Newsletter T2W10
Tuesday July 5 - Term 2 Week 10 2022
Tēnā koutou katoa
Welcome to the last week of term. We’ve had a very busy term with lots of learning and exciting events across the curriculum taking place. Week 8’s Matariki Day last Thursday was particularly special. Thank you so much to everyone who supported us. It was lovely to see our community coming together to provide an amazing experience for our tamariki.
A massive thanks to all the wonderful people who made contributions of time and expertise to our Matariki early morning activities. You are appreciated! Special mentions for Whaea Connie, Rina Pinker, Rebecca Kane, Fliss and Mark Spencer, and Tamara Acott.
Also many thanks to staff who assisted with preparing, serving, and cleaning up after the Community Breakfast.
And most importantly a special thanks to Mr Facer, Miss Ellis and Miss Macfarlane for all their organisation which ensured the day ran smoothly. Tino pai koutou!
Other events of note that have happened over the term have included; visits to Brayshaw Park, Fire Safety, Cycle Safety, St John in Schools, Self Defence lessons, Sign Language activities, and of course the whole school enjoyed a wonderful Choice/Tumeke afternoon as part of our ‘Whitney Way’ (Positive Behaviour for Learning).
Later this week the Taylor and Wairau Hubs are going to the ‘Little Book Fest’ at the ASB Theatre to listen to a couple of NZ authors (Melanie Drewery and Gavin Bishop) who will be presenting their books and illustrations. Little Book Fest is part of the Marlborough Book Festival with the aims of connecting authors and students to promote reading and writing.
Enjoy the holiday break with your children.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa - warm greetings to you all.
Matariki Morning Activities
Learning Progress Meetings with Early Finish on Wednesday (tomorrow)
Our Learning Progress Meetings (Reporting Conferences) are taking place this Wednesday and Thursday afternoon/evenings. Please ensure you have checked your time slot and arrive early to ensure we run to time. As in previous years we ask that if possible, your child/ren is able to finish school at 1pm on Wednesday 6 July to allow enough time for all the conferences to occur. If this is not possible supervision will be provided. A notice was sent home yesterday for you to indicate what option you choose for your child/ren.
The conferences are a very important part of your child’s learning as they foster home/school partnerships with a combined approach of the student, teacher, and parents/caregivers all having input into the child’s learning progress, their next steps, and how to support them. They are also a chance for your child to share their learning and have a say in their learning pathway. If you are unable to attend the conference, please let us know and the teacher will arrange an alternative time with you.
Term 3 in Room 1
Miss Shearer will be taking maternity leave from the end of this term. We wish her many many Whitney blessings as she embarks on this new and exciting time. We know Megan will be an awesome Mum and cannot wait to meet her new baby!
As Miss Shearer departs we welcome Miss Rachel Earle who comes very highly recommended and is excited to begin working at Whitney Street. She will be teaching in Room 1 for the remainder of the year.
Attendance
Part of the reporting information we share at this time of the year is your child’s attendance. This important information allows you to track what absences your child has had. While we understand there is a lot of sickness and family events beyond your control, it is still important that you are aware of the number of days away, etc. Here is a brief summary of what the codes on the attendance pie chart on Hero mean.
Justified Absences
J - Not in class. Justified absence - the reason is within the school policy eg Reporting Conference afternoon
M - Not in class. Student absent due to short-term illness/medical reasons (is at home or in hospital). Justified absence.
D - Not in class. Medical appointment - doctor or dentist. Justified absence.
Unjustified Absences
E - Student is absent. The reason is ‘Explained’ but is Unjustified.
T - No information is provided- ‘Truant’ (or the explanation is not considered a valid reason)
Wairau Camp
The Whitney Street School BOT bank details are: 03 0599 0305934 00
- Rooms 1, 2 and 8 will attend Monday-Wednesday (26th-28th September)
- Rooms 3 & 4 will be attending Wednesday-Friday (28th-30th September)
Holidays and Online Safety at Home
The Internet can be a wonderful resource for kids. They can use it for educational research, to communicate with teachers and other kids, and play interactive games. Students who are old enough to type in a few letters on the keyboard can literally access the world. However that access can also pose hazards. That's why it's important to be aware of what your kids see and hear on the Internet, what they say to others, what is said to them, and what they share about themselves online.
Just like any safety issue, it's wise to talk with your kids about your concerns and keep a close eye on their activities. You can do this by putting your computer in the lounge or kitchen, knowing any passwords/logins they have, and talking with them about the pros and cons of the internet. Children at Whitney Street School are not eligible to have Facebook or Instagram accounts as they are all under 13 years of age.
