Rai Valley Area School
Newsletter - Week 8, Term 3, 2021
School Contacts
Rai Valley Area School
6700 SH6, RD 2 Rai Valley
Marlborough 7192
Telephone: (03) 571 6016
Facsimile: (03) 571 6336
Email office: office@rai.school.nz
Web address: www.rai.school.nz
Principal: Maree Furness
Deputy Principal: Mike Wilson
Junior Leader: Karen Davies
Secondary Leader: Siobhan Skinner
Executive Officer: Selene Turner
Receptionist: Pauline Agnew
If you have questions, concerns or compliments please let us know - we value your feedback.
Important Reminder: When students arrive late at school they need to sign at the office so we don't end up ringing parents unnecessarily. Thanks.
Principal's Report
Kia ora koutou,
It has been good to be back at school post lockdown. I did see some of you, as school started back last week, and a number of parents seemed relieved that school was open. For a number of reasons this last lockdown has been more difficult than last year. A number of our upper primary and secondary students spent a lot of time online during lockdown and some were on-line until the early hours of the morning. I would encourage parents to talk with their young people about healthy online use. As a school we are also re-enforcing this message.
One of the challenges of the recent lock-down is that it has occurred so late in the academic year. This is definitely impacting our NCEA students. The end of year examinations have been pushed out by 2 weeks to enable students to have more teaching time and there have been some changes in the requirements
The Ministry has recently announced that there will be learner recognition credits to compensate for the loss of school time for schools outside the Auckland region.
Thursday 9 September the Government has announced further changes to NCEA for this year’s students.
Students disrupted by 16 days of alert level restrictions this year:
Learning Recognition Credits (LRCs)
· for every five credits a student earns, they get one extra LRC
· students at NCEA Level 1 are eligible for up to eight additional credits
· students at NCEA Levels 2 or 3 are eligible for up to six additional credits.
Endorsements
· no change to normal requirements.
University Entrance
· no change to normal requirements.
This week we have received confirmation that the Ministry of Education remodelling of the primary block will begin on the 4th of October. Every 5 years schools receive money (roll based) to repair and upgrade buildings. This money can on be spent on MoE buildings. The last upgrade was the technology block in 2015/16. One of the conditions of this upgrade was that it had to include modernisation of the building. The refurbishing of the primary block will include developing “break-out” rooms for each class in line with modern practice.
It is planned that this project will be completed in time for the 2022 school year.
As a result of this project beginning, the students in Room 13 will move to Room 3 for Term 4. Secondary classes using room 3 will be re- timetabled to other rooms. Access to Room 12 and 15 will be along the new deck, as there will be fencing around the area near Room 12.
Thank you in advance for your patience as we look forward to exciting new teaching spaces in 2022.
Sadly, we are farewelling our beloved caretaker at the end of this term. Ben has given over 20 years of loyal service to the school. As we are in Level 2 it is not possible to plan a farewell for Ben from the wider school community (Ben is delighted). The staff will hold a smaller farewell function but be sure to catch up with Ben in the next couple of weeks. He will still be in our community.
Shane Dearman has been appointed as our new caretaker. We are very fortunate to be able to have Shane succeed Ben and to be able to appoint someone who already knows our school and community. We look forward to welcoming Shane next week to enable a smooth transition to take place
Noho ora mai
Maree
Events Calendar
Monday 20th September - POSTPONED TEACHER ONLY DAY - Wellbeing Professional Development
Tuesday 21st September - Election for the Student Representatives Board of Trustees
Friday 24th September - Pelorus Speech Finals at Havelock (TBC)
Tuesday 28th September - MCAT NCEA Exam
Wednesday 29th September - Y7-8 EPro Challenge
Thursday 30th September - School Photos
Upcoming Board of Trustees Meetings
Tuesday 28th September
Thursday 11th November
Thursday 16th December
Library News: Update on Scholastic Book Club Orders
Unfortunately, Scholastic New Zealand’s Auckland warehouse is currently closed due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
I have received a number of queries from parents and students as to the status of their orders. As books are deemed non-essential items, Scholastic New Zealand are not able to operate and ship any of these orders to school or homes.
Also this year's Book Fair that was scheduled to start this week, has sadly been cancelled for 2021.
I'm sure you can understand this situation is out of their control.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Renee Jope
Outdoor Pet Day Entries 2021
Key Dates for 2021
Thursday 28th of October. Outdoor Pet Day
Tuesday 2nd November. Group Day (Wairau Valley).
Kia ora, all parents and caregivers
While COVID and lockdown have rightly dominated our thoughts over the last month, spring is now here and it's time to get those animal entries in for Pet Day. Currently we only have 12 entries, but I am sure that will change in hurry. Entries are really easy to do online here or on our website. Looking forward to seeing them flood in.
