GRETA VALLEY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

28 November 2018

GRETA VALLEY SCHOOLSKILLS FOR LIFE!

MESSAGE FROM NEW PRINCIPALMy name is Anne Batt and I have been appointed, by your Board, as your new Principal.I have been the Principal at Thornbury School for the last twelve years. When I was appointed at Thornbury I was a first time Principal and in the following twelve years I have grown immensely in this role.I am a rural girl at heart (although I am not sure “girl” is the right word here!!) as I have worked the majority of my teaching career in rural communities. I was brought up in Clarkville on a small dairy farm and went to Clarkville Primary School and then travelled in to town to do my secondary education at Rangi Ruru Girls School. I went to teacher training College in Christchurch and was placed in Invercargill for my first teaching position. I have remained in the Southland area ever since.When I lost my husband to cancer a number of years ago I thought long and hard about returning to my old stomping ground but the time just never seemed to be right, until now. I have inherited a small amount of land near my sister in Clarkville and I intend to build my new home here. I will be living with my sister in the meantime. I have two adult children. My daughter lives in Dunedin with her husband and two of my grandchildren and my son lives in Winton (Southland) with my third grandchild. This is a big change for me but I am very excited about it and am looking forward to meeting the children, staff and all of the parents and wider community of Greta Valley.Thank you for giving me this opportunity, I will work very hard to ensure your children continue to get the very best education possible.

Anne Batt

OPPORTUNITY TO MEET ANNEAnne is coming to school on December 7th and looks forward to meeting with parents and staff after assembly.

Dear ParentsOnly three weeks to go after this week, where has the term and year gone?

STAFFING FOR 2019The latest information regarding staffing for 2019 is as follows; Sue will be back part time 3 days a week, Monday to Wednesday next term while the new Principal attends to the appointment of a new teacher for the junior class. Anne, the Principal will teach Thursday and Friday in the junior room. Jo Loe will be teaching full time in the senior room, Monday to Friday.

SHARED LUNCH & FAREWELL TO STAFFWe have designated Friday the 14th as an afternoon for a shared lunch and afternoon activities as a farewell to the staff leaving. This will be our ‘End of Year Celebration afternoon together, an informal unstructured fun afternoon. The pool will be open, equipment will be out in the playground and families as well as the wider community are invited to attend. Please provide a plate of food to share. Lunch will begin at 12.00pm. At 12:30 there will be a presentation by the Board to Sue and Malin.

PRIZEGIVINGPrize Giving will also be an opportunity for school families and the wider community to come along and share in morning tea together to farewell Year 8 students and staff. Prize Giving will begin at the earlier time of 9.30am followed by a morning tea (which will be provided by school) after which families will be able to take their children home for the Christmas holiday break.

ORANA PARK TRIP

Phone 314 3800 - fax 314 3809 - E-Mail: office@gretavalley.school.nzPlease support our sponsors

1

Our trip to Orana Park will take place on Tuesday 18th of December. We have the Broomfield School bus to transport the children and the Orana Park keepers will be guiding and informing the children around the park with the focus being on animal care. This is a day for instruction for the children. School staff will be with the children at all times. This is a sponsored activity through the Red Cross earthquake fund for our children. The Red Cross will send a couple of people to record and photograph the event. The children will need their lunch and drink bottles and sunhats. We will also be in school uniform for the day. Bringing a jacket may be also desirable with the changeable weather we are having now.

HURUNUI ZONE ATHLETICSWell done to our small team Latisha, Elsie, Andra, Flynn and Nikolas who competed in the Zone Athletics on the 13th of November. Congratulations to Elsie who has qualified for the Canterbury Athletics in discus and the 50 metres sprint.

SCHOOL POOLThe school pool is running, unfortunately the weather has not been favourable for the children to swim. Please remember to send your children each day with their swimming gear as the day may fine up. If you do not wish your child to swim on any given day, please send a note or contact the office to let us know. Juniors will be participating in Wai Swim with instructors at our pool on the 4th and 11th of December.

LIBRARY BOOKSAs we near the end of the year, please have a good look at home and return any library books your children have brought home. Please also return any journals/reading books. The children will be able to take library books home over the holidays.

ROOM 1 KORU ROCK ARTRoom 1 children are now able to take home their Koru Rock Art that they made last term. As they are quite heavy, please take the opportunity next time you are at school to collect them from the garden outside the school office. The childrens’ initials are on the back of the rocks.

