Sunday 27 February 2011

School Re-opening - Update 3, 27 February

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Dear Burnham School Community,

We have now completed all checks including buildings, services, and staff welfare. We are delighted to be able to open for a normal school day tomorrow. Our amazing staff is prepared and ready to care for our children next week. Thank you to our Board and PTA for their support as we re-open.
We are expecting a number of new children of families who are displaced as a result of the earthquake and aftershocks. We trust that we can ease the transition through joining our supportive, caring and fun learning community.

For new families to our community, welcome, please know we are here to support you. You do not need to provide immunisation/birth certificate information - but we do require emergency contact details. Please use the forms on the enrollment page on our web site. If you are enrolling on a permanent basis, email uniforms@burnham.school.nz to let our PTA know the uniform sizes your child(ren) require.

A number of people have offered various supports such as a place to stay, blankets and other essential items in our Burnham Helping Hands noticeboard linked from the school web site. Other information and resources are available at our EQ Resources page here...

Any parents/caregivers that wish to have a coffee/chat are welcome to spend some time in our staffroom after drop off or prior to collection any day this week.

Access to the school:
Because all camp gates are closed we are in what is known as 'limited lockdown' mode. The only access to the school will be via the Godley Road gates at the following times:
  • 8.15-9.15am for drop off
  • 2.30-4pm for collection
If you require access to the school, or if anyone needs to leave please ring the office on 347 6851 or text Rob.

Other Information:
  • Parents/caregivers are welcome to join us at any time during the day - just let us know.
  • All visitors must sign in at the office and sign out again when leaving.
  • If you feel your child(ren) is not yet ready to come back to school, that is fine. Please send an email to admin@burnham.school.nz to let us know if this is the case.
  • You can keep in contact via email, text, facebook and via our web site. We are texting this information out this afternoon and hope this text arrives this afternoon rather than during the evening! Apologies for texts that were delayed due to text messages being 'pulsed' in bulk as the network is repaired.
  • We will be closely monitoring all children throughout the week and in upcoming weeks. We will inform you if we believe your child requires you.
Please let anyone you know may not have internet/email access know of this, or forward it to those you may now who intend on joining us.
We hope you and your loved ones, and homes, are safe and well.

Our thoughts and wishes are with those most affected in Christchurch and those who are more vulnerable in our community. Please ask if you require support and stay safe.

Warm regards,

Rob Clarke, Principal
Angela Cameron, Board Chairperson
On behalf of the staff and Board of Trustees team

Wednesday 23 February 2011

School Closure - Update 2, 23 February

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Dear Burnham School Community,

Following Ministry of Education instructions, we are closed all week and until further notice.

We hope you and your loved ones, and homes, are safe and well.

We want to take this opportunity to thank our amazing staff, Board members and parents for their professionalism, care and dedication in ensuring a safe and calm end to the school day yesterday. We truly appreciate you all.

Our thoughts and wishes are with those most affected in Christchurch and those who are more vulnerable in our community. Please ask if you require support and stay safe.
Further information will be on the school website, via email and our Facebook page.
Information about re-opening will be posted over the weekend.


Rob Clarke, Principal
Angela Cameron, Board Chairperson

Tuesday 22 February 2011

School Closure - Update 1 - 22nd Feb

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Dear Burnham School Community - we are closed until further notice following Ministry of Education advice.


We will update you as the situation changes. 


Please stay safe and look after your loved ones and friends. 


Ask if you require support. 


Rob and the team.

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Future of Education Presentation

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Here is the slideshow I am using at tonight's Meet the Teacher evening about the Future of Education. If there are themes or ideas that aren't in this I'll update it for those of you who can't make it:

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Mathletics hits Burnham School

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During 2010 the senior team trialled an online learning tool called 'Mathletics'. This tool is the foremost online learning tool in use across Australasia and is used by tens of thousands of children around the world. In New Zealand alone there are more than 500 schools using this system. Mathletics is used to help children learn maths and spelling, through a range of exciting and motivating online tools.

There are all sorts of possibilities with this system, including:

  • students can compete against one another and others across the world
  • parents can be emailed reports on their child's progress
  • there are games, drills and tests which students can use
  • the system ties directly into the New Zealand curriculum, which is helpful for parents and brilliant for teachers
  • the system provides certificates as students progress
  • teachers can personalise the system to their class by altering what students can use at any time
  • teachers can set homework for students using this system, which auto-marks

This system costs $100 per child if you bought it for an individual at home. Because we have signed up for our senior school we get it for $30 per student.

We know that costs are always a concern for parents and so for the first year we've also decided to subsidise this cost by contributing $10 for each student towards this cost, thus lowering the cost to parents. We really believe this system will help us continue to make a huge difference to learning for our children.

What happens next?
All parents of senior school students will receive a notice at Meet The Teacher tomorrow evening with their child's username and password, along with instructions for setting up parent notifications. Teachers and students will also talk about this exciting development during the evening.

Meet the Teacher Timetable 2011

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Te kura o Tiori - Burnham School
Meet the Teacher 
5-7pm, Wednesday 16 February 2011

Ma tini ma mano ka rapa te whai.

By many, by thousands, the work will be accomplished.

Many hands make light work.

Unity is strength.


We invite all parents/caregivers and whānau to our 'Meet the Teacher' evening. 
This year we are altering the format slightly as our hall is out of action due to earthquake damage.
Rob Clarke, our principal is offering a short session on the future of education which will run twice.

Goals of the evening:
    1. Building a great relationship with your class teacher
    2. Learning a bit about class routines and expectations
    3. Questions and answers
    4. Completing the 3 Wishes Survey to help us with goal setting if you have not already.

TimeLocation & TeacherOther Opportunities
5.00Room 1, meet Sandra Keenan
5.15Room 2, meet Chris ThurlowClassroom values
5.30Room 3, meet Gemma OderingFuture of Education with Rob Clarke, principal, in the library
5.45Room 4, meet Pam Golding
6.00-6.15Room 6, all parents of seniorsOverview of eportfolios, mathletics
6.15Room 7, meet Mātua Nathan
6.30Room 5, meet Kelly SheppardFuture of Education with Rob Clarke, principal, in the library
6.45Room 6, meet Linda Sweeny


Tuesday 8 February 2011

Swimming Timetable Term 1 2011 - parents

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Term 1 Swimming Intensive Timetable

WednesdayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
9.30 - 10.00Room 6Room 6Room 6Room 6Room 6
10.00 - 10.30Room 7Room 7Room 7Room 7Room 7





10.30 - 11.00Room 2Room 2Room 5Room 5Room 5
11.00 - 11.30Room 3Room 3Room 3Room 3Room 3
11.30 - 12.00Room 1Room 1Room 1Room 1Room 1






12.00 - 12.30Room 5Room 5Room 2Room 2Room 2
12.30 - 1.00Room 4Room 4Room 4Room 4Room 4


Monday 7 February 2011

Water Polo for Kids

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Perfect timing to give the kids a new experience and a great work out - check out water polo at Wharenui Pool this Sunday or the 20th Feb. This would be a great chance to help develop swimming skills and I guarantee the kids will sleep well on the night!

Friday 4 February 2011

Earth Hour - Go Room 2

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Check out this awesome movie by Room 2 to promote Earth Hour - I think you are fabulous team!