After two years of warning about closure of the New Entrant roll and urging people to enrol, we have now closed the New Entrant roll. There are 83 pre-enrolments for this year – we have absolutely no more room for any more children. The New Entrant roll for 2012 is now closed. If you didn’t pre-enrol, your child cannot come here. The roll for 2013, 2014 and 2015 is still open.

As previously published we welcome five new teachers: Ray Chen (Room 2), Ellyce Martin (Room 4), Persia Iwan (Room 6), Maggie McCrory (Room 16) and Nicole Wilson (Room 9). They are taking the place of three teachers who retired last year plus two new roll growth positions. Miss Falvey will be re-joining us at the beginning of Term 3.

WARM WELCOME THIS WEEK TO
Neil Amerika, Luca Armitage, Molly Baker, Jake Collier, Jacqueline Cooney, Brooklyn Davies, Callum Davies, Mereem Dewerse, Kelsey Emery, Joaquin Kightley, Ela Kiyici, Cheyne Kueh, Jorja Lawford, Te Ariki Maunsell, Khan-Lee McAllister, Shontaye Raumati, Gemma Raumati. Julia Rosser, Luca Wedding-Pritchard, Tre Whitcombe, Blayze Williams, Mikayla-Storm Williams, Ryder Williams, Kaia Diallo, Destinee Cunningham-Davies, Shiquay Cunningham, Josiah Tavita, Millie Furmenger, Lucas Adams, Caylyss Anania, Faith Martin, Lola St George & Junior Leti. We wish you a long and enjoyable time here at Matipo Primary.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK TO
Leah Estreich, Taylor Crawshaw, Joshua Smith, Brent Bradley & Alexandra Starling Hughes. Also happy birthday belatedly to Molly Baker, Brooklyn Davies, Joaquin Kightley, Cheyne Kueh, Ryder Williams, Kelsey Emery, Luca Armitage, Junior Leti, Neil Amerika & Faith Martin who all celebrated their birthdays during the holidays.

STATIONARY
All teachers are fully planned, all classes have their reading, maths and spelling groups identified, all classes are fully equipped and ready to go. We just need the children to have their books which cost between $16-$18. Most other schools charge between $60-$80 for stationary, so ours are very cheap. Could all children please have their books by tomorrow.

LEARN MUSIC AT SCHOOL
We are most fortunate in being able to offer specialist music lessons at our school. Your child will be receiving an enrolment form for the “Music In Schools” Programme this week. Enrolments close on 13 February. Please make sure the form is returned to the office by this date so that your child does not miss out on this wonderful opportunity.

BLUE TURTLE AFTER SCHOOL ART CLASSES
Tuesday 14th February- SAVING OUR PLANET “Endangered Habitat” – Mixed Media Painting
Thursday 16th February – SAVING OUR PLANET “One Bead At A Time” – Clay Jewellery
3:30pm – 5:00pm TE ATATU INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
FOR MORE INFORMATION PHONE ROWENA 021 732 437 OR CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK “BLUE TURTLE DESIGN”

IMPORTANT NOTICES – PLEASE CHECK THE PAPER VERSION FOR RETURN SLIPS

POLYNESIAN CLUB – TUESDAY 1:30-2:15PM
Middle & Senior School children to begin with.

KAPA HAKA CLUB – TUESDAY 2:15-3:00PM
Middle & Senior School children to begin with.

MEET THE TEACHER INTERVIEWS – WEDNESDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 2-8PM
School closes at 2pm. First in, first served. Children may attend the interview.

