FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER: 3 July 2020

IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS

Torbay School Learning Powers – RIC

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Tēnā koutou katoa

It has been a terrifically busy week at school with many exciting activities taking place in the classrooms and while our teachers and children are all very tired there have been many smiles.

As term 2 draws to a close we are busy looking ahead to next term when our sports teams will start to play regularly, and we look forward to the many different activities we have planned. Our regular performance assemblies will return, our cross-country events are being planned, we have Matariki celebrations planned for week 2, our annual book week in week 3 and put aside Tuesday and Wednesday of week 3 for parent teacher meetings. These are but a few of the events we have planned for next term and I feel a sense of normalcy in simply writing them down.

Our PTA will be holding it’s comeback meeting in the first week or two of next term as we reconstruct our programme for the remainder of the year. Keep an eye out for the invitation and come along.

I would like to make a special mention of the parents and caregivers who have given up their time to support our year 1 (PMP) Perceptual Motor Programme. This programme is run by Debbie Abbott one of our support staff, on four mornings a week in our hall. It is a wonderful activity-based programme that helps develop children’s balance and gross motor skills. It relies on parent volunteers and the support this term has been great. Thank you to all those who have been able to give up their time to help out. We do however always need more people and if you are interested in helping next term please contact Debbie. dabbott@torbay.school.nz

Next term we will also continue with our new timetable and our protocols for morning and afternoon pick up these have been very successful, and both our children and staff have benefited. I thank you for your support in implementing these protocols and for adapting your routines. It has been a real pleasure to be at the gate each morning to welcome the children into school and chat with parents.

Thank you for your wonderful support through a challenging time. I believe we have come through this ordeal in great shape and as I look back there is much to celebrate. Our children have achieved a great deal, learnt new skills and in particular have in many cases grown their resilience and independence. Our staff are very tired but can take a break satisfied that their professionalism, adaptability and skills shone through under the most challenging of times. And as parents and whānau you have been adaptable and supportive of your children and school throughout.

I hope you all find the time to enjoy some of the holidays with your children. Stay safe, be kind and I look forward to term 3 and all the wonderful things we can achieve together.

My email address is gobrien@torbay.school.nz

Ngā mihi nui
Gary O’Brien
Principal

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

KA PAI to the following students who have shared their fantastic learning with us this week: Violet, Samantha, Neva, Zoe and Hao Rm 4 Awesome work!

CONGRATULATIONS to the following tamariki who received certificates from their class teachers: Kay & Alyssa Rm 1, Ben C & Lucy Rm 2, Theo & Jack Rm 3, Mila & Hao Rm 4, Laine & Bede Rm 5, Talen & Delilah Rm 6, Hudson & Makaia Rm 7, Braden & Brody Rm 8, Viggo, Ishmaiah, Alex & Brooke Rm 9, Daniel & Matthew Rm 10, Janneke, Bella, Fletcher & Xavier Rm 11, Evie & Michael Rm 13, Alyza & Liam Rm 14, Milla & Sophie Rm 15, Rhianna & Oliver Rm 16, Max P, Sam H & Georgia C Rm 17, Wendy & Charlie Rm 18, Kealan & Cole Rm 19, Johanna & Finn M Rm 21, Finn B, Malachi & Madison Rm 22, Stella & Billie Rm 23, Chloe, Taitum, Bree & Chantelle Rm 24, Brody & Connor Rm 25 Well done!!!!!

RICC REWARDS, for displaying our C.A.R.E Values – Tobias Rm 3, Matthew Rm 10, Liam Rm 13, Max Rm 16, Paige Rm 23, Zephyr & Luca Rm 24, Vance Rm 25 Ka pai!

SCHOOL NOTICES

JULY ROLL RETURN – On Wednesday 1st July 2020 we are required by the Ministry of Education to complete a roll count of all students. This is to confirm the numbers enrolled at every school in New Zealand. If your child is was absent on this day, please ensure you complete the form that was sent home with your child or you can fill out an absentee form via our website, or you can send an email direct to the school office with an explanation for their absence– admin@torbay.school.nz. Thank you!

