We would like all students to attend in uniform (stain free polo shirt if possible)
Prize-giving lasts approx. 1 hour 15 minutes, followed by light supper in staffroom.
EARLY 2010 DATES
Jan 28thUniform Sales 4pm—8pm
Feb 2ndFirst Day 2010 year.
Feb 9thMeet the Teacher Evening
Feb 15 -19School Camps
NO AUTOGRAPHS
ON CLOTHING
In the past, Year 8 students have been able to collect autographs on their shirt on the last day of school.
This is now a banned activity because of some comments written on clothing last year.
The school magazine, given out on the last day, has an autographs page.
M. Debney
TOPHOUSE
Kotare
Thank You Students
We wish to publicly recognise the appropriate, positive behaviour displayed by these students and identified by a staff member.
Stacey Muru
Shivneel Kumar
Adam Norman
Edward Johnston
Tulsi Wallace
Quote of the Week
“Write the bad things that are done to you in sand, but write the good things that happen to you in marble.”
Arabic proverb
Principal’s Comment
There will be a number of changes in our programme for next year. These have come about through re-examination of the best ways to deliver the highest quality schooling to our students.
The main features will be:
We will have ten homeroom classes next year instead of nine. Class size will average 28. Any lowering of class sizes will help student learning and teacher management.
We will develop an academic enrichment programme which will run all year in the middle block on Thursdays. We will add new options to Future Problem Solving, Cultural Fusion, Mechanics Team and Nga Toi that currently operate at this time. Staff are currently developing new ideas such as Science/Technology and Writing to further engage students.
For several years we have wanted to develop a radio station and it looks as though our opportunity will come in 2010. As well as being run by students we hope we can involve community groups and increase communication with our many ethnic groups.
The ‘Working Together’ seminar that happened this term will be extended to a series of eight seminars next year. The intention is for school and home to work together to assist student progress. Several curriculum areas will be covered based on initial parent feedback.
An elective programme to give students broad experiences beyond the usual curriculum is being developed for Friday afternoons. The elective will operate for six weeks each term.
Our school day will alter. Instead of a morning interval of 20 minutes and lunchtime of 55 minutes we will operate breaks of 40 minutes and 45 minutes. This trial is based on current research.
Mathematics will continue as ability grouped classes which has proven to be very successful.
I am excited about how these changes may impact on our students. Our school-wide data shows we already achieve to a very high level but we are always determined to do better. The changes are all directed towards further academic success and student engagement.
Mike Debney
Empty Computer Cartridges
Don’t throw them away!
Send them to school with your child. We will collect them and can raise $4 for each one, any size. Remember your empty ones at work as well. Ask friends and family to collect for you.
Let’s see how many we can get!!
Parent and Student Survey
Please take a few minutes with your child to complete the survey which you can submit online by following the link on the SWIS website on the front page and under the Forms category.
Your input will be valuable for staff and the Board in future planning.
BOTREPORT
Last week the Board of Trustees held its final meeting of the year.At that meeting the date was set for the election of new trustees in 2010. The election date is 7 May 2010 ( this is likely to be the same common date across all schools). I would encourage any interested parents to consider running for the Board. It is a great opportunity to become more involved with the school and have an input into the governance of the SWIS. The first BOT meeting for 2010 has been planned for Monday 8 February and interested parents are welcome to come and see how the Board functions, or have a word with one of the current Board members.
The Board also received a report about achievement in writing and was pleased to hear that all groups of students are showing positive learning gains.
I am looking forward to seeing students, parents and care givers at the prize-giving next week.
Lynn McBain (Chair)
Ribble St Trolley Derby
is coming in Feb 2010
In anticipation of this event there will be a “how to build a trolley” workshop.
Where: The Island bay community centre
When: Saturday 19th Dec 2009 1pm to 4 pm
GIRL GUIDES NZ
New unit starting in 2010.
For girls 9.5yrs to 13.5 yrs.
From 8th Feb. 6.30pm—8.00pm Scout hall, Dover St, Island Bay
Come along any Monday, or contact Kathryn Marsh, District Co-ordinator, for more details on 04 8025049 islandbay@guides.wellington.net.nz
RESOLUTION BAY
At Resolution Bay we had a lot of diverse and amazing activities such as kayaking, making pancakes over a fire, orienteering and a fishing trip where we caught lots of fish and ate them the next morning.
There were plenty of laughs when we read from our diaries that we wrote each night.
It is a great environment for a camp with plenty of wildlife.
There was also the special time when we went to the waterfall and put down stones for Mrs. Parbhu.
We all simply loved the trip.Erin Hildred Room 4 & Tabatha Billington Room 6