School finishes this Tuesday 20th December @ 2pm and re-opens Tuesday 7th February @ 8:50am.
Have a sensational holiday and a really enjoyable Christmas and New Year. Very best wishes all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK TO
Azriel Lipsham-Symonds, Henry Bell, Jack Austin, Thomas Drabble, Joshua Nayler, Theo RobbMarkham, Joshua Siaki, Lee Collins, Samuel Bolton and Maxwell Knapping.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OVER THE HOLIDAYS TO
Daniel Breen, Tristan Earl, Corban Murray, Jacey Cleverly, Zain Hewson-Pette, Joshua Burnie, Kobe Kopua, Muritai Paki, Tadhg, Coulthard-Miller, Blake Garrett, Dylan Hall, Macy Lynch-Blosse, Travis Lynch-Blosse, Hannah Priest, Natasha Sealey, Kainoa Keereweer-Taia, Austin Lorenzen, Isabella Card, Fatemeh Shamsoudin Khorami, Emma Chapman, Cairo Wheldale, Jesse Austin, Alice Pattillo, Eri Reddington, Charlotte Triggs, Yani Llavizher, Liam Gilbert, Obadaiah Paea, Liam Smith, Max Pearce, Katya de Silva, Tiara Abraham, Kahn Hansen, Latrell Williams, Tyra Ibbott, Jackson Kamo, Benjamin Wright, Lloyd Morrison, Daniel Knowles, Luca Boyack, Simon Gaszikowski, Jack Lucas, Edie Voon-Clarke, Eva Vujnovich, Ben Eldridge, Joel Gibson, Luke Gibson, Peniel Swanney, Jordy Jacobs, Emily Eldridge and Isaac Martin.

COMING EVENTS
Monday 19th December 11.30 am Prizegiving, 6.30 pm Year 6 Graduation
Tuesday 20th December School closes at 2pm

PRIZEGIVING
The prizegiving list will go on to the website on Monday afternoon.

SCHOOL SECURITY
In the event of any issue relating to school security over the holiday please ring;
Henderson Police 839 0600
Bill Lynch 021 1242825
Walter Payne 021 2257421

SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT
For the 4th year in a row 92% of children on average light across the school achieved at or above the National Standard in reading. In Maths a school average of 89% achieved at or above the National Standard.
For year 3-6 81% spelt at or above their chronological age. In writing the whole school average of 85% achieved at or above the National Standard.

FARWELL AND BEST WISHES TO
* Doug Pilkington
* Linde McKechnie
* Jo Ramsay

Tomorrow is the last day for Mathathon money. There is no assembly tomorrow. Instead we will have the lucky prize draw.

WARM WELCOME THIS WEEK TO
Jordan Hanna, we wish you a long and enjoyable time here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK TO
Jordan Hanna, Nikoia Vaihu, Laura Rodolf and Owen Card.

CARELINK TRUST
We are collecting food items for Christmas food parcels for families in our community. Canned fruit, baked beans, biscuits, any non-perishable food item. Drop under the giant Santa in the foyer.

FUN DAY
FRIDAY 16 December. Please wear House Colours. To bring on the day – hat, sunscreen, togs and towel in a named plastic bag, water pistol – named and a jumper for after.

TE ATATU CHRISTMAS PARADE
3rd December. Any enquiries to Mr Webster.

PACIFIC IN THE PARK
2nd DECEMBER – Moire Park, Massey, 3-9pm
Pacific in the Park is a Free Family event with a pacific flavour! Great information and food stalls, and chances to win fabulous prizes. Come along and bring your picnic blanket, and enjoy great entertainment from Three Houses Down, Ria, Hypnotics, Lil Saintz, Karnel Williams and others. There are bouncy castles and activities for the kids. Bring the whole family for a great evening!

TE ATATU PENINSULA KIDS MUSIC CAMP
January 24th to 27th 2012
We will be running a music camp for 5 – 8 year olds in the last week of the school holidays. Kids will learn Ukulele, Piano, Percussion and hip hop dance. 9 am – 12 midday. No experience necessary. $85 per child, email heidi@jambalaya.co.nz to enroll.

CHRISTMAS ON THE GREEN
Thursday 15th December @ 6.30 pm. Kapahaka, Polynesian, Hip Hop, Violin, Funky Fish, Guest Singer Oscar Hemingway, and the School Band and Singers finishing with Christmas Carols. All welcome. Picnics and wine fine (remember your principal!).

