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Waitaki Valley School 
Newsletter

11 November 2015


 
Kia ora koutou katoa
I wrote a fortnight ago about how proud I was of the way everyone conducted themselves on our walk down to 'Big Richie'.  It was later that night that I received an email from another school where a parent had paid particular notice of how one of our teams had conducted themselves at touch in an exemplary manner, and last week the accolades continued! Well done to all those who did us proud with your great behaviour while we were all out and about last week.
 
We had a great day at the Athletics Sports at Twizel on Thursday, accompanied by some very successful results.  Top placings from our students, along with those who have qualified for the North Otago's are below.  We also have a group of students representing us at the Otago Athletics next Tuesday.  Good luck to you all!

I was excited to accompany our Jump Jam team, Miss Bremner and supporters to the National Finals in Christchurch on Friday.  For something that is so new in our school at this level, we can be VERY proud of how our team conducted themselves.  To be acknowledged through awards for 'Presentation' and 'Sportsmanship' is something pretty special.  Well done to the team, the large group of supporters, and also to Miss Bremner - for all the hard work that went into this.

Life is obviously busy - both at school and out of school, but it is important to remember that with five weeks of school left - this still equates to over 10% of learning time of the year.  Please don't think we are 'winding down' - if anything we are 'winding up' - with many things still to be taught, covered and worked on as the year comes to a close.  Ensure your children are getting plenty of sleep, but please make sure that they are still attending school regularly (unless they are sick of course).  Teachers have intensive programmes still being planned, with the needs of all the children in mind. We want to build up to the holidays so that the 'holiday slide' is minimised over Dec/Jan.  (This 'holiday slide' is what educationalists refer to the period over the Christmas holidays where children's capabilities often decline, while away from school.)  Minimise this by ensuring your child is in attendance at school until the end of the year, and maximise the holidays by ensuring children are still reading regularly while on holiday.  There is the challenge I set each of you!

Have a great week
The Government is currently reviewing the Education Act.  This is the legislation that shapes how our education system runs, and is a significant influence on how we operate our schools throughout the country.  The Government are seeking views to assist any changes that are going to be made.  
 
To read the public discussion document you can visit here. - Education Act Consultation.   If you wish to make a submission you are invited to at this site - Submission.
 
I encourage you to read over the consultation document and be informed of the potential changes.
JUMP JAM TEAM @ NATIONAL FINALS

Congratulations to this great team of Yr 7 & 8 students, along with their 'coach' Miss Bremner, for the wonderful way you represented us at the National Champs last Friday.  To beat over 160 other teams to make the final 20 was impressive in itself.  Your presentation at the Champs was fantastic.  
If you have missed out on seeing this group perform, you can look forward to a final presentation at our End of Year celebration!
2015 Upper Waitaki Athletic Sports Results
 
Boys
Sprint   8 years Third Malachy Murphy    
    10 years First Caden McGregor-Hofman
    10 years Third Ben Kay    
    11 years First William Smille    
    12 years First Henry Kay    
    12 years Second George Taylor    
    13 years Second Locky Collins    
Long Distance 400m   10 years First Ben Kay    
    11 years First William Smille    
    11 years Second Dan Patterson    
    12 years First Angus Smith    
    12 years Second Henry Kay    
    12 years Third George Taylor    
    13 years First Max Yanzick    
    13 years Second Locky Collins    
High Jump   9 years Third Equal Andrew MacMillan   0.9
    9 years Third Equal Shakayne Batt   0.9
    10 years First Caden McGregor-Hofman 1.1
    10 years Third Ben Kay   1.07
    11 years First Equal William Smille   1.12
    11 years Third Equal Dan Patterson   1.05
    12 years First George Taylor   1.22
    12 years Second Henry Kay   1.22
    13 years Third Max Yanzick   1.14
Long Jump   8 years First Malachy Murphy   3
    8 years Second Hunta Gledhill   2.9
    9 years Third Phoeynx Osborne   2.73
    10 years First Ben Kay   3.5
    10 years Second Caden McGregor-Hofman 3.45
    10 years Third Will Read   3.32
    11 years First Dan Patterson   3.77
    11 years Second William Smille   3.5
    12 years Second George Taylor   3.65
Shot Put   9 years First Shakayne Batt   8.76
    10 years Third Ben Kay   6.8
    11 years Third Tama Chapman   6.15
    12 years Second Henry Kay   7.98
Discus   8 years Third Hunta Gledhill   11.5
    9 years Second Shakayne Batt   17.3
    9 years Third Andrew MacMillan   16.2
    10 years First Ben Kay   18
    10 years Second Caden McGregor-Hofman 15.6
    11 years Third William Smille   19.2
    12 years Second George Taylor   17
 
