18 February 2010

From the Associate Principal

Our values for term 1 are PCS:
Polite, Considerate and Sensible
Our focus is on really good manners.

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Our great start to the year continues!  The warm weather allows the students to enjoy the outdoors and our third week back has seen all of our options underway during break one and break two.  Students have now selected the activities they would like to take part in for this term.   

Gifted and Talented:  Our gifted and talented programmes have also commenced this week.  Taryn Naidoo is taking a gifted and talented programme for selected students in year 4, 5 and 6.  Each year group will have an afternoon session each week.  The focus for this term is ‘Climate Change’.
A gifted and talented programme has also commenced for students in the year 1, 2 and 3 area of the school with a literacy focus.  An additional gifted and talented literacy programme facilitated by Pelu Leaupepetele will also take place this term with selected students from the senior school. These programmes will be taken in two sessions each week for the duration of term one.
All students selected for our gifted and talented programmes will be bringing a letter home with additional information for parents.  

Homework:  We are very aware of the importance of physical activity for our students.  With this in mind, weekly homework will now include a component of physical activity.  We have suggested a minimum of 10 minutes each afternoon or evening.  This can be achieved readily by taking the dog for a walk, riding a bike, kicking a ball around etc….

Important Notice:  Accompanying this week’s newsletter is a parent survey about national standards.  
Can you please complete this form and return it to school tomorrow or as soon as possible.  We really need to know what parents in our community think about the new national standards.  
This survey can be completed using the form provided or by accessing the website indicated on the form and completing the form electronically.

Thank you in advance for your support with this survey, your response is very important to us.
Have a lovely weekend and enjoy your wonderful children.

Kind regards,
Susan Fidler
Associate Principal

General Notices

Welcome to our New Student: Papatoetoe Central School welcomes the following new student to our school –  Natalie Keys.

Assembly Day:  On Monday, 22 February, Room 07 will lead our assembly.  As always you are most welcome to attend but please make sure that you are seated by 1.15pm.

Class visits to St Christopher's Residential Home:  Tomorrow, Friday, 19 February (weather permitting) at 1.30pm,  Room 07 will be visiting St Christopher's Hospital.

Environment Tips: There are a number of simple steps we can all take to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle much of the waste that is produced in our school and at home.
Reuse plastic containers such as yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, etc for use during art activities.
Use refillable food containers and bottles
Pack a Waste-Free Lunch. A waste-free lunch means that you have no packaging to throw away when you're done - nothing other than apple cores, banana and orange peels, peach or cherry stones. The best way to reduce garbage is to not create it.


URGENT

We are updating our student management system and would like to enter your email address for communication purposes.  Could every family please fill in the slip below and return to the school office as soon as possible.

Family Name _________________________________                        email address______________________________________

Each student’s first name and room numbers:____________________________________________________________________________________________


Term Events

Cricket & Playball Zones    Tuesday, 2 March       
Meet the teacher evening    Wednesday, 3 March
PCS Mufti Day- World Vision    Friday, 5 March           
PTA Meeting            Monday, 15 March
Swimming Zones        Tuesday, 16 March       
PTA Disco (6 pm – 8.30 pm)    Friday, 19 March
BoT Meeting            Monday, 29 March        
Last day of term        Thursday, 1 April
Community Notice

GIRLS' BRIGADE IN PAPATOETOE:  Girls' Brigade is a Christian organisation that has been delivering development programmes to New Zealand girls' since 1928. The Girls' Brigade programme is a four sided programme designed to develop girls' mentally, physically, spiritually and socially within the community, and is for girls' and young women aged 5 - 18 years.
 The 5th Papatoetoe Company, meet at the Wesley Methodist Church Hall, 37 Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe on Wednesday's of school terms and from 6.00pm to 7.30pm.
 The cost is $20.00 per Term and the uniform is purchased through Postie Plus shops.
 We also have three other Girls' Brigade Companies in Papatoetoe who meet on other nights of the week.
 If you would like any other information please don't hesitate to contact me by email cbknock@xtra.co.nz or phone me on mobile 0274394395, or home 2784373.