Week 9 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

Thanks!

Less than a day to go now! Look forward to seeing you at Final Celebration Time tomorrow (10am at Wairarapa College) as we celebrate the year and our wonderful DPS Kids. It has been quite a year...full of highs and lows, and it doesn’t seem to matter what industry people are in...we are tired. We’ve had the low of losing Josh and Darren Southon, through to the high of being chosen by the Ministry as a school of innovation and excellence in making/play. COVID-19 threw us a few curveballs...we lost a few events to cancellations, but COVID also brought positives...it brought our staff closer together, it helped our children see the importance of kindness and giving back...and for me personally, it led to knowing our parent whānau much better as we chatted daily at the gates (while taking names and sanitising hands). I want to say thanks to you all...anyone who reads this...thanks for the ways you’ve contributed to school, contributed to the community...and just thanks for caring in this bizarre year. Light is balanced by dark, high with low, the ebb and flow...but through it all I’m grateful to lead this school...this school full of amazing staff, this school governed by a superb Board of trustees, this school supported by our wonderful parent community & this school full of the greatest kids. Our DPS Kids can hold their heads up, proud of their progress and success. 2020 will be one to remember, I’m grateful for the learning and I look forward to the growth that 2021 will bring.

Congrats James!

Further proof we have an amazing staff, James has been selected as just one of 40 educators across the country for a 5-day residential course at Whenuapai Airbase next year. The course is based around STEM, 21st Century skills, and feeds in beautifully to the direction of the school. Well done James, part of a select few!

Class lists

Class lists for 2021 have been finalised and will be shared onto HERO today. A separate HERO post will come out detailing how to find the 2021 class information for your child. We will also put lists up in the lost property ramp prior to school starting back next year.

A Loss: Wendy Pope

As our year draws to an end, sad news for the Pope whānau and our school community as Wendy Pope has passed away. Wendy was a long serving teacher aide...starting at Masterton West in 1997, staying on through the merger as we became Douglas Park, and finishing in 2014. Wendy cared deeply for the kids she worked with and gave a lot to our school’s growth and history. Thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.

Wellington Regional Athletics

Well done to all the DPS Kids who competed at the Wellington Regional Athletics last week. A step up in competition, but the kids performed and conducted themselves well. Thanks to all the parents who were on transport and supervision!

Year 6 Party

Our wonderful Year 6’s had their party yesterday, an annual event of fun and games for the day! Time down at the pools, pizza lunch, a pinata (thanks Sarah!) and a talent show. A nice way to recognise that their time at school is finishing, and a new journey about to begin. Thanks to the parent helpers, great to have your support on the day.

Enviro End of Year Celebration

Last week the Enviro Team celebrated the year by having a small luncheon together.

The team harvested the basil they grew from seed and made “Basil Pesto Pasta.”

It tasted so delicious. Mr Sinton got to have a wee taste too.

For a sweet treat afterwards we had an eskimo marshmallow and strawberry kebab dipped in chocolate. Whoops, sorry Mr Sinton we forgot to give you one of those. Yum yum!

Please note that the School Office and Second Hand Uniform Shop will be open on Friday 29th January 2021, 9am - 2pm.

These great DPS role models enjoyed the annual PRIDE Day Out ‘Amazing Race’ on Tuesday afternoon. There was lots of smiles and team work all round!

DPS Sport

Term 4 Sport

Our term 4 sport is nearly all wrapped up! The majority of our teams are coached by DPS staff, but we would like to say THANKS to our parents who step up to coach our teams every single week...

Yr 1-4 Netball