Welcome to the first newsletter for Term 3. We have had a busy first two weeks back. Thank you for making the time to meet with teachers at our learning conferences last week. You can still make a time that suits if you weren't able to make either of those dates.

New Playground Swings: The children have been excited watching these being installed. We are now just waiting for the mats to arrive. We are so grateful to the Lion foundation for donating $17000 which paid for half of this project and the other half was funded by our community that generously got in behind all the PTA fundraising efforts over the past few years. Once the soft fall mats are down, there will be four large basket swings for the children to enjoy.

Cellphone regulations

To comply with government regulations, we ensure students do not use cellphones during school hours, including break times. Parents/Caregivers can request an exemption from the school if required. We allow exemptions for students to use cellphones if they are required for:

• a specific educational purpose approved by a teacher

• health needs (e.g. to monitor insulin levels)

• disability or learning support needs

• a special circumstance approved by the principal.

If you require your child to bring a cellphone to school for offsite use before and after school, please contact your class teacher so we can ensure these are locked throughout the day.

Thank you: A huge thank you to the Hakatere Parish Ashburton for your kind donation of $1000 to our school. We really appreciate you thinking of us.

Daffodil Day: Our student council support this very worthy cause each year. Daffodil Day is on 30 August. Children may dress in bright colours. Donations to go to Cancer Society Mid Canterbury. We have set up a donation page and linked this to our facebook page.https://daffodilday.org.nz/o/hampstead-school?fbclid=IwY2xjawEXp8tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHU3k65wxS7VifWeAhM0Cg1pokvL_QT2srGRDak1JXvyGkTqFvQY6IOrptg_aem_TJ7BWb_JcCeLz0IQSivwfQ

Senior Kapa Haka: We are delighted to have Elizabeth as our Kapa Haka tutor working with our Year 5-6 students on Thursday mornings. This option is available to all Year 5-6 students and they have had two sessions already.

New Whanau Afternoon Tea: Wednesday 21 August, 3pm in Rm 1. We welcomed many new families to our school this term. We would like to invite you all to afternoon tea.

Disco: Hampstead Friends & Whanau are running a school Disco on Friday 16 August in the Hall. Year 0-3: 5-6pm, Year 4-6: 6-7pm. No donation required.

Year 5-6 Swim Week: Our Year 5-6 students will have their first of two Swim weeks in Week 4 (12-16 August). They will travel to and from EA Networks pool by bus. Please ensure children remember to bring named togs and towel each day. Their second week is 16-20 September. There is no cost to families for this.

Dance Champs: We wish our Dance Champs all the very best for their performances at the Events Centre on 12 and 13 August. We know you have all worked hard with Mrs C, Miss, S and Miss B. We look forward to cheering you on.

Classroom Learning Sharing: In Room 12 we are competing in the Taskmaster Olympics. We are competing in 11 task in total. So far we have made mascots to represent our countries and Lego objects you might find at the Olympic games. Check out our mascot pictures and see if you can guess what country they might represent! Room 16 & 17 re-created their very own opening ceremony with the lighting of the Olympic torch.

Student of the Week: Last week we celebrated Jollynda of Rm 17 This young lady just shines at Hampstead School. She is so kind and is everyone's biggest cheerleader! She encourages everyone to be their very best with love and kindness. When others hear her support and encouragement they try harder and have fun! She is a ray of sunshine with her smiles and fun personality. Jollynda is often in the middle of a fun game with lots of friends never leaving anyone out. She tries her very best in class and loves loves loves learning and spending time at the jellybean table!

Upcoming Dates:

Year 5 Ski Trip: 8 August

Year 5-6 Swim Week #1: 12-16 August

Dance Champs: 12-13 August

Board of Trustees Meeting: 14 August, 6pm in Puawai

Winter Tournament: 16 August

Disco: 16 August

New Whanau Afternoon Tea: 21 August, 3pm in Rm 1

Life Education: 22 August - 2 September

Daffodil Day: 30 August.

Year 5-6 Swim Week #2: 16-20 September

Nga mihi nui,

Claudine Campbell (Principal)