Thursday 24 May
Matipo Girls vs SPP Rubies – 5pm – Court 1
Matipo Cats vs WCRN Rugrats – 4:20pm – Court 12
Matipo Wizards vs ODS Butterflies – 5pm – Court 13
Matipo Rubies vs Kaurilands Firebirds – 5pm – Court 2

Thursday 31 May
Matipo Girls vs Flanshaw Tuis – 5pm – Court 1
Matipo Cats vs NK Kakapo – 5pm – Court 10
Matipo Wizards vs Holy Cross Explorers – 5pm – Court 13
Matipo Rubies vs Titirangi Pukekos – 4:20pm – Court 2

Saturday 26 May
Matipo Angels – no draw yet
Matipo Chocolates vs Western United Rockets – Court 21 – 11am
Matipo Emeralds vs Kaurilands Ferns – Court 20 – 10:10am
Matipo Fireworks BYE

Saturday 2 June
Queen’s Birthday Weekend – no games

Saturday 9 June
Matipo Angels – no draw yet
Matipo Chocolates vs ODS Phoenix – Court 24 – 11:50am
Matipo Emeralds vs LPS Meteors – Court 20 – 11:50am
Matipo Fireworks vs RPS Rockets – Court 22 – 12:40pm

Saturday 16 June
Matipo Angels – no draw yet
Matipo Chocolates vs Pt Chev Pistols – Court 24 – 10:10am
Matipo Emeralds vs GEP Diamonds – Court 20 – 10:10am
Matipo Fireworks vs GSTNE Swifts – Court 22 – 1:30pm

Saturday 23 June
Matipo Angels – no draw yet
Matipo Chocolates vs Arahoe Pandas – Court 24 – 11:50am
Matipo Emeralds vs Woodlands Fantails – Court 20 – 10:10am
Matipo Fireworks vs LPS Rockets – Court 22 – 12:40pm

We have other free shows coming up:
7th June APO Wind Group
11th June Smackbang Maori Theatre
14th June APO Chamber Brass
In Term 4 we will be having The Nukes Ukulele Band which will cost $3 per child.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK
Alyssa Patten, Hailey Stuart, Rachel Sape, Brooklyn Loneko, Ethan Smith, Chris Wong, Luke Huang and Kaiya Jacobs. Also, Happy Birthday to Belinda Ball who turned 40 today!!

ENTERTAINMENT BOOK
The Entertainment book is on sale again at $65. Entertainment Books feature many of the area’s best restaurants, cafes, accommodation, attractions and activities, with up to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers! Remember, for every book sold, $13 is raised for our own school! We currently have 6 books left and the profit goes to support our Fun Day. We only ordered 30 so will have a lucky draw for all those who brought one or who are going to. Prizes include 1 family pass to MOTAT and 4 family passes to the Stardome Observatory, so there is a 1 in 5 chance of winning a prize. For purchases, see the office or alternatively visit www.entertainmentbook.co.nz.

COMING UP
• Samoan Language Week – Week of 28th May
Includes a performance from our Polynesian Club and an umu.

• Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – Tuesday 5th June
- Dress up as royalty or in red, white & blue
- A shared lunch street party – send anything to share but jam tarts, scones or other British foods would be great.

FREE ENTRY TO MOTAT
1st – 31st May – Just take along your proof of address. This offer is limited to residents of West Auckland and East Auckland.

STAFF OBSERVATIONS
Over the last 2 weeks I have been visiting and observing all staff members. I have found it a very pleasant experience and generally observed great engagement with children, high work ethic and commitment and exiting and effective teaching. The only issues were that a couple of rooms were a bit junky and needed a good tidy and clean out.

PRINCIPALS PROFILE
It has been suggested to me that I include a Principal’s profile on the website as a number of new parents don’t really know me or my background.

COLD WEATHER
With the cold weather starting last week, it is timely to remind parents that children need to be correctly dressed for the weather – shoes & socks, warm clothes and a suitable jacket or raincoat.

