News from the Principal - Week 10
Kia ora te whānau
As Term 1 draws to a close, I feel extremely proud of our happy, settled school and the amazing progress we have achieved together this term. Thank you so much to the School Board and staff for their dedication and sheer hard work. Thank you to those parents who have been so supportive this term. It was great to see so many parents join Kākano and Kehakai on their trip on a lovely autumn day last Friday afternoon to the Landing and the Avon/Ōtakaro. Our Jump Jam team had a great time learning 'Wake up before you go, go' routine with Brett Fairweather and Jump Jam teams from many other schools in our School Hall last week.
NZEI Primary Principals have voted strongly in favour of a work ban starting from 8am on the 24th of April. The work ban includes a pause on all work that principals normally do with the Ministry. This includes any work on introducing or implementing any new Ministry initiative such as the Curriculum Refresh, or collecting or collating any information for the Ministry. It also includes any work outside 8am to 5pm on weekdays apart from board meetings, and all work on weekends. The work ban does not include liaising with Ministry of Education Learning Support specialist staff who support specific students, property staff or the rollout of the Aotearoa New Zealand histories curriculum.
Happy Easter everyone!
Have a wonderful relaxing holiday with your whānau and a well deserved break from school routines.
Nga mihi nui
Sandra Dentice
Principal | Tumuaki
sandra@whitau.school.nz
Term 2 Reminders
- Term 2 starts on Wednesday 26 April
- ALL children are required to wear a seat belt in a car at all times.
- All children need to wear a red school top and bring their KidsCan rain jacket to school daily in Term 2 please
Karawhā and Kōrari have daily Swimming lessons at Te Pou Toetoe in Weeks 1 and 2, starting on Wednesday 26th April
Year 5 and 6 Parents Camp Meeting Thursday 27 April at 5pm
ALL Year 5/ 6 Camp payments MUST be completed by Monday 01 May so we can confirm final numbers with Living Springs
Staff Only Day - Friday 02 June before Kings Birthday Weekend.
Reinstating Respect For the Teaching Profession
By Steve Francis, Happy Schools https://www.happyschool.com.au
In my opinion, sadly, respect for the teaching profession has significantly declined in the past two decades. Times have certainly changed. I am sure you will have seen the cartoon that depicts a student from 20 years ago who got in trouble at school and also got reprimanded by their parents when they got home.
The subsequent cartoon depicts students of today getting in trouble and the parents responding by challenging the teacher’s behaviour. This attitude is evident in lawnmower parents who constantly clear the path for their children rather than partnering with the school.
I recently finished reading tennis great Andre Agassi’s autobiography “Open” (not a bad read). In the closing chapter Agassi talks with pride about the charter school he opened in Los Angeles. His favourite feature of the school is the Code of Respect that begins each day:
The essence of good discipline is respect.
Respect for authority and respect for others.
Respect for self and respect for rules.
It is an attitude that begins at home, is reinforced at school, and is applied throughout life.