SCHOOL DATES
Friday 2 December – Mathathon Prize Draw
Saturday 3 December – Te Atatu Christmas Parade
Friday 9 December – Warden/Librarian Trip
Thursday 15 December – Reports Home
- Christmas on the Green
Friday 16 December – Fun Day
Monday 19 December – Prize Giving
- Year 6 Graduation
Tuesday 20 December – School closes at 2pm

VISITED
Paula Rebstock, formerly the very courageous Commerce Commissioner as part of a State Services Review of the Education Review Office.

MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
To my knowledge we are the only school in New Zealand that offers a money back guarantee on the school donation. If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of school performance, drop me a note or email tomorrow and I will refund your school donation. Why do I do this? Because I have tried very hard to create a high performing, child centered school. Over the last 3 years 92% of children right across the school read at or above the National Standard. This year we got the highest ERO grading that they give, limited to the top 15-18% of schools. If we haven’t met your needs, and our standards, then we will honour our money back guarantee commitment.

GYMNASTICS CLASSES
Term 1 -2012 at Te Atatu South Community Centre. Inquires www.gymkids.co.nz Ph 09 846 8554 mob 021 767240.

Last Friday, the children had their mathathon test. As you know this year’s fundraising goes to buying a set of I-Pads to equip our children with 21st century learning. Why should only private schools have access to this technology, why not our children too? This is one of only two fundraisers we do each year so we rely on your generous support.
All money is due in by next Friday.

WARM WELCOME THIS WEEK TO
Cole O’Grady, Junior Taufia, Jackson Taufia and Niamh Dines we wish you all a long and enjoyable time here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK TO
Niamh Dines, Olivia Gavin, Joseph Thornton, Misha Tikhonova, Tyler Platt, Chloe Kendale, Farrell Tunks, Aaron Bridges, Alex Burns and a belated happy birthday to Cole O’Grady.

ASSEMBLY CLASS
This week is Room 18, for Friday 25th November.

CARELINK TRUST
We are collecting food items for Christmas food parcels for families in our community. Canned fruit, baked beans, biscuits, any non-perishable food item. Drop under the giant Santa in the foyer.

TE ATATU CHRISTMAS PARADE
3rd December - Any enquiries to Mr Webster (jon@staff.matipo.school.nz)

ELECTION
This Saturday 26 November.
There is a polling booth here at the school for both general and special votes. Polling hours are 9am to 7pm. “If you don’t vote, don’t moan later” Remember you are voting to elect the M.P. for Te Atatu as well as the referendum on MMP etc.

SUMMER NETBALL RESULTS
Matipo Funky Ferns won 17-1 vs Kaurilands Stars. Player of the day: Tayla-Lee Bainbridge

CHRISTMAS ON THE GREEN
Thursday 15th December @ 6.30 pm
Kapahaka, Polynesian, Hip Hop, Violin, Funky Fish,
Guest Singer Oscar Hemingway, and the School Band and Singers
finishing with Christmas Carols.
All welcome.
Picnics and wine fine (remember your principal!)

SCHOOL DATES
 Thursday 24 November – Cricket Field Day
Tuesday 29 November – Free Science Show (Middle & Senior)
Wednesday 30 November – Senior School to Goat Island
Thursday 1 December – NZ Ballet Performance
Friday 2 December – Mathathon Prize Draw
Saturday 3 December – Te Atatu Christmas Parade
Friday 9 December – Warden/Librarian Trip
Thursday 15 December – Reports Home
- Christmas on the Green
Friday 16 December – Fun Day
Monday 19 December – Prize Giving
- Year 6 Graduation
Tuesday 20 December – School closes at 2pm

PACIFIC IN THE PARK
2nd DECEMBER – Moire Park, Massey, 3-9pm
Pacific in the Park is a Free Family event with a pacific flavour! Great information and food stalls, and chances to win fabulous prizes. Come along and bring your picnic blanket, and enjoy great entertainment from Three Houses Down, Ria, Hypnotics, Lil Saintz, Karnel Williams and others. There are bouncy castles and activities for the kids. Bring the whole family for a great evening!

