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Volume 5| 3 March 2023| Roll Number 611| Week 5 Term 1

Mauri ora ki a koutou

The endless Summer has meant our junior students have been enjoying swimming lessons in our pool and our intermediate students have been able to continue water activities at their Camp at Glendhu Bay. Back at school, the students and staff have been enjoying the sunshine which tends to make everyone happy!

Next week, Thursday, 10 March, I encourage you to come along to meet other parents interested in fundraising for our school. We are providing drinks and nibbles and you will see an advertisement attached to this newsletter. You will be aware that we have not been able to organise our annual QPS Fair this term as we were struggling with gathering members for our PTA at the end of 2022. However, we would love to hear your suggestions for fundraising at this upcoming event. I hope to see you there!

Today we had a Mufti Day to raise funds for schools in the Hawkes Bay affected by flooding. The staff and students participated with enthusiasm. We have raised approximately $1000 to support the flood victims. A SUPERB effort everyone!!! Thanks so much for your contributions. See the photo below of our staff in the spirit!

Please diary Friday mornings between 9 - 9.30am to pop into school and have a ‘cuppa’ and a chat with me. This is an open time for you to chat with me without an appointment. To date, I haven't had any visitors. I would love to better connect with you so please keep this in mind.

Ka mihi
Fi Cavanagh

IMPORTANT DATES

Monday 27 February - Wednesday 8 March
Year 7 & 8 Glendhu Bay Camp
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)

Thursday 23 March
Whanau Hui

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

YEAR 7 VISION SCREENING

The Vision Hearing Technicians from the Population Health Team, Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand will be visiting your school to screen all year seven students for distance vision on Wednesday the 15^th March 2023.

Distance Vision (Amblyopia & Hyperopia)

This determines how well your child is able to see at a distance. It involves reading an eye chart.
(This free vision check is not required if student wears glasses and/or is currently under care of an optometrist or eye specialist).

If you do not wish your child to be screened please fill out an opt-out slip (which is available at the school office) before our visit.

AROUND OUR SCHOOL

Lynette and Christy are our fully-trained swimming instructors this year. The 5-year-old children in Room 2 love their swimming lessons.

Room 7 made beeswax food wraps to reduce the need for plastic!

Physical Education
Here are some photos of Room 7 practising their Fundamental Movement Skills In PE, assisted by some of our Y7/8 PALS (Physical Activity Leaders). They were learning how to underarm throw and catch a large ball with two hands.

Garden-to-Table Writing

Room 20 had a double session of Garden to Table yesterday and made Plum
Cake and Courgette Fritters.
A very big thank you to the Garden to Table amazing volunteers Cordelia and
Bryony for running the kitchen, and also to all the parents that helped:
Lindsay, Zara, Sarah and Kumi. We really appreciate your time and knowledge.

Some reflections:-

We flip-flopped the zucchini fritters as they sizzled in the oily pan.
By Hannah

“This is the best cake ever!” I said as I tried the plum cake from
Garden to Table.
By Lilli

“Ah! Careful or you'll chop your hand off!” One of the parents exclaimed, helping one of the
students grate the zucchini. The smell of plum cake travelled around the room from the
group that had cooked previously. Some students picked tomatoes and strawberries, others
collected apples from the apple trees around the garden. Tiny green caterpillars crawled on
the leaves, eating and damaging the plants.
By Sacha

“Let me cut,” I said, as Yuto kept on cutting plums. One of the parents overheard me and
said “I’ll go get you a knife” and then she left and went to get me a knife.
By Justin

“Who doesn’t have a job?” asked Miss Gray. I put my hand up.
“You can help with the edible flowers,” said Miss Gray.
By Annabella

School Photos

School Photos are taking place on 27 and 28 March, please ensure your child comes to school in the correct uniform, your teacher will advise you of the day and time of your classroom photo.
All sibling photos are taking place in the school hall from 8.15am to 8.50am on both days.

Are you waiting on a school uniform delivery?

IMPACT has a large number of uniform orders to be collected.
Please contact them to see if yours is there 03 4429701.

FANTASTIC FUNDRAISING

Library News

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@queenstown.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.

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

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.

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

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.

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
	School Loop APP: Download 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

The Junior Football 2023 Season is open and waiting for you to sign up... and bring your friends too!

Pre-season training will begin on Wednesday 22 February
Teams will be allocated in March, so it’s OK for those unable to attend training until this time.
Training will be 4-5pm on the QEC fields next to Countdown.

Try before buy!
If you're new to our club and you would like to have a couple of weeks as a 'taster' without committing to signing up just yet, no problem!
Just email info@queenstownfootball.com and let us know you're coming along to one of our pre-season sessions to see if this is a good fit for you.

New format of training to help better support coaches throughout the season and help the kids learn and develop the core skills needed to play.

Save on registration fees through growing and supporting the club and bringing your friends along too;

$25 off registration when a parent becomes a coach or approved committee support team member (see options when you register)
$25 off registration fee for each new player introduced to QAFC, including returning players who didn’t play in 2022 (you need to be cited as an introducer for each new friend who registers and QAFC will credit you once they have paid their fees; so if you introduce 6 new players, you will get the full $150 back!!)
Registration fees will also be refunded for anyone who brings in a team name sponsor in 2023 – more details to come once you have registered.

If you are keen to assist the juniors with coaching then please mention when registering, or reach out to us info@queenstownfootball.com

Click to register | https://queenstownfootball.com/register-2023/

Kind regards,

Registrations are now open for the 2023 Wakatipus Junior Rugby season!!
Go to our website for more info https://www.wakatipurugby.co.nz/junior-club/ and register online at https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/60676
We're looking forward to seeing you all soon

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:

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 5| 3 March 2023| Roll Number 611| Week 5 Term 1

View this email in your browser
Volume 5| 3 March 2023| Roll Number 611| Week 5 Term 1