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Tēnā koutou katoa. Tēnei te mihi atu ki a koutou.
Welcome back to the new term. I hope you had a safe and relaxing break with your families. A special welcome also goes to Maia G, Annie L and Harriet K-B who have started at Sumner School this week.
Term 3 promises to be action packed. We have a large number of activities to look forward to this term including; Cantamaths, Aupaki Cultural Festival, Book Week, Zone Winter Sports, Robo Cup, Aupaki Rocks and World Character Day.
The school-wide inquiry focus in Term 3 will be on the concept of ‘change’. This is a rich topic that covers a wide range of learning contexts and ties in well to wider events in our school given the changes that are taking place particularly related to property developments.
On that note, I’m pleased to inform you that following the recent tendering process we have now selected the preferred contractor for our building works. The contract is currently being finalised and we expect to be on track to have the contractors on site by the beginning of September.
There will be some initial site works to be completed before construction work can begin so we may be looking at closer to the end of the term before we see any real action. The first major job will be to uplift Te Manawa to make way for the new two-storey block. At that point Te Manawa will be moved into Rooms 7&8. We will keep you posted once the programme schedule is finalised and we can give you a more accurate timeline.
Guided Tours of Years 7&8 Hub
As our building work is soon to be underway we would like to offer parents the chance to be taken on a guided tour through the Years 7&8 Hub. This is a great opportunity to see a fully collaborative teaching environment in action and gain a better understanding about how our new flexible spaces will be utilised by our teachers and senior students.
Guided tours will be offered on the following dates/times:
- Tuesday 14 August 9.00am-10.00am (Week 4) Numeracy focus
- Thursday 16 August 11.00am-12.00pm (Week 4) Literacy focus
- Thursday 23 August 11.00am-12.00pm (Week 5) Literacy focus
If you would like to participate in one of the tours please contact the office: admin@sumner.school.nz
Assessment and Reporting Feedback
Last term, parents had the opportunity to provide feedback about how we assess and report student achievement at Sumner School.
Based on this feedback, we made several changes to the way we report your child(ren)'s progress and achievement. These changes included the;
- implementation of a new written report format reflecting a more personalised approach;
- opportunity to complete a pre Learning Conference form to identify specific areas of discussion with your child(ren)'s teacher; and
- creation of dedicated pages on our school website about how you can support your child(ren)'s learning at home.
Now that these changes have been implemented, we would like to gather some follow-up feedback on how useful you found them. If you would like to provide some feedback on these changes, please click here to complete an anonymous survey. We anticipate that this survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. It will remain open until 3pm on Friday 3 August.
Proposed Industrial Action
As you may be aware, the Primary Teachers Union (NZEI) has proposed some industrial action on 15 August in response to Collective Agreement negotiations stalling with the Ministry of Education. Part of the breakdown in negotiations revolves around issues with retention and recruitment of teachers (including pay), a reduction in compliance affecting workloads and receiving more support for learners at risk of not achieving.
Please note that if negotiations continue to be at an impasse, it is highly likely that school will be closed for normal instruction on 15 August. If this is the case, we will be asking for parents to support our teachers by making alternative arrangements for your children on this day. More information will be shared with you as soon as NZEI makes a final decision on what action to take. We really appreciate your support in this matter.
Welcome to Ms Power
We were delighted to welcome our new Deputy Principal Rebecca Power to our team this week. Rebecca joins us from Newtown School in Wellington. She will lead the Years 0-2 Team as well as having specific responsibilities as the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and for our transition to school programme. There is a special message from Rebecca below.
Finally, I would like to thank Anne Blackmore-Smith and Andrea McKendry for doing such a great job in their respective SENCO and Years 0-2 Team Leader roles following Sally Kent’s departure at the beginning of the year. We were very fortunate to have two such capable and experienced leaders to call upon during this time.
Have great weekend.
Ngā mihi nui
Stuart Cameron
Principal
Message from Ms Power
Kia ora Whānau, thank you for the lovely welcome I have received from all the students and parents that I have met over the first week at Sumner School. I have spent many years living in Wellington and moved with my husband Chris and two daughters Olivia 12, and Isobel 10 to be closer to extended family. We have both been fortunate to get wonderful jobs in Christchurch. Chris is the Team Leader at the new central Christchurch Library Tūranga and myself Deputy Principal at Sumner School.
