Monthly Archives: August 2019

Kia Ora,

Teaching and Learning
A healthy number of applications have been received in response to the re-advertised vacancies and these will be assessed by the Senior Leadership Team over the coming weeks. I would again like to acknowledge the extra effort being made by all staff while the recruitment process is underway.

Hauora
The Student Advisory Group and the Parent Advisory Group are providing ongoing input into the review and development of our schoolwide wellbeing initiatives. The Te Whare o Haumaru is looking bright and cheerful thanks to the efforts of a well-led team of students.
Wellbeing surveys have been conducted and are currently being analysed to inform what we should be focusing on improving, as well as confirming what is working for the school. 
A very successful Bingo evening was run by the Parent Association, raising funds for the School Pool and providing a great opportunity for members of the school community to gather and have some fun.
I have met the principals and most of the Board members of our fellow Banks Peninsula schools as well as the passionate supporters of the Duvauchelle Preschool. We all acknowledge the need to support each other to ensure our students receive the best possible learning experiences. 
At a training session run by the School Trustees Association it was emphasised that we all need to feel a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose. It is always heartening to see this in action as part of the culture of Akaroa Area School. I have been struck by how warm and welcoming the school is and how engaging and open to learning our students are.
House Sports Day is a great event in the school calendar and along with the junior students I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Staff v Students Netball game.
I have responded to a recent request for Official Information made by a stuff reporter which may be used in an article about Akaroa Area School. 

Finance and Property
After a promising, if muddy start, the building project has stalled. We are working with the Ministry of Education appointed Project Manager to get things moving. Our apologies to staff and students who moved out of – and now mostly back into – their classrooms in anticipation of work starting on 22 July 2019. We will keep you informed of developments.
We are applying for a review of our school decile rating with a view to accessing the $150 per student government grant in lieu of parent donations. Your support in completing the confidential questionnaire would be greatly appreciated.
The Ministry of Education’s Bus Provider recently reviewed the school bus routes to ensure the routes maximised the accessibility of transport for eligible students. Whilst the school made submissions as part of the review, the final route plan is the prerogative of the contracted provider.

Nicola Hornsey
Commissioner 
Akaroa Area School

NCEA Evening – Tuesday 27 August 7pm Room 10
NCEA meeting for all current year 10,11 and 12 students and their parents. 

Rarotonga 2021 meeting – Thursday 29 August 5pm Room 10
This meeting is for all current year 9 and 10 students and their parents to look at upcoming fundraising events. All students to attend please, with a parent. 

Staff only day – Friday 30 August
Please remember that school will be closed for instruction on Friday as staff will 

Head lice
A number of parents have let us know that these uninvited visitors have shown up in their households. Please check your children’s hair.

School photos
These will be taken on Tuesday 3 September. As mentioned, we are working with a different company this year and the order process is different. The attached Photolife flyer gives more information. If you would like a family photo or sibling photo taken please email us by Wednesday 28 August and we will get the form to you to complete.

Student Led Conferences
Student Led Conferences continue this week. Booking information for years 7&8 (Monday 2 September and Tues 3 September) will be sent out today.

Decile Review
In the 2019 budget the Government made provision for extra funding for decile 1-7 schools who do not seek donations from parents. As we are designated as a decile 8 school we are not entitled to this funding. However, there is provision to request a review of the school’s decile rating and we hope to be able to do this.
Achieving this change would be beneficial for both parents and the school. If we are successful it will mean that parents will only be charged for voluntary, optional activities. We would be able to remove the Junior contribution of $80 per student per annum together with costs for some senior activites.  In addition to this benefit to parents, the amount which the school would receive ($150 per student) would be greater than the donations we currently receive so we would be better resourced as a school.
In order to get our decile rating reviewed we need all parents to complete a confidential and anonymous Ministry survey. This will go home in hardcopy and we ask that they be returned promptly. 

Ski Trip – forms and payment
Forms and payment must be completed this week as we will need to send details to Mt Hutt at the start of next week.

