| | | | | | IMPORTANT DATES
Week 7
Scholastic Book Fair - Monday 25th - Friday 29th November - School Library
Wednesday 27th November - Dress Up As Your Favourite Book Character
Friday 29th November - MAC Orientation Morning for Year 6 Students 9.30am
Week 8
Monday 2nd December - 'Be On Cosie's Team' Dress up Day (see below)
Monday 2nd December - Board of Trustees Meeting - 5pm - School Staffroom
Wednesday 4th December - Reporting to Parents 1.30-3.00pm and 5.00-6.00pm
(Refer to Curriculum Comment for more information)
Friday 6th December - Pod 1 Assembly - 2.15pm - School Hall
Week 9
Wednesday 11th December - Pantomime 1pm Matinee Performance
Wednesday 11th December - 6.30pm PTA Meeting followed by Christmas BBQ at 7pm in the school staffroom
Thursday 12th December - Pantomime 6pm Evening Performance
Thursday 12th December - Year 2 School Camp - Rms 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14
Week 10
Tuesday 17th December - Year 6 Graduation Assembly - 1pm
Wednesday 18th December - Last day of school for 2019 - 3pm finish
2020
Monday 3rd February - School commences for 2020
Saturday 28th March - Wanaka Trail Ride
IMPORTANT NOTICES Come and Claim Your Lost Property We have a mountain of lost property - uniforms, camp gear, etc - come in quick to claim as its next stop is Wastebusters and Hospice! |
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'Be On Cossie's Team' Monday 2nd December
You may be aware that Marj Cosgrove's hubby Cossie has been diagnosed with cancer. The Wanaka Community are rallying around to support Cossie. Like Blair Vining, he cannot access all the health help he needs through public services, and has to access his next course of treatment privately. Marj and Cossie are valued members of our school and wider community; Marj has been an esteemed member of our teaching team for 12 years.
On Monday 2nd December, the staff are dressing up to raise some funds to help with treatments during this tough time. 'We're on Cossie's Team' is our theme and we want to raise some funds to put on a 'Give a Little' page supporters have set up for Cossie, to help with these medical costs. We are inviting children...and any parents who may wish to join us...to come dressed in their favourite sporting team's shirt or colours (as Cossie is a sports fanatic) and bring a gold coin donation. It will be nice to show Marj and Cossie how much we care and to support his upcoming medical costs.
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Cossie's Big Day Out Saturday 30th November
There is to be a fundraiser for Cossie (Paul) to help aid in purchasing of medicine to ease his suffering.
10:30am Gentlemen's bowling tournament at Wanaka Bowling Club - $100 entry, limit on playing numbers.
3:00pm Social get together at Wanaka Rugby Club
6:00pm Auction to take place (see Auction Catalogue below) |
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Scholastic Book Fair - This Week This Week is our Annual Book Fair The books have arrived and lots of other goodies
great for Christmas shopping
Hours:
Monday to Friday from 8.30 until 9.00am
and every afternoon 2.30 until 4.30pm |
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Pantomime Props We are looking for the following props for the panto. If you have any of these please send them along to Wendy's office and please ensure they are named so we know who to return them to. We require: - plastic chicken drumsticks,
- a garden gnome,
- an Arabian looking mat for our flying carpet,
- any sort of snakes or even a draught stopper,
- a very BIG key
- and a VERY, VERY BIG pair of knickers.
Parents and friends from the community are welcome to come to our school panto - Ali Baba and the Bongo Bandits - in our school hall on Wednesday 11th December at 1pm or Thursday 12th December at 6pm. Tickets are available at the door at $5 per seat. All students at WPS will see the dress rehearsals of the panto on the Tuesday afternoon at 1pm or Wednesday morning at 10am.
End of Year Reporting - Interactive Reporting Expos All parents are invited to our new innovative end of year reporting expos we have developed in line with our Deep Learning work. The format is similar to the Deep Dives our teachers do to learn more about the evidence of Deep Learning. The children and teachers are starting to get ready to show you the work that will highlight their progress and achievement over the year, along with evidence such as assessments, their workbooks and work around the classroom. Children will be rehearsing their presentations, following prompts/scripts so that you get to see the important aspects of their work. We are aiming for students and parents to be actively involved in the process as research, and our own experience of recent expos, shows this to be very powerful. You will learn so much more than a paragraph on a report form can tell you. Teacher time, that would have been spent writing reports, now goes in to supporting the children and setting up the learning environment so their learning and the assessments are demystified and transparent. You will still get a written report but it has a different look and will be a much more realistic and positive experience for our learners, and you too.
