Latest Newsletter

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou kātoa te whānau whānui o te Kura Pokapū o Whakatū –
Greetings to friends and family of Nelson Central School.

A special welcome this week to Edward in Room 9 and farewell to the Teariki whanau, Nauvoo, Xssence, Maraea and Tyne who have left for Australia.

Congratulations to all our kaiako and support staff for the preparation for their Te Reo attestation visit last week. The response was that we do a great job supporting our ākonga in Te Pouahi. We have an amazing team that consistently go the extra mile for these students. Te pai mutunga!

A big thank you also to all our staff and parents who have put in many hours to ensure the camps for Kahikatea and Te Pouahi have been so successful.
Our learners are lucky to have such a dedicated skilled group of adults supporting them.

Congratulations also to Tom Alesana who has been elected to the National Executive of the NZEI, our primary school union and professional body. This is a great honour and it also demonstrates his commitment to the wider educational whanau. Thank you Tom for the work you have started to do on behalf of our profession.

This week I leave for a few days at the invitation of the Chinese Friendship Society, to a forum promoting greater understandings of Chinese people and country.
I also hope to develop some insights into educational thinking in Hong Kong (one of the places that is doing well in the International PISA results). This, in turn, should support the work we are doing to build a strong sense of identity and belonging for each student here at Nelson Central School.

We continue to explore ways to support our learners and appreciate the strong commitment you have to work with the teacher of your child or children to strengthen their learning at school. Our teachers have been working on developing the use of our new student management system to share that learning with you online. This is taking time to capture but we see it as an amazing tool in which eventually the teacher, yourselves and your child will use to show achievement of different learning goals including key competencies. New families will receive a log in to this site in the next few weeks.

To support the development of these key competency goals we are also trialling a different lunchtime format, where children will be supported to eat and converse in smaller groups before being released for active play in the different playground areas.
We will keep you posted on some of these initiatives as they progress.

Have a great week ahead all.
Ngā mihi nui

Pip

If your child is away from school for any reason (sickness or holiday) you need to contact the school office before 8.50am to advise us of their absence.

For the safety of your children it is important that we are informed if your child is not coming to school for any reason. This also applies if your child is going to be late. Our school day starts at 8.55am and absences can be left on our phone before school by contacting 548 4972 or you can text 027 7590096. Or go to Nelson Central School Website and click on school absences.

Upcoming events

21st to 22nd November - Totara Bike Safety
22nd November - Transition to School Evening
27th November - Year 5/6 Athletics (PP Date 29th Nov)
3rd December - Kowhai Firewise Programme
4th December - Interschools Athletics (PP Date 6th December)
5t December - Year 6 Road Ride to Nelson Intermediate
7th December - Summit Walk - Fringed Hill
11th & 12th Dec - Year 6 Production
13th December - Pohutukawa Big Day In
15th December - Lantern Celebration at the Botanical Reserve 7pm
18th December - Kowhai Big Day in
18th December - Totara Big Day Out
19th December - Year 6 Leavers Assembly
20th December - Full School Final Assembly. start at 11am

Nelson Central School Choir Saturday 23rd of February 2019, Grand Opening for Pic's Peanut Butter World!

Our Term dates for 2019 have been decided and you can view these below.
Term 1
7th February 1st day of term one
12th April Last day of term two

Term 2
29th April 1st day of term two
3rd June Queens Birthday Holiday
5th July Last day of term two

Term 3
22nd July 1st day of term 3
27th September Last day of term 3

Term 4
14th October 1st day of term 4
28th October labour Day Holiday
20th December Last day of term 4

Date to be confirmed

Take a look at all the fun ways we have been learning and practicing our maths over the last couple of weeks.

Kahikatea News

Bridge Valley Camp

Rooms 8,7,16 & 17 went to camp at Bridge Valley. The girls slept in the cabins, the boys slept in Pukeko Lodge and the conference room.
One person from each Activity group didn’t go on the waterslide.
We had 8 activities to do and our groups rotated round them. Just before dinner we went on the hydroslide and the aqua tramp.
The next day we wrote postcards home to our families and relatives.
Camp was so much fun.

By Alyssa (Room 8)

Camp
Camp was fun. There was a big cave which you climbed up to the golden rocks, a big pond where there was kayaking happening and a waterslide, a giant hydroslide (which happened before dinner), a confidence course which you had to go under and over and there was a rogaine and that is what we did…basically all the time.
My favourite was the waterslide. When I got on the waterslide I slid down, my hands gripped my life jacket. “I’m nearly there…then…splash!” I hit the water “Wahhhh! That,” I said to myself, “was the best!”

By Mia (Room 7)

Camp
At camp there was a lot of fun things to do.
The first time I saw Bridge Valley my body exploded with adrenaline. It was quite entertaining at camp and I loved how the waterslide was fast because I went down and 10 seconds later ...SPLASH! I hit the bottom of the lake.
After the waterslide it was free time. I went straight to the hill and rolled down it again, it was fun. Next it was dinner and I had rice, vegetables, pasta and chicken. It was delicious. Once we had had tea it was free time again. Then we went to our cabins and went to sleep.

By Ashlee Eves (Room 7)

At camp I was terrified. It was my turn on the waterslide. I sat on the waterslide. I slid…SPLASH. I was shivering. The pond weed was on my life jacket.

