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Volume 40| 16 December 2022| Roll Number 664| Week 9 Term 4

Kia ora koutou

As I walked around the school this morning the excitement was tangible. Happy kids and happy staff preparing for a well-deserved Summer break. Last day of term for 2022 has not come soon enough for many of us as we have grappled with mask-wearing, sickness, new strains of COVID and a myriad of other challenges for students and staff at QPS. However, the highlights of 2022 most definitely outweigh the challenges. Thank you everyone for your continued loyalty and support of QPS. Thank you also for the many cards and gifts we have received today acknowledging our mahi.

Some of our staff will not be returning in 2023;

Bailey Saville has a year’s leave to travel the world.
Mikael Bergfors has a year’s leave to spend time with his family and travel.
Robyn Metcalfe has resigned to travel and have family time.
Lara Taylor is leaving teaching to try another role in Queenstown.
Luke Whitley is off to teach at Tauranga Intermediate in the Bay of Plenty.
Jess Coombes is not returning from her year’s leave as she continues to travel the world.
Julia Morum, our wonderful Librarian, leaves us to take up a position at the QLDC Frankton Library.

We wish all these wonderful people happiness and success in 2023 and look forward to Bailey and Mikael returning in 2024.

As part of QPS roll growth and redevelopment works, we are working with the Ministry of Education and their contractor, Southbase Construction, to provide 10 new teaching spaces for ākonga. To make room for these new teaching spaces, the contractor will be organising to demolish eight teaching spaces at the end of Term 1, 2023. We anticipate that the redevelopment works will commence at the end of Term 1, 2023 and as we get closer to the time, we will be in contact with our school community about a sod turning ceremony to mark the occasion.

We are also envisaging to work with the Ministry of Education and landscape architects to develop a new landscape plan earlier in the year. We will also be working with our school community to encompass their feedback to ensure this includes a junior playground replacement that is fit for purpose and fun for our ākonga.

The existing Rooms 25 and 26 will be refurbished to accommodate Queenstown Playcentre. We anticipate the building and relevant consent will mean they will move in closer to the end of Term 1, 2023. As we progress further through the project and relevant milestones, we will update our school community. To avoid confusion, this is a later programme of works since the last Board update.

My daughter, her husband and my grandies are moving to Wanaka in January, so one very excited Nanny Fi at the moment. I suspect I will be number one babysitter in 2023. Cannot wait!

Meri kirihimete Merry Christmas

Kia rawe ngā harerei Have a good holiday

Fi Cavanagh
Principal

IMPORTANT DATES

Friday 16 December
Last day of Term 4
School closes at midday

Thursday 2 February 2023 first day of Term 1

Monday 6 February
Waitangi Day - School Closed

Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 February
Meet the Teacher Interviews for Parents and Teachers (no students to attend)
For parents of Year 1, 3, 5 and 7 students ONLY

Tuesday 14 - Thursday 16 February
Year 5 Moke Lake Camp

Monday 27 February - Wednesday 8 March
Year 7 & 8 Glendhu Bay Camp (2 classes at a time)

Wednesday 15 - Thursday 16 March
Year 3 Kelvin Heights Camp

Monday 20 March
Otago Anniversary - School Closed

Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 March
School Photos

Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 April
Education Outside the Classroom - House Days

Thursday 6 April
Last Day Term 1

Term Dates 2023

Term 1 - Thursday 2 February - Thursday 6 April
Term 2 - Monday 24 April - Friday 30 June
Term 3 - Monday 17 July - Friday 22 September
Term 4 - Monday 9 October - Tuesday 19 December

SCHOOL HOURS

School commences at 8.55am and ends at 3.00pm.

Brain Break 10am to 10.10 am
Morning tea break 11.00 am to 11.30 am
Lunch break 12.40 pm to 1.30 pm.

It is recommended that your child arrives at school no later than 8.45 am.

Back to school stationery – order now!

We’ve teamed up with OfficeMax to make your back to school shop super easy. And if you order in December, you’ll go in the draw to WIN 1 of 5 $1000 cash prizes — plus, you’ll get a FREE A4 Magnetic Whiteboard Family Organiser*.

