Te Horo School Newsletter Issue 40 Date: 14 December 2011

Telephone: 06 364 3071 Office email: [email protected] From the Principal Principal email: [email protected]

Kia Ora Parents, Caregivers and Whanau,

Farewell The school year is drawing to a close. It is time to reflect on a very successful year which began on a sunny morning in February and has zoomed at breathtaking speed to the present. Over the year we have continued to grow as a school in many ways and are already looking forward to building on these successes next year. Please read the attached ‘State of the School’ annual report which gives an overview of 2011 - enjoy!

I wish to thank all the children for your enthusiasm and efforts this year. Thank you also to all parents and caregivers for the ongoing support we receive. Thank you to the Home and School for your tremendous fundraising efforts and for the fun events you have so successfully organised! Thank you to the BOT for the support, encouragement and professionalism we receive. Finally a huge thank you to the support staff and teachers who are a vibrant, professional and quality group of people.

Farewell to all leaving children and families. We have enjoyed having you at School and wish you all the very best for the future!

School will finish at 12:30pm on Friday—school bus will run at this time.

Successful Camps and Makahika It has been a busy week for Room 8 (Forest Lakes), the Year 6s (City Camp) and Year 7 & 8s (Field Hut) who have all been on camp and for Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 who spent yesterday at Makahika in Levin. The children (and accompanying adults) have loved the camps and been keen to share their stories and tales. We are proud to offer these varied, challenging and fun experiences for our children. Thank you to all parents, grand parents who went along as helpers and especially to the teachers for providing these rich and memorable experiences!!!!!

Prize giving Please join us this evening at 6pm for the prize giving. If the weather is fine we will be on the astro turf and if it is wet we will hold it in the Te Horo Community Hall. We aim to be finished in 60 minutes and will farewell leaving students and families and present certificates and cups to children from Room 2 and up. We will hear brief speeches from the Home and School and BOT chair, the Prime Minister and the Principal . We will also announce the 2012 Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister .

Mission Statement: Our children, Our community, Our future. Whilst not all children will receive awards we are encouraging everyone to come along and for children to wear their school uniform if they have it please. If they haven’t a uniform a red top would be appreciated.

Assessment Results/Portfolios We trust that you found your child’s portfolio informative of their progress and achievement for 2011. Children enjoy sharing these with family and friends and are hopefully proud of their efforts. An overview of the school wide achievement data is in the attached report. A full analysis for numeracy, reading and writing is available to read in the School Office.

BOT News Congratulations to Steve Joss who has been elected as the new BOT Chairman. Steve is joined by current members Jon McPhee , Paula Cull and Mike Neville (staff rep) and new members Gail McIntosh and Marc Simpson . Thank you once again to Charlie Meyer and Rebecca Thomsen who opted to stand down from the board in the recently held mid-term elections.

Year 8 Leaving Dinner Last night the Year 8s had a lovely meal at the Winemakers Daughter with the staff. This was followed by a dance in the school hall along with the Year 7s. It was a nice evening, great to see the children dressed in their ‘flash’ clothes and enjoyed by all!

Parent Accounts There are still some accounts outstanding, please could these be paid asap. Thank you in anticipation.

Enviro Schools Thank you to all the children who have been involved in the Enviro Schools this year. They have worked on a range of projects such as the vege garden, looking at rubbish, Catley Road Bush Reserve and the general school environment. The programme could not have been possible without tremendous support from our adult helpers; Peter Rahr, Kellie Mears, Pauline Mudgway and Liz Gray - thank you very much!

Thank you Te Roto Road Te Roto Road in Otaki has been awarded the ‘greenest street’ award and kindly donated $400 to our school. Cameron and Mitchell Lafrentz live in Te Roto Road. The street would like us to put these funds towards our enviro schools and a mural. This was a wonderful surprise and greatfully accepted!

Craig Vidulich Principal

Last thoughts….

