Dear Parents and Caregivers
Tenei te mihi atu kia koutou. Welcome to our new students this week Chloe and Alex G.
Today marks the end of what has been a very memorable week at Sumner School and also the last newsletter for 2017. Thank you to everyone who attended Tuesday night’s Senior Prizegiving and Thursday night’s Year 8 Leavers’ Dance. These were fantastic occasions that celebrated the achievements and successes of our senior students and in particular our Year 8s who are leaving for secondary school at the conclusion of the year.
I would once again like to wish these students and departing families all the very best for the next chapter in their educational journeys. I look forward to hearing about all of their new successes at high school in the years to come.
Today you will have also received your child(ren)’s end of year report. These reports are the culmination of many hours of work by the teachers and reflect your child’s progress and achievement across the curriculum. Once again you will notice some specific information included in the report about your child(ren)’s achievement as measured against the National Standards for reading, writing and maths. Please note that schools are currently still expected to report on these standards despite the Minister of Education's announcement on Tuesday that the National Standards will be abolished in 2018.
My advice for parents about the National Standards has always been that although they provide a ‘snap shot’ of how well your child is progressing in reading, writing and maths, try not to focus too much attention on this information. It is important to remember that just as children grow at different rates, they also develop academically at different rates. It is not necessarily a problem if your child is not yet achieving a given standard. The most important thing to concentrate on is the progress they have made throughout the year in all areas. If you do have any major concerns however, please make a time to discuss these with your child’s teacher as soon as possible.
Staffing News
There will be a number of changes to the school structure next year due to staff transferring to other schools and appointments of new teachers. Of the departing teachers Anneke Wilkinson will be moving to Halswell School and Bridget Scoular to Heathcote Valley School. Caroline Morritt has been appointed to a Resource Teacher of Literacy (RTLit) position where she will be working across a number of schools. I thank these teachers for their contributions and wish them all the best for the future.
Learning Support Worker (LSW) Lynnette Simons will also be departing at the end of the year to take up a new position at Clearview School in Rolleston. Lynnette has made a wonderful contribution to our learning support team over the last 8 years and will be missed.
As mentioned in a previous newsletter, Andrea McKendy will be stepping down from her Years 3&4 Team Leader role to focus on Reading Recovery. Thank you to Andrea for her hard work as a member of the Leadership Team.
Finally, Chris Cole will be taking up a new responsibility as the Aupaki Sports Coordinator but will remain employed by Sumner School in a range of roles.
Retiring Teachers
It is with much sadness that we will be farewelling two of our longest serving teachers next week, Anne Blackmore-Smith and Dale Wright. Between them Anne and Dale have contributed close to 80 years to education, 52 of them right here at Sumner School. Much of this time has been spent in the area of learning support with Anne’s time as the Deputy Principal and SENCo (Special Education Needs Coordinator) and Dale as the Reading Recovery teacher.
I would like to invite you to come along to a special assembly in the Hall at 2pm on Monday 18 December to help us celebrate their careers. An afternoon tea will be provided in the staffroom immediately following the assembly.
The full school structure for 2018 is listed below. You will note that we have three new staff members joining us next year; Hannah Smaill will be teaching in Room 9 and leading the Years 3&4 Team, Marlee Vale will be teaching a Years 3&4 class in Room 12 and Kathryn Blunn will teach in Room 16 as part of the Years 5&6 Team.
The children will have the opportunity to meet their new teacher and classmates on Monday morning with the class list going home that afternoon.
