Kia ora koutou

It is always so lovely to spend time with the children of SFDS. This morning I took some time to observe the Papatūānuku tamariki taking part in their spelling programme called ‘The Code’, and spent time with the children in the playground at lunchtime.

‘The Code’

This programme spelling helps the children to break down the various sounds in words and to apply spelling patterns, combinations of letters and rules to practice spelling words correctly. This morning the children in Papatūānuku were learning about ie, ea, ee and qu - I observed dictation, spelling practice, ‘cloze’ activities, sentence writing, dictionary work, explicit teaching, reviewing rules already taught and spelling tests. Thank you to Ronan, Bev, Jemma and Josh for your effective teaching. The children were engaged and all seemed to enjoy the programme.

Playground

The children at SFDS love their playtimes - today’s soccer game on the middle court involved some great skills with the ball, some stiff competition, some negotiating, and support for younger children. We certainly have some talent! I also had some lovely conversations with children about their concerns, their day, the problems they were having and helping them negotiate challenges.

Reporting Review

In 2021, the Board began a review of reporting at SFDS - how the school reports on progress and achievement. This review is continuing as we believe that a deeper dive into effective reporting is necessary. A working group has been formed to lead the review. In 2022 this review involves:

1. A survey about the term one learning conferences (Complete)

2. Teacher consultation

3. Parent / caregiver survey what is important to you about reporting

4. Exploring other forms of reporting that are available to us

5. Consider all parts of the review and making a plan, going forward

Please take some time to complete this short survey about what is important to you about reporting: https://forms.gle/38tMW2u15KzLmFPZA

What level of Covid Risk are you prepared to tolerate?

Since the country’s move to the Covid setting Orange at the end of term 1, the Ministry of Education has left it up to schools as autonomous entities to decide the level of Covid risk we are prepared to accept, and how to manage the risks associated with Covid-19. SFDS has an obligation to maintain a safe learning and working environment. We also need to consider what is reasonably practicable in our workplace.

I am interested in hearing a community perspective (parents, whanau, staff, senior students and other workers) on Covid risk management. I can then share your perspectives with the Board before decisions are made, going forward.

Currently at SFDS:

• Staff and students generally stay home when sick

• All of the current staff are covid-vaccinated, and most have also received a booster.

• Now that the national mandate has been removed, we cannot currently ensure that all ‘workers’ at the school are fully vaccinated

• We are carrying out a recruitment process for new staff members

• The nature of a primary school is that learning sometimes involves close and sustained interactions with others in a classroom setting

• We encourage all children from Year 4-8, and all adults onsite to wear a mask when indoors. However, currently this is not a school requirement per se

• We carefully manage events to allow for healthy distancing between people

• We keep the buildings well ventilated - and Island Bay tends to have a fresh breeze helping with this

• We have heightened sanitation processes in place - with additional weekly cleaning

• With current measures in place, we have had manageable numbers of staff away at any one time throughout the past weeks of Omicron

I invite you to let me know your preferences / perspectives if you wish, about the way the SFDS Board should proceed, in terms of:

• Vaccination requirements for workers

• Mask-wearing

• Events

• Other considerations

To share your perspectives, please email me principal@sfds.school.nz or the Board Chair, Peter Chew bot.chair@sfds.school.nz by 5.00pm Monday 15 May (the evening of the Board meeting). Thank you for your contribution.

To finish with, a prayer about communication.

God of people and of all nations

Help me to live with you at my centre every day. As I go through my day, guide me in my decisions and remind me to respect others even when they disagree with me. Amen

May God bless and keep you over the next week.

Ngā mihi nui

Mary-Angela Tombs

Principal

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

CONGRATULATIONS...

...to the following students who received a values certificate at our school hui last week. These students received their certificate for showing Stewardship:

Robert S, Brodie J, Brady P, Aisha M, Audrey W, Ella W, Sylvie-Mae SG, Giovanna B, Tabitha G, Charlie K, Mayzin T, Tauamiti-Johann SSH and Isabel M.

Congratulations also to Avila who won the house cup for the most points earned during the Year 7/8 EOTC week last term.

SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY

We will be having this event on Monday 23 May at Wakefield Park between 9.30 and 12.30. If you are able to help for all or part of the event, please email Sarah on

sarah.fountain@sfds.school.nz

This event relies on parent/caregiver helpers so that the event can be run safely and smoothly.

We are hoping to run a sausage sizzle at the cross country in a few weeks time- if you are able to donate sausage / bread / sauce or your time please send an email to psl.sfds@gmail.com

TEACHER ONLY DAY

We will be having a Teacher only day at the end of term 2 on Friday 8 July. School will be closed so you will need to make other arrangements for this day.

SCHOLASTIC LUCKY BOOK CLUB- Out Now

The latest Scholastic Book club flyer is out and has another great selection of books for readers from 5-13 years.

SFDS receives a bonus of 10% from each online order. Last year we were able to purchase $500 books for the school library from Book Club bonus dollars.

Note: We only do online orders, please do not send orders to school. Place your order anytime by visiting https://scholastic.co.nz/parents/lucky-book-club/

Last day for orders is 20th May. If you have any questions please see Chris in Room 7.

SPORTS HOODIES

Orders for the SFDS Sports hoodie are now open. As we only order these once a year, please make sure to get your order in now.

Attached below is the order form. Please email the orders to office@sfds.school.nz

The hoodie is an optional uniform item that is for sports and PE days only and is to be worn with the PE uniform.

Children’s sizes XS to XL will cost $50 and adult sizes S to XL will be $55. Hoodies can be personalized with your child’s name on the back for an extra $12.

As sizing is not the usual S, M, L we highly recommend trying them on before ordering – once personalized there is no option to change and we will not be running a second order.

If you would like to have the hoodie sized, please mention this when you email in the order and we will make sure this happens.

Payment will be added to kindo and hoodies will need to be paid for before Friday 20 May or we will not be able to include your order.

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.

In term two, the focus is on the Healthcare and Behaviour Management sections.

Healthcare

• Medicines

• Managing Minor/Moderate Injury

• Managing Serious Injury and Illness

• Infectious Diseases

• Reporting and Recording Accidents and Incidents Board review

Behaviour Management Board review

• Bullying and Online Bullying

• Surrender and Retention of Property and Searches

Please feel free to have a look at this on the Schooldocs site and give us your feedback.

WELLINGTON SOUTHERN BAYS HISTORICAL SOCIETY INCORPORATED

(Houghton Bay, Island Bay, Owhiro Bay)

Secretary: Chris Rabey 384 9293 Treasurer: Sharon Macintyre 388 8088.

Web: www.southernbayshistory.wellington.net.nz

NEXT PUBLIC MEETING IS MAY 16, 2022

OUR NEXT MEETING WE WILL BE ENTERTAINED BY MARY O’KEEFE

MARY IS AN ARCHAEOLOGIST WITH HERITAGE NZ

SHE WILL BE PRESENTING A MOST INTERESTING TALK WIITH SLIDES ON THE EARLY DAYS IN NEWTOWN AND THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS BEFORE SEWERAGE DRAINAGE WAS INSTALLED AND THE DIFFICULTIES OUR FOREBEARS HAD TO ENDURE

All welcome, Baptist Church, 284 The Parade, 7.30pm.

Koha welcome