TE ATATU PENINSULA KIDS MUSIC CAMP JANUARY 24th to 27th 2012
We will be running a music camp for 5 – 8 year olds in the last week of the school holidays. Kids will learn Ukulele, Piano, Percussion and hip hop dance.
9 am – 12 midday. No experience necessary. $85 per child, email heidi@jambalaya.co.nz to enroll.

WARM WELCOME THIS WEEK TO
Mia Horva’th, we wish you a long and enjoyable time here at Matipo Primary.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK TO
Stella Koosache, Mia Sutton, Precious Toelau, Nate Evans, Tayla-Lee Bainbridge and Mia Horva’th.

RECYCYLING
Clothes to back gate, Old Phones to Office for Starship.

ASSEMBLY CLASS
This week is Room 19, for Friday 18th November.

CARELINK TRUST
Donations of food items for Christmas parcels to families in need are now being sought. These will be put into food parcels for families in our community for Christmas. Please put under the giant Santa in the foyer.

NETBALL PRIZEGIVING
Most Improved Player Award:
* Matipo Stars – Elise Ibbott * Matipo Charms – Grace Patrick
* Matipo Diamonds – Hailey Stuart * Matipo Mystics – Anastasia Tikhonova
* Matipo Wildcats – Amanda Lowe * Matipo Funky Ferns – Taylor Taia
* Matipo Magic – Scarlett Kearns-McOnie
Player of the Year Award:
Matipo Stars – Lily Ludbrook
Matipo Diamonds – Shelby Swan
Matipo Wildcats – Freda Davis-Barr
Matipo Magic – Hannah Lovrich
Matipo Charms – Brandee Williams-Abraham
Matipo Mystics – Indica Elisara
Matipo Funky Ferns – Betsy-Bella Davis-Barr

CHRISTMAS ON THE GREEN
Our Christmas Carol Evening will be held on Thursday 15th December 6:30 pm here on the field. Picnics/wine etc ok. Further details later.

THANKS
To the Tunks family and Julia of “Stick It Hair’ for prize donations for the Mathathon.

TROPHIES
Could all trophies please be returned to the office asap. Thanks.

SCHOOL DATES
Friday 18 November – Mathathon
Tuesday 22 November – NZ Ballet Workshop
Wednesday 23 November – Senior School to Pollen Island
Thursday 24 November – Cricket Field Day
Tuesday 29 November – Free Science Show (Middle & Senior)
Wednesday 30 November – Senior School to Goat Island
Thursday 1 December – NZ Ballet Performance
Friday 2 December – Mathathon Prize Draw
Saturday 3 December – Te Atatu Christmas Parade
Friday 9 December – Warden/Librarian Trip
Thursday 15 December – Reports Home
- Christmas on the Green
Friday 16 December – Fun Day
Monday 19 December – Prize Giving
- Year 6 Graduation
Tuesday 20 December – School closes at 2pm

SUMMER NETBALL RESULTS
Matipo Funky Ferns won 17-5 vs Young Guns. Player of the day: Indica Elisara.

KIDS DAY OUT
Family Fun Day – Saturday 19 November
11-3 pm
Henderson Primary School
Clowns, Magicians, Games, Rides, Bouncy castle, The Polkadots

TE ATATU CHRISTMAS PARADE
Saturday 3 December
Mr Webster has the list of all the names of those parents who volunteered to help and will be contacting them shortly. We have a truck organised and the Funky Fish will be playing on the truck. Help with decorating the float will be sought and it may be that children dressed up as presents or elves and wearing a Santa hat will also be involved.

