Newsletter - WE 24/09/2021

Tena koutou katoa 

Level 2 to finish the term and see what happens for Term 4. As far as school goes this makes little difference to us and we will continue as we have been for the final week with exams and activities going ahead as planned. We will still avoid whole school assemblies during Alert Level 2 and continue to ask parents to only come on site if absolutely required and to sign in or scan each time. As per our health guidance we continue to have a very low tolerance for student sickness so please keep them home if they are unwell.

Our understanding is that Year 8 Camp and Year 7 Leadership in Week 1 of next term will still continue under alert levels one or two so no changes planned there at this time. On Wednesday the 29th HYP will be running a sausage sizzle here at school raising funds for Mental Health week. On Monday 27th Mrs Habgood will be visiting Rotherham School to start the transition process for our incoming Year 7 students.

Principal’s Award
In consideration of the fact we will have no whole school assemblies this term I would still like to acknowledge the recipient of this terms Principal’s Award. Jak Wilson has worked extremely hard over the past year, both in class and with Mrs Nicholls on his reading skills and has the results to prove it. Reading has been tough for Jak and it would be so easy for him to give up ,however, he does the opposite. He applies himself, he works harder, and he remains positive. His most recent assessment has shown he has jumped a staggering FOUR years in his reading level this year alone. I cannot think of a more deserving recipient of this award. Well done Jak, we are all so very proud of you.

Across School Teacher Appointments
I am pleased to say both Gavin Cate and Julia Steel have been appointed as Across School Lead Teachers (ASL) for our community of learning schools. This means they will each spend two days per week in 2022 helping our school and the other 12 in our community to improve practice, to share expertise and to grow. It should be noted that from 13 schools there are THREE such positions and two of these will come from Amuri which demonstrates the depth of leaders we have at our school. I know they will make a difference in their respective roles. 

Have a wonderful weekend and see you next week for the last week of Term 3!

Nga Mihi Nui 

James Griggs
Principal

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Roll of HonourLogan Doyle-BenderGeorgie O’NeillNamash RanaTuhi Tewao1st MeritLogan Doyle-BenderHannah FergusonOlivia FergusonLexie Godfrey-GrantRegan KayIsaac KellyMichaela LamontMark Privaldos

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Year 5-8 Ski Trip RefundPlease email your details and account number for refunds to accounts@amuri.school.nz so that we can return your money asap.Thank you.

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Junior School News

Kia ora Parents and Whanau

It is good to be at school and that’s a feeling shared by students and staff. On Tuesday morning I spotted most of the Year 1-6 students playing a huge game of tag before school. All ages were out there from age 5 to 11 and all were having a good time, it was a shame to ring the bell.

One of the things the students have said they most dislike about the alert levels is the fact that it stops us from having assemblies with our parents and whanau. We are working on an alternative plan for this – virtual assemblies! We just need some time to fine tune and once we have got that sorted, we will invite you to join us. As with all new things, we need to make sure it works.

Liam from Canterbury Country Cricket was in school on Tuesday, and he had half hour lessons for all our Year 1-3 students. The activities involved teaching skills for catching and batting and provided me with a great opportunity to practise my action photography. This is Room 7 showing off their skills.

The School for Young Writers held two workshops here on Wednesday and Thursday. After hosting a senior group on Wednesday, twelve Year 5-8 students joined Gail our tutor on Thursday and spent the day crafting poetry. This link will take you to a group poem crafted by the Year 5-8 group. This was posted on the Young Writer’s School Blog.

https://www.schoolforyoungwriters.org/post/life-on-a-cloud-write-on-in-the-hurunui

Finally, there are some students who have found it difficult to return after such a sudden break, which is understandable. We know that it was also a busy time for parents and whanau at home which didn’t help our situation. As a team, we want to acknowledge the support you provided for your children during Level 4, despite your workloads. A heartfelt thank you from the Year 1-8 team. We did it.