I have had over 20 years teaching and leadership experience and I am looking forward to continuing this at Sumner School. I am looking forward to continuing to meet the amazing learners at Sumner School and their families.
Ngā mihi nui
Rebecca Power
New Principal Recruitment - Parent Consultation
Parents, staff and children are all being invited to provide input into the Principal recruitment process. Next week, you will receive a questionnaire asking for feedback on your thoughts about what Sumner School should look like in the future, and what you would consider to be the key competencies and attributes needed in our new Principal.
All parents will receive a confidential survey next week. Look out for the email - it will come through the school account, but all responses will be managed by our recruitment consultants Catalyst for Change Ltd to ensure anonymity. Please watch out for the survey and provide your input.
A face to face consultation is also being offered to parents keen to provide further input in this type of format. Please indicate on the survey if you would like to attend this session so we can plan sessions/catering etc.
Many thanks
Tim Lawrey
Board Chair
Spotlight on Excellence
Congratulations to the following students who received Surfer Awards this week at the assembly on Monday:
Sincerity: Thomas M for taking greater responsibility for your learning and showing a fantastic attitude towards school life.
Sincerity: Floyd Y for taking ownership over your learning and always having a positive attitude in the classroom.
Sincerity: Darby K-R for being a positive role model in the classroom and always giving things a go.
Empathy: Ted M for displaying a bright and enthusiastic attitude to your learning and always showing consideration for others.
Empathy: Sienna C for being a true tuakana in the classroom and supporting anyone who ever may need a helping hand.
Empathy: Charlie S for your fantastic work as a PMP leader. You are amazing at working with and encouraging the Junior Team. Well done Charlie!
Respect: Isla W for being a role model in the way that you show respect for yourself and always striving to achieve your best. Keep it up Isla!
Respect: Sam C for showing respect in the way you believe in yourself, your learning and in the way you treat others.
Unity: Isabelle D for displaying great teamwork skills during our Diversity Inquiry. You were so involved and contributed great ideas.
Resilience: Teagan C-M for displaying lots of motivation and persistence in your learning, knowing that effort brings success.
Resilience: Leah P for consistently showing resilience when you face challenges. You are a pleasure to teach, keep up the awesome attitude Leah!
Fairness: Taylor G for displaying excellent collaborative skills and showing fairness and empathy towards your team-mates.
Fairness: Jono W for consistently being a team player and always considering the needs of your peers within the class.
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Canterbury Cross Country
Twelve students from the Years 5 - 8 competed in the Canterbury Cross Country event held at Halswell in Week 9, Term 2. It was a very wet and muddy track. Well done to everyone who competed. Years 5 - 8 South East Zone Winter Tournament Date: Wednesday 1 August (pp date Wednesday 8 August) Location: South Hagley Park Time: 12.00 – 3pm URGENT UPDATE - TIMINGS Due to the organising school making a error with the Hagley Park booking time the South East Zone Winter Tournament will now start at 12.00pm and run until approximately 2.15pm. This will allow enough time for buses to return the students to school by 3pm. Note: Students will leave school for South Hagley Park straight after morning tea at 11.00am. |
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40 Hour Famine
Thank you to all the children who participated in the 40 Hour Famine last term. You raised $5586.20 which is a tremendous effort! Certificates will be arriving soon.
Thank you to all the children who participated in the 40 Hour Famine last term. You raised $5586.20 which is a tremendous effort! Certificates will be arriving soon.
Book Week - Week 3, August 6-9th
It is nearly time for our annual Book Week again - a wonderful week at school when the children can participate in a range of activities in class and in the library to encourage the joy of reading. We are also excited to be having a special school wide visit from Wellington based award winning author/illustrator
Fifi Colston on Thursday August 9th. This visit has been made possible thanks to the New Zealand Book Council and Creative New Zealand. There will be a $1.00 charge per child to cover the costs of Fifi’s visit which will be charged to your account.
Grandparents Read Along Morning for Years 0-4
Thursday August 9th 10:30-12:30pm - in classrooms
This will be a wonderful time of sharing good books together.
Book Parade
Friday August 10th at 9:15am in the School Hall
The annual Book Parade will be held at 9.15am on Friday August 10th in the School Hall. This year’s theme is READ TO REEL, focusing on books that have been made into movies; celebrating the many ways that great stories can be told and enjoyed.
