Update from Mr Sim

Kia ora koutou, 

Thank you for your support while our staff were on strike last week. It would be nice to think that this would be the end of any industrial action however I would not be surprised if it was not. Primary schools would like to see increased staffing and increased resourcing to be able to reduce classroom sizes and additionally to support children with additional learning needs.

Last week we had Dr Christine Braid from Massey University visit and work with some of our teachers around the structured literacy programme we are introducing. It was great to have Christine here and she was pleased with the programmes she saw in operation within our classrooms.

Currently our Friends of the School have their Easter raffle running. This raffle closes on Friday 31st of March and is drawn on Monday April 3rd. Please support our Friends of the School Group in this fundraising activity.

As a school we continue to monitor attendance as we know that attendance is directly linked to both student wellbeing and to achievement. Student wellbeing is a key priority of the education system. Attending school regularly also predicts the best outcomes for wellbeing on average. The Ministry of Education reports that returning to school after a period of absence can impact negatively on schoolwork-related anxiety, sense of belonging and motivation. Developing a routine of good attendance (over 90%) at primary school also helps moving forward into high school where recent research shows that each additional half day absence from school predicts a consistent reduction in the number of NCEA credits a student subsequently attains. Students who are absent even 5-10% of the time (still considered “regular” attendance) obtain fewer NCEA credits than those with slightly higher attendance. There is no “safe” level of non-attendance. In the last week of the term attendance letters will come home with children where attendance is a concern. We realise that sometimes there are valid reasons for non attendance including sickness however the letters are sent out so you are aware of what your child’s attendance has been for the term.

Assembly this week is being run by T1. Mr Phil Mauger the Mayor of Christchurch will be joining us for our assembly and you are all welcome to attend.

Please make sure that you have downloaded the @school app as this will be the app we will be using to communicate with families. Please make sure you have downloaded the app below and know your login and password. If you have forgotten how to access your @school account or have forgotten your login and password please contact Shelley or Julia in the office - info@shirleyprimary.school.nz

Ngā mihi nui Alistair Sim (Principal / Tumuaki)