Week 6 NEWSLETTER

From the Principal

I’m no expert on secondary education, far from it, but as all learners from DPS will one day shift into a college setting I’m doing my best to keep up with the debate. I’ve been interested to hear the replies from young people, current college students or students who have recently left. Their perspective is important...how well do they perceive the system is preparing them for life-long learning, what knowledge to they see as being important, and what changes they believe are necessary? Two articles can be found here and here that are worth taking the time to read, the open letter especially.

Recently we had Paul Green, Principal of Makoura College, come to visit us here at Douglas Park. Paul and his school are interested in what primary schooling looks like now, the direction we are taking, and the types of learners we are creating. They are not looking to emulate, to copy, but to learn and to help provide a good pathway for students. If our Year 6’s leave with the ability to manage their own learning, to have Agency within the learning space...what does that mean for children entering his school? What does a college learning experience need to encompass? As I’ve written about often, these are big questions that the sector is facing with no easy answer. What is clear is that change is needed.

As education changes...and it is changing...seeking voice from all spaces is important and necessary. I’d encourage you to have your say as the young people were in the articles, as Paul is by visiting schools. Perhaps you have children attending college currently, or certainly in years to come you will. Take part in the conversation here.

Samoan Language Week

Another success, celebrating one of our beautiful island languages. Daily notices, celebration time, greetings around the school... we really exposed the children well across the week. The definite highlight had to be the Masterton Intermediate Poly Group performing during Celebration Time. Max Setu, ex-DPS Councillor and brother to AJ from Rimu, gave an amazing speech to introduce the group. He spoke of the power of culture, and having a place to be ‘proud’ of who he is and where he has come from. It was very inspirational from the young man, and then backed up by a 80+ student strong group performance. The group sounded amazing, and the stunned silence after the first piece summed it up...we were all so blown away the hall was silent. Also nice that Cam Maunder (Deputy Principal) played guitar for the group on his last day at MIS before heading overseas.

ERO Visit

Currently the team of Ruth, Keith and Cheryl are midway through their review of the school. To date the review has been positive, with the reviewers impressed by both teachers and learners in the school. They will give us some informal feedback tomorrow, but the final confirmed ERO report will be several months away. We look forward to seeing what the external perspective on the school brings, the ideas, the next steps and the acknowledgement of what we are doing here.

Cross Country - Community Spirit

What a great event held last week, the weather came to the party and the kids put on a great show for us all. Parent turnout really makes the cross country special for the children, and I loved seeing parents cheer on all competitors, not just their own. Seeing the smile, and the lift of pace as the cheers from whānau erupt around them...a real spectacle. One of the areas of focus for this year is Relationships, and seeing that come back into the school through the parent community was cool.

Vote for Mr Blue!

Mr Blue is a real legend...both out in the community and of course here within DPS. First here in the morning, he gets the classes warm for learning, keeps our school looking amazing and is a dab hand at fixing all the little breaks, leaks and mistakes that can happen in a learning day.

The Hits Wairarapa are looking for the coolest school caretaker! The school will win $10,000 worth of gear and the caretaker will get a holiday on Stihl and The Hits radio station.

All you have to do to nominate your school and caretaker is either follow this link http://www.thehits.co.nz/win/nationwide/love-your-land-love-your-school-with-stihl-shop//

OR

Pop into STIHL SHOP Greytown in person and put a vote in the box. One lucky voter will win a prize from our compact cordless range valued at $575!

So that's 3 winners.... The school, the caretaker and a lucky voter !!

Voting runs till 11th June 2018... get everyone on board!

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT DPS?

Cultural Evening for Matariki

Performances of Kapa haka Junior and Senior, Choir, Chinese Duet, Samoan Dancers, Instrumentalists including Brass Solo, Piano, Guitar and an original composition plus the Bollywood dancers!

Thursday 14 June at 6:30-7:30 pm in the Douglas Park School Hall.

Entry is by koha at the door.

See you there!

There are no Friday Lunch Orders until further notice.

Dear Schools....We are emailing to announce that Tuckabox school lunch deliveries side of the business will be finishing at the end of Term 2.

We have completed our market research stage and have found that the cost to deliver these lunches is too high for the volume of lunches being ordered.

We will continue to offer our catering to businesses and individuals, this has been really popular and is growing well.

We have also decided to conclude with St Patrick’s School, Masterton Intermediate School, Masterton Primary School, Lakeview School and Carterton South End after the 15th of June, as these schools have low orders.

Those who have already ordered for Term 2 will get their lunches until the end of Term 2 and Tuckabox will still be for sale weekly for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday until 6th July, so take advantage of this service while it is still available.

Thanks for your support since we launched Tuckabox School Lunches, to the schools, to everyone who has ordered lunches, provided feedback, and generally jumped on board with a new idea – I am so grateful for your support and have had such an incredible journey providing lunches to all of these children in the Wairarapa over the last 14 months.

We have really enjoyed creating this local business and look forward to catering for more events in the future, from, private dinner parties, nibbles and canapés, weddings to corporate events. So contact us should you ever want to discuss this.

Thanks again for all of your support! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions...tuckabox.co.nz

VISION AND HEARING SCREENING PROGRAMME

I plan to visit your school on the Monday the 11^th of June at 9:30am.

I will be screening:

· ‘Retests’/Absentees from previous visits

· Children who have missed their B4 School vision and hearing check

· New immigrants

· Referrals from teachers and parents

Sindy Baker

Vision and Hearing Technician

Regional Public Health - Wairarapa

We would be so grateful if you could support one of our wonderful DPS pupils!

Lilly is our incredible little 5 year old that has cerebral palsy. At the moment she is unable to crawl or walk she currently bum shuffles to get around and play. Lilly started school this year and is really enjoying it, as Lilly is unable to walk she finds it very hard to get around at school and home. She is trying to crawl but needs a lot of help. We are raising funds to take her to Adelaide to do both a home program and an intensive therapy course which goes over 3 weeks. The home program is where they work with us the parents to teach us helpful exercises to help Lilly. The intensive therapy is more hands on it will give her a great boost in her mobility with balance and surroundings and crawling and get her to point were she can walk also just helping Lilly reach her full potential.

All donations will go directly to Timmermans Method Intensive Therapy

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/love-for-lilly

We at DPS and Lilly’s family thank you for your support from our hearts

WRITING

COMMUNITY NEWS

CHILDCARE AVAILABLE

16 year old, Year 12 student, available for afterschool childcare. Happy to do odd jobs around the home like some cleaning, and cook meals if need be. More than happy to help with homework.

I love children and am happy to look after pre-school children as well.

References available

Any questions contact me on 02108009931

Isabella Freeman