St Clair School Bulletin

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No 7, Week 3, Term 2 ~ May 15, 2009.

Dear Parents/Caregivers,
Kia Ora Koutou

What a wet week! No doubt, many of you were as relieved as we were when the sun finally appeared on Thursday allowing grounds and puddles to begin to dry out. It is a long time since we have had three consecutive wet weather days at school. Although our children were largely confined to their classrooms with only limited opportunities for physical activity, to their credit and thanks to lunchtime options such as board games, art activities, cultural and music groups, an open library and supervised access to our computer suite, they coped remarkably well.

Over the months ahead, we can anticipate similar periods of wet or cold weather. Parents are reminded that children should;
· be warmly dressed with access to a coat and hat for outdoor activities
· arrive at school no earlier than 8.30am so they can go directly into heated buildings and supervised classrooms
· be kept at home during periods of illness to prevent the spread of illnesses throughout the school.

Families are also reminded that before school care is available on a casual or regular basis through Kid Station. Kid Station is based in our Technology Room adjacent to the hall, providing both before and after school care. Please contact Carmel or Kevin Marshall by email carmel@kidstation.co.nz <mailto:Carmel@kidstation.co.nz> or by phone 0274 492 102 and 455 9344.

Today’s newsletter contains a variety of school and community notices. For further information in regard to any item, please contact either the school's Executive Officer, Mrs. Bev Mulconroy or myself.

We wish you all a pleasant and restful weekend.

Regards
Richard Newton
Principal

New Faces
This week we welcome Rylee Wagteveld, Nikita Stone, Kale Twist, Seth McLeod and Logan Mullions. We trust that you all settle in quickly, and enjoy your time at St Clair School.

‘KCM’ School Values

Our value focus for weeks three and four of this term is KINDNESS. During this fortnight classes will discuss ways in which showing kindness towards others can enhance everyone’s lives.

“The everyday kindness of the back roads more than makes up for the acts of greed in the headlines.” (Charles Kuralt)

Our school values are promoted, modelled and supported by staff and children. Parents/caregivers are asked to reinforce school-based discussions by talking about ways in which kindness can enhance life at home and in the wider community.

PTA Meeting ~ Thursday 21st of May
The St Clair School PTA will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Thursday 21st May beginning at 7pm in the school staffroom. In addition to the election of office bearers, the PTA will also be discussing ways in which the money raised at this year’s fair could be spent.

Board of Trustees Meeting ~ Wednesday 20th of May
The St Clair School Board of Trustees will be meeting on Wednesday 20th May. Members of the wider community are most welcome to attend and observe the Board at work. The meeting commences at 7pm in the school staffroom.

Enrolment Scheme Notification June – December 2009
Enrolment at St Clair School is governed by an enrolment scheme. The details of the school’s scheme are available from the school office and on the school website.

Families living in the home zone of St Clair School have automatic right of entry. If this applies to you and you plan to enrol your child at St Clair School between June and December 2009, but you have not yet signaled this to us, please contact the school office urgently.

Families living outside the school’s home zone do not have automatic right of enrolment. If this applies to you please read the following information carefully.

The Board of Trustees has determined that there are likely to be a number of places available for Out-of-Zone students from June to December 2009. Applications for enrolment of Out-of-Zone students for this period close at 12 noon on Friday 29 May.

If Out- of-Zone applications exceed the number of places available, a ballot will be held.

Student Illness
All parents are asked to note the following important points in relation to student illness;
* schools do not have extensive health-care facilities so unwell children should not attend
* if a child becomes unwell during the day, parents are required to arrange for appropriate care
* any child arriving at school unwell will be sent home as soon as a parent or alternative caregiver can be contacted.

Visits From a Future-In-Tech Ambassador
Last week a FutureInTech 'ambassador' spoke about sound to our Junior and Senior Learning Teams. Marlon, a mechanical engineer at Fisher and Paykel, demonstrated how knowing about the science of sound helps him to design products that work quietly and that don't damage our ears. Marlon will come back later in the term to talk to students in our Middle Team.

Advanced Notice - Ministry of Education Consultation Evening
The Ministry of Education would like to find out what the most helpful ways are to report to parents. Consultation meetings with parents, caregivers, family and wh?nau members are being held throughout New Zealand. Our school will be hosting the only Ministry of Education reporting meeting in Dunedin. Supper will be served.
When: 6.30pm-8.30pm, Wednesday 24 June 2009
Where: St Clair School Hall
What: Consultation about the best ways for schools to report to parents.

At the meeting you will:
· find out about reporting on children’s achievement against the National Standards
· see some examples of possible school reports
· have the chance for a discussion with other parents at the meeting
· be asked to fill out a feedback form so the Ministry knows what your views are.

Very Special Musical Guests ~ Don McGlashan, Trevor Coleman and Bob Bickerton
Today, iconic kiwi musician Don McGlashan and his band, performed for us all. Our music teacher, Mrs Alison Caldwell, contacted Don to arrange this rather unique NZ Music Month performance and everyone was delighted by his visit. Our sincere thanks to Don McGlashan and his musicians for finding time to play at our assembly. Don McGlashan is playing at Sammy’s Cabaret tonight from 8pm. Tickets cost $28.

