Digital Safety Guidelines - final draft

Please find below the final draft for our Digital Safety Guidelines for our school. This document has been in draft form for the last couple of weeks as we've asked for feedback from parents. We've considered the feedback and included it as follows in this document:

1. One suggestion was to make the student rules more positive as they read as a long list of 'do nots'. We've altered most of the rules for students - some (eg. do not look up inappropriate material on the Internet), remain as do nots!
2. Another query related to the legality of us asking for student and parent signatures on a document that could be seen as a legal document (as it is signed), and would therefore require re-signing after every revision. Our intention in requiring a signature is to ensure the document is given importance. We've decided to only ask for a complete re-signing if the content is dramatically altered. We've also decided to give families adequate notice of any upcoming revisions and improvements to the document.

Below is the final draft document which will be put out for signing by every student and family day one of Term Two. If you want to be ahead of the game you may download the document here, prior to it coming home.

Heal Christchurch special event

Here's something that just came through which may be of interest/use to whanau:

On 24th and 25th March qualified healthcare practitioners are giving FREE 30-minute stress relief sessions at the Geo Dome. This event is called 'Heal Christchurch' and is targetted to supporting people with ongoing effects from the earthquakes. It looks well worth checking out. You can event book an appointment here...

Here is the flyer...

I might need some healing after the City to Surf on Sunday!

Taiaha Wananga - Easter Weekend

Here are the registration, medical and brochures for the Taumutu Easter Weekend wananga

1. Outside Brochure
2. Inside Brochure
3. Rego + Medical Form

We had two of our boys attend the last wananga and they had a fantastic time!

Incredible Years Parenting Course

The Ministry of Education: Special Education and Family Works is offering the Incredible Years Parenting Programme to parents to be held at Rolleston School, Tennyson Street, Rolleston, beginning Tuesday 13 March 2012. This is an extremely well-researched programme which supports parents to develop and build on the skills which they already have as well as developing a toolkit of ways to handle  any challenging / problem behaviours and issues .

 

Every parent brings their own unique contribution and it is this mix and variety which makes the programme so worthwhile. Parenting is a hard job and we are not born experts – the group process is a great way of gaining some fresh ideas and support from other parents.

 

Parents meet in a group situation once a week- 9.30 am through to 12.00 pm - over a period of 16 weeks. Programme sessions are not held during school holidays. You are welcome to ring or email us at any time if you need some further information or wish to clarify any aspects of the programme. We can be contacted at the numbers below.

 

There is no cost to parents and we provide weekly handouts to build up a parenting tool kit and a book (worth over $45) for parents who regularly attend.

 

If you are interested in participating in this programme please contact either Rolleston School or one of us directly – we would love to hear from you as without 16 parents we cannot begin this great programme. Texting as a means of contact is welcome

 

A morning tea is also provided.

Link to the pamphlet for this course is here...

Link to general pamphlet for this course is here...

Anna Mowat                                                    Erin Sturman - erin.sturman@minedu.govt.nz

Family Works                                                 Ministry of Education – Special Education

Cell: 021 712 173                                            Cell: 027 205 7950

Rolleston Community Picnic Feb 22nd

This might be a great chance to enjoy an evening with friends and family:

Preparation for Learning Conferences

Dear parents/caregivers,

There are two things that parents/caregivers need to do for our Learning Conferences this Wed/Thurs:

1. Book the conference by going to: www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and putting in school code of: PGKF2.
2. Complete the 3 Wishes Survey which feeds into our goal setting.

The chart below shows the number of responses to our 3 Wishes Survey. As you can see, this part of the preparation for our Learning Conferences this Wednesday and Thursday is well underway. Please ensure you've completed this survey prior to the conference as your class teacher will be checking and using this information to help formulate goals with your child.



I will be emailing those who have yet to complete the survey this afternoon. We'd love to see all children at the conference, if you or your teacher wishes to have a private chat about your child's learning, they will be asked to wait outside.

We are also planning on getting you to check your contact details while you wait for your conference outside the classroom.

Okains Bay Waitangi Day Out

Welcome to 2012 & key dates

Kia ora koutou whanau,

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.

