What a week, high excitement with the chance of snow but it didn't match June 2012's snowfall.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Reporting to Parents last week. If you missed it, it's not too late to contact the teacher to arrange a time to discuss your child’s mid-year report - just email the teacher from the SchoolApp or via the website.

The Home – School Partnership has the potential to lift student achievement – academically and socially.

Common sense and research tells us ‘what happens at home’ will have a significant impact upon children’s learning and development.

The research, Complexity of Community and Family Influences on Children's Achievement in New Zealand: Best Evidence Synthesis Iteration (BES) Biddulph, June 2003, has findings that are complex and extensive so I have identified the ones that I think would be of the most interest to you:

• Social networks (e.g. church connections, cultural and sporting connections) provide important opportunities for children’s further learning.

• Quality family relationships and interactions – positive parenting

• Genuine home/school collaboration can also lift children’s achievement significantly.

• Families with high levels of educational expectations have the most positive effect.

• Moderate amounts of TV viewing, particularly if constructive interaction occurs with parents or significant others during the viewing. (and in 2021, I personally would widen that to digital screen time)

• Rich home learning environments (including positive contact and interaction with extended family/whānau), that provide varied and meaningful experiences in language, literacy and mathematics.

• Access to local community institutions (e.g. libraries and sports clubs).

School's 150th Birthday Party

At the school hui this week I reminded the children about the school's 150th Birthday Party on Saturday 30 October.  

We are hoping that every family will come and make the day a special one.  Current school families do not have to register for the day but past pupils and former staff will do that on-line via our website.

We'll update you as we get closer to the day.

Kia kaha te menemene - keep smiling

Paul