Valley School Newsletter

“Effort Brings Reward , Ko Te Mahi Tona Ake Utu”

3rd February 2010

Another School Year Begins!

Welcome back to Valley School to everyone, and in particular our new families. It was wonderful to see all the children arriving full of smiles (some a little nervous) and enthusiasm. The new room numbering didn’t seem to cause too many problems, apart from the Principal heading off in the wrong direction a couple of times!

The two new rooms are not ready yet so Mrs Williams and Room 10 are set up in the PMP room and Mrs Dodd and Room 9 are based in the Library for a couple of weeks. The new toilets between Room 7 and 8 are all operational.

A big welcome to Mrs Lazarus in Room 6 and Mrs Grey in Room 8.

If you have any questions at all about Valley School in 2010 please contact me and have a chat – If I am not available our two Deputy Principals are more than happy to answer your questions.

Over the next three years Valley is involved in an E-learning (Electronic Learning or ICT) contract that will see us investigating ways to increase our use of E-learning tools to deliver the curriculum. One early development is the mounting of data projectors in senior rooms and the arrival of 20 more computers.

Early this year we plan to enlarge our car park and build a sunshade over the new playground.

National Standards

A hot topic at the moment. Unfortunately the government has decided to paint the darkest picture possible of the state of teaching and learning in New Zealand in order to drive through their National Standards policy.

How do National Standards relate to Valley School?

-        We already report to parents twice a year and report on achievement levels based on nationally referenced assessment tools.

-        We already clearly identify pupils causing concern and have a range of programmes to help them.

-        We already set school targets to ensure we maintain high achievement levels.

-        We have a staff engaged in on going professional development and learning to ensure we provide the best learning programmes possible.

The statements made that 30% of teachers are not performing satisfactorily do not relate to Valley School and are based on a mis-representation of statistics in one report.

Uniform

The Valley School uniform is available at JMC on Manukau Road.

Please do not purchase uniform items from The Uniform Shop next to the police station  - they are not authorised sellers and items purchased may not be correct uniform.

Polo shirts will be able to be ordered through school – information on this will come home shortly.

Hats

Sun hats are compulsory in term 1 and 4. They must be wide brimmed or legionnaires – caps are not acceptable. Uniform hats can be purchased from JMC.

Homework

We have been looking at current research on homework and are developing a new school policy. Information on this will be sent home in the near future.

Literacy

Mrs McKendry is leading a literacy initiative this year to develop a new school- wide spelling programme based on latest research and curriculum documents.

Teachers will be trailing spelling programmes to find practises that lead to greatest spelling achievement.

Spelling tasks sent home might vary from class to class as new methods are trailed. If you have any questions please contact our Deputy Principal Mrs Anderson.

Stationery Packs

Valley School obtains stationery packs through the ‘Back to School’ plan.  The school buys in bulk, which enables us to obtain the stationery at very competitive prices.

A stationery pack form will be sent home on Thursday.  This is a record for the school for distribution and is also your receipt upon payment.

The form outlines the following:

-Stationery pack required

-Paper Levy – Covers the costs of photocopying of worksheets throughout the year.

Please return the sheet with payment to school. Stationery sales are in the hall Friday 5^th February to Tuesday 9^th February, 8.15 – 9.00 a.m.

Anyone requiring an itemised list can contact the office.

When packs are received, some teachers choose to hold the consumable items i.e. glue sticks, pencils, pens, erasers, ruler, colouring pencils, scissors in the classroom and only send home the exercise books.

Swimming

All classes will be involved in swimming this term. Please make sure that your child has togs and a towel each day. Please contact the class teacher if they are not swimming that day.

It is also a huge help if all clothes and towels are named!

Year 6 Camp

This is happening a lot earlier than previous years – April 26^th to 30^th. Year 6 pupils will be receiving camp information notices in the near future.

School Lunches

Lunch ordering will start on Wednesday 10^th February and will be on Wednesdays and Fridays, operating he same as 2009.  A lunch menu and prices will be sent home prior to the 10^th.

Walking School Bus

The walking School bus starts next Tuesday 9^th February in the afternoon. Please contact the office if you need a permission slip for your child to join the bus.

Coming Events

February

10,17,24 – Senior school Rec. Centre Swimming.

March

1-5 – Walk to school week.

4 – Senior Swimming Sports

18  -Zone swimming

April

1 – Term 1 ends

19 – term 2 starts

26-30 – Year 6 Camp

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.

Irlen Syndrome Screening

Irlen Syndrome is a perceptual dysfunction mostly affecting reading and writing activities. Those with the Irlen Syndrome may suffer from a slow reading rate, inefficient reading, poor comprehension, strain, fatigue and an inability to do continuous reading. It can affect attention span, energy levels and motivation.

Symptoms

Light sensitivity

Inability to tolerate backgrounds

Difficulty with print resolution

Restricted span of recognition

Limited concentration span

Poor depth perception

A certified Irlen Screener can detect any difficulty and begin the process to remedy the problem. The screener can work with children and adults.

If you believe you may have any of the difficulties mentioned above you can contact Christine McCormack, certified Irlen Screener and discuss if a screening may help.

Phone Christine on 021 0668554

During the year the school holds a number of sporting activities.  At these events children are asked to wear t-shirts the colour of their house team. This encourages the children to identify and support others in their own house.

The Valley School PTA would like to introduce the new Valley School House T-shirts.  These T-shirts have been designed for each of the four Valley School House’s – Honour, Endurance, Loyalty and Courage in the appropriate colours. Each t-shirt incorporates the Valley School Logo and the name of the house.

These shirts can be viewed either at the School Office and can be ordered here

To Purchase one of these T-shirts for only $15.00 you can order here or download a PDF from here and return to the school office with the required money

Be in to win a $50 grocery voucher!

All submissions on the Valley School draft travel plan go in to the draw to win a $50 grocery voucher. Submissions and comments are required to be submitted to the school by Friday the 14th of August.

The Valley School Draft Travel Plan is available from the forms and downloads section here. Comments are welcome directly to the school.