Michael Wilson
Pet Day Coordinator
Head of Primary News
It does seem a little strange to come back to school for just 3 weeks, but it is lovely to see you all back here. Shame about the weather on Monday we had great plans in primary for the first of our "syndicate sports afternoons."
Samatha Baxter will be back this week for music and drama and Kiwi Can will also be back on Friday.
Wednesday was ‘WIG’ Wednesday to raise funds for Child Cancer.
Speeches are coming up this week and next. A Pelorus Cluster one is planned for 24th September, but we are just waiting to see how this might take place.
Thank you to the bus monitors and those children who ride on a bus. There is a check in system that needs to be carried out in the mornings now at Level 2 and this is underway starting this week.
Karen Davies
Head of Primary
SENCO
Bus Controller.
Primary News
Illustration by Keira Wearing Holmes
Illustration by Meika O'Donnell
Illustration by Izaac Craig
An Eight Sentence Story on Wig Day by Room 13 & Mrs Davies
Illustration by Harriet Leo
1. Once upon a time there was a crazy old lady who had funny hair.
2. One day she went to Tāhunanui Beach.
3. While she was swimming her hair fell off.
4. It floated away. All of a sudden up came a big water spout with the hair on top.
5. Mr Whale popped up smiling; he flipped his flipper, caught the hair and flung it back to the lady.
6. She was so thankful that she had her hair back.
7. She thanked Mr Whale with a bucket of krill.
8. The lesson that she learned was: “don’t go swimming with your wig on!”
Room 15 Writing from Ms O'Dell
Tectonic Plates and Drifting Continents by Rawiri Wearing-Holmes
Golden Bay by Madalyn Sharpe
It was dark outside and the stars were shining brightly. It was five o’clock in the morning, Mum and I were on the way to Golden Bay for my birthday. I have never been to Golden Bay before so it was super exciting but even better, I would be riding horses on the beach. I thought about it, me on a horse galloping down the beach. Each time the horse picks its hooves up, golden sand would fly everywhere. It would be magical.
Then after what felt like centuries we were there. Frost covered the ground as we drove to the beach riding center. Once we arrived a small black dog raced out to greet us, followed by a lady who was dressed in a pink top and creamy coloured jodhpurs. ‘‘Hello there ’’she said cheerfully. She led us around to meet the horses then she chose Mum and I two horses to ride.
By the time we were at the beach I had started to get used to my horse. My horse's name was Shadow, she was brown with white freckles on her legs and neck. The frost had cleared now and the morning sun was starting to shine. Shadow’s coat was gleaming in the sunlight. The lady mentioned that today would be a perfect beach riding day because there was no wind. We started to walk the horses along the beach, then we trotted, to warm the horses up. I was eager to start galloping but we couldn’t just yet because the sand wasn’t firm enough. We began to canter along the beach. Shadow was cantering so fast that she broke into a gallop. The other two horses rushed to catch up to her.
I was delighted that we were galloping now, I love the feeling of being free and the sound of her hooves thumping in the sand. As we drew closer to the end of the beach, seagulls awoke and flew out of the trees. Shadow was startled and dashed towards the ocean. I was jolted and slipped to the side. I don't know how I stayed on, but I managed to straighten myself up . Mum and the lady rode over to see if I was ok. “I'm fine,’’ I said shakily. I was scared of more seagulls trying to fly out but I trusted that Shadow would not spook again so I just shook the fear away. We turned the horses around and rode back towards the stables.
Once we were back at the center we untacked the horses, brushed them off and put them away in their paddock. We thanked the lady and started the journey back home. It was such a great day I didn’t want to leave. I hope we can go back next year.
Room 12 News from Ms McKinlay
Secondary News
Secondary News from Mrs Skinner
Well done to our NCEA students for their efforts to stay on track following lockdown. They have returned with purpose and a determination to succeed. This week I will be sending home an updated list of their NCEA entries so that you can see the credits they have gained, and what they are working on. Students have a copy of the new NCEA timetable, with amended dates. I will send one home too with the entries sheet.
The MCAT Maths paper takes place in the final week of Term, on Tuesday the 28th of September. It will take place in the video conferencing room in the library. Students have been attending after school tutorials. A big thanks to Mrs O’Dell who has been popping into these sessions and who is providing a lot of support to students.
A special congratulations to Katie Roeske and Rose Stuart for achieving NCEA Level 3 during lockdown. They can be very proud of their efforts.