GRAPEVINE MAGAZINEIncluded in this newsletter is your free copy of the Grapevine Magazine. We thank Grapevine for providing this great free resource for families.UPCOMING EVENTS

Term 4: 15 October – 20 December Newsletters will be out – 12 DecAssemblies –7th Dec and Prizegiving 20th DecDecember 4 Waiswim Programme for Juniors5 BOT Meeting11 Waiswim Programme for Juniors14 Shared lunch and staff farewell18 Whole school trip to Orana Park19 Yr 8 Leavers’ dinner20 Prizegiving 9.30 Scargill Domain

TERM DATES FOR 2019Term 1 Mon 4th Feb to Fri 12th Apr 98 half daysTerm 2 Mon 29th Apr - Fri 4th July 98 half daysTerm 3 Mon 22nd July - Fri 27th Sept100 half daysTerm 4 Mon 14th Oct - Fri 20 Dec 98 Half days Enjoy your week, Malin, Sue, Jo, Amelia, Megan and Yo.

**COMMUNITY NEWS **TIMEBANK HURUNUIKaiapoi Food Forest Tour, Monday 3rd Dec, 10.30am - 12noonThis community venture has transformed 1.5 acres of red-zone land into a thriving public space and source of local “kai”. Thanks to donations and thousands of volunteer hours, in its first year the Kaiapoi Food Forest has over 800 trees and plants, and is looking forward to bumper crops this summer of fruit, vegies and herbs.Inspired by locals Brent and Shirley Cairns, the food forest is an open public space. As well as providing free food, it features creative landscaping and picnic spaces, and offers educational programmes and events. It is becoming a tourist destination, bringing visitors to Kaiapoi.Our TBH Learning Exchange is organising a tour with Brent to see first-hand what is achievable with community vision and commitment. Afterwards, we can enjoy a shared picnic or lunch at a local cafe.Register please by 26 November, so we can arrange car pooling. Cost: 1.5 TimeBank Hurunui credits or donation

SUNFLOWER PRESCHOOL ENROLMENTS FOR 2019 If your child is 10 months or older and you are considering Sunflowers Preschool please can you email or text Nicky Gardner with your possible intensions and your child’s age. This will help with our planning for 2019. Email: nicky@sunflowerspreschool.co.nz  or text 0210485415. You are welcome to visit at any stage to get more information.

Phone 314 3800 - fax 314 3809 - E-Mail: office@gretavalley.school.nzPlease support our sponsors

2

SURFKIDSChildrens Surfing  Programme.Learn the skills of Surfing in a fun, safe environment. All equipment provided and professional instruction from Aaron Lock and team. For kids 8 - 14 years.Sundays 10am to 12pm.Dec / Jan Holidays : from 17th Dec, 10am-12pmCost $30 per day or $135 for five. Bookings essential.Venue:Sumner.

Call Aaron on 0800 80 SURF (7873) or register online at surfcoach.co.nz

Teacher Vacancy 2019Sunflowers Preschool is located in the Hawarden townships and services the Hurunui District. We have a welcoming teaching team and wonderful families and children.

The position (4 days per week) is avaliable to an Early Childhood or Primary trained teacher. This is a great opportunity to grow yourself as a teacher and get involved in all aspects of an ECE service through our shared leadership philosophy. Be involved in Professional Development, Mentoring and Coaching. Come with a growth mindset, committment, passion and fun loving attidute that is needed when working with young children.

Inquires to Nicky Gardner Phone: 0210485415Email: nicky@sunflowerspreschool.co.nz

This position is open until the vacancy is fulled. Interest before the end January 2019 would be appreciated. CV, references and past work history all helpful.

Phone 314 3800 - fax 314 3809 - E-Mail: office@gretavalley.school.nzPlease support our sponsors

3

Room 1 was very lucky to have Erin Douglas-Clifford take a water colour art lesson. The children learnt how to blend colours using water and salt. They are very proud of their first attempt at painting with water colours. Thanks for your time and effort Erin.

What a

difference a few weeks and a few gallons of rain make! The garden has taken off and the plants are looking very healthy.

Phone 314 3800 - fax 314 3809 - E-Mail: office@gretavalley.school.nzPlease support our sponsors

4

WATER COLOUR ART