These are for our Vogeltown learners to be:

Inclusive (Whakaru), Respectful (Whakaute), Original (Tipu), Courageous (Kaha) and Kind (Atawhai).

These values were chosen by the staff, learners and community of Vogeltown School in 2019.

This term we are focusing on being 'Courageous'.

To be courageous we want our learners to give everything a go, be a risk taker, stick up for themselves, think of their own solutions, try new things, offer opinions and ideas, join in with others, and to be their own person.

We have been doing a lot of work on our staff and learners wellbeing - especially over this year.

We are currently surveying the Taranaki (Junior) learners about their wellbeing and next week we will be surveying the Huatoki (Middle) and Paetoki (Seniors) wellbeing - this will be in the form of an online, anonymous survey.

We would love to hear how you are doing in the community! If you have a few minutes, could you please complete this community wellbeing survey. This survey is designed by the NZCER (New Zealand Educational research team. The link is below:

Cohort Entry

Vogeltown School is considering whether to establish a cohort entry policy from 2021. This will allow new entrant children to start school in cohort groups on the first day of any term or at the midpoint of any term after their 5th birthday and before their 6th birthday, rather than on a child’s birthday (also known as continuous entry). Children enrolling at the start or midpoint of term one and the start of term two would be considered Year One students for the year. Children enrolling at the midpoint of term two, or the start or midpoint of terms three and four would be considered Year Zero for the year and would be in Year One the following year.

Cohort entry allows new entrants to have an easier transition to school and helps them build friendships more easily. Children’s learning is benefitted, as they receive the same messages at the same time - new children don’t miss things because they started after the class had learnt that information. It also allows Vogeltown School to better plan its staffing requirements and minimises disruption for new entrant classes. Parents can still decide when their child is ready to start school and can choose a later cohort entry date if they feel that their child is not ready to start school directly after they turn 5.

As part of this process we would like to hear the views of the school community.

You can answer these questions on the survey link or email your responses. The questions we want you to consider are the same on the survey link as they are below.

Questions for you to consider:

1. Would you support a cohort entry policy at Vogeltown school? If yes, why? If no, why not?

2. Do you know of any individuals or groups that would be disadvantaged by the adoption of a cohort entry policy at Vogeltown school?

3. Do you know of any individuals or groups that would benefit from the adoption of a cohort entry policy at Vogeltown school?

4. If Vogeltown school adopts a cohort entry policy, would you consider enrolling your child(ren) at an alternative school that does not have such a policy?

5. If Vogeltown school adopts a cohort entry policy, would you be more likely to enrol your child(ren) as a result?

If you have any feedback or questions, please contact Mrs Newland or Mr Ogle

To assist the school with preparation for the rest of 2020, please inform the office of any students who may be starting or leaving that we may not already know about.

If you know any families who may be thinking about coming to Vogeltown in 2021, please get these families to contact myself or the school office for an enrolment pack or for a visit.

The adverts were in the Midweek on Wednesday and in The Daily News this Saturday.

Art Work Fundraiser - our children are busy creating their masterpieces for this year's annual art work fundraiser, you will be able to purchase calendars, diaries and notebooks featuring your child's masterpiece - keep an eye out for more information to come in the next few weeks. Orders will be taken early Term 4!

A reminder to begin organising your quiz team for the upcoming Home and School quiz! Lock in the date - Tuesday 20th October, 7pm. $15 per ticket. See the poster below for the details. Please register your team by emailing vshomeandschool@gmail.com

Thanks for your continued support of this hardworking Vogeltown Home and School team.

1) Please remember to contact the school office if your child is absent. You can do this via Skool Loop, text 021 753 680 or ph 06 753 6843. Please do not use SeeSaw for student absences - these must come through the office.

2) If you have any concerns, please contact the school office to make an appointment with your child's teacher or ask for Mr George or Mr Ogle.