I hope you've had a wonderful holiday and are looking forward to the school year beginning. This is a quick note to ensure you've remembered a key event for next week, plus to let you know how the year starts this Tuesday.

Welcome to new whanau to our wonderful kura! Here are the details of the start for you all:

Tuesday 31 Feb 8.55am Mihi Whakatau

We start off this year with a mihi whakatau. This is a less formal welcome than a powhiri and will have some similiarities. Kaumatua from our local marae will welcome new children/whanau onto the school and will guide us in this process. At this stage, please expect the following:

1. Tuesday 8.30-8.45am - all students take their bags to their new classrooms so they can assemble for the mihi whakatau. 
2. 9am New students, staff and whanau - you will either meet together to be welcomed in. Staff will advise whether this is inside the school grounds, or outside the main school gate on Godley Road. Sandra Keenan, our NE/Y1 class teacher will bring new children/whanau/staff in to ensure our youngest children are with their teacher.
3. The mihi whakatau will be held in the hall - everyone is welcome.
4. After the mihi whakatau we will have a chance for a cup of tea and light refreshment. 

Wednesday Back To School Community Picnic & Meet the Teacher

Last year we planned a back to school picnic and we've invited the Pre-School and Kindy to join us (Kindy aren't able to this time). This starts on the school field at 4.30 with music, games and if the weather is good the possibility of a sprinkler! Please bring a picnic to share to relax and enjoy with your family and meet new people, including staff. The camp pool is booked for our use also (parents must be responsible for their children).

At 5pm, meet the teacher will begin. The schedule for this is posted here, starting with R1 & R6 5-5.15. We very much hope to see you there.

Warm regards,

Rob and the team

2012 Reports & Tentative Class Placements

School reports are coming out next Thursday along with the tentative class placement for your child next year. We've decided to put the class placement letter in the same envelope as the 2011 Report so that parents don't miss these important documents. 

I ask that parents are the ones to open reports with their child so that this doesn't get missed! Please remember that staff have worked really hard to capture the key learning from the year for each and every student, they have checked with the 3 Wishes information and goal setting from throughout the year. If you find you don't understand or even disagree with any part(s) of the report, it is important you let the teacher know and make a time for a phone call or a chat. 

Similarly with class placements, this is a complex process and so placements are tentative for the first week or two into the new school year. This is the first time we've done class placements at this time of year and so they may change based on new enrollments or leavers at the start of the 2012 school year. Our aim is to help ensure a smoother transition into the new school year by doing this. Plus stationery can be pre-ordered using our new online ordering system which Trish will update you on soon.


As always, if you have questions, concerns or worries about this - talk to your teacher or me and we will be happy to see how we can best meet the needs of your child(ren). Thank you to those who completed the intentions for next year survey which gave us good information to make the best placement possible.

Staffing Update - welcome Lucy Ellery

I'm pleased to announce that Burnham School has managed to establish a new cluster focussed on strengthening sports teaching and sport involvement between Burnham, Ladbrooks and Lincoln Primary Schools. This is a part-time position which is funded partly through the KiwiSport funding provided to schools each year as well as a contribution by each Board of Trustees. 

Lucy Ellery - Sports Co-ordinator

Lucy brings with her a wealth of experience in sport organisation, teaching and coaching. Initially Lucy is familiarising herself with each school and has already worked with our senior students. Through support from Sport Canterbury Lucy will establish strong club links with Lincoln and the surrounding areas to help build pathways for pupils outside of school hours.

Starting next year our Year 7/8s will travel to Lincoln for Technology instruction on Fridays so they can compete and play sports each Friday afternoon against a wider pool of competitors from the three schools. Lucy will also be helping staff at each school design richer experiences for developing sports and physical education programmes. Welcome Lucy!

Whanau Hui 2011 Wednesday 30 November 5pm @ the Camp Whare

Nau mai, haere mai ngā whānau katoa  ki te hui "Mātauranga o ngā ākonga Māori o Te Kura o Tiori" ki te whare o te 'Whānau a Tūmatauenga o Tiori'.

