Maidstone Intermediate Newsletter

Maidstone Intermediate Newsletter
Issue No.4 Term 4 2015
END OF YEAR PRIZEGIVING – 10.00 AM, 15 DECEMBER (details inside)
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR 2015 – 12.00 NOON, 17 DECEMBER (details inside)
Dear parents, caregivers, students and friends
of the school
Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa
It was great to be part of the White Ribbon
Rolling Haka last Monday. Our students
performed our school haka and sang
waiata. The bikers impressed everyone with the volume of
noise from the motorbikes, and also with the message of nonviolence they shared with the students. An excellent message
that would do well to be contagious!
The Principals in the Upper Hutt Schools Cluster continue to
work together to develop a shared vision for the learning of our
Upper Hutt students. We have enlisted Brian Annan and Mary
Wootton (Infinity Learn) to work with our schools next year with
a view to improving student learning outcomes. This will
develop momentum throughout 2016 as we continue our drive
for school improvement.
The raffle is looking to be an exciting prospect for the winners
(drawn 11 December) - each prize is a real Christmas treasure
trove. If you have not yet sighted your child’s raffle tickets
- search their bag!
M-factor is causing excitement during the lunchtimes as
students compete for that top talent spot. It’s a great way to
showcase our students’ talent - some of which is surprising!
Classes for 2016 are being finalised this week. Please note
that Year 7 students will remain in the same syndicate for Year
8 and, except for a few exceptions, not with the same
teacher. It is anticipated that this will minimise transitions for
the students and support the continuation of relationships with
friends and teachers. The intended outcome, of course, is that
there will be very little pause in learning progress. You’ll
receive 2016 Camp information very shortly with dates and
requests for parent help.
Please note the dates for end-of-year events coming up. It
would be wonderful to have a large number of parents and
whanau at the Prizegiving to support the students as we
recognise their achievements for 2015.
All in all it is a busy time and we appreciate the support and
assistance provided by parents involved in sports, class trips,
outdoor education and PTA.
Nga mihi, Mary O’Regan, Principal
Phone 04 528 3094
Email
AY Christmas Raffle
PTA
Thanks to the hundreds of students who
brought an item to school for the PTA
Christmas Hamper raffle. We will have 8
draws next week and winners will be
notified by phone.
The first prize includes an Interisland travel
voucher and a $50 Wagamama restaurant
voucher (as well as the wheelbarrow full of
goodies).
The tickets cost $1.00. Additional
sheets are available from the school.
The last day for ticket sales is
Monday 7 December. All tickets and
money must be returned to school
by Tuesday 8 December to ensure
entry into the draw.
Many thanks. PTA
Social Dress Code & Ticket Sales
The Year 8 social is being held on Wednesday
16 December in the school hall from 7 pm – 10
pm. Tickets are $3.00 a ticket and go on sale
9-11 December, from outside the hall.
All students will need to be dropped off and
picked up from the school hall.
The Social Committee asks that the dress code be formal for
this occasion.
Girls
skirts and tops, or dresses, just above the knee or
longer, no mini skirts.
Flat shoes are recommended. NO STILLETTOS.
Boys
long trousers and button-through shirts with a collar –
ties/bow ties optional.
Dress shoes (school shoes are fine).
Girls & Boys
No beanies or caps. No skate shoes. No denim.
End of Year Prizegiving. – 15 December
This is being held at Lane Park Complex in Lane Street, Upper
Hutt on Tuesday 15 December from 10.00 – 12 noon.
Students will come to school and be bused to the venue.
Parking. There is very little Street parking available. We
ask that you use the South Gate Entrance and park at the
rear of the venue. There will be Parking Wardens from the
school available to assist you.
admin@maidstone.school.nz
Website
www.maidstone.school.nz
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Library News:
15 December
16 December
17 December
10.00am Prizegiving at Lane Park
Year 8 Social
Last day of school for 2015. School
finishes at 12.00 noon. Buses will leave
at this earlier time.
3 February 2016 First day of school for all students.
Starting time 8.50 am.
Christmas Trees
Treat yourself and your family by taking
the hassle out of organising a Christmas
tree this year. The Upper Hutt Lions
Foundation is offering Christmas Trees
DELIVERED to your place for $25. What
a great deal! No more precariously
balancing a tree on the roof of your car or
jamming it into the back seat with needles everywhere. AS
WELL...for every tree sold mention it is for the Maidstone
Intermediate fundraiser and the school will get $5.00.
Contact Phil Kidd on 0272394828
Year Book 2015 Year Book Cover Winners
Front Cover
Sautia M
Back Cover
Penny L
This is the last week that the Library will be open for use as the
annual stock take begins in Week 9. I would really appreciate
it if you could all please have a really good look around your
houses and around the school for any stray books that might
