School Newsletter
8 July, Term 2 - Week 10
Dear Parents, Whānau and Caregivers
Thank you Paparangi for a great term - it's been quite special to see a few more things around the school start to return to normal - let's hope we're able to keep moving in the right direction next term!
Advance Notice
Paparangi School will be closed on Friday 2 September for a Teacher Only Day. This day is for professional development. Staff are working on developing our local curriculum and learning new strategies for developing children's oral language.
Reports
Mid year reports were sent home on Wednesday. Please check your child's bag if you haven't received it yet! At mid year, Year 1 students receive a photo report with a general comment about their learning in relation to the GROW values and the Key Competencies. In reports for Y2-6 tamariki, a child’s achievement in reading, writing and maths is compared against the Learning Progressions according to the child’s year level. In addition, written comments are provided for reading, writing, maths and your child's attributes as a learner. These comments celebrate your child’s recent achievements, and where appropriate, suggest possible next steps for learning.
Several maintenance projects are going ahead on school grounds during the July holidays so please ensure your children are supervised if you are using the school grounds over the term break.
Covid Update
There have been more positive staff and student Covid cases this week, along with a growing group of household contacts so please be vigilant during the holidays. Stay well and keep safe. If your child becomes a household contact or tests positive during the term break, please notify the school office so that we can keep tracking cases in our school and confirm your child's return to school date in July.
Happy holidays!
Thanks Paparangi staff for your mahi this term, you have earned a well deserved break! Safe travels to all our Paparangi families, whānau and staff who are heading out of Wellington. Take care and see you next term. School starts back on Monday 25 July at 8:55am.
Ngā mihi nui
Tracey Arthurs
Principal
Look at our beautiful GROW mural!
Visit from NZ Playhouse Theatre Company
We are looking forward to having NZ Playhouse come to the school the first week next term to perform their Emperor's New Clothes show for the whole school. The tamariki thoroughly enjoy these performances, which allow us to bring the experience of the theatre to the children. The Emperor's New Clothes performance is on Wednesday 27 July at 11:45am. The cost per student is $6.00 per person. Please pay via Kindo, Internet Banking or EftPos at the office.
Thank you from Home and School!
A big thank you to all our school families for all your support of our events this term. We had a fantastic Matariki Disco evening with lots of amazing costumes and dance moves. Thank you to all those parents who helped on the night, without your support at these events we wouldn't be able to do them. Ashton D'Silva was our sponsor for the evening covering the cost of DJ Jessie and for this we are very grateful. We also thank Dominos Johnsonville and Mark Ave Takeaways for their continued support.
Holiday Packs, Sweatshirts and Friday lunch orders have all sold well and we are on our way to having the funds for an adventurous climbing wall between the junior blocks and some permanent fairy lights for the hall, to be enjoyed by all.
Welcome to our new Home and School members this term - it's great to have you on board! Have a relaxing and enjoyable break Paparangi and we look forward to an exciting term 3!
Relationship and Sexuality Education - Term 3 lessons
As part of the preparation for delivering RSE programmes next term, information was sent home last week about the upcoming programme, opt-out guidelines and details about the information sessions for parents. Once RSE programmes begin, teams send home a summary of upcoming lessons with weekly notices. Team Leaders are also available to answer questions parents may have about aspects of the RSE programme and parents are encouraged to approach teachers directly with their queries.
A school does not need to seek parents’ or caregivers’ permission for students to participate in the RSE programme. However, according to the Education and Training Act 2020 (section 51), parents or caregivers may write to the Principal requesting to have their child excluded from any particular element of sexuality education in a health education programme. The Principal is required to ensure that the student is excluded from the relevant tuition and that the student is supervised during that time.
Health Education Information evenings
Parent information evenings are being held before RSE lessons begin - parents are invited to come along and find out more about this important area of the curriculum.
- 5:30pm, Tuesday 26 July - Y4-6, Rākau Nui
- 5:30 pm, Tuesday 2 August - Y1-3, Uenuku and Pounamu
School Board Elections
It’s board election time! In September we will be electing board members for the next three years. Nominations are open for the election of 5 parent representatives to the school board. The returning officer for the triennial board election is Bernardine Vester. She can be contacted at returningofficer@myschoolelection.nz. The timetable for the election is:
- Main Roll closes: Wednesday 13 July
- Call for Nominations: No later than 15 July.
- Supplementary Roll closes: Monday 1 August
- Nominations close: Wednesday 3 August
- Voting starts: Wednesday 10 August
- Election day is September 7.
- Voting count: Tuesday 13 September
- New board in place: Wednesday 14 September.
Nominations can be made online through an email link provided in the Call for Nominations.
However, a hard copy nomination form can also be obtained from the school office. If you wish to stand for the board, it is recommended that you provide a candidate statement and
photograph. We encourage those of you who are keen to stand for election to start preparing – take a great ‘head & shoulders’ photo of yourself and write 1-2 paragraphs about what you have to offer. The electoral roll will be held at the school and can be viewed during normal school hours.