Wow, who would have predicted the Black Caps victory over Australia? An awesome effort from a team which was written off by everyone and one that has barely come close over the last 26 years! I do feel sorry for Dan Vetorri who is a great of the game and was injured. The name ‘Dan’ is jinxed this year!

"Once children learn how to learn, nothing is going to narrow their mind. The essence of teaching is to make learning contagious, to have one idea spark another."

Marva Collins The State of the School Report -2011 Annual report to the community by Craig Vidulich, Principal Looking back over 2011

T.H.S • Teachers’ professional excellence and collegiality Excels • Monitoring students’ individual needs and implementing • programmes to enhance student achievement • Literacy and numeracy programmes • Reporting –student portfolios, school wide assessment data and monitoring student achievement • Growing roll and stable staff - 200 students • Committed and professional BOT. Focus on student achievement, continued progress in policy/procedure development, self review, property, and all governance matters. • Tremendous Home and School and parent support • Dedicated and professional support staff! • Employing additional staff (Rocky Terita and Chrissy Adams) to further support the learning needs of children. • Ensuring the junior classes have low numbers we operate 2 Year 1 classes to accommodate 31 children. • Welcoming new children, families, staff and Room 7 cats to our school. School Wide Achievement • Reading - 93% of students in Year 2 and above are meeting or working above the National Standard. This is 96% of children who started at Te Horo School. • Numeracy - 81% of students in Year 2 and above are meeting or working above the National Standard. This is 85% of children who started at Te Horo School. • Writing - 78% of students in Year 2 and above are meeting or working above the National Standard. This is 85% of children who started at Te Horo School. Other Areas/successes/Gains • Excellent ERO review! • School music programme, Moment in Music and Horowhenua Music Festival • Camps - we ran 5 excellent camps this year to , Forest Lakes, Room 6 sleep over, Otaki Forks and Field Hut • Inclusion of all children • Enviro schools - This enthusiastic group of 40 students and 4 adults meet each Wednesday and is doing a wonderful job! • NZ Post Awards • Year 4 - 8 Speech competitions and Showcase • Year 5 & 6 winners of Otaki Schools soccer tournament and runners up in the Year 7 & 8 Kapiti Schools event. • School sports days and sports teams (netball and hockey) - great competition and well supported! • Property upgrades - painting of school, SNUP computer cabling, desks for Room 5, tables for Room 4, heat pumps in Rooms 1,2 and 3, data projectors and speakers in all classrooms. • School traditions - ANZAC, Ag Night, Flower Day etc • Parent and whanau support at all events, in class support, transport, assemblies, camps and sports etc • CCC (Coffee and Chat with Craig) each fortnight on a Wednesday.

T.H.S • EOTC - Mountain biking, sailing, Field Hut, Makahika, All Excels Black parade • Supporting our local community • Fundraising – The Home and School Committee - Paddy’s Mart, Beerfest, High Tea and Christmas Carols • Playground fun. Our children know how to play games, build huts and have fun during the break times! T.H.S Student Voice Does Well • We are involving and listening to the children in many ways student led conferences, planning learning themes for the classroom, student council, prize giving, PE bins, purchase of soccer goal nets, lunch monitors etc Reporting - Student Led Conferences • Developed in 2011. We look forward to further developing this next year. Year 7 & 8 Technology • We are pleased with our continued progress this year and are looking forward to further developing our programmes and building on these gains. Learning Languages • We offered Spanish and French this year for Years 6-8 Science • We employed Dr Sarah Kenworthy who taught specialised science programmes for Years 7 & 8. All classes have in- creased the amount of science taught. Integrated themes/topics • Highlights were citizenship, enterprise. Students were in- volved and engaged in the learning. Other • Teacher and Teacher Aide appraisal process, professional development and teachers matrix observations. • Student behaviour • Sports - we compete well in all interschool events T.H.S • Further develop and integrate our ‘core teaching and Goals for learning beliefs’ – Have self belief, value learning, 2012 responsible and independent, good citizens and have fun! • Further develop Year 7 & 8 technology and languages programmes. • Continue to ensure we are meeting the learning, social and emotional needs of our children. • Continue to embrace technology and use computers, lap tops, IPODs etc as tools to support learning. • Integrated themes/topics –see above. Continue with the development of the Te Horo School Curriculum • Lost property - there is still too much of this left lying around the school! • Remodel and upgrade classrooms with heat pumps and wall linings and develop Room 5 & 6 corridor. • Continue with the development of our reporting - portfolios and student led conferences. • Continue to be a reflective and progressive, forward- thinking school Home and School News