be lying around and return them to the library.
Sum-R-Readers reading programme.
As we approach the long summer break, it is time to promote
our Sum-R-Readers reading programme. Maidstone has run
this since 2012 in a bid to stop what is often called ‘summer
slide’; the time when some students reduce the amount they
read and their reading skills start suffering as a result.
Research shows that reading for even a short amount of time
everyday helps to maintain and, in some cases, raise students
reading levels. Perhaps more importantly than this, the long
summer break is a great time to relax with a book and take the
pressure off! To try and combat ‘summer slide’ Maidstone
Library invites all of our Year 7’s who will be returning to
Maidstone in 2016 to join in the reading programme. Students
need to take home a brochure and a parental permission slip to
sign up. The permission slip just needs to be handed back to
me to process.
th
On Tuesday 15 December I will open the Library from 8.00am
until 8.50am and again from 3.00pm to 5.30pm if any parent or
carer would like to help their child choose their books for the
holidays. Students can also come into the Library at any time
during this day to select books on their own if they prefer.
Congratulations to both students.
Maidstone Today Yearbook - 2015
“Maidstone Today - 2014” is a fantastic record of the many
exciting and varied opportunities, events, and happenings that
students have participated in across the year. This year it has
100 full-colour pages!
It is well worth the cost of $22.00 per book. There will be a
limited number of copies for sale, so to ensure you don’t
miss out please return the order form that went home
yesterday with your $22.00 to the office drop box, as soon
as possible. Yearbooks will be given out in the last week
of school.
Achievements
Tyrese N, Billy D, Lydia J-W, Heidi W, Sam K, Arthur P &
2
Daniel C have been elected to the H O Xtream Teenboard for
2015 -16.
2
The Teenboard are an important part of what makes H O
Xtream successful. Members act as brand ambassadors for us
and help promote the pool and assist with event planning, as
well as the fun stuff such as testing our new pool toys.
Term Dates 2016
Term 1
3 February – 15 April
Term 2
2 May – 8 July
Term 3
25 July – 23 September
Term 4
10 October – 16 December
Easter break falls outside of the term holidays
25-29 March.
Maidstone is having a Teacher Only Day on 21 October
All that we ask is that students return all their books to the
Library at the beginning of Term 1, 2016 and that they
th
complete a reading log book [this will be given out on 15
December]. If any books are lost over the holidays then we
would ask that students pay to replace them. So far we have
only ever had one book damaged in the whole of the time we
have been running this programme so that is a really good
track record . Once all the books and reading log books are
returned, students receive a ‘Sum-R-Readers’ merit tag to put
on their sweatshirts.
Upper Hutt Library summer programme
Added to this, the Upper Hutt Library also offers a really good
summer programme. If students sign up for their scheme, any
reading on it counts towards our reading programme too. The
Upper Hutt Library scheme this year is called ‘Around the
World’ and this is their promotional summary:
“Join our Summer Reading Challenge this summer. You will
receive a passport with reading challenges and puzzles. You
will be assigned a Travel Agent who will help you on your
journey and approve your travel visa so you can gain entry into
the Around the World Finale Event and prize draw.
Pick up your passports at the Library from 18th December.
We are also offering a summer reading reward programme for
our amazing teen readers. The more you read the more
chances you get to win prizes. Plus if any of the titles read are
New Zealand books you will get a special reading themed gift
pack.
The Library also offers a fun filled programme of activities and
events for all children over the summer”
Mrs Asprey – Library Manager.
GOLD SYNDICATE NEWS
Newsletter Sponsorship
Last week Gold went on their end of year syndicate trip. We
went to event cinemas in Lower Hutt to watch an advanced
screening of Hotel Transylvania 2. We left early to make the
most of the day and once we got there we packed into the
cinema. Some people got drinks and popcorn that they had
pre-ordered for the film. The film was really good and I bet a
few people were secretly scared, but all in all everybody had a
great day.
We are looking for businesses to come on board with our
newsletter and “Wheel of Fortune” sponsorship for 2016.
For a reasonable annual amount your business will reach
almost 600 homes on a fortnightly basis for the year. Your
money will also be used to fund prizes for the “Wheel of
Fortune”, which is spun at Assembly every week to reward
students who are showing our school values. If you are
interested in finding out more, please contact our school office
on 528 3094
In the last few weeks the year eights have been learning social
dancing. This is for the year eight social at the end of the year.
They have been learning all about etiquette, asking people to
dance, escorting them to their seats. The year eights were
nervous at first but now that they know all the dance they are
