| | | | | | IMPORTANT DATES Term 1
Week 6
Pod 7 Swimming
Friday 11th March - Tribe Day
Week 7
Pod 3 Swimming
Wednesday 16th March - WPS Senior Athletics Y5 and Y6
Thursday 17th March - WPS Senior Athletics Y5 and Y6
Friday 18th March - WPS Senior Athletics Y5 and Y6
Week 8
Monday 21st March - Otago Anniversary Day - School Closed
Week 9
Monday 28th March - Board of Trustees Meeting 5pm - Staffroom
Week 11
Thursday 14th April - Last Day of Term 1
Term 2
Week 1
Monday 2nd May - First Day of Term 2
IMPORTANT NOTICES
Masks Please remind your child to bring a mask to school everyday. Buses Please be mindful of the buses in the Dental Clinic carpark and give them priority as they have a tight schedule to meet.
Found - Casio Watch
Please collect from the office if it is yours. |
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Bulb Fundraiser for Enviro and Garden to Table
Click here to make your order
Manual order forms available from the office if preferred |
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I am on leave this week, the 5th week of the Sabbatical Leave I missed with the first Covid lockdowns, and in Palmerston North spending time with my grand-daughter, and her mum and dad too of course. I am also working from here and have just moderated 50 writing samples from last year's writing exemplars. In between talking to our property project manager about our Makerspaces and talking to the MoE, I have been to Ellie's swimming lessons and to playgroup. Now it's sleep time for Ellie, so I am catching up on my laptop work. Like being a teacher/principal, being a granny is so special...children are amazing.
Omicron Status So far we have had no active cases of Omicron occur at school, but we have wonderful parents who have advised us that either the older siblings or parent is an active case and as such the family is isolating for the required 10 days. Thanks so much for keeping us in touch. Also we have a tummy bug and sniffles going around, but parents are also doing a great job of keeping affected children home. That has meant that ailments and illness so far have been minimal, as has disruption to school...long may it last. Fabulous job everyone!
Kapa Haka We have had a great start to kapa haka this year. Both junior and senior groups have new members and our numbers are really strong. Both groups are working on learning our school waiata and actions along with other waiata and action songs to promote group work. Following our whānau meeting we are thrilled to have two of our dads willing to help teach haka to our tama. We thank them for this generous offer of time.
A huge focus for our senior group (year 5 and 6) is our planned marae visit in term two. Working alongside Whaea Mary Anne, we are preparing them for this visit and have started work on a mōteatea that will belong to us to use in years to come.
Tribe Afternoon School Tribe Day will be happening this Friday (11th March). Our special afternoon will be spent choosing tribe leaders. We would love for all children to come to school, dressed in their tribe colours 😊 If your child is unsure of which tribe they are in, please contact their classroom teacher.
If your child is trying out to be a tribe leader, please make sure that they have their speeches at the ready and that they are prepared to lead the first tribe day of the year!
Composite Classes As we have organised composite classes in our Year 3/4 classes as well as our Year 5/6 classes I have had a few parents ask why. I hope that the explanation below explains this. If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
Every year we have some composite classes at Wānaka Primary School. If your child is younger you may ask - will my child be able to keep up? If they are older - will my child be held up? By composite classes we mean putting two consecutive year-groups together in one class. The key to understanding composites is realising that growth is determined in stages and not by ages. Composite classes do not mean your child will get work that is too hard or not hard enough. A child can be older or younger in a composite classroom but their maturity, physical needs, social needs, academic needs and behaviour are uniquely their own. Some have needs in certain areas, but not in others. An example is that although all 7 year olds may be the same age, it is unrealistic to expect that they are all at the same level of ability in reading or in PE, even if they are all placed together in one class. It is far better that they be grouped according to need, thus they will gain confidence and skill by working with their peer ability level. There is no hard and fast rule that says a straight year level class will meet a child’s needs any better than a composite class.
Even within the same class, children will be at different learning levels. New Zealand teachers are trained in identifying this and are renowned the world over for extending those who learn more quickly and supporting those who take longer. Unlike other countries where whole-class teaching is often the norm, NZ teachers are trained to teach in ability or targeted groups. Straight classes require as much group teaching as composite classes because this is the hallmark of good teaching. There is no difference in the range of abilities present in a straight class compared to a composite. The good thing about composite classes is that it draws attention to individual needs and development and facilitates individualised or personalised learning.
