Principal's Message
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge those parents who make it a priority to get their children to school everyday they are well enough to attend. Currently our schoolwide attendance rate is at 91%. Our Board of Trustees has set an attendance target of 94%. We still have a number of parents taking their children out of school for holidays during term time. This is not permitted and leave such as this will not be approved. Please ensure you book holidays during the 12 weeks allocated each year. If your child’s attendance slips below 90% each year it will mean by the time they are in Year 13 they will have missed more than a year of schooling. To understand the importance of attendance I encourage you to have a look at this link. It has some great tips for parents on how to ensure their child attends school regularly.
Kāhui Ako
Baverstock Oaks School is very fortunate to be part of the Waipaparoa Kāhui Ako with the following schools: Willowbank, Pt View, Somerville Intermediate, Shelly Park, Cockle Bay, Howick College and Botany Downs Secondary College. Over the past few years we have been working on identifying the capabilities (Āheitanga) our students require at important transition points during their schooling. So you can support your child with these capabilities, please have a look at this document which will give you a greater understanding of Āheitanga and what you can do at home to support them.
Year 6 Camp
I was fortunate enough to visit our Year 6 students who attended camp on Kawau Island last week. Thank you so much to those parents who entrusted our very capable teachers to take care of your child for the week. I saw great connections being made between students and teachers. Some children were out of their comfort zone, yet embraced the challenges and showed real perseverance and determination. This camp will have helped create many great memories and allowed the students to learn lots of new skills.
I would also like to thank the staff who made this camp a possibility. Suzanne Burnett, Jane Drury, Holly Skipper, Liz Stone and Laurel Webber. Without the hours and hours of organisation and preparation, exceptional learning opportunities such as this would not happen. This year we also had a wonderful group of parents, many of whom took a week's annual leave from their own work to support their child and all the children who attended. Thank you so much for offering your time and expertise to support our teachers and students.
Year 1 Breakfast Morning
Last week our Year 1 teachers organised a wonderful morning for their students. The 5 year olds came to school in their pyjamas, had breakfast, learnt the skills of spreading butter and toppings on their toast, learned to wash their plates, clear the tables and get ready for school. This involved brushing their teeth, washing their hands and face, combing their hair and changing into their shorts and t-shirt. They finished this exciting morning with a tabloid event under Te Kapua.
This initiative was a wonderful way of developing our students' independence. Those children, whose parents supported this initiative, proved to teachers and parents that 5 year olds can do anything as long as they are encouraged and supported. Well done to our Year 1 teachers, Sarah Hsu, Jodey Hopkins and Lisa Nolan.
Transitions
One of the most challenging transitions can be for our Year 6 students who move on to their new school in Year 7. They are leaving a school they have been attending for up to 6 years. They are saying goodbye to some friends they have had since Year 1 and on top of this many of these students, both boys and girls, are going through puberty. Don’t underestimate what an anxious time this can be for your Year 6 child.
One thing parents can do to support their child is to make the decision early as to where your child will be transitioning to. This enables them to be involved in the transition days we set up and helps them ease any anxiety they may be experiencing. We are extremely fortunate in this area to have top quality schools but many have very strict enrolment zones. Investigate early, make an appointment to visit the options you have, make your decision, and complete your enrolment forms as soon as possible. All of these things will help support your child during this time of change.
Ramadan
I know many of our families are currently celebrating Ramadan. I acknowledge this very significant celebration for our muslim community.
For those of you unfamiliar with the focus of Ramadan, this is the holiest month for muslims. Fasting from dawn to dusk is prescribed for all muslims who choose to. It has been observed for 1,400 years and has 2 billion muslims observing this across the world. During Ramadan muslims focus on thinking about others, it is a time to focus on high moral values and being kind to each other. Feeling hungry and thirsty helps muslims to understand what it is like for people in the world who do not have enough to eat or drink all the time.
This year Ramadam runs from 10 March - 9 April. It ends in a celebration known as Eid al Fitr which means Festival of breaking the fast. For those families whose children are fasting it would be good for you to inform their classroom teacher so they can provide your child the opportunity to share with their classmates what Ramadan means for them as well as allowing our teachers to be sensitive to their needs. Ramadan Mubarak.(blessed Ramadan)
Attendance
Please do not be offended if you receive an email or phone call regarding your child’s attendance. If a child slips below 90% attendance and this occurs each year, by the time they reach 13 they will have lost a year of schooling.
As indicated in my first newsletter this term, attendance is a real focus for the Ministry of Education and we are following their guidelines.
Our teachers want to create the best opportunities so your child has success in their learning and we can only do this if your child attends regularly. A reminder that our school policy states if your child is away sick for 3 days we do require a medical certificate. Thank you for your anticipated support with this.
Parent/Teacher Interviews
Many thanks to the 240 families who have already been online and booked in to see their child’s teacher on Thursday 21 March. This is an important time to make strong connections with the school. When home and school work collaboratively this is beneficial for your child’s growth and learning. I look forward to catching up with many of you on the 21st.
Noho ora mai
Genée Crowley
Principal/Tumuaki
Genée Crowley
Principal/Tumuaki