having lots of fun. While the year eights do social dancing the
year sevens do P.E with the other year sevens in their
syndicate.
In week 7 Gold syndicate were lucky enough to have 3 guest
speakers in to talk to us about their careers. We had someone
who creates maps about New Zealand, a Biomechanical
engineer and an engineer who works with planes and makes
sure they are airworthy. We really enjoyed hearing about their
jobs, and what you have to do to work in their profession. We
especially liked hearing from the engineer who works with
planes, and all of the cool testing and stuff they do as part of
their job.
By Shakira.K and Milly.S, Room 6
Youth Town Grant
Earlier this term we were fortunate enough to be granted the
amount of $8,000 to go towards funding our School Counsellor.
Debbie is involved with a significant number of students in the
school, giving them assistance with a wide range of issues that
they are dealing with. We are very appreciative of this
Community assistance as it has a big impact on the help that
can be offered to our students. Thank you.
Used Uniform Items
Each year we have families who require some assistance with
uniform. Often families move into the area and if they have
children in Year 8, especially when it is late in the year
providing uniform can be a very expensive business. If you
have uniform or black school shoes, in good condition, that you
would be prepared to denote to the school, it would be greatly
appreciated. This has often happened in the past, and for
some families it has made a huge difference to their start at
Maidstone. These items can be left at the school office in the
last week of January 2016.
Monitors Assembly
On Friday 11 December at 10.00 am we will have our Monitors
Assembly. This assembly is held at school and aims to
acknowledge the service and contribution of students at
Maidstone. Parents and family are welcome to attend.
2016 School Costs
Uniform Sale Dates
Academy Apparel holds the contract to supply and sell
Maidstone Uniform items. They provide an on-line purchase
system. They have two dates when they come to the school to
sell uniform on site. These dates are:
2015
2016
Monday, 14 December
Saturday, 30 January
3.00 pm – 7.00 pm
11.00 am – 3.00 pm
Academy Apparel’s other purchasing methods are:
Either on-line using internet banking at
ww.academyapparel.co.nz using the shop tab.
Layby purchase by arrangement. Either email
sales@academyapparel.co.nz or Phone 06 354 0979
Hats and socks can be purchased from the school office during
the school year.
Kids Domain Xmas School Holiday Programme for
December 2015 & January 2016
Please visit our website: www.kidsdomain.biz and click on the
holiday programme page to book online. Early Bird price $28
half day or $38 full day which covers the cost of all activities
and trips. Age groups are 5 – 14 years. Winz subsidies are
available. Limited Spaces!! We also have before and after
school care vacancies for 2016. Phone 027 4749573 or
Email kidsdomain@slingshot.co.nz
At Maidstone in 2016 you can expect to pay the following
costs:
Family Donation
$100 (voluntary – tax
Specialist Programmes $85.00
Options Programme
$10.00
Activity Fee
$60.00
Costs for cultural and sports events are separate and charged
only to those involved.
All students, both Year 7 and Year 8 attend camp at the
beginning of 2016. The cost of camp $140.00.
We recommend that payments are made at the beginning of
the school year or placed on an Automatic Payment or on-line
banking method to be paid in full by November. The school
account number is 12 3142 031 9918 00. Please use your
child’s surname and first initial as a reference. Payment can
also be made at the school office by EFTPOS or Credit Card.
If giving money to your child to make payment a ‘drop box” is
provided in the school foyer. Place the money in one of the
envelopes provided and fill out the requested information, and
place the envelope in the drop box.
LEARN TO PLAY TENNIS - Holiday Programme For Primary
School Children - Supported by Hutt Valley Tennis Assoc.
Dates: 20, 21 and 22 January, 2016. (wet or fine)
Venue: St Joseph’s School Tennis Courts, Royal Street, Upper Hutt.
If wet the programme will be held in the St Joseph’s Scout Hall (Royal
Street)
Timetable: 11.00am-12 noon - Girls from 9 years +
1.00pm-2.00pm - Boys from 9 years +
Cost: $33-00 for the 3 days. Money to be paid on the first day.
Registration: Gary Nelson –Ph. 5897178 or Emaila.nelson@xtra.co.nz
Note: Enrolments must be received by - 13 January, 2016.
PRIZE DRAW
WINNERS
Recent winners
prize draw were:
of
the
Jaime J-R from Room 11, who
won a prize sponsored by Kip
McGrath.
Amy from Room 20 and
Jacob from Room 11
whose prizes were sponsored
by Maidstone Sports and
Wheelers Shoes.
SPORTS JAM HOLIDAY PROGRAMME– Will offer you a great chance to try new sports, games
and activities, learn new sports skills and meet new friends! Sports includes: Basketball, Soccer,
Hockey, Touch, Rugby, Cricket, Rock/wall climb, Softball, Golf, Croquet, Bowls, Petanque, Netball,
Dodge Ball, Ti uru, Volley Ball, Plus heaps more.
Kids will be able to have a go at all activities on offer. Sports Jam offers great coaching with
sports skills adapted to suit all skill levels and abilities etc.

