Windy Ridge School Newsletter
23rd September 2020
Term 3 Week 10
KINDO: online school shop (click on KINDO to register)
Respect, Resilience, Kindness, Integrity
Kia ora, Hello, Kamusta, Hola a todos, As-salāmu, alaykum, Kumusta, Annyeonghaseyo, Ni Hao, Konichiwa, Namaste, Zdravstvuyte, Ciao, Cześć, Szia, Hallo, Bonjour, Salut, Shalom, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Talofa Lava, Malo e Leilei, Kia Orana, Kia Ora Koutou
News from the Principal
“Te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere; te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga nōna te ao”.
The bird who eats the miro berry is from the forest; the bird who feasts on education is of the world.”
Tēnā koutou katoa, Nǐ hǎo – 你好
Chinese Language Week
Dàjiā wènhòu 大家问候– greetings to everyone. In this week’s newsletter I celebrate Chinese Language week. We are privileged to have Chinese students at WRS who help add to the rich diversity of our learning community. China’s national languages of Mandarin and Cantonese are shared around our playground and I love hearing the pride in which some of our students share their rich language together. In my last school I enjoyed a strong relationship with schools in the city of Ningbo, one of whom became a sister school. I welcomed Nigboian students each year to NZ and lead tours of Year 6 students to China in return. The experiences that we all shared with each other were invaluable for developing deeper understandings around culture and trust and respect for diversity.
I am always staggered by the linguist skills of Chinese speakers who have to master 2,000-3,000 characters to be able to have a simple conversation. The whole language has upwards of 50,000 characters. This puts our Roman alphabet of 26 letters into context. To our Chinese families: Wǒ hóngyáng nǐ de– I celebrate your culture – Dàjiā wènhòu 大家问候
NZ Sign Language Week
This week is also NZ Sign Language week. NZ Sign is our nations’ 3rd Language after Te Reo Māori and English.
Perhaps in the future we might be able to bring some sign language experts into our School to teach the students some of the basics. Certainly as we go forward, I’d like to see us respecting our deaf community by learning to sign our National Anthem at Assemblies. Here are some basic signs in the NZ sign alphabet:
This Week’s Lockdown Drill
This week we held a Lockdown drill in School, as part of our scheduled evacuation and safety drills. This is a practice that is mandated in all NZ Schools. As is standard advice and practice, drills are not advertised to students and community ahead of time to ensure that the children respond authentically.
At Monday’s drill, we used the drill as a teaching moment and Julia our expert from Harrison Tew who audited our drill briefed the children in the Hall just before. The children were given a non-threatening scenario – “Mr Upton’s dog had got out and followed him to school accompanied by her friends, and so we thought we should practice going into lock down until all of the dogs were safely rounded up.” What I can report is that the children all responded brilliantly and no one was stressed or frightened, rather they really enjoyed the adventure.
I know that we are living in anxious times, but we also have a duty of care to our children to teach them the correct responses to danger and emergencies. Obviously, if any parents have concerns around our emergency procedures, I would be more than happy to discuss them with them.
Our next drill will be as part of the National Shakeout in Term 4, and will be focused around teaching our students what we need to do in an earthquake.
So It’s Nearly Time for the School Holidays
I’d like to congratulate our wonderful students for showing amazing resilience and fortitude during what has been another disrupted term due to Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns. Thankfully we will be able to finish our term together and celebrate our achievements and successes. We will also be able to farewell Mrs. Huppler who is leaving us on Friday. We will miss you Sarah, but wish you every success for the future and thank you for all that you have done for our school as both a dedicated teacher and BOT member.
To our students and whānau, I wish you a restful break. Enjoy the improving weather and cherish your time together.
Keep safe and stay well everyone.
Gàobié 告别 - Farewell
Ka kite anō au i a koutou
Jonathan Lambert
Principal
It’s Still Not Too Late To Have Your Say
As was mentioned in last week’s Newsletter, parents have the opportunity to review the learning support policy for our school. If you would like to participate in the review:
- Visit the website https://windyridge.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
- Enter the username (windyridge) and password (WRS0629).
- Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
- Read the policy.
- Click the Policy Review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
- Select the reviewer type “Parent”.
- Enter your name (optional).
