Uniform Vote Results

Thanks to all who participated in the school uniform voting process. The votes were counted under legal supervision last night and the results are as follows:

 

- 405 voting forms were distributed

- 282 papers were returned (a return rate of 69%)

- 3 voting papers were invalid

- 147 voted ‘Yes’

- 132 voted ‘No’

 

Thus having given the community the opportunity to have their voice heard with a mandate that 75% must vote ‘Yes’ the Board of Trustees can now conclude that a compulsory school uniform will not be adopted in Woodstock School

The Board will however now consider the future of a voluntary school uniform policy at Woodstock School based on feedback received from the community during the uniform consultation period.

2pm finish today

Don't forget school finishes at 2pm today for the end of term.  We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.

How Boards Work

How Boards Work provides further information for those interested in standing for the Board of Trustees in the upcoming elections.

Entertainment Books

Did you miss buying an Entertainment Book?  Not to worry.  We are continuing to take orders for these books as a fund raiser for Woodstock School.

Orders can be easily made online

If you have never purchased an entertainment book before and would like to find out more, you can preview its contents here.

Matariki Planting

Our hard working and dedicated Enviro Agents braved the rain to plant cabbages.  They will be harvested during Matariki for the school to feast on.

 

BOT Election Information

Anyone contemplating standing for the Board Of Trustees election may find good value in reading through this BOT Manual to understand how the Board operates and how it is managed.

Principal's Newsletter 16 April

Check out the latest news from the Principal's Desk


Steve Ostermann
Principal

Board of Trustees Elections

Nominations are invited for the election of five 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 16^th 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.

Voting closes at noon on 30 May, 2013.

Signed Janeen Foote

Returning Officer

 

Room 12 & 14's Chicken Coop

To support our Enviroschool and community towards sustainability, Room 14 and Room 12 have been actively involved in setting up a hen coop at Woodstock School. 

 

Over the past year we have;

• Researched the life cycle of a hen, its needs, characteristics and habitat. 
• Worked cooperatively in groups to research the appropriate design, dimensions and location for a hen coop at Woodstock school. 
• Designed our hen coop
• Organised as a team the different resources needed to build the coop. 

This term we’ve been lucky enough to have Dave McLean (Elizabeth McLean’s Dad) to come and build the hen coop, working with our design.  We really appreciate how much time, effort and care Mr McLean put into the hen coop.  He has great building skills and the hen coop turned out just perfect! 

 

We look forward to getting our hens next term and participating in the ongoing management of the coop, including cleaning, feeding and caring for the hens J

         

                                                                             Mia Downing, Room 14

PTA Meeting

Don't forget the PTA is meeting at 7.30pm, Monday 15 April in the Staffroom.
We would love to see you there.

Kauri Trip Information

Find linked information for parents of children in the Kauri (Rooms 6, 10 and 11) syndicate, regarding their trip to Claudeland's Park

Balloons over Woodstock

In case you forgot to take your camera last Friday, here are a few pictures from the ASB School Balloon Hop event.

You can check out more pictures on the school website

Uniform Committee Notice

April 8, 2013

Last year the Board of Trustees (BOT) invited the community, via a notice home to all students, to participate in a school uniform subcommittee whose role was to invite feedback from the wider community on the topic and involve the community in making an informed decision about a school uniform at Woodstock School.

The Uniform Subcommittee consultation communication and dates are outlined for your reference below:

Woodstock School Uniform Consultation Process To Date

Date	Communication Home
21/09/12	BOT invite community to participate in uniform subcommittee via letter
24/10/12	Uniform subcommittee has first meeting
06/12/12 *04/02/13 *Revised flyer sent Home	Uniform pros/cons notice sent home and posters erected at school in Principals Newsletter & school blog
11/02/13	Flyer distributed to years 5-6 informing a survey sent home to years 0-4 parents only.  Any feedback from years 5-6 parents welcome woodstockuniform@gmail.com
11/02/13	A uniform survey distributed to years 0-4 students only.
19/02/13	Uniform survey results are analysed and the uniform subcommittee makes a recommendation to the BOT
01/03/13	BOT informs the community of the survey results and advises proceeding with a vote on school uniforms
08/04/13	Pre voting information sheet to be distributed to all students.
10/04/13	Voting forms will be posted to all eligible parents and caregivers of years 0-4 students only.
18/04/13	Voting forms to be returned to the school office by 4pm.
19/04/13	BOT communicates voting outcome to school community

Based on the recent school uniform survey results and prior to a voting form being sent home please consider the information below to help you make an informed vote.

Cost

The survey results told the BOT that the potential cost of a uniform was one of the biggest concerns.  Basic research at some Hamilton schools shows that:

• Decile 6 school Aberdeen have introduced a uniform and the cost for that is $139 (inc. polo shirt, polar fleece and shorts/skort) which is in line with the current Woodstock voluntary uniform. http://www.aberdeen.school.nz/?page_id=4
• Less expensive uniforms seem to be those bought directly from specialized uniform suppliers. 
• If the school community supports a compulsory uniform the BOT would then consult with the community on type of uniform, suppliers and method of distribution while aiming to keep costs as low as possible for all families.

     Voting and Any Change

• 75% of the total number of families with children in years 1-4 on the current school role who return voting forms will need to support the proposal (i.e. vote yes) for a compulsory uniform in order for change to be initiated.
• If Uniform were adopted it would be introduced in 2014 for Years 0-4 (Years 5-6 would be exempt in 2014 and Year 6 exempt in 2015).
• If the outcome of the vote is no, the Board may consider keeping the current voluntary school uniform policy.
• A list of eligible caregivers with voting rights is available at the school office.

*** Once a final decision is made the BOT would be unlikely to consider uniforms again for a significant period of time.
 
Further reading on school uniforms can be found at:
http://www.proconlists.com/list/education/school-uniforms/35http://www/sheknows.com/living/articles/809991/the-pros-and-cons-of-school-uniforms

ASB Balloon Hop: Balloons at Woodstock

Don't forget we are hosting a balloon on Friday 5th April at 7.30am as part of the ASB School Hop.

There will be a breakfast available to purchase for the students and their families on the morning. This is being organised by the Year 5/6 classes to assist with their camp fundraising. Sausages, drinks, cereal and coffee will be on sale.

It will be a magical experience the children are sure to remember.