Week 9 newsletter

What this means for learners is that we want children to tackle challenges, to try again when things aren’t easy, to set goals and reflect on progress, to use the word ‘yet’ when thinking “I can’t do this” (yet).

Food For Thought?

Came across this in an email, and again has me wondering about the skill sets needed for the future of work in NZ? Agriculture is the key to our economy currently, but what happens if these markets are disrupted by emerging technologies?

What's our future in a world of synthetic milk?

Companies have begun developing synthetic proteins including meat and dairy. Sir Peter Gluckman (NZ’s Chief Science Advisor) estimates most milk sold globally in 20 years time will be synthetic. What skills do our young people need when our primary industries (and main export earners) are being profoundly disrupted like this?

Read more: http://bit.ly/2m7i0Nc

Service Day: DPS gives back

Next Friday we are having a Service Day. Each team will be organising something to give back to our local community. I’ve heard that children will be visiting kindy’s, the retirement homes close to us, and potentially doing some work at the Millennium Reserve. I really like the idea of us giving back to the community. This makes for proud local citizens we are helping to create, young people with a sense of connection and PRIDE with their location. Building that sense of community that I feel modern society is starting to lack. Coincidentally these videos were brought to my attention recently. Here is a man with a devotion to his location, with the dedication to make it a better place and to see the job through. As he stands amidst his grand achievement I can only wonder how powerful that feels, to have made such a difference. Well worth the time to watch.

Donations

Many thanks for the school donations that have been coming in, we do appreciate it. As I’ve written, this money is above and beyond what we get from the government and directly benefits the children. When framed like this, any money we receive is awesome...and allows us to do a bit more. If all donations were to come in we would have an extra $17,000 for learning. At this stage we have an extra $1700. Any money is great, but we would love to have a few more donations come in by the end of the term. What do you get in return? A great education for your child/ren, and of course the chance to win an iPad at the last celebration time of the term.

Easter and Data Afternoon Reminder

Tuesday 3rd April: Also, Easter falls during term time this year...so the Education anomaly of Easter Tuesday occurs. While this is not a public holiday, all schools are closed on the Tuesday.

Thursday 12th April: Teacher Only Afternoon. Our normal Data Afternoon, this time around the staff are working with Rebbecca Sweeney from CORE Education. Children will go home at 12.30pm.

Speaking of Easter...

Massive thanks to the FODPS team for their Easter Bun fundraiser. A great success, over 1000 packets sold this year. This small dedicated band of parents and teachers continue to do a great job in fundraising for the children of our school. Cheers Team!

Want to know our Policies or Procedures?

Last year the Board of Trustees shifted to an online platform for our Policies and Procedures. These guide decisions made at school, help us organise what is going on, and provide the backbone for how things operate at school. The site is comprehensive, and is based on ‘best practice’ for all areas of schooling.

If you want to check out our Policy or procedure on a particular area, login and search or browse for what piques your interest:

Go to http://douglaspark.schooldocs.co.nz/

User: douglaspark Password: pride

As we get underway with our SchoolDocs journey we will be making small adjustments to either the policies to reflect what we do here, or to our practices to make sure we are providing the best school environment for the children.

Awards for Week ending 23 March

Green

Chloe (Rm 15) Alatise (Rm 14) Isla (Rimu) Harper (Rm 15) Dylan (Rimu)

Rhys (West) Sandra (Choat) Deliah (Kowhai) Henare (Kowhai)

Gold

Rydah (Rimu) Taylor (Kowhai) Seb (Rm 15) Jasmine (West)

what's happening at dps?

Movin’March - Keep Cole Street safer for everyone.

With just one more week of Movin’March left to run, there’s still heaps of chances to win prizes! Movin’March is a month-long celebration of active transport to school organised by Greater Wellington Regional Council and your local council.

Live too far away to walk or wheel? Just park at Pownall St Crossing, West Kindergarten Essex St pathway or Kummer Cresent corner and walk ten minutes to school and still be part of Movin’March! (Parents may either need to walk with children or check there is a safe route for older children walking alone or with friends.)

Keep Cole Street safer for everyone.

Fancy Wheels Fancy Feet: Thanks to all whanau who got in behind this promotion.

Please have any orders back to school by Wednesday 4th April

community news

School-gen’s ‘Energising Young Minds’ competition

The competition gives DPS the chance to win a share of $25k, $15k or $10k to spend on science or tech equipment.

Please vote on the School-gen voting page http://www.schoolgen.co.nz/voteforyourschool/

People can vote once a day up until voting ends on 2 April.

To ensure a small school has as much chance of winning as a big school, we’ll be dividing the number of votes a school gets by its school roll. The top five schools will go forward to an independent judging panel who will decide who wins.

To view the full Terms and Conditions of the competition go to http://www.schoolgen.co.nz/enter-your-school/.