SCHOOL COUNCILS FREAKY FRIDAY
Next Friday 25th will be Freaky Friday! Dress freaky and prizes given for the freakiest costume! Gold coin donation handed in to the office to dress up. All proceeds collected go towards the student councils World Vision Sponsor in Bangladesh.

NETBALL RESULTS
Matipo Girls won vs Konini Bunnies POTD: Shelby Swan
Matipo Wizards lost vs Flanshaw Tuis POTD: India Moth
Matipo Cats lost vs Holy Cross Explorers POTD: Posie Davis-Barr
Matipo Rubies won vs Blockhouse Bay Rockets POTD: Tahitia Naisara-Babulal
Matipo Angels had a BYE
Matipo Emeralds lost vs Kaurilands Flyers POTD: Hannah Lovrich
Matipo Chocolates won vs Bayfield Mystics POTD: Poppy Magnus &
Natalie Houia-Jacob
Matipo Fireworks lost vs Prospect Pumas POTD: Indica Elisara

WARM WELCOME THIS WEEK TO
Dan McArthur. We wish you a long and enjoyable time here at Matipo Primary.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK
Lovina de Silva, Brandy Smith, Riley Blucher, Flora Schmalkuchen, Taylor Taia, Lauren Thorn and Dan McArthur.

TERM 2 NEWS
We are off and running for Term 2 with 2 new term-only afterschool classes starting (photography and cooking). Enviro Club is now well underway and our initial projects including composting, vegetable garden and ‘barking’ a scrub area. Next week we will continue our bark area, do some more vegetables and plant daffodil bulbs. Our composting will continue and hopefully next week we’ll be able to start a food collection system for worm farming. Thank you to two parents, Julia and Marc for their help.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOK
The Entertainment book is on sale again at $65. Entertainment Books feature many of the area’s best restaurants, cafes, accommodation, attractions and activities, with up to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers! Remember, for every book sold, $13 is raised for our own school! For purchases, see the office or visit www.entertainmentbook.co.nz.

KAPA HAKA
Our Kapa Haka group will be performing this Friday at assembly.

FREE ENTRY TO MOTAT
1st – 31st May – Just take along your proof of address. This offer is limited to residents of West Auckland and East Auckland.

REMINDER
Helmets must be worn for children riding scooters and bikes to school. No more warnings – Pupils not complying will not be allowed to continue to ride to school.

EARLY NOTICE
Reports go home early in Term 3 and Parent Interviews will be held on Tuesday 31st July between 2pm – 8pm.

NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING
Any parents wishing to advertise in the school newsletter should contact Pam, either
Ph: 834 6909 or Email: pam@staff.matipo.school.nz. 16,000 copies are produced going home with 450 children for 40 weeks. An advertisement costs $170 incl.

COLD WEATHER
With the cold weather starting last week, it is timely to remind parents that children need to be correctly dressed for the weather – shoes & socks, warm clothes and a suitable jacket or raincoat.

NETBALL RESULTS
Matipo Girls won vs Hoani Waititi POTD: Zoe Anderson-Jones
Matipo Wizards lost vs Peninsula Wildcats POTD: Alyssa Patten
Matipo Cats lost vs PCS Little Diamonds POTD: Maria Koosache
Matipo Rubies lost vs Peninsula Rising Stars POTD: Mikayla-Storm Williams
Matipo Angels lost vs St Leonards Kakapos POTD: Ocearn Mathews
Matipo Emeralds won vs Laingholm Meteors POTD: Selene Mey
Matipo Chocolates lost vs Bayfield Allstars POTD: Shiquay Cunningham & Baylee Holliday
Matipo Fireworks lost vs Chaucer Saphhires POTD: Kya Moth

We would like to thank all our coaches for taking the time to help and support our teams: Olive Mereyato (Matipo Girls), Karin Holmes & Deborah Thorn (Matipo Wizards), Kelly Marsters (Matipo Cats), Fiona Ibbott (Matipo Rubies), Helen Gavin & Lou Davis-Barr (Matipo Angels), Tony Nemaia (Matipo Emeralds), Kathryn Wedding (Matipo Chocolates) & Natalie Kennerley (Matipo Fireworks).

