| | | | | | IMPORTANT DATES Term 3
Week 7
Wednesday 2nd September - WPS Cross Country Event (further info below)
Thursday 3rd September - EOTC / SNOW Programme - Day 4
Friday 4th September - WPS Cross Country Postponement Date
Father's Day Breakfast - Postponed date to be confirmed
Week 8
Monday 7th September - BOT Meeting 5:00pm - Staffroom
Tuesday 8th September - UC Cross Country - Lake Hawea Holiday Park
Wednesday 9th September - Wig Wednesday (further info in School Notices)
Thursday 10th September - EOTC / SNOW Programme - Day 5
Friday 11th September - Pod 1 Assembly - online
Week 9
Māori Language week
Swim week - Pod 5
Week 10
Swim week - Pod 6
Friday 25th September - Last Day of Term 3
Term 4
Week 1
Monday 12th October - First Day of Term 4
Wednesday 14th October - PTA meeting
Thursday 15th October - Shake Out
Week 3
Monday 26th October - Labour Day School Closed
Tuesday 27th October - School Photos |
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IPT (Inclusive Practices Tool) survey The results from the student, staff and community surveys were sent home in the newsletter, as a link, on 25th August. This week I have at last received the summary analysis graphs which show overall results from the 3 surveys. The leadership team and Jen Jurczyluk from the Board carried out our own analysis of the data and our considerations were right on target when compared to the NZCER generated overviews (See pie graphs here).
We are delighted with the very positive results and we have come a long way over the last few years as the diversity of our student population and our families has increased.
Wānaka Primary’s strengths include: - Our inclusive, secure school culture especially building social relationships for all, and inclusive classroom cultures.
- Leadership and in particular the way we co-ordinate support and services, and work with whānau/families.
- Policies and procedures, where achievements of all learners are valued, there is extra-curricular learning for all, curriculum for all, and individual learners strengths and needs are identified
- Inclusive participation in school learning and life rated very highly in the survey
- There were 10 items out of 92 that were scored as agree moderately, with 82 items as agree strongly. The agree a bit or don’t agree items rarely featured in any of the 3 survey groups, which is outstanding.
- The large area of colour on the graphs tells us that we have highly effective learning, presence, participation and respect for cultural identities. The more full the pieces of the pie graph the more positive the result.
As part of our analysis of the survey we noted areas where we may have agreed moderately or where the 3 groups community/students/staff may have differed. There were not huge differences in the 3 groups, but we have identified these as aspects we can improve on. - Making sure all parents know of all the specialist programmes we have operating at school to ensure inclusion. These include our learning support programmes, literacy lift programmes, ESOL (English as a Second Language) for our students from other cultures and countries, our extension programmes, our social and wellbeing initiatives, all of which aim to make a more inclusive culture. This is as simple as making sure all parents have information about this, as often the parents who don’t have children involved in such programmes don’t know what is available. We will send home information to tell you all about these in upcoming newsletters and we will also include this info on the parent portal on our website.
- The survey also revealed that some staff may not be aware of all the systems in place to ensure they know of the range of needs of new students.
- Parents agreed moderately that there are regular reports to parents about their children’s learning and progress, and that there is regular contact between home and school which is focused on students’ successes. We are hoping that our survey on reporting will give us more insight into how the new processes are viewed by parents. Staff agree strongly that these processes are happening.
- Staff also strongly agreed that if a student is experiencing behaviour or learning challenges, it is common practice for staff to work with this student and their parents, whānau, teachers and specialists to address barriers. Again with this item parents moderately agreed and it is evident that if a parent hasn’t been involved in this type of situation, then they do not know what processes are in place.
- The survey shows that students only agree moderately that they are asked for ideas about how to improve our social environment at school and we need to be made aware when teachers draw on students’ different cultural values and practices as a resource for learning. Teachers agree strongly that they do both of these things.
