VOGELTOWN SCHOOL
TE KURA O HUATOKI. WEEK 7 TERM 1 2020
Senior school new entranceway
Junior school new entranceway
Keeping our whanau safe from Covid-19
VOGELTOWN SCHOOL PEPEHA
Ko Taranaki te mounga
Ko Huatoki te awa
Ko Tokomaru te waka
Ko Te Atiawa te iwi
Ko Ngāti Te Whiti te hapū
Ko te Kura o Huatoki te kura.
Ko Taranaki, ko Huatoki, ko Paetoki oku tīma
Tihei mauri ora!
SCHOOL GOAL: BEING ORGANISED FOR SCHOOL
WHY:
Having all your school gear ready each day - saves time during 'learning time'
Becoming a self manager
SIGNS OF SUCCESS:
* The teacher does not need to remind you about what is happening over the day
* Your gear is in your room, ready for the day
* You remember your library books, homework, practices and clubs without being reminded.
* You keep your bag zipped up and the corridor around your class bags tidy.
KIA ORA VS WHANAU, FROM MR O
At the top of the newsletter you will see the council designs for the front of the senior and junior school. This is happening over the next few weeks. The designs look great and will really lift the entrances to the schools. We will keep you posted as these areas are developed.
Yesterday you would have been aware of the two confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Taranaki. We knew this day was going to happen, but please be aware this is not a time to panic. Our children pick up from us how we feel/behave, it's part of their learning process. With COVID-19 lets all continue to work together, stay calm, only listen to and respond to evidence based facts (not Facebook fiction) be kind, and look out for each other.
On Wednesday I attended a meeting with one of the medical officers from Taranaki Base Hospital, along with other principals from New Plymouth schools. The aim of this meeting was to get a clear understanding of what COVID-19 means to us as a school at this time.
The main points that were taken away from that meeting included:
- Based on the evidence from the countries who have experienced the virus, schools are a safe place to be and the impact on children is significantly less than on others
- That we have made the right call re postponing school events (swimming sports, etc)
- That learning can and should continue
- That we keep things as normal as we can
- Staying home if unwell - kids, parents and staff
- Stop handshakes, hugs and hongi ('air high fives' are ok!)
- Look after each other, stay calm and follow Ministry of Health guidelines
Long after Covid-19 has gone, and it will, our children will remember how we dealt with this history changing issue. The way we talk, behave and treat each other is much more important at this time. Look after each other, look out for each other and wash those hands!
We have included in this newsletter some information and latest official updates about Covid-19 and also the letter our Board Chair, Mike Miners, put out on Wednesday - please see below.
Covid-19 What are we doing at Vogeltown?
18th March 2020
Kia ora Vogeltown Whanau,
As Board and Management of Vogeltown School, we feel that now is an appropriate time to reach out and reassure you, our community, of the processes and practices in place at school and the expectations of our families as the world works through the implications of this unprecedented viral outbreak.
Naturally, there is some anxiety in the community and this is understandable for something as unfamiliar to us all as the Coronavirus (Covid – 19). Here at Vogeltown, we have Policies and Procedures in place, and these are being constantly updated and assessed against the advice of the DHB, Ministries of Health, and Education.
There is no need to panic. Our priority is to ensure a safe and supportive environment for our children and staff and to maintain an uninterrupted education programme. The school has implemented heightened hygiene practices and the importance of hand washing is being emphasised. Assemblies have been suspended for the time being and all activities will be assessed on a case by case basis.
We have been in communication with Vogeltown families that have recently been overseas. We have no Vogeltown families in self isolation.
Please reinforce this messaging at home and as families, follow the advice of authorities in a bid to maintain the health our of community. We would urge you to follow direction that is ‘evidence based not Facebook based’. It is important to minimise any anxiety for our children and we would urge you to not engage in any sensationalist dialogue, rather use this as a learning opportunity and encourage critical thinking. There are some excellent resources online:
Talking to children about Coronavirus
It is the Government’s expectation and caregivers responsibility that children continue to attend school if they are healthy and not subject to any isolation requirements. Please inform the office as usual if there is any reason why attendance is not possible.
The situation continues to evolve quickly. We would encourage parents and caregivers to consider arrangements in the event of a school closure. It is emphasised that this will be a last resort and we will continue to follow the guidance of the relevant authorities and will seek to update you when information becomes available.
Thank you for your continued support, whanau – keep washing those hands!
Nga mihi nui,
Mike Miners Vogeltown Board Chairperson
Jeremy Ogle Vogeltown Principal
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE - MoH
As in last weeks newsletter, we have an update for the Coronavirus from the Ministry of Education. We take our lead from the MOE and the Ministry of Health. Here is our update for Thursday of Week 7:
You will be aware the Ministry of Health’s Director-General has confirmed a case of COVID-19 in a Dunedin school following a student testing positive for coronavirus.
