Week 2 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

Catherine Pearse

Normally my newsletter is about what I’m thinking around education news, celebrating parts of our school vision coming to life, or I’m highlighting some awesome learning in action, or sharing some ideas for home to support children…but none of that seems right today as we are still coming to grips with losing Catherine. Instead I will just share the statement I posted to HERO yesterday. Rest easy Catherine, you will be missed.

A service to celebrate Catherine's life will be held at Rosewood, 415 Queen Street, Masterton, on Saturday, 11th May, at 11.00am followed by private cremation. Please wear something bright to the service.

Douglas Park School's staff, students and community are very saddened by the tragic loss of Catherine Pearse. Catherine has been a long serving staff member…starting her teacher aide career at Cornwall Street School in the 1990’s and being at Douglas Park since we started in 2004, she has served both schools for 30 years.

Catherine was a kind, caring, patient member of staff who was able to build amazing relationships with our children. She had a lot of initiative, often doing the things that needed doing…well before she was asked.

If you’ve had a 5 year old come through our school…chances are Catherine had an impact. She sorted all the stationery, making sure our students could engage in learning from the first day of the year. She sorted all of the junior reading books, making sure kids can get off to a flying start. If your Rimu child has ever lost an item, needed help with shoelaces, needed a kind word at the start of the day, had some extra reading, had a hug after a hurt…likely it was Catherine who was there to do the helping. Held in high regard by the staff and kids, she was a real role model to us all.

The Pearse whānau are also a big part of DPS, and have contributed heaps. Graeme has built and mended many, many things for the school and was also a driving force behind relocating the Cornwall Street School playground and installing it at DPS. He has been happy to help out with anything we’ve needed. Catherine and Graeme are also very proud grandparents, often seen at Celebration Time recognising the success of their grandchildren.

Catherine will be fondly remembered by all those whose lives she graced in her time at Cornwall Street School, and Douglas Park.

Our condolences, aroha and thoughts are with Graeme, Desiree, Richard, Michael and the wider whānau at this time.

Thanks!

Big thanks to the Dental Service for their mahi at the moment, you guys are awesome. It’s a pretty big job working through the whole school, as well as ECE children and catching up students from other schools…all inside that trailer unit! You are kind and caring…my own son Emmett had his checkup, and you made it so relaxed and enjoyable for him. Thank you.

Pownall Street Roadworks

We have just been advised today that roadworks will be starting next week at the Cole/Pownall St intersection as they look to install a raised crossing. A temporary crossing will be installed closer to St Matts while this work is being done. PCL Contracting will manage this while the work is on…the crossing will be unmarked, and we won’t have our usual road patrol signs.

The notice is below…but it states that traffic management will be in place as well. It might pay to adjust your pickup/dropoff route to avoid the inevitable traffic that this will cause. Pickup/Drop off over the far side of Douglas Park (In Essex Street) would be a great idea, or even out the Kummer Cres gate at the back of the school.

Dental Forms

A message from our great dental bus team, please check your child's schoolbag for a dental form from them. There are a lot outstanding, they need to be signed and returned. Thanks!