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Principal’s Summary
- Assessment and Reporting Survey
- Sumner School Quiz Night
- SchoolDocs Policies
- All Visitors Please Report to the Office
- Supervision on the School Grounds
- Staffing news
Welcome back to Term 2. I trust you had a safe and relaxing holiday with your families and are looking forward to the exciting term ahead. A special welcome goes to Mia W, Lola B, Luke W, Hinemaia C and Flynn and Kaelan M who started at Sumner School this week.
Assessment and Reporting Survey
Thank you to the parents who completed the Assessment and Reporting online survey at the end of last term. We received 102 responses in total. The Leadership Team are currently working on analysing the results from the survey and we will share these with you in the coming weeks.
Sumner School Quiz Night
Preparations are now underway for the annual Quiz Night which will take place on Friday 25 May (Week 4). Tickets can be purchased from the Office at $15 per person (teams of 4-6 per table). Friends and family are welcome but please remember this is an R18 event.
We are hoping to see a big crowd there on the night battling it out for Sumner School trivial pursuit supremacy and vying for the coveted Sumner School Quiz Trophy. All of the funds raised from this event will go towards landscaping projects around the schools as part of our building programme.
As part of the Quiz evening we will once again be running a raffle draw. This has proven to be a fantastic fundraiser for us in the past. The raffle prizes will consist of one gift basket per class (16 in total). To help us fill these baskets with goodies, we are asking for each child to bring something small to contribute to a class gift basket. You are welcome to drop your basket item off to your child’s class teacher starting next week.
The 16 gift baskets will be drawn on the night of the quiz. You do not have to be in attendance to claim a prize. A book of 10 raffles tickets will be sent home on Monday 7 May and will need to be returned with the money no later than Monday 21 May please. If your child cannot sell the tickets for any reason, please return the unused tickets to school as soon as possible so we can attempt to sell them or feel free to purchase them yourself.
If anyone would like to help out on the night please contact Rachel Murrell: 021 980558 or Rachel@darrenwright.com
SchoolDocs Policies
All of the school’s policies are reviewed over a three year cycle using the SchoolDocs online system. SchoolDocs is used by over 700 schools across the country. The reviews give parents, staff and Board of Trustees an opportunity to provide feedback on the policy itself as well as how well it is being implemented. The feedback received is analysed by the SchoolDocs team and any changes are rolled out to schools.
This is another mechanism our school uses to gather feedback from our stakeholders. Please note that you are notified of the policies that are up for review each term via the school newsletter.
This term we have the Reporting to Parents Policy due for review. To participate in the review you just need to visit www.schooldocs.co.nz and follow the instructions below:
- Click on the link to the Reporting to Parents policy.
- Read the policy.
- Click the red Policy Review icon at the right-hand top corner of the page. A new screen will appear.
- Select your role (board member, staff member, or parent/caregiver) from the drop-down list.
- Enter your name (optional).
- Submit your ratings and comments.
All Visitors Please Report to the Office
A reminder that due to the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and the Vulnerable Children’s Act 2016, schools now have a number of additional legal obligations we are expected to adhere to. This means that all visitors to the school need to report to the Office and sign-in on arrival using our new tablet system.
We do not consider that it is reasonable or practical to expect this with so many parents onsite at drop-off (8.30-9.00am) and pick-up (3.00-3.30pm) times, so we are just requesting that parents and visitors sign-in at the office between 9am-3pm. This also includes classroom parent helpers and parents dropping off items to children during the day.
The only exception to the 9am-3pm rule would occur on sports days when we have a large number of parents spectating or helping with events.
Supervision on the School Grounds
Please note that the school operates between 8.30am-3.00pm. Children should not be on the school grounds without adult supervision before and after these times. Our staff are not in a position to supervise children before 8.30am and/or after 3.00pm. If you are unable to pick your child up from school at 3.00pm please make alternative arrangements for them to be collected. A reminder that MASH (My After School Home) is available for before and after school care if needed. Phone: 0800 420520.
Staffing News
We were delighted to welcome Miss Hannah Bennion to our staff this week. Miss Bennion is teaching Te Manawa alongside Mrs Gilmore and Ms McKendry.
Finally, congratulations to Susan Osteen who has won a position as a librarian at Tūranga – the new central city library. This is an exciting opportunity for Susan to work as a fulltime librarian in this long awaited facility that is due to open in July. Susan will however, be greatly missed at Sumner School. She has made a wonderful contribution to our school both in the library and as a member of our administration team. Susan will be with us through to mid-June.
We are currently seeking a replacement for Susan. You will find more information about this in the advertisement below and on the home page of our school website.
Thank you for your support. Have a great weekend.
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: Bruno D for showing a positive attitude at camp. He tackled all challenges with a growth mindset and gave everything a go.
Sincerity: Scarlett P for meeting all of her challenges on camp and showing a positive attitude.
