Newsletter 02_04_15

A V O N D A L E
P R I M A R Y
S C H O O L
AVONDALE PRIMARY SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER
2nd of April, 2015
132 Breezes Road Christchurch
Phone: 3888371 Fax: 3887025
Email: avondaleschool@paradise.net.nz
Website: http://fc.avondale.school.nz/~aps/home.htm
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
With the end of the term already upon us with
the start of the school holidays tomorrow
(Good Friday) I would like to pass on my
thanks to all staff, students and their families
for a successful term.
The holiday period is a time for parents to
check on whether their children have winter
term clothing and footwear requirements up to
speed.
Also research clearly shows us that children
who keep reading over the holidays don’t
“regress” and are able to seamlessly carry on
with their learning in the new term.
Out Teacher Only Day last Friday was
attended by over 100 staff from Avondale,
Aranui Primary, Wainoni, St James and Aranui
High School. We had key note speakers from
Tamaki College sharing their modern learning
practices journey over the last 4 years. They
were able to show the significant achievement
gains made by their students over this time.
The big secret to this success was teachers
working collaboratively and sharing best
practice and students able to access their
learning on-line throughout the school day as
well as after hours, including weekends and
holidays.
We supplied presenters for some of the
workshops undertaken on the day. Kevin Boyce
presented “Boys’ and Girls’ learning style
differences”.
Rae Marsh, Alice Gibb & Pam Jackson from our
year 5/6 teaching team presented a brief
preview on Google Apps in the classroom and
hoe it works for their team as well as the
blended use of digital technologies.
CHILD CANCER DONATION
This week we were delighted to host Tanya
Cooke from the Child Cancer Foundation and
present her with a cheque for $220 raised at
our recent St Patrick’s mufti day. Tanya met
Josiphia Hamill (Head Girl) and Jaze Jones,
Lex Solomon, Joshua O’Connor and Karjah
Brady (House Captains)
“Our core business is learning and teaching.”
S
E
Q
U
O
EASTER RAFFLE
Congratulations to Mark Chatterton (1st),
Lucas Robinson (2nd), Tanya Harvey (3rd),
Keith Milne (4th), Krystal Day (5th), Bradley
Knight (6th) and Kane Quartly smith (7th).
Special thanks to our PTA for the effort in
organising this raffle.
I
A
C
L
U
B
SCHOOL CAR PARK
The school has approved only seven passes
allowing parents to drive onto the school
grounds. These approvals were given following
written application. We note fewer
incidences of parents driving onto the school
grounds without a pass. This goes a long way
to ensuring the safety of our/your children.
HEALTH ISSUES
Look out for the flu bug which has suddenly
appeared over the past week. It starts out
quite innocently with the odd sniffle but
quickly turns into quite a nasty flu. Treatment
is to keep children warm and hydrated.
HEAD LICE
Sadly we are finding an increase in head lice
amongst children at Avondale. The holidays
present the perfect opportunity to treat
children before they return to school next
term.
TERM TWO COMMENCEMENT DATE
Term two 2015 starts on Monday the 20th of
April. We look forward to welcoming your
children back to school for another busy and
fulfilling term.
TERM TWO EVENTS
• Every Wednesday for weeks 1-8 rooms 12 to
19 will be participating in the “First Tee”, a
golf coaching program.
• T.B.C. - A Top town competition for our
senior teams.
• April 22nd - El Gregor - the $4 cost to be
paid by the school.
• April 27th Anzac Day commemoration Avondale School will be closed.
• May 5 - Science Alive
• June 15 - 19 - Art Week.
BEST WISHES
Take time to enjoy your children and the many
community assets available.
The children have worked well this term and
staff have presented programs that have
challenged student progress.
FOND FAREWELL
It is with regret that we farewell Bruce
Tomlinson from the position of caretaker at
Avondale School. Bruce has endeared himself
to us all and his absence will be felt.
We wish him every success in his new role as
Property Supervisor at Van Asch Deaf
Education Centre.