Welcome to week 1 of term 1 2010, and it is great to see everyone back here fit and well – we hope you all had a great time over the Christmas holiday period.
Term 1 = 5th Feb – 1st April.
Term 2 = 19th April – 2nd July.
Term 3 = 19th July – 24th Sept.
Term 4 = 11th Oct – Mid Dec.
2010 Staff
Mrs Mary Cuming - Principal / Junior room teacher.
Mrs. Nicki Fielder - Senior room teacher.
Mrs. Pat Prince - Teacher Aide.
Mrs. Mary Burton - Principal Release teacher.
Mrs. Christine Digby - School Secretary.
Mrs. Sonya Dearlove - School Caretaker.
Mrs. Christine Lowe - School Cleaner.
Mr. Bruce Winter - School Bus Driver.
Mrs. Sheree Knight - School pool caretaker.
Board Members
Mrs. Wendy Bethwaite - Chairperson
Mrs. Sara Wills - Treasurer
Mr. Marcus Cowan - Personnel
Mr. Vaughan Dearlove - Property
Mr. Richard Beard - Health & Safety
Mrs. Mary Cuming - Principal
Mrs. Nicki Fielder - Staff Rep.
Mrs. Christine Digby - Secretary
Event Dates for your Calendar
8th Feb - Mobile Dental unit visiting this week.15th Feb - ASSA Meeting at 7.30p.m.19th Feb - National Standards meeting at Apiti School 24th Feb - Oroua Triathlon at Rangiwhia. (p.p. day = 3rd March).27th Feb - Apiti Show.1st March - B.O.T meeting at 7.00p.m. 12th March - Oroua Swimming at the Makino Aquatic centre in Feilding.1st April - Term 1 ends.19th April - Term 2 begins. We’d like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the 2010 school year. We were very proud of our achievements in 2009.
As a small rural community based school, we can offer many opportunities, especially in personalised learning. The students are first and foremost and the learning programmes are designed to maximise each child’s learning capacity. As the primary function of a school is to teach students, we use authentic contexts so learning is more relevant to current students and therefore is more motivating and therefore students are able to reach their full potential and achieve to a high level.
In this day and age the acquiring of knowledge is still important, but also the skills to gain knowledge and to process knowledge through thinking, learning and understanding. We are proud of our achievements.
We know the high schools value students from small schools, as these students have developed skills in contributing and participating which is not possible in a larger school. They develop responsibility by taking responsibility for their actions and also for the actions of the younger or other members in the group. They learn to work independently and within a group, even though some groups may not be of their choosing, like in life.
We are at the cutting edge of information technology with our networked system, including 1 computer for 2 students, mimio, projector, digital cameras and video. We hope to further develop our knowledge of video and video editing this year. Teachers and students are developing e-portfolios to record and share learning.
We are an advisory school, one of 3 in the Manawatu, who have developed, trialled, and shared our new curriculum through the internet and by presenting it to other schools in conferences run by the Assess to Learn advisers at
Our focus on sustainability is unique to
We are extremely proud of our Board of Trustees who have supported all aspects of the school well. Wendy Bethwaite - the chairperson, Sara Wills - Treasurer, Vaughan Dearlove - Property, Marcus Cowan - Personnel and Richard Beard - Health and Safety have worked hard in 2009 after a fabulous ERO report in 2008, they continue to provide great governance for the school. The administration area and entrance is now fully functional and the envy of many visitors. Thanks to the local team of builders who were very professional and accommodating as well as giving us a wonderful return for our money.
At Apiti our highly skilled, experienced, stable, conscientious staff, work over and above the call of duty. Nicki the teacher in the senior room, is recognised throughout NZ for her educational and teaching skills, as was seen in the Principals Federation magazine article in November. She is a visiting teacher for Assess to Learn and has presented at A to L conferences, as well as to Newly Registered teachers, and at information Communication Conferences. We are proud of her achievements.
Mary B and Jenny our regular relievers, are available at a moment’s notice. They are invaluable especially at such times as during the middle part of 2009. They continue to support the normal programme, as well as using their own flair and expertise to provide excellent extra opportunities for the students learning.
Pat our fabulous teachers’ aide and librarian, keeps us organised as well as supporting learning with individual and groups. Christine continues to be amazing in the office, doing all those returns and keeping the bills paid. Your job which includes BOT secretary is a vital cog in our school. She is always there to support the school and learning.
