Newsletter 11, Term 3 Week 8 2020

We are looking forward to the time when Level 2 is done and dusted and our parents can once again come into classrooms and the walkway – we miss your presence! Meanwhile, it has been SO heartening to walk into classrooms and see our students actively engaged in their learning. We have been gathering student voice this term, focusing on engagement in our learners – I have been stunned at how confidently and articulately even our youngest students are able to speak so proudly about themselves as learners. Our Active Learners are certainly thriving, despite lockdown.

We have also been taking note of the wellbeing of our students during this level 2. Our observations lead us to believe that our students were missing ‘connecting’ with those from other year levels.  So, as from this week, our students will be able to play in the same areas as each other. Early reports are that our children are relaxing, smiling and enjoying each other’s company. We are still using hand sanitiser before entering classrooms, washing our hands before eating and not participating in whole school gatherings within confined spaces, such as assemblies and kapa haka.

Bee Healthy Dental Van Onsite

The school dental team will be onsite Wednesday 9 – Wednesday 16 September. This is a free service for all primary students, paid for by the Ministry of Health. Unless parents have informed us otherwise, all students will have a dental check-up. These checks will show whether your child needs to have further treatment either at the local MOH dental clinic (based at Raroa Intermediate), or at a private dental surgery.  In the meantime, cutting down on sugary foods and drinks, as well as brushing teeth every day are great steps towards helping beat cavities in our students’ teeth.

Sunhat Orders Closing Date – 9am, Friday 11 September

Term 4 is quickly approaching and so too is summer + sunshine. A reminder that all students must wear wide-brimmed hats in terms 1 & 4. They can either choose their own style to wear or purchase one of the Rewa Rewa School sunhats that we have available in 6 different colours, in sizes S-XL. Order forms have been sent home or you can request a form from the Office.  Hats are available in the Office to check for size and colour.  We are hopeful that the current order will arrive in time for the first week of next term. However, please expect that delays may still be experienced by our suppliers.

Birthday Celebrations

Everyone has a birthday, but not everyone has a parent who is able to either bake or buy a cake large enough to share with a class. We also have students with food allergies who are unable to eat products such as milk, flour and peanuts. For this reason, we try to discourage birthday cakes/sweet treats being brought to school – please keep these for the birthday celebrations at home. If you would like to recognize your child’s birthday at school, a book gifted to the library or a ball for the class to play with could be a possible alternative. Thank you.

Board of Trustees News

Schools in the Newlands cluster

Our local primary schools, intermediate and college have been quietly beavering away in the background, exploring who we are and what we want to achieve for all tamariki across our six schools. Preserving our individual identities will be very important, but we also want to celebrate who we are and share what we can achieve together as a community. We’d love to hear your feedback.

2021 Terms 1 & 2 Out of Zone Enrolment Applications – 30 September 2020

If you live out of our school’s enrolment zone, and you have a child who is starting school next year, you MUST complete and submit your enrolment by the appropriate due date.  If you already have children who are at our school, but you live out of zone, all siblings must have their enrolment applications submitted in the correct ballot for their intended start date (usually their 5^th birthday). The deadline for out of zone students applying to start school in terms 1 & 2, 2021 is 12 noon, Friday 30 October 2020. If you have any questions, please email office@rewarewa.school.nz so that we can assist you to follow this process.

Parent Volunteers

We are looking for a few ‘heavy lifting’ volunteers to join the Principal and Caretaker to remove and restack furniture (e.g. tables, shelving), in the school’s storage container during the next holidays. We estimate that this will take about 2-3 hours on a fine morning between 5-9 October. If you are happy to be on this work party phone list, please email your details to office@rewarewa.school.nz ASAP – if you are unable to help on the chosen day, that is absolutely fine.

Head Lice  

This is an ongoing problem in schools and we recommend that you regularly check your child’s hair and act quickly using recommended treatments, as necessary (readily available from supermarkets and pharmacies). Contact your local pharmacy or GP’s nurse for further advice and support.

The garden club learning about edible and delicious flowers.

Wednesday 9 – Wednesday 16 September

Friday 25 September       3pm

Monday 12 October        9am

Friday 13 November

Tuesday 15 December    1pm

Bee Healthy Regional Dental Service onsite

End of Term 3

Start of Term 4

NIS 2021 Enrolments Orientation Morning

End of Term 4