rd., Warkworth. Participation by donation eg $2 per day. Pre-enrolling is preferable. Forms and more information are available from Ann Cates (425 0966).
Snells Beach Netball
The Snells Beach Netball Teams have looked amazing on court over the past few weeks, proudly wearing their new uniforms, donated by the Mahue Family, who own Liquorland Snells Beach. The Year 3 Ripples Team most recently lost in a nailbiter vs Matakana, with Olivia Prior being named Player of the Day. The previous week they went down in a tough game to Mangawhai, with Sarah Morrison picking up the Player of the Day Award.
The open grade the, the “Waves”, won 14-2 vs Maungaturoto, with Tycey Feleti named Player of the Day, and most recently lost to Wellsford, with Bella Colman named Player of the Day in a tough match.
Snells Beach Hockey
Both senior teams suffered losses by a mere one point last weekend, and both very late in the second half. Their games continue to be close and exciting! Congratulations to the junior team who have continued on their winning streak – well done!
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