Girls
Sprint 8 years First Maddy Phillips    
  9 years First Maiya Grant    
  10 years First Abbigail Murdoch    
  10 years Second Jade Grant    
  11 years Third Jess Smaill     
  12 years First Sara Harding    
  12 years Third Ria Dennison    
Long Distance 400m 8 years First Maddy Phillips    
  8 years Second Meg Murdoch    
  9 years First Maiya Grant    
  10 years Second Abbigail Murdoch    
  10 years Third Meg Patterson    
  11 years Second Sam Chilton    
  12 years First Ria Dennison    
  12 years Second Sara Harding    
  12 years Third Lucila Mino    
High Jump 8 years Second Rachael Sargeant   0.84
  8 years Third Maiah Faulkner   0.82
  9 years First Maiya Grant   0.88
  10 years First Abbigail Murdoch   1.11
  10 years Third Kara-mai Herbst   1.08
  11 years Second Equal Amy Hawkins   1
  12 years Second Sara Harding   1.15
  12 years Third Ria Dennison   1.1
Long Jump 8 years First Maddy Phillips   2.72
  9 years First Maiya Grant   2.33
           
  10 years First Abbigail Murdoch   3.36
  10 years Third Heather Watt   2.88
  11 years First Jess Smaill    3.18
  12 years First Sara Harding   3.51
  12 years Third Lucila Mino   3.28
Shot Put 8 years Second Maddy Phillips   5.63
  9 years Second Maiya Grant   5.87
  10 years First Jade Grant   7
  10 years Second Lucy Taylor   6.82
  10 years Third Gemma Green   6.64
  12 years First Sam Slee   7.14
  12 years Third Ria Dennison   6.47
Discus 9 years Second Sydney Slee   10.78
  10 years First Jade Grant   15.54
  10 years Second Lucy Taylor   12.07
  10 years Third Meg Patterson   11.58
  11 years Second Cassidhe Harrop   15.25
 
RELAY TEAMS    
8/9 Team WVS Maddy Phillips
  WVS Maiya Grant
  TWL Shelton Taylor
  TWL Zach MacLennan
     
10/11 Team WVS Abbigail Murdoch
  WVS Caden McGregor-Hofman
  D Milly Matthews
  WVS William Smilie
     
12/13 Team WVS Sara Harding
  D Hanna Alegado
  WVS Henry Kay
  D Carl Alegado

* Students in red have qualified for the North Otago Athletic Sports being held on Monday 23rd November and should have received a note home regarding this upcoming event.
TOUCH PARENTS -  HELP PLEASE
Due to one of the vans going to the Otago Athletics Champs in Dunedin NEXT Tuesday (17th Nov) we require 1 more car to transport our teams to Touch next week.  Please contact Mrs Senior - email (deidres@waitakivalley.school.nz) or ring her at school (4360660) - if you can help out.  Thanks!
ROOM 4 FUNDRAISING
 
Thank you to all the people who supported us for our movie night.
We are currently running a raffle.  If you would like to buy a raffle please contact a Room 4 child or the office.  
$1 per ticket
A reminder to all those selling raffles:  cards and money need to be in by Friday 13th please.
 

 
PAPER FOR TREES
Our school is involved in the Paper for Trees Project.  This means as a school we try to recycle our paper and cardboard.    
We collect paper and cardboard from school, Farmlands, and PGG Wrightsons and take it to the Recycling Centre in Kurow.   
We have just received trees to plant in our community.  If anybody is able to help us plant these one afternoon in a fortnights' time, could you please contact Susan at school.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS
Orders for Issue 8 will close on 23rd November
UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday 19 November           BOT Meeting, 7.30pm
Monday 23 November              North Otago Primary School Athletics, 4pm
Friday 27 November                 Rural Schools Year 8 Day, Glenavy
Friday 4 December                   Rural Schools Year 8 Day, Oamaru
Tuesday 15 December             Final Assembly, 1pm-3pm
Wednesday 16 December        Last Day, Term 4 
 
Waitaki Valley School
1 Settlement Road
KUROW
Principal: Deidre Senior

Important numbers: 
School phone: 03 4360 660
Absences: School Mobile Text: 0277142774
School Bank Account: 02 0900 0000532 00
 
office@waitakivalley.school.nz