Dear Parents & Caregivers, tēnā koutou katoa. Tēnei te mihi atu ki a koutou.
Principal’s Summary
- Celebrations of learning
- Assessment and Reporting Survey
- PTA Fundraisers
- Aupaki news
- Staffing Update
Celebrations of Learning
Today marks the end of what has been another busy but rewarding term at Sumner School. The theme of ‘challenge’ has been something that many of the students and teachers have embraced over the last 12 weeks. This was well demonstrated at Monday's full school assembly when one of Mrs Granger’s Years 5-8 enrichment groups shared their learning about our school’s motto Per Ardua Ad alta (Through difficulties to the heights).
Through their inquiries they learned that the adoption of this motto was linked to World War One and in particular the battles at Gallipoli. They also discovered that 74 past students of Sumner School fought in WWI with 14 being killed in action.
They sourced photos of many of these past students and learned about their lives and the sacrifices they made. These names have been recorded on a School’s Honors Board that was donated by the Sumner PTA in 1915.
Their inquiries culminated in a special pre ANZAC Day memorial assembly which the students organised on Monday afternoon. I was very impressed at the depth of knowledge and understanding the children gained from their inquiries. We have also had some fantastic celebrations of learning from across the school including the Festival of Challenges (Years 3&4), a range of digital resources created by the Years 1&2 and Years 7&8 Teams and the Years 5&6 Living Springs Camp.
These are all great examples of the learning that can come out of a rich concept like ‘challenge’. Next term our big concept will be ‘diversity’. I look forward to seeing what learning comes from this.
Assessment and Reporting Survey
Thank you to the parents who completed the Assessment and Reporting online survey. At the time of writing, we have received 98 responses. The Leadership Team will be meeting in the upcoming holidays to analyse the responses. If you haven’t already done so, you have until 5pm this evening to complete the survey.
We will share the results and any changes that will be made to how we report progress and achievement with you next term.
PTA Events
The PTA have some major fundraising events coming up in the next two terms. The annual PTA Quiz Night is taking place on Friday 25 May. We will once again be running the gift basket raffle. This makes up the majority of the fundraising for the event. From the beginning of Term 2 we will be asking families to drop off one item for your child(ren)’s class gift basket. These will be raffled off on the night of the quiz. More information on this will follow next term.
On Saturday 4 August, the PTA will be holding a Viva Las Vegas night. This is a great excuse to get glammed-up and come along to what will no doubt be a fabulous event. Please diary this date now. More information will follow. If you know of anyone that might be interested in sponsoring part of the event and/or donate prizes for the auction please contact Amanda Price (PTA Chair) on pta@sumner.school.nz or phone: 027 4888117.
The majority of this year's PTA fundraising will be going towards a number of landscaping projects we have identified as part of the schools rebuild programme.
Aupaki News
It has also been a very exciting last couple of weeks for the Aupaki Kāhui Ako. On the 27th and 28th March, approximately 680 Years 7-10 Aupaki students spent two days participating in a Top Town competition. The students were mixed into teams with representatives from each of the seven kura. The teams worked their way through a range of activities inspired by the 1980s Top Town competitions eg obstacle courses, puzzles and water challenges.
The event was organised by the Aupaki School Council with support from Sports Canterbury. The photos show that a fantastic time was had by all and this was a great way for our students to build relationships with each other.
Over 100 staff members from Aupaki took part in a Teacher Only Day at Rāpaki Marae on 29 March. The event started with a full pōwhiri held on the evening before to welcome us on to the marae. This was followed by a full day of workshops focusing on two key aspects of our Achievement Challenges namely engaging students in writing and improving our understanding of culturally responsive practice.
This was a very successful occasion and we look forward to bringing the Aupaki staff together again in the future to engage in more shared professional learning opportunities.
Finally, in staffing news, I’m pleased to inform you that we have appointed Miss Hannah Bennion to join Te Manawa from the beginning of Term 2. Hannah recently completed a Graduate School of Education teaching Placement in Room 5. Hannah impressed us with her energy, enthusiasm and ability to build relationships with staff, parents and students. She brings strength in literacy and the arts and has helped manage a Montessori early childhood centre in the United Kingdom.
We have also recently re-advertised the Deputy Principal’s vacancy. We hope to be in a position to appoint our new Deputy Principal by the beginning of the third term.