Sports News
The weather is changing and the sunshine is most welcome
Unicycles
This week the Year 11 PE ākonga polished the frames and pumped up the tires on the unicycles. They really need to be used and we are looking for keen, willing riders to give it a go this term. Above, Mr Briasco shows some Year 11 students how it's done, while Anton, (right) isn't so sure.
The unicycles are stored in Mrs Stuart’s room and we encourage anyone wanting a challenge to come and learn how to ride one. Anyone wishing to attend practices will need to wear a helmet. We suggest a sense of humour, perseverance and a ‘can-do’ attitude will be needed as well! Mr Briasco gave a demo on Wednesday and much to the awe of senior ākonga, he rode across the court with ease!
Training and use of the unicycles will be on the tennis courts at scheduled play times. Please see Mrs Stuart, if you are interested.
Bicycles
Tamariki have expressed an interest in learning to cycle and how to ride their bikes safely. The Year 11-13 ākonga are planning to run some playtimes and lunchtimes on bike safety and teach the younger tamariki how to ride. Fortunately, we have a range of small bikes suitable for students up to Year 3/4. Any tamariki wishing to learn will need a helmet, shorts or tights and sturdy shoes. More information will become available later in the term.
Leo Club News
Knitting / Craft afternoon
This event was postponed due to lockdown. The Leos have decided to postpone it until Level 1, when visitors can attend without having to wear a mask.
Rangiora Trip
The Leo trip to Rangiora to meet up with the Rangiora Leos has been postponed until next year. Because of this, the Leos have decided to organise a trip to Kaikoura in the summer holidays. They want to spend a night or 2 there with the Rangiora Leos. We will be looking at dates and costs for this trip.
Native Plant Nursery
Katie Roeske has ordered the polytunnel and it will be installed in the next few weeks between the PE shed and Food Tech block. Mrs Hooker and Katie are meeting with Ian Cameron next week from the Havelock Lions to see how the Lions can help sustain this project long-term.
New Member
We have pleasure in welcoming Brooke Dearman to our Leo Club. She will be inducted at our next business meeting.
Doug Avery Fundraiser
Doug is speaking at a fundraising dinner on the 10th of October at the Miller’s Rest. Several Leos have volunteered to help out at this event and to put up publicity posters to promote the event. The fundraising focus is around mental health.
COUNSELLING
Adults can contact the School Counsellor – Richard Wilkins by email: Richard.Wilkins@rai.school.nz or by ringing Pauline at the School Office 03 5716016.
All communication is confidential.
Students can contact Richard a number of ways – directly in person, via another staff member or via email.
My usual workdays this year will be every Tuesday and Thursday, with an additional day on some weeks.
Richard Wilkins MNZAC
Learning Support News
Working Memory
Working memory is the most immediate, short term memory. It holds information you need to use soon. But young people with attention deficit disorder (ADD or ADHD) often have problems with working memory.
Here are some strategies to help them remember more.
Make a checklist. Break any task down into a few simple steps or a list of things to remember. Use lists yourself too, to show your child how they can help you remember things.
Follow a routine. Having the same routine every day gives them a sequence of steps to follow. Maybe have your child audio-record the steps of any daily routine. Listening to his own voice on playback creates less tension than your nagging him about what to do.
Find out what they heard. Have children with weak working memory repeat instructions and fill in any parts that they may have forgotten.
Make eye contact with a child before giving him a task.
Speak slowly and provide information in small units. Given too much information at once, a child with weak working memory quickly loses track.
Keep external distractions to a minimum — turn off the TV or turn down the volume if you want your child’s full attention when you’re saying something important.
Talk with students about what to do if they forget something. Sometimes a buddy or a sibling can help here.
Call close attention to important dates and information. Post them, refer to them frequently, and use cues like, “This is important!” It also helps to frame important information with numbers i.e. “Remember 5 things.”
Teach them memory tricks like acronyms/ mnemonics, the Loci technique (associating each item you are trying to remember with a specific image, place or story), sing to a familiar tune.
Rehearse with your child what you expect him to remember right before the situation. For example, “So, what do you need to say to your teacher this morning?”
Ask children to design their own reminder systems — ways to remind themselves of things they must remember. Can he write it on the back of his hand, place something somewhere prominent as a trigger, program his smartphone to remind him, ask friends with better memories to prompt him?
Community News
GUMBOOT KIDS RAI VALLEY PLAYGROUP
All parents/caregivers of little people are WELCOME to come along and join in with the activities.
- Ages 5 and under.
- Tea and coffee provided.
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday at 9.00am to 12.00 noon.
- Facebook: Rai Valley Playgroup.
- Bring a kids lunchbox and sunhat.
For further information please contact Kelsey Knight 027 315 7969 Vicky Thompson 027 370 9097