PACIFIC FESTIVAL
Last week Ms Oto, Mrs Fotheringhame and Mrs MacDonald (Ann) took the Polynesian Group, Kapahaka Group and Junior Polynesian to the Waitakere Pacific Festival. They performed well and were well supported by a large group of parents. Special thanks to Jerilee Lepper for her help with the Kapahaka Group.

SPELLING BEE
Congratulations to Lovina de Silva for winning the School Spelling Bee Competition. Congratulations also to Margaret Lowe – Middle School Spelling Bee Champ. Thanks to Mr Simpson who organised it.

Next Friday 18th November we have our Mathathon. We do very little fundraising at this school and the Mathathon is the big one with proceeds going to buy iPads to equip our children for 21st century learning.

The Lucky Prize Draw includes a child’s motorbike and helmet, 2x digital cameras, 4x dvd players, 7x scooters, jewellery containers, popcorn maker, chocolate fondue sets, milkshake and pancake makers, hair driers, junior bikes etc.

Please spread the sponsorship network widely.

WARM WELCOME THIS WEEK TO
Emily Shepherd, Caden Currie, Chelsea Doughty and Devyn Smith, we wish you all a long and enjoyable time here at Matipo Primary.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK TO
Caden Currie, Thomas Wright, TeAriki Abraham, Alyssa Ngata, Maddison Pringle, Ethan Wroe, Remy Heremaia, Ruben Boyack, Devin Logie, Maria Pasi Vailua, JemimaTichborne and Sarah Bennett. Happy Birthday for last week to Chelsea Doughty and Emily Shepherd.

ASSEMBLY CLASS
This week is Room 16, for Friday 11th November.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS
Congratulations to the winners of last week’s school cross country:
Year/Boys/Girls
Year 1 Ceadorik Litvinchouk, Tyra Ibbott
Year 2 Ethan Gibson, Hailey Stuart
Year 3 Akira Luamanuvae-Su’a, Emily Eldridge
Year 4 Harrison Chapman, Luci Winterton
Year 5 Sydney Magnus, Ryan Verney
Year 6 Bradley Wilson, Betsy-Bella Davis Barr

On Tuesday a school team went to the Zone Cross Country and finished 5th overall with Sydney Magnus finishing 3rd in the Year 5 Girl’s race.
Thank you to Mr Simpson for his organisation and all those parents who supported the runners.

STORY WRITING CONTEST
Congratulations as well to the winners of the school writing contest:
Year 1 Tyra Ibbott
Year 2 Daniel Slack
Year 3 Katya de Silva
Year 4 Margaret Lowe
Year 5 Rebecca Apanui
Year 6 Felila Matafeo

CARELINK TRUST
Donations of food items for Christmas parcels to families in need are now being sought – put under the Santa Claus in the foyer.

FOUND
Black Pet Rabbit – taken to local Te Atatu pet store, awaiting owner.

SUMMER NETBALL
The Funky Ferns are playing summer league and had their first game this week – winning 10 – 3 vs Hobsonville High Flyers. Player of the Day: Grace Muller.
2012 CLASSES
When we put together class lists, a lot of thought and effort goes into the process. We make professional decisions and attempt to balance the classes in terms of ability, gender, ethnicity and behavior. When children move to a new class they move with others from that room but not always their best friends. Through childhood, children have many best friends. We also make some ‘sensitive’ decisions. If a child is exceptionally shy and retiring, we might not put them with a teacher who might be ‘loud’ and push the kids as opposed to nurture them. I do not take individual requests for particular teachers. If I did that for one, I would have to do it for all.
Finally, I have complete confidence in every single teacher in this school – so do ERO. Two of my children and three of my grandchildren have been through this school and they just got the normal run of teachers.

STOP PRESS
New prize for Mathathon – CD Doll Domination by Pussycat Dolls genuinely signed by the five members of the ‘Pussycat Dolls’ – this is a really special prize.

