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Volume 3| 17 February 2023| Roll Number 606|  Week 3 Term 1


Nau mai, haere mai!

We welcomed our Year 5 students back to school from Moke Lake this morning. They had the best weather ever and were an adventurous and very happy crew! Thank you to the wonderful teachers, parents and Matt Leach, DP, who ensured all health and safety plans were in place and the marquee was erected and dismantle. d. What an awesome team!

Between 9-9.30am I invite you to meet me in the staffroom for a coffee catch up. This is a time for me to get a feeling for how your children have settled at school and whether they or you have any concerns. Communication and consultation are key to a successful partnership between home and school. No item is off the Agenda.

Attached to this newsletter are the staff videos introducing themselves to you. We hope you enjoy them.

There is nothing to report regarding classrooms being demolished and new  classrooms arriving. The property sub committee of the Board will meet with the capital works team from Christchurch next week for further information. In the meantime, teachers and students are coping extremely well under the circumstances. 

A big THANK YOU to Jamie Turner, our caretaker and Sophie Killeen, our gardener for the outstanding efforts they have contributed to preparing the grounds after a long Summer break. Our swimming pool is clean and regularly cared for and the grass has an ongoing maintenance plan.

The staff and their families are meeting at the beach after school today to learn more about each other and enjoy each other’s company. I am taking the kayak across the lake and many are bringing boats, hampers and children. This Summer just keeps on giving. 

Kia pai te mutunga wiki

Fiona Cavanagh
Principal

Click on the logo above to view the 'Meet the QPS Crew' video!
IMPORTANT DATES

Monday 20 February
Touch Rugby Starts

Tuesday 21 February
Year 5 - 8 School Athletics at the Events Centre

Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 February
Goal Setting Interviews for Years 2, 4, 6  and 8

Monday 27 February - Wednesday 8 March
Year 7 & 8 Glendhu Bay Camp
Rooms 30 and 31; 27 Feb - 1 March
Rooms 32 and 33; 1 - 3 March
Rooms 34 and 35; 6 - 8 March

Friday 10 March
Cup Cake Day - Year 6 Fundraiser

Wednesday 15 - Thursday 16 March
Year 3 Kelvin Heights Camp

Monday 20 March
Otago Anniversary - School Closed

Tuesday 21 March
Year 5 - 8 Wakatipu Zone Athletics Champs

Wednesday 22 March
Mufti Day - bring a gold coin (Year 8 Fundraising)

Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 March
School Photos

Wednesday 29 March
COPSSA Athletic Champs

Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 March
Goal Setting Interviews for Years 1, 3, 5 and 7

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.
FANTASTIC FUNDRAISING
NEW SCHOOL APP

From time to time Queenstown Primary updates its communication systems to ensure we have the best possible systems in place to get
our messages out to our community.

We will shortly be moving onto the Skool Loop APP messaging system and request that ALL our parents and caregivers download this APP to ensure you don’t miss out on important communication. From 24 April (Term 2) this will be the ONLY APP we will be using.

 

What do you need to do?

Delete SchoolAppsNZ

 

Follow the instructions below to install the new SKOOL LOOP APP AND the EDGE APP

 



 

 

 


 

Goal Setting Interviews

For parents and caregivers and students in Years 2, 4, 6 and 8

Date

Time

Wednesday 22 Feb

3.30pm - 7.00pm

Thursday 23 Feb

2 pm - 7.00pm

 

These interviews are aligned to our Strategic and Annual plans around the gathering of student’s voice and the development of home and school relationships.

All students will set 3 learning goals. These goals can take the form of the core curriculum or aspects of key competencies e.g. managing self, relating to others etc. 

Example of 3 goals: Goal 1- Maths: Improve my basic facts

                                Goal 2- Proofread my work for basic errors

                                Goal 3- Ask my teacher for help when I am unusual

 

Fiona Cavanagh, Justine Lock and Matt Leach are available for face-to-face interviews on these days should you wish to have a chat.

 

We use an online booking system to make time for interviews. 

