Friday 17 May 2013

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Well, it’s been quite a week. Tuesday morning and we were up to our gills in the Fonterra Milk for Schools launch. The media were here at the crack of dawn to see kids from a dozen or so local schools climb onto the especially liveried McDermott’s bus and head off to Fonterra farm tour.

Our Lachlan, Jessica and (standing) Jacqui: off for the farm tour.

Then, back at school; at 10.30 a range of civic dignitaries, Fonterra shareholders and personnel and community representatives gather in the hall for the formalities. Check out

http://www.facebook.com/waverleyparkschool

Meantime…

Old-time school milk: 1953New-time school milk: 2013

At the close of nominations yesterday, we had received eight nominations for the three BOT vacancies.

Voting papers will be sent to all eligible voters by Tuesday 21 May.  Voting closes at noon on Thursday 30 May. Please either…

post your voting papers to the Returning Officer, Waverley Park School, 55 Eden Crescent, Invercargill 9810;  or deliver them to the school office.

Please have your say on who you wish to represent you for the next three years.

Denise Findlater

Returning Officer

Staff Representative for the BOT:  At the close of nominations yesterday, only one nomination was received so I hereby declare Elizabeth Gerrard the new BOT staff representative. 

Denise Findlater

Returning Officer

Maori whanau meeting

WEDNESDAY 22nd MAY

In the staffroom @5.30pm

Children and other whanau / support people welcome. Bring a plate - we’ll finish by 7pm

It is so very important for you to have your say and we really do value your opinions and ideas. Children can only benefit from good relationships between their whanau and their school, and that is the underlying kaupapa of having a Maori whanau group.

If you have any questions or queries please feel free to leave a note for me at school or pop in and see me on a Friday at Kapa Haka (1.30pm in the hall) or flick me an email  - raiha_blair@hotmail.com or a text 0211427532. And donʻt be surprised if I come and talk to you in person when you are at school, as for many people that is the best way to communicate – kanohi ki te kanohi – face to face.

Raiha Johnson

Clara Voogt – one of eight room 11 students to record their poems for broadcast this week as part of the Glengarry Community radio show on Radio Southland 96.4FM

Friday 19 April

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The kids have certainly come back to school with fully-charged batteries; the break has served them well: in every room it was straight down to business.

And speaking of business; the business of Fonterra’s Milk for Schools programme started in earnest for us this week. Earlier in the week, some of the goodies were delivered (fridge included) and yesterday, some of the kids got to sample the milk under the watchful eyes of a crew from the “Southland Times”.

Next Tuesday, the roll out of the programme at our end of the nation kicks off with Fonterra bringing invited guests to our school hall to be part of what is effectively the first official launch of Milk for Schools for the whole country. Part of the launch celebration is a parade of dairy-related vehicles around town: a parade that ends here at approximately 10.30am.

Please note: Consequently, Eden Crescent will be closed to all traffic except residents between the hours of 10.30am and 1.00pm

The first “milk monitors” of 2013 with Fonterra’s Erica Andrews: Gemma, Jodie, Lachlan and Bree.

The first milk monitors for the project also have the job of training their colleagues in the distribution and recycling systems that are part of the programme. A trial run with room 11 yesterday met with very positive consumer acclaim. The programme proper won’t start until Wednesday next – much to their disgust.

But if there are reasons you do not want your child to participate (lactose intolerance for instance): please advise the school as soon as possible. 

Maori whanau meeting…

Raiha Johnson will be facilitating our next Maori whanau meeting: 5.30pm on Wednesday 22 May. You are most welcome to bring your tamariki, someone to support you, and some kai to share. Raiha guarantees the meeting won’t be a marathon – you’ll be on your way home by 7.00pm. Any queries; e-mail her (raiha_blair@hotmail.com) or text her on 0211427532.

 No RSVP required – just turn up in numbers!

WPPA meets…

WPPA (Waverley Park School Parents Association - old school PTA) are having a meeting on Tuesday 14 May at 7.00pm in the staffroom. All most welcome.

Any questions or apologies please leave a message at the school office.               -  Cheers; Vanessa

BOT Elections…

A reminder that nominations close on Thursday 16 May at 12 noon.  If you know of anyone that you would like to see stand then please approach them to see if they would be interested. At this stage we have 2 nominations for: Gordon Goodall and Reece McDonald.  We have 3 vacancies to fill.

Friday 12 April 2013

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Eight sleeps ‘til the end of term one break for the kids. Speaking of which; because the school holidays are coming up, we’re calling for BOT nominations slightly earlier than what is legally required:

Waverley Park School

Board of Trustees Election

Nominations are invited for the election of

3 parent representatives to the board of trustees.

A nomination form and a notice calling for nominations

will be posted to all eligible voters.

Additional nomination forms can be obtained from the

school office.

Nominations close at noon on Thursday 16 May 2013

and may be accompanied by a signed candidate’s

statement.

The voting roll is open for inspection at the school and can

be viewed during normal school hours.

There will also be a list of candidates’ names, as they come

 to hand, for inspection at the school.

The poll closes at noon on Thursday 30 May 2013

Signed

Denise Findlater

Returning Officer

Last chance to have your say…

Our board of trustees is in the process of reviewing the school uniform with the intention of streamlining the number of options available and improving consistency in the kids’ collective appearance.

