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Important Dates

December 16 - School Closes at 1.30pmJanuary 27 and 28- School Office openJanuary 29 - First day 2014 school yearApril 19 - End of Term 1May 6 - Start of Term 2July 12 - End of Term 2July 29 - Start of Term 3September 27 - End of Term 3October 14 - Start of Term 4December 15 - End of Term 4

KAIKORAI PRIMARY SCHOOL

N e w s l e t t e r

The Kaikorai School Board of Trustees and Staff wish all families a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday!

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGEDear Parents,

What a year! There have been many highlights for the school as the

year has progressed, too many to mention them all. Two however

stand out in our minds. The school’s values of Kindness, Aspiration, Independence

and Keeness have been to the fore this year and I have enjoyed seeing how each

syndicate, class and student have adopted these. I even overheard one of our new

entrants discussing with a friend that her “aspiration” was to cross the monkey bars!

The other highlight was of course how these values were celebrated through the

school movie. Thank you again to everyone who made the night so special and I

hope you enjoy watching it again over the holidays!

It is with sadness that we farewell two staff members. Kylie O’Brien and Anita

Burgess are leaving us at the end of the year.

Anita has been a member of the staff for the last 17 years. The majority of that time

has been spent in the new entrants where she has provided a fantastic start to many,

many children.

On behalf of all of the students, parents, staff and Board of Trustees I would like to

thank you for the hours of hard work and dedication you have given to the students

of Kaikorai Primary School. We wish Kylie and Anita all the very best for the next

adventures in their lives.

Finally I would like to thank all of the staff for their tireless work and effort over the

year and to all families a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday.

Kind regards,

Simon Clarke

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SYNDICATE NEWS

Middle News -

And so this is Christmas and another year nearly over! And what have we done? This has been a time for reflection, looking back at what we’ve done this year and looking forward with anticipation to what may happen next year.

Simon’s Cat has been a favourite animation in Room 6 this year. This character has provided many opportunities things to discuss his humorous antics, as well as inspiration for writing and cartoon drawing. The latest edition ‘Christmas Presence’ inspired lots of creativity for comic strips, showing what Simon’s Cat might get up to during the holiday season while constantly in search of food. It has lead to discussions of our own mischievous animals and what children and their families may get up to in the holiday season.

Room 5 was very lucky to have Steve Dyer come in on Wednesday afternoon to work with the children. He presented the class with a challenge - to get a banana down the stairs without bruising it! The designs had to have specific features and dimensions and the children were allowed only limited materials. After trialling and modifying their designs Room 5 had a competition to see who had the best design. Many groups tried to make their banana in a box slide down the stairs, which had not so desirable results. Tom and Maia came up with a fantastic design in theory, which was sliding it down the rail. Unfortunately their execution needed work. The winning designers were Sarah, Tayla and Ryan who came up with a flying fox idea. This has got us thinking about the fun that we can have over Christmas time and other challenges that we could do. We hope you all have some Serious Fun over the holidays yourselves.

Children are fascinated by the traditions of Christmas as they are mentioned in Christmas songs and carols. The significance of some of them has been explored, and a number of inquiries have emerged with fat questions such as when did some of the traditions begin e.g. plum pudding, Christmas trees? How come some traditions have lasted so long? What songs are related to Christmas as we know it in NZ? We wish you all a very happy and safe holiday and look forward to seeing you in 2014.

Junior NewsWhat an amazing day we had at Mosgiel Memorial Park. The weather was fantastic, the children were so well behaved and there were many fun activities to keep us all engaged. It was a pleasure to see so many parents come for the day or just to picnic with their children. I am sure you will agree it was a big success. Once again all the teachers would like to say thank you for all your help during the year, you are a vital part of our support network. We wish you and your children a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. When you come back in the New Year you will notice some construction going on downstairs in the Junior block. Please be patient, we are hoping it will be completed early in Term 1. It is possible we will have a different access for a few weeks, just follow the signs. See you on Wednesday 29th of January refreshed and ready to have another amazing year.

