News from the Principal - Week 3

Kia ora te whānau

Year 5 and 6 EOTC Camp

As I am off to Living Springs to spend the day with Year 5 and 6 at their camp tomorrow, I am writing my newsletter a day earlier than normal.

Today, Wednesday, we farewelled 83 very excited students away to Living Springs camp for the next three days, together with three teachers and 10 parents. It has been a huge task for us to organise the camp and support some tamariki or their whānau, so as many students as possible could attend camp. We are so glad that we are only missing 5 students, 3 students who are not attending and two students who are away on holiday. 

Rugby Trip to the Crusaders

It was an awesome experience and such a privilege for Mr Dentice and I to take 12 rugby students and their adults to the Crusaders game against the Force last Saturday. Whītau School formed the guard of honour as the players ran out of the tunnel onto the field. A free Crusaders hat, T-Shirts and flag, together with a free drink and hot chips was topped off by player signatures after the game. It was a '10 out of 10' learning experience for us all. I have written to thank KidsCan, the Crusaders and Golden Homes for making this happen!

Year 6 Cycle Safety

Sadly on Tuesday, during our Year 6 Cycle Safe training with CCC a near miss accident occurred on Dunarnan Street from a speeding white car racing past the six cyclists who were biking in single file with their instructors. We were all shocked at the absolute stupidity of the driver but so very relieved that the students were amazing and no one was injured. If you see a white car speeding in our area, could you please take the registration plate number and let the School Office know as the students inform me a white car is often speeding or driving dangerously in our area. 

Our Cycle Safe Instructors will be back later in the term to complete their programme. This morning I received this email from the Head Cycle Safe Instructor, who was out with the students at the time of the near miss.

Hi Sandra

Thank you so much for your assistance after our on road incident yesterday. Your efficiency, calm manner and empathy was deeply appreciated.

I submitted a Police incident report yesterday and have spoken to my relevant managers, Transport and Health and Safety. The incident is being taken seriously and I’ll keep you informed on progress. I have listed your name as a witness, with the children’s names listed in the comments. Our Education Constables are aware and will also follow up.

As an instructor, I am deeply saddened that the children have had this experience, as ultimately the children should come away from the programme having had an enjoyable biking experience and feeling confident and positive about riding a bike.

I would like to highlight, the children had been progressing well and I believe their ability to follow instructions and implement feedback given certainly held them in good stead yesterday. After the incident, they followed my instructions well and were calm. The students should be extremely proud of themselves.

Thank you for everything.

Jan Russ

Cycle Safe Lead Instructor

Feedback from the Community

Our classes were walking down to the Avon River this week to have their EOTC lesson with eCan about Water. Many thanks to the parents who are helping with the trips. It was awesome to receive this lovely surprise in my emails....

Just encountered a class from your school learning beside the Avon River. They were a fantastic group of learners. Everyone in the group was engaged in their learning, some as individuals and some as a group. Please pass on to them that they were great ambassadors for their school and community and that they represented themselves with pride.

Regards

Warren Yardley 

Congratulations to Mareikura Te Uruti-Mataki for her Principal's Award!

Friendly Reminders

• School Roll Numbers - Our school roll is growing rapidly and is now sitting at 302 this week with Room 2 opening for new entrant five year olds after King's Birthday weekend. With the large amount of Kaianga Ora housing due to be built in Holland Street this year, it is highly likely we will be forced to only accept enrolments from students who live in the zone. Sadly this will not include siblings of current out of zone students. Currently, we are managing our roll as best we can. However, it is very unpredictable with the increasing number of families moving into housing in our school zone.  
• Staffing - Room 10. Miss Lester will be teaching Room 10 next Monday and then we welcome Miss Kelsey Blokland to teach Room 10 while Miss Ioane is on parental leave.
  
• School Cross Country - Next Tuesday 16th May at Avon Park. Parents and whānau are very welcome to attend but please respectfully remain in the designated spectator area. No parents are to be with classes please. Students may run in a T-shirt that is their House colour if they wish.
• Pink Shirt Day - Next Friday 19th May. Students may wear a pink T-shirt or top over their school uniform to school.
• Staff Only Day - Friday 2nd June. School will be closed for instruction for staff to receive training in the new Physical Restraint in Schools requirements.

Kind regards everyone!

Nga mihi nui

Sandra Dentice

Principal | Tumuaki

sandra@whitau.school.nz