Week 2 NEWSLETTER

He ran a final session with staff last week and got us to think about where to next...and the alignment between what teachers think and what you as our parent community think was eerily the same. Developing Kids who care deeply for the environment, who know themselves and where they come from, who are able to take action for themselves and others, and are able to contribute to communities.

He shared a clip of a Victoria University Professor speaking about learning, in particular about Place-based learning. Knowing where you come from is important in terms of figuring out where you are headed, and the Professor spoke about Learning starting where you stand, where your own two feet are. I was really taken with this, I like the idea of children really knowing themselves then knowing their place/community and starting there. During our termly Powhiri I invited our manuhiri, our new families to “Come stand with us” and start our learning where we all stand.

Congratulations Miss West!

Amy and Sam are going to be welcoming their first child into their whanau next year, awesome news guys! This does mean that Amy won’t be in her classroom teacher role with us in 2020. Amy contributes a heap to DPS life and while it is not goodbye yet...we wish you and Sam (and baby) all the best next year.

Out of Zone Applications

Applications for Term 1 & 2 Out of Zone places at DPS close next week, November 1st. Please let anyone know that you think may be interested. The Board has opened up 20 spaces for the first half of the year...but the only way into school (if you live out of our zone) is through this process. We get a lot of parents asking if they can come to DPS and often they have missed our deadlines, so they miss out. Applications are available at the Office, or you can email us and we will send one out; office@douglaspark.school.nz

Play, Eat, Learn

For the next two weeks we are going to rearrange when we Play, Eat and Learn. As of Tuesday (after the long weekend) we will go straight out to Play at morning tea, and come in to Eat then Learn at the end of break time. This is the same for lunch...straight out to play (or practice if your child has one), then back in at 1.15pm to Eat, then Learn after that. Schools around the country have tried this successfully, and they believe it makes a difference to children’s concentration levels when back into the learning spaces.

Health Curriculum

Every 2 years we reach out to the community to get your feedback on our Health teaching. It is that time again, and today a brief paper survey will come home with your child. It is an area of the curriculum that people can have strong views on, and we’d like to know what you think about what we currently do...and if you have any new ideas for us. We also use a wide range of external services to help us with this learning.

Student-led Conference

Next week on Thursday 31st October, 220 students from 12 different Masterton primary, intermediate and secondary schools will descend on Douglas Park School for Masterton’s first Student-led conference. Connect, Inspire, Learn 2019 is a conference run by students for students. Over the day there will be 62 workshops presented by 9 to 13 year olds covering everything from crafts, learning languages, sports, baking, cultural performance, technology and much more. The conference aims to inspire students’ passions, allow for students with similar interests to connect regardless of which school they attend and to grow students’ skills as learners and leaders.

Logistically this is a major event for DPS to be running and it is important you are aware that on Thursday there will be a large number of non DPS students at school from 8.30am. There will also be a section of Cole Street, opposite the Marae, coned off to allow for buses for the conference. To avoid congestion, we ask that you consider using drop off and pick up points in either Kummer Cres and across the park in Essex Street on Thursday.

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.