Principal's Newsletter - 03 Feb 2011

Kia Koutou Katoa
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
First a very warm welcome back to everyone and a special welcome to those who are new to our school.

Welcome to our very new staff members; Aimee Cooper (Room 9) and Leigh Paterson (Room 8).
We also welcome back as permanent Woodstock Teachers Margaret Langlands (Room 7) and Nicole Glover (Room 15)

Congratulations to Miss J McCaughan who got engaged over the holiday break.

School Term Activities
Feb 10 BOT meeting
TBA PTA AGM Meeting 7.30pm
22 Vision and Hearing Testing
23/24 Parent Conferences
Mar 02 Junior School Triathlon
11 Senior School Swimming Sports
22 Fairfield Cluster Swimming Sports
April 10 BOT meeting
15 School closes for Term 1 holiday 2:00pm

School Web Site
For those of you who are familiar with our school web site, I have included an automatic link. It is well worth your attention if you haven’t yet visited the site.
http://www.woodstock.school.nz/

Woodstock School now has its own blog!


You can access our blog through the school website or at http://woodstockschoolnz.blogspot.com/
We are trialling/using it as yet another way of keeping parents/caregivers up to date with the latest news at Woodstock School. If you sign up to subscribe to our blog you will be emailed of any new entries or happening in our blog ie Principal Newsletters. It is definitely worth checking out and subscribing to.





Classes, Rooms and Teachers for 2011.
Room Teacher
1 Mrs B Klinkenberg
2 Miss J McCaughan
3 Mrs R Tangney
4 Mrs B Nicholas
5 Ms K Lenihan
6 Miss K Cathcart
7 Mrs M Langlands
8 Miss L Paterson
9 Miss A Cooper
10 Ms C Read
11 Mr P Otto
12 Mrs M Bull
13 Mrs E Joseph
14 Mrs N Turner
15 Mrs N Glover

Parent Teacher meetings


These will be held on 23 & 24 February. An opportunity will be given to all parents to meet individually with their child’s teacher. A specific notice will be sent home soon.

School House Leaders:


Hopefully we will be announcing the house leaders for this year at next weeks assembly 11th February.

Stationery Sales
Students who have ordered stationery through the school will receive their orders as soon as the office is able to process the orders. We have been inundated with orders and are trying to keep up with them as quickly as possible. Unfortunately this may mean a day or two delay in issuing the order. We ask for your patience.

School Donation
$25:00 per term $100 per Year. We would appreciate prompt payment of the donation as we rely on this to subsidise costs for classroom consumables, art supplies, physical education equipment and junior school books.






National Standards
At the expense of risking further exasperation, perhaps being accused of being too political and fuelling even more angst with National Standards, I have reprinted a Press Release put out by the NZ Primary Principals Federation President recently.



“What more does it take to realise we have a top education system producing top achievement?” asks Peter Simpson, the newly elected President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF). Simpson was responding to the OECD report which places New Zealand’s 15 year olds amongst the top in the world in reading, science and math’s. This is an astonishing result given that we invest much less money in education compared to our OECD competitors”, said Simpson. “We can attribute this result directly to the dedication, creativity and commitment of our fantastic teaching staff and the way they manage children’s learning in this country”, he said. The result puts New Zealand ahead of its nearest neighbours Australia, where educators are disappointed at their decline since 2000. Similarly, New Zealanders are well ahead of their British counterparts who have slipped from seventh in 2000 to 25th in reading, eighth to 28th in Math’s and fourth to 16th in science. The United States, once a high flyer is now teetering on the edge of average in all subjects. “This result tells us that we have a great curriculum which is being expertly delivered to children across our nation”, says Simpson. “We’ve got the recipe right, unlike our Australian and UK colleagues overseas who have succumbed to various forms of national standards and national testing resulting in declining performance”.
Simpson, taking up the reigns as NZPF leader for 2011 wants to see the back of the national standards debate. “We’ve wasted enough time on a policy that has proven a failure everywhere it’s been tried. Let the teachers get on with teaching, monitoring and assessing children’s learning the way they know best and continue this fantastic trend of success”, he said. “But right now, it’s time to give all New Zealand teachers a hearty pat on the back for a job very well done”!

Needless to say, Woodstock will continue to implement National Standards (as we are required to do).This year’s annual report will report on the 2010 achievement against the Mathematics National Standards.





Sun Safe at School
This week students returned to school and of course into bright sunshine and potentially skin damage that might lead to skin cancer in later life. Students are in the school environment (between 11am and 4pm) during the time of peak UV radiation from October to March. During the day students will be out in the sun and we all need to do the best we can to protect them from the harmful effects of the suns rays.

Students must wear a suitable hat that protects the face, neck and ears: wear sun safe clothing eg shirts with collars and sleeves and use at least SPF 30+ sunscreen on unprotected skin.

