Term 3, Week 1, 2019 (23 July 2019)

He mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa - warm greetings to all!

Teacher Only Day Term 3 - Monday 5 August

Just a reminder that we have our teacher only day coming up in a couple of weeks. School will be closed on this day. Enjoy Childcare will be running a programme at school on this day, for their usual holiday programme fee.

Thinking about the now, so we can get ready for the next

We are working with Carolyn Stuart on the 'where next' for our school. Carolyn Stuart's career in education has included 13 years as a principal, and 5½ years in a senior system-level education role. She now works with organisations, including schools, to design compelling futures. Carolyn is supporting us to use a design thinking approach to weave together the elements critical to creating a community-owned future for Ridgway School. You can find out more from her website: www.weavingfutures.nz

An important part of our design thinking approach is to deeply understand those who belong to our school community. This process includes teachers talking to a wide range of parents about what it's like for them to be a part of the Ridgway community, and a parent at the school. We are aiming to speak to a cross-section of randomly selected parents. If we do contact you we would be hugely grateful if you could make yourself available as this is a very important part of the design thinking process.

If you're not selected but would like to be part of these conversations please contact sarah@ridgway.school.nz and we will arrange to talk to you also. We estimate that these conversations will take between 30 minutes and an hour. They will be held at The Green over the course of a day (Thursday 8th August) and we will buy you a coffee to enjoy while we are chatting! Once we have completed all these conversations we will pull out common themes and then share them with the entire community for further feedback.

Swimming Sports Year 4 - 8 on Tuesday 30 July

Karori Pool Swimming sports for Y4-8. The bus leaves at 9.00am and returns from Karori Pool at 12.30pm. All supporters welcome. If you are able to help please email anneleah@ridgway.school.nz . We would love your help. A parent race is on the cards too so bring your speedos and bikinis…😉

Whānau hui - Thursday 1st August 7pm in the staffroom

All welcome. There will a discussion on the noho marae experience, te wiki o te reo Māori hīkoi and kapa haka uniforms. To read more about the whanau group follow this link.

Student led conferences

• Kōtare, Tui and Ruru La Chouette: conferences are on Wednesday 31 July 3.30 - 8.00pm and Thursday 1 Aug 3.30pm to 6.00pm. Go to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz click on "make a booking" and put in code ejabp. Conferences are for 15 minutes.

• Kūkupa and Kākā: conferences are on Tuesday 30th July 3.30pm to 6.00pm, Weds 31st 3.30pm to 8.00pm and Thursday 3.30pm to 6.00pm . Go to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz click on "make a booking" and put in code 6eaaq. These student led conferences will last for 15 minutes. During the first 10 minutes your child will explain to you where they are at in their learning. Following this you and your child will spend 5 minutes with your child's kaitiaki kaiako to give you the opportunity to discuss your child.

The smooth running of our event relies on everyone keeping to the timetable. If you run out of time or wish to discuss matters that are outside of the student led conference focus, you may need to make another meeting time with the teacher.

Bank Account Details - Change

We have changed our bank account to the ASB Bank. The new details are: 12 3141 0104464 00

Please use this bank account for all your payments.

Te Reo Extension Group

Enrolment in this group is closed for the year but new students (Year 2 and above) will be able to join from the start of next year.

SPCA Cupcake Day - Wednesday 7 August

Lola and Emily (Year 5 students) are organising a fundraising event to raise money for the SPCA. If you are able to contribute some baking for this event that would be great. Cupcakes can be dropped off at the office on Wednesday morning. There will be a competition for best looking cupcake with the lofty prize of a certificate that declares the winner 'Ridgway's Top Baker'.

Working Bee Reminder - Sunday 28 July at 1:30

We are looking for some willing parents to come and help us with some outdoor work. BYO spades. Sander and paintbrush also required if you have them and are handy enough to fix bench seating!

Sarah Taylor

Deputy Princial