November 13 2024, Week 5

Principal's Message

Term 4 Week 5

Kia ora koutou

During recent weeks we have had a number of students away with whooping cough and illness. We are pleased that this seems to have passed and we only have a few students away due to illness today.  Thank you for keeping children home when they are unwell, it makes a difference for everyone. The weather in the last few days is certainly a glimpse of summer, we hope!

Last night, around 30 people from our school community gathered for an evening dedicated to learning about neurodiversity. We really appreciated you coming on such a lovely night and asking great questions. 

The workshop featured insights into common forms of neurodiversity present in the Northland school community, such as ADHD, ASD, and Specific Learning Disorders, including Dyslexia and Dysgraphia. We also heard from Lily Doolan of Young Neurodiversity Champions, an 18-year-old student studying for a Bachelor of Architectural Design, who shared her journey with ADHD.

A team, led by Judith Urry, our SENCo, (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) Hayley, our school counsellor included Ministry of Education Learning Support practitioners Nicole (Educational Psychologist) and Shalini (Special Education Adviser), and the Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB). Together they provided insights and strategies to support our neurodivergent students in various contexts. This collaboration helped everyone develop an understanding of neurodivergence, co-occurring needs, and access to resources for further reference. 

The workshop was a great way to conclude the year in which Northland school staff have engaged in professional learning and development through the Education Hub. The focus has been on general and specific strategies for supporting primary school-aged neurodivergent students in various contexts, ensuring that our team is continuing to develop the necessary tools and training to provide the best possible support for every child. 

We are currently developing our class lists and making sure information for a successful transition is well documented for the 2025 teacher. We have planned our organisation for classes for 2025 and we will be maintaining the same team structure as this year. 

Year 0-3

Year 1

Year 1/2

Year 2/3

Year 2/3 

Year 4 - 6

Year 4

Year 5 / 6

Year 5 /6

Year 7 - 8 

Year 7-8

Year 7-8

Next year we will be using the Numicon programme in our Year 0-6 classrooms, currently we use Numicon materials and find the tactile equipment supports all learners. We will use the Oxford Programme for our Year 7 and Year 8 classrooms. We have ordered the relevant resources and hope these will arrive for the start of the year, along with tailored professional development for all staff.

https://www.numicon.co.nz/choose-numicon                                                                                         https://www.oxforddigital.co.nz/

Yesterday we had a visit from Project Jonah. This is an organisation that looks after and protects whales and dolphins as well as educating people. They believe that the more tamariki/children who know about the amazing marine mammals that are right here on our coastline, the more they will want to help protect both them and the moana/ocean that they call home. Team Ruru and Tieke/ Kōtare students and a few parents enjoyed the session and a donation of $150 has been made to support Project Jonah.

The Book swap was a great success for our students last week. It was great to have our student Librarians encourage students to pick out books that they could enjoy.

I would like to draw your attention to the Northland School Parent Survey that is now open for you to provide us with feedback on how we are doing in teaching and learning at Northland. We have designed the survey with questions related to our three pou and would appreciate it if you could take the time to complete this. The survey will also be posted on HERO to each family.

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 nui

Andrea

Northland School Parent Survey

Each year Northland School (in conjunction with its Board of Trustees) sends out a survey to seek feedback on our initiatives to help us make improvements and is an opportunity for you to tell us how we are doing. The purpose of this survey is to collect your views on our 3 pou; Learning - Ako, Relationships- Whanaungatanga, Wellbeing - Oranga. 

During 2024 we have focused on Structured Literacy approach, an increase in Science, developing the Northland CHAMPs, Physical activity and increasing the functions on the HERO platform to name a few.

In 2025 we will implement the new Maths curriculum and the updated English curriculum as required by the Government. The key areas for National focus are; Attendance, Achievement and Assessment.

We ask you to spend 5-10 minutes to respond to this survey, and in doing so, ensure that your views are represented in our planning efforts on behalf of your children.

We value your feedback and would appreciate it if you could fill in the survey.  The survey will close on Friday 22nd November.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X2G83WD

Reunification Information

In the event of a Civil Defence emergency your child will be retained at school until they are collected by you or an adult nominated by you. We have confirmed the date for our reunification drill on Monday 2nd December from 2:15 - 3pm. 

This is only a drill and we are carrying this out so we all understand how this process will work. We would like as many collectors as possible arriving at the collection points so this exercise can be as authentic as possible. 

If your children have activities after school on the day we do our drill, we will be dismissing children as usual at 3pm and they will return to the school site with staff. For example if your child goes to Kelly sport or Jan, this will continue to be provided as usual. 

Week 5- What does the Reunification look like at Northland School?

