Week 5 NEWSLETTER

Attendance

With headlines like the one below scattered across the media this year, I thought I better explain again attendance at Douglas Park.

Read the article here

Do we have an attendance issue at Douglas Park?

No and Yes…it isn’t really clear cut.

In general, No we do not. I’ll attach some data below that you can look at, but this year, even with COVID and all the illness going around, In Terms 1 and 2 our average attendance was 85.9% each term, but regular attendance is much lower. 85.9% sounds high and, like I said, with all the illness schools have faced it is pretty great for this year. But…‘Regular’ attendance is defined for statistical purposes as 90% or higher. However, Ministry of Education analysis shows every day has a cumulative impact on a child’s learning and there is no ‘safe’ level of non-attendance. Every day matters.

So…also based on this, Yes we do have an attendance issue at DPS. We are lower than the target set by the MOE, with our ‘regular attendance’ at just 56%. The data below makes it clear that while we are lower than the MOE 90% target, our attendance is much better than other decile 5 schools locally and nationally…so it isn’t all doom and gloom.

What does the school do?

We track attendance daily via doing the roll in the morning and afternoon. HERO builds a picture for each student of how much they are present or absent (or late) from school. Twice a term we are having a detailed look, and sending letters home to whānau. These letters are just for your information, and just highlight the level of attendance for your child/ren. We appreciate the many factors that go into attendance…particularly illness…but we provide this information so you are aware.

Does this mean I should send my child to school if sick?

Absolutely not! Two great reasons…1, we don’t want to spread any illness and 2, sometimes a day away can bring a child right and prevent the need for further days away. My son attends DPS, and just this week he has been off school for two days as he was ill.

Is the letter a bad thing?

No…and just to be certain, No! It is just us being transparent and making you aware. The letters aren't sent off anywhere else, and are only used by us to monitor attendance. So, just to reiterate the MOE’s message: ‘Regular’ attendance is defined for statistical purposes as 90% or higher. However, Ministry of Education analysis shows every day has a cumulative impact on a child’s learning and there is no ‘safe’ level of non-attendance. Every day matters, and these letters are just to make you aware of these days.

Education Review Office (ERO) Reports

We are almost a year into the new ERO process which is much different than in the past. Historically they would visit for 2-3 days and do an in-depth review of the school and at the end of it they would produce a report (you can read our 2018 review here…scroll down to previous reports). This system wasn’t great, and was pretty variable around how it was conducted nationally. The new process is a partnership where the ERO Reviewer works alongside the school on a goal, helping us gather information, analyse data and look for improvement.

ERO have completed the compliance checks for the school (called the Board Assurance Report, we are compliant in all areas), and what they now call a ‘School Profile Report’ (on that same website). This report mentions a bit about our school, our aims, our strengths and a goal that ERO will help us with which is:

ERO and the school are working together to evaluate how effectively the Douglas Park School local curriculum is engaging students and supporting student progress and achievement. This will focus on evaluating how well they are developing Wairarapatanga within the school and community.

We look forward to this partnership with ERO, and the ways in which they will help support us going forward.

Masterton Intermediate School - Online enrolments for 2023

The following link is now open for new enrolments for 2023

https://bit.ly/3Qf6jO4

We do have some hard copies in the office for those who prefer it.

Holes the movie

A courtroom 5:45 am Tuesday 15th of august arizona…

Case: famous Stolen donated shoes

Offender: Stanley yelnats the 4th

“Stanley! What will it be?” the judge boomed. Silence echoed through the crowded courtroom “camp green lake or Jail” Stanley thought about it for a couple of seconds and then announced “Well…I've never been to camp before” he wondered if he made the right decision after all it was probably better than Jail right?! It was meant to be a punishment?!

The judge banged his mighty hammer “then it is so you’ll head there tomorrow at 7!” Stanley gulped,his parents looked at him with concern Slowly shaking their heads in disbelief. He didn't do it though! He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time!

THE NEXT DAY 7:00

A trail of dust followed the old styled yellow school bus which was probably not up to date with the latest safety protocols . Stanley looked around in disbelief it was all because of his no good pig stealing rotten horrible great great grandfather! Although Stanley didn't believe in the family curse it was nice to have someone to blame when things went wrong. When he looked outside he saw Millions, maybe trillions of holes he Gasped in shock at the number of holes boys were digging and digging as far as the eye could see!

He jumped out of the bus stepping on the hard dirty ground with a “chh” stanley was stunned by the sound! How cooked was it!? Stanley followed a police officer to what looked like the main cabin or the office. Stanley asked puzzlingly “Where's the lake?” the police officer's expression changed. His face turned red “Are you being funny with me kid!?” Stanley went pale “n-n-no s-sir” “ the police officer grunted as they pushed their way inside the cabin.

A frorrow looking man was sitting in a wooden chair slowly popping sunflower seeds into his mouth. He stood up, leering over stanley stanley wimperd under his gaze, “are you Stanley,Stanley yelnats?”

“Yes…?” Stanley replied horrified. “Well… you thirsty stanley?” Stanley sighed in relief “Yeah I am” Stanley replied calmly the man smiled and chuckled a bit “well you're gonna be thirsty for the next Eighteen months” the man stared into Stanley's sole. “How rude of me to not introduce myself im mr sir” Stanley chuckled a bit on his word “ M-mr s-s-sir” “What's so funny Yelnats?!” mr sir stanley quickly fixed himself up “Nothing mr s-sir” Stanley started sweating rapidly

By Ivy Pickett

It was a hot sunny day. Kupay went to get his fish but there was no fish. There was only slime. He knew it was his octopus. Kupay tracks the octopus he sees land. Te pheky gets the boat he smacks and smacks it in the middle of the eyes. There was a big fight between Kupay and tea pheky.Tea pheky grabbed the dog and ate it. Tea pheky slapped.Kupay hits Tea pheky in the middle of the eyes Tea pheky dies.

Kupy found a bird he knew there was land called New Zealand and that is how we found New zealand. From Samuel.

Miniball - Games start Monday 15th and Wednesday 17th August.

Please pay any outstanding fees to the office or pay online. Use your child's name and Miniball as the reference

Douglas Park School

12-3290-0064275-00