Newsletter
Week 4 NEWSLETTER
from the principal
Our Vision: Together we Nurture, Explore and Create for a Better Future
It was Grandparents Day last Friday, and like always it was a magical time at DPS. We kicked things off with the two kapahaka roopu putting on a performance in the hall, then we all headed to classes to connect and reconnect. It was so cool seeing the faces…young and old…light up when they saw each other, when they sat down to chat, when they played games or when they shared stories.
During Celebration that morning I spoke about how lucky I had been over Labour Weekend to head to a Paul McCartney concert. Paul is one of my musical heroes…a member of The Beatles (arguably the greatest band of all time), and he has a solid solo career as well. Paul is 81 years old and his concert gave me a couple of lessons I shared with the children:
Even at 81 Paul still Dares to Dream…his show is nearly 3 hours long (amazing), but for this tour he is playing a song with a challenging bassline…something that when he wrote it in the 1960’s he never had to sing it at the same time. But now, at 81, he has pushed himself to play the complex bassline and sing the song at the same time.
Even at 81 Paul is still Innovating. The great highlight for me of the show was during the encore when he played ‘I’ve Got a Feeling’...and as part of that he sang with a video of John Lennon performing from 1969. John sadly was shot and killed in 1980, but our very own Peter Jackson has been able to use modern AI technology to isolate John’s vocal part, alongside the video of him singing the song on the rooftops of London in January 1969. So the song finished at the concert with an 81 year old Paul duetting with a 28 year old John. Magical.
I write all this linked to Grandparents Day as later that morning I got to chat with Cindy’s Grandad who is out from the UK visiting. He is 82, and grew up in Liverpool and was at the epicentre of The Beatles rise to fame. It was great connecting with him, and hearing his stories of being around at that time. These connections, these stories and the joy of bringing people together…this is at the heart of Grandparents Day, and why it is such a joy.
Great Stuff Tess and Lacey!
Across the term the two junior teams have been exploring Book Creator, and the two senior teams have been looking at KeyNote. Both are apps that demand creativity from the children…essentially the apps do nothing unless the children create content. Part of our recognition as an Apple Distinguished School was around how our children are creators, rather than consumers, of the digital technology at school.
Lacey has used KeyNote to animate herself scoring a try at the rugby world cup…and Tess has used Book Creator to make an information text about Dragonflies.
Click here to have a look at Laceys work, and click here for Tess’ work. It’s great stuff!
Athletics Day Tomorrow
Our children and staff have been busy preparing for tomorrow…our school athletics day down at the Sports Bowl. Always an amazing time…and a great opportunity for our children to display their skills at an actual athletics venue. The weather looks a bit dicey at the moment…but a call will be made in the morning about whether the event is on or off. Please send your child to school ready to go (even if the weather isn’t great).
Support our Lily!
Lily is one of our amazing ORS kids, and someone who brings a heap of light and colour to the school. She is always keen to share her news with you, loves having a laugh and super loves attempting anything physical. However…her cerebral palsy means having access to the types of physical activity that we take for granted is much harder. Even the simple joy of riding a bike…something that all children should get to experience…Lily needs a specially modified bike to allow her to access that thrill of zooming along under your own power.
A couple of weeks ago we had a non-uniform day to help raise some money for Lily, and now there is a give a little page setup to help drive towards the rest. If you are able…even a little bit helps. Click here to go to the page.
Principal and Deputy Principal Celebration
Massive thanks to the staff for the unexpected appreciation day on Wednesday! Shaun and I walked into the office to be greeted with balloons, and had a wonderful morning tea as a team. Grace (one of our awesome teacher aides) gave a wee speech, and Shaun/myself were given cards and a gift. It was humbling to be recognised in this way…we have a great team here at DPS, and it is an absolute privilege everyday to work and learn alongside them. Children got into it as well, with a heap of them coming up to speak to Shaun/I or give us a hug to say thanks.
Teacher Only Day - Monday 13th November
Our last Teacher Only Day for the year. Douglas Park and 8 other primary schools are closing to learn more about the refreshed NZ Curriculum. The day is starting here at DPS as we listen to Derek Wenmoth…a fantastic thinker in the education space. He worked with our staff at the beginning of this year, and I have brought him to Masterton for other teacher-only days. So…Monday 13th November…Teacher Only Day…add to your calendars!
Sports
All Term 4 sports has now begun. It's very cool to see so many students playing sport this term.
At the beginning of this term, Ruby and Mason Johnson's dad, Cole, donated 6 brand new, rugby balls for our touch teams from his workplace - Good sorts! They are very much appreciated!
Masterton Intermediate - 2024 enrolments open now
MASTERTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL 2024 ENROLMENTS OPEN
PLEASE ENROL NOW
Please enrol online using the below link
We are encouraging online enrolments!
Order Subway online or at the office for delivery to school friday
Every Friday we have Subway lunches delivered to school. If you would like to order your child a subway lunch, the easiest way is to order online. Please make sure you put your child's class (teachers name) on the order as it makes it much easier to sort our end. Subway can also be ordered by filling out a form at the school office before school on a Friday. Please note that these must be ordered by early morning on the Friday to ensure your child's order goes through for that day.
Please note that the app you are looking for is Subway Express - School Lunch programme.
Community notices
