Welcome to the very special learning community that is
St Matthew's Primary School.

Update May 7

   Carpark Behaviour After School

e We had a number of close calls in the car park last week after school. This has included children running behind moving vehicles to meet parents at cars, cars almost backing into other cars and even children running to cars while the car is moving.

I have closed off one gate near B1 that some children are running through into the carpark. I am also asking that you only use the W5 gate if you are going to Waiapu Kids.

While I know this will be an inconvenience for some, I do not want to have a child run over. Many people who are reversing cannot see our pupils and our pupils are too young to
understand the dangers. If you also have children to collect from Waiapu Kids, having toddlers walking through the carpark and driveway is also
unsafe.

I would appreciate your feedback and any comments as we try to make a
potentially dangerous situation safer for our children.

 I have closed off one gate near B1 that some children are running through into the carpark. I am also asking that you only use the W5 gate if you are going to Waiapu Kids.

While I know this will be an inconvenience for some, I do not want to have a child run over. Many people who are
reversing cannot see our pupils and our pupils are too young to
understand the dangers. If you also have children to collect from Waiapu Kids, having toddlers walking through the carpark and driveway is also
unsafe.

I would appreciate your feedback and any comments as we try to make a
potentially dangerous situation safer for our children.

Children being on time to school 

 We work very hard to provide every
student with a very varied programme that matches their own needs. It is hard to maintain this when your child arrives late to school on a regular basis.
It certainly doesn’t help to set your child up for success for the day, let alone help the classmates who have to have their work interrupted so the teacher can bring your child up to speed. Please, please, please try to get your child to school around 8:45 or just after so they can be set up for the day.

Winter Uniform

By the start of next week everyone should be in winter uniform. A couple of notes that I need to mention.

Girls: it is long white socks OR stockings/tights. It is NOT leggings.

Boys: please note that the winter shorts are different (and much warmer) than the summer shorts.

A group from the BoT is currently looking at the uniform and they will be inviting comments from the community soon.
In the meantime, feel free to email me with any comments you might have : tim@ourplace.school.nz

  Girls’ Winter  Uniform

Year 1-6, white skivvy.
Year 7-8, white long sleeve cotton shirt.
Year 1-6, school pinafore.
Year 7-8, school skirt.
School v neck jersey or polar fleece option for non wool wearers.
White plain knee length socks or navy rib tights.
Black lace-up, velcro or t bar school shoes.

Boys’ Winter  Uniform
Year 1-6, white skivvy.
Year 7-8, white long sleeve shirt.
Year 1-6, grey winter weight shorts either side strap or elastic waist.
Year 7-8, long grey trousers, (optional).
School v neck jersey or optional polar fleece for non wool wearers.
Black lace up or Velcro school shoes.
Grey school socks.

Netball

We have two teams playing this term – a Year 5 and 6 team as well as a Year 7 and 8 team. Both teams practice down at
St Joseph’s school on a Wednesday lunchtime. St Jo’s have been kind enough to let us borrow 2 courts while ours is out of action due to the earthquake fencing. 

Books In Homes

 Whaea Jan has put together a programme  to encourage children to read with parents/caregivers/brothers and sisters  each night at home. Children can select books with the above sticker attached from a new library here at school. 

However, we need the books first! Do you have any books you could donate? They can be at any age level.  Thank you.

Arriving at School on Time

It is very important that our pupils are at school on time each day – by about 8:50am. This gives your child time to get ready for the day, put away their bag, catch up with their friends. I did a count of the ‘lost minutes’ of our children's
lateness for the last fortnight – just over 7 hours worth of lost time.
So for these children, they are missing quite a bit of time in class, but they are also missing out on the important time just before school starts where they mix and get ready for the day – and they cause the teacher to have to break off their teaching to make sure the late child slots into the activity with the correct
information. but it is not fair on your child, their class or their teacher. 

Board of Trustee Elections

We have an election at the start of next term for our Board of Trustees. Have you considered being available for this role? Our board meets twice a term in the evenings and set the direction for our awesome little school. We need good people to seriously think about this role. Since 1990, an estimated 100,000  professionals, tradespeople, parents and community leaders have contributed their time, energy and expertise to ensure the success of schools, classrooms and students in this country – maybe you want to be part of that group! Have a look at this weblink if you are interested.

https://www.nzsta.org.nz/trustee-elections/becoming-a-trustee/

 Breakfast Club

Breakfast club is up and running, in the Hall from 8.10 until 8.45 every morning.  All pupils welcome for Weetbix and toast. We are looking for more volunteers to help us in the morning—if you had a spare hour it would be most welcome!

 Term dates for 2019

 They are as follows:

 Term 1  4 Feb to 12 April

  Term 2  29 April to 5 July

Term 3  22 July to 27 Sept

Term 4  14 Oct to 19 Dec

 Your Chatterbox

If you would ONLY like an email version (and not get a paper copy) also please let Mr Coyle know at admin@ourplace.school.nz.

 Picking Your Child Up