WARM WELCOME THIS WEEK TO
Tegan Coyle and Jessica Pringle. We wish you a long and enjoyable time here at Matipo Primary.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK
Teagina Aleluia, Griffyn Vaihu, Jeremiah Williams, Mitchell Routen, Samantha Tanner, Rebecca Apanui, Eryka Chand, Lucy Ellis, Natalie Houia-Jacob, Te Ariki Marunsell and Jessica Pringle.

FREE ENTRY TO MOTAT
1st – 31st May – Just take along your proof of address. This offer is limited to residents of West Auckland and East Auckland.

RECYCLING
Clothing – use the bin at the back gate located on Crieff Place.
Cell Phones – hand in to the office for Starship.

REMINDERS
• No dogs in the school grounds.
• Children must wear helmets while riding bikes and scooters.
• Don’t drive into the school grounds during peak hours.
• Please don’t park over people’s driveways on Matipo Road and Crieff Place.

EARLY NOTICE
Reports go home early in Term 3 and Parent Interviews will be held on Tuesday 31st July between 2pm – 8pm.

NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING
Any parents wishing to advertise in the school newsletter should contact Pam, either phone 834 6909 or email pam@staff.matipo.school.nz. 16,000 copies are produced going home with 450 children for 40 weeks. An advertisement costs $170 incl.

COMMUNITY NOTICE
Public Meeting – Monday 7th May at 7pm – Te Atatu Community Centre Meeting Room. “Roadworks ahead for the next 7 years”, NZTA and Auckland Transport. You know what the motorway is like now and for those of us who live in Te Atatu South, the morning commute is already horrendous. Come and hear what’s in store for us!

HUGE THANKS
To Peter Boyack for cutting out a forest of privet on out school boundary. This was a two day job for which we are tremendously grateful, as are our neighbours.

WON
From Keep Waitakere Beautiful, a $300 plant voucher to spend at Oratia Native Tree.

WARM WELL HOME INSULATION SUBSIDIES
We have a pamphlet and application form to apply for a home insulation subsidy. You are eligible if you have children under 14, your home was built before 1st January 2000 and you have a community services card. Visit the office for a form.

CONGRATULATIONS
To the following ex-pupils doing well at Rutherford College:
Bailey Payne, Briar Crewther-Abraham & Aimee Te Whuta – Auckland Touch Reps
Hadley Tumicliffe, Aaron Wilson & Aimee Te Whuta – Sports Captains
Cameron Ree – Senior Athletics Champion
Ashley Foley – Athletics

WHAT’S ON THIS MONTH
May 9 Science Show
May 22 Soccer Field Day
May 28 Samoan Language Week

WARM WELCOME THIS WEEK TO
Pene-Moana Thompson, Isaac Igusa, Jack Bonkovich, Chad van Dolleweerd, Kael Brown, Rydar James, Madison Smith, Ruby Mitchell and Mathilda Brem. We wish you a long and enjoyable time here at Matipo Primary.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK
Ezra Bowman, Eva Colthart, Zofia Blackie and Margaret Lowe. Also a happy belated birthday to Chad van Dolleweerd, Kael Brown, Rydar James, Madison Smith, Ruby Mitchell and Mathilda Brem, who all celebrated their birthdays over the school holidays!

NZ EDUCATION
Late last term I heard the very impressive new Education Minister, Hon. Hekia Parata speak at a conference. She asked that all schools try and counter media stories about the NZ Education System. We have a very good education system which consistently ranks in the top ten in the world in various surveys and was 4th in the OECD survey in 2011. Above us is Finland, South Korea and Canada. Our school is rated by ERO to be in the top 15% of all schools in NZ. Ms Parata says we should not regard ourselves as having a world class education system, when our underachieving ‘tail’ is around 20%. In this school the percentage of children underachieving is around 10%.

WINNER OF THE SCHOOL DONATION LUCK PRIZE DRAW
Congratulations Seth Stylianou who is now the proud owner of a new Sharp Mini System!

WINNERS OF THE EASTER RAFFLE
1st Remi Heremaia
2nd Amanda Lowe
3rd Olivia Gavin
A total of $1,300 was raised. This goes towards subsidizing school and class trips. Thanks for your great support!