By Esme (Room 7)

Totara News

The Amazing Adventures of Superstan

The Musical

This fun, loving family friendly musical production will be brought to you by all of the year 6’s to give them one last adventure at NCS before they leave to Intermediate/Prep.

It will be perfectly presented at the St.Joseph's school hall.

It will be a night-time musical production at 7:00pm on the 11th and the 12th of December.

Tickets will be available outside the library next week Monday-Friday at 8.30-9am and 2.45-3pm and will cost $5 each.

Ngā Karere o Te Pouahi

ESOL Children

Our Kowhai group of English learners have been working on the story of the Hungry Caterpillar . Here is our finished poster and everyone had fun making all the food for him . We all know all the days of the week now too .
Van Ni, Van Tha, Nga Reh , Plae Reh , Emily and Yuzo.

Enviro Group

Last week a group of students were involved in the painting of a large mural. The design was inspired by 'Nature in Nelson'. All of the supplies for the mural were given to us from the Nelson City council, Enviro Schools and the Great New Zealand Kereru count trust and the ply would was kindly donated by Bunnings Nelson. We were lucky to have the support of some fabulous parents and a local artist Vicki Smith who were on hand to support and guide the students. A special thank you to Klaasz, Floor, and Andrea who gave up their time to be here.

This was a huge success and we can't wait for it to be erected on the wall behind the library. The students have done a fabulous job!

School Community Group

Dear Parents, caregivers and Whanau ;

it is nearing the end of a very busy year, and the School Community Group would like to give a few inspiring ideas to you for Christmas and also for new ideas and directions you can sink your teeth into, for 2019.

Firstly we would like to share some of the amazing information which we had at the Transport to School presentation by Heather Graham of Nelson Enviro Schools.

Our aim next year; is to build on our already great reputation we have as an Enviro School, by having our own smart active transport plan.
The purpose is to limit our environmental impact on how our children travel to and from school. To teach them about safe travel, and the responsibilities and joys which come with belonging to a smart transport group.
These can be in the form of Walking school busses, Scooter groups, Bike routes and suburb champions. As well as proposals to the council for improved infrastructure to make travelling to school easier for our children.
Many of you may have experience from other towns and cities. If you have experience to share please feel free to join the transport group.

A big thank you to those students and teachers who helped to collate and present their transport survey to us, we will use this as a foundation for out plan. Great Job and great graphics.
We are looking for parents and family members who are active, and keen to start planning now for smart solutions and traffic minimisation strategies for our school heading into 2019.

Please contact the Community Group through the School Office if you would like to be a part of this positive project.

Christmas is nearly upon us, and there are some really neat gift Ideas for you:

Pics peanut Album, in conjunction with the Nelson Central Choir. This is the BEST little present for grandparents, family and friends and a good stocking stuffers. Lovely songs to share as a mini time capsule of our musical talents in the school.
They are easy to post and a unique gift.
Available at the Front Office.

We also have Nelson Central Cookbooks. Also a great Christmas present, a neat way to get families cooking together. And also to show relatives just how Cool your School is !

To those of you who purchased the Calendar Art , thank you, this provides fundraising for the school, and make special gifts.

If you are out and about shopping, Page and Blackmore have kindly offered to accrue points to Nelson Central School . - Mention the school when you purchase from this independent bookstore and the school benefits from your patronage.
A big thanks to Page and Blackmore for this offer.

A final reminder from us.
Parents PLEASE ensure that your children wear helmets when scootering to and from School. Your Mokopuna’s head and brain are so special and just developing; even a small crash can cause very serious head and brain injuries.
Protect them and their future by making sure they wear helmets.

We are always keen to have new members on the community group, and involved with events to develop the school’s ability to provide a special environment for your child.
Please feel free to contact us at any time, even if you have a little idea or handy tip.

Thank you

Nelson School Community Group.

Community and Business Notices

J’adore le Français! Do you love French too?
Next school year the Nelson/Tasman French Alliance will continue to offer French classes for all levels. Classes are 1 hour during weekdays after school. Small groups, professional teachers.
Venues: St Joseph’s school and Hampden Street School
Enquiries: https://www.afnelsontasman.org/learn-french.html

SUMMER READING BOOSTER PROGRAMME
for 5-9 year olds. Individual tailor made programmes
to suit the needs of your child. Proven results.
Starts Jan 2019. I am a fully qualified Early Years Literacy Specialist.
Let me help your child get back on track with reading for the new school year.
Limited places available
Testimonials available on request.
Enquiries: Call Elaine on 548 0994
email: readingnelson@gmail.com

Bridge Valley Holiday Camps
In January 2019 we have a variety of camps happening. Bridge Valley camps are all about providing a safe environment for children to have lots of fun and make positive friendships. We have many activities such as rock climbing, zipline, kayaking, archery, air rifles, and more! This camp’s theme is Surfin’ Safari, so we can also guarantee a lot of water time in our lake and pool!
Dates:
Junior Camp (ages 8-11): 7^th-11^th January
Intermediate Camp (ages 11-13): 14^th-18^th January
Extreme Junior (ages 9-11) and Extreme Youth (ages 12-15): 22^nd-25^th January
We would love to see you here. If you are interested, register on our website or contact us for more details.
www.bridgevalley.co.nz (03) 541 8465 holidaycamps@bridgevalley.co.nz