St Clair School Bulletin

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No 2, Week 3, Term 1 ~ February 20, 2009.

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Kia Ora Koutou

School seems to have been particularly busy over the past two weeks as we have all got back underway for the new year. The desire to see learning programmes fully implemented, along with the need to establish appropriate routines, means that children often find the start of the year physically demanding and emotionally draining as teachers make the most of the time available during the school week.
For our children, the new year presents a number of special challenges. Not only are they expected to adjust to school routines and formal learning processes, but they are also required to work through a myriad of low-level, but none-the-less significant social challenges, including;
* establishing relationships with a new group of children in a new classroom
* re-establishing friendships from previous years
* maintaining friendships from previous years with children now located in other classes
* establishing a relationship with the class teacher and identifying the teacher’s expectations, priorities, and aspirations
* assimilating new class routines and school expectations.
When looked at in this context it is understandable that some children find the start of the school year tiring. Fortunately, for the vast majority these hurdles are handled relatively comfortably and with minimal difficulty.

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

Regards

Richard Newton
Principal

New Faces
This week we welcome Jackson Campbell, Connor Fa’asega and Samantha Park. We trust that you all settle in quickly, and enjoy your time at St Clair School.

Welcome to the Teaching Team
This term we welcome Brigid Short to our school staff. Brigid is working as a teacher’s aide in Room 5. We trust that she enjoys her time at our school and we look forward to her contributions to the class programme.

‘KCM’ School Values
Our value focus for weeks three and four of this term is Caring. During this fortnight classes will discuss ways in which we can care for our belongings, our school property and our environment.

‘We do not take care of what we have, but we cry when it is lost.’ Russian proverb

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.

Beach Education
This week, children from our Middle and Senior Learning Teams enjoyed the opportunity to take part in the annual Beach Education Programme. The weather was a significant improvement on previous years and classes involved in the programme in the middle of the week experienced picturesque conditions. Beach Education is an important element of our school’s health and physical education programme and attempts to ensure that children have key understandings about the dangers associated with swimming at a surf beach and have the necessary knowledge and skills to make decisions that ensure their ongoing safety. Thank you to the many parents who assisted with child supervision. Your assistance is greatly valued.

Geoff Sewell and St Clair School Choir on Stage Together
Next Monday our school choir will be singing with Geoff Sewell (Amici Forever) at the Regent Theatre. This is a remarkable invitation and a very unique opportunity for our children, reflecting the quality of our school’s music programme and the high regard in which our music teacher, Mrs Alison Caldwell, is held. Children will be singing two songs with Geoff Sewell and have been busily practising over the past two and a half weeks to sharpen their voices and achieve the best possible quality. We wish the choir and Alison all the best and look forward to seeing them on stage.

OUR SCHOOL FAIR IS COMING & WE NEED YOUR HELP. CALL KRISTY (4877985) FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO OFFER YOUR SUPPORT.

Board of Trustees Meeting
Last night, our Board of Trustees held their first meeting for 2009. The Board spent most of the meeting discussing the content of the 2008 School Self Review. The 34-page review provides detailed information about student achievement across the curriculum, as well as information in relation to student wellbeing and community feedback. The Board concluded that student achievement remains at an appropriately high level and that the social and emotional needs of children are being meet through a comprehensive array of specific programmes, initiatives and interventions. A copy of the 2008 School Review booklet is displayed in the school office.

In addition, the Board unanimously reconfirmed Mrs Talei Anderson as Board Chair for 2009. The Board also established meeting dates for the remainder of 2009. All meetings will be held in the school staffroom, and will commence at 7pm on the following dates; 1/4/09, 20/5/09, 1/06/09, 19/08/09, 23/09/09, 28/10/09 and 02/12/09. Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe the Board at work.

Keeping Ourselves Safe and D.A.R.E
Currently the Police are assisting our school programmes by supporting the delivery of Keeping Ourselves Safe for the Junior Learning Team and D.A.R.E (NZ Dare to Make a Choice programme) for our senior children. Both programmes have been available to our children for many years and have proven to be a useful way of ensuring that our children are well informed about the challenges that may confront them in their everyday lives. Our thanks to Constable Parcell for her support.