Your child’s class list is already loaded. Just go to myschool.co.nz. Simply add your details, check that you want everything on the list, then click and confirm — and OfficeMax will get your delivery underway with free delivery on orders over $60*.

You can pay by internet banking, credit card or debit card. Laybuy* is also available, so you can pay in 6 weekly, interest-free payments and still get your order right away. Plus you’ll be helping our school earn school rewards* that we use to purchase much needed extra resources for our school.

We encourage you to order early to ensure your child has all their stationery requirements ready to go in plenty of time for the start of Term 1.

So go ahead and beat the back to school rush, order today and give them the best start possible.

* Terms & Conditions apply, see myschool.co.nz for details.

Year 8 Graduation

Congratulations to ALL our Year 8 students who graduated from Queenstown Primary School this week. We have LOVED having you with us and wish you all the very best for your secondary education.

Please see below for our list of prize winners.

To those wonderful parents who will be leaving our QPS community - thank you for your valued contribution and support.

Dux
Ayuna Miyoshi / Henry Badenhop

Outstanding Effort in Learning Progress
Room 30: Amity Bamford
Room 31: Chloe Guyot de La Pommeraye
Room 32: Mollie Burgess
Room 33: Nhico Bigcas
Room 34: Ayuna Miyoshi
Room 35: Jack Bibby

Academic Excellence
Room 30: Amity Bamford
Room 31: Sydney Alva
Room 32: Henry Badenhop
Room 33: Nhico Bigcas
Room 34: Ayuna Miyoshi
Room 35: Jake McGirr

Outstanding Achievement in Arts
Eliah Guanzon

Outstanding Progress in ELL
Divyam Nautiyal

Diana Huston Kindness Cup
Mollie Burgess

Boys: Outstanding Achievement in Sports
Arlo Moran

Girls: Outstanding Achievement in Sports
Keira Redden
Bailey MacKay

Sports - Turner Leadership Award
Sydney Alva

Student Leadership in the School Community
Louis Dela Cruz

Kapa Haka Awards (new awards)
Manutaki Award
For Leadership in Kapa Haka
'The bird that leads'
Ngākau Tapatahi
Ayuna Miyoshi

Manutaki Award
For Leadership in Kapa Haka
'The bird that leads'
Manaaki
Eliah Guanzon

Manutaki Award
For Leadership in Kapa Haka
'The bird that leads'
Whakaute
Louis Dela Cruz

Care, Respect and Integrity Awards

Room	Year 7	Year 8
30	Isla Doheny	Luisa Haas da Silva
31	Kyla Yorke	Haruya Higuchi
32	Emily Messingham	Freda Devereux
33	Taylah Miller	Gabriel Leynes
34	Leyla Edwards	Ethan Morphett
35	Darby Lucka	Maxim Trefoloni

2023 Student Leaders

Congratulations to the following students who have been elected as our
QPS Student Leaders for 2023:

Head Girl
Emily Messingham

Head Boy
Reuben Davis

Deputy Head Girl
Livia Spijkerbosch

Deputy Head Boy
Xavier Horand-Barnett

House Leaders
KAHU
Issei Muta
Luka Jasz-Miller
Paige Bohaboy
Zac McAuliffe

KAWARAU
Jacob O'Neill
Kyla Yorke
Taylah Miller
Leyla Edwards

RATA
Scout Cameron
Iris Deaker
Paolyn Juri Gallardo
Gwen Gibbons

TAHUNA
Bianca Nagal
Kai Mewburn
Mishka Singh
Jed Dalton

Teacher Allocation for 2023

Wanted Gardening Families

I would like to organize a roster of keen families to have a week of keeping an eye on our Student Vegetable Gardens through the school holidays.
It would require checking that the automatic watering is doing its job, Feeding our worm farm, weeding if needed but most importantly harvesting anything that is ready so nothing goes to waste.
Please email if you can help.
susanmc@queenstown.school.nz

Garden to Table

Thank you to everyone who supported our Garden to Table Seedling Sale. We raised $271 which enabled us to buy cooking equipment for our kitchen.

