Wu Se Wednesday 8 June 2009 Principals & Teachers Visiting Following on from the recent visit by 40 ‘School Principals we have another group of teachers & principals from Wanganui Country Schools visiting us for a presentation and observation of teaching on 22 June. New Students We have a number of new entrant students beginning next term with more to follow. There are now more enquiries than ever about enrolling at our School. When you see new parents at school why not take the time to introduce yourselves. We are a small School and we all should take the time to make new families feel welcome. READ ABOUT ALL THE GREAT THINGS HAPPENING AT Literacy Development Ministry of Education personnel will be visiting later this month to see how we. have developed the teaching and learning of writing. We have now been working with the Massey adviser for 18 months and student achievement across all levels has improved significantly. We are really proud of the kids and their achievement. Children Helping Children We appreciate the generosity of families in last weeks book and toy drive to support the work of Barnados. The children really became involved and found out about the work of Barnadoes. The Jets basketball team was a big hit and it's great to see so many parents taking children to see one of the games using the complimentary tickets. The draw for the major prize of a $40 restaurant voucher went to Dominic. JUNIOR CLASS ARTWOW! Look at the extension opportunities our senior students are involved in over the next 2 months. a Beco eR a ee) NaS) De een a) aang aed Weta ag een oa) These activities are all possible because of the way the Kainui cluster of Schools work together Dee ee a Re ne eA to get the opportunity to be involved in these type of activities at a small school. WATCH OUT FOR UPCOMING CHANGES TO THE KAINUI WINTER SPORTS TOURNAMENT THAT WILL BENIFIT PARTICIPATION FOR TAONUI STUDENTS. Superb New Resources Thanks to the efforts of teachers Tina and Julie we have secured around $3000 worth of readers for the junior class. To support our students with learning needs we have secured funding to purchase books and place mats that can be read with a digital pen. Phonics Course & Resource Tina attended a phonics course last week and is really enthusiastic about introducing the programme in the class. We have obtained funding to purchase the excellent resources that support the programme. Learning Support Programme ‘As we have previously reported Carol Baxter is now working in the junior class from 11am to 12.30pm. This is working out really well enabling a lot of individual support for those students who require it, Latest News We have secured additional funding for a teacher aid to provide 2 hours daily support in the senior class. This position will be advertised in the near future. Anyone interested or if you know somebody who may be then contact Stephen. Community Survey Tt is well worth your while participating in the surveys. We thank those of you who took the. time and whilst we are not able to act immediately on your suggestions they have all been shared with the Board. In response to your suggestions there will be an open day at school next term with the date to be finalised. Once a term Stephen will be available for 90 minutes for parents/caregivers to come in and discuss anything about the School except your own child. (Appointments can be made with class teachers for this purpose). TheHow we Celebrate Student Success Many of our students are involved in sports during the week and the weekend. We acknowledge all these students on Monday morning at School. This can happen in various formats but includes class discussion, students writing and publishing on class blogs. Assemblies are used for academic, sporting and cultural activities that occur at School. Students with blogs will be able to share all their successes with whoever they wish. This is a well debated topic in schools and we have adopted our approach so that we are fair to all students and everyone has the opportuniy for acknowledgement. Junior Writing Wall The juniors have their writing published regularly and it is displayed in their room. There is also a sheet for parents/caregivers to make comments. Children love their work being read by others and thrive from positive feedback. Feel free to come and look at the children's work ‘and make your comment. (On Wednesday and Thursday afternoons the juniors and seniors get together in the library for buddy reading. The children are paired up (1 junior and 1 senior) and read to each other. Tt is awesome to see how engaged the children are when reading to each other and the enjoyment they get from it. Cross Country We have quite a few children who love to be competitive. A couple of times a week the juniors and seniors have been practising the cross country together. The juniors have definitely brought out the competitive streak in the seniors, as they do not like getting beaten by the junior. Please bring your cross country permission notices back as soon as possible, the children are training hard for this event. Fundraising - Pies Thank you for the fantastic orders. They will be delivered this Thursday and you may collect them from the Hall after school. One more helper would be appreciated to fill the orders and any spare supermarket bags or boxes would be helpful. Please see Katrina. IN OUR NEXT NEWSLETTER: A SUMMARY OF STUDENT