Newsletter Friday 7 May 2021

He mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa!

Learning Conferences Tuesday 11 May to Friday 14 May

Learning conferences are next week. These conferences are for parents and teachers, although children may attend also if parents wish. These conferences will focus on learning. If you have concerns about your child's behaviour or wellbeing, please contact your child's kaitiaki teacher as soon as possible to express your concerns, as these things should always be addressed immediately.

We have booked the upstairs space at the Bowling Club and the Vogelmorn Hall for our interviews. Interviews are for 10 minutes only so it is important that you are punctual. The only interviews held at the Vogelmorn Hall are for Kākā and Kūkupa on Wednesday 12 May from 8am to 12pm. All the rest of the interviews will be in the upstairs room in the Bowling Club at various times.

Tuesday 8am to 10am - Ruru

Wednesday 12.30pm to 6pm - Tui, Kāka, Kūkupa and Ruru

Thursday 8am to 8pm Tui and Kōtare

Friday 8am to 10am - Tui

Here is the link to the School Interviews website to book your interview.

Step 1. Enter your details

Step 2. Choose your child's group

Step 3. Choose the time - Scroll to "More times" on this screen as not all interviews are starting at 8am.

Phone the office 939 8771 if you do not have internet access and they will book a time for you.

Our Kids Online: An evening session for parents Thursday 27 May at 7pm

We have invited Rob & Zareen to talk about their film "Our Kids Online" to our community on Thursday 27 May at the Vogelmorn Hall starting at 7pm.

Rob & Zareen provide a 90 minute interactive information evening designed to help any adults with children in their lives gain a better understanding of some of the potential dangers children face in the online world.

The talk also offers advice and resources to be able to confidently approach these topics, including talking about sex, with your children at different ages and stages, from pre-school through to teens, as well as offering practical solutions on how to make their online experiences safer.

You can find out more about Rob and Zareen and their film on their website.

Wednesday 9 June Korero with Kathryn - Spotlight basics 7 - 8pm

Kathryn is hosting a korero about how to access and use Spotlight to see your child's information. Please let office@ridgway.school.nz know if you would like to attend.

Cross Country

This year, we are asking for our keen Year 4 - 8 runners to sign up for the cross country competition. They will compete in a course at school and the top competitive runners in each year group will go through to the Southern Zones Cross Country competition on 24 May at Houghton Valley School.

The distances are 1.1 km for Year 4 and 2.2km for Year 5 - 8.

The Year 4 - 8s have been emailed a form directly to sign up for this. We have also included the form here in case you want to sign up on their behalf.

Moveathon

This year, we are running a Moveathon as a fundraiser for the tree top walkway and adventure playground on the bank. Children challenge themselves to complete a number of laps of the field. They set their own goals and can choose to complete the loops in any way they like - for example run, walk, hop, skip, dance! More information will follow but the date is Wednesday 30 June.

Movin' March - Passport Winner!

You may remember that we had a Movin' March Passport Challenge at the end of last term. We sent all the entries off to the council and one of our Year 1 students won a $400 MYRIDE voucher! Fantastic news!

Helmets on Scooters

Following a number of incidents, we are now asking all our children to wear helmets while on scooters. If your child brings a scooter to school, please ask them to also bring a helmet.

School Photos - Wednesday 2 June

This year we have changed the company we use to take our school photos. We are now using Inspire Photography. All of their photos are taken outside so it is weather dependent. We have a back-up date of 10th June. There will still be sibling photos as well as the option of having friends photos too. We're looking forward to bringing our school photos up to the 21st century!

Pink Shirt Day - Friday 21 May

As part of Bullying-Free NZ Week we will be holding a Pink Shirt Day. Wear a pink shirt and bring a gold coin which will be donated to the Mental Health Foundation. Over the week we will be learning all about bullying and bullying prevention.

Football Sock and Boot Alert

Could there be some BNU or Alliance club socks hidden in a drawer or cupboard of your house that are in decent condition and no longer used? Are there some boots gathering dust in your closet? If there are, and you'd be happy to donate them for keen young footballers to wear on the pitch, please drop them into the collection box at the Brooklyn Community Centre from Monday. Alternatively you're welcome to leave them in the letterbox of 20 Virginia Grove.

Accessing past newsletters and pānui

If you miss a newsletter or a pānui, this is just a reminder that they can all be found on our website under the 'News' tab.

Ngā mihi

Sarah Taylor

Deputy Principal

Ridgway School