UPCOMING DATES
Monday 14 November – Te Atatu Intermediate Testing
Tuesday 15 November – Senior School Aquatics
Friday 18 November – Mathathon
Tuesday 22 November – Cricket Field Day
- NZ Ballet Workshop
Wednesday 23 November – Senior School to Pollen Island
Tuesday 29 November – Free Science Show (Middle & Senior)
Wednesday 30 November – Senior School to Goat Island
Thursday 1 December – NZ Ballet Performance
Friday 2 December – Mathathon Prize Draw
Friday 9 December – Warden/Librarian Trip
Thursday 15 December – Reports Home
Friday 16 December – Fun Day
Monday 19 December – Prize Giving
- Year 6 Graduation
Tuesday 20 December – School closes at 2pm

IMPORTANT DATES THIS WEEK
**Monday 14th Nov – Te Atatu Intermediate Testing
**Friday 18th Nov – Mathathon testing

Work has started on re-sealing the junior courts and we are replacing the sun shade outside Rooms 1&2 and have been re-doing the planting around that area.
Congratulations to Mrs Jessop on her appointment to Deputy Principal, replacing Mr Pilkington who is retiring and to Mr Webster who has been appointed to Assistant Principal.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK TO
Zachary Evans, Jazmyn Hostetler, Oscar Piacun, Freda Davis-Barr, Liva Tafola, Bronte Murray, Joshua Barclay, Ryan Kemp and Flynn Saxon.

ASSEMBLY CLASS
This week is Room 1, for Friday 4 November.

THANK YOU
To Ana-Julia Mayow of Room 18 for donation of a Brazilian flag which is the country of her mother’s birth (I think!).

MATHATHON
This is our big fundraiser with proceeds going to purchase more iPad’s. We have a great range of lucky draw prizes including:
a 49cc child’s motor bike. If any parent has access to extra prizes we would be delighted to hear from you.

EARLY CHRISTMAS
The Carelink Trust organizes Christmas Care Food Hampers for families in our school community. Donations from large firms have become much harder to get so the Carelink Trust are dependent on the efforts of local schools. We have collected under the Christmas tree in the foyer for several years. Because this term is only eight weeks, we will begin collecting next week.

TERM DATES
Tues 8 November – Zone Cross Country
Frid 18 November – Mathathon
Tues 22 November – Cricket Field Day
Tues 22 November – Ballet workshop at school
Thursday 15 December – Reports home
***correction to last week’s date***
Friday 16 December – Fun Day
Mon 19 December – Prizegiving / Year 6 Graduation
Tuesday 20 December – Term ends

ENVIRONMENTAL TIP
Spring is here and everything is starting to grow! How about starting your own compost bin at home and get your kids to start composting green waste and household fruit and vege peelings? Just nail together three wooden Pallets to make an upright U shape, you can pick these up for free almost any day on Rosebank Road, the businesses put them out on the roadside. Add grass clippings and brown leaves or newspaper to keep from smelling, and turn every so often for best results.

BEGINNERS TAP DANCE CLASSES (ADULTS)
Wednesdays 7.30 pm, Te Atatu Intermediate School. Ph Sheryl 416 68 68 or txt Kim on 021 022 77 025 or just come along. First Lesson Complimentary.

RECYCLING
– Old Cell Phones for Starship – office
- Old clothes – Bin at Back gate

HATS
Must now be worn at break times or children need to sit in the shade.

NO VACANCY
As you may know Jo is expecting a baby in January but she is only going on leave and her position has been filled.

TROPHIES
If your child received a trophy at last year’s prizegiving please could you return to the office in preparation for this year’s awards. Thank you.

This week I reported to the Board of Trustees on progress in Term 3. We started with a great ERO report putting us in the top 15-18% of all schools in New Zealand. We had the excellent school production, Room 13 completed a wonderful music project with the Auckland Art Gallery and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. We had a marvellous end-of-term assembly with Roland Suniula from the United States Rugby World Cup team and of course our World Cup Opening Ceremony with Mr Ludbrook’s video now seen by 900+ viewers worldwide. The new classroom has been completed on time and over the holidays the Art Suite was re-carpeted and junior courts re-laid. We had a $94000 electrical upgrade and the $15000 Book Flood generously donated by Akzo Nobel and the Waitakere Licencing Trust.