Crossing Safety
Last week, one of our junior children was almost run over at the school gate. This was a classic case of driver inattention and it is clear that a simple moment of distraction could have easily resulted in a life of regret for all concerned. Please, please, please, take care when parking or driving near the school. In the interest of everybody’s well-being:
* do not double park
* do not park on yellow lines
* do not park on the crossing
* move your car if requested to do so by a member of the school staff
* watch out for small children on footpaths.
The inconvenience of walking 50 metres to the school gate pales into insignificance when compared to the regret that would follow should a child be injured in a careless moment of driving.

Meet The Teacher Evenings
Thank you to the large number of parents who attended the ‘Meet the Teacher’ sessions at school this week and last. Teachers value the opportunity to be able to share general information with parents. We trust that all those attended found the sessions to be useful and informative. All parents are reminded that teachers are available at any stage of the year to discuss any concerns about a child’s academic, social or emotional development.

Visiting Performers
On Wednesday of this week children enjoyed a spirited and entertaining performance by travelling musician and songwriter, Craig Smith. Craig demonstrated versatility and creativity as he presented a 40-minute show, which had children roaring with laughter. Our thanks to Craig for visiting. We look forward to seeing him again in the future.

Victorian Bush Fire Coin Trail
Our sincere thanks to the multitude of families who contributed to our coin trail appeal for the victims of the Victorian bushfires. Our Deputy Principal, Mrs. Shelley Wilde, visited schools in the affected area last year as part of a Traveling Education Scholarship provided by the Board of Trustees. Shelley has since contacted these schools, and although badly affected, they are looking positively towards the future. Our appeal raised $518.20 and this money will be forwarded with our best wishes to; Bendigo Violet Street School, Camp Hill School, Specimen Hill School and California Hill School.

Sun Snippets from your Public Health Nurse
Protecting your family
From the beginning of October through to the end of March we need to take care in the sun and try not to get sunburned. Sunburn can cause skin cancer, the most common cancer in New Zealand. Ultra-violet radiation from the sun cannot be seen or felt, which is why on cooler, cloudy days it is still possible to get sunburned. What we feel as heat from the sun are infrared rays. The time of day when we need to take most care is from 11am to 4pm.
Laurie Mahoney Public Health Nurse 478-9833

Community Noticeboard

Helen O’Grady Drama Academy
Weekly after school classes during term time. We help your child gain confidence and self esteemin a safe and fun environment. No experience necessary. International Programme, fully qualified teachers. Call Helen Wilson for details 465 8412 or see our website www.helenogrady.co.nz <http://www.helenogrady.co.nz>

Southern Gymnastics Academy Classes for 2009
Southern Gymnastics offers multiple classes; Under 5s, High 5s, Sportgym, Advanced Sportgym: and Competitive classes. For information please phone 4775855 or email sga@earthlight.co.nz <mailto:sga@earthlight.co.nz> .

Parenting Support and Courses
We have many options available in support of parents wanting to discover new skills and find support. Phone now for more information or to register your interest.
Phone Catholic Social Services on 477-3403 or email sue@cathsocialservices.org.nz

Junior Duathlon 2009
Rotary Park School is again holding the Rotary Park School Duathlon to be held on Sunday 1st March 2009. Please contact the school for further details.

Junior Golf Chisholm Park Golf Club
Have a go, learn the basics. Classes held on Mondays after school. Equipment is supplied and class size is limited. For more information or to register please contact Andrew or Jeff ph 455-0565.

Tahuna Normal Int School Art Classes
Tuesdays after school. For more information or to enrol please contact the school on 455-3994.

Saturday Morning Music Classes
For more information please contact Stephanie Hobbs, co-ordinator on 477-2296 or Barrie Rutledge, Mac/Mos co-ordinator on 477-1214.

Sharlotte’s School of Arts
Vacancies available for students in piano, flute, speech and drama. Please phone Sharlotte Mckenzie 021 02300121

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