Christine, Sonya and Sheree continue to provide excellent environment both inside and outside the school. We really value their commitment and we constantly hear positive comments from visitors and regulars. Your efforts and work are greatly appreciated and valued.
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This morning Monday 8th February, we had a school assembly and the students came up with these ideas.
We come to school to learn
- to improve
- to read and write
- to learn in curriculum areas like maths, reading, literacy etc
- to learn social skills
- about our environment and how to look after it - sustainability
- how to get along with each other
- how to get information and find out about things
- we can learn and teach others
- we learn social skills such as interacting with others
- developing independent learning
- so we can get a good job
At
· organising lessons with teachers, experts and coaches
· having trips outside the classroom to support our learning
· preparing for and organising events such as lamb and calf day, the Apiti Show.
· being organised and ready for work and play
· having 1 on 1 and small group tuition time with the teacher
· taking responsibility for parts of the curriculum e.g. PE gear, healthy lunches, shade house, photocopying
· using technology
· learning in different environments such as our bush block
We learn best by
- trial and error
- setting ourselves goals
- listening to teachers and others
- using different environments and experiences for learning
- keep on trying and not giving up
- being positive
- knowing what level we are at and our next step.
- supporting each other
- taking responsibility for own learning both inside and outside the classroom
- taking responsibility for our own actions
- avoid distractions to our learning e.g. too much noise, unsuitable language, fidgeting.
Behaviour ManagementAs usual at the beginning of a new year, we go over our school expectations. At Apiti School Our Behaviour Management Plan is clear and is attached. This plan will be followed and we urge you to speak to your child/children about what is expected and the consequences. Our complaints policy along with all other policies, are available for you to peruse on our website. Reflections We begin the year focussing on reflections. This is also the theme for all of our Apiti Show learning tasks.
At Apiti through our new curriculum, which is available on our wiki, we provide many exciting and interesting learning opportunities within authentic contexts. As we are a small school, students have many extra opportunities for learning that they would not get at a larger school. This is why our students develop responsibility which prepares them so well for high school and life. We love hearing about the success of our ex pupils and we congratulate all our ex-students who have attained great results at high school academically and who have gained responsibilities. Thank You
A huge thank you to Sheree Knight for helping Christine Lowe with the heavy cleaning duties over the holiday period. Thank you also to Sheree & Nipper for keeping the swimming pool looking extremely inviting over the past few weeks.
Thank you too, to Sonya for all her caretaking over the holiday period. The whole place looks a picture.
Special thanks to Pat and Lucas who watered our shade house and flowering plants, we would have lost them for sure otherwise.
Grateful thanks to Kesty and his helpers for making our playing field grass into hay – makes the whole area look really good.
Thank you to Deltina for cleaning the carpets during the holidays, they look great (a reminder that Deltina is available to clean carpets – we recommend her).
School Roll
We have started the school year with 20 students. 10 students in the junior room, 10 students in the senior room.
We would like to wish Rebecca & Karen (our 2009 year 8 students) and Oliver Cowan (off to Huntly) all the very best for their future at high school (Oliver Year 6) and beyond.
Unfortunately we have had to say farewell to Sarah Jensen who has left our school. We would like to wish Sarah all the best at her new school. Travis & Derek are living temporarily in Feilding but will be back in the near future. We do have 2 new entrants starting this term so we are looking forward to them coming to our school.
Board of Trustee Meeting – 1st March.The next Board of Trustee meeting will be Monday night the 1st of March, starting at 7.00p.m in the staff room. All members of the public are most welcome to attend. Board of Trustee Elections These are to be held during May 2010. This is a good time to start thinking about the possibility of running for a position on the board, or for who you would like to have representing you on the board. We would love to see you attend any or all of the board meetings held between now and then to find out how the meetings are run and what role board members play in the running of your school and your child’s education.
Time line for 2010: Nominations open March 15th. Nominations close April 23rd. Voting Papers issued April 28th. Voting Day 7th May. Count Votes 13th May. Boards take office 14th May.
Homework This year, senior students will be using ‘
Sports Uniforms
Thank you to all those who returned their uniform at the end of 2009. These will be issued again to all students
before the swimming sports which will be held on Friday the 12th of March.
