FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER: 18th March 2021

IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS

Torbay School Learning Powers – RIC

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Tēnā koutou katoa

Thank you for your attendance at our Whānau Feedback meetings. Although it was late in the term for these initial meetings, the feedback from our staff is how valuable this form of meeting is in helping them to build strong relationships with their students. The attendance levels appear to have been high. If you did not manage to fit it into your timetable then please contact your child’s teachers and make a time to meet with them.

Teacher Only Day

On Thursday 1st April we will be holding the first of four Teacher only days guaranteed to us in the last pay negotiation round. On this day our staff will be participating in PLD to improve our understanding and implementation of the Philosophy of Universal design for Learning one of the foundations that we are developing here at Torbay School. Our Junior class teachers will also spend some time developing our Wā kitea (Play based learning) programme and our Senior school teachers will spend some time planning the move into our new building. We thank you for making other care arrangements for your children on this day.

New Building

Our new building will be handed over to us on the 2nd of June. We will be holding an opening ceremony on the 2nd to celebrate that opening. More information will be made available as we approach this time.

It is important that we scaffold the move into our new building ensuring that both the building and our Staff are ready for the children on the Tuesday June 8th. There is much to be done including furniture and fittings, technology installation and many other details that teachers will have to attend to.

To facilitate this move we will hold our second and third Teacher only day on the 3rd and 4th of June. These dates coincide with Queens Birthday weekend giving us a full five days to ensure the building is ready for children on Tuesday the 8th of June. On these two days our year 4, 5, and 6 staff will organise and move into the building and prepare for their first day in the new surroundings. Year 1, 2, and 3 staff will work on developing our new curriculum philosophies and documentation.

Once we have taken possession of the building Phase 2 of the project begins, including the removal of 9 classrooms from our grounds, the relocation of our senior playground, the reinstatement and draining of our top playing field, the creation of a new staff car park, the building of a new caretakers shed and the redevelopment of our Deep Creek Rd pedestrian entrance. This work is timetabled to be completed by the end of 2021.

I thank you for your patience while we work our way through these redevelopments and look forward to the time we can utilise the new resources we are being provided with.

Return to School

Our Staff and children have responded positively to the return to school and have handled the disruption to the start of the school year well. Our classrooms seem settled and busy and despite the challenges we have faced we are starting to get back into the rhythm of the school year. It is important that we continue to plan optimistically and provide as many opportunities for our children as we can. One example of this is the postponement of the year 6 camp which is now being held immediately after Easter. This is a tribute to everyone’s flexibility and adaptability.

Thank you once again for all the support you give us here at Torbay and please do not hesitate to contact me on any topic. My email address gobrien@torbay.school.nz.

Teacher Only Day Dates for your Diary.

April 1st, June 3rd and 4th.

Ngā mihi nui
Gary O’Brien
Principal

SCHOOL NOTICES

KA PAI to the following students who have shared their fantastic learning with us: Allie S-W Rm 6, Hunter G Rm 7 Awesome work!

CONGRATULATIONS to the following tamariki who received certificates from their class teachers: Zachary, Cody Rm 1, Hollie, Marlon Rm 2, Mateo, Sophie Rm 3, Gabrielle, Yulia Rm 4, Savannah, Alyza Rm 5, Ellie S, Xander Rm 6, Annaliese, Hunter Rm 7, Anine, Olivia Rm 8, Sam, Erin Rm 10, Maddy, Yara Rm 11, Fleur, Daniel D Rm 13, Teo, Norris Rm 15, Josefina, Toby 16, Kaleb A, Kaylene Rm 17, Isabella, Kieran Rm 18, Amy, Fin Rm 19, Lydia, Dean, Bianca & Aspen Rm 22, Mikayla, Paige Rm 23, Maggie, Micheala Rm 25 Well done everyone!

MEETINGS – The Parent Helper Training will be held on Monday 22nd March at 9am in the staffroom. The next B.O.T Meeting will be held on Wednesday 24th March @ 7pm in the Staffroom. The next New Parent Meeting will be held on Monday 7th June @ 9.30am in the staffroom.

KĀHUI AKO TEACHER ONLY DAY – THURSDAY 1st April 2021 – School will be closed for learners on this day. Fun club will be open on this day and on Easter Tuesday too.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS – ISSUE 2 – Lucky book club order forms have gone home – closing date for orders is Wednesday 24th March @ 3pm. Every order provides valuable resources for our library and other book resources for our school.

TORBAY SCHOOL SPORTS HOODIE ORDER – If your child plays sports for the school and you would like to purchase one they are available on the online shop under the sports tab. Orders will be closing on Wednesday 7th April @ 3pm. This is the first order for 2021. There will only be one other opportunity to purchase a sports hoodie later in Term 3. These hoodies can be worn at any Torbay School sports event (Rippa, Netball Tournaments etc) but not as a replacement for our school uniform.

PHOTOLIFE PORTRAITS/CLASS PHOTOS/SIBLING PHOTOS – TUESDAY 18th MAY 2021 PhotoLife will be visiting our school on Tuesday 18th May. Every child will be photographed individually and in their class group. When photos are ready for printing, students will bring home their own unique shoot key. Simply follow the steps to view and purchase your photos. Sibling photo request forms can be collected from the office in Term 2. Please complete ONE form for EACH family and return to school before photo day.

SCHOOL POOL KEYS – Reminder that all pool keys need to be returned to the school office by the end of this term. Please note: The school pool will be closed for public use from Friday 16th April at 3pm and all keys must be returned by that date to receive the bond refund.

GARDEN TO TABLE – All the year 6 classes have had one session of garden to table. To get the garden going we are looking for donations. Have you got any of the following? Large pots (10 L plus), My Food Bag wool inserts, gumboots, and anything else a garden may need, spades, gloves etc Please bring to room 20

HEALTH ROOM REMINDERS

Please do not send any children to school who are unwell.

If your child is sick please stay home and follow the guidelines for the illness and stay home for the recommended time frame set by the Ministry of Health.

VOMITING/DIARRHOEA: Any children who have had vomiting or diarrhoea must not return to school until 24 hours after the last episode.
HIGH TEMPERATURES: For more information about fevers Click here
HEAD LICE: Check your children for head lice as this is an ongoing problem. Children with eggs or lice will be sent home for treatment.

GENERAL REMINDERS

WHEELS DAY – Wheels day is on every Friday for all Y1-5 learners. Wheels day includes all wheels ie Scooters, skateboards, roller skates/blades, NO BIKES PLEASE. Please note: Wheels day is ONLY on Waterwise days which is weather dependent.

SECOND HAND UNIFORM SHOP – The shop will be open to purchase second hand uniforms on Thursday 8th April from 8:30am-8:55am and 3pm—3.30pm just inside the hall by the office. If you have any good condition uniforms you wish to donate, please bring them to the school office.