School Structure 2018
Years 1&2 Team: Sally Kent (Team Leader)
Te Manawa
Room 4 Room 5 Room 6 |
Johanni Gilmore and Andrea McKendry
Robyn Lean Sue Bird Ronene Kelland |
Years 0&1
Years 1&2 Years 1&2 Years 1&2 |
Years 3&4 Team: Hannah Smaill (Team Leader)
Room 9
Room 10 Room 11 Room 12 |
Hannah Smaill
Rachel Kahi Jack Roberts Marlee Vale |
Years 3&4
Years 3&4 Years 3&4 Years 3&4 |
Years 5&6 Team: Tim Lowe (Team Leader)
Room 13
Room 14 Room 15 Room 16 |
Georgia McRae
Kim Ristrom Tim Lowe Kathryn Blunn |
Years 5&6
Years 5&6 Years 5&6 Years 5&6 |
Years 7&8 Team: Gwen Vine (Team Leader)
Room 17
Room 18 Room 19 Room 20 |
Hannah Horgan
Melanie Bradley and Phillipa Finch Andrew Osborn Gwen Vine |
Years 7&8
Years 7&8 Years 7&8 Years 7&8 |
I would like to acknowledge Board of Trustees members Yvonne Hall, Simon Taylor, Sonjia Wilson, Fleur Howard, Tim Lawrey, Rob Laidlaw and staff representative Phillipa Finch for all of their hard work governing the school this year. I would particularly like to thank Yvonne who is stepping down from her role as Board Chair after almost three years in the role. Yvonne has done a fantastic job as the Board Chair and the school is in a better place as a result of her dedication and commitment.
Thank you to the PTA who have done a superb job not only fundraising but also 'funraising' for our school community again this year. They have organised a large number of events and activities for us to enjoy with highlights being the 80s Prom, Quiz Night and Garden Tour. Their efforts have raised a little over $60,000 for our school this year! These funds will help construct our new Library/Wellbeing Centre, which is due to begin half way through next year. Sadly, Amanda Price will also be stepping down from her Chair role in 2018, after doing a tremendous job over the last couple of years. Thank you.
Finally, I would like to thank you, the Sumner whanau for your support again this year and wish you all a fun filled festive season.
Merry Christmas!
Stuart Cameron
Principal
Thank you to the PTA who have done a superb job not only fundraising but also 'funraising' for our school community again this year. They have organised a large number of events and activities for us to enjoy with highlights being the 80s Prom, Quiz Night and Garden Tour. Their efforts have raised a little over $60,000 for our school this year! These funds will help construct our new Library/Wellbeing Centre, which is due to begin half way through next year. Sadly, Amanda Price will also be stepping down from her Chair role in 2018, after doing a tremendous job over the last couple of years. Thank you.
Finally, I would like to thank you, the Sumner whanau for your support again this year and wish you all a fun filled festive season.
Merry Christmas!
Stuart Cameron
Principal
School Finishes at 12.30pm on Tuesday 19 December
Please note that the school year will conclude at 12.30pm on Tuesday 19 December. Please make arrangements to collect your child from their class at this time. If you are unable to do so, MASH is open at the earlier time of 12.30pm. Please call 0800 420520. If you wish to book your child in.
Spotlight on Excellence
Congratulations to the following students who received awards at the Years 5-8 Prizegiving:
Benji W
Stella C Alec H Stan S Alec H Ben I Amelia S Lucy K Caite M Amelia S Guy T Isabel M Rico G Ava B Victoria A Dylan B Ava B Aurora G-R Brooke H Jessica L Will D Mitchell K Lily T Luka P Josie A |
125 Jubilee Cup for Best All Round Student
McCombs Trophy for General Academic Excellence (Girls) McCombs Trophy for General Academic Excellence (Boys) Davison Cup for Outstanding achievement in English Smith Family Cup for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Jack Brown Cup for Swimming Herbert Smith Trust Award for Senior Girls Sports Abi Hone Award for Senior School Spirit Hercules Award for Courage and Strength Sally Summerfield Community Pride Award Sportsmanship Trophy for Rugby Ella Summerfield Trophy for Senior Athletics Meherne Trophy for Instrumental Music Sumner School Award for Excellence in Singing Graham Cup for Contribution to Music Sarah White Cup for Contribution to the Arts Richard Chapman Cup for Public Speaking Cropp-Wilson Award for Academic Excellence, Year 7 Woodley Middle School Cup for Academic Excellence, Year 5&6 Herbert Smith Trust Award for Middle Girls Sports Herbert Smith Trust Award for Middle Boys Sports Head Boy Head Girl Deputy Head Boy Deputy Head Girl |
Congratulations also to the following students who received Surfer Awards this week at the assembly on Monday:
Sincerity
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Vincent N for consistently showing sincerity when he interacts with both adults and children and being a kind and caring friend.