Senior NewsWe have all been busy over the last couple of weeks with our focus on the value KEEN. We have been keen to try new things, meet new people and make new friends. We have also been keen to try old things like old fashioned pastimes, games and hobbies. Some activities have included sewing, learning old games and researching their origins and exploring some maori games as well. It has been a lot of fun and has offered some challenges.A major highlight has been a camp for our Year 6 group. They went to Camp Iona, which is in the Herbert Forest area. We were all impressed with their efforts when trying very challenging new outdoor activities and their keenness to develop new friendships and co-operative skills. They were very tired, excited and pleased with their achievements at the end of the camp. The special aspects they talked about were: the camp out, sailing, kayaking, abseiling, search and rescue, co-operative games, archery and cook out. They also loved the food! Next year we return to our usual March slot for Year 6 camp.

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SCHOOL NEWSOrchestra

Our school was involved in a wonderful day of music making and performing on Tuesday 3rd December. We packed up our instruments and music and headed down to the Balmacewan Performing Arts Centre. Once there, we met Justine Pierre who introduced herself and the Balmacewan Orchestra. We then worked with their orchestra to perfect two combined pieces He Waiata and We Wish You A Merry Christmas. Next we played to the intermediate and they played to us. We had lunch, shared hot chips with the Balmacewan orchestra, then had another short workshop session and finished with a concert for our parents and Mrs Fitzgerald’s class. It was a great day! Thank you to all the parents who helped with transport and with walking us down and back!

Congratulations to...Kieran Kelly Distinction - Grade 2 clarinet.Ryan McCleery High Distinction - Preliminary Clarinet.Isaac Randall (gained earlier in the year) - High Distinction Preliminary (Piano).

Pakiki AwardsAt the Pakiki Kids Awards and Sharing Night held recently Tobias Devereux received the Critical Thinking award for the PK Wednesday class and George Bates received the Whetu Marama award for the PK Wednesday class. Congratulations, Tobias and George!

Kelly Club Kaikorai and Kelly Sport Summer Holiday Programme

Kelly Club Kaikorai last day of After School Care will be Friday 13th of December with the last Before School Care on Monday 16th December from 7.15-8.30am.

A reminder that there will be no After School Care on Monday the 16th however, Kelly Sports will be running an awesome Summer Holiday Programme at Kaikorai Valley College starting Monday 16th December (till the 20th) and January 13th-31st. Enrol now online at www.kellysports.co.nz or contact AJ on 021853559 or aj@kellysports.co.nz.

The team at Kelly Club and Kelly Sports wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and relaxing break over Summer!

KPSTVThe third and final episode of KPSTV is available at http://tinyurl.com/ma8na92

Board of Trustees The school year has been a busy and successful one, on many levels, (the Quest and completing the new playing area are 2 examples) and the staff and students have all worked very hard and should feel really proud of their efforts.

To our staff, I would like to personally thank you for your dedication, skill and commitment in making Kaikorai Primary the dynamic and respected school it is today, you really are the best. To the students (and of course their parents and care givers) thank you for your continued efforts and support this year. To those students leaving school, we wish you well as you move the next stage of your education.

Next year will be another busy year as we work together to achieve positive outcomes and achievements for all students.

Sincere thanks and appreciation from the Board of Trustees

Ken CochraneChairman of the Board of Trustees

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SCHOOL NEWS

PARENT GROUP NEWSEND OF YEAR SCHOOL DISCOThe end of year School Disco held last night was very popular and great fun was had by all those who attended. A big “thank you” to all the parents and teachers who helped make the night a success. A total of $1,200 was raised.

PROJECTS TO FUNDAt the Parents Group meeting held on 12 November, some decisions were made about how we would spend the funds raised by the group during 2013. The profit from the Sausage Sizzle in May was donated to the Chat Bus and the profit from the Sausage Sizzle in November was contributed towards the costs of the Year 6 Camp, but the remaining money had not been allocated.

The Parents Group was presented with a number of different projects and the Committee decided to fund the following:

• Development of the “passive playground” (a more quiet play area outside Room 12 that’s set up at lunchtime to provide a wide variety of interactive activities for those children who don’t wish to participate in more physical play).

