August 7 2024, Week 2
Principal's Message
Wednesday 7th August
Kia ora koutou
We are looking forward to welcoming all students and families who have joined our school in the later half of term 2 and more recently at our mihi whakatau this Friday at 9:15 in Te Kōhanga.
We were delighted to see many of you view our Science Fair last week. All our students completed a project and were able to explain to their peers and younger students the process they followed and the highlights. Thank you for providing feedback and encouragement. We have selected the students who will represent our school at NIWA on August 29th at Victoria University. Congratulations to the following Isaac, Ethan, Harriet, Matilda, Sam, Oliver, Annabelle, Christian, Eleanor, Evie, Alice, Olivia, Tyler, Monty, Avalon, Alfie, Elijah, Maryam, Dias, Sylvie, Alexis, Isobel, George, Reuben, Boson, Oscar, Evie and Taylor.
This year the Mathswell competition is being held during the day at Victoria University on Monday 19th August. We have entered two Year 7 / 8 teams who will represent Northland. This involves working under pressure, teamwork and accuracy. All the best for the following mathematicians; Alice, Matilda, Eleanor, Tyler, Monty, Isaac, Johannes, Reuben, Vinnie, Matthew, Minh Anh and Oliver.
We have two events next week that will involve many of our students. We have entered four teams in the Western Zone Netball for Years 5-8 at Hataitai on Tuesday and our Kapa haka performance group of 70 children will be taking part in Whakanui Ahurea at Wellington College next Thursday. This festival is an amazing way for all our Kāhui Ako schools to come together to share waiata, dance and haka.
Hemi, our Kapa haka tutor, supported by Lindsey and Jane has been training and motivating our students. I know they will perform with confidence. Next Friday afternoon, the kapa haka performance group will present their festival set in full uniform to the school and community. We would like to invite everyone to attend at 2:30pm in Te Kōhanga.
On Sunday you may have heard the Government's announcement for a Four - Point Action Plan to tackle Maths Achievement in Aotearoa. The Government's goal is to have 80% of year 8 students at or above the expected curriculum level for their age in reading, writing and mathematics by 2030. This is below our own measure, we have set 90% of all students achieving at the expected curriculum level across these three areas. Our 2024 mid year results show we are making good progress towards our own measure with 83% of our current year 8 students at or above the expected curriculum level for reading, 76% for writing, and 78% for maths.
At the beginning of the year we shared that we would be reviewing our approach to maths, so we would be well placed for implementing the new maths and statistics curriculum. We are working with both colleges and primary schools in our Kāhui Ako to look at best practice in maths so students at Northland have a solid foundation. We know that consistency across the school doesn't just appear, and we have worked for three years to develop a more consistent practice in structured literacy. Change takes time, is carefully planned and considers the pace that will ensure implementation across the school is successful.
I will be reporting more of our mid year data to the Board during this week and we will provide a summary in the week 5 newsletter. This will outline our schools achievement in reading, writing and maths at mid year 2024.
Our focus is currently on Structured Literacy across the school and embedding our teaching of The Code, handwriting and writing for the remainder of the year. All teaching staff are currently receiving professional development in the teaching of writing with Dr Helen Walls. We are also taking part in webinars through the Education Hub with a focus on neurodiversity. We are all learners at Northland School and I am very proud of our staff who are informed by research and the science of learning to go ahead and make significant changes in the way we are now teaching structured Literacy.
Mathematics will be a focus during 2025 and we look forward to further details about the Action Plan and resourcing from the Ministry of Education.
A gentle reminder of our Teacher Only day coming up on Friday 30th August. The school will be closed for instruction, as all staff will be having professional development with Dr Helen Walls. The day will focus on writing composition, sharing of current writing samples so we can look for the gaps and continue to go deeper in the teaching and learning of structured literacy at Northland.
Next Thursday evening from 6:30pm we have AED/ CPR training for parents in our community. We have opened this event to parents in Wadestown, Crofton Downs and Karori to make the most of the opportunity.
Thank you for purchasing yo-yo's, so we can pay it forward to another school to benefit from a NED performance. Students are enjoying learning tricks and having fun with friends in this season of yo-yo as a new sport!
Finally, enjoy some of the photos from the STEM project that has been a focus in Tieke and Kōtare during the last few weeks. Students have been challenged.
If you would like to come and chat or have any concerns please get in touch with any of the senior leadership team, Andrea, Judith and Grant.
Ngā mihi
Andrea
Mihi whakatau
We will be holding our mihi whakatau this Friday at 9:15 for all new families, students and staff. New families will meet in the Library at 9:00 and our student leaders will brief you (manuhiri) on protocol and procedure. This will be held in Te Kōhanga, we will share kai in the staffroom after.
Regulation Strategies
Body scans allow students to have an awareness of how their body is feeling. It is great for helping students to relax and calm their mind.
Students lie on the floor and close their eyes. Ask them to focus on their toes, then ankles, then calves and knees. Continue on each body part until you reach the head. Ask students how each part of the body feels, is it hot or cold? Tense or relaxed? This brings an awareness to their bodies and to the movement. If they feel any stress or tension in a body part, students can imagine exhaling it out.
