Wānaka Primary School Newsletter for Term 1  Week 4
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Newsletter Term 1  Week 4
23rd February 2021

IN THIS NEWSLETTER

IMPORTANT DATES


Week 4
Wednesday 24th February - Welcome to WPS 2021 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Thursday 25th February - Pork Pie Challenge and Tribe afternoon 
Friday 26th February - Airforce Band Y4, 5, 6, Lake Wānaka Centre - 1:30pm
Week 5
Swimming Pod 8
Wednesday 3rd March - PTA Meeting 7:00pm - Staffroom 
Thursday 4th March - Science in a Box
Friday 5th March - El Grego Performances - 9:00am and 11:00am
Week 6
Swimming Pod 3
Monday 8th March - Parent Voice Meetings - 3:20pm - 5:00pm
Tuesday 9th March - WPS Senior Athletics - Years 4, 5 & 6
Wednesday 10th March - Parent Voice Meetings - 3:20pm - 5:00pm
Friday 12th March - Pod 7 Assembly 2:15pm - Hall
Week 7
Swimming Pod 7
Tuesday 16th March - Maths Information Evening for parents - 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Friday 19th March - Pod 8 Assembly 2:15pm - Hall
Week 8
Monday 22nd March - Otago Anniversary Day - School Closed
Tuesday 23rd March - Upper Clutha Athletics
Friday 26th March - Pod 5 Assembly 2:15pm - Hall
Saturday 27th March - Wānaka Trail Ride
Week 9 
Monday 29th March - Board Meeting 5.00pm - Staffroom
Wednesday 31st March - Clued Up Kids Programme Y6
Thursday 1st April - Clued Up Kids Programme Y6
Friday 2nd April - Easter Friday - School Closed
Week 10
Monday 5th April - Easter Monday - School Closed
Tuesday 6th April - Easter Tuesday - School Closed
Wednesday 7th April - PTA Meeting 7:00pm - Staffroom
Friday 9th April - Pod 4 Assembly 2:15pm - Hall
Week 11
Monday 12th April - Top Bike
Tuesday 13th April - WPS Junior Athletics Years 1, 2 & 3
Friday 16th April - Term 1 Ends
 

IMPORTANT NOTICES


Parent Voice Meetings

Parent voice meetings will be held on Monday 8th March and Wednesday 10th March from 3:20pm until 5:00pm. Please go to the School Interviews website www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and enter our school code - ewxs2 - to book a time to meet with your child's teacher.  Please note our Learning Support Teachers - Marg Grieve and Emma Stewart will be available from 1:00pm - 4:00pm on Monday 8th March.

If you do not have access to a computer, or you wish an interview to be placed for you, please contact Katrina.


Kindling for Sale

We are selling boxes of hand-picked kindling for $10 each to raise money for our girls' and boys' clubs to allow them to do their planned activities this year. Boxes will be available from the office and at the Welcome evening tomorrow. 
Thank you for your support.
 

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
 

Bikes from Challenge

Please come and collect your bikes which have been returned from Challenge.

Welcome to Wānaka Primary and Jump Jam Jump Off

Tomorrow 24th Feb - 5:00pm - 7:00pm


Come and join us tomorrow evening for a BYO Picnic dinner. We will welcome you on to the school with a Powhiri and entertain you with a Jump Jam Jump Off.  Further information below.
CURRICULUM COMMENT

Introducing our Teacher Aides


Karen Hayward
I am originally from England where I worked as a nurse before deciding it was time to travel and see some of the world. I arrived in Wānaka in 1999 and loved it so much that I am still here.

As there was no hospital in Wānaka, I retrained and worked as a massage therapist until 4 years ago when I began working as a teacher aide at Wānaka Primary.

I have 2 boys Cruz(15) and Coast(12) who are both at MAC. They have both been competitive swimmers so I have spent many years sitting at the pool or driving around the country for competitions however when I do have free time I love to read, walk and bike.

I feel very lucky to have such a rewarding job. I work with great kids and a great teaching and support team. I love learning and upskilling and being able to apply that knowledge to help our children achieve success.

Ella Frires
Kia ora. Originally from Australia, I moved to New Zealand 23 years ago after meeting my Kiwi husband in the Italian Alps. We have a daughter in her final year at Wānaka Primary School and our son is in year 9 at Mount Aspiring College. We have a much loved Spoodle called Scout.

After starting out in early childhood, I’ve now been a teacher aide at Wānaka Primary for about 6 years.

I enjoy working with our amazing teacher aide team and the wonderful teaching staff to help children lift their literacy skills with the Steps program, ESOL program and I love my work with our high health needs kids. 

 
 
Teresa Alexander
My name is Teresa Alexander. I started at Wānaka Primary School in 2004 as a Classroom Assistant. I found I enjoyed this so much I decided to do my Teacher Aide Certificate through the Open Polytech. Seventeen years on from this I find myself very privileged to still be a part of such an amazing and diverse group of people at Wānaka Primary School. 