Some might say we achieved as much in a term as many schools would make in a year (or more). Then again, some would say we show off!

WARM WELCOME THIS WEEK TO
Junior Taufia, Lesi-Ann Taufia, Jackson Taufia, Israel Walters, Xtyrling Walters, Georgina O’Neill, Nikita Mereyato, Te Arepa Taiaroa and Charlie White, we wish you all a long and enjoyable time with us here at Matipo Primary.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK TO
Dallas Edmonds, Sandy Malua, Blake Travers, Scarlett Kearns McOnie, Victory Boznanski, Kieran Archer, Taran Robson, Charlie White, and a belated happy birthday to Nikita Mereyato, Xtyrling Walters and Te Arepa Taiaroa.

ASSEMBLY CLASS
This week is Room 14, for Friday 28 October.

MATHATHON
Later in the term we are having our major fundraiser, this year a Math-a-thon. As you know (and especially if you have experience of other schools), we do very little fundraising. Although the Mathathon does have a learning component to it, it is primarily a fundraiser. This year the proceeds will go towards buying iPads for the children. These are the future and we must equip our kids with the tools for the future. All children taking part will go into a lucky prize draw.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEARD FROM ANY PARENTS WHO HAVE CONTACTS WHO COULD DONATE PRIZES FOR THE PRIZE DRAW

PURCHASED
Baby Grand Piano for Hall.

COMPLETED
New Classroom Room 19, being taken by Mrs Jan Clark as a 4th New Entrant Class

TE ATATU INTERMEDIATE YEAR 6 TESTING
Has been changed to Monday 14th November 9.30-12.00.

TERM DATES
Wed 2 November – Class Photos
Thurs 3 November – Cross Country 1:30 pm
Tues 8 November – Zone Cross Country
Frid 18 November – Mathathon
Tues 22 November – Cricket Field Day
Thursday 15 November – Reports home
Friday 16 December – Fun Day
Mon 19 December – Prizegiving / Year 6 Graduation
Tuesday 20 December – Term ends

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT
At the moment, the staff are involved in a school stocktake, looking at all aspects of the school and reviewing what we do and what we could perhaps do. Our arts strand is very well established but I would like to strengthen our science and technology. I would also like us to develop an Asian Awareness as Asia is rapidly becoming our major trade and cultural partner.
In regard to this topic of school development I would far rather engage with parents – seek your input rather than hear that a teacher only smiled 3.75 times per hour! We have an excellent school here and I am seeking to make it even more excellent.

CLASS PHOTOS
Envelopes have been sent home today – class photos are next Wednesday 2nd November, please return money and envelopes ASAP.

PROFESSIONAL REVIEW OF “GIANTS FROM OUTER SPACE”
By Geoff Spedding ex Radio NZ & Taranaki Daily News
“The show was written by one of the teachers who is a published author of science fiction books for young people. It was directed by another literary teacher and took the form of what can only be described as a ‘Rock Opera’.

It was loud, colourful and full of wild dancing with lots of arm-waving and jumping around. The singing was great as the performers, who couldn’t have been more than 10 years old, put everything they had into what they did. The songs were, fortunately for deaf old me, displayed on a screen at the right back of the stage and I’m sure that after having learned them the children would know forever the names of the planets in order, the physics and chemistry of the sun’s radiation and the colours of the rainbow, amongst a lot of other interesting stuff.