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Respect
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Taylor G for being an awesome role model in the Year 0-2 Team. She always shows respect by listening carefully to the ideas of others.
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Respect
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Emma-Kate W for consistently showing respect towards her friends, teachers and classmates
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Sincerity
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Lennox L for displaying a great love of learning through excellent work habits and achieving the high goals that he sets himself
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Empathy
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Zoe C for showing genuine strength and respect to teachers and classmates.
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Empathy
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Orla M for always demonstrating empathy and respect when interacting with others in the playground.
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Fairness
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Isla W for being a kind and caring member of the Year 0-2 Team. She constantly treats others with fairness and respect.
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Fairness
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Tomas W for being inclusive towards everyone he comes across. He supports others in a quiet but firm manner.
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Unity
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Riley M for always working well in a team. He takes turns, helps others and listens to their ideas.
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Unity
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Scarlett D for showing respect to teachers and always trying to be inclusive with her friends.
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Resilience
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Violet W for setting herself high goals and managing challenges with a positive attitude.
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Resilience
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Barnabas K-B for showing perseverance and determination this year to make a big improvement in all his school work.
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Resilience
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Sam C for displaying resilience and perseverance during his work as Techie this year. He worked behind the scenes at every assembly.
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Former Students Excel
A huge congratulations goes to former Sumner School student Marisol H who was awarded with this year’s Dux and All Round Best Student at the recent Rangi Ruru Prizegiving. She was also awarded individual subject prizes for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics and Spanish.
This is an outstanding achievement. Marisol is now off to study Biomedical Science at Otago University.
Congratulations also to Kate J who was awarded the Temuka Cup for the “Year 12 student who has shown exemplary courage and perseverance in some aspect of their school life” at the Marion College Senior Prizegiving. Well done Kate!
Marisol Hunter pictured receiving the Dux Prize at Rangi Ruru School
Canterbury Athletics
Congratulations to the 40 athletes who completed in the Canterbury Athletics Championships in Ashburton last week. It was an excellent competition competing against the best athletes from the Canterbury region. Results of particular note were the 9 year old girls and 12 year old boys relay teams who placed 3rd. Mimi M who placed 1st for high jump and 3rd for the 80m sprint. Guy T who placed 3rd for long jump. We also had several hard fought 4th places for: Ava H (1200m), Luca L (High Jump), Remo R (1000m), Guy T (High Jump). Well done to everyone who also managed a personal best. It is a very challenging event.
Canterbury Triathlon
Congratulations to Henry R who placed 8th out of 90 competitors in the Canterbury Triathlon. Henry's transponder had a technical problem and his place could not be confirmed until recently.
Chris Cole
Sport Coordinator
Aupaki News
This is the last newsletter for what has been a very busy and rewarding year for the Aupaki Kāhui Ako. Below are some of the highlights and milestones we have achieved this term:
Aupaki Achievement Challenges
The Aupaki Achievement Challenges have now been fully developed and were shared with the Aupaki Stewardship Group for final approval at a meeting earlier this week. We are challenging ourselves to reimagine the ways in which we teach and engage all students, particularly in writing, so that we can raise achievement and success for all.
Although the baseline data is heavily influenced by National Standards we will be using a far broader range of assessment tools to measure the impact our new programmes are having on our students. This will include data on engagement, retention and student wellbeing.