1. Go to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz   

2. Enter our school code: 9qjz2 

3. Press go and follow the on-screen prompts. 

This includes choosing either a Video-Conference meeting or a face-to-face meeting. 

4. Confirmed bookings will be emailed to you. 

  • Please keep in mind that if you have more than one child, you will need to book early to get times close together.  

  • Conferences are for 15 minutes. 

  • Please note: On Thursday 23 February interviews commence at 2pm. This is a normal school day; students will be supervised at school until 3pm, and buses will run as normal.

  • Bookings will close at 9am on Wednesday 22 February.

School Athletics Championships

Due to work being carried out on our own school grounds, we are holding this year’s Y5-8 School Athletics Champs at the Events Centre, Frankton.

Tuesday 21 February: 9.15am -2.30pm approximately

Postponement Day: Wednesday 22 February

The event will commence at 9.15 and run throughout the day until approximately 2.55pm. Students are encouraged to wear their house colours, bring their sun hat, sunscreen, drink bottle and normal morning tea and lunch plus suitable footwear in which to compete. If your child is asthmatic, it is imperative that they bring their inhaler please. 

For this year, we will have our School Athletics with qualifying students progressing through to the Wakatipu Athletics Championships on Tuesday 21 March. Qualifiers from this event will go through to represent the Wakatipu team at the Central Otago Athletics Champs on Wednesday 29 March in Alexandra.

NB. Students are required to be dropped off at the Events Centre by 9am at the latest and picked up by 3.30pm. If you have difficulties getting your child to and from the Events Centre, please contact your child’s class teacher.

All parents will be notified on Facebook, email and the school website in the event of a postponement, the night before or by 7.30am the next day. 

As this is a new format this year, we would love some parent help to assist with measuring and recording results if you are free. If you are keen, please contact myself or Matt on the email below.

 

Kind regards

Paula Nicholls

PE Specialist & Sports Coordinator

paulan@queenstown.school.nz

Matt Leach

Deputy Principal

mattl@queenstown.school.nz

 

2023:  Y5-8: Athletics Programme      

 

Time

Events

Sprints

Discus

High Jump

Long Jump

Shotput

Hurdles

House Tug of War/Rest Break

Softball Throw

 

9.15-10.00

 

Y8B

 

 

Y8G

 

Y7B

 

Y7G

 

Y6B

 

Y6G

 

Y5B

 

Y5G

 

10.00-10.40

 

Y5G

 

Y8B

 

 

Y8G

 

 

Y7B

 

Y7G

 

Y6B

 

Y6G

 

Y5B

 

10.40-11.20

 

Y5B

 

Y5G

 

Y8B

 

 

 

Y8G

 

 

Y7B

 

Y7G

 

Y6B

 

Y6G

 

11.20-12.00

 

Y6G

 

Y5B

 

Y5G

 

Y8B

 

 

Y8G

 

 

Y7B

 

Y7G

 

Y6B

 

 

12.00-12.40

 

Y6B

 

Y6G

 

Y5B

 

Y5G

 

Y8B

 

Y8G

 

 

Y7B

 

Y7G

12.40-1.10pm

Lunchtime

 

 

 

1.10- 1.45

 

Y7G

 

Y6B

 

Y6G

 

Y5B

 

 

Y5G

 

 

Y8B

 

 

Y8G

 

 

Y7B

 

1.45 -2.20

 

 

YY7B

 

Y7G

 

Y6B

 

 

 

Y6G

 

Y5B

 

Y5G

 

Y8B

 

Y8G

 

2.20-2.55

Y8G

Y7B

Y7G

Y6B

Y6G

Y5B

Y5G

Y8B

Pack up once the last event has finished.

 

Health Message


Queenstown Primary School has been notified that Impetigo is present within our school community.  Impetigo or School Sores are blisters that appear on exposed parts of the body, such as hands, legs, and the face. Blisters burst and turn into a sore with a yellow crust that gets bigger each day. The sores are itchy and spread easily to other parts of the skin. Impetigo is easily spread to other children and adults if they touch the sores. Medical treatment must be sought.

