The BIG news is that we have finally received our unconfirmed ERO report, even though it is unconfirmed at this stage we totally agree with the evaluation and have sent the form back to say we fully agree with the findings of the Education Review Office. It will be published on the ERO website and be a public document 2 weeks after they receive our reply form.
Comment from our Board of Trustee Chairperson.
Having read the Education Review Office (ERO) report, it has become clear to me that our children could not be at a better School. The variety of learning opportunities at our school motivates the children to achieve and provides a great learning environment. I encourage all parents to read the ERO report, to gain a better appreciation of what our teachers are achieving for our children. Congratulations to all the staff & students. Keep up the good work. - Ben Pratt BOT Chairperson.
Welcome
We would like to welcome Logan to our school as a brand new 5 year old. Logan is the younger brother to Cole. We know Logan will enjoy learning at Apiti School.
Happy Birthday to the following student - we hope you have a great day!! 7th March - Tyler.
Reflecting on our Learning:-
Senior Quality Learning!!!:- Leadership - Stanley. Key Competencies - Stanley x 3, Jack. Handwriting - Jack, Travis, Keanu, David. Writing - Jack. Maths - Jack, Huntah, Travis, Hannah, Logan.
Junior room stars :-
Great leadership skills Derek, Tyler and Hayley.
Independently writing clear great re-count stories:- Johnny, Ryan and Derek.
Junior room stars :-
Great leadership skills Derek, Tyler and Hayley.
Independently writing clear great re-count stories:- Johnny, Ryan and Derek.
Maths :- Chloe and Danni showing counting on strategy consistently from the highest number. Sarah matching words to numerals to 20.
Oroua Swimming Sports
Our Swimmers at the Oroua Swimming Sports were absolutely fantastic. Every single competitor gave their absolute best ... right to the very end. It was great to see the way you challenged yourselves, supported and encouraged one another! You made all of the supporters there exceptionally proud!!!
CONGRATULATIONS !!
Brooke - 3rd: Junior Girls championship!
Brooke, Ben, Tyler, Alex - 3rd: 7 and 8 year old Team Relay- 2 of our competitors are only 6!
Tom, Hannah, Charlotte, Huntah - 3rd: 9 and 10
year old Team Relay.
Fantastic - You really did work well together to achieve this! These are some of the best results
Apiti School has ever had at the Oroua Swimming Sports. Our swimming programme is finally paying off, these are great results ! Your commitment to swimming is paying off ! These results can only happen with such great commitment from families.
We hope the dreadful drowning statistics NZ wide will not effect our students.
Huge thanks also to the parents and grandparents who supported our children throughout the day!!
However, it was very disappointing that there were not more Apiti swimmers and supporters present. It is an annual event where our students are able to challenge themselves, practice and enjoy swimming with all other members of the Oroua group. The juniors
programme is well planned for the needs of our children and includes a worthwhile literacy session at the library. The swimming programme shows what our students can do and their next step. There are many learning experiences; both swimming in events and cheering and encouraging our swimmers in other events are important parts of the day and invaluable skills and competencies to develop as confident, connected New Zealand citizens.This is what teams and supportive communities do.
We hope to see all students at the Oroua triathlon. Remember let us know if you have a problem with transport. We are here to help your children.
Visitors from the Ministry of Education - Wellington
After hearing, as educationalists do, about our lea
rning programme at Apiti School, Lorrae and Pat from the Ministry of Education(Wellington) spent the day with staff and students last Wednesday. They were particularly impressed with the way we use our wiki to collaborate between home and school and to share students learning. They commented on the wealth of information you, as parents, have access to. Lorrae commented that this is often locked up in a book sitting in a student's desk or inside a teacher's assessment folder. She also commented on the value of having a real audience / reason for learning. This she said, was reflected in the high standard of writing and visual art presented for the Apiti Show. Our children really can showcase their learning to both you as parents and a wider audience through their wiki e-portfolios!!
Find out more about Lorrae http://nz.linkedin.com/pub/lorrae-ward/19/484/259
Excerpt from email message from Lorrae Ward
Thank you so much for a wonderful day at your school - please pass on our thanks to everyone at the school.
We were really impressed with what we saw and I have been waxing lyrical about your communications with parents
and the way you are using technology to enhance your teaching and learning programme - or it would probably be more accurate to say to deliver the type of learning you want your children to experience.
The information gathered will be used by the Ministry of Education and is intended to be used as an example of 'good practice' and collaborative teaching and learning in a book Lorrae is co-writing. Lorrae intends to continue her contact with us as we further develop learning initiatives at Apiti School.
Apiti Show Results
The Apiti and Rangiwahia school work on display at the Apiti Show was fantastic with many positive comments from members of the public. Well done to all our students for the pride taken to complete some really great sketches, interesting poems and some really whacky, inviting, colourful, imaginative bird houses. Thank you to the judges who took time out of their busy schedules to judge these entries - not an easy task.Thank you to Rangiwahia for the competition.
Congratulations to this years overall winner - Huntah, well done Huntah!
