Newsletter - WE 14.08.20

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LEVEL TWO?

We await the outcome today to see what the immediate future holds. As I write this, I realise it may be out of date by the time you read it. However, this is the best information we have at this time.

Should I still send my child to school in alert Level 2?

YES! Unless they are sick or someone in your household is sick or awaiting results of a covid test.

Will children be social distancing at school?

NO, this is not required in schools at alert Level 2. We will enforce good handwashing, hygiene and sanitising practices.

Can a parent come into school grounds?

YES, however you must complete the contact tracing register in the office or in Te Kooti. You can also scan your tracing app at the office window. If you do not need to come onto school grounds, please drop off at the gate.

Should my child wear a mask at school?

This is not compulsory at this stage and is a matter of personal choice.

Key Notices:

· Under alert Level 2 we do not allow temporary bus switches.

· Assemblies are OFF until further notice.

· We will make an announcement on SUNDAY regarding the school dance scheduled for next Friday. This will not go ahead unless we are back at alert Level 1.

· We will also make a decision on CASA Kapa Haka once we have more information to hand.

Please do not hesitate to contact us directly if there is a question unanswered that we can help with!

OTAGO TRIP

Earlier this week a group of students had a very successful visit to Otago University to see what University life is about and hear about the possible directions they could take. As with previous years this visit is a valuable way for students to connect with the wide range of courses on offer and even inspire a few students to think outside of the square a little. A huge thanks to Catherine Owens y de Novoa and her support crew, Claudine Barnes and Noelle Roberts, for creating this experience for our students.

SKI AND GEOGRAPHY TRIP

I was pleased this could go ahead this week and thanks to Hamish and the crew at Mount Lyford for managing the conditions of alert Level 2 so well. Also, thanks to Ms Campbell and Mr Black for making this happen for our students. Mrs Greenwood also overcame the Covid issues and took her intrepid group out to continue their study over to the Kaikoura coastline.

MATHS WEEK

What a wonderful display of student creativity on display this week to celebrate MATHS WEEK. Thank you to Mrs Baldwin and Mrs Ibbetson for coordinating these efforts and to all the entrants who worked so hard. The wearable arts this year were particularly stunning. It was also great to see so many entries from Hanmer School this year.

NEXT WEEK!

Things are rather fluid to say the least so please take the time to make sure we have up to date contact details for our text alert system, that you have downloaded our app and subscribed to groups, liked our Facebook page if you have that platform and check we have your correct email address. If we have to move to Level 3, things will happen quickly and we will need to be able to get key messages to you.

The process for Senior Subject Choices for 2021 starts next week so this is a REALLY good time to have a dinner time conversation around choices. Students will be given information on the courses available and we are running a “Course speed dating” session on Wednesday afternoon to allow students to find out more about the options they have.  

Have a great weekend.

Kia Kitea Toikaka.

James Griggs

Principal

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Junior School News

Due to the current restrictions, we are postponing primary assemblies until further notice. We also ask that any parent entering the school grounds must sign in at either the school office, using the national app or the paper register. Parents of students in Te Kooti may accompany their children into the primary school to the junior block and sign the register in Room 1. All other parents wishing to enter the primary school, please use the registration measures at the school office.

This week was Maths Week and the community room is filled with examples of great mathematical creativity. Thank you to Mrs Baldwin and Mrs Ibbetson for their organisation of this week. The students are very proud of their efforts and rightly so.

Some of our Year 5 to 8 students and parents were up at Mt Lyford yesterday as part of the ski trip. They had an amazing day up the mountain. Thanks to all the parents who accompanied the students and teachers and we hope you enjoyed your day.

Our Year 7 and 8 debating teams have both taken part in Round 2 of the North Canterbury Primary Schools debating competition. The moot this week was ‘That ball sports are better than any other sports.’ Both teams had the affirmative. Year 8 took on Kaiapoi North School at home on Tuesday and won, with Catalina Serrano being nominated as the Best Speaker. Congratulations to Catalina, Ayame Balila and Charlotte Williamson, who all now move onto Round 3. The Year 7 team of Maddie Bell, Jakob Bush and Matthew Kenyon had their first debate at Amberley on Thursday and lost by only six points. Matthew was the speaker of the day with his very entertaining speech. As the competition is a knockout, that is the end for Year 7 but they gained valuable experience from their outing and are now helping prepare the Year 8 team for their next debate and will be keen to participate again in 2021.

Year 1-3 were visited by Tim from Canterbury Cricket this week. They had a half hour lesson focussing on batting, throwing and catching and judging from the noise, had a fabulous time! Thanks to Tim who visits annually and gives his time to encourage young children to choose cricket as a summer sport.

Our teachers are starting to notice we are running short of books in our reading room. When one book is missing, it becomes difficult to find readers for groups of six children, so we are having a reading book amnesty. Please encourage your children to have a look at home and return any school reading books so we can make up our book sets again. There is a container in my office where the children can return any books they find, alternatively they can be left with Janine at the office. Thank you!

Next week our Year 7/8 girls start a four session self-defence program to help them learn to protect themselves. We run this program each year for our girls here at school. Thanks to Mrs Shaw for organising this.

We would like to welcome Oskar and Liv who have joined Mrs Johnson in Room 1 and are beginning their school journey. Welcome to Amuri!

Nga mihi nui

Kylee Habgood 

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Year 12 and 13 Science Trip - Dunedin

Nine students from Years 12 and 13 went to Dunedin last Sunday morning for three days experiencing aspects of life and learning in a university. On arrival, they spent three hours on Sunday evening at the Marine Laboratory in Portobello in a fun interactive programme led by a post graduate student, Hanna Ravn. They covered marine animal responses including how to get valid and reliable data on whelk behaviour and observing mating rituals in seahorses, then learnt how to sex and age dogfish they dissected.

Monday was spent at presentations on degrees from general science to biomedical science, medicine, physiotherapy and other sports sciences and radiation therapy with students planning their own agenda to meet their interests and explore their own options for future studies. They all heard about application procedures for courses, scholarships and halls of residence, went to the expo on all degrees Otago offers, and some toured the central Dunedin Halls of Residence. Dinner on Monday night was at Joe's Garage followed by a short visit to the Octagon.

We packed out on Tuesday, had guided tours of Salmond and Knox College Halls of Residence in North Dunedin, before a carefully timed return to meet Lincoln University's liaison officer, Dave Catherwood. He showed us accommodation, lecture and library learning facilities, the recreation centre and refectory.

Thank you to all the students who went prepared to make the most of this chance to explore options for your futures; your co-operation with a demanding timetable and your open minds were a credit to yourselves and your families. Finally, thank you very much to parents (Claudine Barnes and Noelle Roberts) who shared driving and management for this invaluable and inspirational experience.

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AAS Maths Week

Is Another Triumph!

A huge thank you and round of applause to everyone who entered Amuri Area School’s Maths Week. The entries were of a very high standard and really gave the judges

“A run for their money”!!

Just like last year, Hanmer Primary School has entered our competition and it’s just wonderful to see exciting math’s projects alive and well in both the school and the wider community.

A huge thanks goes to all those parents who have helped and supported with your time, energy and enthusiasm.

Winners and prizes to be awarded soon.

Thank you to these wonderful teachers!! for this fabbo

Charlotte Baldwin

Susan Ibbetson

Emily Lane

David Campbell