Week 10- 5 April 2023

Principal's Message

Kia ora Koutou

This is the last week of a busy term and we hope you all have plans for relaxing during the Easter break and taking some time to spend with family. We look forward to seeing everyone back for Term 2 on Wednesday 26th April.

We have had an overwhelming interest from parents in the structured literacy parent workshops this week and appreciate you all making the time to come and learn with us. We hope to offer more next term.

We have organised an evening for Oranga - Wellbeing on 17th May from 7pm- 8:30pm in Te Kōhanga. The topics that will be covered are anxiety, neuroscience, Zones of Regulation and behaviour for learning. We have an educational psychologist, our school counsellor and a PB4L School Wide Practitioner who will provide information and share parent tips on ways to support yourself and your child.

If you would like to come and chat or have questions or concerns please get in touch with any of the senior leadership team, Andrea, Jane and Judith.

Ngā mihi nui

Andrea

Behaviour Expectations At Northland School

Our school vision and values statements are the core of our expectations for how everyone conducts themselves during the day. Teachers will encourage and praise what we expect with individuals, the class or the team. During team hui recognition is often shared. The Zones provide the common language and various strategies for individuals to use to regulate. All learning spaces have sensory boxes and students are increasingly learning how to manage their emotions. 

However, individuals or groups of students who show unexpected behaviour are followed up with in a variety of ways. This could include direct comments on what is not ok, a warning, removal from a space or situation, a quiet word, and restating what is expected behaviour and values. 

Parents are emailed or called to share details of the behaviour, what may have occurred beforehand and what happened. Consequences are put in place by the classroom teacher or team leader, these are often discussed with parents. In some cases parents add consequences in the home.

All behaviour is followed up at the lowest level through the classroom teacher. When Team Leaders or Assistant Principals are involved this is due to the nature of the situation that may involve students from across classes, playtime incidents or more serious behaviour. 

All incidents are recorded on our student management system, HERO. This allows us to track behaviours and to review behaviour plans for individuals. Parents are also invited to come in to work together on consequences or work together on strategies to support individual students. 

When there is a serious incident the principal informs the presiding member on the board. Further decisions are discussed, incident reports are compiled and follow up actions recorded. Parents are either emailed or called to provide assurance and plans to keep individuals and others safe are reinforced. 

PB4L & Zones

The Positive Behaviour for Learning School-Wide framework, also known as PB4L School-Wide, is helping New Zealand schools build a culture where positive behaviour and learning is a way of life. Where school culture can be thought of as “the way things are done around here”, school climate is about “the way people feel around here”. Understanding school climate is a key part of building a new school culture. 

PB4L School-Wide looks at behaviour and learning from a whole-of-school as well as an individual child perspective. The framework is based on international evidence that can be tailored to your school’s own environment and cultural needs. 

It’s not about changing the students; it’s about changing the environment, systems, and practices you have in place to support them to make positive behaviour choices. You can find out more about PB4L here https://pb4l.tki.org.nz/PB4L-School-Wide

ZONES

Zones of Regulation This year we are continuing our journey with the Zones of Regulation.  Students are learning strategies to regulate their emotions, such as breathing exercises and using equipment. Students are also learning to analyse a problem and think about the size of that problem. 

This term we are focusing on the following themes.

Expected and Unexpected Behaviour  Students understand that what a person does can affect how others feel and think. Students learn that in a specific situation there are expected and unexpected behaviours that someone may show when they are in a Zone. The students gain an awareness about how they feel and think when someone shows expected versus unexpected behaviour whilst in a particular Zone. 

Exploring Sensory Tools Students learn about and try out different sensory tools and calming techniques that can be used to help them calm their body and mind. They develop an understanding of how these strategies help them regulate. Students are able to reflect on which tools and strategies are effective in helping them regulate. 

Thinking Strategies  Students are able to analyse a situation and work out how big a problem is. They understand that the size of their reaction or expected behaviour should match the size of the problem. Students are aware of the impact positive and negative self-talk can have. They are learning to use their Inner Coach or positive self-talk to help them regulate their Zone.  Students are beginning to explore the idea of flexible thinking versus rigid thinking and the impact this can have in their regulation.  

Rōpū whanaungatanga

Rōpū whanaungatanga on Friday was well organised by our  Year 7 and Year 8 students. They prepared a variety of activities that everyone was able to enjoy and work together to create something individually or as a group. This is just one way our senior students are leading and contributing to building relationships with our younger students. 

Communication

We will continue to develop our communication about events, more specific details of the programmes in teams and the celebration of our children in their learning. We are making a few changes to the way you receive information.

School Website - Please refer to this - many details such as latest news, staff, calendar, sports, school policies. The banner is checked and changed daily. https://www.northland.school.nz/

School Newsletter - Sent out fortnightly on a Wednesday afternoon and can always be accessed via the school website.

Events Calender - sent out via email every Friday afternoon - this may also have relevant information for the following week.

Seesaw - All families have been invited to join Seesaw by your child’s teacher. Seesaw is used across the school for sharing learning by the teacher and by children as they learn to post. At times you may also receive a quick message from the teacher eg, please remember togs tomorrow.

Library News

Congratulations to the student librarians who have received a  Northland School Student Librarian Award.
Bronze: Oliver Healy              Boson Phillips - he is the first Year 6 to have completed a level
Silver:  Tabitha Essery          Minh Anh Nguyen             Ailsa McGrath

A very special congratulations to Summer Hoffman for having completed Bronze, Silver and Gold levels!! 