Once the Achievement Challenges have been endorsed by the Ministry of Education they will be shared with our community.
Aupaki Student Council
Another very exciting initiative this term has been the creation of the Aupaki Student Council. The council is made up of two Year 8 students from each school along with year 10 and 13 students from Linwood College. The group will meet once a term to discuss issues and opportunities that exist within and across our schools and as such will act as ‘student voice’ for any decisions made going forward.
One of the Aupaki Student Council's first tasks will, be to plan and organise a tabloids day in the second half of Term 1.
Aupaki Logo Competition
We received a large number of entries for the Aupaki logo competition. This was narrowed down to a shortlist of seven by the Aupaki students and teachers who came up with the idea at our visioning workshop in Term 3. The Aupaki Council then decided on the final two winners (see below). Congratulations to Coby J from Heathcote Valley School and Vladmir K from Mt Pleasant School.
These students will have the opportunity to work with a professional graphic artist to complete the new Aupaki Logo. We hope to be able to unveil this at the beginning of the new school year.
Aupaki News
This is the last newsletter for what has been a very busy and rewarding year for the Aupaki Kāhui Ako. Below are some of the highlights and milestones we have achieved this term:
Aupaki Achievement Challenges
The Aupaki Achievement Challenges have now been fully developed and were shared with the Aupaki Stewardship Group for final approval at a meeting earlier this week. We are challenging ourselves to reimagine the ways in which we teach and engage all students, particularly in writing, so that we can raise achievement and success for all.
Although the baseline data is heavily influenced by National Standards we will be using a far broader range of assessment tools to measure the impact our new programmes are having on our students. This will include data on engagement, retention and student wellbeing.
Once the Achievement Challenges have been endorsed by the Ministry of Education they will be shared with our community.
Aupaki Student Council
Another very exciting initiative this term has been the creation of the Aupaki Student Council. The council is made up of two Year 8 students from each school along with year 10 and 13 students from Linwood College. The group will meet once a term to discuss issues and opportunities that exist within and across our schools and as such will act as ‘student voice’ for any decisions made going forward.
One of the Aupaki Student Council's first tasks will, be to plan and organise a tabloids day in the second half of Term 1.
Aupaki Logo Competition
We received a large number of entries for the Aupaki logo competition. This was narrowed down to a shortlist of seven by the Aupaki students and teachers who came up with the idea at our visioning workshop in Term 3. The Aupaki Council then decided on the final two winners (see below). Congratulations to Coby J from Heathcote Valley School and Vladmir K from Mt Pleasant School.
These students will have the opportunity to work with a professional graphic artist to complete the new Aupaki Logo. We hope to be able to unveil this at the beginning of the new school year.
Picture (above) Coby J from Heathcote Valley School (left) and Vlad K from Mt Pleasant School winning entries in the Aupaki logo design competition.
Linwood Enrichment
This term around 20 Aupaki students have been involved in robotics enrichment classes at Linwood College led by computer science teacher Amelia Painter. This has been another fabulous initiative which has been thoroughly enjoyed by all participants. Thank you again to Linwood College for offering this.
We are very pleased with how the relationships and collaborative practice have continued to grow throughout this year in our Kāhui Ako and very much look forward to Aupaki continuing to blossom in 2018.
Have a safe and relaxing Christmas.
Ngā mihi nui
Term 4 Activity Costs
A special request to parents to please settle Term 4 costs before the end of term. Please email if you require another statement, or check your child's account via the Parent Portal.
We have many parents with unpaid costs for bus travel, which is meant to be paid before the event. Unfortunately the school is not able to cover the cost of travel to sports days and the cost of the bus relies on every student who participated paying, so prompt payment would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you to all the families who have paid these costs already.
