Paekakariki School
Phone (04) 2928205
Fax (04) 2928729
administration@paekakariki.school.nz
principal@paekakariki.school.nz
Hi Parents/Caregivers
Kia ora koutou
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
TRAVEL PLAN SURVEY.
Paekakariki School, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Kapiti Coast District Council are asking for your assistance, to develop a new School Travel Plan for Paekakariki School. These plans are designed to help children get to school safely while getting the most benefit out of their journey, whether they come by family car, car pool, walk, cycle, skateboard, scooter, or travel by bus.
The first stage is to fill out the survey, which will greatly assist us to identify current travel patterns, desired travel options and to identify safety risks, for children walking, scooting and cycling to Paekakariki School. The survey also includes a call for volunteers to help in developing the travel plan and to assist with options like; walking school buses, walking groups, cycle trains, car pooling, active travel events and improving the school entrance.
Please see the attached survey form or go to the following link to complete the survey.
http://engage.gw.govt.nz/paekakarikischooltravel2012.aspx
The survey will run from today Thursday 10th of May to Friday 25th of May. If you are filling out a hard copy survey please make sure it is returned to the school by Friday the 25th of May.
School Travel Plans have become a significant component in Kapiti Coast District Councils infrastructure planning and the greater the percentage of parents and caregivers that fill out the survey the more influential the document becomes.
During the week 21st May to 25th May students at the school will be involved in a class survey on how they travelled to school. On Wednesday the 23rd May students will also be involved in a mapping exercise and giving their feedback about safety issues and sustainable transport options.
COMMUNITY CONSULTATION – CHARTER REVIEW.
The first meeting of our charter reviewis planned for Tuesday 29 May at 7.00pm. The aim of this meeting will be to get community feedback around such things as: "What is a Paekak kid"? What are our community core values? Input will also be sought from the school staff and a representation of our students. With the information gathered the Board will draft a Charter which will be passed to the community for further comment. This is a very important activity as it will shape the way forward for Paekakariki School. Please pencil in this date.
SCHOOL FAIR.
We are looking forvolunteers who would like to join our team and head up or work in the various components of the fair. These components are:
Public Relations
Entertainment
Stalls
Cafe/Food
White Elephant
Clothes
If you are interested in working or leading in any of these areas could you please fill in the form at the bottom of this newsletter and return it to Moira in the office by 16 May 2012.
REPORTING TO PARENTS.
Thank you to those parents who attended the Parent Teacher interviews. I hope you found it useful. I have received feedback that some of the language around assessment was a bit confusing and I acknowledge this. I intend to do something about it. Technically we should have indicated where your child is at this stage of the year in relation to the National Standard (for example your child is working towards the Standard and should get there; we have a lot to do to get your child to the Standard and this is the help we require; your child is already at the Standard and is likely to be above it by the end of the year) but as a staff we were not ready to do this. We are currently on a professional development programme which will prepare us for this. By the end of the year you will receive school reports showing where your child is at against the Standards. To assess against a Standard there are three components teachers need to understand in detail. These are:
· The writing, reading and mathematics Standard for the level that they are teaching.
· The assessment tools they will use to help identify where a child is working in regard to the Standard. These include Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT), the STAR Reading test and writing and number assessments.
· Over-all Teacher judgement.
By the end of the year it would be useful if parents understood the Standard their child should be working at and the process the teachers go through to make the judgement as to where a child is working in relation to the Standard. Some of you may want to have a better understanding of the assessment tools and I will start a weekly article in the newsletter to explain them.
My intent is for us all to arrive at the end of this year confident that we all know what assessing against the Standard is about. I want you to be assured that as we work through this complex journey we will not lose sight of those aspects of a child's education that are less measureable but every bit as important such as social development, a love of the arts, a desire to be a good person and an awareness of our environment and what makes it "tick".
Regards
John Masson
ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS
Tomorrow we are handing out an entertainment book to the oldest child in the family. You are under no obligation to buy one and we would appreciate you returning it to school immediately if you don't want it. If you do wish to purchase one please fill in the payment form and send back to school. Thanks you for your support.
SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Unfortunately the cross country was postponed today due to the weather. It will now be held on Monday 14th May at Campbell Park starting at 1 p.m.
NETBALL DRAW- SATURDAY 12th MAY
|
Time |
Team |
|
Team |
Court |
|
11 a.m. |
Narwals |
vs |
|
10 |
|
2 p.m. |
Hot Tamales |
vs |
|
4 |
|
2 p.m. |
Pango |
vs |
|
3 |
UNIVERSITY OF NSW EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT – YEARS 4 – 8
I encourage parents to consider these examinations for their child because not only do they provide an independent assessment of where your child is at in relation to a cross section of students in NZ and Australia, they also provide an opportunity for your child to sit an assessment under examination conditions. I have successfully run these examinations before and some parents have found them extremely useful. The range of awards from high distinction to achievement, have acted as a motivator for those children who enjoy a challenge. Note the NZ curriculum does prepare students for the challenge.
Below are the dates and cost for each of the examinations in 2012 so if you want your child to do any of them could you please pay at the office before this date. If you want more information about these examinations please do not hesitate to contact the Principal or go to www.eaa.unsw.edu.au.
|
Subject |
Date of Exam |
Cost |
Nomination with payment due |
|
Writing |
18-22 June |
$17.50 |
21 May |
|
Spelling |
19 June |
$9.50 | |
|
English |
31 July |
$7.50 |
3 July |
|
Mathematics |
14 August |
$7.50 |
Indoor Soccer Table (Foosball Table) for Indoor Soccer Table (Foosball Table) for sale $50 Please call Caroline on 0272120408
Maori Advisory Group Information Sheet
Background: The Maori consultative committee setup previously has gone into hiatus. That committee focussed on Kapa Haka and Te Reo. Recent board discussions to reform a Maori consultative body also raised the idea of broadening the scope of the advisory group to include underachievement among Maori students. John Masson, Jeff Boonen and Wayne Pihema were tasked with setting the terms of reference and as part of that process membership of the group and a timeline for formation were also considered. The following was agreed by the Board:
a) That a Maori Advisory Group be formed which reports directly to the Board.
b) That the focus of the MAG be Kapa Haka, Te Reo and Maori student underachievement
c) That the kaupapa of the group, its' work and relationships is tikanga
d) That the membership of the group be made up of 4 parents and two Board members, six in total appointed by the Board.
e) The group will be chaired by a Board member
f) That two of the parent members (caregivers, grandparents) be drawn from those with children in the junior school and two of the parent members(caregivers, grandparents) be drawn from those with children in the senior school.
g) That the group may from time to time be consulted on other matters of importance to Maori and the school
h) That local kuia and kaumatua be consulted on matters of mana whenua tikanga
i) That the group be formed by May 15 and complete its first meeting by May 25.
j) That the group meet not less than once a term, and not more than twice a term unless exceptional circumstances demand it.
Please give your name to Moira, in person or through email with a contact number and email if you are willing to be a member of the group. The Board will make appointments to the parent positions by Wednesday 16 and let you know by email.
We strongly encourage and invite Ngati Haumia whanau as mana whenua to participate in the group.
On behalf of the Paekakariki School Board
Jeff Boonen
Wayne Pihema
......................................................................................................................................................................................
SCHOOL FAIR
I am interested in being part of the School Fair organising group and would be happy to get involved with (circle as appropriate) : Public Relations; Entertainment; Stalls; Cafe/Food; White Elephant; Clothes. Other – please identify ___________________________
Name: ____________________________ Phone No. _________________