I have lived in Wānaka for thirty years during which time I have seen immense changes. I am the proud mother of two children. Aaron, 28, who is currently doing a Master of Fine Arts in theatre stage directing in Essex London, and Kimmi, 20, who is currently in her third year at Otago University majoring in Education, with aspirations of becoming an ESOL teacher. My other passions include netball and swim coaching. My involvement in netball in the Upper Clutha has spanned over twenty five years which has included coaching, umpiring, and exec committee. I was very privileged to receive my life membership in 2016. And as for swim coaching, it has been a big part of my life also for twelve years, where I have worked for Wānaka Swim Academy. I also enjoy reading and knitting for neonatal babies. 
 

Leisha Bell
I have been working as a TA for 5 years, firstly at West Melton School in Canterbury and now at Wānaka Primary. 

I really love my work with the students and enjoy being part of their learning journey, especially with the younger ones. With the support of teachers and parents we really make a difference as a team. I also work with a great team of TAs who are just amazing!

In my down time I love coffees with friends and exploring new places here in Otago. Short, flat walks are my speciality!

I have 4 sons aged 23, 21, 16 and 14 years and a husband who is a builder.

We have been living in Wānaka for 2 years.

Katherine Lam

We've been in Wānaka for 2yrs. I've been a teacher's aide at Wānaka Primary for 1.5yrs. I have 3 children, 2 boys at MAC and a daughter at Wānaka Primary. I'm not particularly active but I will hike a mountain for great views or great food. I love being outdoors - camping, hiking and floating on the lake. 


 

Out of Bound Areas

Every year we talk with children about areas that are out of bounds.  We only make areas out of bounds if there are health and safety issues or where there are property problems; for example our native garden area we don't want damaged by exuberant play.  Both of the bike stands areas are out of bounds during class time and also interval and lunch break and there are consequences if children hang around there.  Staff will be keeping a close eye on the bike stands.  Please remind your children if they bike to school to drop off their bikes and not hang around.  Our 'lessons' for PB4L classes have been focusing on respecting school property and the property of others and we hope you follow-up on this value of respect at home.
 

Welcome back to School 'Jump Jam Jump Off' and picnic tea tomorrow evening (24th February)

The pods have been learning and practising their Jump Jam and the performance is drawing near.  As we are starting with a powhiri to welcome our parents into school please gather and wait by the hall, ready to be called onto the courtyard area at 5:00pm.  Children are asked to come in and sit in their pod rows before the powhiri starts.  Once the welcome is over we will get straight into organising the children for their Jump Off and you can set up your picnic and be entertained at the same time.  The PTA have icecreams for sale and also would love to talk to you about the projects they have got on for the year, so go over and talk to them.  After the Jump Off you are welcome to go into your children's pods, look around and have a chat with the teachers.  We look forward to seeing you there.
 

Pork Pie Challenge Tribe Colours Mufti Day- This Thursday 25th February

Remember to send your children dressed in their tribe colours and ready to donate a gold coin to Maddi and Jarrod Fraser for their road trip, in support of the Kids Can charity, for underprivileged children.  The Pork Pie mini will be at school too in the morning for us all to check out.

In the afternoon there will be a Tribe Day where prospective Tribe Leaders will share their leadership skills with the children in their tribe by organising a few games to gain the attention of their tribe in the hope of being 'elected' as the tribe leader for the year.
 

Airforce Band

Pods 8, 7, and 5 will be leaving school just after 12:45pm (after an early lunch) to walk down to the Lake Wānaka Centre to enjoy the music and antics of the  Airforce Band. This is always a great show.  Then at 2:20pm (approx) they will walk back to school in time for the 3:00pm bell and buses.  
 

ERO's New Process for Reviewing Schools

We have a member of the Education Review Office Team in school tomorrow as the first part of the process of putting in place the new ERO school review system.  It is meant to be much more personalised to schools and the reviewer to have more contact with the school rather than turning up for 3 days and writing a report on their observations. It is more of a long term process and relationships, so ERO can plot where the school has come from with the systems and goals as such and where they are heading in the provision of education and base their report on that.  The process is new this year so we are looking forward to being involved. 
SCHOOL NOTICES

What Parents Need to Know to Support Their Children in Maths


Come along to this information evening led by Viv Thompson, Otago University Maths Advisor on Tuesday 16th March 7:00pm - 8:00pm.
PTA NOTICES

Our School Cookbook

The PTA have decided that one of our big fundraising projects for this year will be a school cookbook.  We have a small team from the PTA spearheading this and doing most of the work but WE NEED YOUR HELP to get started...then it’s up to us. 

Recipes needed now:
Firstly, we are looking for recipes, your favourites, your family recipes, your unique recipes for our compilation.  We need lunchbox ideas, breakfast and brunch yummies, mains, picnic foods, desserts, starters and nibbles….. Any recipe that you think would suit a busy family.   To register and send us your recipe please use this link School Cookbook Recipes.  We want you to get these in as soon as possible,  so we can sort and decide what sections to include in our cookbook, and identify the areas where we need more recipes.   So start now!  We would like the cookbook form completed by the 12th of March. 