Parenting Week
There are some great events and workshops organised in Christchurch for parenting week 9-19 September. Attached flyer gives more information and we have some detailed booklets at reception. 

We have been asked to pass on the following information:

Preschool Quiz Fundraiser
Quiz night on Tuesday 27 August at 7pm in the Duvauchelle Hotel – Entry fees donated to the Duvauchelle Pre-School. See attached information.

As part of a nationwide review, the Ministry of Education has updated our bus routes. This has resulted in changes to routes and times. The Ministry sets the routes based on numbers of people accessing the bus in each area and the alterations made reflect these changes. 
The main changes to the big bus route are that the route has been extended to the hilltop. It will go directly from Pigeon Bay to the hill top and then along State Highway 75 to school. The bus will no longer go to Kotlowski Road in Takamatua. 
The Le Bons Bay Bus route has been extended to pick students up at Onuku Marae.
A copy of the new bus timetable is attached. Please note the new pick up and drop off times. As always, make sure to be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time and wait with your children until it arrives.
These changes will take place from Monday 26 August. 
We expect further changes to the route once we have increased confirmed enrolments from Little River students for 2020. 
Further information about school transport routes is available from the MoE here:  

https://www.education.govt.nz/school/property-and-transport/transport/

Student Led Conferences:
These are updated dates for Student Led Conferences: 
Year 3-6 Monday 19 August 1.30-5.30
Year 3-6 Tuesday 19 August 1.30-5.30  
Years 9 and 10 Tuesday 20 August 2.30 – 5.30
Years 1 and 2 Monday 26 August 2.30 – 5.30
Years 1 and 2 Tuesday 27 August 2.30 – 5.30
Years 7 and 8 Monday 2 September 2.30 – 5.30
Years 7 and 8 Monday 2 September 2.30 – 5.30
Years 11-13 Tuesday 10 September 2.30 – 5.30

An email giving link to booking system will be sent out a week beforehand. 

BP Winter Tournament
Please see attached letter regarding BP Winter Tournament (years 5-8) which will be held at Akaroa Area School on 6 September.

School Closed Friday 30 August
School will be closed for instruction on Friday 30 August as teaching staff will partake in professional development with colleagues from other schools in our Community of Learning (Tipu Maia). 

Ski Trip Thursday 12 September
More information and permission slips will follow regarding school ski trip at Mt Hutt on 12 September. 

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all our wonderful sponsors and to Charlotte Helps and her fantastic team who made our Bingo night so successful. Thank you also to the participants and everyone else who helped we have had some great feedback.

We raised an amazing $1962.55 which will go towards a pool pump upgrade.

Thank you every one.

Jeremy Nichols and Jenny Clarke.
– Akaroa Cinema
– Akaroa Four Square
– Akaroa Village Inn
– Akaroa Dolphins
– Black Cat
– BNZ
– Ca Bouge
– Eastern Bays Scenic Mail Run
– Hetties Rock Shop
– Inspirations
– Little Bistro
– Madeira Hotel
– Pohatu Penguins 
– Pot Pourri
– Silent Disco.NZ
– The Wharf Restaurant
– Waffle Haus

Junior Hub Assembly Tomorrow
A reminder that a short Junior Hub assembly will take place on Tuesday 13 August in Onuku, beginning at 8.50am. All parents, caregivers, extended family and family friends are welcome to attend.

Bingo
A huge thank you to the Parents Association and everyone who helped organise the fantastic Bingo night as well as our generous sponsors. It was a fun night. The total for funds raised is yet to be finalised. These funds will go towards pool pump upgrade. 

Headphones
The school has a supply of headphones at the office that we are selling for $10 a pair. 

Senior Formal
Formal payments ($90) and contracts are now due. Please pay online or at the office ASAP.

Skool Loop
We still need families to download our new phone app for parents. It will provide access to notices, permission slips and school bus information as well as being our way to contact parents in emergency situations. It also provides a handy link for phoning/emailing an absence. It’s very easy to add this app to your phone and the instructions are below.
Please make sure you download the app and keep the notifications activated or you may miss vital information or emergency notifications. 
To download: go to google play or the app store and search for “Skool Loop”. Once you have done that please open the app on your phone and select Akaroa Area School. 

