Newsletter 7 November 2022
Clarkville Te Kura ki Waimātao
Kia ora Clarkville Te Kura ki Waimātao whānau
It’s a busy time at Clarkville Te Kura ki Waimātao! Teaching programmes are in full swing and learners are working hard in learning spaces. I have had the opportunity to teach in 2 spaces myself recently and have really enjoyed supporting and learning more about Clarkville programmes and building connections with the tamariki. The playground is a busy, happy place with tamariki enjoying the amazing recent weather and having a great time with their mates. It’s really great to see the school sports gear and facilities being used enthusiastically!
On Monday we were very fortunate to have a visit from Alex Laurie, the New Zealand lead for the ‘Maths No Problem!’’ curriculum. Maths - No Problem! is a New Zealand created curriculum based on the highly successful Singapore model of learning mathematics. Singapore has been highlighted recently as a world leader in the teaching and learning of Mathematics due to their excellent results in international testing and studies. We are one of 2 schools in Canterbury (that I am aware of) who are using this curriculum for the benefit of our tamariki - the recent schoolwide student achievement and progress results have been outstanding! Teachers at Clarkville have also developed a love for the programme as they are witnessing the accelerated progress of their learners each and every day. Alex was able to model her own teaching of the Maths No Problem curriculum in our learning spaces. This was an excellent opportunity for our teachers to observe Alex teach and then reflect on their own Mathematics practice.
On Friday we had our PTA wrap up our Salmon fundraiser. I have received an early report that it was a great success. Thank you to everyone who supported this opportunity - I know you will have dinner sorted for the weekend! Thank you also to our AMAZING PTA - I know a lot of work is done ‘behind the scenes’ to make fundraisers like this so successful.
Hope everyone had a great weekend. It was my youngest son Noah’s 5th birthday on Saturday and his birthday party on Sunday. This was on top of the usual cricket match and swimming lessons - a busy time in the Barrow house as I am sure it is for many in the Clarkville community!
Take care
Noho ora mai
Kris
Teachers attending union meeting on Thursday 24 November
Please read this important information regarding our teaching staff attending a paid union meeting on:
Thursday 24 November 2022
You may remember that teachers attended union meetings 3 years ago, the last time their collective contract was due for renewal.
NZEI Te Riu Roa (teachers’ union) has entered into negotiations with the Ministry of Education. Progress in negotiations will be reported to teachers and at paid union meetings around the country starting soon.
NZEI Te Riu Roa members at our school will attend a paid union meeting on Thursday 24 November at Redwood Primary School starting at 2pm.
We would really appreciate it if you could pick your child/ren up at 1pm on this day. This will give the teachers time to travel to Redwood Primary School and find parking.
If this is impossible, can you please let Kathryn in our Office know by emailing her at admin@clarkville.school.nz by Monday 14 November. We will arrange alternative supervision at school for the afternoon.
From our Board From our Board - introducing our parent representatives
Rachael Spencer
Tēnā Koutou
I am delighted to be representing the Clarkville School community on our School Board for another term. My husband and I have three daughters, Rosa (Year 7), Kate (Year 5) and Hazel (Year 2) attending Clarkville School. As a family we enjoy most outdoor pursuits.
I worked as an Occupational Therapist for over 20 years specialising in mental health and intellectual disability. My key role was Clinical Lead for youth under a legislative framework and clinical supervision of staff.
I am now working for New Zealand Schools Trustees Association supporting school boards as a
Governance Adviser. I took this role because I have enjoyed the five years I have spent on the
Clarkville School Board. I have been fortunate to be part of a high functioning, hardworking and
inspiring board and I wanted other schools to have this effective governance.
From my background in mental health, I am particularly interested in well-being and how by
developing students’ resilience through using a growth mind set, improves their all-round
achievement. Things I love about Clarkville school: it is future focused, lives its values, has a special sense of community, has committed & skilled teachers and students have a strong who they are as learners.
