Thursday 6th September 2018

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whānau,

Last night’s power cut in Blockhouse Bay certainly upset our show performance plans but the children dealt really well with this disruption and we can be very proud of them for this. Thank you to everyone who supported us through this challenging change to our plans. We are very aware that some people will now miss seeing the show and that this is very disappointing. As soon as we can, we will provide everyone with a link so that they can click on and see the show in its entirety, for free.

Yesterday evening we tried hard to keep parents and families updated with what was going on both in person and through texts, emails and the school’s Facebook page. Sadly, it appears that once again not everyone received our texts or emails and we apologise for this. We will certainly be taking this matter up with our suppliers as this is very disruptive to our attempts to keep people updated. If you do need any further information, about what is going on, please contact the school office and we will send this to you.

Those of you who have been lucky enough to see Kauri’s production of Disney Lion King Junior, will know what an exceptional event this has been. The learning that has gone on for the children has been amazing and taking part in a show such as this provides experiences that some children will never have done otherwise. I will comment more on this next week but a big congratulations to everyone who has been involved.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this year's Knowledgathon. Between now and the end of next week, all children will take part in a knowledge test and the results will be sent home to parents. We ask then that you help your child to collect their sponsorship money and send it along to the school office. We will then be able to see who will win the prizes for the most money collected.

Lastly good luck to two teams who are representing us at special events being held on Thursday of next week. EPro8 is an interschool engineering and problem solving race and our team have been practicing hard with Mrs Joyce to prepare for this competition. In addition to this, 13 of our gymnasts have earned the right to represent us and the region at the Auckland Gymnastic Champion of Champions event at Tristar. Good luck to you all.

Have a great week everyone. Neil Robinson Principal

Pictured here are our Year 5/6 Netball teams.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS TERM THREE – 2018

Thurs 6th Sept -Kauri Production Evening Shows

5.00pm and 7.30pm Please have Kauri children back at school at 4.00pm Mon 10th Sept -Kauri Assembly – 2.15pm Tues 11th Sept - Kōwhai Assembly 2.30pm Thurs 13th Sept -Gymnastics Champ of Champs Comp. Fri 14th Sept - Rimu Assembly 2pm Mon 17th Sept - Class and Individual Photos Tues 18th Sept - Class and Individual Photos - Pōhutukawa Assembly 2:30pm Mon 24th Sept -Kauri Assembly 2.00pm Tues 25th Sept -Kōwhai Assembly 2.30pm Fri 28th Sept -Term Three Ends - 3.00pm finish

Disney The Lion King Jr

KAURI SHOWS TONIGHT

4.00pm - Kauri children arrive back at school to prepare for the shows

5.00pm - First Show starts – people who had tickets to last night’s show will get in for free

6.40pm – we will provide dinner for the Kauri children

7.30pm – second show starts. This is for the people who have tickets for the 7.00pm show Note that this show is sold out and no other tickets are available

PRINCIPAL’S SOAPBOX - COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT UPDATE Three weeks after the national teachers strike, I am sorry to report that Government officials, have not improved their offer for teachers or principals. I recently read information from a survey of schools which revealed that:

30% of principals had no suitable applicants for teaching vacancies this term

90% of schools are struggling to find relievers

52% of schools do not have all the teaching staff they need this term, The reality is that our students' learning is already suffering because we can't recruit and retain enough teachers in the current environment. There is growing unrest amongst the profession and my guess is that for the sake of our students and the future of quality public education, further industrial action this year is quite possible. It is too important not to. DAFFODIL DAY

Thank you to everyone who helped raise funds for the Cancer Society by purchasing windmills and daffodils. The school collected $400.00 for this worthy cause and this has been banked with the Cancer Society. Great effort everyone!

PARENTS OF CURRENT YEAR 6 CHILDREN - WHERE WILL YOUR CHILD BE GOING TO SCHOOL IN 2019? Hopefully, parents of Year 6 children are close to making a decision on where their child is going to school next year. Where they go is up to your family however all schools like to have children enrolled by the end of September so that they can organise their staffing and make other plans for the new year. Please ensure that you enrol your child as soon as possible. MOBILE PHONES AT SCHOOL Some children have been bringing mobile phones to school so parents and caregivers can contact them after school to let them know pick up details. If your child is one of these students please ask your child to bring the phone to the school office before school commences. The child can then collect the phone at 3pm. We do not want mobile phones to be kept in school bags with a risk of them getting lost etc. LOST PROPERTY We have returned the lost property that was named to the students. We will now be disposing of any lost property left early next week. Please make sure you check the Lost Property Cupboard if your child has lost any items of clothing etc.

