Seek The Truth
Special Newsletter – National Standards
Feb 8th
As you will be aware from the media and soon from a letter and pamphlet from the Prime Minister, there is much debate about the introduction of National Standards to primary schools. Because of this, I feel it necessary to state this school’s position.
We will be implementing the National Standards. I am really confident of the achievement of children at this school and know that if we are compared with other schools, we would really hold our own. If an area of weakness is found however, then it is up to us to do something about it.
Our reading results are well above the national average, our numeracy in the average band, but our spelling is down. This year, we are putting a special emphasis on spelling in order to improve it.
Schools also need to report to parents in plain language as to whether your child is achieving well above, above, at, or below the national standards.
What principals, schools, the Teachers’ Union and many leading academics from universities are saying is that the government’s examples are hasty and poor. They were written by Ministry bureaucrats, with no input from schools or actual people at the chalk face. What the schools and unions are asking for is that the introduction of national standards be delayed a year to do more work on them so that there is a better outcome and also that they be trialled to see how they work.
In summary, we’re not afraid of National Standards and will be introducing them along with the new reporting system. However, I totally agree that they should be delayed a year, re-written and trialled and believe the government has stuffed up but is too “pig headed” to admit it.
2010 Welcome
Feb 4th
A big welcome back to all and very best wishes for the 2010 year!
Lots of work has gone on over the holidays with paintings contracts, sand being spread over the grounds to assist winter drainage and a new teacher workroom built alongside the staffroom. New spouting and water fountains are also being installed.
Akzo Nobel has renewed sponsorship of the Tuesday breakfast programme and has also paid for $4200 worth of sports uniforms. As always, the school is fully planned and ready to start normal programmes – we just need the children to have their books.
Notices went home on Tuesday in regard to Stationery, School Donations and After School Classes. Our stationery is amongst the cheapest around – many local schools charge between $40-$80. If they haven’t already got it, all children should have their stationery tomorrow – it would be really good if the books can be covered – old wallpaper or brown paper is fine.
A special welcome to our new teacher, Georgia Falvey, teaching in Room 4. We extend to you our best wishes Georgia and welcome you to our school. We know you will be a major asset to Matipo Primary.
Prizegiving 2009
Dec 14th
Introduction: Violin Sam Winterton
1. Principal’s Address: Wayne Bainbridge
2. Music Awards:
Music Harry Thompson Cook
Choir Miguel Jones
3. Athletic Cups:
Boys Girls
Year 1 Akira Luamanuvae Su’a Sapphron Jackson-Rudolph
Year 2 Arlo Illingworth Luci Winterton
Year 3 Jonah Palota-Kapa Rebecca Apanui
Year 4 Bradley Wilson Betsy-Bella Davis-Barr
Year 5 Goldberg Palota -Kopa Olivia Gwiazdzinski
Year 6 Branyn Bellaney April Houia-Jacob
4. Cross Country Cups:
Boys Girls
Year 1 Christopher Manuha’apai Sapphron Rudolf Jackson
Year 2 Harrison Chapman Lucie Winterton
Year 3 Lambert Klink Rebecca Apanui
Year 4 Manaia McMath Betsy Bella Davis-Barr
Year 5 Phoenix Reid Olivia Gwiazdzinski
Year 6 Shaun Stockley Georgia Muller
5. Guest Speaker : Sara Quirk
6. Speech Cup: Russell Knight
7. Library Prize: Miguel Jones
8. Citizenship: Kaitlin Lee
9. Maori Culture Award: April Houia Jacobs
10. Te Reo Award Te Maringi Marsh
