New Sports Equipment

Today it was really cool to see the children excited about receiving new sports equipment funded by the PTA. What a huge difference this makes - I even got to brush up my cricket skills with some of the seniors! Thank you to the PTA team for their ongoing support of our school!

From our Student Leadership Council:

"A HUGE thank you to the parent teacher association (PTA) for the brand new sports equipment for our school. The Student Leadership Council thinks the PTA have done a tremendous job and the children in our school will love the new equipment."

What it means to be an EnviroSchool

We've been made aware that a couple of parents are wondering about the decision to close playground rubbish bins. This decision is an important part of our commitment to being an EnviroSchool. A growing number of other schools near us are all bin free, including new schools. The EnviroSchools programme (www.enviroschools.org.nz) is a national strategy which now includes a quarter of all schools - that's over 200,000 students! This number is growing as schools see the importance and relevance of what the EnviroSchools programme has to offer.

The purpose (kaupapa) of Enviroschools is to develop the well-being of the whole school, community and eco-system. It’s about working out how to live so that our society and economy nourishes the natural systems that give us life. Read here to learn about some of the other benefits to this programme...

Of particular note are the underlying kaupapa (or principles) that are very closely aligned with our school values of: Respect/Whaikoha, Achievement/Angitu, Tikanga/Responsibility and Whakapono/Strength or Self-Belief:

1. Empowered Students are enabled to participate in a meaningful way in the life of their schools and community, their unique perspectives are valued for the knowledge and insight that they bring, and they are supported to take action for real change. Our EnviroGroup does a wonderful job of leading this in our school.
2. Learning for Sustainability recognises the types of teaching and learning that foster student empowerment, decision-making, action and sustainable outcomes.
3. Māori Perspectives honours the status of tangata whenua in this land and the value of indigenous knowledge in enriching and guiding learning and action.
4. Respect for the Diversity of People and Cultures acknowledges the unique gifts, contributions and perspectives of individuals and groups, reinforcing the need for participatory decision-making in Enviroschools.
5. Sustainable Communities act in ways that nurture people and nature, now and in the future, to maintain the health and viability of our environment, society, culture and economy.

We are teaching children to take responsibility for their rubbish by taking it home. This includes yoghurt pottles which children rinse and take home to reuse or recycle. Already we are seeing children take increased responsibility and show more respect for our school environment.

One advantage for parents is that you can see whether or not your child is eating their lunch/snack. Some parents report that they are even changing what types of packaging they send lunches/snacks in, which is most encouraging!

This is only one aspect of our EnviroSchools programme, and the EnviroGroup will be exploring ways to continue to improve the system based on feedback. If you would like to give us feedback then please do so. You can do this via the school office, speak to a staff member or me, or comment on our blog posts.

Remember - the best way to strengthen our partnership is through positive communication in the right forum.

Talented Tamariki

Over the last couple of weeks we've been treated at our kura to a whole range of talented students all showing strength and self-belief to share their talents. This is one of the many examples of our amazing place of learning and the partnership that supports this. Children have shared jokes, dances, songs and musical instruments. Congratulations to the Student Leadership Council, in particular Jayden and Cameron for your leadership. Organising this event has involved our SLC figuring out how to make this happen and they have led it from the start.

 

The children have learned that two important aspects of leadership are how effectively one communicates and how well we organise special events such as these. Well done to our performers, these talented tamariki have shone not only through the skill of their performances, but also in the values and competencies developed as part of taking the risk!

 

Intentions Next Year

As we approach the end of the year, it is time now for every family to let us know of your intentions for 2011. Please go to www.burnham.school.nz/nextyear to let us know what you are intending.

Of course, if you wish to speak to Rob or the class teacher about the placement of your child next year, we are more than happy to make a time. Face to face is always the best way to strengthen our partnership.

Draft Strategic Plan - Feedback please

The Board of Trustees have been undertaking a very exciting process of updating our Strategic Plan. This committee have now developed a draft strategic plan for 2-11-2014 which we need your feedback and comment on. This document, along with other information about the process we've undertaken, is located at this address:

www.burnham.school.nz/ourfuture

I strongly encourage all whanau, friends and community members to give the team their thoughts on this plan, using this online form or the paper feedback sheet which will come home with this weeks newsletter.

Rob Clarke

Principal

School Beautician - Cleaner Required

School Beautician - Cleaner 25 hours per week

Burnham School - Te Kura o Tiori seeks a new cleaner. This position involves general cleaning duties, liaison with other staff and supporting the development of a great learning environment. The successful candidate will have an eye for detail, excellent communication and teamwork skills, be dedicated to quality work and show a commitment to getting the job done to the highest possible standards. You will become part of a dynamic and committed team.

To apply, please post or email a letter of application and CV to the principal, Rob Clarke at principal@burnham.school.nz by: noon 15 November.