Students can attend school 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has started and weeping sites are covered with a waterproof dressing.  Covering sores on the face and around the mouth etc can be really tricky, these need to be drying up and of course, the child is not picking at them before they can return to school. 

Please see some important information attached to this email that has been provided by our Schools Health Nurse.

Ngā mihi nui,


Justine Lock

Deputy Principal
Around the School
Help Wanted

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer and part of a small team supporting our school library?


Parents and Caregivers who help in the library make such a difference in our school for all students, staff, and other parents or guardians who visit.

How will you benefit from being a Library Volunteer? 

Learn our library procedures and how library materials are organised
Help with the shelving of fiction and non-fiction books
Participate in the Reading of shelves (organising and straightening)
Clean and dust shelves, counters, and tables
Be trained to cover and repair books 
Help select books for displays 
Help with our annual Book Fair

Work with other parents and caregivers and make new connections

Gain a feeling of satisfaction in doing a good job 

If you are interested and have some free time either weekly or fortnightly, we would love to hear from you. Please email Emma Weinert QPS School librarian emmaw@queesntown.school.nz to let me know your interest and availability, or pop in when you are walking past. Please note all volunteers will be subject to the police vetting process.
 
 

Science Update

Once again the Science room is up and running . So many things to look at, touch and now smell.

 

A quick overview to let you know what you child will be learning about so that you can generate some discussion

 

Year group

Learning area in Science

1

Learning that observing is not just looking, but listening, smelling, touching and tasting. So many new words at this age

2

Will be learning a little about Electricity. They will get a light turned on and hopefully get a buzzer going as well

3

Propagating plants and photosynthesis

4

Are learning what it means to be living - there are 7 aspects(ask about MRS GREn she may come and visit

5 and 6

Expanding their knowledge on Light Energy

7 and 8

Chemistry - one of the favourites!! (Congratulations Rm34 year7’s first to make the 20’s club with periodic table)



ANY OLD POTS FOR PLANTS lying around, please bring them along to the Science room. Just small ones, please!!!   

Have a spare scoby ???? We would like it.

Holiday Reflection by Everett
Student Success
Colgate Games

Congratulations to Addisyn Millar and Eva and  Aya Duffy who participated in the Colgate games in January in Timaru.

Aya's results: 1st in 60m, 100m, 200m, Long jump, Grade 9 Relay and came 3rd in Shot put.

Eva's results:  1st in 60m, 100m, Grade 9 Relay and came 2nd in 200m.

Addisyn's results: 1st in 100m and 200m and 2nd in the long jump.

Fantastic effort!

COMPETITION TIME 

Sustainable Queenstown (SQ) recently launched SUCfree Whakatipu to encourage behaviour change within the QLDC area regarding our 'throwaway culture'. Late last year we targeted the businesses in Arrowtown but now we are bringing this program to the wider Whakatipu community. 

How to get Involved? 

Join us, local cafes and businesses in reducing single-use cups (SUC) when getting that morning cuppa or afternoon pick me up and bring your own mug, keep cup or jar. 

Starting from Monday 12th December for the next 6 weeks, we are encouraging you to BYO and be in to win a weekly $15 voucher at your favourite cafe in Whakatipu region that offers “suc” alternatives. 

To be in the draw - Show Us Your Mug! 

● Share a photo at your favourite Cafe with your reusable cup on Instagram or Facebook for your chance to win! 

● Tag @SUCfreewhakatipu and use the hashtag #sucfreewhakatipu in your post. For an additional entry, tag a mate you want to see using a reusable cup on their next cafe trip! 

Remember that “use your own” doesn’t need to stop with cups. Always consider your options and use what you’ve got when you can.
Learn more at SUCfree Whakatipu Facebook Page

The Senior School  Garden to Table Programme will start up again with Year 6 classes this term. We rely on Parent help to support this programme.

We would love to have some keen volunteers that can help with the Kitchen and Garden Specialist roles. GTT is run 6 mornings a term and we can offer training for the specialist roles.

Please email Susan McIntyre if you could be available or want to hear more about this programme.  susanmc@queenstown.school.nz

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. 
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.
 
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 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
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
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: 

https://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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