Garden to Table has been a favourite part of Senior School learning and we are looking forward to continuing the joy of cooking, gardening and sharing next year.

A huge thank you to our Specialist helpers; Cordellia Burgess, Bryony Devereux, Rae Ellis, Nicky Gray and Zara Kingsbury. We have appreciated their invaluable support in our programme.

Anju, Isla T, Rina, Amelia, Kimmi, Isla M, Isla M, Ayana
‘12 Bells of Christmas’ Christmas show at the Events Centre last weekend.

Student Success

Goju Ryu Karate Southland Junior Competition 2022 was held in Ranfurly on 20 November 2022.

Congratulations to all the students who won medals!

Blue belt - Bronze medal - Yuzuki Muta

Yellow belt - Gold medal - Anju Okajima
Silver medal - Sayumi Suarez Aguirre

Brown belt - Gold medal - Issei Muta
Silver medal - Ayuna Miyoshi

Fantastic effort!

Education Outside the Classroom

Year 5/6 finished off our EOTC week with a fun BBQ to Morning Star Reserve. A special place for QPS where we could check on our growing native trees.

Thanks Mr J!
Our Caretaker, Jamie (Mr J) has done a great job getting the school pool ready.
Room 2 children have enjoyed their summer swims.
The children have gained confidence and learned new skills.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a group of fun, motivated parents who work together to fundraise for QPS, as unfortunately the government doesn’t cover the schools wish list of facilities and education options for our amazing kids.

The PTA is unfortunately losing many of its members this year as their kids move on to High School.

There are many reasons why parents join the PTA. For some it’s to help the school offer better facilities and for others it’s simply to connect with more parents socially. Whatever your reason might be, you are welcome on the PTA!

We really would like to have a PTA that represents our diverse school community. You don’t need to have any special skills but just be happy to get together once a month in the school staff room and work as a team on projects initiated by the PTA.

This is a great time to come on board. Covid is behind us and with new ideas the PTA has the ability to contribute significantly to our school, particularly with the proposed classroom and playground improvements.

In the coming weeks look out for more communication from us in our drive for more members. In the meantime if you’d like to learn a bit more about what the PTA does, or are ready to join up now, please email qpsptachair@gmail.com or contact the school office who will put you in touch with us.

Watch this Space!

A new and improved School APP is on the way ...
more information to follow next year!

Changes to Buses 2023

Kia ora
Changes to school bus services – effective from Term One, 2023

From the beginning of Term One 2023, Queenstown Primary School (QPS) students will no longer be able to transfer from their school bus D130434 (Former 9189 - QPS to Quail Rise) to the following Wakatipu High School (WHS) school bus services:

• D130412 (Former 9075 - WHS to Jack’s Point / Kingston)
• D130411 (Former 9074 - WHS to Arrowtown / Millbrook)
• D130417 (Former 9082 - WHS to Arrowtown / Speargrass Flat)
• D130422 (Former 9191 - WHS to Gibbston / Arrowtown)

The timing of the school bus D130434 has been causing significant delays to the above WHS services. The departure times for the WHS school bus services will no longer be delayed and these services will depart as scheduled. This means that the WHS buses could depart from WHS up to 40 minutes before the QPS bus D130434 would stop at WHS on its way to Quail Rise.

WHS school bus services are designed to meet the needs of WHS students. Delaying these services impacts around 200 WHS students every day and can no longer be justified for the very small number of QPS students who have been transferring on to these services.

It is important to note that the students from QPS who have been travelling on the WHS services are ineligible for Ministry-funded school transport assistance as they don’t meet the eligibility criteria. To qualify for school transport assistance, students must be attending their closest school, live at least 3.2km away from the school for years 1-8, and 4.8km for years 9-13, and have no suitable public transportation options available. Our website has a video that helps explain the eligibility criteria (www.education.govt.nz/transport).

Notify caregivers
Please ensure that this information is passed on to your affected students’ caregivers as they will need to make their own arrangements to pick up their children from WHS if they choose to continue to use this service.