Thank you to the many parents who completed this survey and to those who have phoned to talk about some of the questions. Next week I will include the results of the Mid Year Reporting survey also distributed to students, parents and staff and quickly looking at them, they are very positive and have lots of information for us to consider to further improve our reporting to parents process. Thanks to the 107 families who completed this survey.
COVID Update We have had some parents express concern that Auckland families may be arriving in the next few weeks. I would like to assure you that any families who do arrive from Auckland will be asked to comply with our school conditions. The families have been really positive about ensuring they take all precautions.
With regard to next steps we are keeping an eye on the COVID landscape and will make provision for upcoming camps as needed at the time. I would like to suggest that all children have a reusable mask as I have a feeling that, along with sanitising and social distancing, these may be the strategies needed in the near future.
PLEASE BRING A MASK AND SOCIAL DISTANCE at the cross-country tomorrow. We will have 2 areas roped off for parents but we are relying on you all to do the right thing, as we do not want groups of more than 100 mixing together. We want to get you back to school events so please follow the guidelines set out later in this newsletter for the cross-country.
There will be no assemblies for the rest of the term so look out for a link to hook up to the digital assembly.
ALL PARENTS need to use the QR code or sign in as soon as they enter school. We have noticed some parents not doing this. It is a MUST please.
Support for Families If you need any kind of support over the next few months please don't hesitate to make contact - we have access to counselling for children and families, we have access to some funding to help with camp and a number have already taken up this option and we can help with everyday issues that suddenly seem to become monstrous. As always you can email me wendyb@wanaka.school.nz, ring me or come in and see me.
Of course there is the classroom teacher and other staff who are only keen to help you as well. |
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Wānaka Primary School Cross Country
Wednesday 2nd September - please check the app, website or listen to Radio Wānaka in the morning - a postponement decision will be made by 7.00am
Postponement date: Friday 4th September
Parents are welcome to attend and support students - we will have 2 areas roped off for parents.
Level 2 Requirements: Spectator Attendance at the Cross Country Event
Because we must ensure that we have no more than 100 spectators at a gathering, we ask that:
- you talk with your child to help decide if you will (need to?) attend
- only one adult attends as a supporter for each student (no dogs please)
- the supporter must only attend for the duration of their child's race (please see times below - we will keep to these as best we can)
- signing in using the QR code or on the sheet provided is necessary (a desk will be set up on Kelly's Flat)
- physical distancing of one metre is adhered to (you may also want to wear a face mask)
- spectators must be within the designated area (on Kelly's Flat - accessed from Aubrey Rd)
- please do not attend if you are feeling unwell
Thank you in advance - everyone complying with these restrictions will mean we are able to allow supporters to enjoy watching the event, while providing for everyone's safety.
Students are encouraged to dress warmly (as we expect the day to be cold). They may wear running clothes in their tribe colours.
All races begin and end on Kelly's Flat.
These times for the start of races are indicative only:
9.45am Year 6 Boys
9.50am Year 6 Girls
10.15am Year 5 Boys
10.20am Year 5 Girls
10.45am Year 4 Boys
10.50am Year 4 Girls
11.15am Year 3 Boys
11.20am Year 3 Girls
11.45am Year 2 Boys
11.50am Year 2 Girls
12.15pm Year 0-1 Boys
12.20pm Year 0-1 Girls
Race distances (approx):
Year 0-1 500m
Year 2 600m
Year 3-4 900m
Year 5-6 1800m
The top ten finishers from the Year five and Year six races will qualify for the Upper Clutha event being held on Tuesday 8th September at the Lake Hawea Holiday Park. Qualifiers will be notified by email after the event. |
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Wig Wednesday - 9th September Wig Wednesday is being held next week on 9th September. We would love the children to come to school in their tribe colours and sporting a wacky hair-do or wonderous wig for the day. Please could we ask that they either bring a gold coin donation to support The Child Cancer Foundation or donate online at https://wigwednesday.everydayhero.com/nz/wanaka-primary-school.