Unity: Evie S for displaying great team work on camp and always being supportive of her classmates.
Resilience: Samara M-C for demonstrating resilience on camp. She gave her best effort on every challenge - well done!
Resilience: Maitreya B for displaying perseverance during the camp challenges.
Resilience: Skilah L for giving everything a go, using her wonderful manners and showing respect to everyone around her.
Resilience: Mia H really enjoyed camp, had a go everything and was always seen with a smile on her face. Well done Mia!
Empathy: Cooper H for consistently showing support for others and genuine leadership skills.
Empathy: Lucy-Alice K for looking out for others and displaying genuine kindness during camp.
Canterbury Swimming Championships April 5, 2018
On Thursday 5 April, 18 Years 5-8 Sumner School students competed at the Canterbury swimming championships. This was a huge event for the students with more than 1000 students competing from around the Canterbury region.
We had some fantastic results and placings.
The Year 5 relay team consisting of Aspen H, Emily S, James L and Charlie W came 5th. James L placed 5th in Year 5 freestyle. Alex G placed 4th in Year 5 backstroke. And Izzy W placed 2nd in Year 6 breaststroke.
A fantastic effort by all the students that competed, especially those that received placings. Well done!
Upcoming Cross Country Event
The Years 3-8 Cross Country event will be held on Tuesday 15 May at St Leonards Square, 1.30 - 3pm. We need a minimum of six parents willing to marshal on the day. If you are able to help please contact Chris Cole by email: ccole@sumner.school.nz
Term 2 Activities
Requests for payment of Term 2 activities for your children will be emailed to you early next week. We would be very grateful if these could be paid promptly, especially for the trip to Willowbank Reserve which the school has already paid for.
Payment for the Term 1 trip to Quail Island would also be appreciated promptly, as the school has a large deficit for this.
Payment for students participating in Hagley Winter Sports is required before sport commences. Please note this will not be added to your child's account, but you will receive a notice from Ms Finch regarding the payment required. We would appreciate parents being proactive regarding this payment.
Thank you.
Sue Stevens - sstevens@sumner.school.nz
Digital Technologies ICAS
Next Tuesday 8 May the ICAS digital technologies exam will take place at 1.30pm.
Next Tuesday 8 May the ICAS digital technologies exam will take place at 1.30pm.
Disco
The School Disco date is 11 May and tickets will be on sale next week in the Office $3 each. Shop with snacks and glo sticks on sale on the night. $5 max recommended for purchases. Years 0-2 - 3.30-4.30pm Years 3&4 - 4.45-5.45pm Years 5&6 - 6.00-7.00pm Years 7&8 - 7.15-8.15pm Please note that children will not be allowed to walk home unsupervised after their disco and we ask that they are picked up from the hall. |

Term 2 Hotdogs
The PTA will start the Tuesday hotdog fundraiser in Week 3 this term, 15 May. Please have your order form completed and returned to the Office by Friday 11 May, $20 for 8 weeks.
Pure Sushi
Sushi will be available for your child's lunch this term every Friday. Please have your child's order into the Office by Thursday 9am for delivery at lunchtime on Friday. Any questions or requests please phone or text Jan: 021 1651487 or email: info@puresushi.co.nz
The PTA will start the Tuesday hotdog fundraiser in Week 3 this term, 15 May. Please have your order form completed and returned to the Office by Friday 11 May, $20 for 8 weeks.
Pure Sushi
Sushi will be available for your child's lunch this term every Friday. Please have your child's order into the Office by Thursday 9am for delivery at lunchtime on Friday. Any questions or requests please phone or text Jan: 021 1651487 or email: info@puresushi.co.nz

Lollies at School
A reminder that sweets and lollies should not be sent to school with children or purchased on the way to school unless arranged with teachers for parties etc. Your support on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
A reminder that sweets and lollies should not be sent to school with children or purchased on the way to school unless arranged with teachers for parties etc. Your support on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
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.
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.
Canterbury Volleyball
Has a great opportunity for kids to give Volleyball a go!
Kids who sign up will get to learn all the Volleyball skills from Kiwi Volleyball coaches and try these skills out in a game!
This will be a fun filled session and is perfect for kids that have never played before or are just beginners.
Venue: St. Margaret's College Gym
Choose from the following options:
July 11- 11-13 year olds- 9am-12pm
July 12- 9 & 10 year olds- 10am-12pm
July 13- 11-13 year olds- 9am-12pm
Here is a link: https://www.canterburyvolleyball.org/kidsfest
St Margaret's College, Christchurch, Open Day - Friday 11 May 2018
Time: 10:30am to 1:00pm
Principal's Address: 11:45am featuring current principal, Gillian Simpson, and incoming principal, Diana Patchett
For those looking at boarding options, we have an SMC Boarders' Sleepover on Friday 11 May at 4:30pm to 10:00am on Saturday 12 May.
Thank you to our newsletter sponsors