Sonrise Christian School Newsletter
To be a thriving community, committed to Jesus Christ, committed to excellence in education and committed to service to others - Vision Statement
10th March 2010
No. 6/1/10
Dear Parents/Caregivers
Tena Koutou Katoa
Already into week 6 and into March! Just 3 weeks to go before this term comes to an end. After a very busy week 5, things are back to normal at school. Rooms 4 & 5 had a fantastic time on the Te Unga Mai Programme. By Friday, we had quite a few grumpy and very tired students. Congratulations to all our students who participated in the Junior Swimming Sports and the Triathlon. A BIG THUMBS UP to all our parents and teachers who supported our students during these events.
Special mention must go to Kartik Patel for stepping forward and filling the gap (at very short notice and having done no training) for a student who could not participate because of illness. He performed to the best of his ability and thoroughly enjoyed himself regardless of the placing. He had the whole class cheering him on and in our eyes he had done our school proud.
All teachers are busy compiling their base line data in Reading, Writing and Maths. From this baseline data, targets are set.
Last week I attended my first workshop on the National Standards for reading, writing and maths. From 2010, schools with children in years 1-8 will be using National Standards. The standards show what NZ children are expected to be able to do in reading, writing and maths at each year of schooling. Reporting to you in plain language is an important part of the new National Standards. You can expect to receive written reporting twice a year (June and December) on how your child is doing in reading, writing and maths, in relation to the National Standards.
As part of reporting, teachers will also talk to you about your child’s progress and achievement, including against National Standards, as part of parent-teacher meetings, informal discussions and/or student led conferences.
Once a year, your child’s progress and achievement in relation to National Standards in reading, writing and maths will be reported as: above, at, below, well below the standard. This is done at the end of the year. The Standards states - “by the end of year 4, etc” (I have an issue with this because as a parent, I would like to know earlier in the year if my child is on track for meeting the National Standard not at the end of the year). So as you can see, there are lots of loopholes which have not been sorted out yet. We are also in the process of changing our reports. You will be kept informed as we work through the National Standards. It is a learning curve for all schools.
This newsletter has been sent out a day earlier as I wanted to inform you that we won’t have banking day tomorrow (Wednesday) because the senior classes and the tellers are all away. Please keep your money for next week.
Strategic Planning Consultation
Please be reminded that the first consultation response to be returned to school this Thursday. Please give the response to your child to hand to their class teacher. Again, THANK YOU to those parents who promptly responded.
Education Review Office (ERO)
Our school will be reviewed by ERO during week 6 of Term 2 (24-28 May). ERO is following a new way of reviewing schools. This is another area that we are trying to understand so that our school can have a favourable report. Stress levels are very high (should I say, the principal only at this stage). But we can do all things through Christ who gives us the strength.
Celebrations for the week
Room 1
Manawa Randall and Breanna Iremonger for trying and showing persistence at the Junior Swimming Sports.
“Player of the Day” for Sonrise Sparkler cricket team is Jared Wellington.
“Student of the Week” in room 1 is Jared Wellington.
Room 2
Eden Tata for being a responsible librarian. She ensures that books are correctly issued and returned on the computer.
Shaela-Rose Gair for passing her x2 and x10 tables.
“Player of the Week” for Sonrise Stars cricket team is Ethan Law.
Room 3
Matthew Foster for being an excellent, on-task role model in his class.
Kartik Patel for completing all his class work on time.
Kartik Patel for doing his very best in the Interschool Triathlon.
Room 4
“Student of the Week” is Pharyn Calles for excellent work and fully participating while on the Te Unga Mai Programme.
Zavier Lister for making great progress in self management, completing all his set tasks to a very high standard.
Room 5
Rebekah Woodcock for quietly persisting in all her work.
Student dismissal at end of school day
School finishes at 2.30pm for students and we would prefer that all students be picked up no later than 3.00pm. Please phone the school by 2.00pm if your child’s pick-up arrangements have changed or you are going to be late in picking them up. When students are dismissed at 2.30pm all staff are usually outside and nobody is inside to be taking phone calls at 2.30pm. We would prefer that this is sorted out before your child comes to school. Any after school visiting, must be sorted out between the parents the night before.
Students who are being picked up from the Potae Avenue corner, must remain with their class teacher until the parent arrives. We will only send students over to Potae Avenue once the parent is there. Once the student leaves the school premises, we no longer have responsibility for them. We all need to ensure that our children are kept safe.
Head Lice
This menace is still around. It is extremely important for you to check your child’s head for head lice today. Keep checking every 2 days until there are no head lice found for 10 consecutive days.
Head lice do not transmit infectious diseases - they are transmitted by having head to head contact with someone who has head lice. You may be reassured that head lice are commonly found in places other than at school. Head lice are common in children aged 3-11 years.
See fact sheet attached.
School Uniform
I am noticing non-regulatory clothing being worn to school. As the days are getting a bit cooler, we expect our students to be wearing our school sweatshirt if they need it. We will be asking them to remove jerseys and non-regulatory clothing. Please support us in ensuring that uniform standards are met.
Yummy Stickers
Keep on sending in those Yummy Stickers.
House Points
|
Green |
Red |
Blue |
Gold |
|
221 |
220 |
160 |
200 |
Community Noticeboard
Women’s Health Day Forum to be held at House of Breakthrough conference room on Saturday 27th March from 9.00am-1.00pm.
Contact Vanessa Martin on 8687371 for more info.
Reminder
- 15 March - Call for nominations for BOT elections.
- 22 & 23 March - 3.00-6.00pm - Parent/Teacher Interviews (interviews won’t start before 3pm as class teachers need to supervise their classes when school is dismissed).
- 24 March - Senior Swimming Sports - Rooms 3, 4 & 5 - at Olympic Pools (more info to follow).
- 1 April - end of term
LOVE - INTEGRITY - FAITHFUL - EXCELLENCE = L. I. F. E
Kind regards
Wendy Gabriel
PRINCIPAL