The upcoming review of Queenstown school bus services. As previously communicated, we are planning to review all school transport services in the Queenstown area over the next few years. We will be looking at whether the current school bus routes are meeting the needs of eligible students.
Until the review is complete, all other current school bus services in the Queenstown area, including
D130434 (QPS to Quail Rise), will continue as normal.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.

Ngā mihi
Niall Duncan
Service Design & Planning Lead
School Transport
03 539 1534
Niall.Duncan@education.govt.nz

Remember to try and pack a 'Zero Plastic' Lunch.
This message has been brought to you by the QPS Enviro Leaders.

Slow Down Near School Buses

A reminder to parents/caregivers to take extra care around school bus stops. Please park on the same side as the bus stop wherever possible. But if you do need to park on the opposite side, cross to your children first instead of having them cross to you. Please never call to your child from the other side of the road – yes it does happen - and it can put children in great danger!

Parents please remember that the maximum speed when passing a stationary school bus stopped to pick up or drop off children is 20km/h regardless of which side the bus is on. Please take extra care around school bus stops and provide supervision for children needing to cross.

Situations Vacant
Please email newsletter@queenstown.school.nz if you have a position available that you would like to advertise.

Salvation Army Support

School parents and increase rent and mortgage rates
Many of you will be experiencing increased food and transport costs. Also, with mortgage interest rates on the rise, many people will have less money in their pockets. Although a lot of people do not own their own homes, the flow-on effect of mortgage interest rate rises will result in increased rents. If you are concerned about how you will afford these increased costs, you may be interested in speaking to our financial mentor. This is a free service run by The Salvation Army. Our service provides support to those struggling with their finances. We can provide skills that will improve your future financial well-being. This service is for people who wish to learn how to manage their money, keep debt under control and plan for future financial success.

If you have any parents who may need our help, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0211955534.
Thanks.

Sandra McClennan
Financial Mentor

General Information

Friendly reminder to please inform the school office of any changes to address, postal address, emails and cellphone numbers.

QPS School Checklist
GOT TO DO!		LINKS
	SchoolAppsNZ APP: Download the SchoolAppsNZ from your App Store or Google Play for FREE or click on the links opposite. Please download now to keep up to date with all school information.	APP - ANDROID
		APP -APPLE
	BUS: If riding the bus, determine route and register via the QPS Website - You can also update any changes to your student's bus route and days throughout the year via this link. Use the link opposite or go to http://www.queenstown.school.nz/index.php/bus-information	BUS REGO
	UNIFORM: Order your school uniform via the QPS Website - a uniform shop is open Tuesdays 8:30-9:00am in the School Hall with sample sizes to try on and some second hand uniforms to purchase. Use the link opposite or go to http://www.queenstown.school.nz/index.php/uniforms	UNIFORM ORDERS
	SCHOOL SHOP: Create a School Shop Account - this is essential - it allows you to order school lunches, sign up for sports events, fundraising events etc. No more having to find cash for your child to take part in school activities. Use the link opposite or go to https://shop.tgcl.co.nz/shop and choose Queenstown Primary School	SCHOOL SHOP
GOT TO KNOW!
	ABSENCES: If your child is going to be absent from school you must advise the SCHOOL OFFICE prior to 9am by phone - 442 9120 (press 1 to leave message 24/7), via the School App or via email absences@queenstown.school.nz For planned absences during term time complete the Absence form on the QPS website and submit.
	MESSAGES: Any urgent messages for students need to be phoned through to the SCHOOL OFFICE 442 9120 not later than 2pm.
	SCHOOL HOURS: School commences at 8.55am and ends at 3.00pm. There is a Brain Break 10am - 10.10 am, morning tea break is 11.00 am to 11.30 am and lunch break is 12.40 pm to 1.30 pm. It is recommended that your child arrives at school no later than 8.45 am.
	PLAN YOUR DAY: Please ensure that your child knows what they are doing after school each day
	LATE TO SCHOOL: If your child arrives after the 8:55am bell has rung then they MUST go to the SCHOOL Office to sign in on the tablet.
	BUSES: Please advise the SCHOOL OFFICE 442 9120 if your child is NOT travelling home on the bus on a day you have registered them to be on the bus. Please respect this request as it can delay bus departures. To register your child for the bus, please see the information and link above in the “Got to Do” section.
	TAKING STUDENT OUT FROM CLASS: Should you need to take your child out of school for ANY reason please sign them out on the tablet at the School Office and sign them back in on your return.
	CARPARKING: Weather dependent, Terms 1 and 4 will have the lower field open for parents to park when dropping off and collecting students after school. If you park in the School carpark AT ANY TIME you must collect a visitor pass from the School Office - failure to do so will incur towing costs.
	EMAIL: Please ensure you are receiving our school newsletter via email and emails from your child's classroom teacher. Check your Spam or Junk folder initially
	LOST PROPERTY: Lost property bins are located outside the caretaker’s office in the upper courtyard. Please ensure you label all items of clothing.
	CHANGE OF DETAILS: It is imperative that we have up-to-date contact information for all parent/caregivers so as to be able to contact you in an emergency or illness situation concerning your child. Please keep the School Office informed of any changes.
	SCHOOL LUNCHES: Tired of making sandwiches! Take a break and order your child Sushi on a Wednesday (order cut-off 8pm Tuesdays) and Pie & Juicy (order on a Friday. School lunch orders are ONLY accepted through our SCHOOL SHOP. Set up your account if you haven't already, pop funds on your School Shop account ready to order	SCHOOL SHOP
	ACCOUNTS: Please direct any finance queries to Carly in accounts at accounts@queenstown.school.nz. You will receive student statements throughout the year.
GOOD TO GO!
	WELCOME ABOARD! We hope you and your child are excited about all that QPS has to offer. Please pop in to the office to see our friendly admin team if you have any queries - happy to assist.

