Newsletter

Kia ora Whānau,

End of term 1

On the completion of our first term for 2024, we can all reflect on a very busy but productive term 1 at our school. The children can feel well satisfied with their learning and learning routines and the start they have made to our school year. All our teachers have reported that their classes are settled with the majority of children working well.

We are enjoying the external spruce-up of our Junior and Senior block with the recent paint upgrade. It has given the place a real lift. We are currently waiting on quotes to paint the older buildings in the remainder of the school.

Enrolments

We are currently reviewing our pre enrolment list and making sure this information is up to date and accurate. It is really important that we have the correct enrolment information ahead of time so that we can plan for our classes for the remainder of this year and beyond.

• If you have a pre schooler and you intend to enrol at QPS please make sure you have enrolled them by completing the online enrolment application on our website.

• If you are aware of families with preschoolers please remind them to make contact with the school office.

Many thanks for this.

Holiday time and social media device time

Please discuss with your child, what he / she is accessing on line and check the device history on a regular basis. Establish some boundaries in collaboration with your child about time spent on computers this coming holiday break. Check that there will be a balance of outdoor activities and that he/she takes regular screen breaks.

Be wary of children playing online games which have violent and abusive content. Check the recommended age for viewing.

eg. Children should not be playing fortnite. The recommended age is 13 +

We are alarmed at the high numbers of 5 year olds playing fortnite at home and children generally who are playing this game.

Children will speak and live out what they are exposed to. We see this at school.

Check out the following link.

https://parentingplace.nz/resources/a-working-parents-guide-to-school-holiday-connection

Staffing

• Appointment of new Caretaker - We welcome Chris Rooney to our school as our new caretaker :-) Chris started a few weeks ago and already he is making a real difference with the care and maintenance of property at QPS. We know that you too will extend a hearty Queenspark welcome when you see him working around our school. We look forward to his contributions.

• Year 4/5 class adjustment - New class - For terms 2-4 we have put in place an additional class in this team to reduce class sizes and improve the teacher to student ratio. We welcome back Gina-Rose Morris to be the teacher for this class.

• Rebecca Elliott / Maternity leave - Becky will be on maternity leave for the remainder of this year from the end of week 1 term 2. Kieran Priest is the teacher we have appointed to this maternity leave position. Kieran has done extensive work with QPS over the years as a social worker.  Kieran has been in teacher training since this position and we are delighted to have him back as a fully-fledged teacher. 

Great News... Before and After School Care is back - A brand new and exciting programme is on the way!

Parklands Church & The Queenspark Community Trust have been busy exploring the feasibility of running a 'before and after school 'care service for our community on a more permanent basis as a way of supporting local families. The good news is that they will be all set to go from day 1 next term on Monday 29 April. Please contact adrien@parklands.org.nz if you wish to follow up on this.

Thank you to the good people from these organisations who are stepping into this much sought after need in our community.

A morning programme - 7.30am until drop off at school.

An afternoon programme - 3.00pm – 6.00pm

Book Week 2024:

Senior Leadership Day

We had some senior students who took part in the following leadership day this week as per below:

" GRIP Leadership is an independent organisation that commenced in New Zealand in 2014, after operating successfully in Australia for a number of years. GRIP Leadership specialises in making leadership training practical and interactive for school students. The ‘GRIP Student Leadership Conference’ is a one-day event held annually during term 1, in numerous cities across the north and south islands of New Zealand. Separate events are held for primary/intermediate students and secondary students.

GRIP Leadership does not promote any particular religious, social or political view but rather presents accepted leadership values that are transcendent of religion, race and culture. The core values of GRIP Leadership make up the name GRIP:

GENEROSITY: Willingness to use what you have been given (time and resources) on behalf of those you seek to influence.

RESPONSIBILITY: We all have a responsibility to develop what we have and help others to live well.

INTEGRITY: A commitment to truth and honesty in dealings.

PEOPLE: Every human being is of great significance, and has a purpose to fulfil "

3 things I liked about grip leadership are...

We learnt a lot about being a good leader.

We learnt not to stop a task halfway.

We also learned to step in when there is a problem.

Regards Ben Bruce

YR7/8 Team:

ANZAC DAY 25th April:

The above ANZAC display has been put up in our hall foyer by one of our staff members Andie Bennett. Thank you to Andie for taking the time to do this.

It is a powerful reminder to never forget the New Zealand men and women who sacrificed their lives at Gallipoli in Anzac Cove on the 25th April 1915 and New Zealand soldiers generally who have lost their lives in war conflicts across the world. 

Some of the classes have been having discussions about this. In recent years more and more young people have become involved in the ANZAC day remembrance services up and down the country on this day. We encourage you to have discussions about the significance of Anzac day (and the significance of the poppies) when this day falls on the second Thursday of the holidays.

Year 2/3 Team:

The Year 2/3 Team visited Willowbank this term as part of their integrated unit 'Amazing Animals'. Here are a few photos.

Have a very restful break with your families. We look forward to seeing you all again on Monday 29th April for another busy Term!

Ross Willocks

Principal

Queenspark Te Hua Mānuka