- Submit your ratings and comments.
- If you don’t have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.
On the first day of term 4 we have PhotoLife Studios at school taking class, individual and sibling photos in the hall. We will send a reminder out in the last week of the holidays. If you would like a sibling photo including preschoolers please send an email to the office, these photos will be taken in the morning from 9am.
Health & Well-being
Dental service during the Covid-19 Level 2 lockdown – ARDS letter to our community – 1 September 2020 Auckland Regional Dental Service I Waitemata DHB, 144 Chivalry Road, Glenfield, 0629, p: 0800 TALK TEETH (Option 1) | 09 444 6160
Sports Update
Rippa Rugby We have received confirmation that we will have a one day Rippa Tournament on Thursday October 27th. Unfortunately this date coincides with our Team Tui camp. This means we will only be able to take our year 3/4 students. Team Tui students will be reimbursed for this event. You MUST register your child as a player at Windy Ridge School. Please follow this link; https://www.sporty.co.nz/
Touch Rugby Registration is open for Touch Rugby for Term 4. Please log on to Kindo and look under Sports Registrations for more information. Games will be played on Wednesdays at Kaipātiki Park. Game times will be at 4:00, 4:30, 5:00, and 5:30 pm – younger players generally play the earlier games and the older players play the later games. Fees are $40 for the season. There will be 7 games beginning on November 4th. Teams are open to year 1 -6 boys and girls.
Please check the school calendar for term dates and information and on our website and the Skool Loop. Here are a few important dates for you:
- PhotoLife – Class & students photos – Monday 12th October
- Team Tui Camp 21-23 October
- School Fun Run/Colour Run 3rd November (New Date)
My Kindo Android & iPhone App now available
myKindo app is now available for iPhone and Android phones. If you like the flexibility of ordering anywhere, anytime then go ahead and download the app! Access via the app store, searching “mykindo” or by using the links below – Android Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/
Skool Loop App
- Team Tui Camp – In term 4 from the 21st to 23rd October the year 5 & 6 students will be attending camp at Carey Park. We are holding the parent information evening tonight via zoom, an email with your zoom invitation was sent on Monday. On Monday we sent home these important notices for you to read, complete, and return to school. Camp payment, Medical and Detail Form– 2020 Camp Gear List – Camp payment and permission slip – EOTC-HealthProfileandMedicalConsent.docx – Please contact your child’s classroom teacher if you have any questions.
- Team Pukeko Zoo Trip – We have been advised by the Zoo that due to the continued level 2 restrictions this trip has now been postponed until term 4.
- Term 3 Team Newsletters – Team Falcon Term 3 Newsletter – 2020, Team Pukeko Term 3 Newsletter – 2020 Team Fantail Term 3 Newsletter 2020 Team Tui Term 3 Newsletter 2020
- School Fun Run/Colour Run – We will be holding a School Fundraiser through Fun Run. The school will be participating in a colour run obstacle course on November 3rd. Fundraising information will be coming out soon. All children who raise over $10 will be eligible for a prize.
Reminders
- Attendance – Please ensure that your children arrive at school on time and that we are aware of their absence by 9.00am each day. You can telephone the office and leave an absence message or go online to the school website and use the Report an absence tab or use the Skool Loop app. We do follow up lateness and absence as we are required to report on both to the Ministry of Education and the Board of Trustees. If you are planning a holiday in term time please advise your child’s teacher and the office.
- Kindo – To avoid office queues please go online to make payments through your mykindo account. If you haven’t used Kindo before, click this link to get started (all you need is the email address we have on record) Kindo Shop Kindo_Parent_Flyer_CHINESE If you already have a mykindo account, go to www.mykindo.co.nz or via the link on our school website. www.facebook.com/kindo.co.nz This site also hosts our online lunch ordering system Ezlunch – All orders must be made before 9am. Ezlunch T3 Menu
- WINDY RIDGE PARENTS Facebook – We have a closed Facebook page for Windy Ridge parents – you need to request to be part of this page, we are only able to accept parents and caregivers to this page. It is a valuable page for reminders, information, and general WRS ‘stuff. https://www.facebook.com/groups/windyridgeparents/
- Walking School Bus – We have 2 Walking School Buses at WRS. They leave from Stephanie Close, Hiwihau Place. Most of them leave around 8.15am in the morning to get the students to school for 8.30am. If you would like your child(ren) to come on the Walking School Bus AND are able to help just one morning or afternoon a week, see Mrs Boyce in the office for a form and she will pass your details on to the right person. The Walking School Buses are solely run by awesome volunteers so your help is always appreciated.