• Subsidy for EOTC (Education Outside The Classroom) trips and events for each syndicate group for 2014.• Contribution towards providing a counselling service at school.• Purchase of safety vests for the senior children on the Walking School Bus who are going to take on a

leadership role on the Bus starting in 2014.

HAPPY HOLIDAYSThe Kaikorai School Parents Group would like to thank all families for their wonderful support during the year. We wish you all a very safe, happy and relaxing Christmas and summer break.

If you have any questions or you would like more information about the Parents Group, then please contact Tor Devereux (453-1108, 027-635-1512, devereux@ihug.co.nz).

School Top and HatThe school hat will be compulsory for all students next year and will be included in the school stationary pack. It comes in a range of sizes and will cost $12.00.

The school top is compulsory for all children in years 1-5 and optional for children in Year 6 to buy. The cost of the top is $28.00 and will also be included in the stationary pack. You will be able to buy additional tops from March from the school office. The top will be required to be worn, but not limited to, the following events; sports events including regular competition fixtures, choir and orchestra performances, red roof visits, other school visits, ukulele jam, field trips but not school swimming, outdoor ed trips, academic competitions etc.

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COMMUNITY NOTICES

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The Break - Away Surf ProgrammeIs running on the following weeks;

-       6 - 10 Jan (12spots left)

-       13 - 17 Jan (15 Spots left)

The surf programme is out at Warrington and is also free. Registrations are to be made at http://www.sportotago.co.nz/

Jim Hoffman Holiday ProgrammeTENNIS/BADMINTON, RECREATIONAL

SWIMMING

16,17,18,19,20,23 24 DECEMBER FOR ALL 12YRS AND UNDER.

For more information or to book please contact

BOOK BY EMAILING TO jhoff5@xtra.co.nz OR PHONE 4536808 OR 0274 113 529

Glenfalloch Green Bikes Are Coming!

If you’re looking for something new and exciting to do when you get back from your summer holidays, why not try the Glenfalloch Garden Green Bike experience?

Starting mid January, state of the art ‘electric assist’ bikes will be available for hire at Glenfalloch. A great way to explore the Peninsula, whatever your level of fitness. A fun experience for groups and individuals.

For more information, check out the website www.glenfallochgreenbikes.org.nz

And when you’re done, you can always enjoy great food and coffee at the Glenfalloch café. Open Thursday to Sunday until mid January, then every day for the rest of the summer.

Ma-Fi Arts Holiday Art Programme

CHILDREN’S ART WORKSHOP1st Floor – Room 104

KING EDWARD COURT (KEC)Cnr Stuart St and York Place

Enquiries/Enrolments: Ph-KEC 477 6112 / Hm 472-8072 / Cell.

021-114-7971.Tutors: Matthew Robertson BFA, Dip.Tchg,

and Fiona Shaw-Robertson BFA email: ma-fiarts@clear.net.nz

Web: www.ma-fiarts.co.nz

Dunedin Gymnastics Holiday ProgrammeDunedin Gymnastic Academy will be running a school holiday programme this summer!SUMMER GYM CAMPMonday 13th – Friday 17th January 2014Session 1: 9-11:30am (Gymnastics)Session 2: 12:30-3pm (Trampoline)Age: 5-13yrsFor more information please contact admin@dunedingymnastics.co.nzOr visit www.dunedingymnastics.co.nz

Ecomailbox

Have you got an Ecomailbox? New service launched!

Help reduce waste and make our streets greener by getting your free 'No Ad Mail' sticker for your letterbox from ecomailbox.co.nz

Ecomailbox also provides a great alternative to see only today's latest news and promotions from your favourite retailers, deal sites and organisations. Start using Ecomailbox today and help make NZ greener!

Gasworks 150 Childrens Photo Competition

To enter visit http://www.gasworks150.org.nz.index.php/competition

Summer Reading Programme

Pick up your free booklet at your local library from Saturday 14 December.

P r o u d t o S p o n s o r K a i k o r a i P r i m a r y S c h o o l