RECYCLING
Clothing – use the bin at the back gate located on Crieff Place.
Cell Phones – hand in to the office for Starship.

REMINDERS
• No dogs in the school grounds.
• Children must wear helmets while riding bikes and scooters.
• Don’t drive into the school grounds during peak hours.
• Please don’t park over people’s driveways on Matipo Road and Crieff Place.

NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING
Any parents wishing to advertise in the school newsletter should contact Pam, either
Ph: 834 6909 or Email: pam@staff.matipo.school.nz. 16,000 copies are produced going home with 450 children for 40 weeks. An advertisement costs $170 incl.

SAMOAN LANGUAGE CLASS
This will start next Friday 4th May at 1.15pm in the library for those children who enrolled last term.

WANTED
Any spare (clean) changes of clothes for New Entrant age.

TERM DATES
April 23 School Starts
April 25 ANZAC Day
May 9 Science Show
May 22 Soccer Field Day
May 28 Samoan Language Week
June 5 Basketball Field Day
June 7 APO Wind Quartet
June 14 APO Chamber Brass
June 27 Speech Final
June 29 Middle School Concert
End of Term 2

Writing, both the practise and assessment of it, is highly subjective. What one teacher considers good writing may not be considered as such by another. In terms of assessment, it is often hard to get consistency from two teachers on one piece of writing.

An important consideration is that nobody is born knowing how to write. Everyone has to work at building and growing their writing ability. A colleague once said that she didn’t enjoy writing at school because she knew she wasn’t going to be a writer. I didn’t know I was going to be a writer when I was that age either! It didn’t stop me from enjoying the writing process. And in fact, like most things – I enjoy writing more now that I have become better at it. It is human nature to enjoy things more if you are better at them.

I come from a background of both a teacher and a writer. As such, I do hold a few beliefs that won’t be shared by others in my industry. In other words, whilst this pedagogy may work for some children, it won’t work for all. But then again, what does?

Practise makes perfect

I was never explicitly taught how to be a writer. I don’t remember learning it at school and I didn’t go on any courses. I read some of my earlier work and I confess – I cringe a little. Something inside me dies just a tiny bit. But I’ve got better. You know why? Because I write a lot and I read a lot. In my case (and this won’t work for everyone), I have become better because of practice. It certainly didn’t happen overnight. I’ve been writing seriously for over ten years and during those ten years, I’ve read a lot of books and I’ve written hundreds of thousands of words. Basically, becoming a good (or better) writer takes time. Like anything – you need to work at it and practise. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Nothing good comes easy.

I can’t stress practise enough. Whether it be playing tiddlywinks or driving racing cars, you need to practice. The more a child reads, the more than are exposed to good writing and a wider range of words. The more language they are exposed to, the better they are able to correctly write their own sentences. Read every day. Write every day. Practise, practise, practise!

Reading makes you a better writer (but not always)

“Good readers will become good writers!” is a mantra frequently heard but like most statements, is sweeping in its generalisation.

The statement simply isn’t always true. Sure, some good readers can become good writers, but good readers will not automatically and inevitably become good writers.

This statement can be dangerous when used as a basis for a teaching pedagogy. Encouraging children to read as much as possible as well as giving them opportunities to write creatively is fantastic but … if it’s your only form of writing pedagogy, not all children will be successful. Sure, some will but certainly not all.

In my classroom, I have a number of good readers. Out of those good readers, probably half are good writers. Why not all though? This is the question that needs to be answered. I’ll get to that.

I’ve been an avid reader since I was a youngster and the predominant reason for this is cultural capital and a ‘monkey see, monkey do’ attitude. By cultural capital, I mean I was always exposed to a great deal of literature at home. My father collected books and they were stacked in piles all over the place (they still are). You couldn’t move without tripping over a book so it was inevitable that I would pick one up and start reading it at some point. That book led to lots more. I also saw Mum and Dad reading. A lot. Let’s face it – children are easily influenced by what they see.