- Lost Property – Please remember to check our lost property bin on the hall deck for any lost items, please name all items of clothing, lunch boxes and drink bottles.
- Spare Clothing – We recommend the students always have a change of clothes in their bags.
- Head Lice – Please check your child’s hair weekly as unfortunately head lice are very common in the community. We have attached the link to the Ministry of Education parent information website with more information. https://parents.education.govt.nz/primary-school/wellbeing/head-lice/ For advice on treatments: https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/h/head-lice/#Chemicalproducts Will my child have to stay away from school? No, the school will not exclude your child or ask you to keep them at home because they have lice. You don’t need to keep your child at home while you’re treating lice either. We have combs available in the office, but also your local chemist and supermarket will sell products.
- Sunshine Online – www.sunshineonline.co.nz Free access to all families to use these books – Login – windyridge1 – Password – windyridge
- Music Lessons – John Casson from MusiqHub is now offering music lessons in Guitar & Ukulele at our school, see the attached notice for more information. John Casson Flyer
- Before & After-School Care – The sKids organisation provide this service from our school hall, please feel free to drop in and see them or register online through their website. www.skids.co.nz/locations/windy_ridge/
Term dates
School Terms 2020
Term 3 Monday 20/07 – Friday 25/09
Term 4 Monday 12/10 – Tuesday 15/12 (School Closed, 26th October – Labour Day, 27th & 28th October Teacher Only Days)
PTA News
- Team Tui Sausage Sizzle – Friday 25th September Team Tui Sausage order form and ice block
- Calendar Art Fundraiser – This term the students have been creating their calendar art pictures. This Friday we hope to send home order forms with a unique code for your child, these art works can be purchased in Calendar, Greeting Card, Mouse Pad, Sketch Pad or Diary format. Thanks for your support.
- Yummy Stickers fundraiser – Hi everyone, please return any yummy fruit sticker/bag logo collections sheets (can be on any piece of paper!) by this Thursday 24th September. They will be counted and sent off to Yummy, but if everyone could do a page total on their own pages that would be a huge help. Yummy Sticker Sheet
- Chocolate Fundraiser – Please to return all unsold boxes to school by this Friday. This is our Big Fundraiser and we aim to raise between $4,000 and $5,000 to pass on to school for projects.
- Volunteers – We are always looking for more volunteers during school time to help with lunches. please email PTA@windyridge.school.nz
Community News
Glenfield Intermediate Newsletter
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M Sports Northshore Newsletter
Takapuna AFC Holiday Programme
Are the kids down that the football season is over? Get them having fun with our football holiday programme! Girls and boys from 5 to 13 are welcome. The week is full of exciting games and tournaments. Our team of highly qualified staff will ensure your kids have a ball in a positive and safe environment!
Holiday Camp Details – Venue: Takapuna AFC, Taharoto Park, Taharoto Rd, Takapuna, 0622
Dates: Week 1: Mon 28th Sept to Thurs 1st Oct – Week 2: Mon 5th to Thurs 8th Oct
Times/Costs: – 9am to 12pm $29 per day – 9am to 3pm $49 per day
Register Your Child: Go to https://enrolmy.com/msports-northshore/book-now/123-Takapuna-AFC-Holiday-Programme
Queries: Contact adminnorthshore@msports.co.nz
We look forward to seeing you soon!
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TENNIS SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
When/Where: Week 1:Mon 28th, Tues 29th, Wed 30th September
Week 2: Mon 5th, Tues 6th, Wed 7th October
at Glenfield Tennis Club.
School Holiday Clinic – Glenfield September
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Auckland Regional Dental Service I Waitemata DHB
144 Chivalry Road, Glenfield, 0629
p: 0800 TALK TEETH (Option 1) | 09 444 6160 | 021 968 975
Communication to our communities – ARDS Level 2
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