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Valley School Newsletter
“Effort Brings Reward , Ko Te Mahi Tona Ake Utu”
26th July 2010
Teacher Only Day
Friday 20th August
NO CLASSES FOR PUPILS THAT DAY
On Friday 20th August we will be using our Ministry entitled Teacher Only Day to continue our implementation of the new curriculum. On the day we will be working with a facilitator on the development of reading and how we can maximise achievement for our pupils. On-going professional development is vital for our staff as research tells us that a key influence on a child’s progress is the quality of the teaching programme they are exposed to. Our aim is always to have high quality programmes operating that will lead to highest possible achievement levels of our pupils.
Thank you for your support in making sure we maintain a highly trained staff and can move ahead with our development of the new curriculum.
New Playground
Many thanks to Clark McRobbie for preparing the site for the new playground extension and for putting metal behind the hall. Such help is much appreciated and is a great help Valley School. We are expecting a start on playground construction any day now!
Reports and Parent Interviews
A huge thank you to all those parents who cam to our interview night. If you were unable to make it please contact the class teacher and make a time to have a chat about your child’s progress.
We will shortly be starting a review of our reporting system and format and we are expecting changes to be made. As we move further in to this review process we will be seeking your ideas and feedback on our mid/end of year reports. We look forward to your feedback.
(If you want a peek into the future –next time we hold parent interviews all times will be booked on-line so you will have immediate confirmation of your time. We will have systems set up so those without internet access will be able to call into school and use a designated computer for their booking).
Community Surveys
The finishing touches are being put on two surveys that will be sent out shortly.
One is to our Maori families where we are wanting feedback on Maori achievement and
participation at Valley. We currently have 98 Maori pupils.
The second is our Health and Physical Education survey. Every two years we must consult with our community on the programmes that we run in this area to ensure we are still reflecting the needs and wants of our community within the New Zealand Curriculum framework.
In the past we have had high return rates on our surveys and the information has been very valuable.
Following the written surveys we will be inviting parents to meetings to discuss the issues raised face to face (with a cup of tea and a biscuit!)
After School Arrangements
We work hard to be a family friendly school and are happy to pass messages to pupils during the day if a need arises. However it would be helpful if messages about going to other children’s houses to play after school etc. could be confirmed before school. We deliver a fair number of messages about doctors, dental nurse, parents being held up etc. and these are messages that need to be delivered. After school play messages are not something we want to be involved in!
Lions Fundraiser
The Lions are collecting old coins and bank notes - NZ or foreign, they will collect anything. Donations can be bought to school.
The annual Valley School Scholastic Book Fair will be from
Monday 9th-Friday 13th August.
(Book parade Friday 13th, 9.20am)
Mark this on your calendar now.
There will be a huge range of books for you to
purchase and take home.
Books can also be bought and donated to the school library for everyone to share.
Watch this space for further information.
Congratulations!
NZ Modern School of Music competitions were held recently and congratulations go to Amos Chao, Callum Rive and Georgia Watt who performed wonderfully –earning medals in either 1st, 2nd and 3rd placings.
Cross Country- Fun Run Fundraiser
Reminder
You should now have received information about our Valley School Fun Run Fundraiser – this is run as part of our annual cross country event. Your support is much appreciated and helps us buy more sports gear for the kids. If you have any questions please contact Mr. Wisnewski at school.
Property Report
The current project is the electrical upgrade. We hope to have this underway very soon after hitting a couple of obstacles. It is a major project, as we have to almost double the power coming into the school. Once we have enough power we will start fitting heat pumps to rooms.
Other projects planned for this year;
Senior toilet upgrade.
PMP Room upgrade.
Sun shelter over junior playground.
Replacing windows in Rooms 7/8
Coming Events
July
27 – PTA Pizza Day (Junior)
28 – Pizza day (Senior)
August
10 – Class photos
18 – PTA Sausage Sizzle
20 – Teacher Only Day -no pupils
September
7- PTA Cake Day
24- Term 3 ends, 3:00pm finish
October
11 – Term 4 starts
December
16 – Term 4 ends, 12:0 finish
Guitar Lessons
Guitar lessons are available at school during school hours. If you are interested leave your name and contact details at the office and our guitar teacher will be in touch.
Private Piano/keyboard lessons
Term 3 vacancy
Lessons are held at school-individual tuition. Opportunity to take part in exams and competitions.
For bookings call Joanne Allan
ph. 238 4488
NZ Modern School of Music
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