Caps are not suitable for this purpose and if students wear sleeveless tops to school, they must have other suitable sun safe clothing to cover the neck and shoulders when they go outside in the sun. Students who do not have appropriate sun protection will be required to play under the trees in the shade.

Appropriate school sun hats are available from the school office at $13 each.

TELEPHONE CALLS AND MESSAGES TO PUPILS
Calls to and calls from pupils are permitted only in emergencies. It should be noted that telephone calls are charged to the school and excessive use by pupils is discouraged. Telephone messages to pupils are conveyed as soon as practicable but parents should note that it is not always possible to guarantee the delivery of phoned messages.
Thanks

Bible In Schools programme for 2011
Begins 4 March. Anyone not wishing to have their child(ren) participating, needs to write a short note to me informing me of their decision. Students not participating are supervised by a teacher in the school library.





Cell Phones for Starship Foundation
This year we are going to collect unwanted mobile phones to raise funds for Starship’s National Air Ambulance Service. By doing this the school will also benefit as we can swap the old cell phones for educational goods such as new interactive whiteboards, computers, camcorders, books and sports gear.
You can help us by donating your old Mobile Phone (in working order). Step to help us include:
1. Ensure you have removed your Sim card.
2. Remove the battery from your phone. Wrap the battery separately in paper or plastic and package with your phone before putting it in an envelope.
3. We do not require your battery charger, just the phone.
4. Please return your old cell phone to the school office for collection.
Please tell your friends and family of our campaign. The more cell phones we receive, the more we can help Starships's Ambulance Service and the more rewards we can earn for the school

NOR' EAST TENNIS CLUB / PROGRESSIVE TENNIS


Term 1Come join us for an exciting Term 1. Tennis coaching starts Tuesday 15 February 2011. Tuesdays (start 15 Feb): 4.15pm (5-7yrs), 5pm (8-10 yrs), Development 6pm (8-12 yrs), Wednesdays (start 16 Feb): 4.15pm (Open Development), 6pm (ADULT Easi Tennis) Thursdays (start 17 Feb): 4.15pm (5-7yrs), 5pm (8-10 yrs), Development 6pm (8-12 yrs), Saturdays (start 19 Feb): 9am (5-7yrs), 9.45am (8-10 yrs). From $70-$95 per person. After School: Tue/Wed/Thu 3.15-4.15pm for Fairfield Intermediate students.
Also, we have an OPEN day on Friday, 11 February 2010 from 5pm till 7pm. Please come along to Fairfield Intermediate School tennis courts, Clarkin Road (bring your racket). Or phone Ian Bishop at Progressive Tennis 827-0995 (Mob/Txt: 021-842-810) or Bill Baker, Nor'East Tennis Club 027-226-1514. Email:noreasttennis@hotmail.com

Kid’s Language Club Open Day
汉语 español 日本語
Your child can learn Chinese, Japanese or Spanish in Term 1! Join our open day for fun trial lessons, to meet the teachers and find about our exciting 2011 programme. Saturday 12th February 11.00am - 1.00pmCelebrating Age Centre, 30 Victoria St, HamiltonFor more info: phone 0800NZFUSION (0800693874) or visit http://www.fusionlanguages.co.nz/








Other Messages
Guitar Lessons 2011,
Guitar lessons will be held in the Woodstock Library on Tuesday afternoon/evenings between 3.30 and 8.00pm. If you are interested in lessons for your child please ph Mark Bridger 021 0224 1576

MILO KIWI 2011
Hamilton Junior Cricket will be running an after school programme in March, Milo Kiwi Cricket. This programme is for 7-10 years of age, it is the next step up from Milo Have A Go. The focus is further basic skill development in batting, bowling, stopping, catching, wicket keeping and running between the wickets. At the end of each session they will play the game of cricket with modifications and receive a weekly prize.
When: Monday 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th March
Where: Waikato University Fields, Gate 3B, Silverdale Rd
Time: 4pm to 5.30pm
Cost: $30 – includes qualified coaches and prizes.
If any of your children are interested in this programme please Register using the information below:
Registration & Payment
Register Online: To register go to http://www.hjca.org.nz/, the form is located under ‘Registration’ below the Honours Board.
Pay via Internet: Our Account Details are also located on the Registration Page; you will need to scroll right to the bottom of the page to view them. Pay via internet banking with following information:
Particulars: Milo Kiwi Code: Your child’s name Reference: School you are from
Pay via Post: Cheques to be made out to: Hamilton Junior Cricket, please post to:
Cricket Hamilton, PO Box 294, Hamilton
RSVP by Monday 28th February
Hope to see you as part of our Milo Kiwi programme, having fun, learning new skills and meeting new people.
Nicky Browne
Milo Coordinator 027 5487440

Steve Ostermann
Principal