ISSUE 4
16th May 2014 Dear Parents and Caregivers Tena Koutou Katoa, Teacher Only Day -Tuesday 3rd June When we have had a need for a teacher only day we have traditionally held it on the Tuesday after Queens Birthday weekend. This year that is Tuesday 3rd June. I wish to inform you that school will be closed for students on that day. The focus for teachers will be professional development in the teaching and assessing of writing. We have identified this as our major teacher development focus this year and are working jointly with a University based consortium Te Toi Tupu.
Health Programme Health is one of the core parts of the New Zealand Curriculum. We are about to begin the puberty section of the Health Programme. Because it includes some aspects of sexuality education we are required to advise parents of the details and remind parents they have the right to withdraw their child from these lessons if they choose. A separate letter about this programme has been given to each child to deliver to their parents.
School Uniform Jackets; Yes or No? An increasing number of schools are offering their students the opportunity to wear school uniform jackets. Our Board of Trustees has discussed the matter and viewed a number of different styles and price ranges. They have decided that jackets will not be a compulsory part of our uniform but that if there is a demand we would approve a school uniform jacket that students could choose to wear. There is a tear off slip at the end of this newsletter seeking your views on this matter. The Board would make a decision based on the views expressed by parents. If the Board approves a jacket it could be worn instead of our polar fleece or with our polar fleece. The retail price of a jacket would be around $70 (Our uniform polar fleece currently retails for $60).
Getting to School I would like to ensure that as many students as possible are given the choice to use our school bus to get to and from school. I am inviting all parents to complete the quick response form at the end of this newsletter to indicate if their child would use the bus for at least 3 trips each week. We would then extend the bus route to include additional passengers and if necessary hire a second vehicle to meet the demand. Because many students are involved in after school and before school activities the bus run times do not always suit. Some children use the bus to come to school but not to get home from school. I have therefore chosen the figure of 3 runs per week (out of a possible 10 runs) to identify students for whom we could provide a service. As the colder weather approaches I realise that any extension to the bus route needs to be done quickly. Could you therefore please have the survey returned to school by the end of next week (23rd May).
Music Tuition Tuition for Term 2 starts next week and fees should now be paid. They are $56 per Term, and students may learn a maximum of two instruments.
Important dates for your calendar Int-Int Football
27th May
Queen’s B’day
2nd June
Teacher Only Day
3rd June
Parents Hui
11th June
Road Safety wk
9-13th June
Int-Int Hockey
17th June
Hangi Day
23rd June
Int-Int Music Day
26th June
BOT meeting
24th June
Int-Int Basketball
1st July
Last day of Term 2 4th July
s
Road Safety in our Community I sometimes feel that essential services in our community do not receive the attention they deserve. Road safety is proving to be an example of this. You may recall that in early April one of our students was hit by a car on the Ohaupo Rd pedestrian crossing close to the roundabout. Over the last 6 years I have spent considerable time with Hamilton City Council traffic planners to work on ways of making this intersection safer for all users. Council’s enthusiasm dropped off in the last 3 years. You may have read my comments in the Waikato Times in early April seeking another review by council of road safety in our area. I have sent a detailed pack of information to Council, including the Chief Executive with suggestions, [plans and aerial photos that I discussed with Council in 2009. A complication is that the roads posing the greatest risk are designated as state highways and therefore subject to NZTA oversight. I am looking forward to meeign with Council and NZTA representatives. I would welcome any suggestions from parents either to me or to Council about how we can make our community roads safer for all our road users but in particular our children.
Reunion Melville Intermediate began enrolling students in 1964 and was formally opened as an Intermediate School at the beginning of 1965. We are looking forward to celebrating our 50th reunion on the weekend of 21st March 2015. If you have attended or worked at Melville Intermediate School at any time in the past we invite you to provide us with your contact details so we can keep you up to date. You can do this by;
Dropping in to school at any time
Posting your contact details to Melville Intermediate, 29 Mountview Rd, Hamilton 3206
Emailing to reunion@melvilleintermediate.school.nz
Visiting www.melvilleintermediate.school.nz completing your details online.
and
We will provide regular updates on our reunion and access to our growing archives of photos.