On behalf of the committee I would like to thank you all for your support over the year in all areas on help in fundraising. We are excited about the prospect of a new hall and look forward to another busy and prosperous year in 2012. I would also like to say a huge thank you to my committee, you are all such a hardworking band of people, thank you. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and safe holidays.

Kylie Morete Home and School Chairperson

Room 7 News

Room 7 Famous You may or may not be aware that earlier this term Room 7 was involved with the new advertising campaign for local award winning IT security company Aura Information Security . The adverts are now live on YouTube and can be found using the link below. www.YouTube.com/AuraInfoSec Well done Room 7.

Tinker our lovely school cat was hit by a car on Thursday of last week and has a badly shattered leg. We would like to say a huge thank you to the wonderful people at the Equine and Farm Vets on Riverbank Road in Otaki , especially vet Kate Georgetti who operated on Tinker. They have kindly offered to cover the cost of the surgery and her care. What amazing people they are. We are very grateful for their generosity. Thank you all.

Coming Events

15 December Staff v Students netball game - lunchtime 16 December End of the year 12:30pm

7 February 2012 Start of term 1 Dental therapist could be visiting (tbc)

Past Student Achievement

Ex student Anya Darby is the 2011 winner of the Otaki College Year 10 Jubilee Cup and scholarship. Anya has just finished her 2nd year on the college student Council. It was awarded to her for her enthusiasm and hard work in extra curricular activities, lobbying for student services and for inspiring others to participate in wider college life. Anya will be very busy over the holidays having just gained a place as the youngest elected member of the Youth Council. She will be busy assisting with Youth Activities in Otaki over the summer.

On year 6 camp we had lots of fun and of course a good laugh. When we first arrived in Wellington we set off to explore the city before visiting the museum of City and Sea. Later at Fergs Rock n Kayak we had a great time doing kayaking and rock climbing. After that fun day we went to Wellywood Backpackers hostel to get settled in. Later we went to Reading Cinema where we ate what ever food we can buy for $15. After our delicious meal we went out to Lazer Force. We had so much fun shooting each other before we went on the arcade games. On Tuesday we went to Capital E where we got to be on TV! Then we went to the Wellington Aquatic Centre where John and Angus jumped off the ten metre board! After our swim we went back to the hostel and had pizza for dinner. On Wednesday we explored the city in our groups before going to the City Art Gallery. We saw some unusual art and got to make some of our own. Then we caught the Dom Post ferry to Days Bay where some of us jumped off the wharf. We had a nice lunch at a nearby café then went back to the hostel to get ready for dinner at Genghis Khan. The food at Genghis Khan was amazing and we had a wonderful time. After dinner we went to see the view from the top of Mt Victoria then went down to see the Telecom Christmas Tree. Some people got to ring Santa on the Telecom hotline before we went back to the hostel and collapsed. On Thursday we packed up and left the hostel to go on the crocodile bikes. They were lots of fun and afterwards we went to Fergs to go rollerblading. We rollerbladed to Te Papa and went on the rollercoaster rides there. There was one called Deep Sea Diving and another one called High Ride. They were both really fun! Later we went up the cable car but we couldn’t go into the museum because the lady wouldn’t let us. Then we caught the train home and everyone was exhausted. We all had a great time and many of us would like to do it again!