Have a safe and relaxing holiday. I look forward to seeing you back when school resumes on Monday 30 April.
Ngā mihi nui
Stuart Cameron
Principal
Spotlight on Excellence
Congratulations to the following students who received Surfer Awards this week at the assembly on Monday:
Sincerity: Jaely B for always showing a positive attitude towards her learning. She is always willing to help others and completes her work to a high standard.
Sincerity: Jonah C for his positive attitude towards his learning. He manages his learning well and is a responsible member of the learning Hub.
Unity: Nate O for consistently displaying a positive attitude and being inclusive of all our hub members.
Resilience: Ella A for her outstanding attitude towards her learning and the way she goes about tackling challenges.
Resilience: Zakiya F for his awesome effort in maths, demonstrating resilience and persevering through all challenges set with a positive attitude.
Respect: Hazel B-M for being a focused and self driven learner, who always strives to complete any learning task to the very best of her ability.
Respect: Ben E for your diligent and respectful attitude in maths, and demonstrating your ability to overcome any obstacles set.
Respect: Valerie P for your diligent and respectful attitude in all areas of the curriculum.
Sumner Primary School Surfers - Kaikoura & South Island Grom Series
There have been four events around the South Island (Westport, Dunedin, Christchurch, Kaikoura) with the final event in Kaikoura over the weekend at Meatworks. Amelie W, Ruby A, Holly C, and Jack T surfed the challenging conditions to semi and finals positions.
Amelie and Ruby made it to the semis with Holly coming 2nd in the 12 and under and 4th in the 14 and under girls and Jack winning the 12 and under boys over the weekend.
Jack also won the 12 and under South Island championship for 2017/18 with the maximum 3000 points having won every heat and final he entered in the South Island Grom Series. Congratulations!
Huxster Mountain Bike Event
Last Wednesday, six Sumner School students competed in the Huxster Primary School Mountain Bike Relay event at Mcleans Island. Over 500 children, from 30 schools around Canterbury turned out to ride in two-person teams around the dry and dusty fast tracks, the challenge being to complete as many laps of the 5.5km circuit as possible in 3 hours.
There were some great results from this small group of keen Sumner mountain bikers (some schools were represented by over 50 riders) and all the Sumner competitors showed great determination and team spirit. Well done to all the riders and to the parents involved in supporting the racers on the day!
Full results were:
Years 7&8 Boys
5th place: Sam C and Callum G (11 laps)
27th place: Henry R and Will D (10 laps)
Years 7&8 Girls
15th place: Jessica L and Holly S (9 laps)
Phoenix Palm Available
Due to upcoming property work, one of our Phoenix Palms needs to be removed (pictured below). We are happy to give it away to anyone who is willing to remove it. If you, or anyone you know, is interested in taking the palm please contact the Office: admin@sumner.school.nz or phone: 326 6546.
First in first served.
Due to upcoming property work, one of our Phoenix Palms needs to be removed (pictured below). We are happy to give it away to anyone who is willing to remove it. If you, or anyone you know, is interested in taking the palm please contact the Office: admin@sumner.school.nz or phone: 326 6546.
First in first served.
Entertainment Books
Help us raise funds for Sumner School by buying an Entertainment Book Membership from us. To order your Book or your Digital Membership go online to: www.entbook.co.nz/134145w
Alternatively complete the form sent home with your child earlier this week or come to the Office to pick one up. Payment by Cash or Credit card.
Quiz Night and Fundraising Raffles
Quiz night is back early next term, Friday 25 May. Time to get your friends and families organised into a team of 4-6 players. Run by our Master Quiz maker Stuart Cameron, plenty of tricky and not so tricky questions. We always have such a fun relaxed night out with friends, so please come along and help us fundraise for the Wellbeing Centre.
Running along side the Quiz we also have raffles; raffle books will be sent home with all students and donation buckets will be set up in all classrooms. This fundraiser really relies on everyone doing a small bit! Children should have a go at asking friends and families if they’d like to buy a raffle ticket or two! Most people find it hard to resist being asked for a small donation especially if done with a polite smile!
Viva Las Vegas in Sumner
Save the date Saturday 4th August for our main fundraising extravaganza of the year. A night of bright lights and entertainment packed full of Vegas inspired themes promised to keep you rocking all night long.
