Friday 30 October 2015  – Term 4 - Week 3

Value Focus for next two weeks:  Initiative and Perseverance

From The Principal

Kia ora tatou katoa, Annyong Haseyo, Talofa, Malo e lelei, Bula vi naka, Kia orana Nga mihi nui ki a koutou, Namaste, Nihao, Greetings to you all.  

Thank you to all the families and whanau that visited the Well-Being Inquiry Showcase display in the Auditorium this week. The teachers and students at Elm Park School never cease to amaze me with the ideas that they come up with each year. The work that the students and teachers have displayed is of a very high standard as usual.

The Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 have joined together on a Friday afternoon to participate in a collaborative experience in a variety of activities that we have called Fantastic Friday Rotation.  Students and teachers from across these classes are engaged in numerous  activities such as sewing, bollywood dancing, kapa haka for those who are not already included, rounders and ukelele to name a few. It is exciting to go around the school and observe the positive interaction in the middle and senior school. Well done to all the participants and staff for a great start to the term.

In Week 6, November 9 – 11, Year 6 will be heading over the harbour bridge to CAMP MERC. This is an amazing opportunity for all year 6 children to enjoy. The activities are varied and the instructors supervise and instruct the children in all areas of physical activity and skill level.

A reminder that Student Led Conferences are coming up again in Week 7, Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 November. More information will follow about how to book online etc.

Grandparents day will be held across the school on Wednesday 2nd December from 9.30 am – 1.00 pm.  We look forward to seeing you join in with the children in their classroom activities.

Have a lovely weekend,

Trish Plowright

Principal

Looking Ahead

PAKURANGA INTERMEDIATE - A reminder to all parents who have children who will attend Pakuranga Intermediate next year, you do need to fill in an enrolment form.  Enrolment is not automatic.  These forms should have been returned already. Please call the school office if you need further information.

STUDENTS CONTACT DETAILS - It is very important for the safety of your child, that our student contact details are correct.  In cases of emergency it is very upsetting for a student when we are unable to contact a parent either at home, work or via mobile phone.  If you have moved or changed your work or mobile number, please phone the office or drop by and fill in an ‘Updated Contact Details Form’ (alternatively email your change of details to the school office including your child’s name and room number).  If you are unsure whether or not you have updated you details, please feel free to phone the school office and we will check for you.

CLASSES FOR 2016 – We are beginning to form classes for 2016.  Please note that no staffing is confirmed and it is not possible to request a specific teacher for any year level.  If you have information you would like us to consider when placing your child in a class please send an email or letter to the school office ASAP.

Can you please notify us in writing if your child is not returning to Elm Park School in 2016.

This Week In Review

DIGITAL LEARNING @ EPS - All students are given a Google account login upon enrolling at Elm Park School and this gives students access to Google Drive, email, blogs and sites.  Unless the school is advised otherwise in writing, all students enrolled at Elm Park School will regularly upload their work to their e-Portfolio blog and other sites that are viewable to the public.  This may also include their first name and image.  This is common practice across many New Zealand schools and aligns with Ministry of Education guidelines.  Our school uses Network for Learning filtering provided by the Ministry of Education and our teachers closely monitor student use of Google accounts with Hapara Teacher Dashboard.  If there are any serious issues with student use of their Google account or a device we will inform parents immediately.  

 Award Winners

POSITIVE SOCIAL INTERACTION

Congratulations to the following students who were selected and acknowledged this week for their responsible, friendly behaviour.

Personal Presentation Winners - The following students were voted as the overall week’s winner in their year level for the most neatly presented in their uniform.

Community Notices

Tamaki Sports Academy offers mentoring, coaching, and work experience to South Auckland youth who have dropped out of the mainstream school system but show some sporting talent. A major fundraiser for the academy, and an excellent source of work experience for our members, is the free metal collection service we offer. We will pick up any old metal - computers, whiteware, roofing iron, metal piping, venetian blinds, batteries, car panels, cars, metal shelving, filing cabinets, machinery, lawnmowers, engines, and so on. If you do have any metal rubbish to get rid of, we are keen to pick it up for you. It is a win-win for both of us. Thank you to everyone in advance, and to those who have donated metal to us previously. Many thanks, Tricia Ph 027 5105890 ph 09 2760328

We have a facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/TamakiSportsAcademy  And are on the web at http://www.rmcullen.com/tamakisports.php  Some of our boys were featured in an Aucklander article  http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/news/working-for-play/1046139/

Free Park Fun Day @ Elm Park

Join us for a great afternoon of free fun. Try your hand at an art activity, challenge a friend on the Log Joust or enjoy the Story time, something for all ages!

Friday 20th November, 3pm -5pm at Elm Park, Gossamer Drive

For more information email outandabout@clmnz.co.nz

Focus on Children

As part of our focus on wellbeing, Room 10 picked some fresh and delicious vegetables from the Year 2 vegie garden. We sold some of the vegies at the Year 2 Friday vegie shop and some students even donated some fruit from their trees at home.

We developed a fresh juice recipe using our spinach, kale and parsley. Although it was hard work peeling the fruit, washing the vegetables and using the juicer, it was worth it. The juice was very green, tasted fantastic and was super healthy!

The Year 2 vegie shop is open every Friday morning between 8.30am and 9am outside Room 9. Please visit us to see our healthy, fresh vegetables!