Newsletter - WE 06/11/20

Janine Jack

— Nov 10, 2020

Dear Parents and Whanau

Last Tuesday we had a visit from the New Zealand Playhouse who performed ‘Chilled’ for us. This play was all about Antarctica and can best be described as a high energy performance! It was such a treat to have a live performance back in the school and it made us realise how much we have missed it. Our thanks go the New Zealand Playhouse for being so accommodating. This was the fifth date we had booked them for the year, so it was great to finally have them in the school.

Last week I sent home a notice regarding class placement for Years 3-8 in 2021. Teachers of Years 2-5 are talking to their classes about what this might mean for them next year. While we listen to parent preferences we cannot promise these will be accommodated. Current teachers spend some time working on groupings to ensure the best for each of the students and then these are discussed with senior management. I want to assure all parents and whanau that this is a difficult job and one we take seriously.

Next year we will have two mixed classes of Year 3/4, two mixed classes of Year 5/6 and three mixed classes of Year 7/8. This means all children will move up a year in their learning progressions however some may be in the same room with the same teacher as this year. Others may move to another room with a new teacher. Classes are not sorted by academic ability (streamed). If your child stays in the same room as 2020, this is not in any way being 'held back' as both rooms will be running the same programme at multiple levels as they always would. We have large fluctuations during the year (particularly during dairy changeover) within age groups therefore this is the best way to manage class sizes and provide consistency for students throughout the year. We take great care in creating our class groupings and once these are complete we will let you know what class your child will be in for 2021. If you have any questions related to this matter please contact me at school, 3158233.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Year 1-8 athletics day last Friday. It was a very well-run day, thanks to Mrs Shaw and all her organising. Results have been collated quickly as we are hosting the HPSSA (Hurunui Primary Schools Zone) this coming Monday and anyone from Amuri who will be representing the school will have taken a form home by now. Parents are very welcome to come along and join us on Monday.

It is great to see most of our students wearing their broad brimmed hats when they are outdoors, our teachers and support staff too! There has been a real effort from parents and whanau to ensure their children have hats – thank you! Please make sure those hats are named as it’s hard to find yours when they are all the same!

Finally, we have had ICAS exams running this week. This is an opportunity offered to interested students to sit an independent skills-based assessment and is offered in areas such as English, Maths, Science, Spelling and Digitech. Mrs Ibbetson has been managing this process with help from Mrs Nicholls and Morag Godfrey-Grant. Thank you all very much for the extra opportunities you are providing for our learners.

Nga mihi nui

Kylee Habgood

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTION

Declaration of Parent Election Results

At the close of nominations, as the number of valid nominations was equal to the number of vacancies required to be filled, I hereby declare the following duly elected:

McKENZIE Joanna (Jo)

JAMIESON Wallace (Wally)

Signed

Melanie Phillips

Returning Officer

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Can all prizegiving cups be returned to reception ASAP, they do not need to be cleaned.

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Roll of Honour

Gus McKenzie

1st Merit

Rachael Bell