While accessing the internet at school, sites, language, logins, communication with peers, and screens are restricted, blocked or monitored through strict filters and programmes. We have online safety practices at school that are regularly discussed in the classroom and the children adhere to, including our student Responsible Digital Citizenship Agreements. Here is a useful link for parents to read through in order to help your children at home https://www.netsafe.org.nz/online-safety-for-parents/.
Board Elections
Our school Board elections are being held on 7 September 2022. We will have vacancies for 3 parent representatives and are in the process of calling for nominations. Nomination papers will be issued out within the coming weeks and will close at noon on Wednesday 3 August 2022.
We need Board Members who are focused on supporting teaching and learning and the ongoing improvement of student achievement.
If you have a genuine interest in the school and its students, you work well in a team, ask challenging questions, and have good communications skills then together we can make things happen - you can make a difference.
If you are interested please nominate yourself or someone you know to stand for election. For more details on what the role involves please contact Cheryl Wadworth (0273218022).
Nomination papers have been delivered to the eldest child in the family this week. Please make sure you check your child's bag.
Debbie Henson
Returning Officer
Celebrating Us and Our Achievements!
Kobie Madsen-Clark (Room 3) has been selected to ride in Taupo for the Marlborough Club at an event called Battle of the Clubs. He is up against the top 30 in his class in the country!
These are some photos of him competing in his last contest.
Well done Kobie!
The Fua Creative Performance
The Fua Creative visited us on Tuesday morning to present a show called 'Tupu'.
The show has been devised specifically for children and covers themes about identity, resilience and kindness. The 30-minute show included dance, music, singing and physical theatre that was fun and engaging for our students.
In addition, The Fua Creative hosted a 30-minute workshop prior to the show with a small group of students. These students worked with the cast to learn a short section of content and become part of the show.
The show and workshop aimed to enrich students learning journey and well-being by:
- Stimulating students creative thinking and expression
- Fostering a fun and engaging creative experience
- Providing an opportunity for creative exploration, expression and participation
Whakataukī
Our school calendar is often filled with trips and events and sometimes the dates and details change. The BEST place to keep an eye on what is happening is on the school App in the calendar section.
Download our school App
We encourage all parents to download our school app from the Playstore or Apple Store, as we find this the most effective way of sending out Alerts to parents/caregivers. You can also access a wealth of information from the app as it has links to the school calendar, newsletters, etc.
Please subscribe to Alerts from the classes/groups that your child belongs to. If you want to subscribe to groups later on, you can do this via the ‘Alerts Subscriptions’ which is in the Menu (top left). Please do this to ensure you are subscribed to the classes and Teams that your child or children are in for the 2021 school year.
This is also the way we would like you to inform us of absences. This system streamlines the morning routine for Tanya and Michelle so that they can easily see who is away and why.
Please click here to download the School App.
Hero
Suggestions Box
Automatic Payment Option
The Whitney Street School BOT bank details are: 03 0599 0305934 00
Pretty Things Embroidery
Contact Us
Email: principal@whitneystreet.school.nz
Website: https://whitneystreet.school.nz
Location: Whitney Street, Blenheim, New Zealand
Phone: +64 3 578 3028
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyStreetSchool/
Community Notices
MATARIKI GLOW SHOW
Please come and celebrate MATARIKI! MATARIKI GLOW SHOW is a giant scale glow-in-the dark puppet show coming to ASB Blenheim SATURDAY JULY 9th - first day of the July school hols! ONE FAMILY SHOW AT 10am!
See flyer below with details.
Update for Community Oral Health Service
We hope this finds all our school communities doing well as things continue to change around us all.
Many of you may be aware that there have been significant disruptions to the Community Oral Health Service in recent years. COVID19 has unsurprisingly had the biggest impact. Lockdowns resulted in all but ‘Relief of Pain’ services being available and there are ongoing limitations to service to manage the COVID19 risks for the whanau/families and our staff in the confined, close-up clinic settings.
A number of other factors are having an increasing impact of the timeliness on Oral health Care for the tamariki/children of Nelson/Marlborough. Most recently staff illnesses have added to the impact of COVID19. In addition we are also experiencing an unprecedented shortage of Dental and Oral Health Therapists. We are working secure more therapists however this is challenging in a period of a national shortage of trained oral health professionals.
A number of strategies are in place to make the most of opportunities available to us to keep wait times for tamariki/children to a minimum. This includes changes to the mobile clinic calendar for site visits to rural areas, recommencement of some Saturday clinics and early discharge from the service. More details below.
Mobile Clinics
The Wairau mobile has been off road for repairs and a COVID19 upgrade since late 2021 and unfortunately we still await parts for the repair. The Nelson area mobile continues to operate but at reduced capacity.
We’ve prioritised outlying areas for the mobile service where access to town clinics is the most difficult. All whanau/families will be contacted by the nearest hub and alternative clinic appointments will be offered. We’ll endeavour to work with whanau/families from outlying areas to find a time that coincides with trips to town centres.