On advice from the Southern District Health Board the school will now remain closed until Tuesday (Monday being Otago Anniversary Day). Close contacts have been identified and are being tested for the virus. The letter to the community from SDHB provides further information
The Ministries of Education and Health are working closely with Public Health services in Dunedin and the school leadership to help minimise disruption, progress contact tracing and reduce the possibility of spread.
Reminder – schools remain open
At this stage, we are not expecting widespread school closures. We are planning for temporary closures, like what is happening at Logan Park School but as the World Health Organisation has confirmed, the risk to children remains low and parents should continue to send their kids to schools and early learning centres.
Consequently any decisions about school closures will be made on a case by case basis. In the meantime, unless students are unwell themselves, then parents should keep sending them to schools and early learning centres as these environments continue to be safe and the best place for them to continue their learning.
Talking to children and young people about COVID-19
Given the rise in the number of reported cases, there may be children or young people in your life who experience distress. As a trusted adult, you can help reassure and educate them about COVID-19 – it can be good to talk to them now, so they can understand the illness and be reassured.
A useful resource for parents, caregivers, whānau and teachers talking about the virus with children and young people can be found here
This can also be downloaded as an information sheet.
Up-to-date information and advice
A reminder that information and advice for students, whānau and the education sector is available here
While the website is being regularly updated with education-related content, the Ministry of Health is the Government agency leading the response to COVID-19
The Secretary for Education joined the Director-General of Health for the Ministry of Health’s COVID 19 update today. You can view that, and all Ministry of Health updates here.
See our school policy for Pandemic planning. This has now been updated as 'Coronavirus planning' - https://vogeltown.schooldocs.co.nz/
Login: vogeltown
Password: huatoki
CONGRATULATIONS!
We caught up with Mr Bishop today and he was very proud dad!
Well done Marcia and Brent - from the VS team and community!
COLOUR YOUR DAY
KINDO SHOP AT VOGELTOWN. HOW TO SET IT UP.
LEARNING CONFERENCES (BY PHONE) Term 1 2020
Every year we aim for 100% attendance by parents and caregivers. Because of the recent coronavirus virus and spread, we are going to do our conferences by phone. Please book online as you would normally and at the time booked your child's teacher will give you a phone call. The call will be 15 minutes and will still go over progress reports. The progress reports will be sent home with your child(ren) prior to the conferences. We still want 100% engagement with whanau.
The process for formally reporting to whanau is:
Term 1 Progress Report & Learning Conferences (by phone in 2020)
Term 2 Personal and Social competencies report (this will come home)
Term 3 Progress Report & Learning Conferences
Term 4 Summative Report (this will come home).
Our phone interviews this term will be on Wednesday 1st April and Thursday 2nd April. Mr Bishop (Room 9) will be away on the Wednesday so you will be able to book times for a phone call on Tuesday the 31st March instead. To book a time with your child’s teacher, please use the website - www.parentinterviews.co.nz
and use the following codes:
Tuesday 31st March (Room 9 whanau only)
UP8PNJXN
Wednesday 1st April
GKJPT79R
Thursday 2nd April. (Please note, you can not book Room 9 on the Thursday the 2nd)
XNMFLTJE
On Wednesday and Thursday we will be closing the school early to accomodate for all whanau to be able to meet with their child's teacher. We ask that you pick up your child at 2pm on these days.
KIDS CORNER
Room 11 look smart in their 3D glasses!
SPORTS NEWS
As I’m sure you are all aware the immediate future of all sporting codes is currently very up in the air. It has been an unfortunate way to end the summer season with all of our sport cut short by a week or two. Special mention goes to our two Incrediball cricket teams, the Vikings (who were unbeaten this season) and the Volts as they were both placed in the top two of their grades heading into the final weeks. Disappointing they didn't quite get to see if they would make it to the final.
Coaches, can you all please return your team gear bags to the junior office as soon as possible. All clean playing tops are to be dropped in to either the yellow bin at the senior school or the junior office. If you could find a way to name your top that would be extremely helpful. I appreciate plastic bags are almost a thing of the past but maybe a peg or paper clip and a piece of spare toilet paper with your child's name, for those of you that have a surplus at the moment!! :)
Term 2 Sports:
At this stage we are still collecting and processing sport registrations as we normally would. It is too early to tell yet what will become of winter sports for this year. I will keep you all updated with any changes as I receive them.
Miniball (Yr 0-4) & Basketball (Yr 5-6) registrations are now open!!
You may have seen that Vogeltown School are now using a system called Kindo for purchasing all of the items you may need for school. This includes all of our sports registrations from now onwards (with the exception of Netball and Hockey). The great thing for you is that there are no more paper forms to hand in and the registration and payment process can be done in one go!! It does require you to set up an account with Kindo using your email address that is registered with the school.