Make it fun

I read for fun. I love reading because it transports me to another place, another reality. My wife likes me to read more contemporary fiction but I often don’t see the point. Reading for me is an escape from reality. Another world that envelopes me. And reading should be fun for children. It shouldn’t be a chore. Let them read whatever they like, as long as they enjoy it. It’s about joy so when teaching, don’t overanalyse it to death – it does have a tendency to take away some of the enjoyment. You want children to lose themselves in a book.

Saying that, while enjoying it though, a good reader should question why. Why do they enjoy it? Was it the sentence structure? The story itself? The characters? What we learn as readers, we use as writers. It’s an eclectic process. You’ll take stuff you like from this author and that, mix it together to create your own style.

But you need to enjoy your writing. A child who doesn’t enjoy writing will probably not develop as a great writer because of their reluctance to write. A naturally talented athlete may not perform to their potential simply because they don’t practise – they don’t work at it. Therefore, you need to make sure that what the children are writing is fun.

Reading and writing needs to become a habit. It has to done every day and (for children and the reading aspect at least) from a wide range of reading material.

Exposing them to good source material

Get children to read great writers (or storytellers). Writers that aren’t necessarily literary giants but are just good storytellers. That will make them enjoy the reading process even more and hopefully try and emulate this or that writer.

As a writer, I often feel myself being influenced by what I am reading. This is great for children. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. I couldn’t ask for anything more than for children to try and copy Roald Dahl’s style for instance. And writing is so subjective. A great writer to me may not be a great writer to other people. Just because one writer is using lots of complex sentences, metaphors and other aspects of more advanced writing – doesn’t necessarily mean they are a better writer.

To be a good writer, a child (or an adult for that matter) needs to be able to communicate ideas using the correct language patterns. They need to be able to understand sentence structures and to be able to pick the correct genre. An understanding of both surface and deeper features is also needed. Creativity is fantastic but not always readily available.

There is an old adage – you can’t get something out of nothing. Children require inspiration which is why much of their writing has to be based on personal experience. They simply can’t produce thoughts or concepts that they haven’t experienced in some way (now this can also be through something they’ve seen on TV or read in a book). Even the most unique, creative and extraordinary ideas can only exist as a combination of previously learned bits of information.

If, as teachers, what we need to do is give children an experience with appropriately sophisticated language patterns, then wouldn’t exposing them to great examples of relevant literature be the best way. Reading should give them the right skills then? Right?

Sometimes, but not always. Many children who become early readers – independent readers – often do not store the correct language patterns in their brains.

Good readers will often skip words, phrases and even complete sections of books that might hold them back. Therefore, these bits they skip are not going to be stored for use in their writing.

So, what should they do which will allow them to store the correct language patterns in their brains? Listening (reading to) and memorization.

Reading to

I tell parents all the time that they should read to their kids. Yes – even if those kids are reading independently and confidently. By not reading aloud to them, we deprive them of the chance to hear reliably correct language patterns and they never get an opportunity to listen to language patterns above their own level.

We want to challenge and expand their vocabulary and understanding. We want to give them an opportunity to discuss words and their meanings. By not reading to them, they miss practicing being a good audience (good listener) and just enjoy that happy warm feeling I always associate with being read to (by a good reader at least). What about opportunities to ask questions about what they’d read?

Children who have been read to with correct and sophisticated language patterns for many years, are much more likely to develop competence in written (and verbal) communication skills.

Memorization

Memorization seals language patterns into a brain. Andrew Pudewa (Classical Teacher, Winter 2005) argues that there is no greater tool. He goes on to say that memorizing and reciting poetry gives the brain the perfect opportunity to seal these language patterns in. Of course they have to be the right poems with reliably correct and sophisticated language patterns. Rote memorization may not be in vogue but it has its place in education. It certainly served previous generations (for hundreds and even thousands of years) who don’t seem to suffer from illiteracy as much as the current generation seems to.

Memorization, Pudewa argues, is a powerful way to teach, to learn, to develop skills, and to preserve knowledge. Memorizing and reciting helps fuse neurons into permanent language storage patterns which can then be applied into writing. Relevant poets can also help stretch our vocabulary and our language patterns. “A child with a rich repertoire of memorized poetry will inevitably demonstrate superior linguistic skills, both written and spoken, because of those patterns which are so deeply ingrained in the brain,” says Pudewa.