Our usual annual calendar is now changing frequently so we will endeavour to remain in contact with schools as the plan evolves. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any concerns in regard to the mobile service.
Early Discharge Year 7 & 8 children
A large number of private dentists have generously agreed to take over the care of Year 7 & 8 children instead of the usual transfer to private dentists at Year 9.
Our clinics will be in touch with families as appointments come due (or are overdue) to make arrangements for those who wish to take up this option. Please work with your Community Oral Health Hub in the first instance to get this arrangement underway.
Saturday Clinics
Some of our team have kindly offered their time on Saturdays as an option for appointments. This is a very limited service and will be offered where it is available.
Urgent Care
As is our normal practice if your child has urgent needs please be in touch with your nearest clinic to make arrangement for an urgent appointment or contact Nelson or Wairau hospitals for dental afterhours information.
Warm thanks
Kirsty Rance
Team Leader
Community Oral Health Service
Nelson Marlborough Health
Ext: 8526 DD: 06 5393526 Mob: 027 246 0676
mailto:kirsty.rance@nmdhb.govt.nz
Respect - Integrity - Teamwork – Innovation
Kids School Holiday Art Club (see flyer below)
There are two art classes on Saturday 16th July 2022
Dream Catcher Creations is at 9.00am
Unleash your inner creativity using some very cool mixed media art materials.Have fun creating your own colourful dream catcher wall hanging.
Sand and Glitter Art starts at 11.00am
Discover the magic of coloured sand and glitter. Have fun creating dazzling abstract artworks that shimmer and sparkle.
This is a great opportunity for children to explore mixed media and abstract art techniques while having fun creating cool artworks to take home.
Bookings are essential. All art materials are provided.
To book a place please go to https://www.eventspronto.co.nz/artschoolmarlborough
Please see attached poster for more details.
The Marlborough Scout Zone is looking for Adult Leaders to assist in running Scouting in Marlborough. If you would like to learn more please register here, https://tinyurl.com/ScoutsIntro to take the first step in joining an exciting Outdoors Adventurous program, and the chance to positively influence the youth of Marlborough.
Covid support for whānau
Kia ora whānau
Ko Fionna Hughes toku ingoa.
As Covid is about in our community, we wanted to make sure whanau are aware there is support available whilst in self-isolation.
We are mindful that a large number of whanau not accessing the supports available, as the information is only sent to them via the DHB, if their positive RATS test has been registered.
Maataa Waka can support whanau with:
- Picking up and delivering online grocery orders
- Picking up and delivering prescriptions/medications
- Picking up and delivering school work/devices for children
- Picking up and delivering RATS tests
We can also support whanau who are struggling financially, if isolation has affected their income:
- Kai parcels
- Home and self-hygiene packs
- Internet costs (for connecting to school/working from home)
The support is not limited to the above, and will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Whanau can self-refer to these services by:
- completing the online form on the Work and Income website - https://workandincome.govt.nz/covid-19/self-isolation-forms/ask-community-support.html and selecting Maataa Waka ki Te Tau Ihu Trust. This referral comes directly to us and we will make contact with the whanau to assess their needs.
- If they don’t have access to a computer or internet, they can call the MSD Covid Support Line – 0800 512 337 or Maataa Waka Community Connectors on 0800 6282 9252
We also offer longer term support for rangitahi, individuals and whanau that have been impacted by Covid. This may be loss of employment, financial hardship, inability to complete study due to lockdowns, social isolation and health issues.
Whanau can access this service by:
- completing the attached referral (see button below) for and sending to admin@maataawaka.co.nz (whanau can self-refer or be referred by you with their consent)
Our support is free-of-charge and available to anyone in our community.
We would really appreciate if you could extend this information to your whanau networks/add to your newsletters.
Any questions, queries or otherwise, please feel free to contact me directly.
Nga mihi nui
Fionna Hughes
Whanau Tuhono | Community Connector
P 03 577 9256 | C 027 576 9717
Maataa Waka Ki Te Tau Ihu Trust
P.O Box 1016 | 56 Main Street | Blenheim 7240
Nga mihi nui
Fionna Hughes
Kaitohutohu Putea | Financial Mentor
P 03 577 9256 | C 027 576 9717
Maataa Waka Ki Te Tau Ihu Trust
P.O Box 1016 | 56 Main Street | Blenheim 7240
Scottish Country Dancing
Heart KIds would like to extend an invitation to you and your clients/students to attend the 2022 Kids Day Out Variety Show. Show Dates below.
This is free to you and fully funded by the local business community. We have a great line up this year including magic, acrobatics, stunts and juggling.
See our full line up here: https://www.kidsdayoutvariety.co.nz/entertainment-line-up/
To order your free tickets or if you have any questions please email helen.weller@pds.org.nz