Nga mihi nuiKylee Habgood 

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Dates for Your diary

September 27th - 1st Year 10-13 ExamsOctober 1st End of Term 3 10th - 16th Year 12 Geography South Island Trip 18th Start of Term 4 18th - 21st Year 8 Camp to Kaiteriteri 19th Year 7 Leadership Activity Hanmer 20th Year 7 Leadership Community Service 21st Year 7 Leadership Adrenalin Forest 22nd ICAS Writing Exams in Room 8 25th Labour Day - SCHOOL CLOSED 28th Primary AthleticsNovember 1st Year 11-13 School Reports emailed 1st Primary Athletics Postponement 5th Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival 8th HPSSA Athletics 10th HPSSA Athletics Postponement 10th Board of Trustees Meeting at 6:00pm 21st Craig Pickering Memorial Trail Ride 22nd - 24th Year 10 Camp to Windy Point 25th MOE Accord Day - SCHOOL CLOSEDDecember 1st CPS Athletics 1st Board of Trustees Meeting at 6:00pm 2nd - 3rd Kapa Haka Festival at Tuahiwi 6th Year 7-9 Transition Day 10th 125th Celebration Day 16th Prizegiving - End of the School Year

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The Netball A team had a mini tournament this week playing games against Oxford Area School and Hurunui College.

It was a great way for the leavers to end their Amuri Area Netball careers. After missing the SISS Senior tournament for the last 2 years due to covid it was nice to be able to give them a meaningful and worthy send off.

The team had a great game against Oxford Area School with both teams trading goals for most parts of the first 2 quarters. Amuri made good progress in the 3rd quarter and formed a 5 goal lead. Oxford gathered momentum in the 4th quarter and ended up with a very tense last few minutes which resulted in an exciting draw 31-31 at the full time whistle.

Their second game was against Hurunui College. The team started off well and continued this momentum throughout the game to come out worthy winners 46-9. All players in the 12 woman squad had some good game time throughout the 2 games and performed admirably especially since it was a few weeks since their last practice and game.

A huge thanks to Cath Ferguson for all the effort and time she has put into Amuri Netball this season, it was very much appreciated by all netballers.

Congratulations to all the Year 13's Celine, Hannah, Ella, Rachel (Cheviot) and Catalina who are leaving, it hasn't gone unnoticed all the work and effort you have contributed to the team over a number of years. Good luck for all your future netball careers. 

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Hi Everyone

My last day here at the school as the nurse will be Wednesday 29th. From here on, I would encourage students to seek the support and help of Liz Teulon and your wonderful teachers here at the school.

For any urgent or worrying medical/mental health concerns that you as parents may have, I encourage you to touch base with your GP clinics and get the help and advice from the medical teams there to ensure your children get the help they need. There are many services available through the school still such as councellors, social workers, vision and hearing tests, dental teams and more. Just reach out and someone can guide you in the direction of good health outcomes.

You are a wonderful community, keep being great.

RegardsMischa CloustonSchool NurseAmuri Area School / Waitaha Primary Health Organisation

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FreeWhales swimming through a sea of landHerds of chairs galloping in a paddockHorses riding jockeysChoirs singing rockSocks up for rentTrees blowing over the windChildren teaching adultsRoads driving on cars There’s no thing a poem should beBecause poems are alive, poems are freeEwan Dalmer Year 9 Amuri Area School

OUR GREATEST FRIENDYou tear a beacon through the inky nightA cosy forcefield made up of lightFrom ferocious heat you were bornTo ward off the chill of the stormOn tinder and wood, you burnOranges, yellows and reds churnGoing from a gentle pyreTo a raging hungry desireFire is our greatest friendBut it can also be our endEwan Dalmer Year 9 Amuri Area School

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Spring is here!!

The kids eating lunch with the trees in full blossom . They are really happy to be out playing on the field each day.

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Hurunui Junior Cricket

All students Year 4-8 interested in playing cricket for Hurunui this year are invited to meet for a short practice and meeting on Thursday 30 September after school (3:45-4:45) at the Amuri Area School nets. From this muster we will organise and enter teams for the competitions on Saturdays, 23rd October start (No cricket show weekend) and 11 December finish.

Cricket continues in Term 1 2022, dates TBC.

We need to re-establish the committee so would ask parents to come also for a short formal meeting to elect officers.

Have-a-go Superstar Cricket Sessions for Years 1-3 will be advertised at the start of Term 4.

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Waiau Tennis Club 
Invites all students Year 5-8 (and their parents) who are interested in playing Club tennis on Wednesdays in Term 4, to meet at the Waiau courts for a short meeting after school Wednesday 29th September. Attendance is important as we will explain the challenge ladder so that children can play challenges over the holidays to enable correct team selections for the season. Please phone Rebekah Kelly 027 315 6095 with any queries.