Being a Change Maker for Good

Message from the Prinicpal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

The second half of the year is often the time when we see dynamics within groups of children change and become problematic as they push their boundaries. This sort of social jostling is normal and expected and teachers are used to spending time reinforcing the caring confident citizen message when sorting out differences of opinion (and perception). However teachers, and leaders seem to be spending a disproportionate amount of time dealing with behaviours that require teachers to be recording each child’s side of the story, informing parents of the victims and the perpetrators (if we can be sure that we have the correct information) and having follow up discussions with children around next steps. The difficulty is that often there is no obvious right and wrong and everyone has had a small part to play. I spoke to all of the children in whole school assembly on Friday about the need for everyone to be a positive influence in these situations and to take personal responsibility for making Thorrington a happy place – that means no pushing, shoving, name calling or exclusions. By the time I get involved in these incidents, I always ask children three questions around their behaviours:  Is it truthful? Is it helpful ? Is it kind? If they answer ‘no’ to even one of these prompts then that is a start to taking some personal responsibility for their part in what is usually a complex and convoluted string of events. Of course teachers incorporate key competencies like relating to others and managing self in Home Base learning contexts as way to define these much needed attitudes and behaviours. It is always useful to have parents reinforcing these messages and supporting their children to take personal responsibility for a positive and caring school culture by discussing the difficulties of getting on with other people and pointing out that this is a skill that adults also need to work on all through their lives.

Change Makers

In our staff meeting times we have made a commitment to do a walk around all of the Home Bases and look at the learning walls that record the learning that is happening in each learning space. Children are engaging with the theme of ‘Change Makers’ – making a positive difference in a variety of ways. Having variety in the way that learning is planned for by teachers is a good sign as it shows a personalised and responsive approach to teaching and learning. The lead photo and the photos below show some of the different ways that children are experiencing and processing this learning. Collaboration means that there is more than just one person’s input of ideas and knowledge as to what the unit of planning looks like for a group of children. I think that this collaborative planning is advantageous for our children but the process from initial thinking through to a rich, coherent and agreed final plan is a cognitively demanding task for teachers. Because our curriculum is so full (seven learning areas, one extra strand in technology and a possible new learning languages area for years 1-6) it makes sense to integrate much of our literacy learning and sometimes our maths where it is meaningful and relevant. This integration needs to be carefully sequenced and planned along with the oral language and key competencies that will be developed as part of this learning context. Our planning documents have morphed into complex blueprints for experiential learning, place based learning, social learning and academic learning. Click on the link to see an overview of the Kahukura Change Makers learning plan.

Dogs

Can I make a plea for parents who bring their dogs to school during drop off or pick up to tie them up to the fence where the grassed area is on the car park side? Having them tied up on the footpath side encourages children to pat them and often results in the dogs barking at pedestrians. While I am approaching this from a health and safety lens just the mere fact that our footpaths get very congested with cycles, scooters and prams let alone toddlers and children makes it even more of a problem if there is a dog in the middle if this space. No dogs should be in the school grounds during school hours.

Uniform

Thank you to those parents who have purchased shoes that fit within our uniform guidelines, we have all noticed a marked improvement in way the uniform is being worn. Like the rest of the uniform there are a variety of options available in order to give parents some choices to suit their needs and budgets. After some suggestions from parents we have provided some photos of suitable shoes on the bottom of the school uniform policy under parents A-Z on the website. Please also note:

"If there are circumstances which prevent your child from wearing the correct school uniform please do not hesitate to let the home base teacher know. We understand that there may be individual cases where exemptions are necessary."

Ng­ā mihi nui
Christine Harris  

INFLUENZA OR THE FLU

Influenza – or the flu – is a virus that spreads quickly from person to person. Symptoms include fever, chills, aches, runny nose, a cough and stomach upset.

PLEASE, IF YOUR CHILD HAS ANY OF THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS DO NOT SEND THEM TO SCHOOL as this seems to spread rapidly, (and please remember the 48 hour rule regarding vomiting/diarrhoea).

We have a large number of children away sick at the moment with 'flu like symptoms lasting several days. Parents of any children at school with any of these symptoms will be rung immediately to collect their child. We really do appreciate your co-operation in this matter.

Thank you

ENROLMENTS:

If you have a child turning five this year or even next year, please get your enrolment forms into the office soon.

It's great to be able to plan ahead for a positive transition to school.

Thanks very much,

Carmel Knight
Associate Principal

CAR PARK SAFETY

At Thorrington we have identified the car park as a health and safety risk to children and that is why we ask parents to use the main gates when walking children to school. Unfortunately many parents are using our car park as a handy drop off and pick up space. This is totally unacceptable and poses an unnecessary risk to our students. As health and safety is everyone’s responsibility I ask that parents do not enter the Thorrington School car park after 8am and before 3.30.

ABSENCES - PLEASE NOTIFY THE OFFICE

If your child is unwell, unable to attend school or is going to be late it is essential caregivers phone and advise the office by pressing 2 on our telephone voicemail before 9am. When leaving a message please ensure that you give the office your child’s name, room number and the reason for the absence so the appropriate Ministry of Education code can be loaded. Alternatively you can txt 0273327481 or email the office on admin@thorrington.ac.nz.

We ask that if you email your child’s classroom teacher with regard to an absence that you also inform the office.

LATENESS

If your child is late to school for any reason, they are required to come to the office to let the school know they have arrived.

LEAVING SCHOOL DURING SCHOOL HOURS

If your child needs to leave school for any reason during school hours, would you please come to the office and sign them out on the electronic visitors book. If your child is going to be returning to school they will need to sign back in on the electronic visitors book at the office on their return.

Roll: 503

School roll is now at 503. We welcome Matilda, Jane, Ava and Hugo to Homebase 3b. We farewell Molley from Homebase L1, Sana from Homebase L3, Sean from Homebase 6, Ciara from Homebase 9 and Emma from Homebase 18

If you would like a photo of your New Entrant child in the Southern View local newspaper, please send a copy of the photo to caitlin.miles@starmedia.kiwi

Upcoming dates

Wed 6 Sept 2.30 – 3.30 New Uniform Distributors Direct in Room 0

Thur 7 Sept 12.30 – 1pm Kids in Town

Mon 11 – Fri 15 Sept Book Fair

Thur 14 Sept Sushi Lunch

Fri 15 Sept Hangi Lunch

Mon 18 Sept Timatanga Swimsafe Lessons start

Wed 20 Sept Tuakana 1 Camp at Wainui

Wed 20 Sept 2.30 – 3.30 2nd Hand Uniform Sale

Sat 23 Sept Thorrington School Community Ball

Wed 27 Sept Tuakana 2 Camp to Wainui

Fri 29 Sept Last Day Term 3

Wed 25 Oct 2.30 – 3.30 2nd Hand Uniform Sale

2017 Term Dates

• Term 3 Monday 24 July to Friday 29 September (100 half days)
• Term 4 Monday 16 October to Friday 15 December (86 half days)

This is a total of 390 half days. The school is required to be open for tuition for 388 half days, thus enabling a day to be taken as Teacher Only Day in the year. The dates are in line with other schools in the area.

2017 Statutory Holidays

• Waitangi Day Monday 6 February
• Good Friday Friday 14 April
• Easter Monday Monday 17 April (falls in holidays)
• Easter Tuesday Tuesday 18 April (falls in holidays)
• Anzac Day Tuesday 25 April (falls in holidays)
• Queen's Birthday Monday 5 June
• Labour Day Monday 23 October
• Show Day Friday 17 November

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