I’m invested in our Board, relish the opportunity to provide continuity, offer my experience and
passion for school governance.
Paula Hawkins
I have been a part of Clarkville School community since 2016 and joined the board in 2019. My
husband and I have one child at Clarkville School currently in year 5, I am a trained Early Childhood Teacher but currently working coordinating Forestry programmes with primary schools and secondary school children. I feel privileged to be a part of the board again and am committed to the care and education of our Clarkville school children. I am proud to work alongside a very passionate board of teachers and parents who are future focused in the care and education of our children.
Bec Ansley
My husband Simon and I have four children - two are current students at Clarkville Te Kura ki Waimātao, and two attend high school in Rangiora. I thoroughly enjoy being involved in our children’s education and am grateful for the rich learning environment, and many opportunities, that our school provides. I am particularly passionate about well-being, and students with diverse learning needs. I very much value our special community and strongly believe in schools and families partnering together to achieve the best outcomes for all. I am thrilled to be serving on the board, continuing the efforts of a fully engaged and proactive team. I step into this exciting new season with enthusiasm, a dedication to learning, and a desire to serve well.
Kristy Pritchard
My association with the school began in 2019 when my daughter started school in Whakarewa, and my son started in Tūhura. Having co-chaired the PTA for two years, I decided I'd like to move into a more governance type of role within the school as a parent representative.
I have worked as a personal assistant for many years, then moving into Health & Safety where I have worked in the construction, airline, and meat processing industries for the past 23 years.
I’m pleased to be moving to be a part of an enthusiastic Board who are focused on the wellbeing of our children, their families and the staff here at Clarkville Te Kura ki Waimātao.
Nic Dench
My wife Jody and I have three children, Eddie (11) Maggie (8) and Patrick (3). We’ve been part of the Clarkville Te Kura Ki Waimātao community since 2016. As a day job, I am a Detective in the New Zealand Police. I’m excited to be a member of the board and be able to lend a hand in guiding our school into the future. My hope is that all of our children have the support and resources to be able to thrive and be the best versions of themselves, whatever that may look like.
From our Board - reintroducing our two returning parent representatives
From our PTA
Thank you to those that supported our successful Salmon fundraiser last week. It was a special treat for us to see your eyes like saucers when Hylton pulled out the first fish! Such an amazing bargain for us! Special thanks to Cherie-Lynn and Hylton Lewis who made it possible! Hylton managed to gut 83 salmon in two hours so they were the freshest they could be.
Christmas Raffle
This week sees the beginning of our xmas raffle! As with the Easter raffle there will be boxes in each classroom for donations. It’s a little different this time around with each class getting a theme for their donations (see the flyer for details). We hope you can all contribute in some way to make this a success.
Meeting
Next PTA Meeting - is on Tuesday the 29th of November in the staffroom at 6.45pm. This will
follow our annual AGM. All welcome!
Thanks, Kristy and Nic
Lost Property
Art Calendars
Your child should have brought home a flyer with their unique entrance code printed at the bottom.
Orders close at 11.30pm on Wed 23 NovemberCalendars... $13.00
Cards. $13.00
Diaries...$15.00
Mouse pads... $13.00
Sketch pads... $13.00
2022 Term Dates
- Term 3 ends - Friday 30 September @ 2.50pm
- Term 4 begins - 17 October
- Labour Day - Monday 24 October
- Canterbuy Show Day - Friday 11 November
- Term 4 ends - Friday 16 December @ 12.15pm
2023 Term Dates
- Term 1: - Tuesday 31 January - Thursday 6 April 31 (31 Jan is Connection Day)
- Term 2: - Monday 24 April - Friday 30 June
- Term 3: - Monday 17 July - Friday 22 September
- Term 4: - Monday 9 October – Friday 15 December
Contact Us
Email: admin@clarkville.school.nz
Website: https://clarkville.school.nz/
Location: Clarkville School 10 Heywards Rd, Clarkville 7692, New Zealand
Phone: 03 327 8218
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057209659902