The board is still committed to our original philosophy of ensuring that the uniform remains a reasonable cost for families.

The streamlined Waverley Park uniform range proposed is:

Unisex…

Tops

Navy short sleeved WPS polo top

Navy long-sleeved zip through WPS polar fleece jacket

Navy long-sleeved plain merino or polyprop - to be worn under the polo top

Bottoms

Navy cotton drill rugger shorts

Navy cotton drill cargo shorts

Navy drill cargo pants

Navy plain, lined tracksuit pant - (not CCC etc)

Hats

Navy WPS beanie

Navy WPS sunhat

Additional options for girls…

Navy culottes

Navy skort (shorts with skirt-like appearance)

Sports uniform…

Navy short-sleeved WPS polo top

Navy cotton drill rugger shorts

Footwear…

Suitable footwear for school activities.

Please provide your feedback in writing by the end of this term – some of you have; thanks. E-mail or write to “Uniform Review” principal@waverleypark.school.nz    OR

Waverley Park School 55 Eden Crescent In’gill 9810

Our ever-expanding pile…

of lost property needs to be looked through before the end of this term; preferably by parents of children who have lost stuff. During the holidays we cull the bin; keeping the relevant items for re-sale from our second-hand supplies; with the rest going to the Salvation Army. 

Friday 05 April 2013

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Judging from how the kids returned to school this week, there may well be a compelling argument for a few more five-day weekends! At least this weekend is an hour longer than usual; see – there’s always an up-side!

Farewell…

At the end of this term, Helen Campbell-O’Brien finishes as the Resource Teacher of Literacy based at our school. Helen has given many years of expertise, support and just plain, good-old fashioned service to Southland schools; one of them being Waverley Park. Consequently, on behalf of the wider education community, the school is hosting a farewell function here in the school hall on the evening of Friday 12 April. If your family is one that has had a close association with Helen and you’d like to attend (adults only): please contact the school for details.

Camp movie night…

The 2013 version of the Year 6 Camp movie night will be held in the school hall from 7.00pm on Thursday 18 April: year six students and their invited guests are welcome to arrive from 6.45pm. We look forward to seeing you there.

“El Gregoe was outstanding”;

this from a staff member “not into magicians” or prestidigitation of any sort. Thanks for supporting your kids attend this show. Bullying and other personal safety issues are very much in the news at the moment. This programme very much reinforces the anti-bullying / keeping ourselves safe messages that schools and families constantly work at. We really do appreciate both  Elgregoe and his friends (real and imaginary); and your own commitment and energy towards helping our ‘Waverley kids’ to be safe kids. 

The mesmerising El Gregoe in action: internationally acclaimed magician with a great message and magnificently co-operative birds and a bunny; the kids were putty in “their” hands.

Thursday 28 March 2013

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Thanks to the majority of families who supported their kids in the “goal-setting-for-success” interviews this week. It would be easy to dismiss this sort of interview as a waste of time; but you’d be wrong on so many levels. Usually, kids can’t put into words the (often subliminal) messages they get from ‘goal-setting’ experiences. In no particular order of priority, some of the more obvious messages are: 

“This is important, because…

• mum/dad/gran have come to school and -
• they’ve taken time off work to do it
• I’m involved in the discussion too -
• so I know this serious
• it’s all about me
• I know that I’m the one who has to make progress”   

“I feel…

• that they all really do care about me
• (maybe) a little uncomfortable because now my family and teacher are on the same page
• like I’m the one most responsible for making improvements
• my thinking and opinions count too
• safe because it’s too early in the year to be reporting on my progress (or the lack of it)
• that my progress is still the centre of attention though”

Easter hamper raffle…

Congratulations to all of the winners and a big Thank You to everyone who donated items to make this a great success and who sold tickets. Cheers and have a happy Easter. WPPA

  1        Kris Win

  2        Rishav Arya

  3        Bennett-Young Family

  4        Bathurst Family

  5        Duston family

  6        Cheryl Anderson

  7        Nicky Dougherty

  8        Kandice Takamori

  9        Carl Trainor

10         Bruce

11         Aras Mulholland

12         Karen Hughes 

Who stole Easter?

Our annual Easter service was another masterpiece from Scott Productions: high levels of humour, audience participation, fun; and a simple message. As part of the performance, Abigail won the biggest egg (on her birthday too!); while Jacqui received a friendship bracelet.

The principals of “Scott Productions”; Pauline and Rex. Can you imagine what the family album must look like?

The “You've Got The Power” Show…

El Grego is back! This one hour presentation uses tricks, ventriloquism, puppets, parrots, music, songs, true stories, poems, amazing props and audience participation in a fast paced and fun show. There is a clear message aimed at creating good attitudes and a bully free environment.

As we are working our way through the Kia Kaha anti-bullying programme this term, this show is coming back to Waverley Park School on Friday 5th April at 9.00 am. Cost is $4.50/pupil – the show is a guaranteed winner – kids (and staff!) always love it. Feel free to use our drip-feed process to ensure your kids’ place at the performance.

Waverley Park School does the Harlem Shake