A school reunification has started when all parents and caregivers will receive a text message, HERO post and webpage update that the school has to “reunify.” 

If these communications are unavailable, then the Civil Defence status for Wellington will also give a strong indication of what actions all schools are undertaking in their own school Evacuation zone.

Upon arriving at the Collection Points.

• There are two reception stations for Northland School. One at the top of the path on Harbourview Road. The other on the pathway down from Military Road.
  

• Reunification staff will be wearing orange vests. Please report to these stations. At the stations staff will have the “reunification lists.” 

• This list identifies who are the collectors for each student in the school. 

• A runner will then go to the evacuation zone. 

• They will collect the identified students and return with them to the station. 

• The students will then be marked off as collected. Collectors and students can then leave the station.

• We ask that no adults or collectors go into the school evacuation zone. This will help to reduce anxiety for children waiting to be collected.

Glossary

Collector: a nominated adult who lives close to you that can collect your children during a reunification. These names should have been given to Ann in the office. They can be your next door neighbors.

Reunification: the process where students are collected by an adult, family member or collector.

Collection Points: the two stations where collectors and students are reunified. (Information on this will be in next week’s post)

School Evacuation Zone- this is at the Tennis court on Harbour View Road. Under a reunification process this zone remains restricted to school staff only. (Information on this will be in next week’s post)

Year 8 Event Bake Sale

We are planning a lovely evening to celebrate and farewell our Year 8 Leavers on Friday 13th December. Thank you to the parents who are working with the Kākā teachers to organise this. 

We are having a Bake Sale on Friday 22nd November to fundraise for this event as we will be decorating Te Kohanga, providing a light meal for students and dessert with year 8 parents. 

We would appreciate any baking donations of slices, cakes, sweet or savoury items to be delivered to either the office or Kākā 7 on the morning of Friday 22nd November. Further details will follow closer to the time. We will have different times for each team to avoid congestion. 

Western Zone Athletics Results

Congratulations to the following students who have qualified for Interzone Athletics. This will take place at Newtown Park on 19th November and is the last major sporting event for the year. We wish everyone well in their events.

HERO

We would like to provide you with a brief outline of all the functions that we are now using on HERO. Please make sure that you are signed up and have notifications on so you can access all the information.

As we progress in our upgrades with HERO we are adding new features to streamline communications.

• Attendance
• Enrolment
• Sharing of Learning
• Community notices
• Group, Class, Team notices
• Trips and request for parent help
• School event reminders and parent information evenings
• Finance 

In the financial section you will notice we have added  Before School Care (BSC), Pizza payments and all our Western Zone Bus payments.   You can check your school account at any time through the App and we  will send statements at the beginning and end of each term.

Please come and talk to us if you need help navigating the  HERO App.

Zones of Regulation at Northland

For more details follow the link https://www.socialthinking.com/zones-of-regulation

Pack the Bus

It's time to jump ‘onboard’ with Pack The Bus 2024 Wellington!  We all know that Christmas can be a tough time of the year for many, and The Breeze Wellington is on a mission to make it much better for local children and families around our region!

From NOW until November 22nd we will be collecting donations at the school office.

DONATION REQUESTS:

• Can you please ensure that any toy donations that are made to the bus are new toys, these will be going to children and families in need to celebrate the spirit of Christmas. This is not a campaign to get rid of old toys within the household. 
• We do request that all donations remain UNWRAPPED. As much as we appreciate the thought that goes into a gift presentation, any wrapped gifts will be unwrapped before being distributed out to families. 
• If there are any food items being donated, can you please ensure that these are still within their expiration date, we will not be able to donate any items that have expired.

The Breeze will be picking up donations from Northland School on Wednesday 27th November. 

Red Bin LAST DAYS!

Last days for Red Bin! It is parked at the Tiger Turf entrance to school from Thursday 7 November - Thursday 14 November.  All clean, good condition clothing and shoes are welcome.  This time we are especially looking for clothes for spring and summer including sun hats.

The red bin is available one week each term and items collected are donated to our partner school in the Wellington area. If you have any questions or have a large donation, give Deborah a text or call on 021709467.  Thank you!

Civil Defence Emergency Contact Form

We have planned our drill for Monday 2nd December 2.15pm to 3pm.  We are still outstanding around 30 families returning their Civil Defence Emergency contact details.   Further details regarding the process and organisation will be sent closer to the time. 

Sport Shirts - Cleaned and Returned

Can we PLEASE have all sports shirts returned to the school office.  Can you please check bags, draws and under the bed - we are missing many many shirts, thank you.

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.

Term Dates

2024 Dates 

             Term 4 Monday 14 October - Wednesday 18 Dec   

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

Community Notices