Welcome‎ > ‎Newsletter‎ > ‎Archive‎ > ‎2016 Term 1‎ > ‎

4 March 2016

Kia ora e te Whanau o Whetukairangi

I left home and went to University when I was a mere 16...... thinking I knew it all (and found out quickly that I didn't!).  All I knew was, I needed to get a degree where I would 'get a job'.  Physiotherapy attracted me. It was more the cool looking pants suits and the title itself, I think, as my interest in the sciences at the time was fair to middling.

The Careers Guidance Counsellor suggested Social Work or Teaching. I was keen on Social Work for a while but thought I may not have the life experience when I graduated at 20 to do a good job! So, I went teaching and have never looked back. I have worked in a variety of roles in different countries, both in the private and public sector, all education focussed. I was lucky. This career, almost by by default, has been a great fit.

But the world of work our children will be going into is very different from my experience. The conversations from Careers Guidance, as in pick 'a job' and train for it..... will be too! Last week I came across an article in the Guardian that reminded me of the Parent Workshop on Future Focussed Learning with Mark Osborne last year. Australian science agency, CSIRO, has charted 20 year trends in increasingly digitally focussed and automated Australian workplaces. Some key points:

  • Science, technology,engineering and mathematics knowledge is used in 75% of the fastest growing occupations.

  • A big rise in self employment and freelancing (in the US one in three workers is an independent contractor).

  • Entrepreneurial skills are likely to be increasingly important.

  • Education and Healthcare would continue to drive job creation "social interaction skills and emotional intelligence will become increasingly important".

For the full article: http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/feb/26/future-of-work-remote-controlled-vehicle-operators-in-demand-in-2035


It's always good to have a reminder that schools and education cannot look the same as what we may remember. It's a different world, requiring many different skills than what it once did.


Nga mihi.


PRINCIPAL’S AWARDS
Our Principal’s Awards are currently focusing on 'Thinking' and 'Lots of Great Ideas'!

Autahi and Tautoru:   Noah, Sitara, Ari and Cooper.

Māhutonga and Matariki:  Teddy, Thomas and Lucas. 

New School Sign

Look out, our new school sign on the bank on the corner of Awa and Seatoun Heights Roads is underway!  Last year some of our children completed a Mini-Inquiry into what makes a great sign and how can we reflect who we are, in our school sign?

This information and thoughts from parents came together and were used a basis for the new design. Watch this space - it will take a little bit of time for construction but we will keep you posted before the big reveal!

Think Whetukairangi, think stars...........!


Celebrations - Farewell and Welcome

Soon we will be farewelling Carolyn Anderson. Carolyn has been the WBS Office Manager for 11.5 years and whilst she still adores her role, has decided to have a 'career change' and have more time to do new things.

Please join us for Morning Tea on Monday 14 March straight after Karakia at 9.10 am to celebrate Carolyn's time at Worser Bay and wish her well.


Welcome

Welcome to Blaze and Kura and their families who are new to Worser Bay School.  
Welcome too, to Addison, whose family is already part of our school community.

We look forward to guiding your development and learning.


SCOTTISH CEILIDH DANCE WITH LIVE BAND, SCHIEHALLIAN

Saturday 5 March 2016
Miramar Bowling Club, 7.00 pm for a 7.30 pm start.
Dust off your sporran, find some tartan, and bring your friends!!


Autahi



Rising Fives Scavenger Hunt

We had a scavenger hunt with kids that will be starting school in the next term or two. We found all the different places around school.


Building our Reading Muscles

We are practising reading by ourselves for longer periods of time. Have a look at the blog to see ways we can read a book and how big our reading muscles are at the moment.


ABC books

We are sorting pictures into our personal ABC books. Have a look at the blog to see which letters we focussed on this week.

We are asking for small objects to create an ABC item sort (things like buttons for b, coins for c, etc.). If you have anything you can bring in, please bring it to Autahi! Thanks!

Tautoru


This is a group of students learning about different types of seaweed during guided reading.

We are loving our inquiry about change, specifically how rock pools change.

If you visit any rock pools in the evening or at the weekends, please send through some pictures of what you find to Nicola at: nstevenson@worserbay.school.nz. We will put these on the blog and discuss in class. Thank you!



Zucchini and Marrow Writing

We have been excited to observe things growing in our garden! Read some of our Zucchini Writing on the blog.

It was great to chat to this guy today who is currently in Canada! We are looking forward to your return. 



If You Learned Here

If You Learned Here is a global collaboration and authoring project for students. This project will engage students in a global dialogue about their learning communities. Each school will generate pages for an eBook that we will write and publish together...

We have been busy completing the tasks for Week 1. We have been making a movie to share with the other schools involved. The movie is not ready yet, but here is a sneak peak... Enjoy our trailer...

