Week 6 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

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

The ‘Better Future’ part of our vision is a powerful couple of words…all we do at DPS should lead to our students being empowered to make a difference for themselves, for others and for their futures…and this week told a powerful tale around how our Past, connects to our Present and drives to a Better Future

On Friday we held our Grandparents Day…and wow, what an incredible turnout! This day seems to grow each year, and is such a wholesome event. The word Proud was used often to describe the day…children proud to show whānau their learning, their classroom spaces and to introduce their friends and teachers. And, whānau super proud to be shown! This PRIDE was really people being Proud of their Past…who they are, where they come from, their families, their stories, their connections.

Another powerful example came during the Kapa haka performances at the start of Grandparents Day. The Kōwhai roopu went first, and were stunning. But at the beginning of the senior performance group starting…Otis stepped forward to lead the group with his pepeha. It was a passionate, proud moment for him…and it took us all by surprise. Turns out he has been practicing with whānau at home, and had asked them when he would get to do it, and it was suggested he could open a kapa haka performance with it. Sure enough, he took that on board and asked Matua Jimbo before the performance if he could, got the OK, then stepped up and delivered. Being Proud in the Present for who he is, for his culture and for his performance group…

Lastly this week saw the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti culminate. On Monday there was a local event, and we had staff and school councillors take part…supporting the kaupapa. On Tuesday the national Hīkoi made its way to Parliament, and we had a number of whānau and tamariki take part. Again…the word PRIDE came up when I chatted to the children about taking part in either the Monday or Tuesday event, and they themselves could articulate that they were proud to be a part of it. Taking part in something like this, something that was important and meaningful to them shows they are Proud for their Future. This was a chance to make voices heard, and to stand up for our ‘Better Future’.

Not to overuse the word…but I too am very proud of the week…so proud of the connections shared at Grandparents Day, proud of Otis for his mana leading the performance, and proud of Douglas Park’s connections to both local and national Hīkoi.

Thanks to the Helpers!

Also on Monday we had our Helpers morning tea…our chance to invite in all the people that volunteer their time to ‘help us out’. The parents who come on trips, who take sports teams. The grandparents who give up time to help in learning. The adults who help us with projects in and out of the school. Our chance to say a massive…thank you. As I said in the staffroom, without this help it is the children who miss out. Without parent volunteers, we can’t run trips…we simply don’t have the adults needed. Without volunteers, we can’t cater for the huge number of children who want to take part in sport…we don’t have enough staff. And it is these things that enrich the school experience. Reading, writing and maths…these things will happen no matter what, but going rafting, heading to camp, playing hockey at Clareville, going to Riversdale for Beach Ed, climbing the lighthouse at Castlepoint…these things only happen because of the volunteers. So…thank you to you all.

Masterton Athletics - a Great Result

The interschool athletics event was held yesterday…blustery but fine conditions down at the Sports Bowl. We had a large contingent of Year 4 - 6 children qualify for the event, and on the day not only did they represent us with PRIDE…they also achieved super well! We had:

11 - 1st placegetters
7 - 2nd placegetters
6 - 3rd placegetters

The full results can be accessed here…a great day for the team! Big thanks to Helen, Renee, Joe, Hayden, Hayley and all the parent helpers who came down to manage the team.

And…a Huge Thanks!

Many, many thanks to the Hart family and Holmes Construction for their kind donations that have gone towards the school getting a gazebo for events like Athletics! SO nice to finally have our own bit of shade, and a place to ‘call home’ when at these events. The logo looks great…we really stand out! Thanks so much.

A Great Cause

Roxy is a year 10 at Makoura College, and an ex-DPS Kid. Roxy was a real character, and made the most of her time at DPS…a great photo of her below finishing one of our cross country races, leading Marleigh in the French Fries costume towards the finish.

Roxy has been chosen to head an educational trip to Japan next year, and needs her Mum to travel with her. They are doing a bunch of fundraising to help make this happen…a worthwhile cause to support. They have a give a little page here. All the best Roxy!

Nice work Sapphire

Sapphire sought me out while I was on duty…very keen to share with me the teddy bear she has made for a guinea pig! I truly love the creativity and capability at DPS…starting with our very youngest. Nice work Sapphire!