We have noted how our students LOOK FORWARD to sharing their learning at expos and we aim to capture that same buzz as part of our reporting. We urge as many of you as possible to come along on Wednesday 4th December - Pods 2, 3 and 4 have the 1.30-2.15pm time slot and then Pods 5, 6, 7 and 8 have the 2.15-3.00pm time slot. Students will also be presenting to parents from 5.00-6.00pm on the same day, but there won't be the same buzz with lots of people around and groups sharing their work, so if you can make the afternoon sessions do it. At our expos, we find children who don't have a parent to present to are rather disappointed, so we will ensure that one of our staff will fill in to be the roving fill-in parent and be with children whose parent is not attending. Children will also share their end of year written report with parents during the expo. Teachers will be roving and available to talk, but it you need more time and want to schedule a follow up time with the specific teacher please do so. There will be no formal process for this.
After these interactive reporting expos, we will be seeking your feedback so that we can further build on these to make them more effective for our learners and for you as parents. Deep learning is all about student agency and learning relationships with parents, teachers and students. You will learn about how your children are working with regard to appropriate curriculum levels for their year level, their progress and attitudes and their deep learning and competencies too. And if you still need more information, the teacher is available during and after the expos. We can pack so much more into these expos about your child than we could in a written report. We hope you find that too. We are all very excited about these upcoming interactive reporting expos.
What's Happening to the End of Term - Camps (apart from Year 2) and swimming have been hugely successful. Next year we will have our two minivans to transport our children to swimming which will keep our travel costs down considerably. The minivans will be ready to go at the beginning of 2020.
- Teachers are busy with the last units of teaching in maths and literacies and finishing off end of year assessments ready for our reporting next week.
This Week: - There is the 'Dress up as a Book Character' day on Wednesday (come and check out the office staff...they have been keeping their outfits a secret).
- The Dunedin Symphony Orchestra are performing for us this Thursday.
- Year 6 orientation morning at MAC on Friday at 9.30am.
Next Week: - On Monday 2nd December there is the 'We're on Cosie's Team' fundraiser.
- The final Board meeting for the year is also on Monday, as usual, everyone is welcome to attend the meeting.
- On Tuesday 3rd we are holding a Christmas afternoon tea and thank you for our bus drivers, walking school bus parents and parking wardens.
- Wednesday 4th we welcome all parents at 1.30 (pods 1-4) and 2.15 for for pods 5 to 8 (and a 6pm-7pm slot for parents who can't make the afternoon sessions) to our final reporting session for the year.
- Our Choirs will be singing at New World Open Day on Thursday 5th.
- Pod 1 assembly is always great fun so do come along on Friday 6th December and share the learning of our 5 year olds.
Last Weeks: - Monday 9th December our Junior and Senior Choirs will be singing for a Senior Citizen's Xmas Party.
- Pantomime - Ali Baba and the Bongo Bandits - Performances on Wednesday 11th 1pm and Thursday 12th 6pm. All WPS Students will see the dress rehearsals on Tuesday afternoon 1pm and Wednesday morning 10am.
- Year 2's Overnight Camp at school is on Thursday 12th.
- Wanaka Primary School is supporting a bring-a-can for the Wanaka Foodbank by Friday 15th December.
- Monday 16th is the 'Student Leaders Celebration Day' and after school is the 'Staff-Doo' at 3.30pm. No one will be at school after 3.30pm - it will be all locked up!
- Our Year 6 Graduation Assembly is on Thursday 17th at 1pm - this has been streamlined as we have another large 6 cohort, and will hopefully run a bit more quickly but still be entertaining and celebrate our awesome Years 6 students.
- Wednesday 18th December - 3pm - is the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR 2019 and the first day back at school for 2020 is Monday 3rd February. As already mentioned in previous correspondence, we are not organising children into class groups until next year. More information about the beginning of year organisation will be shared in upcoming newsletters. .
Please let us know if your child is not returning to Wanaka Primary School next year as you are leaving Wanaka, or enrolling at Te Kura Take Karara (and you haven't already advised us). |
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Year 6 Athletic Interschool Champs 
Many year six students enjoyed a day last week with fellow students from Holy Family School, competing in a mix of traditional and modified athletic events. The students participated and supported each other as members of teams as well as striving for personal bests in individual events. A BIG thank you to all parents who helped, as we could not have run the event without your support.
Team placings: - 1st: No Name (Mika Robinson, Lyla Bowering, Isaac Baker, Liam Mac, Max Henley)
- 2nd: Dingoes (Georgina Titterton, Olive Sinclair, Luca Perkins, Diego Bercelli, Kade Lawrie)
- 3rd: Try Hards (Amelia Hancock, Noah Purnell, Jack Sides, Quinn Bailey, George McKeown)
Individual Overall Winners - Girls: Lyla Bowering
- Boys: Ruben Harley and Jimmy Knight
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Dress Up As Your Favourite Book Character - Tomorrow |
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Wanaka Walking School Bus The Wanaka Walking School Bus is a free service running again this term from Anderson Road – all children welcome! Please contact WSB Coordinator Niamh Tomes 021 173 9690 for more info, or message us via our Facebook Page: Wanaka Walking School Bus.