Dear Parents & Caregivers,
We plan to go to the beach on Wednesday, 9 March, weather permitting. We are going in two groups.

Year 1s and 2s: Shona & Chrissy
9.15am - 10.15am

Year 3s: Nicola & Scott
10.30am - 11.30am

If you are a parent and able to help walk the kids up and down to the beach as well as be at the beach with the kids, please let us know. Please identify which year group your child is in and tell the teacher responsible for that group.

Children will need:
  • Sunhat
  • Drink bottle
  • Sensible walking shoes

Thanks,
Team Tautoru


Mahutonga/Matariki

What lies in the sand?


We had another chance to explore different aspects of the Worser Bay environment on Wednesday. The children did another marine metre squared investigation, this time at high tide on the sand and in amongst the seaweed.

They were much better at being budding scientists and recording their results accurately this time!

Picasso Inspired Artworks!

Picasso Inspired Artworks. Wow!

We spent FOUR WEEKS working on these paintings which were inspired by Picasso. 

They look amazing! View more and read all about it on the blog.




Beach Treasure Hunt



Everybody knows that the beach is full of treasures. We are looking at all of the species of shellfish, seaweed and plants that we have found washed up on the beach. We are observing closely and beginning to think like scientists.

What's Going On In Mahutonga Matariki?

There is always so much happening that sometimes it’s difficult to keep up. So, to assist you at home and so that you can support what’s happening at school with some of your own home based learning fun, click on the link above for a brief run-down of the work due and the activities in progress.

ACTIONS AT A GLANCE
  • THIS WEEKEND!  Scottish Ceilidh Dance with Live Band, Schiehallian
    Saturday 5 March, Miramar Bowling Club, 7.00 pm for a 7.30 pm start.
  • Years 4 - 6 Camp Payments - Please pay and return your camp forms now, if you haven't already done so!!
  • Lost Property Clearance - Friday 11 March
  • Morning Tea for Carolyn - Monday 14 March following Karakia
  • Your Voluntary Contribution is now due!
    The Voluntary Contribution for 2016 is $285 per child if paid by the end     of Term 1 (15th April) and $335 otherwise.
  • Football - Autahi and Tautoru (boys and girls)
    Please pay $5.00 for the five week Football Programme by Friday 18 March.
  • Seesaw Online Learning Journal - please pay $7.00 by Friday 18 March.
  • Years 4 - 6 - Enter ICAS 2016 by Thursday 24 March.
  • Have a look at Our Exciting Property Plan 2016 under Info on the website. If you have any thoughts, please email Stephanie Wilson at asewilson@clear.net.nz.
  • Sausage Sizzle Tuesdays and Sushi Lunches Fridays - you can order online for the whole term at Wrap It Up.
  • Take a look at our Blogs! www.worserbay.school.nz/blog
All payments via Wrap It Up please.


Board Shorts

The Board of Trustees met for the first time this year on Monday night, and covered a lot of ground in our first meeting for what is shaping up to be an exciting year ahead.

We were delighted once again with the wonderful community feel of last week’s powhiri. The chance to formally welcome new members to our community has become an absolute highlight of the start of the year, and all those that attended last Friday will attest to the strong sense of community and belonging that was in evidence. It is an occasion we can all be very proud of, and our thanks to all of you that took the plunge and got involved to make it such a special morning. 

Keep an eye out in the next few weeks for information on our school’s very strong performance against the 2015 Student Achievement Targets, and confirmation of the Targets for 2016. It’s great to know that we continue to excel in our effective teaching practice, and that the teaching team has a deep knowledge of the learning needs of each and every child.

Following on from last year’s community workshop, the recent information sessions, and the posting of the details of the exciting Property Plan on the school’s website; we were delighted to approve submission of the 10 Year Property Plan to the Ministry of Education. This is an important step in securing the base funding required for our key property initiatives, and we look forward to keeping you informed about next steps when we hear back from the Ministry. While securing Ministry funding is critical, it will only ever cover the basics, and we are going to need to supplement it with locally raised funds to create the type of environment our children can truly thrive in.

We looked at arrangements for the mid-year triennial Board Elections. This is a very important event as strong governance is critical to the ongoing well-being of the school. With a number of our current Trustees moving on as their children move through the education system, we are keen to ensure we have a Board that is representative of our school community, and has the right mix of skills and experience to guide the school in the years ahead. Check out http://www.trustee-election.co.nz for general information about how you can make a contribution by becoming a Trustee. It’s a lot of fun, you learn a lot about the school and wider education system, and have the chance to make a really important contribution. If that sounds like you, please don’t hesitate to talk to any member of the Board - we’re very keen to hear from you!