Sports @ NorthlandSchool

Northland School was well represented at the Weetbix Triathalon, the Western Zone Cricket and Football in the last few weeks and it is such a pleasure to see so many of our students taking part.  We appreciate all parents who are able to come and help during these events or pop in and see how the games are going. 

Check out the link below from our website to see all the sports events for 2023.  If you can help out with any of the upcoming events ie: Cross country, swimming please contact rachelp@northland.school.nz, all parent help is appreciated immensly !  

Northland School Community AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

You may have seen the AED currently sited on the wall outside the school office, this was donated to us a few years ago however it is no longer functional. The Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA) team have very kindly given us a loan AED while we sort out a replacement. This loan device is currently in the office (so not available to the community outside school hours) and not on the publicly available list of AEDs for the community to access in an emergency.

We are working with WFA to organise a permanent replacement which includes a new, up to date AED, the box it sits in, a new site more visible to the community and available on the 111 list of community AEDs. Once purchased, WFA look after it from then on, for free!  They regularly change the pads and battery and will check the machine after use. They also offer free community AED training which we intend to take advantage of!

We need to raise $970 – if you have a business and would like to donate …or have suggestions to raise this money, there is room on the external box for one business logo!! Please contact Julia or Andrea if you can help!

Pilates @ Northland in Te kōhanga

Home & School  brings Pilates to Northland in Te kōhanga.

6 week beginners course starting Week 5, 24 May Wednesday 7pm - 8pm, $108 for the 6 week course.  Please email Ann or Julia in the office with expressions of interest.  Email  office@northland.school.nz

Absence

If your child is sick or has an appointment please contact the school OFFICE and the class teacher.  You can email or phone the office directly or go through the website absent form.    Ph 04 475 7596   office@northland.school.nz  

BSC - Before School Care

Bridget Hall  runs the Before School Care.  The cost from 7:30-8:30 is $10 or  from 8-8:30, the cost is $5. We are fortunate to be able to continue to provide this for you to make your mornings run well. 

Wellbeing - Managing Screen Time- SchoolTV platform

https://northland.nz.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-celebrating-race-relations-day

Parents and caregivers have a responsibility to raise children who appreciate and celebrate diversity, and who can promote equality within our communities. Race Relations Day is celebrated on March 21 and provides an opportunity for New Zealanders to reflect on their own attitudes towards a multicultural society. By acknowledging the challenges faced by minority communities, we can encourage the promotion of racial harmony and cultural understanding.

Race Relations Day has become more prominent, with events and activities taking place across the country to raise awareness and encourage dialogue around the importance of promoting cultural humility and inclusiveness. Parents can support their children in understanding racial harmony by modelling inclusive and respectful behaviour, encouraging empathy, appreciating the experiences of others, and speaking up against racism.

By teaching children to respect and understand different cultural backgrounds, we can foster positive attitudes and beliefs towards racial harmony in Aotearoa. This will help create a more inclusive and equitable world. Whānau can join in the celebrations of Race Relations Day, and view it as an opportunity to unite cultures. This can include learning about and participating in events, festivals and activities organised by various cultural groups.

SchoolDocs - Policies

SchoolDocs provides us with a comprehensive core set of policies, which have been well researched and follow the Ministry of Education National Administration Guidelines. The policies and procedures are tailored to our school, and the school supplies specific information such as our charter, and procedures for behaviour management, reporting to parents, etc.

We invite you to visit the site at https://northland.schooldocs.co.nz (note that there's no "www."). Our username is "northland" and password "orangikaupapa"

Our Value Creative - Auahatanga

Our quality is Appreciation 

Appreciation is being grateful for what you have. It is an attitude of gratitude for learning, loving, and being. It is appreciating the little things which happen around you and within you every day. It is having a sense of wonder about the beauty of this world. It is being aware of the gifts in your life.

Term Dates

2023   Term 1     Tuesday 31 January - Thursday 6 April       TOD Friday 17 March                                                         Term 2     Wednesday 26 April - Friday 30 June          TOD  Mon 24 Apr +Friday 2 June                                 Term 3     Monday 17 July - Friday 22 September                                                                                                           Term 4     Monday 9 Ocotber - Friday 15 December 

Term 2 starts for children on the Wednesday 26 April, Monday the 24 April is a MOE teacher curriculum day and Tuesday 25 April is Anzac day.

The 2nd MOE teacher curriculum day will be in term 3 - we will advise once the date has been confirmed. 

Community Notices

Please check out the Community Notices in the attached document - lots of exciting opportunities for students and families to enjoy.   These are also displayed on the New Notice Board in the school office, come in out check it out !

NORTHLAND KIDZ CLUB Holiday Programme
We'll be making Easter Edibles & Easter Decorations, going to Otari / Wilton bush and other play areas, having a sculpture hunt in the Botanic Gardens, creating a mural, and munchng on sausages & pancakes.
There'll be more art adventures with acrylic paint and, of course, we'll be going to our favourite Time Cinema for another selection of early films & cartoons, which we'll see after stopping at Lyall Bay Beach for morning tea.
$45 per child per day (third child onwards $20  8.30 a.m  to  6 p.m each day.
For details, check out our website (www.nkc.org.nz)  or contact Jan on cell (022-140-2612) email nkc.jan@gmail.com