School Photos
PhotoLife sent the key code email to all parents during the holidays. Unfortunately we had no communication from the company that you would receive information during this time, and that the ordering process would be finished before the beginning of the term.
We are disappointed with the quality and the follow up that some of you have had to make with PhotoLife. We have been in communication with them to give them our feedback and hope that issues will be resolved.
If you missed an email from PhotoLife in the holidays and would like to order photos please contact the office and we can provide you with the code relevant to your child. We will be reviewing the provider that we will use in 2025.
Judith Locke Parent Evening
Our Kāhui Ako has committed to providing a number of parent events throughout the year and we are pleased to let you know Judith Locke, a former teacher, now a clinical psychologist with experience in adult, child and family therapy will be presenting at Wellington College on 4th September 7-8:30pm. She is the author of the Bonsai Child and the Bonsai Student which provide great insight for parenting.
Free CPR Training
Welcome to Parenting in an Online World
Rob Cope spoke at a parents evening last term and we have had very positive feedback from those who attended. He has offered all families in our Kāhui free access for 12 months to the "Our Kids Online" cyber-safety package. This is usually $99 per family but you are getting it for free!
In this course, you will learn about the following and some solutions.
- Cyberbullying - How bullies can reach our kids 24/7
- Social media - How social media is affecting the mental health in 3 out of 5 children. FOMO, depression, anxiety
- Gaming and the developing brain – An oversupply of dopamine leading to dopamine deficiency, synaptic pruning, and the underdevelopment of social skills and empathy
- Naked Selfies - The pressure to send nudes from intermediate up through high school
- Online predators - The methods they use, how to spot them
- Online porn vs healthy sexuality - How consuming online pornography as a child or teen can create a sexual template where violence, aggression, and dominance are seen as normal and consent can become very blurry
Alongside the information above for parents, you also get access to the modules for your children. Each topic has different age groups, so use the ones that apply to your children's ages and/or understanding. Some topics are offered that are suitable for you to watch with your children.
To access the Parenting in an Online World 101 course, please click on the following link: Parenting in an Online World
This will take you to the main page for you to enrol in the course. Click ENROL NOW. This will then take you to the enrolment page.
Step 1 On the left side of the page put in your email address
Step 2 On the right-hand side of the page click on Add Coupon Code then copy and paste WELLINGTONFREE
Step 3 Then click on apply
Step 4 Click on get it for free
This will then take you to a new page for you to:
Step 5 Add your name
Step 6 Create a password
Library News
Scholastic Book Club Term 3 2024 - Issue 5 is out now!
Term 3 Issue 5 2024 catalogues have been distributed in your child's class. Deadline for orders is on 9 August . Please note that we do not take paper order forms or cash payments - all orders are done online via LOOP. Please go to https://mybookclub.scholastic.co.nz/Parent/Login.aspx to register.
Should you wish to gift the books you ordered to someone, please place your order then email Erwin so she knows. When the order has arrived, she can then put it aside and get in touch with you so you can come and pick it up.
Any other queries to Erwin Palado by emailing librarian@northland.school.nz
What's New?
Our school library has these new book series called “Seriously Silly Stories”. These books give a hilarious twist to much-loved fairy tales. They can be found in the same shelf as the books written by Susan Anita Jones in the Junior Quick-Reads area.
Also, more Rainbow Magic books are added to our current library collection.
Looking for Parent Helpers
Later this year the Home & School Committee will organise a Quiz Night and a Colour Run! We're currently in the early stages of planning, and if there're any parents who would like to help with these events please get in touch homeandschool@northland.
All help is gratefully received and if you have any questions please reach out.
School Lunch Options
Subway - Every Monday - order online through www.lunchonline.co.nz
Sushi - Every Tuesday - order online through www.ezlunch.co.nz
Pizza - Once a month - available the 1st Friday of each month, $6 per pizza order forms available on the school website or in the school office.
Apps available for Subway and Sushi through the school website.
Western Zone and School Sports Days
Western Zone sports day are usually held on a Tuesday with the Thursday of the same week being the postponement day. Information is sent home separately for each of these events, with updates on HERO or the school website.
WZ Netball 13 August
WZ Hockey 27 August
School Athletics Day 23 October (Wednesday)
WZ Athletics 1 November (Friday)
Term Dates
2024 Dates
Term 3 Monday 22 July - Friday 27 Sept
Term 4 Monday 14 October - Wednesday 18 Dec
Our teacher only days are
Term 3 Friday 30 August
Term 4 Tuesday 29 October
2025 Dates
We have confirmed the dates for 2025. We will have an open afternoon for families on January 29th to help the transition back into school, see the class space and meet the teachers in the learning space. This is prior to the first day of school on 30th January. We are yet to confirm Teacher Only Days and once these have been decided we will let you know.
Term 1 - 30 January - 11 April
Public Holiday- Thurs 6th Feb- Waitangi
Please note Easter and ANZAC day are within the Term holiday in 2025
Good Friday - 18th April
Easter Monday - 21st and Easter Tuesday 22.
ANZAC Friday 25th April
Term 2 - Mon 28 April - 27 June
Kings Birthday - Monday 2nd June
Matariki - Friday 20th June
Term 3 - 14 July - 19 September
Term 4 - 6 October - 17 December Labour Day- Monday 27th October