Student Led Conferences
Link to booking system for next week’s Student Led Conferences will be sent out later this week. 

Production – information for Junior Hub Parents
On Wednesday September 25, 2019, Akaroa Area School will be presenting our Academy Awards production for whanau and community members. There will be a matinee performance and an evening performance.
The theme for Years 3-6 is The Lego Movie and students will be performing a dance sequence to the song, ‘Everything is Awesome’. Students will be designing and creating a superhero or villain that is either a known character or an imaginary character. Once the ideas and designs come home, we are asking for your support to help your child/ren find materials/clothing for their costume.
The theme for Years 1-2, is The Trolls movie and the students will be performing a dance sequence to a medley of songs, ‘Move Your Feet/D.A.N.C.E./It’s a Sunshine Day’. We are sourcing a couple of small items through school and will keep the costumes simple.

Te Whare Haumaru 
Te Whare Haumaru, the Safe Room is a place in the school where any student can go, wither by themselves or with a friend to have some time out. This is a student led initiative and is almost completed. We would appreciate any donations of bean bags or soft floor coverings to help make this a welcoming space. 

Academy Awards- Akaroa Area School Production

On Wednesday September 25, 2019, Akaroa Area School will be presenting our Academy Awards production for whanau and community members. There will be a matinee performance and an evening performance.
The theme for Years 3-6 is The Lego Movie and students will be performing a dance sequence to the song, ‘Everything is Awesome’. Students will be designing and creating a superhero or villain that is either a known character or an imaginary character. Once the ideas and designs come home, we are asking for your support to help your child/ren find materials/clothing for their costume.
The theme for Years 1-2, is The Trolls movie and the students will be performing a dance sequence to a medley of songs, ‘Move Your Feet/D.A.N.C.E./It’s a Sunshine Day’. We are sourcing  a couple of small items through school and will keep the costumes simple. Most likely black pants and a bright coloured t-shirt. The link to the music video is below. Please feel free to watch this with your child/ren and encourage them to practice the moves and lyrics.

We look forward to seeing you at our production and we thank you for your continued support.

Bingo

Don’t forget to get your tickets for Bingo this Friday 9 August 7pm at the gym, see the attached flyer.
The entry ticket is for a book of 10 cards for 10 games for the evening and we are also offering a plate of supper for $5, payable when tickets are purchased. Supper consists of 2 savouries, 2 club sandwiches and a slice/sweet with a vegetarian option available with advance notice.
We will have some great prizes, thanks to the support of very generous local businesses
– Black Cat – family cruise ticket
– Akaroa Dolphins – family cruise ticket
– Pohatu Penguins – ticket for 1 adult & 1 child for the evening penguin tour
– Waffle Haus voucher
– Akaroa Cinema voucher
– Tasty treat from the General Store
– The Wharf restaurant vouchers
– Little Bistro voucher
– Hetties voucher
– Inspirations voucher
– Pot Pourri packs of delicious fudge

Headphones
The school has a supply of headphones available at the office for $10 a pair.

Junior Hub Assembly change of date
A Junior Hub Assembly will be held in Onuku on next Tuesday, 13 August at 8.50am.

School photos
The date for our school photos has changed to Tuesday 3 September.
We are using a different company this year, here is the link if you would like to have a look. https://www.photolife.co.nz/site/webpages/products/school-class-photos

Skool Loop
We still need families to download our new phone app for parents. It will provide access to notices, permission slips and school bus information as well as being our way to contact parents in emergency situations. It also provides a handy link for phoning/emailing an absence. It’s very easy to add this app to your phone and the instructions are below.
Please make sure you download the app and keep the notifications activated or you may miss vital information or emergency notifications. 
To download: go to google play or the app store and search for “Skool Loop”. Once you have done that please open the app on your phone and select Akaroa Area School. 

We have been asked to pass on the following

Josh Crawford has misplaced his named school jumper. Please check your child’s school jumper to check they have the correct one. Many thanks.