Embedded Files
Week 1 NEWSLETTER
Week 1 NEWSLETTER
from the principal
from the principal
Parent School Donations in 2020
Parent School Donations in 2020
You’ll probably be aware through the media that the government announced after the Budget this year, that schools can opt into a Ministry donation scheme...if schools stop asking for parent donations.
For Douglas Park, we ask each year for $50 per student/per year. Locally this is cheap, and comparatively across the country, this is a real bargain (I know state schools that ask for near $400!). This year we had amazing support and reached a high tide mark for the school bringing in just over 10K (thanks again so much!). The Ministry offer is $150 per child, clearly a real win for us. The BoT have opted into the scheme for 2020, so next year we will not be asking for the $50 per child donation.
What does this mean for other requests for money?
A lot of information (some incorrect) is out in the media and social media. Currently, the school doesn’t charge for many things that other schools do...we don’t ask for money for swimming lessons, we don’t ask for a ‘photocopy fee’, we don’t charge for digital subscriptions (like SeeSaw or Maths Buddy), we don’t ask for an ‘activity fee’ and we certainly don’t ask parents to provide technology (like BYOD laptops, or tablets). While we will not be asking for the $50 donation next year, and we don’t charge for many things, we can still ask and expect money for certain things:
- School stationery packs
- One off events (like a travelling show)
- Sports subs
- Music lessons
EOTC (Field Trips) are something that we currently ask money for that we will no longer be able to. Trips to Mt Bruce, Mt Holdsworth...things like that we can no longer expect parents to pay for.
These are some easy, smaller examples. The big one is School Camp. The Minister for Education has made an exception for School Camps, allowing schools to still ask for money towards these. We have traditionally asked for money for camp, normally around the $190 mark (again...cheap in comparison to other camps). While we aren’t in the planning stages yet for a 2020 camp, the Board have agreed to use some of the new Ministry donation money to subsidise the cost of camp by at least 50%. While we could still ask for the full amount, the Board feels this new revenue can be used to try our best to reduce financial pressure on school whānau.
Community Consultation Feedback
Community Consultation Feedback
On behalf of the Board, a massive thank you for all the responses to our survey. It is a big job trying to think about where the school could/should head over the next 3 years and a job that needs to be done well. We have a wealth of rich information now because of the great response rate and because of the thought that you exercised in giving the feedback.
A next step will be a couple of face to face meetings, opportunities to talk directly to the Board about where to next. Information will come out about that soon.
New Office Administrator - Sara O’Grady
New Office Administrator - Sara O’Grady
Late last term we appointed Sara to the Office Administrator job, she has now started with us. Sara is an experienced Kindergarten Teacher and was the Office Administrator for Awapuni School over in Palmerston North. A great addition to the team, we look forward to working and learning alongside you.
Enrolment Scheme (Our Zone)
Enrolment Scheme (Our Zone)
The Board have allocated 20 places for Out of Zone students in Terms 1 & 2 next year. Information and applications has gone out to all those on our database, but feel free to let other interested parents know of this opportunity. Out of Zone applications close at 3pm on 1 November 2019. If a ballot is necessary it will be held on 4 November and parents/caregivers will be notified on 6 November. Please phone the school office for more details.
WHAKATAUKI
WHAKATAUKI
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT DPS?
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT DPS?
Lucky Book Club
Lucky Book Club
Issue 7 was handed out to children last week!
Issue 7 was handed out to children last week!
If you missed out - you can have a look at the catalogue here
All orders need to be placed into the school office or online by the 31st of October.
All children who place an order will go into the draw to win a $10 voucher to spend at our upcoming Book Fair!!
All children who place an order will go into the draw to win a $10 voucher to spend at our upcoming Book Fair!!
Friday Subway lunch orders
Friday Subway lunch orders
At the office (please ensure your child's name is on the envelope!)
Or order online.
DPS Sport 2019
DPS Sport 2019
Term 4 Sport
Term 4 Sport
Term 4 sports teams are up in the Sports cabinet outside Kōwhai. Please check practise days and help your child be organised for these!
Any pupil who plays sport for DPS must wear the DPS sports uniform. This is available from the uniform shop by McDonalds or at our DPS second-hand uniform shop which is open on Wednesday before and after school.
COUNCILLORS REPORT
COUNCILLORS REPORT
It’s hard to believe this is our last term at DPS - where has that time gone!
It’s hard to believe this is our last term at DPS - where has that time gone!
In our Councillors meeting this week we discussed what do we want our legacy to be when we leave DPS at the end of 2019. Some ideas we brainstormed were…
- We will be hard to replace
- We inspire others to be young leaders
- People look up to us, even when we have left DPS
- That we made the most of every opportunity we had!
We have lots on the go this term.
We have lots on the go this term.
We will be running an amazing raffle and the prize is a 49 inch TV donated by the Oakly family. WOW how amazing is that! Watch this space for more details.
Our Yr 6 leavers party is something we are really looking forward to organising as well as designing our Yr 6 leavers t-shirts.
We look forward to welcoming our new pupils and their whanau at the Pōwhiri at Celebration Time tomorrow, we hope you love DPS as much as we do!
community notices
community notices
We are a local masterton based cricket club wanting to promote the game of cricket to interested junior players for the upcoming season. We are looking to offer cricket to school aged children that have taken an interest in the game of cricket, many thanks to the great efforts of our national team at the cricket World Cup earlier this year.
With support from current players and coaches we offer this program, without the request of teacher support.
Please be advised that Lansdowne cricket would like to invite all children who might wish to play cricket this year to our junior open day to be held on the Queen Elizabeth oval at 10.30am Sunday October 20th. This event will be some fun games of rapid cricket followed by a sausage sizzle and junior player registration of interest to play for the upcoming season. We also have a number of free prizes to be given away, courtesy of Wairarapa cricket association.
Talofa
Talofa
REAP supports a Masterton based playgroup for all Pasifika whānau. It is called Moana Playgroup and was established in 2016 to enable Pacific Island families, with their pre-schoolers, to come together and celebrate their unique languages and cultures.
It takes place on Mondays and Tuesdays 10.00am-12.00pm at The Spot, 365 Queen Street, Masterton and is supported by Fale Lio.
The playgroup promotes: Early Childhood Education and participation, Pacific Languages and cultures, healthy eating and living for whānau.
Kids, are you looking for fun on a Friday night?
Kids, are you looking for fun on a Friday night?
Then come along to Kids' Club, 5.30 till 7.30pm on Fridays at the Baptist Church. We provide a safe, family atmosphere with table tennis, computer games, craft, a kid-friendly light tea, Bible stories and organised games. The cost is just $2.50 per child. Phone Liz on 027 2233100 for more details or just come along and have a look. We're on the corner of Renall and Chapel Streets; entrance off Renall St.
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