Sue Stevens
sstevens@sumner.school.nz
Gifts for The City Mission
Help give less able Kiwi families the gifts they deserve this Christmas by donating a new toy under the tree in the Office either wrapped or unwrapped. Ray White gift tags are available at the Office to specify what age and gender the toy is intended for. Thank you for your generosity.
News from the Sumner School PTA
As we near the end of 2017 I would like to thank everyone in the school community who has supported the PTA and their fundraising events during the year.
This year we have raised $60,000 to go towards our new school Library and Wellbeing Centre. This couldn’t have been achieved without the efforts of everyone involved. Thank you!
As we head towards 2018, we will be looking for someone to step into the role of Chairperson. This role is rewarding, fun and a great way to become involved in the school. If you are interested or would like to know more about this role, please contact Amanda Price on 027 4888117 or email pta@sumner.school.nz
There are two main ways that you can help on the PTA in 2018:
- Join the PTA team
Come along to a meeting and find out how you can get involved. Not only will you be helping out our school but being part of the PTA is a wonderful way to get to know the families within our community - Help out with events
If you can’t commit to meetings but would still like to help out at events please email Amanda Price at pta@sumner.school.nz and you will be added to a list of parents we can call on for helping out at events.
ALL WELCOME- SCHOOL STAFFROOM 7PM
Please like & join our Facebook page Sumner School PTA
Amanda Price
Chairperson, Sumner School PTA
Library News
The library is now closed for the year. Please pay invoices for lost books by the end of school Tuesday 18 December. Children with lost/missing books will not be able to issue books next year until overdue accounts are settled.
Over the summer break we will be transitioning our library data to an exciting new management system. Due to this, we will not be issuing summer reading books over the holiday period. We encourage all children to make use of the fabulous new Sumner Village library Matuku Takotako and enrol in the Wild About Reading Programme. Enrolment forms available at the school library or at Sumner village library.
https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/summertime-reading-club/
Stationery for 2018
Lost Scooters
Sean B in Room 4 has had his black Micro scooter taken from outside the classroom earlier in the week. Please check your child hasn't brought this home by mistake if you have a similar type scooter and return or contact the Office.
Phoebe H has also lost her scooter from outside Room 12 several weeks ago. It is purple and green in colour with skulls. It is named and has a phone number on it. Please contact the Office if you have found it.
Found Cash
A decent sum of money was found on the school playground on Sunday last weekend. Please contact the Office for further information. Phone 326 6546
Road Patrol
We are looking for volunteer Parents or Caregivers who wouldn't mind assisting our student Road Patrollers either in the morning or afternoons in the New Year on our Colenso Street crossing. Please contact the Office for further information.
Pre Christmas Junior Tennis Coaching Camp
20th, 21st and 22nd December at Sumner Tennis Club, Heberden Avenue, 9.30am to 12pm. All 5 – 12 year olds welcome.
TO REGISTER - Please contact Lynn O’Dell 021 1632 032
Craft Club
Do you love making things or want to learn how? Come along and have fun with all kinds of craft - papier mache, clay, printing, paper crafts, fabric painting and more!!
When: Tuesdays or Fridays after school 3:00-4:30pm
Starting in Week 2 of Term 1: 2018
Where: Nancy Meherne Room, Sumner School Hall
For ages 7-13
Phone Yvonne Hall 3266483 mob:027 7482074
Art After School - with Jo Loughnan
Term 1 2018
Art classes will begin on Wednesday 7 February (Week 2) from 3pm to 4.30pm. I will let students know which room we are in Week 1.
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
Textile Creative
Brand new after school activity for 9 to 12 year olds
Starts Term 1 - 2018
Monday 3-5 in the Nancy Meherne room (back of the Sumner school hall)
Cost $200 for 10 weeks (starts week 2)
All resources provided and a healthy snack.
This is a whole year programme that will open your children’s eyes to the creative possibilities of textiles, with term 1 based on weaving.
Only 15 spaces available.
Email Ceri de Boo at ceri@boocorner.com to book your child’s place.
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