Week 3 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

DPS Kid - The Adaptable Mind

Interesting video below which has popped up in my Twitter feed. Called the Adaptable Mind, it outlines 5 skills that are important for the future while telling an amazing human story about the Ebola outbreak. It is well worth 10 minutes of your time.

The 5 skills are very similar to our 4 Core Beliefs. The video talks about Curiousity, Creativity, Taking Action, Multi-Discipline Knowledge (Collaboration) and Empathy. It defines these skills as uniquely human, skills that come naturally...but have to be worked on and developed. Importantly, they are skills that computers/robots are no good at. Based on the growing field of neuroscience (brain study) it is interesting to see that these skills have to be taught and developed in tandem with formal, academic knowledge like reading, writing, and maths.

The final point about Empathy, which sums up the story around the Ebola outbreak, is very timely as we start a new school year. Teachers have been taking the time to get to know our learners and whanau, to know their names and stories, and to start those powerful learning relationships. Our DPS Kid sits at the heart of our school curriculum, defines what we do at Douglas Park. We care about your child/ren and want for them to develop into the best young people we can.

Paid Union Meeting - Students home 12.30pm Thursday 21st March

A date for your calendars. Students will go home at 12.30pm on the 21st March so our teachers (and myself) can attend a Paid Union Meeting here at DPS. This is not a strike, but teachers are required to attend. The Union is allowed 2 of these meetings during school time a year and they are hosting 4 in the Wairarapa that week. Rather than splitting the school up over 4 afternoons, we will just attend one meeting. The meeting will be to discuss any new offer from the government (no offer has been made as yet), and to discuss any further industrial action if teachers reject another offer.

We really do appreciate your support in making arrangements for your children to allow this meeting for the staff.

School Donations

Another year, time again for us to ask for your school donation. We ask a donation of $50 per child for the year...one of the cheapest in town! This money is Above and Beyond what we get from the government and allows for those Above and Beyond items and activities that we provide. Running the pool, providing extra staff, providing technology for the children to use (has been a bit in the news recently about parents having to pay to provide laptops/ipads etc), help with trips, or maintain our great playgrounds. All of these things cost big $$$, so the extra we get through donations is awesome.

Here is our bank account to make paying the donation as easy as possible! (you will be issued with a receipt for tax purposes)

03 0687 0310653 00

Wings Over Wairarapa Schools Day

Next Friday the children of Masterton have an amazing opportunity to go to the Wings over Wairarapa event. 4500 students will be attending (wow!) and will get to take part in a range of activities, as well as seeing aircraft on the ground and in the air. Notices and information will be with you and we’ll keep you updated. We will be down there by 9.30am and gates open to the public at midday. A day that will stick in our learners young minds for years to come I’m sure.

what's happening at DPS?

wings over wairarapa - schools day

22nd February 2019 from 9.30am to 2.00pm.

A notice was sent home on Wednesday with more information.

Please return the parent help forms and money ASAP!

We are super excited for a fun day out!!

Movin March is coming!

Have you dropped your children at one of the travel Pou?

Make the most of the beautiful weather and encourage you child to Walk or Wheel to and from school each and every day.

school of music

At DPS we are offering our students music lessons in guitar, piano or ukulele!

Hemi Walker shall be the music teacher. Hemi is a local musician who has recently completed a Diploma in Contemporary Music. He performs live at various events and music festivals such as Gladstonebury and Tora Tora Tora and works as a music teacher in various other local schools. Hemi also worked with our very own DPS choir at the end of last year. Hemi is very excited to be working with the students at DPS to help them hone their musical abilities and talents!

Music lessons shall be taught at Douglas Park School, once a week on Friday.

Lessons are 30 minutes in duration and cost $12 per lesson.

These lessons are offered to all years across the school.

It is advisable that once students begin lessons that they practice at home or school if appropriate. We have a small number of ukuleles and two keyboards at school for lessons and practise. A guitar will have to be purchased for lessons at school and home practises.

If your child is genuinely interested in learning how to play an instrument and for further information please contact Hemi.

Phone 02041364333

Email hemiwalker95@gmail.com

Chinese New Year

Year of the Pig

5th February - 19th February

BOOK CLUB 2019!

Please have orders in to the office by Friday 15th February (or order online anytime)

Stationery Pack prices for 2019

Rimu N/E pack $20.00

Rimu Y1 top up pack $14.00

Kowhai Syndicate $17.00

Rata Syndicate $17.00

Kahikatea Syndicate $17.00

Stationery packs have been distributed to the pupils on the first day of the term (Tuesday 29th Jan)

Payment is to be made by THIS Friday 15th February 2019

You can pay by cash, cheque, eftpos or online to our account: 030687 0310653 00

Friday Subway Lunch orders: at the DPS office or online

DPS Sport 2019

Term 1 Sport

Our DPS teams have been sorted and are displayed in the sports board outside Rm 4. Thanks for returning permission slips on time!

A reminder that all pupils need to wear the DPS sports uniform for their game. They are available from the Uniform Shop (by McDonalds) or our second hand uniform shop which is open on Wednesday from 8-9am and 2.15pm-3pm.

Practise days are during lunchtime at DPS, they are on the daily notices to remind pupils and all pupils are expected to attend.

Intermediate Softball : Tuesday

Mod-Softball : Tuesday

Teeball : Wednesday

The draws will be displayed in the sports board outside Rm 4, but the link will also be in the newsletter each week.

Term 1 Sport - DRAWS