Week 3 NEWSLETTER

Neuroscience Lessons for us as Parents

I’ve come across a wonderful, wonderful resource that I’m going to share with you in the newsletter over the term. Nathan Makaere Wallis is a well known NZ neuroscience educator. He has partnered with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to create a set of videos for parents explaining the neuroscience of learning.

In this week's video Nathan speaks about building a love for learning. “A child needs to LOVE learning before you worry about what they are actually learning”. Nathan talks about the power of dispositions, and how viewing yourself as a learner is powerful. For us at DPS that is reflected in our play/making environments and the work we do around growth mindset, celebrating progress and resilience.

Enjoy! And give me your feedback: principal@douglaspark.school.nz

Pink Shirt Day - This Friday

Join us on Friday 21 May, 2021 as we Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying! This Friday is a non-uniform day in support of Pink Shirt Day. By celebrating Pink Shirt Day and raising money to support the kaupapa, Douglas Park is a part of a powerful movement to spread aroha and kindness and end bullying. Every dollar raised helps the Mental Health Foundation to run Pink Shirt Day, raise awareness about bullying prevention and provide resources to help make our schools safe and inclusive for everyone.

Paid Union Meeting - Thursday 1st July: School Finishes 12.30pm

NZEI (The Teachers Union) are having a round of Union Meetings across the country towards the end of term. The meeting that Douglas Park staff will attend is Thursday 1st July. As such, school will finish at 12.30pm that day. We appreciate your support in this.

It doesn’t seem too long since the last round of bargaining...but if you recall, that round was very bitter and featured the first strike action by teachers in 25 years. I hope this upcoming round doesn’t end up the same, but like last time...I support teachers in seeking the best possible conditions for themselves. The problems of 2018/19 still exist. The average age of a teacher is 58, numbers of people training are still low, and the retention rate is also low (people leaving teaching never to return within the first 5 years). I imagine these issues will come up again during this round of bargaining.

YAY! We got to go on a gigantic A380 and we got to go on business class to Australia.

Then we went on a roller coaster in Auckland, and it was as fast as a cheetah.

Finally, we went on a submarine. I was nervous because I didn't know where I was gonna shoot the torpedo. It went zooming fast into a mysterious octopus. The explosion looked like a nuke. It was amazing!

By Angus McPhail

Yay it's “Yes Day!” I went to Dollar City to buy ten fidget toys.

Then I went on a long bike ride around the Equippers bike trail.

Then I stopped to buy lollies and ice blocks.

By Newman Hoar

I woke up at 5am and I went to the snowy mountains. I sat on the mountain and I watched the sun rise.

Then I went to the lolly shop. I got some smarties, and then I went up the giant steps onto a private plane to go to Auckland. I watched Paw Patrol on the plane.

After, I dressed my mum and dad up as clowns and we went on a rollercoaster. The rollercoaster was speedy and fast. I felt amazing and excited.

By Ella Oakly

Yay! It was YES day. First I went to live with the gorillas for a day. We got to the jungle and I found a gorilla. I named him Grilly, he was ginormous. We swung on long sticky vines. It was amazing, but I had to say goodbye.

I travelled to Mariana’s Trench. I saw a Megalodon. It was huge. There were heaps of aliens. Oh no! I could only do one more thing.

I decided to go to the lost city of Atlantis. Wow, it was amazing. Oh, it’s the end.

By Freddie Carrig

Yay it's “Yes Day! I'm so excited I have to get ready soon! I went to Kahlia’s house to get dressed up as an ant. We looked crazy and weird. I told Kahlia that we have to stay in it all day.

Then we bought all the fidget toys at Dollar City. We had four trolleys full of fidgets. We tried all of them.

Finally we had a giant ice cream with all the toppings. It was sweet and delicious.

This ”Yes Day” was joyful, exciting and exhausting!

By Izabel Theobald

On “Yes Day” I dressed my dad and my mum up as a clown. They had popsicles for breakfast. My mum said “no Olivia, I want cereal for breakfast.”

“But it is “Yes Day,” I said.

Then we went to a high water slide. I felt terrified!

Finally we had donuts and strawberry ice cream. They were so delicious!

Today was so so fun!

By Olivia Bilton

Me and Caiden woke up at midnight. We had ice cream and pizza for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I had goody goody gum drops and Caiden had chocolate and pepperoni pizza with BBQ sauce.

Then we had a giant water balloon fight with 1000 balloons full of coloured powder.

We were exhausted and I had a full tummy that felt like it was going to explode! It was the best day of my life!

By Mason Towgood

I went to Australia with my nana. First I went to play laser tag at the theme park. We had chocolate at the theme park.

Then we went to America in a B52 to meet Donald Trump.

After going to Australia and America we felt exhausted.

By Otis Wanoa

Hello my name is Jade. l am going to have a “Yes Day” on the weekend. We are going to dress my mum up as a clown. I am going to make my mum look crazy, with bright colours.

Then I am going to the water park and me and my mum will go on a very very high water slide. I will be terrified. I will scream as loud as I can!

Finally it will be donut time. I will have a donut with strawberry cream. It will be bright and delicious. It will be amazing!

By Jade Stannard

Beep beep! It's 5.30am. We’re at Splash Planet. I went down the pitch black slide at supersonic speed!

Then I stayed the night at Powell Hut. I climbed as high as a hawk. “I’m sweaty dad, how long until we’re there?”

Finally I went BMX riding in Napier. “That was a gnarly jump.” The jumps are ginormous!

This is the best day of my life!

By Reuben Harkness

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.

Register here.

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.