Welcome families of Te Kura o Tiori to the whare of Tūmatauenga o Tiori for the purpose of a hui about the future of education for our māori tamariki.

This hui is for all those interested in māori education in our community. We will share back progress since our last hui and looking to the future. 

Invited speakers include kaumātua from Taumutu and Burnham Camp.

The school will be putting on some kai/food for dinner after a mihi whakatau. Families are welcome to bring a plate to share if they wish. Tamariki are welcome! 

Please let us know numbers attending for catering purposes.

Host Family Opportunities 2012

Student Exchange Australia New Zealand is a not-for-profit organisation registered with the New Zealand Ministry of Education. You can find out more by visiting www.studentexchange.org.nz
In January 2012 Student Exchange Australia New Zealand Ltd will be receiving exchange students from Japan, Europe, the USA and Latin America. The new arrivals will live with a host family and attend a local school for 2-10 months.
They are keen to hear from suitable families located in New Zealand who might be interested to host a student. Host families come in all shapes and sizes, backgrounds and ages. To this end, we would again be grateful if you would place a notice in your newsletter/bulletin or mention it on your website. Please note that all our host families are interviewed in their homes and carefully checked for suitability.
All students have at least basic levels of English, would attend a school in your local area and live the life of a local. Our group of students cover a wide variety of interests and hobbies. If you would like to provide your students, parents or language teachers with further information on our inbound students you can also download some student profiles in PDF Format. This is just a small sample of all the students who will be arriving. Our staff members will be happy to discuss which student might be best suited to a family.
Hosting an exchange student can be a truly rewarding experience. It allows a family to experience a foreign culture first hand, be exposed to a new language and pass on a bit of our own culture. They might even make a friend for life!
“It’s been a fantastic experience so far...It’s been great having an older brother for our young kids. Simon has been a fantastic role model...Simon helps around the house a lot. One of the first things he said to us during the first couple of days he was here was what should my chores be? I was delighted to hear him say that.” Victoria, Host Mum
"Hosting Kirstine has brought our family closer together. We’re doing things we used to do when our kids were little, like boiling the billy, having a BBQ and baking apples up the paddock. She’s helped us remember how to have fun when we’re working and take time out for adventures.” Sharon, Host Mum
"Being the youngest and the only one left at home I was looking forward to having another teenager in the house. While Charlotte helps me with my French I help her with her English lessons and I have taught her many Aussie words and sayings. We both love to shop and shop and shop..." Grace, Host Sister
If you have any questions about hosting an exchange student or would like to view profiles of students arriving from other countries, you can either respond to this email or call our office on 0800 440 079. No obligation.
Nick Lorentzen
National Director
Suite 2590, PO Box 83000, Wellington 6440 New Zealand
Tel: 0800-440079
Fax: 0800-440079
Web: www.studentexchange.org.nz

Election links for education

This is a re-mixed post from a NZ Principals' Federation email received recently. It has ideas and thoughts about the upcoming election for your interest:

The past three years have been trying for education as we have watched much of what so dear to us come under fire. Our NZC is seen as the jewel in our education system’s crown and we are just beginning to see the benefits of all the hard work schools and communities have put into developing a world class curriculum. 

Our system is excellent and up with the very best in the world. We sit alongside Singapore, Finland and Shanghai, all countries which invest significantly more in education than our own government does.  Everything about the new curriculum is about ensuring every single child, regardless of their abilities or capabilities will have an education best suited to their needs. The curriculum is premised on the belief that every child is unique, learning does not progress in a straight line and every child will learn in their own way and at their own pace. Of course we assess and monitor progress along the way and of course children’s progress is reported to you as parents regularly. 

The logical next step to complement our excellent NZC is better and more effective ways to bring more children into our achievement statistics.  It deeply concerns NZPF that NZ has too many of some groups of children not achieving well and we want to improve teaching methods for any children who find learning a challenge. Rather than funding professional development for excellent strategies like Ka Hikitia and Te Kotahitanga for primary schools which could make a significant difference for achievement this government has spent millions on the policy of National Standards.  

As we proceed into the election campaign, we see the National Party’s position.  As all other political parties launch their education policies we are seeing the views of the real public of New Zealand coming through. 