The WSB starts at 8:25am from the park beside number 82 Anderson Road and walks over the hill to Bovett Place, along Farrant Drive and McLeod Avenue, then King’s Drive to school. The approximately half a kilometre route takes 20-25 minutes.
The service is run by a small group of passionate parent volunteers and, while it’s a great thing to do, you don’t have to volunteer if you are unable to. That said ... we would be delighted to hear from you if you can help!
If you already use it, we thank you for supporting the WSB; the environment thanks you for your consideration; and the school thanks you for easing traffic congestion.
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Wanaka Trail Ride Saturday 28th March
Volunteer registration is opening next week so check your diaries and if you can help out on event day, Saturday 28th March, or in the week leading up to the ride then be sure to sign and grab a time slot that suits you best!
Roles are varied and we hope really enjoyable.The setting is stunning, you get to meet an awesome bunch of people and help raise funds for Wanaka Primary School and Montessori Children's House Wanaka.
Roles that will need filling include, bike marshals, registration, catering, parking and more. We are also still on the lookout for someone keen to take on coordinating the volunteers so if you're interested in getting more involved in this fundraising event then give Gillian a call on 021 500 394 and she'll let you know what's involved and how much time is required. You'd be working alongside the lovely Rachel Allibone and will have full support so it's a great time to get involved.
Until then - watch this space and sign up from next week! Photo credits Tonia's Photography |
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Trinity College London Music Results
Well done to the following students who excelled in their music exams. - Laila Telfer - Piano Grade 1 Distinction
- Ruby Smith - Flute Grade 1 Distinction
- Alice Porter - Clarinet Grade 1 Merit
- Hank Weathington - Piano Initial Merit
- Rui Hwang - Piano Initial Merit
- Monte Halliday - Piano Grade 1 Merit
- Hannah Thomas - Piano Grade 1 Merit
- Rhian Telfer - Piano Grade 3 Merit
- Arnaud Mackenzie - Piano Grade 1 Merit
- Jessica Parker - Grade 1 Merit
Thanks goes out to the local music teachers - Helen Carter, Liz Ritchie, Naomi Carleton and Ann-Marie Lake. |
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Snow Farm Early Bird Season Pass Sale |
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Treasurer Required for The Wanaka Guide and Scout Group Help!! The Wanaka Guide and Scout Group are desperate for a new treasurer to help look after the Wanaka Scout Den and the local Cub and Scout groups. It is estimated 2 hours per week with full training provided. The role could be filled by a retired person with accounting skills and community spirit. It’s a crucial role and essential to all den activities. Please consider joining the team and either message, call or email if you would like further information:
Emily 021 984 336 or wanaka@group.scouts.nz. |
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Wanaka Community Toy Library - Seeking New Premises The Wanaka Community Toy Library has been bringing the joy and excitement of a new toy to local families for over 25 years. But the outlook for Christmas and the New Year looks bleak for the volunteer run library who are seeking new premises. Anyone with a lead on a potential new location for the toy library team would be greatly appreciated. Please get in touch via the toy library’s web site at www.wanakatoylibrary.org.nz/.
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Wanaka Pantomimers Present 'Sno Whyte and the Seven' |
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Northern Lights Concert The Otago Regional Orchestra will perform their “Northern Lights” concert in the Lake Wanaka Centre on Saturday 7th December at 7.30 pm.
The programme includes the Grieg Piano Concerto together with other light classics. $20 adults, school children/students free. Cash bookings at Gifted Design, Helwick Street and eventfinda.com. Door sales will be available. |
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Christmas Tree Celebrations Queenstown  On Sunday 1st December we will be celebrating the installation of Queenstown’s Community Christmas Tree on the Village Green with the cast of the ‘CHRISTMAS SHOW’ at 4:30pm! Bring your family and friends for a spectacular display of talent and a taste of what’s in store for the CHRISTMAS SHOW this year. Along with the cast of the CHRISTMAS SHOW, the event will feature the St Josephs choir and ukulele group, singers from Margaret O’Hanlon's Singers Workshop and it wouldn’t be a Christmas celebration without the big guy in red SANTA! Hosted by MOREFM! DATE: 1ST DECEMBER 2019
TIME: 4:30PM – 5:00PM
LOCATION: VILLAGE GREEN, QUEENSTOWN
FREE TO ALL TO COME ALONG AND ENJOY |
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Wanaka Artisan Market - Fundraising Opportunities |
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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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