You will not be able to complete the registration process for any sport without the correct amount of funds in your account. The trick is to keep your account in credit so that when things crop up, e.g. sports regos, school trips or school camp, you have funds already in credit so you’ll be good to go. You can set up an automatic payment to drip feed your Kindo account, or you can transfer lump sum payments whenever you have some spare cash. If you have other family members that wish to pay for school items just pass on the correct details and they can transfer money into your Kindo account too!!
To set up your account please use the following link which will take you to the Kindo Shop tab on our website. http://www.vogeltown.school.nz/kindo-shop/
Once your account is set up you will need to add Miniball or Basketball to your cart, fill out the questions and top up your account. You will then be able to 'place your order’ and the job is done!! If you have multiple children in your account please make sure you add the correct child for the correct sport!!
If you have any questions about navigating this system you can call Kindo on their freephone line 0508 454 636.
Hockey - Year 0-6
Registrations for hockey are now closed. The hockey season is due to commence on Saturday 02 May. The finish date is yet to be confirmed. All Ministicks and Kiwisticks games are played on a Saturday morning at the Hobson Street turf. Funsticks is run at NPGHS.
Netball - Year 3-6
We are still needing a few more players to top up both our Yr3/4 and Yr5/6 Netball teams. Please click here to register your child. Year 3 & 4 play on a Thursday afternoon. Year 5 & 6 play on a Tuesday afternoon. The netball season was due to start on the week commencing 27 April but has now been pushed back to the week commencing 04 May.
If you wish to sign up for winter Soccer or Rugby you will need to register with a club. Keep an eye on the newsletter for information on signing up or contact your club now for information.
Health Curriculum at Vogeltown School
VOGELTOWN SCHOOL CALENDAR 2020
TERM CALENDAR – Put all these dates in your diary or your phone!
Remember to check the school calendar on our website. We will put all updates on Facebook &
the website. Link to school calendar: http://www.vogeltown.school.nz/calendar/
MARCH
24 March BOT meeting 6:30pm
25 March Weetbix Tryathlon - NOTE THIS EVENT IS NOW CANCELLED
25 March Starting School the VS way evening (5:00 - 6:00pm)
27 March Four Year Old Friday (9:00am -11:30am)
31 March Home and School meeting 7pm
APRIL
1 April Learning Conferences, 2pm - 7.30pm. School closes at 2pm.
2 April Learning Conferences, 2pm - 5.30pm. School closes at 2pm
9 April Last day of Term 1 2020
10 April GOOD FRIDAY
27 April ANZAC day - School closed
28 April Term 2 begins
MR O'S FRIENDLY REMINDERS
1) Wash your hands at all times!
2) The school will close early phone call learning conferences in week 9. On each of these days we will be closing at 2pm. Thanks for your support with these days.
Term Dates 2020
Monday 3 February - Thursday 9 April
20 March - Teacher Only Day
10 April - Good Friday
Term 2
Tuesday 28 April - Friday 3 July
28 April - ANZAC Day
2 June - Queen's Birthday
Term 3
Monday 20 July - Friday 25 September
31 July - Teacher Only Day
Term 4
Monday 12 October - Tuesday 15 December
26 October - Labour Day
Thanks whanau
Have an awesome weekend whanau! Keep safe! Look after each other, look out for each other and show the Vogeltown values of respect and kindness!
On behalf of the Vogeltown team,
Ka kite ano
Jeremy Ogle - Principal
VOGELTOWN SCHOOL CONTACTS
Email: office@vogeltown.school.nz
Website: www.vogeltown.school.nz
Location: Vogeltown School Huatoki Street, Vogeltown, New Plymouth, New Zealand
Phone: (06) 753 6843
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VogeltownSchoolNewPlymouth/?eid=ARDoVcn3LOp4YkPRy_rbTx5tcKyzGPUFm72Bmke0Tc2f86sgGGKrvp7kP9wUQxYW9Kyt1pcwFpzWeP1e
COMMUNITY NOTICES
MUSIQHUB - Lessons at Vogeltown
Would your child like to learn the keyboard?
You can enrol them in a small group lesson which takes place during school hours. Qualified MusiqHub tutor, Jennifer Wall (BA, DipEd) has vacancies. Lessons are weekly, run for 30 minutes and cost $17 per session. For further detail or to enrol your child, contact Jennifer on 027 227 4885 or Jennifer.wall@musiqhub.co.nz .
New Plymouth Rangers AFC Junior Football
New Plymouth Rangers AFC Junior Football registrations close 25 March. We invite all past and interested players to register through the mycomet page. Details can be found on this link: https://www.nprangers.co.nz/junior-registration. There are places on the development and potentially Academy programmes that are working with the Ricki Herbert Football Academy coaches every Tuesday night. If interested please email nprjuniors@gmail.com.