Week 7 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

Our Vision: Together we Nurture, Explore and Create for a Better Future

Tomorrow the schools in town close for a day of collective learning, a day of collective challenge and a chance to build & share knowledge across all of our schools. Together We are stronger, building the capability of all of our primary school teachers makes us stronger as a town, and leads towards a Better Future for the students in our care. Tomorrow our teachers will be learning about local stories and legends unique to our whenua and area. The stories that have shaped who we are as a people. We will be learning about digital tools, and how they can be used to tell stories such as recounting the Matariki stories. We will be learning more about how to view and record children's learning while they play, make and create. And we will be challenged to become more honourable partners in Te Tiriti, and what this might look like in classes.

I’m one of the organisers of the day, as I was last year. I do it for a couple of reasons…one being that our staff can access a range of NZ leading facilities on a day like this, but I also do it as I believe my job is to serve education in and out of DPS. DPS is not an island, we are connected to our neighbouring schools through sport, shared experiences, shared children and through a strong professional network. I’m looking forward to the day, and to see what comes into action as a result. Thanks very much for your support of this day.

Matariki Evening

Not long now until our Matariki Evening, and we are excited about what has been put together. The event last year was an awesome one…and it was great to see whānau connecting with one another. This year, post COVID, it is just going to be amazing to once again have you all back on site, and for our kids to be able to perform to an audience. Come along, we’d love to see you!

8.15am Gate Entry

The colder, wet weather has arrived…and with it the realisation that some children have to wait for a while for us to open the gates in the morning. This is a tricky balancing act…for both home and school to navigate. The 8.15am rule has come about as part of our COVID response…but in doing so it has made us realise that prior to this rule we would have children onsite well before 8am, some as early as 7.30am. This did make for long days for kids, and also meant that staff were supervising and entertaining children well before the start of the school day at 8.45am. The new 8.15am entry time allows staff to prepare for the day and be ready in class for children as they arrive, once the gates open.

Staff are present onsite before 8.15am, but teachers aren’t necessarily in teaching spaces, which means no supervision for children. If a situation was to arise that a child needed support, this would not be as accessible to them like it would be from 8.15am. Nor would we be aware of who is actually on site in the event of an emergency. While we appreciate that, for those whānau who have an early start it may be an inconvenience for the gates to be shut until 8.15am, we do thank you for supporting this.

InterSchool Cross Country

Good luck to all of our DPS Kids competing today! Run hard, and represent us with PRIDE!

This may be useful?

I’ve been made aware of the heater exchange offer that The Warehouse is running where you can exchange an old LPG gas heater for a modern electric heater. Without wading into the merits or drawbacks of this offer…it may be useful for some of you to know about. All the information you need can be found here: https://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/heater-swap-initiative

Pies Pies Pies!

A reminder that FoDPS pies pick up day is tomorrow, Friday 17 June. Please pick your pies up from the DPS Hall between 2.30pm and 3.30pm. If you have ordered a large number of pies, please feel free to park in the staff carpark or on the courts area in front of the hall.

What's on at DPS?

FODPS

Reminder - Pies arrive Friday June 17th, pick up is 2.30-3.30pm you may drive your car into school by the hall as this is a teacher only day. Please be aware there will be children and other adults around collecting pies so remain vigilant

FoDPS AGM - Thursday 16th June 2022 @ 7pm, DPS Staff Room. All are welcome. Followed by the General Monthly Meeting. Refreshments provided. Please remember to wear a mask.

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