Kia ora whanau and families of Te Kura a Rohe o Whaingaroa, Raglan Area School.
A warm welcome to Mike Smith who joined our teaching staff this week, teaching in the secondary area of the school. Mike will have a diverse role looking to work with senior students, supporting learning pathways and individualised programmes, as well as mainstream classes. Mike comes to us from being the Deputy Principal of Fairfield College where he is much respected for his involvement with the community, and with coaching, as well as years of experience in Individualised Learning Pathways for senior students so we are excited to have him join our team.
FINALLY, the work begins on the junior block and from Monday next week we can expect to have contractors on site working. There will be, no doubt, distractions and disruptions. However, I am delighted that a start is made. This upgrade will come close to costing $500,000 so we can expect a great deal of change and improvements. I’m told that the work will take ten to twelve weeks to complete. At the same time I have now seen the completed plans for the two new classrooms for the senior school and I’m told they are on track for the term 2 installation of the classrooms.
The parent support group has met and I believe that they have another hui planned shortly. The feedback has been positive and they will no doubt report to whanau.
A further reminder that if the purchasing of the PE uniforms is causing some financial challenges then please contact the school as we can make arrangements to support you. The school does not have a full formal uniform however there is a dress code that students are expected to meet and maintain and this is on the website if you require clarification.
Four of the student leadership members spent last Thursday at the University of Waikato with the Wilss Headzup Team. This day was about meeting other student leaders from a variety of Hamilton and Waikato Schools and training in leadership and collaboration for their new roles.
The pool has now been approved for use and we are monitoring water quality carefully. The new liner will be put in place after the swimming season and we hope will then be trouble free into the foreseeable future. If you wish to have access to the pool then contact the Swimming Club as they manage all out of school access to the pool. Swimming lessons are underway and again I want to acknowledge and thank the Swimming Club for their work and contribution to the school and to swimming.
Nga mihi, Malcolm
Introducing Lizzy Glynn-Harder
Teenaa koutou ngaa whanau of Years 0-6,
Ko Lizzy Glynn-Harder ahau. I te taha o toku matua, he whanaunga no Ngati Porou noku.
I take this opportunity to introduce myself as your children’s Maori language teacher for this year. My family and I returned to Whaingaroa in October after four years near Christchurch, where my husband helped with the re-build. We are delighted to be home!
We have two daughters at R.A.S, so I’m here 5 days per week. However my position is part time, teaching Tuesday-Thursday. My background is a secondary school teacher of Ngaa Reo e Rua; English and Maori. So the biggest challenge for me so far in my new job is ‘ngaa tamariki nohinohi’; the little ones! Thanks to all the teachers I work with, for their advice and guidance as I slowly get to know and help their students along our learning pathway together…
I have each primary class for just one hour per week. So, if you’re keen for your child to learn and speak Te Reo please encourage them to bring their learning home and share it with them. I’ve told your tamariki there won’t be formal homework but for Years 3-6, I’ll be setting an oral challenge each week…
HE WERO MO TE WIKI…to practice speaking / listening and learning at home. This week, it’s to practice the numbers from 0-10, backwards and ‘out of order’. What’s your phone number? Say the number plate of the car in front of you, etc etc
Following the new curriculum document : Guidelines for Teaching and Learning Te Reo Maori (in mainstream/English Medium schools), I hope to cover Level 1 with all classes and some of Level 2 with the Year 5-6 classes in 2017.
Finally I take this opportunity to thank Malcolm, Quenten, Bronwyn and the Board for giving me this opportunity to teach Te Reo to all of our students, and if you’ve followed the media recently, hopefully become somewhat of a Trail Blazer school, on this kaupapa. Mauri Ora!
Year 0-2 News
Classes have settled well and we are managing well in our temporary classrooms! We have managed to clear D1, 2 and 3 of resources and furniture, ready for the builders when they come in to begin the refurbishment.
It’s great to have to have our aquatics programme underway now that the pool is open. A copy of our swimming timetable is on the library door, and by D 4. We welcome parent helpers.
Some photos of Year 0-2 swimming lessons
Thanks to those who were able to attend the meet and greet. It was lovely to renew acquaintances and meet new whanau.
Our next ‘event’ is a beach picnic to be held next Wednesday, 1st March. Your child should have brought home a notice with permission slip. Please return to the class teacher by Monday, so that we can ensure we have safe walking and swimming ratios. We hope to see you there.
Whaea Celia and team
Raglan Area School Parents Group
Our new Raglan Area School Parents Group had their first meeting on Wednesday 22 February to talk about how the group can benefit our school and our students. Tara Wrigley, the current coordinator for the group, will be making the notes available to everyone via the Raglan Area School Parents Group Facebook page. Or if you’d like a copy of the notes emailed to you then please email: tswrigley@gmail.com. The Parents Group would like as many school parents to be involved as possible so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Surfside Church FLIPT Programme
Surfside Church is running their FLIPT programme for primary school age children again this year. This is a fun programme with games, craft and some values based teaching via DVD. The children will also receive a healthy snack on arrival. It will run once a week on a Wednesday afternoon for 6 weeks starting Wednesday 8th March until Wednesday 12th April finishing just before Easter. Start time is 3.00pm and finishing at 4.15pm. It is to be run at the Surfside Church facility at Te Uku. Parents are invited to give a Koha towards the cost of running the programme and the craft their children will bring home when they drop off or pick their children up.
A Surfside van will be available to transport children from Raglan Area School at approx 2.35pm on the day. Please let us know if you require this service. Only those children who have registered with us will be transported. This van is also available to return your children to Raglan homes afterwards if required. Again please let us know if you require this service. If your child requires a booster seat please make one available for us to use. You may contact us at the numbers below to co-ordinate handing over the seat if required.
Any enquiries and registrations to Surfside Church office on 8255199, email info@surfside.co.nz or the FLIPT Coordinator, Janet Peart on 8255855, email janet.peart@surfside.co.nz or txt 0211040245.
Raglan Area School Year 9-13 Soccer Registration
Are you a Year 9-13 student and want to play soccer for the school this season?
Come to our Year 9-13 Soccer Muster, Friday 3 March, 11am (morning tea), outside C Block and find out more, or put your name down to join a team. All levels and abilities welcome (even if you’ve never played soccer before, but want to learn…you’re welcome to join us).
See you there
Whaea Lisa (021 179 8256) and Whaea Sarah (825 8938)
Te Ropu Aroha ki te Reo
Kia ora,
Here’s what’s happening.
- Whānau hui 28 Feb, 5:30pm. Come and meet the staff. Please bring a plate
- Trip to climb Karioi 9 March
- Trip to Poukai at Maketu 13 March
Regards, Matua Tipene
You Ask Me (student writing)
You ask me what I want to be.
I want to be a slick fox.
You ask me why I want to be a slick fox.
Because a slick fox has amazing tricks.
You ask me why I want amazing tricks.
These amazing tricks can trick people.
You ask me why I want to trick people.
So then people don’t find the clues.
You ask me why I don’t want people to find the clues.
So then I can win the Amazing Race!
By Heiana Ralaimihoatra
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