Library Books
Thank you to everyone for returning the library books to school at the end of last term. There are still some children who have not returned their library books from over the holiday period, could they please do so as soon as possible. Students are issued with two library books every week, one for school, one for home. Please encourage your child(ren) to read the library book to you or some other family member during that week.
Permission slip
Please find attached, a permission slip for all 2010 school trips. It is our policy for parents to sign one slip at the beginning of the year for all regular daily outings e.g to the Makino swimming pool, science centre etc. If you have any problems or queries regarding this, please don’t hesitate to contact Mary.
Apiti Show
This event is taking place on Saturday the 27th of Feb. at the Apiti Domain. The school will be running the closest to the pin golf and if all families could help throughout the day, it would be appreciated. Over the next few days, you will all be contacted by an ASSA member regarding your contribution to one of ASSA’s main fundraisers – the judges’ lunch on Saturday. Please make sure you have your contribution at the show grounds by the time stated.
Technicraft
These lessons started Thursday the 4th of Feb at the Feilding Intermediate for our Year 7 & 8 students. Students need to be at Kimbolton by 9am. Should you be picking up your student from technology, please let Nicki know. Students are expected to catch the bus back to school after technology.
Swimming
This term we will continue our swimming programme to provide opportunities for students to further extend their learning from our Makino swimming lessons last year. Swimming is an important part of the curriculum and we expect all students to swim every day, therefore students will need to bring their togs every day. Students who get cold can get out of the pool and get dressed. Even if the weather looks unsuitable in the morning, it can change and come out hot later in the day. With this lovely weather we will also supervise lunchtime swims whenever possible. If your child is unable to swim for any reason please ensure that you send a note to school with them. Many thanks to Sheree Knight, for getting the pool in shape for swimming, it looks lovely.
Triathlon Training – 24th Feb
As the senior room and year 3 students are training for the Oroua Triathlon, which preceeds the weetbix triathlon (24th March), if possible please send their bikes and their PE gear to school as students will be practicing bike riding and running everyday.
School Lunches
Our ‘BonApiti’ Healthy Food committee is currently organising this years healthy food menu.
Hats / Sunscreen
At
Receiving the Newsletter
Please let us know how you would rather receive our newsletter, either via our web-site, by e-mail, snail-mail, or by fax, as it is important to us to know that everyone in the community does receive one.
Well that’s it for the first newsletter of 2010 folks, shall catch you in a fortnight.
Regards, Mary, Nicki, Mary B, Pat, and Christine.
ASSA
There is to be an ASSA meeting on Monday the 15th of February to discuss the upcoming show catering arrangements and other items. The meeting will be held in the staff room starting at 7.30p.m. We would like to encourage a member from each family to attend this meeting please. K. Wilson/Bryant.
Community Notices
Apiti Tavern – Hi from the Tavern. Welcome to the New Year, it has been great to see the fine weather at last.
Pilates - We are having pilates here on Thursday nights at 7.15. Come along with a mat and a gold coin donation.
Ladies Night - Wednesday the 17th of February. We will be trying to go over to Michael Burkes place again, weather permitting. We will meet at the Tavern at 6.30 and car pool. Husbands and all members of the community are more than welcome to come along. If you have not seen his place it is a good opportunity to see what is on our own back door.
Tennis - Our tennis court has just had all the lines painted on, so time to come out on a fine evening and have a game of tennis.
Community Dinner - 26th February. This will again be a ‘Fun at the Show’ theme. Enjoy the good weather. Cheers - June & Bruce.
125th Apiti & Districts Jubilee Meeting – The next meeting is to be held tonight, Monday the 8th of February in the Apiti Tavern starting at 7.30p.m. Everyone is most welcome to attend. - C. Digby.
Apiti Hall Colour Scheme – The Apiti Community Committee are having the Apiti Hall painted in the very near future. As the hall is a community asset, the committee would like members of the community to suggest the colour scheme. Please send your colour scheme ideas to Hilton or to Pat. - A.C.C.
Wanted – Does anyone have an old piece of carpet or mat approximately 2 metre square. If so, please contact Sandie on 3284 818. - S.
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Permission Slip for 2010 School Events
I give permission for .………………………………………………........................................................................ to attend all 2010 regular school events.
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Signed.