Older students are not held back in composite classes. There is no one curriculum level per age group in NZ. It is not as simple as Year 1 learns at Level 1, Year 2 learns at Level 2; the NZ curriculum is set up in developmental bands which range from 1-3 years per level. Invariably students in any one class are all at different permutations of these curriculum bands, whether they are in straight classes or composites. Separate programmes are used, in most curriculum areas, for the different groups of students according to their level of development or ability, as well as whole class instruction where appropriate, for example drama. Composite classes can provide significant benefits to both the younger and older students in the class. Older students can benefit from helping younger students in co-operative learning situations. The younger students have the opportunity of enhanced learning experiences where they are ready for it.
Research, both in New Zealand and overseas, has shown no detrimental academic effects from composite classes, but many additional benefits. A major review of international research into multi-age classes was undertaken by Veenman (1995). He investigated 56 studies in 12 countries including Australia, looking at the cognitive and non-cognitive effects of multi-age and single-age classes. He found that with respect to attitudes towards school, self-concept and social adjustment, students can be advantaged by being in multi-age classes instead of single-age classes. They are more confident, can operate better as part of a group, are more assertive, become more independent learners and better problem-solvers. They also make friends outside of their standard age-groups. In later life, if we have a one year age difference with someone this becomes of no consequence.
Anderson & Parvan (1993) analysed 64 research studies in the US and Canada and found that schools with composite classes were most likely to benefit students from all circumstances and all ability ranges. They noted that longitudinal studies show that the longer the students are in a composite programme the more likely it is that they will have positive attitudes and high academic achievement.
Ultimately, whether children are in composite or straight-age classes, it is not the age combinations that matter. What matters is the quality of teaching and learning and the relationship between the child and the teacher. |
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Swimming School swimming has started again! Last week, it was Pod 8’s turn. The children took part in technique lessons and water safety each day. Much fun was had by all, even if we were pushed out of our comfort zone at times. By Pod 8 |
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Good Grief and Seasons for Growth Programmes Central Otago REAP offer a suite of Good Grief and Seasons for Growth Programmes plus a range of information to support local families and professionals.
Seasons for Growth is an innovative grief and loss education programme that uses the imagery of the season to illustrate the experience of grief. It aims to strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people (aged 6-18) who are dealing with significant life changes.
Trained adult 'Companions' facilitate the small group programme, where participants support and learn from each other in age appropriate and engaging activities.
Young people learn that they are not alone in dealing with the effects of change, loss and grief, and build their communication, decision making and problem solving skills within a supportive peer group.
If you think that your child would benefit from the Seasons for Growth programme you can find out more information here or complete an enrolment form by clicking here. The programme is held in a private classroom here at Wānaka Primary and usually runs for 40 minutes in the afternoon between 1.30 - 3.00pm on Thursdays. |
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Positive Behaviour For Learning - PB4L PB4L School-Wide looks at behaviour and learning from a whole-of-school as well as an individual child perspective. The framework is based on international evidence and is helping New Zealand schools build a culture where positive behaviour and learning is a way of life. Each fortnight we focus on a school wide goal to encourage positive behaviours, the current goal is: 'We are prepared, organised and on task'. |
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PTA - Parenting Place Presentation Until we are sure the Omicron wave has slowed down we have planned to hold our PTA meetings online. Our next meeting is Wednesday 23rd March, at 7pm and we have organised a series of parenting presentations put together as live Zoom sessions, by Parenting Place. These are relevant as parents and families move into yet another change as a result of Covid. These presentations are put together with a Covid lens to support your parenting. Please click on the link we will include in next week's newsletter and join us from the comfort of your own home, to learn about parenting styles, relationships and refocusing on the family team. The PTA hope to have one of these Zoom sessions each term for parents if the uptake is positive enough. The sessions are no more than 1 hour with 45 minutes of presentation around the theme and then 15-20 minutes for any questions. Come on - join us! This Zoom is only for Wānaka Primary School parents and as there is a cost involved for the PTA we would love your full support. Team Building – presented by Pio Terei and Sheridan Eketone Reset the family/children Reset ourselves Pause and breathe, bigger, wiser, stronger, kind, firm, calm Family values Connect with your children Remember you will receive the link next week for this wonderful opportunity to learn more about parenting through tough times. Adele McKenna WPS PTA |
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PTA Gift Packs What a great way to spoil mum this Mothers Day, or that perfect gift for that special someone's birthday celebration! Whatever the occasion these fantastic Gift Packs consist of the beautiful Wānaka Primary PTA Bite Cookbook, a voucher for two to tour the Cardrona Distillery and a yummy box of chocolates. Proceeds from the sale of these packs will go towards assisting with the fantastic property projects that we are focusing on this year. Our fundraising efforts last year were severely impacted due to Covid so we would love to have your support in 2022.
