Week 1 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

Go DPS!

Something to be really proud of here! In the middle of last term the Education Gazette (The Ministry of Education’s fortnightly magazine) made contact with us wanting to use us in an article about Learner Agency. They needed an example from one Secondary School in NZ, and one Primary...and out of all the 2000 primary schools they chose us! After our interview and photo session they decided to split the article into two...one on us, and one on Albany Senior High in Auckland (an amazing school) as the stories from both schools were so compelling.

The article can be read here, and is all about our work developing a culture of making and play within the school and how this develops Agency in the children, develops them into learners who can take charge of their learning. Part of the article is a section of student voice, and the children interviewed did a great job...very articulate. The article is a great read, and a great celebration of the mahi that staff and students have put in over the last five years.

Social Media - ‘The Social Dilemma’ documentary

Watched an excellent documentary on Netflix in the holidays called the ‘Social Dilemma’. Recommended to me by one of our school parents, it takes a deep dive into how these social media platforms operate and the impact/influence they have over us. It touches on how it can influence information, the impact on things like body image and the massive effect it is having around mental wellbeing, anxiety and depression. The argument the documentary presents is perhaps a little one sided (lots of positive action has resulted from social media use also), but it has a powerful message to us..asking us to consider what we are up to...and what we are allowing our children access to.

We’ve had very little social media drama here at DPS (thankfully), but are very aware that many of our children (and not just the older kids) have a social media presence, and access to apps like Tik Tok, Instagram and Snapchat. Our school position is that children do not have access to social media at school, but it isn’t our job to police what goes on at home. The documentary is worth watching, and following that...starting a conversation as the adults at home, about what we think is right for our whānau. It really struck home to me at the end when the industry insiders spoke about themselves and their families...and that many of them, despite being in the industry, refuse to let their own families use these apps or have strong limits on what they can access.

Food for thought.

Grandparents Day

Tomorrow we celebrate our elders, inviting them to come in and see their younger family members in action at DPS. Relationships are at the heart of what we do here at DPS, and this day each year is a special one. The stories that are told, the connections made...and the smiles on the faces both young and old. We look forward to seeing you!

Sun Hats

Term 4, so a return to sun hats daily at DPS. No hat = no play. Please ensure they are clearly named...they are virtually identical, so a pile of unnamed hats is a bit of a mission to sort through!

Thanks Isaac!

During the break, Isaac and his Mum entered us into a competition to win a gardening pack...and he won! The pack contains tools, seeds and a lovely gardening book for the school. Thanks so much Isaac!

Rubbish Truck - An Act of Kindness

A lovely kind deed happened to end Term 3...one of our students, Laquarn, has developed a keen interest in rubbish trucks, and had been enjoying watching them through our front fence doing their work. Mr Harkness took the time to call Low Cost Bins to see if they would come and visit Laquarn...and they did! They rearranged the whole route for the driver that day, and after celebration time Laquarn had an absolute ball looking at, and inside the truck. A super kind thing for Low Cost Bins to do...and the smile on our young man’s face that day was just priceless.

Out of Zone Enrolments - 2021

The Board has opened up places for 25 five year old students for the first half of 2021, Terms 1 & 2. If you live out of zone (even if you have children currently attending) and have a child you’d like to start with us in the first half of next year, please contact the Office to put your name down. We will send out the link to the application form early next week.

Also...if you know of parents outside of the zone who would like their 5 year old to attend Douglas Park, please get them to contact the office as well. It happens every time...we complete the ballot process, then the following week people ask if they can attend (and they can’t).

Email the Office on office@douglaspark.school.nz for more information.

Our goal is for kids to learn the te reo PRIDE values and to use them as often as the english version. Use the following link to continue practicing

https://youtu.be/0cTFqdt89eI

What have the Councillors been up to lately?

Last term we started a discussion around 3 key groups we are going to work in this term. The idea is to 'give back' to DPS as student leaders around the school.

If you have any ideas for any of the areas below we would love to hear them. Or if you can help out we would be very grateful too.

Service - Reid, Nicky, Rome, Naya, Jared and Azaria

We discussed cleaning up the playground at DPS or gardening at Henley Lake

Wellbeing - Carter, Kenzie, Nevaeh, Pippa , Rylee, Korey-Jade

We are considering painting rocks with kind words on them and placing them around the school for others to find and hide for other.

Fundraising - Oona, Marleigh, Lucas W, Theo, Luke, Vinnie

We are really keen to run a DPS disco or possibly a sausage sizzle!

What's happening at DPS?

Douglas Park School Board of Trustees Election

Nominations are open for the election of 2 parent representatives to the board of trustees.

All eligible voters will receive a nomination form and a notice calling for nominations within the next week to 10 days. You can use this form to nominate yourself or someone in your community. If you do not receive a nomination notice via the post, please contact the school office.

If you need more nomination forms, contact the school office.

Nominations close at noon on Sunday, 1^st November 2020. You may provide a signed candidate statement and photograph with your nomination.

The electoral roll is held at the school and can be viewed during normal school hours.

As nominations are received, there will be a list of candidates’ names kept at the school up until election day, which you can view.

Voting closes at 4pm on Friday, 4^th December 2020. More information about voting will follow. Please make sure the school office has the correct address for you as this will be a postal vote.

Signed Hayley Sinton

Returning Officer

A wonderful FoDPS fundraiser for DPS!

DENTAL BUS

As you will all be aware, we have the Dental Bus with us for the next couple of weeks. All children have been given a form to return so if haven't seen it, please check your child's bag and return the completed form. Thanks.