On Monday Room 8 were all packed ready to go for an overnight stay at Forest Lakes. We were extremely lucky with the weather with the rain holding off so we could go down the mud slide, not once, not twice but heaps of times. It was great parents coming to visit for the day and enjoying the activities as well. There are some great photos to see. We also did an amazing nightline bush walk. Great time was had on the flying fox, the putting green, and ten pin bowling. The children all played out a skit in the evening and we dined on nachos and mince, macaroni cheese and hot chips, followed by Milo and marshmallows. What camp would be complete without a midnight feast, so we did that too! Tuesday found us getting back out on all the activities before packing up. Home we came, tired but happy to have experienced the outdoors, right on our doorstep. Many thanks to the wonderful parent help: Jacqui Tesoriero aka Camp Mother, Bobbie McPhee aka Brown Owl, Mel Gundesen aka Howling Wolf, Shelley FitzGerald aka Crouching Tiger,and Rob Pollock aka Roaring Lion/Jane. SWEETMANS Kitchens & furniture ltd MOBILE Design-manufacture-instillatio n TUTORING Free measure & quote Renovations, new homes, Stairs, one off furniture. SERVICE Anne Sweetman Solid timber, Melamine, Painted finishes. Individual Tuition for 5-14 yr olds We can draw plans or work from yours All Basic Subjects We will use any medium you want, to create an individual product to enhance your home. FREE ASSESSMENT Phone: 0800 750 500 Fax: 06 364 7119 13 Brandon Street 06 364 6114

64 Te Roto Rd, Otaki. 5560. E. [email protected] Otaki 027 4499 617

Community Notices

Summer Holiday Programme: SKIDS (Safe Kids in Daily Supervision) spaces still available – book now! 19 December to 23 December and 16 January to 30 January, based at Raumati South School Hall. All Wel- come. CYFS approved, WINZ subsidies if eligible. Fun, Action packed and Exciting activities: Swimming everyday! Movies, Progressive Picnic, Masterchef, Christmas Feast and Crafts, Nga Manu, Ice Cream and Beach Day, Giant Slippery Slide + much much more! Contact: Sonia (06) 3648852, 027 739 1986 email: rau- [email protected] ; for brochure: www.skids.co.nz – (see: location – Wellington – Horow- henua, Raumati South). Bookings available for Before and After School care at both Raumati South and Schools for 2012, enquire about our free pick up service from local schools.

Hi, I have just completed high school and am keen to get a job... babysitting, cleaning, weeding, etc.

Please call Te Moana Beeby on 364 2044 or txt 027 35 25 243.

I have my full driver's licence and can start work immediately.

WANTED to buy: Last season's hay, any amount. Doesn't need to be flash, just not mouldy. For pony that needs to be kept off grass. If you can help, please call Liz on 364 2487 or 021 1673169. Thank you! New this year. Fun run/walk We have added a 4km Fun run/walk to the Triathlon Duathlon run/bike swim/bike for the 2012 Kapiti Women and Girls Triathlon. All women and girls can be part of one of 's biggest, friendliest and longest running events for women. In our 29th year, the Kapiti Women's triathlon and duathlon is on Sunday 19th February 2012 with a choice of events that allows anyone to have a go. NEW for 2012 is our 4km fun run or walk, this might be your first step to becoming a triathlete or duathlete or just something to set a goal to achieve over summer.

There are of course the usual triathlon (400m swim, 12km cycle & 4km run/walk), duathlon, swim run & swim bike events but you can also enter as a team for any event or do a 1/2 distance for any event.

We added the fun run/walk for those not yet ready to do the Triathlon/Duathlon and while it is open to all ages we especially invite girls under 12 to participate. We have an age restriction of 12yrs for cycling on the road. you younger girls can enter the 'have a go' fun run/walk or teams events. Grab some friends or set an individual challenge and we'll see you on the start line. Remember "we consider every entrant that gets to the start line a winner".

For a fun day, lots of spot prizes and a goodie bag for each entrant check out www.kwt.org.nz . or email [email protected] Paper entry forms available from the school office or local pools, libraries and sport shops."