EDUCATION CONVERSATIONS The Ministry of Education, with support from the Office of Ethnic Communities is holding Education Conversation meetings for Ethnic Communities so that they can contribute their ideas and opinions about New Zealand’s education system. The first of these, is being held on Saturday 8th September at Wesley Community Centre from 4-6pm. Could you please ask schools in your areas to put the following notice in their school newsletter and/or website:

Education Conversations - Kōrero Mātauranga for Ethnic Communities Saturday 8th September 4-6pm

Guest Speaker Hon. Jenny Salesa If you would like to be involved please come along to Wesley Community Centre, 740 Sandringham Rd Extn.

Refreshments will be provided and there is ample free parking. Any queries can be directed to maree.jeurissen@education.govt.nz or phone 6329520.

Fundraisers at Blockhouse Bay (FAB) News School Carnival - Saturday 24th November- SAVE THE DATE!

- Do you have a collection of old jars stashed away in your garage? We will gladly take them off your hands in preparation for our Jolly Jar organisation for the Carnival. Please deliver any spare clean jars to the school office and we will make them available for people to use for jolly jars next term. - Carnival Collection MUFTI day- Friday 28th September It is time for us to start collecting items for our exciting Carnival stalls so watch out for the MUFTI day flyer telling you what items we would like you to bring in for MUFTI day. It may be a block of chocolate, a bottle of fizzy soft drink or a bottle/jar/tin from the cupboards. - Carnival planning meeting - Monday 10th September at 7pm in the staffroom. Please join us if you would like to help or email fab@blockhousebay.school.nz if you would like to help but can't attend the meeting.

Like our Facebook page - Blockhouse Bay Primary School FAB

School Carnival - Saturday 24th November- SAVE THE DATE!

WAITAKERE ENVIROSCHOOLS TEACHER AIDE PROGRAMME Waitakere Improving School Attendance Programme is continuing our exciting “Return to the Workforce” programme for parents who currently receive the Sole Parent Support benefit. We are able to employ 6 Enviroschools Teacher Aides, with positions in Flanshaw Road Primary, Tirimoana Primary, Waitakere primary and West Harbour School. The work is during normal school hours. The Enviroschools Teacher Aides will work closely with the lead Enviroschools teachers and the school property manager to assist students to implement sustainability projects. These may include class gardens, vegetable gardens, sowing and germinating seeds, maintaining and improving areas, preparing cooking and preserving, outdoor art works, community projects and more. There will also be opportunities to work alongside students in related sustainability learning. An interest in gardening and sustainability is desirable and a willingness to learn is essential! Successful applicants will receive training in the Enviroschools kaupapa and in horticulture and gardening skills through a network of resources as well as from Enviroschools and Auckland Council Sustainable Schools. General teacher aide skills will also be developed.

The positions are for a 26 week fixed term period commencing Monday 15th October 2018. The project is partially funded by Work and Income through the Ministry of Development Flexi-Wage Project in the Community. The rate of pay will be $16.50 per hour (plus holiday pay, Kiwisaver and ACC). All successful applicants will be required to complete a satisfactory police vet and to be available for interviews during the week Monday 17th– 20th September. If you are interested in applying for one of these positions, please collect an information pack from one of the school offices listed above or email margaret@isap.org.nz If you would like to learn more about these positions, we are holding short information meetings on Wednesday 5th September:

10.00 a.m. at Tirimoana Primary School

12.00 noon at Waitakere Primary School Friday 7th September:

1.30 p.m. at West Harbour School. Completed applications may be delivered to any of the school offices at the above schools or emailed to margaret@isap.org.nz . Applications close Friday 14th September at 12 noon. All inquiries to Margaret Campbell, Manager, Waitakere Improving School Attendance Programme. M: 0274376126 E: margaret@isap.org.nz

CARE 4 KIDZ SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME An Enrolment Form is available from our Supervisor, daily between 2:45 and 6:00 in the Technology Room.

Sorry, no enrolments are accepted after Friday 20 September. For further information please ring Els on 027 3628494"