Thanks to the parents / members of the community who catered for and helped serve the judges lunches, who ran the golf nearest to the pin, the nail driving and the Lucky spot in the sand trailer event - all these great helpers make the day run smoothly. Special thanks to Sara and Jo for all the organising before and on the day.
Our next big fundraising event will be the Trail Ride which will happen on Sunday the 29th of April.
What's Happening:-
Bon Apiti
This term the Healthy Lunch committee are making Hamburgers every Tuesday and Thursday. Each hamburger will cost $2.00, please send the money along to school in a sealed named envelope. Thank you to June for helping the committee with the planning, implementing and passing on some very helpful hygiene practices. Any donations of mince or cheese would be very much appreciated.
This term the Healthy Lunch committee are making Hamburgers every Tuesday and Thursday. Each hamburger will cost $2.00, please send the money along to school in a sealed named envelope. Thank you to June for helping the committee with the planning, implementing and passing on some very helpful hygiene practices. Any donations of mince or cheese would be very much appreciated.
Virtual Learning Networks
As part of our commitment to providing quality, enriching and engaging learning opportunities for our students, a group of senior students will this year join a virtual learning network. Through webinars they have a weekly lesson where they will learn french and/or astronomy. They are joining students from schools in the Taranaki, Wellington and Gisborne. Students will then be able to consolidate their learning by teaching others at Apiti School. This a new initiative and an innovative learning environment for our students. If you would like to read more, click the links below.
Our Information: http://apitischoolwiki.wikispaces.com/Inquiry+and+Planning
VLN Website: http://primary.vln.school.nz/
Sam Strahan Rippa Rugby Trials
Senior students have today trialed for the Sam Strahan year 7-8 and year 4-6 teams. This is the only event we have that students trial and are selected for totally on ability. We are lucky to have coaches who give up their time so willingly to select and coach these teams. Practice dates will be confirmed once the teams are selected. The Sam Strahan competition dates are set by the Manawatu Rugby Union. This year they are in the last week of term 1. April 2nd Junior competition and 4th April senior competition. Remember we, with Kimbolton and Rangiwahia, hold the Sam Strahan senior cup and have held it against all other teams for a few years.
This year the Oroua Sports Competitions are hockey and netball. These are held in term 3. We would love your help with coaching. A range of experts contributing to your children's learning allows students to develop a wide range of skills; both sport related skills and managing self and getting on with others. Just let Nicki know if you are able to help.
Oroua Triathlon (Year 4 - 8)
Senior students are currently training for the Oroua Triathlon. This is held at Rangiwahia school next Thursday the 15th March. If your child is able to bring their bike to school this week, it would be appreciated as we will be practicing both the distances and the transitions. Your child will need their bike's brakes checked, covered shoes and a bike helmet. We will also be practicing the swim, weather permitting, so students will need to bring their togs. The triathlon is a great event as it is a short distance of running, biking and swimming. This is achievable for all students and provides an excellent personal challenge. All of our students will compete both individually and as part of a team. They will also be managers on the day. This is a great opportunity to further develop management, organisational, communication and leadership skills. It is a great school day.
A number of our students over the years have chosen to continue competing in triathlons in their own time after participating in the Oroua Triathlon. And later in life too. Well done Cameron Burton who recently participated in the Coast to Coast. Also Ethan Gillespie who did well in the recent Huntley Triathlon.
We will require transport for the day. If you are able to transport bikes, that would be really appreciated. Please let Nicki know how you can help.
Annual Education Outside the Classroom Camp Experience - 20th - 22 March
Just a reminder that we have an assembly and camp meeting this Friday at 1.30. Could we please have a representative from each family at this meeting.
Oroua Group Real Art Expo
As part of the Oroua Art focus for this year, we are lucky to have the Real Art Bus based at Rangiwahia School for 2 days. Each of the Oroua schools will have an allocated time slot. We will visit the Art bus on Friday the 23rd March. This will provide a great extension to the art learning from our Wanganui Camp. Please visit http://www.realartroadshow.co.nz/ Plus we will be able to share some of work on this day.
Some of the students artwork from the Apiti Show is on display, from this week at the Feilding Art Society rooms in Kimbolton Road. Tell your friends and families to call in and see our great display.
Some of the students artwork from the Apiti Show is on display, from this week at the Feilding Art Society rooms in Kimbolton Road. Tell your friends and families to call in and see our great display.
Thanks Nicki for organising this for us.
Swimming Accounts
All families should have received their 2011 swimming lesson accounts recently (or will do in the very near future). Please pay your account as soon as possible - part payment options are also available. If you have any concerns over your account, please let us know.
Stationery Accounts
2012 stationery accounts will be sent home in the near future.
ASSA THANK YOU
A huge thank you to all school families and the wider community for your support at the Apiti Show. We raised a fantastic $1351.43 which will go towards subsidising the school camp, ski trip, swimming lessons etc. If you have not done so already, dishes from the show are in the school staff room to be collected. Cheers Jo Beard
Scholastic Books
Scholastic books are due back at school by the 28th March please. - J. Beard.
