Week 1 NEWSLETTER

Property Projects

We’ve got a lot of property projects underway at the moment and here is an update:

Admin Block: Work is ongoing here, but it is looking pretty awesome. From the exterior you can see the new office for Erena our Learning Support Coordinator…but it is on the inside that the major changes are. Have a look at the video to get a sense of what things will look like…very excited to have this completed!

Front Entrance: This still isn’t quite complete, but we are getting a new front entrance to the school. The current main entrance will now just become a gated staff carpark meaning that the driveway will no longer be shared with incoming students and staff cars/tradie vans/afterschool care vans etc. The carpark will be fully fenced, and no longer be used as a pedestrian accessway. A new pedestrian entrance is being made next to the ex-Dental Clinic and the flagpole. 

The Turf: For many years now the turf had literally been coming apart at the seams…all the joins between pieces were coming away, and it was becoming a hazard. Over the break the middle part (netball court size) was lifted and replaced, and all the remaining seams have been repaired.

The Pool: Every year we have a few leaks to deal with, but this year we had a major one! The grout in the corner of the deep end had disintegrated, and the pool was severely leaking. But…Mr Blue to the rescue, and we are up and running again (much to the kids delight!)

Reminder: No students before 8.15am

Just a reminder, our gates are closed in the morning until 8.15am. A bell rings then, and after that students are welcome to come into school. But not prior. Before 8.15am staff are preparing for the day, and are scattered around the school and are unable to supervise students. After 8.15am teachers are in classes, and ready to welcome the children in. Thanks for your support with this. 

DPS Hats!

Despite the weather, Term 1 is a sunhat term. At school we have a simple rule…No DPS Hat, No Play. We have a bunch of spare DPS bucket hats that we use for things like PE, or getting outside for a game, so children aren’t missing those learning activities outside. But at break times…kids need their own. NZ Uniforms stock them in town. 

Some Calendar Dates

• Friday 17th February: Whānau Picnic here at school. More info to come.

• Friday 3rd March: Teacher Union Meeting. School will close early to allow teaching staff to get to their meeting. 

• Thursday 6th April: Teacher Only Day (all the local primary schools are closed). This makes Wednesday 5th April the last day of the school term.

Term 2

• Monday 24th April: Teacher Only Day. Nationally schools have a 2 week window at the start of the term to have a look at the new school curriculum that is coming out. 

• Tuesday 25th April: ANZAC Day

• Wednesday 26th April: First day of Term 2

DPS Guitar and Piano Lessons

Is your student interested in learning Guitar or Piano?

Open to students from Year 3 to Year 6

Lessons will be once a week during school hours at $10.00 per session. 

Aidan Blake holds a degree in Music and is very passionate about nurturing students' musical interests and overall confidence in themselves. She has been involved in various music programmes in schools, alongside private tutoring and continuing with her own personal musical career.  

Please email Olivia Walsh, owalsh@douglaspark.school.nz if your child is interested. 

Stationery

Thank you to all those people who have paid for their child's stationery already this year.  All stationery is $15 and can be paid online into our ASB account (details below).  Please put your child's name and stationery as a reference.   You can also pay by cash or eftpos at the school office.

ASB ACCOUNT - DOUGLAS PARK SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES 12-3290-0064275-00