Week 7 NEWSLETTER

Thanks also for the positive feedback that keeps coming in...both for the learning at home work, and for the way we have gone about returning students to school life. It has been great welcoming parents back onto the school site as well...a real highlight of the day, greeting everyone by name as you come into the gates.

Sustainability Fund

Had another win during the lockdown, we are one of just 53 schools across the country who were recognised by the Ministry’s new Sustainability Fund. The fund is set up to try to help schools reduce emissions, and become more sustainable in the way they operate. We are well down that path already, especially with the installation of 50 new solar panels this year, but the fund has given us further funding to replace the last of the fluorescent lights in the school. Two thirds of the school already has LED lighting (more efficient, and better to work under) and this funding will make us fully LED. This reduces our energy consumption, provides a better workplace and expands our contribution back to the environment. We have a 3 year strategic goal of Kaitiakitanga, to become a more sustainable place...and this LED project is another step along that pathway.

Queens Birthday

I hope you all have a great long weekend...and manage to do something to recharge yourselves, whether that is getting away somewhere outside the region, enjoying local (Pukaha Mt Bruce have koha entry this weekend) or just having time together as whanau at home. Prior to lockdown we had planned a Teacher Only Day for Tuesday next week but have postponed that until Term 3 (no date yet).

Learning Conversations

Normally we would have our Learning Conversations at the end of this term. Due to the COVID-19 break from school we won’t be having these as planned this term. As we enter Term 3 we will have a form of Learning Conversation then, and will tie this into launching our new school app.

We have been working with a company called HERO and slowly introducing the app within our school. Once fully up and running it will be the go to place for our school communications like the newsletter, calendar, daily notices, learning snapshots (like seesaw) and reporting information. We are excited about the possibilities this app brings to Douglas Park and look forward to launching it with you next term.

Movin’March

Kia ora tatou,

We know that COVID disrupted Movin’March however…

Parents - Movin’March would love your feedback!

Parents and student surveys: Thanks to all our students, parents, caregivers and whānau who came on board for Movin’March this year. Movin’March organisers would love to hear your views in this 5 min parent feedback survey orstudent survey.

The survey closes on Friday 5th June

Students can be in to win $50 Prezzy card and parents a $100 Prezzy card by taking part.

Student survey link: http://inform.gw.govt.nz/MovinMarch_studentsurvey2020.aspx - $50 Prezzy card draw

The Parent survey link: http://inform.gw.govt.nz/MovinMarch_parents_survey2020.aspx - $100 Prezzy card draw

Subway lunches can be ordered for delivery to school every Friday. Order online or fill out a form at the office.

We are so lucky here at DPS to have such an awesome group of people working with our learners! Each week we will have a korero with some of our staff to help you learn more about us! Feel free to stop for a chat when you see us around school.

2020 Yr 5/6 Netball Season

The Yr 5/6 netball season will take place over term 3 this year. Games will be on Tuesday night at the Wairarapa Trust House Netball Centre (Colombo Rd). The season will start on Tuesday 21st July and finish on Tuesday 22nd September. A detailed notice about the upcoming season will be sent home next week.

To prepare for the upcoming season we will be running the following pre-season program at DPS. All sessions will be during lunchtime and players need to bring sneakers and a drink bottle.

Wk 8 & 9 - Skills, drills and fitness

Wk 10 - Trials

Wk 11 & 12 - Teams will practise

A Health and Safety Plan will be circulated with the latest Covid information no later than one week before the competition starts.

2020 Yr 1-4 Netball Program

Due to Covid-19 the Yr 1-4 netball program only got through 4/8 sessions in term 1. In response to the feedback from delegates, the Yr 1-4 netball program will be completed in term 4, ending with a fun festival day!

- New players are welcome in term 4

- Players who paid the fee in term 1 are covered in term 4

More information will come out about this program in term 3.

Any questions...please contact Amy Williams on amywilliams@douglaspark.school.nz

Winter Hockey Season

This year there are some changes to school hockey. These are explained below. The changes mean we will no longer have a DPS 11 aside team.

We are excited to work with our players in this new format and believe a focus on skill development and increased ball touches will set them up well for their future of hockey.

Students will need normal hockey gear and school sports uniform. All students must wear a mouthguard. DPS hockey socks are available at the uniform shop.

2020 Wairarapa Primary Competition – Grades will be more in line with the Hockey NZ “small sticks” specifications above. Below are how the grades will look in 2020.

Years 1 &2 – Will remain as Fun Sticks (8 week programme)

Years 3 & 4 – Mini Sticks

C & D Grade – 1/6 field Tuesday night (6 a side)

A & B Grade – 1/4 field Tuesday night (6 a side)

Years 5 & 6 –Kiwi Sticks

A, B, C, D Grade – 1/2 field Friday night (6 a side, No Goalies)

(Or Saturday Morning 7 a side, including Goalies)

If you have any questions you can check out the Hockey Wairarapa website.

http://www.hockeywairarapa.org.nz/

We will start hockey practises next week. Students need to come to school prepared with their hockey stick, shin pads and mouthguard.

Tuesday: Year 1/2

Wednesday: Year 3/4

Thursday: Year 5/6