Uniform Reminder - Uniform Shop

You will find all your uniform requirements on the front page of our website with a full sizing guide. The Uniform Shop is open every Tuesday of a school term in the school hall 8.30-9.00am sharp if you are unsure of size. At the uniform shop, we have a small amount of secondhand uniform for sale. If you would like to donate any uniform, please drop in to the school office. NOTE: School Hoodie can have your child's name on the back, cost $10, no nicknames allowed.

Student Accounts

If you would like to set up a payment plan for your child's account, please get in touch with Carly at accounts@queenstown.school.nz. If you already have an automatic payment in place but are unsure if it will be enough to cover the items on your statement by the end of the year, do get in touch. Likewise, if you think you may be paying too much, let her know and she can recalculate the amount for you!

Carly is here to help with any payment or statement queries you may have.

Student Absences
CLICK HERE to submit an absence.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

HORSE RIDING LESSONS

Places available for horse riding lessons at AM Equestrian Academy - now affiliated with the New Zealand Pony Club Association to provide the Pony Club curriculum to students without their own ponies.

For more information see our website www.amequestrian.co.nz

Tennis holiday camps and term 4 after school lessons.
20+ years experience, kids will love it.
Adult and private lessons also.
Phone/Txt Louie on 02108646997

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Phil Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Music

Guitar, Drums and Bass Tuition

Full Time Professional Music Teaching.

Phil Hartshorn BA (HONS) PGDip Tching

Web: dunedinschoolofmusic.nz

Phone: 021 075 0927

I want to make you an awesome player, fast.

ADVERTISING

FREE DENTAL CARE

Children in New Zealand are entitled to free basic oral health care services until 17 years of age. If you would like your child to receive this free service please click on the following link to complete the online enrolment form:

h ttps://www.southernhealth.nz/getting-help-you-need/oral-and-dental-health/free-oral-health-service-children/southern-district

Or telephone the clinic – 034509370 or Freephone 0800 570 300 – we are located at 19A Douglas Street, Frankton, Queenstown

If you are not a New Zealand resident there is a criteria to be met in order to receive free care, please ask the dental staff before enrolling.

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View this email in your browser Volume 40| 16 December 2022| Roll Number 664| Week 9 Term 4

View this email in your browser
Volume 40| 16 December 2022| Roll Number 664| Week 9 Term 4