Week 2 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

Welcome Back!

Welcome back, Term 2 already! I trust that the holiday break was good for you all, that the children had a chance to unwind, and recharge ready for another term full of learning. Teaching staff have hit the ground running, we had a session after school on Monday with Jacob Verbeek, looking further into the neuro-science of brain development, and what it means for learning and behaviour at primary school. Some teachers and support staff undertook some reading training with Chuck Marriott (Literacy Innovators) in the holiday break and this learning will have a big impact at school. Some teachers undertook some online Learning through Play development and the whole teaching team have made a start on a year-long course with Dr Ann Milne looking into cultural competency. We are a staff of learners, we are a staff looking to be on the cutting edge of educational development and research, and we are a staff who value what education can bring personally.

I look forward to Term 2 and seeing some of the fruits of this learning come to life.

Cash 4 Schools

Massive thanks to Mike Wilmshurst and his Financial Advice Wairarapa company for the ongoing support of the school. The latest donation of over $900 is greatly appreciated! Mike was Board of Trustees Chairperson when Douglas Park was newly merged and over time has donated a huge amount to the school. Much appreciated! Extra money like this is super awesome and allows for ‘extra’ things for the children. We have recently purchased a huge amount of sport and PE gear for the children to use at morning tea/lunch and these extra $$$ will help with that cost. Cheers Mike!

That ‘ol chestnut again...

Time for another mention of toys/treasures coming from home to school. Essentially...we don’t encourage it, and certainly we take no responsibility for it. While the vast majority are fine, some issues inevitably arise. Currently Pokemon cards are causing grief...be it lost cards or card trading gone wrong. While not a ban yet (as mentioned, lots of kids are playing fantastically with them) it might not be far away. The other latest trend is the fidget, popper type toys. Again, in the main no issues...but a few dramas now over ownership...made hard when you have 50+ of the things that are identical and unnamed. I guess my message here is...does your child need to bring these treasures to school, and if so...what arrangements do you have in place to identify what is yours? 10 seconds writing a name in vivid would save us an age wading our way through the drama!

Winter Sport

Winter sport cranks back into action this term, and once again DPS have fielded a high number of teams into the local competitions. Our wonderful staff give up their own time to coach/manage these teams, to ensure we have a high participation rate...to ensure that those who want to try sport are able to. All we ask in return is the same level of commitment. Our staff will be there week in, week out (even during a howling southerly in the middle of June!) and we ask that your child reciprocates. We look forward to seeing them in action on the courts, on the turf each week...and to seeing you encourage and support from the sidelines. Go team!

What's happening at dps?

Stay safe on the way to school, Call in to the school office to pick up your free backpack cover. We have limited stocks available.

WRiting - Councillors

ANZAC Day

We were at the pools getting ready to march for the Anzac day parade. I felt proud of myself because I was able to represent Douglas Park School after a few minutes of waiting. We started to march. We started by going into the main gate then we went to the back of the memorial statue and then we were singing all of the NZ songs. Then me and Charlotte went up to the memorial statue and we laid a wreath and then went back to our friends. Then we waited for our parents.

By Karanema

The Dawn Parade

On Monday morning in the holidays some of the councillors got up at 5.00 to go to the dawn parade. The morning

felt like a frost. We all lined up to walk to the memorial statue to lay a wreath. We stood still for a very long time and sung

a few songs as well.

By Lucia

Sports

This folder has a list of netball and hockey teams. Draws will be shared through Hero each week.

Please pay any outstanding fees as soon as possible.

Winter Hockey

Under 11 Development

Who: School year 5 - 7 children under the age of 11 as of the 1st January 2021

Start date: 23rd of May - For 6 Sundays (NO Hockey on Queens Birthday Weekend)

Festival Weekends:

Saturday 10th July - Kapiti Festival Day

Clareville - 17th or 18th July

or The Hutt festival - 24th & 25th July (Still to be determined)

Time: Sundays 9 -10.30am

Cost: $120. This will include a T-Shirt. (50% deposit of $60 required by the 16th of May to secure your child's spot in this programme) - This cost does not include any travel costs to attend festivals.

http://www.hockeywairarapa.org.nz/Online-Registration-Forms/U11-Development-Programme-2021

DPS Cross Country

This will be held on Friday 4th June - save the date. More information will come out soon.

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