Week 1 NEWSLETTER

I look forward to another successful term at DPS, to more powerful learning, to more student achievements, and to seeing the growth and development of our awesome DPS Kids.

Board of Trustees Elections - We want you!

The BOT work in partnership with the Principal to govern the school through the implementation of policy and direction setting. The day to day leadership lies with the Principal, the governance/strategic direction is the work of the Board.

What do trustees do?

The board is accountable for student progress and achievement to its parents and community. The board has the overall responsibility for the school. This includes legal obligations covering curriculum, property, personnel, finance and health and safety.

Some specific things the board does:

· Sets the strategic direction and long-term plans for the school and monitors the board’s progress against them.

· Monitors and evaluates student progress and achievement.

· Oversees the management of staff, property, finances, curriculum and administration.

· Ensures that the educational needs and aspirations of Māori learners, Pasifika learners and learners with special education needs are identified, planned for and met.

· Fulfils the intent of the Treaty of Waitangi by valuing and reflecting New Zealand’s dual cultural heritage.

· Appoints and supports the principal and assesses their performance.

This video explains it well...

What are we responsible for?

The Board is responsible for governance of our school. What that means is that we are responsible for the ‘what’ e.g

· What we want to achieve as a school

· What are our strategic goals

It is our responsibility to ensure that school goals are achieved (you can see these in our strategic plan). The achievement of all students is our responsibility.

The health and well being of our students while they are at school is also our responsibility. That includes ensuring that the resources and development the teaching team need are made available, the school's buildings and property are up to scratch and we have the right policies in place.

Our Returning Officer, Andrea Blathwayt , is hard at work organising the upcoming election. Dates to note are:

10 May Nominations are called for 24 May Nominations close at noon

29 May Voting papers are sent by 7 June Voting closes at noon

13 June Votes are counted & Results are announced

Paid Union Meeting - Students home 12.30pm Thursday 9th May

A date for your calendars. Students will go home at 12.30pm on the 9th May so our teachers 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 3 in the Wairarapa that week. Rather than splitting the school up over 3 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 as teachers have rejected the last offer made.

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

DPS Cross Country 2019

Our whole school cross country is coming up in Wk 5. This is a house competition and pupils will be focussing on "Lasting the Distance" leading up to this. More details about the DPS cross country will come out soon.

Yr 4-6 pupils who place in the top 10 in their race will be invited to represent DPS at the Inter-school Cross Country later in the term.

DPS Cross Country at DPS

Friday 31st May (Postponement Day - Friday 7th June)

Inter school Cross Country at Solway Showgrounds

Wednesday 12th June (Postponement Day - Friday 14th June)

Wgtn Regionals at MacKay's Crossing

Tuesday 2nd July (Postponement Day - Thursday 4th July)

Uniform shop

Pre-loved Polar fleece jackets, plenty of sizes available from $10.00.

Stock up now with a spare or two before winter! Cash sales only.

COUNCILLORS REPORT

We have all had a great holiday break and look forward to welcoming our new pupils and their families at the pōwhiri during Celebration Time this Friday. Penelope and Stephen will be hosting this on behalf of the Councillors.

The Councillors had an early morning start on ANZAC day during the school holidays. They met Mr Sinton at 5.30am in preparation to take part in the Masterton ANZAC dawn parade. A wreath was laid on at the cenotaph on behalf of our DPS pupils and their whānau, and it is always an honour to be part of this very special event.

This term the Councillors are looking forward to...

NYLD in Palmerston North

Running the first school disco for 2019!

Term 2 mufti day

New playground markings around DPS

Kia Ora

We are a youth outreach team from Soulway Church.

Since 2009 the youth outreach team known as 'Souled Owt Kids Club' has been operating like an after school program. We engage the tamariki in activities that teach good morals, values and life lessons that will give them the skills to build healthy relationships. We also have fun playing sports and listen to good music with healthy food and everything is free. We usually only advertise this to the local neighbourhood that surround the Margaret street park but this year with the influx of children showing up with parents donating time and food we decided to send out a invite to the entire community to share our blessings. attached is a poster with all the info.