Newsletter - Friday 26 August

He mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa
Bonjour à toutes nos familles

Supporting Children Who Are Experiencing Anxiety 

Just a reminder that this is coming up next week on Tuesday night from 6 - 7pm.  It will be a great session for anyone who wants to learn more about how to support their children, if they’re experiencing anxiety.  It will be in the Tawa space, which is next to Kahikatea (the basketball court). 

By the end of the session, parents should be able to:

• Coach and guide their tamariki to manage worries and anxieties

• Recognise worry and anxiety in children

• Understand the brain and behaviour science behind worry and anxiety

Fundraising lunches

We made delicious rolls yesterday.  Next week we have a brilliant Thai chef at our school cooking fried rice.  You can order these through https://www.lunchonline.co.nz/. We encourage children to bring their own bowl and spoon/fork for this to try to get away from disposable plates but if children forget, we will have one they can use at school. 

Calling All Awesome Humans (or how you can help keep our children safe)!

If you are around from 8.30 - 8.50 in the morning or 3 - 3.10 in the afternoon we would really appreciate some help in keeping an eye on the crossings.  There is some nefarious driving activity and it helps to have adults at each crossing, which staff at school can’t always cover. Please email Sarah (sarah@ridgway.school.nz) if you are able to help and are keen to get some good karma coming your way!

Last Chance for Calendar Art Orders

Calendar Art orders are due today. If you haven’t had a chance to order any yet, here is the form. These will be ready in Term 4.

Reminder: Cohort Entry Consultation

We are looking at changing when students start school to a system of cohort entry from 2023.  Cohort entry is when new entrants start school in groups through the year rather than on their fifth birthday.  In schools which have adopted a policy of cohort entry, new entrants are able to start school in cohorts but only after they have turned five. There are two entry points per term, one on the first day of term, and one at a mid-point during a term.

Cohort entry is about helping children to settle better in school. There is evidence that starting school alongside other children helps them build relationships and supports a smoother entry to school life.  Schools that are already using cohort entry believe it offers their children the best start to their school life. It can also mean less disruption for new entrant teachers who can prepare for groups of children arriving on a specific date rather than on an individual and ad hoc basis through the year.

If you have an opinion on this that you’d like to share, please fill out our form. 

Upcoming Events

Term 3: Swimming (Year 1 - 3 Tuesday, Year 4 - 8 Friday)

26 August: Orders for Calendar Art due

30 August:  6 - 7pm: Supporting your child with anxiety (educational pyschologist session)

31 August - 2 September: Year 5 & 6 Camp at Forest Lakes

2 September: Onesie Day - Gold coin koha to Wellington Free Ambulance

12 - 15 September: Year 7 & 8 Camp Makahika

Community Page

You can find out more about what’s happening in the community here. 

Ngā mihi.

Sarah Taylor
Deputy Principal
Ridgway School