Earlier this week our senior classes were entertained by Trevor Coleman, a former St Clair School pupil, composer of Natural History NZ film scores and talented jazz trumpeter. One senior class worked with Trevor to create their own ‘film score’.

Last Wednesday Bob Bickerton, a multi-instrumentalist performer, recording artist, composer, producer and recording engineer, who specialises in Celtic music, brought his ‘Music Works’ show to us. This was not only a great musical session, but also a fabulous opportunity to learn more about the science of sound.

These wonderful opportunities for children to be involved with world-class musicians, follow a performance at the Regent Theatre by our school choir with Geoff Sewell (Amici) in February.

Snippets from the Public Health Nurse – Preventing Illness in Schools
Children at school are;
- in close contact with many children and adults
- exposed to new organisms or germs that they have not yet built an immunity against.

Well children get an average of 4-6 colds a year in the first few years of life. As they get older they develop immunity against some viruses. We also know that the virus that causes the common cold constantly changes or mutates. Therefore we can’t remove the risk of catching infections for children, but we can reduce the spread of infections.
Schools and their communities can reduce contact with illnesses by asking that children who are ill to stay away until there is no risk of them spreading an illness

If you are unsure, call your child’s early child centre, school or Public Health Nurse. The Public Health Nurse for our school is Laurie Mahoney Ph 476-9833 or email Laurie.Mahoney@otagodhb.govt.nz

Please inform your school if your child is going to be kept home due to illness.

Snow ~ Snow ~ Snow
It is timely to remind you that in the event of a heavy snowfall, all Dunedin schools are often closed until 10am. The decision to close schools is made by the local Principals’ Association in consultation with police and road services personnel. The safety of students and staff is the main consideration in all such decision-making. In the event of a heavy fall of snow on the hills, please listen to your local radio station.
Community Noticeboard

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Kid Station (based at St Clair School)
Quality before and after school care for your child/ren. Casual bookings welcome.
Please contact Carmel or Kevin by email Carmel@kidstation.co.nz <mailto:Carmel@kidstation.co.nz> or by phone 0274 492 102 and 4559344. Based in the Tech Room 7.15am to 8.30am and again 3pm to 5.45 pm.

Rhododendrons For Dunedin Trust
Over the last year or two, the Rhodendrons for Dunedin Trust have planted trees in Ajax St, Bellona St, Bird St, Calder St, Council St, Dalgety St, De Carle Park, Douglas St, Jackson St, Larkworthy St, Mills St and Young St. If students see anyone vandalizing them we would like them to tell an adult, or they could call Alert Monitoring on 455-0001. If the tree near your house looks droopy, it is ok to give it a bucket of water!

Modelling
Modelling classes teaching: confidence, catwalk, performance and dance. Only $10. Contact 4557516.

Parenting?
Take a look at some of the options we have available for parents to discover new skills and find support. Phone now and enrol or register your interest for one of the following courses or groups.
The Parenting Toolbox. Choose from an early years (0-5), middle years (6-12) or Teen years (12+) course and join us for six weeks looking at practical things to build your family. Groups run each term. Courses run at night 7:30-9:30 and we have day groups for early years. Contact us for more info.
Game On. A 6-week group just for dads wanting to make the most out of their life and their relationship with their kids.
PSG: Therapy group for mothers. Safe long-term support.
Phone us now on 477-3403 or email sue@cathsocialservices.org.nz <mailto:sue@cathsocialservices.org.nz> www.cathsocialservices.org.nz <http://www.cathsocialservices.org.nz>

Tempo Dance
My name is Dallas Wade & I will be teaching Hip Hop Dance at Forbury Primary School. I have another school in Kaikorai Valley and thought it would be good to have a school in South Dunedin. I also teach hip-hop at several other schools helping out with Stars on Stage and Stage Challenge. I teach Bodyjam and Bodycombat at Les Mills. The Hip Hop Dance School will be at Forbury School 158 Oxford St.
Grades B Boppers (6 – 8 years old), Grade 1 (9 years old), Grade 2 (10 years old), Grade 3 (11 years old). There are also Grades 4, 5 and 6 plus others for everyone. Depending on the age groups we get will determine the times for each grade. For the next two weeks I will be holding open sessions for those interested. Anyone and everyone is welcome. The sessions will be Monday 11th May and Thursday 14th May 3.30pm - 4.15pm and 4.15pm - 5pm. Also the same times on the 18th and 21st of May.
Hip Hop for Adults All adults out there - come and get your groove on!! Don’t be shy - dancing is for all ages! Come along and learn how to flow to the music in a fun, funky and friendly atmosphere. Who knows, you could even get out your favourite old outfit from the 80’s and we’ll go OldschoolJ
Fees are $70/term. There is a discount of $10 if paid within the first three weeks of each term. If the numbers are good then fees could come down by $5 - $10.
Please - if you have any queries, feel free to contact me!
Dallas Wade ~ Phone: 455 5989 or 021 130 8265; Email: djdalboy@hotmail.com

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