Program:
Kids can register for full week or individual day/s

Ages:
Primary school kids (ages 7 – 12 year old)

Venue:
Upper Hutt: (Upper Hutt College – Moonshine Road, Upper Hutt)

Times:
9am – 3pm (Full day) (am or pm option also available)

Dates:
January 2016 – Upper Hutt (18th – 28th) 2 weeks, Mon-Fri.
Please note: Not operating on Monday 25th and 29th SORRY!

Refreshments:
Free - Juice, water, fruit, snacks

Payment:
($23.00) per child per full day, AM or PM Options ($13.00)

Cash & Eftpos
Payable on the day at venue.

Pay Online:
Bank Funds Transfer: Account Number 02 0733 0201598 000

Bookings: www. sportsjam.co.nz, email: sportsjam@hotmail.co.nz,

Phone: 021 1160 086
PRIZE DRAW WINNERS
Thank you to the following firms for sponsoring this Newsletter
Recent“Wheel
winners of
prize draw were:
and the Maidstone Gold Ticket
ofthe
Fortune
Ph. 0800 634 572
Fax 236 0174
nzcoach@xtra.co.nz
Jaime J-R from Room 11, who won a prize sponsored by Kip McGrath.
w
E
Amy from Room 20 and
Jacob from Room 11
whose prizes were sponsored by Maidstone Sports and Wheelers Shoes.
David Haswell
027 440 6534
04 526 6602
Ask about our party bus
Catering
Equipment
Services
Get your sKETCHERS
School Shoes here
Country Lane
Silverstream
Phone 527 8389
0274 416931
526 2274
526 2275
2 Geange Street, Upper Hutt
Phone/Fax (04) 529 7342
We service and repair
all brands of cooking
and warewashing
equipment.
Mark Edwards,
Director
021 568 487 or
0800 90 60 30
mark@cesw.co.nz
Programmes in English, Reading,
Spelling and Mathematics delivered
by qualified teachers. Call Kathleen
on 5287707 for a free assessment.