Finally, we look forward to catching up with many of you at the Ceilidh this Saturday 5 March at the Miramar Bowling Club, 7pm for a 7.30pm start. This is the first fundraising and social event of the year for parents, and it’s going to be a cracking night. Tickets are still available from parentnet@worserbay.school.nz and will be on sale on the night.

The Board


Headlice

Please note that those pesky headlice are doing the rounds again. Please check and treat, if necessary. If you need professional advice, please pop into your local pharmacy.


ICAS 2016

The ICAS tests (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools) for students in Years 4-6 are coming up in Terms 2 and 3. Some of our children like a challenge and these competitions are just that. So we are very willing to organise these competitions if your child wishes to enter. Have a chat with your child and see how they feel about this opportunity. The information is not used as assessment information as it doesn't reflect the New Zealand Curriculum. 

We need a minimum of three children per subject to keep the fees at a reasonable level.

There are six subjects to choose from. The sitting dates and prices are as follows:

 Subject     Sitting Date Fees
 Digital TechnologiesTuesday 17 May $12.00
 ScienceTuesday 31 May $12.00
 WritingWednesday 15 June $23.00
 SpellingWednesday 15 June $14.00
 EnglishTuesday 2 August $12.00
 MathematicsTuesday 16 August $12.00

The closing date for entries is Thursday 24 March. Please pay via Wrap It Up. You'll find ICAS under Merchandise and you can select the subjects from the drop down box.

For more information, go to: www.eaa.unsw.edu.au.


Fundraiser for Worser Bay School

Stuck for present ideas for a lover of the great outdoors who has a birthday coming up? 

Buy a copy of New Zealand's Backcountry Cooking: Great recipes for trampers, campers and the outdoors by Paul and Rebecca Garland. Potton & Burton will contribute $7.20 to our school.

This fantastic cookbook, hot off the press, is co-written by local parent Rebecca Garland.

Order now to receive the discounted price of $35.99 (RRP $39.99) and free delivery within New Zealand.

To contribute to this fundraiser, order your copy of New Zealand's Backcountry Cooking online at http://www.pottonandburton.co.nz/store/new-zealand-backcountry-cooking and enter the discount coupon WBS15 at the shopping cart. 

Check out the display book in the office.

Any queries, contact Autahi parent Kyla on 920 6622 or 021 208 2750.

* Offer expires at the end of April 2016.


A peek at this morning's Assembly:
https://youtu.be/iaPFDPjrmG0



Community Notices...

Seatoun and Bays Progressive Association 

invites you to an evening for the future at the Seatoun and Bays' 7s:
  • Legal and Lightening Fast AGM - 7 highlights for the future, each for 7 action-packed, inspiring, heart-raising minutes.
  • The Big Build Project - Worser Bay Boating Club 
  • Hall with a Heart
  • Park Playground Action Group
  • The Clubhouse - Seatoun Community Group
  • Nature Nurture - Te Motu Kairangi-Miramar Peninsula Ecological project
  • Future snap shots for other potential
Light refreshments provided and drinks available. 
Dress code: It’s the 7s, you choose!
Any questions: seaprog9@gmail.com  
When: 7pm Tuesday 8 March
Where: Seatoun Bowling Club and RSA, Dundas Street




Lyall Bay School Fair
Friday 11 March 2016, 5.00pm - 7.30pm. At Lyall Bay School, Freyberg St, Lyall Bay. 

A fun night out for the entire family. Take a night off cooking dinner and visit our many international food stalls. Spend your pocket money at stalls selling books, cakes, toys and clothes. Plus, there will be entertainment, raffles, silent auctions and games for everyone. Please come and support our fabulous school in our effort to fundraise for an upgraded playground. It's on rain or shine!

A note from Geoff Day

We are looking for young singers, guitarists and keyboard players for a group acoustic performance at Lyall Bay School. (Guitarists would need acoustic guitars, singers just need the words, keyboard players will need battery powered keyboards.).

You will need to be competent with the songs or able to learn them in the next two weeks. Guitarist need to be able to play bar chords. All songs are attached.

The performance will be at 5pm until 7.30pm, Friday 11 March, Lyall Bay School. In front of the Dental Clinic, north end of the school next to the play ground.

Fair Link: http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/lyall-bay-school-fair/wellington

Contact:
Geoff Day
Director - Teaching Coordinator
The Rock Academy & The Singing Academy
021 565 750
www.therockacademy.co.nz






Musikgarten Foundation Family Movie Fundraiser

Musikgarten Foundation Family Movie Fundraiser 'Oddball', Sunday 20 March, 2016 at 5pm 

Light House Cuba, 29 Wigan Street, Wellington City.
$20 a ticket & includes a free goody bag & glass of lemonade at the cinema.
Tickets available from Sonia on 388 5260 and sonia@musikgarten.co.nz