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Ashburton Guardian
O T K C S C H OOL BA Saturday, January 19, 2019
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Prepare for that return to school The long, long summer holidays are just about over for thousands of Mid Canterbury children. For those families after weeks of days without routine, during the last week of January routine will become the norm. A return to school doesn’t just happen without plenty of planning on the home front. Whether children are heading to secondary school, boarding school, primary or intermediate, or whether they’re entering the classroom for the first time, good planning and being prepared makes the whole experience so much easier for everyone. The start of the school year is not always an easy time for students. Many will be anxious about their first days in a new school or a new classroom but opportunities to talk about the new year where they can air any concerns they have will make the transition a little easier. How well they make the transition from one stage to the next is made a whole lot easier with mum, dad and their extended family on side and involved. v If they’re new to school a visit to the school grounds over the holidays
might help them feel comfortable with their new surroundings. If they’re taking a new route to school, then walking, scooting or cycling in the days before school starts is a good idea.
Lunchboxes Packing a tasty, nutritious lunch with sufficient food for snacks during the day is important, but unfortunately there’s no guarantee your child will eat the lunch you’ve spent precious morning minutes preparing. A healthy lunchbox should include a mix of fruit, vegetables, whole grains (such as wholegrain bread, crackers or cereals), dairy products (such as cheese and yogurt) and protein (such as nuts, seeds, eggs, meat and fish). Limit treats such as chips and chocolate biscuits. Getting your child to help pack their lunchbox could be one way to ensure they’ll eat it and don’t pack food items that are complicated or messy to eat. At school, most kids like food that is quick to eat. And remember kids need to keep hydrated so don’t forget their water bottle.
The easiest way to learn
Stationery Unless the school provides stationery, you’ll probably have a stationery list from your child’s school. Most stationery shops have deals on at this time of year so it pays to shop around. Covering and labelling your child’s books can be really time consuming – don’t leave it till the night before. Look online for ideas such as wrapping the books in plain paper and getting your child to decorate – this can be cheaper and a lot more fun than buying sticky covering.
Uniform A return to school also puts a strain on family finances. Uniforms are expensive but you need to have every item ticked off to ensure your child starts the school year kitted out appropriately. Check if your school has a secondhand uniform shop, look at local Facebook pages and most schools have second-hand uniform shops that open up a week or two before school returns. The garments in these are generally in excellent condition and they’re
a great option for saving money on clothing a child will grow out of. If you’re on a benefit or low income, you may be eligible for assistance from Work and Income for the costs of school uniforms and stationery. Make sure you’ve labelled your child’s lunchbox, drink bottle, sunhat and any clothing likely to be taken off during the day.
Supporting your child It’s important your child knows they’re not in the school system on their own, that there is plenty of support and encouragement at home. This can make a huge difference to their progress. As the year progresses it’s important to be involved with school events too, to talk to their teachers and to raise issues if you have concerns about how your child is working in the classroom and interacting with other children in the playground Keeping children engaged in education is vital for their success at school and later in life and for parents it is important to ensure your child is attending school regularly.
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bazza.barb@xtra.co.nz 027 474 2003
1-3 Redhaven Rise, Ashburton
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FOLLOW US ON
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019 New enrolments taken from Friday, January 19, 2019 Allenton: Aubrey Mason, (Tinwald): Hampstead: Merle Leask (Netherby): Thomas Street:
46 Allens Road 136 Thomson Street 44 Cambridge Street 34 Davis Crescent 21 Thomas Street
Phone 03 308 7896 Phone 03 308 4379 Phone 03 308 3954 Phone 03 308 3337 Phone 03 308 9587
Contact: Kindergarten Association Manager Phone 03 308 3779 Email: association@ashkindy.co.nz Visit: ashburtonkindergartens.org.nz
ENROLLING NOW FOR 2019 TIMARU GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOL STARTING DATES 21 January
School office reopens. Enrolment enquiries welcome.
25 January
Teachers’ Only Day
28 January
Year 12 and Year 13 Course Confirmation
29 January
Year 12 and Year 13 Course Confirmation
30 January
Year 9 begins
31 January
Year 9 and Year 13 begins
1 February
Whole school attendance
To learn more about us, visit www.timarugirls.school.nz Cain Street, Timaru 03 688 1122 principal@timarugirls.school.nz