Although some of us may have grown up with the idea that a book should be read before seeing the movie, for our children, this process is often the reverse. Over 85% of Oscar winning movies began as books. Adapting a screenplay is a writing art in itself. Enjoying a good movie and discovering that it started as a book is a great way to get kids into reading. There will be a display of many of these stories in the library for the children to check out.
So get your kids thinking about creative ways to dress as their favourite character in a book-turned-movie! There will also be a gold coin donation as part of the parade to raise money for Duffy Books in Homes - a charitable organisation with a vision to inspire a love of reading by providing free books to children in homes throughout New Zealand. http://www.booksinhomes.org.nz/Home.aspx
Nga Mihi Nui
Yvonne Hall
Sumner School Librarian
Book Week - Week 3, August 6-9th
It is nearly time for our annual Book Week again - a wonderful week at school when the children can participate in a range of activities in class and in the library to encourage the joy of reading. We are also excited to be having a special school wide visit from Wellington based award winning author/illustrator
Fifi Colston on Thursday August 9th. This visit has been made possible thanks to the New Zealand Book Council and Creative New Zealand. There will be a $1.00 charge per child to cover the costs of Fifi’s visit which will be charged to your account.
Grandparents Read Along Morning for Years 0-4
Thursday August 9th 10:30-12:30pm - in classrooms
This will be a wonderful time of sharing good books together.
Book Parade
Friday August 10th at 9:15am in the School Hall
The annual Book Parade will be held at 9.15am on Friday August 10th in the School Hall. This year’s theme is READ TO REEL, focusing on books that have been made into movies; celebrating the many ways that great stories can be told and enjoyed.
Although some of us may have grown up with the idea that a book should be read before seeing the movie, for our children, this process is often the reverse. Over 85% of Oscar winning movies began as books. Adapting a screenplay is a writing art in itself. Enjoying a good movie and discovering that it started as a book is a great way to get kids into reading. There will be a display of many of these stories in the library for the children to check out.
So get your kids thinking about creative ways to dress as their favourite character in a book-turned-movie! There will also be a gold coin donation as part of the parade to raise money for Duffy Books in Homes - a charitable organisation with a vision to inspire a love of reading by providing free books to children in homes throughout New Zealand. http://www.booksinhomes.org.nz/Home.aspx
Nga Mihi Nui
Yvonne Hall
Sumner School Librarian
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Vegas Online Auction Viva Las Vegas is now only a week away. Preparations are going well and it promises to be a great night out transporting you to the strip of Vegas literally. Below is the link for our online auction. You can bid on these prizes that have all been kindly donated at anytime even if you’re not able to come. The auction will close during the event on the 4th August and some items will be handed over to a live auctioneer on the night, so don’t miss out. Start your bidding today. It’s not too late to donate an auction piece. Please contact Amanda Price pta@sumner.school.nz Happy online shopping! https://www.32auctions.com/SumnerSchool_VivaLasVegas |
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Sushi Lunch on Fridays
Pure Sushi will once again be providing sushi lunch for children every Friday this term. Please either order online by emailing: info@puresushi.co.nz or phone or text Jan: 021 165 1487. Alternatively you may place an order at the Office before 9am on Thursdays for delivery on Friday. Cash only please.
PTA Hotdog Lunch Fundraiser
Our PTA will be providing hotdogs for lunch on Tuesdays beginning next week. Please have your child's order into the Office before 30 July for hotdogs beginning on 31 July.
Pure Sushi will once again be providing sushi lunch for children every Friday this term. Please either order online by emailing: info@puresushi.co.nz or phone or text Jan: 021 165 1487. Alternatively you may place an order at the Office before 9am on Thursdays for delivery on Friday. Cash only please.
PTA Hotdog Lunch Fundraiser
Our PTA will be providing hotdogs for lunch on Tuesdays beginning next week. Please have your child's order into the Office before 30 July for hotdogs beginning on 31 July.
Extended opening hours at Matuku Takotako-Sumner Centre
Staff at the Sumner Library are pleased to announce that they’re extending the weekend opening hours for the library at Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre.
Currently, the library is open on Saturdays from 10am–1pm and closed on Sundays. From Saturday 18 August 2018, it will be open from 10am–4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Thank you to our newsletter sponsors
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