The Salvation Army Albany Bays would like to say a huge thank you for the effort your students and families put into the Oneroa Kāhui Ako Learning Community Food Drive! We appreciate the generosity shown in helping those in need in our community. There has been an increase throughout lockdown and beyond for food assistance. The food drive came at a great time, ensuring we still had the stock we needed to help supply food parcels. Thank you again for your support, time and effort in being part of the food drive.

Keeping Ourselves Safe or KOS

This term (and through to term 3) Torbay School is committed to teaching the KOS programme to all of our students. This is an essential programme that is in conjunction with the NZ Police. We are very lucky to welcome Senior Constable Tania Wansink into our school to support the teaching and learning that is happening in the classroom. Children learn about risky and potentially dangerous situations as well as wanted and unwanted touch. We also look at what they can do if they need help and where they go for this support. The programme is split into 4 modules of work and has at home learning activities that go along with the lessons. We encourage parents and caregivers to do this with their children as it can often prompt conversations at home that may not have happened as well as supporting ones that you have done in the past.

If you have any questions about the programme please either contact your child’s homeroom teacher or Renee Heasley (rheasley@torbay.school.nz)

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY – We are continuing along our journey to integrate the Digital Technology component of our curriculum into our classes as much as we can. This week we have enjoyed working alongside Digital Circus, our professional development provider who has been working with children and the staff upskilling us all.

The digital components of the curriculum cover 2 areas, Computational Thinking and Designing and Developing Digital Outcomes. We are seeing amazing examples of classes doing these things already in all areas of the school.

Computational Thinking

Students are learning to:

Break down problems
Create a set of instructions or steps
Trial it and then check for mistakes
In both digital and ‘unplugged’ tasks

Designing and Developing Digital Outcomes

Students are learning to:

Design & create digital solutions
Solve a problem, challenge or need
Understand how technology works
Understand the role & impact of technology in our lives

One of our ongoing goals is to have Students as creators not just consumers of digital technologies.

TOURNAMENT OF MINDS – This year Torbay School are entering teams in the ‘Tournament of Minds’ competition which will take place in Term 3. The competition consists of a “super challenge” which teams of students will have 6 weeks to complete before presenting their solution in the form of a video. For the last two weeks 21 students formed 4 teams to take part in a practice challenge called “Float A Boat”. Their task was to design and build a boat which would hold a Barbie, 10 marbles and float whilst being water bombed by teachers. They also had to create a presentation showing their design process and collaboration.

Yesterday was judging day – Mr O’Brien and Mrs Kelly watched carefully, whilst Miss Mitschak and Mrs Benkovic rather joyfully took on the task of water bombers. With a cheering audience in the form of Room 23 and Rooms 15/16, one at a time each team launched their boats and hoped they’d survive their minute on the water! There ended up being just 1 point between 1st and 2nd place with “Victory” just pipping “The Great Emoji” to receive the top spot – Congratulations to Victory team members Abigail, Chloe G, Tiger, Taya, Ella-Mae & Tayla!!

THANK YOU – Wow what am amazing community we have at Torbay School. Thank you to everyone who donated. Aspen and Lilly will be taking the donated items up to the Silverdale animal shelter in the holidays.

Dear Torbay School, Thank you for helping the stray dogs. You guys are heroes for saving the dogs. You really made a change and you put a smile on their faces. Torbay School you rock!! From Aspen and Lilly

END OF TERM MUFTI DAY AND FUN MORNING TEA! The sun shone on our last day of term 2! Thanks to our wonderful school community for donating all the lovely baked goods for our bake sale and everyone enjoyed the FUN games put on by our Y6 students! Here are some photos of the day:

STUDENT VOICE

Here are Hudson, Cody, Jack and Gwynnie from Room 7 showing the artwork they created depicting the story of ‘Kupe and the giant Wheke’.

Here are some of our Year 2 tamariki, Zoe, Samantha, Neva and Violet (Hao not pictured) that collaborated together to create this wonderful “Animal cake” from duplo lego. Ka pai!!

PTA

Order at: https://www.entertainmentbook.co.nz/orderbooks/100j021

Stay up to date with all our fundraising events by following our Facebook page: “Friends Of Torbay School”

COMMUNITY NOTICES

GIRL GUIDES: Our group meetings are back in the real world! We use fun, adventure and friendship to build girls’ confidence and life skills. Join us today and bring more awesome to your daughter’s world at a reduced fee. #youbetheguide.