The PTA committee looks forward to having a bigger presence this year and being involved with some fantastic events and fundraising opportunities. If you would like to be involved on any level, from sausage sizzle to coordination, or you would even just like to sit in on a meeting - Please contact Adele on pta@wanaka.school.nz for further information and dates.
Get in quick - 70 gift packs available! Email pta@wanaka.school.nz to order.
Gift Packs $50.00 |
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Free Introduction to Netball Session Is your child new to netball? Or interested in a team sport but doesn't know what netball is all about?
The Wānaka Primary Netball Committee are holding a free 'Introduction to Netball' session this Friday 11th March at lunchtime. The session is open to all Year 3 - 6 children. Children are invited to bring their lunchbox and come to the netball courts next to the school hall, where we'll do a few ball skills and play a few games. Registration for the 2022 season has been extended until Sunday 13th March.
Please direct any queries to wpsnetballers@gmail.com |
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Library News
Click here to view our wonderful Library Webapp.
Feel free to email Melissa at any time if you have any questions.
Ebooks and Audio Books
The Wānaka Public Library has 2 fantastic Ebook Platforms which are highly recommended. All you need is a library membership which is free. Click on the image below to find out more and browse to see what is available:
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Contact for our local Public Health Nurse Pip McLean is our local Public Health Nurse - should you wish to get in contact with Pip her contact details are: 03 440 4309 or 0272 839 395 or email Pip.McLean@southerndhb.govt.nz |
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Wānaka Football
Registrations for the 2022 Junior Football season are now open!
Wānaka AFC are happy to confirm that registrations for the 2022 junior season are now open. Please visit the new Wānaka Football website for detailed information and to register.
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My Book Bag at Wānaka Library
Wānaka Library are offering the MY BOOK BAG service to all library members who are not able to make it into the library. Wānaka Library will make up a bag, with a selection of chosen books which can then be collected from the library. Click the link below for more information and to order:
https://codc-qldc.govt.nz/services/queenstown-lakes-mybookbag
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Concussion in Children - Free Online Seminar |
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Parenting Programme - Enrolling Now |
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Positive Parenting During COVID-19 To support mental health, resilience and emotional wellbeing for our tamariki and rangatahi, the Ministry of Health has partnered with Whāraurau to offer parents, whānau and caregivers free online versions of the Triple P: Positive Parenting Programme across the country.
Find out more about Triple P and register for programmes.
There are three free Triple P online programmes available to help positively support children to reduce anxiety, build emotional resilience and life skills and cope with challenges: Fear-Less Triple P Online – for parents and caregivers of children and teenagers (aged six to 14 years) who have significant anxiety Triple P Online – for parents with toddlers to 12-year-olds Teen Triple P Online – for parents with ‘tweens’ or teenagers aged 10 to 16 years. These programmes will also provide whānau a toolkit to help them to guide behaviour positively and encourage children’s learning. |
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Parenting Course
NEXT CHAPTER PARENTING offering Individual, or group, PARENTING
SESSIONS via Zoom. Ten one hourly sessions, weekly at a time convenient
to you, available evenings. Topics covered include Communication,
Empathy, Setting Limits, Quality Time, Consequences, Choices,
Redirection, Pick your battles with your child, Problem Behaviour,
Praise vs Acknowledgement, Time In vs Time Out, The Pause, Sibling
Rivalry, Teenage Boundaries, Erickson’s Stages of Growth, Personality
Types and how it affects your children.
WINZ funding assistance where eligible. |
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Fundraiser - Cat Rescue Wānaka |
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| Delicious, nutritious and popular with kids, Subway delivers school lunches every Friday. Order online at subwayexpress.co.nz by 9am. |
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