This link http://www.interest.co.nz/news/54199/election-2011-party-policies-education gives a brief summary of education policies of all the parties currently in government, you can also access full education policies through the party website links. I suggest you check it out! 

Party website links to education policies: 

• National Party   http://www.national.org.nz/PDF_General/21st_Century_Schools_policy.pdf 
• Labour Party     http://www.ownourfuture.co.nz/achieving-school 
• Green Party      http://www.greens.org.nz/policy/education 
• Maori Party       http://www.maoriparty.org/index.php?pag=cms&id=193&p=policy-2011---kawanatanga-page.html 

• ACT Party         http://www.act.org.nz/policies 

• United Future    http://www.unitedfuture.org.nz/education/  

• Mana Party       http://mana.net.nz/policy/

Keeping Ourselves Safe Parent Seminar 10 Nov

Dear whānau,

On Thursday we had 13 parents attend the seminar about our Keeping Ourselves Safe programme. This is a national programme run in conjunction wth schools and NZ Police. We hope you found it useful and interesting in your role of supporting the staff to help our children learn to be more safe as they learn and grow. Here is the presentation for those who were unable to make it:

Thanks to Chris Thurlow for supporting this important topic for our parents and children. Meg Moynihan, our community constable, begins the programme today.

EXPO of Learning Photos

We had a fantastic turn out to our annual EXPO of Learning last week - nearly double than last year! Thank you whanau for supporting us in the growth of your child's learning.

Halloween Party Saturday 29 Oct

Teens Halloween Party

Saturday, October 29, 8.30 pm to 11 pm

Burnham Community Centre,  Entry Fee $3

Entry to Military teens and their invited friends only!

 Kids Halloween Party

Saturday, October 29,

4.30 pm to 7.00 pm

Burnham Community Centre

Entry Fee $2 

Limited to 150 tickets

Download/print invite flyer

Keeping Ourselves Safe Parent Seminar - Thursday 10 Nov 2-3pm

This is one of the booklets
that teachers work with.

We are running a seminar for parents to give an overview of this important topic which the entire school is focussed on from week 3. 

KOS is a personal safety programme and we will share what it is, why it is important and what is taught. We require minimum 10 parents to run this seminar because we run this in conjunction with NZ Police. More information about KOS in next weeks newsletter or www.police.govt.nz

RSVP via www.burnham.school.nz/facebook or admin@burnham.school.nz or 347 6851

School Athletics Sports postponed until Thursday 6th

Due to poor weather we are postponing our athletics sports until this coming Thursday.

 

If this poor weather continues, we'll advise a new date.

Volunteers needed for tree planting day - 8th Oct

Volunteers are needed for a planting day on Saturday October 8th at Mitchell’s Rd Mudfish Restoration. You’ll need to get yourselves there, but all equipment is supplied, along with morning tea and lunch!

Te Ara Kakariki are organising the day and all details are included in the registration kit, however, you will need to send an email to register@ kakariki.org.nz to let them know you are coming.

Mitchell’s Rd is a very important restoration site for WET – find out more about the site here.

This planting day is the final phase of the Canterbury Plantout – already this has involved 150 students, staff and parents from Burnham school and over 200 community volunteers in planting 3,800 native plants at 14 different sites.

Mitchell’s Rd is one site that couldn’t be included in the Plantout weekend in September so we’re having another planting day – hope you can make it.

 

Access to School Dental Services over the October school holiday period

The Community Dental Service has a contract to provide an emergency dental service for pre-schoolers and primary school children over the school holiday period. The service is limited to the relief of acute pain only and will operate from 8:30am until 12:30pm from the Hillmorton Community Clinic, Sylvan Street, Christchurch for the following times.

Monday, 10^th October – Friday 21^st October (excluding weekends) 

 

Routine treatment will not be offered/available over the holidays and any accident related issues will be referred to Community Dentists as per usual practise.

 

We would appreciate it if you could place the following notice in newsletters until the end of term to inform parents of these arrangements. If you wish to discuss any aspect of this letter please do not hesitate to contact me. Many thanks for your ongoing support of the Community Dental Service.