Week 5 NEWSLETTER

From the Principal

DPS Kid - Skills not Scores

This week marks the start of NCEA external exams and the rundown towards prize givings across the country. It has sparked a bit of a debate about what should be recognised at a prize giving, what counts as success in these changing educational times? We know that the world of work is changing, that the skills needed for the future are much wider than just Maths, English and Science, yet are the other important skills (like our Core Beliefs of Creativity, Critical Thinking, Learner Agency and Collaboration) recognised in the same fashion?

The 21st Century Skills Lab (NZ based) are championing this debate around what is more important...skills (such as the Core Beliefs), or scores (doing well exams). They have written an article featured in the NZ Herald challenging the idea of prize giving, click here to read it.

The article asks two fantastic questions:

How might we re-imagine what a celebration of student achievement and preparedness for the next stage of learning and earning could look like in 21st century?
How can we recognise academic and vital skills achievement as equally important?

What does this mean for us here at DPS? We have always recognised both academic success (Excellence in Learning) and wider qualities (PRIDE role model). This year we have started to weave our Core Beliefs into these Final Celebration Time awards. Next year we are going to have a big re-think, what do we want to celebrate and how will we do that? I’d be interested in hearing what you think is worthy of recognition...to bring the debate to DPS, skills vs scores! Flick me an email: principal@douglaspark.school.nz

The video below is about the 21C Skills Lab and explains their thoughts about education and the future of work. Worth 2 minutes of your time.

Masterton Athletics

A great day down at the Sportsbowl for our young athletes today. Official results are yet to come in, but at this stage we can be proud of the fact that a team of around 14 DPS students will be heading down to Wellington to compete in the Regional Competition. Massive achievement in itself and I’m sure the day will yield some more awesome results.

Highlights:

DPS placed in the top 3 in 5 of the 6 baton relays, winning 2 of them
A number of first place getters in individual events
All the kids being so proud of themselves down there
Feedback from adults about how well behaved, kind and sportsmanlike our DPS Kids are.

Will share the official results as they come in. Thanks to Amy, Rosie, Shaun, Joe and all the parent helpers for managing the large DPS crew today, and to all the parent supporters who came down to cheer our kids on. Ka rawe!

Strike Tomorrow

Thanks for the kind words of support for the strike tomorrow. As said, we appreciate the inconvenience it causes for our parent community but the issue is too big for education to just roll over and accept. Without wading deep into the politics of it all I just want to pass on my message to our DPS teachers and all the other great practitioners in Masterton...you guys are awesome, you do amazing things daily for children, pick them up when they are down, help them take that one further step in life, be the change, make them laugh, help them deal with the big issues and the small and most importantly...for caring for them as people. The job is undoubtedly huge, challenging, rewarding, draining and empowering...and it is my hope that the government will recognise that.

This article contains a post from the Principal of Fielding Intermediate, sums up things rather well...cuts through some of the media spin about the latest pay offer from the Minister.

Feeling hungry?

Next week the Kōwhai team a running a pizza fundraiser. Each of our teaching teams runs a fundraiser once a year and this money goes back into things for those children. LEGO, stuff for making & creating, making trips cheaper, headphones, extra ‘things’ that the school can’t provide but makes the school day just that little bit more awesome for the kids. Everyone loves a slice or two of pizza for lunch, so be on the lookout for the info...next Wednesday is the day!

Sharing Again

Just because it is such a great thing for the school...our Learning Environment Award! Not often you get to say you are the best in the country...but we can, and we can be proud of the learning spaces that our DPS Kids get to be in each day. Here is the article that the Times Age ran last week, click here to read.

pride & Whakatauki

Kids korero

what's happening at DPS?

DPS Grandparents Day 2018

On Friday 23rd November we invite Grandparents to join us in our Whānau classes. Information will be coming home about where each whānau class is located.

Time: 10am - 11am

A shared morning tea will be provided in each whānau class

If you have more than 1 grandchild at DPS, feel free to visit all their whānau classes on the day!

We can’t wait to spend time with you all!

Vision and Hearing Screening will be on Wednesday 28th November.

Parent referral forms and non-consent forms are in the office.

Book Character Day!

Thank you to everyone that dressed up as their favourite book character - you all looked fabulous!!

Best Dressed Awards

It was so hard to choose only 4 winners!

Congratulations to...

Rydah Addis-Fricker - Rimu

Leilani McAdams - Kowhai

Azaria Osborne - Rata

Spencer Trotman - Kahikatea

Can you guess who they were?

Mr Yipadee

2nd hand Uniform Shop @ DPS:

We have good stock of polar fleeces at the moment. Other items are available in various sizes. Shop is open on Wednesdays 8 - 9 am and 2.15 - 3 pm

DPS Lunch Orders

Subway lunch available to order on Fridays. Order online or pick up an envelope from the office.

Writing -

Super fabulous writing from Kowhai Kids!

In December my mums mum is coming to New Zealand! Yay! I love Renee. She lives in South Africa. Is that a long way from here ? Oh yes it is! We will make mud cakes and Christmas cookies. I think we should have tea parties and make special tea from plants.Me and Rosali could make coffees for my mum,my dad and Renee. That’s gonna be a lot of coffees. Also we are going to help the fairies.

By Evelyn Ross

My dad went on a trip to England and also

he went to Hong kong and Paris. He saw the crown jewels and he went to London and he saw the london eye and he drove in his brothers ferrari it was like vroom vroom. It was like a Piano.

By Elise Polley

I have lots of stripes on me and a white face.My body is white with black stripes all over.I am a cat and I live on a mountain on the top of the mountain is snow and I eat meat. My cousin is a lion.

What am I?

A White Tiger.

By Lydia Kane

Disneyland is a very fun place. I went on a scary ride and there was a ghost. My bottom wasn't on the sea!t

Sometimes it takes an hour or two to get on a ride. I went on a rockstar roller coasters and it had an ac dc musician. Me and my dads nice hotel had a big pool and a big playground.

By Rylee Phibbs

DOUGLAS PARK SPORT

Term 4 Sport

Please note...

All teams and draws are displayed in the sports board outside Rm 4. Pupils who have committed to playing a sport for DPS this term are expected to be at all games in their DPS sports uniform and with the correct gear.

If games are cancelled it will be on MoreFM (on Saturday mornings), the DPS FB page or the Masterton Cluster Sports Group FB page. Those weeks games are void and the draw rolls over to the next week (follow the date on the draw).

LINKS TO DRAWS FOR TERM 4 SPORT

Intermediate Softball - Friday 16th November

There will still be games for DPS Phillies and DPS Dodgers on the date above, even though there is a strike on the same day.

Masterton Cluster Athletics

A big thanks to our parent helpers Liz, Eleina and Rachel for giving up their time and being parent helpers for our DPS kids at the Masterton Cluster Athletics on Wednesday.

The official results have not come out yet, but any pupil who placed in the top 3 in their event will head off to the Wellington Regionals later this term to represent the Masterton Cluster.

DPS placed in 5 out of the 6 relays they entered so that's an awesome result!

Watch this space for the official results next week!