Who can join a School Board?
The School Board plays an important role in the governance of our school. Parents/caregivers and people in the wider community can be parent representatives on the Board. School Boards need people with a wide range of skills but most of all with an interest in education and the well being, progress and achievement of all children. If you would like to know more about the rewards of being a Board Member you can:
come along to morning tea with the Principal on Thursday 28 July at 9am to hear about becoming a Board Member (RSVP to the office).
contact the current Presiding Member, Helen Ashton, who is available to answer any of your questions - helena@paparangi.school.nz or speak with any of the current members
read the "Community guide to the role of school boards"
go to the School Trustees Association website for more information
take part in an online Question and Answers session hosted by School Trustees Association on 21 July
Biodiversity and Child Health Study
Researchers at Massey University are studying how the natural environment affects health in children. The aim of the study is to find out if exposure to greater plant biodiversity may protect against several health conditions including, asthma and allergies. If your child is 6-11years old, the research team would be grateful if you would consider taking part. For this study we need all children - including those who do and those who do not have asthma and allergies.
The study involves completing a questionnaire and your child taking part in a breathing and an allergy test. A smaller number of selected participants will be invited to take part in a second phase of the study, which would involve some further health tests. To take part in the research, please contact the study team by text (text YES, your name, and your child’s name and school to 021 819 745). If you, or anyone you know would like any further information about the study please click this link, or contact the research team:
Email: asthma@massey.ac.nz
Phone: 0508 ASTHMA (278 462)
Text (SMS): 021 819 745
What's happening?
- Last Day of Term 2 - Friday 8 July at 3pm
Term 3 begins - Monday 25 July at 8:55am
- Y4-6 Health Education Parent Info Evening, Tuesday 26 July at 5:30pm
- NZ Playhouse visit - The Emperor's New Clothes, Wednesday 27 July
- Y1-3 Health Education Parent Info Evening, Tuesday 2 August at 5:30pm
- Board Meeting, Monday 15 August at 6pm
- Y4-6 Swimming Sports - Friday 19 August
Community Notices
Free flu jabs for tamariki aged 3 to 12
Children aged 3 to 12 years old can get a free flu vaccination from their GP, healthcare provider or at most pharmacies. Most tamariki aged 9 years and over need one vaccination each year to get good protection against flu. If you have a child under 9 years old, talk to your healthcare provider as they may need one or two vaccinations depending on whether they’ve had a flu vaccine before. If tamariki have recently had COVID-19 they can have a flu jab as soon as they’ve recovered.
KELLY CLUB JULY HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES
Kelly Club Holiday Programmes focus on giving children aged between 5 and 13 the opportunity to do things they enjoy in a safe, supportive and encouraging environment. The July programme is packed with activities to entertain and inspire children. We have some exciting days planned:
"Manic Monday", Kelly Club Speed Races Day", "Pyjama Party Day", "Bricktastic Day", "A Magical Madness day with Zappo the Magician who is coming to Kelly Club with his brand new Magical Workshop". Plus trips to: The movie "Lightyear", Laserforce, Ten Pin Bowling!
To see the activity plan go to: Churton Park Activity Planner. For full details and to enrol into our programmes visit www.kellyclub.co.nz email churtonpark@kellyclub.co.nz or call 022 010 9972
FOOTBALL MORNING HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
(Yrs. 1–8) Green Room, Wests Rugby Clubrooms, Wilton (all weather indoor surface).
WEEK 1 - Tues 12 July, Weds 13 July, Thurs 14 July - 9.30am-12.30pm
WEEK 2 - Tues 19 July, Weds 20 July, Thurs 21 July - 9.30am-12.30pm
Perfect for beginners and those just wanting to have some Football Fun! Come along and improve Technique, Knowledge and learn more about the Basic Skills of "The Beautiful Game" (Football).
We will focus on the core skills of Control, Dribbling, Passing, Tackling, Shooting but most importantly having as much fun as possible!
NETBALL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME – NORTHLAND MEMORIAL HALL
Week 2 ONLY – Tues 19 July, Weds 20 July, Thurs 21 July - 9am-12pm
Come along and grow your child’s confidence at the Kelly Sports Netball Holiday Programme. We will use fun drills and games to develop and challenge young players focusing on the key skill areas for their level of development while also have fun!
Years 1-4 - For Beginners, these sessions will work on improving basic netball skills and help start to develop technical and tactical knowledge in accordance with the Future Ferns Programme. Children will work towards the following skills Passing, Shooting, Spatial Awareness and Defensive Skills.
Year 5-8 - These sessions will work on sharpening the basic skills (from the above session) Passing and Shooting and we will start to develop a better understanding of the 7-aside game and the different positional roles.
Contact Us
Parents, please use the App to send a message about a student absence. It is our preferred method of contact for non-attendance and is quick and easy to do.
Email: office@paparangi.school.nz
Website: https://paparangi.school.nz
Location: 57-59 Beazley Avenue, Paparangi, Wellington 6037, New Zealand
Phone: +64 4-478 6617