We’ve been having a lovely, positive week at SFDS. The children have settled well into their school routines now, and are beginning to make great strides in their learning!

Garden to table

I’ve loved my introduction to Garden to Table. This is new to me, and I think it is a wonderful initiative. This week, one of our Nonnas supported the children to create some yummy cibo italiano using the vegetables they had grown in our gardens. Thank you to Annette and Amber for volunteering to support Garden to Table.

Assessment for Learning

Most of our older children have recently been completing standardised assessments to evaluate their progress in Literacy and Numeracy. This information, along with what you shared with the teachers about your child can help inform their next learning steps, and help us to evaluate our teaching.

Thank you

Thank you for:

• Saying hi at the gate

• Giving us feedback about learning conferences

• Helping us navigate Covid

• Keeping your child away when they are sick

Your support is really appreciated! Have a lovely week.

Ngā mihi nui kia koutou

Mary-Angela Tombs

Kāore he mutunga o te Aroha. The measure of love is love without measure.

In term 4 last year we requested feedback on a proposal to change the school uniform to a unisex offering. Based on the feedback we had proposed to hold a hui to discuss/clarify suggestions and queries that had been raised through the feedback process. Unfortunately we cannot meet in person at this time but are happy to meet via Zoom on Thurday 17 March at 5.30pm. Please email the school office at office@sfds.school.nz if you are interested in participating in the zoom meeting. Also if not covered below please send in additional questions you may have.

Main queries raised:

· Why the proposal for change was made

· Cost

· Quality

· Senior cap vs Sunhats

· Wash ability

· Period of change

We would like to add a further point of discussion and that is whether we continue to offer the sale of uniform through SFDS or move it to NZ Uniforms. Moving to NZ uniforms means that parents can shop at any time however it does add about 40% to the cost of items.

The proposal was to change the current uniform to:

Year 1-6

• PE T-shirt, pale blue and navy - Unchanged
• PE Shorts, navy - Unchanged
• Unisex Polo shirt, pale blue – New
• Unisex Shorts, navy – New
• Skort, navy – New
• Socks, navy - unchanged
• Polar Fleece, navy – Unchanged
• Sunhat, navy - Unchanged

Intermediate / Year 7 and 8

• PE T-shirt Pale blue and navy – Unchanged
• PE shorts, nay - Unchanged
• Unisex Polo shirt, navy – New
• Unisex Shorts, navy – New
• Skort, navy – New
• Socks, navy - Unchanged
• Navy soft shell jacket - New
• Cap, navy - Unchanged

Winter Option Year 1-8

• Skivvy, navy – unchanged
• Trackpants, navy - unchanged

The proposal is to remove the following items:

• Tunic,
• L/S Brushed white blouse
• Cardigan
• Skirt – Polyester/Vicose
• S/S Senior blouse – white
• L/S Shirt – Grey
• Winter Short – Grey
• Winter Short – Grey
• Grey socks/2 navy stripes
• S/S Shirt – Blue

CONGRATULATIONS…

…to the following students who received a certificate at Papatuanuku assembly on Friday:

Lily R, Jayden S, Nunzio U, Dallas T, Taya B, Charlie W, Logan P, Giovanna B, Mabel C, Oliver J, Liam N, Victoria M, Josel J and Lulu M.

And to these students who received a values certificate:

Eva E, Shreya CB, Olivia K, Johnny W and Joshua H.

MOVIN' MARCH

Walk or wheel your way to school! So many of our kids already do this which is great. We are participating in Movin' March again this year and encouraging as many kids as possible to move their way to school rather than come in a vehicle. Movin' March 'passports' were given out at school today (there are spares at the school office for anyone who did not receive one). The passports can be stamped at the end of the school driveway each morning that the kids walk or wheel to school and every completed pass goes in the draw to win a prize. Let's get movin'!

HILMA AF KLINT ONLINE LEARNING SESSION

On Friday our Papatuanuku students were lucky to participate in an online learning session run by the City Gallery about the Hilma af Klint exhibition. We learnt about the art works in the exhibition and then had a go at drawing our own piece of art inspired by the works. Check out a few below!

World Down Syndrome Day is coming up on the Monday 21 March (the date signifies the 3 copies of the 21st chromosome that are present in DS)

The Wellington Down Syndrome Association are raising funds by having a 'rock your socks' day where you wear colourful or crazy socks to school on Monday and by donation a gold coin via KINDO!

So please go to KINDO and DONATE to this amazing cause and wear the craziest funkiest sock on Monday 21 March!!!!

For information on how to get to KINDO Click here to view. From there you are able to pay your school donations, (there is an option to make part payments) uniform and any other school charges or sign ups for sports and extra actvities.