Newsletter 26Th October 2018.Pub
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Murchison Area School 61 Waller Street P O Box 73 Murchison 7049 Phone 03 5239 072 [email protected] 26th October 2018 Term 4 School Wide Value — Consideration Kia ora, Moghrey Mie, I have spoken in recent weeks about our ERO (Education Review Office) report that we had last term. The final report has now been published and is an official document for all to see. I have placed this on our school website (www.murchison.school.nz ). It can also be found on the ERO website at www.ero.govt.nz . The following are some extracts from the report: 1) “Respectful and caring relationships contribute to equitable and successful outcomes for students. Students learn in a settled and supportive learning environment. Teachers know students very well as individuals and as learners and focus on their holistic wellbeing and academic success. Individual students’ learning is well tracked and monitored by classroom teachers. The school and wider community work closely to support and enrich students’ learning.” 2) “Students who need extra assistance to succeed are very well supported. There are improved systems to effectively identify, monitor and support these students. The school works constructively with parents and experts beyond the school to find solutions to improve student outcomes at home and at school. Students with additional learning needs benefit from well -considered individual learning plans and are supported towards full inclusion.” 3) “The vision, values and priorities that underpin the school’s culture and curriculum are well known and evident in practice. This includes restorative practices and growth mindset approaches.The school’s valued outcomes for students are regularly shared to build and embed understanding. The school tone is positive and student views and opinions are increasingly sought and valued.” 4) “Students benefit from a varied and responsive curriculum. Increased curriculum and vocational/trade options at the senior level have resulted in greater choice, engagement, attendance and retention. Senior students from Years 11 to 14 have individual mentoring and pathways planning. A high number of students successfully transition to further study or employment. Teachers and students make very good use of digital technology, including distance learning, as a teaching, learning and communication tool. Isolation is not accepted as a barrier to learning. Provision for education outside the classroom is a feature of the school.” The report is very positive about our school, students, community and staff and reinforces our thoughts and the Board Of Trustees (BOT) about where we are at, where we need to go to and all the wonderful opportunities and quality learning that is taking place at our school. Our data shows good results and progress, our relationships are excellent, our provision of care and support to students who need extra assistance is very good and we have a strong and supportive BOT to represent our community. We do take on board that we need more analysis of data in years 9 and 10 and need to continue to develop our bi -cultural identity as a school. We are already work- ing upon these areas. Overall it is an excellent report that reflects how hard our staff and BOT work to provide the best possible opportunities and a wide, rich curriculum that allows all of our students to succeed in whatever area they may choose. The BOT and I would welcome any comments or feedback on this report as we move on to another successful three year cycle of work. It seems an awful long time that I have been away from our school. I have been in the UK with my wife, visiting my mother and family after the passing of my father recently. Though great to catch up in many ways, it also reinforced how good a place New Zealand is to live and bring up our family. The opportunities on offer here far outweigh what the UK can provide and the “way of life” in New Zealand is far more important than earning the extra dollar and joining the rat race. Continued on Page 2. Continued from Page 1. The point I am trying to make here is our children here in Murchison are given such great opportunities and experiences that we take for granted, let’s all keep encouraging these students to continue to “have a go”, “be curious” and “enjoy their learning”. On that note as I arrived to school on Tuesday I was met with over 30 cars and vehicles on our fields as parents and staff arrived to drop off and transport four of our classes to some of these opportunities. Tutaki class are on their camp at Teapot Valley with Miss Steinmann and Mr Williams, Matakitaki class are on camp in Kaiteriteri with Mrs Jones and Buller class and Mangles class were off to Lake Rotoiti to meet with DOC and view the eels. There are many more opportunities such as these coming up for the school in the coming weeks with camps for Maruia Class, Buller Class and our Year 9/10’s. Add on to that our Year 7/8 Maruia school play at the Theatre on Thursday 8 th November at 7pm. Our Senior students are fast approaching the end of their school year with just under two weeks left before external exams come into play. Keep your children focused, use the school staff for any extra help during this study leave as these last few credits could make the difference between future courses and occupations. If any parents or students are worried at all about any issues for next year and course selections or employment opportunities outside of school, please contact me here at school or just pop in to meet with me or Mr Williams. Staff are also preparing end of year reports at present for our students. These will be sent on Thursday 6th December to allow a week for any further clarification or discussion. Senior Prize giving is on Friday November 30 th at the Rec Centre. Nga Mihi, Slaynt as shee. Andy Ashworth Principal DATES TO REMEMBER Pet Day - Friday 2nd November Last day of school for Year 11 -13 - Tuesday 6th November Leavers Assembly - Tuesday 6th November - 2pm in the Library Buller Rm Camp, Bridge Valley - 6th – 9th November Maruia Rm Play - ‘Captain Hook’s Revenge’ - 8th November, 7pm at the Theatre Maruia Rm Camp, Marlborough Sounds - 13th – 16th November Yr 7 -10 Tapawera Sports exchange at MAS - 22nd November Year 9/10 Overnight -Whenua Iti - 29th - 30th November Senior Prize Giving - 30th November - 6.30 -9pm at the Rec Centre Junior Prize Giving - 14th December, 10.30am -12.30pm Last day of Term 4 - 14th December First day back 2019 - 31st January Child sick, away or not catching bus? Can parents/caregivers please remember to contact the school office promptly each time your child/ren are not going to be at school or catching the bus after school due to swimming club, sports or any other reason. This is so we can ensure the safety of your child/ren, and buses are not held up waiting for a child that isn’t catching the bus. Your co -operation is needed and appreciated for the school to complete this duty each day. If you are unable to speak to anyone in the office a message can be left by calling 5239 072 and leaving a message on the “absence line. Many thanks. Lake Rotoiti 23rd October Story from Oliver Pugh On Tuesday I went to Lake Rotoiti. I got to pat eels. I said to myself I can see ducklings. I was the first person to see the trout. It was fun. When the females are grey they go to Tonga. They have eggs and then they die. School Swimming Pool The school pool is now open. Pool keys are available from the school office. The cost is $80.00 which includes a $20.00 key deposit that will be refunded when you return your key at the end of the swimming season next year. Halloween Halloween themed mufti day on Wednesday 31st of October . Come along in your best Halloween outfit and give a gold coin donation. Money donated will go towards our school bike track. ***PET DAY & MYCOPLASMA BOVIS*** Due to the recent outbreak of M. Bovis we have been advised that, until further notice, school Pet Day should NOT include calves. However, if your child has been raising a calf with the intention of bringing it to Pet Day, please get in touch with us at the school office. We are look- ing at the feasibility of getting calves judged on -farm, so that the hard work can still be acknowledged. Please let us know as soon as possible if your child has been rearing a calf for Pet Day and would like us to consider it for on -farm judging. Reminder: Pet Day for Murchison Area School is Friday November 2nd . Pet Day Questions to ask your child instead of “How was Our school Pet Day is coming up on your day?” Friday November 2nd. Alternative questions that your child will answer It is always a great day and a highlight of our with more than a single word or grunt. school calendar. Questions a child will answer at the end of a However, it takes an enormous amount of work to long school day: put together and we are wondering if there are any parents (or grandparents!) out there who What challenged you today? would be interested in helping us organise it. If we get enough takers it may even enable us to If school were a ride at the fair, which ride would it give the day a bit of a revamp with some new be? Why? ideas.