Education Review Office Report ERO visits every school and early childhood centre in New Zealand on a regular basis to assess the quality of service they provide. In 2011 we received a very positive review about the quality of service provided at Melville Intermediate School. In March this year we had another visit by the ERO team. The report which has just been received by our Board of Trustees is extremely positive. I personally know that our students and community is well served by the staff and Board of Trustees at Melville Intermediate School. It is reassuring to know that ERO has reached the same conclusion after a very thorough review of our school. Our report will shortly be published on the ERO website www.ero.govt.nz . In the meantime here is the introductory paragraph from the ERO report: “Students at Melville Intermediate School experience an inclusive school culture based on the values of respect, pride, integrity responsibility and excellence. They benefit from a stable leadership team who provide clear
leadership, consistency and continuity for the school. Trustees are highly committed to making a positive contribution to students and their learning. Teachers are hardworking and engaged in professional learning and development to enhance their classroom teaching. The school has a positive relationship with its parents. The family nature of the school enables board and staff to work in close partnership with its community.”
Secondary School Scholarships We sometimes receive information about scholarships. Auckland Grammar School has notified us of a boarding scholarship valued at $12,000 they offer to Year 8 boys. Copies of the information sheet are available from our school or on the Auckland Grammar School website www.ags.school.nz .
Meeting the needs of all students We have a number of relatively expensive school trips that our students are involved in. These include Winter Olympics, Ski Trip and Japan Trip. Please note that in midNovember we are running our Activity Week for all students which includes a number of trips and school based activities. These activities are designed to cater for a range of budgets and interests so that all students can be involved in our out- of-class activities.
Invitation to Parents Hui Supporting Students in their Learning Nau Mai Haere Mai We warmly welcome parents to meet at Melville Intermediate School on Wednesday 11th June 2014 to discuss how we can best support the learning and achievement of our rangatahi (young people). We will begin at 5.30pm with light refreshments. At 5.45pm our hui will begin in the staff room Karakia, Welcome, Introductions Outline of Hui Home Learning: Links/Ideas/What does it look like? Matariki Celebrations: Hangi Ideas/How can the whanau help? Upcoming Events at Melville
Karakia We look forward to you taking part in our hui.
Noa David Cooke
Shervan Heu
Principal
Board of Trustees
Please complete this page and return to school by 23rd May
Using our School Bus Survey You are invited to indicate here if your child is likely to use our school bus to get to or from school over the next few months.
Yes my child would use the bus to get to and from school most days if it came to our street Yes my child would use the bus for at least three one-way trips each week No, my child would not use the bus. The cost of the bus will remain at the current level of $1 per one-way trip. As we would extend the bus route to meet the demand of those wishing to use the bus please fill out your street address details. Street:
Suburb:
If you wish to discuss this further please add your name and day phone number and we will contact you shortly. Name:
Day Ph No:
School Uniform Jacket Survey The Board of Trustees are considering adding a warm, showerproof jacket to our school uniform. The jacket would be optional and could be worn over the current polar fleece or by itself. The retail price would be around $70.
Please indicate by ticking one box below how likely it is that you would purchase a school uniform jacket for your child within the next two years. Definitely would
Maybe
Not likely
Please comment, your views are important to us:
If you wish to discuss this further please add your name and day phone number and we will contact you shortly. Name:
Day Ph No:
Stars at Melville—Week 10, Term One Each week 1 student from each class is chosen as the Star Award Winner. They are selected because throughout the week they have demonstrated the Star Values constantly and then awarded the Star Values Award in assembly. Each week from the Star Winners there is one winner of the Principals Star Award. This student is selected as the Principals Star Award winner because they always demonstrate the Star Values in the classroom and around the school. They strive for excellence in all their work and take on responsibilities around the school throughout the year
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After School Care The Melville Primary After School Programme (run by YMCA) runs from 2.45 to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday. Melville Intermediate students may attend this programme. The programme consists of a learning/homework supervision part and an organised sports part plus a recreation chill out area if required. The cost is a gold $2 coin koha a day so the maximum cost is $10 a week. The programme is OSCAR licensed to take 20 students. Parents can enrol their child through YMCA in Pembroke Street and can pay for a term in advance or week by week. Enrolment forms are also available from Melville Primary to complete and return to YMCA.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC IN YOUR HOME! Fun piano lessons for either beginners or intermediates with an experienced teacher. Weekly half hour lessons at my home in Melville. Great after-school activity. Only $15 a lesson! Contact Erin Becht, 027 891 4491
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