Tēnā Koutou

Thanks to all the parents who have booked in for our online parent teacher conversations next week. For those of you that have booked using our online system, the zoom links will be sent to you on the day of your interview. We are trialling this as a result of some parent feedback regarding waiting around school for long periods on cold winter nights between appointments, particularly those that come in from a distance and we hope you will find this a more convenient way to connect with your teachers. As with all things new, we will evaluate after the event if this was a positive step for the future or not. IF on the day the technology fails for you, which is always a possibility, the teacher has contact numbers they can call you on.

It is important to note that this is not the only opportunity you have to engage with your child's teacher. You can email or arrange a time with them to talk about your child if you have questions at any time during the year.

Career Presentations and Cross Country
Next week we have presentations at school from Otago University and the Defense Force for our our older students to have the chance to ask those critical next step in life questions. The weather is also looking positive for our cross country on Wednesday afternoon as we have our first chance to gather as a community. We would love to see you for a 2pm start.

Learning Support Coordinator Starts in Term Three

Next term we will welcome back Karen Nichols from her study leave where she has been completing her Master of Education Degree. Karen will not be returning to her classroom role, instead she will be picking up the responsibilities of Learning Support Coordinator. This position is shared weekly with three days at Amuri, one day at Hanmer and a half day each per week at Rotherham and Waiau.

The Learning Support Coordinator position is a new one to the education system and is funded as a separate entity to all our other staffing. Whilst there are some guidelines as to what this position is, and is not, there is a great deal of flexibility for schools in how they utilise this resource. For us at Amuri we already have a strong Special Needs Coordinator in Liz Teulon and our ESOL provision is well met by Claire McCarthy therefore we will be using Karen's time to work with students who do not necessarily meet the criteria for special educational needs provision but need additional support none the less. She will work to develop programmes for groups of these students, train up staff members, perform testing and provide support as required. As with anything new and shiny I am sure it will evolve over time, however we will be pleased to see Karen back next term in her new capacity.

Have a wonderful if somewhat wet weekend!

Kia Kitea Toikaka

James Griggs
Principal

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Junior School News

Dear Parents and Whanau
This week we started what has been dubbed our ‘Morning Milo’. The funds for this were kindly donated by some of our Argentinian mums. We have purchased Milo, milk and mini marshmallows to keep our Year 1-6 students warm on cold mornings. The milo is made with water and can be dairy free for those children who are lactose intolerant. Our inaugural Morning Milo started this week and judging by the long lines and Milo moustaches, it was quite successful! We will be doing Morning Milo on Wednesday mornings until further notice, so please send a non-breakable, named cup along to school on a Wednesday. I am currently exploring an option for those children who are gluten free and I hope to have a gluten free option available next week.

The food warmer is also a popular choice for the Year 1-6 students, with it being full to the brim most days. Named and securely wrapped food is collected from the primary break out space each morning to be warmed and then distributed at 2nd break, for the primary side of the school. It will be located on the primary side for children to have warm food at 2nd break each day. Monitors will distribute the food to the children. Please make sure your food is not able to seep out so as not to burn our monitors when they are distributing.

Welcome to the new people who have joined our primary syndicate. Welcome Jonty to Room 1 and welcome back to Fil John in Year 4. We hope you will enjoy your time at Amuri!

On Monday Room 1 had a visit from our friends at Polkadots Preschool. These visits are scheduled for different days of the week to allow children who will be starting school here to have a transition visit with the security of their preschool teacher and classmates and to meet Mrs Johnson and their new classmates. It also allows for the teachers at both facilities to meet (and catch up) with the children which is perfectly illustrated in our photo! Thanks to Mrs Johnson and Becs from Polkadots for organising these visits.

The school cross country will be held on Wednesday June 24 now that we are at Level 1, it means parents will be able to attend to cheer on the runners. The children have been busy practising and walking the course. Please ensure your children are wearing some good footwear for running or bringing it to school. The changeable weather has meant the ground is a bit wet and there is a plenty of mud about.

Only two more weeks left in the term but there is still plenty to come. Next week from Monday to Wednesday there are parent/teacher interviews which are running through Zoom. The Year 1-6 students are busy planning their Matariki celebration for Friday July 3rd. The children will be involved in activities that celebrate Matariki which falls in the school holidays. Year 7 and 8 have a trip to Roden Cars on Monday the 29th of June which has generated a huge amount of interest from both students and parents and we are all looking forward to this.

Primary Assembly Roster 2020

Term 2

19 June – Room 1A

26 June – Room 3

3 July – Room 2

Term 3

24 July - Room 4

31 July - Room 5

7 August – Room 6

14 August - Maths Week

21 August - Singing

28 August - Room 1

4 September - Room 5

11 September - Room 2

18 September - Singing

25 September - Room 3

Please be aware this roster is not set in stone, so please check with your class teacher each week.

Noho ora mai

Kylee Habgood 

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