Newsletter - WE 05/03/2021

Principal's Update.

The end of another busy week and hopefully our last week at level two. At this time of writing the signs look promising for a positive shift on Saturday meaning we can once again attempt to complete our sporting zone fixtures. Shifting such events is always a huge task when the needs of a large number of schools all have to be taken into account and the end result does not always suit everyone. These are the times we are in and we must adapt as we need to.
Next Week   Please note that Monday 8th March there is no school as we have our cluster development day with our community of learning schools. We look forward to seeing all students as usual on Tuesday please. Year 7 head out on camp next week and we are hoping that HPSSA swimming can go ahead as planned. Information on our school triathlon will be sent out once we confirm alert level changes.
Laptops
As you will be aware we have a BYOD laptop programme for students in year 9-13. Some students do not have access to laptops from home and we supplement these with school owned devices to ensure every learner has equitable access however some students who DO have their own laptops are leaving them at home and taking school machines. There are simply not enough school devices for this to happen so if your child has a laptop please encourage them to bring it each day and leave the school devices for those students that really need them. Students who are known to have their own device may be refused at the office if demand is high.
Staff Changes Mrs Mossman will be taking a leave of absence until the end of Term Two. Kylee Habgood will move to the Deputy Principal position and Gavin Cate will serve as Acting Deputy Principal until the start of Term Three. As a general rule, if you have a questions or concerns that would have usually been directed to Mrs Mossman, please now do so to Gavin Cate (gavin@amuri.school.nz) who will be happy to assist.
Cellphone Free
Initial feedback from staff has been positive to this initiative as has the student engagement in our increased lunchtime activities on the senior side. We are seeing more social students, less in class disruptions and over time, we are hoping this will result in much better wellbeing and academic outcomes for our students. I would like to thank you for your support for this initiative as I know this is hard for some students who have been physically attached to their phone for years. I believe now more than ever that this was the right thing to do for our students. We appreciate your continued support.
Head Student Award Congratulations to Tara Bensted, the first ever recipient of our Head Student Award. Tara was chosen by her student peers in recognition of her National achievement in Rodeo. She is currently ranked 10th in all of NZ in the Junior Barrel Racing competition.
Have a great weekend!
Kia Kitea Toikaka James Griggs

>>>>

Junior School News

Kia Ora Parents and Whanau

The alert levels look as though we are in for an unpredictable time this term and what can only be described as a ‘fluid’ calendar. There is a real feel of disappointment in our Year 1-8 students after the cancellation of the Amuri Show. When I visited classes on Monday morning, students were feeling flat and were already facing a huge number of changes to dates in their calendars, especially sports events. Thank you to all our parents and whanau for being so understanding of the change in conditions and the events we can hold when alert levels change. We appreciate your support as we try and continue with our work and manage the changes of dates for events as best we can for all our students. Sometimes these things are beyond our control and we try to be as flexible as we can. We are informing parents and whanau of changes via our Facebook page and app alerts. While talking of alert level changes, a reminder that all families and whanau with students in Years 1-8 should have had a letter from your child’s classroom teacher regarding our online platform Seesaw. Please take the time to read through the instructions and get logged onto the classroom account. This is our main port of contact with you and all notices and communications will be put through this avenue, including if alert levels change and we go back into lockdown. 

Please check it frequently to stay in touch with your child’s class teacher.

Bible in Schools will resume for Year 1-6 students on Friday March the 12th. Students have already opted in or out and these will remain the same unless parents would like to change their minds. Changes can only be made with written permission from parents and whanau.

Next week on Wednesday, Year 7 head off to Hanmer Springs for their camp with Mrs Shaw and Mr Black. We wish them well for a successful camp, with sunny skies and I’ll have some photos to share in my next newsletter.

The lost property box is overflowing on the primary side. There are at least four school jackets that are unnamed, numerous lunch containers and other items of clothing. Please remember to name all uniform items. These are hard to keep track of when everyone is wearing the same items. Once the alert levels go back to Level 1, parents and whanau will be allowed back on site, if you’re missing something, please pop in and have a look.

Nga mihi nui

Kylee Habgood