News from the Principal - Week 4
Dear Parents, Carers and Friends of Whītau School. Kia ora koutou katoa! Talofa lava! Mālō e lelei! Greetings everyone.
Kia ora te whānau
Our staff, students and whānau have had a very busy and exciting time in the last week with our Year 5 and 6 Camp at Living Springs and our whole School Cross Country at Avon Park on Tuesday.
Year 5 and 6 EOTC Camp at Living Springs
Our biannual camp was an outstanding success for all. There were certainly some very tired students, teachers and parent helpers who returned to school last Friday afternoon. Many happy memories were made and the children certainly learned a lot about themselves and others, being away from home, challenging themselves, enjoying delicious food and having fun with their friends.
A special thank you to Mrs Heads, Miss Walsh and Miss Diedrichs for your amazing efforts and to our wonderful parent helpers, Andy McGill, Michelle Harvey, Paula Maat, Rachael Robinson, Monique van de Poll, Cameron Hoogervorst, Iefata Masaga, Max Timo, Brent Williams and Robert Woodward for your great support and care of the students. I had the most wonderful day over at camp last Thursday, lots of fun with the children and even managed to not only try archery but to get shot by one of the boys! The Living Springs food was delicious and a real hit with the children and adults alike!
School Cross Country at Avon Park
What a wonderful morning we had in the crisp sunny conditions at Avon Park for our annual School Cross Country. It was great to welcome whānau to watch all the children run in their age groups, around Avon Park. There were some outstanding finishes and lots of happy smiles from children as they reached the finish line with our new School Flag flying proudly in the sun. Many thanks to Mrs Heads, our Sports Coordinator for your great organisation on the day. Enjoy watching the movie that Mrs An made for us all.
Staff Only Day - Friday 2nd June
Whītau School will be closed for instruction on Friday 2nd June for a Staff Professional Learning Day. All staff are required to complete the Ministry of Education online training for staff about the guidelines to minimise the use of Physical Restraint in schools to be compliant with the new regulations.
After-School Traffic Problems and Parental Abuse
It was extremely disappointing to receive this email from a resident in our community late on Friday afternoon.
'I live locally and use Rowcliffe Crescent occasionally. Today, Friday 12th May, at school pick I was trying to drive down the street but was unable to due to all the cars parked along each side and a single car coming down the other way. I had a queue of cars behind me and one parent abused me while I tried to reverse and make room but I had nowhere to go. Being abused by a parent with children around and being sworn at and given the finger is not acceptable and highly mortifying when there are young children around.'
Please be patient, be safe and be kind around our school. We expect our parents to always show our school values or Respect and Responsibility at all times around our students. Our staff cannot control traffic behaviour outside the school grounds. I have notified the NZ Police regarding our ongoing concerns and I have made a submission to the CCC Safe Speed Zones and will be presenting our concerns to the Council at the hearing on Friday 2 June. I have written an apology on behalf of the School Board and staff to the resident.
Principals Award
Congratulations to Scarlett McDonald Fisher for her amazing story writing about our School Cross Country. Kai pai Scarlett.
Are you and your whānau protected from measles?
With people travelling overseas again, there’s a risk that someone with measles could unknowingly bring the disease back to Aotearoa. Measles spreads easily and quickly, usually between people who are unimmunised or only partially immunised. It can be serious and life-threatening. In the 2019 measles outbreak in Aotearoa, more than 30% of the people infected had to be admitted to hospital.
The best protection against measles is the free MMR vaccine. It will protect you and your whānau, and prevent the virus from spreading.
You will be protected against measles if you:
• had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine
• had measles before
• were born before 1 Jan 1969.
If you’re unsure if you or your tamariki have had any or both doses of the MMR vaccine, check by calling your GP or hauora provider. Alternatively, check your Plunket Well Child Tamariki Ora book. If you’re still not sure, be safe and get immunised – there are no safety concerns with having an extra dose. MMR vaccines are free at your local health provider and many pharmacies.
More information about the measles vaccination can be found here:
Measles vaccination – Ministry of Health
Kind regards everyone!
Nga mihi nui
Sandra Dentice
Principal | Tumuaki
sandra@whitau.school.nz