Some (not all) children even love to recite poems. Creativity and language are given wings to be called upon at will. I know people who can still recite poems learnt twenty, thirty or fourty years earlier.

Conclusion

So not all good readers will be good writers and not every method listed here will help every child. But used together – they are potentially quite powerful. Be innovative. Remember that good writing is subjective. Don’t be afraid to try out different things. I don’t believe there’s any right or wrong way in teaching. Just do whatever works to turn the kids on to writing.

Thank you to those parents who attended this week’s Learning Expo – both the teachers and your children appreciated your interest.

The end of the term is upon us with school finishing today and re-opening Monday 23rd April. Note that Wednesday 25th is a public holiday being ANZAC Day.

WARM WELCOME THIS WEEK TO
Blaze Edmonds and Luka Jones. We wish you a long and enjoyable time here at Matipo Primary.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK & OVER THE HOLIDAYS TO
William Hempleman, Alice McArthur, Blaze Edmonds, Luka Jones, Campbell Barclay, Jessica Stevenson, Baylee Holliday, Zayne Sprott, Riley Tivoli, Daniel Slack, Kiara Taurua, Vontelle Wilson, Jacob Webster, Hoanitama Rehu, Thomas Bulloch, Jake Harding and Aldous Schollum.

SCOOTERS
One of our children had a fall from a scooter in the weekend which has resulted in emergency surgery and a plate being inserted in his head. As a result, parents are reminded to encourage children to wear helmets when on scooters and as from next term, helmets must be worn when scootering to school.

CONGRATULATIONS
To Fiona Grove who took part in ‘Shave for a Cure’ and to date has raised $4200.00. You can contribute by making a donation at www.shaveforacure.co.nz.

SCHOOL HOURS
In the winter terms, we permanently shorten the lunch hour by 15 minutes and close 15 minutes early at 2.45pm. Children who would normally be picked up at 3pm by their parents can wait in the library until then.

THANKS
To Mr Vic McDonald, a grandfather of our school, who arranged for us to receive a $100 plant voucher via Bay Audiology.

ATHLETICS RESULTS
Last week we had the school athletics day and congratulations to the winners:
Year 1 Jacob Wilson, Grace Jarvie-Ofufangavalu
Year 2 Ryder Williams, Vontelle Wilson
Year 3 Ethan Gibson, Hailey Stuart
Year 4 Aki Luamanuvae Su’a, Katya de Silva
Year 5 Harrison Chapman, Margaret Lowe
Year 6 Jonah Palota-Kopa, Santana Kellett

Mr Simpson and Mr Nemaia took the school team to the Trust Stadium for the Zonal Field Day where we relinquished our title of 3 years and finished 3rd. Congratulations to the following place getters:

Jonah Palota-Kopa 1st in Year 6 High Jump, Shot Put & Discus
2nd in 100m Final
3rd in 60m Final
Arlo Illingworth 1st in Year 5 Discus
Joseph Vagana 3rd in Year 6 High Jump
Dylan Hall 2nd in Year 5 Long Jump
Aki Luamanuvae Su’a 2nd in Year 5 Discus
Luke Huang 3rd in Year 5 High Jump
Brandy Smith 3rd in year 6 High Jump
Erin Geraghty 3rd in year 6 Long Jump
Rebecca Apanui 2nd in Year 6 60m Final
3rd in Year 6 100m Final
Poppy Magnus 3rd in year 5 Discus
Danae McAlister 3rd in year 5 60m Final
Margaret Lowe 3rd in year 5 100m Final

POETRY CONTEST
We also had the poetry contest last week and congratulations to our winners:

NE Parthiv Sivakumar
Year 1 Miah Bult
Year 2 Zoe Anderson-Jones
Year 3 Evan Scrimgeour
Year 4 Luke Winther
Year 5 Steven Tuitama-Muaiava
Year 6 Tayla-Lee Bainbridge