Come dressed in your Vegas inspired costume and your blue suede shoes and book your babysitters in.
If you’re a parent who is in a position to donate an item for our auction on the night and/or work for a business who can help sponsor please contact:
Amanda Price at pta@sumner.school.nz or call #027 4888117.
Proceeds of the night are going directly towards the school's new library and Wellbeing Centre including landscaping.
Spread the word and we’ll see you there.
Photographs
Your child should have brought home any photographs you purchased from Pacific Portraits earlier this week. Orders were significantly lower than previous years so the photographer has extended the time for placing an order. Please contact Todd at: todd@pacificportraits.co.nz with your child's name and class if you didn't receive access details to view your child's image. Online ordering closes at the end of April.
Sumner School has entered a creation in the Snap a Scarecrow competition, and everyone involved had fun getting creative in the garden!
We are sharing our entry with you and hope to get your friends and family to vote by following this link:
You can vote every 24 hours, so don't forget to keep on visiting. Competition closes 9am Monday 30 April. Winners will be contacted soon after.
School division prizes are: Peoples choice 1st: Omni, AHM prize packs and $200 Oderings Garden Centres voucher total value of $800
Judges choice 1st: Omni prize pack and Oderings Garden Centres voucher total value of $300
Autumn Holidays - Junior Tennis Coaching Camp
Thursday, 26 April and Friday, 27 April
at Sumner Tennis Club, Heberden Avenue, 9.30am to 12pm
All 5 – 12 year olds welcome
To register please contact Lynn O’Dell on 021 1632 032
Thursday, 26 April and Friday, 27 April
at Sumner Tennis Club, Heberden Avenue, 9.30am to 12pm
All 5 – 12 year olds welcome
To register please contact Lynn O’Dell on 021 1632 032
Surfkids
Children’s Surfing April Holiday Programme
Learn the skills of surfing in a fun, safe environment. All equipment provided and professional instruction from Aaron Lock and team. For kids 8 - 14 years.
April Holidays Week 1 and 2.
16 - 20th and 23 -27th April 10am to 12pm.
Cost: $30 per day or $135 for five. Bookings essential.
Venue: Sumner
Call Aaron on 0800 80 SURF (7873) or register online at www.surfcoach.co.nz
Children’s Surfing April Holiday Programme
Learn the skills of surfing in a fun, safe environment. All equipment provided and professional instruction from Aaron Lock and team. For kids 8 - 14 years.
April Holidays Week 1 and 2.
16 - 20th and 23 -27th April 10am to 12pm.
Cost: $30 per day or $135 for five. Bookings essential.
Venue: Sumner
Call Aaron on 0800 80 SURF (7873) or register online at www.surfcoach.co.nz
Art After School with Jo Loughnan - Term 2, 2018
Art classes will begin on Wednesday 2nd May (Week 1) in Room 10 from 3pm to 4.30pm.
All classes are strongly based on drawing skills using chalk, charcoal, dye, pastels and paint. We cover a fun range of subject matter and complete a piece of artwork every session. Lessons are suitable for 6-12 year olds and all materials and afternoon tea are included in the cost.
The cost for the term (10weeks ) is $180.00
For more information or to book in please contact Jo 384 7506 or email joloughnan@xtra.co.nz
Message from the Canterbury District Health Board - Measles Alert for Schools and Early Childhood Centres
Over the past week, there have been five confirmed cases of measles reported in Queenstown, Wanaka, Canterbury and Nelson-Marlborough, and other cases are possible, including elsewhere in New Zealand.
Measles is a serious and highly infectious disease, and these new cases show how easily it can spread.
Families/whanau are encouraged to make sure they are fully immunised against measles and be aware of measles symptoms if they (or their children) are not fully immunised.
Immunisation is the best protection to stop you and your children getting measles. For the best protection, people need to have two MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccinations. The MMR is available from your family practice and is free to eligible people.
Anyone who is not immunised and gets exposed to a case of measles will need to stay home for at least 14 days to ensure the virus doesn't spread.
Anyone who suspects they may have measles should avoid contact with other people, especially those who aren’t fully immunised, and should phone their GP or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice.
It is important to call your GP first because measles is highly infectious, and people with measles can infect others in the waiting room.
Further information can be found at www.health.govt.nz/measles or by calling 0800 IMMUNE.
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