Newsletter – 10 February 2020 – Pakuranga Heights School

Welcome back to the start of an exciting year of learning, friendships and challenges for your child.

STAFFING

We wish Mrs Antonia Burton farewell in Week 4 and Mrs Claire Stretch in Week 6 as they go on maternity leave.

Pakuranga Heights continues to grow and we are delighted to welcome on board our new teachers Miss Emma Parker, Mrs Adelle Hunkin, Miss Taylor Gill and Miss Leanne Su.

Learning Support

We have eight highly skilled and dedicated Learning Assistants at Pakuranga Heights who support students across the school in classrooms and specifically with literacy and numeracy.

The intervention programmes we use currently are:

Quick 60 literacy intervention
English Language Learners Programme
Reading Recovery
Patch Play and Talk to Learn Oral Language programmes
SPRING into Maths support
Reading mileage support.

Our Learning Assistants are: Mrs Chris Heaven, Mrs Michelle Alexander, Mrs Jean Wilkinson, Mrs Liz Watene, Mrs Bronwyn Bowden, Miss Nooriah Sayed, Mrs Coralie Buchanan, and Ms Lisa Chadderton.

Student Support

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child, first and foremost the classroom teacher is your first point of contact. If you are still concerned please see the team leader or Mrs Margaret Walker whose responsibilities include behaviour and learning needs. If you have any concerns regarding health, custody issues, special needs, or require support with attendance or behaviour issues, please make an appointment with Mrs Margaret Walker. For questions on the curriculum or assessment, please make an appointment with Mrs Sue Kandasamy.

PROPERTY UPDATE

The Middle School Sunshade

This is on track to be in place during Term 1. This will make a huge difference to the time spent outside in sun safe areas and when raining.

Security Cameras – outside

Security cameras are operating around the school to help deter vandalism and burglary.

Classroom Interactive Technology

We are gradually replacing fixed projectors in classrooms with interactive TV units. This way the students and teachers can use them as a learning and teaching tool and they can be moved around the room.

Grounds and Office

Thank you to Mr Mears for ensuring our school looks attractive, clean, tidy and safe. Mr Mears takes great pride in what he does and this is evident in the lovely school environment he maintains for the community.

Thank you to our office staff of Kristina, Toni and Arianne who have been working hard to ensure a smooth start to the school year. If you have any questions regarding stationery, uniforms or payments please see our friendly team.

SUNSMART

School sun hats are compulsory during Term 1 if the children are playing outside. The school provides free sunscreen in all classes.

SCHOOL UNIFORM EXPECTATIONS

It is expected that all students wear the correct school uniform. This includes hats, trousers etc. Thank you for your support.

TEACHER ONLY DAYS

Last week we spent two full days planning the year ahead and sessions on the Curriculum as well as team building activities.

TRAFFIC AND SAFETY TIPS

To alleviate traffic congestion during peak times, we ask that you follow these tips when picking up or dropping off your children:

Use the pick-up/drop off zone to do just that, no stopping or leaving your vehicle in this zone.

Move to the front of the drop off/pick up zone before your child exits the vehicle
Drivers are not permitted to turn right when exiting the drive through
Ensure your children exit the right side of the vehicle and walk along the footpath to the pedestrian crossing
Please refrain from making u-turns during busy pick up and drop off times
Do not park in neighbouring driveways
Please abide by the clearway zones and yellow lines. These traffic laws are in place for you and your child’s safety

The safety of your children is important to Pakuranga Heights School and we ask parents to be courteous and respectful to other drivers at all times.

The church opposite the carpark has kindly offered parking at the rear as an alternative for drop-off and pick-ups when school park full – please note that this is one way only, please enter on the right (looking from the school) and exit from the left.

Fintan Kelly

Principal

Need to Know

BEGINNING OF YEAR PARENT-TEACHER PARTNERSHIP INTERVIEWS
Wednesday, 26th & Thursday 27th February

We invite you to meet your child’s new teacher or Thursday 27th February for a ten minute interview.

The purpose of this interview is for the teacher to get to know more about your child, and talk about ways of making this a successful year of learning for them.

Academic achievement will be shared in term 2 at the three-way conference when teachers will have current assessment data.

More information to follow and a reminder email regarding booking a time will be sent home later this week.

SAUSAGE SIZZLE/HAMBURGER DAY – alternating Fridays

Our Sausage Sizzle/Hamburger days starts again on Friday, 14th February with Sausage Sizzle then alternates every Friday between Sausage Sizzle and Hamburger Day.

Sausage Sizzle

Beef or chicken sausage on bread with tomato sauce (optional) $2.00

Lemonade Ice Block $2.00

Hamburger Day

Beef or chicken hamburger $3.00 (with cheese optional extra 50c)

Lemonade Ice Block $2.00

To avoid queues in the office, orders can be made online through www.kindo.co.nz,. Orders are open online until Friday mornings at 9:00am or you can order at the office on Friday morning between 8:30am to 9:00am.

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

Signmee is our preferred online means of communication between school and allows our school to create and send online forms that can be filled, paid and signed by parents without the need for printing and returning. Here are a few things we use Signmee for:

Newsletters
Excursion forms
Medical forms
Notifications and updates (including emergency notifications)
Sports events
School events

KINDO is our electronic payment system where our families are able to make payments at any time of the day for their childs/childrens trips, school donations, fundraisers, sausage sizzle/hamburger days and various other extra curriculum activities.

To sign up to Signmee and KINDO please visit the following websites:
www.signmee.com
www.kindo.co.nz or follow the link https://shop.tgcl.co.nz/shop/handshake.shtml?&shop=Pakuranga%20Heights%20School

If you have any queries or require assistance please contact the school office on PH: 576 9209 or email: office@pakurangaheights.school.nz.

ABSENCES
When your child is absent please inform the school office by leaving a message on PH: 576 9209 or emailing office@pakurangaheights.school.nz. If your child is absent for 3 days due to illness a medical certificate is required and a copy given to the office staff.

LATENESS

If your child is late (arriving after 9:15am) they must sign in at the school office on the tablet. If your child has an appoinment and will arrive late to school please notify the school office.

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