Copyright:
Please be aware that we need to stay clear of any copyright issues.  Recipes that are not subject to copyright include: family recipes, recipes that have been adapted/changed and have not simply been copied and recipes that lack originality – think cheese scones recipe.  Add your own flair or send us a recipe that has passed through the generations and is written in Granny’s handwriting somewhere.  We have added a statement to the Google Form where you are asked to declare that your recipe does not breach any copyright rules.

Cookbook title competition:
Secondly, we are holding a competition for our students at WPS - and that is to think of a creative, catchy name for our cookbook.  We also want these imaginative cookbook titles by 12th March.  We have a box in reception for the entries to go in.  Children need to include their full name, age and room number on their entry. The winner of the competition gets to have their photo and name included in the cookbook and will have a free copy of the cookbook once it is ready for sale.  

Photographer:
We are looking for a photographer to support this project. If you are interested in being involved please contact Wendy wendyb@wanaka.school.nz

That’s all you need to do - the rest is up to us.

Our timeline is that recipes to be included in the book will be finalised by the end of term 1. The photographer and design team get into action to do photos, layout etc. and so the draft book is ready for printing by the end of term 2 and we have a prototype ready for pre-orders at Friday Night Lights.  We hope to sell a few as Xmas presents.

Watch this space for opportunities for your business to support this project.

All funds raised from the cookbook will be used to purchase equipment, tools and resources for the Maker Spaces (to be built onto the back of each pod) that will hopefully be up and running by the end of the year using funds from the MoE we are entitled to through an innovation fund.

We saw so much wonderful cooking, construction, building, making, designing, sewing, electronics etc. being done over lockdown it will be exciting to have a space that is dedicated to the children applying their learnings and creating a masterpiece across all curriculum areas.  We will need building tables and tools, IT equipment (a 3D printer would be great), sewing machines, cooking equipment, electronic sets and tools, materials such as wood, plastic, and tools like drills, hammers and saws and bits and bobs such as nails, screws, pins etc.  We also need to have a robust storage system that can be built into the Maker Space so children know where to go to grab a tool and of course where to put it back.. 

Emma, Abbie, Wendy
PTA Cookbook Team

Pure NZ Icecreams for Sale

We will have Pure NZ Icecreams for Sale at the Welcome Back to School Jump Jam Jump Off. Come and find us at the Staffroom Door Entrance to the Office Building.  Please bring correct change if possible:
1 icecream for $3
2 icecreams for $5
SPORT NOTICES

Senior Athletics Day (Years 4-6)

Tuesday 9th March (PP - Thursday 11th March)
All students in years four to six will have the opportunity to participate in the following events:
Throws: shot put, discus and vortex 
Running: sprints (60m for year four and five - 75m for year six), 800m and 60m hurdles
Jumps: high jump and long jump

Students will be asked to choose to participate in either the non-competitive or competitive division.  

The competitive division will allow for:
  •  competing for individual and overall placings in their year groups 
  •  eligibility for qualification to the Upper Clutha event (all events except vortex)
The non-competitive athletes will have a participation focus while earning points for their tribes. 

Students can choose to be in the competitive division for individual events (eg. discus and sprints, non-competitive in the others).
  
Please talk to your children to help them decide which division they would prefer to take part in.  

Because of the large number of children taking part, we are not able to hold all events on Tuesday.  The 800m and discus events will be held on an alternative day and advised separately.

The high jump, vortex and running events will be held at Kelly's Flat. The other events will be on the school field.  

All children will need to wear trainers (closed shoes are compulsory for the throws) and we will encourage them to dress in tribe colours. Water bottles, plenty of lunch and snacks, hats and sunscreen are all a must too. Spike shoes are not permitted.

Can you help? To help run the event as time efficiently as possible we would appreciate offers of parent help. If you are able to offer an hour or two, please could you contact me on kathn@wanaka.school.nz  

Alternatively, while watching your child(ren) take part, please let teachers know if you are happy to roll back shot puts, rake the long jump pit or put a high jump bar in place, etc. Thank you!

Please come along to enjoy watching and supporting your children participate, but we ask you to respect our policy for school events by not bringing dogs.   Level One protocols will continue to be in place so we will ask all spectators to sign in when on the school grounds.
 
If the event is postponed, notification will be given on Radio Wānaka and placed on the school website and app by 8:00am.  
WĀNAKA TRAIL RIDE

Wānaka Trail Ride

LIBRARY NEWS

Library News

 

We have lots of new books - come and check them out!
Click here to view our Library Webapp which also gives access to our eLibrary and lots of useful links, activities and book recommendations. There are also lots of talking stories including ones from Melissa, our librarian.

Feel free to email Melissa at any time if you have any questions.
COMMUNITY NOTICES

Support for School Costs

Green Gala

Turn Up The Music Recital

Netball Excellence in Training Skills Academy

Early Years Kapa Haka

Teddy Bears Picnic

Delicious, nutritious and popular with kids, Subway delivers school lunches every Friday.  Order online at subwayexpress.co.nz by 9am.
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Wānaka, Otago 9350
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