St Clair School, Dunedin, New Zealand

It was a pleasure to see children returning to school on Tuesday looking refreshed and relaxed after their summer holiday. It seems that everyone has a happy story to tell and cheerful memories to share.
The Board of Trustees and staff extend a warm welcome to all families as we commence a new school year. We would like to particularly acknowledge families who have joined our school for the first time. We trust that your children settle in quickly and have an enjoyable, stimulating and positive experience during their time with us.

During the break, teachers spent a considerable period of time preparing for the term ahead, ensuring that learning programmes are both interesting and appropriate. Consequently, children can anticipate a wide variety of stimulating and challenging learning experiences covering not only literacy and numeracy, but also science, arts, health, physical education, social sciences, and technology.
As the New Year gets underway, parents are reminded of the importance of open and regular communication with teachers. Research clearly indicates that learning is most effective when both home and school form a strong partnership that respects the skills, interests and integrity of each party. With this sentiment in mind, it is imperative that parents contact the school promptly if they perceive that their child is not enjoying their schooling experience or requires extra emotional or learning support to maintain academic and/or social progress.
Over the next few weeks, we have scheduled two opportunities for parents to formally meet teachers. The first is an informal, information evening that will provide general information about school programmes and expectations. The second is our more formal, goal setting Three-Way Conference where each child, his or her parent/s, and teacher meet to identify individual goals and development priorities for the year ahead. Dates for both sessions are included in this newsletter.

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.
We wish you all a happy and relaxing Waitangi Day and weekend. School reopens on Monday 9 February.

New Faces
This week we welcome Tawhiao & Te Whaea Cooper-Willis, Georgia Peterson, Blake Hutchison, Avalon Beker, Lester Stevenson, Dmitri Cochrane, Ramanaia & Satya Ellis, Alex Cheetham, Tia Thornley, Jaya Verma, Taiaroa Flavell, Brooklyn Spedding, Salem Paterson-Spiers, Ellie Jones, Toby Park, Isabel Harrison, Jemma Tutty, Jonathon Richmond, Samuel Dorne-Cumming, Payge Rakete-Gray, Gillian & Robert Nelson and Julia Murphy. We trust that you all settle in quickly, and enjoy your time at St Clair School.

Welcome to the Teaching Team
We extend a warm welcome to our new staff members; Robyn Wood, Shannon Hall, Carmel Marshall and Paul McElhone. Robyn joins us as our new Assistant Principal and is teaching in Room 9. Shannon Hall is teaching in our Junior Learning Team and is based in Room 6. Carmel Marshall returns to our school after a short break, co-teaching in Room 7, and Paul McElhone joins us this year for ongoing, part-time teaching in Rooms 11 and 12. All of these teachers are experienced classroom practitioners who bring with them a variety of strengths.

‘KCM’ School Values
Our value focus for weeks one and two of this term is ‘Kindness’.. During this fortnight classes will discuss ways in which showing kindness towards others can enhance everyone’s lives.

Kindness is a language, which the blind can see and the deaf can hear. (African 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.

Sun Safety
Our school actively promotes ‘sun-safety’. Keeping our children safe from the sun is particularly important given our nation’s high level of exposure to ultraviolet radiation and its high incidence of skin cancer. This year all children have been asked to wear a wide-brimmed sun hat. Ideally, this will be royal blue, however, the most important thing is that all children have appropriate sun protection.
All parents are asked to ensure their child has an appropriate wide-brimmed hat at school during terms one and four. Hats can be purchased as part of the school stationery pack or bought from a retail outlet.

School Stationery
This week, all children received information about 2009 stationery packs. Parents are asked to ensure that stationery requirements are purchased as soon as possible so that routines and full class programmes can commence as soon as possible.

School Website
Did you know that our school maintains a fully featured and up-to-date website? The site provides useful information about school events, programmes, sports fixtures, class Wiki Spaces and staff.

Please feel welcome to make use of this easy-to-navigate and well presented website at http://www.stclair.school.nz .

The School Fair is the school’s only fundraiser for the year, and for this day to be a success it requires many volunteers, prior to the Fair and on the day. The funds from this event are very much appreciated by our school and used to benefit our children. The fair is a lot of fun and a great opportunity to meet new faces.

Coordinators are people who are responsible for a particular stall or event and they have a team of people who work with them. This is a great opportunity to grab your friends and work together.

This coming fair we will be introducing apprenticeships for some of the larger roles as the coordinators are nearing the end of their time with the school.

The fair committee meets every Tuesday prior to the Fair commencing on Tuesday 10/2/09, and coordinators would need to attend 1-2 meetings. All meetings will be held in the staffroom starting at 6.30pm.

Please complete this form if you are able to help.
Positions to be filled (please circle area of interest)

Positions vacant
Fair Convener apprentice, Volunteers, Advertising, Art Auction apprentice, Silent Auction, Books, Cakes, Candy floss, Clothes, Face painting and hair, Produce, Pony’s Rides, Outdoor activities, Tombola, Toys, White elephant, Sausage sizzle, Hamburgers, Drinks, Hot chips, Ice creams, Café, Clean up

Circle option           -          Coordinator          or                 Helper

Name:…………………………………………………………………

Email:…………………………………………………………………

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All correspondence will be sent home via this child.
Any queries please contact Kristy 4877985 jkbooth@clear.net.nz

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St Clair School Bulletin