Whakatau: Welcoming. He waka eke noa. A vehicle upon which everyone may embark.

We hope you enjoy this extra long Easter holiday. We have been fortunate with the great weather, let’s hope this continues over the long weekend. School will be closed from Thursday 29 March. We look forward to seeing the children back on Wednesday 4 April after a well deserved break.

Waimairi-iri Community of Learning Teacher Only Day

Our teachers are linking with the schools in our Community of Learning for a day of learning. We are engaging in a range of professional learning including Culturally Responsive Practices, and the Digital Curriculum. We look forward to engaging in this learning over the period of the day.

Easter Raffle

It was with much excitement that the Easter Raffle was drawn at assembly on Tuesday afternoon. We welcomed Tash C (our new PTA Chairperson) to assembly to organise the draw. Congratulations to the 21 Easter basket recipients, we hope you enjoy your treats over this long Easter period. We would like to thank the school community including friends, extended family members and work colleagues who bought raffle tickets.

Collecting children at 3pm

Over the last couple of weeks we have been experiencing a number of children being picked up well after 3:30pm. Please ensure your child is collected by 3pm, our office staff finish at 3:30pm and our staff are usually engaged in professional learning after school. Parents who are unable to collect their children need to make alternative arrangements to ensure their children are safe.

Swimming sessions at Jellie Park

Thank you to the families who are ensuring they have paid for their child’s swimming lessons for next term. These swimming lessons are a vital part of teaching our children to swim. Please ensure you have paid your money before Friday 25 May.

Road Patrol parent helpers

Currently many of our parent help Road Patrollers are in Year 6. We require parent helpers to go on Road Patrol to support our student Road Patrollers in the morning. This is a great opportunity to meet many of our families in the morning. We are hoping to receive a number of responses which means that the commitment, in terms of time, will not be too arduous.

Strengthening our community partnership

Many of you know we have a strong partnership with the Russley Village residents. We were delighted to read the most recent article in NZ TODAY (April / May publication) where Leonie and John talk about their links with Roydvale School. This has been an extremely reciprocal experience for the school and the residents.

Music News

We have a violin tuition who will be available from Term 2 at Roydvale School / Te Ara Maurea for children in Years 3-6. We are offering a very experienced tutor, Heather Connell. She has been teaching music for 30 years in violin, piano and guitar. She has been involved with many schools in Canterbury and has a private studio, Bella Musica. Heather has trained as both a Yamaha Music School and Suzuki Music School teacher. Prior to teaching music, Heather was a violinist in Schola Musica and NZSO. She is looking forward to becoming involved in the Roydvale itinerant music programme. While 30 minute lessons are recommended, groups of two can be taught on request. Instrument hire is available. If your child is interested or you would like to know more, please email anke.beckers-yu@roydvale.school.nz for detailed information and enrolment form.

Congratulations:

Congratulations to the following children who received certificates in assembly this week; Luke Y, Dal S, Jacky Q, Aabiesha AG, Eric K, Brianna N, Sean D, Sam C, Yuchen J, Isaac C, Conner J, Ruby D, Isabel M, Rhiley W-N, Jasmine S, Isaac P, Ashley-Rose R, Disa R, Saoirse M-W, Isaac P, Alex G, Scott M.

We warmly welcome Valyn H who joined us in Room 8 this week.