Week 10- 28 June 2023
Principal's Message
Kia ora Koutou
Wow, what a great Matariki celebration at our school last night, it was lovely to have so many parents, grandparents, past pupils and members of the community join us. The date for Matariki falls on 14th July, we do hope the night sky will be clearer for everyone to be able to locate the star cluster.
Everyone was able to participate in activities, enjoy soup, a sausage, learn how to weave flax, make a poi, colour stars, and share stories of Matariki. I was very proud of all our performers and all our students who offered to help with the sausage sizzle, demonstrating skills, cleaning up, caring for younger students in the playground and overall, living our values.
Throughout this term all teams have enjoyed a variety of programmes and experiences. I would like to thank all our teachers, teacher aides and support staff for all their mahi during this term and I do hope that the break can help to reduce illness and recharge everyone for Term 3.
Next term we have the Bricks4kidz programme coming into our classes to run STEAM workshops that are connected to the NZ Histories curriculum and use lego and technology as the base for their activities.
As noted in our previous newsletter we have chosen HERO as our new school app. Hero allows schools to customise an online environment that enables teachers and families to view and share learning content anytime, anywhere on any device. Please go to the HERO section and read the details provided. You will need to have set this up so you are able to receive the mid year snapshot of learning by the end of this week.
Parent/ Teacher learning conversations will be held early in Term 3 on Tuesday 25th July and Thursday 27th July. Please go to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and the Code is 6xq9h.
We have experienced an increase in sickness and covid over the last three weeks and we are very aware that many of our students are tired. I wish everyone a lovely break, safe travels if you are heading away. We look forward to seeing everyone at the start of Term 3.
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
Hero - Reporting Information for Parents
We are delighted to launch our new reporting system, using Hero. An online sharing platform with a complementary smart app. This term we are launching our new student reporting system through the app Hero.
Hero allows schools to customise an online environment that enables teachers and families to view and share learning content anytime, anywhere on any device. The software is secure, and easy to use and brings together all school-related information in one place.
This term Snapshots of Learning combined with curriculum achievement information for reading, writing and maths will be available to be accessed via Hero by the end of the week. The Snapshot of Learning will no longer be emailed to you.
With Hero, you will have the ability to:
- read posts relating to your child’s learning
- view information on your child’s progress
- customise your account by adding a profile image
- select how you wish to receive notifications
We encourage you to set up your account now so you are ready for when Snapshots will be posted. If you have already set up an account please check that you can still access your account.
For information about Hero including how to set up your account and how to log in and view Snapshots of Learning please open the attachments below.
If you need support with logging on please contact Jane Batchelor at janeb@northland.school.nz or Julia Truesdale at office@northland.school.nz
Learning Conversations
Parent/ Teacher learning conversations will be held early in Term 3 on Tuesday 25th July and Thursday 27th July. Please go to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and the Code is 6xq9h.
Student Rep Activity
Eid Mabarak!
Eid Al-Adha is the second celebration in the Islamic lunar calendar (The first is Eid Al-Fitr, that marks the end of Ramadan). Eid Al-Adha is on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar. Eid Al-Adha marks the end of Hajj, the 10-day pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
In Wellington, we go to the Kilbirnie mosque early in the morning to offer prayers in large congregations and then afterwards we host friends and family in our homes and have a feast. This year Eid Al-Adha is on Thursday 29 June. We wish all families celebrating Eid this week a happy and joyful celebration.
Colour Day!
Everyone's individuality and self-expression is important and so we are celebrating by having a colour day! On Friday the 30th of June students can dress up all in one colour to create a beautiful unifying rainbow across our school. We hope to see wacky outfits, positive vibes and a whole lot of personality.
Mānawatia a Matariki!
The Māori new year is celebrated with Matariki, the appearance of nine stars in our night sky. They are a symbol of time passing as we remember the old, love the now and look forward to the new. Matariki is a very important time in Northland and our celebration was a blast with singing, kapa haka and craft activities. We hope those of you who made it had a great time and we hope to see you at future celebrations. The Matariki public holiday is on the 14th of July and we wish anyone celebrating a happy and peaceful time. Ngā mihi o Matariki, te tau hou Māori!
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 Newsletter -School newsletters are emailed on a Wednesday by 4pm every fortnight on an even week. This will be sent as a link that you will need to open. The newsletter will also be uploaded to the website.
School Memo -A brief memo of events or important details that occur in between newsletters will be emailed to you on the alternative Wednesday by 4pm every fortnight on the odd week.
Event Calendar Update -Each Friday you will receive an email with Calendar events for the following weeks.
School Website - Please refer to this many details such as latest news, staff, calendar, school policies. The banner is checked and changed daily. https://www.northland.school.nz/
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.
Absence, Appointments, Change of afterschool plan - If your child is sick or has an appointment please send an email to the school office, or the absence line.
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 - Matariki
Wellbeing - Positive Parenting SchoolTV platform
https://northland.nz.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-celebrating-matariki
Matariki, is the celebration of the Māori New Year and the start of te maramataka, the lunar calendar. Matariki is rich with tradition. It is the Māori name for a cluster of 9 stars, 2 of which can be hard to make out with the naked eye. In other cultures, Matariki is known by other names. The Ancient Greeks referred to it as the Pleiades, Hawaiians call them Makali'i or 'eyes of royalty', and in Japan it is Subaru, meaning 'gathered together.' Today, they are also often referred to as The Seven Sisters.
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 Balance - It is important to create balance in your life between work and play, rest and exercise. It is having or doing enough of something - not too much, not too little, but what’s just right for you. If you study all the time or play all the time it is not being balanced. Balance is being in charge of your time and using self-discipline to keep from doing too much or too little.
Term Dates
Term 2 Wednesday 26 April - Friday 30 June
Term 3 Monday 17 July - Friday 22 September Term 4 Monday 9 October - Friday 15 December
Calling all dancing singing acting 6-13yr
Greater Northland Amateur Theatre Company
It's that time of year again. Greater Northland Amateur Theatre company is preparing for our annual show. This year it will be a modern interpretation of Peter Pan. Calling all singing, dancing and acting 6-13 year olds to join us for auditions on Saturday afternoon 22 July at the Northland School Hall 1.30-3pm or 3-4.30pm. No experience necessary. Further information is available on the website (https://gnatc.wordpress.com)
The shows will be performed at the Northland Memorial Community Centre on 14 and 15 October with rehearsals on Sunday afternoons through Term 3 and in the second week of the October school holidays (3-7 October). Please email Ryan Orange (Director) at northlandshow@outlook.com with any questions.
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 !