The afternoon will be spent with our fabulous tribe leaders working on some wiggy wonderfulness :) |
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Lions 202f Computer Capers 2020 Competition This year the Computer Capers Competition focus was on Inspiration.
We are delighted to inform you that Holly Radford from Room 24, Rapunga Pod 6, was awarded first place, her entry focusing on her big sister Lucy. Holly’s first place also contributed to Wānaka Primary School being awarded the winning school.
We are very proud of you Holly and of all the other children who entered the competition. Thank you all for stepping up and taking on a new challenge.
The other children’s entries focused on writing about Jacinda Ardern, My Big Sister, My Inspiring Cousin, a ‘Guess Who Inspires Me?’, Kylian Mbappe, Mr Beast, My Father and Taylor Swift. What a hard job for the judges to choose!
Participants used Google Slides and Canva to create their entries with most embedding some video and sound as well. Congratulations again to all of you. |
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School Camp Payment 2020 This payment is due by Friday 25th September.
If there are challenges that would make payment of camps difficult please don't hesitate to come in and see, ring or email Wendy (wendyb@wanaka.school.nz) or Lucy (office@wanaka.school.nz) as soon as possible.
Payment details:
Online to Wānaka Primary School Account No: 02-0673-0023784-001
OR
Eftpos / cash at the office |
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Scholastic NZ Brochure The latest Scholastic NZ brochure is available from classrooms. If you wish to place an order, please follow the instructions on the inside back cover using Option 1 - Credit Card / LOOP. No cash/ orders are accepted at school. If your order is a gift, please tick the 'GIFT' option, otherwise all orders are handed out to the children.
Orders will close at 3pm on Thursday 10th September. |
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Library News 
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.
Erik's Reading Challenge Register here to enter Erik's Reading Challenge
Remember you only have to read 5 books to get a voucher so everybody wins!!! |
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Upper Clutha Schools - Ski and Snowboard Race Update: If you registered last year you can LOGIN using the same details but you must now ADD a MEMBERSHIP for your child in order to register for the event.
This is still free but in order for no charge to be added to your shopping cart: - Please ensure you choose ALPINE SKIING from the dropdown menu near the end of adding your child's membership info.
- Tick the box for non-competitive.
- Then add membership to your shopping cart and check out.
- You will still be logged in at this stage and then you can find the event and register from there.
- Please contact the Snowsports office if you have any major issues.
Please note you will receive an email via Snowsports confirming your child's registration. If you do not receive this confirmation or you need any assistance please get in touch with Robyn Millar. |
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QLDC - Wakatipu Park and Ride Facilities The Way to Go group made up of Queenstown Lakes District Council, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and the Otago Regional Council are exploring options for future Park and Ride services in key locations around the Wakatipu basin. This will play an important role in improving the wider transport network and providing local and visiting drivers with safer and more convenient options for getting around the basin.
It’s early in the process but we’ve landed on a short list of possible locations for future Wakatipu Park and Ride services. We’d now like to test these options with the community to help guide our next steps. Feedback is open and will be received through an online survey up to 21 September 2020. More information and the survey can be found here - https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/wakatipu-park-and-ride-facilities. |
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Community Networks Wānaka - Food Bank There is a food bank available at Community Networks. A food parcel might help ease financial burden. Anyone can go through a rough patch when it’s hard to find enough to pay rent, the mortgage, or power bills. Please feel free to go into Community Networks (at the Community Hub, 34 McDougall Street) to see how they can help.
There are EXTENDED HOURS FOR THE FOODBANK. Call 03 443 7799 to make a booking to collect your food parcel on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-6pm, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8-9am. |
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Auditions: song - dance - spoken word - photography People aged 8 - 18 years are invited to get in touch to be part of a community project in October. No experience necessary - no cost involved. Please email deeplakevoices@gmail.com to register your interest and for more information. |
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Young Enterprise - Playdough |
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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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