11. Outstanding Maori Pupil Te Maringi Marsh
12.Outstanding Pacifica Pupil: Ashley Foley
Item: Marion Nicolson: I Dreamed a Dream
13. Excellence in Media
Presentation Jewel Stevens
14. Drama Cameron McIntosh
15. Dance Ella Grove
16. Australian Maths Certificates:
Distinction Angela Zhong
Distinction Alison Pang
Credit Jennifer Lowe
Credit Te Maringi Marsh
Credit Kingston Tierney
Credit Jackie Young
Credit Stella Mackrell
Credit Thomas Priest
17. Academic Achievement Certificates:
Room 17 Fin Reddington
Room 1 Evan Scrimgeour
Room 2 Hailey Stuart
Room 3 Nate Evans
Room 4 Isaac Martin
Room 5 Max Sigley
Room 6 Margaret Lowe
Room 8 Bryan Ko
Room 9 Yun Ji Hwang
Room 10 Jennifer Lowe
Room 11 Stella Mackrell
Room 12 Alex Gilbert
Room 13 Alison Pang
Room 14 Jonty Epskamp
Room 15 Jason Xavier
Room 16 Rory Keating
18. Board of Trustees Address: Walter Payne
19. Netball Player of the Year: April Houia Jacob
20. Cricketer of the Year: Ethan Poi
21. Sporting Achievement: Bailey Payne
22. Soccer Cup: Shaun Stockley
23. Rugby Cup: Ethan Poi
24. Hansen Awards:
Room 17 Emily Eldridge Christopher Manuha’apa
Room 1 Emily Thorn Ben Beattie
Room 2 Remy Heremaia Jake Harding
Room 3 Grace Patrick Joey Zhong
Room 4 Macy Lynch Blosse Harrison Chapman
Room 5 Hannah Lovrich Jack Colthard
Room 6 Mara Shelle Slatter William Hempleman
Room 8 Laila Waru Bryan Ko
Room 9 Grace Muller John Keating
Room 15 Ellye Kim Kobe Kopua
Room 16 Betsy –Bella Davis-Barr Manaia McMath
Room 7 Georgia Petherick
Room 10 Anita Semmons Lauren Garrett
Room 11 Eva Thornton Ethan Poi
Room 12 Maria Crichton Russell Knight
Room 13 Georgia Muller Aimee Halstead
Room 14 April Houia Jacob Mathew Oxenham
Principals Nomination: Te Maringi Marsh
Special Commendation: Cecilia Lowe Shene
Winner : Georgia Muller
25. Matipo School Award for Academic Excellence:
Winner: Alison Pang
26. Junior Award for overall Contribution & Excellence:
Macy Lynch – Blosse
27. Principals Award for Overall Contribution & Excellence:
April Houia Jacob
Bi-annual Parent Survey Results
Dec 8th
There were 76 responses. Several responses indicated they had no idea what ‘syndicate’ meant – these are the three divisions of the school – junior, middle and senior. When we put ‘good’ and ‘average’ numbers together we get generally high satisfaction
- 99% for school communication
- 100% for facilities and appearance
- 97% for meeting children’s needs
- 99% for achievement standards
- 100% for extra curricula
- 97% for ‘is your child happy’
- 97% for ‘would you recommend this school to others’.
Syndicate and class communication falls down a bit and homework is the area of greatest concern.
I will undertake to get each area of the school to provide a short statement about homework provision early next year.
A number of people made general comments but there was no commonality to them. But some specific replies;
- there is a ‘new pupil’ enrolment handbook for new entrants
- senior homework under review
- yes, we should have used the shelter during cross country
- year 1 children should be getting a book each night
- Parents are encouraged to be involved in classes and school.
- End of year fundraising done earlier – fair point
- List of events for term are included in newsletters
- any school trip requires at least 7 days notice in advance
- we have ran an email list for the newsletter for some years, or you can subscribe to our RSS feed.
- more I.T. – we’ve spent hundreds of thousands over the years, and our current spend is done in a managed fashion.
Parakai Trip
Dec 2nd
On Tuesday 1st December, all of Matipo’s Road Patrollers and Librarians went on a trip to Parakai Hot Pools. This was a special treat to say ‘Thank You’ for all their hard work and commitment throughout 2009.
The sun was shining, the water was warm and we all had a great time!