Scene changes were quick and the lighting was colourful and bright with a smoke machine adding to the atmosphere, both on and off the stage. I had a great time even though I found the story line hard to follow at times. But then I’m deaf. There were some hilarious one-liners which I wasn’t too deaf to hear, and the frenetic musicality and dancing and total commitment of the cast to the job in hand made up for any little discrepancies there may have been. One hears about “feel-good” shows. This was one of them. I’m so glad I was able to be there to see what can be done by young performers when they are really enjoying themselves.”

WORD OF THE WEEK
‘Excellence’ – Aiming high. Being the best that you can be.

WARM WELCOME THIS WEEK TO
Grace Bawden and Daniel Vujnovich, we wish you both a long and enjoyable time with us here at Matipo Primary.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK TO
Daniel Vujnovich, Grace Bawden, Caitlyn Lorenzen-Hart, Jerome Jarvie-Otufangavalu and Nicholas Huang.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OVER THE HOLIDAYS TO
Harrison Chapman, Cade Morpeth, Cameron Knight, Ethan Gibson, Jinny Hwang, Zoe Grove, Kymaani Heketoa, Zackary Llewellyn, Tobias Redwood-Bennett and Anastasia Tikhonova.

LEARNING EXPO
Thank you to those parents who attended Learning Expo on Tuesday. Thanks for supporting your children.

ASSEMBLY CLASS
First week next term is Room 14, for Friday 28 October.

TOMORROW IS BLACK OUT DAY
Show your support for the All Blacks with black clothing, AB jerseys, etc

RECEIVED
From St James Palace, a letter of appreciation for our card we sent to the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge (Will & Kate) on the occasion of their marriage.

GIVEN OUT
Free reading books for the children to take home and keep. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Akzo Nobel and the Waitakere Licensing Trust who donated $15000 to this project.

WAITAKERE CITY SWIMMING CLUB
This is a family orientated club run by volunteers to enable young people to enjoy swimming at casual and competitive levels. Training fees are $50 per term for one training session per week, or $100 a term for up to four sessions a week. (Mon-Thurs at Westwave). Come down on a TUESDAY for a free trial for club entry (must be able to swim 50 m freestyle/backstroke.) Contact Stephanie Pilling, Club President at jeffpilling@kiltanon.com or 416 5311 or 021 0343 565 for any further info.

YEAR 6 TESTING DATE AT TE ATATU INTERMEDIATE HAS CHANGED
Please note that the testing for Year 6 students going to Te Atatu Intermediate School in 2012 will now be on Tuesday 15 November starting at 9.30am and finishing by 12.00pm. All students will need to bring with them their pencil cases and morning tea. They will be sitting both a Reading and a Maths (Number) test with morning tea between both tests. Please note this date has changed from previous notices due to a primary school zonal clash which would affect a number of students. Catch up testing will be in the following week (school’s to be notified closer to time). For more info call the School Office on 834 5371.

JOIN TE ATATU ATHLETICS CLUB
Ramlea Park, Taikata Road, Te Atatu Peninsula. Children who learn fundamental running, jumping and throwing movement skills acquire a strong foundation for participation in other sports and physical activities. Te Atatu Athletics Club provides run, jump, throw activities and games that make it fun while building good athletics skills. AGES 4yrs – 16+
Club nights are held each Tuesday evening, from 6.00-7.30pm. Season starts 1st November. COME AND GIVE IT A GO. Register online at www.sportsground.co.nz/teatatuathletics or register at Ramlea Park 25 & 26 October 5.30 – 7.00pm. Fees: $26 (4-6yrs) or $42 (7yrs +) – cash, cheque or electronic bank transfer only.

RECYCLING
– Old cell phones to office for Starship Hospital
- Clothing to bin at back gate, Crieff Place

KIDS HOLIDAY MUSIC CAMP
Te Atatu Kids Music Camp, for 5 – 8 year olds. Kids will learn Piano, Ukulele, percussion and hip hop dance.
Mon 17th Oct – Thurs 20th Oct. 9 – 12 each day. $75.00 for the four days.
All levels welcome, children will try all instruments.
Please email heidi@jambalaya.co.nz for more details and to register.